Show IN FAR OFF NEW ZEALAND the bemi annual conference of the district new zeland was I 1 held at to te A kapuni on saturday and sunday may liatta and 1 1893 altier W T stewart steward president of f the australian mission and elders B goudard J U kelson J M hendry F W and charles peterson Peter sou were present 1 I 1 here was a good attend ance ot of members member from all parts of the be district and the usual good spirit characterized all the meetings elder gowdara greeted tue the saints and welcomed the viel toris from other districts district fl he gave a brief report of the condition if the district and arg urged 61 d the members to be diligent in magnifying their various callings elder charles counseled the salute to resist all ev eveland iland evi jand referred to the temptations that they hold had to contend with he expressed blo bl pleasure plea eure in seeing fleeing the maori people take so much interest in the work of the lord and urged all the members to endure unto the end he oom comments menti ed on the trials of job showing that god to id ever willing to reward the faithful crewl native Eld eralso addressed the saints elmerjohn elder Elde john rJohn G kelson rejoiced I 1 in meeting again with the saints batata of district he referred to ther the blessings enjoyed by the faithful and warned them against seducing spirits that would endeavor to lead them astrab astra he showed how false prophets prophete would arise in the last days and that the maori people were in great danger from this source on account of their weaknesses and traditions he spoke at some length on the duties of the members gener generally and gave good and timely advice ad vice to all present A general priesthood meeting was waft held on saturday evening and President stewart addressed the members on the th prevalent evils in the midst of the people and explained how bow the saints must be dealt with who persisted in violating the laws of the church on sunday may elder J M hendry spoke on the powers of f satan in leading the saints astray commented on the condition of israel in egypt and the miracles wrought in the presence of pharaoh by Mose sand repeated by the sorcerers he urged all the saints to listen to the counsel of the servants of god spoke encouragingly to those who were leading exemplary livest lives and warned all against the seducing spirits so numerous 1 in the land katims and Ngar Nga orl rort two native members from hawks bay district also addressed the meeting in the afternoon a large abarge num number berof of europeans were in attendance and after the opening ceremonies the sacrament was administered elder W J stewart afterwards addressed tile the congregation speaking st at some length to the europeans ex pla ining the principles of the gospel and the plan PIRD of life and salvation he H showed clearly the apostate conditi condition ont of the religious world and the necessity of rendering obedience to the laws la of god he counseled the maori members to be faithful to their and prove worthy of the blemings in store tor for this branch of the house bouse of israel A general testimony meeting was wa hold held in the evening which continued for five hours twenty six members member bearing their testimonies and this brought to a close another character conference confere tice or maori hui but all the visitors were hospitably entertain d he as usual and all present abw appeared to rejoice in the spirit of tho the gospel after the maori meetings the elders above named devoted their attention to european work for some time post past reports have been received from all parts of the mission minion that the time was ripe for introducing the gospel among the europeans accordingly arrangements had been made for a settee series of meetings meeting in thas vicinity jn in palmerston north the theater royal was secured for three nights and thil wran of two hun dred persons at each meeting it was a general surprise to observe the earnest spirit t f enquiry possessed by the people elder B goddard occupied the he time at the first meeting explaining the social condition of th the latter jeatter saints and the necessity for a restoration of the gospel at the close of the meeting numerous questions were asked the speaker such as how many wives have bare you how many wives has brigham youal you ng 12 and various queries on the teachings of the church the answers gave general satisfaction eatie faction some of the replies were like jibe boomerangs and the sympathies of the people were with the elders eldera the fraitik and candid explanation of polygamy the mountain meadow massacre etc called forth expressions expression of approval the following evening elder W T stewart explained the first principles principle of the gospel and the object and necessity of baptism was clearly set act forth and listened to very attentively alter after the closing ceremonies more questions quest ione were asked and some desired to ex amile the church works and to learn lear n more fully our views with regard t to 0 the restoration of the gospel the third ev evening eLding therefore was occupied by elder Oud guildard dard who spoke at great on the authenticity of chebook the book of mormon reviewing the history thereof the blett bie Urical cical evl evi dences and the prophetic reference contained in ID holy writ after listening attentively for an hour and a half very few appeared disposed to leve leave but referred preferred to remain and learn more questions scions were asked asbed on the personality of god church organization the necessity of having apostles and prophets mans mana future progression 0 our views of hell etc and many of the answers elicited applause from the audience an amus iuie incident occurred during the even eventus eveni tug ug one of 0 the pompously asked if vie the mormon cormons believed that god had body parts and passi om before the elders could reply a scotch gentleman woot arose and declared that every reasonable person must admit that god could love and hate aud the savior tolu his disciples that he would drink no nomore more of the fruit of the abe vl vi e till that da day y that he would drink it new in the kingdom of gad ifal ah said his opponent but jokus jef us was wan not god our scotch friend indignantly rel replied lied that thomas greeted the saveur af my lord and my god P 1 and if he was god enough for thomas H he e would do for us u several sharp passes between these opponents kept up the interest one gentleman in the abdi audience ence was very anxious to propose a vote of thanks to the elders which was declined with a few appropriate remarks A stranger stated that he had bad heard mormon elders for more than twenty yearl year all must admit that their doctrines contained more wheat than chaff such a friendly frien uly ly reception and cordial greeting was a great surprise to the elders eiders who conlu scarcely reali realize me that they were addressing a meeting of outsiders the same spirit characterized met gettings tings held at Fail feilding ding calyton and ashurst and there is in every evidence that the field Is ripe for earnest work after an absence of ten days the elders returned to palmerston north and found a general desire for more mee meeting tingLe and three appointments appointment were therefore made for the following sabbath the proprietor of the theater royal renting the building for the burp se it i t a nominal figure earnest prayers are now offered that the seed aeed hwn may spring up and multiply to the honor and glory of god PHENIX Y palmerston NORTH new zealand june 13 1893 1898 |