Show METHODISM IN UTAH before the final adjournment monday of the methodist episcopal coo con ference which has baa been in session in this city for several days post past the following report was waa read and adopted for another years hard earned victories we give grod god thanks amid he ahe rapid changes in material political and intellectual affairs faira af it is not always easy to see our way clearly marked but trusting in a liae providence and following in the footsteps foot sieps of our christ methodism still advances we have not been able to report to the world the utah ui ah pentecost which we believe is coming while mormonism has the same name it is not the mormonism of brigham young there is no church and state and while some would go back to the he i old regime enough have tasted ness neon of liberty that we believe the ru au dhority of the priesthood can never trammel them as in the past with these re formations come new responsibilities lies and opportunities ignorance N i the mother of all superstition and we believe that thai a cure care for ignorance will solve the vexed problem of how to save utah in rural places there is extreme illiteracy which is being overcome by our schools we regret exceedingly that the idea has bars gone out that we are ready to abandon our rural schools no greater mistake could be made better beter do without a pastor in such places place than teacher and schools we not only need to continue those schools now in operation but reestablish etta blish all that have been abandoned which are out of reach of Chrit christian tian communities muni ties the situation at large remains an unsolved problem party lines lin have been drawn a warm political leal campaign a war of words has boon been waged and the independence pen dence of thought speech and action therein displayed has brought a measure mea ura of foreboding to the church lei leaden derp other political political oli campaigns are before us chife white our first duty is to jesus christ and his hia goi gopel pel we believe that unswerving loyalty to our country demands that we shall neglect no opportunity to teach patriotism 0 those with whom we are called to labor to americanize as well as christianize the youth of utah our terri territorial orial free school system is in proving a grand success and with increased educational facilities and contact with extraneous influences intelligence is making rapid strides with increased intelligence is coming coining as it murt loss of laith faith and respect for the mormon dogmas when these go out there will come in an overwhelming flood of infidelity and skepticism i he evil results of which are to be counteracted only by the gospel of jesus christ As a result of these changing conditions of which the future promises more and greater we are brought face to face with the fact that our strength siren gih is not sufficient for them we must lean upon our god who Is greater eater than all difficulties a and ad stronger gr than n all opposition unswerving faith singleness of pur par pose and sanctified fled common sense will enable us to plant the banner of the cross during the year before us in the very of iniquity and make full proof of our ministry M 0 BILLINGS BILLING H A JONES |