In answer to the question, What is Mormonism? a Utah missionary writing to a leading New York paper, says that "Mormonism is organized impiety. It is irreligion officered and disciplined after the manner of the Christian church. It has its prophets, its apostles, and its deacons, all terribly intent upon building up the Mormon church. And in prosecuting their work, all means, not excepting deception and lying, are considered lawful. They promise wealth to the poor, official position to the vain, and sensual indulgence to the coarse and brutal. They have bait suited to every kind of fish." Again, in reference to the objection often urged that the constitution of the United States stands in the way of applying the law, he says:— "Men talk wisely about interfering with a man's religion. Many slaveholders held their slaves as a religious duty, and yet we interfered with the slaveholders' religion. Suppose that a sect should arise, a part of whose worship should consist in offering human sacrifices. Should we not find some way to punish the murderers? Religion should be protected within certain bounds. But if it adopts a creed that is opposed to the civilization of the times—if it encourages impurity and licentiousness—it should be treated as a crime. And this is the way to deal with Mormonism. It is a crime against civilization. Its aim is to re-establish the barbarism of the past. Its march is backwards, and it moves to the sound of muffled drum and dirge-like strains. It aims its dagger at the very heart of the nation. Its purpose is to destroy the institutions upon which the stability of the nation depends. Marriage, the family, and the home life, cannot exist in connection with Mormonism."