Editor’s Table

EDITOR^S TABLE. THE BOER WAR. More than ten months have passed since the beginning of the war in southern Africa, and the Boers are still resisting Lord Roberts' army of two hundred thousand men. The Boers have availed themselves of the natural defense of the Leydensburg district, and are now carrying on vigorously a guerrilla warfare. At the present time, a winter season. in that country, the British are suffering severely in consequence of the rigorous climate. It is said that more than thirty thousand soldiers have been returned to England because of their physical inability and sickness. The English army, like the American during the Spanish war, is having its medical and hospital scandal. The surrender of General Prinsloo with his five thousand men was a severe blow to the Orange River Free State army, which is now designated by the English as the Orange River Colony. The Free Staters are practically out of the contest, as the army of General Dewet cannot long defend their country. It would seem the better plan for the army of the Orange River Free State to give up any further efforts to defend the state, and unite their forces with those of the Transvaal, where the opportunities for natural defense are so much more favorable. While the events of the war in South Africa have not been of an exciting nature, they are giving rise to a great many side-issues. In the first place, Dutch aiders and abettors in Cape Colony are to be tried for treason, and there are tens of thousands of them, so that a considerable portion of this i

EDITOR'S TABLE. 861 English colony must be taken, day after day, to the judicial "grist mill." Too great a severity against the Dutch will be used as political capital by the Liberal Party in England. Indeed, Mr. Chamberlain feels this danger, and has announced a liberal policy on the part of his government which will, he says, propose with-holding political rights from the Dutch for ten years, and that after that period, they will be permitted to enjoy local self-government as it is enjoyed in other local self-governments under British rule. Both great pohtical parties in the United States give their attention to the Boer war, the Democrats in strong terms, the Republicans in moderate ones; but both parties, however, in terms favorable to the Boers. This will cut no figure in the campaign, and will have no effect either in England or South Africa. MINISTERS AND MONEY. A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and he that is rash in his talk shall be hated. — Ecdesiasticus. A Methodist conference is being held in Salt Lake City, at this writing. The reverend gentlemen who take part seem specially solicitous about the Latter-day Saints. A number have devoted much of their speaking time, if we may believe the reports of the daily newspapers, to the hurling of invective against the "Mormons." We have only space to notice one or two ranting products of their ill tongues. A Dr. King, who acknowledges himself to be a law-breaker in that he agrees with such as break the law of the land, declared: "No; it was not law that excluded Roberts; it was the Christian conscience of the nation. B. H. Roberts," he declared, "had as good a legal right to his seat in Congress as any other member of that body. It wasn't law, it was God's gospel that kept Roberts out of Congress."

862 IMPROVEMENT ERA. In view of this very disloyal remark, men of broad views are in duty bound to exclaim that the Union would be in bad straits were it to be ruled by such Christian conscience as would be created and inculcated by this narrowgrooved Methodist, and selfconfessed law breaker at heart, Dr. King. Bishop Fowler, who is evidently an old man so steeped in prejudice that for him there is no hope of repentance, was especially unfair and mean. If he is reported right, he is a veteran liar, too. There are thirty-thousand young men in "Mormondom" whose honest, industrious, virtuous lives, and noble families, will support us in this statement, when they learn that he said, referring to the "Mormon" Church: "They (The Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church in Utah) are fighting a system that was founded upon a falsehood, and that is fostered in vice." The work of the "Mormons" in the world, both in a spiritual and a temporal direction, denies this falsehood of Bishop Fowler, and speaks louder than words in its own defense. On the contrary, the "Mormon" system has redeemed more people, in the past seventy years, from poverty and vice, than were ever rescued by the long-haired fraternity of the Methodist Church in all their lengthened careers. It has taught more truth; expounded more common sense; made clearer the true mission of our Savior; made more people happy, and its converts have sacrificed more for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. • No; Bishop Fowler, such work could not have been accomplished by this people, if the "Mormon" Church had been "founded upon a falsehood and fostered in vice." We testify to you, and you will have it to answer for: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded upon revelation from God, and fostered in and by the love of Jesus Christ. But the motive — the milk in the cocoa nut — excuses much of what the bishop said. Listen again; the italics, which are ours, tell the true reason for the invective: I have been in Wyoming and find the Mormons spreading over that state; there are many of them in New Mexico, and if things keep on as they are now going, there will be before twenty-five years a larger territory cursed and blighted with Mormonism than was touched by

EDITOR'S TABLE. 863 slavery before the war. And unless the churches put men, money and energy into the field against ttis evil the coming generations will have a problem on their hands that they cannot easily master. * * * The hardest problem to be found anywhere in the mission field is to be found right here. I believe that Utah is nearer the mouth of hell than any other place on the earth. I said that once before, and I repeat it now. Money wanted! If the Methodist ministers have such love for the gospel, such aversion to the "Mormon" system, such concern for the country so "cursed and blighted" with "Mormonism," why is it that they are not willing, like the "Mormons" are, to show their love and concern by their works? Why not send hundreds of missionaries, with the love of right and of the Gospel burning in their hearts, to these "Mormons," and give them light? Why not do it without money? So do the despised "Mormons" to the nations. But one is led to suspect that the Methodist ministers are missionaries for what there is in it. No money, no mission! So do not the despised "Mormons." They go because they love the principles which they promulgate, and not because they covet money reward. That explains why the Latter-day Saints are spreading from Mexico to Canada, and from California to Maine, and into Europe and the islands of the sea; while, as Rev. Iliff explained in his sketch, the Methodist Home Mission Society, born in Ogden, in 1881, has spread all the way from Ogden to Sanpete. Methodism is built upon the wrong foundation; the ministers who preach for hire and divine for money have no heart in their work, only as it brings them money; hence, they cannot succeed. The Church of Jesus Christ is built upon the foundation of living truth, and its missionaries have an abiding testimony of it; it cannot fail, for truth endureth forever. The hireling ministers who think they serve God by reviling the Saints, and who think they own the kingdom of the Father because they feign piety, will awaken some day to find that: "Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another" — to the Latter-day Saints. Indeed, this day has already come. The perfected change will increase liberty; widen patriotism for country, home and family; set on high the

864 IMPROVEMENT ERA. nobility of virtue, hasten the final universal brotherhood of man, and the millennial reign of peace. SEEK WISDOM. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord commanded his servants: "Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom: seek learning even by study, and also by faith." Solomon, the wise, declared: "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding, for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew." The son of Sirach, who, next to Solomon, is said to have been the wisest man, said: "Wisdom exalteth her children, and receiveth them that seek her, and will go before them an the way of righteousness. He that loveth her, loveth life, and they that seek life in the morfting shall have great joy. He that keepeth her, shall inherit glory, for unto whom she entereth, him the Lord will bless. They that honor her, shall be the servants of the Holy One, and them that love her, the Lord doth love. Whoso giveth ear unto her, shall judge the nations, and he that goeth unto her, shall dwell safely. * * * * p^j. ^j.^^ gj^g ^ju walk with him by crooked ways, and bring him iifto fear and dread, and torment him with her discipline, until she hath tried his soul and hath proved him by her judgments. Then will she return the straight way unto him, and comfort him, and show him her secrets, and heap upon him the treasures of knowledge, and understanding of righteousness. But if he go wrong, she will forsake him and give him over into the hands of his destruction."