Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-24
HIS ElGHTy-sEcoND BIRTHDAY.


as u general holiday in the Sixteenth
ward, the occasion being the eighty
second anniversary OF the birth OF
Bishop Frederick Kesler The respect
and esteem in which he is held by all
the people of his ward and others, was
fittingly shown in the preparation of
u banquet, given In the afternoon in
the commodious ward hall. 1t was
prepared in his honor by the members
of the ward ana rendered to the
widows and poor, and a large number
of invited guests. Among the latter
was a small host of the worthy
Bishops children and grandchildren.
To the untiring labors Of counselors
VIM. Langton and George r. Emery.
VIM. j. Newman, stephen j. Newman
and others, and the ladies of the Re
lief society especially, the success of
the affair is largely due, as IL was con-
Quoted as surprise to the Bishop.
The hall was beautifully decorated
with the national and State colors and
bunting and the walls were adorned
with pictures, notices and appropriate
legends. Five tables, running the en-
tire length of the hall, Hastily set and
ornafnented with cut flowers. We're
weighed down with the good things Of
life. Three courses We're served in sue
cession to accommodate all who were
present. The center table was reserved
for the invited SCOUTS of the ward,
among whom were President George
Q. Cannon and wife, and Joseph f.
Smith; President Lorenzo Snow, and
Patriarch John Smith. Presiding Bis
hop VIM. b. Preston and wife. and his
counselors, Bishops X. I. Burton and
j. r. Winder; Counselors Joseph T.
Taylor and Chas. w. Penrose and their
wives. Mrs. VIM. Jennings and Mrs
f. s. Richards. President Woodruff
being in feeble health, was not able to
be present, but sent his blessing and
congratulations. The ward choir rem,
dered sweet music during the serving
of the dinner, and at Its conclusion
short program was given. Feeling and
appropriate remarks were made by
Presidents Cannon and Snow, replete
with good wishes and congratulations
and fitting tribute, followed by short
response from Bishop Kesler. A large
boquet Of beautiful flowers was pre-
scented the Bishop as an expression of
the love of his people.
A letter of regret was read from
Elder George Goddard. who was de
tanned out of the city, by the OLD
Folks committee. He is an old friend
of the Bishops and nearly the same
age.
The following touching letter. from
piit VI lIlt blsibD SbtlS. NOW
over the Eastern States mission, was
read:
Brooklyn, N. Y. Jan. Is, 1898
To my dear Father:-Just n few
words from your wandering mission
airy, in acknowledgment of my graft
tude for being the son of one who has
so manfully fulfilled the object of Gre
alton. | congratulate you upon reach
ing that epoch of life when age has
crowned your head with silvery locks.
! congratulate you in your having
lived such meritorious life; in youi
fidelity to God and man you have at
least kept the first commandment full
iy, your multitude, of progeny being
evidence of it. 1 know OF your manly
movements through the storm of life.
They have been rock and oak in all that
those words imply. The efforts of your
mortal caretA VIII remain with us
your children, as lasting memorial of
n fathers love. If each of your
kindred this night would toss tile bios
som OF respect that is due you upon
your bed. You would sleep beneath un
numbered robes of roses. The arrows
OF vice and deceit have not pierced
your cloak of righteousness
The mob violence that has driven
you. the martyrdom of friends and
neishbors, the blackness of night the
pangs of hunger sorrow and distress.
the winter winds accompanied with
snow and rain, ostracism from all that
is near and dear. and even the sacri.
lice of all earthly things. has never
caused you to depart from the covenant
or your youth. that you would first love
GOD with all your heart. might, mind
ana strength Surely you can con-
graduate yourself on attaining the
hight OF such perfection.
when I think of the many efforts
Of your faith in behalf of your afflicted
ehlidren-and especially my own case
! feel we are Obliged to Won even fnr
life Itself. We. as the twigs and branch
es OF the tree of life. look to You and
your records as the root and body from
which to draw our support and guild
ance' l. trust we may honor and obey
your living word, that 1t may be as n
pruning hook to this mighty tree, whose
pranches have already grown and
spread into eternity
we are grateful for the written
word now concealed within your
record chest" Nations yet unborn
wiIi near your voice low out of the
ARK, laundering condemnation on
All righteousness; your speech will
be as purifier TO rebuke the i'm
purities and destroy the witbered
branches that cucumber and stultify
the growth and develoment of your
tree.
M! Wish is that YOU may see many
returns of your birthday, without any
increase OF teebleness or distress. /
remain, as ever, Your boy,
A. p. KESLER.
An acrostic poem addressed to and in
honor OF the veteran Bishop, by ]. IL.
Wallis, was read.
In the evening a grand ball was
given the young folks of the ward,
which lasted till near midnight, and
the day closed without anything to
mar Its pleasure.