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JANUARY, 1916
SPECIAL ARTICLES
MOTHERS IN ISRAEL
» With Illustration
MA'S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
Elsie C. Carroll
VISIT OF ABERDEENS TO UTAH ^
With Illustrations ""^
NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Amy Brown Lyman
OUTLINES FOR 1916
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JANUARY, 1916.
Byron's Unpublished Prayer 1
Mothers in Israel 3
Within the Locket Alfred Lambourne 6
Ma's New Year's Resolutions Elsie C. Carroll 7
Lord and Lady Aberdeen in LTtah 13
Jobwebs Annie D. S. Palmer 18
The Prince of Ur Homespun 19
Mental Hygiene for Women Past Fifty 30
The Bride's Mother ^ Nabby Howe 33
Notes from the Field Amy B. Lyman 35
Snowflake Stake History Lulu J. Smith 38
Current Topics James H. Anderson 41
Instructions and Recipes Mme. Rover 44
Miscellaneous Notes Janette A. Hyde 45
Poems by Emmeline B. Wells 46
Editorial : A New Year Resolve 47
Guide Lessons 49
International Congress of Genealogy. . .Journal of Heredity 61
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(A Favorite Poem of the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
My soul is sick of this long day.
I am weary of its lingering light; And, loathing light, I turn away ;
I weep and wish for night.
I long to lay me gently down '
In slumber on my mother's breast. I would exchange an Emperor's crown For everlasting rest.
Without my own consent I came, But with my wildest wish I'd go. For I would fain to be the same I was e'er born to woe.
This cold, hush'd heart, with no pale gleams Of consciousness to wake or waste,
Would fain have slept within those dreams Of everlasting rest.
And now, in manhood's morn, I stand, I've lived the laurel wreath to gain,
My songs are heard in every land ; And beauty breathes the strain.
Her smiles, her sweetest tears, are mine, And yet of love vain youth possessed.
How gladly would I all resign For everlasting rest.
MRS. I.UCY MACK SMITH, MOTHER OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH.
THE
Relief Society Magazine
\'ol. III. JANUARY, 1916. No. I.
Mothers in Israel.
Among the thousands of great and noble women who have assisted in laying the foundations of this Chruch, the Mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith stands out pre-eminent and glori- ous. She is the' great modern Mother in Israel. She accepted the Prophet's mission from the very first moment that she heard it, she rendered obedience to every revealed law, during her life, she reverenced her husband and her prophet-son, Joseph, and after his martyrdom, she still gave her full support and allegiance to Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles, as shown in the testimony which accompanies this article.
"Mother" Smith, as she was lovingly called, was a dominating figure in any a'ssemblage where she happened to be. She was commanding in appearance, keen in tellect, dignified and gra- cious in manner, and she loved the sick, the poor, and the unfortun- ate, with an abiding tenderness. She was the soul of hospitality and generosity. Together with her noble husband, she ministered to all who came for help or shelter 'neath their generous roof- tree. When young people came into her presence, they often kneeled before her as they spoke to her, so beautiful was the spirit which shone from her dark and glowing eyes.
We give the following sketch of her life, taken in extracts ,from Jenson's Biographical Dictionary — a book, by the way, which ought to be in every Relief Society library :
"Lucy Smith, mother of Joseph Smith the Prophet, was born July 8, 1776, at Gilsum, Cheshire county. New Hampshire, the daughter of Solomon Mack and Lydia Gates. Lucy was the youngest of eight children, four of whom were girls * * ''^
"Lucy profited by the talents and virtues of her mother. Jan. 24, 1796, she was married to Joseph Smith, and received from her brother, Stephen Mack, and John Mudget, his partner, in busi-
4 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
ness, a marriage present of $1,000. Her husband owned a good farm at Tunbridge, on which they settled. The fruits of this marriage were seven sons — Alvin, Hyrum, Joseph, Samuel ?!., Ephraim, WiUiam and Don Carlos; and three daughters — So- phronia, Catherine and Lucy. In 1802, Lucy Smith, with her hus- band, moved to Randolph, Vermont, where they opened a mercan- tile establishment. * * * After four years had elapsed, they removed to Manchester. In the alternate scenes of adversity and prosperity, the subject of religion was a constant theme with both Mr. and Mrs. Smith, though the former never subscribed to any particular sect. Both were occasionally favored of the Lord with dreams or visions of the approaching work which was about to commence on the earth, and which prepared them for the mission of their son Joseph, and the important part they were destined to take in it. Lucy Smith and several of her children joined the Presbyterian body, in the year 1819, but after Joseph had received the first visitation of the angel, and had communicated the mat- ter to his parents, she manifested intense interest in it, and from that time her history became identified with the mission of her son. She and her husband were baptized in April, 1830, and she removed to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831, with the first company of Saints, where she rejoined her husband who had previously gone there in company with his son Joseph * * *
"Later Brother Smith removed his family to Quincy, IlHnois, to which place most of the Saints had previously fled, and in common with them suffered the hardships and privations which characterized the extermination from Missouri. From Quincy the family removed to Commerce (Nauvoo), where Brother Smith, after blessing his children individually, closed his earthly career Sept. 4, 1840. Mother Smith was thus left a widow, worn out with toil and sorrow, her house having been filled with sick like a hospital from the time of the expulsion from Missouri. * * *
"From the time of the removal of the Church to the Rocky Mountains until her death, which occurred in Nauvoo, 111., May 5, 1855, she mostly resided with her youngest daughter, Lucy Miliken, excepting the last two years, when she resided with her daught-er-in-law, Mrs. Emma Bidamon, widow of her son Joseph."
We close this little memoir with the following firm testimony which should be read by every woman in this Society:
Extract from President Brigham Young's OMce Journal. Remarks of "Mother" Smith, given in the General Conference in
Nauvoo, Oct. 8, 1845 :
Mother Lucy Smith, the aged and honored parent of Joseph Smith, having expressed a wish to say a few words to the congre- gation, she was invited upon the stand. She spoke at considerable
MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 5
length, and in an audible manner, so as to be heard by a large portion of the vast assembly.
She commenced by saying that she was truly g-lad that the Lord had let her see so large a congregation. She had a great deal of advice to give, but Brother Brigham Young had done the errand, he had fixed it completely. There were comparatively few in the assembly who were acquainted with her family. She was the mother of eleven children, seven of whom were boys. She raised them in the fear and love of God, and never was there a more obedient family. She warned parents that they were ac- countable for their children's conduct ; advised them to give them books and work to keep them from idleness ; warned all to be full of love, goodness and kindness, and never to do in seciet, what they would not do in the presence of millions. She wished to know of the congregation, whether they considered her a mother in Israel — (upon which President B. Young said ; all who consider Mother Smith as a mother in Israel, signify it by saying yes!— One universal "yes" rang throughout). She remarked, that it was just eighteen years since Joseph Smith the prophet had become acquainted with the contents of the plates ; and then, in a concise manner, she related over the most prominent points in the early history of her family; their hardships, trials, privations, persecutions, sufferings, etc. ; some parts of which melted those who heard her to tears, more especially the part relating to a scene in Missouri, when her beloved son Joseph was condemned to be shot in fifteen minutes, and she by prodigious efforts was en- abled to press through the crowd to where he was, and to give him her hand ; but could not see his face ; he took her hand and kissed it ; she said, let me hear your voice once more, my son ; he said God bless you, my dear mother ! She gave notice that she had written her history, and wished it printed before we leave this place. She then mentioned a discourse once delivered by Joseph, after his return from Washington, in which he said that "he had done all that could be done on earth to obtain justice for their wrongs ; but they were all, from the President to the Judge, determined not to grant justice. "But," said he, "keep good cour- age, these cases are recorded in heaven, and I am going to lay them before the highest court in heaven. "Little," said she "did I then think he was so soon to leave us, to take the case up him- self. And don't you think this case is now being tried? I feel as though God was vexing this nation a little, here and there, and I feel that the Lord will let Brother Brigham take the people away. Here, in this city, lay my dead ; my husband and children ; and if so be the rest of my children go with you, (and I would to God they may all go) they will not go without me ; and if I go, I want my bones brought back in case I die away, and deposited with my husband and children."
WITHIN THE LOCKET
My Love, those severed tresses from thy brow.
Lie as a frame around thy pictured face, And powerless the future years are now.
The whi:e of age upon that black to trace. That braided darkness on thy brow that's been.
In days to come will tell the present truth. That severed hair shall keep its raven sheen ,
To tell with that sweet face of thy rich youth.
Upon this locket, tears I've often shed.
Where face and tresses he in purest gold.
In kisses on that hair my lips hath 'ed.
And on that face that time shall not make old —
O now that beaury here before me lies,
To meet again my lips and feast mine eyes!
ALFRED LAMBOURNE
Ma's New Year's Resolutions.
By Elsie C. Carroll.
It was New Year's Eve, as the front door closed after the "young folks" were ofif to the dance, Ma turned wearily to her own unattractive room. Pa had gone to a Board meeting and the younger boys, Jimmy and Fred, were at a barn party, while ten-year-old Maudie, the baby, had gone to sleep with Nellie Burke across the street.
Ma suddenly realized that she was alone in the house, and its stillness seemed strange to her. She could scarcely remember ever having been alone since Mary Louise was born, twenty-four years ago. It struck her queerly, all at once, that she would really enjoy being alone once in a while,- — only tonight she was too tired to enjoy anything.
The week of holidays just ending had been unusually hard for her. Perhaps it was because the children were all getting older and demanded more in the way of amusement. Before Christmas there had been the hurry and worry of getting the girls new dresses all done in time for the first party. There had been four to make this year, Maudie having insisted that she needed her 's just as much as the older girls did. Then there had been the Christmas dinner. Pa had invited a couple of men from the experiment farm over at G., and Frank had brought a college chum home from P., and Nettie's gentleman friend came down from Salt Lake, and, of course, there were Mary Louise and Ben and their babies.
After that there had been house parties and skating parties and sleigh-riding picnic parties, until Ma felt like she had been baking cake and spreading sandwiches and stuffing chickens for an age.
Today had been the most crowded day of all. There had been the Relief Society Charity Bazaar, in the morning to help arrange, the New Year's dinner to plan and partially prepare, and it had been her turn to see after sick old Granny Walker. Then, the new little Mrs. Gurdy, who had just moved to town and lived down the block, had sent for her to come and see if she thought her baby was going to cut a tooth. The girls had been extra "fussy" about their dresses. Nettie's sash had to be pressed the last minute before the party, and Mabel's hair wouldn't go right, and Lizzie discovered an ugly snag in her petticoat that had to be mended. Frank couldn't find his collar buttons, and Pa had lost a report he had to take to the Board meeting.
But they were all gone now and she could go to bed and rest, if she couldn't sleep until they were all safely tucked in.
8 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
Ma switched on the h'ght and turned to the old-fashioned bureau to undo her hair.
Perhaps it was the unusuahiess of being alone, or it may have been Ma's utter weariness, or again it may have been the hovering spirit of the New Year pulsing with the breath of woman's rights, that turned Ma's thoughts into such an unfre- quented channel. At any rate, no matter what the cause. Ma, for the first time in a quarter of a century, began thinking of herself.
Curiously she studied the image looking back at her from the mirror. Why, it was an old care-worn woman, with weary eyes and lined features, dull, grey hair and drooping shoulders. It was her image and she — why, she was not yet forty-five years old. Ma stared and stared, and that peculiar kink, which had somehow got into her brain and directed her attention selfward, sent a million new thoughts speeding through her mind. In panoramic procession she saw the days and months and years she had toiled and sacrificed for others. It had been always for others ; her husband, her children, her neighbors. It had always been their health and comfort and pleasure she had considered, — never her own. Why, she was a slave in deepest bondage! A great wave of self-pity surged over Ma and crimsoned her sallow cheeks. She had given her all, and what had she received in return ?
Her daughters' rooms were cosy and inviting ; hers was fur- nished with discarded pieces from the rest of the house. Her daughters wore dainty gowns, and their finger nails were pink and shiny, and their skin was soft and smooth and smelled of delicate cream, and their hair was thick and glossy. They had time to read magazines and to entertain their friends. A fierce envy of her own daughters took possession of Ma. She longed almost savagely for the things they possessed and she did not have. Why should she be a drudge, a slave for the rest of the family ?
At that moment the spirit of the New Order of Things hov- ered a little nearer and breathed rebellion into Ma's soul.
At ten o'clock Jimmy and Fred returned from the barn party and were surprised at not finding Ma up waiting for them. Thinking she must have gone to Mary Louise's to see how the baby's ear-ache was, they went up stairs to bed. At eleven o'clock Pa returned from the Board meeting. He was a little put out at not finding Ma and his bowl of steaming milk waiting for him.
"Must have been called in by some of the neighbors," Pa muttered a bit ill-humoredly, as he prepared for bed.
At twelve o'clock the girls and Frank stole in and lunched
MA'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS. 9
cautiously in the pantry, congratulating themselves on their un- usual success in not waking Ma.
The next morning Pa awoke with a start. Why, it was broad daylight and he had not heard Ma get up. Then he re- membered that he had not heard her come to bed either. Some of the neighbors must be pretty sick to keep her all night. Or maybe she was in the kitchen now getting breakfast. He usually heard her when she was starting the fire, if he didn't wake when she got up. He would go in and find out who was sick.
But the kitchen was still and cold. Pa crossed to the range a little out of sorts to think that Ma would neglect her own family for the neighbors.
He stopped still and stared. There on the teakettle was a letter addressed to him — in Ma's handwriting. Pa had scarcely seen that handwriting in twenty-five years, and a dull premonition crept over him. He tore open the envelope and took out a closely written sheet which he carried to the window the better to make it out. What could it mean ? Where in the world could Ma be ? Why had she written him a letter? Pa's features twitched with varying emotions as he read:
"Dear John and Children: I've gone to the city to spend New Year's. I ain't had a trip since I can remember; I ain't been to Salt Lake City since I was married. Cousin Jane's invited me nearly every year, too, so I decided to go. I didn't have any money of my own, so I took fifteen dollars out of your safety box, John. I figured that I'd help to earn it if anybody had. I didn't have any decent clothes — I ain't had, for years and years — so I took your grey silk, Nettie, and your brown suit and hat, Lizzie, and some gloves and a veil of yours, Mabel. I took your new suit case, Frank, and Jimmie's thermo bottle and Fred's last magazine. Maudie, I borrowed your mesh bag and a couple of handkerchiefs.
"Maybe you'll all think I've lost my senses, but I ain't; I've just found them, and I made a New Year's resolution that I'd use them, after this.
"Lots of love, and a happy New Year to you all, from
Ma."
Pa read the letter over for the third time before he was able to sense in the least what it all meant.
Ma gone to the city — ? why, what in the world! — did she want to ! — and taken money from the safety box ! — Why — he'd have to miss the farmer's convention next week, may be — Why, Ma to — do a thing like that ! What — what — could it mean ? He read the letter again, and his own heart began to tell him what it meant. With trembling fingers, at last, he laid the sheet on the kitchen table and stood staring vacantly out of the window through a sort of mist. Before him flashed a panorama similar to the one Ma had seen the night before, and for the first time in
10 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
his life, Pa, who had always considered himself a model husband, father and citizen, told himself he was a blind brute. The cords in his throat tightened and the mist before his eyes grew more dense.
No wonder she had revolted! The only wonder was that she had stood it so long.
At last he turned from the window and mechanically kindled the fire. How cold and empty the house seemed! And Ma — what if something should happen to her and she should never come home ! He whisked out his handkerchief and blew his nose (a man's method of trying to conceal emotion), as he resolved to catch the first train to the city to find her.
He went to the foot of the stairs and called, "Nettie, — Lizzie, — Mabel, — Frank, — all of you come down, quick!"
It was always Ma's voice that roused the sleepers in the morning, so that this unusual summons from Pa, together with a peculiar huskiness in his voice, brought a chorus of "What is it, Pa? What's the matter? Where's Ma?" and soon the whole family were gathered in the kitchen reading Ma's New Year's resolution with varying expressions of surprise and dismay. Be it said to their credit that not one member of that selfish family showed the least resentment. They had been blind, and now their eyes were suddenly opened, and they beheld Ma as a sacrificing angel and themselves as unworthy ingrates. They were all united in one thought : How to make amends ?
As they sat over a hurried breakfast of scorched toast, un- salted cereal, and leathery omelet, — the effort of untrained hands, — they discussed the situation freely.
"I don't blame her a bit," declared Nettie. "The only won- der is that she hasn't done it long ago."
"But — but will — she e-v-e-r — come back?" whimpered Maudie.
"Of course, she'll come back. Pa's goin' after 'er," consoled Jim.
"The question is, can we make it up to her for all our selfishness when she does come back, so she'll want to stay," put in Frank.
"Well, we'll all be found — trying," assured Lizzie, with a catch in her voice.
"It just makes me sick to think what we've been doing and didn't have sense enough to know it," added Mabel.
"Well, she's going to have the best in this house from now on, if I have my way," Nettie resolved. "I've just been in her room. No wonder she ran away. There isn't one pretty thing in it — just old cast-offs. If we girls don't transform it before night, I'm mistaken."
"And we're going to take turns getting up in the mornings
MA'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS. 11
and getting breakfast and take all the responsibility and worry of the house work off from her shoulders," put in Lizzie.
"And we're goin' t' chop all the wood an' do all our chores without her naggin' a bit, ain't we, Jim?" promised Fred.
"And I'm not goin' to have all the kids in town come here every day an' tease to have little dinners and dress up and things," agreed Maudie.
"And I'm going to take her to all the good lectures and con- certs and — baseball games," vowed Frank.
"And I'm going to see that she has a bank account of her own and dresses and hats and things so she won't have to — bor- row next time she goes to the city," said Pa, who had sat an in- 'terested listener to all the New Year's resolutions being resolved. "And I'm going to see that the next time isn't twenty-five years from now either." He pushed back his chair and arose from the table. It was almost time for the train. "I hope, children, we'll all remember these New Year's resolutions we've just made," he added, as he put on his coat and hat.
And what of Ma?
She had boarded the evening train bravely enough, but with- in an hour her feelings were changed considerably. Slowly the realization came to her that all she had suffered had been through no one's fault but her own. Her family's blind selfishness had been fostered through her own training. She had assumed all the hardships and drudgery, when it had been her duty, for her own good, and the good of the other members of the family, to see that each member shared a part. They were simply as her train- ing— or lack of training — had made them, and now she was in- flicting upon them a punishment she herself deserved. What would they think of her anyhow — John and her children? Her lips began to quiver as she turned to the window and realized how fast she was being borne. away from them.
She longed to fly back ; to tear that foolish letter into shreds before anyone found it. She wanted to go up the old stairs and pass wuth noiseless step from room to room, tucking the covers about each dear sleeping form, and breathing a soft prayer above each head, as she had done through all the years ; then she wanted to go back down and creep into her own warm bed beside John. Her John, who had given her such a good home, and who had always been such a kind father to their children, and who was such an indispensable member of the community. What would he think? Oh, what had possessed her to do* so wild a thing? If only there were a way to get back, but she was miles away, and there was no returning train until the next morning.
At last the engine puffed into Salt Lake City. Ma got off with the crowd. She felt dazed, and more wretched than ever.
12 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
This was not the place she had visited so often in her girlhood? She had no idea which way to go to find Cousin Jane's. Besides, now she wouldn't have Cousin Jane know what she had done, for worlds.
She stood for a few moments in the pushing crowd, sensing the keenest pangs of homesickness. Presently she noticed a hotel across the street. She would go there and get a room and take the early train back home.
Most of the night Ma lay miserably awake, making New Year's resolutions, vastly different to the one which had brought her to the city.
The next morning she hurried across to the station to wait for her train.
She sat watching the hands of the station clock, counting the minutes until she would be home again, when someone paused beside her. She looked up.
"John !" she cried unsteadily, as she rose to her feet.
"Mary Louise!" he answered, taking both her hands and looking long into her face, then he went on :
"I've come to spend New Year's with you. Shall we go to Cousin Jane's for dinner, or would you rather go to some nice hotel, and to a good matinee afterwards?"
She looked at him searchingly, for a moment, then she an- swered with a quavering voice:
"I'd — rather go — home, John, to — the children!"
GIVE GOD THE GLORY.
