  EDITOR OF "WOMAN'S EXPONENT." This lady, like most of our representative women, was born in New England, February 29, 1828, at Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Her maiden name was Woodward. The forefathers of her family came in 1830, settled in and around Boston, were large landowners, and by profession were mathematicians, surveyors, etc. Mrs. Wells' ancestry, both on the father and mother's side, were purely of English extraction, and fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War, as well as that of 1812, some of them being officers of high rank. Her brothers and other relations fought in the late Civil War also. Mrs. Wells has had an eventful history in many respects, and somewhat romantic; were it to be published as a story and strictly true, it would be stranger than fiction. In her early life she gave promise of unusual talent, her memory was quite wonderful, storing up the many incidents and points of beauty around her to be brought forth in after years in faithful portraiture amid far off valleys and places then unbuilt and undiscovered. It was the expectation of her family and friends that she would make a mark in the world and do them honor; this was to be verified, but in a way undreamed of by them. The place and work God had chosen for her had not in her childhood, even a name. The child of destiny, straying alone yet not lonely, with her busy fancies finding companionship in fields, woods and brooks, the haunts of nature in their rudest, wildest form; listening to the songs of birds and sighing of the forest leaves, touching with caressing hand the flowers and moss-grown rocks, searching through shrubbery and tangled vines, or looking up through alcoves green and dim, feasted her eyes upon the wondrous sky where moving clouds passed on in endless changes 'neath that world, where she was taught the home and throne of God forever are. These surroundings and influences developed and moulded that individuality of character during her childhood to the degree, that at eight years of age she commenced composing in rhyme, choosing instinctively the beautiful and harmonious method of expression which is poetry. This element cannot be possessed by anyone, old or young, but that it casts an influence recognized at once, and men and women gray haired now, say, that watching the thoughtful child they knew there was a special destiny for her, undefined, but nevertheless felt as something grand and great. So, hovered the spirit of her mission around her through her childhood, and at ten years of age she became a member of the church choir, happy in lifting her full heart in hymns of worship and of praise. How many have found sweet joy in singing; that expression of supplication, faith and gratitude, which in any and every religion is, we feel, true and acceptable adoration. In November, 1841, the Gospel was preached in her native village; and her mother believed and was baptized. Immediately a branch of the Church was organized and some excitement in regard to Mormonism sprang up among the worldly-wise and learned. Mrs. Wells' mother persuaded her to go and hear the Mormon elders, and told her she knew it was the true Gospel that the ancient Apostles taught, and that she had been looking forward to such a dispensation. She was a woman of very strong mind, of practical capabilities, yet withal very spiritual in her nature, had been for many years a staunch Congregationalist, and had her children brought up in that church. Ministers, lawyers, judges and influential men came with their profound learning and logic to convince Mrs. Wells' mother that Mormonism was a delusion, but all in vain. On the young and inexperienced daughter they expected to be able to make an impression, and no means was left untried. Everything that could be said or done was brought to bear, and when she had decided to receive the ordinance of baptism all the powers of darkness seemed to conspire to hinder it. She affirms that a power she had no knowledge of heretofore, seemed to possess her at this momentous time to help her to withstand the intercessions and pleadings of those who had been her friends, and who now so vigorously sought to keep her from going down into the waters of baptism. On the 1st day of March, 1842, when a little group of Latter-Day Saints was assembled to perform the ordinance of baptism on her mother's own ground, just near her home, zealous friends sent messengers down to ask her if she was sure she was acting of her own free will and choice, otherwise they would take her by force and she should never lack for means of a higher education, but if she accepted the Mormon faith and gathered at Nauvoo she must renounce not only her friends but also all the advantages of literary culture she had so ardently hoped to attain, and be forever disgraced. Not knowing but that it was true that her hopes for further advancement must be resigned, she laid them on the altar of her faith, willing to yield up her future entirely to the will and care of her Creator. Some power potent indeed buoyed her up and she went through this trying ordeal and though her delicate nerves were somewhat shaken yet she told her mother and friends then what proved true afterwards, that the crisis was past, she had renounced all she had before looked forward to, henceforth she desired to dedicate herself entirely to the work in which she had enlisted. During the year after her coming into the Church she pursued her studies at the same school, yet she had to endure a great deal of ridicule on account of being a Mormon, and her teacher never wearied of persuading and entreating her to give up such foolish ideas, and resume her place among her associates. But though she was as one alone, for there was not another in the school that believed in the peculiar faith she had embraced, and she