No; Mr. Henry, we again remark, did not come to that first speech of his without training; his study of men and things had prepared him. Moreover, he had mastered the subject-he was full of it, and he then "let na'tre caper." But we wander from the purpose of this writing which is to make some suggestions on the subject of public speaking. I am of the opinion that success in this art depends very largely upon one's ability to think continuously and systematically while on his feet in the presence of an audience. And his ability to do this depends upon his private habits of thought. If one never acquires the habit of continuous and systematic thought when alone, if he does not make himself master of his mind and make it work where he would have it, and make his will direct its effort; but on the contrary leaves his thought without a master to wander where it will, touching now this theme and now that, without marshalling his knowledge into systematic order upon any one of them, and from such a labor engender new combinations of thought and adduce new conclusions —such an one will not be able to concentrate his thought when on his feet before an audience, but will manifest by his incomplete statements, illogical arguments and false or weak conclusions, his defective habits of private mental discipline. But if, on the other hand, one shall school himself to concentration of thought, under the inspiring presence of an audience-taking it for granted that he has knowledge of the subject-what he has to say will, at least, be logical and hence forcible. The chief cause of failure in public speaking arises, I believe, from a lack of complete knowledge of the subject. With imperfect knowledge of his theme -no matter what his natural or acquired abilities-a speaker would soon fall into confusion, thence into incoherency, and by these steps meet failure. For a miller to undertake to grind without water on the wheel, or steam in the boiler, would be no more absurd than for a person to attempt to speak without information on the subject to be discussed. By that it is meant he must have clear, definite knowledge of the matter; no general, imperfect, half vague conceptions will do. If he would instruct or convince others he must himself be sure of the ground on which he stands, or he will fail. If thorough, systematic habits of thought be acquired; if the mind be wellstored with information, and the speaker confines himself to those subjects with which he is familiar, there is no reason why he may not hope for success. The degree of his success, after these considerations, will largely depend upon what nature has done for him-her power "to caper." There is one thing more I am constrained to mention in connection with this subject. That is, the part which the aid of God's Spirit takes in that department of public speaking which relates to the preaching of the Gospel. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there is coming into existence what may be called, without impropriety, a new school of oratory. Oratory which depends for its excellence more upon the presence and power of the Holy Ghost than upon the skill and art of man; which looks more to the aid which God has promised to give by direct inspiration than to training, conscious or unconscious, or study, or preparation. This new school of oratory is based upon the following items in the revelations of God, which are addressed to the Elders of the Church on the subject of preaching the Gospel: "Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say, but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." From this it is very reasonable to infer that studied discourses are to be avoided in the preaching of the gospel. But mark you, in this very implied prohibition of such methods of public speaking the Elders are admonished to treasure up in their minds continually, the words of life. Because the Lord has, we may say, banished the "set" discourse from the methods of THE GLADIOLUS. preaching his Gospel, let it not be thought that he has set a premium upon ignorance or idleness, by leaving nothing for the Elder to do but to open his mouth in order to be an effective speaker. The admonition, "treasure up in your minds continually the words of life," ought to dispel that thought. If not, then surely the frequent admonitions to diligence in study, to the acquiring of knowledge from the best books and by prayer and by faith, ought to do it. 459 for in its marvelous power, its magnificent WHAT WAS IT? It happened one morning a wee baby girl This kind of public speaking—that is, speaking from a fulness of information under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Discovered what seemed like a cunning, white pearl. But when her friends hastened to see the fine sight, must ever be the most persuasive, the most effective. It may lack that smoothness, the rhetorical excellence, of prepared She closed its small casket and locked it up or written discourse; but what it lacks in those respects is more than compensated tight. St. Nicholas. THE GLADIOLUS. When the golden shimmer of early dawn Drew hues from the breath of angels nigh, Where the blossoms had gathered to laugh and Joined together in fervent prayer- By the prim, white lines of the garden walk, From the earth's dark dews-with a pulse of Day by day with a yearning heart Its clustered stems it had spread apart, Like the triple strand of a braided sheaf- For the braided clasp of the triple strands And none from that swelling sheaf could guess But at one fair dawn when earth and sky That the dream of beauty which giowed intense Own As a symbol of perfect beauty shown- Yet spirit-stained with a touch of earth, THE funeral services of Apostle Orson Pratt were solemnized in the large Tabernacle at the convening of the Fifty first Semi-Annual Conference, on Thursday morning, October 6th, 1881, the congregation being exceedingly