Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-03-09

mon gospel more rapidly than they could have
been digested by the most penitent seeker
after Mormon consolation-one affected by the
desire for half dozen wives, or even spirit
made humble and contrite by being already
thus provided.
He commenced by saying that he fully en-
dorsed all that had been said by ''elder" Bur-
ton that his words were gospel truth, which
he would warrant to keep in any climate. He
took for his text the Bible-the principles Of the
gospel-and unlike preachers Of other denomi-
nations, did not read verse or two as a text,
preach few words applicable to it, and then
branch off in a begging appeal for money
money! The whole Bible was his platform,
and he asked for no contributions.
He then spoke of the prosecutions to which
the Church of the Latter Day Saints has been
subjected since the revelation Of the Book of
Mormon. He then gave what he termed BIZ
BILE explanation of this persecution, which was
instigated by the Evil One, the history of all
mankind going to prove that the most right
eous peoples endured the most bitter persecu-
tions. AS it was the Evil Spirit that impelled
Cain to slay his righteous brother Abel, so it
is the same Evil One that prevails lover all 9TH
denominations to persecute the Church of the
Latter Day Saints, the only true church. In
this connection he said the Mormon church
sustains the same relations to all other denom-
nations as did Abel to his wicked brother
Cain. 1t always had been and ever will be the
desire of the people to persecute the righteous:
hence the persecution of the Latter Day Saints.
A broad smile lit up the assemblage when he
capped the climax by saying that the ancient
philosophers Socrates and De Soto lamented
this characteristic of the human race.
AS to the creed of the Church of the Latter
Day Saints, he said they believe all that God
has revealed; that what he has revealed
through the Bible is not the whole of his revela'
tions he has made revelations since that day,
and will make many more; but it is conceded
fact that John stands preeminent as the great
revelator. To sustain his theory Of latter day
revelations he quoted disconnected passages
from the apostles and prophets, clinching his
argument with the words ofSolomon: ''When
the people have no vision they shall perish d
The principles of his church were plain enough
to any who wished to believe.
Looking with admiration upon himself he
said the ministry must be called of God. On
this point the people are not sufficiently care.
full. They are very particular as regards all
their temporal affairs as to whether govern
ment officers from President down are properly
elected but they seem to think that any body
can rise up and preach the gospel. With the
implication that he and his coadjutor had
been properly called, and that they were the
only two ministering angels in this vale OF
tears, he warned his hearers that the Scriptures
are very particular as to man being called to
discharge the functions of a minister of the
gospel. When man takes upon himself the
preaching of the gospel without being called
of God, he is usurping authority. In this re-
gard the heavenly Father is very particular, he
being allwise and intelligent. He chose twelve
apostles and sent them forth, and is equally
particular now as when the twelve were chosen.
Only those who are born of God can preach.
The latter day saints were called in the same
manner as were the seventy elders Of Israel
to enable the people to see that an elder
(preacher) in the church has been properly
called.
The way to judgea preacher, according to
his standard, is that true son of God will
never tell you that revelation has ceased he
will never tell you that the laying on of hands
is not important for the remission of sins he
will never tell you that there will be no future
revelations, and that the Scriptures do not
teach that there will be future revelations.
The words covering these points were utter.
ed with rapid speech and gesticulation, and
after breathing while, the speaker resumed
in solemn and reassuring tone with the com.
forting words that the Scriptures have been at
length restored through the instrumentality
of Joseph Smith and while unbelievers say
that the name of Mr.. Smith does not occur in
the Bible, he would triumphant1y ask, can
they show us in the Bible the name of Martin
Luthur or John Wesley
He then excused himself from OBTAINING his
hearers further with the consoling words that
the gospel has been restored, and while he
lives it shall be preached in it's purity as re-
vealed and to be revealed.
Having thus unfolded his phylactery he and
his pard struck up, "We'll sing the songs OF
Zion, which they sang to rattling air as the
signal for dispersion.
Such is fair summary of the stuff this fel-
low uttered, which was blasphemy rather than
a travesty on the worship Of God. Uncouth,
&o hoor N
ministers of Christ than tramping vagabonds,
it may be asked if these fellows have follow
ing. We are informed that in the section
where they held forth last Sunday there are
some converts to their pretended faith ; but it
is due to say that most if not all those who
were present on this occasion were there
merely through curiosity.
The men claim to have been sent direct from
Utah to this section, and their time is occupied
in tramping about, distributing tracts, OF
which they have an abundant supply, bearing
the imprint of Salt Lake City publishing
house, and they pretend to ''preach" only on
Sundays, when they can obtain a house for the
purpose. We are told by those who have heard
them on different occasions, that they have
never publicly alluded to the polygamy feature
of their church.
1t is not our province to combat any relig-
ious sect or denomination, but we have felt it
to be our duty to lay before the public fair
exposition of what we might see and hear at
one of the meetings Of these ''benighted mis-
sionaries," ;" and while the above correct synop-
sis of one of their ''sermons' carries it's own
comments, we have only word of warning
for the people among whom these tramping
propagandists are laboring, and that is, that
the purpose of converting sinners and saving