When the Twelve, or any other witnesses, stand before the congregations of the earth, and they preach in the power and demonstration of the Spirit of God and the people are astonished and say : "That man has preached a powerful sermon" — then let the man take care that he does not ascribe the glory to himself but be careful that he is humble and ascribe the praise and glory to God and the Lamb ; for it is by the power of the Holy Priest- hood and the Holy Ghost that he has power thus to speak.
"What art thou, O man, but dust ? And from whence earnest thou?"
— Sayings of the Prophet from Vol. Ill, Church History.
Lord and Lady Aberdeen in Utah.
The people of this State have had the pleasure of a call from Lord and Lady Aberdeen who are making a tour of the United Sstates in the interest of their Irish philanthropies.
Lord Aberdeen has been Vice-regent in Ireland for ten years or more, and Lady Aberdeen has organized several charitable and philanthropic societies for the betterment of the poorer classes in that unhappy country. She has erected a hospital for the con- sumptive children, which still lacks several thousand dollars to pay for the expense incurred. The war has interfered with their own sources of income, and with the usual charitable sources which they have drawn upon, for the buidling up of these phil- anthropic institutions. It is for this purpose, that they have un- dertaken this trip.
Ladv Aberdeen is President of the International Council of
THE MARQUIS OF ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR.
14
RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
Women, and the General Board of the Relief Society felt it wise to co-operate with a committee of prominent women in looking after the lecture and entertainment of these distinguished visitors.
They spoke in Provo on December 9th, and returned to Salt Lake on the 10th, where a reception was tendered them by the ladies of Salt Lake City, in the Hotel Utah. The Governor of the State, with his Staff, entertained the Aberdeens at dinner in the Alta Club, the evening of the 10th, and then adjourned to the Theatre, the whole party occupying the stalls for that occasion, witnessing the performance of Walter Whitesides' "In the Melt- ing Pot."
On Saturday, December 11th, an elegant luncheon was given for the titled visitors in the Hotel Utah, 250 ladies sitting down to the tables, which were decorated with shamrock and flowers. This was acknowledged to be the most brilliant affair ever given in the State by women. The menu cards were unique and beautiful, and contained a picture of Her Ladyship, with pictures of the Temple
THE MARCHIONESS ISHBEL ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR.
LORD A\D LAD)' ABliRDEI-X L\ UTAH. 15
and the Hotel itself. They also contained the menu and the pro- gram of toasts and speeches, which were as follows :
Mrs. Heber M. Wells. Chairman, Airs. Susa Yomig- Gates, Toastmistress.
Address of Welcome Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells
Response Lady Aberdeen
Peace :Mrs. F. M. McHugh
Women in Philanthropy Miss Kate Williams
Club Women in Civic Affairs Mrs. W. F. Adams
Innurc I'osisbilities Mrs. C. H. Mc^NIahon
Executive Committee.
Dr. Emmeline B. \\'ells, Honorary Chairman,
Mrs. Susa Young Gates, Chairman. Mrs. Heber ^l. Wells Mrs. Clarissa S. Wililams
Mrs. Sol. Siegel Mrs. Amy B. Lyman
Mrs. C. H. MciMahon Mrs. C. W. Nibley
]\Irs. A. J. Gorham Mrs. Janette A. Hyde
Mrs. Thomas Kearns Mrs. F. S. Richards
Mrs .W. F. Adams Mrs. Richard W. Young-
Miss Lucile Francke Mrs. George F. Stiehl
Mrs. Alice Merrill Home.
All who were present at the luncheon had their programs signed by the Countess herself, as a little souvenir of the occasion.
The Countess was indisposed most of the time she was in the State. Elaborate preparations had been made in Logan and Ogden for receptions and banquets, which were attended by the Earl, but which the Countess herself was unable to reach. She sulTered with the grippe, which has been so prevalent in this sec- tion, during the last three weeks. But she was delighted with the hospitality shown here here, and remarked to the Chairman of the Committee, as she was leaving for Ogden, that L^tah had really surpassed any other state in the quahty of its hospitality, and in the splendid arrangements which had been made every- where for their comfort and entertainment. She said she would never forget the women of this State, nor of this Church. She was particularly delighted with our honored president — Emmeline B. Wells — and paid her the charming compliment of initiating her into the Clan Gordon, by wrapping about her shoulders the tartan plaid of the clan.
A word must be said concerning the labors of many of the ladies who are non-"Mormons," but who are prominent in club life in this City and State. Mrs. Heber i\L Wells, ]\rrs. C. H. :\Ic- Mahon. ]\Irs. Sol. Siegel, Mrs. Gorham, Mrs. W. F. .\dams, Mrs.
16 RELIEF SOCIErV MAGAZINE.
Stiehl, Mrs. Simon Bamberger and Mrs. Root — all of these with other public-spirited women did yoeman service in their various activitives. They were courtesy itself, and each piece of work which anyone of them undertook, was accomplished with dispatch and success.
The ladies in Ogden, headed by Mrs. Georgina G. Marriott, had a most brilliant and successful arrangement there, which was somewhat marred by the illness and absence of the Countess her- self, from the noon luncheon.
The following introduction was made in Ogden by Mrs. Marriott, She said: "One might scan the pages of history in vain to find something exactly appropriate for this occasion.
"In early centuries history fails to record acts of self-sacri- fice, of benevolence, of charity, of sympathy. Deeds of prowess, of might and cruelty were the things deemed worthy of remem- brance. As time glided by there was born to woman a humble little Babe who was destined to change and revolutionize the thoughts and ideas of the human race.
"To feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to minister to the distressed, to sympathize with the suffering and to love mankind became the keynote of the true followers of that Great Master.
"Tonight we have with us a woman, who in every act of her life has exemplified the great pattern given to mankind; who has spent her best efforts in ministering to the sick and needy, in pro- tecting the weak and the oppressed. Her crusades for pure milk supplies, playgrounds, child welfare fare centers and open markets are masterpieces of social work. One who has successfully entered the literary field, one who has been twice honored with the presidency of the International Council of Women and at present holds that position ; one of royal blood, royal, not alone because of birth, but because she chose to become honored and loved by following the admonition of our Savior. *He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.'
"It is my pleasure to introduce the Marchoness of Aber- deen." ■ ' :, I ! : ■
At I-ogan, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Widtsoe assisted by Mrs. Ball, and the ladies of the A. C. Club and public-spirited citizens gave a splendid account of themselves in both social and lecture func- tions. Only the Earl attended the Logan affair, but he was pro- fuse in his expressions of pleasure at the reception he received, and the good people of Logan feel satisfied with the result of his visit.
At Provo. Dr. George H. Brimhall, Mrs. Ida Smoot Dusen- berry, Mrs. Jos. B. Keeler, Mrs. E. E. Corfman, and Miss Alice Reynolds provided a brilliant and beautiful entertainment and reception at the home of Hon. Jesse Knight, followed by a dinner,
LORD AND LADY ABERDEEN IN UTAH. 17
with toasts and speeches, which really won extravagant admiration from the visiting- guests. We give here the charming introduc- tion by Mrs. Dusenberry:
A few evenings ago, had you passed a college a few squares north, you might have seen a very anxious-looking woman sitting in a library facing numerous tiers of shelves crowded with books. And had you looked closer, you might have detected a grave look of concern, when the contents of Shakespeare were examined and rejected ; when the volumes of Emerson and Tennyson were re- moved, examined and cast aside ; when the philosophy and poetry of Goethe and Dante gave no satisfaction. And then came a whispered exclamatfon: "I wonder if there was anything ever written perfectly proper and appropriate for one to say at so im- portant a time." Stooping she picks up a little worn volume, which unnoticed had fallen to the floor, and you hear her read: "Inasmuch as ye do -it unto the least of one of these, ye do it unto me." And then comes the simple, beautiful story of healing the sick; helping the poor; teaching the multitude to pray, and above all to love one another ; and then with a far away look on her face, in memory she crosses the ocean, finds herself among thousands of noted women, seated in a great auditorium in the city of Berlin. Standing before her she sees a tall, stately, beau- tiful woman, beautiful because every line in her face says to you, "Universal human service." Sitting near, someone whispers. "Look ! the Countess. The President of the International Council of Women." After following a presidential address, charming in its simplicity, with a kindly admonition here, a note of intense sympathy there, a little warning, some advice, all animated with the soul of love, you hear her say in conclusion : "I leave this thought. Happy is the mother whose daughter is her best friend. Blessed is the wife who can say to her son, I hope you will be as good as your father. And after all, the greatest thing in the world is love."
Tonight it is my pleasure to introduce one of royal blood, not royal alone because of birth, but because she heals the sick, she helps the poor, she teaches the multitude to pray, and above all she teaches humanity to love one another.
The Marchioness of Aberdeen. i
All in all, we have fulfilled, in part, the expectations that the nobles of the earth should come up to Zion to learn of her ways, and we feel that great credit is due to all who in any way con- tributed to this splendid aflfair.
Cobwebs.
"Good morning-, Kate, I've just been calling
On Lucile Hart, across the way — She's the kindest little woman,
Bright and cheery as the May ; iJut oh. what poor housekeeping!
Would you believe it, dear, I counted nine big cobwebs.
As sure as I am here !" 'Twas a neighbor stopped to gossip,
And I feared the awful nine Would be few and quite forgotten
After Bessie counted mine.
But the cobwebs set me thinking
Of the Httle wife Lucile, Of the work that daily calls her,
Of the burdens she must feel ; There are seven little children.
Each with a baby's right To her care, her love, her training ;
And she gives it^day and night :
To her husband she is offering
A companionship that's true, With smile and help and comfort
Such as come but to the few ; To her neighbors, her example
Is a source of pure delight — When, instead of hunting cobwebs.
They are seeking truth and right : To the world Lucile gives blessing.
That the world will never know. In the hope and faith that follow
Where her words of comfort go.
"Bessie, don't be counting cobwebs
Why, when you are laid to rest. Gossips will be searching corners
For the things that please them best. If it's cobwebs, they will find them.
If it's virtues sweet and rare, That a dearest friend would mention,
They will find such virtues there, — You're a thrifty little housewife.
But you labor quite in vain. If, with all your anxious sweeping.
Cobwebs gather on your brain.''
Annie D. S. Pat.mer.
The Prince of Ur
By Homespun.
The Princess Sarai was once more safe in the confines of her own apartments. But even her huge eunuch feared for her, for he, standing in the shadows of the audience hall, had seen the look given to his mistress by the greedy eyes of the wicked Nimrod. There was no time now to dwell upon the death, which was very surely closing in upon the three Cushite dam- sels ; the eunuch's own mistress was threatened by far worse dan- gers. Her loving Milcah met her at the latticed door and tried to calm her trembling excitement.
"Asaph, Milcah, Zul, come quickly!" cried Sarai, her voice harsh with the vibration of her fears, "Come, bind my hair, put it away from sight, wrap the dark kerchief about my brows, so — down to my very eyes ; robe me in my black tunic, cover up my face with the corner of my robe, thus and thus. Oh, why have I been cursed with this fatal beauty ! With it I thought to win the favor of the king, that I might save my poor black maidens, and it has only brought to me the hated favor of a wicked man. Take these jewels, hide them deep — put away my whimples — all these vails of white — get thee ready — I am no longer safe — the king has looked upon me — ah — woe is me — "
The distracted girls about her calmed her as best they could. But thev — better even than their mistress — knew the gravity of her peril.
"Where is my old nurse? Bring her, Milcah, bring her. Milcah, come, give me comfort. Pray for succor- — oh, why did mine own mother die, and I so young and lonely? Why did she leave me thus desolate?" The damsel was in a very panic of fear.
All this time the girl was hastily making her preparations for sudden flight. She was too unnerved to make any plans of escape, but escape she felt was her onlv safety. Perhaps the villages of Terah or some distant sheepfold of the plains or hills m.ight offer safe asylum. But where was father Terah — and where was her kinsman Abram — for it was to his wisdom, his courage, that she looked for deliverance at this time.
She was soon shorn of her lovely trappings, and soon robed in the coarse and dark wrappings which she wore when out in the villages and fields on her frequent errands of mercy to the servants and shepherds : and thus she stood with wildly beat- ing heart, waiting for some message from .\hram — her dear and
20 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
wise kinsman — the protector of her childhood, the secret ideal of her maturer years, the hope of her deeply spiritual nature in her time of trial and despair. What hindered his coming? Oh, where could he be ?
She stood at her lattice work, and her delicate fingers clinched their fine tracery with nervous twinings.
"Where dost thou linger?" she whispered, half aloud. "Where art thou, Abram? I have not troubled thee with my affection — I have been very cold and prudent — even as thou hast been with me. I have not sent thee loving messages in thy long ab- sences, but thou hast never left me in my time of peril, even when my own lips or eyes have brought me into trouble — thou hast ever been my friend — my kind protector — Abram."
The mumblings and mutterings of her well-founded fears almost reached the ears of her crouching attendants. The very air of the great palace was surcharged with quivering excite- ment.
A man was crossing the inner courtyard of the women's apartments.
" 'Tis Lot, my brother Lot. Here, Dazan, bring him quickly to me. He at least will speak the truth."
With swift bounds, the eunuch fled after the retreating form of the warrior, and in a few moments Lot stood within the audi- ence chamber of the Princess Sarai. The formal oriental greet- ing between sister and brother over, Sarai turned to Lot anxiously :
"What of Abram ?" she cried, with palpitating breath.
"Abram? He is in council with the chiefs and shepherd kings. His own life has been forfeited, by his double attack up- on the person of the king. Even father Terah sees the gravity of our situation. Nimrod seeks his life tonight, and he may perchance be offered on the same altar which will be dedicated with the blood of thy three maidens."
"Ah !" — her cry ran shuddering along the walls of the in- ner court — "Abram !"
"He dies unless some miracle of deliverance takes place. Nimrod has invited him to assist in dedicating the sacred altar to Elkanah at midnight. Abram's refusal will be his own legal death sentence. Nimrod will wear Father Adam's sacred robe= of the priesthood, at this ceremony, and Abram as a priest cannot be disobedient. The little child of Azzi-jaami, which Abram has covered in his bosc^m ever since his return is also doomed to die," ndded Lot.
"The little child. Oh! horror unon horror! What are we coniin? to? Where i'^ our father Terah? What saith he to all this reeking carnajre?"
"He i<^ a '=;nldicr fir'^t : hi<5 mnntrv cometh first to him: hi=;
THE PRINCE OF UR. 21
religion and his family come after these. Yet methinks both father Terah and myself see things tonight with new eyes."
"But my maids? My little dark-brown maids? They were so good, so obedient, so pure. And the little child? Who could wish him harm?"
"None but Nimrod. He hath decreed that everything that Abram loves shall die with him. He himself will put Abram to the fire, if he refuses to use the knife of sacrifice upon the child and your three maid-servants. And should Abram pass through the fire, then he must be offered on the same holy and bloody altar that is to be consecrated with the body of the lit- tle child. Such is Nimrod's bold decree."
"And Terah? What saith he?"
"Our father sits and glowers in awful woe. His very vitals are gnawing him to tear him loose from his life-long allegiance to this vile and wicked king. Oh, that he would flee, and thus protect his life and those of us who may be left after this slaugh- ter of the innocents."
"And what of Sarai?"
The soldier looked at her. Her shining beauty was veiled in swathed clothes of blackened hue, and only the smoldering glory of her uplifted eyes shone full upon him. He sighed, as he realized how perfect was his sister's beauty and how few could forget that radiant gaze.
"And you, my princess? Yes, and what of Irit, the little jade, and what of Ischa and Milcah? Irit loves a bauble better than she loves her food. And Milcah? And all your maids?"
"Were you in the hall?" asked the distracted princess, too covered with modest shame to speak of her own peril, and now too concerned over Abram to remember her own danger.
"Yes, I was there, my sister. When Nimrod's fiery gaze caught the dusky rays of thy bright eyes and gleaming hair, I knew that thou wouldst be in deadly peril this night under this roof, although it is our father's roof. Nimrod knows no law but his own desires."
"I know, oh, I know. But Abram, what of him? — shut up in the council halls, and in danger for his own life."
"Mv sister, listen to a gruff soldier. I cannot phrase my words with Mardan's graceful skill."
Sarai cried out bitterly —
"Speak not of that traitor to me."
"Even so. T am a poor handler of tongue and speech. Yet T am sure that thou art in far greater danger than our cousin Abram. His life may pay the forfeit of his courage and prowess — even in his own palace walls. But you have more than life to lose."
He spoke with stern brevity and plainne'ss. The princess
22 KELIEl' SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
covered up her face with the edge of her dark mantle and mur- mured :
"The cross is heavy on me. I bear it day by day."
"Nay, princess, I chided not, but warned. And in that ^^'arning, I would fain find some way to free thee from thy ])otent danger. But I lack in Abram's wisdom and resourceful- ness."
"Then fly. Seek out Abram — betray to him his own danger. No matter about me — 'tis Abram that is in most danger. Nim- rod hates him and would destroy him this very night. Fly !"
"Why not speak of thnie own danger? Fear not, my sis- ter, I may not think quickly, nor find ways to spring aside from coming danger, but let me tell you this : that every man in all this household of Terah stands upon his guard this night before thy latticed window. Abram knows far better than I can tell or see, the danger that your highness rests in at this very moment. But fear not. We would give life like water to shield you or any of our precious helpless women from harm or danger."
"Has Abram spoken of flight?"
"Ah, that he has." And Lot gathered his slow wits to- gether to rehearse to Sarai all that Abram devised while flee- ing from her door and sending out alarms to all the neighboring- chiefs.
"T thought that Abram would not forget the grave necessity of such a scheme."
Even as they spoke, a swift messenger approached, saluted Lot, and told him he was wanted in his father's private council chamber. At the same moment, he handed to the princess a tablet, still damp and fresh from the hand that had graven up- . on it the message. Sarai took the small missive, and quickly slid the enclosing envelope away from the inner tablet, and as she read the message engraven thereon, she said :
"Go, Lot ! Abram hath, need of thee. He charges me to call my maidens, and all the women of the palace together" — she was reading as she spoke — "and give them full warning of our expected journey before the morning breaks upon the val- ley of the Euphrates — mothers, wives, daughters, maidens, ser- vants and slaves — all are to have a choice. But Trit — •" and here the eyes of the princess opened wide :
"What of Irit?" asked Lot, anxiously.
"Abram says that Trit must be cherished very tenderly by me, and kept by my own ])erson each mr)ment of this night. Not for worlds am 1 to let her leave me, nor shall I fail to win her constant regard and trust. Do you hear ? Abram is more anxious over Irit than over Sarai ?"
"Nay, princess," Lot said, '^lowly. "thou dost mis-read the
77//: FKIKCIL O [• UR. 23
message. I see some trace of anxious doubt in Abram's words of Irit. I think he has no occasion." But Sarai took the words of Abram to mean a very different thing.
Sarai took her rapid way to the inner apartments of women of the household. Activity marked the usual quiet and placid afternoon hours. No one within had as yet heard of the hap- penings in the audience hall, but all were gaily discussing the midnight ceremonies which were to dedicate and consecrate the niajestic temple of Ur, so recently completed, and now rearing itself aloft in the far end of the city.
The walls of delicate pale blue and yellow enameled bricks gave forth a soft glow under the light of the numberless oil- vessels or lamps, as they stood upon every projection and in dim recesses, while the cabarets scattered about, held great silver vases full of perfumed oils that burned with clear radiance. The walls were here and there hidden by exquisite draperies of em- broidered rugs and hangings, many of them rich with the cun- ningly wrought stories of the wars and loves of generations of princes and queenly maidens. Silver vases stood about, filled with the tropic blooms of the river gardens, while low divans banked themselves about the walls on which reclined the ladies of the household. Here were mothers, daughters, and distant or near female relatives of this great household, all now busy with the gossip of the coming midnight festivals. One of the ladies twanged a small harp, while others played games of dom- inoes, or other games of chance. Confections, delicate rich wines, dates, fruits, and dainty sweet-meats crowded the low tables.
Sarai stood in amazement at the threshold of this long hall. For gathered in a group on the upper platform of the room stood Terah's twelve small idols, borrowed from the gardens, each in all its hideousness wreathed in flowers and with burning incense filling every crevice of the low-ceiled room.
"What means this idolatry?" asked the princess, with quiv- ering lips.
One of the older women of the household looked up serene- ly and replied.
"It means, my princess, that we are propitiating the gods of Nimrod lest his displeasure should fall upon some member of our household."
"How can you do such things? You all know how wicked such things are."
