mark about the improbability of the chamber, said they were in Justice was reliable authority. anything of the kind protested good company and with the Father Judge Judd is entitled to credit for against occurring at this session of of their country thought they were on this act of kindness to a suffering Congress. It is well understood the right side after all. A little five-prisoner, and Marshal Dyer also for how these petitions are prepared and year-old girl in the party went his share in the proceedings. signed, and they have no more around reading the names on the Those Idaho prisoners recently effect than blank sheets tied up in a desks, such as Hon. S. S. Cox, Hon. pardoned and released from Sioux bundle. Thomas B. Reed, Hon. John T. Falls received executive clemency The weather, that inexhausti- Caine, etc., and seemed considera- to relieve them from the shameble subject of intellectual con-bly puzzled. Running up to a gen-ful and illegal punishment of versation, is and has been splen- tleman she asked, "Can you please two penalties for one offense. did. Except an occasional rain tell me why all the boys in this They were convicted of unlawful it has been charming. Clear school are named Hon.?" The lit- cohabitation and adultery, when the skies, warm sunshine and balmy tle miss was duly enlightened, her latter offense was really covered by air. New Years' calls were numer- informant being Hon. Ezra B. Tay- the former. This is how it is underous and the leaders of fashion kept lor, who is always in the House, ex-stood here. open house with refreshments ad cept on Sunday, after half-past 9 libitum and a stereotyped smile for o'clock in the morning and until the all well-dressed comers, the ladies evening shades appear. receiving in "full dress," most of which was on the floor. The Department of Justice and the Executive of the Nation agree on this, whatever the wise judges of Utah and Idaho may There is quite a breeze here think to the contrary. It was not over the negligence in the designed by the framers of the law The Supreme Court of the State Department concerning to inflict double punishment on an United States, as is well known, the pardon of prisoners. At offender, even if he is that terrible is overcrowded with work, and the White House everything acted irritant to pharisaic puritanism, a the cases before it are so nu- upon is promptly forwarded to "Mormon polygamist." Every merous that in the ordinary course its proper department, and a perfect lawyer here whose opinion is asked of adjudication the latest cases on record is kept of the disposition of as to the legality of this piling on of the docket will not be considered each case. But frequently papers penalties is emphatic in condemnfor several years. The docketed are mislaid and cases delayed in the ing it utterly. The same with cases now number 1,463. About 450 State Department, causing no end of that cruel and inexcusable Utah is the average number disposed of trouble and distress. Pardons are during each term, and the average granted and, instead of the lookedincrease is about 200 a year. There for release being made at once, the is no remedy for this but by Act of warrants are held in a heartless Congress, and little disposition is way, and sick and dying prisoners manifested in that body to afford are detained in confinement because relief. A bill introduced by Senator of the tardy unwinding of official and ex-Judge Davis passed the Sen- red tape. One poor cripple, parate at one time but went no further. doned December 21st, was still in It proposed eighteen additional cir- prison in Virginia at New Year's cuit judges, and to raise the mini- day, and other similar cases are mum limit of money involved in a coming to light which arouse a Bishop J. P. Newman. known case before the Supreme Court to good deal of indignation. By the in Utah as "Leviticus xviii, 18,” $10,000. George Ticknor Curtis by, it should be understood that the formerly pastor of the M. E. Church once proposed to relieve the Supreme release of Bishop A. A. Kimball with the chimes, has been re-visitCourt of all patent cases and send was brought about by the kindly ing his old particular sphere, and them to a Patent Court of Appeal. intervention of Judge Judd, who has been cordially received among That was a good suggestion but has passed sentence upon him. He his friends. He and his wife have never been seriously and practically imposed but a light penalty con- been the guests of Senator and Mrs. considered. The Davis bill would sidering the charge, because he saw answer the desired purpose, and may that the defendant was in bad be revived during the next session health; and learning by a dispatch of Congress, when the republicans from Marshal Dyer that Mr. Kimball expect to have their own way in was in a dangerous condition, the legislation. judge promptly wrote a personal pe judicial practice of forcing a woman under threats of imprisonment to disclose the paternity of her child, when she is liable to prosecution herself or the testimony would expose her to public