Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-16
A Good wor1 n.lnr Done.


Pittsburg. Pa. Dec. s. 1899.
To the Editor:
We always read with Interest the let
tera from the various missionary fields.
Elder John NJ. Whitaker OF the preai-
dcncy OF the Eastern states mission IL
making tour Of the large cities OF this
mission. and IN now In this conference.
The object OF his present labor Is to in-
terview the press and hold public lee
lures where IL appears To be the most
needed. and TO get a bearing before the
thinking class OF the people.
Elder Whitaker thus far has met
with success. His first labors In the
conference We're ut Moundsville. Ohio
county, W. Va. "a part OF West vir-
ginia known as the Pan Handle. includ-
ing Ohio. Brooke and Handbook c0un-
ties, has recently been Included In the
West Pennsylvania confercncc).
We endcnvored to get permission to
lecture In the court house. but at nrst
met with opposition and difficulty. and
We're referred to the chairman OF the
board. lie met that gentleman on the
street a few minutes later and knew
him, though he had never seen him be-
fore on earth. Who Will say he was
not prompted by the Spirit OF God3
After brief conversation the official
gave his consent and the result was,
Elder Whitaker lectured to good
sized audience In the auditorium OF tho
court house, which was SVEN free OF
charge. The newspapers OF Mound
VILE were very friendly and published
the leading points OF the argument adj
vanced by Elder Whitaker.
From Moundvlllc Elder Whitaker
went to Wheeling and arranged TO lee
ture In Arlon Hotel. This meeting
was also well attended by the represent
tative people OF Wheeling. Several
members OF the Reorganized church
were present. After the lecture some
OF the latter expressed their sorrow 10
think that Elder Whitaker was 30 de-
luded, but he Informed them that they
had no cause TO mourn ON his account.
The papers OF Wheeling were also
very fair and gave a good account OF
the lecture. From Wheeling Elder
Whitaker came TO Pittsburg. Arrange
ments were made for lectures In Pitts
burg. Allegheny and Mckeesport sue
cessivcly.
The speaker was welcomed by a very
attentive audience at each place and
the press reported the lectures very
favorably, besides publishing some artl-
cles In defense OF "Mormonlsm." writ
ten by Elder Whitaker. In these lee
lures the speaker explained what
"Mormonism" is and why II has been.
and Is. opposed. thus disabusing the
minds OF the people OF the idea that
"Mormonlsm" Is opposed on account OF
"Polygamy." lie also showed tho
falsity OF u great many charges which
are made against the Church. and ex-
planned the position OF the Church In
the crusade through which II Is now
passing. His words struck home to
those who were honest. and many
hearts warmed with sympathy for the
truth Influential men acknowledged
that tho "Mormons" had been misrep-
resented and ought TO have their rights.
nd kNTn IA IN A luYa
ful comment In the columns OF the
press.
After leaving Pittsburg Elder Whit
aker went TO on City. Pa, and Intends
to 80 from there to tho New York
conference.
we feel that great good viii follow
from his labora.
The Indications are that brighter
times are coming, because the thinking
class OF the people are having their at
tentlon called to "Mormonism'' and
they are more DESTROYS OF having JUS
tice meted out and blame attached
where II rightly belongs.
The work In these parts Is growing
very fast. This conference was left in
a prosperous condition by Elder Davis,
when he was relieved In October and
his successors have been trying to fol-
low up and add to the good work al
ready done.
tablsned In the heart OF Plttsburg, and
three good, energetic Elders, besides
the clerk. are located In the city.
Most OF the Elders are blessed with
health and the spirit OF their calling.
There are twenty-ninc Elders In the
conference at present and travelling
without purse or scrip IL the rule OF the
mission. This conference includes all
OF that part OF Pennsylvania lying west
| OF the Susquehana river,
Any one having relatives or friends
In these parts whom they wish the