Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1889-12-16
SUNDAY SERVICES.
Discourse by Apostle Abram III.
Cannon.


= Prayer by Elder Milando Pratt.
D The choir sang:
? Gently raise the sacred strain,
l For the sabbaih's come again
The Priesthood ofthe Twenty-first
: Ward oflicIated I'm the administra-
ton ofthe Sacrament.
APOSTLE ABRAsI II. CANNON
was called 10 address the congrega-
ton. The Latter-day Saints, he
said, occupy a very peculiar posi-
ton at the present day. 1t seems rs
though the eyes OF the whole world
are upon them, and that the efforts
ofmen in every part Of the earth
where they are known are directed
toward their overthrow. 1t is as
tonishing that handful of people
like ourselves, who have accepted
the Gospel, should create such
great commotiOn among ma kind.
1t is strange in one sense, and yet
in another il is not; for the Savior
when here below told His followers
that they would arouse the enmity of
the world, and were TO expect moth
ing but hatred and persecution from
those who did not see and believe
as they did. Paul stated that pcrse-
cutiOn was heritage Of the faithful; !
the latter-day work in which we /
are engaged that il would meet I
with the most severe opposition /
that men would cOnspire against il,
that combinations would be formed 4
for its destruction, and that those
who remained faithful must expect |
to be tried in the fires of aiiliction.
We are the witnesses Of the fulfil
ment of these numerous predictions.
Although 50 few in numbers and 20
weak in comparison with the
strength OF the world, we have eX-
cited the hostility Of nations. Com
binations still exist TO bring about,
if possible, the total humiliation Of
this work Of God. There is no in
EQUITY too vile, no sin too great, TO
lie laid at the door Of the Latter-day
Saints. Every calumny uttered
concerning them appears 10 be
gladly received by the world; we
have idle tales and false accusations
TO meet continually. So il was
with Jesus and His disciples. He ?
found that the world was opposed to
Him; that the people whom He
came 10 bless and among whom He
His Church were those
most bitter in their persecution Of
Him; and finally they succeeded i'm !
accomplishing His death upon the
cross. He was accused OF every
thing wrong, though His life ,
was one Of unexampled purity.
Filled with gOOd deeds. He went
lmOng the meek and lowly and
aught them the plan Of light I
md salvation. He ministered also I
o their temporal wants, healed 7
heir sick, made the lame to !
walk, unstopped the ears OF /
he deaf, !Oosened the tongues Of the
lumb, and even raised the dead to a
life. Notwithstanding these mani c
cstatiOns Of Gods favor, the people b
harged Him with doing these
hings by the power OF Beelzebub, :
he prince Of devils. He was accused, ?
mOng other things, OF trying 10 cs- =
lblish kingdom upon the earth q
n opposition TO that which then ex- n
sted. p
Having traced the course Of events "
,ading up to our SaviOr's crucifix- n
ln, the speaker remarked that these is
anne accusations followed His Amos
les. Paul and Silas were accused by n
ne Jews subsequently Of seeking 10 q
re1k down the government which h
lready existed and establish the Il
Kingdom Of Christ; and for this, pl
robably the principal among the pl
hargeS laid against them, they HI
-ere cast into prison. They were N
ccused OF seeking 10 turn the world ?,
psidc down, to Introduce new 4
leOries, new doctrines, and new II
ieas that were contrary to the Gus pl
pms and lOng-establisheI institu-
Ons Of the Romans and of the W
abits Of the Jews. They were re- Iii
ardel as men deserving Of the most fl
we're punishment, and 80 met with 81
cath at the hands Of those whom oC
ley sought TO bless. m
IL is no new thing, therefore, for Of
len 10 lie accused Of evil inteuts re
nd designs with regard to govern es
tents and peoples. The evils which iii
ave been inflicted upon US rs te
Saints are but repcti- m
on Of those which others have en- ci
Ired, ard all the troubles through G.
hlch we are passing are but the at
Ilhlment OF that which has been re
oxen concerning the latter-day ell
ion. But we believe that God is il
lie Supreme Ruler OF the universe, t.,
iat lie should dictate to His people Inc
Nv they should live and act. We hi
;lieve that He controls the fairs Sc
men and nations; that IL is with NJ
is permission some nations are Pl
,stroyed and others established tn
DOn their ruins; that these various tn
langes Will continue to occur under
Is direction and with His sanction
It'll the Kingdom Of God, for W hich
c disciples were taught 10 pray, is o.
iahlished upon the earth; and that X
L viii use His own means for the
Of this glorious pur-
SEA power uuderwhich men NAV
&c in peace and harmony one with de
other, wherein love will prevail WI
d control the actions Of men. m
herein justice will be administered mi
u righteousness shall dwell. We No
TX for this time in the glorious nm
.ure; we look for the establish h
aut on this earth Of a thousand no
ans Of tranquility and happiness an
ring which the Saints will be nm
e from prosecutions and trials. sul
But we do not look for this people nh
take up arms against any nation. Soi
TO be called upon to shed the IA
'od Of their fellswmen. We are Al
ample building people-One called sol
God tO establish houses wherein no,
work Of redemption for the
ing and the dead may be carried Tn
and wherein great blessings may
received. =,
The doctrine has been taught ever q.
zee can remember that this Se'
vernment under which we live Is IoN
most glorious eXtant: that IL was
onl y one under which the work rec
God could have been established. on
II under the provisions Of its God Iati
EN- Constitution We are enabled, wh
III the assistance and under the OF
ection Of the Lord, TO establish His upo
urch upon the earth, to gather acc
people from the nations, and TO "oi
pare them for the fulfilment of
Fry word that has been spoken
lcerning Zion.
The men who laid the foundation - I
mes oil this republic were those leI
10 appreciated liberty, having anu
suffered under the hand acc
They had been tried wer
erely by the wrongs which the pan
Their country inflicted upon atlo
m, and they fought for freedom. cha
those early days many who had Is y
from the old world sought in thel
sc western lands, amongst saw Ine
s, n place where they might be Die.
TO worship God. Being inspired
Him, they founded that t,loriouS