would present to him the plan of life, that day, while the latter had waited hundreds of years for that privilege, so that repentance brings its blessings even upon the death-bed, but to say that after a life of sin, the malefactor went straight to the abode of the Father and remained with the there in glory is in conflict teachings of Christ and Peter. The statements of Peter relative to the mission of Christ to the spirits in prison throws light upon the saying of the Savior in St. John v.:25, "Verily, verily, I say unto you the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live." Thus we see the privileges of the penitent malefactor. He went to the prison house and heard the Gospel, but how long he remained there before receiving all the saving benefits of the Gospel, we are not told. One thing is certain, he did not come back with the Messiah, nor have we ever heard of him sitting down with Christ on the right hand of the Father. The Scriptures being true which says, "The murderer hath not eternal life abiding him," it is safe to say that the prayers of all the ministers on earth cannot carry the soul of the assassin to the presence and glory of God. As there are different are there various degrees of glory, so grades of crimes to which are attached the different degrees of punishment, all of which clearly maintains the justice and mercy of God. lows: In Galatians v.:19-21, we read as fol"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murder, drunkenness and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not in-. In concluherit the kingdom of God." sion, as a true definition of repentance, let us quote the words of Paul to the "Wherefore putEphesians, iv.:25-27: ting away lying, let every man speak Be ye truth with his neighbor. angry and sin not. Let not the sun go Neidown upon your wrath. Let him ther give place to the devil. that stole, steal no more. Let no corrupt proceed out of mouth." This is the only repentance taught in Holy Writ, and simply means, to forsake all sin, and accomplish a reformation of life. communication * * * your PRIESTHOOD AND PRESIDENCY. THE SOUTHERN STAR. the to the three Presidents previously menhis father for the government of tioned." Church, which we will now consider. From this it will be seen that three In the first years of the childhood of the Church there were numerous at-persons who have been appointed and when tempts on the part of enthusiastic per-ordained to the Melchisedek Priesthood sons to regulate its affairs by visions, or and are presiding high priests, "tongues," or revelations they claimed to chosen by the body and upheld by the It became necessary, confidence, faith and prayer of the church have received. therefore, to warn the Church against constitute the presidency of the church. accepting anything for that purpose ex-Joseph the Prophet was an Apostle and In September, was therefore a Presiding High Priest. cept through the head. 1830, the Lord said: ** His counselors were also men appointed "Behold, verily, verily I say unto thee, and ordained to the same calling. But no one shall be appointed to receive com- each of them had to be chosen and upThe mandments and revelations in this Church held by the body in order that they might except my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., together preside over the church. Presiding High for he receiveth them even as Moses. Twelve Apostles, also For I have given him the keys Priests, forming a Traveling Presiding the revelations High Council (verse 33) held authority of the mysteries and which are sealed, until I shall appoint"to build up the church and regulate all unto them another in his stead." (Doc. the affairs of the same in all nations, under the direction of the First Presidency." & Cov. Sec. 28: 2, 7.) Apostles are God's High Priests (Sec. 84: In February, 1831, the Lord said: "And this ye shall know assuredly that 63). When there is no First Presidency there is none other appointed unto you of three, the Twelve constitute a council to receive commandments and revela-or Quorum "equal in authority and power to the three Presidents previously mentions until he be taken if he abide in me. But verily, verily I say unto you, that tioned," and when so upheld by the church none else shall be appointed unto can preside over it, regulate all its affairs, gift except it be through him, for if it ordain and set in order all the other offices be taken from him he shall not have of the church (verse 58) and thus the church can be continued and perpetuated, power except to appoint another in his stead." (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 43: 3, 4.) It will be seen from the dates of these suffering no disorder, but carrying on the revelations that they were given before work under Jesus Christ who is its living the Church was thoroughly organized in head on high. (To be Continued.) all its quorums and councils, and before Joseph the Prophet had been tested and proved, to see whether he would "abide" in the Lord. But after the Council of the Twelve Apostles had been organized, to hold the keys of the Kingdom to open the door to all nations, and after Joseph had been tried and proven, the Lord said to the Twelve: this GLEANINGS. From the Logan Journal. Elder Andrew Peterson, of Logan, has returned after having labored about two and a half years as a missionary in Penn"The keys which I have given unto