the pit in the deserted wood, with ignoble stone crushing his hiteless body. war, murder, exue were powerless to bring such desolation το these royal hearis; but when Absalom, the forgiven murderer, became a betrayer infinite woe fell around the name of the dead prince and the Dowed head of the living King. But though the great tenderness of the psalmist could compass remission for the crime of Absalom, the nation and history must be more harsh. When a subject, for self-agrandizement, rises against a king, he is a traitor, but he is a thricedamned traitor when that monarch against whom he rebels is his own father. Women are often false to their lovers; subjects to their sovereigns, and even sons to their sires. Divinity itself is no invulnerable shield against betrayal. A merciful Christ came to save mankind from torment and lift them into eternal radiance. He chose and trusted his apostles. He ministered to them and with them. They each could give a testimony that their Master was the anointed SaVior, the Son of the living God. P'ersecution came upon Him like the storm cloud lowers upon the snowy mountain and enfolded Him in a gloomy embrace. The prospect of suffering with this Godlike Master, whom he had served as purse-bearer when the danger was not great, made Judas weak unto betrayal. Cowardice and avarice worked together in the traitor heart. He kissed and cried: "Master, master; Hail, master!" Then he took his thirty pieces of silver, and with them he accepted a hatred of all mankind. The compassionate Redeemer of the world hung upon the cruel cross with drops of agony upon His radiant brow, while His lips were wreathed in a pained but forgiving smile. And Judas, the traitor, already tasting the infernal torments, called in vain to stay the progress of his dread act. The black-hearted deed was done. The mocking trial had passed, sentence had been pronounced and executed; and then the betrayer groaned and flung the money from him as a sinful, burning thing which had no worth. Upon the bloody field he cast himself and his bowels gushed forth in useless contrition. He died upon the spot which his bloodmoney purchased for the burial of strangers and criminals in the land. A brilliant general fell into disgrace with his military superiors and with the civil government of his country. He was impetuous and impatient of restraint. He was proud even to arrogance; he was extravagant even to the furthest limit of honesty. Other men had been advanced to higher posts-he felt himself degraded. His disbursements upon one of his heroic expeditions were still unsettled-he felt himself defrauded. A tyrant foe invested his country and sought to subjugate her people. He listened to the voice of ignoble avarice, of proud passion, of offended arrogance. With deliberate humiliation he sought a place of vast trust among the defenders of his country. He was appointed to the command of a great river fortress the key to the interior, the storage house of munitions dearly bought, highly prized and absolutely necessary for the repulse of the invaders. He sold his rank, his honor and his interest in his native land. Just at the hour when his bargain was to be decided, his old friend and admirer, the noble commander-in-chief, said to him: "My dear Arnold, I am now forming my army for active operations in the field. I want a fighting general. Come, I offer you the command of the left wing, at once the post of danger and of honor.' The traitor's face flushed with shame. He pleaded an old wound as reason why he should not go into the battlefield. Then he went to meet Andre and give the last assurance to his British masters that he was theirs, body and soul. By the interposition of America's sublime destiny his plot was discovered and foiled. Arnold, the trator, crept away to escape a betrayer's death. He received his British uniform, his British gold, his British sword. THE SOUTHERN STAR. He even came back with his mercenary horde to ravage, burn, destroy the little town in Connecticut where first he saw the light. 187 er which was divine, until the hour for the traitorous kiss. When Bennett sinned and then through hate betrayed, the shadows of martyrdom began closing Years later, the great Frenchman, Tal-around our grand Prophet and Patriarch. leyrand, met a distinguished-looking man When the Laws and the Higbees, the at an English country inn. The two gen- Fosters and the Cowles, became traitors tlemen were total strangers to each other, and gave their efforts to aid the assassin but they soon engaged in conversation persecutors of their sworn brother and upon the great question of democracy. leader; then, indeed, was the fate of When they were about to part, Talley-Joseph and Hyrum sealed.. rand said to his companion: "From your knowledge of all that relates to the United States, I am sure that you must be an American; my name is Talleyrand, and I am about to visit that country; perhaps you will be kind enough to give me letters of introduction to some of your friends there." When the illustrious diplomat had finished his request, the other