abroad. New vigor will be imparted, and obedience to the law of the Lord will bring blessings in abundance. The Church will soon be liberated from every kind of bondage, and light and liberty will be enjoyed by its faithful members and supporters.

We do not look for anything in the nature of that spiritual inebriety commonly called a "Revival." That is not in conformity with the spirit of the Gospel. But there will be a steady growth in the spiritual life and righteous conduct of the people, springing from the personal example of the leading officials. Prosperity will beam upon the land, the earthly will be brought into closer union and communion with the heavenly, and "the redemption of Zion" will be brought about as a consequence.

16.

One thing has been demonstrated beyond question by the Solemn Assembly. There is no schism in the body of the Church. There is complete unity between all its essential parts and the head. "The whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."-Eph.iv, Each of the Elders participating in the services of the occasion, will doubtless carry home "a live coal from the altar," and by active work will kindle a steady fire in the souls of the Latter Day Saints, which will be manifested in an increase of faith and good works, and draw down from the heavens such power and inspiration as will gladden all hearts and prepare the faithful Saints for that great consummation that is closely impending.

PATIENT IN TRIBULATION.

BY ELDER DAVID H. ELTON. Written for the Star.

As children of the Most High it seems to be our common inheritance to encounter tribulations while we journey in this probationary state. The faithful Saint, walking strictly in a line of duty, will meet with various afflictions and trials, which can only be successfully battled against by being "patient

in tribulation."

We will meet with many difficulties, trials and sufferings, before our mortal life is ended, but let us be cheerful and patient, that our troubles may be sanctified to our glory and honor, and feel to say as did our King, "Father, Thy will be done." Why should we murmur? "All things work together for good to them that love God." "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning," therefore let us bear our little afflictions in humility and submissiveness, knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience, and we must let patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If we were to briefly consider the life

of our blessed Redeemer while He sojourned here on earth, "doing good," we would discover that He was pre-eminently the "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Witness Him taken as a "lamb to the slaughter;" brought before the judgment seat, "oppressed and afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth." No complaint; no grumbling; no murmuring. No! He was buffeted and spit upon; mocked and reviled; taunted and jeered; smitten and abused; scourged and imprisoned; and finally when He was crucified on Golgatha's dreary heights-with the cruel nails piercing His hands and His feet, we hear Him exclaim, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Here is a

lesson of humility and forgiveness, and
here also is a divine example of pa-
tience in tribulation.

us

Since Christ has "borne our griefs and
carried our sorrows" to bring to
"life and immortality to light through
the Gospel," we should be ready and
willing to follow Him through evil as
well as good report, and "suffer with
Him that we may also be glorified with
Him." "Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
and all the world go free? No, there's a
cross for everyone, and there's a cross
for me." Peter says, "Christ also suf-
fered for us, leaving us an example that
steps."
"Arm yourself with the same
mind." By this we understand that we
should fortify ourselves in order to be
able to bear persecution for His name's
sake.

we should follow in His

*

The old maxim, To be forewarned is to be forearmed," is a true one, and ap plies very forcibly in this particular, it is well to be forearmed so that when we are cast into a "sea of troubles" we may be able to steer our course to shores of safety, and be faithful and firm in our trust to God. Our Savior repeatedly warned His followers to be patient. n your patience possess ye your souls" was the admonition He gave His apostles, and they in turn exhorted the Saints to be "patient in tribulation," and "endure all things." We have also been commanded of God in these latter days to "be patient in afflictions."

The word of God to the Prophet Jo-
seph was: "And all they who suffer per-
secution for My name, and endure in
faith, though they are called to lay down
their lives for My sake, yet shall they
partake of all this glory." This is a
glorious promise to those who are faith-
ful in persecution. Persecution will only
tend to strengthen our faith and culti-
vate patience, if we are prayerful and
true to our covenants. We hear the
sweet singer of Israel saying: "It is
good for me that I have been afflicted
that I might learn Thy statutes." Now
if it were good for the Psalmist to be
afflicted, in order that his spirit might
be brought into subjection to the will of
God, for he further informs us that "Be.
fore I was afflicted I went astray," will
not the same causes bring about the
same effects today as it did in the days
of ancient Israel, i. e., that afflictions
will tend to draw the faithful nearer to
God, who is mighty to save? I answer,
"Yes." Let the true child of God be
afflicted and he or she will feel in their
hearts to say, as did the patient Job,
"Though He slay me yet will I trust
Him." What would we not give to have
the patience of Job, and yet his patience
was developed in the school of adver-
sity, sufferings, trial and deprivations.
Take him for an example of suffering
afflictions, and of patience.

