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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 942, 11 May 1881, Page 2

Next to the introduction of the plague from Asia ; the small pox from London ; the leprosy from San Francisco, or 1000 almond-eyed Mongolians from China, we know of no curse that could befal this quiet, orderly, and soberminded community (the Wesleyan parsons notwithstanding) than the planting of Mormon doctrines in our midst. AVe are already accused of the grossest immorality. Drunkenness is said to run with unbridled license through our streets ; society is accused with patronising social vices of such a magnitude and character, as would put our neighbors to the blush (but they do not). And we are such extensive Sabbath breakers that, according to clerical opinion, we are too bad for Hell, and not good enough for Heaven. Brother Elder Ferris, the recently - arrived Mormon disciple, praises the district up to the nines (or something more). He says there are good things in store for Poverty Bay, having an eye to the recent paraffin discovery ; but still he is most anxious to make as many proselytes — men, women, and children — from amongst us as he can. Yesterday, Brother Elder Ferris, or whatever his other name, or calling is, held, what he termed, a “lecture” in the Alasonic Hall, to a somewhat limited audience. He described the benefits to be derived from Mormonism, and quoted largely from Scripture to show that to this particular doctrine special favors would be shown. The lecturer —who, by the way, spoke with a strong nasal twang —described the happiness that existed in Zion, where all were brothers and

sisters. (It was noticeable that Aformon consanguinity does not extend to their cousins and their aunts). He mentioned that ho, when at home, was one of 1.75 who sat down at the family table to dine. He concluded by invoking a blessing upon those present. His hearers were all males, only one lady having the courage to even look in at the door. Proselytes in Gisborne we fancy will be difficult to find, and, however beautifully he may picture Utah to the mind’s eye, the residents of Poverty Bay will, no doubt, remain thoroughly satisfied with the advantages of their own district, and will most likely acton the principle, “That a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” especially if the bird held be a fine plump duck, and the two at liberty a brace of sparrows. Notwithstanding the denial that a plurality of wives is one of the chief features of Aformonism, we fancy that it has a certain amount of attraction with some of the male population. But as to how a woman can be satisfied with the eighth or twentieth part of a husband is beyond our ken. AVomen of Gisborne, we fancy, wou’d prefer one whole husband to a fraction of one ; and the men of Gisborne will be more satisfied with one wife here, than twenty in that land of concubines and quasi; religious communism—Utah.