EDITOR'S TABLE.

AN EPISTLE ON ETHICS.

If it were in good form to project "don'ts" at the young men of the Church, I should head the list with what is a very important one: "Don't meddle with other people's business; mind your own."

The "Mormon" creed: "Mind your own business," is a good motto for young people to adopt who wish to succeed, and who wish to make the best use of their time and lives. And when I say young people, it includes as well aged and middle aged men and women.

Let it be remembered that nothing is quite so contemptible as idle gossip. Byron said a good thing when he put into the mouth of Don Juan these words:

In fact there's nothing makes me so much grieve

As that abominable tittle-tattle,

Which is the cud eschewed by human cattle.

How idle to go about whispering mysterious words here and there words often without foundation in fact, but uttered with injurious intent, and perhaps with the idea of creating for the whisperer some imaginary respect, because of his supposed possession of special knowledge! But such action seldom bodes good, or sets upon the round of human lips sentiments of appreciation for the excellent, the beautiful, and the true, in a brother, neighbor, or friend. Such gossip and meddling constantly hold to view the defects of its subjects, and the scandals that are born fly as upon the wings of eagles. To be thus engaged is a positive injury, also, to the person so employed, because by constantly holding the defects of others in his own mind, he ruins his own ability to see and appreciate the virtues of his fellows, thus stifling his nobler self.

It is so very much better for a person to strive to develop himself by observing all the good points he can find in others, than to strangle the growth of his better self by cherishing a fault-finding, sullen and intermeddling spirit. The scriptures support this thought. The great Psalmist says in substance in the fifteenth psalm: "He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor, shall abide in the tabernacle of the Lord, and never be moved." То abide in the tabernacle of the Lord is to enjoy his Holy Spirit. Now, he that taketh up a reproach against his neighbor is in great danger of losing the Spirit of the Lord. "But my neighbor has done this, that, or the other that is forbidden by the law or the Church, or good usage, why should I not set him right?" says one. Let that one ask himself: "Is it my business?" The answer will suggest itself: If it is not my business, let me be wise enough to mind my own business. For "he that refraineth his lips is wise, and he that uttereth a slander is a fool"; and, further, the Lord declares through the Psalmist: "Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off."

But with all these warnings, and with the constant drilling into our ears of the virtue of minding our own business which was early a characteristic of the "Mormon" people, and which is so yet, thank God-there are still persons among us who delight in meddling with others' affairs, setting forth idle tales about their neighbors, and seeking to create strife and turmoil among the people. They are loath to lead out to do anything themselves, but are constantly worrying about what others do, and how they do it. They are ever alert for the disagreeable, and seldom see good in anything, or behold virtue in the motive of anyone.

Such a spirit should be avoided, and especially by young men and women, who should rather seek to cultivate magnanimous, charitable, and loving thoughts towards all. We meet in others just about the sentiments we entertain of them, and are paid in return with much the same coin that we circulate. Our duty, then, is to surround ourselves with an atmosphere of kindness and consideration for our fellows. Such a course will prove favorable to all that is best in us, and will produce a like effect upon all who come within the circle of our influence. It will, besides, and best

of all, insure us the good will and Spirit of our Father in heaven, thus enabling our souls to broaden, expand and develop.

Let it be the aim of the Saints to cultivate the spirit of generosity and good-will, such as was exemplified in the life of Christ, and proclaimed when the angels heralded abroad the message: "Peace on earth, to men good will," and which has been reiterated in the modern restoration of the gospel. Watch constantly for that which is worthy and noble in your fellow man. It makes a person better to see and speak of good in his neighbor; while there is unbounded delight in observing the effect that a few words of appreciation and encouragement have upon men, women, and children with whom we associate. Let those try it who really wish to get the genuine sweets out of life.

The meddler, the gossip, the fault-finder, on the other hand, soon ruin their own capacity for observing the better side of human nature; and, not finding it in others, search in vain for its influence in their own souls.

There is a wonderful field in the organizations of the Church for the cultivation of all the virtues of the human heart. It is the business of every officer and member of the Church, and of her associations and organizations, to lead out in doing good; to stand first in serviceable practices in the gospel's atmosphere of sunshine and peace; to lift up and not to cast down; to encourage and not to repress; to dipense joy, and to drown sorrow; to refrain their lips from slander and backbiting, and, by sweet temper and kind words, to unfold the better side of human nature; to mind their own business, and not to unduly criticise, nor to find fault, nor to delight in tale-bearing, scandal, envy, and gossip.

