lature of 1899, "the Mormon Church made a determined effort to elect one, McCune, a Gentile," but failed. The truth of the matter is that the Church neither "made a determined effort," in this case, nor failed, for the reason that the Church had no voice in the matter. Neither is there a member of the Church in Utah who believes that the consent of the Church authorities to any of their associates to engage in civil, political, or business, affairs, is a command of the Church. What members do in these lines is their own affair, and the Church and its officers do not command, either by consent or otherwise.

says:

Then, as to the character of the people of the Church, he

I think I am justified in saying in the light of history and the testimony, that from the time Brigham Young and his followers entered the Territory of Utah in 1847 until this hour the organization has been a criminal one.

On the contrary, all who know the truth will deny vigorously that he is justified in any such conclusion. His own words deny his own assertions. In further reply to such falsehood it is only necessary to point out that a criminal community could not have done what the Saints have accomplished in this state, neither could they have exercised the power for good that they have in the earth. Right conduct does not spring from crime; nor good character from evil teachings. Of Senator Smoot, he says:

The Senator stands before the senate in personal character and bearing above criticism and beyond reproach.

What may be thus truly said of Senator Smoot, may be said with equal truthfulness of the great majority of the Latter-day Saints. Their conduct is admirable; in virtue, truthfulness, reliability, and in every good thing that makes noble men and women, this people compare favorably with the people of any other state in this Union. They respect womanhood, they love home and family, provide for and educate their children, are patriotic and loyal to our nation; and are trained to, and do respect law and order. They are reliable and conservative. Such fruits, such results, do not ripen or spring from an organization teaching crime and lawlessness. And yet, for political purposes the Senator has denounced this people and its organization with every anathema of

destestation, and attaches to them every evil motive calculated to make men shudder with disgust. A man who bears such false witness should hide his head for very shame.

Never was there a falser, nor more unjustifiable denunciation of this people than is contained in the Senator's closing sentences. Surely it is time the people at home-business men, the press, and all who regard our state with favor-make vigorous protest against such slanders. At home here we have come to regard them as an evil joke, and many so treat them. But it is otherwise in the East. There they are believed. It is our duty to deny them, and by our protest brand them what they are-slanders. They can be easily refuted the daily lives and actions of our people are in themselves refutations, and our history bears record of this truth. JOSEPH F. SMITH.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Does a wife hold the priesthood in connection with her husband? and may she lay hands on the sick with him, with authority?

A wife does not hold the priesthood in connection with her husband, but she enjoys the benefits thereof with him; and if she is requested to lay hands on the sick with him, or with any other officer holding the Melchizedek priesthood, she may do so with perfect propriety. It is no uncommon thing for a man and wife unitedly to administer to their children, and the husband being mouth, he may properly say out of courtesy, "By authority of the holy priesthood in us vested."

Is the mind a part of our spiritual or physical existence?

Without doubt, mind is not a physical, but a spiritual existence. The spirit of a man is the life of a man, that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal. The spirit of a man is in the likeness of his person. (Doc. & Cov., 77: 2.) What we call mind must be the effect of the spirit, since without the spirit, which is life, there is no mind. The old saying arises: What is matter? Never mind. What is mind? No matter." We must agree that matter is never mind, and that mind is not matter, at least not such matter as composes our physical

existence. But we are also told that "all spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes.' (Doc. & Cov., 131: 7.)

Is an officer of the Church-a bishop, for instance-justified in consecrating oil for anyone to sell-Jew, Gentile or Saint--in a public store?

The brother who asks this question further says: "Of late years, it has been customary to have twenty or thirty bottles of oil consecrated at our fast meeting, and then taken to the stores to sell, as a convenience for the people. This seems to me like trifling with sacred things." You are certainly correct; and if any such practice as consecrating oil by the wholesale to be retailed from any public store, is in vogue, the proper ward or stake authorities should see that such practice is immediately discontinued. Consecrated oil may be obtained from the properly designated officers of the temples of the Latter-day Saints; or unconsecrated oil may be handed to the bishops of the wards for consecration.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS.

Elder James M. Gibbs, writing from New Zealand, October 30, sends the following message to the ERA: "The elders of the Bay of Islands conference, New Zealand Mission, feel thankful to the Lord in being able to report the baptism of five more converts, and one child blessed, October 21, 1906. This makes 45 baptisms and 29 children blessed in this conference since July 29, 1906. Notwithstanding the opposition that the elders meet, the work of the Lord is growing in this part, insomuch that other denominations are beginning to realize the fruits of 'Mormon' labors and are sending their shepherds out two by two to gather their flocks from before the 'Mormon' wolves."

"Baltimore is a city of over six hundred thousand inhabitants. It is famous for its many and beautiful churches. We have six elders laboring in the city. Seven baptisms have been performed since last July. We have sold over five hundred books in six months, and have a Sunday School and a Mutual Improvement Association. Several of our local members are doing active missionary work. The people of Baltimore are very hospitable as a rule." So writes Elder George A. Cochrane, presiding elder, under date of January 9, 1907.

