This old acquaintance was a manuscript work written by Eev. Solomon Spalding, who, sixteen years before, had resided at Conneaut Creek, in the vicinity — a book which he had denominated The Manuscript Found. Mr. Spalding was a retired clergyman, poor and in debt, and in bad health. He had become interested in some mounds in the vicinity, and his thoughts dwelt much upon the pre-historic inhabitants of this country ; so much so, that he resolved to write a pretended history of such a people, and in " Scripture style." It cannot be denied that the reverend gentleman, though honest and well-meaning, was something of a "crank," and possessed of an illbalanced mind. While his romance was in progress, he took frequent occasion to read portions of it to his neighbors and friends ; and by reason of its peculiarity of style, and the names he introduced, as well as the incidents narrated, it made an impression on their memories. This manuscript, with some others, was written in 1812 to 1814. In the latter year he removed to Pittsburgh, and thence to Amity, Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1816. Such was the reception of the Book of Mormon in the vicinity of Spalding's old home, when it first made its appearance among them.

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With this we conclude the review of the senseless gold-laden story. No one really believes it. Even its originators, its eleven witnesses, and their immediate followers, had no abiding faith in it, else Cumorah Hill would ere this have been prospected from base to crown, in search of those other precious relics said to have been hid away by the angel. Yet its influence has been far-reaching. It has continued to grow, agitating and disturbing every community into which it has made its way, until it now curses half a^ continent. But it is on the wane ; and ere the twentieth century ends, the Story of the Golden Message will have faded from men's memories.