Mower County transcript., 1907-03-20
CHAPTER Kill.

How the Saints Were Brought to
pentance.
He put his torch to the tinder OF
irreligion at the first Sunday meeting
after his return. There were no pre-
monitions, no warnings, no signs.
A few of the Elders had preceded
him to rejoice at the escape of the
last hand-cart party from death in
the mountains; and Brigham, after
giving the newcomers some practical
hints about their shelter during the
winter now upon them, had invited
Elder Rae to address the> congrega-
ton. ..
He arose and came uncertainty for
ward, apparently weak, able hardly
to stand without leaning upon the
desk in front of him; his face waxen
and drawn, followed at the cheeks
and temples, his long hands thin to
transparency. Life was betrayed in
him only by the eyes. These burned
darkly, far back under his brows, and
flashed fiercely, as his glance darted
swiftly from side to side. -
At first he spoke weakly and slow
ly, his opening words almost inaudi-
BILE, so that the throng of people be-
fore him leaned forward in sympa-
thetic intentness, and silence became
absolute in the great hall except for
the high quavering of his tones. But
! then came a miracle of reinvigora-
tion. Little by little his voice swelled
until it was full, -sonorous, richly
warm and compelling, the words
pouring from him with fuency that
enchained. Little by little his Jean
ing, dropping posture of weakness be-
came one of towering strength, the
head flung back, the gestures free
and potent. Little by little his burn
ing eyes seemed to send their flash
and glow through all his body, so that
he became creature OF life and fire.
They heard each word now, but still
they leaned forward as when he spoke
at first, inaudibly-caugh thrilled and
breathless in his spell, even to the.
Elders. Priests, and Apostles sitting
near him. Nor was his manner alone
impressive. His words were new He
was calling them sinners and cove
nant-breakers, guilty of pride, covet-
BUSINESS, contention, lying, stealing,
moral uncleanness-and launching
upon them the curse of Israers God
unless they should repent
Such was the opening gun in what
became known as the reformation. :
The conditions had been ripe for IT.,
and in that very moment fever Of
repentance spread through the 1000
people who had covered under his
words. Alike with the people below,
the leaders about him had been fired
with his spirit, and when he sat down
each OF them arose in turn and
echoed his words, denouacirs g. the-peo-
Pie Tor their siLs and exaorting them
to repentance 81
After another hour Of this excite
ment, priests and people became alike
demoralized, and the meeting broke
up in confusion of terror.
AS the doors Of the tabernacle few
open, and the Saints pushed out OF
that sitting atmos sphere Of denuncia-
ton, a cry came to the lips Of the
dozen that first escaped: s
To the riverthe waters Of bap,
tism!'' q M
The words were being taken up by
others until the cry had run back
through the crowd to the leaders, still
talking in excited groups about the
pulpit. These comp prehended when
they heard It, and stradghtway line
Of console stricken Saints was
headed toward the river:
There IN the Icy Jordan. on that
chill December afternoon, when the
4 SHOWS lay thick On the ground, the
leaders stood and buried the sinful
one aaeY in elsaa as.al w.ters.