Jesse N. Smith: A Eulogy

JESSE N. SMITH—A EULOGY. BY NEPHI JENSEN, SECRETARY Y. M. M. I. A., GRANITE STAKE. When angels shall make the roll of great and good men, they will write the name of Jesse N. Smith near the top. One of the grand men of "Mormondom;" widely read, wise in counsel, generous of heart—he dedicated his time and talents to the enlightenment of the world and the uplifting of humanity. Thousands are better because of his noble deeds and sublime character. He was one of those sturdy, big-souled "Mormon" Pioneers who planted that others might harvest, and sacrificed that others might enjoy. He inspired hope in the despairing, faith in the doubting, and gave joy to the scrrowing. Essentially a man of deeds, he needs no eulogy; for the rough places which he made smooth, the hearts he gladdened, and the characters he helped to form, proclaim his greatness more eloquently than words. Neither poet nor orator need be invoked to immortalize his name. His memory will live forever in the hearts of those who love the good and admire the great. He both inherited and achieved greatness. From his New England ancestors he inherited those sterling Puritan traits of character which have made New England so prolific of distinguished men. But he inherited only health, intellect and character. A palace was not his birthplace. Deprivation met him as he entered the world, and was his companion through life. His pathway he found rough, and his own hands made it smooth. Finding no teacher to instruct him, he taught himself. College doors being closed to him, he made the "hived wisdom of the ages" his own, by indefatigable efforts at self-culture. Deprived of a better, he made the school of "self help" his alma mater, and graduated with the highest honors. He explored many fields of knowledge and research. The reading of the best fiction was his favorite

786 IMPROVEMENT ERA. pastime, and poetry was the delight of his soul In thought and study, he lived with the Gibbons, Ridpaths and Bancrofts of history. Judgment was his, and his ways were the ways of wisdom. Qaick to consider and slow to conclude, he acted and spoke with discretion, and was never guilty of rashness. If in rebuke his words were sharp, his arrows were never tipped with poison. He blessed all and cursed none. But this is not a tribute to official service, to literary genius, or to scientific distinction; but homage to a great character. Elder Jesse N. Smith will not be remembered because he took a fortress, nor praised because he formulated a Magna Charta; he will not be admired because he wrote an Iliad; but loved and respected because he lived a beautiful, faithful life. He wrote no poem, and yet was greater than a poet. He painted no "Last Supper," yet was more than an artist. His hand never guided the chisel, but he was greater than a sculptor. He left no masterpiece on paper, on canvas, or in marble,—it was himself,—his character! Such a masterpiece is beyond the pen, the brush, or the chisel; it is the joint product of intelligence, wisdom, patience, faith, industry and religion. These were the tools with which he worked, and only few have used them to better advantage. His character was symmetrical; in it, good and noble traits were beautifully and harmoniously blended. He possessed intrepid courage, sublime devotion, and splendid stability. Others may have been more strenuous and enthusiastic, but none were more constant and undeviating. Loyalty was his crowning virtue. The cause to which he gave his heart be never forsook. If others were more fervent in plighting their faith, his life most eloquently proclaimed his unfailing devotion. While others declared their willingness to die for their country and religion, he lived for his. He was strongly religious. "Simple faith" was more to him "than Norman blood." . But his religion was his life; it was not his cloak, worn only on ceremonial occasions. At the plow, in the office, and in the councils of the state, his every act and word were consistent with the highest Christian ideal. Deed was his creed, and he lived it well. Lofty in thought, pure in spirit, kind

JESSE N. SMITH—A EULOGY. 787 and sympathetic of heart, "he went about doing good, his words imparting comfort, hope and inspiration. He was believing but not fanatical; devout, pious and reverential, but not hypocritical. Shams he utterly detested. Honesty characterized his conduct at the altar, in the pulpit, and in life. He worshiped from the heart, and was never guilty of lip-service. The gospel he accepted without reservation, and upheld and defended it during his long, eventful life. But although staunch and constant in his devotion to truth, he was too broad-minded and rational to be a bigot. Men to him were not "Mormons," Catholics and Protestants; but goxl or bad. For the good, noble and just of all faiths, he had the highest respect and regard. In his evangelical labors he did not combat creeds, but error; he sought to change men's lives rather than their creeds. He hoped, prayed and worked for the ultimate supremacy of the true Christian religion. ' 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," was his constant prayer. His faith in God's great latter-day work was firm and unwavering. He always took pleasure in the simple story of the great modern prophet. A few weeks before his demise, I had an interesting conversation with him. He became reminiscent. He talked of the rise of the Church and the great mission of Joseph Smith. When he referred to the youthful prophet, there was earnestness and fervor in his manner. Once he paused in his story, and I said to him, "You become eloquent when you speak of the Prophet Joseph Smith. His countenance lit up, and tears gathered in his eyes, and, as he lifted his hand,he said, "Why shouldn't I? It's the darling theme of my heart!" Elder Smith was hopeful and cheerful. On the darkest cloud he could see the silver lining. If doubt ever entered his heart, sovereign faith still remained the master of the house. In the deepest gloom of despair, he saw the star of hope. Knowledge, wisdom and faith were his riches, nor cared he for any other. To turn the thought-laden pages of literature gave him more pleasure than counting bank notes. Not from the gleam of gold, but from the inspiration of sublime thoughts, he received his greatest joy. The power to act wisely and live beautifully, he preferred, rather than the ability to manage great financial institutions. Faith was

788 IMPROVEMENT ERA. his servant; and no one had a more devoted one. She found for him the friend of friends—God! In sickness she was at his bedside, smoothed his pillow and raised him to health. At the portals of death she was with him; and when the shadows seemed to fall, she whispered to him, "They are not shadows. It is the golden dawning of a brighter day! It is the beginning, not the end! Such was Jesse N. Smith—beautiful in life, sublime in death, and he will be glorious in eternity. Forest Dale, Utah.