"Tush ! daughter of this house. I was living and worshiping god before thy breath smote against the walls of thy mother's bedchamber. .And I have learned long ago that all men are not bad who worship differently from ourselves ; nor are the sons and daughters of Rber and Noah worse than om-selves. T.eave
24 RELIEF SOCIErV MAGAZINE.
us, Sarai." And the unhappy princess returned to her own cham- bers hopeless and helpless.
Nimrod sat heavily brooding in his private apartments. His host had provided him with every luxury, viands of the richest and most elaborate wines and dates with rich confections, crowned the gol en tables which were set in the outer salon. His chamber looked out upon the lovely courtyard of palms below. Slaves from the markets of Ur, priestesses from the Ziggurut moved about the perfumed interior with slow and velvety footsteps. But Nimrod saw none of them. His eyes were fixed upon the huge toes of his leathern sandals, and his thoughts were whirling round and round in two squirrel-like ideas — "Abram, the man is alive, when I kiled thousands of children to slay Abram the infant.'' And to it was added, "Sarai, the Daughter of the Sun, is under this roof." These two deep impressions would revolve around and around in the crafty mind till suddenly some explosion of the will would clear a path for his vengeful feet to follow that would be as plain as the raised street which led from the palace of Terah to the ziggurat temple. "Abram — Sarai."
Just outside his low windows the court musicians were hum- ming and striking their weird and soft melodies, for like most collosal men, he liked all his luxury to be of the finest and most delicate elements possible.
"Your highness, my lord — " began his chamberlain warily.
"What now — " roared his master angrily.
The man jumped as if a javelin had been thrust through his back, but speech was necessary at this moment, so he continued with cringing tones and attitude —
"Lord of the Universe, king of kings, greatest of all created men, be not displeased with thy slave. But the high priest of the Ziggurat attends upon your majesty to enquire if thou wouldst condescend to lend the light of thy countenance to the evening ceremonies at the temple of Mylitta. It is told him that numer- ous of the fair young daughters of Ur go there this night to sit upon the Sacred Pavement for the first time — and they have waited — may it please your most gracious majesty — these many moons, for this blessed day and time when the great god Nimrod Bilu-Nipru, would be here in his own glorious person to glorify and illumine the auspicious ceremony."
"Waited for me, have they? Well, most of them will wait in vain. Am I a god? Yea, in majesty and prowess; but the clods of nature still hang heavily upon me as the years creep along." He still sat gloomily. Suddenly his features lighted up with joy.
"Call to me the prince of Ur — Terah — and my son Mardan.
TtlE PRINCE 01' UK. 25
Call them at once, I say. Quick, give thy feet wings. The Sa- cred Pavement — tonight — ha, my Princess of the Sun-god, you may not escape me now. Ha, ha, rest easy, my own soul — have I not said that I am a wonder and a marvel? Who can com- pare with me in all the earth? None, none! For was it not sai<l by my grandfather Ham that I should be the mightiest hunter in all the earth? And that nations so far in the womb of time that their features could not be determined for millenniums should know me and should proclaim my name and my prowess when this earth is old and just ready for dissolution? Ha, ha, what shall I fear? Naught but death — and death — here, slaves, call me my augurers. Is not this the night before the Sabbath ? And even I the king can not cast mine augurs tomorrow. Most mis- erable fool that I was to perpetuate so gross a superstition upon my people. But even I must obey mine own laws. So come — ah, here thou art — Elgi, come — cast thine augurs, and see to it that they are bright, or I will have thy head."
At that moment, the heralds cried aloud the names of the Prince Terah, and Mardan.
"Room, I say, room for my host," cried the king lustily ; "and my own mouthy weakling of a courtier son Mardan. Come hither."
"Shall we not await a better time," asked Terah, who saw the crowd of hastily summoned court priests arranging their augurs in their tripods and vessels.
"Nay, nay, these sooth-sayers can continue their devotions in the outer halls. I have but a short message to deliver into thy privileged ears. Stand thou close my dear and favored kinsman — Terah. Have I not — say now — have I not been thy friend ^ Have I not made thee great in the earth? Second only to mine own place and glory dost thou not shine forth ? Have I not kept my word pledged to thee when we were in thy first campaign — old it was to me — even then — that swift onrush of arrowed men — but new and very terrible to thee ? Say — have I not kept thine and my pledge? Have I interfered with thee?"
"Nay, my lord the king, thou hast been true to thy word !"
"Ha, ha — thou sayst truly. For if all the sins and wrongs; of Nimrod were laid up against his door, that of treachery to his own plighted word would not be found therein."
"Speak not of sins, O gracious and holy one," said Mardan softly, as he sat caressing the king's feet. "Thou art without sin. Thy character hast been purged and purified by thy long service to God and man till thou hast come out of the furnace of affliction bright as gold seven times from the furnace pots. Thou art im- mortal as the gods !" Thus spake Mardan, and his light brown eyes melted with the swift hypocritical tears and overflowed into
26 RELUil- SOCIETY MAGAZINn.
his gorgeous abaya. His white hands clasped themselves before his breast in an attitude of eloquence. Nimrod looked piercingly at the eflfeminate youth.
"What art thou? Spawn of a mighty father and a mother conceived in sin ? I know thy kind. And although I pay great sums to have such things as thou sayest carved on my statues and painted on my walls, when I am under the roof of Terah's house I look for the bitter and wholesome truth even from mv own son."
Mardan colored to the roots of his hair. He had spent man\ weary hours in the schools of Ur and had been down to Nippur to further qualify himself in the luxurious art of oratory and courtiership. And now that so excellent a chance to use that pliant tool had presented itself, he was so clumsy and awkward that even the old and flattery-hardened king — his father — could see how raw and crude were his methods. Paugh ! he hated him- self, the king, and above all, he hated his shamed kinsman Terah who had witnessed his second humiliation that day.
"Let us to business," cried the king, turning his back rudely on Mardan. "Prince, I have but this moment accepted the gracious call from my priesthood at the temple to go down to the Pavilion of Mylitta, for this night's gorgeous offerings, and shall remain there resting over the Sabbath day. I am told that there are many choice and high-born damsels of this city who have waited impatiently for this night and the honor of my presence and favor. Say, hast thou not daughters in this house of thine?'"
Terah would have willingly had his tongue torn from its roots, rather than answer that question to the king. But the piercing gaze of his old kinsman and ruler was upon him, and be knew the fire and flame which would leap forth at the least hesi- tation or suppression from him. And if he himself would hide portions of the truth, there was Mardan. What of Mardan ? Traitor, ingrate, apostate? Ah, Terah's load was very heavy on his heart. But speak he must. But how ? What should he say ? Tell the names of those choice and beautiful daughters of his household? Sarai — she was already in mortal danger from thi^ same besotted king. Milcah, Iscah, Irit — his blossoms of pure and perfect womanhood. What should he say? His mind worked quickly with the suddenness of his predicament and its need. He was the arbiter of his children's destinies, so long a^ they remained ever so loosely under the patriarchal order of the priesthood. Terah spoke — not from a thought taken, but from one given from some source he knew not where.
"Sarai is, as you know, my lord, a princess royal of the house of Noah. She is beyond my jurisdiction, except as she may ask and receive my counsel. She stands, by virtue of the death of my wives and their mothers, as the supreme priestess in this house-
n-IE PRINCE OF UR. 27
hold. Her hand has been sought by a dozen kings and poten- tates ; but she would be a sorry mate to one whom she hated or despised. She is her own mistress. Milcah — the little grey dove of the courts of Terah — she, I have betrothed to her kinsman Nahor, and their nuptials are about to be celebrated this very night. So also with Irit, who is likewise to be given to my son, Lot, this very night. They have all but been awaiting my return. The marriages will be solemnized with due ceremony. Therefore, your majesty sees how impossible it will be to comply with your implied invitation."
"Thy tongue runs away with thy wisdom. I said nothing about thy daughters going to Mylitta's Pavilion. But I shall not forget thv apparent wish to put an insult upon thy king — re- member that ! Where is thy son Abram ? I would have speech with him ?'"
"He is at this moment engaged in his priestly duties in our own Holy of Holies. It would be impossible for him to leave the altar at this time, your majesty. You know as well as I the sa- cred nature of those ceremonies."
"Again dost thou offer a refusal for thy guest and thy king? So thou sayst that Abram officiates at an altar? Hast thou or- dained him to the priesthood? Does he wear the sacred robes?" "He is, your majesty, a most worthy and faithful bearer of the sacred preisthoods, which privilege he sought for with pravers and fastings, for some years of his youth before I learned of hjs devotion to the ancient forms of our common religion. So that, when he sought me for the conferring of the rights and offices of that sacred order, I could not gainsay him the privilege, but sent him to Salem to be ordained by Shem. And there he hath remained for thirty years. Since that day, I have been away with thee so nnich of the time that I have left the sacrifices and the ordinances entirely undone. On proper occasions Abram returns, and then he also wears the sacred robes of the royal priesthood as is his right."
"Hum — hum—" mused the king slowly. His mind worked slowly, but his decisions were always reached with lighting speed. The men before him waited with bated breath.
"It is well! Mardan, go you into the ante-chamber and bring to me the latest news of my augurs — for tomorrow is to be one of the greatest days of my whole life. And thou, Terah, carry to thy" priestly son Abram this message: Tomorrow night at the rise of the midnight sun, T shall expect him to be present at the altar of Elkanah. there to oft'er up the human and gloroius sacrifice which shall drench the newly prepared altar, for which thou didst thyself— or thy workmen didst for thee— cast the pat- terns. There we shall ourselves await in full robes the coming of thv son Altrani. and there he shall prove to all Clialdea his loyalty
28 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
to God, his priesthood and his country. Nay, let me put them again in their order to thee : To the god of Chaldea-Bilu-Nipru, then to his priesthood, and finally to his country. Go, my worthy servant and host. Thine audience is over."
Chuckling and chortling with unholy glee, Nimrod saw his erstwhile companion in arms depart with bowed head and crushed mein.
"I'll teach thee Abram — and thee Terah — and thee Sarai. Sarai, ah, ah — Mardan, come hither, come hither quickly."
Mardan flew from the outer halls to throw himself at the huge feet of his royal father, and with fawning kisses, he covered the sandals of his master with assumed devotion.
"Thou young asp, tell me : What power hast thou in this household? Cans't thou procure me a favor, the value of which is so great to me that thou shalt become my supreme heir, and shalt wear my own signet for all time."
Mardan arose, and with his arms extended, he said proudly. — -"Speak, O thou most glorious one, and thy words shall be obeyed, though in process thereof, it raze this palace to the ground."
"Thou art too mouthy, my young brattling. But hist ! Come hither. Cans't thou devise some scheme whereby the young and beautiful princess Sarai can be brought to the Pavilion of Mvlittri this night, after the shades of evening have fallen ? I shall pass all the hours of the morrow's Sabbath in the Temple precincts. But this night is mine own, and I shall have much joy if T can with my royal person receive and initiate the beauteous Sarai into the mysteries of Mylitta's worship."
Mardan colored and bit his lip. But after a moment's thought, he said, with more decision and less pomposity: "Mv lord is the lord of this whole earth. And if his wishes are ex- pressed, it is the duty of his loyal subjects to see that they are obeyed. T know not just how this may be done, but I crave thee to lend me thine own signet, that whatever I shall ask of thine officers and soldiers shall be obeyed implicitly. For mine own retinue, I shall not require it."
The youth looked fixedly at the king, and then with three swift and subtle motions he touched his head, his breast and his knee. With as quick response, his father lifted his left hand up- ward and then swung his right till they were above his head. Mardan turned without a word and swiftly glided out of the royal presence.
"Apostate to the core. In league with witchcrafts and black arts, practiced by the sons of mine own father Cush. What black shadows may not hang over mine own heavens with such a reptile crawling beneath its horizon." Thus mused the king, as Mardan glided away.
THE PRINCE OE UR. 29
Nimrod now gave the signal for his magicians and priests to enter, and together they bent in anxious scrutiny over the vari- ous auguries and portents that had been cast while the king was busy otherwise.
"Shadows, shadows, I see them, my wizards, thou cans't not hide them from my gaze. The vampire has wings for a thousand tombs before the morning light may ring its crimson belts on the summit of the Ziggarut."
"Nay, your majesty. These are but the portents of the great and last human sacrifice which thou hast deigned to permit to dedicate this thy latest Ziggarut. It is meet that the gods should thus signify their great acceptance of thy offering."
"True, true, thou mayst be right. I will not wish it other- wise. But was it not said by father Ham that Nimrod would be the greatest son he ever sired? Then who can dim that glory? Send my steward of the robes. I shall be clothed this night in my royal garments and robes of the priesthood, given to me by father Cush, and from him obtained from father Ham through my grandfather Noah, just after they had left the ark. Men may have other robes, but it is Nimrod who owns and wears the very robe given to father Adam when he was driven out from the gar- dens of Paradise. Here, quickly, robe me in these invincible garments. For no power of heaven or earth shall resist their awful symbolism. The birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the men of this puny earth — and why not the beauteous Sarai — pay homage without stint to him who wears this most holy and mystic robe!"
The Pavement of Mylitta— the Ziggarut, the Sabbath ! These were the thoughts that flung themselves round and round in the monarch's slow brain, and in and out, like tiny mice, blinked and fluttered two names — Abram — Sarai — Abram and Sarai — heaven — hell — death — life and beauty — Abram — Sarai — what engines of power center in the brains of men ! Power for good or power for evil ! But that power — how vast, how incomprehensible, only God Himself may tell.
(to be continued.)
Mental Hygiene for Women Past Fifty.
The twenty-five years, or more, which reach out heyoncl the fifty-year mark for the woman of usual habits' of health, should be years of reasonable occupation for the hands, of pleasant re- flections to the mind, and of long hours of sleep and rest in the quiet chamber, which should be her own. Modern methods do not permit grandmother, always, to have this old-fashioned pass- ing on of her active life. Instead of being allow^ed to work only according to her strength, she is the most over-worked woman in the community. Her strength has waned, but her ambition has not yet passed, and she thinks she can do a great deal more than she can. Consequently, she is generally over-burdened, and is always attempting to do things which her strength will not permit.
The grandmothers who read this article should take them- selve.= in hand, and decide that they — and not others — -shall direct the last twenty-five years of their lives.
What is the usual fear of the woman of fifty and past? Apo- plexy, paralysis, and nervous collapse. These three are grim goblins and they wonder which of the three goblins will get them. Let such women remember that in the first place, if they will con- rrol their appetite, and eat reasonably — eating only needed quan- tities and those things that agree — apoplexy and paralysis are not likely to occur to them. Nervous collapse is for people who spend a great deal of time thinking about themselves. The most danger- ous enemies to our peace of mind are self-pity, self-righteousness, and self-indulgence. Whenever you are inclined to have a crying spell, because you are not j)roperly appreciated, forget yourself, and go out and find others who are not so well situated as you are. Minister to them, and give to them of your tenderest sympathy, and see if your own troubles do not fly away so quickly, you will forget you ever had them. Fear is a very deadly companion, and yet it haunts so many sensitive women, that it becomes almost necessary to treat it as a disease. Then, we would say, forget your fear ; put it far from you by filling your mind with other and hap- pier tlioughts. Loneliness is another form of sufi^ering for those who have reached the age of fifty and past, and yet. in this Church, there is very little necessity for any woman — no matter what her age or condition, to be lonely. Relief Society and Temple work provides women with so much to hear, so much to contribute to
MENTAL HYGlEMi FOR WOMEN PAST FIFTY. 31
the happiness of others, that no Latter-day Saint woman has op- portunity or time for loneliness.
No one should be idle. Idleness begets many sins and much suiTering of body and mind, and, in fact, it makes its inroad into the very spirit itself. Occupation, both pleasant and unpleasant occupation — for we never reach a point when discipline of the spirit is not wholesome and good for us — should be provided for every woman. See that you prepare for yourselves, a line of daily labor which shall be possible for you, or at least that shall be profit- able for those about you. Do not overwork yourselves. Watch for the danger signal ; and when you find that you are overtaxing your physical or mental strength, stop, look, listen. And yet, in this stopping, looking, and listening, do not always be watching for signs of break-down, nor signs of disease in yourselves. Phys- icians tell us that when we watch for a certain disease, it is pretty apt to show itself in our body. A healthy denial of worry, or of any evil, is about the best way to get rid of it. It is almost use- less to say to women "Don't worry," and "Don't be anxious.'' But, at least, worry as little as possible, and be as little anxious as you may. If you do not put helpful, beautiful, and building-up thoughts in your mind, the other power will see that your mind is well-filled with his own particular brand of reflection. "An idle brain is the devil's workshop."
Blessed is the woman who has acquired the habit of reading in early life. When she reaches the age of fifty, and goes beyond, she is then equipped with the best and pleasantest mode of spend- ing her spare time. Cultivate the habit of reading ; read light lit- erature, if you cannot read the more serious, but spend some time each day in reading the scriptures. Association with the great and good of this world — both in the Scriptures, and in good books — will give you a broad outlook upon life, sympathy and understanding of all ages, and peoples of the world, and will pre- pare and qualify you for up-to-date companionship with those you love.
Grandmother should have quiet sleeping quarters. It is neither wise nor healthy to have little children sleep with grand- mother. She should have a chance in the morning to lie and rest, if she chooses ; and yet, on the other hand, if she likes to get up early, let her do so, and give her some little work in the garden, or some little chore about the house, that will be equal to her strength, and which will employ and occupy her to her own de- light and profit.
Grandmothers should not interfere with the raising of their children's children. The methods of their children, in raising their families, may not be so good as grandmothers ; but at least, children should be allowed to carry out their own ideas. Learn to shut vour eves, and vour ears, to cvervthing but that which con-
32 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
cerns yourself. Above all things, avoid self-pity. Never feel that you are neglected and abused.
Avoid interference with anybody's affairs but your own ; and learn to occupy your own mind with healthy, pure, upright thoughts. Try all the time to build up righteousness ; and not to tear down people. Relief Society and Temple work provides the women of this Church — past the age of fifty — with the very best activity that can possibly be conceived of. No woman need be idle, nor unhappy ; no woman need be lonely, who lives anywhere near a Temple district, or who is within the radius of the Relief Society. You lose your troubles in finding others' ; you lose yoiu'- self in finding others."
Let us close with the inspired hygiene instructions found in Section 88, of the Doctrine and Covenants :
"See that ye love one another ; cease to be covetous ; learn to impart one to another, as the gospel requires ; cease to be idle ; cease to be unclean ; cease to find fault one with another ; cease to sleep longer than is needful. Retire to thy bed early, that you may not be weary ; arise early that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bonds of charity as with a mantle, which is the bond of per- fectness and peace."
This paragraph contains the germs of every truth taught by physicians, Christian Scientists and philosophers. Engrave it on your memories and be healed.
The superintendent of police in Philadelphia has issued orders that there must be no more bare legs in theatrical entertainments. Here are the or^^ers in full, and the Salt Lake authorities would do well to "make note on :"
"The act of April 13, 1911, makes it unlawful for any per- son to give or participate in, or for the owners of any building to permit any sacrilegious, obscene or indecent performances. The following are immoral and indecent :
"1 — The appearance on the stage of any theater of a female performer in nude or semi-nude condition, with the body or lower limbs naked.
"2 — The exhibition of any picture of a female performer — showing the performer in a suggestive pose.
"3 — The portrayal of a dope fiend.
"4 — Using on the stage of any indecent, profane, or im- moral language, joke or story.
"5 The portrayal of any degenerate," '
The Bride's Mother.
Nabby Howe.
She stood like a half-blown rose, her golden brown hair, her liquid brown eyes, and her shell pink cheeks rising from her velvet white neck like a flower upon its stem. Her white-slippered feet peeped in and out of the filmy laces of her gown, as she moved restlessly, while her mother kneeled before her, adjusting her dress with quick and tasteful fingers.
"You know, Mother, I shall never love anybody just like I love you."
The mother looked up into the exquisite face upon her, and sm.iled with misty eyes.
"Yes, INIother," went on the tender, laughing voice, "you are the only n: other I shall ever have, and I think you are my onliest only."
In a few moments, the bride and her mother were released from their pretty toil, and the mother said to her restless daugh- ter, "Sit down. Flora: there is a full hour before your guests will arrive, and I have a story to tell you."
IMoved at once by the solemn thrill in her mother's voice, the restless girl fluttered down, and nestling on the couch beside her niother, she said seriously, "Is it a happy, story. Mother, for you know I want to be happy today ; it is my wedding day."
