prove to a number of his congregation that Joseph Smith was a deceiver and that "Mormonism" is an imposture. We would not refer to it, were it not that it is being used quite freely by Sunday School teachers and others who have become quite alarmed at the growth of "Mormonism" in this country, and who believe it to be their duty to do all in their power to stay its progress. Said the minister: "Smith tells us in his history that in answer to his prayer to know which of all the churches in Christendom was the true Church, the Father and the Son appeared to him. He was told by Christ to not join any of them, for they had all gone out of the way. They draw near to me with their lips,' the Lord is reported to have said, 'but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men: having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.' Now, I am going to prove to you," continued the preacher, "that part of the saying which Joseph Smith attributed to the Savior is from a prophecy made by Isaiah, which was fulfilled in the days of Christ, and therefore could not refer to people living at the present time." He then opened his Bible and read from the fifteenth chapter of Matthew as follows:

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoreth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." This, according to the minister, is sufficient to put the brand of falsehood upon "Mormonism."

While the words spoken by the ancient prophet were aptly applied by the Messiah to the people whom He addressed, it will be seen by reading the whole of the twenty-ninth chapter of Isaiah that the prophet spoke concerning the latter days. In the opening verses he speaks of a branch of the house of Israel, with whom he says it shall be as with Ariel, or Jerusalem-that they shall be brought down and humbled in the dust; that afterwards they shall speak out of the ground and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. In the eleventh verse he tells of a sealed book which is to be brought forth, the voice of a nation that had slumbered for ages; and that the record is to be brought to light at a time when the people would be drawing near to God with their mouths, and honoring Him with their lips, while their hearts would be far from Him, and when their fear towards Him would be taught by the precepts of men.

The Prophet Nephi, in teaching his brethren, referred to the prophecy made by Isaiah concerning a people who were to be brought down to slumber in the dust and who would afterwards speak out of the ground; also to the sealed book which would be brought forth. He declared that the Nephites were the people of whom Isaiah made mention, and that the sealed book was their records which the Lord would bring to light in the latter days.

He also said that the Lord would say to the person to whom the book would be delivered: "Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men, therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid." (II. Nephi 27: 25-26).

All these things have come to pass just as the prophets Isaiah and Nephi predicted: the Nephite nation was destroyed because of its wickedness; at the end of fourteen hundred years the voice of that mighty people is heard speaking out of the ground by a sealed book which the Lord preserved and brought forth; the record has made its appearance at the time spoken of by the prophets and testified by the Savior Himself, when people draw near to God with their mouth and honor Him with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Him.

Do our opponents wish us to understand that all the hypocrites lived in the days of Christ? Do they wish us to believe that all the lip worshipers lived at that time? that the only people who had a form of godliness but who denied the power thereof were those whom the Messiah denounced? that there have been no false teachers since the first century of the Christian era? They know full well that at the present time the world is full of hypocrites and lip-worshipers, that tens of thousands of people go to church as a matter of form; that the churches have a form of godliness but are destitute of the power, the gifts and blessings of the gospel; that false teachers are legion, and that they teach for doctrine the commandments of men. This is the condition foreseen and foretold by the prophets and declared by the Son of God when He appeared to the modern prophet. Was it not time for the Lord to commence His "marvelous work and a wonder"?-W. A. M.

MINUTES OF THE SHEFFIELD CONFERENCE. THE semi-annual Sheffield conference was held in the Cambridge Hall, Cambridge Street, Moorhead, Sheffield, on Sunday last, commencing at 10:30 a.m. There were present, President Charles W. Penrose, president of the European mission, Sister Romania B. Penrose, Elder J. A. Rockwood, president of the Leeds conference, President W. E. Stoddard and Elder Arthur W. Hall of the Grimsby conference, President Josiah H. Eardley and twenty-one traveling

elders.

President Eardley extended a hearty welcome to all present, after which the labor and statistical report for the past six months was read and approved. The general and local authorities were presented and unanimously sustained.

Elder T. Edgar Beard reported the Sheffield branch in a progressive condition, the auxiliary organizations being well attended. Spoke of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

Elder Richard Jefferies gave a very favorable report of the Higham branch. Many investigators are attending the meetings. He bore a strong testimony to the truth of the gospel and the blessings it brings.

Elder Nephi Hodgson reported the Doncaster branch. Stated that unity exists among the saints and said they are endeavoring to live up to the requirements of the gospel.

President Penrose occupied the remaining time. The speaker alluded to the old Mosaic law and of Christ coming to lift mankind to a higher plane. The gospel was for the Gentiles as well as the Jews, and to convince Peter when he was sent to Cornelius the Lord permitted the Holy Ghost to be bestowed upon him and his household even before baptism. The gospel consists of works and not of mere belief. The apostles taught the same code of laws that was taught by Christ, faith being the first fundamental principle and works to follow.

The afternoon meeting convened at 2:30, a large congregation having assembled.

President Eardley extended greeting to all present. Nine persons who had been baptized between the meetings were then confirmed.

President W. E. Stoddard of the Grimsby conference spoke briefly of the restoration of the gospel, and the gifts and blessings that are derived through being obedient to its principles.

