PRESIDENT

REPORT OF MISSION CONFERENCES FOR WEEK ENDING JUNE 30, 1900.

CONFERENCE

TOWN

STATE

reap, and provide for our families; as Christians, to seek from God, wisdom to direct us in all things spiritual and temporal. And as eternal beings, to act in this life in all things, with a reference to the next; that we may be honorable here, and stand in our position with God in the eternal world, when our bodies and spirits shall be again united.

The Lord has given us revelations concerning both our temporal and spiritual affairs. He has commenced to build up Zion, and to establish His kingdom, and He will roll on His purposes, and fulfill the words of the prophets, and His work will roll forth until the designs of God shall be accomplished.

Let me say to the brethren, then, be virtuous, be pure, keep the commandments of God. Pray to your Father in heaven for wisdom, grace, patience and meekness, that you may be examples of everything that is good, great, noble and intelligent, that your light may shine before men. Avoid political strife, and pray for the nations in which you reside, and their rulers, and imitate our Lord and Savior in manifesting goodness and mercy, kindness and benevolence to all. In short, if there is anything good, praiseworthy, honorable and exalted; seek after these things, and the truth shall make you free; you shall be gathered in due time to Zion, and rejoice in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace; you shall know how to enjoy this world, and how to obtain a knowledge of and an inheritance in the celestial kingdom of God.

History of the Southern States Mission.

(Continued from page 257.)

March, 1898

During the latter part of March, Elders James Larson and R. G. Archibald entered Cookville, Tenn., to canvass, preach, etc., but met with a very cool reception. Knowing that the brethren tray. eled without purse or scrip, many of the people did all that lay within their power to see that no food or shelter was provided them. The Easter season was near

at hand, and eggs being very plentiful,
the people showed their appreciation (?)
of a visit from the "Mormons." Elder
Archibald's hat was used roughly, being
almost filled with eggs, while both Elders
had them thrown upon their clothes,
without respect to location.
of toughs was headed by the
sheriff of the county, Mr. Jared,
newspaper editor, Mr. Sims.

This gang
deputy
and

a

The sheriff had granted the Elders per mission to preach in the court house, but as they were about to begin services Mr. Jared entered, informing them that a rehearsal was to be held and they would have to get out. Next appeared a number of toughs, who also ordered the Elders to leave the court house post-haste. As they were going down the stairs leading to the street, a number of eggs thrown, while one man threw a chair,

were

181281

85 53

2 345 279 22

1214 149 38
1148 75 19

which struck Elder Archibald on the
head, nearly knocking him down, break-
ing his hat badly. As Elder Larson was
going out of the main entrance someone
from above dropped a brick which just
grazed his hat. Had it struck him per-
haps it would have ended his earthly ex-
istence. But in the midst of persecution
the brethren were kindly cared for by a
citizen, who, in the face of threatenings
and abuse, was not afraid to denounce
the unruly mobocrats.

The month closed, having been an
eventful one in many respects. The El-
ders worked with a will to spread the
Gospel message, and many honest-heart-
ed people were baptized.

April, 1898

April 5th Elders A. C. Matheson and Fred M. Michelson began work in Atlanta, Ga.

Fourteen Elders arrived in Chattanooga from the West on the 16th inst.

There was no mob violence shown the

Elders during the whole month, which
was good news. The Elders enjoyed very
good health and opened up many new sec-
tions of country heretofore uncanvassed.
The Saints as a rule were in a prosper-
ous state, both spiritually and temporal-
ly.
truths which would save and exalt them
They were taught the beautiful
by obedience. Reports received from
every part of the mission were favorable
to a marked degree.

May, 1898

Very little from the usual happened during this month, and everything seemed to work in harmony. Thirty-seven Elders arrived from the West during the month, which added much strength to the working force in the field.

June. 1898

On the 5th inst. Elder J. Golden Kimball, of the First Presidency of Seventies, arrived in Chattanooga from Salt Lake City, to visit with the brethren.

A letter, dated June 9th, 1898, from

President Frank Cutler, of the Florida
Conference, who was then at Sanderson,
Fla., gave the following sad news of the
assassination of Brother Canova.

Bennettsville..........

Hughes Spur.