"Dear child," replied her mother, "it is a story that will make you happy all the days of your life, if you will heed its moral :
"You are now a young lady, but before you came to this earth I had a very remarkable and stirring experience. I had borne eight children, and I felt convinced that I had done my duty by society and by my children ; and so I told your father that I shoul 1 have no more chihlren. Your father is a very wise man, and when I announced my decision, he made no comment other than to look at me with that piercing glance which, as you know, cuts clear through to the heart. However, I was determined, and al- though I took no means of prevention, except the very natural and legitimate one — if indeed it is ever natural or legitimate for women to refuse to have children — at least I adoptel no criminal methods to carry out my purpose.
"Three years from that time, the Salt Lake Temple was dedi- cated ; T was chosen as a worker, you know ; and at one of the first dedicatory services, I met a brother with whom I had been acquainted all mv life, but who knew nothing of our family lives, for he had lived in a distant town for a number of years. He came up to me, and. looking straight into my face, said, 'We have had the word of the Lnrrl this morning. Sister.'
34 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
" 'Oh,' I replied, 'don't you always get the word of the Lord when you are in the presence of the President of the Church ?"
" 'Yes,' said he, 'hut the word of the Lord came this time to you.'
" 'What was it,' I asked.
"And looking me straight in the eye, he replied : 'Any woman who refuses to have children for her husband shall be cut off, and will wither and die like a broken twig.'
"The shock of this announcement was very severe, and I said to myself, 'That is surely the word of the Lord to me.'
"A few nights after this, I dreamed that I went over on the Other Side. I saw a personage approaching, with two little boys — one on each side of the angel. I knew them instantly, it seemed, and exclaimed, 'Oh, those are my little boys.'
" 'Yes,' replied the angel, 'they would have been, but you re- fused to have them.'
"T must have them,' I replied; 'I am ready to have them now.'
" 'No,' he answered, 'you will never have these little boys.'
"And now, my darling, you and your little Sister Naomi were born after that time, and no mother welcomed a child more eagerly than I welcomed you.
"I tell you this, as a warning, a solemn warning, for your future guidance. Remember my darling that you made your cov- enants at the altar with your husband this morning to multiply and replenish the earth, and any refusal on our part to keep the commandments of God will sooner or later bring the punishment."
With a sob in her throat, the beautiful girl bride caught her mother and murmured, as she clung to her, "Mother, I will re- member— I will never forget."
ATTENTION TO SUBSCRIBERS.
Agents for the Relief Society Magazine will receive a 10 per cent discout for all subscriptions obtained. All individual subscriptions sent into this office must be ac- companied with $1.00, as there is no discout allowed to single subscribers. All expenses incurred by agents — such as postage, postal orders, etc., — must be borne by the agents themselves.
Notes from the Field.
By the General Secretary, Mrs. Amy B. Lyman.
The new Relief Society books for secretaries, treasurers, and teachers will be ready for distribution early in January, and will be sent directly to the stake presidents. Several orders for books have been sent to the general ofBce from wards, but have been returned as this ofifice is not deHvering such books to the wards.
Mrs. Mattie J. Ballard, president of the Relief Society in the Northern States Mission, reports a very successful visit to the branches of the Church in Montana. Regular Relief Society conferencess were held at Spokane and Anaconda. The president of the Spokane branch is Mrs. Amelia Clufif, and the president of the Anaconda branch is Mrs. Annie Amer. At Butte, a re- organization of the Society took place when Mrs. Margaret Boam was sustained as president. At Helena a new society was or- ganized with Mrs. Violet Brazer as President. The branches all show a keen and active interest in the work, and the members are doing all they can to further the same. The Spokane branch is making pillow cases to donate to the cottage for elders, at the Fort Pick Indian Reservation.
Mrs. Emily S. Richards and Phebe Y. Beatie were ap- pointed by Governor Spry to attend the 1915 International Peace Congress held at San Francisco.
The School of Nursing and Obstetrics is progressing nicely. There has never been a brighter or more earnest class of students in attendance. Most of the members of the class expect to take up the practice of nursing and obstetrics, while several mem- bers— young ladies and mothers — are taking the course simply to prepare themselves to be a help in their own homes, and a benefit to society in general
On Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1915, President Emmeline B. Wells visited the Willard ward of the Box Elder stake, by special invi- tation, the exercises being planned entirely in her honor. Pres- ident Wells was accompanied by Mrs. Amy Brown Lyman. As this was the regular meeting day of the Society, two sessions were held. At noon the Assembly adjourned to the basement, where a delicious luncheon was served from snowv white tables, deco-
36 RELllLl' SOClliTY MAGAZINE.
rated with beautiful, fall flowers. Covers were laid for one hun- dred and twenty. President Wells was greeted on all sides by- old acquaintances and friends, and enjoyed the visit thoroughly. She spoke at both sessions, and her remarks were highly appre- ciated by the 145 members in attendance. At the close of the afternoon session, the visitors were driven to the station, where, with their arms loaded with flowers, they bade their hospitable friends good-bye.
In Liberty ward of Bear Lake stake, the women take lunch and spend a day during the holidays with each aged family in the ward.
In St. Charles ward. Bear Lake stake, during the year 1914, thirty aged women and widows were entertained at their own homes.
The Trenton ward, last year, raised $137.05 for the Belgian relief fund.
In the Willard ward, of Box Elder stake, last Thanksgiving, the Pelief Society sent Thanksgiving dinners to nine aged peo- ple. This ward also sewed twelve days for those in need.
Kanab ward Relief Society took full care of one sick woman for four months.
Afton ward — Star Valley stake — prepared a Christmas tree last year for their hospital.
In South Ephraim ward, twenty women sewed one-half day each for motherless children in the town.
In Mt. Pleasant ward, twenty-seven families were remem- bered at Christmas. In Mt. Pleasant north, eighteen families were remembered at Christmas, making together in this small place forty-five families.
The newly reorganized Salt Lake stake Relief Society has a fine choir, under the leadership of that favorite singer, Mrs. Agnes Olsen Thomas.
Reorganizations have recently been made in the Relief So- cieties of several stakes. At the organization of the new Port- neuf stake. Mrs. Dicey V\\ Henderson was made president. Mrs.
NOTES I' ROM THE FIELD. 37
Henderson was at the time of the change, president of the Poca- tello stake. The office left vacant by this change was filled by Mrs. Emily Gladwin, of Pocatello, Idaho.
Davis stake was divided a few months ago into North and South Davis. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Ford who had been the president was retained as president of South Davis, and Mrs. Emma J. D. Strong was made president of North Davis.
At a recent special conference held in South Sanpete, Presi- dent Abigail Shoemaker was honorably released from her position on account of illness, and Mrs. Hannah Christensen was chosen to take her place as president in this thriving stake.
Mrs. Florence B. Crittenden of Hoytsville has been made president of Summit stake, to fill the vacancy made by the resig- nation of Mrs. Sarah A. Lewis, who has been a very capable and earnest officer.
Mrs. Harriet B. Harker, president of Salt Lake stake for many years, has resigned from this position on account of change of residence. Mrs. Harker was succeeded by Mrs. Hattie Jensen, her former counselor. The Salt Lake stake has always been an active and thoroughly up-to-date stake, and Mrs. Harker has maintained this high grade of excellence throughout. It will be remembered that Mrs. Harker was at one time a very active and efficient member of the General Board.
At the reorganization of Liberty stake, Mrs. Lottie Paul Baxter was chosen as president. The Liberty stake has been pre- sided over for several years by Mrs. Effie Ensign Merrill, who has recently removed to her old home in Logan. Mrs. Merrill, an active and energetic young woman, achieved unusual results during the short period of her presidency.
At a conference held in Ensign stake on November 19, Mrs. Elise B. Alder was chosen president. Mrs. Alder fills the place which was made vacant by the death of Mrs. Margaret Romney. Mrs. Pomney had for many years devoted her life and energy to Relief Society work, and her death was mourned by the hundreds she had comforted and befriended. Mrs. Alder is the daughter of Mrs. Louisa B. Benson, who is at the present time, the capable president of the Oneida stake, one of the largest in the Church.
Snowflake Stake History.
In response to many inquiries, we give here a model history, as prepared hy the Secretary of the Snowflake stake. It is brief, comprehensive, and very interesting. We would not wish other stakes to copy it in detail, but to use it as a suggestive form on which to base their own history. It is as follows :
SNOWFLAKE HISTORICAL REPORT.
At a quarterly conference of the Eastern Arizona stake, held at Snowflake, Dec. 18, 1887, Apostle John Henry Smith divided the stake. A portion was called the St. Johns stake, and the re- mainder, to which was added the Little Colorado stake, was to be known as the Snowflake stake.
The Relief Society was also organized by Apostle John Henry Smith. When the stakes were divided there were thirteen soci- eties.
The different Stake Boards have gotten up theatres, enter- tainments, dances, served suppers and luncheons, etc. From 1900 to 1915 they have raised $303.90.
The Stake Boards have sent one sister to be trained for a nurse. They were also instrumental, together with the Stake Presidency, in obtaining the services of Sister Maud L. Ditty, of Salt Lake City, to come to Snowflake and teach a nurse class of twenty-three students.
They have assisted with all public buildings in the commu- nity, and erected a monument to the memory of Sister Sarah Driggs, a former stake officer.
We did not engage in silk raising in our stake, but for a number of years, through the "90's," we saved money for a woolen factory. The money was later put into the stake academy.
We prepared written study outlines for the Societies for a number of years, 1909 to 1912, and for 1913 we got out a printed outline.
We have assisted in building the Academy and other public buildings to the amount of $1,559.50.
Value of clothing distributed to the poor, $845.06.
Labor performed for various purposes, $378.00.
Some of these figures have been estimated, as accounts have not been carefully kept.
1. Number of dozens of Sunday eggs gathered by the So- cieties, 1,233.
2. Number of quilts, comforts and blankets made, 1.013.
SNOW FLAKE STAKE HISTORY. 39
3. Number of yards of carpets, 1,152; rugs, 16 yards.
4. Number of bushels of wheat saved, 103. Beans saved. 204 bushels.
5. The Societies have built three houses and bought inter- est in one.
6. Number of Church works and other books collected, 87.
7. Number of acres of land ow^ned by the Societies, 3 41-160 acres.
8. .\mount of cash donated to Temples. $44.25. Donations were made to help build the Salt Lake Temple, but no account has been kept of it.
9. Number of dead for whom ordinance work has been done, only one.
10. Number of missionaries helped, 140.
11. Number of sick visited, 19,262 visits, approximated.
12. Number of dead clothed and prepared for burial, 273. \'alue of Temple aprons furnished in one ward. $7.00.
13. Number of bazars or fairs held, 18.
Our Societies own stock in Arizona Co-operative Mercantile Institution, to the amount of $357.28, and in banks, $390.00.
Lulu J. Smith, Stake Secretary.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE SNOWFLAKE ST.\KE RELIEF SOCIETY.
PresidExXts: Ennna S. Smith,* Dec. 18, 1887, to Aug. 11, 1905; Mary J. R. West, Aug. 11, 1905, to June 4, 1911 ; Nellie M. Smith, June 4, 1911, to July, 1915 (In office at this writing).
First Counselors: Emily J. Lewis, Dec. 18, 1887. to 1893 : Sarah Driggs. Aug. 28, 1893, to Aug. 11, 1905; Emma L. Smitli, Aug. 13, 1905, to June 4, 1911 ; Belle H. Flake, June 4, 1911, to May 15, 1915 ; Ann S. Shumway. May 15, 1915, to the present.
Second Counselors: Sarah Driggs, Dec. 18, 1887, to Aug. 28, 1893 ; Ruth A. Hatch, Aug. 28, 1893, to Nov. 21, 1895 ; Marv
I. R. West, Nov. 21, 1895, to Aug. 11, 1905 ; Belle H. Flake. Aug.
II. 1905, to June 4, 1911 ; Ann S. Shumway, June 4, 1911. to May 15, 1915 ; Dena S. Hulet, May 15, 1915, to the present.
Secretaries : Delia Fish Smith, March 9, 1888, to March 17, 1910; Laura Baird, March 17, 1910, to June 4, 1911; Maud F. Ramsay, June 4, 1911, to May 31, 1914; Lulu J. Smith, May 31, 1914, to the present.
Asslstant Secretaries: Lois Hunt, Nov. 21, 1895, to Nov.
27, 1897 : Margaret Smith. Nov. 27, 1897, to ; .\nnie Rogers.
Februarv, 1907. to ; Laura Baird, March 23, 1909. to March
17, 1910; Lulu J. Smith. March 31, 1910, to May 31. 1914; Phi- lena Miller, May 31, 1914, to the present.
Treasurers. Jemima W. Smith, June 1, 1888, to June 2. 1800; Janet :\r. Smith. Time 2. 1890, to 'March 31, 1910: Lulu J.
40 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
Smith, March 31, 1910, to May 31, 1914; Philena Miller, May 31, 1914, to the present.
Officers of the Eastern Arizona stake, from which Snowflake stake was taken :
Presidents : Wilmirth East, June 27, 1880, to July 1, 1883 ; Emma S. Smith, July 1, 1883, to Dec. 18, 1887.
First Counselors : Emma S. Smith, July 12, 1880, to July 1, 1883 ; Lois B. Hunt, Sept. 28, 1883, to March 1, 1885 ; Emily J. Lewis, Dec. 11, 1885, to Dec. 18, 1887. Sister Lois B. Hunt was burned to death.
Second Counselors : Lois B. Hunt, July 12, 1880, to July 1. 1883 ; Frances White, Sept. 28, 1883, to Dec. 18, 1887.
Secretaries : Ida F. Hunt Udall, July 12, 1880, to Sept. 12, 1884; Delia Fish Smith, Sept. 12, 1884, to Dec. 18, 1887.
Treasurer: Eliza J. Fish, July 12, 1880, to Dec. 18, 1887. At the time the stake was divided there were thirteen soci- eties all doing fairly well.
Following is the disbursements of the society from 1880 to 1887:
\
Disbursed for charitable purposes $ 482.35
" • " emigration 36.50
" stake house 61.50
" Deseret hospital 65.00
" home industries 240.11
" books 41.40
" " missionaries 41.39
" Indians 5.55
" buildings ; 443.76
$1,417.56
STAKE AND WARD GENEALOGICAL COMMITTEES, ATTENTION.
We desire to have a canvas made, this winter, for all the women in this Society to become annual or life members of the Genealogical Society of Utah. Once a life member, and there are no more dues to pay. No adult in the Church can afford to neglect this plain duty. The labors of this Society lie at the root of all our Temple work. Let us secure ten thousand life members for the Genealogical Society, during the year 1916. What the Relief Society sisters atempt will be a success. God bless the Relief Society !
Current Topics.
By James H. Anderson.
The Mexican revolution seems to be growing smaller in ex- tent, though not less bloody in its methods.
TJic mining industry of Utah produced upwards of fifty mil- lions of dollars in the precious metals in 1915. That is $125 per capita for Utah's population.
Japan announces a readiness to send an army into Europe to assist its allies there. Yet, with German-Hungarian-officers train- ing China's soldiery, the shrewd Jap is likely to keep his "weather- eye" open preferably in that direction.
A sugar factory at Delta, Utah, seems to be a near proba- bility, a company having been organized with that in view. There also is a movement for such a factory at Brigham City. At the same time some of the other factories are closing down early, owing to a shortage in this season's beet crop.
The intcrurban raihvay main station opposite the southwest corner of Temple Square in Salt Lake City is looked on in a very favorable light by passengers who come into the city over the interurban lines, and whose general convenience is greatly en- hanced by the new location.
Morocco has become a civilized country, safe to travel in, and producing abundant crops instead of being nine-tenths waste, and all this since the French occupied it ten years ago. French lib- erality in governing the country also has resulted in great benefit to the natives.
Greece has yielded to the demand of Great Britain and France not to interfere with their troops should the latter be driven from Bulgaria or Servia into Greece. It was the only way by which Constantine could remain on the Greek throne in existing circum- stances, and even yet his position is of uncertain tenure.
Increase of internal taxation is proposed by the American na- tional administration, whereby smaller incomes than the present legal limit will be taxed, and the "war-tax" measure extended to other articles of cnrnmon use than now provided. The prospec-
42 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
tive revenue for the national government under the present law is estimated to be $115,000,000 less than will be required for the ordinary expenses of 1915.
Stripping of all supplies the portion of Russia and Belgium occupied by the invaders is reported to be the active policy of the latter, to the extent that the death rate among children remaining in those localities is greatly increased, by reason of insufificient sustenance. Thus dominant militarism knows no distinction of sympathy between the helpless infant and the soldier on the firing line, in its disregard of human life.
Death by reckless driving of automobiles of several persons seems at last to have awakened some public officers in Salt Lake City to the enforcement of the law forbidding vehicles to run past standing street cars rfom which passengers are alighting. If of- ficials chosen to enforce the law had done this earlier, there would have been less mourning among families whose bereavement came because of the neglect.
Tzi'enty children were burned to death at St. John's parochial school at Peabody, Mass., when a little crippled child fell and blocked the way of children trying to escape from the burning building. No school building should be limited to a single exit, however sufficient it may prove at a "fire-drill" when there is no visible cause of excitement.
Hamburg-American steamship company officials in New York are shown in a trial in the federal court there to have vio- lated the laws of the United States by sending a dozen or more ships from American ports to deliver supplies to German warships at sea.
Berlin, advices say the British Mesopotamian army marched over from Egypt ; this is denied by British authorities. The fact is that the Mesopotamian army came up the valley of the Eu- phrates from the Persian Gulf, while the large British army which left Egypt and the Suez Canal is in Southern Palestine, but the censorship permits little information regarding its movements to leak through. Enough comes, however, to show that Britain has an eye on the possession of the whole of Syria as an outcome of the present war.
Dr. Haiselden, a Chicago physician, permitted a babe to die for lack of an operation which he said would save its life, his reason being that if the child lived it would be mentally defective. It is a dangerous thing, however, to permit any individual doctor
CLUiRENr TOPICS. 43
to pass finall}- on such matters, since perfect judgment thereon, morally, is not vouchsafed in any training for the medical pro- fession.
Equal suffrage for women was defeated in five eastern states in recent elections ; but the fact that more than a million male voters recorded their ballots in its favor is such a wonderful stride beyond what was possible even five years ago that the equal suffragists have abundant cause for feeling gratified, and for continuing on the highway to ultimate success, which is due within a comparatively brief period.
TJie Hills from case in Utah came to a close by the execution of the double-murderer. When President Wilson interposed for the second time — this last occasion being at the request of the American Federation of Labor, which was not fully informed on the case — and intimated in his telegram to Mr. Gompers, the Fed- eration head, that Hillstrom had not obtained justice at his trial, the action of the President was regarded in this locality as very unfair to Utah, being an encouragement to the campaign of law- less threats instituted on behalf of the condemned murderer.
The Ancona, an Italian ocean-line steamship, was sunk by an Austrian submarine, which fired on the passengers as they were being lowered into the small boats. Among the more than 200 passengers lost were twenty-seven American citizens. The Aus- trian government holds that it is not amenable under the rule in the case of the Liisitania, since notice from the United States was sent only to Germany. American sentiment, however, regards Austria as much more culpable than Germany, since the dual monarchy knew all the diplomacy of that situation, and had no excuse of ignorance for killing unarmed neutrals, or even firing on the helpless men, women and children of belligerent nations.
Nineteen millions of people, it is estimated, have passed through the gates of the San Francisco Exposition during the year, 1915.
The European zvritcrs are discussing, very earnestly, the prob- lem of the so-called war-babies. Over 180,000 of these babies, it is said, were born in Germany alone. Societies are studying the problem of removing the stigma from the generally helpless moth- ers and the innocent babies.
Home Science Department.
Janet fe A. Hyde.
Receips, by Mme. Rorer, given in her classes in Salt Lake City, August, 1915.
Children should be taught very early in life to eat the things which are best for them. Each child has its own likes and dis- likes, but every mother should see to it that her children have the proper nourishment taken into the body in spite of personal tastes. If a child does not care for a certain thing, don't try to make him eat it — the body will take care of itself. But encourage a taste for things you know are good for him.
Fats are never digested, they are assimilated ; fat is the only food that is not digested. Fat taken into the body remains as fat in the body. Starch taken into the body is changed into sugar ; sugar taken into the body is changed into acid.
