Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-02
The Mormon President.
ali ske &c Is.ft fsriston A6v.er-;sr

Although Taylor is generally regarded both
oy his followers and opponents as the ablest of
living saints. and as in 10 wise inferior either to
Smith or Young, he has not gained any reputa-
ton beyond the limits of the territory. 1t may
be that the comparative quiet of Utah since the
death of Young, and the less demonstratiye
character Of his successor. have contributed to
the presidents relative obscurity The whole
world was acquainted with the founder and the
oontinuator OF Mormonism. while the fame of
the existing president OF the church is almost
entirely local But the restricted renOwn of
Taylor does not derOgate from his mental cana
city or force of character. He is remarkable
man, and the incidents of his life have been so
dramatic, and. in way, so romantic that his
career and development comprise personal and
psychcal interest.
He is not an American as Smith and Young
were, (they were both New Englanders natives
Of Vermont having been born at Minthorpe,
WestmOreland England. He seems to have had
few educational advantages, as his parents were
In very humble circumstances. but to have been
possessed Of unusual intelligence and shrewd-
ness, very strong will. and a most resOlute and
energetic disposition. Always of reflective.
serious turn. he read n good deal mainly ethical
and theological works. and was industrious and
thrifty from his boyhoOd- OF his early antece-
dents little Is known. and he is not inclined to
be communicative on matters wholly concern
Ing himself Ii is thought he was a mechanic
In England and followed trade and was an
excellent workman. until he left Europe Not
twenty-five then he settled I'm Canada.
where several of his brothers and sisters
had preceded him. He soon wendell his way To
Toronto. and formed an intimacy with several
men who. like himself had investigated various
\ schemes of theology. and found them all I'M
satisfactory They We're persuaded he par
ticularly. that Christianity had hee, corruntad.
that many Of its ideas and doctrines were ancient
and obsolete, and that the new time and the New
World needed a new religion. which could not
be much longer deferred. TAYLOR was q con-
slant student OF the Bible and of polemc writ
ings on the proper Interpretation of disputed
passages He agreed with none of the cOutro-
versialists. but drew. from continued reading of
the Scriptures. definite conclusions OF his own.
and expoUnded them to his associates with
whom they had great weight He app1ars To
have been in similar frame of mind to Joseph
Smith. who has declared that he began when
ONLY fourteen To ponder upon the Importance of
his preparation for a future state and that he
went from one church to another with no result
but an Increase of perpleXity and repulsjon
from all accepted creeds
he was Invaluable in organizing this COM
nunity and contributing TO the material and
remarkable success it now enjoys. For years
he was speaker of the territorial house Of rem
resentatiyes; he has been superintendent of
schools and probate Judge of the adjoining
county OF Utah. When Brigham Young died
hve years ago. Taylor was by seniority. the
ehlei or the Council OF twelve. and really the
affairs for several years: but on the restoration
of the first presidency Taylor was elected nresi
dent. and JOS Z. Smith and Geo. Q. Cannon his
associates. Taylor. who will be ty-four
the LIST OF November next, does not seem nearly
% old, being strong erect. I'm complete health
and in full possession Of all his mental faculties
He is O natural leader. and might be picked
cut here 10y stranger as great mOgul of
the MormOns. None of the saints that
have seen has so marked and individual
. face 10 Is heavy, somewhat coarse, but full
Of intelligence. strength, repose, and con-
yeys tue impression of great reserved force. He
looks more like western man than q Briton
His hair is still thick. but gray. almost white as
- his beard. which is allowed to grow only under
his chin His nose and mouth are large but
well shaped, his brow broad and high. his eyes
dark and full of fire. particularly when he is
animated. He Is broad shouldered. about six
1eet high, of dark complexion. and dignifieJ and
impressive port. His voice is deep and clear;
nc mas extraordinary vigor OF statement, being
simple and direct yet fcrvld and Is considered
nc aoics. and most convincing speaker whether
y or out CT the pui pit, in the whole hierarchy
without much general literary culture. he is
veil yersed in whatever Is useful to him. and
Dcyer touches upon O subject with which he Is
LOT intimately acquainted PROFESSIONALLY a
0eaiot In all that appertains to the church, his
eeaiotry Ii not appsrcn. under ordinary circum-
u@nces, when ne appears to De entirely man
q the world. Not one OF the living saints has
zone as much as he to establish, strengthen and
e1tend Their peculiar and, In many respects
Derniciou3 doctrines.