Chapter 9 Another "Sheepskin" " I am proud: and I know, my son, that you will not let them make of you a 'learned incapable'!"  -Joseph Smith. With the transfer of the church headquarters to Independence my husband's church work became more and more arduous. He had been ordained first counselor to his father in 1902 with Richard Evans as second counselor, but Mr. Evans lived in Canada, did a great deal of traveling and was not much in the office, while Fred's cousin Elbert A. Smith, who later replaced Mr. Evans, lived in Lamoni and was not present to take the responsibility of the office the details of which fell increasingly on Frederick as his father's age and rapidly failing health caused him to lean more and more heavily on the broad shoulders of his son. In addition to Fred's work as an executive he was still reading and studying in the fields of science, history and philosophy and in connection with the problems and doctrines of his church, with the idea of further fitting himself for the work before him; but he was not the man, either, to consider his formal education finished with the taking of a bachelor's degree from a small Iowa college. He believed that a leader must keep constantly in touch with the newest and best developments of the times, as is possible only from the contact with the finest university and college men the day   He believed and the experiences of Ills later years have confirmed the idea, that a man who would direct men must be at least as well educated as they, and that though they may become specialists in their various lines he must know enough of their specialty to be able to oversee their work. Many physicians in talking to my husband have started at hearing from a layman the terms usually known only and phrase, which a to the "brotherhood," but as a member of his church sanitarium board and as an ally of his church physician in introducing the most modern in curative and preventive medicine, it could not be otherwise. In the same manner he has come to understand the [142] work of his professors, his business men, his statisticians and his architects, not only that he might properly appreciate their work, but that might also help more ably to fit it into the effective and proper working of the entire organization.   He believed also that the leader of a people such as he represents must be able to meet on an equal footing the leaders of the educational, religious, and professional movements of the day, a man among men, capable of holding his own in the affairs of community, state and nation, thereby representing his church as a body worthy of a place among the religious organizations of the country.   With these things in mind, therefore, he set quietly about the task of taking a master's degree. He availed himself of the extension courses offered by the University of Missouri for his preparatory work, and for the year of residence required for the degree, arranged to go down twice a week for two years to that sturdy Middle West university at Lawrence, the State University of Kansas.   Because of his work with the university extensions in Kansas City it was my privilege to take up with Mr. Smith certain subjects of sociology and psychology. His was [143] never the kind of ambition which resents the advancement of others, and he was glad to have me get all I could of the modern social sciences, with the idea that I would no doubt be of great assistance to him in his work with the women of the church.   And indeed I have always been grateful that I have had such opportunities, as this to prepare myself, for the cause of the women has become very dear to me. As president of the women's society, later when the organization became more complex and my time more full an honorary president, and finally as director general of the department of women which was eventually formed as one of the general divisions of the department work of the church, I have tried at all times to interest the women in the study of the problems with which they are confronted and to train and to develop leaders to further carry on this work. Mrs. Madge Siegfried, in a historical sketch, once stated in speaking of my efforts that the mature years of my life have been spent in organizing the women of the church, and in educating them to further develop themselves for the service which they can render to society.   Through these courses, and also in working with the board of public welfare in Kansas City, an organization which was [144] then being developed under the able leadership of Mr. Halbert, assisted as he was by the university men, Mr. Smith and I began to take a new interest in the development and the modern methods of application of the social sciences.   It came to us even more strongly that the social problem, in the community and the world at large as well as in the church, was one of the most vital and important problems of the day. It was through this very sociological work and study, as it was begun in Kansas City and as he followed it up with his excellent courses under such men as Dr. Charles Ellwood of Missouri, Dr. Frank Blackmar, of Kansas, who was the first man in the United States to hold a chair of sociology in any university, Doctor Helleberg and others, that Frederick hoped to be able to present in a detailed and practical form to his church and to the world at large an interpretation of his grandfather's doctrines of Christianity and sociology which would be capable of being put into actual practice.   