The following appeared in last Saturday's issue of the Portadown News, a weekly newspaper published at Portadown, County Armagh, Ireland:

"A 'Mormon' newspaper, having denied the accuracy of the report circulated in all the papers last week that fifty-four 'Mormon' girl converts going out to America by the steamer Republic of the White Star Line had not been allowed to land, and were being sent back to Europe, we forwarded the White Star directors a copy of the Portadown News with the paragraph marked, and asked for its confirmation or contradiction as the case required. Subjoined is their reply:

"DEAR SIR, We are in receipt of your favor of the 1st inst., and thank you for your copy of the Portadown News. The report therein referred to is greatly exaggerated, as, whilst there had been some talk of a rigid examination of passengers alleged to be 'Mormons' necessitating the deportation of a few of them, it transpires that there were two passengers who are likely to be returned in consequence of their having traveled in violation of the contract labor law. Outside this we do not know of any case of passengers being deported. We might here remark that irrespective of passengers' religion or the auspices under which they travel, all passengers are subject to the American Immigration Act, which at present is being rigidly enforced.-Yours truly,

Passengers' Department,

Liverpool, September 2nd, 1908.

ISMAY, IMRIE & Co."

I think it is about time the people of England stopped circulating falsehoods about the "Mormons." How any man can derive satisfaction from slandering and telling falsehoods about his fellowman it is hard for me to see. During the past two weeks the newspapers throughout the country have published most sensational stories about the Latter-day Saints. The first announcement was that fifty-four "Mormon" girls who had arrived in Boston were going to be sent back to England; a few days later the number was reduced to thirteen; and the latest quotation was two. I want to say a few words in defense of these maligned and misunderstood people. It has been reported that the missionaries induce young women to go out to Utah, that the Church pays their passage out, and that when they get there they are forced to become wives. These statements are absolutely false.

Some years ago three of my sisters joined the "Mormon” Church. They did so believing the religion to be better than that which they formerly believed in. Some time after joining the Church they became desirous of gathering to Utah, and commenced saving their means to that end. Finally they went out there, but the "Mormon" Church did not advance a penny toward their emigra

tion, nor did the missionaries or any one else persuade them to go: they went of their own free will. We have received many letters from them. They are well satisfied with the country and the people. They are much better off than they were in England. They have not been compelled to marry; they are as free as the air they breathe. If they were not satisfied with the "Mormon" Church they could leave it and join any of the numerous sectarian churches that are in Utah.

A London newspaper said recently that most of the "Mormon” converts that go out to Utah are poor and ignorant. If that be the case, I should think England would be glad to get rid of such people. If the "Mormons" can do anything with the poor and ignorant, then for mercy's sake let them have them. God knows, there will still be enough of such people left in this land. - ARTHUR PRICE.

MINUTES OF THE NEWCASTLE CONFERENCE.

AT 3:55 p.m. on Saturday last, September 5th, President Charles W. Penrose arrived in Middlesboro, and went directly to the saints' hall, where President W. H. Caldwell and twenty-two traveling elders were assembled for priesthood meeting. After singing and prayer, the missionaries submitted their reports, which were very creditable, and received the approval of the presiding authorities. The brethren are all feeling well in their work. Presidents Penrose and Caldwell gave the elders valuable instructions. At the close of the meeting excellent out-door meetings were held.

At 10:30 Sunday morning the first meeting of the conference was held in the Co-operative Hall, President W. H. Caldwell presiding. He extended a hearty welcome to all present. The statistical and labor reports for the past six months were read and approved, after which the general and local authorities of the church were presented to the conference and sustained unanimously.

Elder J. W. Kissel spoke of the necessity of the saints being nourished with spiritual food. Explained the conditions under which he had received the gospel, and of the opposition and persecution which the saints have to endure for the truth's sake. But, through our faithfulness, we shall at last inherit eternal life, which is the greatest gift of God to man.

Elder William Kirkup, who superintends the Sunday Schools in the Newcastle conference, showed the importance of Sunday School work. The work of a Sunday School teacher is a work of no mean importance. We are planting in the young minds seeds of truth and righteousness which in later years will bear good fruit. Exhorted teachers to seek for the spirit of their calling, for the letter without the spirit is dead

President Penrose rejoiced at having the privilege of meeting once more with the saints of the Newcastle conference. Explained

the operations of the two powers which are in the earth, the power for good and the opposite power. The former builds up and exalts, the latter tears down and destroys. He also treated upon Sunday School work, and gave encouragement to those engaged in it. Spoke in praise of the excellent reports that had been read, which revealed but a small portion of the work of the elders. Much of the good the missionaries do is hidden from sight. In eternity all shall be revealed. Gave the congregation valuable instructions concerning secret and family prayers, and showed the effect these have upon the children. Pray that ye may overcome evil, exhorted the president, that your lives may be wholly acceptable to God. The Lord has His agents on earth the same as He has in heaven, and works which His servants perform here on earth are received and recorded on high. Counseled the saints to live in harmony with God and with each other, and to seek after everything that is good.

The afternoon service commenced at 2:30. After the usual preliminary exercises, Elder Jeremiah Jones addressed the assembly. He contrasted the doctrines of Christ with those taught by the socalled Christian churches, and bore testimony that the gospel has been restored in these latter days.

