Editor's Table

EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION.

It was a hundred years, on April 30, 1903, since the purchase of the Louisiana territory was consummated at Paris. It is the largest and most important real estate deal that this country ever made. It comprised the great central section of the United States

lying between the Mississippi river on the east, and the Rocky mountains on the west, and extending from the Gulf of Mexico on the south to British America on the north. From the mouth of the great river to the extreme northwestern point, its length is about two thousand miles; its width, at the extreme north, about one thou- sand miles, from which it narrows to the narrowest portion what— is now the State of Louisiana. Texas then belonged to Mexico, and California, the country west of the Rockies, was a possession of Spain. Louisiana first belonged to France, but in 1765 it was ceded to Spain, and later by secret treaty the Spanish government transferred Louisiana back to the French. This displeased the Americans who were trying to negotiate with Spain for the use of the mouth of the Mississippi for an outlet for their products. They regarded France as more formidable than Spain, and, hence, were greatly distressed at the change. But on account of looking after the revolt in Haiti, the French had not taken possession at New Orleans. President Jefferson took advantage of this, and tried to purchase of Napoleon the east bank of the Miss- issippi river to its mouth. Our minister in Paris, Mr. Robert Livingston was unable to do this. Then the President sent James Monroe, a special envoy with authority to treat at Paris and Ma- drid, and to buy New Orleans and the river outlet for two million

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dollars. Suddenly Napoleon proposed through his finance minister that the United States should purchase not only New Orleans but the whole French territory, including almost a million square miles of country, most of which had never been seen by white man. Commissioners Livingston and Monroe had no authority to buy, there was no quick way to communicate with this country, Napoleon was anxious to close the deal, and so Mr. Livingston of New York and Mr. Monroe of Virginia took it upon themselves to close the bargain, and they signed the treaty, which doubled the domain of the United States. About fifteen million dollars was the price to be paid by this country as a consideration for the ces- sion of the Louisiana tract. Napoleon doubtless had broad enough vision^ to see that the American pioneer would at last take the country, and it was therefore best for him to dispose of all his in- terests peaceably and get this sum of money which now (in view of the fact that its assessed valuation alone amounts to nearly seven billion dollars, with a population of fifteen million people)

seems a paltry sum, but which was a vast sum then. It was

statesmanship on Napoleon's part, and broad vision that actuated our commissioners when they made the bargain and signed the -treaty, April 30, 1803. The news of the purchase reached the President July 1, of that year, and that was only four days before the expedition of Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark started on its notable tour of exploration of the great region, under the pat- ronage and arrangement of the President. The summer of 1805 found the expedition safely descending the Columbia, the winter having been spent with the Mandan Indians, on the Missouri, in what is now Dakota. The Portland, Oregon, exposition to be held in 1905 will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this remarkable exploration of 1804-5-6, and one of the most notable achievements in the pioneer history of the world. Three tiers of states have been carved out of this territory: first, Louisiana (1812), Missouri (1821), Arkansas (1836), Iowa

(1846), Minnesota (1858); second, Kansas (1861), Nebraska (1867), North and South Dakota (1889), Oklahoma and Indian Territory; third, eastern Colorado (1876), Montana (1889), and Wyoming (1890). It has an area of 875,025 square miles, or 560,016,000

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acres of land, and is four times greater than the German empire, and larger than Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Italy combined. It includes the most important wheat and corn areas in the world, while its southern part is noted for its

