“Will you be seated, sir?” asked Elder Malby, who took charge of the situation.  A number of people, who had evidently followed the priest to see the “fun,” came in and gathered round.

“I’ll not sit down.  I’ll deliver my message to you all,” he declared as he turned to the people.  “You may not believe what I say about these men, that they are not what they pretend; but let me read to you from an American paper—­printed in their own land.  Listen: 

“’So fully apparent is the pernicious activity of “Mormonism” of late, that a general campaign of opposition is being urged against them in various parts of the country.  It has been conclusively shown, by students of the question, that the “Mormon” Church is simply a great secret society, engaging in criminal practices under the cloak of their religion—­”

There was a hum of protest in the room.  Elder Malby raised a hand of warning to let the intruder proceed.

“’The attitude of “Mormonism” towards moral questions and its disregard for the laws, have been shown again and again.  “Mormon” missionaries are now making a systematic canvas of every state in the Union, as well as in Great Britain and other foreign countries.  Every home, especially of the poor and uneducated is to be visited.  It would therefore be the part of wisdom to give a timely word of warning.  This is a time to cry aloud and spare not, lest many be led astray by these pernicious teachings.’”

The minister followed up this reading by a stream of personal abuse against “Mormons” in general and Elder Malby—­whose name he knew—­in particular.  Chester watched with keen interest the proceedings.  Elder Malby’s face was a study.  The angry priest paused, then stopped.

“Are you through, sir?” asked Elder Malby quietly.  There was no reply, so he continued.  “If you are, I wish to say a word.  You are entirely mistaken, my dear sir.  I have not come here to mislead or to teach any such doctrine as you claim.  True, I am now an American citizen, but I was born an Englishman.  This is my native country, and I have as much right to be here as you have; and, thank God, this country provides for free speech and allows every man to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.  I love this, my native land—­I love these, my people.  That’s why I am here to preach to them the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“You’re a farmer, and not a minister,” sneered the priest.

“Peter was a fisherman and Paul was a tent-maker,” replied the Elder calmly.  “I suppose, sir, that if either of these men came here to preach, you would look upon their occupation as a reproach.”

There was no reply, so the “Mormon” continued.  “It is true I am a farmer.  Some of my friends here know that, because sometimes I assist them in the fields.  And I have given them some helpful American hints too, have I not, Brother Naylor?”

“Aye, that you have.”