The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-13
MORMONISM IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Last Sundays News and Observer
contained thoughtful communication
from the pen of Rev. ]. Il. Underwood
showing the evils of Mormonism.
From many counties in the State
comes the news that Mormon mission
aries are actively ut work TO evangelize
the State for the Church of the Latter
Day Saints. 1t is also said that they
are meeting with some success among
those not we'll informed. This week
North Carolina Presbyterian contained
two statements that will surprise and
shock all our readers. A correspondent,
writing from Reidsville, says:
I'VE learned that there were two
Mormon churches in Rockingham
county, the county in which Reds
vile is situated, and that one of
them was built by politician. See?
We do not know or care what this
gentleman's politics are, but he is a
good man for the people to leave at
home when he next tries for office"
Another correspondent. writing from
Ma4shall Madison county, says in a re-
view of the difficulties in mission work
in THAT section:
with reference to Mormonism in
the State: ID The Mormons have
fertile field for their mischievOus
sowing. CD There ARE fifty more
Mormon missionaries in the State
then There are Presbyterian minis
tiers tall told. 80 There is posi-
bility that there shall at an early
day be as many MOrmons in North
Carolina as Presbyterians."
If there was so much danger from Nor
tracts imply, it would be a cause for
genuine alarm. We are inclined to be-
lieve that the Presbyterian's correspond
ent gives too much credence to reports
of what Mormon missionaries are doing
in North Carolina. They may have or
ganized two churches in Rockingham
county. under the guidance of pOliti-
clan, but we expect the report will be
denied. If not, they may last through
one campaign, but not longer.
We very much doubt the statement
that there are ''fifty more Mormon mis-
siOnaries in the State than there are
Presbyterian ministers all told" Nor
mon missionaries are peripetetic lot,
going from place TO place, generally be-
cause they can't find entertainment long
in any one ncighborhood. Two of them
cultivated Wake county very actively,
but meeting with no response,
They folded their tent like the Arab
And as silently stole away"
They have doubtless been counted in
a dozen counties in the above estimate.
In very few sections have they obtained
a fOothOld. Because our people give
them something TO eat and place to
sleep, some good people like the presby-
terian's correspondent, are alarmed lest
they will make converts by the whole
sale. North Carolnians are proverbially
hcspitable, and few people would turn
away Mormon or a MOhammedan OF
an infidel asking a nights lodging. II
does not follow that the hosts accept the
ridiculous creed because they do not
scalp the missionaries. If there is Il
Mormon church in Rockingham, it is the
only county in the State that is so ours
ed. There have not been two hundred
professed conversions in the past year in
the State, and they have been among
the most ignorant and unstable.
1t is very WELT is right and proper
for the pulpit and press to expose the pre-
tensions Of MormOnism, but let us have
no panic for fear the good people of this
State will be swayed from their religious
moorings to follow such quick apostles
as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.