The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-30
President Cannon On the Use Of
Tea and Coffee.
IT DEEPLY GRIEVES HIM
SAINTS HAVE WORKED FOR 70
YEARS WITHOUT AVAIL.
Says He Despairs Of Anything Being
Done to Check These Evil Habits
Among the Mormon People-A
Number of Addresses Made-The
Convention Adjourns.

The convention of the Deseret Sun
day school union adjourned sine die
last evening, the last sessions being
marked with the same interest mani
tested on the first day. The instruc-
lions have been beneficial and have
served to awaken new interest in the
work of maintaining the important
factor of the church. thereby accom-
plishing the purpose for which the con-
vehtion was called.
The delegates, numbering 2,095, will
now return to their fields of labor, graf
ified in every sense of the word, for
their attendance.
The session of yesterday forenoon was
opened with prayer by Apostle Grant.
Miss Donetta Smiths paper, The
Sunday School," contained many valu-
able hints and was in itself a praise
worthy treatise of the subject.
Elder Lars e. Eggertson of Provo,
spoke on punctuality. His remarks
were attentively received and showed
very careful thought, mingled with
practical experience.
Elder George Goddard led 'In Our
Lovely Deseret," a well-known school
song.
Elder George A. Smith, in reviewing
the Importance of the office Of Sunday
school superintendent, said he should
keep, as well as teach, the word of
wisdom and be exemplary in all his
habits.
The next paper was on the Sunday
school teacher and was presented by
L. T. Moench. Benediction by Elder c..
D. Fjelsted.
In the afternoon, Delegate 7. C.
Griggs spoke interestingly of Sunday
school choirs, and answered a number
Of queries on the subject
Delegate ]. w. Tate put before the
convention the proper form of presen-
tation of church authorities, and was
followed by Apostle Lyman on the adj
ministration of the sacrament.
H. S. Goddard rendered 'Hosanna"
in excellent manner, with organ accom-
paniment.
DR.. Karl C. Maeser added a few 1e-
marks on Sunday school conference,
and Elder George Reynolds suggested a
programme for the conference of 1899.
Our approaching semi-centennial eel
ebration was treated by Delegate ]. w.
Summerhays and the meeting was dis
missed by President Joseph T. Smith.
The feature of last evenings session
was the address of President George
Q. Cannon on the WORD of Wisdom -
the remarks having been prompted by
numerous questions, of which the fol-
lowing are fair examples:
"Is the observance of the word of
wisdom test for the qualification of 81
Sunday school officer or teacher?" and
What would you do with a superin-
tendent who comes to Sunday school
smoking a cigar?"
President Cannon first expressed his
surprise that such questions, the an
swers to which must be apparent to
ALL, should be asked. He alluded to the
prevalence of the violation of the word
of wisdom and the strenuous efforts
which have been made to crush out the
evil especially in the Sunday schools.
For his own part, the speaker had not
resorted to compulsory methods in the
matter, but believed there should be
rules in the Sunday school to prevent
the breaking out of a careless feeling
in this respect.
President Cannon continued: eve
have for SiXty-four years taught the
word of wisdom, and made great efforts
to have it carried out. In travelling
throughout he settlements, 1 find no
great progress being made in response
to our teachings. 1t is with grief 1 note
the prevalence of tea and coffee, and
have reason to believe tobacco and
liquor are also extensively used.
How long, oh, how long, will it take
us. to CONQUER these habits? If we
have worked nearly seventy years and
accomplished nothing, when can we
hope'it will be done? L despair of any
thing being done. I want to say to
those who use tea and coffee, Go
aheadp I want to say to those who
smoke and chew, Go aheadr To those
who drink, DO so if you want to; pay
no attention to the word of wisdom
Why should we wear our lungs out
talking? They've heard the word of
Gods prophets, and if they don't want
to keep it, let them go ahead.
THE idea of asking such questions:
Can a man who smokes be a fit super
intendent for our Sabbath school? Why,
the idea is to be scorned. Or a man
who drinks tea or coffee, to think of
his teaching our children? I am shock
ed that such questions could arise. OF
course, no man who breaks the word of
God can teach our children
President Cannon concluded with an
earnest plea to have the word of wis
dom properly taught in the schools,
and hoped the rising generations would
be free from the habits mentioned, and
eventually see to it that the law is OBJ
served.
Elder N. E. Noyes, Apostles Teasdale,
George Goddard and J. NJ. Mills were
other speakers of the session
George d. Piper and Nellie Druce-
Pugsley sang solos during the evening.
Before adjournment the committee
on subsistence and information report
ed the following: Delegates present,
2,095; from state, 1888; from adjoining
states, 106; Canada, three; Tennessee,
two; Mexico, one.
A vote of thanks was rendered Off
GERS, committees and all who had as
sisted in making the convention a sue
cess, and the convention adjourned
after standing and singing America "
Benediction by President Joseph r.
Smith.
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