Editor’s Table

EDITOR'S TABLE. 61

February 12th, he opened the Italian mission, translating the Book of Mormon. Returning in July, 1852, after three years absence, he was elected a member of the territorial legislature, where he served three terms in the house and twenty-three in the council, until 1882. With fifty families, he founded Brigham City, in 1855, where he dwelt, established the united order of Brigham, and presided over the Box Elder Stake for twenty-two years, until August 1877, serving also on two missions during this period — in 1872 with George A. Smith to Europe and Palestine, and, in 1864, to the Sandwich Islands. It was in March while on this latter mission that he was providentially saved after being drowned in the Pacific. About the time the "raid" was in full force, in November, 1885, he was convicted of unlawful cohabitation, and sentenced to three terms of six months each in the Utah peni- tentiary, serving eleven months, and being later released on a writ of habeas corpus. On the 6th of April, 1889, he became president of the quorum of Twelve Apostles, which position he magnified until he was made President of the Church, September 13, 1898, eleven days after the death of President Woodruff. He chose as his counselors George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith. When he became President, the Church, owing to the troubles incident to the confiscation of its property, was largely involved in debt, and so he set about to relieve the financial strain by author- izing two bond issues aggregating a million dollars, thus paying the most pressing obligations of the Church, and materially reduc- ing the interest rate. Then followed the movement which revived the observance of the law of tithing, — a movement which has marked his administration as one of the most notable in the history of the Church. It began by meetings in St George and the South,

in May, 1899, and was followed by a universal gathering of the leading authorities of the Priesthood in the Temple, whence the message of reform, like a wave, rolled over every stake of Zion, awaking the people to their duty. The Saints were reminded of the promise that this would be a land of Zion only to those who obeyed the divine law in relation to tithes and offerings. They mu3t pay their tithes, not alone to release the Church from debt, which was a mere incident, but because it is a command of the Lord and must be obeyed. Past remissness would be forgiven, but

—

62 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

in the future, there must be no neglect of the heavenly law. It

was promised that if the law were obeyed, great blessings would come to the Saints; while if it were not heeded, the Lord for their disobedience would scourge them with calamities. The people responded in humility and love, and tithes and offerings came as never before. President Snow grew in their estimation as they in the fear of God. Their conditions improved, prospects brightened, and with them came improvements in the affairs of the Church. At no time has God showered blessings upon his people in greater abundance than since they began to comply with this law. The floating obligations of the Church were paid; and means are on hand to meet all obligations, as they become due. Changes and improvements followed, with great temporal as well as spiritual revivals, that promise mighty results for the future. The Bee Hive block was divided, making two new streets College Avenue and Temple Street; the Bee Hive was made the official residence of the President; old, unsightly landmarks were removed, and the Church property renovated; the Latter-day Saints University was established, and one of its buildings erected; the Brigham Young Memorial Building and Barratt Hall were begun; the Woman's building was founded and encouraged; the tabernacle organ was remodeled; organ recitals were instituted; the magnificent Deseret News building was nearly completed; the printing of Church publications was taken from private printers and placed in the hands of the Church printing office; and the Deseret News greatly improved and made the official organ of the Church. To President Snow must be given the credit, in the hands of God, of inaugurating this progressive business policy. Of his chief personal characteristics, Historian Orson F. Whit- ney says:

President Snow's mentality was a rare and varied combination. He was a natural financier, and at the same time a spiritually minded man, of literary tastes and poetic temperament. He was not sanctimonious; he could not be a fanatic or a bigot if he wished. He was too well- balanced for that —too broad-minded and charitable. He would never persecute a man for his opinions, nor interfere with his religious wor- ship, however much he might disapprove of them. At the same time he was a pattern of piety, an exemplary Christian gentleman, zealous in and

