Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-06-06

On March 2Sih, Elder l.. >. Larson,
OF Covevillc Cache county. Utah, and
the writer left Nashville, Tor the purpose
OF rcvisiiing Saint; and friends in the
Middle Tennessee conference; all Of
those We have 80 far visited have re
ccived US with the kindes, OF treatment
Most Of the opposition we have SO far
encountered has come from those who
profess to be teaching the Gospel OF
Christ yet they seem to have either for
gotten, OF else never knew that great
lesson when lie gave TO men, Love
thy neighbor as myself F" One preacher
OF thirly'nine years experience, under
took TO show US the error OF our ways,
and made such a success az OF u that we
felt justified IN calling him to repentance.
During the past two weeks we have
held seventeen well attended meetings,
ten Of which were held last week near
Altamont, the seat Of Cuudy county.
This so aroused our enemies, that when
we we're about to leave we were in-
formed that a preacher had been sent to
meet US In debate. We told the people
that debates and discussions we're
against our teachings; that while we
were ever anxious and willing to defend
our principles, VIC we're opposed to con.
tcn,ion or strife OF any Kind As we did
no, wish the people TO think that we
we're towards, by running away. We de.
eided TO remain over Sunday.
On Saturday evening last, before
good sized audience we delivered an
address upon the Book OF Mormon "
from both a Bible and historical stand
point, explaining 10 them what that book
was, also telling them that II they had
not already heard some OF the many
stories about the so.callcd Mormon or
golden Bible" they no doubt would do
at some time In the future. Our remarks
upon this point were verified on the day
following.
Sunday morning we attended the
Christian (Campbelllie) Sunday school.
II was announced that there would be a
debate there IN the afternoon between
Mr.. Stubblcfeld and the Mormon Elders,
providing the former could get there.
We were asked II we had anything TO
say. Elder Larson again told them that
wc were not cut In the world for the
purpose Of contending with men, but for
the purpose oil preaching the true and
everlasting Gospel; yet. u we were chal-
lenged we would defend cur teachings,
but only after written agreement had
been entered into by both sides. setting
forth that We would use King lamesL
translation Of the Bible as our text book,
he announced that Il Mr.. Stubblefeld
did not come we would hold meeting ut
) p. m.
As the hour approached the people
began to gather ia goodly numbers. A
few minutes before the hour set, two
light huggies drove up, one containing
Dr. Doyle aud vile, the other Professor
Denton, Of Viola college, and wife. At
this time va were talking with twelve
OF fourteen men near the school house
Neither OF the gentlemen came TO rs
but entered the house. A young man
present who had apparently taken upon
himself the honors OF "high chief master
a ceremony" informed us that Mr..
Stubbleheld had an appointment aud
could not come, but had sent these
gentlemen TO debate with US. We told
him that under no consideration would
we debate unless challenged, and then
only upon the teachings OF King James's
translation OF the Bible. This was con.
ycyed TO those inside; they sent word
back 10 know II We would answer a lew
questions publicly. Finally VIZ sue.
ceeded In impressing upon the mind Of
the young man, that we had stated our
Ilallou anu nun AilaA VIC hlh upt lNttll
TO deviate In the least. II they wished
did, we attending to listen TO our own
funeral sermon, SO called, Professor
Denton preaching Il for an hour, taking
as his text second Tim. third verse, which
he read. and then, In his enthusiasm aud
zeal to bury us good and deep, he for
got to mention again. Like the Elders
many times before we sat
Listening to that story old.
The musiiest story ever told
He gave them all thar we had told
them the night before they could ex-
pect abou, the Book OF Mormon. lie
told them that those In their midst might
be good men, but Il so, like cold dog
Tray" they were In bad company. This
so impressed bis hearers that after meet.
ing we had more invitations TO go home
with people than we could have filed
In week.
AS a result OF this great exposure ~ OF
MofmoniSm we have more true friends
IN that part OF the world than ever be-
fore. In the evening we held well at.
tended meeting.
We were also challenged for a debate
by one Erastus Hubbard, preacher at
titailiONtt WIZ was very anxious 10
meet us In public discussion ''in order
that the people might have chance to
judge between truth and error" He
was informed that we could oblige him,
but both sides must use the Bible as a
text book and that too without any pn.
vate interpretations. Upon hearing this
he remarked, III il Is the Lords will
that we should meet. we will do So"
There is nothing that seems to scare
some preachers so soon as that book
from which they claim to be teaching the
plan OF life aud salvation.
Space iorbids mentioning all who have
been kind to US in this neighborhood;
prominent among them Is w. l.. Tan.
ner and family whose latchstring always
hangs on the outside oil the door, and
whose table Is ever spread Tor the III.
ders; also A, A. Knott, few miles west
OF here, with whom we stayed a few
nights ago. lie Is making an addition
TO his house and told US that he twas
building II II so that he could treat us In
more hostile manner"
Weather, also health and spirits OF Ell
der Larson and myself loo In the
shade. w. |, SLOAN.