Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-24
THE MISSIONARY FIELDS
sway Down in Tennessee"
Sparta, Feb. u, 1900,


To the Editor;
No doubt Il will be interesting TO the
readers Of the News" TO see something
concerning missionary work In Ten
nessee.
The Mormon" Elder has great
variety OF experience In his efforts to
present the truth TO the people.
A few items IN connection with dis
tributlng tracts may not be out Of place.
Probably some have heard Of the FL
ders who went up 20 a fine house and
stated to the gentleman that they We're
leaving some tracts with the people,
whereupon be replied. well. | want
you TO leave some tracks here and leave
them with the heels toward the house"
Nearly every Elder has had expert
ence somewhat similar although IN
many instances the Invitation to leave
has not been so polite.
Elder j. Y. Alfred, president Of the
Middle Tennessee conference, and the
writer were engaged last week IN tract
ing the arlstOcratic little city Of Sparta,
the county seat OF White county.
We visited each house, distributing
about 100 tracts, and were invited IN
the house sixteen times; the other
elghty-fOur times we stood at the door
and stated our errand something as
follows: I'VE are Latter-day Saint El-
ders. distributing literature among the
people; We have here a little tract which
sontans friendly discussion pDon re-
iigious subjects, ana would take pleas
ure In leaving you one, II you have no
objections"
This announcement would bring forth
a variety OF replies, such as: I'VE have
the Bible and don't need your books
II am set in my belief and can't be
changed" etc.
Are you 'MormonsT asked one very
stylish lady. Eyes, Ma'am," was the re-
ply. Then with a very naughty air she
turned away saying. 81 have no use FOR
YOU One lady said she was q Presby-
terrain All over and could not be turned
from that faith.
A great many OF those whom we met
claimed 10 belong 70 the church Of God
or church Of Christ Some OF the latter
feel that they arc very much persecut.
ed. In that they are called Campbell
lies" One 81 them asked US publicly
y we would debate with one OF their
preachers. We replied. yes gladly,
lfANAN'A bNAh NAAin NAN NNhAAAAfi w AitN
Bible
To this he would not agree. We had a
long talk with their preacher, DR. SUIT
ton. He was well armed with tracts
published recently by the anti-"Mor-
mon League, consequently had no use
Tor ours.
Having no hopes Of obtaining any OF
the churches In the city, we applied 10
the sheriff and several members Of the
county court for permission TO hold
meetings In the court house, but this
also has thus far been denied MS. Both
Of the Sparta newspapers have had
sOmethlng to say concerning the work
which the "Mormons' are doing In the
neiehborhood The "Fayorlte' tried
especially hard TO cast some reflections
on us and our work.
We certainly meet n variety Of peo-
pie, A great many are too narrow
minded TO even give US a hearing, while
there are a few who seem glad TO get
our literature and thank US for II. We
trust that at least few Of the seeds
thus sown NAV fall into good ground
and bring forth fruit.
The News Is highly appreciated by
the Elders and Saints here.
Your brother In the Gospel.
EMERY BARRUs.