LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 185 



Mormons, that physic was never used amongst them. The 

 prophets visited the beds of the sick, and laid hands upon 

 them, and if, as of course was almost invariably the case, 

 the patient died, it was attributed to his or her want of 

 faith ; but if, on the contrary, the patient recovered, there 

 was universal glorification on the miraculous cure. 



Joe Smith was a tall fine-looking man, of most plausible 

 address, and possessed the gift of the gab in great perfection. 

 At the time appointed for the performance of the walking- 

 water miracle, he duly attended on the river's bank, and 

 descended barefoot to the edge of the water. 



" My brethren ! " he exclaimed, in a loud voice, " this 

 day is a happy one to me, to us all, who venerate the great 

 and only faith. The truth of our great and blessed doctrine 

 will now be proved before the thousands I see around me. 

 You have asked me to prove by a miracle that the power 

 of the prophets of old has been given to me. I say unto 

 you, not only to me, but to all who have faith. I have 

 faith, and can perform miracles that faith empowers me 

 to walk across the broad surface of that mighty river with- 

 out wetting the soles of my unworthy feet ; but if ye are 

 to see this miracle performed, it is necessary that ye have 

 faith also, not only in yourselves, but in me. Have ye this 

 faith in yourselves ? " 



" We have, we have ! " roared the crowd. 



" Have ye the faith in me, that ye believe I can perform 

 this miracle ? " 



" We have, we have ! " roared the crowd. 



"Then," said Joe Smith, coolly walking away, "with 

 such faith do ye know well that I could, but it boots not 

 that I should, do it ; therefore, my brethren, doubt no 

 more " and Joe put on his boots and disappeared. 



Being again compelled to emigrate, the Mormons pro- 

 ceeded into the state of Illinois, where, in a beautiful 

 situation, they founded the new Jerusalem, which, it had 

 been declared by the prophet Mormon, should rise out of 

 the wilderness of the west, and where the chosen people 

 should be collected under one church, and governed by the 

 elders after a " spiritual fashion." 



