The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-01-15
THE TYPICAL UNCLE JONAH"
Graphic Description Of n Visit to a
Meeting of the Primitive
Baptists.

purity in all parts of the earth; there is
abundance of rcriptural proof, too, to
show that this Is to be the lot of those
who have been entrusted with the mes
sage of life and salvation to mankind,
hence no complaints can be consistently
made against such condition. and the
sooner person becomes reconciled to
this fact, the better. A year or two's
experience steadies the nerves, and fits
thsmind for viewing scenes and sur
roundings more serenely. AT first, the
mountains are misse' 4 thu eye
wearies. looking tor scins ) slexs-
ton towards tho rising sun u which
to rest; then comes the thought that a.
soon as o certain point 10 reached
view Of at least mile or two without
the thick woods, Will be presen ted. This
looking and longing is usually pro
lopged until TWO or three days travel
hemeward after al honorable release.
That eross-grained condition of having
the sun rise in the west, north, south,
and often for weeks at tins, not at all,
produces wretched confusion, and the
only reliable way TO become located is
by noticing natural landmarks instead
OF points OF the compass.
1t CHANGED. in looking for a nights
lodging, recently, that we came across
one of these landmarks by the name OF
JOSIAH Kelley. His pcrtly frame, open
countenance and welcome greeting, all
united in making him an ideal Uncle
Jonah, end we felt NO formality in ad-
dressing him bv this title as II he had
been known to Us for yeare. Soon his
good wife and g~andohild join the cir
clio, and We are delighted 20 death. al
most, as they tell how often they have
entertained the "kermoas" many
years ago. This, too. is made known to
US with pride that speaks in our 90 t.
nation, you are welcome as lcns ae
I've bite to eat Such change is
enough 10 take ones breath, after feel
ing the restraint natural in meeting the
ignorant aid prejudiced 80 plentifal in
this land.
Though in a humble log hut with no
window to light the single room, We
feel sitter long journey like we would
be content to spend the rest Of cur mis-
sionsry life here. Upon one esoasien
when a mob threatened seriously to
hiekory.Whip the "Mormons." our host
stepped to the front and informed the
metisy crew that he. tee. enjoyed spert
of INST kind and would ressivs them the
ssst he knew how.
Many items of interest about
former elders arc disulsea around
= b4azang fire in the spasieus ere
slses until 10 o'clock, and then We re-
tire 10 enjoy the good bad that ssRth-
erns take so much pride ia.
One feature, net particularly agree
abie, 10 the early rlsins INDUCED in
generally By these people. The object
of saeh a practice will eVor be mysesry,
uniess it 10 for the express purpose OF
getting 90 eat three meals per day these
short DAYS. or to see the daylight make
its appearance.
fhs winter is not mach Of {. dreamer.
neither q supefstitieus believer in al
drsazns, but the one reesived upen this
eeossion will ever be significantly per
teaheas of what the day lad in store.
Ii was simple and plain. We were
NJ aking the usual walks ever the hills
and holl VS., when in the distance .
strange object presented itself, which
proved to be a rather aged lesktns
skeleton Of man, standing On its head.
Breakfast over, Uncle Jenah makes
known his wishes, which amount 10 q
desire that We visit his meeting and. In
case their preacher fails to make his APP
pearanee. We are to preach fer them :;
thir.being our trade, lit eulss exactly.
Our good friend, for reasons. II any rse-
son can exist. better known to him slf
than any one else. i q mem Der OF the
Primitive Baptist church. Like other
pellations., and are better known a.
'"Iron Sides, ""Hard Shells" etc. Their
coetrines, in a nutshell, are usually ex
pressed in the following way: What
is 20 be will be" with n addition made
by their enemies. 'lt it never comes to
pass" or what is to be will be, If IL
comes in the night.
With such a doctrine comes the
wonder ,0hy they have meetings, or tOhy
have preacher, in fact, aVhy make any
exertion at all? EFf
: FAwalk of three miles. during which
time we are entertained by an eYplana-
ton of the various objects on the way.
and we reach the church. which evil
IDENTIFY depends upon its name, "An-
tioch," for respect.
The appearance of the church.
formality of the members, and above all
the parson, forcibly suggests that we
are transferred back to the time and
place that Goldsmith had sonnet thing to
say about in his Deserted Village"
More than once have the sights in this
land suggested the ideality OF this
poem. The dwellings are here, the
teacher. too. and the village preacher is I
passing rich at twenty, instead of forty,
pounds year. But let Us look with
truthful eye at the exercises during SER
vices. Within tn log cabin are seated.
in careless array. fifteen or twenty per-
sons, who present q hungry appearance
for spiritual food. A .emi cheerful ex-
preston, as much IS Is allowed bv
sanctimony, at the thoughts of gain
having the privilege of coming 70
preaching" is noticed IN their other
wise cherries countenauces.
We, OF course constitute the centre
of attraction. md only few are let into
the secret tina. we are "Mormons." but
those few scarcely remove their eyes
from Us during the entire proceeds e..