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I do not propose to keep the audience but a few moments as it is somewhat cold in the building this afternoon; but as I expect to visit the east for a short time I would like to request the faith and prayers and good wishes of the Latter-day Saints during my short absence. It is the first time in my life's experience that I have looked abroad in the quest for health, but I find it quite necessary that I should seek the means by which recuperation may come to my physical organization.
There are many things that are admirable among the people; but there are others the contemplation of which is not so pleasing. There are some things in the world after which we may copy with advantage. The spirit of devotion and of regard for the interests of the masses of the people which have been exhibited by their leaders from the beginning is sometimes drawn upon to excess.
Thank the Lord there are in this intermountain region no palaces upon the cold steps of which gaunt hunger shivers, as elsewhere referred to by Elder Kerr. Thank God that the equipages of the rich do not cast their mocking shadows over poverty dressed in rags. Within these beautiful valleys we are at least free from such painful contrasts as exist elsewhere. There is no occasion for any person here to say that he or she is hungry if the wants are made known. There is no reason why any person should be cold if the need of such is manifested. This is the result of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which has softened the hearts of men and bridged the gulf that exists in the world between the rich and the poor.
Happy shall be the saints if this condition shall never change; if enmity shall not arise on the one hand and haughtiness upon the other to the separation of the love and affection which God's people entertain for each other. For years it has been the habit of the presiding bishop of the Church as the cold winds of winter ladened with frosts have approached, to publish in the newspapers that any person needing food or raiment would by applying to him or to any of the bishops of the wards, their wants would be supplied, irrespective of color or creed. This spirit of charity has been among this people. I hope it may always continue.
But there are some things that we may learn from others not in the church. The great public labor which we require of some of our leaders is not in my opinion wise or justifiable.
Men of the world have their places of amusement and of recreation where their intellectual faculties find relaxation from the daily strain. On extreme occasions I have gone to those places for a few moments to seek advice upon matters of public interest, and I confess to you that I have thought that some of the Latter-day Saints might also have club rooms to advantage. I have known some of our brethren to endure strain, both mental and physical for sixteen hours out of the twenty-four. I have known them to endure this not for one year, but for five or ten years at a stretch. Thus do we abuse body and mind notwithstanding the light and knowledge so freely given us. It is all wrong! The semi-civilized Mexican is not more exacting and cruel to his patient burro than we of those who serve us.
During the darkest days of tribulation and trial, when hundreds were in prison and exile I have known Brother George Q. Cannon to average from sixteen to eighteen hours a day in the most intense struggle, seeking, planning, praying to know some way by which the people could be relieved of the tribulations and trial that was upon them. His rest, such as it was, was usually secured while riding amid frequent storms from ten to thirty miles in order that he might communicate with President Taylor who was then in exile. Brother Cannon for years never knew what it was to be tired. Until recently he never felt his faculties flag in the least degree; but watch him to-day, note the change which has come, as the result of over exertion.
We seldom note these things. Observe men situated as is President Woodruff, his counselors, and some of the twelve apostles. If you accidently see them at the theatre, or other places of amusement you may know that they do not enjoy themselves. Their looks plainly indicate that they are thinking about something else. They hear daily of the sorrows of the widows; they know of the cries of the orphans, they know of troubles in families, and if they are men of God at all, they feel the weight of these things in their hearts, and their load is very heavy and hard to bear "The yoke of Christ is easy and His burden is light." But the yoke of the people is not easy nor are the burdens which they put upon their leaders light, they are heavy; and they often result in premature failure of body and mind prematurely aging men before their time and some times driving them into untimely graves. And yet the people do not generally sense these facts; some of them do not at all realize them.
It is not perhaps in good taste to refer to one's self, but in reviewing the business associations with which I have been connected for ten years past, I am perfectly startled--think of being connected with fifteen prominent directories involving interests amounting to millions of dollars pertaining mostly to the public weal, and not one of those positions have I sought. It is just the same with others of the brethren yet you know you cannot violate a law of God without a penalty even if you are Latter-day Saints, neither can I; and the people ought to be disposed to lighten up a little on these things.
I trust during the short time that I am absent that change of climate may benefit me. I feel very much that I need it. In fact, I must have it. I do not forget the kindness of this people. They are a warmhearted, generous people; but in many things they are thoughtless, and they place upon their bishops and their counselors, the presidents of stakes and the apostles loads that should not be put upon them. They should relieve them at least in part from these things.
