Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-02

state. the Baptists and Methodists out
numbering them In the order NAMED
IT is further stated that the Protest
| ant ministers generally are dumb
| founded at the extent of the success
of the Mormon Elders and the several
| denominations which they represent
VIII at once take steps TO counteraet
the growth Of Mormonlsm wherever II
has been planted. by sending an extra
force Of Christian missionaries and
workers into those fields.
This will be another case OF Chris
tlan against Christian of seneing
Christian ministers to cpunteract the
the results Of the work of Christian
missionaries The Mormons are THE
Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter
day Saints 1t Is no part of the duty
OF n secular newspaper to criticize the
creed OF any religious Organization;
| but there is one practical test that
might well he applied to this great
mass Of North Carolina Mormpns be-
fore condemnlng them utterly. Are
they leading good lives? Does convfr-
they compare In temperance. chnsttT
industry, frugality, and other STAPLE
Qualities with persons OF similar ane-
cedents, environment and worldly Or
dition In other religious bodieaf An
unprejudieed and faithful inquiry
whether or not this great movemnt
In the old North state need 'startle' he
clergy and lalty Of other denomifa-
tinna. ny their fruits We shnll knw
them If Mormonism In North CaN-
lima Is producing bad fruits, let othr
sects send their mlsSlonarles to stm
the tide. The News and Courier mails
these comments on the situation:
1.-The funny aspects OF the situatin
nre too broad to be missed; but the
Is a serious side to IL, also. which :
presented in the very obvious relic |
tlnn that the Protestant ministers nr |
churches of North Carolina appear n |
have neglected their field very bndy |
to have rendered such an irvashi |
with such results, 40 easily practicabe |
The North Carolina ministers al |
churches have not employed their b. |
portunitles. we fear, when the Eide
from far Utah can find material ~ |
nbout hundred congregations asl |
about them. The sudden activity of "
shepherds and churches. moreover, ~
pears to he inspired rather by dislin
OF the Mormon brethren than by hu
tllity to the common enemy and
consuming regard for tho salvatia
OF lost souls. II IL very much to- L
feared. in short, that hut for tho d.
vnsion NJ the Elders the thousands Z ;
poor and ignorant people In tho county,
districts would have been left In darh
ness for many years 10 come. There 4
more anxiety. VI seems, to save thtn
from Mormonism than there has beta
to save them from heathenlsm an
their sins
"Inasmuch as Mormonism IL mai
ing progress In almost all Of tts
states. and especlally In the East, ss
honest account Of whnt 1t has dor
In North Carolina would he valuais
contribution to religious. moral. afl
sociological literature. What are 10
fruits? That Ia the main question. Huf
has II affected tho lives, habits. ard
characters of the converts?"
It is quite unusual to see so mud
good sense and simple justice In a.
editorial treating of the Mormons, q
of their religion. as are shown In III
Posts article. Jesus gave n key ~
which the hdherents OF all creeds mff
be accurately and riGhteously Judged
by their fruits we shall know them
and the Post makes sensible as wei
ns an emlnently Christian surgestir
when 1t advises the use of this key (.
the case of the Mormons Of Norti
Carolina.
First Inquire what fruits they ar
bringing forth. II authentic Informs
tlon Is desired It should be sough
from their friends who know then
and not from their prosecutors VIII
hate them. An honest and iRteii;gei'
inquiry will disclose the fact this
every person who. with full purpose q
heart. has embraced Mormonism, has
formed a fixed determination to shpi
sin OF every kind In future; to be IL
corruptibly honest; pure in morals
forgiving and charitable: humble ant
prayerful; and to live by every wort
that proceedeth out OF the mouth .,
God.
II all opponents OF Mormonism couli
be prevailed upon to take the Posts
advice and Judge its adherents b.
their fruits. opposition to Mormon
missionaries would soon be totally dis.
armed. /