cotton and other products. This wilderness, which was bought by Jefferson and his agents and traversed by Lewis and Clark, finds outlet for its commerce in scores of thousands of miles of railroad lines; and over fifteen million people have mines, farms, schools, factories and homes therein. Its development has mostly taken place since the close of the civil war. The whole section is prosperous, its agricultural pros- pects were never brighter. It is the one hundreth anniversary of this purchase that is to be celebrated in St. Louis, in 1904. The grounds and the buildings were dedicated on April 30, this year, in the presence of President Roosevelt, Ex-President Cleveland, and the diplomats of Spain, France, and other countries. The governors of the states were also there, including Governor Wells of Utah. It is well known that Utah has appropriated $50,000 for this exposition, and $10,000 for the Portland exposition in 1905. As the pioneers of Utah early crossed the great west and raised the stars and stripes in a foreign land across the borders of the Purchase, and as the Church had some of its most wonderful experiences therein, it is specially fitting that our citizens join the celebration. Accompanying the Utah delegation was President Joseph F. Smith, who dedicated the site of the Utah building after it had been selected by the governor. The Utah delegation was well treated by the people of St. Louis. This state will doubtless make a showing in mineral and other resources, that will be commensurate with its importance as a prosperous western commonwealth. As to the exposition in St. Louis, it will be one of the greatest if not the greatest ever held in this country. A comparison of the space covered in this fair and in other world's fairs is interesting. The first world's fair in London had under cover twenty-one acres; the Philadelphia centennial, fifty-six acres; the Paris fair in 1900, one hundred and twenty-five acres; Chicago, 1893, two hundred acres; but the Louisiana Purchase Exposition will have two hundred and fifty acres under cover, and one thousand one hundred and eighty acres in-

EDITOR'S TABLE. 625

eluded within the fence of the exposition gjrounds; twice as much as was included in the grounds at Chicago. Adjoining this vast area, will be seven hundred and seventy-one acres of park outside of the fair grounds. The expenses will be greater than at any previous fair, for the directors began with seventeen million dollars in hand, five million of which was personal subscriptions from citizens of St. Louis, six million from the United States government, five million by the city of St. Louis, one million by the State of Missouri. Every state in the Union will vote or have voted appropriations which will swell the account to over five million more; and many of the foreign countries will expend vast sums, so that fifty millions, at least, will be the propable total outlay. The Exposition will thus stand preeminent over all its predecessors, in extent, and magnitude, as well as in expenditure. The chance of a life time, to see the peoples and displays of all countries, and of every stage of civilization in the world, will here be offered to the visitor. It

is near our doors, and the citizens of Utah who desire a liberal education in all that pertains to a view of the arts and sciences of the world, — may here be accommodated, and they may also learn "how a single century of free institutions and unfettered enterprise can transform a wilderness into populous, rich and progressive commonwealths."

THE PROBABLE CAUSE.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to fully understand the un- friendly attitude of certain people towards the Latter-day Saints. Two incidents have recently caused some stir against the Saints; at least, have been the basis of much talk about them. Both have arisen from the opposition of the so-called ministers of the Gospel. They are, the inhospitable disposition of the German local officers toward our missionaries; and the jealousy and hatred of our growth and progress of certain ministars of the Protestant churches at home. Especially does the criticism of the ministers

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of the nation take the form of wrath when they see the Saints exercising their franchises as American citizens. They seem to believe that no member of our Church has a right to assert his mind in.politics; and, while members of their churches, and even they themselves, not only take part in politics, but also practice political intrigue in their pulpits and religious conventions, and, as religious organizations, engage in politics against the "Mor- mons" to their content— they are not willing, apparently, hearts' to grant the Saints the earned title and the right of American citizenship, individually, notwithstanding there is no politics in our Church, as a church. The Church does not engage in politics; its members belong to the political parties at their own pleasure —to the Republicans, the Democrats, or to no party at all.

They are not asked, much required, to vote less way or this that— a requirement made by the Protestant ministers of their members against the Saints. But they cannot justly be denied their rights as citizens, and their is no reason why they should be, for, on the average, they are as loyal, as sober, as well educated, as honest, as industrious, as virtuous, as moral, as thrifty, and as worthy in every other respect as any people in the nation, or on

the earth, for that matter. I think that they are just a little

better in these respects than most other communities or indi- viduals. A labor leader, during the coal strike, gave to M. Gohier, the famous French Dreyfusard, an illustration of how the Protestant churches are under a dangerous submission to the powers of the money classes I am really sorry for the parsons. Most of them are good fellows at heart. They know what Christ wanted to have said, and would be gen- uinely glad to preach it, if they dared. But Lord! how can they? They must look out for their salaries; they have their families to provide for.

