region, over thirty years ago, and that I found the devil, or his tools, then predominating in the M. E. society here; and when we tried to “turn the rascals out,” we found that he, or they, outnumbered us in influence and facilities, and turned the scale against us; and we have abundant facts to show that he has held his grip in that society “unto this day.”

Did that Witty Editor say that we could prove our proposition by Josh Billings' method; viz.: “that no one could prove that it was not the Garden of Eden?” Very good. But we can do better. We can and have proved it, on scientific principles. We give a law: “An hypothesis that explains all the phenomena, and contradicts every opposing [pg 30] hypothesis, is considered proof.” Now, our hypothesis, and exact description of the plat, explains the phenomena, answers perfectly the requirements; and, as it is admitted that no other known plat on earth does so, we claim the proof, and shall hold the ground until driven from it by a more successful discoverer. And we do not fear Dr. Warren as competitor, though he has also written a book; as he must first go, or get some one to go to the North pole and survey his garden before he can bring in his proof, (and that, doubtless, will let us out during the present generation) and without which proof we will laugh down his theory, and his book, the editor of the Christian Advocate to the contrary notwithstanding.

We have necessarily, given a very condensed statement, and discription, to meet, developed modern, as well as original modes of thinking, and to give the less developed ones an opportunity to study.

In giving the description of the Garden of Eden, does the Bible, there, or anywhere, say so, or is there any grounds to believe, or suppose that it was written or printed in legible imperishable characters, on the walls around, on the sky above, or on conspicuous places within the garden, “This is the Garden of Eden?” If not, what is our guide? Evidently not a Lo here, or a Lo there, but the plain description, fairly interpreted, and the place that answers that description; and we have it. Now, the public press of La Crosse, and Winona, within the borders of our garden and who might be supposed to know the merit, or demerit of my claim, have not [pg 31] deigned to notice my articles on the Garden of Eden; so they cannot be accused of conspiring with me to mislead the public, to attract to their cities; or of having any faith in my discovery; and yet, I challenge any of them to show any material incorrectness of my description and statements.

Once, when on a steamboat, coming up the Mississippi, through our garden, and standing forward, on the upper deck, near a well dressed gentleman, who was intently looking at and admiring scenery which had also attracted my attention, he turned suddenly, and excitedly said, “See! (pointing) O see, that most enchantingly lovely scene, there!” (as if he had never before seen its equal.) “There, if an artist should paint that, they would say, ‘That is purely imaginary; the result of fancy’; but there is the foundation and excitement to his art; and no known artist can measure up to the reality.” Perhaps neither of us will ever again see so enraptureing a scene of clouds, shades, lights and shadows, of bluff scenery,—and that means something here—of beautiful islands and forest trees, as was just then around us, and mirrored to us in that grand old looking-glass, on whose placid waters we were then floating. Being of like sympathy, I entered into conversation with him, when he kindly informed me, that, to gratify his passion for scenery, he had traveled extensively in the old world, or foreign countries, that he was now taking in the Mississippi River, and that this was the most beautiful and attractive river scenery he had ever seen in his life; and that it far surpassed anything they had seen in [pg 32] the old world. I have had several similar statements of noted travelers, enough, with what I have seen myself, to satisfy me of the truthfulness of my claim. I have taken several acknowledged eminent travelers to my first point of observation, (Healds Bluff) who invariably, like myself, evidently, labored, and failed for language adequately to express the overwhelming beauty and grandeur of this valley scene. Now, if ours is not the veritable original Garden of Eden, it is certainly easy of access, of increasing reputation and importance as a summer resort, and open to investigation, and we challenge the strictest inspection. Come and see! Come and see!

I am glad to learn from the Editor of the Independent that I am not the first one who has “located the old Bible ground in the Northwest;” would like very much to see the volume alluded to, “written fifty years ago,” treating that subject. Perhaps we might gain some information from one who had given it close intelligent thought, as well as some very desirable information on this somewhat mysterious subject. Mine was an entire new thought to me, suggested by the actual sight, viewing the garden from a point on the hanging garden, and studying it over and over during my residence here of over thirty years. And despite of my natural skepticism, I have become so impressed with the striking resemblance or exact likeness of this, to the Bible garden, as therein, described, and the immediate surroundings of this, to Palestine, (the type of the surrounding or original habitation of man) as to force me to admit the possibility, and to write out my [pg 33] convictions for the benefit of some one better informed, and to enable such a one to draw better conclusions.

When God formed the earth into a globe, and set it rolling to keep it so, and started it in its orbit around the sun, and the light of the sun first flashed upon it, producing the requisite light and motion, for marking time, then, with half in light and half in shade, as round the sun earth took its flight, time on earth began. The day, the month, the year. Chronological time commenced on the first day at high 12, and “The evening and the morning [ending on the second day at high 12, one complete diurnal revolution of the earth] was the first day.” And as man was the only intelligent being placed on earth, capable of noting time, his residence was, evidently, on that central line. Our “long” river and garden of Eden, is exactly there, on the 90th meridian of central time, as laid down on our present time table maps for this continent.

As everything in creation was full and perfect, God wisely placed the earth in the summer solstice point of its orbit, and this continent facing the sun, so that when he placed man upon it, as to give him the benefit of harvest, and correct time, and all of which is proved by the change, God ordered, from original reckoning of time, when Israel left Egypt, Ex. 12, 2, “This month [Abib, the 7th month] shall be unto you the beginning of months, it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Thus changing the beginning of the year from mid-summer to mid-winter. The commencing of the reckoning of the day [pg 34] has also been changed from mid-day to midnight.