large. The casket containing the remains was borne into the Tabernacle by several of the Apostles. It was beautifully decorated with flowers and placed in an elevated position above the Bishop's stand, which was also decorated with bouquets and floral emblems. The stands were heavily draped in mourning. * The opening exercises consisted of beautiful singing by the choir and prayer by Apostle Franklin D. Richards. President John Taylor in opening the proceedings said: * * "We are placed to-day under rather peculiar circumstances; while we attend to our conference, we at the same time are called to perform the obsequies connected with the death of our beloved Brother and Apostle, Orson Pratt. This is rather a peculiar phase to be entertained in a conference capacity, yet he, though dead, lives, and while he lives in the heavens, he lives also in the hearts of the Saints and of the Holy Preisthood, and we could not have a more fitting opportunity to attend to the obsequies of our beloved brother." After a few more remarks concerning another occurence connected with the death of Elder Feramorz L. Young, son of President Brigham Young, who in returning from a mission to Mexico, in company with Moses Thatcher, one of the Twelve, died and was buried at sea between Havana and New York, and whose memorial services were designed to be held immediately following Brother Pratt's, Apostle Wilford Woodruff arose and gave a few instructions about the order agreed upon in relation to the public viewing the remains. The conference was adjourned until one o'clock p. m. The choir sang the anthem: "The Lord will comfort Zion." The casket was then lowered, and the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Stake and other authorities took a farewell look at the countenance of their venerable fellow laborer, and the vast assemblage filed past in double columns, the eyes of many being filled with tears as they gazed upon the face of the man whose voice had been lifted up both long and loud for so many years in Israel and among the nations, proclaiming the glad tidings of eternal salvation. During the intermission some seven or eight thousand people viewed the remains. At one o'clock, the casket was again elevated and then, the Tabernacle being filled in every part, followed the obsequies of Apostle Pratt. lowing is only a brief synopsis of the remarks of the respective speakers: The fol He President Wilford Woodruff said if he were to express his desire to the Lord it would be, O Lord, give us grace that we may be able to accomplish the work required of us. But oh, the chains that bind this immortal spirit? Sometimes he felt, oh that he could break the bands of mortality and open his eyes in the spirit world to receive that which Orson Pratt is now enjoying. But we must be patient and be willing to abide our time. It would be impossible to give the history of that great man, or to depict the glory that awaits him. It would take the trump of the sixth angel to do that. had been associated with Brother Pratt many years; the first testimony he every heard from him was in a house in Kirtland, in April, 1834. He went with him to Missouri, in Zion's Camp. traveling a thousand miles with the Prophet, those who were in that company received an experience which they can never forget. Men were reduced to mere skeletons with the cholera, and many died. Brother Pratt while suffering from its effects, manifested that indomitable will which has since been many times exhibited. He struggled with death and overcame by faith in God. Brother Pratt Benediction by President Joseph F. had lived longer in this Church, traveled Smith. more miles and preached more sermons In LIFE AND LABORS OF ORSON PRATT. 461 than any man in it. He had baptized to mourn the loss of the presence and thousands, and fulfilled the revelation given to him through the Prophet Joseph Smith, November 4th, 1830. His garments were clear from the blood of this generation. He had studied and written more upon the Gospel and upon science than any man in the Church. He had now gone home. It was all right. This event the speaker had expected for some months. Before he left on his late visit to St. George he had laid his hands upon Brother Pratt and blessed him. This was recorded in his journal which the historian could read after the speaker's death. "If Brother Pratt could speak to this assembly after meeting with the Prophet Joseph and his brethren in the spirit world, he would say to the Apostles, the Seventies, the High Priests, the Elders, the Lesser Priesthood and the Saints, 'can you afford to spend one hour in neglect of this great work, upon the things of this world?' The spirit of Brother Pratt is alive to day and will live as long as our Heavenly Father lives. His testimony is closed, his voice is hushed in death, but it will not be a great while for some of us, before we hear it in the spirit world. Let the living work while the day lasts. Brother Pratt makes the ninth Apostle that had left us who came through Emigration Cañon in 1847. This enjoined us to be also ready. * * * Sleep on Brother Orson, then with the Quorum thou shalt meet in bliss and spend eternal day." Apostle Lorenzo Snow said, could Brother Pratt have the privilege to communicate with us he would say, "Mourn not for me, I have passed through the fiery ordeal; I have, through the blessing of God, obtained the victory, and there is secured to me the privilege of receiving a body glorified. That body through which I have ministered shall be made glorious. I have been able to pass through affliction and temptation and obtained the victory." Apostle F. D. Richards felt that we had assembled under very peculiar circumstances. We had not done with mourning for the loss of the President of the United States, before we were called services of an Apostle of the Lord. *** Brother Pratt's life had been distinguished by the labors of over