| 295 system of religion which will not bear investigation, your case is a hard one. You had better change it for one that courts investigation, and which will shine brighter and brighter the more it is tried.
And as it regards my moral character, or that of the church to which I have the honor of being a member, we challenge any man, or set of men to establish anything against us; only that we are persecuted and have been mobbed for our faith, because we take the liberty to differ from the popular opinions of the day; not that we have violated either the laws of God or man. "That which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God."-How different is the conduct of many of this generation, from the advice given by the great apostle of the Gentiles: "Be careful to entertain strangers," &c.
I should have thought this ungentlemanly demand for a recommendation, an insult to common sense, had it not have come from one of the blind priests. But truly, as our Savior said, "they now not what they do." I only notice it, because these apostles of reform cry continually, "investigate! investigate!!"
I accepted an invitation to hold a meeting three miles south of Pekin, on the Mackanaw. I asked my Heavenly Father for the mind that was in Christ, that I might feel for the people, and in the spirit of love and humility, show them the better way. I have labored here twelve days, in which time many have been convinced. Six came forward for baptism, who are now rejoicing in the truth. Many more are favorable, and much prejudice is removed. Truly, the Lord is on our side. The elders would do well to call on the brethren. Yours in the bonds of the gospel
H. TATE.
LEECHBURG CONFERENCE MINUTES.
The Leechburg branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, met in conference, May 10th, 1843.
Elder William Smith was chosen to preside, and elder William Hickenlooper appointed clerk.
The president addressed the meeting by way of exhortation at considerable length, and gave much valuable and interesting instruction to the saints.
At the request of elder Critchlow, who was about to leave the place, elder Thomas Hickenlooper was appointed by the voice of the church, to preside in his place.
Several elders were then delegated to fulfil [fulfill] missions appointed to them by the conference.
The church now numbers fifty members, five elders, two priests, and one teacher.
The work of the Lord is still progressing and there are calls for preaching on every hand.
WILLIAM SMITH, President.
WM. HICKENLOOPER, Clerk.
TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF NAUVOO.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1843.
MORMON DELUSION.
The above cognomen is an epithet that a few years ago used to be very familiar in our modern schools of divinity. There was very few of our theologians but were conversant with it; it was used with sublime eloquence by our pulpit orators, while performing their sacred functions, and talked of by all the religious people of the day. The editors caught the new phrase, being informed by the ministers, and it was heralded to the four winds, until from Maine to Missouri, you would scarcely hear any thing else talked about but 'Mormon delusion.' But if you were to ask editors, priests, or people, the meaning of the term, they would be in the same predicament as the Yorkshire man who went into a store and ask for some hidrophobia [hydrophobia]. 'What is that, said the shopkeeper.' 'I dont know,' replied Hodge; 'but it is an article much talked about.' So in regard to our new term, after all the bluster about 'Mormon delusion,' none of the above dignitaries could give any better exposition; it would sometimes vary to 'false prophet,' 'imposture,' &c.; but the signification was generally the same. This continued for a time, until our editors, who, by the by, are generally a more intelligent class than the ministers, grew ashamed of such incoherent nonsense, and turned their attention to things that were more rational. It continued however in the pulpit for some time, until our reverend worthies, ashamed of the too frequent repetition of the same term and unable to exist without calumny, sought for a fresh people to abuse, and with one consent turned upon Parson Miller. 'Mormon delusion' has now nearly got out of date, and none but the truly pious ever make any mention of it. Sometimes however some of there truly devout, who feel very much interested in their master's cause; now and then refer to the old subject, to stir up the pure minds of the people by way of remembrance.
As we had a paper forwarded us lately with a communication in it having a tendency to show what 'Mormon delusion,' or, 'Mormon perversion' is, we thought that we would lay it before our readers that they might have some
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