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Show AND MORMON DIGNITARIES. 183 occupied a position in Echo Canon, to which I have referred in a previous chapter. I have not been in the society of Mr. Wells, but learn that he is quite illiterate, and is an honest Mormon. He is a much more moderate polygamist than either of his colleagues having only seven wives. They were all taken from the humblest walks of life. But few of the other leaders of the church are known to fame, and I will not occupy space in referring to them, as I have the three presidents. Orson Hyde, John Taylor, George Q., Cannon and Orson Pratt, are probably the best educated men among them. The last- named is regarded as the philosopher of the church. I quoted him in my last in explaining doctrinal points. He is regarded with a good deal of jealousy by the President, who in consequence keeps him most of the time on missions, or other duty re quiring him to be absent from Zion. Orson Hyde is also regarded as a dangerous man. He is a brilliant orator, and a good writer. His associates, who are fearful and jealous on account of his abilities, and his presumption sometimes in preaching in a way not very satis factory to the President, style him the " big head." He is said to have apostatized during the life of Smith, the first Prophet, and afterward joined the church again. The large majority of their preachers are exceedingly il literate, and it is torturing to sit and hear their bad English, when there is an entire absence of argument or point in their remarks. The masses should receive more notice than I can give them in this article. Nine- tenths, if not nineteen- twentieths, as I have before stated, are converts to the faith through the labors of missionaries in England, Wales, Scotland and Den mark. There are but few Germans among them, fewer Irish, and still fewer Americans, though the principal offi cers are natives of this country, and Brigham manages always to keep it so. I must add a few words about the people as they are found here. After settling in Utah, whatever may have |