The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-11
MormoufAm
Correspondence Of The Messenger.)
SCOTS Hill, n. c., October s.

SCOTS Hill, n. c., October s.
In view Of the fact that certain Nor
mon elders have for some time been
earnestly at work, promulgating the
doctrine and tenets of their church in
North Carolina, and recently in this
portion of the state, it is well to watch
their professions ana see, if possible,
if they comport with Mormon prac-
tees.
One of the most serious obstacles
encountered by the Mormon ~expounder
when he reaches a new field Of labor
is Mormon polygamy." Before any
favorable impression is gained some
disposition must be made OF this Ques-
ton which is sure to come up. It can
not be ignored. If the ignorant and
vicious are Indifferent to its discus
sion the better element of society will
call it forth. Knowing this, the peri
patetic shepherd of the Mormon church
is sent out fully armed and equipped
to resist every hostile missile in the
shape of an argument which may be
shot at him. Like the silver tongued
orator of the book agent variety, he
memory and a rattle off his refuta-
ton answers with much ease and
f1uency.
"Polygamy is no longer practiced by
the Mormons" say these pedestrian
elders. Its practice has been discon-
tinued for years. The United States
government denied it existence and it
died" These expressions and similar
ones are samples of what is given out
by the latter day saints" when ques-
toned as to this unchristian life SO
long followed by them under the sane
ton of their church. Are these pro-
LESSONS true? Can the members Of
our enlightened society deny them and
sustain the denial? This is an impor-
tant question.
During the perusal Of an old number
of Harper's Magazine dated August,
1884 an article on Salt Lake City writ
ten by Ernest Ingersoll appears in
which the following is embodied, found
on pages 39S-399. "The polygamist as
a rule has accumulated some property
and owns a house before he takes a
second and successive wives, though
sometimes he begins by marrying two
or three at once. All Of these mar
riages. however, except the first are
made secretly by the church and no
record of them is accessible"
1t may be urged by the Mormon that
the statement here given (f admitted
to be true) is Anticipated having been
written and published fourteen years
ago and that Mormonism since then
has passed through many changes
and is not now what it was then. I'm
less one is we'll posted as to the true
status of Mormonism at this time an
answer to this position would not be
forthcoming. Something, however, can
be said in support of the belief that the
practice still continues.
If pOlygamy was practiced by the
Mormons during the year 1884, why
was secrecy a part Of it? Because the
laws of the United States prohibited
it, and to avoid punishment for a VIC
lation of law secrecy was essential. 1t
not admitted then any more than
it is now. A denial of it's practice was
necessary to its existence. The same
is true today. If it was kept going
clandestinely and fraudulently In 1884
it a be and doubtless is fiourishing
by the same means at this time.
Any attempt to destroy the CREDIBLE
ity of the magazine as a witness will
hardly succeed. Harper's Magazine
occupies no secondary place among
the standard publications OF the world.
For forty years it has taken a leading
part with the foremost literary and
scientific periodicals OF civilization.
Its reputation for ability and accuracy
Of statement is as precious TO its pub
fishers as charity is to a good woman.
1t is quite true that errors may some
times appear in its pages, but no such
error as the statement quoted, for moth
ing short of a careful, painstaking in
vestigation by a person Of ability could
bring to light such things as the one
related. --,x.
Bryson City. n. c., October 3--Four
miles above here on Saturday, while
playing or a rock. a IL years old son
of Robert Cline slid into the river.