The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-04-23
MOrmOniSm Growing.

The alarm sounded concerning pro-
gress of Mormonism is based on the re-
markable statement printed below. 1t
was prepared by the secretaries of home
missionary societies of the Presbytei ian,
Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Epis-
copal, North and South Reformed, Cum
berland Presbyterian, Disciples Of Christ
and United Brethren church :, who unite
in an appeal to the Christian public Of
America to resist Mormon encroach-
ments. Here is the full statement:
"As representatives Of missionary So
cieties of Christian denominations in the
United States, we beg most earnestly to
call the attention OF the Christian public
to the position, work and menace of
Mormonism in our country.
1--WE are moved to the statement by the
vitality which the Mormon system has
shown not only in Western States and
Territories, but generally throughout the
country. We are persuaded that Christ
ian people have no adequate conception
Of that vitality, nor the methods, seduc-
tive and often successful, by which the
hateful system is being pressed upon thu
public attention. Whatever modifca-
tions public sentiment or Government
action may have forced upon the Mormon
attitude and Mormon practices, it has
not essentially changed its character
since the days of Joseph Smith and Brig
ham Young. Its priestly oligarchy
threatens free government, its grasping
priestcraft invades property rights, its
vices are destructiveofg morals, while
its pagan doctrines are antagonistic to the
Gospel Of Christ.
1.-THE ambition of Mormons, which they
do not even conceal, is to secure control
of State after State until by means Of the
balance of power they may make national
legislation against Mormonism imposs-
BILE. Toward this end they are moving
fully devised for its purpose as any that
ever engaged the activities of man. The
al proaches to people are made the more
seductive because their appeal affects to
be based upon commonly accepted Bible
truths. Only after entrance has been
gained and the door closed against re-
treat, is the awful system gradually un-
yelled to its converts.
at is rapidly growing. The Mormon
hierarchy has an unyielding grip on the
machinery of the State of Utah and upon
all its political and educational interests.
| Though often denied, there is no doubt
that its practice of rolygamy continues
in defiance of all the promises made to
the United States when Statehood was
granted.
ats power in contiguous States and
Territories is increasing at an alarming
rate. BY means of colonization it has so
affected the States of Idaho, Wyoming,
Montana and Nevada and the Territories
of New Mexico and Arizona that it will
soon secure, If it has not already secured,
practical political control in all that re-
gion.
''lts missionary activity throughout
the Union is almost incredible. 1t claims
to now have 1000 missionaries in the
field, 400 OF them in the Southern States
and to have made last year 10000 con-
veris. Mormons are establishing mis-
sons in foreign countries on large scale
At a conference recently held in Berlin
and presided over by Hugh Cannon, son
of George Q. Cannon, l25 Mormon mis-
sionaries were present who were working
in the German Empire. They reported
1900 converts. In Norway and Sweden
Mormons have for many years been
gaining a continual increasing number
OF converts.
For these and many other reasons we
make our appeal to the public. We urge
upon pastors and teachers to unvei "a
their people and pupils this system, 50
seductive and dangerous to all the best
interests of every community and Of our
country. We urge upon the public press
the duty Of educating the public con-
science by unsparingly giving the facts
Of the nature and work Of MOrmOnism
Aud we appeal to Christian and patri-
otic people everywhere to resist wher-
ever il appears a system hostile at once "a
our free Institutions and our Christian
faith"