Lapine

N. Carolina

s. Carolina

M ssissippi
Kentucky
Louisiana
Alabama

109 W. Gray St., Louisville Kentucky 539 Betts St., Cincinnati Ohio

41 Cheshire St., Cleveland Ohio

ence at New Zion on the 4th and 5th insts., and he was in attendance. He enjoyed the services and was in high spirits when he separated from us to return home, some twenty-five miles away. The distance compelled night travel, and at Juncture, when Brother T. Hill, his only companion, was opening a gate, Brother Canova was fired upon. The perpetrator finished his horrid deed of murder and then made his escape. The body of our beloved brother was taken home to the grief-stricken family, and after fitting services the remains were interred in the Evergreen cemetery at Jacksonville.

Brother Canova, since accepting the Gospel, has been a sincere member of the Church, ever striving to live up to all its requirements; happy and contented was he in the hope of eternal life. No cause existed for the committal of such a crime, not the slightest provocation was given. The fact that murders are being perpetrated and the guilty evade punishment, forces our minds to recall the state of affairs that existed among the Nephite nation, previous to, and infall and destruction; also the prediction strumental of bringing about their downconcerning the things that should exist in our day previous to Christ's second

Something new and interesting about ants was learned by a Mount Airy florist recently. For a week or so he had been bothered by ants that got into boxes of seeds which rested on a shelf. To get rid of the ants he put into execution an old plan, which was to place a meaty bone close by, which the ants soon covered, As soon as the bone would become thickevery one deserting the boxes of seeds. ly inhabited by the little creepers the florist tossed it into a tub of water. The ants having been washed off, the bone was put in use as a trap again.

Then the florist bethought himself that he would save trouble by placing the bone lieving that the ants would never get to the in the center of a sheet of fly paper, bebone, but would get caught on the sticky fly paper while trying to reach the food. But the florist was surprised to find that the ants, upon discovering the nature of the paper trap, formed a work

"We regret deeply that fate compels us at times to report anything but pleasant news. But a gloom has been cast over us that will sadden the heart of every Elder in our Conference, and griefing force and built a path on the paper has been brought upon Saints and friends that tears cannot wash away. Our noble and staunch friend, Brother George P. Canova, was foully assassinated a little after dark last Sunday night. June 5th, taking from our midst one whose generosity had reached the heart of every Elder and Saint who knew him. Brother Canova was a local Elder and presided over a branch of the Church at Sander

son.

We were holding a branch confer

clear to the bone. The material for the walk was sand secured from a little pile near by. For hours the ants worked, and when the path was completed they made their way over its dry surface in couples, as in a march, to the bone.-Philadelphia Record

People who have little to do are great talk.-Montesquieu. talkers. The less we think, the more we

The misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.-Lowell,

the 2d inst. the following letter was sent each Conference President, with instructions to send a copy to each Elder laboring in his conference:

Chattanooga, Tenn., July 2, 1898. To the Elders of the Southern States Mission:

be with you; should you desire to fast
and pray at other times, do so and you
will be blessed and strengthened.

I have felt impressed to call to my as-
sistance as counselors in this work Elder
N. P. Nelson, who until recently pre-
sided over, the Middle Tennessee Con-
ference, and Elder L. R. Andersen, who
is at present laboring in the field. I feet
that these brethren are filled with the
spirit of their calling and will be a
blessing to the Elders and Saints of our
mission. When you meet them give heed
unto their counsel, follow them because
they are the servants of God, and a part
of the presidency of this mission. The
appointments have been sent out to alt
the Conference Presidents, giving dates
for holding our conferences, and we hope
soon to be able to meet you face to face,
shake you by the hand and bless you.
You have our faith and prayers, we ask
for yours. Store up your minds with
useful knowledge, and when you under-
take to speak to the people, place your-
selves under the direction of the Spirit
of God, be led by its influences and fol-
low its whisperings. May God bless you
in your labors; may you have health, and
may you find friends, but above all, may
you have the spirit of your mission and
make God your friend.

away from you all your transgressions,
whereby ye have transgressed.' (Ezek.
18:31). To do this we need the help of
our Father in heaven, the assistance of
that spirit which strives with man
lead him aright, and the co-operation of
that Light "which lighteth every man
that cometh into the world." (John 1:9).

