Page:Mormonism.djvu/23

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Mormonism.
23

fined species of communism was never projected. The rock upon which socialism usually splits, is the entire denial of individual property. The destruction of this great principle of cohesion disintegrates society, and causes it speedily to fall apart. Joseph Smith has adroitly adjusted these opposite poles of individualism and communism, so that they reciprocally act. A tenth of all property, of time, of labor and of income, is paid into the general treasury, and is expended upon such works as the public interest may demand. Labor is a cardinal virtue of the system; and a drone is driven from the hive by the pressure of universal contempt. While a strict general supervision is exercised over the industry of all, room is granted to individual enterprise by the recognition of individual possessions. The most alluring rewards are held out to the proselytes, particularly to those of the old world. The offer of land fora sum that will cover the cost of surveying and recording, is a powerful inducement to the peasants of Europe; who are accustomed to look upon the owners of the soil as a superior class, into whose privileges they ean scarcely hope to be admitted. This will serve to explain in part the success of Mormon missionaries in England and Wales; where the converts are reputed as being many thousands, waiting their opportunity to remove to the Canaan in the far west, which their fancy has painted. No part of this scheme displays greater practical wisdom than the formation of a colony in a country where land may be had for the settling; and the call made upon the laborers, colliers, mechanics, and factory slaves of over-crowded Europe to swarm to the new hive. It was no rude device too, while the temporal advantages are such as to attract adventurers in an age of emigration, to exact such a per centage as should maintain the community; as should bring the whole labor of all under a measure of control; and make each citizen a share-holder in the public wealth.

3. To a philosophic observer, probably the most striking feature of Mormonism, is, the attempt to realize the conception of a Theo-democratic government. It is a mistaken supposition that the ground-doctrine of every imposture is necessarily false; it is, on the contrary, oftentimes sublimely true. Indeed, it is this basis of truth which gives