Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-05-04
HONOR GIVEN WHERE DUE.
Sister BathShtbl ". Smith Sees Her
SsYsnly-aflh Birthday.
A Party Given In uor Honor Yrster.
day-Exercises of n fitting and
Appropriate Nature.

Sister Batbsheba w. Smith, wife OF
the late President George A. Smith,
and second counselor to Sister Iina ID.
III. Young In the Relief Society or
gabization, was celebrated in fitting
style yesterday afternoon at the resi-.
doncs OF her granddaughter, Mrs. ID.
II. Allen OF Forest Dale ward.
There were about seventy.five guests
present, mostly relatives, and after
all had assembled together Elder
John Henry Smith made a very elo-
quent aud powerful sudress vi we.-
come, In which he made reference ~
the noble traits possessed by the
woman In whose honor they haI met.
Thea followed the following letter OF
congralulati0n from President Joseph
II. SMITH:
SALT LAKE CITY, April 8, 1897.
My Dear Aunt BaIhsheba:
For some lime l have been doting
upon attending tho reunion OF loved
ones, kindred aud trends in honor OF the
seventy fifth anniversary of your birth,
but Providence has willed it otherwise;
or rather, my physical condition is such
that prudence and the counsel OF DR..
Richards will prevent me from doing 30.
therefore take this method of press
ing regrets for my deprivation, and most
earnest desire for the happiness OF all
who shall ga her around you this even
ing 10 do honor TO the loved and worthy
object OF their affections, in cherished
memory Of, and in gratitude for your
suspicious nlal day.
Your life AS been one OF constant
energy, iraught with Toll and sacrifice Of
personal comfort, and mixed with plen-
tiful sorrow. Along its way are strewn
the mortal remains OF IA darling son, cut
down in his very youth by ruthless,
savage hands; Of a beloved, and loving
and honored husband, who untimely
iell beneath the overwhelming weigh. of
multiplied responsibilities in the very
midday OF an eventiul, noble, useful,
wellnigh Indispensable life; and OF tho
martyred brothers and kinsman OF your
lamented husband-whose martyrdom
sealed their testimony TO the divine and
dea, hless truth which lies al the founda-
iiou OF the cause OF Zion, for which you
have endured 50 much. And Yet, your
life has been full OF good works, and
true womanly deeds, with real Christian
patience, and with love divine, the crown
ing virtues OF well spent, virtuous,
generous life.
regard you as most worthy COM
panion OF most noble man-oue of the
anoinled and chosen OF God.
In this and in The assurance your
knowledge OF the Gospel giyes-of an
eternal companlonship with him, and a
glorious reunion with the greatest spirits
of this greatest epoch OF the world, and
association with Christ aud God the
Father OF all--in the worlds to come,
you have the surest promise Of most
glorious rewards, which su far outweigh
the deepest trials OF this life that they
will be forgotten, or, II remem beTed at
ali, only US the purifying flames OF the
furnace which help 10 consume the dross
and purify the gold.
Aunt Balhsheba, we wish you many,
very many, most happy returns of this
day. Not only 80, but that every day
between shall be full OF peace and Joy
and honor for you and yours.
You have our confidence, our prayers,
our love. We know you to DO worthy Of
all, and more than we can give, or offer
you: and all is yours; we feel that you
have made your calling and election
sure.
God bless you in this world with
health, judgment, peace, joy and plenty,
and in the world to come with all that
has been promised you, and more, are
the sincere desires OF your aflectionate
kinsman and, l trust, unfailing friend,
Jos. II. SMITH.
After the reading OF the above Mrs.
Aice Merrill Horne, a granddaughter
OF Sister smith, read sketch OF her
grandmother's life, citing ali the
points Of Interest In ner career
from the date OF her birth up
to the present time, after which
Mrs. Clarissa Smith Williams
gave n sketch OF Sister Smiths work
in the Relief Societies. A touching
tribute from her own daughter, Mrs.
Bathsheba Smith Merrill, was the next
on the program, following which came
speeches from Sisters Zina ID. Ii.
Young. Il. Il, Wells, Emily p. Young,
Julina Smith and Blenop John r.
Winder and Patriarch John Smith.
To these remarks the guest of honor
responded in appropriate terms, hearth
ly thanking those assembled for the
spirit OF love manifested In her behalf.
The party came TO au end after
the serving Of refreshments, the
rendition OF a musical and literary
program, In which was inclu lied the
singing OF the popular song Hard
Times by the entire gathering, ami the
showering OF congratulations. gifts
anu flowers upon Sister Bathsheba.
BAthsheby w. Smith Is one OF the
early settlers OF this valley anu has
wide circle of frleDds and acqusinI.
ances, who, with the NEWS, Will feel
to congratulate her on having reached
the 10th milestone In the journey OF
mortal lie. Sister Smith was Que OF
the original members OF the Relief
s Society organization, and she, together
with PRECEDENT Woodruff are the only
peraons living who receiver the
ordinances Of the house OF the Lord In
the days Of the Prophet Joseph Smit :.