MORMON MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1032, 18 November 1882, Page 3

MORMON MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

Elder Farr, one of the Mormon missionaries now in Wellington, addressed a large meeting at the Athenmum Hall the other night. A charge of one shilling was made for admission, and there must have been between 350 and 400 persons present. It „ being feared that the meeting would be of a decidedly rowdy character, four or live policemen were present to preserve order, but their services were not required, as those present only indulged in a little rough ‘ chaff 5 at the expense of the Mormon, No chairman was appointed at the opening ot the meeting. Elder Farr (the younger of the two Mormons who addressed the meeting at Spiller’s Hall a few nights ago) simply stepped on the platform and played a hymn on the American lyre, following this up with a prayer, which he delivered in a standing position, with bis arms extended over his head. Both hymn and prayer were listened to quietly, and then Elder Farr commenced bis discourse by giving a brief history of Mormonism. Utah, he said, was the Zion or the New Jerusalem spoken of in the Scxdptures. At this stage of the proceedings a young man, who was disturbing the meeting by making hideous noises, was removed. The speaker then gave a description of Salt Lake City and other towns in the Mormon territory, saying that the Mormons were a people whom God had chosen to rule the world. (Uproar.) It was very apparent to him that there were very few Christians present that evening. (Yells, and cries of ‘Dry up.’) He was in born and was a resident in Salt Lake City, and he could tell them that the people there were united before the Gentiles came among them. Before the construction of railways enabled the Gentiles to come, there were no grog-shops or profane house. If a man were found drunk in Utah they might be sure he was not a Latter Day Saint. The first man who opened a public-house there had his stock seized and thirty-seven barrels of whiskey were emptied into the street. ‘ Uproar. At this stage someone proposed that Mr Dwan should take the chair. Amid deafening yells Mr Dwan ascended the platform, and asked the meeting to • give the young man fair play.’) Elder Farr went on to say that the Church of the Latter Day Saints would fill the whole world, as predicted by the prophet Daniel, and his mission was simply to bear this testimony to the people of this land. (Laughter.) He hoped God would forgive them for laughing at him. He had left father, mother, wife, children, and home to bear testimony to them. (A voice : ‘You wanted to get away from the old woman.’) He claimed to be in possession of the spirit of God. (The uproar then drowned the speaker’s voice completely, and Mr Dwan again asked that he might receive a fair hearing. He requested the elder to go on, and not be frightened.)

Elder Farr said lie was not frigtenerl of any such clas« of p. ople as wn-e present at Ihe meeting. He then spoke in favor of baptism hy immersion, which he sail was the only tine baptism in the sight of God. (Disorder.) He did not intend to speak rnmli more, for talking to such a meeting was like throwing pearls before swine. (Uproar.) He was one of the servants of God. (A voice ; ‘ Yon are a hanged poor specimen, anyhow.’) He did not intend to answer any questions that night, though he meant to bear testimony in the name of Israel’s God. (A voice : ‘ What did you take our shillings for.’) He would answer any consistent questions, but no others. In reply to Mr Ashton, Elder Fansaid he was not a polygamist himself, but polygamy was authorised hy the Bible.

After a speech hy Mr Dwan, who detailed the circumstances of the Mountain Meadow massacre, some other questions were ask d and answered, the elder treated the audience to another tune on the lyre, and the meeting dispersed.—New Zealand Mail.