People have gone shortening mad; and the desire for friel foods is said by some to be a great cause of cancer. Cancer is very prevalent where pork is used to excess and foods swim in fat.
When we realize that Mme. Rorer's new book on Bread- making contains 9,000 pages, we can see how much there is to be learned in this one line of cookery.
Scotch Scones. — The ingredients are one cup of milk, two cups of flour, one egg, two level teaspoonfuls baking powder, one- half teaspoonful salt, one tablespoonful of shortening. Add the baking powder, the salt and the shortening to the flour and mix thoroughly. Beat the eggs and add the milk. Pour milk and egg into the flour. Drop into a dish and put in a quick oven. Bake in twenty minutes.
Nut Bread. — The same recipe is used, except that the short- ening is omitted and two-thirds of a cup of nuts added. After the mixture is prepared, let it stand ten minutes to raise. It should bake forty-five minutes in a moderate oven. Nut bread should never be cut until the next day.
Egg Rolls. — This recipe is the same as for Scotch scones ex- cept that two-thirds of a cup of milk is used. Roll out moderately thin, cut into a circle, fold over, press together and bake.
Pin Wheels. — Use the same dough as for egg rolls. Roll into a thin sheet. Spread thinly with butter, thickly with sugar, dust over a little cinnamon and a few currants. Roll and cut into small sections. In baking; the sections should not be placed too closely together.
Plain Mush Bread. — For plain mush bread put one pint of milk over the fire. .\dd one cup of cornmeal. Stir until you have
HOME SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. 45
a smooth mush. Take from the fire, add one-half teaspoonful of salt, the yolks of four e^-^s. Fold in the whites of four eggs. Bake in a moderate oven for about a half hour.
Milk Biscuits. — Use recipe for Scotch scones ; add three- fourths of a cup of milk, and omit the egg.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
Peony plants may be divided once in every three years, which will usually give from two to four plants. Two-year-old plants, field grown, from divisions, are the best with which to start a bed of peonies.
The old-fashioned hollyhock will grow in any good garden loam in a well drained location. For fine results, give it a soil made of good lime stone loam, enriched with well-rotted horse manure, and a dusting of bone meal in the spring.
Before the discovery of the German mines, wood ashes were one of the main sources of potash. Unleeched hard-wood ashes contain from five to seven per cent potash. Soft wood ashes are somewhat lower in potash content. Wood ashes that have been leeched or exposed to the weather, contain only a small amount of potash, and that only the less available portion — leval ashes — con- tain no available potash or other plant food. Beet sugar molasses is c|uite rich in potash, and some potash may be expected as a by- product from this source.
Rose colored sentimen for Christmas basket : I shall give her the gift of always seeing the bright side of everything. That gift will be more to her than beauty or riches or honors. It is not so much matter what color one's eyes are, as what one sees with them. There is a bright side to everything, if people only knew it, and the best eyes are those which are able to see this bright side. — Harriet Beecher Stowe.
A Bed of Petunias. The seed of single petunias may be sown quite early in hot beds or in window boxes, but seed sown in a properly prepared bed will do about as well, except that the flowers may be a few days later. Petunia plants should not be more than eighteen inches apart, as they mass well, and produce a brilliant display that lasts all summer. Care should be taken not to cover the seeds too deep, as they are so very small they are liable to decay if they are planted too deep. Place the seeds on the surface of the earth and press or rub the surface gently with a
46 KliLllJ- SOCn.lV M-K.-l/JMi.
hue or board, which causes the seeds to drop among the particles of soil on the surface. This is one of the cheapest but ni'>st de- lightful fli)\ver beds it is jiossible to secure at small cost.
X'cgetables contain a consiiierable amount of protein, in pro- portion to their bulk, and if one could eat enough, the body would be well nourished with them alone, but our stomachs are not made to accommodate large masses of bulky food, so vegetables must be supplemented by other articles.
X'egctables boiled in a large amount of water, which is turned down the sink, lose their most valuable elements. They should be steamed or .served in a sauce made of the cooking water, which should be as little as possible.
POEMS BY EMMELINE R. WELLS.
The second edition of Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells' poems, just issued, will be welcomed by legions of friends and admirers of that remarkable woman and inspired writer. Every Relief Soci- ety library will no doui)t be supplied with a volume, for the book is filled with the tender eflFusions of a jxietic mind and contains the rich flow of an inspirational y>qu. President Wells has been writ- ing for three-quarters of a century ; and there is an exquisite grace, and a charming melody in every single poem enclosed in the col- lection. Moreover, the pages breathe the fixed integrity of a soul at One with God. Our sisters should read and reflect upon the chaste and exalted sentiments here reflected and their minds will be enlarged and puriflctl by the lovely spirit which radiates from these poems. We heartily commend this book to every lover of the beautiful, and that is every woman in the Relief Society. The General Board begins the sale by each subscribing for a volume. It is marvelous that our President, eighty-seven years of age. >hould present such a noble work at her time of life, and her friends will manifest their appreciation of this feat by rallying to the quick and complete sale of this limited edition. Quite a sum of money for the cost of publication, was generously raised by the Utah Woman's Press Club, and the balance will surely be forth- coming through the sale of the book.
EDITORIAL
Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Motto — Chanty Never Faileth.
THE GENERAL BOARD
Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells President
Mrs. Clarissa S. Willi.'.ms First Counselor
Mrs. Julina L. Smith Second Counselor
Mrs. Amy Brown Lyman General Secretary
Mrs. Susa Young Gates Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Emma A. Empey Treasurer
Mrs. Sarah Jenne Cannon Mrs. Carrie S. Thomas Miss Edna May Davis
Dr. Romania B. Penrose Mrs. Alice MerrillHorne Miss Sarah McLelland
Mrs. Emily S. Richards Mrs. Priscilla P. Jennings Mrs. Elizabeth C. Crismon
Mrs. Julia M. P. Farnsworth Mrs. Elizabeth S. Wilcox Mrs. Janette A. Hyde
Mrs. Phoebe Y. Beatie Mrs. Rebecca Niebaur Nibley Miss Sarah Eddington
Mrs. IdaS. Dusenberry Mrs. Elizabeth C. McCune
Mrs. Lizzie Thomas Edward, Music Director Miss Edna Coray, Organist
RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE
Editor '. Susa Young Gates
Business Manager Janette A. Hyde
Assistant Manager Amy Brown Lyman
Room 29, Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah
Vol. III. JANUARY, 1916. No. 1.
A NEW YEAR RESOLVE.
The icy dawn of New Year's Day brings to The New most of us the traditions and memories
Year's Dawn. which cling with more or less pleasure, min- gled with more or less regret, around this yearly festival. We are inclined to look back over the past year. and — in spite of our refusal to be guided by out-worn sentimental- ism — to make a few quiet resolves as sign-posts for the coming year. We will be kinder, will visit the sick oftener, minister to the needy, and comfort the bereaved more zealously than we have heretofore done. We will study, learn, read more, acquaint our- selves more fully with the history, the science, the literature ol the world. We will practice a more rigid economy, will get out of debt, save a little money — all these good resolutions flit over the surface of our minds and find more or less lodgment there.
There is a passage in one of the early sections The Word of the Doctrine and Covenants which should
of the Lord. burn itself into the breast of every Latter-
day Saint who is. or may be, called a Saint. It is found in vSection 18, in a revelation given to the Prophet,
48 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
ou lining the mission and ministry of the Twelve Apostles. We are there told, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God ***** And if it so be," continues the rev-
elation, "that you should labor all your days in crying repentence unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul, unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father." One soul ! Think of the weight and value of this saying. Think of the bliss which will be ours if even one soul clasps our hand in eternity, and acknowledges that soul's debt before the Throne of Grace. Think also, of the exquisite misery which would over- whelm us if one soul looked us in the face there, and declared that his or her downfall was caused by our idle words, or our evil neglect. Ah, these are New Year thoughts which must give us pause.
When my New Year comes, I shall sit in My New Year's communion with my own soul, while I ques- Resolve. tion the past and prepare for the future. And
the one dominant thought will be : have I helped to save, or have I caused to stumble, one soul during the year 1915? Then quenching my useless regrets, and pleading pardon for my mistakes, there will emerge one vital question :
I may do many things : A good word in sea- What Can I son, a kind act performed when most needed ;
Do to Save and, above all, a strict attention, on my own
One Soul? part, to the laws of the gospel so that my
own inner light shall shine brightly — prayer daily — all these will help me to help others. Then there is one sure way I may take, one certain path I may tread, that will lead me to this goal of all my desires — it is the path which leads my willing feet to the doors of the Temple. Here are waiting souls to save — thousands of them. And if I will attend but one day — in the spirit and meaning thereof — how easily will my prayer be answered, my resolve be accomplished ! And so I sit communing with my New Year resolve, determining that longing shall be re- placed by action, resolve by deeds ; and that I shall redeem at lea.st one soul during the year of 1916.
Wild extravagance in gift-giving is a menace to society. It breeds selfishness and greed and corrupts both those who give and those who receive. Be wise in this, as in all things.
Guide Lessons.
LESSON I.
Theology and Testimony.
First Week, February, 1916. WOMEN OF THE BIBLE.
SARAH AND HAGAR.
References: Genesis 11:29, 30; 12:11, 20; 16:1, 6; 17:15- 22; 18:9-15;20;21;23;Heb. 11; I Pet. 3 :16; Gal. 4:22-31.
The character of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is presented in the Bible in g-eneral outlines. If she is to be understood, and loved, however, the student should know much of oriental lore, should understand the nature of Sarah's association with her hus- band and her household, and should also be somewhat familiar with Hagar's upbringing and Egyptian character. We give all the Bible references to Sarah, and suggest that each of them be read to the class, with the context. If any have a volume of Josephus, or the Book of Jasher, or a good encyclopedia, study them carefully as to the side-lights given of Sarah.
It is natural for those who look upon Abraham's family rela- tions with unsympathetic eyes to allow all their sympathy to go to Hagar, in the events of Sarah's later years. Let us consider, first, however, the story as given us by Moses in the Book of Genesis, and see what Sarah was, as shown by these facts.
Sarah was the niece of Abram — so we are told by Jewish commentators. She was of superb beauty, supremely intelligent, true to the gospel in the midst of the hixury and temptations around her, in the pagan city of Ur. After her marriage with Abram, she joined him in his wanderings, sharing his toils and his triumphs, as any good wife should. The}^ lived in tents, as do the bedouins of today. She was with Abram when he jour- ne^■ed down to Egypt, and suggested a wa}" to secure the favor of the Pharaoh — through her own beauty and charm. The plan worked, but God punished Pharaoh for desiring Sarah, and so severely afflicted the king, that he felt justified in reproaching Abram for his duplicity in telling a half-truth about Sarah's rela- tionship to him. The same incident occurred years later — Sarah still being so beautiful and magnetic that Abimelech — shepherd king of Gehar, — appropriated her, was stricken nigh unto death, discovered her relationship to Abram. reproached him for his de-
50 • RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
ceit, at the same time offering the subtle reproof to Sarah of a covering of her eyes, showing that she went about unveiled, as did the Assyrian and Egyptian women.
While they were down in Egypt, Sarah acquired an Egyptian bondwoman, Hagar, said by the Rabbis to be a daughter of Pha- raoh. Abram returned to his own land, having acquired great riches, but was childless. The Lord, who came to Abram in a vision, promised seed to the grieving couple. At the second an- nouncement, Sarah — who was past the child-bearing period — laughted in unbelief at such a statement. But later, she was so anxious to see its fulfilment, that she gave her bondwoman, Hagar, to her husband as a concubine, which was a relation peculiar to ancient, oriental life. Hagar, fiercely proud and jeal- ous of both Abram's and Sarah's love and favor, gradually usurped the rightful position of her mistress, and so cruelly goad- ed and taunted Sarah, that she chastised Hagar who fled to the wilderness. Here Hagar was met by an angel who told her to return to her mistress and submit herself in good part to Sarah, who had a right to expect obedience and respect from her bond- woman.
Sarah was both wise and magnetic. She was proud and self- willed. But when the voice of authority spoke, she was ready to listen. Impulsive, generous, noble, pure, high-principled, broal-minded, and truthful, she was a queen in her own right. Her husband was the greatest character in the Bible, and she was his true mate. Keturah, no doubt, was acquainted with Sarah, an! was married to Abram after Hagar's departure.
Hagar's early life, training, and inheritance, we may infer unfitted her to associate on equal terms with the Semites. She was an Egyptian — passionately proud, vindictively jealous, and with a personal ambition that stopped at nothing to gratify itself. Might was right in her country, and love and justice were very elastic terms. One sorrows at her cruel sufferings, but out of her story there is one lasting lesson : the cruelt}^ of selfishness. She and her son possessed quick generosity as to worldly matters, with narrow selfishness that wills to gratify selfish love, selfish hate, or selfish ambition, though all else be lost.
The subsequent events — the birth of Ishmael, the intolerant pride of both Hagar and her son, the birth of Isaac, with the continued abuse of Hagar, and the insolence of Ishmael at the christening of Isaac — all of these are plainly indicated in the story. Does anyone think Abram would have allowed Hagar to go away with her son unless there had been- good and sufficient cause? Would the Lord have counseled him to do so, simply to satisfy a demand of Sarah's? The text does not so indicate. The insults heaped upon the child Isaac -by his half-brother Ish- mael must have been more than mere boyish taunts.
GUIDE LESSONS. 51
And Sarah said unto Abram, "My wrong be upon thee; I have given my maid into thy Ijosom ; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes." How significant is this brief paragraph! And again (chap. 21 :8) : "And the child grew, and was weaned ; and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar, the Egyptian, which she had born nnto Abraham, mocking."
Sarah had a noble pride that would both give and take. Hagar's pride allowed her only to give. She would not receive, nor submit, except under compulsion. Their relations to Abraham did not alter their inborn characters, it only permitted the fullest expression thereof. Reverse their positions, if you can. and thus learn the difiference. We love Sarah ; we pity Hagar. The chil- dren of Israel are the chil-lren of Sarah. The Bedouins of Arabia are the descendants of Hagar. Sarah was not blameless, nor was Hagar without fault. We love the historian who has set down the plain facts, in this story, helping us to see the cruelty of lealousy and the beauty of submission to authority.
QUESTIONS.
Relate the story of Sarah.
Why was her name changed?
How do we know that she was lovely beyond all women ?
Who was Hagar?
What can you say of the Egyptians?
Why did Sarah give Hagar to Abraham?
Who was Ishmael?
What efifect does taunting have upon the spirit of one so assailed ?
What do you think of the story of Hagar? How can happiness or peace exist in a home where there is contention and jealousy?
Why do we think Sarah was noble and good?
LESSON II.
Work and Business.
Second Week in February
52 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
LESSON III.
Genealogy and Art.
Third Week in February. GENEALOGY.
The moment a person begins his individual record, he is con- fronted with a number of questions: When was I baptized? When was I appointed to office in the Rehef Society ? And many other numerous points. Too often the person who is unable to give all this information off-hand, becomes discouraged, and gives the whole matter up. What then shall be done by the class teacher or supervisor?
First — Encourage the person to zvrite down all she can in the class. And second — urge her to write and inquire for further information. If it is a baptism date, write to the Bishop of the ward — if born in the Church ; write to the parish minister, if christened In the old country. If the endowment date is miss- ing, write to the President of the Temple where the ordinance was performed, stating exactly what you want. Always send stamps for reply.
We give a sample letter to help our workers in distant stakes :
Logan, Nov. 9.
Dear Sir: My name is Mrs. Mary Ann Smith Jones. I was born 20th November, 1869, in Provo. Was baptized in the Fourth ward of that city when I was eight years old ; that is, in 1877, so my mother told me. My father's name is Jesse Smith, my mother's name is Mrs. Hannah Allen Smith. Can you give me the exact date, and the name of the elder who officiated in the baptism and in the confirmation ordinances?
I enclose stamps for reply.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness, I am
Yours truly,
Model letter to Parish Clerk :
Parish Clerk of Old South Church, Boston, Mass. Dear Sir: My second great-grandfather, William Young, v/ho married Hannah Healy, of Cambridge, was a worshiper in your church, in 1721. He went from Boston to Barrington, N. H., in 1720-22, was one of the original proprietors of that town, but in all Barrington deeds, he speaks of himself as "of Boston." His children were Elizabeth — who married Elisha Hall — and
GUIDE LESSONS. 53
Joseph. William later — probably in 1730 — moved to Hopkin- lon. Mass., with his friend Rev. Samuel Barrett of the Old North Church, Boston, taking his wife and two children with him. William died in Hopkinton, in 1749. Can you give any further information from your records? I want date of William's birth, parent's name, and other data. Also birth dates of children, Elizabeth and Joseph, and wish to know if there were other chil- dren. Will pay regular rate for searching records.
I enclose stamps for reply.
Thanking you in advance, I am
Yours truly.
When writing to non-"Mormon" church officials, or relatives, it is always better to enclose a blank such as we furnish in this office. In any letters of inquiry, observe the following points :
Give your own full name — never use initials.
Give the full name of the person whose record you wish searched for.
Give dates of birth, marriage, or death of the person, if you have them.
Give birthplace, places of residence of self, or the person desired.
Where possible, add the names and dates of family members, if you desire information concerning their parents.
Practical Class Exercise. — Let each student write an actual or a model letter, asking for information on some point concerning her individual record.
If the Relief Society member has prepared her own sheet, then let her write out her husband's sheet in the same full and careful manner.
This work should preferably be done in the class. Where sheets are left with the person to fill out at home, they are too often forgotten or neglected.
QUESTIONS.
How much can you give of your own data?
What would you do to get missing dates in your record ?
Why is it important to get out your own data?
What points would you note always in your letters to^bishops, clerks, or ministers?
Why are initials misleading?
What genealogical value is there in the use of your full name, when writing to others for more information?
When writing for information about your parents or grand- parents, what plan would you follow ?
When your own data is complete, what next will you do?
54 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
WINTER LANDSCAPE AND SUNSHINE.
Re-read introduction in January Art lesson.
I-c+^ each member make for herself what the artists call a "finder," this is a small picture frame of stiff cardboard or paste- board about 2x3 inches, which should be colored black. With this little frame, you can find many beautiful pictures in nature, that you would not perhaps otherwise notice.
In observing the winter landscape, we are taking a special interest in the color of the sky, the character of clouds, the char- acter and color of the bare trees and brush, and the color of the shadows on the snow. Hold up your picture frame or "finder;" cover up one eye, and look for the lightest thing and the darkest spot in the picture you have selected in your frame.
VALUES.
Which is lighter, the sky or the field of snow?
What color would you use to paint that clump of willows or bushes?
You could not paint the snow correctly with pure white. What color would you mix with white to show the effect of sun- light on the snow? (The answer might be yellow.)
What color would you use to make the shadows on the snow?
FEBRUARY TWILIGHT.
a. What is the length of duration of the winter twilight?
b. Describe winter twilight on a lake or river bank, or a twilight scene from your own window.
c. Tell what object in that picture makes the darkest note, and which the lightest note.
d. Every window should frame a picture. Does yours at twilight ?
e. At what time of day is the snow-covered ground darker than the sky? (Half close the eyes and look through the lashes to discover this.)
WINTER WALK.
Let the members take in little groups, or singly as seems best, a winter walk to observe and enjoy winter landscape. Take with you the "finder" and make a search for pictures along your path, and report the same at the Art lesson.
GUIDE LESSONS. 55
LESSON ON ARCHITECTURE.
a. Quick review of January lesson in Architecture from De-
■votees and Their Shrines, passes 120-22.
b. New lesson, from pages 122 to 124.
1. The Transition to the Renaissance.
2. Elizabethan style.
3. The Jacobean style. Questions :
a. Describe the Transition to the Renaissance.
b. Describe the Renaissance movement. (Note page 123.) (Also consult Dictionary and Encyclopedia.)
c. What are the Classic Orders?
d. Describe the Elizabethan style. (Figure 3, Montacute House.)
LESSON I.
Home Economics.
THE LATTER-DAY SAINT HOME.
Foup.TH Week, February.
The "Mormon" Conception of the Home.
L'^nlike other peoples, the Latter-day Saints believe that the home upon earth is patterned after the home in heaven. Paul says that things earthly are a type of things heavenly. In the right- eons home, the husband and father presides by reason of his su- perior wisdom and virtue. The wife and mother stands shoulder to shoulder with him, while the children repeat their virtues and their teachings.