gentleman bowed low; and when he looked up his face, even to his lips, was gray as ashes. In a voice which sounded weird and cheerless as the moan of a November wind across a deserted marsh, he an swered: "Yes, I am an American. I was bon in America. I have spent nearly all my life there. But I am probably the only American living who can say, I have not one friend in my native land.' No, not one. Sir, I am Benedict Arnold." Talleyrand turned away from Arnold with a shudder, while the miserable traitor crept silently from the room. When the unhappy wretch was dying in the midst of contempt and poverty he grew delirious. At the last moment of his ruined life he called to the devoted wife who had been the sharer of all his woe: "Bring to me, I beg you, the epaulettes and sword knots which Washington gave me. Let me die in my old American uniform, the uniform in which I fought my May my God forgive me for ever having worn any other!" battles. The greatest army which the world ever saw was gathered at Thermopylae more than two thousand years ago. This was the Persian host assembled to do battle to the little band of Spartans. So intrepidly did the Greeks defend that sacred defile which gave entrance to their beloved land that Xerxes became out of all hope of forcing his way through the Spartan ranks. This was the moment for the traitor. Before the proud Xerxes could withdraw his myriads, the betrayer came a Greek, a native of the sublime country. With servile words he flung himself at the feet of the gorgeous Persian. He offered to lead the invaders to an eminence overlooking the heroic defenders of Greece. His coward wish was granted; and when the next morning dawned Leonidas and his followers saw the spears and helmets of their foes flashing at them from the heights. The rest is the most sublime tragedy of profane history. And the traitor who betrayed the noblest souls of Greece to their death received his gold and precious stones. He might have died in the honest obscurity in which he was born and reared, but for his coward act. Ah! such notoriety is purchased at too high a price. It would be better for a man to stand modestly and firmly before his country's foe; to fall unrecognized and without praise; to fill a grave over which the words shall stand cut into inwho died in defense of his country." Ah. effaceable granite, "An unknown soldier, yes! far better thus to fall and fill an unknown grave-to be unremembered forevermore of men-than to win a name of infamy, to fill the pages of history and be recollected of all human-kind while men shall hate a traitor. A prophet of Almighty God came in the full sunlight of this great nineteenth century to lead men back to the glory of their Creator. His open enemies sought his life; but for years their murderous effort was in vain. He continued his sacred ministry upon the earth, with a pow A governor of a sovereign state betrayed them to a cruel death; and Carthage repeated the divine tragedy of Cal. vary. The Prophet and Patriarch have passed to their glorious immortality; their names shall fill a thousand hymns of praise on earth and welcome in the heavens. But the traitors-miserable reptiles -will be scorned through countless ages. It is always the same prince or peasant, apostle or soldier-if a man be a traitor he is remembered for that and nothing more. If his station be lowly, he will seek in vain to hide his shame in his native obscurity; for it will burst forth in lurid, bloody letters to the sight of all the ages that shall come. station be exalted he may try and try again, but vainly, to cover his treason with the glory of his rank or wealth; for it will blacken all his brilliance and leave his place a plague spot; his fame, a grinning skeleton of dead despair; his career, an undying infamy. If his But whatever may be the varied circumstances and results attending the wretched lives of traitors, there is this lesson which all humanity may draw: Successful or unsuccessful in their treason, betrayers are always execrated; suc cessful or unsuccessful in their treason, they always live long enough to repent: successful or unsuccessful in their treason, they may never in this life know a waking moment when their own coward fears do not make them doubt the fidelity of every soul about them; successful or unsuccessful in their earthly treason, when they shall stand in that other world face to face with their betrayed friends, they will know that the blackest of all offenders are cowardly, assassin traitors. At that great day Judas Iscariot will not be the only traitor to cry: "It had been good for me that I had not been born!" Every crisis at every period and with every nation exposes traitors just as it exalts to view patriots. Ah! today we see Delilah, who betrays her husband; and Absalom, who is traitorous to his father: and Judas, who would betray his master for gold or popular approval; the Arnold who says. "It is a losing cause, and I may as well desert while there is yet time." Yes, there are cowards and traitors in the land. Well, let there be, then, since such are necessary to make the sum of human existence let them live as hyenas do. Grand Harry the V., of England-superb, glorious Harry--stood once upon the shore of France with his little band of soldiers to face the countless legions of his hereditary foe. He heard a murmur as of fear; and turning to his nobles he looked at them from flashing eyes and spoke these very significant words: "He which hath no stomach to this fight, And make him of like spirit to himself. A valiant man ought not to undergo, or tempt a danger but worthily, and by selected ways. He undertakes with reason, not by chance.