to

True repentance humbles the heart; and, coupled with the faith already existent in the mind, it leads one to draw nigh unto God, to call upon Him who is mighty to save, and to plead before His throne for mercy, forgiveness and, redemption. We know that God is merciful, and although just and holy, we shali find that all His commands are fashioned in the mould of Mercy, and meted out with loving kindness. He says: "I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God; wherefore turn yourselves and live ye.' (Ezek. 18:32). In pleading with ancient Israel, God continually remonstrated with theni to "turn from their evil ways." "Return unto me, and I will return unto you.' (Mal. 3:7). "Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin." (Ezek. 18:30). "Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa. 1:18). These are only a few of the many expressions of mercy and love which the Lord gave unto His erring and disobedient children; but notwithstanding these divine entreaties, and the many manifestations of His power they had witnessed, they continued to rebel against His will and word, became stiffnecked, hard-hearted, obdurate and obstinate, reBY ELDER DAVID H. ELTON. jecting the counsels of God against (Continued from Page 267.) themselves, and denying His tender merREPENTANCE-In our investigation cies and all-wise, loving kindness. They would not repent as the Lord commandsubject-God's Greatest Gifted; they refused to become reconciled to thus far we have adduced our evidences His laws; they repudiated the ancient from the revelations He has given us, as seers, killed many of the holy prophets, contained within the sacred lids of the and stoned those whom the Father had Holy Bible. sent to prune His vineyard.

Your brother and fellow servant,

Ben E. Rich,

Neil D. Forsyth arrived from the West on the 7th inst. and was assigned to labor in the Middle Tennessee Conference. (To be Continued.)

of the

GOD'S GREATEST GIFT.

Dear Brethren:-In assuming the presidency of this, the Southern States Mission, I feel impressed to send you a few words. President Kimball having been released from a four years' mission, transfered the business of the office to me yesterday and started on his return homeward. I fully realize that in order for my mission to be successful, I must have the spirit of my calling, the help of God, and the love, confidence, faith and prayers of all the Elders who are laboring in this part of the Lord's vineyard. If I have the spirit of God it will be made manifest in my dealings with the humble Elders, who are laboring under my direction; the spirit of humanity, of meekness, of charity, of love and mercy, are all some of the attributes of Christ; we are all His servants and have been commanded to follow Him and carefully study the glorious example He has set for us. To be embassadors of Christ, is a mighty calling and carries with it a great responsibility. In order for us to fully magnify our calling we must be clothed with the spirit of God; we must follow our Master's teachings; we must banish from our hearts all enmity against those who at times despitefully use us. We are commanded to love those who injure us. Remember, brethren, that a kind word will often turn away wrath, and therefore I pray you to scatter seeds of kindness wherever you go, among friends or enemies. God has said He will forgive whom He will forgive, but has commanded us to forgive all men. When you see an individual engaged in persecuting the Saints, pray for that man. Perhaps his eyes may yet be opened to the truth, remember the glorious lesson taught us by glancing at the history of the Apostle Paul, who was In our previous issue we once a persecutor of the Saints, but he eventually had his eyes opened and be defined Faith, as the first stepping stone came valiant in the cause of Christ. Do to glory and exaltation. Faith, once not forget that false reports have been fully established (not necessarily perfect) circulated against us everywhere; this in the mind of the individual seeking to seems to have been the heritage of the Former-day Saints, and also the misfor- please God and gain His smiles and ap tune of the Latter-day Saints. How nec-probations, there dawns this realization, essary, then, that our words, our acts. and even our thoughts should bear testimony unto all men that we are falsely accused. You have been sent with authority to preach the Gospel of Christ, and to speak in His name, then be dillgent in crying, "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Do not be anxious to engage in the work of tearing down the churches, but rather devote yourselves to explaining the Gospel in plainness and simplicity; point to the beauties of the principles and the perfection of the organization, when you have done this under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the honest in heart will see before them a vision of such a heavenly temple Having said so much in regard to the Evidently many of them had the conthat they will admit in their hearts it is exercise and needful companionship of riction of guilt, of sin, and of transa better house than the one in which faith, we will now endeavor to define gression, but they failed to exercise rethey now dwell; and then mankind will the second principle of the Gospel-Re-pentance toward God, and therefore the be more willing to come into that build-pentance-and discover perchance its esing and take up their abode, than they sentiality and vital importance as a would if you were to use your talents in means of salvation. Repentance means tearing their present religious house to a sincere desire in the heart of man to pieces. You can afford to be patient be- be forgiven of past sins and offenses, cause you are the followers of a Master with a righteous ambition to overcome who was the very embodiment of pa- evil with good and sin no more. The tience, and you can afford to be brave, truly repentent individual will be found because you are clothed with the power forsaking sin, walking uprightly before of God and His Holy Priesthood. Do the Lord, and manifesting a Godly sornot foolishly seek persecution, try to row for transgressions committed. Hear avoid trouble at all times, but should what the prophet Isaiah says: "Seek this be impossible, then let it come, and ye the Lord while He may be found; meet it as humble, charitable and brave call ye upon Him while He is near. Let men of God should. the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7). This, then, involves a forsaking of evil ways, which constitutes a true, genuine, unaffected repentance; or as another ancient prophet has said: "Cast

