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

The duty Of the teacher is to look after
the individuals In the church, advise
them, keep them up to their religious
duties, and ia the absence OF the elder
or priest, be NAV lead the worship. The
deacon is the teachers assistant. II is
his special charge 70 see that the meet
ing-house is kept In good condition, and
to look after the poor. 1t will thus be
seen what \ vast and complicated ma
chine is the Mormon hierarchy, and
how the hope Of advancement in It's acts
is q constant stimulus 20 devotion and
iaithfulness. Diligent performances TO
duty means an easy ascent TO the next
round OF the ladder, whose top, In the
minds OF the humber members OF the
priesthood, rests upon the clouds.
Service IS a missionary has from the
outset been considered a necessary ap-
premiership for the higher honors Of
MormOnism. Among the present lead
erS OF the church, Woodruff, Cannon,
Snow, Richards, Preston, Penrose aud
the rest. there is scarcely one who has
not at one time or another besn = zeal
Gus and enthusiastic worker in the mis-
sionary field. Mormon missionaries
have IN the past penetrated to every
part Of the world, finding converts TO
their faith among 4 score OF peoples.
Forty years ago they thronged the
towns and cities OF the United States
and Canada, Of England, Wales and
Scotland, and OF the European cOun-
tries; and the csaselsss streams OF con-
vsrts who 1OCksd 20 Zion bore testi-
mORy 70 tbs success OF their efforts.
A permanent fund was founded 10 aid
poor converts who desired to join their
brethren in Utah, and the manage
ment Of foreign missions, usually allot-
ted TO ons of the apostles, was for years
post eagerly sought after, not only for
the honor 10 conferred, but also because
OF the opportunities il afforded for per
soma gain. More recently Mormon mis-
Sionary work has been mainly cOnhned
on this side OF the water 20 the ignorant
whites Of the South, and beyond tue sea
20 the people OF Denmark, Norway and
Sweden. The number OF converts has
10 consequence greatly fallen of, but
the occasional arrival ia Salt Lake City
Of q band Of immigrants, who are quar-
tered for few DAYS IN house set apart
for that purpose Co the tithIng yard, be-
fore being distributed among the vari-
Gus settlements OF the territory, shows
that MormouiSm is faith that has not
yet lost the power OF drawing new ad-
herents 20 its standard, although these
new adherents are, as rule, ignorant,
Credu.ous and simple minded.
MILFORD Woodruff, Fourth President
OF the Church OF Jesus Christ OF Latter
Day Saints, is New England Yankee
Of Revolutionary ancestry. lie was
born 10 Connecticut Ia 1927, but be car
ries his years so we'll that one not
knowing his age would set him dow rs
under sixty. His sturdy fame is stall
erect, his voice strong, his step firm and
quick, and there is scarcely a wrinkle
q his square, resolute face. BE looks
ike General Grant and possesses much
OF the great captains trmness AID
force OF character.
President Woodruff Joined the Nor
mon church al Kirkland and is the asst
OF the twelve apostles chosen By Joseph
Smith. lie was long a missionary In
England and for forty years has been
one OF the leading men OF Utah. IL is
the custom, when the presidency OF the
church becomes vacant through death,
10 appoint to the place the Oldest Of the
apostles, ana it was i'm this way that, on
the death OF John w. Taylor, In 1887
MILFORD Woodruff became tho recog
niZed head OF the Mormon church. In
feriOr TO Young in executive capacity
and 70 Taylor ia learning and scholar
ship, he is still man Of ability and
ana force, and were he thirty years
younger might have an abiding in1u-
enCe on the peculiar people OF whom be
is the leader. But he is a very old man,
whose race OF life is almost run, and he
had hardly been induCted into the pres
idency before his followers began to
canvass the claims and merits Of his
possible successor.
Public opinion has finally fixed upon
George l.. Cannon, one OF President
WoOdruff's first COuuselors, as the COM
ing man Cannon, who in personal APP
uearance closely resem b.es the philau-
thropical George w. Childs, OF Phila-
delphia, is an Euglishman SiXty-siX
wears OF age lie was almost born in
his father having become
a convert 20 the faith when he was
twelve years old. Brigham Young,
who early recognized his remarkable
qualities, made him one Of the twelve
apostles when he was only thirty-two
years old, aud little later placed him
in charge OF the European missions OF
the church. Under his direction in Eve
years 10. 900 converts were sent from
Europe 10 Utah. From 1864 10 1872 he
was private secretary 20 Brigham
Young and editor OF the Desert NelCS.
From 1879 TO 1850 as delegate in
Congress be had charge Of Nor
mon interests in Washington. In
1850 he became one Of the
first couuselOrs 10 President Taylor,
his uncle by marriage, and was contin-
ued in the same Office by President
Woodruff. Cannon is far aad away the
aolest man in the Mormon Church. No
one is more thoroughly acquainted with
its thousand details or more clearly
realizes the strength and character OF
the opposition with which IL has "a con-
Tend. Contact with sll classes and con-
ditions OF men has given him a thor
ouQh knowledge OF the world, and a
suaye and courteous bearing which
strongly ana iavorably impresses all
who meet him for the first time. Cannon
is q born dipl0matist and in many re-
respects the exact opposite OF President
Woodruff. The latter, q religious en-
tbusiast who believes implicitly IN his
faith. is direct, straightforward and
truthful; Cannon. the man OF affairs, is
sstute. plausible and full OF guile. He
Is in every way fitted by talent and
training for the position he Is 10 fill.
Already. as Presiden, Woodruff is said
10 be guided mainly by his advice, be Is
the mower behind the throne.