-Ben Jonson. Among all the accomplishments of life, none is more important than refinement: it is not, like beauty, a gift of nature, and can only be acquired by cultivation and practice. ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 8. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 8. We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Chost. 6. We believe that a man must be called of God, by "prophecy, and by the laying on of bands," by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church-namely, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelista, etc. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 12. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates; in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 18.We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, "We believe all things, we hope all things," we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, fovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these Shings JOSEPH SMITH.. CUTTLE FISH HYPOCRISY. When the cuttle fish wishes to hide his true position it opens its spleen bag of black gall and squirts the inky substance into the water around it. There are, in the so-called Christian world of the nine teenth century, a great many professed "preachers of righteousness," who take a delight (apparently so, from the numerous instances thereof,) in using the same methods, and going through the same manoeuvres as the cuttle fish, when they wish to turn the public mind against that system of religion erroneously known as "Mormonism." This "cuttle fish hy pocrisy" on the part of our good "Christian" friends is neither sound or convincing. Preachers may rant and rage about "Mormonism;" they may howl and storm from their lofty pulpits; but after they have foamed and frothed, and their boiling anger is somewhat cooled, they look down upon this strange, pecu liar sect called "Mormons," and behold! they grow, increase, and multiply in numbers. Let us reason for a few moments, Christian people, for we do not look down upon you with scorn, derision, contempt or hate. No! Our mission is one of peace and good will; our labor one of love, forgiveness, gentleness, and sweet charity.. You know the Lord says through His servant Isaih, "Come now and let us reason together;" and, if the Father of all mercies will condescend to reason with His erring children on the earth, have we not the right, and should we not exercise the same, by reasoning among ourselves? Yes! for "wisdom and reason make us men." To reason then; would it not be a great deal better for Mr. Baptist to preach Baptistism; Mr. Methodist to declare Methodistism; than for either of them to fight against and endeavor to tear down "Mormonism?" Yes! And why? For this reason: They are commanded by the Lamb of God to let their light shine, and in fighting "Mormonism" they are railing at what they suppose to be darkness, and not exhibiting the light they profess to possess. As well might you shout to a man who is struggling in the deep, "You are drowning," and not throw out a life line, a buoy, or any other means by which he might be saved, as to rave and abuse the doctrines and teachings of "Mormonism" without casting forth your precious beams of holy light which you lay claim to have. Why do modern Christians forever continue to slander the Mormon people, and fail to give reason or Scripture for so doing? It is simply this, they, like the cuttle-fish, are desirous of concealing themselves, they are anxious to have the minds of the people turned from the shallowness of their own false systems, hence they belch forth wild anathemas against the Latter-day Saints, hiding themselves at the same time behind this sectarian fog of error, heresy, vile abuse, and misrepresentation. They define "Mormonism" as being a system of lust, false, heinous, treacherous and vile. Their definitions of the subject-Mormonism-puts us in mind of the student's answer, when asked by the zoological teacher, "What is a crab?" The student's answer was this, "The crab is a red fish which moves backward." "Very good," said the teacher, "your definition is correct but for three things. First the crab is not a fish; second, it is not red; and thirdly, it does not move backwards." So it is with those who would define for you, that "Mormonism" is a system of lust, vice, and fraud. They are as far from knowing the truthfulness of what they speak, as the boy in the zoology department; i. e., they know nothing of its