Ideals of the Christian Family.
Mortal life is one of the grandest privileges granted by our Father. To have the opportunity of gradual development, of growth, of achievement, this is one of the supreme gifts of God to his children.
Mortal life is a preparatory school for the spirit. The body may be compared to the four walls in which we learn our lessons. These walls confine our spirits, limit our powers, and check the full expression of our wills ; happily so. For without these con- fining walls, we would be powerless to react, unable to learn the full lesson of faith, unselfish love and strict obedience to law.
The Family Circle.
Race suicide, and its twin sister — prevention of child-bearing, through so-called harmless methods, has no place in the heavenly
56 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
plan for our human homes. Men and women who know not God can be excused, perhaps, for maintaining childless homes. But true Christians, and Latter-day Saints are the truest of all Christians, cannot acquiesce in any doctrine or practice which sanctions mar- riage and allows restriction of offspring. God only is the arbiter of life and death. If a man take his own life he cuts himself off from the presence of God. Why not also declare that the woman who prevents birth cuts herself off from all hope of eternal exaltation? The greatest modern sin is the limiting of off- spring for selfish purposes. This sin is denounced in the book of Jasher, an ex-canonical book, as one of the prime causes of the deluge.
Love and Service.
The foundation of all joy and all happiness, is to love and to serve. If we love truly, we will want to serve. The joy of service is the keenest delight the heart ever knows. To acquire money, knowledge or fame, gives a certain crude pleasure ; but to be of service, to administer to others, to achieve, this is the supreme happiness, it is God-like.
Obedience to the Lazvs of Health.
God thought so much of health that he inspired Moses to write a whole code of laws governing the minutest point of daily action for the children of Israel. He taught them the strictest cleanliness, bade them burn infected clothing, white- wash houses, cleanse all vessels, and made personal cleanliness a part of their ceremonial rituals. Modern teachers and physicians have but emphasized, and clothed in simple terms, the restrictions of Moses. The Word of Wisdom, and the 123-126 verses of the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, restate these laws.
Physical Virtues.
Virtue is generally its own reward. As a rule, those who keep the laws of health will be strong and well. There is one point, however, to consider ; there may be many laws of which we are ignorant as well as the few we know. We may be break- ing some unknown physical law even if we are keeping all the known laws. So that, after all, we are dependent on our Father's mercy, not only for life and breath, but also for what measure of health we may enjoy from time to time. However, we should keep the laws we know, that we may not suffer the consequences of willful disobedience. God may and does overrule our ignorant disobedience, but he is not so merciful to deliberate disobedience.
Longevity.
Most men crave long life. Simple food, with a good variety, plenty of sleep, obedience to the laws of the gospel, the day well
GUIDE LESSONS. 57
measured as to work and play, a mind free from corroding worry — these may insure long years of useful life. A prolonged age is not an unmixed blessing. If elderly people are happily en- gaged in the rejuvenating labors of the temple, or in useful service to mankind, the years may flow on to the century mark. But idle and complaining old age has but one apparent blessing, the discipline of spirit for younger members of the family.
Improvements of Home Life.
The wise mother wil lendeavor to adjust herself to the light- ning changes of modern times. But as old habits are broken up and new ideals emerge from the day's problems, she will scan closely the relations of the changing customs to the rock of reve- lation and to the revealed forms of religion. Above all things the mother of tomorrow must be adaptable, able to seize the best of today, while losing none of the priceless things of yesterday. Truth is ever the same ; but there are so many ways of seeing and presenting truth that the wise mother and grandmother will search constantly for the new word, the modern phrase, the up-to-date illustration with which to clothe her eternal truth, her everlasting principles of virtue and holiness. Truth, loyalty and integrity, these are the pillars of the home, the foundations of society, here and hereafter.
We need stricter obedience to the laws of cleanliness, to the Word of Wisdom, and to the laws of Moses as taught in modern hygiene, and the Doctrine and Covenants. We need constant watchfulness on the part of parents, for the protection of child- hood from the moral contamination of modern conditions. We need constant emphasis placed on the importance of the spirit- ual laws of our own religion. That which parents love to do, children usually enjoy doing also. We need more loyal affection and reverence shown by mothers to fathers, by children to parents, and by fathers to the presiding priesthood. We should cultivate a strict adherence to the teachings of our pioneer fathers and mothers, while remembering to honor their lives and mem- ories.
QUESTIONS.
What are the teachings of the Church concerning the home?
What do you consider one of the greatest gifts of God to his children ?
What have you taught your daughters about bearing their children?
Are women ever justified in refusing to have children?
58 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
Who are the healthiest women in your community, and how many children have they brought into the world ?
What brings the greatest joy to the human soul?
What is the meaning of love ?
When do we serve best ?
What book in the Bible contains the laws of health as taught by Moses?
What are the foundation principles-of the home?
Outlines of Guide Lessons for 1916.
WOMEN OF THE BIBLE.
1. Eve.
2. Sarah, Hagar.
3. Rebecca, Rachel, Leah.
4. Deborah, Huldah, Miriam.
5. Ruth.
6. Esther.
7. lezebel, Delilah, Witch of Endor.
8. Minor characters of the Old Testament: Potiphar's wife, Pharaoh's daughter, Keturah, Aseneth, Hannah, Michal, Abifrail, Mizpah.
9. New Testament women : Anna, Elizabeth, Mary and Martha.
10. Mary, the mother of Jesus.
OUTLINES FOR GENEALOGY, 1916.
January — Prepare Individual Sheets. How to write gene- alogical letters.
February — Secure members for the Genealogical Society of Utah.
March — Each Relief Society member required to prepare sheets for each member of her family. How to arrange excur- sions to the Temples.
April — Family Associations. Each woman should atten I Temple service at least one week during the year in her district.
May — Linking the Present to the Past.
June — Review of Genealogical Needs.
July.
August.
GUIDE LESSONS. 59
September— Introduction to Surnames. Why surnames were
taken.
October— Tribal Names.
November — Sire Names.
December— Surnames from Legends, Totem Surnames.
ARCHITECTURE OUTLINES EOR 1916.
February.
a. The Transition to the Renaissance.
b. Elizabethan style.
c. Jacobean style. March.
a. Artistic gardening. Leila M. AXX^w— Devotees and their
Shrines, paqes 144-149.
b. The Dear Old Garden, Dr. Emmeline B. Wells. April.
a. Classic Period.
b. The Classic Revivals.
c. The Victorian Gothic. May.
Architecture in the United States.
a. The Eormative Period.
b. The Colonial or Georgian Period. June.
a. The early Republican Period.
b. The Revivals. September.
a. The War Period.
b. The Modern Movement.
October.
a. Examples of Recent Architecture.
November.
a. Exhibition of pictures of beautiful architecture. (Give
name of architects, if possible.)
December. ' .
a. Discuss architecture of the recent Pair at San Erancisco, and show pictures of the same. Make a special point of the bal- ance and harmony used in the placing of the buildings.
ART OUTLINES.
March.
a. Melting and freezing weather.
b. Wind and rain.
60 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
April.
a. Soaking wet Spring day, colors and values.
b. Dry Spring day, colors and values.
c. Spring blossoms and winter's snow.
d. Out of door party. May.
The May or June walk to note Spring colors and values.
Study of fields. June.
Summer day, Balmy weather, Summer twilight. September.
Approach of Fall Indian Summer haze.
Fall twilight. October.
Out of door Autumn party. November.
Wet day, foggy weather, purple of bare branches. December.
Skating scenes.
HOME ECONOMICS.
1. The Modern Home. II. The Latter-day Saint Home.
III. Home-making as a Profession.
a. The home as an economic institution.
IV. The Business Side of Home-making.
V. The Household Budget and Its Application to Us. a. Standards of living. VI. Organization of Housework.
a. Hygiene of housework. VII. Household Wastes and How to Prevent Them. VIII. Co-operative Housekeeping. IX. The Servant Problem. X. The Home Economics Movement and Its Meaning.
Note : The first two lessons may be studied and given in the form of lectures by some one capable of doing so. Two or more societies could unite where possible and secure an outside lecturer. It is difficult to prescribe a cure for any condition unless the cause is known, and its development of the present family life is most interesting.
International Congress of^Genealogy.
We copy the following from the Journal of Heredity, No- vember, 1915, an account of our glorious Congress:
The International Congress of Genealogy which met in con- nection with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco from July 27 to 30, represented sixty-five genealogical, historical, patriotic, heraldic and family associations and had ac- credited to it about 275 delegates elected by these organizations. In adition, there were many others interested in genealogy, but not officially accredited, who attended the congress. The Utah Genealogical Society sent to the meeting a special train carrying 269 persons from Utah.
The program provided that the congress should meet the week following the national convention of the American Historical As- sociation and the week preceding the annual meeting of the Amer- ican Genetic Association and Second International Conference of Race Betterment. It also provided for meetings in San Francisco of family associations during or as near as possible to the time of the genealogical congress. Some of the latter were held.
This plan and the genealogical congress, first of its kind ever held, were proposed by the Hon. Boutwell Dunlap, of San Fran- cisco, recording secretary of the California Genealogical Society. He first proposed an International Congress of Genealogy and Eugenics. Not desiring to conflict with other eugenic organiza- tions, the name of the congress was later restricted to the Inter- national Congress of Genealogy. The invitations to the congress and family associations were issued jointly in the names of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the California Gene- alogical Society.
Some of the organizations that elected delegates to the con- gress were the National Society of Americans of Royal Descent, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, College of Arms and Seigneural Court of Canada, American Society of Colonial Families, New England Historical Genealogical Society, Huguenot Society of America, Louisiana Historical Society, Maine Genealogical Society, Historical Society of New Mexico, Order of Founders and Patriots of America, Society of Gene- alogists of London, National Genealogical Society, National So- ciety of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, National Society of Sons of the Revolution.
An International Genealogical Federation was formed and a resolution affecting eugenics, introduced by Mr. Dunlap and unanimously adopted by the congress, was as follows :
"Resolved, that one of the objects of the International Gene- alogical Federation shall be the collection and preservation of genealogical data for eugenic purposes, and that the committee of organization of said International Genealogical Federation is hereby instructed to provide for the said collection and preserva- tion of genealogical data for eugenic purposes."
Attention To Subscribers
Agents for the Relief Society Magazine will receive a 1 0% discount for all subscriptions obtained. All individual subscrip- tions sent into this office must be accompanied with $ 1 .00, as there is no discount allowed to single subscribers. All expenses incurred by agents such as postage, postal orders, etc., must be borne by agents themselves.
UTAH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
Mothers, educate your daughters — and sons — to become invaluable assets to the State and to the Nation.
Girls, prepare yourselves for ideal wives and mothers, by securing an education in Housekeeping and Home-making at The Agricultural College of the State of Utah.
The Most Interesting, Inspiring and Beauti- ful Scenic Sections of the West
ARE REACHED VIA flfflfSff^ Including
Ogden Canyon Bear River Canyon Shoshone Falls Yellowstone Park Jackson Hole Country Lost River Country Wood River Country The Snake River Payette I akes Country Columbia River and Pacific Coast Resorts
Pacific Coast Excursions Daily to November 30th
For Descriptive Literature, address
D. E. Burley.
General Passenger Agent, O. S L., Salt LakaCity, Utah
Friends of President Emmeline B. Wells
Secure the second edition of her Poems for your Christ- mas present.
The book is 336 pages, beautifully bound in blue and gold, with two illustrations of the distinguished author, and contains her Ode written at the age of 87, as well as all her poems.
Price $1.50
On sale at the leading book stores, and by subscription to the author.
MAGAZINE AGENTS, ATTENTION!
Agents should always state whether each subscriber is a renewal or a new subscriber.
Stake Presidents are re- quested to lend their aid and influence to secure loyal sub- scription lists for our Maga- zine. Send in your lists early and often.
Z. C M. I.
School Shoes
For Boys
Are made for service — they will keep the boys' feet warm and dry.
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are the ideal play garment for boys and girls. Cheap, serviceable.
English and American ARCHITECTURE
By GEO. M. ALLEN is in Mrs. Home's Art Book, DEVOTEES AND THEIR SHRINES. Send to this office or to Mrs. Alice Merrill Horne, 4 Ostlers Court, Salt Lake City, for this book from which the lessons on architecture for 1916 are assigned.
PRICE $1.25 POSTPAID
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Not a Catalogue, but an interesting, instructive article on Cameos
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A V A^\/ iC^Ujr t.AMAAA^ ^^ ^^^ .^^^ THINK you
Mid-winter Excursion
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Do you THINK you DE- SIRE to be EFFICIENT? Do you THINK it HARD ENOUGH, and is your DESIRE STRONG
Dl on 1 f\\ C. ENOUGH to carry you
ecember zV, IVIj i through to effi- ciency ?
CALIFORNIA
When you TRAVEL do you do so EFFICIENTLY or
HAPHAZARDLY? The EFFICIENT TRAVELER plans his trip, ascertains what points of interest he is allowed to visit with- out extra expense — knows that his ticket carries him to all the points of interest he desires to visit. The EFFICIENT traveler is sure that his ticket reads over the line that insures him
Safety, Service, Scenery, Convenience, Comfort and Courtesy, the
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
INVESTIGATE AND PLAN
For full information, personal attention, carefully planned itineraries and beautifully illustrated literature about CALI- FORNIA, call in or write the
SOUTHERN PACIFIC OFFICE, Second Floor, Walker Bank Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Office where They KNOW
All About CALIFORNIA.
We particularly desire to wish a VERY MERRY CHRIST- MAS and an EXCEPTIONALLY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to the MEMBERS of the GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY who journeyed over our lines on the Excursion to California this year.
C. L. McFAUL,
District Passenger Agent,
Salt Lake City,
Utah.
^
REllEFSOCIEirs
I
Ko;
7MdM
i^d
KS«
FEBRUARY, 1916
SPECIAL ARTICLES
MOTHERS IN ISRAEL
Pres., Emmeline B. Wells as a Mother
WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE
Ruth Moench Bell
HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
Janettc A. Hyde
QUERY BOX
Ha^el Love Dunford
Organ of the Relief Society of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Room 29, Bishops Bldg.,Salt Lake City, Utah
$1.00 a Year— Single Copy 10c
Established 1877
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Pembroke Company
The Home of Fine Stationery and Engraving 22-24 East Broadway, Salt Lake City, Utah
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NOWREADY! Pi new 800 page volume "JESUS THE CHRIST" By DR. JAMES E. TALMAGE |
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From tht Press of The Destret News This i$ the work of which notice hat been given in the Official Announcement published by the Firft Presidency of the Church. It presents the Life and Mission of the Messiah from the view-point of the Church of Jesus Chria of Latter-day |
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Saints. Bound in half leather, cloth sides, $ 1 .50 post paid Deseret News Book Store The Leading Book Concern |
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BURIAL CLOTHES |
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The Relief Society Magazine
Owned and Published by the General Board of the Relief Society of tht Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
CONTENTS.
FEBRUARY. 1916.
Introspection Nellie Beecraft 61
Mothers in Israel 63
Echo of the Genealogical Congress 71
When Dreams Come True Rnth ]\loench Bell 72
Temple Hymn Lucy May Green 79
A Testimony Lucy May Green 80
A Prayer Edith McClendon 81
My Testimony Concerning Tem])le Work . . Lerona A. Wilson 82
ITome Economics Department Janette A. Hyde 85
A Prince of LIr Homespun 91
Current Topics James H. Anderson 101
Query Box Hazel Love Dunford 104
Notes from the Field Amy Brown Lyman 106
EDITORIAL : Efficiency 109
Guide Lessons Ill
ADVERTISERS' DIRECTORY.
Patronize those who advertise with us.
BENEFICIAL LIFE INSURANCE CO., Vermont Bid., Salt Lake City.
DAYNES-BEEBE MUSIC CO., 45 Main St., Salt Lake City.
DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION BOOK STORE, 44 East South
Temple Street, Salt Lake City. DESERET NEWS BOOK STORE, Books and Stationery, Salt Lake City. KEELEY ICE CREAM CO., 55 Main, 260 State Streets, Salt Lake City. MERCHANTS' BANK, Third South and Main Streets, Salt Lake City. McCONAHAY, THE JEWELER, 64 Main Street, Salt Lake City. PEMBROKE CO., STATIONERY, 22-24 East Broadway, Salt Lake City. RELIEF SOCIETY BURIAL CLOTHES, Beehive House, Salt Lake City. STAR PRINTING CO., 30 P. O. Place, Salt Lake City. SANDERS, MRS. EMMA J, Florist, 278 So. Main St., Salt Lake City. SOUTHERN PACIFIC RY., Second Floor, Walker Bk. Bldg., Salt Lake City. THOMAS STUDIO, Photographs, 44 Main Street, Salt Lake City. TAYLOR. S. M. & CO., Undertakers, 251-257, E. First So. St., Salt Lake City. UTAH STATE NATIONAL BANK, Salt Lake City. UTAH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Logan, Utah. UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY, Salt Lake City. Z. C. M. I., Salt Lake City.
Put That Idle Dollar to Work
If you have'nt a bank account, take that idle dollar and bring or mail it 'o this bank and start a savings account. Everybody should be saving a little, if it is only one dollar a week. This amount will grow with interest into surprising proportions if continued sys- tematically for a reasonable length of time.
Work is plentiful now; crops have been big. While good times last, save for a future day when work wi'l be harder to get. We will 'add 4 per cent to your savings.
"The Bank with a Personality"
Merchant's Bank
Capital $250,000 Member of Salt Lake Clearing House John Pingree, Pres ; Chas. E. Kaiser. V. P ; Moroni Heiner, V. P.; A. H. Peabody, Casliier; Kadcliffe, Q, Can- non, D. R. Pingree, Asst. Cashiers Cor. Main and 3rd So., Salt Lake City
To help busy mothers select the right kind of books for their cbild- rer\ is one of our gre test pleasures.
Wrife fo us — we'll help you.
DESERET
Sunday School Union
BOOK STORE
44 East on South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah
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SALT LAKE'S LADY FLORIST
Mrs. Emma J. Sanders
278 South Main Street
Schramm-Johnson No. 5
Phone Wasatch 2815 Salt Lake City, - Utah
Burial Insurance in the Beneficial Life Insurance Company
The women of the Relief Society have now the opportunity of se- curing a sufificient sum for proper burial by the payment of a small monthly amount. The moment you sign your policy your burial expenses are assured without burdening your children. Talk to us about this. Relief Society Headquarters or
BENEFICIAL LIFE INSURANCE CO.
RELIEF SOCIETY DEPARTMENT
HOME OFFICE: VERMONT BUILDING, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
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IT is the purpose of this Bank at all times to render helpful service and make the handling of your banking business satisfactory and pleasant.
UTAH STATE NATIONAL BANK
Your Account it Cordially Invited JOSEPH F. SMITH. Pre..
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SUCCESSORS TO
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Introspection.
Dear Angel,— of years, write me two score and ten. Now, of deeds good or ill, what sayest thy pen? My record — which greater, the gain or the loss? Of which am I reaping, the gold or the dross?
In the springtime of life did I fully prepare
The soil of mv soul gospel fruitage to bear?
And though seed time came late, have I labored the more
To cultivate, weed, and thus add to my store?
Am I learning the rules of life's lesson aright,
Or turning the page where 'tis hardest to fight?
Have I learned that through conflict our powers increase?
That for what we toil hardest, our love will ne'er cease?
Do I thank God. not only for what He bestows. But for what He withholds? h^or most surely He knows Of which portion to give for this weakness, that pain — Wdiich if taken in meekness will prove for my gain.
O Father. Thou knowest my yearnings and fears ; To Thee. too. are known all my pleadings and tears ; E'en mv innermost thoughts are all known unto Thee. O help me, dear Father, thy true Saint to be !
Nef.lie Ckf.craft.
OCni^N. UTAH.
Mrs. Isabel Modalena Whitney-Sears
Mrs. 'NEklvina Caroline Whitney- Woods.
Elizabeth Ann Wells-Cannon PKES. EMMELINE B. WELLS AND HER FIVE DAUGHTERS.
THE
Relief Society Magazine
Vol. III. FEBRUARY, 1916. No. 2.
Mothers in Israel.
In this series of articles, we now present the name and por- trait of our honored President Emmeline B. Wells. February is her birth month, and it is fitting that we link her thus to this day and time.
