Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-04-08
LESSONS OF THE TRAGEDY,

LESSONS OF THE TRAGEDY,
The terrible tragedy which has been
the CHIEF topic OF conversation among
the people OF this region for more than
week past, has led to some remarks
and recommendations Of mixed char
noter. The depravity Of human nature
when unlnnuenced by higher power
has been demonstrated in the life ana
teath of Samuel Collins and the iuven-
SIC associations which he formed dur
ing his later years The story brought
out by his violent death has startled
the public and revealed conditions and
evils never suspected by the majority
of the inhabitants of these wales. They
are of character " some respects too
vie to particularlze. They forbid re-
gTet at his decease, and render impos-
sible that sympathy which would
otherwise be excited at the manner OF
his fearful end.
The homilles that have been de-
livered on the subject Of parental du-
Ties and obligations. in consequence OF
the disclosures coming from this shock
ing event, are all timely and Of good
intent They are needed in every COM
munity Not any more so here than
elsewhere, We hope they win be heed
ed by fathers and mothers wher-
ever they are heard or read,
They are no; new by any means
in this community. The same thoughts
have been expressed and the same adj
vice has been impaired, over and over
again. by the Elders Of this Church and
by the workers, male and female in
its auxiliary societies for more than
half century. Parents have been dill
gently exhorted TO watch the conduct
of their children, to learn of their
whereabouts by day and by night. to
find out what they read and who are
their companions, to train them in the
fear OF the Lord, 70 provide them with
both religious and secular education
TO establish the altar OF God in their
homes, and by example and influence to
train their offspring in the right and
restrain them from the wrong. This Is
an integral part in the sum of the re-
llglon OF the Latter-day Saints.
II IL proper at extraordinary times
and cases to emphasize these instruc-
tons. and to urge them with special
force upon the minds Of all. 1t is also
wise and timely 10 urge upon the youth
Of both scxes the duty they owe to
their parents. to society and 10 God
Stronger Impressions may be made up
On youthful minds az such periods
perhaps, than on ordinary occasions
and good effects may thus be produced
The evil results OF wasting time In
reading the trash furnished To the
young folks IN the cheap literature so
widely scattered over the country
should also be portrayed and the SUI
perlorlty OF better books and magazines
be kindly presented.
But Il is NOT fair 10 he parents Of
the boy whose liberty Is placed in long
jeopardy by his own course, to intimate
that his sad condition is consequence
Of lack Of duty ON their part. This
would be jumping AT conclusion with
out reason and IN ignorance Of the
facts. From Nhat we have learned, the
deep grief into which they are plunged
Is NOT fairly % be attributed to any
dtrelictiOn on their part or failure 10
give him proper instruction. or sur
round him with good and wholesome
,anuences 1t is easy to find fault II
s. common for people who have tract
able children to indulge in the II am
holler than thou feeling, when other
peoples children are hayward and re-
belIlous. and stray into the paths Of
sin. But they should remember that
the history Of The world has shown
that black sheep have come forth from
the very finest Of tocks. and that some
Of the best men ana women Of the
earth have been afflicted with the soy-
row that comes from a refractory and
even criminal child and that not from
eny mcS Of correct teaching or good
example.
According to the account OF
our pre-existent state. a third part
OF the hosts Of heaven, the offspring
al the Eternal Father, were led away
h. Lucifer or Satan, as he is called,
snd became angels 10 the Deyil, fight
ing egalnst God and committed TO in
fiuenceg OF darkness Was this the
fault OF rs Most High? Did he fail
IN example o. precept2 Was He 10
blame for the exercise Of free viii and
agency on the part OF his rebenious
children? We think not Good and evil
are co-exlstent and each individual
soul must choose for himself o.. her.
self the right or the wrong, and pursue
that course which his or her own voii-
lion shall determine. This In the only
principle upon which the justice Of I'd.
wards and nunishments can be predi-
Gated. II Is an eternal rule. 1t cannot
be ooliterated or ayerted. II is as true
In heaven as 1t is on earth.
In saying this We do not wish to ex-
hale a breath against the endeavors
81 good people any sect party or
profession to impress upon society and
spon individuals the necessity Of great.