virtues, divinity, and praiseworthiness. You cannot draw water from a dry well. If the Christian world has light we shall expect them to produce the same, that we might walk in the paths of righteousness. As yet they have failed to bring the light of the Holy Scriptures to bear upon us, but have gone astray from all righteous precedents, and have resorted to vile abuse, mob law, and scandalous reports. These are the cogent arguments, the powerful reasonings, the spotless eloquence of those who pose as "Trath Reflectors" in the van of modern Christendom. The mason generally uses the materials at hand for the erection of the structure he has contracted to build; so do preachers, therefore we are forced to admit that better material, sounder logic, more honorable eloquence, and God-like conduct are needed in the sects of distorted and turbulent Christendom today. Brother, you can never build up your own church by striving to pull down one with kindred objects like as you profess to have. If your own cannot stand on its miry foundation you should keep perfectly quiet and let it have an early and peaceful death. WORDS OF CONDOLENCE. A letter from President J. N. Miller, of the Louisiana Conference, dated May 6th, brings the sad news that three of his brothers fell victims in the Scofield explosion, as noted herein. Brother Miller says: "The news was indeed shocking to me, and to make it worse I was not there to render my assistance in that awful hour of trial. While I try to think that all is for the best, and recognize the hand of the Lord in all things, yet the trial is a severe one." Brother Miller has spent over two years in the Southern States Mission, and at all times he has been found at the post of duty, performing his part with a cheerful heart, and accomplishing the labors allotted him with an energetic will, and a faithful ambition to do the right. In this hour of anguish and sadness we extend unto this our beloved co-laborer our sympathy, love, and brotherly affection. May the Holy Spirit conduct him safely home, and may he be enabled to comfort, cheer, and console those of his household who now languish in and affliction, is the prayer and heart's desire of all who know him. SCRIPTURAL PREACHING. sorrow An exchange has the following under the above caption: "Many are the sermons, prepared and which yet fail of being edifying in a depreached with the best possible intent, gree that is comparable to the ability of the preacher. The sermon is clear, it is systematic, it is elegant, it is closely connected, and yet it fails to be highly edifying. What is the matter?" Yes! Christian friends! What is the matter? Why is it that such "sermons," "elegant," "prepared and preached with tematic," will "fail of being edifying in the best possible intent," "clear," "sysity of the preacher?" This seems to be a degree that is comparable to the abilthe one question of questions which puzzles the learned synods and theological time nor space will permit of an elabstudents of the present day. Neither orate elucidation of this all important question, and the purpose of our allusion to the above is merely to discover the methods used, the qualifications necessary, and the cheering results of those who lived in days of old-in the days which Biblical history bears record of. We shall find by searching the Scriptures that our Lord chose twelve Apostles, together with other officers placed in the church (I Cor. 12:28) to carry on the work of the ministry, and "preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Continuing His instructions to them, He says, "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Having been "filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:4), they straightway began to tell men what to do to be saved (37-39 verses), and their words, seasoned with love, guided by the Spirit, and spoken with power and authority, sank deep into the hearts of those who were assembled together; had the desired effect for which they were uttered, for "the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (41st verse.) Here then we see that the Lord required His servants to wait until such times as the Father would bestow upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost, and by being obedient to His divine command they were enabled to preach with power to the conviction and conversion of the honest in heart. "What is the matter?" asks our Christian friends, and the answer comes in plain, simple, explicit terms-a lack of the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Christian world will sing, "Holy Spirit, feed us till the Savior comes," and at the same time deny and reject the power and gifts of the spirit of Truth. Paul and Timothy were made able ministers of the word by the Spirit (II Cor. 3:6), knowing full well that by the wisdom of man the things of God could never be understood (I Cor. 1:21, 2:11). Neither the eloquent tongue of the great preacher, nor the skilled pen of the ready writer, will prove sufficient for the conversion of honest souls, but the one qualification absolutely necessary