Major Gilbert

EDITORS' TABLE 687

absurd to argue that he was doing this merely to be consistent

with an idiom, which no one but an appreciative Hebraist could

r ecognize. If, also, he was "attempting to imitate the solemn

style of the English Bible," as President Fairchild suggested,

the particle "and" as a connective must have seemed much more

familiar and regular.

If, as claimed, the Book of Mormon was actually trans-

lated from a text in Egyptian letters, the inference is nearly un-

escapable that the Hebrew writer used some sort of ideogram

or "picture sign" as a connective, instead of the word spelled

in phonetic characters. If, as is not impossible on Hebrew

analogy, this sign indicated some such idea as "happening," "go-

ing forward," etc., the translation "came to pass" (after the an-

alogy of Greek verbs in the New Testament) would seem the

most logical rendering.

Such a use of Egyptian signs could be admitted, since the

Book of Mormon suggests a Hebrew composition, rather than

an Egyptian. This is precisely what it claims to be. An esti-

mate of the number of "ands" in the Old Testament and of "it

came to pass" in the Book of Mormon would show effectually

that the latter reproduces a familiar idiom of the former; also

that the writers were familiar with Hebrew, probably as a na-

tive language.

Major Gilbert

Through the courtesy of Superintendent of Church Schools

H. H. Cummings, the Improvement Era presents to its readers,

as a frontispiece in this number, an excellent photograph of

Major J. H. Gilbert, who was the principal compositor of the first

edition of the Book of Mormon. Major Gilbert was the son of

Russell Gilbert and was an unpretentious, but very interesting

character. It was his custom continually, up to his last birthday,

to visit each succeeding year the printing office where the Book of

Mormon was set, and which is still in operation. Here he would

set a stick of type and regale the printers with reminiscences of

his early experiences. He was very sociable and a great favorite

with the young people, was an expert upon the violin, and in his

early days a dancer. It was his custom to get together groups of

young people and give them dancing lessons. He was respected

by all the citizens of Palmyra. His death occurred when he was

ninety-two years, ten months of age. None of his family reside in

Palmyra. He gave to Mr. Pliney T. Sexton, who now owns the

printing office, as well as the Hill Cumorah, an uncut copy of the

688 IMPROVEMENT ERA

first edition of the Book of Mormon, and Mr. Sexton has fre-

quently, and with great care, since he holds the book very precious,

exhibited the volume to visitors from Utah who have called upon

him and whom he has treated invariably with the greatest cour-

tesy. Major Gilbert is mentioned in the History of the Church,

volume 1, page 75.

A New Book

The Story and Philosophy of Mormonism, by Dr. James

E. Talmage has just been issued from the Dcscrct News and is

a work which will be welcomed by both missionaries and other

readers who are members of the Church, as well as by inquirers

who seek to know the truth concerning the Latter-day Saints.

The littlevolume contains two lectures delivered at different

times by Dr. Talmage. The "Story" first appeared in the Im-

I'rovement Era, and was later issued in booklet form bv the .1///-

Icnnial Star, and by the Bureau of Information, and has been

translated and published abroad, versions having appeared in

Swedish, modern Greek and Russian. "The Philosophy of Mor-

monism" was «first delivered by Dr. Talmage before the Phil-

osophical Society of Denver, and later appeared first in the Im-

provement Era. Of this also translations have been made into

the Danish and German languages. The "Story" contains highly

condensed essential events relating to the history of the Latter-

day Saints, vividly described in a style clear and convincing, and in-

dicating the thorough familiarity of the author with the subject

under consideration. The Prophet Joseph Smith, the beginning

of "Mormonism," the appearance of the Book of Mormon, the

work among the Indians, temple building, the growth and expan-

sion of the Church, the martyrdom of the prophet, and the rise and

achievements of Brigham Young, his exodus with the people to

the West, the "Mormon" Battalion, the arrival of the pioneers in

the valleys of Utah, and the subsequent development of the

Church up to recent times, are treated in the usual convincing

fashion of the noted author.

In "The Philosophy of Mormonism" the reader and investi-

gator will find a concise statement of the belief of the Latter-

day Saints. This lecture is particularly valuable to investigators

and friends, as well as critics, who desire an authoritative state-

ment of "Mormon" belief in the Godhead, man's mission on earth,

free agency, man's eternal progression, and other doctrines of the

Latter-day Saints. Those who read it will learn that the prin-

ciples of "Mormonism" conform to the teachings of the Savior,

both as related to the spiritual destiny of man and to that needed

service that one should give to another here upon the earth, and