himsylvania and Minnesota, where he acand also to youward shall not be taken complished a good work. from him till I come." (Sec. 112: 15.) This harmonizes with the revelation in "Verily I say unto you, the keys of this Cov. Section 90: 2-5.) Elder Fred Ballam, formerly of this city but now living in Hyde Park, arrived home just before Christmas from He enjoyed fair the Southern States, where he labored upwards of two years. health while away, but was somewhat indisposed when he came home. Elder Wm. Anderson, a son of Patriweek. He reports thorough enjoyment arch Hans Anderson, also returned last Kentucky Conference. of his thirty-four months of labor in the Elder Hans C. Hansen, son of Mr. N. The order of the Priesthood and the governing authority in the Church are set M. Hansen. of the Seventh ward, has forth in Section 107 of the Doctrine and been released to return home and is exHe has been absent for Covenants. The powers of the Melchi-pected daily. la bored for a time in and of the two years and sedek or High Priesthood Aaronic or Lesser Priesthood are therein Brooklyn, afterwards being sent to predefined. The order of Presidency is also side over the Philadelphia Conference. explained, and it is shown that: (Continued from last week.) There were present at this interview "Of necessity there are presidents or Elders Samuel G. Spencer, William E. Criddle, Eugene S. Hart and Archibald presiding offices growing out of or apG. Young, of the Church of Jesus Christ pointed of or from among those who are of ordained to the several offices in these of Latter-day Saints, each and all Melchisedek whom certify to the correctness of these two Priesthoods. Of the questions and responses, which has never Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, been denied, although the gentleman in- chosen by the body, appointed and orterviewed has denied seeing, before they dained to that office, and upheld by the prayer of the were published, the questions and an- confidence, faith, swers following those we have given in Church, form a quorum of the Presidency was held and of the Church. The Twelve Traveling the long interview that in the Deseret Counselors are called to be the Twelve which appeared in full But Apostles, or special witnesses of the name Evening News of July 1st, 1896. even if he should claim any such ordina- of Christ in all the world, thus differing tion or appointment, it would not stand from other officers in the Church in the And they form for a moment as against the order estab- duties of their calling. lished by revelation from God through a quorum, equal in authority and power and Elder John H. Petersen, of Smithfield, is home again after spending two years as a missionary in Kansas, Indian TerriHe was President tory and Arkansas. of the East Arkansas Mission during the latter part of his mission. The wedding reception of Miss Emiline Bird and Heber C. Jex took place at the residence of the bride's parents at SpringBoth are very popu ville last evening. lar young people of the county, and there was a large attendance at the reception, a number going over from this city. The presents were very choice and numerous. Commencing early in January a neat cover will appear on the Star. LATTER DAY SAINTS SOUTHERN STAR HAVE PELACHED INTO YOU Published Weekly by Southern States Mission, Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, Chattanooga, Tenn. UST ninety-three years DO NOT WASTE ค S may be seen by the re ports published each A MOMENT. week in The Star from the various conferences, there is a great difference in the showings made. If the reports of each pair of Elders were to be published a much wider range of differentiation would be presented. This shows there are men in the field who are working to the utmost of their ability, while others are either practically doing nothing or so near it that the conference reports indicate blank after blank where THE PROPHET ago on the 23d of the JOSEPH SMITH. present month, the Prophet Joseph Smith was born, and from the day he received his first vision until the day of his martyrdom his life was one of con tinual activity. We doubt if there was another man ever lived, save the Master, who accomplished a greater work and whose life was sought after more than was his. When the angel of the Lord delivered into his hands the sacred plates from which the Book of Mormon was printed, he was told that his name would some results, at least, should be indibe had for good and evil among the na-cated. tions of the earth; of this the thousands and tens of thousands of Elders who have filled honorable missions since the organEntered at the Post Office at Chattanooga, Tenn., as ization of the church, can testify, how Per year Terms of Subscription: Six months (In Advance) Single Copies, 5 Cents. $1.50 Subscribers removing from one place to another. and desiring papers changed, should always give former as well as present address, by postal card or letter. second class matter. Correspondence from all parts of the missionary field is solicited. Give name and address, or articles will be rejected. Write on one side of paper only when sent for publication. We reserve the right to either eliminate or reject any communication sent in. Address Box 103. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1898. ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF 1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 3. We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Chost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands," by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church-namely, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, etc. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe 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 paradisiacal glory. 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates; in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, "We believe all things, we hope all things," we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. JOSEPH SMITH. truthfully have those words been ful- Our Elders should realize that they have left their homes and come here for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, to tell the "glad teachings of great joy" that the Gospel is again restored to earth, that the Pristhood, given to the ancient Saints, is restored, together with its attendant authority. The necesisty for remembering this should be continually before them and that to lose one minute's time while in the discharge of the Lord's service is a greater loss than an hour when in the service of man. We cannot afford to leave our homes, families, relatives, friends, indeed, to lay all we have on the altar of sacrifice and remain here wasting our time in idleness, nor do we need to! While traveling along the most lonely of paths our minds may be occupied with valuable labors of study; when resting in the woods, byways, or roadside, our time can be spent in useful comparisons of ideas regarding the labors in hand; when in the company of others, either friends or foes, the time can be spent in conversing on Gospel subjects or topics leading thereto. In fact, there is no need to lose any time. There is not an Elder in the field who is so devoid of the spirit of his calling as to not know the very minute idleness creeps in, and that minute the prompting is given their conscience that something is wrong; evil thoughts of more or less magnitude are introduced and it is impossible to estimate the harm that may accrue from such conditions. The year eighteen hundred and ninetynine is just beginning, and the Elders are still in the field. They have been sent forth to cry, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;" they have been sent forth to lift up their voices and testify in humility, in meekness, and with power that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of Almighty God, and that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth never more to be taken from God's children who dwell upon its face. The Elders are sent forth to testify that the church is organized with Apostles, with Prophets, with gifts and healings; and these servants are to warn the people to flee from the wrath to come. They are to boldly promise, in the name of their There is a dispatch going the rounds Master, that those who will do the will of the press purporting to be an interview of the Father shall receive a testimony with Congressman-elect Roberts from of these mighty truths. At the close of Utah, by the New York World correspon- the year eighteen hundred and ninety-ference shall be second to none in the dent. The World representative and Mr. nine may every Elder be able to say: "I Mission; that the report he, with his Roberts had an informal conversation, have done my duty." Open your hymn companion, shall make will not show during the course of which he drew his book at page 283. caller's attention to the distinction beLift up your voices blank where earnest, honest and arduous and sing. That's good. Now sing the work would make a record. He should fourth verse over again. feel that the responsibility of the entire conference rests on his shoulders; that if he fails the work fails; if he succeeds, the Mission is a success. He should remember that verse in 12th Corinthians, "Whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." tween polygamy and unlawful cohabitation, and incidentally stated that the Mormon people had kept faith and no polygamous marriages entered into since 1890. Mr. Roberts denies the authority for publishing even this much, but the enterprising reporter fabricated the alleged interview from this and some utterances of Mr. Roberts' published in the Era, during the Dr. Renier controversy, but they were so garbled that they do not convey what Mr. Roberts sought to make plain, while other portions of the World story were made up from whole cloth. "We want no cowards in our band Elders and contributors who send in copy, either poetry or other matter, should remember every word, thought and sentiment must be choice. We desire to have our plane on the very highest that can be secured-to do so all must make this point in their contributions. Each Elder should take upon himself the personal responsibility of seeing that, so far as he is concerned, that his con Enquirer Daily is now a valued exchange. Welcome! CHRISTMAS. Elder James E. Talmage. (From Young Woman's Journal.) Among nearly all Christian nations. the twenty-fifth of December is observed as a holiday; with most Christian sects the day is regarded as a holy day. The name by which the date mentioned is . currently known-Christmas-is significant of the religious sanctity with which the day is commonly associated, the word being a combination of Christ and mas, or mass, the first part referring of