Show A NEED SUPPLIED WE special attention to an editorial from the atta ana fornia which we publish in another column it is unc uncommon in its thoughtful investigation of there the religious needs of the age and in its frank recognition of some of the ex cellen cies of mormonism it shows that the writer unlike most of the contributors to the literature of the day has examined to some extent at least a religious system which is popularly but incorrectly supposed to be comprehended in peculiar marriage relations religion Is more and more coming to be considered a mere matter of feeling and sentiment and its exercise to consist of prayer praise and plead preaching hing with ceremonies varying according to the different notions of the devotees As a practical director boref ef human conduct in common affairs it is almost expelled from the minds of men and the creeds of the churches A minister thus becomes little more than a theorizer on matters matten that belong to another world that this was not the original pur the christian system is evident from the book which contains me its history and doctrines it was designed to enter into mens lives and influence all their actions it was not a sunday religion worship and service on the first day of the week was but incidental in its practice it was an every day regulator it directed men and women what to do and what to avoid in every condition of mortal existence it gave them rules to guide them as fathers and mothers husbands and wives parents and children as members of society as rulers or subjects as citizens or officials as sentient beings responsible to a higher power for the exercise of free agency in all deeds done in the body the ministers of the primitive Cb christian ristian church were not only ex exhorters exporters exhort ers and utter ers of christian sentiment they were workers in the field of human ad van cement they were ordained to different callings and labored among the people receiving for their services such support as was needed for their dally daily wants As apostles prophets evangelists pastors elders presbyters presbytery presby bishops teachers or deacons they were not hot a pampered clergy of a distinct caste or class but mingling with the members they consulted and advised with them on all things that pertained to JuL individual or social character and deportment mormonism is primitive christianity revive re vivel i it is a perfect reproduction of the original not only is it so 80 in form but also in spirit it is a practical everyday every day religion strange to say this is one of its chief objections to those who oppose it they resent its interference ter ference as they regard it with peoples peopled secular affairs afra irs they demand that it shall confine its operations to those spiritualities that belong to heaven and another sphere and leave earthly concerns to other hands bands this objection does not come come from the members of the Mor mormon church hut but from their opponents who have no business with its concerns their modesty in this is not strikingly apparent but perhaps there might be some excuse for their forwardness and hostility if what they allege on this point were correct but neither mormonism nor its ecclesiastes ecclesias ts forcibly or dictatorially interfere with any persons person private concerns the advice they give the counsel they offer is sought for and desired it is not thrust upon any one in a general way the proper course of life is pointed out by public instruction and exhortation in a private way instruction is given as each members circumstances and standing may require but no mans family or business is intruded upon nor is coercion used in any shape to compel conformance to regulation or policy the teachers who visit the latter day saints in their homes have no nn authority whatever to regulate or dictate in private affairs they are what their title implies simply teachers and when called upon by disputants are arbitrators and assistants in the settlement of difficulties between church members the presiding authorities are not rulers dominating civil or political or business afra affairs irs the priestly dictation absolutism and theocratic power so much talked of as embodied in mormonism niam is actually foreign to its spirit and practice when joseph smith the prophet was asked the secret of his excellent government in nauvoo he replied 1 I teach the people correct principles and they govern themselves that is the essence of mormonism 1 I but these principles relate to the present time and to existing conditions and circumstances they prepare people for ft a future and a higher life by showing them how to live correctly and hai here and now they affect men and women as occupants of this mortal sphere and in every capacity thereof whether it be public or private but it interferes inte feres with no mans freedom of thought or action it is true as the alta says that mormonism may well be studied not by critics but by philosophers and among them none need to study it so muot for the purpose of acquiring info mation as the editors of this country if all who are interested in the general welfare would approach this question in the spirit of candid inquiry instead of captious cratl cisin they might leam sonae some thing which would aid them the work of w greatly in good human improvement it is an individual religion it is a social religion it is an intellectual and a spiritual religion and yet it Is 0 material religion for it has tod with human beings in their parl cal life and with a material environment 00 viron ment which is at present a pa part of their very existence mormonism is the religion oi of the century it is a vital ing and potent force it cannot be kept down nor stamped out ta tn r which is alluded to as a billao round its neck 11 has attracted the attention of the world so much that 1 it has come to be regarded as tho the system itself while it is but a pa of it and that part misunderstood 96 well as magnified beyond all dos do proportions in the eyes of the worlds who will not look at it axce through the lenses of prejudice w bigotry it to is marvellous marcellous marv ellous that the thinker advanced theologians the re formers and philanthropists of tha of times timea who deplore the modern religious systems ani adt abo baw took look for something living I 1 mighty to come do not turn they attention attention lon to a religion that eX exhibit sod and 00 8 so much vitality and force an aad great control over the faith wi energies of its followers so as of w which is known by the nana will mormonism but its hour W come its excellences will be perceived its adaptability to the wants of mankind will be recognized nihed it will gather to it noble men inen and women from every land and every class and it will march forth conquering and to conquer in peaceful and lawful power to supply every spiritual social poll poli ticla wad material human need and prepare the way for the ultimate overthrow of false creeds societies and systems and the reign of righteousness and truth of universal brotherhood union and peace |