Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-09-14

The conference refused to accept
the resignation o. DR.. Iliff as super
nIonGent OF the UlRh M ssion ami
he pioap' cts are that the doctor,
'avlug r,cs vel this hlgn oOmpli-
meut and vote OF nflIence, will con.
tnus c,lizen Of Utah e considerable
lmo To come. The DOCTORS retention
was largely b2se1 on a strong petition
from prominun! citizsns not connected
with the Methouisl church aekiug
that he be retained.
Various rrporte were read aud among
them the following from the COMMITTEES
ou State silslrS:
"Watohman what OF the night7r Is the
eager question that ia evor coming over
the mountains from ali parts of our be-
loved blethodism a, 1t looks with inter-
ested eyes toward Utah.
There were three notable periods in
the beginning OF the work here. The
iirss was the ronting OF the hay loft in
this city, May the 10th, 1870. Second,
was when Chaplain McCabo dedicated
he first Methodist church In Utah ut
Corinne, Sept, 20, 1870. The third was
six yoais later when DR.. Ilin came to this
work.
Some OF our friends far away have not
been greatly elated with the SUCCESS at
1900 uui'us tuese years, Dut cOulu tney
know all thoy would thank God for the
mighty changes which have been
wrought by these Christian agencies.
1t cannot DO denied, aud the fact ought
not to DO obscured that the difficulties
confronting the Christian workers in
Utah arc such IA to demand the high
est type OF faith and manhood. In en-
uenyoring to arrive al Il Just estimate of
tho work several things must be care
fully considered. Il must be borne in
mind that tho Mormon people, while
more in need than now OF exalted types
Of Christian manhood and correct teach
ings concerning he vital truths of
Christianity was never so diplomatic,
powerful and aggressive; that many of
the results Of evangelical efforts put
forth In this field during the last IS years
hath been unseen; that the work must
be carried on for the most part among
foreign population who are from the be-
ginning prejudiced against any other
faith than that which they hitherto es-
pouse; that statehood, while 1t has re-
suited in more firmly establishing the
American ideas in the minds OF the citl-
zens OF Utah, and in planting securely
the public school system in this state,
has, we must admit, embarrassed rather
than assisted evangelical work. (Note:
This clause was adopted by vote of nine
to six, rs detailed abovo.)
believing that strenuous efforts are be-
ing made 10 organize Mormon "religion
schools" In connection with the public
school system, we condemn any in erter-
ance with the American idea OF the pub
lie schools nnd shall oppose and expose
any infringement upon the public school
system OF Ulah by any church.
Oar public school building, cannot be
excolled. We take great pride in them
and believe they will be one of the great
agencies for the moral and intellectual
Improvement of Old and young, # strict
ly used for their legitimate ends.
The depreciation OF value in silver is
working disastrously TO commerce IN
Utah and is maj erially affecting our work
in some mining camps. PARK CITY, for
many years self-supporIing station
with 100 Church members, contributing
generously to our benevolences, /. being
depopulated on account OF tho low price
oi silver, and unless he monetary prob
lem is soon settled, our Church property
Will he valueless, aud our membership
lost or scattered. We cannot afford, how
ever. to be discouraged before any diff
culties we have TO meet, but should face
them like men OF God and press our way
to full victory. Every year for the last
twenty years has seemed critical period
in the history OF evangelical work in
Utah, but none more 30 than this one.
Never was tho responsibility on the
Church AS a whole and upon the indi-
vidual workers here greater than now,
and We do not believe tho Church will
withhold its supplies In this time OF need
and fiery trial II they understand the
situation.
This Is no field for discouragemont;
men of God tried and true, ready to do,
dare and die, are needed to man tho out
poss to stand upon the battlemsnts and
lit up the voice OF warning, as well as to
carry the tidings of salvation in Jesus
Christ alone everywhere.
1t is our conviction that the hope of
the church IL chiefly with the young
people and the children. We should
strengthen and make effective our Ep-
worth league and our sunday schools,
securing II possible the cooperation OF
every parent and every Christian.
We believe also thai the work our
deaoonesses are doing is the work needed
for our field.
II twenty-five mission schools could
be opened In tho settlements with bright,
conseoraled teachers aud twenty-five
deaconesses could be added TO our work
they would prove great aud effective
agency for good.
Relations existing between the great
Christian denominations hero could nos
DO moro fraternal Khan they are. We arc
many denominations, but one in Christ
aud by so doing impress others with the
divine reality OF our religion.
We believe that there il a power above
and behind all those agencies that has
settled 1t forever that greater victories
shall come Us reward of these twenty
i've years OF patient toll.
In our zeal we have attempted many
things. There is always things lefs tor
men to do when they come to the end of
human devising, that is, TO throw them
selves on God. Love is divine. Jesus
conquers by love and love is the most
potent agency Ia the universe. We need
on the part OF protesting Christians less
conformity; no compromise with sin, a
higher standard OF morality, selfsban-
Comment, holy living, spiritual power.
These questions will be bost settled and
settled only along intense spiritual
lines. The Christians good is equal to
every emergency. The pentecost must
come, Its fires are already kindling in
some hearts, and to tue question, "What
OF the night" these can answer, "Tho
morning cometh."
G.. Il. JAYNE,
J. WILKES,
L. c. LOCKWOOD,