course to the title of Jesus of Nazareth, the second indicating a church service or religious ceremonial. To the well-nigh universal observance of the day as a religious festival among sects professing a belief in the divinity of the Son of God, the customs and usage of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints offer a marked exception; and there is little cause for surprise over the fact that the reason of this exceptional omission has given rise to questions among the young people of our Church. In our own state the customary observance of the Christmas holiday is provided for by law, and the Latter-day Saints, in common with sectarian Christians in general, join with those who profess no church allegiance, and with those even who openly deny the saving mission of the Son of the Highest, in welcome to the day of rest, enjoyment, and good cheer, which comes in the season of the year's deep night. But, as the authentic anniversary of our Savior's birth on earth, the Latterday Saints cannot accept the December holiday, for they believe that a reasonable interpretation of written history disproves the claims made for the day; but But, in contemplating the significance of Christmas, we are little concerned with the year of history in which the event occurred, we are to consider rather the month and day of the divine birth. Again we find the wisdom of the wise unsatisfactory to its possessors, even, and, hem. The establishment of the birth of nificance of this statement as to the cor- Murdock, an accepted authority in ec- Geike, the author of a widely read “Life as stated, at variance with the revealed word. Let us go again to some of the au- mas be early spoken of as the day of All meanly wrapped, in the rude manger Nature in awe of Him Had doffed her gaudy trim, To wanton with the sun." But we read of the angelic announcement to "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night." Such is not the usual custom of shep herds in the oriental winter. Fausset above and beyond this, they hold that the Jesus has been a matter of great dispute, considers spring as the probable time, word of modern revelation has indicated another date as that of the Redeemer's birth-day. In accordance with this belief our Church does not appoint special Christmas services, nor does it take official cognizance of the day as one of unusual sacredness. and is still an unsettled question. It is with and adds: "The season when winter deadness gives place to new vegetation and life was the appropriate birth-time of Him who 'maketh all things new.' Spring was the passover season, Israel's These quotations, to which many oth- national birthday. So that the spirtual, ers could be added, have been indulged, national, and natural eras, in this view, It should be remembered that the Lat- to demonstrate the uncertainty coincide. To allow time between the preter-day Saints are not alone in thus re- which the initiatory year of our common- sentation in the temple, and the arrival of garding the Christmas day as incorrectly ly accepted chronology is regarded by the wise men and the other events before placed in the calendar; indeed many scholars. Is there cause for wonder that Herod's death, perhaps February may prominent teachers among sectarian the- the Church today looks for further light be fixed on." The writer in Cassell's ologians, and a considerable proportion of on this important matter? Some such Dictionary whose words concerning the the learned interpreters of history, are light has already come; and, strangely year of Christ's birth have been already emphatic in declaring that the common enough, it indicates that the doubts of given, says of the month and day: "Efacceptance of December twenty-fifth as modern wise men as to the beginning of forts have been made to settle it by asthe date of the Messiah's first advent on the Christian era are without foundation certaining in what portion of the year earth, is founded on a mistake. Not in fact; that as to the year, the current 'the course of Abia' would be called to only is there uncertainty regarding the reckoning is correct; and that consequent- discharge ministerial functions in the temmonth and day; the year also is a sub-ly we are in truth now living in the year ple (see Luke I. 5) since this would enject of dispute, and doubt has arisen as 1898 from the time of the Savior's earth- able us to fix the date of John's birth, to the correctness of the common desig-ly birth. The authority to which the Lat- and hence the date of the birth of Jesus. nation of the passing year as represent-ter-day Saints point in this mater is this:Calculations made on this basis with ing the lapse of time since the beginning In April, 1830, the Lord gave, through the equal industry have issued, however, in of the so-called Christian era. It may Prophet Joseph Smith, a very important very different conclusions-Wieseler fixnot be uninstructive to briefly consider revelation concerning Church government, ing on January 10th, and Greswell on some of the discordant opinions of writers the opening words of which are as fol- April 5th, as the actual date. on this interesting subject; and, if a digression from the line of our present topic be allowable, we may turn first to the question of the year in which Christ was born. ** Without attempting to speak with certainty, the month of Nisan, corresponding to parts of March and