to bring about this blessed condition is the power of God-the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter says that in "old time" "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;" today "wise men" speak as they have learned in their schools of worldly wisdom. In conclusion: Let wisdom take her proper place; THE SCOFIELD DISASTER. During the past week there was a sad calamity befell the people of Utah, and especially those of Scofield and immediate vicinity. The cause of this sad disaster, in which almost 300 souls were re turned to that God who gave them life, was a terrific explosion in the coal mines. More than 225 bodies have been recovered, and these, for the most part, are horribly mutilated, being subjected to the fierce flames to which they were consigned. On May 3rd, President McKinley wired the following message to Gov. Wells, of Utah: "I desire to express my intense sorrow upon learning of the terrible calamity which has occurred at Scofield, and my deep sympathy with the wives, children and friends of the unfortunate victims of the explosion. William McKinley." We join the President of our glorious Republic in extending to those bereaved our sympathy, love, and affection for them in this their gloomy hour of bitter affliction, and we ask "our Father" in heaven to bestow upon them the sweet peaceful influence of His Holy Spirit, that their hearts may be comforted, their souls cheered, and the wounds of sorrow healed. Decline of Churches. The Presbyterian. A great awakening is needed all over this land, and those who feel the least desire for it perhaps stand most in need of it. The tide of worldliness and false doctrine is coming in like a flood, and the only hope is that the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against it. The revival that is needed is one that must reach into hearts, into homes, into churches, into business, into schools and colleges, and theological seminaries, and into the highest seats of power and authority in this nation. We believe the day for it is drawing very near, for there are indications that it is approaching rapidly. The good news comes, of times of refreshing in many quarters, even now. THE SOUTHERN STAR. ond, that American Methodism, the strongest sect of Protestantism, is beginning to go down. The so-called evangeli cal Protestants have in the past not only criticized the Catholic habit of observing the Lenten season, but even practically denounced it. These Protestants, in their desire to be free from every possible taint of "Romish superstition," have made a religion that does not appeal to the higher nature of man. They have even refused to sanction the cross, the emblem of salvation. The result has beeu that their cold and undevotional churches have been steadily losing ground. Another reason for the decay that has set in is to be found in the surrender of Protestantism to the so-called "higher critics." One leading Methodist, Bishop Andrews, in an interview with a reporter last week, practically admitted this. GLEANINGS. Lumberton, May 4, 1900. President Ben E. Rich, Chattanooga, Tenn.: Dear Brother:-Yesterday I received my release, ticket, etc., all satisfactory to De, and I leave here today at 11 a. m. for the Valleys of Zion. I rejoice in very deed to be numbered among those who have performed honorable missions. It is with reluctance I bid my co-laborers adieu, for I can truthfully state my happiest hours in life have been those spent in the missionary field. But now that the Priesthood has seen fit and proper to present me wih an honorable release, I rejoice and will return home, hoping ever to be faithful in the discharge of every duty given me in the Church and Kingdom of God. Although I may be absent in person from the missionary field, yet I assure you my prayers will daily ascend to God in behalf of the Elders and this grand work of love. I am thoroughly satisfied with my treatment at the commissary and take this opportunity of thanking you for the many accommodations shown me. Praying God to be with you and all His chosen servants, Your brother in Christ, JAMES L. EDLEFSEN. We are pleased with the spirit manifest by Elder Edlefsen and wish him success and prosperity in his labors in the future. He has manifested the true spirit of love and bears a humble testimony, as do all men who perform their duty unto God and their fellowmen. By the instructions of President Rich and under his direction some changes in the work and management of the Ohio conference have been made. On April 29th, some new appointments were made in connection with the Conference Presidency, the former President, Geo. E. Maycock, having lately been released to return home. Ohio was divided into two conferences -North and South Ohio-and the following named Elders will labor in their respective fields: H. Z. Lund, Ben L. Rich, T. M. Warnock, R. L. Shepherd, J. S. Cazier, E. M. Lee, J. M. Boothe, W. B. Parkinson, Jos. Sutherland, M. C. Miller, A. J. Stoddard, Jos. F. Nibley, C. D. W. Priday and J. W. Bently will labor in North Ohio; L. M. Nebeker, Ralph Cutler, Ben Hunsaker, S. A. Hanks, J. T. Wright, T. T. Durham, A. A. Paxman, Nelson Miller, David Sudworth, C. O. Cherry, E. J. Hunt, S. S. Smith, M. R. Fisher, Wilbur Sowards and A. B. Haskell will labor in South Ohio. Elder H. Z. Lund has been appointed President of the North Ohio conference and L. M. Nebeker of the South Ohio conference. 