The Ottawa free trader., 1878-04-13

), thing from penny whistle to along -earcd mule
= 1t is an immense three-story building running
. half the length of block, and perhaps seventy
J. five or one hundred feet wide. This is the Nor
= mon Supply Store, from which every Mormon
dealer in the valley is supposed to purchase
THE MORMON PEOPLE,
Time works wonders" says the Old adagc.
Il has, and i, working wonders in the ways Of
Mormonism, for the Mormonism Of to-day is not
what it was in the palmy days Of Joe Smith ana
Brigham Young. 1t is on the decline and the
day is not far distant when we will know Nor
moniSm only rs thing Of the past 1t is not my
place TO say anything about Mormon,m as II
was, or its organizers. They are too well known
already to need any special putting on my part;
so I'll pass on, and "let the dead and beautiful
rest Joe Smith and Brigham Youug-cyery
body knows what old rcprobates they were. But
their successor, John Taylor, or " the second man
} TO Goo" as he is called, is fine old rooster to
hold so important place. He is a man closing
on the shady years Of seventy and, Judging from
appearance, sound in body and mind, He is
sharp, shrcwd and cunning and is not to be
caught mapping. For man Of his are he is
really bright and well posted in all the leading
questions Of the day. Before lie was President
Taylor he was known as the "Swcaring Bishop,
and is said to be an artist in the way OF spin
ming vulgar stories and profanity. While in Salt
Lake City was desrous of seeing and hearing
all there was Of Mormonism, and on Sunday
went to a meeting of the High Priests and Bish-
ops that was called. In my travels ! have seen
many sccdy-look congregations and gather
Iings, but nOwhcro my recollection, have
ever looked upon so ccdy a crowd as that of the
High Priests, Bishops and Elders there assem-
blcd. They were far below the ordinary run of
men; indeed, their looks indicated the very low
est order Of men. And yet these were the Bish-
ops, High Priests and Elders Of the Mormon
Church, gathered on the occasion from all parts
of the valley to listen to instructions from their
newly elected President. The Presidents address
was nothing very remarkable or striking, but his
closing remark to the brothers and sisters was,
to use the phrase of a wayward saint "rcd hot
" Now, BRETHREN" concluded the "sccond man
TO God" (on carth), when the Bishops and High
Priests call round to enquire about your good
health and social relations, don't tell them it is
none Of their i'd business, or 90 to HI, or
anything like that THIS was the winding up
of President John Taylor's sermon, which may
be called pretty ID. c.
| 1t is a noticeable fact that but few Murmons are
native born. Strange it may seem the only
American religion in existence found its follow
crs and adherents in foreign lands. The thing
never found much favor among those who knew
of it from its inecption but in foreign countries
the apostles of Mormonism seldom failed to find
favor and converts. 1t is very plain that their
success has not been so much dependent on the
deficiency of their religion rs on the tales they
told of Utah and the beautiful valley just beyond
the Wahsatch. The most Of their converts were
won to the faith simply because it was an insttu-
ton in that country they had heard SO much Of
| in the land Of the free Hard worked and poorly
paid people, who were tired of the crowded cities
| of England and the barren lands of Norway, the
hard times existing in Germany Sweden and
other countries, were easily induced to exchange
one belief for another, especially when the new
one held out the tempting bait Of wealth and
prosperity. This is the way the Mormon ranks
were swclled and the church received its vast
multitudcs and the territory of Utah became pop
ulatcd by foreigners of the lowest order and the
least education. There is always more or less dis
appointment to the new corners TO tah and good
reason there is for it. As general thing these
have given their little all 90 take them to that
promised land. The acts of kindness which were
extended to them on the long, weary voyage are
here changed, and for the first time they learn
that Mormonism is not what they were told it
was. But here they are, strangers in n strange
land, and all they can do is to make the most of
the situation.
Sometimes a day or two, perhaps three or four
pass before the work of distribution takes place,
and soon after the departure and separation Of
friends and relations takes place, who thought
when they left their fatherland that they would
enjoy for time Mt least, each others company
in their new homes. But alas for the unfortun-
atcs who put their trust in the word Of Mormons
and their promises; they can now repent at lcis-
urC the folly of their rash act The hccndlcss plains
and barren deserts over which they travelled bear
! little resemblance to this dreamed of Eden or
Promised Land; but what can thcydo The yoke
of Mormonism is around them and like thousands
of others who came before, they are led out to
people the valley and plains of the Wasatch, to
work like dogs, live like slaves and to lay aside
for all time To come part of their daily bread for
the support of Bishops, High Priests, and the
Church of Latter Day Saints Of Jesus Christ"
The Salt Lake Hcydid gives some account of
a perpetual immigration fund in connection with
the Mormon Church of Utah. lthas always been
known that poor immigrants were aided by a
fund. But its extent, or the principle on which
it was administered, was not 50 generally known.
The HciUH says that the names and surctics OF
1900 persons appear upon the books rs delin-
quent to this fund in an aggregate of more than
million dollars. It appears that the principle of
the fund is lent TO aid persons in coming to the
country. But the repayment is pegcd both 10y
the borrower and surety. The capital is thus
continually turned over. The extent of the i'm
migration fund is indicated bv the amout which
is delinquent The largcrnumbcro Of immigrants
have no doubt paid up. It is claimed that many
,tN, ui he. dol tNpui uitlN.