The found of "Mormonism" was not, as is sometimes supposed, an uneducated man. He came of old New England stock; his grandmother was a school-teacher, and while he himself had but a common-school education, he was a brilliant scholar and a man of [145] quite remarkable intellectual and executive power. He had not of course studied sociology as it is taught today, but he was alive to the problems of society and had the vision and foresight to see that what the modern world most needed was a practical application of the social ideal as expressed and taught by Christ, the greatest sociologist. The doctrines of Christ as he understood them were the doctrines of the early Latter Day Saints as taught by the founder, and these doctrines have been taught by my husband's church to the present day. Many indeed have lived under the plan as outlined by the first Joseph, but there have not yet been enough who have entered into the completed plan for it to have had the actual test which it has been hoped by some can be put to its ultimate trial during my husband's regime.   There are many schemes extant today for the alleviation of misery, but in Mr. Smith's mind they are either weak and palliative or they are based on wrong motives. A scheme which would really assist in solving the social problem, he thinks, must strike at the causes of the misery which exists today, rather than attempt to ameliorate the present distressful condition. The basis of the new society, according to the doctrines [146] which he has been teaching for so many years, is expressed in that command with which Jesus Christ replaced the negative religion of the ancient Hebrews; Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, and thy neighbor as thyself.   While the ultimate motive in the studies which he pursued at so great labor and sacrifice during these years was that he might practically and literally work out the solution to the ills of society which is suggested in that commandment, he was anxious also to give immediately to his people the good things which he was constantly finding in his study and research. He therefore began to lecture on sociology and social problems in the big "Stone Church" in Independence. These lectures marked not only the beginning of the educational movement in Independence which has resulted in widespread institute and lecture work among the people at the headquarters, but also perhaps the beginning of Mr. Smith's reputation in his church and in wider circles as a lecturer on the social sciences and on the problems of the day.   There were of course those among his audiences who were not sufficiently versed in sociology to understand fully what he said. That is a common page in the biography of [147] an educator. One amusing error became broadcast, however, the news of which first reached us in an extraordinary manner.   Several of the older children at our little daughter's school one day before election were discussing politics, and some of them were declaring, "Well, my father is a Democrat," "Mine is a Republican," "Mine's for Roosevelt," when some one asked Alice Myrmida, "What is your father?"   "I don't know," said the child, who had only a vague notion of what they were talking about.   "I know what your father is, Alice," insisted an older child, who had evidently heard the matter discussed at home, by parent who were not quite able to understand how a man could take a course in "Socialism," as my husband had under the excellent instruction of Doctor Helleberg, with the idea of gaining from it whatever good suggestions he could and at the same time preparing himself to combat the influence of its more unfavorable doctrines among his people, "Your father's a socialist."   "He is not!" cried the little girl, with an indefinite notion that the accusation was an aspersion on her father's religion, "He is a Latter Day Saintist, the same as I am a Latter Saintist!"   [148] But if the church people did not altogether appreciate the application of his sociological study to his church problems, his professors and the men he met in the universities certainly comprehended the importance of such a scheme in relation to the social developments of the time. Not long ago Mr. Smith wrote me of having seen this same Doctor Helleberg with who he had taken the much discussed course in socialism.   "He told me," Mr. Smith said, "that he considered that I was undertaking one of the biggest social works he knew of."   Another eminent professor has stated recently that if five per cent of Mr. Smith's people will accept the plan of his church, he is certain is should succeed and he is waiting with interest to see what the outcome will be.   Dr. Charles Ellwood, that splendid educator and sociologist has often expressed his interest in my husband's work as well as his personal friendship. A letter from Doctor Ellwood once showed us to what extent he would go in standing by his good friend, Mr. Smith. His communication contained a letter from a prominent St. Louis man who had objected to Mr. Smith's appointment to a position in some conference about to convene in the state. The man had asked: [149] "Who is this Mormon they are running for a position of importance?   