Elder L. S. Mecham expounded the first principles of the gospel in a plain and convincing manner, and testified that "Mormonism" is the great and mighty work of God.

Elder Walter Bird

The evening meeting was well attended. spoke briefly on the calling of men to the ministry in ancient and modern times. Dwelt upon the apostasy and the restoration of the gospel and the unchangeableness of God. Bore testimony to the truth of the gospel.

President Caldwell followed, treating on the restoration of the gospel in fulfillment of Rev. 14: 6-7.

President Penrose then spoke along the same line; also showed that many who recognize Jesus as the Christ err in their doctrine by teaching a "mere belief" theory, which is a very popular idea. He proved from the scriptures and also by reason that works are necessary, beautifully picturing Christ's life-work and teachings, also John the Baptist's mission. Baptism for the remission of sins was made very clear, and every point was well defined, also the bestowal of the Holy Ghost and its blessings. He bore a strong testimony to the truth of "Mormonism," and called all people to repentance, urging the congregation to investigate the gospel.

The choir, under the able directorship of Brother J. W. Ward, rendered excellent selections. Sister Flora Ridge sang a beautiful solo, which was appreciated by all. A splendid feeling existed, and all present expressed themselves well pleased with the powerful discourses. The weather was fine, and a good number of visiting Saints and strangers were present.

SETH JOHNSON, Clerk of Conference.

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1908.

WHO IS PLACED IN "AN UNFORTUNATE POSITION"? THE Liverpool Courier of September 2nd published the report of an interview with the President of the European Mission, which also appeared that evening in the Express. It was sought by that paper to gain information about the emigration of two young women who had been temporarily stopped at Boston because of a cablegram which falsely alleged that they had "run away from their home." The facts in the case were given to the reporter, and it was explained how the two young women in question came to believe the faith of the Latter-day Saints early in 1907, and why they had to leave their home, and the circumstances under which they left Liverpool for the United States, their father and mother going on board the Republic to bid them good-bye without any attempt to hinder them. The reporter inquired about "polygamy," a usual query whenever "Mormonism" is under consideration. because people who know no better confound the two as meaning the same thing, and the subject was explained briefly but clearly, and it so appeared in the Courier.

On September 4th an article appeared in the Courier signed Daniel H. C. Bartlett, attacking "Mr. Penrose and his visiting Elders," making a number of false statements about them and containing a rehash of old arguments against polygamy, although the interview showed that it was not taught or entered into by the "Mormon” people or permitted by the "Mormon” Church. Mr. Bartlett was not mentioned or alluded to in the interview, and therefore had no occasion to rush into print to parade himself and his platitudes and plagiarisms. The Courier, very fairly, afforded space in its columns for our reply to the unveracious Vicar, and we here reproduce it for the benefit of the readers of the MILLENNIAL STAR:

To the Editor of the Courier:

Sir,

Returning from a conference at Middlesboro, I have before me a long communication to the Courier from D. H. C. Bartlett attacking me and gentlemen whom he calls my "visiting elders," and endeavoring to place us and our faith in a false position before the public. His excuse for this tirade is the interview with me by a very gentlemanly representative of the Courier, or Express, in

which there is nothing calling for Mr. Bartlett's effort or justifying his aspersions. I therefore respectfully ask for space in your columns for a brief response to his lengthy article. I am aware that I am on the unpopular side of the argument, and that the press is somewhat reluctant to be placed in a position of favoring in the least the religion that is commonly called "Mormonism." Yet I think you will concede that in fairness and common justice, having been personally assailed in your columns, I am entitled to the privilege of a reply. I am happy to say that many leading papers in different parts of Great Britain have recognized this right, and have placed both sides of the subject before their readers.

My accuser states that the interview in the Courier which, by the way, was remarkably accurate, places me "in an unenviable position." That is a matter of opinion, and I am perfectly willing to maintain it in public or in private, and to fortify by affidavits and unimpeachable evidence everything I stated in that interview. But there is nothing in it in which I attempted, as he alleges, "to justify the breaking up in Liverpool of a quiet, happy, Christian home." I do not wish to expose in a public newspaper the kind of "Christian home" which the two young women about whom so much furore has been raised, were compelled to leave because of the violent and intolerant treatment they experienced, and Mr. Bartlett has placed himself in an "unenviable position" by dragging this family matter into print. But I will say that the two young ladies, aged respectively nineteen and twenty-two, were not received into the so-called "Mormon” Church until they had severed their home ties, for reasons which they will no doubt give to the public if it is necessary, and were living and working separately by their own exertions and because they had received, as they declared, a divine witness that the religion which they desired to embrace was true and of God. Personally I had nothing to do with the matter. If their testimony is correct, there was no opposition to their leaving this country for America after they had informed their parents of the opportunity afforded them through the kindness of Mrs. Price, who while here on a visit had become acquainted with their sad story, and who lent them the means to emigrate.

If this comes under the head of "assisted emigration" under the American laws, I shall be very much surprised, as anybody has the right to borrow money for that purpose as well as any other, and the Church had nothing whatever to do with the favor extended by Mrs. Price and is in no way responsible for it. Every member of the Church in this country can corroborate my statement that the elders here endeavor to persuade them to remain here and help build up branches of the Church in this land, but when friends in Utah write to them of their experiences, and in some cases advance money to them to emigrate to better their condition, they