The headquarters of the European mission are now at Durham House, 295 Edge Lane, Liverpool. All communications intended for the Millennial Star, and

for emigration and other business connected with the establishment, should be addressed there in future instead of Holly Road.

Elder Lawrence R. Layton, laboring in Grimsby conference, gives particulars to the Millennial Star, December 27, 1906, concerning a remarkable case of healing which was witnessed in York, England, about December 13. His report is as follows:

"On Tuesday, December 4, Elder Adam Glenn and I were visiting the Saints of this branch just previous to his leaving to go to labor in Grimsby branch. Among others, we visited Sister Jane Siddall, who had been without the free use of her speech for over fifteen years, not being able to speak above a whisper when she went out of the house. During our conversation she said she had often wished that she might have her voice restored, as it had been a great drawback to her in many ways. Sue had not murmured, however, thinking it was God's will that she should be thus afflicted. She said she had tried many kinds of medicine, and had been under the care of several doctors, but they had failed to do her any good. The last doctor told her that he could do nothing for her. We asked her if she did not believe that God could heal her. She said she knew he could if she had been afflicted long enough to answer the end for which the affliction had been sent. We told her of the blessings which attended the ministry of the Savior and his apostles, and that the same power is on the earth today. If we lack the blessings of God it is because we have not sufficient faith in him. desire to be administered to. As we had not brought any oil crated a bottle that Sister Siddall had, and then we knelt down and prayed to God (Elder Glenn being mouth) to bless her, and, if it were his will, to restore her voice. I then anointed her head with the oil and Elder Glenn sealed the anointing. After we had removed our hands from her head she spoke, and we could hear that her voice was much clearer. She said that while our hands were on her head she felt something loosen in her chest, and she was able to breathe much easier and deeper. She said that she knew God had answered our prayers. noon.

She expressed a along, we conse

We left soon after, as we had several other families to visit that afterThe next night we received a letter from Sister Siddall stating that she felt so happy that she could not resist the temptation of going into the night air and giving her voice a trial. She found that she could speak as well outside as inside the house. The next morning she went out into the town and met a Wesleyan friend. He noticed that her voice was better, and asked her how she had got it back and she told him that it was through the power of God. This case of healing has been a great testimony to all the Elders and Saints and to all who have heard of it. We hope that it will be the means of strengthening the faith of others."

During November there were fifteen baptisms in the Scandinavian mission; 21,575 strangers' homes were visited; 437 meetings were held; and eight children blessed. The presidents in the three conferences in Denmark were changed, so that they are now organized as follows: Chas. C. Nielson, Aalborg; Anders P. Nielsen, Aarhus; Niels L. Lund, Copenhagen. In the Swedish mission there are sixty-one missionaries laboring, and they visited 16,306 strangers' homes,

held 240 meetings, baptized nine people, and blessed five children during the month of November.

The annual and semi-annual statistical reports of the Southern States mission, for 1906, are printed in the Elder's Journal for January 15. The semi-annual report for the six months just ended, shows a vast improvement over the previous one-half year, especially in the families visited and revisited, books sold and distributed, and meetings held. Comparing the work of 1905 with that of 1906, the latter. in nearly every item. is far in advance of the former, the baptisms for 1906 having been 90 more than for the year 1905. In 1906 there were 30,370 families visited, 101,904 revisited, 342,869 tracts distributed, 12,189 meetings held. 202,395 gospel conversations, 678 children blessed, 645 baptisms, 11 Sunday schools organized, and one new branch organized. The Elders' Journal, published by the mission. has had a remarkable growth, and the past year has been a very prosperous one in that field. The Journal says: "Many remarkable healings by the power of the Lord have been reported, and his blessings have been poured out in great abundance upon the elders and their work. The Saints, too, have been blessed for their faithfulness, and a good, peaceful spirit is found among them."

Elder John Russon, Milwaukee, Wis., writes: "Our Saints and friends in Milwaukee are universally interested in the study of 'Modern Revelation' as it is outlined in this season's manual. We have a good attendance in our meetings, and all take an active part in the lessons that are treated from week to week. The result of our winter work will be an increased love for the Book of Commandments, and a strong testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Lord. We hope to place the proper value on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and live in harmony with it."

The Millennial Star began its sixty-ninth year on Thursday, January 3, 1907, and to celebrate the occasion came from the press clad in a new dress. The type is bolder and larger than used in previous volumes, but the reduction in the amount of reading matter is very small indeed. This is but one of the improvements recommended by President Charles W. Penrose, the editor, who desires to see the journal hold its high place among the publications of the Church. We congratulate the splendid publication on its new anniversary, and its beautiful dress, and wish it mary happy returns of the day.

De Ster, the monthly journal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the Holland Mission, issued a double illustrated number for January, 1907, which celebrated the beginning of its twelfth year. Among the illustrations were Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the Temple Block, Eagle Gate and Bee Hive House, Salt Lake City, First Presidency of the Church, and President Alexander Nibley, editor, and Paul Roelofs, associate editor, together with their colaborers in the office; and presidents of conferences. We congratulate the editors on having such an able representative in De Ster, and wish it increased usefulness during the coming years.