[p. 232]
["Thou Shalt Not Lie" by W. W. Phelps -- begins on p. 230]

... I shall next present you with a short article that recently appeared in M. M. Noah's
N. Y. Evening Star:

"Heathen Temple on Lake Erie: -- That bold-faced imposter, Joe Smith, of Gold bible and Mormon memory, has caused his poor fanatic followers to erect on the shores of Lake Erie; near Painesville, (Ohio) a stone building 58 by 78 feet with dormer windows, denominating the same the "Temple of the Lord." We should think this work of iniquity extorted out of the pockets of his dupes, as it reflects its shadows over the blue lake, would make the waters crimson with shame at the prostitution of its beautiful banks to such unhallowed purposes."

We can hardly believe that an honest man would write such a foolish, figurative statement: but when a man has failed to dupe his fellow Jews, with a New Jerusalem on Grant Island, I suppose that you cannot "crimson" [his face] with shame, at the prostitution of his life and character, to vices, that are forbidden by the law of Moses, by the law of the land, and by every honest judge in Israel. Let me ask, who made Noah an umpire to say whether the church of the Latter Day Saints, has not as good a right to build a house at Kirtland, for worshipping the Lord, as he had to lay a stone on Grant Island, to wheedle money from the Jews to fill his own pockets? again, let me ask what any of the Saints have done to injure Noah, or any other man, that he should wilfully ridicule them, and reproach them with iniquity? &c. &c. Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! When thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. -- Isaiah 33:1.


One more example of folly, and I will cease quoting for the present: It is from the Sunday Morning News, of Nov. 15, and reads thus:

"Good. Abner Kneeland, the notorious leader of the infidels in boston, has been convicted of blasphemy before the supreme court of Mass. On three previous trials the jury could not agree upon a verdict. We cannot suggest a better course for the gray headed scoundrel than that he forthwith take up his line of march for the land of the Mormons, and associate himself with his brother imposter, Matthias; and to strengthen their proselytes in the faith, Fanny Wright, perhaps, may be induced to take up her residence with them. What a pretty little family the trio would make, with the addition of the X Dey of Algiers, X Charles, and with a few others which we cannot readily call to mind; we will toss into the caldron another Frenchman, Louis Phillippe, who can, in the course of a few months, be spared without any trouble."

The editor of this Sabbath paper, is Mr. S. J. Smith, and what evil have the Saints, (Mormons, as he stiles them,) done to him or his reputed city? what reason can he offer for endeavoring to reproach and ridicule a society of people, by tossing into their faces, the despised among men. His holy day paper poorly comports with the Savior's golden rule; "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets."

It is a matter of astonishment to me, that intelligent men, are so apt to slander and belie their fellow beings! It must arise from the face, that Satan is an enemy to pure religion: for Cain slew his brother because the Lord had respect to the purity of Abel's heart: Religion though based upon eternal truth, and always flourishing in the regions of glory, is treated strangely in this world. On account of abusing its light and knowledge, Cain became "a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth." For striving against the Spirit of God, and being full of violence, the inhabitants of the old world, except Noah and his family, were destroyed by the flood.

Pharaoh and his host were sunk in the Red Sea, for insulting the Saints of God: and I might go on from Moses till the final dispersion of the Jews, and the destruction of Jerusalem, after the Lord of glory was crucified, but I pause.

The hour of judgment is near, "And all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Why is it that such men as Noah, Dwight, Woodward, S. J. Smith and a phalanx of others, should be striving to put down the church of the Latter Day Saints, when they have received no injury from them?

Is it because they have inhaled the cankering air, that has been tainted by the stenching breath of such men as Mr. Campbell, Mr. Avery, Mr. Clapp, Mr. Hurlburt, and least of all the persecutors the dark colored man with a pitchfork? If this is the case I am sorry for them: -- for a wise man ought always to hear both sides of a matter before he judges it. I shall bring no railing accusations against them: I have merely drawn a picture of what they have hastily done, that they may look upon it and consider how many innocent men, women, and children have to suffer persecution, hunger, thirst, and other afflictions, for such rash words, and foolish deeds. No wonder Lynch law is murdering throughout our once happy country; no wonder mob after mob is breaking the tender thread of law, and bursting the strong bands of society, to spread anarchy, confusion, destruction and death: no preference is made to virtue more than vice, by men in high places; and when a scourge sweeps off its thousands, the survivors, seem to have been spared only to mock at the calamity; I do sincerely hope that all that have slandered the church of Latter Day Saints will repent of their sins and folly: [D&C 97:22-24] "For behold and lo vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly, as the whirlwind, and who shall escape it: the Lord's scourge shall pass over by night and by day; and the report thereof shall vex all people; yet, it shall not be stayed until the Lord come: for the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations, and all their wicked works."

