"When the best things are not possible, the best can be made of those that are."-MAYNARD.

No. 31, Vol. LXX.

Thursday, July 30, 1908.

Price One Penny.

DEDICATORY SERVICES AT THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LONDON, JULY 26th, 1908.

LAST Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., a congregation of nearly five hundred saints and friends assembled in the large meeting-room of "Deseret," the magnificent building in South Tottenham, London, recently purchased by the Church as headquarters for the London conference, and also as a place of worship. It was the occasion of the dedication of the building to the Lord, and a number of saints and friends from the surrounding towns came to attend the memorable service.

On the stand were President Charles W. Penrose of the European mission, President Soren Peterson of the London conference, and Elders William A. Morton and Joseph S. Mulliner of the Liverpool office. Thirty-five elders laboring in the London conference were also in attendance.

After singing, prayer and the administration of the sacrament, President Soren Peterson gave an interesting account of the manner in which the Church had come into possession of this valuable piece of property. It had been vacant for sixteen years, but no sooner had the Church taken the first step towards its purchase than other parties stepped in and got possession of it. These, however, after much negotiation decided to sell to the Church and entered into an agreement to that effect. But they afterwards

repented, and did all in their power to make the contract null and void. Difficulty after difficulty was encountered; but through the assistance of the Lord they had overcome them one by one, and at last the sale was effected. Too much credit, he said, cannot be given to President Penrose for the interest he took and the assistance he rendered in the matter. It was upon his recommendation that the Church decided to purchase the property. President Peterson rejoiced with the saints in having such a suitable place in which to worship God. He invoked the blessings of heaven upon the assembly, and upon all who had assisted in the work of cleaning and renovating the building that it might be acceptable to our Father in heaven.

President Charles W. Penrose then offered the following

DEDICATORY PRAYER.

Our Father, who art in heaven, with grateful hearts we come before Thee on this occasion. We thank Thee for Thy providences which have been over us, Thy children, and also that Thou hast blessed us with the privilege of acquiring this property wherein we can meet together and worship Thee in peace with none to molest or make us afraid, and where Thy servants who have been called to minister in Thy name in this part of Thy vineyard may have a comfortable resting place where they can confer together and hold council and have sweet communion, that they may be prepared to go forth in Thy name and minister in Thine ordinances to Thy name's honor and glory. We thank Thee, Our Father, with all our hearts, and we praise Thy holy name, for we realize that Thy hand has been over us for good and through Thy providence we have been successful in this undertaking. We have had many obstacles to contend with, but Thou hast removed them from our path. We recognize Thee as the giver of all good and we praise Thee and thank Thee with all our hearts. And now, Father, look down upon us on this occasion and accept of our offering. We realize that it is yet imperfect, that there are many improvements to be made in this building, that many changes will have to take place in order to make it as it should be, a house of prayer and a habitation unto the Most High, and we desire to continue our labors here and have it so prepared that Thine angels may come into it whom thou hast appointed to minister unto the heirs of salvation. May no influence or power which is not of Thee have an abiding place here, but may every part be holy unto the Lord. And we now dedicate it unto Thee, O God. Wilt Thou bless the labors of Thy servants, and grant that this house shall be acceptable unto Thee, that it may be a sacred edifice wherein Thy people may assemble and where Thy servants may abide and lodge when necessary. We dedicate to Thee, the Lord our God, the land on which this building rests and its surroundings which have been purchased by Thy serWilt Thou grant that the ground may be holy unto Thee. We dedicate the foundations of the house and this hall with all its appurtenances and the rooms which are adjacent thereto. We dedicate the font which has been erected for the purpose of baptizing repentant believers, and the basement where it is erected, that when assemblies shall gather there to attend to the ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins it all may be holy before Thee. Grant that it may be purified by the power of Thy Spirit, that all may be sacred. We dedicate the hall by which we enter this place from the doors inward and outward and all the surroundings, and the statuary, and everything pertain ing thereunto. And we pray that inasmuch as we may need to rent out portions of this building we may do so wisely, and if persons not of our faith shall occupy the same that they may do nothing to deface it or to cause Thy displeasure. We pray Thee that if anything is said or done in those rented places that is at all unseemly Thou wilt not impute it to Thy servants, who desire that all shall be so ordered as to be pleasing in Thy

vants.

