The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-07-15
ARE bERATED BY
MORMON PRIESTS
Joseph F. and Roberts Subject
Armenian Missionaries to
Their Trades.
THEY URGE RELIEF, BUT
LECTURE SUPPLICANTS
Preacher Olfends by Intimating
That God Isn't Responsible
for MOrmOnism.

lVI MUIulUIllSIu.
ReY, Ill. :. Jenanyan. native Ar
menlan missionary, and his wife, wero
given time at the Tabernacle services
Sunday afternoon 10 make an appeal
FOR the relief Of their stricken and
suffering people, When they had con-
cluded, Brigham H. Roberts and Presi-
dent Joseph L. Smith, though indors-
! ing their appeal for aid, proceeded to
lecture them for nearly an hour on
their shortcomings and delinquencies
Mr.. Roberts, after telling the two
strangers that 1T was customary 10 all
Mormon custom 10 pass the hat, ad-
vlsed the Armenian Christians TO adopt
the famous tithlng system of the Nor
mon church as panacea for their ills.
President Smith, although announcing
that he was suffering ''in lung and
| voice. was, nevertheless, able 10
talk sufficiently loud to declare that If
the Armenians would embrace the
| principles of Mormonism bodily, Ar
| menla s troubles would all be over,
LII was too good an opportunity for
the Mormon priests to overlook 10
glorify the alleged superiority OF their
system Of religion over all other sys-
tenS' anu tney Udde tne most OF II.
Mr.. Jenanyan had explained that the
terrible Turk had left 10000 orphans
and 10000 widows in Armenia, and
neither of the Mormon dignitaries
was able to explain how these un-
fortunates could pay tithing, Presi-
dent Smith, moreover. forgot, while
he was holding up Mormonism as
re-all for trouble-neglected to in
form the visitors that his church has
had nothing but trouble since its
| organization.
Appeals for Aid
The services opened with the singing
of HSoftly Beams the Sacred Dawn
ing Elder George r. Emery of
the presidency of the Salt Lake stake
offered a prayer, and the hymn. ''Jesus.
Once of Humble Birth" was sung by
choir and congregation.
John r. Winder Of the first presi-
dency then introduced Mr.. JenanYan.
The latter spoke good English, and is
forclble speaker. He told how the
Armenlans had a history 1000 years
old. and how they had had an organized
government in the time of Moses.
The whole nation, he said, had em-
braced Christianity in the third cen
tury after Christ, and had been sub
jected to persecution ever since. par
ticularly IN latter years by the Mo-
hammedan Turks
The speaker related how for many
years, when most of the European con-
tinent was in heather darkness, mis-
sionnries TO spread the tidings Of
salvation through Christ had been sent
out into European countries from Ar
menia, Palestine and Asia Minor. and
had kept the fires of the gospel lit and
burning through times of doubt and
trouble
Offends the Mormons
It was at this point in his discourse
that the good Mr., Jcnanyan rubbed
the Mormon fur the wrong way, and
brought down upon his luckless head
the lectures which were afterward ad-
ministered to him. He declared that
but for the efforts of his people those
present in the audience would not now
be enjoying liberty and living in tho
comfort and consolation of their re-
ligion. In fact. he intimated that they
would be III heather darkness
"You are the fruits of the early Ar
menian missionary effort, he de
| clared
The effect of this assertion upon
priesthood which claims divine au,
thorizs ton, revealed by God In person,
for its existence and its acts. can
better be imagined than described; but
the Jealous Armenian preacher con-
tinued his discourse without realizing
that he had offended those under whose
auspices he was speaking,
Mr. Jensnyan described graphically
how his people had been prosecuted
and murdered, until now Armenia
numbers 10000 fatherless children
and 10000 widows among its popula
tion Four of his own relatives, the
speaker said had been slain. The Ar
menians. he said, had learned The three
great lessons Of Chnstiauity-sur-
rnnl.r Christ garVIca IA Christ and
sacrifice for Christ.
The speaker made a plea for contrl-
buttons He was followed by his wife.
! Mrs. Jenauyan is an American woman,
/ the daughter of a New York clergy
man. She described a missionary trip
husband with horses, and told of tho
difficulties under which Armenians
! labor.
Elder Roberts Boasts,
After the choir had sung. "Trom
| Afar. Gracious Lord - Brigham II.
| Roberts made speech. lie gave
perfunctory Endorsement TO the cause
represented by Mr., Jcnanyan. by say.
! ing that the Latter day Saints could
| always understand and sympathize
with victims of persecution. He told
the visitors that it was contrary 10 GUS
| tom to pass the contribution basket
in the Mormon meetings, but said
| those so disposed could leave offerings,
! either at the Dcseret News or the pre-
! siding bishops office
! Then Elder Roberts proceeded TO
! boast TO the God forsnken Armenisns
! Of the glorics Of the Mormon system,
and its stability TO cope with all sorts
of problems and difficulties. He kept
this up for about half an hour. He
recommended 10 the Armenians the
| adoption of the monthly fast day offer
| inn system of the Mormon chnrch