And Doctor Ellwood inclosed also his reply in which he state that "anyone who does not know who Frederick M. Smith is, is decidedly behind the times," and that he was "not a Mormon, but the head of a large and important religious body with headquarters in Independence, Missouri."   The nickname "Mormon" is one we have long been accustomed to. It originated from the Book of Mormon, a historical record found and translated by Joseph Smith, the elder, which is significant religiously from its claim that the former inhabitants of this country were of Hebrew descent, and from the fact that it relates the visit of Christ to this country following the time of his crucifixion and ascension. The name has sometimes been used, however, in a partly derogatory sense, owing no doubt to certain antagonism to the early church, for whatever reasons it may have originated. In those early days even some of the quiet citizens who refused to persecute this unfortunate people were known tauntingly as "Jack Mormons." Perhaps another reason is that the church in Utah and used formerly to accept the nickname and use it officially, so that it became popularly associated with the doc- [150] trines of the followers of Brigham Young. Consequently, Doctor Ellwood's spirited defense was appreciated, both as an expression of his friendship and as an attempt to correct an error which has caused us much unnecessary opposition.   During late years, however, much of this misapprehension has been done away with, as our church and its history have become better know throughout the country. An illustration of the changed attitude of the public is a quotation from the Question-Answer column of the Kansas City Star-Times for November 10, 1915 "Latter Day Saints"   "To the Star: is the Mormon Church of Utah and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints one and the same? Star Reader."   "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as founded by Joseph Smith, was organized April 6, 1830. After the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, Brigham Young assumed a leadership which resulted in a movement westward and a settlement in Utah, where doctrines and teachings foreign to the original church were promulgated. In 1852 the church as founded by Joseph Smith was reorganized and in 1860 the late Joseph Smith of Independence, Missouri became its president, he being succeeded at his death by his eldest son, Frederick M. Smith of Independence, Missouri. The Reorganized [151] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the original church in succession, and is in no way connect with the Utah Mormons. The Reorganized Church has always been an active and vigorous opponent of polygamy, and its members have the reputation of being law-abiding, peaceful citizens. The above facts are clearly set out in the decision of Federal Judge John F. Philips in the famous "Temple Lot" case."   Lawrence, where Mr. Smith went for his residence work, is only forty mile from Kansas City, and by taking an early train he was able to reach the university in time for several morning classes, and had his afternoons there for seminars, consultations and research work. That his train left at an unearthly hour I can testify, for I usually lay awake almost the entire night for fear he would not get up and off in time. I suppose my anxiety to have him started so that I could go back to bed and get one peaceful nap before breakfast I did urge him to leave a little earlier than necessary sometimes, but he never objected, and it was several years afterward that I heard him tell of the hours he spent stamping his feet and blowing his finger to keep from freezing while he waited at our little station for the first street car to the city. And he adds much to my embarrassment [152] that on one morning I started him as early as three-thirty.   He was, of course, obliged to leave his office on those days, and in spite of the well organized office, the services of his excellent private secretary (he had but one at that time, Mr. O. W. Newton) and the efforts of a devoted wife, there was much criticism of what some of the church people believed to be his desire to finish his education for the gratification of personal ambition.   It was impossible for many of the older men, who were restive at seeing the reins of church government passing gradually into the hands of a younger man and a more aggressive one than Joseph Smith had ever been during his years of service, to unquestioningly accept certain changes of method and procedure which my husband considered necessary to the future of carrying out of the principal policies of the church, and some of them had no compunctions against voicing their displeasure. I remember one dear old brother who went so far as to tell his friends informally and from the pulpit that Fred Smith was leading the church to hell.   The good brother probably did not know it, but if there was any truth in his accusations, Mr. Newton and myself, who as his firm devoted allies are in a measure responsible [153] for his deeds and misdeeds, are partly to blame, for we take to ourselves some portion of the credit for procuring him the advantages of that work in K.U.   