Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-26
NEW BISHOP FOR
THE FOURTH WARD.
Bishop Harrison Sperry Released
On Account OF His AID.
vanCed Years.
SUCCESSOR is C. H. WORTHEN.
Latter l. We'll Known Contractor
And Has Long Been IN Active
Church Worker.

The Blshopric of the Fourth ward
Pioneer stake, was reorganized at the
regular sunday evening services held
last evening. The meeting was fully at
tended by the members of the ward.
The Church authorities present We're
President John Il. Windor, the stake
presidency and members of the High
council
After the opening exercises PresI-
dent William McIachlan stated that
Bishop Harrison Sperry was released
vanced age and the desire of the au-
thOrties not to have men of his years
burdened with the responsibilities Of a
Bishop. The release was also given
him because of his own suggestion as
he intended making his home In an
other ward in the future President
McLachlan said the stake authorities
released Bishop Sperry with n deep
sense Of the value OF bis services as
Bishop and extended to him their gra-
tltude and thanks for his faithful SER
vices. The abors of COunselors MAIDS
j. Madison and George NJ. Bridwell
were also referred to by President Me-"
Lachlan as having been satisfactory.
Upon motion Bishop Harrison Sperry
and counselors were honorably released
by unanimous vote.
BISHOP SPERRY SPEAKS.
Bishop Sperry feelingy expressed his
thanks to the people Tor the constant
ana willing supper, they had untalllng-
~ given him during the many years
that he had acted as Bishop. lie said
he was getting old and had been sick
lately, and it made him feel glad ana
light to be released. He said he wa
perfectly in accord with the idea thar
old men should be released from The
position of Bishops az the position was
one that required very much activity.
He spoke of his la bors in the Bishuprlc
OF the Fourth ward. which had been
since the days of its organization. In
the early history OF the ward he had
worked with Bishop Brown and aftei-
ward as counselor to Bishop Thomas
jenkins for IL years. AT the retire.
ment of Bishop Jenkins It was intended
that Bishop William Thorn should have
charge of the ward as well as the Sew
enth ward. but the people pettioned
President Brigham Young to appoint
Bishop Sperry, which had been done.
Since that time FOR 81 years he has
been the Bishop. He had arrived in
salt Lake city when ii consisted Of the
Old Fort on Pioneer square; had seen
tie city surveyed, and had always
worked for the upbullding Of the city
and ward IN conclusion he admonishea
81 ls
commenced by their fathers.
ELDER c. II. woRTHEN CHOSEN.
After petition to the stake presiden-
cy regarding the appointment OF a
member of the ward as Bishop had
been withdrawn by its signers, tho
name Of Elder Charles n. Worthen was
announced as having been selected by
the stake authorities for Bishop with
Elder William u. Calhster as first couu.
sclor and Elder Charles A. Sperry as
second counselor. The selections were
all unanimously sustained, after which
each Of the brethren expressed their
personal feelings and desire with the
sustaining aid Of the people to do Their
duty They all spoke reverently of the
Ia bors OF Bishop Sperry.
PRIEST. WlNDER PRESENT
President John Il. Winder told OF his
pleasure at again visiting the ward and
spoke of the sterling worth of Bishop
Sperry, whom lac had always consider
ed strong upright man IN the Church.
He said when a man had labored as
long as Bishop Sperry in such a labor
ious position as that of Bishop Of Il
ward he WAS entitled to u release, lie
explained the rule followed out in tho
selection of Bishops, and admonished
the people To sustain Bishop Worthen
ms heartily as they had Bishop Sperry.
He announced that the general author
flies had sustained Bsnop Sperry as
worthy of being ordained a Patriarch.
FORMER CoCNsELoRs SPEAK.
Former First Counselor MAIDS T. Mad
sen referred to his labors with Bishop
Sperry and culogi2ed him for his un-
failing kindness to even the humhlcst
member lie endorsed the selections
made as wise and satisfactory ones.
Former Second Counselor George NJ.
Bridwen expressed his endorsement of
the change. aud promised his unquali-
fled support To the new bishopric, He
extended ON behalf Of the retiring bish-
ric their thanks and appreciation for
the support always rendered them hy
the members of the ward.
The brethren were ordained and set
apart tn their respective callings by the
authorities. After Bishop Sperry had
been ordained Patriarch he pronounc-
ed blessing upon the entire ward The
meeting closed 10y the choir singing the
hymn. Jesus ! my cross have taken.
Benediction was pronounced by Elder
Chas, II Hyde
While the people Of the ward were re-
luctant about voting 20 release Bishop
Sperry. they did SO because they rcaliZ-
ed that thu labor of acting as Bsho i
of the ward was a severe task for d,
man OF Bishop Sperry's age. Satisfae-
ton was expressed AZ the personnel Of
the new bishopric, allDf "hom are rotn-
paratively young men.
THE NEW BISHOP.
Bishou Worthen was born IN this city
Nov. % 1860. He has resided I'm the
Fourth ward the past "a years. and has
always taken an active part in its or
ganizations. In addition 90 filling "A
mission. he has acted at various times
as ward Teacher president OF the Y
VI, NJ. /. A.. assistant and superlntend-
ont OF the sunday school. Since the or
ganiget iOn OF Pioneer stake he has been
member Of the High Council. lie IL
a well known building contractor. His
counselors arc both natives OF Salt Lake
City. and are men of the same type as
BishOp Worthcn.