Sunday, October 24, 1875

Sunday, Oct. 24th. Brother Kent arrived last night. He reminds me of James Toomers, a good singer, jovial, and plays the bass viol. He reported the Mission to Job Welling and turned over his certificate of appointment. He is also President of the Melbourne Branch, which position he retains. Meeting at 3:00 P.M. Those present were: President Kant and family, a counselor, Brother Bechamp, who was President until Brother Geddis arrived and suspended him sometime over a year ago for misconduct, a Mr. Fairhurst, a free-thinker and strong advocate of social reform, who believes that polygamy may reform, the social evil and that co-operation or concentration may reform the political evil, a Mr. Barrat and wife, and neighbors who, like Mr. Fairhurst, look upon our views as better than any other.

After the partaking of the Sacrament, Brother Welling spoke of affairs in Utah and the establishment of God's Kingdom and its saving influence for all who faithfully support it. Brother Steed bore testimony to the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the saving grace of the Gospel. I passed hastily over the Gospel as taught by the Savior; the falling away from the same; the persecutions and remodeling by the Romans; the protestants breaking off from the Roman Catholics whom they considered impure and going back to the Bible which is merely a history of the Gospel, not the real Gospel, as it gave them no authority or priesthood to act and, as the Roman Catholics had not the Power of the Gospel, they could not transmit it. Hence all Christendom, for over 1,400 years, has been acting without authority and there has been no pure Christianity upon the earth. If Christianity means those principles taught by our beloved Savior, then the L.D.S. are the true Christians, for they believe, preach, and practice the same Gospel as taught by the Savior and his Disciples. After the meeting, talk on the Gospel and reform continued, Brother Bechamp joining in. He argues well and has a good understanding of the Gospel. What a pity such a will live beneath their knowledge and privileges and bring themselves and the Gospel into disrepute.