After a careful study of the facts in the case, it seems to be clear that the evidence is overwhelming in substantiation of the declaration that _it was often practised in the past_; and it seems to be equally clear that, while it _may_ be _the fact_ that this abominable practice is still carried on, only more adroitly than formerly, yet _the mass of evidence_ is overwhelming in opposition to that view and in favor of the opinion that the incoming of thousands of Gentiles and Federal officers have effectually stopped the practice of that barbarous doctrine. _Nevertheless, it remains one of their doctrines._ 11. Another Mormon doctrine, and one of which much is made, is the doctrine of the _Fulness of Times_. The Mormons claim that whatever good thing in doctrine and practice has ever existed in the world under former dispensations has been restored in these last days; and so to the Latter-Day Saints have come all the blessings of all past ages, especially the priesthood, polygamy, and all the offices and gifts of the days of the apostles. They believe the day of miracles has not ceased, but that many such have been wrought, especially healings of the sick, in the latter-day dispensation. They believe, also, in giving one tenth of their income and increase for the building of the temples and the progress of the Church. CHAPTER XIV. THE RELIGIOUS PUZZLE (_continued_). _Professor Coyner's_ analysis of Mormonism--_Rev. Dr. McNiece's_ analysis--Reasons for the growth and tenacity of Mormonism--The Christian element its chief source of strength--No Mormon converts from heathenism--Protestantism the source of its recruits--Bible doctrines in the Mormon "Catechism for Children"--The Mormon Articles of Faith--The Mormon heresy compared with Gnosticism in the early Christian Church--A clue to the solution of the religious puzzle. From the enumeration of some of the prominent and peculiar doctrines of Mormonism which was given in the preceding chapter, it can very clearly be seen that it is naught else than a jumble of a half dozen different systems of religion. _Professor Coyner_, Principal of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute for ten years, has analyzed it as follows: "Mormonism is made of twenty parts. Take eight parts of diabolism, three parts of animalism from the Mohammedan system, one part bigotry from old Judaism, four parts cunning and treachery from Jesuitism, two parts Thugism from India, and two parts Arnoldism, and then shake the mixture over the fires of animal passion and throw in the forms and ceremonies of the Christian religion, and you will have this system in its true component elements." But, subtle as that analysis is, it cannot be true; for it does not include in the system, as even one of its twenty parts, Christianity; and yet it seems to me that it is the Christian element in the system which, mingled with a great deal of error, gives it its real strength.