EDITOR'S TABLE. 63

devoted to the cause that he deemed divine. No tyrant, but a man of firm will, prompt in deciding, fearless and thorough in executing his purposes. No politician, yet wisely politic, regardful of proprieties and of all men's rights. No one ever imposed upon him without his knowing it, and few cared to impose upon him twice. Bland and soft-spoken, as a rule, he could be stern, and was plain and straightforward in express- ing his opinions. Once convinced of the correctness of an idea, a doc- trine, principle, policy or course of conduct, he adhered to it with inflexi-

ble resolution. In his public discourses he spoke straight to the point, and his manner and diction were entirely without ostentation. While spirited and independent, he was not combative in his disposition, but was essentially a man of peace, a humanitarian. * * * *

There was not in all Utah, nor in the entire West, a more interesting personality than this great Prophet, Seer, Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. * * * Placidity of mind, even in the midst of trouble and danger, was characteristic of President Snow. He made the best of every situation, and readily adapted himself to his surroundings, however uncomfortable and oppressive they might be, holding it to be the part of true wisdom, the optimistic stoic- ism expected of a saint, to seek to derive from every condition the knowl- edge and discipline which the All-wise Dispenser of human affairs intended that condition to bestow. He undoubtedly owed to this faculty and disposition, quite as much as to his virtuous and temperate life, that remarkable perpetuation of youthful vigor, which, like the Gulf stream in Arctic waters, softened and tempered for him the frostiness of age.

With song, and music, and eulogy, mingled with the tears of old and young, President Snow's body was laid to rest, Sunday, October 13, on the hillside, in the cemetery above the beautiful settlement, Brigham — city of his founding. His spirit is exalted with the just. To him went out, in death as they had in life, the love and respect of a mighty and peculiar people, all of whom, if

it had been possible, would gladly have placed flowers upon his bier; or, like the children of Box Elder, bestrewn with blossoms the pathway of his last journey.

ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.

And so the prophet's lips are sealed, a noble workman of our Father is carried away,- but the work of our God falters not upon its march of triumph. Other men are chosen who will make it

64 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

equally effective in their day.Other servants of the Lord have had conferred upon them the authority of the First Presidency. The First Quorum in the Church is again completely organized. On Thursday, October 17, 1901, at the meeting of the Apostles in the Temple, Joseph F. Smith was chosen and set apart as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he selected as his counselor John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund. Brigham Young was chosen and set apart as President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. The Priesthood and the Saints have been called to meet in special conference on November 10, 1901, to ratify this organization. The prayers of the Church will ever ascend in behalf of these brethren, while the work of the Lord, having auspiciously begun another administration in the history of its achievements, will continue to advance in the pathway of its glorious destiny!

THE ACTIVE LIFE.

If one quality more than another shines forth in the life of our new Chief Magistrate, Theodore Roosevelt, it is work. In his famous Chicago speech of April, 1899, he proclaimed the strenu- ous life, thus repeating the admonition of ages given in both Bible and profane history. He said: "I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life; the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shirk from hardship or from bitter toil, and who, out of these, wins the splendid, ultimate triumph." Although younger than any man who before has held the presidency of the United States, President Roosevelt has fully ex- emplified his own doctrine in his own life. It is said that in youth

he was weaker than most boys, but he became strong by deter- mined exercise and right living. His intellect was not brilliant,

EDITOR'S TABLE. 65

Tmt who shall say that he has not done more with the talents en- trusted to him, than many a genius. By that mysterious circum- stance which we call accident of birth, he was from the first placed beyond creature wants, and yet he has toiled harder, more zeal- ously, longer and better, than most men who must work for daily bread. The results have been wonderful, for, aside from his own progress, the whole state of New York has been made better by his powerful moral influence, wielded in its government; and the nation has received uncounted benefit in the advancement and betterment of its civil service, —for the President is a vigorous advocate of the merit system in politics; his achievements in litera- ture, and on the field of battle in the interest of liberty, are glori- ous examples and fitting material upon which to build the super- structure of greater accomplishments in the office which he now holds, and which is the greatest gift of the greatest nation on earth. And so our view Executive's career is a worthy illustration of life in its high and true sense —a life of activity and toil, even when such activity is not necessary to keep body and soul together, or to provide for the luxuries of life. The lesson to be impressed from his career is that the real necessity for hard, earnest toil is in no way diminished because men may be surrounded by comfort and luxury. This agrees with the teachings of the wisest writer of the ages: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest." It has been the doctrine of all phil-