reproach. This excessive zeal in the enforcement of a special law, it is thought, has been carried to the verge of official fanaticism and the appearance of judicial spite. Stanford, of California, at whose house a reception was held in his honor yesterday. The new Bishop wears his honors proudly, and fills his office with much ability. He is a popular preacher and far above the average. The District of Columbia is reducing its public debt, its sinking fund being something more than a name. Since July, 1878, it has been shaved down $3,970,100. But those who think a bonded debt a benefit to a town or a nation need not be discouraged at this. The District still owes the comfortable sum of $20,142,050, which would make a number of fortunes for several reasonable individuals—a simple twentieth would be quite satisfactory X. A large number of "school tition for his pardon, which he formarms" in excursion parties warded to Delegate Caine, who at visited Washington during the holi- once endorsed it, obtained the signadays. They were a bright, intelli- ture of Attorney General Garland gent looking body of women, and waiving further formalities, and prewent about their sight-seeing in a sented it to the President, who acted business-like manner. During their upon it without delay. The Departinspection of the Capitol one party ment of Justice telegraphed news of took seats in the House of repre- the pardon, and as the Marshal and sentatives-it was during recess Warden in Utah have more humanand all but two sat on the Republi- ity than devotion to dry formalities, he can side, and commenced to make was liberated without waiting for pafun of the twain on the other. But pers that might be detained through these, pointing to the picture of official lethargy here. Of course the to George Washington on their side of dispatch from the Department of WASHINGTON, D. C.,Jan. 4, 1889. NO. 5. TRUTH AND LIBERTY JUNE, 1850. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1889. And so I should be loved and mourned have taken place from the begin The tenderness for which I long tonight. ROBERT C. V. MYERS. LECTURE. VOL. XXXVIII. After a few prefatory observations, flake upon flake? Does it not come Bishop Whitney proceeded to say: from the tiny snowball, started as The idea of this lecture, if I may by merest accident from the mouncall it a lecture, was suggested to tain tops, but gathering its conme by a conversation that took place genial element as it goes, until in between two of the Elders of the the all-powerful avalanche it thunChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-ders down the mountain side, and day Saints, the gist of which was carries away all opposition in its this: One of them contended that path? Can we say that God is in God, while He might be, and un- the avalanche and not in the snowdoubtedly was, in the great things flake? Can we say that God is in which happened in the midst of the ocean and not in the dewdrop? mankind, in important events, such Can we say that He is in the globe, as the rise and fall of nations, in the continents and islands of the great political changes and vicissi-earth, and not in the tiny grain of tudes which are taking place, and sand which, many times multiplied, goes to make up the solid earth on ning until now; while He might, which we dwell? Can we say He perhaps, inspire a religious reformer, is in the thunderbolt and the storm an inventor, or the discoverer of and not in the ripple of the stream, some great truth which is born to and the twitter of the birds? Small bless humanity, He was not in things, it appears, are the seeds of the small things, and that many great things. The acorn may be tiny, incidents occurred in the history of but it holds within its little shelt man of which God took no cog- the germ of the great and spreading nizance whatever; that He was oak, under whose boughs the beasts, above noticing little things, but was and man himself, may seek shelter; behind as the propelling power of while the fowls of heaven lodge what men call great things. The and make their home amidst its other Elder opposed him in this branches. Is God in the oak and view, and used among other expres- not in the acorn? We may take all sions in reply, these forcible words: the great events of history, all the "Brother So-and-So, if you have not yet learned that God is in all things, great and small, it is my bumble opinion that you have a great deal to learn." mighty happenings in the midst of mankind, and we can trace them back to small beginnings which, though they be despised and overlooked by man, are great and important in the eyes of God. We are living in an age which is promised to eclipse in importance, in grandeur and magnificence, in civilization, in learning, in power, and in glory, all ages that have preceded it; the dispensation of the fulness of times, which has been Now, suppose we analyze the position of the former speaker for a moment. Suppose we ask ourselves ON TUESDAY evening, the 11th the question: Whence come the inst., Bishop O. F. Whitney lec- great things