understood very little herself, still she had an innate conception of the entire consecration necessary for a Latter-Day Saint. The next year she taught a country school, receiving her certificate as readily as any of the other young ladies; and early in the spring of 1844, in the month of April, she went up to Nauvoo, where she had the privilege of hearing Joseph Smith preach his last discourses. After reaching Nauvoo she received strong testimony, not by any spiritual manifestations, but that which convinced her reason and intelligence. We cannot attempt to give in detail the changes and trials of Nauvoo, but suffice it to say that through sickness, sorrow and severe trial she kept the faith. In the winter of 1844-45, she was taught the principle of celestial marriage by Bishop Newel K. Whitney and his wife, whose acquaintance she had formed through having been introduced to the family by a cousin of Sister Whitney's. This cousin was one of the company in which she had traveled to Nauvoo, and who because of her delicate health, her youth and inexperience, had been attracted towards her. She accepted the principle in its sacred phase and entered into the order or covenant of celestial marriage with the same purity of motive that had influenced her in going down into the waters of baptism. The ceremony was performed by Brigham Young in one of the upper rooms of the Bishop's house in Nauvoo, in the evening of the 14th day of February, 1845, the only witness being the Bishop's first wife, who not only had consented but actually urged the matter, and gave her to her husband; and the most sincere friendship existed forever afterward between the two, who really lived like mother and daughter, and though so intimately associated in the same family, and sometimes under circumstances the most trying, yet no jar or contention ever marred their true friendship for each other. To those who doubt the fact of women living happily together no better illustration can be given than such practical ones as these. Here were two refined, sensitive natures in harmony with that condition of marriage, but it was from the fact that they accepted it from divine authority as a part of their religion, and a higher law which would secure to them a future exaltation; never losing sight of the exalted nature of their mission, having undertaken to live lives of self-sacrifice and purity. The false assertion made by the world that women of marked character and attainments would never submit to live in the order of plural marriage is disproved by such instances as this one. Both were women of high social attainments, and possessing superior qualities of mind and heart. It is the higher nature that must be aroused to inspire women to carry out practically this exalting, refining principle, and through this crucible many have come forth like gold seven times purified, tried as by fire yet without the smell upon their garments. Mrs. Wells received the ordinances and the blessings of the Temple with her husband in Nauvoo, and came out in the month of February, crossing the Mississippi River on the ice. Her mother, who had been a staunch Latter-Day Saint from her first hearing the Gospel preached, died of hardships and fatigue when the Saints were driven from Nauvoo. In Winter Quarters she taught school and came with the Bishop and his family to the valley, leaving the Missouri River towards the last of May, 1845, and arrived in the valley early in October. On the 2nd day of November, after, her eldest daughter was born in a wagon, during one of those cold piercing wind and sleet storms that often occur at that season. September 23, 1850, Bishop Whitney died, leaving her a widow at twenty-two with two children, the eldest not then two years of age, the youngest a babe five weeks old. Many of her friends feared she would sink beneath her trials, but she rallied those forces of her nature, which under a husband's care had never been called into requisition, and turned to the ways and means of providing for her little ones. Left as it were alone, bereft and so helpless, the young mother was like one in a dream, she had trusted to her husband so entirely, and knew so little herself of the practical realities of life; she had not thought he could die. He was one to lean upon, and she had looked up to him as a little child looks up to a true loving parent with a reverence almost more than human. To her he had shown the utmost tenderness, helping and encouraging in times of severe trial, making every burden lighter because of the intense sympathy of his spiritual nature. This was one of the eventful epochs of her life. She awakened to know that for her, duty must be first, and she became in course of time accustomed to acting for herself instead of leaning upon another. It was a hard lesson, but she studied it carefully, and sought earnestly for divine help upon her efforts; but we are simply giving a few facts and not minute details, therefore suffice it to say after something more than two years of widowhood she married again. During the Bishop's life, he frequently prophesied to her of the future and what her work would yet be, and although she could not then imagine how such changes could possibly be wrought, (as much on account of the condition of the country and the circumstances of the people,) yet looking back over it now, she realizes how prophetic his words were, and the promises made concerning her future have many of them been fulfilled. Mrs. Wells often says she was born a woman's rights advocate, inheriting it from her mother, who was a staunch advocate for woman's emancipation, and when left a widow with a large family, realized more fully the injustice of the laws in regard to women, their property rights and guardianship of children. Mrs. Wells has been the mother of six children, one son and five daughters, and