We have all heard and known much of Sister Wells as a writer and publicist, but few outside of her immediate circle know what a wonderful contribution she has made to the Church and to her country through her numerous and able posterity. Prac- tically all of her descendants are superior in intellect ; many of the daughters are very fair to look upon. President Wells had one son born in Nauvoo, who died in infancy. She was the former wife of the then presiding Bishop of the Church — Bishop Newel K. Whitney, by whom she had two lovely daughters, Isabel and Melvina. The oldest — Isabel — who afterwards married the well- known public citizen, Septimus W. Sears, was born in a wagon on the block where now stands the Hotel Utah. Mrs. Sears has had eight children and seven grandchildren. She is spending the later years of her life in free and happy service in the Salt Lake Temple, where she is honored and loved by all her associates.
Her sister, Mrs. Mell Woods, has had five children and has five grandchildren. She also has always been fair to look upon, and is a leader in social and literary circles in her home in northern Idaho.
One of her daughters — Mrs. Annie Wells Cannon — is locally famous as a gifted writer, an excellent public speaker, a wise legis- lator and publicist, a devoted mother of twelve splendid sons and daughters and eleven grandchildren. She is the mother and grand- niother of twin boys, whose picture we here present. Mrs. Cannon kindly has prepared the accompanying poetic pen-picture of her mother, as a mother.
All of the children and grandchildren of Mrs. Wells possess marked literarv and artistic ability, and all are proof of the law of
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MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 65
inheritance. The two daughters who died in their young woman- hood, were prominent figures in the Hfe of this pioneer city and state — "Emmie," as she was famiharly known, heing a leader in the young circle which formed the ol 1 Wasatch Literary Society. She was beloved of all who knew her. "Louie" was as beautifid and gifted a girl as ever graced a mortal home. Xone who ever saw or knew her but admired and loved her with unspeakable af- fection ; none can forget or cease to love her. Both were gifted singers, and Louie was acknowledged to be one of Utah's finest contralto singers.
We are pleased to present the full list of our remarkable Presic^ent's gifts to the world, the Church, and the nation: ^frs. Wells had one son born in Nauvoo, who died in infancy. She hi 1 two daughters, as has been said, by Bishop Whitney, Isibel and Melvina. After the death of Bishop Whitney in the \'alley, she married Daniel H. Wells. By him she had three daughters : Em- meline, Annie, and Louise.
Her oldest daughter, Isabel Modelena Whitney, married Sep- timus W. Sears, April, 1869, and their children were as follows: Sidney Whitney, Herbert Whitney, Isabel S., Septimus Whitney, Lucile L., Emma W., Eugene S., and Brenton AI. E.
Isabel S. married Charles W. F. Buckholz an:l three chil- dren were born : Marian, Lucile, Hermann.
Septimus married Esther Julian; one boy, Sidney R.
Emma W. married John Gillette Roberts ; two children, Mar- garet and Ruth.
Brenton M. E., married Inez A'^an Sant and has one cliiUl — Robert.
Eugene S. married Eleanor Isabel Rhein.
Mrs. Wells' second daughter — Melvina Caroline Whitney — niarried Wm. Woods> and their children were as follows : Daisie D., \'erona M.. Leslie and Winnifred I. and Percival.
Daisie married Harry Allen and ha:l two children — Martin and Thomas.
A'erona AL married Barrymore Nugent Hillard and had the following children: Llelen, Robert and Barrymore. Enimeline and Louise died in their votmg womanhood, beloved and mourned by all.
Annie Wells married John O. Cmnon, and their children are : Geoi'ge O. Cannon. I ouie C Andrew. AlTrgtret C. Clayton, Dan- i( 1 H. Cannon. Fl'-'^nor \(VH' Cuvon Gl-^ceased), Emmeline C. Alartineau, Cavendish W. Camion, Katharine Cannon, Abram H. Co,v^-l^v. David W. Cannon. John O. Cannon, Jr.. and Theodore L. Cannon. The grandchildren are as follows: deorge O. Can- non, Jr., Woodward D. Cannoii, Shirley Cannon, Richard C. An- drew. Denton C. Andrew, Elizabeth Andrew, John O. .Andrew, William D. Clayton, Ruth Clayton, Sarah Clayton and Alary Martineau (deceased).
66 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
AN INTIMATE SKETCH OF HOME LIFE.
On the twenty-ninth of the current month the venerable presi- dent of the ReHef Society, and the subject of this sketch, will have attained the ripe age of eighty-eight years, almost a century of life, filled to the very limit with wonderful experiences and activ- ity. One who has given so very much of her time and talents in public service is thought of largely, if not entirely, in a public way, and yet the very sweetest and most delightful touches of her nature are those of home life, where, in that broad and tender field ,her spirit shone in untrammeled and perfect motherhood.
It is not to me an easy task to draw aside the curtain and disclose home pictures.
An innate delicacy, deep sentiment and peculiar sensitiveness surrounds the homelife, making it too sacred a thing for public view in every family ; especially do I think this true in this par- ticular instance, because there has been so marked a difference between her public and her private life, and because those traits and high ideals, which at the same time allow public service, shield with equal zeal the innermost thoughts and activities of the home. It is, therefore, with a degree of hesitancy, and yet with the most tender and sympathetic feeling, that I comply with the request to sive to the readers of The Relief Society Magazine some glimpses into the home life of my mother.
Like the princess in the fascinating fairy tale, "The Sleeping Beauty," I would ask you, dear reader, to close your eyes and go with me into the realm of memory. Memory, after all, is more or less a fairy tale, because all the sorrows and trials and pains, are so mellowed with time that their sharp points are cut away, and the grayness and mist of years make them sacred and beau- tiful, while the joys and pleasures and delights shine with even b'ighter luster.
'Twas New Year's Eve. The younger children had at last retired, leaving rather reluctantly, because they knew full well that the living room would soon be a scene of pleasant entertain- ment and good cheer for the older members of the household, as they waited for the sound of bells and whistles which would usher in another cycle of time.
The coals glowed brightly in the big fire place, and the odor of bayberry candle, burning according to old New England cus- tom down to the socket, filled the room with fragrant incense. Just the hour and environment for sweet recollections and fond mem- ories to throng the mind ; and as we waited and looked at the very pretty little figure of mother, sitting close to the hearth, looking into the tumbling red coals, we knew something rich and enter- taining was in her thought.
MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 67
Reverently we closed our books when mother began to speak : "We, in our New England home, always made a great deal of New Year's and Thanksgiving. It was then we feasted and gave our presents, when I was a little girl."
"But," I asked, "what did you do on Christmas?"
"Oh, we kept Christmas just like Sunday, a very sober, sol- emn occasion. I believe the big parlor used to be opened, and we were allowed to go in and read. I had a perfect horror of that parlor, because it was always kept closed to us children, except on Sundays, and holidays, and even as a little child I made up my mind that when I owned a home, no room would be too good for the children."
"It never was, mother, I'm sure of that, nor anything of yours ; because with you it was always the children first, and my, what splendid things you used to do for us ! But the best of all were the songs and poems you taught us while you sat sewing or mending, and we played around you. Do you know when I first started to school I could recite 'Lochinvar's Ride,' 'Twenty Years Ago,' 'Bingen on The Rhine,' and ever so many other pretty poems, and my little friends thought me wonderful. When my teacher asked me where I learned these things she thought you wonderful, and came to borrow your books to use in the school, only to find that in the rich storehouse of your mind were the beautiful songs and verses you had taught your children."
"Yes," she replied, "memory is a good substitute for books when one has had to leave them on the way, as I did. I felt worse to leave my books than any other of my belongings, when we were driven from Nauvoo, and in those days there were not many books either, like there are now. That is one thing I always have tried to teach you children, to have a love and care for good books. Once I loaned a Bible, it was just a small Bible, bound in yellow leather, and when I got it back there were some leaves torn out ; and do you know I was so indignant that I never loaned that family another thing ! Perhaps, after all, that had a good efifect, for they were continually borrowing everything, and I never could refuse the worst of neighbors the least little thing, if I had it to lend."
"Perhaps," I ventured to say, "you generously .needed a shock, for I well remember seeing you sew one night by a dip-light while your neighbor, giving a party, was using your last two tal- low candles in your best and only candlesticks."
"Goodness me, the sewing I used to do by those dreadful dip- lis:hts, rows upon rows of fine tucking for shirt bosoms for Bishop Whitney, and the boys, Horace and Orson, and such tucks and ruffles as we used to put in our baby clothes — whipping, over- casting, hemming, and running stitches with the finest of needles - -I don't suppose you girls could even thread them now."
68 RliLIIil' SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
■ "No," 1 laughed, "the sewing- machine is good enough for me in these rushing days ; but you taught your girls to sew as beau- tifully as you did yourself; only, hand sewing now is an art, ont a necessity."
Slowly she rose, that graceful little woman, and walked across the room to look out upon the night ; and, standing there in the bow of the window holding back the holly-draped curtains, which fell in folds around her, it was like a framed picture of the long ago — her beautiful hair, as white as the feathery snow without, which the wind was piling in huge drifts against the fences, crowning her furrowed face which, as she turned, was expressive of the thouohts within.
"Sometimes," she said, "I feel like 'the last leaf upon the tree," when I think that scarcely any of the friends of my genera- tion are left to recall with me the days that are gone. There was Mother Whitney, then Louisa, Martha, Lydia Ann and Han- nah, women with whom I lived in closest intimacy, closer than sis- ters, rearing our children in the same household, all gone ; and your father, too. all save Susan and myself, and both of us nearly ninety. Then the belove 1 friends with whom so many years I worked in the Relief Society: Sister Eliza. Aunt Zina, Sister Kimball, Aunt l^athsheba. Sister Richards, Sister Home, and oh, so many others whose names I now recall, and whom I loved as much as if bound by kindred ties, closer, perhaps, because our faith and work were so in tune with our ever}^ day life. They all are gone, and you, the women of this generation, speak of me as the link between the present and the past."
"Well, grandn-'a," said one of the boys, "you're sure a pre- cious link, all set with brilliants which illumine this generation and generations yet to come."
The sweet face briohtened with this little flattering hurl, as in less sober accents she said : "Speaking of illuminations, you re- member, of course, the night J^ne came home from his mission, and the big house at the head of Main Street was illuminated with rows of candles in every window, in honor of the event. People came from all over the city just to see the illumination. Compare that with what Ave see now. when everv night on top of the Te-iToleton. where the old house stoofb there are rows of won- derfrl lio-bts of which no one thinks at all."
"Why," asked one of the boys, "illuminate because June came home?"
"P)e-"ause," she nuietlv answere b again seating herself, "June was the fi'"st of all the bovs in the family to go on a mission, and every mother in the family was just as interested as if he were ber own son. That is the way we taught our children, that each l)rother and ^sister was just as dear and precious as those of their own mother, and occasions like this brought us all together in
MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 69
closer harmony. He came about seven o'clock, and there was to be a big family dinner in the long dining room. I remember T had been cooking all day.''
"( )h, grandma," one of the girls interrupted, "you never cooked !"
"Indeed, I did, though I must say I never liked cooking very much. Still I always made the dough-nuts for these parties, and prepared the dishes of baked beans. T suppose that's because of my New England training."
"Well," I said, "your dough-nuts were the best ever, and so were your 'apple fritters' and 'minute pudding' ; goodness, mother, 1 had almost forgotten, myself, that you knew how to cook!"
"Well," one of the boys remarked, "you surely had accom- plishments. I wish we had some of those fritters now."
"Perhaps if you had, they wouldn't seem so good compared with the fine fruit cake, mince pies, and other things you have today. It's like the candle to this wonderful electric light which with a touch of the button illuminates a room to a hundred candle power."
Continuing, she said :
"I wonder if you remember the front room in the old house liefore it was remodeled, and the fireplace with the andirons? Those old andirons were my mother's, brought all the wa}^ from Massachusetts."
"Yes, I guess I do," I answered ; "it was on that chimney place we hung our stockings and in front of that fireplace you read to us and taught us how to read, and it was there you taught us how to pray. They talk of kindergartens in these days, as if it were a new method. I think, mother, you always had the method of teaching every thing as if it were play instead of work. You made it all so interesting. That is how the history of our people seems so much a part of us, because when you were busy with your house-work or sewing, at the same time you would tell us such beautiful stories, not always, but often church history, and with it all such wonderful testimonies of the gospel that we can never forget but must needs carry in our memories and tell again to our children. In your quiet way there was always so much reverence and respect for those in authority, when you mentioned their names, that I used to approach the men and women wdio were leaders in the Church with awe, almost fear, because T deemed them so much greater and better than we were. I am glad of that, glad in my heart that at your knee and from vour teaching I learned the proper respect for the authority of the priesthood and the reverence due to those whose age and posi- tion entitle them to such respect."
"But." puts in thoughtful Louise, "when you beo^un yoiu" editorship and public work, these things must have changed "
70 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
"Oh no, not much ; you see the older girls were married, and the younger ones were in school all day, and with a good maid at home I think I had more time than ever with my girls, for if they were not helping me in the office I was helping them with their studies. Then as they grew up, our home was a delightful gath- ering place for young people. Do you know, children, three liter- ary societies have been organized in my home, the first, the Wa- satch Literary Society, which is sometimes spoken of as a fore- runner of the Mutual Improvement Association? That's where your Uncle Ort and Uncle Bud began their literary work, and your Uncle Hebe and Laron Cummings and others first discovered their histrionic ability. We had some accomplishments in our own family, too, the girls could play and sing and recite, and they brought to the home some of the brightest and finest girls and boys in the community."
"But, grandma, did you stay in the room with the young folks all the time?" asked an inquisitive youth.
"Yes, if I wanted to ; we used to have some very fine times, [)laying intellectual games — not cards and nonsense like you do now, and we used to have some very amusing and entertaining conversations. Then after I had my little paper, my office was a place where numberless inquiring strangers came to learn of our people ; it was like a bureau of information ; and among them have been many distinguished men and women whom it has been my great pleasure to invite to my home and introduce to my girls. Let me see, what was the name of that beautiful southern woman writer? Oh, yes. Madam Lavere ; she was perfectly delighted be- cause I gave her a ghmpse of a 'Mormon' household, and she wrote me a delightful letter afterward thanking me for the oppor- tunity; and so did Kate Tannet Woods, Edmund Russell, Kate Field, and many others; and these things no doubt were rather nice occasions for my girls, but not half the education nor the value that the beautiful little meetings were which the sisters often held in my house, and where you were permitted to be present and to hear the glorious testimonies borne by Sister Home, and Sister Eliza Snow, and the rich history told by Sarah M. Kimball, Sarep- ta Heywood, Elizabeth Howard, and others; and the wonderful singing of Mother Whitney, with its beautiful interpretation by Aunt Zina."
"Yes, I know, mother dear, and all these privileges I hope I ever will be grateful for, but more grateful still that I have such a wonderful little woman for a mother, whose great dower to her children, her testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the teachings to them of the gospel of Jesus Christ, has made them rich in deed, and whose tender sympathy and strength of purpose have never failed them, in sorrow or in joy; and who, among her many graces and accomplishments, can
MOTHERS IN ISRAEL. 71
boast of a loving posterity of six children, twenty-five grand- children and twenty-five great-grandchildren to rise and call her blessed. But goodness, the whistles are blowing! It's a happy New Year to you, and now, good night and pleasant dreams."
As wideawake as ever, she answers, "It is good morning, and the dreams — well, I've shown you some pictures, any way." .
Annie Wells Cannon.
ECHO OF THE GENEALOGICAL CONGRESS.
We are still in close touch with our recent Genealogical Con- gress in San Francisco, this time through the January issue of the Utah Genealogical Magazine, which contains the proceedings of Utah Geenalogical Day, at the Exposition. That was indeed an epochal day for Utah. And' we suggest to our readers that they secure this number of the Genealogical Magazine, for it is full of vitally interesting matter for us all.
We have often been asked why we did not include the picture of the genial and able railroad official — Mr. C. L. McFaul — who managed the details of our excursion so successfully and delight- fully. We, therefore, present to you, with our mutual congratulations and good will, Mr. Charles L. McFaul. Mr. McFaul, the ladies of the ReHef Society!
Mr. McFaul was all that other accomodat- ing and capable railroad men are — and more. There were many tiresome problems, many unlooked-for complications, much unnecessary trouble caused, which most men would have dismissed with a careless or curt word. Not so with Mr. McFaul. He was courteous and helpful under even the most trying conditions, and stimulated everyone else to be likewise, through his unfailing good humor and patience. We shall not soon forget the gentleman nor the debt of gratitude we owe him.
We call particular attention to the article on the work done by the ReHef Society Extension Department in genealogy, in the Utah Genealogical Magazine, for this will be the foundation for our future historians who will turn with close interest to the gene- sis of a movement which has begun, but which will never end while time lasts, ^^'c' arc at the threshold of mighty events.
When Dreams Come True.
^3' Ruth Moench Bell.
A change had come over Harriet Cheevers. Something new had come into her Hfe. That was evident to even near-sighted Mrs. Priest. There was something on the famihar face that baffled analysis.
So long the little group of women had sewed together that the slightest deviation from accustomed ways was at once detected. One week ago the same carelessness in personal appearance, the result of long acquaintance and lack of incentive, was as apparent in Mrs. Cheevers as in the other members of the sewing circle. Now she looked as fresh and dainty as a girl and several years younger than usual.
It was with some surprise that the women noticed that Har- riet was almost pretty. Was it the soft, creamy tie she was wear- ing, or the extra brushing her hair had received that made it soft and fluffy, or was it the new expression of purpose and re- newed joy of living in her face, that made it lovely?
One member of the sewing circle, however, was not speculat- ing on the new tie or the fluffy hair or the kindled expression. Mrs. Jones, mother of the mayor of North Hammond, saw a secret lurking in the depths of her friend's eyes, and she yearned to take her by the shoulders and shake it out of her. Mrs. Jones had a nose for mystery, and disliked being kept in suspense con- cerning it.
"What's come over you, Harriet," she asked abruptly. "Somebody died and left you a fortune?"
"Nobody has died and left me one," Mrs. Cheevers laid down her tatting and partially enlightened them ; "but somebody did come to life and bequeath me one."
Mrs. Cheevers resumed her tatting with the same preocciipie 1 aloofness that had so puzzled the women that afternoon.
"For pity sake explain yourself, Harriet," Mrs. Jones urged impatiently. "It doesn't sound quite sane."
"It isn't anything much," Mrs. Cheevers explained modestly, "And perhaps you won't be interested. I've been reading this week about a woman fifty years old who started in to get a col- lege education after her children were all reared."
"Did she get it?" Mrs. Jones probed.
"She got it." Mrs. Cheevers declared triumphantly, "And she earned the money to pay for it right out of her vegetable and flower garden, and bv making crocheted and knitted shawds and
IV HEX DREAMS COME TRUE. 73
bootees and lace. She got all the college extensicin work she could, and finally they put her in charge of some experiments. And now she is one of the most successful women in the coun-
''I don't see what that has to do with you. Mrs. Jones sniffed, still trying- to dig- a little deeper into the mastery.
"It has just this to do with me," Mrs. Cheevers replie 1. "It set me thinking-. ( )ur doctrine is the doctrine of Eternal Progres- sion. And here I have perhaps twenty-five more years in which to progress right here on earth. And I've been sitting aroun 1 think- ing of nothing- but my aches and pains, and waiting for death when I might have been growing and developing and improving myself."
"Tell us more about this woman," Mrs. I'riest begged.
"There isn't much more to tell,'' Mrs. Cheevers went on. "She's fond of games."
"I don't see how they will improve her much," Mrs. Jones protested.
"That is just where I am going to begin to improve," Mrs. Cheevers laughed. "I never did have enough fun. It seems like we were young such a short time, and ol 1 such a long time. And then we married so much younger than folks do now-a- days. While the children were with me I often longed to go out and play with them but there was always something to be done. I can see now that I would have been a better mother if I had joined in their pla}^ as they often coaxed me to do. I'd have loosened up some of the laughter that lay under the crust of seri- ousness that covered up my smiles and light-heartedness. Why games and dancing were the very things that saved the sanity of the pioneers, amid all their hardships. Laug"hter helped to lighten their load ; laughter and prayers and songs of thanksgiving, of course."
A hush had fallen over the group and Mrs. Cheevers resumed her tatting. But she was too full of the achievements of this other mature woman and her own plans and rene\\ e:l ambitions to keep silent long till she had shared it all with her friends.