of history-whence tured in the Social Hall, Salt Lake come those mighty happenings that City, under the auspices of the shake the earth with their thunder Students' Society of the Salt Lake that attract the attention of milStake Academy. Subject, "God in lions and will not be ignored? compared to the ocean, into which the Affairs of Men and Govern- Whence comes the mighty avalanche all the rivers and rills of past ages ments." There was a crowded that sweeps from the hill-top, crush- will run. But what was the beginaudience, every available seat being ing and grinding and carrying all ning of this dispensation? How occupied, and the lecture was list- before it, filling the gorges and the did God commence this great ened to from beginning to end with canyons and valleys below? Does work? It has now assumed what the closest attention by all present. it not come from the massing of might be termed respectable dimen such views as those which I have sions, and the world is beginning to But the child thought of her Father acknowledge that Mormonism has in heaven; of her eternal Parent, passed that stage in its history when and she went to the bottom of the it can any longer be permitted orchard and bowed down under an to pass unnoticed, when men can apple-tree and asked God-who rules any more afford to ignore it and the earth and holds in His hands the overlook it. It is marching on to destinies of men and nations-to its triumph, to its victory, which soften her mother's heart, that she has been decreed and destined from might not whip her. She sprang the beginning of time, from before Is this the God of whom His Son up filled with joy, with peace, for the foundations of the world. But Jesus testified when He sent His the Holy Ghost had testified to her how was this work begun? A hum- apostles forth to preach the Gospel, that the threat would not be fulble farmer's boy went out into the when He told them to take neither filled. Her mother returning and woods one day and asked God for a purse nor scrip, nor two coats, but seeing what had happened took blessing. His mind was torn with to go forth trusting in God for their her child into another room for the doubt, with perplexity, with ques- daily bread? Is He the Being of purpose of lecturing her and then tionings as to which of all the whose care and providence it is giving her the promised punishreligious creeds of Christendom was said: "The very hairs of your heads ment. But she found that her arm the true one. He was a seeker after are numbered?” and "Not a sparrow was paralyzed, that her heart was truth, and this was the favor he falls to the ground without your melted, and she could no more lift asked of the Almighty-for he be- Father's notice?" Is He the God her hand to strike the child lieved there was a God-and he be- whom Jesus meant when he said: than she would have raised a knife lieved that God would answer "Consider the lilies of the field for the purpose of taking her prayer; that he had but to put into how they grow; they toil not daughter's life. Yet "God is not in practice the advice of the apostle, neither do they spin; and yet I say "If any man lack wisdom le him unto you that even Solomon in all ask of God, who giveth to all men his glory was not arrayed like one of liberally and upbraideth not and it these?” "If, then, God so clothe shall be given him." Joseph Smith | the grass, which today is and believed this; he had that living tomorrow is cast into the oven, will faith which God could not deny. He not also clothe you, O ye of little True he was only a boy-he was faith?" Is this a God who is not in only a little one-a tiny speck of the small things, a God who can mortality, one among millions and "hear the young ravens when they millions of God's creatures. But he cry;" a God whose ears are saluted was not satisfied with his spiritual with the shouts of armies and the condition; he desired to know more; hosannas of mighty multitudes, and and he believed that the Lord yet can turn to hear the prayer of a would give him what he sought. little child? He did not believe, as the Christian world asserted, that the heavens were closed, that God no longer spake to man, but he believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and JacobHe who never changes, who is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." He bowed in humility before that God, and that God answered his prayer. I want to relate here an incident that happened to one who is near and dear to me-my mother. In her early childhood, her mother, on leaving the house one day, warned her not to meddle with the dishes on the table, "for," said she, "if you break one I shall have to whip you." Her mother was a woman who kept her word, whether she This work began with that hum- promised good or evil, whether it ble boy, and on the 6th of April, was a present or a penalty. She 1830, six humble persons met was in the habit of faithfully together and organized the Church executing what she had spoken. of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -the germ and nucleus of a work