Page:The Voice of Truth.djvu/17

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

VOICE OF TRUTH.
~~~~~~
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. JAMES ARLINGTON
BENNETT, AND GEN. JOSEPH SMITH.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arlington House, Oct. 24, 1843.

"Dear General,—I am happy to know that you have taken possession of your new establishment, and presume you will be eminently successful and happy in it, together with your good lady and family. You are no doubt already aware that I have had a most interesting visit from your most excellent and worthy friend. President B. Young, with whom I have had a glorious frolic in the clear blue ocean; for most assuredly a frolic it was, without a moment's reflection or consideration. Nothing of this kind would in the least attach me to your person or cause. I am capable of being a most undeviating friend, without being governed by the smallest religious influence.

As yon have proved yourself to be a philosophical divine, you will excuse me when I say that we must leave this influence to the mass. The boldness of your plans and measures, together with their unparalleled success, so far, are calculated to throw a charm over your whole being, and to point you out as the most extraordinary man of the present age. But my mind is of so mathematical and philosophical a cast, that the divinity of Moses makes no impression on me, and you will not be offended when I say that I rate you higher as a legislator than I do Moses, because we have yon present with us for examination; whereas Moses derives his chief authority from prescription and the lapse of time. I cannot, however, say but you are both right, it being out of the power of man to prove you wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and can therefore get no mathematical solution. I say, therefore, go ahead, you have my good wishes. You know Mahomet had his "right hand man."

The celebrated Thomas Brown, of New York is now engaged in cutting your head on a beautiful cornelion stone, as your private seal, which will be set in gold to your order, and sent to you. It will be a gem, and