The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-08-26
FORMER MORMON
NOW PRESBYTERIAN
E. J. Hanks Of FerrOn, Utah,
Is Given License to
Preach.
HE FIRST SUBMITS TO
SEARCHING EXAMINATION
Rev. DR.. McNiece Urges Study
of Socialism and Other
Questions.

The issuance to r. J. Hanks of a H.
censo to preach tho gospel was the tea-
ture Of Saturdays 8 meeting OF the Utah
Presbvtery Mr., Hanks who is resi-
dent Of Ferron, Utah, is of Mormon
family and was n Mormon himself Tor
many years. Now, however, he no long
er believes in the doctrines of that or
Canization and has allied himself with
the Presbyterians.
Another feature Of the session was
the recommendation of Rev, DR.. Nc
Niece, that members of the Presbytery
read up on capitalism sociology and
labor.
Saturday S session OF the Presbytery
opened with devotional exercises led by
Rev. j. NJ. Fitzpatrick of st. George
Rev. William Murphy presented the
committee report on foreign missions.
Rev. Theodore Lee of Spanish Fork
read the report Of publications and
Sundays schools Several new schools
have been established during the last
year. The report recommended the re-
commission Of Rev. j. K MacGilhvray
as superintend of Sunday school ms
mously adopted. DR.. G. ". Martin of
Manti presented a report on systematic
benevolence.
DR. r. G. McNiece, dean Of Wcstmin-
ster college, as chairman of the special
committee on church and labor, made
the following recommendations;
First-That the members Of the
Presbytery improve every opportunity
to divest laboring men OF their unrea-
sonable prejudice against the church Of
Christ by showing that it is nm earnest
friend OF the best interests Of the la.
boring man.
Second-That the members Of tho
Presbytery take pains during the COM
ing year to do some special reading on
capitalism, sociology and labor. Walter
j. Mills is good authority on capitalism
and labor, and Richard T. Ely, profes
sor Of political economy of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin, is a good authority
on sociology.
Discussion Provoked.
Some discussion was provoked by the
report. Socialism in Utah came up
incidentally, and it seemed to be the
opinion that a good many Mormons
were inclined TO embrace Socialism. IT
was suggested that members Of the
Presbytery read some of the Socialist
papers to keep in touch with Socialist
doctrine. Some Socialists at Silver
City, it was said, had expressed their
approval Of the assassination OF Presi
dent Mckinley, so it appeared to the
Presbytery that some Socialists do not
separate themselves widely from an
archy. The report was adopted.
Rev. II. II. Davis Of ksysville read
the report of the committee on colleges,
which was adopted DR.. r. M. Steven
son made strong plea for the support
and the upbuilding of the Presbyterian
college in this city
Rev, Josiah McClain presented the
report on home missions of this Pres
bytery and State, showing the missions
to be in good condition.
Rev. j NJ. Fitzpatrick asked to be
relieved of his work at st. George, and
Rev. H. II, Davis asked 10 be relieved
of work at Kaysville. Both requests
were granted.
The following appointments were
then made:
st. George-Rev. Charles T. Brause.
Uyrum-Rev. F. L. Higdon.
Mt. Pleasant-Rev. A. G.. Frank of
Cincinnati, 0.
Panguitch-Rev. T. NJ. KeussiA.
Forsakes Mormonism.
F.. ]. Hanks Of Ferron, Utah, a gradu-
ate OF San Anselmo seminary, San
Francisco, appeared for examination to
be licensed by the Presbytery to preach
tho gospel. Mr.. Hanks is of one of
the oldest Mormon families, stating
himself that his father "was a member
Of the Mormon battalion.' Hanksville,
in Garfield county, was named after the
elder Hanks.
The candidate detailed his expert
ences with the Mormon religion. When
he showed himself not strong in the
Mormon faith, he said, he was given
Office and rebaptized, but could not be
satisfied with Mormonism. While in the
southeastern part Of the State, he add
ed, for seven years he never saw a
Christian, A row at Sunday poker
game seemed to be q turning point.
Then followed Mr.. Hanks's examina-
tion in Greek, Hebrew, the Scriptures.
with many queries about Mormons and
the Book of Mormon. 1t was brought
out that, according to the Mormon
faith, Christ was a man no higher than
Joseph Smith, and this attitude toward
Christ was what distinguished Mormons
from Christians. After many search
ing questions by members of the Pres
bytery, Mr., Hanks was duly licensed
to preach the gospel,
On invitation of Rev. Mr.. Nelson. the
Presbytery voted to hold its next an
nunl meeting at Payson, which will be
in April.
Several committee reports and some
minor business remained unfinished at
6;l5 p. m, and an adjournment was
taken until 9 a. m. Monday, at the Col
legiate institute.
I,f 1,,, Il