The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-22
M O R MI O N!
THE SAINTS OF LATTER DAYS.
THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.
The Terrestrial and Celestial Career
Of Joe Smith-What Wonder
ful Boy He Was, and
What a Wonderful saint
he Has Become.

--~o>,-o~c~N~>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last evening our reporter visited the place
wherein the Mormon colony in this city hold
their weekly meetings. The attraction which
drew him to this questionable place of worship
was the announcement that several mission
aries, Just arrived from Great Salt Lake City,
were to be on haud, for the purpose of edifyng
the Saints, and enlightening such stray Gentlles
as might happen to straggle in.
The Place wherein the Saints Do Con-
~ gregate
was discovered to be small second-story room
at No. SAN. Eighth street. It's dimensions were
found to be about ten feet wide by twenty
long. The walls we're decorated with plans and
pictures of Great Salt Lake City, as well as with
suDdry framed parchments, ono of which, and
the only one we had an opportunity to examine,
had something to say about the Ancient United
Order of Female Druids," whatever they may be.
At one end of the room large chair stood
upon an elevated platform. By the side OF this
stood wooden column, surmounted by block
of marble. The char itself was vacant, and its
use not exactly clear.
At the opposite end of the room there was an
other platform, on which we're seated three men,
Who proved to be the elders of che true Church.
In front OF them was an apology tor pulpit,
in the shape of column of wood about ten
inches square, on which rested two or three
books.
The Congregation OF the Saints
was not large. About twenty of each sex were
present Nearly all of them, especially those OF
the gentler sex, looked rather the worse for
wear. That most o. them were of Hinglish
birth was indicated by the hearty "Hamens!"
which every now and then interrupted the pro-
ceedings. For the rest there wss but small
qusntum of intelligence present, either in the
pulpit or on the floor, If there is any science in
the hysiognomiets art
,4, The Invocation.
The exercises were commenced at o'clock
by the singing of hymn, in which Gentes,
jews, and Heathens were indiscriminately in.
vlted to "Come TO the supper OF the Great Bride
groom
man with mons:rons black beard, and
hunmistakable Hinglsh haccent then pro.
nounced a prayer in which blessings were in
voked upon the little group OF true Saints and
upon the Prophet Brigham Young, and the Tgelye
Tire President of the United States was reck-
lessly OMITTED from this category.
Next in order came hymn, which amounted
to nothing more nor less than p@an 10 Joe
Saint Peter as custodian of the keys of Heaven.
After denouncing the shedding of his blood by
assassins, the poet went on to declare that
''earth must atcne for the blood of that man."
Then came the Mormon battle cry, in these STIR
ring words:-
wake Up the world tor the conflict now raging,
Millions shall know brother Joseph agan"
The chorus which was sung at the end of each
Wise:-
"Ha,l to the Prophet ascended to Heavent
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in VAN;
Mingling with gods, he can wait for his brethren
Death cannot conquer the hero again."
All OF which was so seif-evident that it was
sang with hearty will.
Elder Edward w. TaIlidge
then arose TO address the audience on the sub
ject OF THE Rise and Progress of the Church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" The most
striking features of the Elder were his short
stature, his square head, his short black beard
and moustache, his antiquated style of dress,
and his rinmistakable Hinglish hextraction.
The Sermon.
The speaker of the evening, on coming for
ward, invoked the spirit of God, that he might
81 eak in the power thereof. He then an
nOunced as his text the 2lst verse OF the 4lst
chapter of the SBook of Isalah, which reads as
follows;-
forth your strong reasons saith the King of
He then declared that the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints was founded on the
teachings of Joseph Smith, prophet of God,
sent not to replace Jesus Christ, but as His ser
want. II Joseph Smith were not such prophet,
the Church of which those present we're mem
bers was built on foundation OF sand. There
are millions of honest men who serve the Lord
i'm the best way they know how, and that with
out being members of this Church, or even OF
any branch of the Christian Church The
speaker hoped that such Christians as wefe pre-
sent would accord like sincerity to the mem
bers of the Church OF Latter Day Saints.
A TOuchstone for Joe Smith.
He proposed to make the text just read the
touchstone on which to test the mission OF
Joseph Smith, He proposed to test his mission
by both Scripture and facts, Tor Mormonism, a:
il is called, is no longer mere experiment an
abstraction of theology, handful Of fanatics
but 1t is fact, and it Is last becoming the great
problem of sociology ter the'age.
There is but One God, and Joe Smith Is
HIS Prophet.
Joseph Smith was called OF God to establish
his Church, as 1t was established by Jesus
Christ of old. 1t was by him organized thlrty-
six wears AGO. under the name, not of the Nor
mon Church. but OF the Church of Jesus Christ
nj Latter Day Saints, with prophets, apostles
and an inspired priesthood. In these respects,
at least IL is like the ancient Churches.
1t is like il also, In respect 70 belief in
fresh revelations, the administration of angels
tine working of miracles, and the seeing o
visions. This last peculiarly Is founded uoon
the saving of solomon, that the people perish
when there are no visions. In fact, said th'
sneaker. 1t is like the ancient Church in all re
spects except With regard to the carnal com
mandment which was added IN this case, bu
With which he had nothing to do. CAS- this re
erred TO the pEactice oil polygamy, tue pup ic !
ertainlv entitled to symrathy, on account o
.neinr deprived Of Elder Tallidge's elucidatloi
If The most mysterious portion OF his greedy
Marvellous Youth.
When joseph Smith had his first vision, n
vas fourteen wears OF age. With reference U
,hx Srst vision, he himself is reported TO nav
said:-'tGod, the Father OF The world, ana Jesu
S;hSist his Son, have appeared unto me, an
naa manifested themselves; and / know tina
leans lives and is sitting att right hand OF Hl
Father"