Page:History of Utah.djvu/239

 CHAEACTERISTICS OF JOSEPH. 187

ciencies are fully supplied by a natural genius, strong inventive powers of mind, a deep study, and an unusu- ally correct estimate of the human passions and feel- ings. In short, he is now endowed with all the re- quisite traits of character to pursue most successfully the humbug which he has introduced. His address is easy, rather fascinating and winning, of a mild and sober deportment when not irritated. But he fre- quently becomes boisterous by the impertinence or curiosity of the skeptical, and assumes the bravado, instead of adhering to the meekness which he pro- fesses. His followers, of course, can discover in his very countenance all the certain indications of a di- vine mission."

One more quotation will serve to show the impres- sion that Joseph Smith's doctrines and discourse made not only on his own followers but on the gentiles, and even on gentile divines. In 1843 a methodist minis- ter, named Prior, visited Nauvoo and was present during a sermon preached by the prophet in the tem- ple. "I took my seat," he remarks, "in a conspicu- ous place in the congregation, who were waiting in breathless silence for his appearance. While he tar- ried, I had plenty of time to revolve in my mind the character and common report of that truly singular personage. I fancied that I should behold a counte- nance sad and sorrowful, yet containing the fiery marks of rage and exasperation. I supposed that I should be enabled to discover in him some of those thought- ful and reserved features, those mystic and sarcastic glances, which I had fancied the ancient sages to pos- sess. I expected to see that fearful faltering look of conscious shame which from what I had heard of him he might be expected to evince. He appeared at last; but how was I disappointed when, instead of the head and horns of the beast and false prophet, I beheld only the appearance of a common man, of tolerably large proportions.

"I was sadly disappointed, and thought that, al-