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Show MORE "BLEEDING" OP SAINTS, Owing to old ago and feeble health, Elder John Ashman was released from the chairmanship of the Old Peoplo's association as-sociation and also na collector of temple funds. Flllmoro Progress Review's report of Millard stake conference. Mr. John Ashman is an estimable old gentleman who has served the Mormon church faithfully for moro than forty years, if Tho Tribuno's information be correct. His zeal in his religion was always tempered by a kindly disposition disposi-tion to give oar to the views of others, and his staunchness in his own belief is attested in tho fact that he has remained re-mained steadfast to his own conviction to' tho evening of his day. Tho Tribune Trib-une pays this tribute to Mr. Ashman's character in the line of its duty to recognize rec-ognize worth in all good men. But it is a matter of curiosity with us to know why tho church has present need for collectors of temple funds. There are no temples being built just now, and surely these institutions must bo self-sustaining. And if the- are not so, why not utilize some of tho titho moneys in their support? Have not the saints been sufficiently burdened already al-ready in the special taxes levied for the erection of these buildings? Is not the prosecution of the "work" performed in the temple a part of the "work of the Lord" to which tho tithes aro supposed sup-posed to bo devoted? Why spend so much money out of the tithe contributions contribu-tions in the purchase of stocks, bonds, lands and interests in financial and commercial com-mercial institutions, instead of devoting it to the announced sacred purposes of tho church for which it was intended? However, it should be remembered that in the old couutrics Mormon converts con-verts of the years long gone were urged not only to pay their tithes, but to contribute con-tribute special amounts for the purchase of "nails and glass" for the Salt Lako temple, 3'ears before theso materials were needed. And the' do sa3' that the pounds, shillings and pence so collected col-lected never at an- time found their way to an' nail mill or to any glass factory. Wo know of man- instances where the children of theso European converts at that time pam tne pennies tnoy enrncn from their neighbors b3' running errands, er-rands, and wero coaxed by their fathers fath-ers and mothers into feelings of delight at being able to thus serve the Lord in their own little way. It is also known to us that most of these little chaps are now grown men in Utah who, discovering discover-ing tho. intense frnud which was then perpetrated against them, have left the church proud of their country, but ashamed of the bilks who defrauded them. There would not be much risk of going go-ing wrong in the guess that if any "nails and glass" are to bo purchased out of "temple funds" collected at the present time, these materials will enter into the construction of hierarchically-protected hierarchically-protected Canadian and Mexican harems. |
