| 278 unlawful business. It was a cruel and wicked act of violence, which deserves the condemnation of all free men, all law-abiding people. It smacks of bigotry and oppression, and the very fact that the party doing the killing were there for an unlawful purpose, gives Elder Standing a place among those who have died for their opinion's sake. Those who have suffered from mob violence need only to know that others are victims to lift their voices against the act.
We are opposed to the principle of plurality of wives, which it is said Elder Standing was propagating; and think that the proselyting of sinners to that system of faith, is but to change their manner of sinning; but we are likewise opposed to the shotgun, revolver, and rifle argument to prevent it. Mob violence, the killing of heretics, by fire or impalement, are arguments fit for an unenlightened past, but are sadly out of place to-day.
On July 22 Elder Peter N. Brix, missionary to Denmark, wrote from Aalborg, reporting the baptism of three and earnestly pleading for some one to be sent to his assistance.
On July 25 Elder J. R. Lambert wrote that he had organized a branch at Lake Crystal, Minnesota; Eli Stedman, president, D. F. Crane, clerk.
August 2, Elder J. W. Gillen wrote that he had just returned to Oakland, California, from a tour in the southern part of the State. On the 4th he sailed for Australia on the steamship "City of Australia." On September 10 he wrote from Sydney, Australia, that he arrived safely, after a pleasant voyage of twenty -seven days. Of his predecessor, he said: "Bro. Rodger has left an excellent name here, and is beloved by all who know him."
Commencing August 9, a debate was held at Norway, Lasalle County, Illinois, between Elder W. W. Blair and a Seventh-day Advent elder by the name of A. A. John. This debate was reported in synopsis by Elder Joseph Luff and published in the Herald.
In August, 1879, the work was first opened in Eastern Florida through the instrumentality of Elder Heman C. Smith and Priest David Donaldson. They went from Western Florida, where the work had previously been established, most of the way on foot. They made a beginning by hiring a hall for one night in Gainesville, that being financially all they were able to do. Then
(page 278) |
