The Tide of Life: A Plea for Mormon Civilization

TIDE OF LIFE.

A PLEA FOR "MORMON" CIVILIZATION. III.

BY J. H. WARD.

What then is the prospect for the future? In the world at large, an ever increasing proportion of the population is rushing to the cities; while at the same time the two great roots of moral life the home and the church are as steadily decreasing in power and influence. Where in our great cities can we find as vigorous moral influences as those which minister to their physical life. Philadelphia is said to be the most moral of our great cities; and yet, even there* we find seven and a half times as much crime to a given population as in the average rural county of Pennsylvania. Further, we find that the statistics of crime are in inverse pro- portion to the power of home and church influence. We learn from the census of 1890 that of every hundred families on the farm, sixty-six own their homes. In cities of less than a hundred thou- sand population, thirty-six own their own homes. In the larger cities only twenty three per cent own their own homes. In Boston only eighteen per cent live in their own homes, and in New York less than six per cent. Of course the institution of the home with all its saving influences may exist in the tenement, but it is less likely

to do so, and it certainly cannot exist where there are several families in a single room. Mr. Charles Booth in his great work* "Life and Labor of the People in London," shows that of the

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5,000,000 inhabitants of that city, 2,257,000 people (nearly half the population) live singly or in companies in one room— sleeping, cooking, eating, and bathing, if at all, within the same four walls. As cities grow more populous, land values and rents increase, and the people are packed away in closer quarters. Under such con- ditions, hotel, lodging-house and tenement-house populations in- crease and homes decrease. Homes are disappearing at each of the two social extremes. Among the rich, hotel and club life is being substituted for home. With the increase of wealth, and interest-bearing securities, there isa growing idle class which is migratory. They spend a few weeks in one climate and then flit to another. They have so many houses that they have no homes; and their mode of life is, perhaps, as trying to moral character as even the slums. Not only is home influence, but likewise religious influence of all kinds, becoming weaker as the nation becomes wealthier. In 1840 there was in Boston one church capable on the average of holding 400 persons for every 1228 inhabitants; by 1890 this church capacity had decreased relatively, so there was only one church for every 2,581. In New York, in 1840, there was one church for every 1,992; in 1890, there was only one church for every 4,361 —less than one-tenth the room requisite to contain the population, and as for Sabbath Schools there were still fewer accommodations. What is still worse, those churches are never filled; a comparative few of

a certain social circle fill a few of the seats and listen to the musi- cal execution of the choir, or the stereotyped utterances of the speaker who dares not advance an idea which is not in accord with those who have hired him. Agnosticism, indifference and blatant infidelity exist where should be spiritual vigor. The so-called Christian sects have fossilized their beliefs and creeds and hedged about with iron bars their theological tenets, saying, "Thus far we will go and no farther." The churches are no longer in touch with humanity; they have lost their power over the masses. No wonder then that the Buddhist city of Benares is morally superior to the so- called Christian city of London. No cries of exclamation are nec- essary when we mention that 'in the half-barbarous empire of Japan the crime statistics are smaller than in our much boasted Christian nation of America.

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Now it is worthy of remark that in those points which are acknowledged to be the weakest in American civilization, the "Mor- mon" people have achieved their greatest triumphs. There are more happy homes among the"Mormon" people in proportion to their num- bers than among any other people in the world, and the influence of religious thought, both in their churches and in their everyday life, is greater than among any other people. The well founded, yet oft rejected,doctrine of the pre-existence of spirits has become deeply rooted in the minds of the "Mormon" people. Upon this doctrine depends to a great extent many of the movements connected with their social and religious life. Devout "Mormons" look upon the membership of their Church as one vast brotherhood. Hence the comparatively small amount of litigation to be found among them. Dozens, aye, hundreds of lawyers come to Utah with the intention of settling among the "Mormons :" but soon

find to their disgust that there is little opportunity to live from the fees derived from professional services. Another fact is uni- versally noticed, by observant strangers, and that is the etiquette of equality that everywhere prevails. The practical philanthrophy that prevails in regard to the aged and the poor is frequently noticed by the stranger who sojourns here, though it be only a few days.Nowhere are old people so highly honored and so carefully cared for as among the "Mormons." Food and raiment are systematically provided for the poorer classes, and festivals are regularly appointed for their pleasure. So thoroughly are the poor provided for that it has been justly said that there is no need for beggars to be seen on the streets of Salt Lake City. But it is in the home life of the "Mormon" people that this doc- trine of pre-existence shows itself to peculiar advantage; as a con-

sequence, children are much more appreciated than in the world at large. It is generally believed that the choicest spirits have been

reserved to come forth in these days when God has a great and mighty work to perform. The parents therefore feel a greater responsibility, that their children shall develop, mentally, morally

and physically, to the highest degree. Intelligent "Mormons" observe

every known law that will conduce to the improvement of their

offspring. Even injurious pre-natal influences are guarded against, moral growth. and every facility given to physical, mental, and

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And what has been the result? Notwithstanding the privations and hardships of pioneer life, which in some instances have left indelible marks, yet, in general, "Mormon" children show a remark- able development in every particular. The great volume of history teaches the following facts. All

great reforms have made slow progress at the beginning; the world hates what it does not comprehend; all reformers have been misunderstood, and in many cases lived lives of suffering for the good of men. The "Mormon" people can patiently wait till a clearer day shall dawn and those who do not now comprehend shall ackowl- edge the superiority of "Mormon" civilization.

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