Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-07-16

western country, he recalled with ar
lection his own early struggles. AT the
age of g. he said, he drove an OK team
across the plains the hard journey
took 10 months, and was filed with In
teresting episodes. The boy OF was
the guide and protector of widowed
mother.
How the west has grown" he con-
cluded, as though speaking to himself.
He seemed to see at that moment the
present broad expansion, as in vision,
and contrasted it with the wilderness
through which his patient OK team had
toiled, some go years ago. Ten miles
a day was long journey for his oxen,
he added, but occasionally, when on
forced drive for water it was possible
to push the patient beasts Is or pos
slhly 90 miles. However, this was re-
garded as progressing at a rate little
short of miraculous.
WEST FOR PROGRESS,
The far west" pursued President
Smith, thoughtfully. will yet be the
home of our uoblest social progress,
our most enlightened ideas. 1t is to
this part of the nation that hardy pio-
neers of all races come, and by their
very strength, daring and originality,
break more and more with conven-
ton"
President Smith, who, on Nov. 13.
Will turn three score and ten, attend
ed three Church meetings yesterday.
at Rev. Joseph E. Robinson's church.
The unpretentious frame building, with
its plain walls and simple decorations.
was packed to the doors at each service
Ill o'clock, 2. and again i'll the eve
ming.
On the platform sat the president of
the Latter-day Saints Church. and be-
sides him, grave and venerable in mien
and figure. the white bearded patri-
arch and the councillor. also the young.
err men of the ecclesiastical group
Each visitor spoke at considerable
length, and the congregation, at each
session, responded by the closest at
tention.
President Smith dwelt on the Christ
tan doctrine, which he expounded In
his plausible, dignif5ed style. At times
he became nightly aroused. and his
voice rang out in n clear call that must
have frightened the unrepentant. In
fervid words, he pictured the ter'rors
of death TO the unprepared sinner
There was the fire, the grim determine
alton OF the evangelist in the old mans
-lrdor.
MUST HAVE FAITH.
What, then, are We to do for our
sins he asked I'VE must have faith
in God must be obedient to the gos-
pei. We shall be born again, heirs OF
God"
In this way. his message rang forth
for half an hour; the tense thrill held
the throng, and here and there one ut
tered fervent amen" by way OF
sympathy with the leaders prayers.
President Smith took up the ques-
ton of marriage, and with much en-
phasis declared the contract to be not
for life, only. but for all eternity. He
also dwelt on the duties of the ChI1s-
tan. the necessity for temperance.
Thus, throughout the day at the sew
eral meetings, he was at home with
his people, impressing them to lead USE
full. honorable lives.
Nor did he spare himself He con-
coded that he, too, was imperfect. but
had always tried TO follow an upright
life. He has made errors, some Of them
serious The said, but IS sustained by the
thought that he is upheld by his peo-
pie as prophet. seer and revelator-
defeating his life to lead his faithful
friends in righteous ways.
Among the special hymns sang yes
terday was one by Eliza r. Snow,
known as the "Poetess of Zion" Presl-
dent smith commented upon II as
filled with the spirit of prophecy" A
stanza OF still another hymn sung with
special reverence is as follows:
1--WE thank Thee, o God, for a prophet
TO guide us In these latter days;
We thank Thee for sending the gospel
To Tighten our minds with its rays"
Then, the concluding lines;
THE wicked who fight against Zion
VIII surely be smltten, at last"