[p. 233]
For the love of liberty: venerating the memory of our worthy forefathers who bled that we might live free; for the benefit of the oppressed; for the continuance of virtue, and in the blessed name of Jesus Christ, it is devoutly to be hoped that every man that has injured, or spoken evil of the church of Latter Day Saints, will be as free to make reparation, as he was to give currency to reports without foundation: that they may not remain among that class of beings, to whom the Savior's language to the Scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites, will apply: for there is a woe to such as make clean the out side of the platter; that praise virtue but never practice it; that pay tithes, for the sake of honor, and esteem men and money more than truth and meekness, and omit the "weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith."

In the love of god, and in the hope of the prosperity of the pure in heart, praying that the Lord will have mercy upon all that turn from the evil of their ways; having virtue for my aim; truth for my standard, and seeking eternity for an everlasting inheritance, I shall continue to defend the cause of goodness and humanity.

As ever
W. W. PHELPS.
To JOHN WHITMER Esq.

[p. 259]

MAJOR NOAH AND THE TEMPLE.
We gave, some few weeks since, some extracts from the address of Mr. NOAH, in which he attempted to show the failure of the prediction of the SAVIOR, that in the destruction of the Temple, not one stone should be left upon another. On this claim of a failure, the Louisville Journal, in a long article, remarks as follows: --

"We shall now show that the prediction of the Savior was fulfilled in the most literal sense. The prediction was, that the building upon which the disciples were then looking should be utterly destroyed. This address was made in reference to what was a matter of sight, not to underground arches. See Matt. xxiv. 2; Mark. xiii. 2. The language is plain, and easily understood. It was also promised, in the same connection, that Jerusalem should be laid even with the ground, and that not one stone should be left upon another. -- These things were fulfilled in the most exact sense. Titus did all in his power to save the Temple, but could not. The Jews set fire to the porticos, and the infuriated Romans completed the work of ruin, while Titus was making personal executions to save it. Josephus says the Temple was burned against the will of Caesar. Titus then gave orders to demolish the foundations of the Temple and of the city... It is rather too late in the day for Major Noah to contradict facts that were never contradicted by those who were contemporaries of the events. The Major is behind the times.

"There is one more prophecy of the Savior, on the occasion of the one which Major Noah impugns, which has been literally fulfilled, and which the Major felt sensibly, at the very moment he was endeavoring to blow away the character of its author. It was more remarkable than the one that has excited the Major's Jewish doubts. We allude to the predicyion that 'Judea should be trodden down by the Gentiles...'"

NOAH, Mordecai Manuel, journalist, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., 14 July, 1785; d. in New York City, 22 May. 1851. He engaged in trade, but soon studied law, and, removing to Charleston, S. C., turned his attention to politics. In 1811 he was appointed by President Madison U.S. Consul at Riga, Russia, but declined, and in 1813 secured the post of consul-general at Tunis, with a special mission to Algiers. His consulship was made memorable by his rescue of several Americans that were held as slaves in the Barbary States, and he protested against the payment of an annual tribute to the pirate government of Morocco as security for the American merchant marine. On his return to New York he entered journalism, and founded and edited in rapid succession the "National Advertiser," the "Courier and Enquirer," the "Evening Star." and the "Sunday Times." As surveyor of the port, to which post he was appointed by Gen. Jackson in 1832, and judge of the court of sessions, he enjoyed civil esteem, while his personal efforts as sheriff in behalf of imprisoner debtors showed the warmer side of his nature, which political and journalistic strife could not stifle. A courious incident of his life was his project in 1820 to rehabilitate the Jewish nation at Grand Island in [the] Niagara River. His enthusiasm went so far that he erected at Whitehaven, on the eastern side of the island, opposite Tonawanda, a monument of brick and wood. with the inscription "Ararat, a City of Refuge for the Jews, founded by Mordecai M. Noah in the Month of Tishri (September, 1825) and in the Fiftith Year of American Independence." This has since disappeared. His most important published work is "Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States" (London, 1819). He wrote, in addition, a large mass of miscellaneous addresses and essays, political and religious, a collection of which appeared under the title 'Gleanings from a Gathered Harvest" (New York, 1845). His addresses in clude one on the "Restoration of the Jews" (1845). He also published a "Translation of the Book of Jasher" (1840), and was the author of several successful dramas, including "The Fortress of Sorrente," "Paul and Alexander." "She would be a Soldier," "Marion, or the Hero of Lake George," "The Grecean Captive," and "The Seige of Tripoli,"

