THE MORMONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7087, 1 May 1901, Page 2

THE MORMONS.

SO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — As an eye-witness of the hasty aretreat of the Mormon Elders from the Square on Sunday evening, I much- regret the ease with which the crowd allowed itself to become the forerunner of Judge Lynch, -while putting the Elders on tihe road often trodden by their co-religionists— the road to martyrdom, perhaps the most easy highway to proselytism within *h$ compass of the weakest evangelist. Whatever may be behind, or beyond, their openair discourses, I have, when casually patting or loitering at the meeting*, heard nothing that could not be taught in an ordinary Sunday school. Possibly «even out of every ten in the Mormon circle on the night in question were youths under the age of twenty-one, and the style of their ejaculations and interruptions was such as forcibly to remand one of those personalities and pleasures in which, the pit indulges on a "big" night at the theatre. The Elder, after dealing with the matter of baptism, said t'h&t he had been asked a question concerning Joseph Smith. No sooner bad the name passed his lips than the crowd seemed 1 to move forward en masse ; the Mormon light was extinguished and the Elders were in full retreat. I share with many citizens a dislike to the unsettling, and apparently irritating, presence of the Mormon propagandists; but, in the name of British fair play, of which we are wont to boast, do n«t let the reputation of the city for freedom of speech' and individual liberty be imperilled by youths as careless in their religious belief as they ere weak in defendI ing it. "There are,' no doubt, in existence academically sound 'by-laws, which, dn the perfeot statV would tend to eventually render crime >jind disorder a matter of history. The glass containing skeletons of the ancient moa may, at some future pariod, find room for bony frameworks labelled "Larrikin; now extinct*" "One of a Street Push; no longer procurable in New Zealand," "Rare Specimen of Street Bully and Expectorator j once noted for a, dialect called blasphemy." Notable improvement has, in the opinion of some, taken place in the behaviour of our lads and lasses since the introduction of standards of education, and considerable credit -is given to the ennobling results of grammar and analysis in our schqols generally. Still, without intruding upon the private life, and sociability of those who support pur lamp and verandah-posts after sunset, much remains to be don© iji -civilising the young gentlemen who run our street government. A special magistrate for the purpose might be usefully employ-ed-lam, eTc, J. H. NEWLYN/ Chrisfcchurch, April 30.