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Show BIOGRAPHY OF MYRON TANNER. 26 As of a man solemn a When once of firmness, of duty or an unyielding will in the presence obligation, Myron Tanner had few superiors. his pumose was set it was not easy to turn him aside. A circumstance in the life of Mvron Tanner, well known to the writer, illustrates perhaps better than anything else the character of the man for firmness. In the early days of the Church when shifted about; when they were enduring the hardships of pioneer life; when they were occupied in the mines and upon men were the ranches, there was not the same high regard for the Word of In his boyhood among the Saints today. Tanner he d learned the use of tobacco, a habit that Wisdom that is common days Myron was quite universal in his young days. In the midst of distilleries, he had also acquired the habits of a moderate drinker, though he had never in his life become intoxicated. his custom every morning before breakfast and every before dinner, to take a bowl of what was commonly called sling, that was drunk perhaps as freely as tea and coffee are drunk It was noon He not only drank this sling, or toddy,himself, but he gave There was always a family if they cared to use it. Somehow or other it barrel of liquor of some kind in the cellar. The W3S considered a beverage quite necessary in those times. today. it to his enjoy the liquor that was taken be early days President George A. Smith made a visit to Provo and in a very spirited address in the old Cluff Hall, preached the Word of Wisdom. Most of the people of the town needed the warning which he freely gave, and Myron Tanner The writer was old enough to remember his own among them. when told that there was to be no more inconveniences personal writer himself had learned to fore meals. In those coffee served in that home. George A. Smith was the ideal type of man Myron The beautiful and rugged simplicity of President Smith's hood. life always appealed to him and 80 devoted was the young man to liquor, no more To tea or Tanner George A. Smith that it is hardly too much to say that he would have laid down his life for him. The words of ad monition, therefore, of the great leader, were observed with most For years Myron Tanner care by a devoted follower. President scrupulous had become addicted in a moderate way to the use of liquor, to All these he immediately threw aside; tobacco, tea and coffee. |