osophers and all literature from the beginning; hence, if a man, wealthy or poor, wishes to rise above mere existence, he must work with all the force within him, for only through labor and virtue can permanent good result. The history of the Latter-day Saints is an illustration of the strenuous life and its inevitable results. Where is there a mightier example of toil and effort, of labor and strife, hardship and bitter sacrifice! and where a more "splendid, ultimate tri-

umph!" Young men who have partaken of the ease and luxury of this triumph must not forget, however, that the very fact that they

66 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

have fewer difficulties to overcome, places upon them a heavier responsibility. The pioneers and founders toiled out of necessity; but to accomplish permanent good, their children must labor out of choice. Every man among us who is not doing his best, not- withstanding he is not pushed to it by necessity, is not doing his full duty. He who merely seeks easy peace, walking not in the way of that "splendid ultimate triumph," is ignobly surrendering

his life and the cause of the fathers, to failure. He should pray that the lesson of Church and President may be brought home to his heart with force, so that, with them, he may feel and know that the way to progress and success is "through difficulties."

A WAY TO BUILD HOME AND CHARACTER.

In the address of welcome, at the late October semi-annual conference of the Church, President Joseph F. Smith referred to several important themes, and gave some practical every-day in- structions, suitable to the growth and progress of the saints, and directed against various evils that exist among the people. These topics were treated by following speakers during the conference. Among the texts he mentioned were the prevalence of blasphemy and Sabbath-breaking, the chewing and smoking of tobacco, and the drinking of strong drinks. It was said, and with much truth

we greatly regret to say, that all these evils were indulged in by many of the young men of Zion. As before stated in these columns, the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. some weeks ago adopted the following resolution which every association should present to its membership for approval. When that is done, each individul member should determine in his own heart to comply therewith, and in order that he may not for- get his covenant, it would be well to copy the words and keep them where they can be read every day. It will help build his character.

EDITORS TABLE. 67

Here is the resolution: "Resolved, that all M. I. A. officers and members shall make special effort this season to inculcate rev- erence for the Deity, and labor against the sins of blasphemy and profanity." In this connection, the following incident, related by a writer in Success, is well worth preserving in like manner. It will perhaps aid you in forming another resolution which, if kept, will help to build your home, and also make you a man of better character. The writer relates that a short time ago, a young man was complain- ing to a friend of poverty, and his inability to save money. "How much do you spend for luxuries?" asked his friend. "Luxuries!" answered the young man, "if by luxuries you mean cigars and a few drinks, I don't average —including an occa- sional cigar or cocktail for a friend, —over six dollars a week. Most of the boys spend more; but I make it a rule to be moderate in my expenditures." "Ten years ago," declared the friend, "I was spending about the same amount every week for the same things, and paying thirty dollars a month for five inconvenient rooms up four flights of stairs. I had just married then, and one day I had told my

wife that I so loved her that I longed to have her in a place befit- ting her needs and refinement. 'John,' was her reply, 'If you love me well enough to give up two things which are not only useless, but extremely harmful to you, we can, for what those things alone cost, own a pretty home in ten years.' "She sat down by me with pencil and paper, and in less than

five minutes had demonstrated that she was right. You dined with me in the suburbs the other day, and spoke of the beauty and conven- ience of our cottage. That cottage cost three thousand dollars,

and every dollar of it was my former cigar and drink money. But I gained more than a happy wife and pretty home by this saving; I gained self-control, better health, self-respect, a truer manhood, a more permanent happiness. I desire every young man who is try- ing to secure pleasure through smoking and drinking, whether moderately or immoderately, to make use of his judgment, and pencil and paper, and see if he is not forfeiting in a number of directions far more than he is gaining." The mathematical operation is very simple; fifty-two weeks in