Can it be possible that money is at the bottom of their agita- tion against the Saints? Or is it desire for notoriety? Were it not that their fight assists them in obtaining money and prestige from the misled public, and from wealthy people who are also mis- guided, there might be little or no censure from them for our people. It seems very strange that a body of ministers, who

EDITOR'S lABLE. 627

should have plenty of Christian work to do in their own parishes, should go out of their way to denounce a people who injure none, mind their own business, and who, in every good way, compare very favorably with any over which the ministers preside. These ministers are in a constant wrangle about what shall be their creed, but in one thing only they seem to be united — in their con- demnation of the Latter-day Saints. Why not unite on some scheme to better their own, and let the "Mormons" alone? Such would be the Christian way. The Saints in no way interfere with them or theirs, except to teach them the precepts of Christ. Harper's Weekly, carelessly, thoughtlessly joining with the crowd, declares that "no government that respects and values its own people wants 'Mormon' missionaries to go -among them." But it further declares that "the 'Mormon' machine is as efficient in turning inferior human material to industrial use as any machine in the world." Then the editor manages to dismiss the subject in this way:

In the popular mind the "Mormon" missionaries rank not as mission- aries, but as seducers of the ignorant and credulous. They are an extraordinary body of men — zealous, devoted and able. The closer they are watched abroad, and the more they are restricted in their proselyting enterprises, the better it will be for this country, which has to harbor them and their proselytes, and which finds in their insidious and spread- ing organization one of the ugliest problems it has on its hands.

Men who have studied social conditions in New York and the East, not forgetting Germany, and compared them with the social conditions in Utah, will smile at the last expression. If the social

conditions existing among the "Mormons" could be transferred to New York's "inferior human material" (and this might include some of their high-toned money classes), and turn.it to industrial use, would not the "material" as well as the country be greatly benefited? But the "Mormon" emigration has already been turned to good use before it lands in New York; there is not a better class of people in all respects, that land upon our shores, than the Saints whom our missionaries have converted. "By their fruits ye shall know them," is a true, old expres- sion, and, as a people, the Latter-day Saints are willing to be so

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628 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

judged. Why should the zeal, the devotion, the ability, the loy- alty, the virtue, the pastoral and happy family life, the industry, honesty, the thrift, the power to take the poor but honest in heart of the earth, and make them useful, loyal and happy citizens — powers rightly and justly attributed to the Church be regarded as dangerous to our nation? Why should such a Church organiza- tion be looked upon as "one of the ugliest problems it has on its hands?" And further, why should ministers of the gospel grow wild ^vith rage because men selected from such a people are sent to take part in our national aifairs? Can good, honest men con- taminate our national politics? We are not alone in holding these sentiments. Many thought- ful citizens of our own country are with us. Here is a selection from what Ella Wheeler Wilcox, who recently visited Utah, said of the Saints, in the New York Journal:

It is twenty years since polygamy has been a part of the "Mor-

mon" religion. Its devotees are dying out. Because a few men still remain who refuse to desert or cast off the families they already had before the passage of the Edmunds bill, it seems idiotic and ignorant for the people of the earth to denounce every statesman from Utah as a polygamist. Still more ignorant and un-Christian does it seem for us to

regard the"Mormons"as monstrosities of immorality,and to go out of our way to insult or injure them. For the last twenty-one years they have committed no greater offense than to have a religious faith differing slightly from the orthodox churches. They are essentially a peaceful and industrious people. Their sufferings have been manifold; their indus- trialachievements in the desert of the West marvellous. Their young men and young women lead beautiful and wholesome lives. Before we .

cast any more stones at their ancestors,let as weed from the ranks of our own churches, and our own fashionable society, all the unwelcome and fatherless children, all the deserted, betrayed girls, and stand them in a row, and practice upon them as targets, in order that we may have a surer aim when we stone the polygamists again.

