Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-23
NOT ACCEPTED.


ian society, at a meeting on Monday
night declined to grant the applica-
tlon of Mr.. John P. Meakln for ordina-
ton to the ministry In that church.
Among them were B. D. Blackmar. an
american" in politics; and Raybould
member of the american" City coun-
ell.
1t is not for an outsider to find fault
with that decision. The Unitarians. 1t
must be presumed. voted in accordance
with tho rules of the Society and the
promptings OF their conscience. Even
Mr.. Meakln, we feel sure, will take that
view OF their decision.
Tho anti-"Mormon" sheet, OF course.
in its highly colorcd account tries TO
make II appear that the Unitarlans
simply turned his application down be-
cause of his former condition of servi-
tudc." alluding. as is apparent from the
context. to his supposed connection
with the Mormon" Church. That Is
hard to believe.
III there is any general characteristic
of the Unitarian societies, it Is the
tendency to liberalism In religious
opinion. AS we understand 1t, they are
not bound by any statement OF doctrine
as n condition of membership. and they
assert that character and conduct. not
opinion. is the true test of Christianity.
II this is so, they cannot consistently
pcrsccute anyone for previous condi-
tion of scryitude." as long as there is
no stain on the character. And we be-
lIeve 1t can be truthfully said OF Mr..
Mcakin that his life bears the closest
scrutiny.
II. as the anti Mormon" sheet inti-
mates, Mr.. Mcakin was turned down
because of his alleged connection with
tho Mormon" Church, he was the VIC
tim of gross injustice. for the simple
reason that he has not for a great
many years been identified with tho
Church, If he over was an active
Church member. He has been. and is,
a fraternalist. In the spirit of broad
fraternalism he has never asked any
question Of anybody as to creed or
church membership. He has preached
the gospel of fraternalism and the
brotherhood of man. as he understands
1t. AS a citizen and resident of Utah
he has talked Utah wherever he has
had an opportunity of doing So II
the "Mormons" have been vilifled In his
presence, he has defended them. II
Catholics, or Methodlsts, or Unitar
ians have been the victims of fanatic
ism in his presence he has defended
them, just as fervently. AS a fratcr-
nalist he has rebuked tho spirit of
persecution whenever he has encount-
cred it. But he has spoken we'll of all
men, and all classes. He has even had
a good word to say, as far as that may
be possible. of those connected with the
Salt Lake Tribune.
The Latter-day Saints appreciate that
which is good wherever found and. al
though he never made a secret of the
fact that he is not Church member,
they have opened their meetinghouses
20 him. Bishops and Stake Presidents
have recommended him to the public
on account of the good, moral lessons
he inculcates In his lectures and reel
tations. They have been -desirous of
helping him in his worthy efforts to
preach purity of body and soul He has
had no other connection with the
Church for many years. and that is
we'll known fact
That Mr.. Meakin would have done a
good work among the soldiers as a
chaplain is not doubted by anyone who
knows him.
Incidentally, the episode reminds us
of the fact that some modern churches
do not get their ministers in the way
the first Christian congregations were
supplied. In our day it is a matter OF
application" and examination and bal
loting, just as If 1t were an office that
were sought for a livelihood. Moses
did not become q leader of Israel in
that way. He never applied for the
position. The prophets of old never ap-
piled for the position of prophet. Paul
did not apply for the apostleship. Nor
did any of the other apostles. They
were all called by the Almighty. They
were sent with a message to the people.
There Is something radically wrono
with churches that have departed from
the original order and established one
after the pattern of the world.