189 can visit the northern part of the state, locate his headquarters and arrange as to what parts he will assign his Elders to commence labors, they will report as formerly in the Ohio conference; but when he has arranged for the commencement of work in North Ohio, the Elders now laboring in South Ohio, who are to go north, will be notified to move and the work will then operate under the two heads. Elder A. C. Strong has been appointe to preside over thte North Alabama conference, to succeed President T. H. Humphreys, who was honorably released to return home on the 1st inst. Under Elder Humphrey's management the North Alabama conference has been in a prosperous condition and the reports from that quarter speak well for the Elders. We know President Strong will have the love and good will of all the Elders, and look for a continuation of the splendid work done in the past. Abstracts from Correspondence. Thatcher, Ariz., April 20, 1900. Editor Southern Star. For the encouragement of new converts in Tennessee, my native state, and its light, please allow me space for the to all others where the Star may shed testimony of one who took passage on ago, and has faced the storms of persethe old ship "Zion" sixty-seven year's cution that have been hurled against the the postoffice when the father of Elder truth, and is still on deck. I was in Joseph Woolsey received his calendar, and having a dollar in my pocket, sent for your paper, which is very much appreciated. I received my third number last night and read it through before I laid it down. It is my desire to express my views in regard to the Latter-day Saints. Some three years ago I began to attend the meetings conducted by the Elders, also reading literature presented by them. I searched diligently and found their teachings true, harmonizing with the Bible. On the 26th of March, 1899, I was baptized by Elder A. T. Stewart, and from that time have had the Spirit of God to be with me, teaching me the ways of light and truth. I am trying to live up to my duties and follow in the straight path which leads to eternal happiness. We are unjustly persecuted, but that only causes our faith to be strengthened. May the Lord bless faithful. Your sister in Christ, the Fanney E. Prescott. Language and thought are inseparable. Words without thoughts are dead sounds; thoughts without words are nothing. To think is to speak low; to speak is to think aloud.-Max Muller. I have somewhere seen it observed that we should make the same use of a book as a bee does of a flower; she steals sweets from it, but does not injure it. For the present, until President Lund Colton. CHARITY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS. Discourse Delivered By President George Q. Cannon, at Salt Lake City. I have great sympathy for these return ing Elders, for I know how I telt upon, my return from my first mission, and being asked to speak to a congregation of Saints in the oid Tabernacle. I had been absent ve years, preaching in a foreign language. I had had a great deal of experience on that mission in preaching, baptizing, organizing branches and conterences, and laboring in every direction. But when I came back and was called to the stand, it seemed as though the bottom of my memory dropped out, I was so frightened at facing so many people. I could scarcely recollect anything, and, having been speaking in a foreign language, it was difficult to speak in my mother tongue. I had translated the Book or Mormon into that language and had become thoroughly familiar with it-so familiar that all my thoughts and my secret prayers were in that language, instead of my mother tongue. I suppose that has been the case with these Eiders who have come from Germany. No doubt, they have done their thinking as well as their talking in German; and therefore they probably have had to translate their thoughts into English, as I had to do. I sympathize very deeply with Elders, whether they have been preaching in the English language or in a foreign language, tongues; to another the interpretation of But all these worketh that one and the For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that body, being many, are one body; so also Is Christ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best girts: and yet shew 1 unto you a more excellent way. We should be our aim to seek unto the Lord Fasting for a Purpose. I have often been struck at our fast I will read a portion of the next chap-meetings with the thought that the Latter (13th), for the subject is continued ter-day Saints ought to have a purpose here: when they come together fasting and praying. One day a month is set apart by the Church as a day or tasting, or prayer, of humiliation before the Lord. When we get