The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-29

raRATID-CoNvERrs ON THE INCREAsE-uP
WARDS OF Six HUNDRED PERSONS RECENTLY BAP.
TIzsD INTO THD MORMON FAIrH-sTATIsrIcs OF
THE WHOLE MISSION, ETC.
COPENHAGEN, July Z, 1858.
The General Council met on the 18th June. in
Copenhagen; and, besides the presiding elders,
number of the travelling elders were also present.
/ can say we rejoiced in coming together, and
felt considerable portion Of that spirit which the
Lord In His mercy is pouring out upon his covenant
people in these last days. Ny heart felt to praise
conferences the hopeful prospects for the future,
the willingness manifested to receive and obey
connsels and the prevailing unison in all things.
can indeed, bear the testimony that the Scandna-
Wan Saints in general are good people, and that the
condition of the work is healthy and prosperous 1t
is true, the different circumstances in the different
parts OF this mission require much discernment
In the priesthood, enabling them to adopt and fol-
low policy suited for their fields OF labor severaliy;
but the elders have gained considerable expert
eDce in the ministry, and though iliterate and I'M
learned in worldly point OF view, they are never.
theless sect of honest, humble, obedent aud faith
full men, full of the greatest desire and willingness
to learn and improve by every word they receive
from the servants of the Lord, and consider it
great honor to preside over so goodly people.
REPORT From DENMARK.
With regard to Denmark, the elders can travel and
preach in many places and regions without being dis
turbed molested in any way and our writings are
read and patronized by many strangers. Thesprt of
persecution is very much abated and we are no. OPP
periepced before, as our opponents and countrymeu
in general begin to learn and observe that the
Saints are not such bad people as they have been
represented Though it happens still that false sto-
r1es and misrepresentation circulating, to some
extent about US and Utah, and the elders some
times mobbed, driven and beaten, but not 80 fire.
quenty as in past years yet more peaceabe spirit
is prevailing, and more indifference also, especially
in places where the Gospel has been preached for
some length of time. i therefore directed the eld-
ers as much as possible to break up fields, that
the Gospel seed might be spread over the length and
breadth of the country. For that purpose the con-
travelling elder appointed in each to counsel aud
assist the local priesthood in the branches and to
preach and spread the written word in every drec-
ton where the Lord may open the way
In Sweden there is harder work for the elders
to perform. The opposition is very great; i'm.
prisonments are frequent; conference meetings
have to be held in the night time, and as
such conference meeting in MalmG, Soma
Conference the 10th instant We assembled at twelve
O'Clock in the night, enjoyed much comfort of the
Spirit transacted our business and dispersed quietly
at five o'clock in the morning. From Stockholm have
lately received the intelligence that the police, find
ing out the place of our meetings, came to the
house dispersed the little congregation, closed the
door, took possession of the key, summoned the Pre-
sdent Of the Conference before the court, forbade
him to hold meetings, and threatened him with ban
ishment. We shall by and by learn the result. If
they Danish him, viii soon appoint another presi-
dent aud the work of the Lord will roll on in spite Of
all the police in Sweden.
As Stockholm Conference was too large in cir
conference, found it wisdom TO divide it into two,
and organized another Conference by name of Norr-
koping, consisting of the middle provinces. In Got
tenburg Conference there has also been perse-
cuton, and the presiding elder is under trial.
The usual manner OF proceeding against the
Saints is, that when IL IS known a person has en-
braced our faith he or she is called before the clergy
(frst the parsons then the Bishops courD and exa-
mined, admonished and threatened. IL they do not
then return to the bosom of the State church the
eyes OF the police are upon them, watching for an
opportunity TO imprison them get them sentenced
and fined. The hypocritical priests have begun the
seemingly Christian like conduct not alone to visit
the eTing sheep, but also to pray for them in the
churches they do for the sick, publishing their
names from the pulpit, that their good fellow men
also can pray for them. cunning plan OF the evil
one and his servants. But they will not gaia much
thereby; the faithful will abide In the truth.
As striking sample OF the religious intolerance
in Sweden, will mention that lately six women,
who have left the Lutheran church and embraced
Catholicism, have been banished from their native
country. If il had happened with Mormons GER
tainly all would have been right; but because 1t
was done with children of ''the mother harlot, a
hue and cry is raised in all Christendom protest
ing against such cruelty OF Christians towards
Christians, and subscriptions are gathered FOR the
expelled. Poor fellows how tender hearted they
are This case will nevertheless strike q heavy
blow at their iiliberai laws; IL will open warm
debate about the propriety and necessity of rel
q Gus liberty, and some bold and daring spirits in
spired Of the Lord, will combat for the natural
rights and privileges OF the people. ] can clearly
see the hand Of the Lord in these movements; and
meanwhile His kingdom is spreading and gaining
more and more ground.
NORWAY.
From Norway we had also cheering report. The
progress is sure but rather slow the elders
frequently imprisoned but as soon as they are be-
rated they go to work with all their strength, and
are spreading the testimony rs fast ~ they eau. i
had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance with
two brothers from tho northern part Of Norway two
skippera MASTERS OF crafts running between Nor
way, Sweden and Denmark, who had been lately
baptized and were full OF faith, spirit and love for
the cause, and had come for the express purpose
of attending the General Council, and desired,
IL IL was the will of the Lord, through me,
10 be appointed a mission In their native coun-
try. The Spirit bore testimony that they were men
Of fhe right stripe and they called, ordained,
and set apart Tor the northern part of Norway. IL
is a rocky land, and il is rather hard work to hew
the Saints out of the rocks. The substance Of the
reports of the elders from the various parts showed
that they have enjoyed mnch Of the spirit of their
respective cangs and the Spirit bore testimony Of
their iaithfulness and integrity, which Elder N.
Williamson and myself have witnessed under our
traveings In the Conferences.
During the months Of January, February. March,
and April, there we're baptsed in this mission
five hundred souls.
INCREASE IN rrSANcss.
The Saints in general are faithful, obedient 10
counsel, willing and ready 70 pay their tthing with
few exceptions, and TO meet every necessary
call for the promotion of the work. Bat the
past and present season have been rather
unfavorabe for many Of the Saints, who
are out OF employment, and are scarcely
able procure the most necessary articles for their
support; aud 10 some extent this IL still the
Some OF the Conferences I found almost too weak
and poor TO defray the necessary expenses and pay
some debts accumulated In times past, not through
msrnanagement but rather account Of their great
willingness 10 borrow money and donate TO cmigra-
ting elders. saints and travelling elders. The inan-
cal matters we're taken under earnest consideration
and we gave them all necessary attention. and the
spirit assisted in our deliberations and counsel
lings, that believe shall soon be able to lift,
or by and by 10 tighten the burden Of the weaker
Conferences through good management and some
assistance from the Weather part of the mission.
was glad 20 learn that, from the beginning, when
the principle Of tithing was introduced, tithing
books havs been kent and they have recorded the