Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-10

/ ~ hh' AHANsAs
Although these northern lands have
yielded rich harvests TO the Gospel
feapers in years gone by, and the pres
ent has been characterized frequently as
the period of cleaning, we still ind
many good honest people who are de-
sirous Of learning the truth and who
have faith sufficient TO accept the Gospel.
During the year 1896, there were
laboring in Scandinavia 1917 missionaries,
and there were baptized 496 souls,
while 16S persons emigrated to Zion
The Elders also visited about 90, ooo
homes OF strangers, aud had more Than
7s, 900 GosUel convers atoms, distfibut-
ing some 5000 traces and books, thus
bringing the Gospel to the doors OF
many. 1t is true, but few accept its
truths, yet much prejudice is allayed
and the people are given a more correct
idea OF the conditions existing among
the Latter day Saints than they formerly
had. We find many who ale friendly to
US, who are convinced that the Gospel
is true: but the positions which they &C.
| cupv, the wealth they possess, and many
other temporal concern are OF SO much
value TO them that they are unable to
hazard the step which might imperil
these things. But in omuch as they
| We feel assured that in the due tine OF
the Lord, they will receive faith and
strength sufficient to sacrifice all earthly
| blessings for the Kingdom OF God; even
| II, to accomplish this result, 1t should be
| niece S3ary Tor the hand Of the Lord to be
laid heavily upon them. W. have such
case wnete, in the might OF their own
strength and posi- ion, people hardened
| their hearts against us and spurned the
message we brought them. But humil.
| lily Come with adversely When,
through bitter trials, they were brought
to Knowledge Of their own bitterness
ard the greatness OF God, their hearts
SCI ened, and what before was below
their dignity to notice became the com
fort and solace of their souls.
Now and then an opportunity is given
to present the Gospel to people OF the
better classes. Hr. Jens BIsk, a noted
member of the "Folsething,' the lawer
house OF the Danish legislature, Rigs
dagen," which has bsen in session in
this city since October last, has at ended
our meetings frequently, ostensibly to
hear our singing only, but he has also
repeatedly visited us at the office and
discussed the principles OF the c. spell
with US. He is Tree to admit that the
divine authority Of the Church OF Christ
lies with either the Latter-day Saints or
the Catholics. He says, he iavOrs the
claims OF tine latter, but we are Of the
opinion that this is but a subteriuge be-
hind which he seeks to enscolce him
self from the truth, and President Lund
has plainly told him that but Tor his
wealth and social position he would ac-
cept the Gospel.
As a rule we are courleously treated
by the people, cur gatherings are undis.
turbed, save incidentally out in the
country, by an intox Gated person or a
preacher of the so called 'lndre Mis-.
sion,' a sort OF revvalist branch OF the
Lutheran state church. This sect is
about the only religious body that we
. have any difficulty with, at least here in
. Denmark. These people are very zeal
Gus, formal and seli-righteous resembl.
ing very much the Pharisees Of old, and
like them they cannot tolerate the true
Gospel Of Cnrist. But not being able TO
overcome our brethren and stay the
progress OF the work OF God, some OF
their priests have resor,ed to law which
was enacted during the socialistic move
ment about IS7o-72, empowering the
minister OF Justice to Danish from the
. realm any person who, in his judgment
is injurious or dang erous TO the public
welfare. Upon the complaints OF these
preachers number OF our missionaries
have from time to Time been banished
. from Denmark. Last August Elder ID.
X, Brown was hui banished from
! Aalborg and escorted across the border
TO Germany by the police; and on the
Ist inst. two Elders, ], J Jensen OF Provo
: and Joseph Larsen OF Cottonwood, were
. treated in similar manner at Rome, on
) the island tf Bornholm. They were
sent by the judge to Copenhagen to be
sent out OF the country by the city OIL
. | fclals. They arrived here on the morn
, ing OF the 5rd, aud were conducted to
!. the courthouse, where they were de-.
+ tained unit in the afternoon, while the
4 officials were deciding what to do vita
i them. President l-und asked that they
9 be sent to Sweden, but the police
. seemed to hesitate about assuming the
n responsibility OF sending sucn in
dividuals into nelghboring country, as
:, IL might be considered by that nation a,
d an unlriendly actl They mentionec
n something ABOUT sending them 10 the
United s att s, but as no ship was sailing
| directly there for week or more, il
=. would be necessary for the brethren tC
a remain in "durauce vile" in the mean
d line. These prospects were not very
e tesssuring; SO, while the matter was
d taken under consideration we called or
r. the American consul, Mr.. Robert !
d Kirk, 10 lay the case before him and ash
his intervention in case the Brethren
. should be inclrcerated. Now whether
n 1t was becau,e we were Mormon Elder.
* or not. We cannot say, but the uisinclina
Ne lion OF the consul to render Us any aiC
was so apparent that we shortly left
r. We next sought the highest representa-
,e tive Of the United States in this counry
N the American Minister, John L. Risley
whose sumptuouS apartments, oil roya
4, splendor, are a credit 10 the nation the
he represent And We are proud to sa,
that Mr.. Risley is truly a representaty,
Of the grand Republic Of the West
our reception was entirely different iron
Il atab We named, and when we toll,
IN. minister VINO We were, he said gu
relia ion made 10 difference to him, h
was always pleased to see his country
men. lie promised upon hearing Gu
m ca e to render US whatever aid lay IN hi
m power, ana thIoIsh bout the interview
II treated US with siudness and courle5
IN that we shall ever hold ia grateful re
membrane. Upon our return to tn
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