His experience of less than a week in Westminster had been sufficient for a volume of much greater proportions than this little publication, and yet enough of it is noted here to give a fair idea of what transpired. In that time our hero, a comparative stranger, had become well-settled and was welcome in an honorable household, and this without deception or any special effort to please; he had dethroned the demon of infidelity in one good man's heart when a skilled churchman's efforts in that direction only threatened to perpetuate the evil; had caused another good man, indifferent to gospel measures, to become actively interested; had defeated the churchman spoken of, on his own ground, and had shown in an unmistakeable manner the fallacy of his doctrine, and finally, had brought this showy patron of religion to utter discomfiture without desiring, intending, or trying to annoy him in any way; had set the family named and several of their neighbors to thinking as they had never thought before; and now, as a special favor was to address the town people in their chief public building. The Town Hall was filled to overflowing, and when Durant entered and walked slowly up to the platform, it is perhaps needless to say he was the observed of all observers. There were some feelings of surprise when Mr. Brown, the (late) infidel, arose to introduce the speaker of the evening; he announced before doing so that the lecture would consist of an exposition of the groundwork, and some advanced principles of the gospel as laid down in the Bible. "Nothing will be left to be conjectured or surmised," he said; "the speaker is familiar with the subject and is capable of doing it justice. I speak advisedly, having heard him before. I ask your earnest and respectful attention, and now present to you Mr. Charles Durant, of Salt Lake City."
Notwithstanding the sacredness of the occasion, there was a burst of applause when the speaker arose. Before him, on a table, were the Bible and two or three other books. He entered upon his subject at once, first explaining the principles of faith, repentance and baptism, citing the Holy Book in support of his arguments, and making every principle plain and lucid as he proceeded. In as extended a manner as he could, within the time at his disposal, he developed the philosophy and practice of true Christianity from the beginning to the present time, leaving no salient point unmentioned, and no stone marking the way, unturned. He occupied two hours, and there was not a listener but gladly would have remained that much longer. The impression made was deep; as to whether or not it was lasting, that depended largely upon the individuals themselves.
The lawyer and the doctor and the Marshalls came forward and grasped the speaker's hand extending sincere congratulations. The preacher was absent. As they left the room, people could be heard making such remarks as—"Well, that is mighty sound reasoning no matter where it comes from;" a few asked to be introduced and one of these, an old lady, said in a low voice, "You spoke the truth, I know it; God bless you!"
As soon as he could make his way to Durant's side, the negro, Caesar, said hurriedly—"You want to look a little out as you go home; I heard a lot of fellers down the lane talking, and they said they would fix that Mormon."
A spontaneous exclamation of surprise and disgust came from the little party of which Durant was the center. However, it was left to the lawyer to engage in explosiveness, and he did it in a manner which left no doubt of what he would do in an emergency. It was finally decided that he and the doctor should lead the way homeward, with the Marshall family, our guest, a neighbor and the negro, following leisurely after. The improvised mob was soon encountered and the interview was stormy for awhile, but before the party in the rear reached the spot, the tumult was quieted down considerably. The lawyer knew every one in the party and if any violence was offered to the stranger, he would make it his personal business to see that every one of them answered to the law. This, coupled with milder and more persuasive methods, had its effect, and one by one the rioters dispersed, at least for the present. Mr. Durant and his friends walked home without being assaulted by so much as an unpleasant exclamation though he fully expected trouble from the first; but he determined to continue his labor as he had begun, leaving the result to Providence.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PROPHET JOSEPH'S STATEMENT.
Perhaps it was the force of habit as well as the impelling power of desire that caused the group, with whom we are now so familiar, again to assemble at the place made somewhat memorable by recent events—the verandah fronting the Marshall mansion. All the persons hitherto named, excepting, of course, the minister, were present; that gentleman had not only taken his departure from the house, but doubtless from the town also.
It was Sunday evening, the weather was perfect, all things seemed conducive to harmony, and a most pleasurable occasion, it being perhaps the last they would enjoy together. The doctor and lawyer were so anxious to begin the conversation that they could scarcely wait for all to be seated; they desired to improve the opportunity, and learn what they could of other principles of the missionary's faith.
"Mr. Durant," finally said the doctor, "we have listened with much pleasure to different conversations with you since your arrival and these have awakened a lively interest within us, and as there is nothing to prevent this evening, we thought it would not be at all unpleasant to you to spend an hour or so in answering what to us appears to be some very important questions concerning the faith of the so-called Mormons."