A change is coming upon us now. We have had the freedom of the gospel. Now we are to have the freedom of finance and freedom of politics. Thus far, the outlook is not as encouraging to my mind as I would like to see it. In the upheavals accompanying radical changes what the results may prove to be I do not know. But this I would regret to see among the people. Shall we become in the gospel lukewarm? In the struggle for every man to rule is there not danger of reaching a point where no man can govern? I would not like to see that state of affairs brought to pass, for that means anarchy, and ultimate bondage. I would not like to see that.
But I would like to see our people arise in the majesty of their individuality and demonstrate that the real government of this people is by intelligence, individual intelligence that makes a community great and wise. We have sought to lift up the people in this direction. There can be no growth of a community unless the individuals of that community think. They must think; they must learn to act, realizing the responsibility of what they do and say. I would not like to see happen in the midst of the changes that are coming, another French revolution. A careful review of the history of this world shows clearly that that order of things often arises from the ashes and ruin of confusion and apparent chaos.
God bless the people of Logan; God bless the people of Cache valley; and give them warmer regard for each other; that brotherly kindness that extends the helping hand to the needy of the community. Wealth is not an unmixed blessing only so far as it may be used wisely. In England, Scotland and in parts of Europe they have a habit that ought be followed here. When men have accumulated a fair competence in business, they retire, giving the field to others; leaving the avenues of trade unobstructed. This would be a good thing to adopt among the Latter-day Saints. But whatever else may occur, let us not become an unloving people. Kind acts alone after all enlarge the heart and soul, give undying hopes of the future; but he who narrows up his soul and says he will not help his neighbor will grow mean and selfish, useless and despised of God and man.
I have endeavored to be nonpartisan in my utterances in the non-political gatherings of the people. Whatever may be your duties hereafter, I plead with you brethren as you value your high and holy calling, as you value the religion of Jesus Christ and the testimony of the Son of God, that you do not make over political discussions--mere baubles--shipwreck of your faith. He who entertains bitterness against his brother because he differs from him in political matters is not a wise servant of God, he is narrow and the Holy Spirit does not have influence in his heart or in his mind. Let us be absolutely free in these things. Let us observe the counsels we have so frequently received, that in politics and business we shall have the utmost liberty in the expression of our thoughts and our acts, and not allow these things to separate us in the love which comes of the gospel of the Son of God. Why, I can see that these things are biasing us in almost everything we do and say. Shall we be like foolish children running wild over mere baubles? Shall we make shipwreck of our faith over political and financial matters? If we do it will be a sorry day for us. God has made us a free people, and given us abundance to eat and to wear. Let us be grateful, charitable, honorable, honest, truthful, chaste, and pure, that the peace of the Almighty may dwell in our habitations.
Gather your children around you at night and pray to the Lord in their presence. Gather them around the family altar in the morning. Do not say harsh things of your brothers in their presence, because if you do, you will find that you have injured them. A young man said to me the other day: "For a long, long time I had feelings of jealousy and envy against an apostle in this church caused by the careless words of my father uttered in my hearing. He was tried in business relations. When he visited his family, I used to hear him speak harsh words of this man of God. And," said he, "it took ten years of the best part of my life to overcome those bitter feelings; and without a direct revelation I never would have overcome them. That revelation was in an audible voice which said to me: As God lives, unless you forgive the trespasses of your brother against you, I will not forgive your trespasses against me! From that moment," said he, "I went to that apostle and when I got near to him, I knew that the many things my own father said of that man were biased, the result of prejudice. It was the power of God by direct revelation that saved me."
These things may seem small, but little foxes spoil the vines. You who are fond of the bloom of flowers take the hydrant water and sprinkle them carefully. You care for them because you desire their development. There are other flowers which have far greater value and more fragrance. Cultivate and be tender with them. Remember that He whom Mary Magdalene mistook for the gardener, is waiting at the gate to show us the vine and tendril.
May we live according to that which God has revealed to us. Be humble, prayerful, kind and loving and we will gain the victory. Let us bear patiently the wrongs which we may suffer. If thine enemy ask thy coat, let him take thy cloak also; if he smite thee on the one cheek, let him smite thee on the other also; and in the true spirit of Christianity, let us turn our eyes inward upon our hearts. Let us love God with all our hearts, souls, mind and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves.
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