But to return to the writings of Da-
vid, for we find much consolation and
encouragement from his beautiful
Psalms. "Many are the afflictions of
the righteous, but the Lord delivereth
him out of them all." Though our afflic-
tions may be many, our trial severe and
our persecutions sore, yet we have this
glorious promise of God, that we shall
be delivered in
His own
due time;
therefore, "Wait on the Lord; be of good
courage and He shall strengthen thine
heart," for He hath said, "I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee." No! He
will never leave us, but He will be on
our right hand, and on our left hand, to
bless, shield, guide, comfort and protect

us, and prove a "strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat," therefore, "Wait, I say, on the Lord."

When our Master was upon the earth he told his disciples in unequivocal language: "It must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" Yes it must needs be that the blood of our Prophet be spilled, and his body slain, "For where a testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; oth

erwise it is of no strength at all while

And without testator liveth.* * * the shedding of blood is no remission," (Heb. 9:16, 17, 22,) but woe to those whose engaged in consummating hands were this dastardly, heinous crime.

We have this assurance given us of the Lord: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shall condemn." (Isa. 54:17) Remember ye "Elders of Israel, that this is your heritage, given you of the Almighty God, and be fearless in proclaiming the good news accordingly." This kingdom is going to stand forever, and as well might our enemies try to measure the universe with a straw, or bathe the ocean with of God. a breath, as try to overthrow the work

It matters not how our fees may assail and assault, the Church will stand firm and immovable as the "Rock of Gibraltar" against which the angry waves dash only to rebound a mass of foam, because it is built upon the pillars of eternity-the "Rock" of revelation.

We should press onward and "weary not in well doing," but to the end of life do our very best. Onward is the language of the creation; no hitching posts; no relay stations, but onward and upward; youth of Zion, for to you "who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life"-the best of all good gifts. Let us labor with the zeal of a Paul; the courage of a Daniel; the patience of a Job; and the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Advance along the lines of sanctification and holiness, and pattern after the divine example of the Captain of our Salvation, never allowing our energies to slacken or our faith to weaken, but battling manfully in the of the Spirit and the shield of love. Call vanguard of truth, armed with the sword in the wanderers from darkness and sin to the glorious light of the Gospel of Salvation, wherein is glory, honor, and peace to the humble obedient child. about to dawn. The great and glorious Millenium is years of peace ahead of us. There are a thousand The time is close at hand when Satan will bebound, and a reign of righteousness be established upon the earth.

faithful, when we hear the glad tidings: Oh! what joy will fill the hearts of the "Lo, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him, and we are welcomed back to the presence of our Saviour, to sit in his throne even as he also has overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, and sat down on his Father's throne. If we would be numbered among those "which came up out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb;" if we would receive a crown of life, a robe of righteousness, and a celestial throne, let us be "patient in tribulation," "fervent in spirit,' fixed in our purposes to do what is right, and answering in our integrity to "Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccl. 12:13).

REPORT OF MISSION CONFERENCES FOR WEEK ENDING JUNE 17, 1899.

ed in calling the meeting to order and then continued the services in peace."

Such treatment was accorded "Mormons," and of course nothing more was said of it. But if any other denomination should go to Utah, and in holding meetings be disturbed in the slightest way, saying nothing about such treatment as that inhuman, unchristian minister of a Gospel gave our Elders, the religious hypocrites and the

commissary's relation to us. We have prospering well in the pulpits of that

VOL. 1.

A CHAPTER ABOUT CHILDREN.
(Selected.)
A little bird with feathers brown
Sat singing on a tree;
The song was very soft and low,
But sweet as it could be.

And all the people passing by
Looked up to see the bird
That made the sweetest melody
That ever they had heard.

But all the bright eyes looked in vain,
For birdie was so small,
And with a modest dark brown coat
He made no show at all.

"Why, papa," little Gracie said,
"Where can this birdie be?
If I could sing a song like that
I'd sit where folks could see."

"I hope my littl girl will learn
A lesson from that bird.

And try to do what good she can,
Not to be seen or heard.

"So live, my child, all through your life,
That, be it short or long,

Though others may forget your looks,
They'll not forget your song."

MARTYRDOM OF JOSEPH SMITH.

