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 Edward Irving, the founder of the religious sect which bears his name, was born at Annan, in Dumfriesshire, in the year 1792. After completing his studies at the university of Edinburgh, he was appointed teacher of Mathematics to an academy at Haddington, whence he removed to fill a similar situation in Kirkaldy. He continued there till the year 1819, when he came to Edinburgh with a determination of becoming a preacher of the gospel; and on Dr. Chalmers hearing him in the pulpit, he appointed him to be his colleague in St. John's Church, Glasgow. In 1823 he accepted a call to the chapel in the Caledonian Asylum, London, where those peculiar views were developed, which have given so much notoriety to his name. The force, eloquence, and novelty of style and manner of Mr. Irving, drew very large congregations to hear him; and for some time the highest circles of rank and title were to be found forming the bulk of his crowded audiences. The mysteries of the Apocalypse, and the most difficult portions of the prophetic writings became the favourite subjects of his discourse; new and startling doctrines were broached, the most prominent of which was, the sinfulness of Christ's human nature; and to this succeeded the claims to apostolic gifts among the leading members of his congregation.

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland having pronounced his published works to be erroneous and heretical, he was deposed from the office of the ministry, along with several other preachers who had adopted the same opinions. A new church was immediately formed, in connexion with which congregations are to be found in most of the principal towns of the kingdom. The Irvingites have revived the names applied to the different office-bearers of the New Testament Church, having angels, prophets, teachers, and evangelists, among their members; and they encourage the exercise of apostolic gifts, such as speaking with tongues, and prophesying under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit. They believe the Millennium to be near at hand, and that Christ will reign personally on earth during that glorious period of universal peace and happiness.

The founder of this sect, Joseph Smith, jun., as he was called—born in 1805, was a digger for gold in America, previous his commencing public preacher and prophet. His followers are known by the name of Mormons, Mormonites, and Latter-day Saints. The first congregation was organized