| 534 The Twelve were requested to give a clear and definite statement of the word ex officio and subsequently presented the following:
In reply to your request to give a "clear and definite definition to the word ex officio," we answer as follows: First. The word means "by virtue of office." (See revelation of 1861.) Second. The word, as used by us, refers: (1) to the Twelve; (2) to missionaries in charge. (See Epistle of Twelve and Bishopric in conference minutes for 1878.)
The Daily Honolulu Press, of April 15, contained notes of the life and death of L. L. Rice, who had in his possession for many years the notorious Spalding Manuscript. 1
1 He was born in Otsego County, New York, in 1801. As a young man he went to New York City, where he learned the printing business early in this century. While living there he was led to take the total abstinence pledge, and enrolled himself upon that platform, and has done much for the cause of temperance during a long life, the most of which found him identified with the newspapers of Ohio. He went to that State before 1830, and for fifty years was one of her leading citizens. About 1830 he began the publication of an anti-Masonic paper. A few years later he removed to Cleveland, where for many years he was the editor and publisher of a paper which was the predecessor of the "Cleveland Leader" and was dedicated to the agitation of anti-slavery principles.
In 1848 he went to Columbus, the capital of the State, and began the publication of a paper In that city.
For more than twenty-five years he was identified with the public life of Columbus, at first as an editor, then as State printer, and in other positions.
He was well known and greatly beloved. He had for his friends and associates such men as Garrison, Giddings, James G. Birrney, Salmon P. Chase, and men of that stamp.
Father Rice, as he was affectionately called during his residence in Columbus, was a man of strong intellectual power, and was thoroughly consecrated to the highest purposes of life. He was permitted to see the triumph of some of the principles he so vigorously and ardently espoused, and to see the banners of other principles rapidly advancing to victory.
In l875 he removed to Oberlin, where he resided till 1879, when he came to Honolulu, making his home here with his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Whitney. During the summer of 1884 Reverend W. H. Rice of New York, his only son, visited him here, making, as each felt at the time, a final visit. Father Rice kept his intellectual vigor up to the very last. His very presence, during the years of his stay here, has been felt to be a benediction. Yesterday morning he rose as usual and was about the house and grounds until a few moments after ten. He then went to his room and lay down on his bed for a little rest, before dressing to go out to the lunch at Bethel Church, as he was planning to do. At this time Doctor Gray dropped in for a friendly call, and sat chatting with him some minutes. The Doctor remarked that Father Rice carried on his conversation with all of his usual animation.
About half past ten o'clock he observed that he must get ready to go down town, but at the suggestion of the Doctor, that there was an abundance of time, he remained quiet. Suddenly and without warning he fell back upon the pillow, gave a single, slight clutch at the region of his heart, and lay still in death. Not a word or cry of pain; "he was not, for God took him." We shall miss the noble form, and the saintly face; but every life that touched his, is the richer and fuller for it. W. C. MERRITT.
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