before which the glory of the kingdoms of this world will pale as pales the starlight before the morn. This may seem boastful. When she had left the house, her daughter, possessed of that spirit of mischief to which children are so liable, did exactly the thing that her mother told her not to do, and by This would letting the table-leaf fall she broke appear presumptuous in the eyes of several of the dishes. Now in the the world. They have so long been days of poverty of the people of this in the habit of leaving God out of Church this was a heavier loss than the question, of putting Him away perhaps many of us know how to (for though many "draw near to appreciate. The little girl was Him with their lips, yet their hearts terror-stricken; she knew her are far from Him") and in the mother would whip her; she knew it political world especially it has be- because she had confidence in her come so fashionable to shut God out mother's word, because her mother from all participation in human was a woman of honor who did not affairs, that it seems absurd to hold speak one thing and mean another. the small things, only in the great.” This anecdote was told by my mother's father, Heber C. Kimball, in the theological school in Kirtland, before the Prophet Joseph Smith and many of the leading Elders of Israel, and they wept like children; for the subject which had been up for consideration was "Faith in God, and of what does it consist?" Joseph, who had a heart as tender as a child's, wiping away the tears from his eyes, said: "Brethren, I could not tell you any more what faith is if I lectured here all night, than has been illustrated in that simple anecdote told by Brother Kimball. It is well timed; that is what I mean by faith." Yes, this is faith; the honest conviction of the humble, child-like heart, going to God, not with high-sounding words and swelling phrases, but asking Him in simple language for the desire of the soul. But the world despises such things, and, as I have said, they have nearly shut God out of the question. The spirit which animates this world is the spirit of egotism, of selfishness, and a desire to claim the glory which belongs unto the Maker. It is the spirit which animated Nebuchadnezzar of old, when walking upon the walls of Babylon, viewing that magnificent city, with its hanging gardens, one of the wonders of the world, with its hundred brazen gates, with its lofty walls, so thick that several chariots could ride abreast along the top thereof so splendid a city, so impregnable a fortress, that it seemed to laugh to scorn the power of every foe, and was called the "glory of the Chaldees' excellency-Babylon the great." Nebuchadnezzar walked up- whomsoever He will." And it earth. We are looking forward to on the walls of this city, and com- was done. Nebuchadnezzar, to his the time when He whom we know muned with himself in the pride of credit be it said, was converted; and as King of kings will come to take his heart in this wise: "Is not this when the "seven times" were ex-the reins of Government-He whose great Babylon which I have built, pired, and he had suffered this right it is to reign. We speak of for the house of the kingdom, by the humiliation until he had learned that time and we look forward with might of my power and for the not to take the glory to himself, but joyous anticipation to that great honor of my majesty?" He had to acknowledge the hand of God in reign of righteousness and peace of been warned a little time before in His greatness, the kingdom was a thousand years duration, when a dream, which was interpreted by restored to him; and he gave thanks God will rule over the earth, when Daniel, the prophet, of the danger unto the Lord, and acknowledged Christ will be king. It appears to of giving way to the spirit of self- that He was King of the earth as me, brethern and sisters, that God laudation, forgetting that God ruled well as the King of heaven. is the king of this earth now, that in "the kingdom of men," and that A strange feature of this fact in He is ruling over the earth, and He had power to give that kingdom history is this: That though this always has ruled over it, and that to whomsoever He would. In his great man—for he was a great man He rules through the instrumendream he saw a tree which was-was filled with pride, with vanity, tality of men. And the sooner we great and mighty, waving its lofty with selfishness and ambition, yet recognize this fact-though by no branches covered with magnificent God had deigned to call him: "My means do I intend to depreciate or foliage, filled with fruit which was servant Nebuchadnezzar;" and by disparage the other idea, the visible meat for both man and beast; the the mouth of His Prophet Jeremiah reign of the king of kings—that top of which tree reached to heaven had commanded His chosen people God is now king of this earth, that while its branches overspread the to bow their necks unto the yoke of He now holds the reins of governearth. While surveying it he heard this king of Babylon. And it was ment and that kings and