The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-08-11
PREACHING IN THE TABERNACLE.

PREACHING IN THE TABERNACLE.
As left the President on Saturday, he invited
me very cordially to preach in the Tabernacle the
next day. Before coming on the ground and learn
ing the situation, had thought that if invited |
would comply. But promptly declined And
perhaps shall be INDUCED in few suggestions
for the benefit Of clergymen who may visit Salt
Lake City.
A few years ago, when such visits were only &C.
casional, it may have been well to preach in Brig
hams pulpit. But now the Rev. Mr.. Somebody
is in the city every Sabbath and the whole subject
has passed into very questionable shape. The
strange preacher may be assured of four classes of
hearers:
l. About thirty magnates OF the hierarchy, each
of whom being preacher, listens merely that he
may gather material for ridicule and refutation
when the distinguished preacher has closed.
9. Four or five thousand staunch Mormons who
will not believe word that the preacher says, and
who listen with patience only for the excitement
of seeing him thoroughly fused up" as scores
have been before him.
3. A large number Of Gentle residents who have
witnessed the result Of these courtesies so often,
that they now earnestly protest against the per.
petuation of so solemn farce
4. Many transient visitors who repair to the
Tabernacle to hear the Mormons, and who are only
provoked to find that Rev. DR.. - is to occupy
the hour instead.
The Mormon apostles make up their discourses
mainly from the points suggested by these Gentle
sermons 1t saves them study and preparation,
and they certainly have become very sharp in the
work of sophistical dissection.
The usual course is to follow the speaker with
the standing remark, 1--WE agree with our good
truly as he, only zoe believe more. In other words
"We honor our courtesy by allowing him to repeat
his alphabet before US and he has done it credita-
bly,. But we have passed far beyond these simple
rudiments in which he fingers Then follows
the plea for Mormonism, illustrated by the vulner-
able points which have been LETT unguarded.
For example: a Methodist clergyman some
months ago preached on Christ as The Way
Brigham followed by showing that Mormons be-
lieyed in Christ as the Way indeed, but they went
much further than this; they also regarded Christ
as The LJel This was dwelt upon, and in Nor.
mon eyes the Methodist was routed beyond re-
covery.
Some time since an Episcopal clergyman showed
his fidelity to the usages of the Church by preach
ing to this astonished people in his gown. There
was no end to the popular ridicule, and on the
next Sabbath Brigham Young came into the Tab
ernace clad in sheet This is authentic.
A week ago Baptist minister from the East
addressed the Mormons He was so unfortunate
as to wander into some comparisons between the
Old and the New Testaments, in which the Old
received very subordinate place.. This touched
the sensitive point in the Mormon heart and called
out that staunch old warrior OF Nauvoo memory
John Taylor. In sharp reply, which Secretary
Seward, then in the audience, characterized as a
mastery piece of eloquence, he carried the entire
audience with him. And a week after we found
that common topic with "Jew and GENTLE was
John Taylor's annibiation of the Baptist Doctor
Yesterday we heard Bishop - Of the Metho.
dist Church; and his sermon was able, though
quite too long for such an audience. At the close
Of his discourse the sacrament was administered
in bread and water Brigham arose, and after
passing the elements to the Bishop said
Our friend has given us an able discourse"
etc., following with the usual assertion that Nor
mons believed all this and much more He then
added that the preacher had spoken of the be.