sight. We dedicate the stairways and the rooms that are above, whether used as bedrooms, or dining rooms, or sitting rooms, or prayer ooms or closets, and every part and particle thereof up to the roof, with the tower and all the appurtenances thereto, the windows, the furniture and everything adorning the walls, every part and particle of this house and all things that it contains we dedicate unto Thee. We pray that Thy Spirit and power may be in every part and place in this building, for we desire that the whole building outside and inside, and all things that surround it pertaining to the building may be holy unto Thee, our God and Father. We pray that Thy blessings may be upon it all, and when people gather to worship in this hall, that Thy power may be upon them and upon all who minister in Thy name, that they may do so under the influence of Thy Spirit, that nothing may be done or said or attempted contrary to Thy holy will. We thank Thee for what Thou hast done for us in helping us to make this building as comfortable and beautiful as it is. And wilt Thou bless Thy servants who have been so diligent in laboring here, Thine elders sent out to preach the gospel, who have gone to with their might and have cleansed and purified and beautified the house. Bless Thy servant, President Soren Peterson, who has superintended this work and has shown zeal and perseverance characteristic of a servant of God. Grant that every incumbrance upon it may be speedily removed, that every part of it may be fully owned by Thy Church. Wilt Thou bless these Thy servants who have been so diligent in their labors and may they receive their reward in this life as well as in the life to come. Grant that when Thy saints come here to worship they may come in the spirit of holiness, humility and faith, that the power of God may be here and the fear of the Lord may be here, and may the Holy Ghost shed forth that sacred influence which was promised by our Redeemer and which we have felt so many times in the Temples of our God. We thank Thee for the restoration of the gospel in these last days, for the visitation of angels, for the restoration of Thy holy priesthood, for the establishment of Thy kingdom, for the opening of the dispensation of the fulness of times, for the beginning of the restitution of all things, for the dawning beams of the millennial morn. We thank Thee for the testimony of Jesus which Thou hast planted in our hearts, by which we know the truth, and wilt Thou help us to be firm and faithful to that testimony, that we may never waver from it in word or deed, that we as well as this house may be holy unto the Lord, that our bodies may be acceptable habitations for the Holy Spirit, even the tabernacles of the Lord, that we may be sanctified unto Thee in body and spirit and in every part of our being. We pray Thee, O Lord, to look upon Zion, Thy people who desire to be the pure in heart. Wilt Thou unite Thy people together that they may be able to stand up against their enemies, to maintain their rights and liberties and may their evil foes be confounded. Bless Thy servant President Joseph F. Smith. May Thy Spirit be upon him, his counselors, the Twelve, all the authorities in Thy Holy Priesthood, and all the societies that have been organized for the advancement of Thy work, that they may all be adequate to the duties that are required at their hands. Bless Thy servants in all parts of the earth carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ unto the nations. Bless this the European Mission. Bless Thy servant President Booth in the Turkish Mission, Thy servant President Steed in South Africa, Thy servant President Ballif in the Swiss and German Mission, Thy servant President Cannon in Holland and Belgium, Thy servant President Rasmussen in Denmark and Norway, Thy servant President Sundwall in Sweden, and all Thy servants throughout these nations and throughout the United States and other lands, and upon the isles of the sea where Thy servants are laboring with great toil and diligence, and give them power to overcome every obstacle that may beset their paths, that they may gather in Israel from the four corners of the earth and be prepared for the coming of our Lord when He shall appear suddenly in His Holy Temple. Have mercy upon the nations of the world. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, lead them unto Thee. And those who stand up against Thy Church and seek to do it harm, cause that they may be softened in their feelings. Guide the rulers and legislators of the nations that Thy servants may have iberty and freedom to preach the gospel among the peoples of the earth. Accept of our

prayers, our supplications, our songs. Let Thy Spirit inspire us and may Thy word be proclaimed in power. Let thy peace abide with us, be in our hearts, and go with us to our homes. Open the way for Thy servants laboring here to return in due time to their loved ones in the Valleys of the Mountains, and may the way be opened so that Thy saints may be able to gather with Thy people to the heights of Zion and build up cities and Temples and prepare the way for the coming of our Lord. We dedicate ourselves, as well as this building, unto Thee, the Lord our God. Accept of us and direct us and finally crown us with eternal life in Thy glorious presence, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

At the close of the prayer Elder William A. Morton addressed the congregation. He rejoiced in the glorious truths which the Lord has revealed in these last days. Bore a spirited testimony to the truth of "Mormonism" and to the divinity of Joseph Smith's mission. Invoked the blessings of God upon the ruler and lawmakers of this great nation, and upon the people of England, whom he had learned to love. He believed that many thousands would yet be gathered from this land. Advised the saints to proclaim peace, to be peacemakers, that they might be called the children of God.

