ITINERANT EVANGELISTS IN AUCKLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2244, 27 May 1880, Page 2

ITINERANT EVANGELISTS IN AUCKLAND.

[from our own correspondent.] ON BEHALF OP THU TOMBS. A Jewish. Rabbi, profoundly learned in Talmudical lore, has arrived in Auckland via India, Australia, and the South, from some remote region in Persia, for the purpose of enlisting the sympathies of the charitable on behalf of a scheme which certainly bears the merit of novelty, if nothing else. It is that of raising a fund for the renovation of the tombs of Mordecai and Esther, whoso history forms an interesting chapter in the Old Testament narrative. Even granting that that the tombs in question can bo shewn to contain the bones of two such antique personages, and assuming, for the sake of argument, that such mortuary honors are called for, it may pertinently be inquired why the Gentiles should be importuned for subscriptions to such a project. The Israelites, as a people, are wealthy, and while our human instinct would impel us to give of our substance towards the establishment of _ soup kitchens in Jerusalem for the relief of tho famishing poor, we might well hesitate before putting our hands in our pockets in order to contribute to the useless decoration of the graves of two ancient Hebrews, “After life’s fitful fever they sleep well,” and posthumous honors will not avail now either in enhancing their reputation, or in subserving any beneficial purpose. Better, far, if" subscriptions are required that they should be devoted to the alleviation of the distress which frequently recurring famines have rendered so prevalent and so poignant in Persia, or to aid the suffering in China, India, or Brazil. Anglo-Saxons, howeve 1 , will have a deeper regard still for the claims of their indigent fellow subjects in Ireland, and while giving the utmost effect to their grievous impulses by assisting to succour the starving populations of distant countries, it is only to bo expected that they should resolutely decline to recognise or encourage begging excursions of the kind under notice. The supplication of alms is now divested of much of the humiliation that formerly attached to it, and the consequence is that Jthc most frivolous is seized upon for iniitating a subscription plot, and of course the ever ready originators of such schemes are redoubled in their exertions if there is a reasonable hope of obtaining payment of any expense to which they may voluntarily put themselves. It is not therefore to be wondered at that eight distinguished Rabbis contested the honor of making a nice little trip in search of subscriptions, and that Joseph Ben David Mirzrachi should feel delighted with his extended holiday tour. If the tombs of Mordecai and Esther prove a good “ draw,” some enterprising Mongolian should be advised to canvass on behalf of Confucius while of course it would become perfectly legitimate also for the devotees of Mahomet or Mnmbo Jumbo to enter upon similar expeditions. The subscription mania is upon us, and resistance is useless. A MORMON FRAUD. The Mormon evangelist who left our shores a month or two since has been revealed in his true colors. A leading newspaper published in Salt Lake City, whither ho has returned, charges him not only with deliberate and unblushing mendacity, but brands him as a cruel and unnatural husband, who forsook his home with all the means at his disposal, leaving a wife behind him to die in penury. IHs published statements made in Auckland have been publicly refuted and his character as a man has been exhibited in a strong and unmistakcable light. The narrative which he is reported to have given to “ the Saints ” of his mission to New Zealand appears to bo quite as apocbrypbal as the explanation he made here of bis antecedents and position in Utah. He is stated to have recounted numerous trials and persecutions in Now Zealand, and which, in time would elevate him to the dignity of a martyr, and prove the people of this favoured land to be one of tho most lawless on tho face of the earth. He asserts that ho has been mobbed no less than four times, shot at on various occasions, and maliciously vilified. Singularly enough this is tho first time fessed of slumbering, while such roany New Zealander has heard of such accusations; and if they are to be entertained, press, police and telegraph agents must stand conmarkable occurrences were going on, while the voluble elder must at least admit that he abstained from making the slightest complaint till he regained the New Jerusalem. The idea is preposterous. After the revelations to which I have referred, the public will

be inclined to view with deepened misrust the’ proceedings of those Mormon wolves clad in the sheep’s clothing of evangelism, and to keep a sharper eye upon their conduct.