"There is another thing I am going to do. You know how interesting our studies on Utah artists and their works have been? Well, I'm going to follow these studies wuth the life and works of all the leading artists of the world. If I'd had one speck of talent or opportunity I believe I'd have tried to paint when I was a girl. But I am not going to give up now till I know all about the finest paintings and the lives and methods of the paint- ers."
Mrs. Morgan looked up as if a sulden ins|Mration had come to her. She changed her mind, and did not si)eak but her thou.^-hts were of a certain organ, silent since the children had married,
74 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
that might help her to reahze her dreams. She had always yearned to play. "And I am going to begin to learn now," she told herself with resolution.
"I believe God gives us these last long, leisurely years so we can fulfill some of the many desires crowded out of the care- free time of youth, and the crowded period of niiddle life. This is our chance to make our dreams come true."
"I believe you are right, Harriet," Mrs. Jones sighed, under the spell of the early dreams now long forgotten. "Still none of it explains why you are 'all dolled up,' as my grandchildren say."
"It is the influence of this eager woman again," Mrs. Cheevers lau-^-hed. "She said that the first thing she set about to do after she had made up her mind that she had something to do, even if the children were all married and gone, was to make her body as happy, healthy, clean and attractive as possible and her personal appearance as dainty and neat as she could. She says that care and pride in one's person, especially when one is getting along in years, is evidence of a high order of self-respect, and helps one to keep young and attractive. She calls it well-groomed."
"Groomed," Mrs. Jones sniffed. "Groomed ! Is she a mare or a woman?"
Mrs. Cheevers bit her lip. She realized that she had roused Mrs. Jones, who always took umbrage at remarks on neatness whether they were meant for her or not.
Mrs. Jones sniffed again, and glanced down at her apron, which was. to say the least, slightly soiled. She had explained that it was wash-day as she came in. Besides, it was one of her proudest boasts that she had made no difference in her habits since her son had become Mayor. Still she would have given con- siderable, then, to have slipped the apron into her sewing-bag un- observed. And for any notice that would have been taken of the act. she might have done so. Each woman was busy with a personal inventory of herself and her apparel, that left her, for the moment, unaware of any flaws in her sisters.
On the other side of Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Lochart sat gazing absently into space. A glimpse into her thought- factory would have elicited the information that her shoe-laces were broken in several places, and tied together in knots, more or less neat, with frayed edges showing. Mrs. Lochart was remembering also that her shoes had not been blacked for some time. In fact, the more she thought of it the more convinced she became that her shoes had not been blacked since she bought theni. She drew her feet further imder her skirts, and hoped that her action had been unobtrusive. She would not have liked Mrs. Morgan to wonder why.
Mrs. Morgan would not have wondered, for reasons already suggested. Mrs. Morgan had taken advantage of the long silence
WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE. 75
and averted eyes to take a peep at her nails. Her worst fears were confirmed, and' she slipped her hands under the shawl she had been knitting. A dried rim of dough was visible at the base of each nail. She had not gone over her nails after putting the bread into loaves, but merely washed and dried her hands and hastened to the sewing circle.
Mrs. Priest was occupied with curling her finger tips into the palm of her hand to hide the ragged tips of her gloves. She en- joyed w^orking in the garden, and often forgot to wear heavy gloves while about such work. Conscious of the conrlition of her hands, she had brought no sewing and kept her gloves on. Her one thought now was whether Mrs. Alton had noticed the holes in her gloves.
She need not have concerned herself. A frayed petticoat, whose flounce was secured with a safety-pin, was occupying Mrs. Alton's mind to the exclusion of everything else.
Leave-takings were rather hasty, for reasons connected with the inner processes of each woman's mind.
"You meet with me next time," Mrs. Cheevers reminded them. ,
Unconsciously each woman glanced at Mrs. Cheever's nails, as her fingers slid in and out putting her tatting into her sewing- bag and slipping the ribbons over her wrist. The nails were pink- tipped and perfectly manicured. They had never differed so es- sentially from the other woman's before.
"I suppose Harriet is getting ready to emulatee this perfect type of mature woman," Mrs. Jones told herself, as she ap- proached Mrs. Cheevers' for the next meeting. "If it were not for giving the impression that I'm ashamed of myself I'd not go today. Perfectly 'Groomed'," she exhumed; for the word had been literally burned in her heart the entire week. It was a relief to expel it.
Nevertheless she continued on her way with the comfortable assurance that no one could pick any flaws with her attire. She had made several concessions which she secretly hoped would pass unnoticed. The extra brushing she had given her hair as well as the curl which she found becoming to her forehearl might attract attention. Yet she let it stay.
Arriving at Mrs. Cheevers' from various directions, an aston- ishei-1 group of women stood stone still for there on the spacious lawn, a glow on her cheeks, laughter on her lips, industriously batting at an elusive ball sported their hostess.
"Why Harriet Cheevers," Mrs. Jones exploded. "You'll run yourself to death. You aren't a girl any more."
Mrs. Cheevers came up breathless and radiant to receive her guests.
"I sent for my niece to come and teach me to plav tennis."
76 KLiLlEl' SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
she explained, "and 1 thought we might as well have a game while you were coming."
"You'll pay for this tomorrow," Mrs. Priest croaked envi- ously, "You'll probahly be laid up all day."
"Oh, we've been at it for a week," Mrs. Cheevers laughed. "I did feel pretty lame at first. But I'm standing it all right now. Do you mind if we have some more games this afternoon? I found a set of dominoes, an old checker-board and a deck of flinch up in the attic."
Nobody minded and many a merry laugh startled lips that had forgotten the flavor of smiles. Long after dusk the guests left for their homes. Each seemed absorbed in highly interesting plans. It was a very purposeful group of women that went to their beds that night, as eager for dawn to come, that they might put their plans into efl:'ect, as they had been as children.
Mrs. Cheevers had set them thinking. And they could see that they had each cherished some desire of achievement, and now they meant to work to attain it instead of regretting that they had never had the opportunity. And in seeking it they began to realize that there would come into their lives, instead of a long, cheerless fall hastened too soon, prolonged too wearily, a rich, warm Indian Summer, lasting and lingering and breaking into a sweet, peace- ful winter. Several croquet sets and other discarded games were brought down from sundry attics that week. Women who had long since been too old to play, loosened their crippled joints and forgot their pain in the excitement of old games.
"If Harriet Cheevers can learn to play tennis at her age, I'm not too old to play croquet," Mrs. Lochart remarked, and the others were of the same mind.
"If Betty Morgan is not too old to study music, and can earn the money to pay for her lessons," Maggie Priest told her- self, "I guess I can study history and buy my own books. I've always wanted to ever since my Frank used to rehearse his les- sons to me. If my back yard won't yield enough garden sage to supply the butchers and grocers, so they won't have to ship in any more of that tasteless stuff they've been handling, I want to know the reason why. It's too late for asters but the florist says he gets quantities every fall, and he will buy all the tulips, and hyacinths and daffodils I can raise in the spring. So I guess I can buy all the books I shall need."
"Hortense Alton has sold a piece of her lot," Mrs. Jones called over to Betty Morgan one day. "Tom Gunnell has been trying to buy it for years and at last she has cut it loose. She is going to take the money and go to California for a trip, this win- ter. She is as gay as a girl at the prospects. And here she has been getting ready to die for the last ten years !"
lyHEN DREAMS COME TRUE. 77
Two weeks skipped by, and the mayor of North Hammond happened in to see his mother. He found her in a white apron, as white as her freshly washed hair. She was sewing crocheted lace on a night-gown.
'Who is going to get married now," he laughed as his de- lighted eyes noted the change in his mother's apparel. "Who is the happy bride?"
"I am," she retorted, transfixing him with a gay laugh.
"Mother," he gasped, "then who is the happy groom?"
"Old Age, Tom, just Old Age. I've always been afraid of him, and run from him. But he has been tramping on my heels so long that at last I've turned around to embrace him. I believe Harriet Cheevers is right. She says Old Age is the dearest friend we have, if we only use wisely the leisure he grants us. She says he gives us the chance to make all our dreams come true. You see in youth we are so set on getting married that we only dream about what we should like to do some day. In mid- dle life we can't find time. That is why Old Age is so generous with time. He gives us the opportunity to do all we once thought we wished to do."
The mayor of North Hammond looked at his mother through a mist that did not often veil his eyes. He felt as if he had met her for the first time and was scarcely worthy of an acquaintance. In fact, his feeling was even holier than that. It was as if he had bolted into a scantuary and ought to be down on his knees before this mother whom he had once wished would take a little pride in herself. He felt guilty and conscience-smitten at the recollection.
"I've never cared for travel like Hortense Alton does.- I haven't a bit of talent for music. History bores me to death. But I've got to find some interest in life, so I can grow young like the others are. I've thought it all out, and I've come to the conclusion that the thing I'm most deficient in is just plain house-keeping. And I guess I've got as good a right to 'doll myself up' as Harriet Cheevers has. If I'm going to marry Old Age and live with him for a good many years, I'm going to dress to please him, and keep house to please him. I'll have to be a lot more careful and particular than I used to be when I was younger and more attractive."
Mrs. Jones had not dared to confess her housekeeping limita- tions to her friends. It was a relief to have her son to confide in.
"Come here, Tom," Mrs. Jones lead the way into her little pantry. "See those shelves."
Mayor Jones looked at the shelves and pantry, all newly painted white. He remembered when, as a boy, he brought a friend in for a spread and longed to turn the hose loose on those same shelves and make them more inviting.
78 RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
Then she led the way into the bed-room and pulled out the dresser drawers. "Look at those drawers," and she pointed with pride at the neat piles of freshly ironed Hnen.
Again Mayor Jones' memory led him backward. He was a boy again, and rumaging in those same drawers in which an end of almost anything might be seen sticking up as one opened the drawer.
"You are a wonder, Mother," he exclaimed proudly, as he folded her in his arms. "Some women at your age would be moping around complaining of their aches and pains, and expect- ing somebody to wait on them and be sorry when they died."
It was Mrs. Jones' turn to be uncomfortable.
"That is precisely what I was doing, boy, a few weeks ago, when something pricked my pride and got me started right. It was that word 'groomed' that Harriet Cheevers used, I believe. It kind of got under my feathers at first. People used to have so much to say about my bad house-keeping, and untidy dress, that I just naturally flared up when anything was said on the subject. It used to bother me considerably; but it seemed as if I hadn't the knack, so I quit trying and pretended I didn't care, just to defy them."
Mayor Jones suppressed a smile at this revelation of the in- ternal workings behind the external expression with which he was only too familiar.
"That word 'groomed' was as annoying as a fly walking over my upper lip. It fretted me until I gradually became unaware of its existence. About that time it occurred to me how delightfully fresh and frisky a horse must feel after it is well curried and brushed. I suppose I used to be like the over-worked plough horse whose master couldn't take time to brush and curry it and pick the burrs out of its mane. Now I can't help wishing they could invent some way to brush a horse's teeth so its mouth could feel cool and refreshed as mine does after the tooth-duty I once couldn't find time for. I could never believe the glow of pride that goes over one when we begin and close the day well- groomed. It is easier to pray and the prayer seems more efifec- tive, if we have made the flesh more fitting for the spirit."
The mayor of North Hammond turned his eyes from the vision of this new mother, once so self-sufficient, now so appealing in her wistful humility.
"So the little mother is indulging herself in a perfect orgy of house-keeping, and 'dolling herself up'." He pressed her hand to divert her thoughts from the catch in his voice that would come at sight of the mother of sixty years satisfying her suppressed
"Why it is as exciting as a game," she laughed. "Every ambitions while yet life lasted.
PyHEN DREAMS COME TRUE. 79
day I find some new way to be more particular and efficient, and it is real fun. If only — " and there was a catch in the mother's voice as she controlled herself and went on, "if only your father were here. I can see now that he wanted to be proud of me in every way. Well, maybe I'll have a chance, on the other side, to show him the improvement I've made since he left me here."
Mayor Jones folded his mother in his arms again. Her thoughts were precisely what his had been. It was a solemn moment for both. The next day a box of roses came for Mrs. Jones with the compliments of her son and the wish that time and strength might be hers to make every dream come true. There was also a substantial check with the suggestion that she take some friend, widowed like herself, to a temple city where both could enjoy some spiritual work.
Meanwhile five other mature women, grown suddenly young, were finding it "real fun" to break their own records and realize dreams. A new zest brightened the meetings of The Relief So- ciety and sewing circle of North Hammond. Aches and pains were far off and forgotten themes. History, music, travel, art. new recipes, new patterns for bootees and shawls, pin-money methods and markets, were absorbing themes. And, side by side with thoughts of the hereafter, strode tha thought to prepare more worthily here.
TEMPLE HYMN.
By Lucy May Green.
In thy service. Heavenly Father, we thy children meet today.
Bless us with Thy Holy Spirit, aid us in our work, we pray.
We are thankful for thy gospel, for thy blessed truth and love.
May we ever be found faithful, never from thy pathway rove.
Purify our hearts, our Father, as we promise unto thee
All our life, our time, and talents, until death shall set us free
May our lives be pure and holy ; may we never go astray ;
Ever strive to do our duty, walking in the narrow way,
Until life on earth is over. Faithful to the end may we
Dwell with thee in heavenly mansions, throughout all eternity.
A Testimony.
(This happened in March, 1897; it was written at the time it occurred, and was a wonderful experience and testimony.)
By Lucy May Green.
Evening- on the Atlantic ocean. Calm and peaceful were the skies which were ilhuninated -by the glorious rays of the setting sun. The wind had ceased blowing and the waves, which had been rising mountain high, how now sunk to a peaceful calm. The passengers of the steamship Circassia were strolling the deck, or sitting in groups in their deck-chairs. Some were discussing the progress the ship had made during the afternoon, and were eagerly counting the days that must elapse 'ere they could reach their distant homes, far away in the West.
Others were admiring the glorious cloud picture, as the golden sun sank lower and lower on the horizon, illuminating the waves until they sparkled like glowing diamonds. Among the passengers were several who, for the Gospel's sake, had long been separated from home and loved ones, and their hearts beat high, as they thought of the loving welcome that awaited them at home. Each dull thump of the engine was heard with gladness, as each forward bound of the vessel brought them nearer home.
Others were there whose hearts were sad yet full of courage ; these had left father and mother and home and friends to gather to the Zion of God, and they too were looking forward with joy to the speedy fulfilment of their long-cherished desire to gather with the Saints in Zion.
Suddenly there came a crash which shook the vessel from stern to stern. In a moment all was confusion and people rushed to and fro in wild excitement.
In a few words the captain explained the gravity of the situa- tion. The shaft of the engine had broken and the ship would float at the mercy of the winds and waves until the damage could be repaired. It was a trying moment for all. The wind had again risen, the sea had become greatly troubled, and a heavy storm was threatening.
In the meantime, some of the passengers, those few humble servants of the Lord had gathered in one of the lower cabins in earnest prayer that God in His mighty power would preserve them from danger, and then by the power of the priesthood and in the name of Israel's God, the winds and waves were rebuked. "And suddenly there was a great calm." Into the hearts of these faith-
A TESTIMONY. 81
fill ones came stealing the sustaining influence of the Spirit of God. The promises that had been sealed on their heads prior to their departure from home came to their remembrances, that they would reach home in safety. A quiet, peaceful night was passed and in the morning the sea was calm and smooth with scarcely a ripple on the waves. This continued for three days and the engine again began to work and in due time the ship reached her desired haven. Some thought a miracle had been wrought and who shall deny it? Israel's God still lives. He who of old calmed the waves with His gentle "Peace be still, and he acknowledges the administrations of His authorized servants and still moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform."
Let us be encouraged by this manifestation of His power and know that there is no difficulty so great but with His help we can overcome it, and if the way is ever so dark, and everything seems against us. if we exert great faith in the Lord, stand firm in the testimony of Jesus, and keep His commandments. He will guide us safely through the voyage of life, through storms and sunshine until we land safely on the heavenly shore, our dearest haven.
A PRAYER. By Edith McClendon.
Help me, dear Lord, to ever pray For light to guide my way, For wisdom pure that I might see The path that leads to thee.
Help me, each day, to stronger grow. Thy children's needs to see, That I may help some weaker soul In safety back to thee.
For with thy help all tasks seem light, Our path with flowers are strewn, Without it, all is very dark. And we are left in gloom.
Ofttimes the world seems sad and dark, And trials hard to bear. Oh ! help us, then, to seek for light In true and earnest prayer.
MESA, ARIZONA.
My Testimony Concerning Temple
Work.
By Lerona A. Wilson.
Last fall the Lord, in his tender mercy, touched me and brought me near to death's door. By the power of faith and fervent prayer, my life was preserved, and after a severe case of blood poisoning, I still retain my precious right hand. When I became humble enough and prayerful enough, so that I could exercise faith, I had what was to me a remarkable experience ; and I want to testify of what I saw and heard.
When my life seemed to be hanging in the balance, and I was suffering pain and distress, lying upon my bed at midday, I was praying most fervently for deliverance, with all the faith I coul 1 exercise. My room suddenly became lighted brightly with a soft, white light, then a number of my deceased relatives came into my room. My father came first, then my mother, my sister and her son's wife and two doctors, who were among our ancestors for whom we had done ordinance work in the temple. All stood around my bed, and father addressed me, saying: "You seem to be in distress."
I answered that I was, and did not know how I could endure it much longer.
Father was dressed in a uniform such as he wore as an officer of the Nauvoo Legion, in the early history of the Church. Many still remember Major Monroe, when he lived in Ogden and took part in the Echo Canyon campaign and in Indian troubles.
Continuing he said : "I have come to talk to you about doing the temple work for our dead ancestors."
At that point I caught the eye of my nephew's wife, whose death was the most recent, and who left four very young boys, one an infant, and to whose death I could hardly become re- conciled ; and I said to her : "O, Lydia, how are your little boys?"
She replied : "They are all right, they are with their father."
T asked again : "But why did you leave them ?"
Father answered for her : "We required her for an inter- preter. We could not get along without her."
T asked : "What calling is greater for a mother than to care for her infant children?"
Father replied : "Others can take good care of her children, but there are few people who are qualified for the work she is doing. She had prepared herself." (I knew that to be true.)
MY TESl IMONV CONCERNING TEMPLE WORK. 83
Father asked me if I would go to the temple and take up the ordinance work for our kindred dead. ■
I said : "How can T leave my work ( in my school of dress- making), and my family?"
My mother spoke this time: "I had to leave my family just when I was needed the most. You can remain with your family. You will only need to spend a part of your time in the temple."
Then my sister said : "I had to leave my family, too, when I was so much needed, and Lydia had to leave her little ones."
These remarks made my excuse seem very weak. Father wanted me to promise him that I would do this work, and I gave him my promise that I would.
"Now remember," he said, "it will require much faith. Do you think you can have faith enough?"
"Father, I will do all in my power," I rephed, for while under that exalting influence, it seemed an easy matter to have faith.
Father then drew his sword and flashed it above my head. His tone changed from that of a gentle father, to the loud, stern voice of a commanding officer as he said :
"H you do not, I will mow you down like stubble, and move you out of the way and raise up some one who will."
Sensing more fully the difficulties of the task I had taken upon myself, I wanted to know how I could obtain means to carry on the work.
Father said: "Call upon your brethren, they will help you."
"Why do you not go to them?"I enquired.
He answered : "I have tried and tried, but I cannot make an impression upon them."
"Then how is it that I can hear you?" was my next question.
"Read Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, and you will understand," was his reply. (That section contains the Word of Wisdom).
Father then quoted from the scriptures giving chapter and verse, and taught me the law of baptism in greater force and beauty than I had ever heard it, and explained that this ordinance cannot be administered in the spirit world. The dead who have died without baptism must have the ordinance performed for them by the living.
He alluded to our kindred, saying they were a fine people, and they had received the gospel. They were most anxious to be advancing. They need to move on with other spirits who are in like condition and give place to the large numbers who are now crowding into that world.
I asked : "How about the other churches, are they not doing some good"?
He said : "Yes, in a way, but they have not the priesthood and can do little towards the salvation of the living or the dead.
84 RELIEI' SOCIETY MAGAZINE.
The Lord has only one Church. All others are mere organizations — man made, which he -does not recognize as far as the gospel ordinances go."
I asked if we would escape the calamities that are coming upon the earth.
He said we had no promise unless we cease to worship the god