President Penrose addressed the meeting. The saints of London, he said, are greatly blessed in obtaining this meeting-house. Don't allow any one to deface this building. We have dedicated it to the Lord. We cannot call it ours. It is the Lord's. We have dedicated it unto Him.

We are living on this earth by permission of the Lord. We have come here just when He appointed, not by accident. The Apostle Paul says that God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. The spirits that dwell in our bodies are the off-spring of God. We won't call ourselves worms of the dust. We are the sons and daughters of the Most High. We are His children and have come here for a purpose, not merely "to eat and drink and die," but to gain experience to prepare us for the eternities.

Our religion is a practical religion. Do those things we ought to do. Do what is right, avoid what is wrong. Be sure you are right then go ahead, and don't be afraid, no matter who wants to stop you, but try and have things right where you live. Let the wife, sisters and daughters do everything to make the home habitable and comfortable and let the man get the means whereby to keep it, for it cannot be done without means. Be kind to the children and bring them up in the spirit of kindness and union and brotherly love. Try and have a little heaven in your little home. That is the place to begin. Union and harmony and concord and brotherly love, and that glorious thing we call charity are what we want. Let us have these in our homes, because the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness. Let's try and be practical Latter-day Saints; and as far as this house is concerned, we will try and keep it as a house of the Lord. Everything

should be moderate. Be natural, but put the brake on human nature. Do that which is right and serve the Lord with all your hearts. In that there is the greatest joy that people can have. The pleasures of the world are what most people seek for, but they are pleasures which only last a little while. If you want to be happy, do what is right and avoid that which is wrong and regard mankind as your brothers and sisters.

I know the gospel is true and know it will prevail in spite of all the opposition we have to encounter. This is the truth and truth is mighty and will prevail. The time is near at hand when all things that will be shaken, will be shaken, and the kingdom of our God will be established in power and great glory over all the things on the face of the earth.

The evening service commenced at 6:30. Every seat was occupied. Besides President Penrose, there were present on the stand Apostle Reed Smoot, Bishop T. R. Cutler of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Bishop Robert Price, of Idaho, U.S.A.

After singing and prayer, Bishop Cutler addressed the meeting. He told of his conversion to "Mormonism," and of the trying experiences which the saints had encountered when they first settled in Salt Lake Valley. He rejoiced in the phenomenal success which had attended the work of the Lord and believed that even greater success would come to it in the future.

Bishop Price bore an impressive testimony to the truth of the gospel restored to earth in these latter times. He thanked the Lord for bringing him into the Church of Christ and for taking him to Zion, where he had been able to make his home with the saints and enjoy the blessings which the Lord had bestowed upon His people. The "Deseret" Quartette then rendered a choice selection, after which Preisdent Penrose delivered an excellent address. He spoke with great liberty and power and was listened to with marked attention. The following is a synopsis of his discourse: Our religion is both temporal and spiritual, of time and the things of eternity. That which is temporal is that which only endures for a time. That which is spiritual is eternal and endures when the temporalities have passed away. The body comes from the earth, the dust as we term it, but the spirit comes from above and is the son of the great Eternal God who rules the universe. We came from Him. We have not developed or evoluted from the lower animals. We are the sons of God. Every seed begets its own kind. That principle is laid down in the book of Genesis, and that principle is eternal. Every seed begets of of its own kind and that which is begotten brings forth seed of the same order. An apple tree will not bear pears, a plum tree will not bring forth peaches, and it is the same with animals and the same with human beings. They will always bring forth of their own kind. We are the seed of God, made in His own image, in His likeness and begotten of Him, and Jesus Christ is the be