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HereMinister WhoPrize-FighterActori-and All-Round Athlete.ETio:hnhL81baoootlt;e*t;spriirt8Vtr1hc€ittfitiJitI£II1LAKE CITY. AplietVillarf W. Bean, champion middleweight pugilist of Utah, Is the only professional prize fighting minister In the world. Not only this, but he is possessed of dramatic ability in no mean degree, having completed several very successful en-gagements comedian dn travelling companies. and:ItItr1911e03 his talents also etxend to theteachings of physical culture and to literary work in the dryly humorous vein of the Bill Nye school.In each line of action In which he has figured Mr. Bean has proven himself superior to the average talent. The energetic force, strong logic and oratorical power of his sermons and lectures have given him the characteristic name of sThe Mormon Cyclone. In pugilistic puruslts has has met many well-known men of the ring in his own class, and his record shows not a single defeat. Some time ago he boxed with the famous Choynskl in a 22-TOund draw, and for a number of years he ha.s been the acknowledged champion of Utah.On one accaslon it Is said that this versatile gentleman played the part of the comedian in a repertoire company all week. Including Friday night, on Saturday night, was one of the principals In a limited glove contest and on Sunday night preached to a large audience, all In the same town and in the samehall. . .The Rev. Mr. Bean finds no difficulty In reconciling his various callings. I see no reason.” said he, “whyhandy with his natural weapons and atWthe same time be a gentleman.” He neither drinks, dissipates nor uses tobacco, and no one has ever been able to criticise his moral character. It is his avowed purpose to set a good example and exhibit the possibility of physical prowess going hand in hand with clean morals and refinement.“And besides, says the champion of muscular Christianity, I like the contests. Physical contests always had a fascination for me, but I did not become identified with the usual associations of the ring because I wished to remain In mv former moral Fphere, and I sought such studies and associations as would naturally tend to elevate me.”The Rev. Mr. Bean has several times been taken to task by committees and ministers of the Gospel, who have endeavored to show him that he is com-miting a sacrilege, but the ecfcentrlc ex-horter has each time so far worsted them In argument that he has sent them away{tonderlng. That he Is sincere In his re-igion, no one that ever met him doubts. “‘Parson Bean’s athletic pursuit# are not confined to the limits of the ring. He has a number of gold medals won In such field contests as running, Jumping, vaulting, putting shot and hammer throwing. In a number of places he has been the the instructor of athletic and gymnastic clubs, and whereever he has been he has been universally popular, both among his associates of the ring and in religious cir-cl^s.In the .pulpit his English Is the purest and choicest, and Is noticeably free from the commoner expressions that have crept Into the language. “Parson” Bean does not believe in mixing his professions. Among his associates of the athletic side of his life he speaks fluently that lan-fruage which Is made up of terms pecu-iar to the ring and which Is absolutely unintelligible to the uninitiated. In his ordinary conversation, however, there are visible the Influences of the two ex-trmes.From his ordinary street dress It would be hard to classify him. His wardrobe consists of a rather curious assortment. The ministerial black, with the dignified title, is companion to the trunks and soft shoes of the puglilist, and there is the compromise between the two which he dons for ordinary wear—soft white sweater, shapeless eap and tweed suit of careless, comfortable cut.Naturally the Rev. Mr. Bean and his peculiarities have been the subject of much comment, and he has often been railed upon for an explanation of his philosophy/ In an Article which he wrote for the current National Review he sums uphis ideas in the following words:When the body wtnt Intrusted to care it was perfect fti its organism. I am supposed to keep It- free from all contamination, to keep It pure and undeflled, to uniformly develop all my faculties and all p^rts of my, body to. their highest capacity, that I may eventually bring my entire body to a symmetrical shape end the highest stage of development, approaching as nearly as possible thatuperlor Judge of Utah, and has three wives. Willard W. Bean Is one of thei*r,thirty children, all of whom, It Is said, were above the average in intelligence. The Rev. Mr. Bean’s religious zeal Is as ronouneed as his father's although un-Ike his father he found one wife a sufficiency. He is 30 years of age, and de-lares himself a living exemplification of how good a pugilist can be, and of the consistent possibility of a minister of the gospel in the way of proad mindedness.It is said that the religious pugilist’s faith in prayer is of the strongest, and that always before entering into a contest he prays long and earnestly, returning thanks after a victory. The reason he attributes for his successful record isthat of upright living and the power of prayer.To your correspondent the Rev. Mr. Bean talked freely. He aadd:The world may third* me eccentric. But what puzzles the public most is how1]I can possess religious scruples and atiuthe same time indulge in the ‘manly art.* I cannot discuss this In a brief article, but for the present suffice it to say that I was raised of Christian parents, not of the class known as Sunday Christians, but practical, every-day Christians, and as a natural consequence I Imbibed to a certain extent the same spirit. The spirit of Christianity was instilled Into my soul while yet young. I inherited a sound body, and under the teachings of my parents It was kept free from contamination.“Boxing came naturally to me. ,By per-11cmission of my parents and the college faculty I began to box on exhihitlpht I finally won the crtiampiofishlp Or the State. I then visited neighboring StAtes, and, while I do not pose as a champion,and perhaps am not composed of championship material, yet I have no decisionspossuwhich God has designed it, a perfect specimen of manhood inthe Image of my maker, filling nature’s measurements.” By birth and education he is a Mormon, though he does not champion the cause of polygamy. Hia father was aregistered against me. All this tinme I was a regular attendant at Sunday school and meeting, always taking—and do now—an active part and not Infrequently occupyiug the pulpit. I do not always expect to follow thepugilistic profession, yet I am not sorrythat I am somewhat versed in fisticuffs and know how to use my natural weapons. I believe In general development and I have endeavored to develop myself spiritually, morally and physically. They are interdependent. This is, In brief, how J became what I am. and I ask no sport to become what I am not.”
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