counsel. The great man of affairs today has his counselors at law, his financial advisers, his expert engineers and accountants, his medical attendants and spiritual advisers. If, then, for the wisest and greatest among us, it is necessary that they be surrounded by a corps of competent counselors and advisers, what of the simplest and weakest of us? These cannot afford counselors at law, financial advisers, medical attendants, etc. Wherein, then, lies their possibility for progress and success? Here: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God *** and all things shall be added." God's kingdom is without price, therefore, within reach of the most lowly. It brings all things unto us that are intended for our benefit and blessing, therefore, it is our all in all. To be more explicit: Upon entering God's kingdom, one is endowed with the Holy Ghost, who is a Light, a Guide, a Comforter. Now, every one knows what it is to receive a light when traveling in darkness; and how safe one feels, while journeying amid strange scenes in a world of dangers, to know that one has at one's side a guide who is devoted, tried and true; and of all things, what can approach nearer the pulsing heart of a man than a comforter! Ah, it is that mother-touch, that word, that kiss, which dries all tears and heals the broken heart. This is the heritage of the Christ-man-and more: He is a beneficiary in a life-endowment, the terms of which read: My son, thy sins shall be forgiven thee, perfect peace of mind and a heartfelt joy shall abide with thee forever, light and knowledge shall flow unto thee as fast as thou art prepared to receive them, a portion of mine own power shall be bequeathed thee in the mantle of the holy priesthood, thou shalt have mine inspired servants for thy counselors, and glories and powers and dominions beyond thy present conception shall be conferred upon thee, and thou shalt finally be one among the Gods; on condition only, that thou wilt "serve the Lord, thy God, with all thy might, mind and strength." Is it worth the effort, my brother? Now, as an example of a case where a man refused to serve God-refused to heed the counsel given him by a man of Godand the attendant consequences of his disobedience, I will relate the following true incident: President Brigham Young drove his team into the hollow square formed by Lot Smith's company of volunteers, at the mouth of Immigration canyon. Pursuant to a call from President Abraham Lincoln, the company had marched that far out from Salt Lake City on its way to set in order and protect the Overland Stage Line, which the Indians were greatly molesting. Not quite a hundred men, with their mounts, their baggage and mess wagons, were assembled. Solomon H. Hale, the chosen wagon-master of the company, rode his horse forward, as the president halted his team, and stood guard in front of it. President Young arose and addressed from his carriage the men before him. His address was short, but very emphatic and to the point. That part of it to which I call particular attention, and which is yet fresh in the minds of the survivors of that historic expedition, is as follows: I promise you all, in the name of the Lord, that if you will obey the orders of your captain, attend to prayer night and morning, come together at the bugle call, and each one take part when called upon by your captain: also use no prc. fanity nor liquor, and allow no card playing in camp,-I promise you that you will return home in safety and not one of you shall be lost. Now, it is not my intention here to follow these brave men into the wilds of the mountains, and record their valorous deeds and the great hazards of their expedition; but rather to call attention to the counsel of President Young given in those prophetic words, as the company was embarking upon its journey, and note the effect upon the men who considered the counsel and the promise important, and obeyed, and those who did not. The company marched forward and began the execution of the work whereunto it was sent; bridges were built, stations were set up, the Indians driven back, and the stage was resumed, and, finally, Captain Smith's company was released at South Pass by a company of United States soldiers, and the journey homeward was begun. When Fort Bridger was reached more marauding work of the Indians was discovered: they had stolen a band of horses from an old mountaineer by the name of John Robinson. Here Captain Smith called for sixty volunteers, whom he immediately dispatched in pursuit of the Indians to reclaim the stolen animals. Twenty of these, however, were forced to return the third day on account of the shortage of provisions. As the forty were speeding onward in the chase, one of the company, Seymour B. Young, inquired of a comrade, Solomon H. Hale: "Sol, are you watching the prediction of Uncle Brigham?" "Yes," was the reply. "I have been watching it very closely, and I believe it will be literally fulfiled." Onward these braves urged their horses on the trail of the retreating foe-for eight days they pursued in hot haste, all the time on short rations, being forced at one time to kill and eat one of their saddle horses, and enduring most severe hardships-until they reached a point in Idaho, near which the city of Rexburg has since been founded, where they gave up the chase. The hostiles had by this time reached the camp of their tribe and, with bow and arrow in hand, calmly awaited the arrival of their pursuers. This fact, however, was not revealed until a few days later, when it first became apparent to the "boys" that they had approached within dangerous nearness to probable butchery and awful death. As the company was crossing the South Fork of Snake river, a command was given by Captain Smith for all the men to remove their clothing, and bind the same securely to their saddles while they swam their horses across the deep and swiftly-flowing stream. All obeyed, except one man, who twice more was ordered to obey, but still refused. His obstinacy filled his companions with fear, for it had been observed that he was the only man in the whole company of possibly ninety-five, who used liquor, who profaned the name of Deity, who attempted to introduce card-playing in camp, who went to sleep on guard, and who refused to come to prayercall. And with his heavy clothes about him, Donald McNichol rode his horse into the swift current, which bore him down to his death. First his horse became entangled and went down, when its rider, an excellent swimmer, threw himself abreast the stream, but his clothing filled with water and he was dragged beneath its foaming crest. Not a fragment of his raiment, nor any personal belongings whatever, was left to take home in remembrance of the man. With this one exception, every man of the company returned home well and unharmed, and was mustered out of service on the 15th day of August, 1862, after about four months enlistment. Boise, Idaho. Richfield, Utah. THE VISION. (For the Improvement Era.) Kneeling within a solitary wood, Handsome, with sunny hair, a noble youth; That he might know the simple, living truth. Whose wisdom shall distil as dew from heaven." In humble, earnest faith and mighty prayer, To give him light for darkness and despair, The truth restore, with knowledge, light and love. Then Satan, fearing what would surely come, Unconquered still, he pleaded earnestly, With faith undaunted, pouring out his heart Restored the Truth and taught the way of right. Thus came the rays of Truth's celestial dawn, To bring about the great millennial morn When Christ shall reign, and peace be ushered in. ANNIE G. LAURITZEN |