presidents born under the Stars and Stripes, and a large majority are of New England parentage. The founders were mostly descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers; the leading minds are nearly all of Puritan blood." It is, however, some comfort to know that, since polygamy was accepted and proclaimed, recruiting from among the sons of the Pilgrims has almost altogether ceased; and yet it is well for those of us who are so boastful of what Puritan thought and energy have accomplished for America to remember that this greatest abomination of our land is also a product of the thought and energy of the descendants of the Pilgrims--an institution, therefore, ESSENTIALLY AMERICAN. 4. It is also commonly supposed at the present day that _about nine tenths of the Mormons are foreign rather than American_; but the last census gives Utah a foreign-born population of 43,933 and a native-born population of 99,974. Making allowance for the probable preponderance of the native element among the Gentile population, and allowing a large subtraction from the latter figure on account of the thousands of children born of foreign parentage in Utah, it would still be probable that the native is, at least, equal to the foreign fraction in the general aggregate. And this will be the more readily admitted when it is remembered that, while public attention has been more attracted toward the recent importations of converts from Europe, the earlier Mormons in Utah were almost exclusively American. So far as personal prominence goes, if not in numbers, _the native element has always been, and is now, entirely predominant_. Since, then, there are so many common mistakes with reference to Mormonism, let us endeavor to look at the system fully in a fair and impartial manner, considering _its marvellous history_, in the first place; and, then, _its threefold character_ as a religious, social, and political system, with which we have to deal not only as patriots, but also as Christians. PART I. HISTORY OF MORMONISM. "Examine history, for it is 'Philosophy teaching by experience.'" --CARLYLE. "'Tis strange, but true; for truth is always strange, Stranger than fiction." BYRON. CHAPTER I. Alleged origin of Mormonism--Joseph Smith's early life--Finding the peek-stone--Visited by an angel--Received the golden plates--Was Smith a swindler or an enthusiast?--"Book of Mormon" published, and Mormon Church established--Smith's first alleged miracle--Rigdon joins the Mormons--Mormonism compared to Mohammedanism. It is acknowledged by all who have given careful thought to the subject, that Mormonism presents us with a very extraordinary civilization and the most peculiar religion under the sun; but _its history_ is as unique and peculiar as the system itself, and is well worthy the attention of the philosopher as well as the student of human nature and human history.