Remember the first Sunday in each month, which is a day set apart by the authorities of the Church for fasting and prayer; observe it, brethren, and you will be blessed of the Lord; it will give you strength with Him; you will enjoy the sweet influence of His Holy Spirit, and the power of His Holy Priesthood will

It was to this perverse and untoward generation, when the time was fully come spoken by the prophets of old, that Christ came, as a Redeemer and Savior. His advent was preceded by the proclamation of John the Baptist, who had made the wilderness of Judea ring with the startling declaration, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Had the Jews have given heed to the words of ald of a coming kingdom of righteousthis forerunner of the Messiah, this herness, this harbinger of truth and glad tidings of great joy, they would have been prepared and in readiness to meet their Captain and Prince. Yes, had they straightway given heed to His call to reing forth "fruits meet for repentance" (Mark 3:8), then would they have welcomed their Savior, received their Redeemer, and been perfectly willing to become obedient subjects unto their King the Messiah.

"I am a sinner," and consequently a de-
sire to be reconciled to that God from
whom you were alienated by reason of
the Fall. We shall need to exercise our
faith in God all along the line, and as
in pursuit of truth, we shall find that our
we pass from one principle to another,
faith is necessary, beneficial and helpful.pentance, after a godly manner, bring-
We can make no progression, no advance-
ment in this life without the operation
and application of faith; therefore, as
the field broadens before us, and our
study deepens, so will our faith increase
and our assurance ripen.

mere presuasion of offense against God, was not sufficient, it was not enough, there must be a genuine manifestation of repentance, a departing from sin, and a cleaving to that which is good. This is what the Lord requires, and this is what the Lord accepts and holds good, blessing the participant therein with a free pardon of past offenses, a forgiveness of sins.

Now repentance, kind reader, does not mean to feel sorry for wrong doing, and continue in the evil indulgence. It means just what the holy men of God said it meant, and that is, to forsake sin, and serve God. To keep His commandments, obey His will, and live up to every word that proceedeth forth from His mouth. There is no virtue in mourning, weeping, and sobbing because you are found a transgressor and your conscience smites you as a sinner, but there is virtue and forgiveness in forsaking the

"downward road," in departing from the forbidden paths, and following the straight and narrow course marked out by Jesus our Lord and King.

THE SOUTHERN STAR.

telling them that there was a time when
God winked at their ignorance; "but now
commandeth all men everywhere to re-
pent." (Acts 17:30). Yes, "all men
everywhere" commanded to repent, and
that decree has never been revoked, yea,
more, it never will be! None are to be
excused, but all are to repent!

