THE MORMONS IN WELLINGTON.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2999, 6 November 1882, Page 3

THE MORMONS IN WELLINGTON.

AN UPROARIOUS MEETING. (By Telegeaph.) Wellington, Nov. 6. Two Mormon Elders who are now here, called a meeting of the public a the Athemsum Hall on Saturday night, when the proceedings were extremely uproarious. The business was begun by one of the Elders, a young man named Farr, going on the stage and playing a schottische on the American lyre and then praying. He next asked for a fair hearing, and said anyone who interfered could not be a Christian. He proceeded to give a very rambling address on the origin and principles of Mormonism, and slated that the Mormons were the people who were going to rule the world. This statement was received with uproarious laughter, which was renewed and prolonged when he invited those who doubted his statements to go to Utah and judge for themselves. Anyone drunk in Utah was a gentile and not a saint. (Great laughter, and a voice—- “ Try him with a beer.”) Here a .ventriloquist in the hall caused great diversion by making irrelevant observation in feigned voices, the fun being increased by the futile efforts of two policemen to find him. Then followed a loud uproar, during which there were many calls for Mr Dwan, local auctioneer to take the chair to keep order. Mr Dwan declined, and the Elder then stated that anyone going to Utah would be given a fair hearing, and that the saints would rather encounter 10,000 devils than such a gathering as that beforehim, though Christ and the apostles had to bear with such congregations as this audience. This caused another great disturbance and uproar, which was heightened when the Elder said there were thousands of Mormon Elders visiting such wicked and corrupt congregations as they were, but he asked that they might be forgiven, for they knew not what they did. Then the uproar began again and continned a considerable time. He stated that he claimed to be possessed of the same spirit as St. Peter and St Paul. (Great laughter, and voices—No ; the spirit of Hennessy.) The Elder next said they could either believe or reject his doctrines, upon which there was a general exclamation, <e We reject them I” He then said they were evil-designed beings. At this there Was much hooting and uproar, followed by another loud demand for Mr Dwan, who eventually toook the chair and asked for a fair hearing, _as the Elders might do good by inducing objectionable females to migrate. The Elder said he was not frightened by such a class of people as those before him, and after another uproar, the Elder said the vengeance of just God would fall on them. He then again called his auditors wicked and cor-rapt-minded, to preach the truth to whom, was throwing pearls to swine. This evoked another uproarious clamor, when the Elder said they had proved anything but Christians. (Voices : “No, we’re all Mormons.) No, they were not Mormons or they would not treat him so. He should go home leaving them in the of A' jnst God to eternal condemnation. (Great confusion.) The end would come. (Voices —“ What end.”) He was one of the servants of God. (Much uproar ; “Np, no, and where is your mate old party?”) He would hot answer any questions that night. (Loud cries—- “ Then what did you take our shillings for ?”) After some persuasion, the Elder said they would answer consistent questions, but would not throw pearls to swine.