Fifty-five years ago the 27th of June Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, together with his brother Hyrum, were assassinated at Carthage, Illinois. The "News" gives two columned cuts of the Prophet Joseph and Patriarch Hyrum, the room abjoining the jail, showing the well near which the prophets fell, and an interior view of the cell occupied by the martyrs; also a large cut of Carthage jail and another of Pres. Taylor's watch The News narrative is as follows: "It was on the 24th day of June, 1844. that the last chapter in the life of the "Mormon" Prophet opened. The clouds which for months had been hovering over the heads of the "Mormon" people in Nauvoo seemed about to burst. The enemies of Joseph had set up in Nauvoo (then a city of 20,000 of whom ninetenths were "Mormons") an infamous newspaper, the Expositor; its first and only number had been issued on June 7th. Says Whitney's history: "Public indignation once aroused, decency was shocked. Modesty had been made to blush. Potent to the people of Nauvoo as were such consid

was at

erations, they were but secondary com-
pared with the deep and deadly injury
that was sought to be done the city.
Mobs incited by anti-"Mormon" poli-
ticians more than ever incensed at what
they deemed the towering presumption
of the "Mormon" leader in running for
the presidency-were already threaten-
ing Nauvoo, and such scandalous reports
if accepted as true, might precipitate at
any hour an attack upon the town. Such
a fear was far from groundless to men
and women upon whose minds were in

No. 33.

situation. Yet not the Saints alone, but respectable people of all parties felt outraged. There were those who longed to take the law into their own hands, and raze the Expositor building to the ground.

"The "Mormon leaders, however, would not sanction mobocracy. They had suffered too much from it themselves to countenance it in their followers. Legal measures in lieu of lawless force, were therefore employed against the Expositor. The city council of Nauvoo convened in regular session on Saturday, the

of

delibly stamped the terrible memories of
Far West and Haun's Mill. Besides the
charter of their city, the bulwarks
their rights and liberties, was assailed.
That swept away, and what evils might
vices flourished un-
not follow, what
checked, in the midst of their peaceable,
temperate, and, for all that was said to
the contrary, moral and virtuous commu-
nity?

8th of June, Mayor Joseph Smith, pre-
siding, and an adjourned session was held
on Monday, the 10th. The character,
aims and objects of the libelous sheet
and its publishers were fully ventilated.
Among those who spoke to the question
were the Mayor, Alderman George W.
Elias Smith,
Harris, Samuel Bennett,
Stephen Markham, Orson Spencer, and
Councilors Hyrum Smith, John Taylor,
"Such was the "Mormon" view of the William W. Phelps, Edward

Hunter,

Levi and Phineas Richards, and Ben was clerk of the council. By an almost unanimous vote-Councilor Warrington, a non-"Mormon," alone dissenting-the Nauvoo Expositor was declared a public nuisance, and the mayor instructed to have it abated without delay. Councilor Warrington it should be added, only opposed summary action. He considered the paper libelous, and was in favor of heavily fining its publishers. On the night of June 10th, by order of the mayor, City Marshal John P. Green, and a force of police destroyed the printing press, pied the type and burned the published sheets of the Expositor found upon its premises, in the streets of Nauvoo. The leaders of the opposition party immediately left the city."

The abatement of the Expositor was followed by the arrest of Joseph Smith

and other leaders on the charge of riot:

an effort was then made to convey them

to Carthage, the county seat, 18 miles

were ex

from Nauvoo, for trial, but they were
released on a writ of habeas corpus after
a hearing by the municipal court
in
Nauvoo; subsequently, they
amined and discharged by Justice Daniel
H. Wells, then a non-"Mormon." On
June 16th, Joseph Smith, as mayor of
Nauvoo, issued a proclamation explaining
the reason for the act of abatement, and
warning the mobs then said to be gather-

him with an appeal to return, and in-
duced him to reconsider his design. He
returned to meet his doom.

Says Whitney's history:

"We are going back to be butchered," said Joseph, and resigned himself to his fate; having delivered up, at the gover nor's command, the arms of the Nauvoo Legion, the Prophet and his friends, 17 in number, on the evening of the 24th, set out for Carthage."

were

of

"It was about midnight when they ar
rived there; though so late, the town was
alive and astiring, in anticipation
their arrival. They
surrounded with troops, who yelled their
immediately
exultation at having them in their power;
some of the soldiers-notably the Car-
thage Greys-were very abusive, ant
threatened to shoot the Prophet and his
party, who were thus voluntarilly sur-
rendering themselves. Governor Ford
pacified the would-be murderers, and the

threatened massacre was postponed."

