The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-04-05

The speaker then launched into a
discussion of the dangers which beset
children. especially the reading of the
dime novel and other literature Of this
character. he said 1t was of utmost i'm
portance that parents choose for their
children what they shall read, and
choose for thcEu,-as far as possible, the
associates they keep. The public
schools of the land are, by law, for
hidden to teach religion, and the re-
suit Is the students. receive exclusive
y "A secular education. an education
that Is Goddess In It's character, and
such an education, he said, is most i'm
perfect. The influence in the school
room, he continued, is scarcely suffi-
Gent TO overcome thu unhaEswed ana
unwholesome environment of the world.
The Mormon church, said Apostle
Richards, has undertaken to do
mighty work for the children beyond
the grades. Church schools have been
established throughout the land, thirty
in number, and accommodating be.
tween 5000 aid 10000 children, and
they are making many converts. He
then told of the influence exercised by
these schools on those who attend. In
this connection the speaker told of
how III. II. Cummings, who is in charge
of the Mormon educational institutions,
at recent meeting of educators ia
the east, astounded those present by
declaring that of the 400 teachers in
the Mormon church schools there was
not one addicted to the use of tobacco,
and that of the 10000 students who
were In them, not above l per cent
used the weed This declaration, said
APOSTLE Richards. has astJunded the
whole world. Alcoholic drinks are
eliminated by the teachers and stu
dents, and in a like manner many otner
virtues are practiced in these schools.
Il feel that those who attend these
schools he said, ARE we'll looked after
and are receiving an education OF
which their parents may well be proud.
Many however. have not this oppor-
tunity. as we have not Sufficient funds
with which to increase these church
schools. We are, however, extending
religion class work into some of the
districts, and expect to do a great deal
more along thut line.
''The question that arises, however,
| is what is the church going to do for
| the district grades. ] will answer that
the same inspiration of the church has
brought forth an infant organization
which, l feel, will be as far-reaching as
our present religious schools" The
speaker then outlined plan of the
church to have religious CLASSES at the
conclusion OF every district school days
work. At present he said, they are
having one session each week, but the
proposed plan is expected to be ac-
complished in every stake and ward.
He made an appeal for aid so that every
ward of the church might have its re-
ligious class. We are schooling in the
church schools he said. educators
who will be instructors in the religious
work. We will work until we have
religious classes in every ward five
days in every week"
Mr.. Richards then told of the other
church organizations and of the good
work they are doing. He said the
teaching of religion and religious work
to the children was one OF the ordin-
| ances OF the church. rTeach them to
| live the gospel" was his slogan. The
speaker outlined the proposed work to
be done and concluded by inviting the
support Of every Mormon to the i'm
portant movement. the religious classes,
saying profit of the right kind would
be given the children by such action.
The next speaker was Elder Samuel
| Q. Bennion, president of the Central
States mission, who alluded to the vast
assemblSge as q striking testimonial of
/ the great faith of the Mormon people.
! He told of the early tribulations of the
/ Prophet Joseph Smith and others of the
/ faith, but declared there could be no
| mistake, no denial OF the fact that the
| Lord had revealed unto Joseph Smith
/ the power OF his kingdom. He said
/ that the old-time prejudices against
M0rmonism were not now encountered,
as in the past. and said that men and
women look more favorably upon the
principles of the gospel, and the work
of the Morm0ns is having g noticeable
and desirable affect on the people OF
/ the world.
| Apostle orson F. whitney prefaced
his remarks by facetiously telling of
/ an early incident in which a speaker
/ in the Tabernacle, who had been asleep
while his predecessor spoke, upon be-
/ ing called to the stand said he believed
all that had been said although he did
not hear it. Elder whitney did not
nacle Sunday. having assisted at the
overflow meeting in Assembly hall, but
said he believed all that had been said
| by the speakers, because he had con-
/ in "a m n IA a. Czd
the vast assemblages.
The speaker said he had been par
ticularly struck by the utterances Of
ing, not a scattering dispensation. I'VE
| must practice concentration" he said,
''or our work will be in vain. We can
not expect to save others unless our
feet are firmly planted on the rock;
we cannot spread abroad until we have
sufficient force to properly do so. Con-
centration, as we'll as comprehensive
/ ness, are necessary in this work of
God" Elder Whitney then told OF the
best method of fighting the enemy not
/ by spreading out, but by forming a
wedge and penetrating them bodily,
such as did the great Napoleon in his
famous battles.
The matter of colonization was taken
up by the speaker, who said that 1t was
not for honors, but for love of truth
i ana the gospel that men are converted
! to Jesus Christ. Everybody who en-
cause he or she is convinced ii is Gods
truth and Gods work. 1T Is thought
I by some" he said, that through Nor
| mon sagaciousness tens Of thousands
/ have been led into the church. This
| is mans view, just the same as 1t is
mans view to convert flock of men.
instead of one from a city, two from
family, in Gods appointed way. 1t Is
| not shrewdness and sagacity, but truth
and love of God which swelis our
| ranks. This bears personal and In
dividual testimony that this is God
work, and against this the power OF
the gates of hell cannot prevail
| President Joseph +. Smith then read
| a communication from the supervisor
/ of the church and the authorities in
securing a proper census when the
4 work starts this month. This work"
said President Smith, I'VE heartily rec
ommend."
The singing of the anthem, From
Altar Gracious Lord Thou Didst Gather
| Thy Flock" by the choir closed the
general conference then being taken
until Wednesday morning.
| There were three speakers at the morn
/ ing session yesterday, and all bore tribute
! TO the truth OF the great work of the
Mormon church. President Smith pre-
sided and In addition to the opening and
closing numbers by the choir and congre-
cation pleasing solo, 81 Know That My
Redeemer Lives" was rendered by Elder
Melvin j. Ballard, president OF the north
western states mission. Upwards OF 5000
were gathered in the big auditorium when
| the session convened, with the singing
of the hymn, 20, Ye Mountains High"
Elder Joseph z. Robinson. president OF
the California mission. offered prayer, and