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Show 1 5 2 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES EST THE FAE WEST. the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wivet of his sons with them, in the ark." It is plain, at least, in this instance likewise, that Christian bigamists have but little cause for exultation, for it is doubted whether actions of a similar character to that which the Mormons profess, was not one of the prominent vices that occasioned the Deluge. See 6th chap. Gen. from 1st to 7th verses, inclusive. Yet they say that they have Scripture authority! Why, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines! But was this evil habit sanctioned by any requisite as regarded his standing as a wise King of Israel ? or was it done for the service of the Most High ? for we read in Deut, xvii. 14: " When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God , giveth thee, and shall possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say I will set a ruler over us." 17. " Then shalt this ruler not multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he multiply unto himself silver and gold." " King Solomon's wives turned his heart." " That his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God." They can have Scriptural authority (another mantle of purity for their profound consideration) for King David's adultery with Bethsheba-but, alas! for human frailty. If we look to those nations where bigamy, or plurality of women prevails, we see men both physically and constitutionally enervated---effeminacy of character, and little or no desire to cultivate those sciences which it is designed that the human mind should grasp. They stand still, and have done so for centuries. In contemplating its natural results, and its unhappy tendencies, we are brought to consider the causes that originated, or, more |