together there should be in all our hearts a desire that our prayers may as Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of pro phecy, and understand all mysteries, and when they come back and have to lace a And though 1 bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Doth not behave itself unseemly, seek eth not her own, is not easily provoked, thinke no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking Ly the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy but when that which is perfect is come, These last words declare that prophe- Purpose of Spiritual Gifts. I feel and have felt for some time that as Latter-day Saints our attention should be called more than I think it has been of late to those gifts which God has placed in His Church for the benefit of His Saints. For some time past I have been led, in speaking to the Saints at various places, to dwell upon this subject. We cannot be the people that God designs we should be, unless we seek after and obtain these cend to the Lord unitedly for certain defiested in Zion and in the great cause of uite objects. Of course, we are all interGod. We desire righteousness to prevail, the will of God to be done. We can alı may God have knows. pray unitedly for this great object, and me. This The gift of revelation should increase within me. I should seek for the gift of wisdom, to have it increase within me; the gift of knowledge also. Should we not all do so? I need these gifts; you need them. You need to have patience, officer in the Church needs the gift of inlong-suffering, forbearance. A presiding struction, the gift of counsel, and, when He needs to understand the plan of salneeded, the gift of reproof and warning. vation, and what constitutes godliness; he needs to have the gift of healing, and all need to have the gift of a broken heart the gift of discernment of spirits. We and a contrite spirit; for that is the offering that is acceptable unto the Lord. hearts and contrite spirits He hears us, When we come to Him with broken and He accepts the offering. offering that He asks at our hands. It is the Purpose of the Gift of Tongues. So I might go on and enumerate gifts spiritual gifts. It should be the constant that we need. If I were called on a misprayer of all the Latter-day Saints for sion to a people speaking a foreign lanthe Lord to give us those gifts that are guage, I should pray constantly for the suited to our condition, and that will gift of tongues, and for the gift of the make us perfect, because the bestowal of interpretation of tongues. I obtained that these gifts is for the express purpose of making those who are entitled to them gift a few days after I reached the land where I was sent; I understood all that perfect before the Lord. Through the was said to me. I also received help in Fall we have inherited very many weak- acquiring the language. I know that nesses and infirmities. We are all more such a gift is within the reach of those or less conscious of them, especially if who seek for it. It is not alone given we come unto the Lord in humility. He to us to get up in our testimony meetshows us our imperfections and points outings and speak in tongues and somebody to us our defects in character, by His interpret it. That is very comforting and Spirit. We see some very glaring defects a very desirable gift, when it is governed in ourselves. This being the case, it properly. It appeals to many people; they thing it is a wonderfully great gift. Gift of Government. THE SOUTHERN STAR. puffed up." Charity never boasteth. I It is modest. "Seeketh not her own." That is the spirit of the Savior. He said, "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also;" if they wanted us to go with them a mile, to go with them two miles. It is not always quarreling and contending for "rights." Persons who have the gift of charity are not always afraid that they are going to lose something, and that they must look after their "rights." You see that spirit frequently manifested. "It is not easily provoked." Always good tempered; does not lose patience. "Thinketh no evil." It does not indulge in evil thoughts concerning others. It looks upon their conduct in the best light possible. "Rejoiceth not in iniquity." Takes no pleasure in iniquity, but rejoices in that which is good-"rejoiceth" as the Apostle says, "in the truth." The sisters have as much right to these gifts as the brethren. They have the right to go unto God and ask Him in the rame of Jesus to bestow upon them such gifts as they need. How good a gift it would be for a mother to have the gift of governing her children, the gift of wisdom to train them and to point out to them the path that they should pursue. "Beareth all things, believeth all The mother who seeks for these gifts and things, hopeth all things, endureth all exercises them before the Lord, she will things." These are blessed qualities. have great jov in her children and will get My brethren and sisters, what a precamply rewarded for all the faith that she ious and a glorious gift is this gift of Would has exercised and