The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1881.
The arrival in Auckland of a namber of Mormon missionaries, caused us in our leading columns to direct attention to oae or more of the doctrines of Mormonism, in the hope that should attempts be made on the Thames to secure converts, men and women should not be seduced unawares. With the same object in view we reprint an extract from an article which lately appeared in "Harpers/ a journal of high standing and published in New York. When such journals take np the question, and being as it were on the spot, it cannot be said the statements made are without foundation. We may readily see that the subject is one attracting more than ordinary attention. The writer after exposing the vile practices of Mormonism says :—" Another feature of the system is that the people are taught that the whole Gospel wan not revealed to Joseph Smith, but that those who follow in his footsteps, like him are inspired, and liable, even as Joseph was, to receive covenants and laws from Heaven at any time. No mortal man can tell when the Mormon religion will be fully completed, or what new jugglery may be added to it before the final patent shall be applied for. It is now nearer what the Mohammedan Church was at the time of Mohammed's death than anything else ever was. Its aim is universal dominion. It learners contemplate the time when they will absolutely direct, over whole States, the political, commercial, religious, and social affairs of the people, in utter defiance of the law of the country. More, they believe that in the near future the control of the republic will pass into their hands, and this they are careful to keep impressed upon their people. This is preached from every Mormon pulpit; this is the settled belief of the Mormon thousands. Some little time before Brigham Young died he announced from his pulpit that before twelve years he would be elected President of the United States. They are but waiting until they can gain political contw of one State. With that accomplished,
the country would soou understand what Mormonism weans. Polygamy would be legalised, the offices would be distributed exclusively among polyganiists, freethought would be strangled, a free press would not be permitted to exist for a day, and within six months from the time that \ full power was placed in Mormon hands all the region within the lines of that State would be as absolutely foreign as are the Barbary States to-day ; that is, it would be so if no violent resistance were to be interposed by resident Gentiles. There are impetuous Gentiles in Utah who, understanding the Mormon system thoroughly, as well as the ways and purposes of the Mormon leaders—who have been lied about, traduced, and wronged— who watched as the Government, years after years, has trifled with this mighty wrong—who have seen men high in authority, civil and military, lend their sympathy and encouragement to the men who in Utah are defying the laws, and plotting the overthrow of the republic— who would welcome Statehood to Utah if the Government would but agree to keep its hands off, and leave the people to adjust the differences which would follow. In that case there would be a speedy surrender by the Mormons oi the two paneful features of their creed, polygamy and Church rule, or there would be a repetition of what transpired in Missouri or Illinois some years ago. Otherwise the Mormons would make laws which would render the presence of Gentiles in Utah impossible ; and if resisted, they would, as the legal authorities, call for help from the Federal Government. Politicians already pander to them. They understand perfectly the art.of managing corporations to keep them friends. It is their expectation that members of Congress who are also railroad attorneys will prevent in the future, as in the past, any legislation hostile to them. The railroad press of the country is preaching conciliation, kindness, and the extending of schools a* the only means through which to subdue or change the spirit of the Mormon people. While pretending to be horrified at polygamy and Church rule, the moment that anything is proposed to be a real blow at either, the cry is raised that force, violence, or harsh means were, never effective in influencing menis religious convictions, and never can be. They ignore the fact that the Mormon Church is merely a gross political machine; that it is changed, expanded or contracted, at any time, to suit its Readers; that kindness and conci liation are lose upon its members; that their purpose is perpetually "aggressive ; that they mean to destroy: free Government in the United States, and reproduce in this country such a state of affairs a§ rules in Mahomedan countries; and that there is but one thing they respect, which is irresistible power. The masses of the Mormon people are kept so poor, and. their minds are so enslaved with the teachings of their leaders that they cannot be reached by the usual means of enlightmens, except in a most limited degree. The great mass cannot read English books or newspapers; they would not if they could. Out of the slums of Europe they have been brought to a land which supplies them with fresh vegetables, meats, and comfortable clothing, and the change to them seems so nearly a miracle that they do not wish to question its, genuineness. So steeped are they in superstition and ignorance that they obey without question all orders from the heads, of the foreigners, hereditary bondsmen—the two dreadful features of the Mormon Church, polygamy and the exalting of the Church over the State, would die out in America in two generations. As it is not half of the daughters of Mormons who have grown up amid a large population of Gentiles will ever enter into polygamy, but among the masses in the country districts fanaticism is as strong as ever. And little as the masses believe it now, there will come a time, if this monster in Utah is left to grow, when there will be another call for volunteers and for money ; and, as before, tens of thousands of brave young men will go away, never to return again ; as before, there will be an enormous debt incurred; as before, the country will be hillocked with graves, and the whole land will be moistened by the rain of women's tears." . -,. .
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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4057, 30 December 1881, Page 2
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1,091The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1881. Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4057, 30 December 1881, Page 2
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