Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-11-25

II must be encouraging, as It Is botf
interesting and instructive, to listen {
the portrayal Of progress and growth
among the Latter-day Saints such az
has been given us today. 1t must bt
encouraging also to contemplate the
destiny OF the people and the purpose
which God has declared respecting
them. Not only on this occasion, but
on several Sabbaths In the recent past,
we have listened to reports by Apostles
and other leading officers of the Church,
and by Elders who have come home
from foreign Missions, relative to the
state Of this work In various parts OF
the world. and take II that the Lat
ter-day Saints have found much cause
for gratitude and thanks In that 10
which they have listened.
1t IL an undeniable fact that this
Church has advanced at a rate which Is
really phenomenal and that 1t is still
growing In a way that bespeaks It's
vitality and declares the power which
overrules things for lis good and which
has set the seal OF victory upon the
destiny decreed concerning It.
MIsLED BY NAMES.
1t has been fashionable in the past to
decry "Mormonism," as the faith Of the
Church OF Jesus Christ Of Latter-day
Saints has come 70 be known. The
Church has had bad name; and things
that have bad name In this
world are seldom spoken OF In
any other terms than those Of
reproach and denunciation. Il is quite
| the fashion amongst mankind today 10
| 20 largely by names. and scarcely ever
| to look attenttvely beyond. We are
living according to system OF abbre-
viations and initials. and names mean
| practically everything 10 US, our bits
Of knowledge appear TO me to be tied
up In bundles and packages, and to be
labelled rightly or wrongly, and we
seldom ever unite the string or tear
apart the wrapping to see what Is
within. The package labelled Nor
monism" has always been in Ill repute
with many.
There are, however. many whose eyes
have been opened and whose ears have
been unstopped, through the efforts
and labors Of the missionaries Of this
people, and who have found TO their
surprise that "Mormonism" is not at
all what they had taken It 10 be. In
deed, In our popular legislature we
pass most Of the bills by title and
scarcely ever consider them in their de-
tails. In our individual judicial ac-
lions, passing our personal judgment
as to the right or the wrong OF mat
tiers that may come before US, we rarely
take time to properly examine the EVIL
dence, but usually content ourselves
with rendering some sort OF decision
upon the Recommendation Of self.con-
stituted and prejudlced referees.
The Mormon" people-the people
who are properly known az members OF
the Church Of Jesus Christ OF Latter
day Saints-have only asked 10 be
known. TO be observed. to be tested
and 10 be judged righteously In accord
ance with the results of that examlna-
ton. But II Is not only with respect
tiers OF churches In general but in all
things We 80 by names, and ofttimes
grasp at the shadow represented by the
name, and utterly ignore the substance
Of the thing itself
INFLUENCE OF MIsNoMERs.
Years ago, remember, read
a carefully prepared work pro-
fessing TO set forth the So
called theory Of Darwin. 1t appeared
under the glazing title Of "Darwinism."
| read the book with interest. / read
another book, also a commentary upon
the great naturalist; and third, and
by that time ! was thoroughly con-
WINGED that II ! wanted to know any
thing about Darwin and his work. l
would have TO read him for myself.
Many truth Is now condemned by be-
ing referred to some system which has
bad name, The naturalist whom
have named has brought out many
truths, but when one Of them is mem
toned, someone kills the effect by say
ms, That Is Darwinism." The truths
taught by this Church is declared, and
us good effect Is utterly ruined or
spoiled by some spiteful remark, That
Is Mormonism."
EFFECT OF PREJUDICE.
But few months ago stood in one
OF the large cities Of Great Britain.
Passing down the street one evening
came to a crowd gathered upon the
corner Of the street, and soon found
that one OF our own meetings was there
In DrogressI had not heard Of the meet.
ing having been previously announced /
took a place on the outskirts OF the
crowd. and listened with some degree
OF interest 10 the remarks Of the Elders
who addressed the people, They were
speaking IN a simple, and, ] believe
convincing manner, judging by the ef-
feet which was produced upon the con-
gregatlon: the theme was the rcstora-
tion OF the Gospel, the prophecies Of old
relating Ia the last days and the signs
that were 20 prcccde the great aud ter
rlble day Of the Lord. | listened 10
comments made by members OF that
street congregation. and many Of them
were sincere and earnest. betOkenlng
careful thought.a they were generally
favorable. The doctrine az II was
preached seemd TO appeal 10 many.
Then / became aware Of the presence
circulating in and around and through
the crowd. and whispering in the cars
Of those who seemed 10 be affected
Don't you know what that s? Init Is
M0rmonlsm," and straightway
those who had been listening
spurned what they had heard.
Some " them left In disgust. and 9TH
ers remained 20 take part IN the at
tempt 20 incite a disturbance there.
When the truth was presented without
a name, they had 10 honor IL. but when
they found that Il belonged 20 the sys.
tenn which with them was in IN repute,
they rejected Il and trampled II under
their feet Perhaps this condition VIII
continue until We have learned 10 recog-
nlze truth for itself, until We have
learned 20 love Il for lts own sake. and
not for the sake Of the name that some
one has pasted upon IT,
TRUTH NEEDS NO PRoPPING.
rejoice in the truths that are
promulgated by those who preach the
doctrine Of this Church. for such stand
upon their own merits. They require
no propplng. They are honored for
their own sake. Yet We have been told
today that those who have accepted the
49, A. -