The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
MORMON CONVENTION
LEADERS OF CHURCH WILL
MEET IN SELMA.
Much Interest in the Coming Meeting
= is Expressed by outsiders-Real
Estate Transfers for the Week
Other News.
Advertiser Bureau.

Selma, May 81.
Friday. June 6, the Mormon Church of
Alabama will hold its annual convention
IN Selma, and great deal of interest is
being taken in the meeting, not only by
the citizens of t, IS city, but away from
here Outside newspapers seem to be
greatly interested in the gathering, also.
and are directing their correspondents to
send them photographs of the principal
actors in the gathering and to wire in
accurate accounts of what Is said and
done. 1t is an unusual gathering, to say
the least of 1t, and the people of Selma
have taken a lively interest in the work
OF the Mormons in this section For the
past two or three months there have been
selves Mormon Elders, doing missionary
work In Selma and vicinity. They have
sung and talked on the street corners
and at time good crowds. mostly negroes
and boys, have gathered about them
mainly through curiosity. These young
men are very plausible, wear clean linen
and dress neatly, and appear to be deeply
In earnest in promulgating the doctrines
Of the Latter Day Saints.
Why the Mormons have selected Selma
as one of the centers from which TO send
out their doctrine, is one of the mys-
teries that has not yet been explained to
the satisfaction of anyone. This Is one
of the greatest church centtrs In the
State and 1t is probably due to this fact
that the Mormons have made this their
headquarters Then. again. this is IA very
tolerant community. Very little stock Is
taken in the doctrine of Mormonism by
the general public, except as a matter of
mere Curiosity The Elders are permitted
F>to go their way In peace, nothing harsh
Is ever said TO them when they are speak
ing or singing on the streets. and this
is one reason perhaps, that this city has
been made a center from which the Elders
make excursions into the adjacen ter
ritOry.
The Elders claim that they go forth.
like the disciples of old, without purse or
script, and how they live is another Of
the unexplained mysteries. They are al
ways clean-shaven and have on spotless
linen, and neat well-fitting clothing and
do not appear to be hungry at any time.
1t is rumored that they have made
good many converts in the city. and that
part of the doctrine of the church is
to feed the hungry and shelter the home
less. That being the case, the Elders are
doubtless being taken care of by those
who sympa thize with them. They have
never been known to ask aims. They are
disposing of some Mormon literature at
small price, and that may possibly bring
them in enough to live on. but 1t is
doubtful. The Book Of Mormons.' known
as the Mormon Bible which was written
by Joseph Smith. the founder of the
church. and which he claims to have
been inspired of God, is sold for 50 cents
and some have purchased this book out of
curiosity. They distribute a great many
small tracts free, which would tend to
show that theys are supplied with lit
erature and perhaps money from the
he ad man of the work at Chattanooga.
At any rate the Mormons are here and
that they are very active goes without
saying. Your correspondent has been in
formed that there are a great many mHre
converts to the doctrine of Joseph Smith
in Selma than one would suppose. These
believers. as a general thing. are said
to be among the poorer, more ignorant
| classes of people. good many have been
| goes on to say. who do not come out in
the open and admit that they are Nor
mons for fear that they Will be oStra-
| cised bv their neighbours or be unable to
| secure employment on account of the
| doctrine that they profess. There are
quiet rumors afioat that good many
4 son~o-ts have been made and a church
| may be organized here after the State
convention adjourns, if public sentiment
will allow it. The Elders, in their talks
repadiate the doctrine of polysamy,
which seems to be the great abhorrent
| question in the minds of the public and
which causes public sentiment to con-
| denim the church so severely. 1t is said
| that the head of the church in this Sec
| ton, who lives in Chattanooga. ard who
| is reputed to be a very learned aDle man.
will make public address when the con
| venton meets here and will fully explain
all of the tenets of his church
The Mormon State convention VIII NEE
| in the Dragons Armory.' they having
rented that building for the purpose. a
coed many of their SESSIONS will be in
secret, but at least two public meetings
will be held. and the outsiders will be
asked TO hear what he speakers have to
saw about the faith that is in them.
Twenty-four ELDERS at least, are ex-
pccted to be present and if the Armory
will not hold the crowd to hear them,
then overflow meetings will be held on
the streets and the most Logical, eloquent
sNeakers that they have will address the
different meetings Becides the Elders
who are expected to be present on lh!s
occasion. it is rumored that a great many
lay delegates and members of the church
will make pllgrimages here.