Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-31
the moamoNs IN GREENWOOD.

4 G01tV OCUtOCyOts
Having been asked several times TO
give some account Of the Mormons, or
Latter Day Saints, ~ they prefer to be
called, while here In town, Ipropose to do
so; and since II will require more space
than would be admissible In the weekly
items, 1 will give It separate article,
with your permission, promising at the
same time TO be as brief 40 possible.
The four men who came here were !:
Clarence Gardner OF Wyoming; Z. s.
Green, Utah; &. o. West, Utah; 5. 3.
Hooker, Idsho. had read several
works on Mormonism, prominent among
which was Besdle's Lifr In Utah; aud,
consequently, my pfsjadice against that
religious sect was pretty deeply rooted ;
but resolved TO hear some OF. their
preaching, and what they had to say In
viudicstion Of themselves.
During their stay here ! heard them
but twice, owing TO the bad weather,
and with those two sermons | shall 6nd
no fault. They used our Bible for a text
book, and 40 well versed were they thst
when m,kings point they would refer
you to the book, chapter and vcrse where
the proof could be found, and that with
out ever opening it.
They baptized five persons during
their STAY here, the frat one being Mrs
ruttle OF York County, who was up on
q visit; and the next Sabbath Calvin
Cole and David Morgan, together with
their wives.
Iwas so fortunate "a tn be present At
the confirmation, which was really sol
.mn AMI impressive, and well illustrated
Ia Beadle's work referred to above. All
four of the ministers laid one hand on
the head of the candidate, and the
charge given was quite similar to what
we hear when q person IL received into
the b ,ptist or Methodist church. Firss
one minister administered the charge
aud then the. next, there being just
enough OF them TO go round. BY 20
doing the candidates are said to receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then
followed the sacrament, which Vas very
much like that OF other churches, ex-
cept that instead of the emblems being
brad and wine, they were bread snd
cold water. This appeared somewhat
remarkable, since they claim 70 teach
and preach precisely Ms Christ and his
apostles did. The exercises co ed
with social meeting, during which All
the newly-msde Mormons expressed
themselves as exceedingly happy In the
new faith and light which they had so
recently received.
Oae OF these men showed me num-
Der OF Photographic views, consisting
In part OF Salt Lake City and its most
noted buildings, also Salt Lake bathing
place and its surroundings. Quite
number OF persons we're In the act OF
one man sitting upright In the
deep water and amusing himself by read
Ing a newspaper The water contains
about - per cent OF chloride OF sodium,
so thst person will float on Its surface
like cork. One picture was that OF
msgnihed shrimp, the only animal found
In the lake, and so small as TO be seen
ONLY under the microscope.
Whatever these men may be 10 reality,
they possess some good qualities; they
baptizs only by immersion, take no pay
for their labor, and never preach from
or notes.
Having q desire 70 learn Whit their
Bible, or Book Of Mormon, contains, j
8 copy, and am reading II
by course. II contains 623 pages
and Il n literary curiosity, but rather
dull volume, reminding one OF the Koran.
As might be expected various reports
have gone out about these men, among
others that one or more OF them will
come back TO stop through the winter,
and that Ia less th,n n yesr Mormon
church will be built At the City. The
following bit Of news was clipped from
the Maine Farmer day or two ago, and
handed to the writer by Mrs. Daniel
Bryant: "The Mormon missionaries
hsve reached Maine, and are holding
meetings In q small town In Oxford
County. Quite . number OF converts
have already been made, and the place |
has been named Utnh Corner.
LEMUEL DUSHAM.