President Penrose dwelt at some length upon the necessity of strict obedience to the plan of salvation, and felt pleased to note that some had that day complied with its ordinances. Through perfect obedience Christ attained to the highest glory. He commented upon the resurrection. As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive, every man in his own order, and will inherit the degrees of glory according to their merit. Exhorted the saints to be united in their homes, and to meet on the Lord's day to partake of the sacrament and renew their covenants.

Conference reconvened at 6:30. It was encouraging to see such a large audience, fully three hundred and fifty persons being present. A quartette entitled "Come unto Me all ye that labor" was rendered by Alfred Hainsworth, Harry and Eliza Quilter, and Elizabeth Sistern of the Birdwell branch.

President J. A. Rockwood of the Leeds conference spoke of the mission of Christ-coming to establish peace on earth and goodwill to men and to bring unity amongst those who live up to His teachings.

President Stoddard and Elder Arthur W. Hall then sang a duet entitled "Star of the East."

Elder Thomas Kershaw, who had just been released from the

Sheffield conference and appointed to labor in the Leeds conference, stated he had greatly enjoyed his past labors. Thanked all the saints and friends for their kindness, and was grateful to the Lord that he had been called by His servants to aid in the spreading of the restored gospel which he knew and testified had been revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Elder Arthur W. Hall rendered the solo "Forever with the Lord."

President Penrose felt that we had been greatly blessed by the words that had been spoken, the songs that had been sung, and the association of the saints and friends. Took for his text John 14: 12. Alluded to the beliefs of the world. Christ taught belief alone is not sufficient. He spoke of Christ and the works He performed while in the flesh, those He carried on when in the spirit while His body was in the tomb; explained that Paradise was not heaven where the Father dwells; referred to the judgment in which Christ's apostles will take part, to the resurrection, which will include all people of Adam's race, the just first and afterwards the unjust. Portrayed the fate of the sons of perdition and of the fallen angels, and finally the putting down of all rule and power opposed to the Almighty and the triumph of the kingdom of God, in all of which those who truly believed in Christ will follow Him and do the works that He did as He declared in the words of the text.

President Eardley expressed His joy at the glorious conference, and bore testimony to the truth of that which had been said. Then the assembled congregation was dismissed with the benediction.

On Saturday evening a Priesthood meeting was held. All the elders in the conference were present. The reports of the missionaries were most gratifying. Many valuable instructions were given and many questions answered by President Penrose.

THOMAS ALSTON, Clerk of Conference.

RELIEF SOCIETY CONFERENCE.

AFTER the afternoon session of the conference, President and Sister Penrose and President Josiah H. Eardley met with the Relief Societies of the Sheffield and Worksop branches and many lady visitors in the Building Trades Exchange, Cross Burgess Street, Sheffield, which was entirely filled.

Presidents

After good reports were given of the societies in Sheffield and Worksop by the presidents thereof, Sister R. B. Penrose delivered a most instructive address on the duties of officers and members of Relief Societies, and of mothers and children. Penrose and Eardley followed in a few appropriate remarks, and those present returned to the hall for the evening meeting, being greatly edified and encouraged.

A GOOD WORD FOR THE "MORMONS."

WE have received the following letter from Mr. William McKeever, a Gospel Temperance lecturer, of Radcliffe, Lancashire: "I have been forty-two years in this town, working for one master twenty-five years, until through the loss of my eyesight I had to give up my ordinary employment. During the past thirtyfive years I have taken a great interest in gospel temperance work in this town and surrounding districts, making many friends. I have always been on the alert, looking out for anything that would help on the cause of God and humanity. About five years ago I incidentally came across two 'Mormon' missionaries speaking on our market square. I listened and thought they spoke like sensible men, which induced me to seek their acquaintance. And though I cannot altogether go their way, from what I bave had to do with them, from that time to the present, I am satisfied in my own mind that they are men of sterling integrity and honesty of purpose. The example they set before us all is something for every fair-minded, unbiased mind to admire. They practice what they preach, This being so, it was a great pleasure and delight for us to have President John C. Olsen of the Manchester conference to give us an address one Sunday night, along with Elder Samuel L. Mills. I was pleased to hear your report of the address of Elder David H. Clayton. We have had along with us Elder Amos A. Atkinson, who has given us his support in various ways, and now we have Elder William A. Langton with him. Sunday evening, November 1st, we had Elder Charles W. Gibbs of the Ashton branch to deliver an address. When any elders of the 'Mormon' Church come along feeling themselves at liberty our platform is open for them, and what I would suggest to the Christian people is, not to malign or slander these men, but give them a chance and an opportunity of pushing the work of God along. If we seek for the good we shall find it. As far as I am individually concerned, I will always have a good word for these people, and to the best of my ability will stand up and defend them and give them justice.

Yours for right and justice,

WILLIAM MCKEEVER."

50 Edward Street, Radcliffe, October 27th, 1908.

"ONE ought not to desire other men's blessings, and one ought not to envy those who have more, but rather, comparing his life with that of those who fare worse, and laying to heart their sufferings, deem himself blest of fortune in that he lives, and fares so much better than they. Holding fast this saying, you will pass your life in greater tranquility and will avert not a few of the plagues of life-envy and jealousy and bitterness of mind.”DEMOCRITUS.