THE  LATE  M. M. NOAH.

MORDECAI M. NOAH was born in the city of Philadelphia on the 14th of July 1785. He early gave indications of his being possessed of those high mental powers which subsequently made him for a long period one of the chief [members] of the editorial [fraternity] of the United States. He was educated at Philadelphia College, and having access to the Franklin Library he acquired a great deal of miscellaneous knowledge, reading much at a time of life when it is easy to fix [acquisitions] permanently in the memory. Major Noah found the advantages that follow from youthful reading in middle life and old age. That which we read in our youth is retained so long as intellect is allowed to [be].

When but thirteen years of age, young Noah delivered a Fourth of July Address, a sort of intellectual [feat] which was then thought to have more [pretention] to [originality] than it now has. He was then a Clerk in the Auditor's Office.

In [------] when [eleven] years old, he was apprenticed to a [carver] and [gilder], but [---------] principally at his master's [request.] His connection with the press commenced very early. He was employed as a Reporter of the proceedings of the Legislature if Pennsylvania, by the celebrated John [-------], who then published the Democratic Press, a noted organ in the day of the old Republican or Democratic party. At the same time he was the chief [contributor] to a [---------] and [---------] weekly journal called the [The Tatler]. It was about this time that he obtained his title of Major, which became so thoroughly connected with his anme that it almost seemed to form a portion of it. He was elevated to this military office through the influence of the celebrated Simon Synder, Governor of Pennsylvania, and who played so prominent a part for many years in the politics of that great State....

About the year [1799] Major Noah left Philadelphia and took up his residence in Charleston, South Carolina, then perhaps, the most [intellectual] community in the Union, and the host of the most polished and [refined] society of the [southeast]. He connected himself with the City Gazette newspaper which was edited by {Isaac] Thomas and [Isaac Harley], the latter gentleman being an excellent Hebrew scholar...

In such society as Charleston afforded, Major Noah soon made himself at home. The [amenity] of his [manners], his genial termprement, and his great conversational powers, which were enriched by his extensive reading made him a welcome guest in the best [circles] of Charleston society. He beacme acquainted with all the celebrities of that region. On a visit to Columbus, the capital of the State, he made teh acquaintance of John C. Calhoun, who had then just entered upon what was destined to be a brilliant public career. Mr. Calhoun saw and appreciated the talents of his new acquiantance, whom he advised to visit New York, as the place best apated to a man of his peculiar powers.

In 1811 President Madison appointed Mr,. Noah American Consul at Riga, in Russia, an office of some [significance], but he preferred remaining at home, and [maintaining] his [connection] with the press. he had something to do with the Charleston theatre. While residing in the South he fought a duel, a lively account of which he published some years [later]....

In 1813, when he was but twenty-eight years old, Major Noah was appointewd by our government Consul at Tunis, with apecial [reference] to the redemption of American captives [there] held and the conclusion of a commercial treaty with the Bey. Sailing from Charleston in a private armed vessel, bound for Honduras, he had the misfortune to be captured, just before he should have reached his place of destination, and was carried into Liverpool. the war between the United States and England was then at its height and the English were but little inclined to show any courtesy to a diplomatist from a country which they hates with an intensity that men of this time can have but small conception of. After considerable delay, and having been subjected to not a few of those petty annoyances which the English delight to heap upon those which they dislike, he was allowed to proceed to Tunis.

Arrived at the place where his official life was to commence, Major Noah soon proved himself a zealous and vigilant functionary. He was ever ready to assist any one who was in distress, an observation that will apply [to him for the rest] of his life, either public or private.... The bey of Tunis... demanded his recall... Mr. Noah being a Jew...

