Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-12
LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
WHAT THE MoRMoNs ARE DOING IN
THE SOUTH.
Interesting Facts About What the ApOs-
ties Of Polygamy Teach and How They
Teach It-Interview with q
Brand-New Saint.
[Spartanburg Is. CD Cor. Charleston New


Some of the citizens about Paris ford, on
the Pacolet, twelve miles north of this place,
have from time to time mentioned the fact
that the Mormon el iers were among them,
and they feared that they would do harm.
A few of them talked about driving tho
elders from the county by force, and caus-
ing their converts to follow, unless they be-
haved themselves. This being the feeling of
the people, your correspondent thought the
subject worth looking into. The "gentiles"
could give no information, except that the
elders put up with ons James S. Russell, and
made frequent visits 10 the neighberhood.
They said that Russell had increased the
Mormon population by moving about
twenty-five Indians from Rock Hill and Civ
ing them houses on his land. This is about
all the information they could give. A
note was addressed TO Mr.. Russell asking
for an interview. This he cheerfully
granted.
Mr. Russell was disposed to talk very
freely about Mormonism. and seemed to
have no sort of malice against those who op-
posed this new religion. He says the church
at Salt Lake has sent out missionaries to all
the southern states In South Carolina there
are only four, with headquarters at Whita-
ker's station, in York county. To that
county and one corner of Spartanburg they
have confined their operations up to this
time. They have twenty to twenty-five con-
verts in York and four in this county. The
elders travel on foot and are not allowed to
receive collections from their congregations.
They bear their own expenses, staying
wherever night overtakes them, if permis-
sion is given If a charge is made for lodg.
ing they always pay for it The president
Of the southern work resides at Chattanooga.
He visits all the state conferences, which
are composed Of the elders and all
the membership. It was such q con-
ference as this that was brcten up at Rock
Hill some time ago by indignant citizens
There is a family of Gordom about Whita-
ker that has united with these Latter-IS.y
Saints. In this country James S. Russell
and his wife and Hamp Robinson and We are
the only converts up to this tina
The elders will preach in any place where
permission is given. They would even come
to Spartanburg and let the new light shine
in the court house or any other place. They
are anxious for controversy, and, as Rus
sell says: They glory in arguing about
their church and doctrines" They teach
that a plurality of wives is authorized by
the Old and New Testaments as well as by
the book Of Mormon. They receive the Pro
testant Bible as the word Of God, but they
claim that the Mormon Bible is Of equal
weight and authority.
When Russell was asked il negroes were
admitted to their church. he said: SNo,
God never makes q revelation to negroes.
All of our members are expected to preach,
il necessary; but one to whom no revelation
comes cannot preach. We baptize the negro
when be asks it, but that does not entitle
him to membership with the saints" This
doctrine will make Mormonism popular with
certain Of our citisens Of the "Ariel" stripe.
The elders in this state are all sent out from
Salt Lake. North Carolina and Tennessee
each has about twenty-five missionaries.
Two Of the elders in this state are married
and two are single. The wives Of the mar
ried men are in Utah. They baptize
by immersion and believe that bap-
tism is essential. They also rebap-
tise those who come to them from the Bap.
tist chuch They seem to make sort Of
1straddle" on Calvinism. preaching that
doctrine in q way that would have pleased
Jonathan Edwards, but at the same tims
they preach free agency. As to their belief
in the book of Mormon and the infallibility
Of the teachings of their elders, they are as
devout as the best sectarians in the land.
They do not preach that men should have
q plurality of wives in q state that forbids it
In all cases they advise their followers to
obey the laws Of their country. asked Mr..
Russell what he would do il he and his wife
were to move to Utahi Would he take other
wivesl He said: THAT would not be as ]
please. The church would have to be
satisfied as to my character before permis-
sion would be granted, and it may be that q
revelation is necessary They allow only
such persons to marry as are able to support
families"
On the temperance question they preach
against the use Of ardent spirits, and prac-
tioe what they preach. There were nc
dram-shops. gaming houses, and brothels in
Utah until the "gentiles" introduced these
civilizing and elevating institutions.
It seems to be the intention of those peo-
pie to continue the missionary work until
the elders tramp over every county Of the
state. They are generally quiet and we'll
behaved people, and are well read in their
own literature. Books, tracts, pamphlets,
and papers are distributed. The Desert
News Is their organ. 1t is rather difficult to
ascertain what Is the object of the Mormon
church in sending out missionaries to the
south. The general opinion is that they
wish immigrants to go to Utah in order to
keep up q Mormon majority there, and at
tho same time to colonize Idaho, Colorado,
and Wyoming. They do not expect mem
bership or church org anizations here