Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-05-20

mistake, for. while not Visibly impair
ing the power OF the priesthood, 1t has
aroused sympathy for the saints among
people whose sense OF fair play causes
them 70 protest quickly against the
plunderinR OF weaker body by q strong
sr, and has created a precedent which
many thoughtful men, not MormOns,
believe 70 bs fraugh, with the graYssi
dangers.
One thing, however, cOnfscation las
done-this obseryant Geutllss claim
and the Mormons reluctantly admit
has tended 70 diminish ia a measure the
tubes which the faithful pay into the
az u the church and which have
been the bulwark OF the priest
cd. With this exception, and aside
com the direct financial loss implied,
cOnfscatIOn has In no manner injured
Mormouism.
The tithing system was borrowed by
Joseph Smith from the customs OF the
ancient Hebrews and revised and per-
fscted By Smiths successor, Brigham
Young. Even In the early NauyOo
days 10 placed vast revenue a. tho dis
posal OF the church authorities, and the
revenue has ever since continued con
stantiy increasing source or profit Al
the present time the money derived
from fittings, exclusive or the large
sums spent for charitable purposes, is
reputed 20 amount 20 several hondred
thousand dollars year.
The tithing system has rendered pos
sible the building OF she four great tenn
pies which ara y source OF wonder and
admiration 20 eveIY stranger who visits
Utah. The temple az Logan, which
cost nearly three-QuaTJsrs OF million
and was seven years Ia building; It's
ceupterpart a. ST. George, which was
nearly as long in building and cost $780,
600; the temple at MautL and the
browning piece OF Mormon architecture,
the great temple in Salt Lake City, be-
gan forty years ago and dedicated but
recently, the walls OF which are iS4 feet
long, s. wide, lO2 high aud thick, and
mon which nearly four millions
have already been expended, have all
been built from a portion OF the church
titbes set apart for the purpose. The
Gentiles claim that goodly part OF the
money received from tithes, instead OF
being expended as the Mormon author
flies would have US believe, for cnarit-
able and other legitimate church par
noses. is used as corruption fund in
tbe accomplishment OF objects whose
character debaTs them from light OF
day. Just how much truth, II any,
there is in this claim is, or course, diff
fcult TO determine.
It's curious TO observe how little the
aims and methods OF the Mormon
church have changed since the death OF
It's founder. The sutocracy retains a.
most without modification the form
given It by Joseph Smith half a century
and more ago The priesthood now
numbers $4,000 men, great army
whose every member has his definitely
assigned position and clearly defined
dpties. The MelchiZideck and the
Aaronic are the two grand divisions OF
the priesthood, the former charged
with the conduct OF spiritual and the
latter of temporal affairs. Over all are
the president Of the church and his two
counselors, constituting the hrSt preSl-
dency and the twelve apostles.
Each subdivision OF the two orders OF
the priesthood has its complete Organi-
1ation. The seventies are organized In
councils of seventies. Each council has
seven presidents. The first president
presides over the other six aud also over
Inc whole council. There are nearly
hundred councils OF seventies in the
church. The elders are organized into
councils OF ninetY-six members, ana
each council has a president and two
copnselors. The priests ars divided
INTO councils Of forty eight, each with
its president and two cOunsslorS. Teach
ara are organized in councils OF twenty
four. and deacOns in councils OF twelve,
tHe same plan OF president and two
conpselors being applied. Each State
has its state bishop and two counse.ors.
n also has its high council composed o.
twelye high priests. Issues are heard
aid decided bv this high council
There is a general assembly OF the
bigb councils Of the whole church, to
which appeals may be taken. THESE
high councils constitute the Jnolelal
Jsstnre of Mormonism. The state IS
srb6ivided into wards, each OF which
has its ward bishop and two eounselors'
zach ward has its 0WR meeting house