"Next day the governor paraded the prisoners before the troops upon the public square, where the two principals were introduced as. "General Joseph and Hyrum Smith." At this the Carthage Greys again became angry and violent, deeming too much honor was being done "the d-d Mormons," by bestowing upon them such titles. Soon afterwards the Greys revolted against their commander, Gen

given

a

a

the

minated in the present situation. He also claimed that Ford had advised him to use the Legion in the way that he hed, in the event of a threatened mobocractic assault upon Nauvoo. As to the Expositor affair, the Prophet said that he was willing to be tried again, and if found guilty, to make suitable reparation. That was a matter, he maintained, for the courts to decide, and not for mobs to settle. Such was the main substance of the interview. The governor, at parting. should be protected, and pledged his word renewed his promise that the prisoners

that if he went to Nauvoo-as he conwith him. Both promises were unkept. templated doing-he would take Joseph

In the afternoon the two brothers were arranged before Justice Smith at the court house on a charge of treasn. They

asked for time to obtain witnesses. The

request was reluctantly granted, and the court was adjourned until noon next day.

to enable the prisoners to send to Nauvoo

18 miles distant-for their witnesses. Subsequently the military justice, without notifying the prisoners, postponed

the trial until the 29th of June.

The remaining details of the tragedy are vividly related by President Geo. Q Cannon in his "Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet."

"Governor Ford went to Nauvoo on the

morning of the 27th of June, 1844. ac companied by a body of troops. When he arrived there he made a public speech before thousands of the Saints, in which he used this expression: "A great crime has been done by destroying the Expositor press, and placing the city under martial law, and a severe atonement must be made, so prepare your minds for the emergency."

Whether Ford was fully cognizant of the plot to murder the Prophet during his absence from Carthage is not altogether clear. He

was unquestionably aware of the murderous feeling which existed among the Carthage Greys, and the men who were associated with Levi Williams and the Laws, Higbees, Fosters and oth

ing against the city. An appeal for pro-eral Miner R. Deming, who, fearing his tection had also been made to the governor of the state, the famous, or in- own assassination, left Carthage. Again famous, Ford, whose name will ever be the governor placated the hostiles by aslinked with the tragedy that followed, suring them that they should have "full satisfaction," while the prisoners he but no reply had been received. Carpledged his honor and the faith of the thage and another neighboring town, be Warsaw, soon took on the aspect of mili-State of Illinois, that they should tary camps; 1,500 Missourians, the for- protected from violence, and fair trial." mer persecutors of the "Mormons," were "Before Justice Robert F. Smith, reported to have joined the Warsaw the Carthage Greys, forces; the Warsaw Singal advocated the captain in massacre of the whole "Mormon" com- Prophet and his party were brought that munity. On June 18th, no word having afternoon and admitted to bail. Meancome from Governor Ford, Mayor Smith while Joseph and Hyrum Smith had been called out the Nauvoo Legion to defend arrested for treason. This charge was the city and proclaimed it to be under based upon the calling out of the Legion, and the placing of Nauvoo under martial martial law. On June 21st, the long tardy Ford arrived at Carthage; how lit-law, proceedings construed into armed resistance to legal process. Nothing was tle they had to hope from him, the "Mor- done in this case until nightfall, when good authority, and it has never been disthe accused without a hearing were puted, that he was informed of the inthrust into the Carthage jail by Justice tentions of the mob. But he ventured Smith, now acting arbitrarily in his ca- into Nauvoo. Would a cowardly man pacity of Captain of the Greys. Gover- like he was have dared to risk himself nor Ford sanctioned this illegal act, in such a manner at such a time, if he claiming afterwards that it was neces was fully advised of the time the massary for the safety of the prisoners, sacre was to take place? The presumptthough the latter at the time protested against the incarceration. John Taylor, Willard Richards and a few other friends accompanied Joseph and Hyrum to prison."

mons" at once saw from his act in placing himself at the head of troops, hitherto an armed mob, at Warsaw. His first demand was that martial law at Nauvoo

should be abolished, and that the mayor and city council should come to Warsaw to be tried for riot.

