The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-02-11
The BRIGHT BUSINESS.
Attacking a Man From a Safe
Distance.
Some Suggestions as to Religious
DiScourSeS.
Edttars HernId.

Editors Herald:
With reference to Mr.. Bright's
ans8 er to Rev. Mr.. McNiece at the
Walker Opera House, it is an
nounced that McNiece will make a
reply this evening, and it is rumored
that a Methodist clergyman. will
make another reply next week.
Kicking dead lion requires little
nerve, and replying to a gentleman
thousands of miles away, smaeks of
a similar occupation, hence I cannot
compliment these gentlemen upon
their bravery, but we must admire
their strategy,
am reminded somewhat of the
discussions of the Mormon Elders
with the sectarian ministers of
other lands, when l note the man
ner of Mr.. Bright's opponents, and
being reminded thereof, suggests a
thought.
For twenty years or more, we
have had goodly number of non
Mormons, and while the Mormon
Church has sent thousands of mis-
sionaries east and west to make con-
verts to the Church Of Jesus Christ
OF Latter Day Saints, it has never
made systematic effort to lay be-
fore the non-Mormon element the
principles of the church, in a mis-
sionary sense. Nearly every SER
mon delivered is directed espec-
tally to the members of the church,
and when the outsiders are referred
to, it is usually only by way of IN
favorable comment, made nee
essary by the misunderstand-
ings which arise through
lack of mutual intercourse.
Now it occurs to me that the souls
of the non-Mormons of Utah are as
precious as those of people else
where, and that being granted, the
necessity for concerted effort for
their redemption is apparent, and
as the spirit Of discussion has been
awakened, and as some of our local
sectarians seem anxious to make
display of their different plans OF
salvation, and as all agree in wag-
ing war against the Mormon
Church, the time seems appropri-
ate for a ventilation of the real
doctrines of the church, so that
much prejudice that now exists
may be allayed, and many brought
to the knowledge of the truth.
Personally L am unattached
to Mormonism, but I know its
doctrines well, and am assured that
they will bear the closest compar-
ison with any local or foreign So
called orthodox church. 1 am
acquainted with hundreds of men
whom the local parsons now regard
as utter ignoramuses, who can so
puzzle the orthodox with spiritual
doctrine, that at least they can
enforce respect for their opinions,
from many who now hate them
with an intensity only. born of ig-
norance. l do not know what view
the church authorities would take
of thlsimatter, butt it seems to me
that a revival might be inaugurated
which would set the " orld to think
ing, and eventually to realize that
the Mormon people are not such
ignorant resPonsibIes as they have
been represented to be.
If not against the policy of the
church, l could name men who
would be willing to meet any Of the
sectarian preachers Of our city, on
any fair proposition affecting the
doctrines of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, as COM
pared with the doctrines taught
with a view to converting the
heather Mormon"
How many of the doctrines now
taught by the preachers who daily
taunt the Mermons with religious
bigotry, will bear the light of day?
Many of the poor Ignorant Nor
mons" who make no pretentions, can
show how weak and ridiculous is
the position occupied by the freely
educated divine whose soul affects
to yearn for the salvation of his race
Scores Of men with hay-seed in
their hair, and strong odor of hard
work about their persons, have
brains as well cultivated as their
farms, and minds as bright as the
average gentleman of tn white
neck-cloth and easy living.
Such a shaking up of dry bones
as the inauguration of real, live,
and energetic missionary work af-
ter the pattern of Mormon work in
England would effect, is more than
the modern Christian can anticipate.
/ know that thousands of honest be-
levers in Mormonism would re-
joice to see a series of animated dis
cussions on the several doctrines of
the Mormon Church, and / also
know that many Of the most bitter
opponents of Mormonism, to-day,
would exchange their present
hatred for sympathy and interest in
a church rendered unpopular
largely through its submissiveness
and disregard of self-defence,
People who are prejudicej will
not read the. DeSeTet NeGCe. the con-
servative articles in the HERALD,
nor will they read the standard
church works, although they may
occasionally buy them as Gu
riosties, therefore, if Nor
monism is of any value
to the world and really carries
with it a saving grace. it seems to
be the duty of its expounders to
give all an opportunity of becoming
acquainted with it.
1t is folly to say that the regular