April, B. C. 4, may be accepted as the most probable date." Musdock writes: "Respecting the month and day of Christ's birth, we are left almost wholly to conjecture." lows: "The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand, eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly orWe speak of the present annual cycle ganized and established, agreeable to the of time as Anno Domini (A. D.), or the laws of our country, by the will and comYear of our Lord, 1898; this means, that mandments of God, in the fourth month, according to common belief, just so many and on the sixth day of the month which Of the prevailing ignorance as to the years have dawned since the glorious is called April." (Doctrine and Cove- day of the Savior's advent, Apostle Or'Let us enquire birth of Mary's son in the stable at Bethle-nants, XX, 1.) Commenting on the sig-son Pratt has written: is not. * All these men were citizens of the sur rounding territory and the most of them claiming membership in the churches near their homes. is the day observed by the Christian The day is a marked one in the calendar; roads near the line of Catoosa and Whitworld as the day of His birth-the 25th it ought not to pass unimproved. Parents field counties, they were suddenly arrested of December-is or is not the real Christ- and teachers may well make its recur- by an armed mob of twelve persons whose mas day. A great many authors have rence a text for instruction concerning names are as follows: Jasper N. Nations, found out from their researches that it the Being whose name is associated with Hugh Blair, David Nations, Mac Mc* It is generally be- the festival: His humble birth, His youth Clure, Andrew Bradley, Joseph Nations, lieved and conceded by the learned who and manhood, His ministry and solemnly James Faucett, Benjamin Clark David have investigated the matter, that Christ tragic death; in every stage of His earth- Clark, Jefferson Hunt, William Nations, was born in April. * It is statedly existence an example to mortals; a A. L. Smith. that according to the best of their judge- man, and yet a God. The lessons sugment from the researches they have gested by the human side of the Divine made, Christ was crucified on the 6th of Child's nature will be particularly inApril. That is the very day on which structive to children. Teach the little this Church was organized. But when ones, whose kind the Savior always these learned men go back from the day loved, that he was in truth a child, in of His crucifixion to the day of His many respects like unto themselves; that birth, they are at a loss, having no cer- His wisdom and power came not as a gift tain evidence or testimony by which they independant of His effort, for we read that "He waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. ** He increased in wisdom. But let them learn that beyond His mortality was the divinity of His position in the Godhead; that only through His sacrifice may we expect salvation, and that while we are privileged to call Him our Elder Brother, He was and is, the Father's well-beloved Son. can determine it.' So much for the disagreement among men who have relied upon human wisdom alone; now is to the revealed word upon which the Latter-day Saints base their belief: The Lord's declaration con cerning the true date of the organization of the Church in the present dispensation, already cited, is accepted as fixing both year and day. Of this interpretation, President Joseph F. Smith has said: "Strictly speaking, if this Church was organized 'one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior in the flesh,' then the sixth of April must have been the anniversary of the Savior's birth-day. If the organization of the Church had been before or subsequent to that date, if only by one or any number of days, the great event would have been more or less than one thousand eight hundred and thirty years, by just so many days. Opinions formed by the study of chronological events may or may not be accurate. But we would scarcely think the Lord would make any mistake about dates. Least of all, He who was born The misplaced date may serve to point a lesson-that of the unreliability of purely human wisdom, and the necessity of reliance upon living revelation as the channel through which truth is given. And with such teachings let the example of unselfish liberality, and pure giving be combined. There is a pleasing symbolism in the traditional customs of Christmastide, and respect for all such should be fostered. If the day serve no better purpose than that of practice in the duties of giving and receiving, it should be counted among the blessed days. Many of us have yet to learn how to give; few of us know how to properly receive the blessings of life. on that day,, and on that day thirty-three History of the Southern States Mission. years later was crucified." (Continued from last week.) In Clay and Cherokee county, of North Carolina, the mob spirit prevailed to such an extent that the Elders were forced to hide themselves in the woods. These are the grounds upon which the Church today bases its action with respect to its rejection of the twenty-fifth of December as the anniversary of the Messiah's birth. The sixth of April, Elder Joseph H. Parry, while staying which our people regard as the authenti- at the home of William Webster, was cated date is always observed by them attacked by a mob and severely