the prayers she has of- charity not we be perfect fered in their behalf. For what is there Saints if we had it? Would not this be that brings greater happiness to human heaven if we exercised it? Would not beings than to see their offspring doing our houses be habitations of peace and right and walking humbly before the joy? Would not the angels delight to Lord? Therefore mothers should seek to be with us? I am sure they would. And obtain such gifts as are suited to their why should we not possess it? What condition and circumstances. The Lord is there to prevent it? God has given said to Joseph in the beginning. "Be pa- to us the romise that we can have this tient in thine afflictions: for thou shalt gift of charity if we seek for it. That have many." So it is with all of us. We promise never faileth no more than charihave great afflictions from time to time. ty faileth. We can obtain it, and it will It seems to be necessary that we should beautify and adorn all our characters. be tried and proved to see whether we If our children possess it, how beautiful are full of integrity or not. In this way they will be in every moral attribute! we get to know ourselves and our own Let us seek for it, let us cultivate it weaknesses: and the Lord knows us, and everywhere. Let us read about this ocour brethren and sisters know us. There- casionally, and not be quarrelsome, not fore, it is a precious gift to have the gift be fault-finding, not be slandering, not be of patience, to be good-tempered, to be back-biting, not be saving evil of each cheerful, to not be depressed, to not give other. That is not of Christ; but charity way to wrong feelings and become imp. is the pure love of Christ. God, we are tient and irritable. It is a blessed gift told, is love. One of the last injunctions for all to possess. The gift of integrity of the Apostle John was, "little children, also is a splendid gift. Men may do many love one another." If men do wrong to wicked things, and rerent of them, and me, what must I do? Must I resent it and the Lord will forgive them, if they have fight back? No; I must bear it patiently. integrity. I value that gift exceedingly. II must suffer long, and be kind. I must have seen men that in many respects were not lose my temper and think that I anything but what they ought to be as must get even with them. That is not Latter-day Saints, but they were full of the spirit of the Gospel. Christ has integrity. They would rot do anything to taught us very differently. As Latterbetray the work of God. Under all cir-day Saints, we should exercise those umstances they were full of integrity. I have met, es von have, such characters: and I have felt that such men, notwithstanding their weaknesses, will be blessed of the Lord. The Lord will forgive their sins and He will bless them because of their integrity. Therefore the gift of integrity is a good thing. It is good also to have steadfastness, voler and courage in the hour of trial and danger in the hour when men's lives are in danger. Beautiful Gift of Charity. Before I close I will call your attention to what is said about charit Let us dwell on this glorious gift. What beautiful characters we should have if we possessed this precious gift of charity. Let ns read and see what the Apostle says about it. The same things can be found also in the Book of Mormon, in almost identically the same language. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind." Is not that a lovely trait of human character? "Charity envieth not." There is no envy in a man or a woman who possesses charity. They do not envy their fellow beings anything that they may possess. "Charity vaunteth not itself, is not qualities and gifts that He has com- Brethren and sisters. God bless you Releases and Appointments. Releases. Washington, May 3.-The French ambassador called on President McKinley and Secretary Hay today and conveyed the condolence of the Frencu republic to the President of the United States over the mine disaster in Utah. He handed the secretary the following personal letter on the subject: "Embassy of the French Republic in the United States. "Mr. Secretary of State: "The President of the Frenca republic has heard of the terrible catastrophe which has taken place in Utah. He has instructed me to be his interpreter near the President of the United States of America. and to assure him of the sympathy which he feels on account of this "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh. in whose embrace all creatures live, in whatsoever world or condition they be, we beseech Thee for him whose, name and dwelling place and every need Thou know C. Jacobsen, North Alabama Confer- | est. Lord, vouchsafe him light and rest, ence. J. I. Fdlefson, Mississippi Conference. peace and refreshment, joy and consolation, in Paradise, in the companionship of saints, in the presence of Christ, in the ample folds of Thy great love. "Grant that his life may unfold itself in Thy sight and find a sweet employment in the spacious fields of eternity. If he hath ever been hurt or maimed by any unhappy |