"The first evening that we were gathered together, I told them of the great change that had come into my life. I began the story at the beginning, and soon got them interested. But when my father asked me, 'Were the missoinaries "Lutheran" and how did it happen that they were arrested?' I answered, 'No, they were "Mormons" from America, preaching the restored Gospel. "Then the storm came. My poor father exclaimed horrified, "'You don't mean that you saved two Mormons to do more of Satan's work?' "'They do the Lord's work, father,' I returned quietly. "'You have not listened to their wicked preaching, have you?' asked my father angrily, rising from his chair, while my mother and sisters looked on in dismay. "'Yes, father, I have become a 'Mormon.' God knows, I am a better man.' "At this he became enraged to madness. 'My son a "Mormon!" he exclaimed fiercely. 'Never! I command you to drop this evil and come to your senses. 'Mormons!' they are the scum of the earth, coming here to contaminate decent people in this country.' "For a moment there was silence and my mother came to me and put her arms around my neck, beseechingly looking into my eyes with a mother's fear. "'O Mon,' she said trembling, 'obey your father, boy! give up these evil companions, _do_, Mon!' "'But, mother dear, if you would only let me explain I'll show you all that they are not evil.' "Angrily, my father separated us. 'Do you dare, Mon, to make your father out a liar?' "I stood stupefied, hardly knowing how to take his unlooked for passion. "'No, father,' I at last ventured, 'but you don't understand.' "'Then I'm a fool! to be taught by a fanatical youngster of eighteen!' he returned hotly. 'Again, will you drop this thing, or not?' "I felt a great strength surge up in me, and I stood erect. "'Father, it grieves me to wound you, but Christ suffered, and if needs be I must also. I have taken this step for life. I cannot retrace.' "'Then leave this house; you're no son of mine!' came the words, distinctly clear, as my father threw open the door wide, and pointed the way out. "The wind rushed in bringing the large hail-stones from the storm without. "'In the storm, father, this dark night?' I asked incredulously. "'I've said it!' was his short answer. "My mother made to intercede for me, but he pushed her back, and stood between us. "'Better no son at all, than one to disgrace us!' he declared, sternly. I looked out into the blackness of night, then at the cheerful fire, lighting up the room in genial comfort. "Satan whispered, 'Don't be a fool. Your father's religion is good enough for you. You're a stranger to the new religion. You'll do more good and sacrifice less by staying with the old.' "But the angel of the Lord led me out,--out into the darkness, penniless, alone, with the cries of my mother ringing in my ears.