Appendix: Account of Meeting and Discourse, 15 May 1844
Source Note
Account of Meeting and JS, Discourse, [, Hancock Co., IL, 15 May 1844]. Version published in Josiah Quincy, Figures of the Past from the Leaves of Old Journals, Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1883, pp. 391–392. Transcription made from digital images obrained from Harvard University by Google Books in 2008.
Page 391
“General Smith,” said , when we had adjourned to the green in front of the tavern, “I think would like to hear you preach.” “Then I shall be happy to do so,” was the obliging reply; and, mounting the broad step which led from the house, the prophet promptly addressed a sermon to the little group about him. Our numbers were constantly increased from the passers in the street, and a most attentive audience of more than a hundred persons soon hung upon every word of the speaker. The text was Mark xvi. 15, and the comments, though rambling and disconnected, were delivered with the fluency and fervor of a camp-meeting orator. The discourse was interrupted several times by the Methodist minister before referred to, who thought it incumbent upon him to question the soundness of certain theological positions maintained by the speaker. One specimen of the sparring which ensued I thought worth setting down. The prophet is asserting that for the remission of sins is essential for salvation. Minister. Stop! What do you say to the case of the penitent thief? Prophet. What do you mean by that? Minister. You know our Saviour said to the thief, “This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise,” which shows he could not have been baptized before his admission. Prophet. How do you know he was n’t baptized before he became a thief? At this retort the sort of laugh that is provoked by an unexpected hit ran through the audience; [p. 391]