Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-19
LAST RITES.
Elder BenweIl, Lately a lovabIe Figure in The
London Conference.

To the Editor:
The chapel at Undertaken j. w. Tay-
lor's was filled at II am, on Sunday
last by the friends OF Joseph f. Ben
well. late of st. Johns Wood, London,
who had departed this life on the iith
inst. Mt st. Mary's hospital, from
Brights disease and old age.
Hundreds of Elders in the Church
wtp Travelled and visited in the London
conference, will read with pleasant
memories and regret of his passing
away, for he was II unique figure IN
their experiences. a genial. hearty ana
cheerful soul, who was the embodiment
of history so far as the work in that
giant city was concerned.
Somewhere in the early fifties or not
soone) Brother Bcnwell was baptized
being then on the police force in the
Clerkenwell district, and In his associ-
atoms with the Church as Teacher
Elder. or in charge of little OUTSIDE
branch, he was true as the needle TO
the pole, walking many miles each
Sunday, and often on week nights, to
attend the duties laid upon him.
Leaving the force he took up again
the profession of gardening for the
gentry in his locality, this being FAR
more congenial 20 his taste and
thought. for he was a lover of trees
and flowers. He was one Of those who
could look through nature up to ma
lures God" and through this calling
he always exhibited In his way his
reverence for and appreciation of the
servants of God: at conferences or dis
trict meetings especially. for his nigh
hat was a very receptacle of choice
boutonnieres which he was proud to
in ctpn nm
ary's coat, in accordance with a Gus
tom very general in the mother coun-
try.
Like many another, our friend failed
to secure from his family that interest
in the Gospel which he himself
possessed. waiting many years in faith
for the dawning of sympathy and unity
in religious family life, which failed
to come; but when aid was rendered
him in 1884 as a recognition of his
many years fidelity. his family became
willing for his gathering. On his ar
rival here he was employed by II. w.
Naisbitt, James Dwyer and VIM. White
successfully, in each case being the
same ardent, honest, industrious, ap-
preciated and trusted employe. For all
the succeeding years Brother Benwel
RENTED most of his earnings to his
distant family, always hoping to hear
of them softenlng as to Gospel truth,
and deferring his own blessings in the
Temple, (partly from indlsposition to
press himself forward. but mainly
that he might enjoy the privilege OF
taking with him the wife of his youth.
and possibly some of his children. Last
April he was induced by Brother White
to go to st. Mary's hospital for treat
ment, from which he emerged much
relieved; but in the fall he had a re-
lapse and finally concluding that any
thing needed for his family would have
10 4. If.vr. htv., tla. h,.,a l..
to what was needed, so his tabernacle
could be laid away befittingly as an
Elder In Israel.
Few funeral services carry the same
influence as did this one. There was
no jar; all was kindly, all was peace;
Bishop Beatie OF the Seventeenth
ward had charge. and that ward choir
furnished the music, which was choice
and sweet. The speakers were Elders
VIM. Spicer, who had known the de-
ceased for fifty years, Thos. Sleight,
Henry w. Brown, James Dwyer. VIM.
Binder. John White, Bishop Taylor.
VIM. White and II w. Naisbitt, with
benediction by Brother Cox, who each
spoke of the deceased in lovin~ words.
Many friends laid flowers on the casket
In which he slept. The man who
had left wife and children for the Cos
pels sake, found many friends in
Zion; beloved everywhere for his vir-
tues. the faults he had were easily con-
doned. and 1t can he truthfully be said,
that 'where he was best known he was
most warmly loved" Sister Dwyer
prior to her decease was as a mother to
him, but in Brother Whites family he
found later needed friendship and es-
TEEN. His last expression told of kind
ness and attention. and when he was
gone the entire expense was Brother
Whites tribute to the faithful Elder
and aged man. who In his last moments
received from his distant wife the ac-
acknowledgement of their timely financial
aid which now has ceased
Peace to his ashes! His body shall
rest in peace, while his spirit COM
munes with many who have Joined the
great majority after knowing him in
the flesh. These viii give him greeting
such as he will give to many whom he
loved and left behind Surely some of
the Elders In London will echo the SEN
tlments uttered here, as a benedcton
to the wife and family, realizing the
truth that
God moves in mysterious way,
His wonders to PERFORM
and few are so plant as In the hour
OF bereavement and sorrow! N