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Show THE WORK IN THE SOUTH. In a letter from Elder G. C. Parkinson, dated Rome, Georgia, August 16th, were enclosed two newspaper clippings, the first is from the Atlanta, Ga. (Georgia) Constitution, a leading southern paper which we reproduce: Cedartown, July 25. - On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Mormons held their conference at a little church in Haralson County, about six miles from Buchanan. Their services were conducted somewhat after the Hardshell Baptist plan. Several spoke, having no special text. There were fourteen elders, and John Morgan, the director for the southern states. They are a very common, ignorant, illiterate set - shone blind in one eye, and all morally blind in both. They travel around with their carpet bags, sponging on all who will allow. I was told this morning that a poor old widow had exhausted the supplies given her to make a crop, in feeding these minks and serpents of society who would destroy the family circle, pollute its health, and utterly turn the peace and caliber of the whole country to ??? their basis on positions and support the ungodly adoption of their tales. They get up a big dinner on Sunday to draw a crowd, and put forward their best men who, by insinuations and sometimes downright assertions declare our religion a failure. But for the most part they were very discreet; leaving untouched their most repulsive doctrines. Polygamy was suffered to remain in the background. The first elder that preached on Sunday said but very little, which was well indeed. A few more of his kind would destroy all their theology. The second was no better. One simply stated the location of other missions - one in Fannin, another in Union county, and one in Cherokee county, North Carolina, where they have a Sunday school. But I understand they have more in Georgia than was mentioned by the elder. The third preacher was a young man of education and intelligence. He spoke on faith, baptism, laying on of hands and the gift of prophesy. Poor duped or knavish fiend. Mr. Taylor, son of President Taylor, who holds the position Brigham Young held spoke Saturday. He is a young man of twenty-two or three summers, and he seems to have inherited the inspiration they all have. Sunday morning exercises were conducted by John Morgan, director of the southern states. Like the rest he took no special text buy preached up Mormonism. Intimated that it was the only correct doctrine of the Scriptures, and as a truth it was unaffected by the belief or unbelief of mankind. Instance the bad treatment and incredulity held against the apostles. He says our religion has not the gift of the Holy Ghost or else it would do for us what it did for them who possessed it two thousand years ago, enabling us to work miracles, prophesy, heal the sick and dream dreams. He says our religion is like aw watch warranted to keep good time, and sold to a man who needs it but then upon finding that it does not run takes it back and demands an explanation. The jeweler tells him that of course it can't run now but it used to. About 1800 years ago a simple fellow took out some parts or the wheels and he has never been able to do ??? - that is to say we have lost the wheels of, to busy, healing the sick, of working miracles, etc. but that the Mormon religion is a perfect watch, complete in all its parts. Mr. Morgan, in conversation, says that they had members in Georgia, 35 of whom are in Haralson county, and 11 emigrated to Utah last year, that about ??? annually come from the old world, that they had a fund for conveying the poor to Utah; under cover of helping the poor and fostering their religion they are seeking immigration. They are anxious to become a state that they may have more power and less restriction. They have attempted to heal maladies and woefully failed. A man and his wife assert that they were healed by the doctor before they joined the Mormons. When they fail to cure they impute a lack of faith. I herd of no conversions during their late conference. Their field of labor is among the most illiterate; who can be imposed upon by all manner of frauds in speech. The other clipping is from the Cedartown, Ga. (Georgia) Advertiser: A conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it is called, was held at the Mormon meeting house, Felton, Haralson County, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last. The church is about twelve miles south of this place, near the Talapoosa River. A gentleman whom curiosity led to attend on Sunday tells us that fully two hundred persons were present. John Morgan, resident of the southern states mission, besides about a dozen traveling elders were present. He describes some of the preaching as able. Morgan and one or two of the elders are well educated, but the balance, from their looks and talk, he judged to be rather illiterate and incapable of accomplishing alone any great deal in their line. The preaching was strictly orthodox and expressions tending to reveal the unawareness of Mormonism as practiced in Utah were carefully avoided. The Mormons claim that they have 131 members in Georgia, 36 of these on Haralson County. From what we learn, their efforts at this time are not likely to increase their numbers any. While a large crowd of people were in attendance on Sunday, there seemed to be no encouragement to their work. On the other hand, the people of Haralson, outside of a few, who have enlisted in the cause, are greatly outraged at the attempted prosecution of the insidious work in their midst, and if it were not for fear of violating the laws, it is a question whether or not violence, if need be, would be used to prevent further encroachments of the notorious doctrine. Where converts have been made, as a rule, it has been among the illiterate and weak-minded, but we are sorry to learn that in Haralson a few respectable good citizens have been blinded into an acceptance of their doctrines. We regret that Mormonism should be taking a hold anywhere in Georgia. The idea is revolting to every good impulse, and we hope it will be summarily rooted out. Our legislature should see to it that a law is passed at the present session that will in some manner put a stop to its inroads, while the good people of Haralson and all other counties where the work is attempted to be presented should publically notify all who subscribe to the polygamous doctrines of Mormonism that they are placing themselves in a virtual attitude of hostility to the Government and do so at their own peril. |