Realizing as we did to an extent the misunderstanding and criticism which has attempts thus further to fit himself for their service might arouse among those of his people who could not appreciate his attitude, we did not always consider it necessary to say just where Frederick was on those days. My husband and I have sometimes laughed about our experiences that year, when we have been with Mr. Newton and his wife for an occasional dinner, and have wondered if we should ever be forgiven for the small evasions practiced to keep his whereabouts from becoming a matter of too common discussion. It occurs to me, however, that we have more to forgive than to be forgiven for, for we had early to develop an attitude of forbearance toward criticism and rebuff even from those with whom we were closely associated, from ignorance, obstinacy and the failure to look ahead, which might have caused us much hurt had we not learned to say, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," and "Grant us strength to endure to the end." Our friends have sometimes been astonished at our attitude, but [154] there is nothing surprising about it; we were born with fairly good dispositions and were raised by Christian parents, and besides, had we not felt so, the petty grievances might seriously have clouded the greater joy of consecration.   By carrying a loaded briefcase my husband was enabled to utilize much of his time going and coming from Lawrence, but in spite of this device and Newton's frantic efforts, the work used to pile up. It was at this time I remember that he began to bring his work home. He had a long office table put up in his room and I ordered the children, and servants when we had them, never to disturb it. I have had every reason no doubt to be proud of the appearance of that desk, for the confusion thereon, I am told, is an orderly confusion, denoting the press of affairs and the variety of interests. Indeed though I have as often as any woman heard my husband searching frantically for a lost tie or a clean collar I have never known him not to produce at a moment's notice any paper, great or small, from the chaotic order of that home desk; though I must admit that I usually close his door at the advent of a good housekeeper among my friends.   He insisted that he did better work at [155] home than at the office and in view of the constant stream of people each of whom considered his own reasons for wanting to see Brother Fred paramount, I can see how that might easily have been the case. Even now, when the magnitude of his office work has forced him to use an imposing office force and at times a locked door against the steady invasion of callers, he still fins more leisure at home for his correspondence and editorial articles than in his office.   With the establishment of the great desk at home and the added work of keeping up his excellent records in the classes and seminars at the university I think he has never since been without the shadow of more work than it was possible for any human being to accomplish. He learned to work far into the night, and I think in looking back that he never again felt that his time was quite his own.   It was at about this period, too, that I began to find textbooks of calculus and trigonometry under his pillow in the morning, and when I asked him why he was studying mathematics, he would answer;   "I am not studying. I am just amusing myself, and trying to let down a little and get my mind from my work. Calculus is [156] good as a detective story to rest a man, don't you think?"   "No," I used to tell him, "I think the best way to put yourself to sleep is to count sheep, but I counted them so long that there weren't any left last night, while I waited for you to come and kiss me good-night."   It took about two years of such interrupted study as Mr. Smith was able to give for him to finish his work for his degree as master of arts. I was with him at the university when he took his "sheepskin," and in the evening after we returned, walked with him to his father's home, so that he might put his diploma into the hands of his blind and aged father.   Father Smith was in his comfortable chair on his big veranda when we came up and Fred took his hand. After he had become almost totally blind Father Smith had made a kind of game of guessing which of his family had come to see him by the manner in which they greeted him. Whenever any of his children took his hand he was usually able to speak their names. I always kissed him in one especial spot on his forehead and he would say, with an appreciative chuckle, "It's Ruth!"   On that particular night Fred drew up his chair beside his father's knee and put the [157] roll into the firm old hand, saying simply:   "It is my master's degree from K. U., Father."   The father formally shook his son's hand in congratulation and spoke to him seriously of the work which was before him and of the value which a fine education should be to him in the solution of his difficulties and problems. And as an expression of the usual confidence he reposed in his son, he remarked with one of his quaint, epigrammatic turn so well know to his family and friends, while his fine, old face twinkled with amusement:   "I am proud: and I know, my so, that you will not let them make of you a 'learned incapable'!"   Father Smith lay in his simple granite sarcophagus in the beautiful Mound Grove Cemetery before my husband had completed his work for his next degree. Previous Chapter (8) Next chapter (10) Frederick Madison Smith Page Who Was Who intro page