Mower County transcript., 1907-03-27

In CUSTODY at hayeSV1lle, 20 miles
north of Salt Lake City, were six men
who had been arrested by church au-
! thority while on their way east from
| California. They were suspected of
being Federal spies. The night fol-
| lowing the meeting which Joel Rae
had attended, these prisoners were at
! tackled while they slept. Two were
killed at Gnce; two more after brief
| struggle; and the remaining two the
following day, after they had been
pursued through the night. The capa-
bic Bishop Wright declared in conf
f; dence to Joel Rae that it reminded
him of old days at Nauvoo. s
The same week was saved Rosmas
Anderson, who had incurred rejection
from Israel and eternal wrath by his
misbehavior. Becoming submissive to
the decree of the Church, when it was
made known to him by certain men
who came in the night, it was believed
that his atonement wourd suffice to
place him once more in the household
of faith. He had asked but half day
to prepare for the solemn ceremony.
His wife, regretful but firm in the
faith, had provided clean garments for
her sinful husband, and the appointed
executioners dug his grave. They
went for him at midnight. BY the
side of the grave they had let him
kneel and pray. His throat had then
been cut by deft hand; and he was
held so that his blood ran into the
grave, thus consummating the sacri-
flee to the God of Israel. The widow,
obeying instructions, announced that
her husband had gone to California.
Then the soul of William Parrish, at
Springville, was saved to eternal
glory; also the soul of his son, Bea-
son. For both of these sinful ones
were on the verge of apostasy; had
plotted, indeed, and made secret prep
arations to leave the valley, all of
which were discovered by church
e4aissaries, fortunately for the eternal
welfare of the two most concerned.
Yet few years later, when the hated
Gentiles had gained some shadow of
, authority in the new Zion, their min
ions we're especially bitter as to this
feat of mercy, seeking, indeed, to in
dict the performers of it.
AS to various persons who met
death while leaving the valley, opin-
ion was divided on the question of
their ultimate salvation. For it was
announced concerning these, as their
bodies were discovered from time to
time, that the Indians had killed them.
It was now that Joel Rao became
conscious that he was facing directly
away from the glory he had so long
sought and suffered for. Though as
yet no blood for Israel had been shed
in his actual presence, he had attend
ed the meetings of the Sons of Dan,
and was kept aware of their opera
tions. 1t seemed to him in after years
that his faculties had at this time
been in trance. 4G .-. 81
He was seized at length with an i'm
pulse to be away from it ALL AS the
days went by with their tragedies, he
became half wild with restlessness
and a strange fear of himself In
spite of his lifelong training, he knew
there was wrong in the air. He could
not question the DEGREES of the priest
hood, but this much became clear to
him,-that only one thing could carry
with it more possibilities of evil than
this course of the Church toward dis
senters- and that was to doubt that
Brigham Young's voice was as the
voice of God. Not yet could he bring
himself to this. But the unreasoning
desire to be away became so strong
that he knew he must yield to it.
Turning this in his mind one day he
met brother Elder, a man full of
zeal who had lately returned from
mission abroad. There had been, he
said, q great outpouring Of the spirit
in Wales. Essa-->z.s,.------ - -.----
"Ane what a glorious day has
dawned here,' he continued. Thank
God, there is a ws.y to save the souls
OF the blind! That reminds me have
you heard Of the saving work Brother
Pixley was obliged to dor
Brother Pixley no He heard
his own voice tremble, in spite Of his
effort at self-control. The other be-
came more confidential, stepping
closer and speaking low. 53s 81.
-. ssCf course, it amt to be talked OF
5frealy, but Jcu have a right to :zz,roW,
for was it not your own preaching that
led to this glorious reformation? You
see, Brother Pixley came back with
me, after doing great works abroad.
Naturally, he came full of love for his
wives. But he had been here only g
few days when he became convinced
that one Of them had forgotten him.;
something ID her manner made him
suspect it, for she was 9 woman Of.
singularly open, almost recklessly
open, nature. Then good sneighbor.
came and told him that one night,
while on his way for the doctor. he
had seen this woman take leave Of her:
lover---had seen the man, whom he
could not recognize, embrace her at
parting. He taxed her with this. and
she Ct once confessed, though protest.
Iin9 that she had not ainned. save In