Returning to the United States, Major Noah [hastened] to Washington, for the purpose of [settling] with the government.... He had a quarrel with the President and the Secretary of State in respect to his conduct while the Consul at Tunis, which covered the whole subject of his recall. He was at last compelled to make an appeal to Congress. In that body the matter was debated with a great deal of earnestness.... After the the practice of a great deal of petty but characteristic [inquiry]... the government acknowledged that there was due to Major Noah the sum of $3,500... There was never a man in this country who had less of the stuff in him from which [defrauders] are made than Major Noah....

Major Noah, on his return to America became a resident of the city of New York, where his talents soon procured advancement [for him]....

When the Advocate, however, passed into the hands of Henry [Eckhard] and his friends, major Noah was obliged to leave it. He then set up a paper for himself, to which he gave the name of National Advocate... and then the name New York Enquirer... [and then] a union of the Enquirer with the New York Courier newspaper...

With the Courier and Enquiere Major Noah was connected for several years, giving to that journal all the weight and character he had, his partner [Webb] being a man of no [account] whatever. One of the greatest difficulties of the Major's [position grew out of the follies and [---------] of his partner, and it was with no ordinary pleasure that he disolved his connection with him in 183[3]. The Courier and Enquirer had been the principal organ in New York of the Jackson party... Major Noah commenced the publication of the Evening Star, a daily paper.... The Star was subsequently merged into the New York Times.

During the administration of President Tyler, Major Naoh was for a time employed as editor of the organ of that party in New York... Major Noah was a Jew and lived and died in the faith of his fathers...

[ 113 ]





THE  STORY  OF  THE  TABLET  OF
THE  CITY  OF  ARARAT
_________

BY  HON.  LEWIS F.  ALLEN

ORDER  OF  PROCESSION.

Grand Marshal, Col. Potter, on horseback.
Music.
Military.
Citizens.
Civil Officers.
United States Officers.
State Officers in Uniform.
President and Trustees of the Corporation.
Tyler.
Stewards.
Entered Apprentices.
Fellow Crafts.
Master Masons.
Senior and Junior Deacons.
Secretary and Treasurer.
Senior and Junior Wardens.
Masters of Lodges.
Past Masters.
Rev. Clergy.
Stewards, with corn, wine and oil.


(under construction)

[ 131 ]





VI

SAINT  TAMMANY  AND  THE
PROMISED  LAND

I. ODIUM  POLITICUM

(pages 134-147 not transcribed)

(pages 152-161 not transcribed)

[ 189 ]





VIII

EMBARKATION  FOR  UTOPIA

I. PAGEANT  OF  PARADOX

ARARAT
A City of Refuge for the Jews
Founded by MORDECAI MANUEL NOAH
in the month of Tizri Sept. 1825 &
in the Fiftieth Year of American Independence

2. HANDS ACROSS THE CREEDS

3. "IT IS MY WILL" --
AND THE INDIANS ARE JEWS

4. VALUES -- SPIRITUAL AND REAL ESTATE

5. AFTERMATH

[ 59 ]





THE  HISTORY  OF  GRAND  ISLAND

by ROBERT W. BINGHAM

Note: this text copyright © 1947 Buffalo Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.




 

[ 3 ]





CHAPTER
______

ONE



"In the Beginning..."

ARARAT
A City of Refuge for the Jews
Founded by MORDECAI MANUEL NOAH in the Month Tizri 5586
Sept. 1825 & in the 50th year of American Independence

[ 885 ]





CLXIII

Mordecai M. Noah Takes a Hand,
1819-1820

Note: this text copyright © 1963 Jewish Publication Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1963 Jewish Publication Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1963 Jewish Publication Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

[ 894 ]





CLXIV

Ararat, City of Refuge, 1825-1826

Pp. 895-900 not transcribed -- see 1825 newspaper texts
This book copyright ©1963 Jewish Publication Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Pp. 901-902 not fully transcribed -- see Niles' Register article
This book copyright ©1963 Jewish Publication Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

[ 162 ]




Mordecai Manual Noah's Ararat Project
and the Missionaries

By S. Joshua Kohn

INTRODUCTION

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

Note: this text copyright © 1965 American Jewish Historical Society
only limited, "fair-use" exerpts are presented here.


 

THE  DEDICATION  AND  THE  SILENCE