beaten as a day of general assembly, marking with hickory withes. as it does, an additional event of great On the night of July 20 a mob broke importance and sacredness-the re-estab-into the houses of some of the Saints in lishment of Christ's Church upon the the Brasstown branch and severely earth. As a holiday, and a day of peace whipped both men and women, threatenand good will toward our fellows, Christ- ing still further violence unless they left mas day will ever be welcome with us, the neighborhood immediately. Some of as with the civilized world in general; the Saints were seriously injured and all but we do not desire to strengthen the were badly frightened, some leaving their error of its observance as the reputed an-lands, improvements and other property niversary of a solemn event with which in the hands of their tomentors. the day has no just claims of association. About the middle of the month Elder How Should the Later-day Saints The Elders were turned from the road and with many threats of violence, com- He man down in this way and leave him to die in the woods, either go and get help or let me gɔ." After a brief consultation they told him he might go, which he did immediately, proceeding to Mr. Holsten's, he broke the startling news and securing a horse he repaired to the coroner's office to advise him of the occurence. The Holston family on learning of the horrible killing hurried to the spot where they found the gang had fired a number of shots into the dead body of Elder Standing-no doubt to cover the trails of the actual murderer. They erected a bower of leaves and branches over the remains to shield them from the glaring July sun. Elder Clawson sought the nearest telegraph office and wired President Morgan, who was in Salt Lake City, also Governor Colquitt, at Atlanta, and the county Joseph Standing and Rudger Clawson coroner at Dalton, briefly reciting the terstarted from their field of labor in Unionrible event. and Fannin counties to attend the state Late in the evening the coroner arrived conference to be held in Haywood Valley, and summoned a jury who returned a verChattooga county, Georgia. On the way dict to the effect that the deceased had they called at Varnells Station to visit come to his death from gunshot wounds the Saints, arriving there on the night | inflicted by one or more of the parties of July 19th, 1879. They staid over night and Sunday at the home of Mr. Henry Holsten, where the day was quietly spent singing and conversing on the gospel. who formed the mob, mentioning the names already given in this article. Observe Christmas? Notwithstanding the positive opinion held by the church regarding the incorrectness of the Christmas date, the day may be turned to pleasant and profitable service by the Latter-day Saints. Better a date established in error than none at all, on which the recognized duty of all shall be that of kindness and good will. Let the day be one of rejoicing throughout the land of the Saints; may it be sanctified by their ministrations of mercy, After breakfast Monday morning, July deeds of duty, and acts that shall rise to 21st, they walked over to a Mr. Loggins, heaven as a reverberation of the angel s a distance of about a mile, to look after hymn, "Glory to God in the highest, and their clothing; as they were on the way on earth peace, good will toward men." | back, while walking along the public pressive ceremonies. A casket was secured and the body enclosed in, after which it was taken by a wagon to Dalton and thence to Salt Lake City, accompanied by Elder Clawson. He arrived there on July 31st, and was met by relatives and friends, and interred at Salt Lake City, amid solemn and im On July 25, 26 and 27 the Georgia Conference met in Haywood Valley and selected Elder A. S. Johnson, to succeed Elder Standing. The instructions there given were listened to with deep interest and the Saints, while resting under a solemn pall, as it were, still they returned to their homes strengthened in their faith. (We expect to go further into all the details of this unfortunate affair, as well as the causes leading up to the same.-Ed.) CORRESPONDENCE. Lamison, Wilcox Co., Ala., Dec. 21. To the Editor Southern Star. Leaving my mountain home on the 15th of April, 1897, I journeyed to Chattanooga, where I was assigned to meet and help advance the truth with the Elders of South Alabama. When first arriving in Alabama collards and cornbread were of but little value to me, and for some time thought my exist ence was not attributable to such diet. But of late it is surprising how my taste for such delicacies has changed, and what large quantities are made disappear when only given the chance. ference. Ministers who fought us have These are a few of the signs promised up to the VARIETIES. From the Deseret News. Mary Adaline Goddard Snow, the aged wife of President Lorenzo Snow, died at 12 o'clock yesterday at her home in Brigham City, of old age, having reached her 87th year. Sister Snow was a very estimable lady, and was greatly beloved by all who knew her in her long life of usefulness. She was born at Hartford, Conn., on March 8, 1812, and was married to Lorenzo Snow in Illinois. On Nov. 8th of this year Sister Snow slipped and fell, as a result of which she was very severely shocked, and undoubtedly this had some effect in hastening the day of death. Five children survive the deceased, and