presidents, a voice from heaven say, "Hew to be "well with them" if they did and magistrates, and judges, and down the tree, and cut off his so; but if they sought to ally them- congressmen, and cabinets hold branches, shake off his leaves and selves with the king of Egypt dis- their places by His Royal permisscatter his fruit," etc. "Neverthe-aster and misfortune would follow.sion, the sooner we will arrive at less, leave the stump of his roots in We all know how this was fulfilled: the solution of a great truth. the earth," etc. The interpretation Jerusalem was taken, the city was We Latter-day Saints believe in of the dream was this: That Nebu- destroyed, the temple was despoiled the Priesthood-in the power which chadnezzar was the tree which he of its gold and silver vessels; the holds the right to rule and had seen in vision; for at that time king of Judah, the princes and govern all things. This is what Babylon was the universal empire; priests and many thousands of the Priesthood means. It means nothit had broken in pieces all the na- people, who were not slain, were ing more or less. Priesthood is the tions of the earth. It was called carried captive in chains to Baby- power of God; it is the authority by the "hammer of the whole earth," | lon; because they hearkened not unto which He rules in the heavens for this reason. And wherever the the voice of the prophet, to bow above and on the earth beneath. beasts of the field roamed, or the their necks to the yoke of Nebuchad- Gods and angels are the members of fowls of the air lodged, or the chil- nezzar, the servant of the Lord. this grand brotherhood--this masondren of men dwelt, Nebuchadnez- Daniel the prophet, who interpreted ic fraternity of the heavens. On zar was the great king of all. Even that dream of this king's, and other earth, what we term the Priesthood the covenant people, the house of dreams which he had, was one of are certain ones whom God has Israel, had been commanded to bow the princes of the house of Judah chose to represent Him-His sertheir necks to Nebuchadnezzar, thus carried into captivity. This vants, whom He has ordained as whom the Lord at that time called sets us thinking. Nebuchadnezzar His ambassadors, and sent forth His "servant." But he forgot that the Babylonian king, a servant of to act in His name and by His God who had made him great, and, the Lord? The Lord called him so; authority. We recognize this truth like the politicians and rulers of to- and what is more remarkable, the that when a man has been comday, the kings and presidents and man who was raised up to wrest missioned of God and represents magistrates, and mighty men, he from the dynasty of Nebuchadnezzar Him, the acts of that man are imagined that he had done all this his kingdom in the reign of his son just as valid and binding as though -that he had conquered the earth, Belshazzar-Cyrus, the Persian-God himself were the actor. We that he had built this magnificent was predicted 150 years before he are told that a time is coming when city; and as Napoleon in later was born, by the prophet Isaiah, this great King of kings of whom times exclaimed: "I am France;" who says concerning him: "Thus so Nebuchadnezzar declared: "I am saith the Lord to His anointed, to Babylon the Great." Cyrus, whose right hand I have When he had uttered this vain holden to subdue nations before boast, a voice fell from heaven, him, and I will loose the loins of saying: “O, King Nebuchadnezzar, kings to open before him the twoto thee it is spoken. The kingdom leaved gates; and the gates shall not is departed from thee. And they be shut." Here was another man, shall drive thee from men, and thy supposedly a heathen, not of the dwelling shall be with the beasts of house of Israel, whom the Lord the field; they shall make thee to condescends to name by name beeat grass as oxen, and seven times fore he was born, and calls him not shall pass over thee, until thou know simply, "My servant," but "Mine that the Most High ruleth in the anointed." And yet some men kingdom of men, and giveth it to think that God does not reign on we have been speaking, will come in His glory to reign upon the earth, and before whom, when He sits upon the throne of His glory, will be gathered all nations, and He will divide them as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats. The sheep He will place upon His right hand and the goats upon His left; and He will say to those upon His right, "Come ye beloved of my Father, enter into the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and ye fed me; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was naked and ye him; Now does anyone sup they will see in him my there were many of the noble and image, and they will receive him as great ones. And God saw these they would receive me." But they souls that they were good, and He take him, the son, the heir to the stood in the midst of them and He estate, and put him to death. Then said, 'These I will make my rulers;' the lord comes in his vengeance and for he stood among those that were calls those