the com

A too acurate knowledge of what might be expected at Carthage at first made the Prophet hesitate. He took the view that it was he who was aimed at by the mob, and that if he was out of the way peace might be restored to munity he loved so well. On the 22nd, in company with his brother Hyrum, John Taylor and Willard Richards, he crossed the Mississippi, on the banks of which the city school stood, with the determination of seeking an asylum for himself and his people in the Rocky mountains. What the destiny of the great "Mormon" community might have been had his design been carried out, and he instead of Brigham Young led into the western wilderness, is a fascinating theme for speculation, but it was not to be. His wife Emma, and some other timorous friends in Nauvoo, interrupted

ers at Carthage. It has been stated upon

ion is that he was indifferent as to the fate which would befall the Prophet and his companions; but that he did not know, as some of his officers did, that the bloody deed was to be consummated while "It was the beginning of the end; the he was absence at Nauvoo. If Ford had plot was fast consummating; once more been a man of greater daring, it might and only once, did the brothers emerge with certainty be assumed that his visit from the jail alive, their doom was to Nauvoo was a part of the conspiracy. sealed. "The law cannot reach them," and that he went there to avoid the ap said their plotting murderers, "but pow-pearance of complicity in the murder. der and ball shall."

Governor Ford next morning granted an interview to the Prophet, coming to the prison for that purpose, Colonel Geddes and others accompanied him; du ring their conversation the Prophet charged the governor with knowing positively that he and his brother were innocent of treason, and that their enemies had begun the troubles which had cul

This is certain, that while Ford was ad dressing the people, a sound like the distant firing of a cannon, or the slight sound of distant rumbling thunder, was heard by many in the audience, and by some of Ford's aids, who stood near him, and they whispered something to him, and without loss of time and in the greatest haste, he and his escort rode ont of Nauvoo. Their departure was more

raise.

conse

like a flight than the decorous leave- the same month. A bail was offered but
taking of the executive of the state, ac- was refused; the Elders had to suffer im-
companied by a command of troops. A prisonment at Elizabethton in
cannon was fired at a certain point dis-quence, the bail bond being five hundred
tant from Carthage, as a signal that the dollars each which they were unable to
massacre had been accomplished; but it
was never known whether or not this
was the sound which attracted attention
at Nauvoo. Governor Ford's hasty
flight at that time has always been
deemed conclusive evidence that he had
been informed by some of his companions
—if he had not been fully advised of the
plot and its details before-that Joseph
Smith and his companions had been
murdered.

Ford and his aids occupied a room in the Nauvoo mansion that day. Orrin P. Rockwell heard one of them at three o'clock say: "THE DEED IS DONE

BEFORE THIS TIME."

in company with their attorney on the
President Morgan visited the brethren,
17th, and decided to waive the prelimi-
nary examination, gave the necessary bail
and waited till the July term of court.
Messrs. Andrews and Thomburg,
Knoxville, were engaged as counsel, and
went on the bond, releasing the brethren
on the 20th from their dismal prison,

of

where they had for associates, thieves,
cut-throats and murderers.

The above is a pretty revival hymn, The state law by which the Elders were very popular during the protracted meetarrested defined, as unlawful, for any ing season in the south. It is not only person to teach, preach or promulgate to pretty and popular but in every particuothers the doctrines or principles of polar it is true. When they were gathered lygamy; or to induce others to emigrate to together on that glorious day, the Saints another part of the United States for the The governor and his company went of this should be subject to a fine not to nessed today,) they were all of one heart purpose of practicing it; any one guilty were one, having been baptized with one baptism. (Instead of the many forms witto the Temple. Some of the officers exceed five hundred dollars or to impris- and one mind. They belonged to one broke the horns from the oxen support-onment and hard labor for not over two church, were led and directed by aposing the baptismal feast, while Ford made tles who stood upon the one foundationrare sport of the sacred edifice. the eternal rock of revelation. Standing thus they were entitled to all the bless

One of his attendants remarked. "This temple is a curious piece of work

manship; and it was a damned shame that they did not let Joe Smith finish it." Another said: "But he is dead by this time, and he will never see this temple again."

Brother William G. Sterrett stood by and replied: "They cannot kill him until he has finished his work."

At this Ford gave a significant smile and one of his aids standing by said: "Whether he has finished his work or not, by G-, he will not see this place again, for he is finished before this time." (To be continued.)

years, or the infliction of both penalties.
Upon being released, the brethren once
more took up their labors in their coun-
ties, and were received kindly by the peo-ings the Master had promised.
ple.

