nor by constraint, but thereafter declared by the mouthpiece of God to be a commandment, were enforced, I say there would not be existing among the Latter-day Saints such a thing known as a saloon, or places which bring men's souls down to the depths of degradation and disgrace. Cannot the saints see that the observance of that law is for our best good? The Lord knows better than we ourselves what is best for our bodies. And I say to you that if you will observe the law ye shall gain the promise contained in the revelation, ye shall run and not be weary, ye shall walk and not faint. The Lord has said if you will do His will you shall receive the promises, but not otherwise, for each blessing is predicated upon observance of commandments."

We hope to receive a verbatim report of the President's address, when we will be pleased to reproduce it for the edification of the saints in the British mission, and it will no doubt be copied and translated by the various Church publications throughont the European mission. The speaker referred to the labor that is being performed, and the success attending the efforts of the servants of the Lord among the nations to spread the work of the Lord. He mentioned, incidentally, the securing cf excellent headquarters in London, and of other suitable places of worship in different parts of the world, all of which form a matter of great rejoicing and gratification. He alluded to the opposition aroused by the enemies of the saints, but showed that it resulted in ultimate good, and he expressed his gratitude for the prosperity which is attending the saints in the valleys of the mountains.

Presidents Winder and Lund and Lyman each descanted on the Word of Wisdom and the keeping of the Sabbath day as the Lord had ordained, and Elder Heber J. Grant, of the Council of the Twelve, followed in the same strain, and offered the annexed resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the conference:

"Believing in the words and teachings of President Joseph F. Smith as set forth this morning on the subject of temperance, it is proposed that all officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will do all in their power that can properly be done, with lawmakers generally, to have such laws enacted by our legislators soon to be elected, as may be necessary to close saloons, otherwise decrease the sale of liquor, and enact what is known as the 'Sunday Law.""

A variety of subjects were treated upon at the several meetings and sessions of the conference, but we have given prominence to that which was the keynote that gave tone to the whole proceedings, as it is of the highest importance to the readers of the MILLENNIAL STAR. If the saints throughout the European mission would arise and come up to the standard of living presented in the Word of Wisdom, the good that would result would be incalculable. Not only would the effects be seen in the improved bodily health that would be experienced, and in the saving of means now expended for hurtful indulgences, but in the increase

of power in the Spirit of the Lord upon their souls. The promises of the Lord would certainly not fail. The saints would obtain "treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures," in addition to that strength of body and vigor of mind that are to come from obedience to the law.

Notwithstanding the numerous exhortations that have been given by oral teaching and instructions through the STAR, and by the good example of the missionaries from Zion, who with rare exceptions set a pattern in this matter worthy of general emulation, many of the saints persist in their old habits and continue the use of those things that the Lord has declared are "not for the body," and are "not good for man." Why is this so? One reason is that they do not think this counsel is a command. President Smith proclaims that President Young had announced, as the mouthpiece of the Lord, that the time had come when it had to be received as a commandment. This puts the matter in a very serious light before the whole Church, and brings under condemnation those who wilfully reject it. To many persons the overcoming of the habits they have acquired or have been born with requires a great struggle. But in that comes a glorious victory. In the very act the individual is developed along the line of exaltation. He or she becomes greater, gets nearer to the Lord, and is thereby purified and made more fit for the Master's presence and society.

The teachings at the conference were all of great importance and the spirit that accompanied them inspired the entire assembly. The power of God rested upon both speakers and hearers and it was pronounced one of the very best conferences ever held by the Church. At the close President Joseph Smith pronounced blessings upon all the authorities and quorums of the Priesthood and the saints generally, in a manner that thrilled the souls of all who listened to the words of inspiration that flowed from his lips attended with Divine infiuence, and made a fitting finale to the great gathering which will long be remembered as a time of instruction and a mark of the marvelous advancement of the latter-day work.

Truly the predictions of the prophets of old concerning the latter-day Zion are coming to pass, and the work of the Lord is moving forward with rapid strides, giving evidence that all will be fulfilled and that the triumph of truth and the coming of the world's Redeemer is indeed nigh at hand. Let all the faithful throughout the earth give heed to the word of the Lord and the counsels of His servants that they may be prepared for the great consummation!

C. W. P.

A Correction. In last week's report of the London conference, the name William G. Willes appeared instead of William J. Willes.

A School History of Utah.-The public schools of Utah have long felt the need of a plain, simple and impartial history of the State, in order that the children might be made familiar with the essential facts and features connected with the founding of Utah. That want has at last been supplied by Elder Orson F. Whitney, one of the Twelve Apostles, for years one of the historians of the Church, who has written "A School History of Utah" for pupils of the grammar grades. No one more competent could have been selected for the preparation of such a work, as Elder Whitney had already written an excellent, exhaustive history of Utah in three volumes. His "School History of Utah" is a book of three hundred and twenty-seven pages, divided into twenty-three chapters, and profusely illustrated with beautiful half-tone engravings. In it the historian acknowledges his indebtedness, for many helpful suggestions, to the Right Reverend F. S. Spalding, of the Episcopal Church; to Mr. D. H. Christensen, Superintendent of Salt Lake City Public Schools; and to Mr. George M. Marshall, A.M., Professor of English Language and Literature in the University of Utah. These gentlemen read the manuscript before it was put into the hands of the printer, and expressed their approval of the work and of the spirit in which it is written. The book is from the press of the Deseret News, and is a credit to that institution-the originators of the History project, and the owners of the business enterprise.

