Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-07-03

succA-sfuI Prenchinu Of the Gospel
By iii, Elders.

ioWNLEY, Ala.i june I5th, 1897.
To the Editor:
We take pleasure in submitting a few
items IRON our diary which may prove
OF interest TO the many readers of your
valuable paper, who are interested in
the missionary cause. AS this is our
first letter TO the NwEs since entering
the mission field some fifteen months
ago, we trust that you will consider it as
worthy Of publication.
We have been laboring with gratifying
success the past few months, in pressn
ing the principles Of pure Gospel to
the people OF Walker county, and our
experience has been varied and interest
ing.
The following incidents will illustrate,
10 SOME extent, the opposition met with
at times by our humble Elders, and the
manner in which the Lord prepares the
way for the proclamation OF truth:
Friday, June NH, after a dusty walk
oil ten miles, We entered the village OF
Townley, pleasantly situated near the
Kansas City X, r. The people OF thus
settlement were principally Missionary
Baptisls. and were noted Tor their hes
tility toward other denominations, aud
especially against anything savoriug of
Mormonism. There being only the on.
church building in the p ace, we failed
to secure this 10 preach ia, but we got
permits ion to use their commodious
scho olhouse, which served our purpose
as well.
We held well attended meetings
Friday aud Saturday nights and an
nounced meeting for the next morning
at II O'Clock. Our Baptist brsthr,n
knnA trnr nj
special Sunday school, and held services
TIL IL m. We postponed our appoints
ment till 3 p. M, and attended theirs.
Afe services we announced our meet
ing tor 3 O'Clock, and the min Ster ap-
pointed a singing at his residence lor the
same hour. Seeing that we were deter
mined to hang on they thought to give
us quietus, and the news was Circulate .
that the Mormons were to be anuihi-
lated. The house was filed to over
flowing with people who had come TO
see the iun When we had called the
meeting to order a gentleman stepped
up and handed us the following list O,
questions:
''Ist. II the Book OF Mormon is the
word OF God, by whom was it wrteul
How was it given to the Mormon
church, and. Give origin OF the Nor
mon Church. sd. Does your Chu CHI
believe in polygamyf 4th Does the
Mormon Church disclaim ever practc.
ing polygamyI 5th. Are your Prophe,s,
Apostles aud Elders infalliblef 9th
Why do you use the King James trans
lation OF the Bible al ,ogetherf 9Th. If
it is the word OF God, why not TAX some
OF your texts from the Book Of Moimoni
S,h Give your opinion oil Rev. xxi;
1910. Please answer these questions in
order that " NAV be better prepared 10
hear and receive your preaching.
"Yours, etc, Citizens OF Townley."
We read the above to tue audience,
and told them that we would answer
them then if they desired, but would
prefer 10 appoint special meeting
Monday night tor the purpose. This was
satis factory and we proceeded with our
services, having their undivided atten-
ton ior an hour as we spoke upon the
Attributes of justice and mercy. The
effect was electrical. We were mined :
ately surrounded by h. leading and
most influential citzens, and, with hear
| ty handshakes, received cordial invita-
| tlons to their homes. At night the pee
pie turned out en- masse, and we adj
| dressed them upon the principle OF
rep ntance.
Monday night came, bringing the
sett ELS for miles around. filling the
house and leaving scores on the outside.
the best OF order prevailed, aud tue
congregation discussed sweet muse.
| We took up the questions seratum, ana,
Tor an hour and a nall, the audience paid
the slrlctest attention to o. humble ex-
paGaion of the principles. All the
people were well pie ,sei with our re-
marks, ana we made scores of friends,
We have now no dlclhuly ia getting
them out each night, and are successful
in getting tue doctrines Of Chnst beiore
| them Aggressiveness and coAtumty
| are essential qualifications to the sue
cesstll missionary. Tne people are ripe
Tor The reception of the Gospel
Jesse ii. WHEELER,