half a century in this cause. He had received his Priesthood from the hands of those who obtained it direct from Peter, James and John, going forth preaching and writing under the spirit of inspiration in his youthful days. The speaker had labored much with him, and testified that if any man had a right to the title of "meek," it was Brother Orson Pratt; and while his nature was so firm that it amounted almost to obstinacy, yet he always yielded to that which was declared by authority. Brother Pratt was a studious, assiduous worker, preparing himself by acquiring a thorough education, to meet all that might rise against him, seeking by inspiration to learn all that could be known. The speaker referred to the testimony of Professor Proctor that Brother Pratt's works on astronomy were entitled to the admiration and respect of the scientific world. When this Church was in poverty, in want, he labored and toiled continually in its interests, as well as when he was placed in a condition of greater comfort. In speaking of the life's labors of such a man it was difficult to tell where to begin and where to end. He had, however, finished his work, fought the fight, and kept the faith, and secured his crown. He was now where his powers were extended, where, doubtless, he could see as he was seen, and know as he was known. The speaker had sat at his feet, being pleased to learn of him. He was glad for him, for he was now resting from his labors, and his works would follow him in his generations. He had earned the power to bless all of his posterity who would be obedient. "O that God would help us all that our end might be like his, and may God comfort the bereaved, and make them to feel that the Judge of all the earth has done right." President John Taylor said it would be impossible during the limited time allotted to this meeting to do justice to the life and labors of Orson Pratt. That must be left to history. * * Do we * feel sorrowful when a good man goes back to God who gave him life? No. Not if we understand the truth. The Scripture says, "He that hath eternal life is rich." There lies a rich man. He has fought the good fight and he is all right. Brother Pratt was foreordained to hold the Priesthood which was given to him and he came at the right time. Would I wish to retain for a moment a man whose services were required behind the veil? No, I would not. There is a work to be done there a thousand times as great as here, and what have I to say against his departure? Nothing whatever. The Priesthood ministers in time and in eternity. Brother Pratt had gone to labor behind the veil. He had gone to join his Quorum, and we should not be sorrowful. Let us try to imitate the examples of Brother Orson wherein they were good. The choir sang: * * "Mourn not the dead who peaceful lay Their wearied bodies down." Benediction by Counselor D. H. Wells. The vast assembly remained seated while the families of the bereaved and the leading authorities of the Church withdrew to attend to the interment. The remains of the departed Apostle were then conveyed to their resting place, there to sleep until called forth by the trump of the resurrection. A carriage containing members of the Twelve preceded the hearse in the procession; the First Presidency of the Church and Bishop Hunter occupied the carriage which was fifteenth from the head. Then followed an exceedingly large cortege, the whole comprised of fifty-nine carriages filled with mourners. The cortege moved in excellent order and the streets were lined with crowds of spectators as the procession passed to the cemetery, where the remains were deposited to rest in peace until the voice of the Redeemer shall call them forth to be quickened after the power of an endless life. Just before Apostle Orson Pratt's death, and while lying upon his death-bed, he told President Joseph F. Smith that he wished the following epitaph placed upon his grave-stone: my testimony lives and shall endure forever." These were his exact words as President Joseph F. Smith took them down at the moment in a memorandum book. At the next Legislature succeeding his death the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: “Whereas, in the dispensation of Divine Providence, the late Speaker of this House, the Honorable Orson Pratt, has been called to a higher sphere, having departed this life on the third of October, 1881; and "Whereas, our departed friend and associate was worthy of our highest regard and the general esteem and affection in which he was held by the public at large, as well as by his co-laborers and intimate friends; and "Whereas, it is our duty and privilege to express, in some public manner, our appreciation of his many good qualities and efficient public services; "Therefore, Be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah regards the life and labors of the Honorable Orson Pratt with profound admiration, and his character with deep respect. Gifted with remarkable powers, possessing a vigorous intellect and, until his later years, with great physical strength, his highly cultivated powers of mind and body were fully and freely given for the benefit of his fellows. As an astronomer he shone with stars of the first magnitude. As a mathematician he stood in the foremost rank. As a theologian he had few equals. As a writer he was forcible, logical, perspicuous, and convincing. As a public speaker he was bold, original, masterly and eloquent. As a legislator he was cautious, discreet, liberal, and progressive. As a gentleman he was courteous, sedate, affable and considerate. His career was most remarkable, showing what may be achieved by selfculture and perseverance, in the face of the greatest obstacles. In his boyhood he devoted himself to the good of his race, and he never ceased his exertions until cut down by the scythe of the uniHe was a successful "My body sleeps but a moment; but versal reaper. |