Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-08-22

Co., relatives living here, some OF whom
became 30 iavOrably impressed with the
unadultefatcd Gospel OF Jesus Christ a.
taught them by said Elder that u com.
nanion was sent him, and during the
first six months they were here FIVE hon.
est souls were added 10 the fold OF
Christ This caused the adversary to
make an extra effort 10 keep the people
IN darkness, which was done hy the cir.
culanng Of delicious history concerning
Momonism.
After laboring here for eighteen
months Elder kearucs was released to
return home, and took with him his COM
panion who had to return on account OF
sickness.
As little had been done in the way Of
canvassing, we concluded TO make q
| thorough canvass Of the county. About
December Ist Elder Johnson was called
| 10 preside over the Iowa conference and
was joined by Elder L. $ Hart, with
whom ] labofcd until March 18th last,
when we met Ia conference at lndcpcn
dencc, Jackson county, Missouri. While
there had the opportunity Of visiting
the Temple lot. Aller enjoying a spirit.
ual feast Of several days we separated
/ ior our fields Of labor with an increased
desire to reach the honest IN heart.
Elder Alexander Watson, H., and my.
self were assigned TO continue the work
IN Putnam county, Missouri. on MAY
18Th We had the happy privilege Of baD.
Izlug Brother Smith Kcafnes and vile
into the true fold; and four weeks LATER
Miss Rosa Jones (who prior TO that time
had not been a member Ol any churchl
applied for baptism, which ordinance we
! performed in the presence Of over one
hundred spectators. Good order pre-
vailed, notwithstanding some present
were our avowCd enemies.
A few weeks later the following notice
appeared in the county papers. IA Bas.
ket meeting will be held NJ Blackbird
Sunday. July 5lh, at ~ q. M. Subject
MormOnism. Errors must and shall be
met" This was signed by a Baptist
minister. We we're among the first TO
arrive al the well shaded spot which had
been selected and seated Tor the occa.
sion. ! asked the minister ifthcy would |
allow US the privilege OF addressing the |
congregation from their platform IN the |
afternoon, which request was granted. |
lie began his discourse by reading |. |
Corinthians 18th chap, emphasizing the |
6lh verse. Next he attacked our articles |
Of faith, cndeavoring to pick flaws In
them. After using all his tact and In.
gonulty to prejudice the people against
Us, he closed hrs remarks by calling the
attention OF his hearers 10 ihe rapdiiy |
With which the Mormons we're gaining
ground. and suggested that they make
an effort TO stop the "delusion."
AZ the close OF the meeting an.
nounced that We would preach the Cos.
pei Of Jesus Christ from Mormon
~ -. I
numbered between five and six hun
bred, and II they waited expecting 10
hear as abuse those who had Ia their
estimation oblitcrated Mormon SIN, pfin.
cipally by Islander, they were disappoint.
ed. preached tor upwards Of an hour
on the first principles Of the Gospel, and
Ia the words OF II. Peter, /. 20, gave
them to understand tina. the chief apol.
tie instructs Us TO use no private inter.
probation OF the scriptures. / showed !
the lallacy OF some OF the ministers in
,erpfctauona and concluded m, remarks
by bearing testimony to the restoration
OF the Gospel and our having authority |
TO administer the ordinances thereof.
The sound Of my last words had |
hardly died away when the Mormon an.
ngOniat stepped upol the platform and
In atammeting way explained to those |
who bad been attentive listeners to All
that had been said, that we had denied
the Bible BY believing Ia new revelation.
lie read the last few verses Of Revela.
tons and gravely told the people that
the canon Oi scripture was then com. ,
plcte lie then attempted TO dismiss the
meeting, but we reminded him that he
was taking liberties In our meeting, aud
that we were capable Of conducting our
own meeting, 30 he rather reluctantly {
took his seat, and ! explained the mean.
ing OF Johns words In regard to adding 2
TO or taking from the words OF his book q
the book OF Revelation. | thinl. am d
sale IA saying that seveniy'iivc per cent J
Of the people who attended the services 4
(Baptists excepiud) speak In our favor. 7
So with the poe, am led to say, God i,
moves IN mysterious way Ills wonders
TO perform" d
II Is invariably the case that whenever q
mankind endcavor TO hinder the pro. e.
gress Of the work OF God they miserably v
fail. We began our labor In the city OF
Unionwlle, the county seat OF Putnam
county, In the latter part OF luly, bv
calling upon the mayor aud marshal.
who willingly consented tor Us 10 take \
up our labofs Ia their city, and promised
" that We would be protected.
We are making our headquarters
with Brother VIM. Halkins, who has had
an open house for the Elders ever since
their first arrival In the county. -
The Saints vie with each other in
showing their kindness towards us. la
the localities where have labored the n
people are hospihble. although some a
are narrow minded In their religious 4
views, and frequently will say, This Is ;,
the religion Of my father aud mother, i
and is good enough for me.U .
The Nhws Is a welcome and regular
visitor and Is pefused with interest by
Saints and friends. p
b. w. DIXON. u