The only explanation apparently, of the rage of the ministers, is found in the labor leader's reply to M. Gohier, quoted above. To the young men who may be disheartened by these false attacks upon the Saints, and to the missionaries in the world, who are driven and persecuted, I wish to say: Have no fear; slacken not your labors for the truth; live as becometh Saints. You are in

EDITOR'S TABLE. 629

the right way, and the Lord will not let your efforts fail. This Church stands in no danger from opposition and persecution from without. There more to fear in carelessness, sin and indifference, from is

within; more danger that the individual will fail in doing right and in conforming his life to the revealed doctrines of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we do the right, all will be well, the God

of our fathers will sustain us, and every opposition will tend only to the further spread of the knowledge of truth. Joseph F. Smith.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Personality of the Holy Ghost.

Is the Holy Ghost a personage, that is, in form and being like man?

Yes. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." —Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 130: 22.

Renewal of the Ten Commandments. Have the ten commandments been renewed since the days of Moses, or were they, as the law, fulfilled in Christ, and are not now applic-

able?

The Latter-day Saints believe the ten commandments to be still in force, and the substance of their instructions are practi- cally reiterated in the revelations of God to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as contained in the Doctrine and Cevenants, and are for that additional reason also now binding upon the people. See sections 59:5-9; 42: 29; 59:21; 6: 2; 60: 13; 42: 42; 68: 29; 59: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; 42: 18; 42: 24; 42: 20, 21; 38: 123; 42: 27, 28; 42: 45; also 88: 124, 125, 126. The Latter-day Saints also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and in that book, (Mosiah chapters 12, 13,) in the preachings of Abinadi to King Noah and his people, though this was before the advent of Christ, the ten commandments were

630 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

taught. While it is generally conceded that after Christ it was not expedient to teach the law of Moses, because salvation cometh by Christ, we are neither taught in the gospel nor in modern reve- lation that the ten commandments are abrogated; the sacrifices and burnt offerings, however, are superseded by the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit, which is required of all men who come to Jesus for salvation. There is one exception, that of the Sabbath day, which has been changed since the time of Christ to the first day of the week instead of the last. This has been commanded in modern revelation. (Doc. and Cov., sees. 68- 29; 59: 9, 10, 12-14.)

The Millennium and the Final Judgment.

Will any people who have not received the gospel, or are wicked, be privileged to live on the earth after the second coming of the Savior, or will they all be consumed at his coming? Will all saints be made immortal at the coming of Christ? If BO (since there is no marrying or giving in marriage in the resur- rection), how will the work for the dead be attended during the Millen- nium? Are the wicked to be entirely destroyed at the coming of the Savior at the ushering in of the Millennium? If the wiched are destroyed at the coming of the Savior, upon whom will Satan be turned loose at the end of a thousand years? The above questions have arisen, in the study of the Manual, from a slight confusion of the partial destruction of the wicked at the beginning of the Millennium, and their total destruction at the end of the world. There is also some misunderstanding manifest as to the immortalizing of the saints at the beginning of the Millennium. In the first place, we do not suppose that all the saints will be "changed in the twinkling of an eye" at the begin- ning of the Millennium. Some will doubtless be left in mortality to attend to the necessary temporal labors of the Millennium. It is clear also that the destruction will not come, at that time, upon all who have not previously accepted the gospel. There is no doubt that many who have not obeyed the gospel will live

in the midst of the people of God, as they do now. The line of distinction between the two classes will, we believe, be more and

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more closely drawn as the time goes on, until finally, at the close of the Millennium they will be ready to take sides in the final con- flict between Messiah and Satan. Then the righteous will all be changed, while the wicked will suffer total destruction, "by fire cast down from heaven." Then the earth will be celestialized, the wicked will all be resurrected, and the final judgment will occur.

Gathering Places of the Saints.

At the coining of the Savior, where will be the place of gathering? Will the Jews be gathered with the Saints, or will there be but one Zion?

