The G. A. R. Encampment

916 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

been faithful shall be crowned with glory and honor in the pres- ence of God, the honor and the glory, the credit and the praise, for the continuance and for the advancement and growth of the kingdom of God in the earth, will be due to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, whose power and whose agency, whose influence and purpose, have been behind the work of God every moment since it was first given to man. It is by this power that it has grown and continued, and has become what it is, and it will

continue to grow and spread, until it shall fill the earth with the glory of God, and with the knowledge of the Father and of the Son, whom to know is life eternal. This is my testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, and I bear witness of it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT. The recent week's visit of the old soldiers of the G. A. R. to Salt Lake City, where they held their annual encampment this year, was a very pleasant occasion, both for the people of Utah and for the veterans. Salt Lake City put on her holiday attire. Music and good cheer, resounding through her decorated streets, were apparent everywhere. Old Glory's broad folds waved over every prominent building from the Temple to the foot of Main street; and flags and bunting in rich display decorated every home in all Never before has Main street presented such a the city. brilliant appearance as on the day of the great parade. The men and women who had in charge the arrangements deserve great credit for thoughtfulness and efficiency in preparing every detail for the entertainment, comfort, convenience and pleasure of the visitors; and the citizens should have praise for the whole- souled reception given, and the consideration shown to our friends. It was a great pleasure, and to some visitors a surprise, to receive such considerate treatment. To our citizens it was no less a de- light than a splendid educational lesson in patriotism and love of country, to behold, to cheer, and to applaud the thousands of heroes of the great war which decided questions that made us one united Nation for, let us hope, all time to come.

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Many were the expressions of appreciation from the visitors. Quite a number called on President Joseph F. Smith to express their satisf action and appreciation. Among his visitors was John Fletcher Spence, A. M. LL. D. , chaplain G. A. R., of Knoxville, Tenn., who expressed his delight with Salt Lake City and her citi- zens. Mr. Fletcher served in the army three years, from 1862-5, is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University (1853). As presi- dent and chancellor of colleges and universities, he has trained thousands of students in the past thirty- three years. Another visitor who called to express his delight was Major George Elmer Tracy, of Wareham, Mass. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Civil War Musicians, and their color-bearer. For thirty years he has attended G. A. R. encampments, and he said never had he witnessed a more warm- hearted and genial reception than was received by the veterans in Salt Lake City. He was so earnest in thanks that he said he would surely tell the people of the East what he knows of the kindness of the people of Utah. Young Brigham, of Massachusetts, was a caller. He said he had often been taken to task for having a name reversing the name of the founder of Utah, with whom for that reason, he had become somewhat familiar, and now it was his pleasure to learn something of the generosity of the people of Utah. He had attended some thirty encampments, aEd at none Were the soldiers ever treated better. R. H. Walker, secretary of the Texas Board of Pharmacy, Gonzales, Texas, called, with his two daughters. They were very much pleased with their visit, and he said he could not leave the city without calling on President Smith and telling him how pleased they were and delighted. But space will not permit to mention more. We can only say, and we believe in this we express the sincere sentiments of the people, that the pleasure is reciprocal. Come again.