275

Could the word of God be more plain or explicit? Shall not inherit the kingdom of God. What shall we do? Repent of these things, forsake them, shun them, Do you not know how very loving the make no compromise with any, but upon Lord is and how abundant in mercy, and unconditional terms be forever separate forgiving kindness? Ah, yes! One canfrom evil, free from guile, and unspotted not fail to see the love of God and His from the sins of the world. We should never-failing mercy when we read, You have the Holy Bible at your elbow, constantly keep in mind these evils here "When I say unto the wicked, Thou pointing out the many evils you should mentioned, and that, too, with a fixed shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, repent of, and therefore it is not neces-determination of overcoming them with and do that which is lawful and right; sary for me in this article to describe righteousness. Let these words be burned if the wicked restore the pledge, give every particular evil. What is your of in our conscience, printed in our thoughts again that he had robbed, walk in the fense before God; wherein do you err and written on the fleshy tablets of our statutes of life, without committing ini- from the Holy command, and stray from hearts, "they which do such things shall quity; he shall surely live, he shall not the beaten path which lies in a straight not inherit the kingdom of God." die. None of his sins that he hath com- course before you, and leads to Eternal "Wherefore putting away lying, speak mitted shall be mentioned unto him; he Life? Are you guilty of defrauding your every man truth with his neighbor; for hath done that which is lawful and right: neighbor or employer; of speaking evil we are members one of another. Be ye he shall surely live." (Ezekiel 33:14-16). of things you understand not; of slander- angry and sin not; let not the sun go "None of his sins that he hath commit-ing, reviling and abusing those whose down upon your wrath; neither give ted shall be mentioned unto him." This religious convictions differ from your place to the devil. Let him that stole is the divine example of forgiveness and own; of indulging in tradition and error, steal no more; but rather let him labor, pardon, not to mention any more the to the exclusion of righteousness and working with his hands the thing which sins forgiven, but to forever blot them truth; of oppressing the poor; and of is good, that he may have to give to him out of His book of remembrance, pro- overburdening the weak? All these and that needeth. Let no corrupt communivided we observe to keep His holy laws. many other evils must be repented of. cation proceed out of your mouth, bu Knowing this, then, we have the assur- or you cannot enter the Kingdom of that which is good to the use of edifyance that if we will repent as God has God. How sweet and refreshing are the ing, that it may minister grace unto the commanded, He will pardon our sins, words of Jesus, "Come unto me, all ye hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit and mention them against us no more. that labor and are heavy laden, and 1 of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the This at least should lead us to repent- will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28). How day of redemption. Let all bitterness ance, when we know of the goodness comforting and soul-inspiring are those and wrath, and anger and clamour, and of God, in this regard. Well might the promising words found in the Apoca- evil speaking, be put away from you Apostle Paul exclaim, "Despisest thou lypse, "And the Spirit and the bride say, with all malice; and be ye kind one to the riches of His goodness and forbear- Come. And let him that heareth say. another, tender-hearted, forgiving one ance and long suffering; not knowing Come. And let him that is athirst come. another, even as God for Christ's sake that the goodness of God leadeth thee And whosoever will, let him take the hath forgiven you." (Ephes. 4:25-32). to repentance?" Yes, it is the "goodness water of life freely.' (Rev. 22:17). "For to be carnally minded is death; but of God" which leads men to repentance, "Repent ye therefore, and be convert- to be spiritually minded is life and but how can we become convinced of ed, that your sins may be blotted out, peace." (Rom. 8:6). This, then, we the goodness of God save we exercise when the times of refreshing shall come have found, that Repentance is a prin faith in Him, trust in His righteous from the presence of the Lord." (Acts ciple of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that promises, and become acquainted with 3:19). These are a few more of the it consists of a heart-felt sorrow for sin, His everlasting goodness. When we words of the inspired Peter, when he, a sincere, deep contrition for guilt, creathave been made partakers of the good-in company with the beloved John, was ing a reformation in life, a forsaking of ness of God by being blessed with the preaching to the multitude from Solo- wickedness, a departing from every evil gift of faith, which comes from Him, mon's porch of the beautiful temple. way. "The Lord is nigh unto them that then are we in a proper condition to be Again went forth the cry of repentance, are of a broken heart; and saveth such led in the way of repentance, and every not only to the Jews, but also to the as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalms other good and holy work. The good-Gentiles, for we read, "Then hath God |34:18). ness of God, then, through the exercise also to the Gentiles granted repentance (To be Continued.) of Faith, will convince one of the error unto life." (Acts 11:18). We can truthof his ways, and lead him unto repent- fully say, without fear of controversy ance. Before he can repent, it must or dispute, that the overthrow of Babyneeds be that he is convinced of sin, and lon, the fall of Rome, and the destructhis conviction comes by reason of the tion of Jerusalem were owing to the disFaith which operates within. obedient, unrepentant natures of the people who inhabited these once beautiful, magnificent, grand cities. How necessary it is that we procrastinate not the day of our repentance, or delay to humble ourselves in lowliness and meekness before God. It is the contrite heart, and the broken spirit the Lord demands, offering unto us pardon, and forgiveness as a result of our obedience to His commands. He will not force or compel us to repent. He will persuade, gently lead, and divinely guide, and if we want to be kind to ourselves, to become agents in bettering our own conditions, to do ourselves a favor, we will repent, rely upon His tender mercies, and seek to gain glory and exaltation in His Kingdom. Whatsoever we do in advancing ourselves along the lines of sanctification and holiness, that we may become perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, we should do willingly and with a cheerful spirit. Whatsoever the Lord does to elevate our fallen natures, to make us like Him. He does freely and with abundant loving kindness. Then we should be willing to serve God, because He is willing to bless us in this-Farrar. life, and raise us up at the last day to eternal glory.

