The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-09

A SPONTANEOUS CONVERT.
She Came to a Mormon Meeting Clad
In a Bathing Suit.
ST. Louis Globe Democrat.


ST. Louis Globe Democrat.
There was excitement within the baili-
wick of the Belfast Chicken yesterday
afternoon all on account OF baptiziug and
a bathing suit. 1t came about in this way
Between two score and half a hundred
elders and members of the Mormon
Church had selected the Belfast Chickens
big bath house for the purpose Of bap'iz-
ing a couple of converts man and a
woman. Just before the ceremonies began
third person pul in an appearance, and
1t was this spontaneous convert who
wore the bathing suit. She created big
surprise. to put it mildly; aud before The
affair was over she had made a BIT of
history. which, though not of pubic rec
ord of Importance, will not soon he fo--
gotten by herself, the other two conv rts
or any of the faithful present, and Prof
Bill Clark will tel of 1t for days and
weeks to come.
Be it known that the big bath pool at
Nineteenth and Pine streets is conduc ell
by William Clark, professor of many
things, and known to the world as the
Belfast Chicken. He is authority far tie
assertion that lit was great day" Ell
ders and saints" from New Mexico, Ida
no and Utah were present. and a la g
contingent of the St Louis Mission work
ers and the converts. Hymns were sung
and the Spontaneous convert" was well
coined with open arms. The roof Of tho
atatorium was scarlet with flags and he
railing crowded with Pine strest kids
"rubbering" The Belfast Chicken chuc-
killed. at his desk and winked his Irish hlre
eyes. The Mormons had often come to
his natatorium for baptismal purposes hut
never before had such specimen of a
spontaneous convert put in an appear
ance.
She arrived ten minutes before the ell
ders and introduced herself to Prof"
Clark. The professor introduced her t.
the elders. The chief elder was Peter
James Sanders, young fellow eff i've ana
twenty, with clean, honest eyes and an
earnest expression. He wore bell
crown hat, a long, black coat and re
that spoke the Wasatch Mountains, He at
once became interested in the convert.
Il should like 20 be baptized az once"
remarked the spontaneous enc.
Have you studied the doctrines OF our
faith?" asked the elder.
mo" responded the spontaneous one
I'VE would desire you not to be too
hasty--''
Yes for that reason l wanted to s7e,l1
TO you beforehand and ask the special
things I ought to believe"
Have you talked with any of the ell
ders?"
NO"
mo- we'll lie neSlfAtpd.
"Oh, but I am interested. I shoul
really like to be baptized now, and be
sure to be in the church. and then l can
invesd gate afterward.
The logic evinced evidently pleased
him.
well, now, our church differs from the
others in this way: We believe that the
first principles and ordinances Of the Cos
pei are: First, faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ; second. repentance; third. bap-
tism by immersion for the remi sion Il
sins. We believe that a man must he
called of God by prophecy. In our church
to-day we have apostles. prophets pri sts.
saints evangelists, just as IN the days
when Christ lived on earth We believe
IN prophecy, revelations. Visions healing
as much to-day in the first days of
Christianity In the words Of Joseph
Smith we believe I'm being honest chas g
true, benevolent. virtuous aud doing good
TO all men. You will not regret joining
us"
While this talk was going on the rest Of
the party arrived and gathered together
in the large sitting room. The elders.
fourteen men, all clad in long black coats
and black ties, filed IN and occupied one
side OF the room. They all had an outdoor
look. like men who had followed the
plough. But all looked honest straight
goods and kindly They had simple
courtesy about them gentle and unobtru-
sive. The women were much less 'out-
doorsy" They fled in and seated them
selves on the other side to complete the
ring. They were dressed in shirt waists
and skirts. all save special convert. who
wore a fluffy white dress like a young
brides, and pink roses in her hat. Her
name she said was Annie Smith. and she
works in a tobacco factory Her ha'r is
black as Jet and her cheek rose red
"Oh, / ON 30 glad another young lacy
is coming In" she cried as the sponta-
neous convert took a chair beside her
81 was so afraid I'D have to go in alone"
Are you going ia that dress?" aske
the spontaneous one.
"Oh, yes; what are you going 20 welr?''
IA bathing suit. | guess"
"A bathing suit" gasped the pretty girl
What else can / wear? | can't ruin
these ciothesv
I why, ! don't spose 1t will make any