Those who rendered obedience to this
On the 25th of this month Elders Riley one faith enjoyed the gift of tongues, the
Cragun and F. A. Fraughton were stop-power to cast out devils, the faith to heal
ping all night near the borders of the Ca- the sick by the imposition of hands and
tawba Indian reservation. At night an
to enjoy dreams and visions. These are
armed mob came to the house and de- all included among the promises of the
manded the brethren to come out. Elder Master (Mark 16:16) as mentioned in Mr.
Cragun made his escape by the back door Tillman's beautiful song. What a blessed
amid a shower of bullets, one of which faith that "old time power" gave to the
his face, neither inflicting a
struch him on the forehead, another in children of God, but it is too old and sim-
serious
ple for the boasted enlightenment of this
age. "It may have been good enough
for those who lived many years ago, but
the idea of believing now as they did
then"-how foolish for us to say: "What
He promised He will do."

wound.

Elder Frauhton did not escape so well. He was caught by the mobocrats and given forty severe lashes. Among those prominent in the mob were John Allen, 'Fayette Crooks and Robert Cornwall.

in Poutotoc county, where a branch of
the church was organized. Elders ar-
rived from Zion and were appointed to
the various fields of labor. Baptisms
were reported from many parts of the
mission.

The work during the month of June History of the Southern States Mission. was of little importance. Council meetIn this month an event occured in Car- ings were held in Mississippi, one in the ter county, Tenn., which will long be re-southern part of the state and the other membered by the people of that and the surrounding counties. On the 13th, Elders W. F. Garner and C. F. Christensen, of the North Carolina conference, were arrested on the following warrant.: State of Tenn. Carter Co. Information having been made to me in writing, on oath, that C. F. Christensen, - Farmer, Garner, Gibbs, did on or about the

day April 1885, and at divers others days in the county and state aforesaid, did wilfully, maliciously, knowingly, and feloniously teaca, preach and promulgate the doctrine of polygamy, and that they did induce others, by words and persuasion to adopt or embrace polygamy, and to emigrate to another state or Territory, for the purpose of embracing polygamy. You are therefore commanded in the name of the state to forthwith arrest the said C. F. Christensen, Gibbs, Garner and Farmer and bring them before me or some other justice of said county, to be dealt with as the law directs. Given under my hand this twelfth day of May 1895.

JAMES PERRY,

J. P. for Carter County. They were taken to Roane Mountain, in Carter county, for examination, having been arrested at night and forced to walk five miles. State Senator John M. Simerley, of that county, swore out the warrant and prosecuted in the trial. An effort was made to force the Elders to a trial without counsel, but they successfully resisted this imposition, and obtained a postponement until the 18th of

Sister Lydia Owens, of Holmesville, La., bears a faithful testimony to the truthfulness of the Gospel. In speaking of her religious life she says: "I had been a member of one of the churches for twenty-four years. About four years ago I saw that I was not right in my religious views, so, accordingly, I began to read the Bible and ask God for knowledge of the true plan of salvation.

"In February, 1898, I had the pleasure of meeting two 'Mormon' Elders and of hearing them talk on the Gospel. I felt that I had met God's people and I became quite anxious to hear them preach. I did not gain this opportunity until the following June, when I heard Elder Tobe Felkins. I became convinced at this time that here was what I had long been seeking. On the 23d of September, 1898. I was baptized, and from that hour I have felt the peaceful influence of the Spirit of God upon me, and I know that I have been sealed unto the day of redemption."

Her case is like thousands of others who have lacked wisdom, and having asked of God, "who gives to all liber ally," finally received the message of salvation through the teachings of the Elders.

If the ministers of today should follow Christ, preaching without "purse and script," contending for the "old-time power" once enjoyed by the Saints, and defending the organization of the church as established by the Master, with apostles and prophets; if they dared tell the people that the promises of Christ were still within their reach, they would be branded as Mormons. What can be more noble than to be in such favor with God that He is pleased to send His spirit to guide us?

Yet alas! how few today strive for that "old time power." The spirit of God is quenched while the multitude sings: "Oh money, oh money, thy praises we

Thou art our Saviour, our God and our
sing.
King;

"Tis for thee that we preach for thee that

From North Carolina.

President Lewis Swensen, in a recent letter to President Rich, says: "I have just written a circular letter to the Elders, kindly asking each one of them to write a good, plain Gospel letter, giving and explaining the Scripture bearing on the principle of tithing to each Saint they have been assigned, also instructing them what is an honest tithing and how they may turn their products into cash. The Elders will also write a series of letters instructing them on fast offerings." Elders should remember that when following the advice of their Conference Presidents they are following the advice of God's constituted authority here on earth, and by obedience blessings are obtained.