This advice heeded, our social ethics would soon show wonderful improvement; happiness, beauty of disposition, love, and moral cleanliness, would increase among the Saints; the Spirit of God would delight to dwell in their midst, and the best qualities of the people would unfold and develop like the rose in the warm sunshine of June. JOSEPH F. SMITH.

"MORMON" DOCTRINE IN CONGRESS.

The Senate of the United States sometimes suspends its regu

lar business to enable its distinguished members to pay proper tribute to their associates who have passed to the great beyond. On January 30 of this year, respects were paid to the memory of the late Senator James McMillan, of the state of Michigan, who had died suddenly, aged sixty-four years. On this occasion, a leading New York senator, in the course of the eulogy of his dead comrade, gave a very short, practical sermon on faith and works. His is so unlike the generally accepted idea of momentary salvation held by the Christian world, and so very like the doctrine of the Latter-day Saints on this subject, preached for more than seventy years, that it is worthy of record. He said:

In all ages the question has constantly recurred, In what manner, if the choice were left to us, would we prefer to die? The prayers most churches, all over the world, offer on every Sabbath day is the petition to preserve us from sudden death. That is based upon the theological dogma that the sins of a lifetime can be forgiven, and salvation secured by a death-bed repentance. Without desiring any controversy, I cannot help believing that in the bookkeeping of heaven there is a debit and a credit account which can only be balanced by works as well as faith -deeds as well as professions. So I count most happy those who escape the agonizing scenes so often recurring, and so painful at death, of parting with those we love.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Ratio of Representation.

What is a Congressional District, and what is meant by ratio of representation?

By ratio of representation is meant the proportion or number of people out of the whole population of the United States who are entitled to have a member in the House of Representatives. A Congressional district is a division of a state having this number of people. This ratio of representation has been changed every census, or every ten years, since 1800, when it was 33,000, the

same as at the first census in 1790. In 1810 the ratio was 35,000; in 1820, 40,000; in 1830, 47,700; in 1840, 70,680; in 1850, 93,423; in 1860, 127,381; in 1870, 131,425; in 1880, 151,911; in 1890, 173,901, and in 1900, the present ratio, or the ratio for the next House of Representatives, is 194,182. Utah has only one Congressional District, and only one Representative, because, her population in 1900 being only 276,749, she lacked 111,615 people to entitle her to form another district and elect another Representative.

Population of Utah.

How many times has the census been taken in Utah, and what is the present population?

The first census in Utah was taken in 1850, three years after the arrival of the pioneers. The population then was 11,380; in 1860 it was 40,273; in 1870, 86,786; in 1880, 143,963; in 1890, 207,905; in 1900, 276,749.

Dowie and "That Prophet."

In Chicago our elders meet many followers of John Alexander Dowie, who styles himself "Elijah the Restorer." His adherents contend that he (Dowie) is "that prophet" spoken of by Moses in Deut. 18: 15, 18, 19, and mentioned again by Peter in Acts 3: 22-24-when looking forward to the time of the "restitution of all things," as the one to prepare the way of the Lord. To which also agrees Malachi 3: 1. The Book of Mormon (I Nephi 22: 21; III Nephi 20: 23) presents us the fulfilment of Moses' prophecy in the person of Jesus Christ.

Acts 3: 22, 24 does not seem to be convincing with regard to establishing the fact that Christ was "that prophet," or that he fulfilled the prophecy at the time he lived on the earth. The prophecy seems to point to some prophet that should arise at the time of the "restitution" (verse 21). John 1: 45 does not, of course, prove that Christ was "that prophet," because Moses wrote of Christ in other parts of his writings. The Jewish people understood that Christ and "that prophet" were two different persons. (John 1: 20-25.) Can Book of Mormon testimony in this matter be substantiated conclusively by the Bible?

In Deuteronomy the coming of "a prophet like unto Moses" is predicted. Bible commentators seem to agree that the Messiah is the prophet referred to; and it is so stated in the Book of Mor