Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-12

The MormoqIs In oxford Com'stvs
Mr.. Editor You must believe that we
have Mormons On Latter Dny Saints
amongst us. I've actnaily have Elder
Sessions from SAT- Lake City here, and
we have had sprofessed Mornions here for
some years. The present winter, Elder
Sessions is laboring in this vicinity and
it is not his first session in this vine
yard. He has labored here before, and
mot onlyyhe. but Elder Trip, of the same
faith. alsos Asharewaid for his laborshe
took away with him on his return, and
has Since made one of his wives, the step
mother Of one ofthe first men Of our State.
Quite number have gone IN former
times from this region TO the valley. ri
der Sessions has many relatives in this
county. think he was born in the town
of Ncwry; from whence his mother, a
widow moved to the valley, arriving there
very destitute of every thing excepting
apple-seeds, which she planted and which
have proved source Of great income to
her, she now being very wealthy.
Momonism was first preached here
abouts twenty five years ago, by one FL
der Wiley. who came here from Nauvoo,
He made some converts; part OF whom
some three or FIVE families, followed
him back. About l6 years since, Elder
Sessions came here and labored n while.
About II years since, Elder Trip spent
something like year In this vicinity
From the labors Of all these Latter Day
Saints, it was very natural that some
should be converted, and that seed should
be sown, the fruit of which should make
it much easier to bring in n few to the
fold of Brigham Young, at this time.
Two families went west with Elder
Trip, hut returned some time since, and
have established themselves here in very
comfortable circumstances, all the time
doing little towards spreading their pc
culiar doctrines, thus atfording better
chance for Elder Sessions at this time
lie came here some weeks ago, and the
result Of the efforts has only been 10 make
fully ripe that which was in different
stages Of growth already. There are now
in this town eight heads of families. who
have embraced the faith and are now in
full fellowship. as understand. with the
Church Of Latter Day Saints. Besides
these, there are some ten 10 fifteen women
and children who have been baptized an |
now are Mormons.
Whether the wives Of MI these eight,
sympathizc with this state of things | am
not fully informed. OF these eight heads
of families six are related to each other
as follows: Three of them are brothers,
one 4 brother in-law 10 the three brothers,
one son Of said hro,hcr-n -law. and the
son married the sister OF the other one OF
the six, tho brothcr.in -law Of the three
brothers Is stcp-faihcr ofthc last mention
ed persons wife, and the whole number
are otherwise related 10 each by mar
rage and intermnrriagc The other two
Of the eight are hrothers-in-law.
That Elder Sessions labors will spread
10 any further extent, is questionable. al
though Il is reported that Nathaniel May
bury and =. NJ. Edmunds have declared
their intention of joining the Saints
These "Mormons" are among onr most
industrious and worthy citizens. aside
from these "false ideas oftrue religion.
They arc men Of good standing in com.
munitv and all IN comfor,ahc-somc in
very good financial circumstances. No
doubt three. perhaps FIVE, families will
move from here before another Autumn,
with 4 view oflocating in Oh" valley. They
advocate their peculiar doctrine boldly.
and really have some Biblical ground hard
10 overcome unless by those well versed
in scripture knowledge, upon which To
base their belief They don't talk much
about the plurality of wives here, still
they say il is in accordance with Bible
teaching. They are all "well read" in
Bible and Bible history.