Toby who had all along, I think, expected to be pounced on as a possible plural wife backed away from the altar, but the Bishop was speaking impersonally. He explained that any Mormon happy in his present matrimonial venture (I use the singular, as polygamy is now illegal both in Canada and the United States) may extend that happiness to eternity, and insure getting the same wife in Heaven by this ceremony. He himself had been sealed,--“the children sitting on each side of us in their white robes,”--the ceremonial garment,--and was secure in the belief that his family happiness would continue after death. [Illustration: A MORMON IRRIGATED VILLAGE.] [Illustration: THE “MILLION DOLLAR” MORMON TEMPLE AT CARDSTON, ALBERTA, CANADA.] We broached with some hesitation the subject of polygamy. The Bishop readily took it up, declaring polygamy entirely abolished. “Even at its height, not more than three per cent of our men had plural wives,” he said. “As few as that?” “Yes.” “Then since the majority never sanctioned it, the Church has abolished it, and you yourself never practised it, I suppose you consider it wrong?” “Oh, no--I shouldn’t call it wrong. Why, it was the best advertising we could possibly have had. People heard of the Mormons all over the world, and began talking about them,--all because of polygamy. I don’t suppose we should ever have become so prosperous and powerful without the free advertising it gave us. It enabled us to extend our faith to all corners of the earth. While each church has its parish, bishops, elders and presidents, our system is so complete that in three hours the Head of the church can communicate a mandate to the furthest missionary in Japan or India.” “But it wasn’t very _good_ advertising, perhaps?” “Any advertising is good advertising, so long as it gets people talking.”