they, with numerous other relatives, will mourn her loss. President Snow has the heartfelt sympathy of all classes of people in the loss of the loving sharer of his joys and sorrows. The Star is in receipt of the following world, but to strengthen us and show that letter, containing all kinds of high com God is still with us. We have baptized nearly 100 persons and We have been blessed in our labor also. blessed more than eighty children, not- pliments: My labors in the South have been very able to work on account of sickness, Saturday, the 24th, did I have the time pleasant and successful meeting many who are worthy members of charity and who are aiding in the great work of the latter day, when again the Gospel has been established on earth, never more to be thrown down, fulfilling the prophesies made by those who spoke under the influence of the Holy Ghost, revealing to mankind the events which were to and have transpired. This to the world do I bear testimony, knowing that ignorance has not taught me such but obedience to the Gospel and through the mercy of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in this, the last dispensation of the fulness of times. I am proud to know that I have been numbered among the many who have undertaken to establish and successfully publish the Southern Star, containing the . principles of truth, light and life into the hearts of mankind. And may her light so shine that others may see her brilliancy and be led to glorify God is the well wish and desire of one of Utah's sons in Alabama. E. M. DAVEY. Mississippi Conference Circular. Jackson, Miss., Dec. 15, 1898. To the Elders of the Mississippi Conference: Dear Brethren: The year of 1898 is fast drawing to a close. During that time we have shared joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, and, though some disappointment, yet many of our fondest hopes have been consummated during memorable time the hand of the Lord has been made so plain we could not but acknowledge the miraculous way in which He has repeatedly answered our petitions, healed us when we were, as it seemed, nearing eternity and no other power could have raised us up. Now, dear brethren, that this (to us) eventful year is so near an end, let us reflect upon what God has done for us in the Mississippi Conference, and then what we ought to do for Him to show that we are indeed grateful to Him for His watchful care over us. The following occurrences are quite well known to all the Elders in our Con to look them over, when I read No. 1 from beginning to end and was very much pleased with its contents. I feel confident that this publication will very materially aid you in spreading the Gospel in your field of labor and in creating a good impression for our people. I therefore wish you abundant success in your efforts, and I have pleasure in doing a little towards the financial success of your publication. quarantine, etc., and yet some of us think and nerve ourselves for the task that is ors. Brethren, let us finish up the old year with a good record and then we will be in a condition to commence the new year also in the proper way; the more we do the more we find is in our reach, while on the other hand, the more we excuse ourselves from work the easier it is for us to do so. to pay for my own copy, and would like you to send to four of my relatives in the East one copy each of the Star, viz., Mrs. Ann Smith and Theda G. Reves, Lathrop, Mo.; Mrs. Carrie Scott, LaFayette, Ill., and Mrs. Allie Ford, Brookfield, Mo. Financial grass is very short with me just at the present time, or I would take pleasure in subscribing for one dozen copies of the Star. At a later date I may take five or six more. Hoping that you and your fellow laborers had a Merry Christmas and wishing you one and all a happy and prosperous New Year, and ever praying that you may be abundantly blessed of the Lord in your labors, I remain, sincerely your friend and brother, H. J. GRANT. Whenever any of the Elders break President Condie, in a recent circular, said: "All things are constantly changing." We will find by observation that is true; we are constantly changing for the better or worse, which shall it be? their fountain pens and wish to have If for the better, we have got to make any part thereof replaced or repaired, it a continuous, never-ending struggle or we is necessary to send in the whole pen, will never be able to keep pace with the holder, barrel and all complete to the of ever growing principles with which we fice, because they are delicate things and are surrounded. Brethren, let us make it requires an expert to tell just what is a tremendous effort to redeem ourselves wanted and thus be able to replace worn sion that if there are a lot of Elders who entire pen to the factory in New York and thus show to the brethren of the Mis-out parts or repair others. We send the can make a success of a Conference it is us. And with a united effort, stimulated Remember for repairs and they in turn forward same, after it is fixed, to the Elder in the field; so it is necessary to allow about twenty days, and give the address you wish pen sent to at that time. You will have to plan ahead to do this, but by doing so it will save trouble and time. Please remember these instructions as they are beneficial to all. Remember we keep no extras for the pens here, but have to send all pens to the factory for anything needed. |