The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-13
ALL MUST TAKE THE OATH
No Mormon Can Go Through the En-
dOWment House Without Taking tho
ObIigation-Tyranny of the Priest
hood Testified to-Proceedings in
the Smoot CaSe.

lit oubOOt NdSS.
Washington, February S.-The Sena-
tor Smoet case, so far as introduction
Of testimony by the protestants is con-
cerned, probably will be closed tomor-
row. Chairman Burrows announced
today that he would insist on conclud-
ing the investigation and making a re-
port at this session. The defense has
not announced the number Of wit
nesses it expects to call o when lt
will be ready to proceed. The
ing today dealt with alleged Mormon
interference in business affairs II
the endowment house ceremony. Ihree
witnesses testified that they had taken
the obligation administered and as
they recall it there was a variance N
the form as il related TO an agreement
to ayenge the blood OF the prophets
| Henry W. Lawrence of Salt Lake, SAID
he had been called upon TO promise TO
| avenge Joseph Smith, Hyram Smith,
David Patten and Pariey 2. Pratt, all
| church leaders who met death at the
hands of mobs. This witness declared
that no Mormon could go through the
endowment house without taking the
oath.
Professor Walter NJ. Wolfe was to-
day subjected to a severe cross examl-
nation by A S. WOrtningtOn, counsel
for the senator. He denied charges by
counsel that he had been intoxicated
in several public places and b IA he
had expressed contrition because OF his
refusal to pay tithing.
Wolfe said in Brigham Young col
lege, Ovene Jorensen and Florence Rey
nolds were the only students who he
knew to have become plural wives.
He thought that children of polyga-
nous relations looked upon polygamy
as a divine Institution. A lumber OF
songs, alleged to be hostile to the gov
eminent of the United States were put
into tn record and witness said these
songs were sung frequently
Chas. A. Smurthwa1te, Of Ogden,
Utah, testified that he had been ex-
communicated by the Mormon church
in April 1905. He is a director in the
Beck Salt Works and told Of having
been called to Salt Lake City to Pres
ident Joseph F. Smith and members OF
the first presidency which held the con-
trolling interest in the Inland Crystal
Salt Company. Mr.: Sfanrthwafte was
old by President Smith that if he re-
manned in the salt business in competl-
ton with the church he would be ruin
ed. No agreement was, reached and he
was ex-communicated he said, in con-
sequence. Finally, he said, he had
publicly disclaimed Smith $ authority
as a prophet, and spoke against his
testimony on the subject of polygam-
GUS cohabitation, and, was tried on
charges of apostacy and unchristian-
like conduct and found guilty
During his testimony Mr.. Lawrence
referred frequently to the, tyranny +
the priesthood and existed durin his
membership in the church and Chair
man Burrows asked if that tyranny ex-
listed today. The witness said that
there was more liberality shown now
but that a man who desired to con-
tinue in good standing in the church
must obey the leaders in all things.
He said that the revelation of pOlyg-
amy must be believed by a good
church member whether he practiced
it or not for to suspend n revelation
would be to suspend them. all