The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-21
DEsERET EVENING NEWS: MONDAY, AUGUST al 1888.

Of various denominations show the
following results:
"Of their present membership 171s per
cent are from Mormon sources, while
during their history their total gains
from the dominant Church and its
apostates equal 521s per cent of their
present enrolment On the other hand,
the instances Of perversion to Mormon
ism from orthodox ranks have been
surprisingly few. being less than half
of one per cent of the numbers that
have come from it to US.
This is wonderful fact. for 1t might
nationally have been expected than
when in addition to the ordinary con-
siderations by which conversions are
secured there is added the. fact that
business and professional SUCCESSES
well as chances for political preferment
are greatly enhanced by alliance with
the dominant Church, there would have
been many additions to it from other
folds.
''The inherent weakness of Mormon
ism is still more clearly shown by its
almost complete failure to secure con-
verts from the ranks of irreligiouS
Gentiles in Utah.
Here, at the -xery-center of its pow
er, where dwell its inspired apostles
and its thousands of priests, with its
magnificent temples, its attractive
litical influence, it ought to have made
converts by hundreds. But the indis-
putable fact that where Mormonism is
best known it has the least success is
eloquent in condemnation of the system.
'The Christian churches of this ma
ton have message to declare to the
people of Utah. 1t is the same old ma
sage of redeeming love, of the power of
Christ to save from sin, and of the i'm
perative demand of God for holy living
that has been the inspiring motive of
the true church in every age. Under
the shadow of false and misleading
system of religion, that seeks to usurp
the place of Christianity, there are null
titudes who are vainly seeking the solu-
ton of the problems of life and of des-
tiny that can be found only in the I'M
corrupted teaching of the great Master
as revealed in His word.
There are souls all about US Strug-
Cling in the darkness and alienation
from God who know no more of the
Almighty Father of the universe and
His love for erring men than did the
Athenians who worshiped an unknown
Cod and who ignorantly believed in
many deities. To these Christs plain
message, unobserved by the vain
imaginings of men, would come as light,
clear, pure and penetrating.
There are multitudes who are bowed
down with trials, and grievous burdens
of sorrow, loneliness and guilt, and who
know not where to turn except to the
blind leaders of the blind" who lead
them on in the darkness and to false
teachings who fill their hearts with de-
lusive hopes. We believe in the effica-
cy of the old gospel. 1t is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that
believeth. The responsibility therefore
rests upon US to carry its message to
this people.
Since our last annual meeting events
have occurred which have made use of
the focus of observation and of interest
to the people of the whole country.
What effect these may have upon
evangelical agencies in the State re-
mains to be proven. Whether they shall
help or hinder Christian effort depends.
largely upon the wisdom which Chris
tan churches shall evince in the pres
ent crisis; the zeal with which the
friends of missions in Utah shall prose-
cute the work they have undertaken,
and the action of the United States
Congress upon the question which the
late election of a polygamist to men,
bership in that body thrusts upon it for
ton.
I'm reference to the election of Mr..
Roberts your committee ask you to
adopt the following preamble and reso-
buttons:
" 'Whe~7as, the election of Brigham
H. Robe $ of Utah, an avowed poly
gamist, to the House of Representatives
Of the Fifty-sixth Congress, has called
the attention of. the country to the fact
that many Mormon leaders are still liv-
ing in polygampus relations, in viola
ton of their oaths and pedges, and in
defiance of public sentiment and laws
Of the country, as well as in defiance
Of the laws and Constitution of the |
State of Utah; and
Whereas, the teaching and practice |
IF polygamy is demoralizing to society |
and destructive of the fundamental |
principals upon which our free institu- |
tons, and our Christian civilization |
rests; and
Whereas, in view of the past his |
DRY over the contest of the practice of |
the House of Representa- |
ives cannot permit the said Brigham |
II. Roberts to have a voice in its coun-
ills without in effect Sanctioning the |
practice of polygamy; and
Whereas, the polygamous element is |
still powerful in Utah, making it diff
,ult if not impossible to eXterminate |
,olygamous cohabitation without the |
assistance of the national government; |
Therefore, we most respectfully and |
most earnestly call upon every repre-
of the Fifty-sixti Congress to
lse his utmost endeavor and to eX-
laust all honorable means to secure the
prompt expulsion of the said Brigham
1. Roberts, of Utah, from the House
f Representatives, in accordance with
he provision of the national Consti-
ution, in article /, section 5, para
-raph 2, which reads as follows: Each
louise (of CongreSs) may determine the
ules of it's proceedings, punish its
members for disorderly behavior, and
With the concurrence of two-thirds, ex-
el a member
1--WE also most earnestly call upon
very member of the Senate and House
f Representatives to use his utmost
ndeavor and to exhaust all honorable
means to secure action by the Fifty
ixth Congress, proposing an amend
1ent to the national Constitution, and
ubmitting the same to the legislatures
f the several States, defining legal
marriage to be monogamic, and making
olygamy and polygamist cohabitation
nder whatsoever guise or pretense, a
rime against the United States, pun
;hment by severe penalties, including
s-franchisement and disqualification
D vote, or to hold any office Of honor
r emolument under the United States,
r any State or Territory thereof.
I'VE also call upon the Christian
oters throughout the United States to
Id US in the endeavor to secure the
congressional action herein prayed for,
, the end that the great wrong and
candal of polygamy may be speedily
rought to an end.
at. C. ILIFF,
ALFRED H. HENRY,
RICHARD WAKE,
n r