The gathering will be in Zion and Jerusalem, the chief cities

of gathered Israel, so the prophets inform us. (Jeremiah 31: 6-13; 16: 14, 15; 50: 4, 5; Isaiah 52: 9-12; 62.) The Latter-day Saints believe that the Jews will be gathered to Jerusalem, to rebuild the Zion of the east— the land of their in- heritance. (Book of Mormon, III Nephi 20: 29-46; Improvement Era, vol. 5, p. 628.) The Latter-day Saints also believe that Zion will be built upon this continent, as expressed in the article of faith: "We be- lieve in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of

the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this [the American] continent; that (Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed, and receive its paradisical glory."

This land —America— given to Joseph and the scattered rem- is

nants of Israel for their inheritance, and they are to build upon it a city, to be called the New Jerusalem, into which they are to be gathered. (Book of Mormon, III Nephi 20: 14, 22; 22: 22-29; Isaiah 2: 23; 18: 1-3; 35; 40: 1-11; Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 42: 9, 35, 62,67; sec. 28: 9.) The exact location of this central city of Zion (sec. 45: 66-71) is in Jackson county, Missouri, (sec.

52: 42, 43; 57: 2-14,) appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints.

Booics and How to Study Them.

I ask for information and advice in regard to study that would

prepare me for a mission, and wish to know what books would be best,

632 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

and how to study them. I am working in a mining camp, and have not the privilege of attending Sunday School and other meetings, and there- fore wish to know what kind of books to buy to improve the time.

In reply,we consider that a knowledge of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of their truth, and reasonable familiarity with Church history, are essential to a missionary, as well as to every member of the Church. You can obtain a knowl- edge of the gospel by reading the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Talmage's "Articles of Faith" or Roberts' "The Gospel" are good text books that will aid you in studying these sacred writings, classify the doctrines of the gospel, and assist you in learning and presenting them. You can obtain a testimony of their truth by complying with the ordinances of the gospel and keeping the commandments of God as found in the Holy Scriptures. The "History of the Church" should be read to gain a knowl- edge of the story of the hand-dealing of God with the Latter-day Saints in the early history of the Church. If you wish a shorter and cheaper work on this subject, containing an outline of the history up to date, Anderson's "Brief History of the Church" is recommended. It would also be well to obtain an idea of church history in general, and Roberts' "Outlines of Ecclesiastical His- tory" is a good work for this purpose. The reading of the above named books, of course, is only a beginning; but having read these works, all of which can be ob- tained at the Deseret News Book Store, Salt Lake City, you will have been made acquainted with the titles of enough other books, in notes and references, to enable you to make your own selection for the future. Another good course for study is that outlined in the six issued Manuals of the Y. M. M. I. A., to be obtained from the Era. By right living, prayer, and humility, you should seek the in- spiration of the Spirit of God in your research. You will then recsive a living testimony, and have joy in your labors.

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NOTES.

When a person is down in in the world an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching. Bulwer.

"There are a hundred who talk," says Ruskin, "where there is one who thinks, but there are a thousand who think, where there is one who sees." "You who govern public affairs, what need have you to employ punishments? Love virtue, and the people will be virtuous. The virtues of a superior man are like the wind; the virtues of the common man are like the grass; the grass, when the wind passes over it, bends."

I've often been asked what I think is the secret of success in busi-

ness. To my mind it's one that a good many of the young men of to-day don't seem to learn. It's to pay your debts, keep your word, and be a

good collector; not to take anybody else's word, but to use your own judgment. I never made a dollar on anyone else's steering. John Durfee.

There are ten things for which no one has ever yet been sorry. These are: for doing good to all; for speaking evil of none; for hearing before judging; for thinking before speaking; for holding an angry tongue; for being kind to the distressed; for asking pardon for all

wrongs; for being patient toward everybody; for stopping the ears to a tale-bearer; for disbelieving most of the ill reports.

Directness is a cardinal virtue of the man who succeeds. He does not go over a thing, or around it, but to it and through it. If he calls to

see you on business, he does not spend fifteen minutes in introducing his subject; he strikes directly to the heart of it; he does not waste your time on preliminaries or non-essentials, but proceeds to attend to the business in hand, and, as soon as he finishes — stops. Success.