unrighteous stewards to spirits, and he saw that they were account, and casts them into outer good. And he said unto me, darkness, where there is weeping Abraham, thou art one of them; and wailing and gnashing of teeth. thou wast chosen before thou wast In this little parable is told the his- born."" tory of the world in a nutshell. The pose that any power, earthly or inpeople of this world, the great and fernal, could have prevented Abrathe mighty ones, have said in effect: ham becoming the "father of the "We will steal this vineyard. We faithful"-the head of the house of will evilly entreat the servants of Israel? Could any mortal power our Lord, and if the heir comes to have hindered him from fulfilling claim his own we will put him to his destiny? He came to earth with death, and then we will have his in- the blessing and the ordination of heritance for our own." That is Almighty God upon his head-for precisely the attitude in which this Abraham was a high-priest after the proud generation stands today. They order of Melchisedeck-he was a have shut God out from their coun- prophet of the Most High. And cils, they have barred Him out from Joseph Smith says that all the participation in human affairs, and prophets held the Melchisedeck have said: "We are masters here. We will take this inheritance, and if God himself comes we will treat Him as a usurper and an invader." But God will come nevertheless, and He will call to an account men and nations to whom He has given this stewardship, and of whom He will demand a strict reckoning. Blessed is he who has improved upon the talents which have been given him, be they one or two, or five; but woe unto him who hides his talent in the earth, thinking, because his talent is only one, only a small one, that God will require of him no account. God is in the small things as well as in the great. Of those to whom much has been given much will be required, while from those to whom little has been given, but little will be required. This is predestination; this is foreMen and nations stand upon this ordination; and while it does not plane. They are stewards for time; destroy human agency, right of and the nation that misuses its choice, individual volition, the power and the individual who power to do right or wrong, it is set abuses his gifts and privileges, and fails to use his time, his talents, his opportunities, his posessions, for the glory of God and the welfare of his fellowmen will be made to answer at the bar of eternal judgment, where a just Judge will sit upon his case, and demand of him a due return for all that he was entrusted with. priesthood and were ordained under the hands of God himself. Could anyone have prevented Jeremiah from being a prophet, when God said unto him "Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations?" Could any human being have hindered, when God had placed upon these men his own hands and ordained them, before the world was, for their great mission? We must not think that prophets and apostles and great men are accidents; we must not think they are children of chance; we must not suppose that the times produce such men; but it is God who produces the time, and then sends the man into it whom he has foreordained. Now the Lord has been ending His servants to this earth from the beginning, and it has happened just as was told in the parable of the lord and the vineyard. The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain lord who placed his vineyard in the hands of his servants and made them stewards over all that he and fixed by a decree that is irrepossessed, and then took his jourvocable, except by transgression on ney into a far country. By-and-by, the part of the individual. You thinking it time that he should reap may throw a prophet into a dunsome of the harvest, some of the regeon, you may hang him upon a sults of the working of his vineyard tree; he is still a prophet and a serover which he had placed these vant of the Most High. You may stewards, he sends unto them one of spit upon him; the world may tramhis servants, and they beat him and ple him under their feet; they canmaltreat him and send him away not take from him his Priesthood; bruised and bleeding. Again, the There are reasons why God has they cannot take from him his calllord sends another servant, and they chosen certain men to bear His ing which the Almighty placed stone him and trample on him, and Holy Priesthood. Abraham gives upon his head before this world treat him in like manner. Again one reason, for God showed unto was. All the free agency there is, and again he sends, pleading with him the mysteries of His kingdom. all the volition there is, all the right them to give the lord his own, and Said he, "Now the Lord had shown of choice and election is circumthey abuse all whom he sends. unto me, Abraham, the intelligences scribed within the sphere in which Then the lord says: "I will send that were organized before the man finds himself. There is no my son; surely they will respect world was, and among all these mounting up to heaven to blot out |