Times and Seasons (, Hancock Co., IL), 16 May 1842, vol. 3, no. 14, pp. 783–798; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
Historical Introduction
The 16 May 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons was the sixth issue of the newspaper JS edited. It featured a variety of items, including “A Fac-simile from the Book of Abraham. No. 3,” with an explanation of various figures depicted in the facsimile, a serial installment of the “History of Joseph Smith,” letters from British members, and reprinted articles from the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star and Dollar Weekly Bostonian. In addition, the 16 May 1842 issue included three editorial comments, written by JS or the staff of the newspaper, which are featured here. JS’s level of involvement is unclear—he may have directed their creation or reviewed the material once written—but as editor he assumed editorial responsibility for all of the content in the issues of the paper published during his time as editor.
Note that only the editorial content created specifically for this issue of the Times and Seasons is annotated here. Articles reprinted from other papers, letters, conference minutes, and notices, are reproduced here but not annotated. Items that are stand-alone JS documents are annotated elsewhere; links are provided to these stand-alone documents.
A letter to the editor from an individual identified only by the initials “I. T.” related and refuted discussions of the church in the Baptist periodical the Cross and Journal, published in Columbus, Ohio.
“To Subscribers,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:710. JS was identified as editor of the newspaper from 15 February to 15 October 1842. Although JS was named as the editor of the 15 February issue, he began editing the newspaper with the 1 March issue.
our arangments, there being an emigration office established in this town &c. The writer suspected there was a genuine American trick being practised by the interested parties at the head of the system, to decoy the ignorant and unwary to perish in the swamps of , and that they were draining the country of their best artists; and that it was high time some steps were taken to put a stop to such practices. We have since discovered that the writer is no other than Robert Philips, Esq. an extensive manufacturer, and merchant, brother to Mark Philips, Esq. another great manufacturer and member of Parliament, for the Borough of . The Editor of the Courier has been playing upon the same string for several weeks since, and feels satisfied that the exposure which he has given the whole system, it must inevitably die away. He was therefore satisfied with having done his duty, and could safely leave them to the management of the proper parties, and recommended the police to do their duty. It appears that the gallant officer at the head of the police, (Sir Charles Shaw,) has too much discretion and good sense to be set on like a dog to worry out a society of Christians, because the editor of the Puseyite Oracle, pointed the finger of scorn at them. Because they dared to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. I should have liked very well for the police to have been there on Sunday last, for three persons had to be put out, by the brethren for disturbing the meeting in the sacrament services.
I remain beloved brethren
Your Bro. and fellow laborer
POSTSCRIPT.
I omitted to say that the writer in the paper alluded to, informed the public that he was endeavoring to obtain information respecting the movements of the people. He had previously sent a person to to get him to state something in writing respecting emigration, and after the publication of the letter before referred to, he again sent to for additional information in writing, I happened to be at ’s, when he made the second application, and I told that he was the individual who had published the letter in the Courier. sent him another letter containing the required information; and also stated that he had no objection to submit to him, or to the Government of this country, or any of its departments the religious principles of our society; our place of emigration, and indeed the whole of our movements in this and other countries, for the strictest investigation. The Manufacturers are evidently beginning to be jealous of the mechanics, and workmen, emigrating with a people having so systematic an organization as the Latter Day Saints display in their arrangements in this town.
will no doubt recollect his dream respecting the three hogs being in the field of wheat of afterwards three individuals coming into the hall to disturb the afternoon service when he was in . I was in company with a few days ago, and she informed me that she dreamt that she was in a very beautiful and extensive field of wheat which appeared to be about two feet high, and in one part of the field, at one side of it, she beheld a cow eating it up, and that the beast appeared to have devoured a space equal to the size of the room where we were sitting (The room adjoining the shop in Oxford Street). Yesterday afternoon one of the individuals represented by the three hogs before mentioned, attempted to interrupt the sacrament meeting, and on being told that we would not allow him to disturb our meeting he persisted in doing so, and several others appeared to be aiding and abetting him in his conduct, wherefore the brethren put them out of the room; but not without considerable resistance being offered by them. It appeared afterwards that one if not more of these were the individuals turned out on the occasion before referrred to. I should remark that , sat close by the place where the disturbance occurred. There appears to be a disposition on the part of the hirelings to disturb our meetings so often as the presiding elders are absent. A short time ago an individual styling himself the Rev. S. S. Sleep, Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rhode Island , which name I believe only to have been an adopted for the occasion, came in company with another self-called Rev. to interupt our meeting in ’s absence, and attempted to gain the ears of the audience in order to traduce the saints, thinking no doubt they would believe one who professed to be a Rev. [p. 789]