Thus far we have dealt with the Old Testament scriptures, but we shall find that the burden of the New Testament writers was to preach Christ and Him crucified, and call the children of men to Repentance and obedience. When that multitude of devout Jews assembled in Jerusalem at the Pentecost feast. and Peter stood up to defend the Gospel, we find that when his hearers were convinced of the divine mission of Jesus Christ, they cried aloud, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" and received in answer to their inquiry the command, "Repent and be baptized." etc. (Acts 2:37-38). Again the same apostle gives us to understand that "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II. Peter 3:9).

In order to gain salvation. God's greatest gift, there must be a real sorrow of heart for sin, a genuine, true repentance toward God, without which there can be no deliverance. Nothing short of this will be productive of good. "For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (II. Cor. 7:10), and "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' (Luke 13:3).

|

When Shall These Things Be?

be

The Apostles asked, "when shall these things be "The times and the seasons the Father hath kept in His own power,' was their answer. The destruction of Jerusalem was foretold, the succeeding desolation and spiritual death also, then the second coming was promised, which glorious event is to be preceded by the restoration of the Gospel, for He said, "This Gospel of the kingdom shall preached in all the world for a witness, and then shall the end come." But in solemn warning He admonishes us to be always watching and praying: be in readiness for his coming; "Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour the Son of Man cometh." "Therefore, to impress yet more indelibly upon their minds the lessons of watchfulness and faithfulness, and to warn them yet more emphatically against the peril of the drowsy life and the smouldering lamp, He told them the exquisite parables-so beautiful, so simple, yet so much in instruction-of the Ten Virgins, and of the Talents; and drew for them picture of that Great Day of Judgment, on which the King should separate all nations from one another as the shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."

a

Our Heavenly Father sends us troubles Before we dismiss this principle of the to try our faith, and if it be worth anyGospel-Repentance-let us take a glance thing. it will stand the test. Gilt is at a few things mentioned by the Apos- afraid of the fire, but gold is not; the We should repent because we believe tle Paul in the fifth chapter of Gala-paste gem dreads to be touched by the God loves us. and is able to forgive us tians, commencing at the 19th verse, diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. our sins and cleanse us from all unright- "Now the works of the flesh are mani- |-Spurgeon. eousness. We should repent because fest. which are these: adultery, fornicaGod has commanded us so to do; not so tion. uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry. much from the fear of punishment as witchcraft. hatred. variance, emulations, for the hope of reward, that the love for wrath, strife, seditions. heresies, envyvirtue, holiness and truth may be upper- ings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, most and foremost in our souls. You and such like: of the which I tell you remember how, that when Paul went to before, as I have also told you in time Athens he stood on Mar's Hill and stern- | past. that they which do such things ly reproved the superstitious Athenians, shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

The man who seeks one thing in life, and

but one,

May hope to achieve it before life is done.
But he who seeks all things, wherever he
goes,

Only reaps from the hopes which around
him he sows,
A harvest of barren regrets.

-Lord Lytton.

a great many who profess to be learned in the Scriptures. The mission of Jesus Christ on earth was twofold in its nature. First, He came to atone for the original sin of our first parents and bring about the resurrection from the grave. From this portion of Christ's atonement all mankind who ever have, or who ever will live upon the earth, will derive an equal benChurchefit, as it is general in its application and is wholly unconditional. The second part of His mission was to establish the Gospel in the earth with a promise that all who would obey its requirements should be saved and exalted. Now this part you see is conditional and the only ones who have any promise of exaltation are those who obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The teachings of many of the most popular religious societies in the world today exhibit clearly the fact that they believe in the principle of something for nothing, with regard to the work of individual salvation. They seem to be laboring under the impression that the great sacrifice, which was made by the Lamb of God for the human family, is sufficient to save and exalt them in the Kingdom of God, if they only believe that Jesus is the Christ, and have their names enrolled on the church records. Perhaps we should add going to church and paying the preacher.

This idea, however, notwithstanding its popularity among religionists, does not accord with the terms of salvation as defined by Christ and the Apostles, as recorded in the New Testament Scriptures, and is simply the outgrowth of ignorance of God's laws on the part of our Christian friends. The atonement of Christ is greatly misunderstood, and misapplied, by