during their childhood devoted herself almost exclusively to their care and education. Mrs. Wells has always had a great desire to see others advance, and in her home before she entered upon public duties ever sought to stimulate those around her to efforts of development of the higher nature. She has given much genuine encouragement to those who would shrink from criticism and would consequently, unless aroused, bury their talents or fold them away in a napkin. She is exceedingly frank in her nature and generous to a fault, and possesses an admirable faculty of entertaining those with whom she is from time to time associated. She has drawn around her people of taste, ability and culture; the secret of her winning friends is perhaps in her almost total forgetfulness of self, and her intense wish to make others happy. Perhaps, among her friends, few are fonder or more sincere than those who have received both sympathy, encouragement and advice from her who has not feared that other lights might dim her own, she has rejoiced in the progress and victories of others as though they were her own achievements. It is truly wonderful to contemplate the public work accomplished by Mrs. Wells in the comparatively brief opportunity of time since her labors began. In the Eastern States prominent women have pursued these objects for nearly fifty years, but the women of Utah have stood afar and alone with no part in matters of a political nature until about thirteen years ago. They have exercised their privileges with respect, caution and wisdom, holding neither lightly or boastfully the freedom of the ballot. Many have read law and studied parliamentary rules, and have on occasions of public character endeavored to profit by observation in the presentation and discussion of such matters. Mrs. Wells has traveled much among our people, speaking and assisting in organizing. She has good executive ability and is well adapted to this kind of work. In political matters she takes great interest, and since the women of Utah have had the ballot she has taken a prominent part in that direction and done much active work. Mrs. Wells went to Washington as a delegate from the women of Utah in January, 1879, to attend the Convention of the National Woman Suffrage Association, accompanied by Mrs. Zina Young Williams and while there they had the opportunity of speaking before committees of House and Senate, and also had an audience with President Hayes and several of the leading men of the nation on the Mormon question. They also prepared a memorial to Congress and succeeded in getting it presented. In November, 1874, Mrs. Wells went into the office of the Woman's Exponent to assist the editor, Mrs. Lula Greene Richards, a little in her labors, and gradually grew interested in the work, and in May, 1875, her labors became regular and constant, continuing so until in July, 1877, when she assumed the entire responsibility, Mrs. Richards withdrawing on account of increased domestic cares. Mrs. Wells never seems to tire of journalistic duty. In November, 1876, she was chosen President of the Central Grain Committee for the storing of grain by women, against a day of famine. At the Mass Meeting in the Theatre to protest against the Woman's Anti-Polygamic Association she took an active part in the proceedings. In September, 1882, Mrs. Wells went to Omaha with Mrs. Zina D. H. Young, to attend the convention of the National Woman's Suffrage Association again. Mrs. Wells was appointed Secretary of the Deseret Hospital Association; in fact her time is almost constantly employed in the performance of public duties and benevolent work. Looking retrospectively upon the life of Emmeline B. Wells and noting the constant upward progress she has made through the adverse circumstances common to a pioneer life, and the establishing of a new order of religion and social life amid the opposition and persecution of our own nation; the result is calculated to testify strongly against the assertions made that, in our isolation and subservience to religious authority, woman is repressed in her abilities and privileges; for it is in that mental atmosphere which is the very essence of Mormonism, that hers have been developed and brought into prominence as an exemplar to the young. If in the very stronghold of Mormonism the standard of progress is upheld by woman's hand as well as man's, the inference is that the next generation will show a marked advance. Knowledge is power, and this with virtue and wisdom united, guided by inspiration, ignorance and tyranny will alike be impotent against the growing hosts of Israel. And, knowing this, all excellences of acquirements and attainments are stimulated and promoted among the old and young by our leaders, misrepresentation to the contrary notwithstanding. The quality of statesmanship is of high order and rare among women, but it has been declared by the lips of prophecy that positions of power would await the women of Zion faster than they would be qualified for them. Mrs. Wells is by nature one of those prepared for the advent of such an era. And still, the songs whispered from nature to the heart of the child chime on, and the woman repeats them in clear, sweet utterances to the world; the intuitions of the Deity and his work she may now declare in knowledge, and the maiden that with timid feet went down at the Gospel's call into the waters of baptism, has become a strength, an inspiration and a guide to women in the same path. President Young gave Mrs. Wells a mission to record in brief the biographies of the most prominent women of our Church, in the Woman's Exponent. A part of this work has already been performed, which is an important addition to our home literature. I give below one selection from the lady's many beautiful poems:
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