The times., 1899-02-27
DIR. ILIFF DESCRIBES
TIE MORMON FAITH
An Almost Impresuable Re-
ligious Organization.
Difficulties That Confront Mission
aries in Utah.
Expresses the Belief That Rcprcscn-
tntiye-Eicct Rcbcrt> Will
Rc IEscatcd.

The Rev. DR. T. c. Iliff. Superintendent
of the Mission of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Utah, made an interesting ad-
dress at the Foundry NJ. E. Church last
night, taking as his subject Twenty eight
Years Among the Mormons.'
DIR. Iliff is regarded as one of the most
eloquent ministers in the West. lie has
studied for twenty-eight years, not only
as a missionary. but also as a statesman,
in Utah He is a forcible speaker of
splendid presence and held his audience
for over an hour with unabated interest.
DR.. Tiff began with a brief account of
the faith OF the Mormons, and the strange
doctrine of Joseph Smith. The organiza-
ton of the Mormon Church DR.. llin pro-
nounces 10 be one OF the strongest and
most complete religious societies in the
world. The counselors are vested with
divine authority. The twelve apostles of
the church are usually men of great ability.
They are presidents of sections known as
Mormon states. each state having a presi-
dent and two counSe!ors. These states
are subdivided into wards which, in turn,
have a bishop and two counselors, there
being TWO or three hundreds wards.
al this machinery enables the Mormoas
to reach every member Of the church very
easily. and as much visiting is done, the
chain makes an almost impregnable for
tress against missionary endeavors from
the other churches.
The discouragements and difficulties OF
mission workers are but little understood
in the East. In 1871 a building was Sc
cured by DIR. Iliff and Methodist Church
was organized with twenty women and ten
men. There has been practically no in
crease in the membership. DR.. Lift re-
ha ~ NnrmGniSTn
irto Utah fifty years ago and sa d that
one of the features of the religion is an
tagonism TO American institutions.
DIR. Iliff said that the Mormons teach
that God was a man, as was Adam, and
that he had wives. They believe that
Jesus was married TO Martha and Mary
at Cana. of Galilee, and had children. They
teach that the Holy Spirit is material
influence something like electricity which
is impaired TO the converts by the laying
on of hands by Mormon apostles.
DR.. Iliff paid glowing tribute to the
women of America whose action has been
always against Mormonism. He said that
he had no fears but that Representative
elect Brigham II. Roberts would be I'M
seated. the women of America having
raised up their voices to demand it.
Dr. Ilif is one of the committee OF three
who prepared the first formal protest
against the seating OF RODeTlS III tle next
Congress, his term beginning March
next.
The protest makes the statement that
Roberts has been living and is living in
open. fragrant, and notorious violation of
the laws OF the State Of Utah; that he pub
( licly and persistently iustifies the course
of unlawful conduct by the claim that
| he acts under the sanction of laws higher
than those of the State. or the United
States, and that the laws thus violateS
and set at naught by him are none other
than those of polygamy. DIR. Tiff spoke
of the increased sentiment all over the
country against the seating of Congress
! man Roberts.
The Mormons were never more active
than now. ne said. During the past year
Il 900 people have adopted the faith. In
one month in ten Southern States 500
visits were made by the elders from house
to house; 800 elders have come to the
immediate Southern States.
| Tonight DR.. Ilin will deliver another lee
ture at the Foundry Church, in which he
will consider new and important fea ures
! Of the Mormon question.