Editor’s Table: Death of President Franklin Dewey Richards; An American Port in China; A Question on Tithing

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EDITOR'S TABLE.

DEATH OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DEWEY RICHARDS.

Just fourteen minutes after midnight, on the morning of December 9, 1899, Apostle Franklin Dewey Richards, President of the quorum of Twelve Apostles of The Church, died at his home in Ogden. He was born at Richmond, Massachusetts, April 2, 1821, and was the son of Phineas and Wealthy Richards. He was baptized by his father, in 1836, was ordained a seventy in 1839, an apostle in 1849, and became president of the quorum of Twelve Apostles when Apostle Lorenzo Snow was chosen President of The Church, in 1898. He was buried in the Ogden Cemetery, his funeral being attended by President Snow, the Twelve, and large concourses of people. He filled many missions at home and in foreign lands, and his name is familiar to the Saints in all the world. It may truly be said that he served the people all his days, and that, too, in both a religious and a civil capacity. He held the important office of probate judge in Weber County from 1869 to 1883. Among his other labors he was historian of The Church, and in this capacity did much to preserve valuable data, civil and ecclesiastical. He was also the president of the State Historical Society. He was among the first to recognize the value of mutual improvement among the young people, and established and presided over a successful association in Ogden two years before the general movement was inaugurated forming these associations in 1875He was ever after interested in them, and was a dear friend to the youth of Zion. He was an ideal Latter-day Saint. Kind, fatherly, loving — man who won the respect and confidence of all who knew him.

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When he spoke, all listened as to one who would utter only that which was good, and which would grieve none. He was thoroughly in accord with the spirit of Joseph Smith, his very being vibrating with the testimony of the prophet's divine mission. One of the sweet traits of Brother Franklin's character was the exemplification in his life of the saying of Job: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." He bowed always to the will of God, and endured much, but by such humility and endurance set an example that has strengthened others to bear more joyfully their burdens of life, and to yield instead of breaking into pieces. He was for Zion, true and faithful under all circumstances, and was one of the noblemen of the human race. If such as he are not exalted in the presence of the Lord, who then on earth will ever gain

a glory? Thousands will remember his fatherly advice, his interested friendship, his kind words, his respect for authority and his servants of the Lord; and so remembering, will be deference for the better, and happier, and more charitable and loving, because Brother Franklin lived. in every home in Zion The Church will greatly miss him, and there will be felt an indescribable loss, as when one who is dearly loved has said his last good night. His example will shine out like

a beacon light, and well may we all exclaim: "You may count me as he, in with him. to be with him, to associate with such I wish the ages of eternity." His memory, the Kingdom of God throughout inspiration to the living of noble his character, his works, will be an lives by all who learn of him or knew him.

AN AMERICAN PORT IN CHINA.

question and the prob- Those who have studied the Philippine of view, have realized lem of expansion from a commercial point possessions in the Philippines was but a that the question of our The war with Spam led to preliminary step to something further. conquest will lead us into com- political conquest, and that political drive interests are very likely to mercial struggles. Commercial

232 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

us onward just as they have driven Germany, Russia, and other nations into an aggressive foreign policy, and the question now forces itself upon us, Do we also want a port in China? That country promises to be one of the greatest markets in the world, and about it are centered today the greatest commercial struggles of Europe. Russia has a port in China, and so have France, England and Germany, yet the commerce of France, Germany, or Russia in the Chinese Empire is not equal to that of the United States. In 1893, our trade in China amounted to eight million dollars, chiefly from cotton and woolen goods. Within six years it has grown to twenty million dollars, and this seems to be but a small beginning of American commerce in the Celestial Empire. Many advocates of expansion in the Philippines have had constantly in view its bearing on our Chinese trade. As neighbors to China, we shall feel that we are entitled to the highest commercial considerations. From what has been said, the far reaching consequences of the step which the administration has just taken can be readily understood. Our embassadors are instructed to obtain from Russia, France and Germany written assurances that our trade shall not be interfered with by any policy of annexation which may be followed by any of these nations. We shall stand shoulder to shoulder with England in demanding an open door, and the commercial interests of these two great Anglo-Saxon nations will demand from all other European countries adequate protection for their trade. One is naturally led to wonder whether the United States, when order and government are established in the Philippines, will not take the first At any rate, it is evident opportunity to secure a port in China. that no important changes can be made in that country without taking into consideration the interests of this country in that empire. Russia and Germany have all given assurances of their intention to open the ports under their jurisdiction free to all foreign trade. Russia has taken great pains to assure the American people that there is a friendly feeling and interest in that country for the United States and that her ports are open to trade, and if the American people desire a "sphere of influence" it can be had in

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Manchuria. This Chinese province is directly under Russian control. France has made no reply. Strong hopes are now entertained that the Pacific will increase immensely in commerce with Asiatic countries, and there can be lit- in its power to tle doubt that the government will do everything

promote American trade among our neighbors in the Orient.

A QUESTION ON TITHING.

A friend residing in Dingle, Bear Lake County, asks a question His inquiry on tithing, and requests a reply through the Era. reads: raising, and "Do people who are engaged in cattle and sheep or sheep, owe a tithing on the who pay a tithing on their cattle hay said cattle and sheep eat?" purchased." The The answer is, "Yes; provided the hay is not requires all the surlaw of tithing is very plain: First, the Lord bishop of The Church; plus property to be put into the hands of the

"and this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people; and tithed, shall pay one-tenth of after that, those who have thus been their interest annually,and this shall be a standing law unto them saith the Lord." forever, for my holy priesthood, One-tenth of What is the tithing on the interest of the field? product. the hay, or grain, or vegetable Every tenth What is the tithing on the interest of the cattle? tenth gallon calf, every tenth pound of butter or cheese, and every

of milk. . . „ . ,

In paying tithing, the point to remember is that all interest and, further, the payment of increase and profit, should be tithed; unto whom we owe it to be as tithing is a dealing with the Lord with liberal as*he is with us, or in other words, to deal as liberally deal with us. the Lord as we hope that he will