A conductor's watch is behind time, and a frightful railway accident occurs. A leading firm with enormous assets becomes bankrupt because an agent is tardy in transmitting available funds, as ordered. An innocent man is hanged because the messenger bearing a reprieve should have arrived five minutes earlier. A man is stopped five minutes to hear a trivial story and misses a train or steamer by one minute. Pushing to the Front.

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"How I do appreciate a boy, who is always prompt —always on time," said John Wanamaker, the great dry goods merchant. "One soon learns to depend upon the boy who is never late in taking his place who is never late in delivering a letter or a package —never late in going to meet a railroad train —never late in keeping an engagement of any kind. Such a boy will soon be trusted in weightier matters, be promoted at an earlier date to higher positions, and honored by the shrewd men of finance who will desire to be associated with him in important business transactions. Promptness is better than a big capital for a business man or woman, and is one of the most important elements of success in life."

The secret of the undying vitality and perennial attractiveness of the sacred Scriptures lies in the fact that they come bringing the reve- lation of the Divine name. Under the illumination and guidance of the Divine Spirit there was wrought into the consciousness of the Jew of old a sublime conception of God such as no other people ever attained. From the background of the Old Testament Scriptures there stands out in clear relief the Living God, separable from all phenomena —a veritable being, clothed in perfection. With the majesty and splendor of His holiness, too, is blended unspeakable tenderness. He is an approachable God, entering into most intimate relations with men. The world owes an unspeakable debt to the Jew for the conception of God with which he enriched human thought. Dr. E. E. CMvers.

A special education should have a general education at the founda- tion of it. Special preparation for a given pursuit needs to rest upon a general preparation for all pursuits, and the more comprehensive the general training the more fruitful and useful is the special. An educa- tion that is narrowed to the facts that concern a given occupation, de- feats itself. In this country it is folly to narrow a boy's education to the groove of some one calling, where, as here, the different pursuits stand with open doors and neither the boy nor his parents know which one he will enter or how long he will remain. How many men are there at forty pursuing the work about which they dreamed when they were boys of fifteen? In other countries boys inherit occupations, or have them predetermined for them. It is not so here. If one can get a gen-

eral education he can in the pursuit of it disclose to himself or to his instructor his peculiar bent of mind and genius.

—

IN LIGHTER MOOD.

— Teacher I am sorry to say it, Henry, but your composition is not worthy of you. The rhetoric is faulty, the logic is week, the statement* are based upon misinformation, and the style is lamentably crude. Henry —My! Won't dad be mad when him that? I tell

Teacher—But you can him you did your very tell best. Henry —Did my best—nothing! Dad wrote the whole of it himself*

Fling Ling, or one of his brethren visiting the United States, writes home to the Pekin Pelican thus about us: "They live months without eating a mouthful of rice; they eat bullocks and sheep in enormous quantities; they have to bathe frequently; they eat meat with knives and prongs; they never enjoy themselves by sitting quietly on their ancestors' grave, but jump around and kick balls as if paid to do it, and they have no dignity, for they may be found walking with women."

Two young women of Sedgwick hired a livery horse with which to take a drive out into the country. Before the start was made the liveryman, in'answer to his patrons' inquiries, as to the temper and dis- position of the horse, assured them he would be as gentle as a lamb if they kept the rein away from his tail, while there might be trouble if they didn't. The young women returned in safety, and when asked if the horse had misbehaved, one of them replied: "Oh no! There was one little shower, but we had an umbrella, and held it so that not a drop touched the horse's tail." New York Times.

Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain '"and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Sea, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, etc., was recently at a reception in London, where various classes of society were largely represented by both sexes. An extremely wealthy costumer, who enjoys an international reputation, approached him and remarked familiarly: "The crowd is a somewhat mixed one this evening, your Majesty, is it not?"

"Well, my dear ," responded the King, apologetically, and with an amiable smile, "we can't all be tailors, you know."