A Plural Wife. — More than a year ago a teacher in the Primary department of one of the public schools in Utah was a plural wife. Later, the Superintendent declined to give her a certificate as she was a law breaker; but such a storm was raised that he found it convenient to yield and she is now re-instated as teacher. A number of pupils formerly in the mission school are now under her control. ‘Polygamy is taught and practiced. What a spectacle our glorious country presents to the world! A representative Christian nation, and yet Utah, one of its States putting up three different men for Congress by three different parties: Republican, a Mormon with one wife; Democrat, a Mormon with several wives; Populist, an infidel. For whom should a Christian vote?

“The Mormons are bold and defiant. They flaunt their falseness in the face of the people and say, “What are you going to do about it? Help yourselves if you can.” Let us pray mightily for God’s converting power to come upon this people.”

A Cry from Utah. — Rev. S. E. Wishard, D.D., Synodical missionary in Utah, pleads for help. He says: “Our eight vacant school buildings are the skeleton in the closet of our church here. We have learned that two are much more than twice one—a minister and a teacher are much more than twice as effective as either one of them alone. The teacher is indispensable in gathering the young people. Hence the closing of a school means much more than dismissing the pupils. It means a serious loss and crippling of the work. The Mormon power is asserting itself more vigorously than ever. The polygamists are coming to the front with no dread of public dishonor. These facts emphasize the importance of our mission work. Our hope is in the children. If they are handed over to the public schools in which Mormonism is taught, their bondage to the system will be perpetuated. Just so far as Christian education gets hold of their young lives, they are liberated and brought into sympathy with American institutions. Hence, every child into whose life the principles of religion and morality are poured becomes a factor for the final overthrow of the system. Thus even our smallest mission schools become of great importance. One child set right is invaluable in this contest; a few of them are above price. May this heart of our beloved country, about which the serpent has coiled, find a place, a larger place, in the sympathies of our church.”

The Encroachments of Mormonism. — It has been stated that “alarm concerning the progress of Mormonism is beginning to prevail in Ontario. In its political canvass the usual forecasting of the attitude of the religious interests was made, and the estimate based upon it, that before the year passes away there will be one hundred thousand avowed Mormons in the province, which is thought to be within the mark. It is said that meetings are being held in the small halls and school-houses, and that they are crowded with excited audiences, who are carried away by the eloquence of the Mormon missionaries. The method of operation seems to have been carefully planned, and the efforts have been successful beyond what can be easily credited by the average reader.”

H. E. B.

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