WHAT STRANGERS THINK OF UTAH AND HER PEOPLE.

ON September the third there arrived in Salt Lake City, Mr. E. R. Jonson, a young business man of Rockford, Ill. It was the first time he had visited this city, and therefore he was very desirous of learning as much as he could concerning this state and her people. Friday morning "I arose and began to take my morning's walk," said Mr. Jonson, "and on seeing the mountains on the East, I began to walk towards them. After walking two or three of the city blocks, I realized that they were somewhat farther away than I had first anticipated, and I returned to the hotel." In the afternoon Mr. Jonson came to my office to get information concerning dry land farms in southern Utah. We made an appointment to meet the next morning and talk over the proposition, and did so.

Then Saturday afternoon we spent in visiting business houses, public buildings, universities, and other places of interest.

Sunday morning at 10 a.m. we visited the Seventeenth Ward Sunday School. As we sat and watched and listened to the Sunday School exercises, Mr. Jonson remarked: "It is wonderful. Oh that all mankind could see and hear what we have this day; then perhaps, they would wonder, as I do, whence comes this power to control and teach children as they have been taught here in order to perfect them so highly in order, discipline, and interest in the lesson. While those little ones were singing their songs of praise, and raising their voices in repetition of the Lord's prayer, then and there my thoughts began to reflect upon my life and labors and I firmly resolved to do more work in my church than I have ever done before. My work in the English Lutheran Church of Rockford as a teacher will be more energetically and willingly performed than ever before.

As we passed through the halls and Superintendent McAllister showed us photos of the Sunday school teachers, who are away on missions, some in Japan, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, Sandwich Islands, England and the United States, and explained that they traveled from two to five years, paying their own expenses, Mr. Jonson said, "Wonderful, wonderful! Their power of love makes them almost God-like in their sacrifices for the children of men."

At the Tabernacle Sunday afternoon, on hearing William H. King deliver a short address on "Mormonism," Mr. Jonson asked, "Who is that preacher? His oratorical ability surpasses, in my judgment, any of the great ministers of the East who it has been my pleasure to listen to. If I could only get that speech I would learn it off by heart, and I would make it a part of my life. Truths were they? Yes the greatest truths that I have ever heard from the pulpit. It was gospel to me."

Before leaving Salt Lake, Mr. Jonson was able to purchase from the State Land Board some dry land in southern Utah, and as he bade me goodbye at the O. S. L. depot he said: "I will never forget Utah and her people. They are refined, educated, polite, sociable, good and true, almost beyond compare and e'er long I may be numbered among her happy band."-P. CARLSTON, in Deseret News, October 1st.

FROM THE MISSION FIELD.

Relief Society Entertainment. The Relief Society of the Clayton branch (Leeds conference) gave a grand "tea" and concert on Saturday, October 10th. There was a large attendance of saints and friends, over one hundred and twenty-five persons being present. It is hoped that much good will result from the entertain

ment. The Relief Society is doing a great work for this branch, and prospects are much brighter than they have been of late. Sunday evening meetings are being well attended, and new faces are seen at nearly all the services.

A Harvest Thanksgiving.-A Harvest Thanksgiving service was held Wednesday night, October 7th, 1908, in the Unity Hall, Derby. A large number of saints and friends, with several elders, assembled and brought with them the rich things of the earth, such as flowers, fruits and vegetables, etc., which were so arranged as to decorate the room in a pleasing manner. At the close of a very interesting service, in which Elders Thomas Martin, Frank Roberts and William H. Brough spoke of the goodness of the Lord in blessing His people and the earth, that there has been such a bountiful harvest, both of the fruits of the earth and of souls into His Church and kingdom, the things were sold, and all returned to their homes feeling well in the work of the Lord.

Sale of Work at Halifax. On October 3rd, 1908, the members of the Relief Society of the Halifax branch held a Sale of Work in aid of the piano fund. At 3:15 p.m. Elder Carl E. Erickson opened the sale with a few remarks, thanking one and all for their kindness in coming out; also all those who had contributed. After a pianoforte selection by Sister Lily Mozley, the bazaar was declared open. On the stalls, five in number, were needlework, fancy goods, paper flowers, pound and fruit cake, and refreshments. From 5 to 6 p.m. the sale closed for "tea.” During the evening sale an interesting program, consisting of vocal and instrumental selections, sketches and recitations, was rendered. At 10 p.m. the sale closed. It is gratifying to state that the proceeds amounted to £7, six of which were given to the piano fund.

Elder Lectures at a Temperance Mission.-Elder Amos A. Atkinson writes: "Through the courtesy of Mr. McKeever, the blind temperance lecturer, an invitation was extended to Elder David H. Clayton, of the Bury branch (Manchester conference), to deliver a lecture before the Temperance mission at Radcliffe on the 20th ult. Elder Clayton was pleased to accept the invitation, and delivered an excellent address on the evils of intemperance. His remarks were highly endorsed by Mr. McKeever, who spoke in praise of the Latter-day Saints, who are to be commended, he said, for their sincerity, their self-sacrifices and for their exemplary lives. He was prepared to defend the saints in whatever place he might hear them assailed. The elders and saints of the Manchester conference appreciate the friendship and goodwill of this able champion of the temperance cause."

Shameful Conduct Toward Latter-day Saints.-On the 6th, 7th, 8th