Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-18
LECTURE SERIES
COMES To CLOSE
Mrs. D. B. Wells Suggests Rem
edies for Peril of Mormonism
Tells Of Chinese Church.

The sixth and closing lecture in the
series under the auspices OF the
Woman's Missionary Social union
was given at Broadway Presbyterian
church yesterday afternoon by Mrs.
ID. b. Wells of Chicago, who spoke on
the Chinese church and the present
DAY conditions OF Mormonism. In
speaking on the latter subject Mrs.
Wells held that # vas one of the
most subtle and alarming subjects
that is before the American public
today, and she suggested various meth
DDS by which 10 wipe out this national
disgrace. as she terms it. As the
principal means towards this end she
urged the passing Of a constitutional
amendment to control marriages by
the nation instead Of by the state as
Is now the case. To procure this
amendment 80 states must subscribe
20 the petition and there are at pres
ent only % that have voted for such
an amendment and Illinois is not one
Of the %. She also suggested the
reopening Of the Reid Smoot investi-
cation and the adoption OF some means
by which those attending the meeting
next summer OF the National Educa-
tional association, which convenes at
Salt Lake City, may know and be
educated as 70 the real facts in con-
nection with the Mormon church In
speaking Of The growth and increase
OF wealth In the Mormon church she
explained as the reason for this the
tithing system wherein not. only a
1.-THE Is demanded for incomes. but
Inheritance as well and the giving of
one-tenth of the income, also the Civ
ing of one-seventh Of each members
time when he must work in the in
terest Of the church and for which
he receives no compensation nor even
the payment of his expenses. There
Is also q Monday, Tuesday, Wednes-
day, Thursday and Friday tax that
is collected by a house to house can.
vass. BY this means something be-
tween $10.000,000 and $4,000, 900 are
collected annually and given into the
hands OF the leader of the church for
him TO utilize as he sees best. The
result is that the church has become
affiliated with all the leading indus
trial concerns Of the state and many
In the country at large. She spoke
OF the great political power exercised
by the church and of its wide spread
Influence in matters pertaining to the
nation.
In speaking OF the Chinese church
Mrs. Wells told OF its wonderful
growth in the last century for il
1912 there were but six Christians II
the Chinese empire and in 1910 the
number is estimated at 100000. The
church has been strengthened, has
been tested and tried and is recog
nized as a church or Christ. II is 6
protected church, for many OF tn,
heads Of government are Christians
II is progressive church for demon
national lines have been eliminated
Il is generous. prayerful and hope
ful
At the close Of the address BY Mrs
Wells, Mrs William Mclean Stewart
the president of the union. thanke,
Mrs. Wells for her entertaining ant
Instructive course of lectures. the pres
for its Courtesies. and those who hav
In any way assisted in making tn
course so successful. Mrs. Stewar
announced that an effort is bein
made to bring Mrs. Wells to the cit
IN the fall, the first week in NoyeH
Der being suggested as a more sui
able tome Of the year than the wee
just passed.