ecome interested in the subject of Mormonism. We met
at the appointed time, and chose two umpires to act as moderators
of the meeting. The subject to be discussed was:

"Are apostles, prophets, and teachers, together with the
spiritual gifts spoken of and recorded by the Apostle Mark in his
16th chapter, necessary to the Church now as they were then?"

In his closing speech Parson Hall became very abusive and
denounced the Mormons to the lowest regions of darkness, and
called the Prophet Joseph a vile impostor. I replied to him and
closed the discussion. It had been agreed that the Old and New
Testaments should be the only authorities to be quoted by us. The
umpires refused to decide as to which one of us had the best of
the discussion. They said it rested with the people to decide for
themselves. It was evident, however, that the people were with
me. The principal topic of conversation was about this strange
Mormon doctrine.

Parson Hall's flock was by no means satisfied with his course. He
said the Mormon doctrine was the strongest Bible doctrine he had
ever heard of, and he feared the consequences of a further
discussion. But this would not satisfy the people, who wanted to
hear and learn more of it; so another discussion was agreed upon,
in which Parsons Curlee and Nichols were to assist Parson Hall,
and prompt him. The subject was:

"Is the Book of Mormon of Divine origin, and has it come forth in
direct fulfillment of prophecy? And was Joseph Smith inspired of
God?"

We selected three judges; the hall was thronged. I felt the
responsibility of my situation, but I put my trust in God to give
me light and utterance to the convincing of the honest and pure
in heart. The discussion lasted many hours. I showed conclusively,
both from the Old and New Testaments, that, in accordance with
Scripture and prophecy, the ten tribes of Israel had been broken
up and scattered upon the face of the earth. That sure and
indisputable evidence had been found and produced by which it was
certain that the North American Indians were descendants from the
ten tribes of Israel. I showed this from many customs and rites
prevalent among the Indians, and there could be no doubt, in any
rational mind, that these tribes had sprung from the remnants of
the scattered ten tribes of Israel. The prophecies of the Old and
New Testaments, the traditions and history of the Indians so far
as known, their solemn religious rites and observances,