Green wheat, and corn, and tree-plumes bend

Along the path thy footsteps wend,
Where stretched the dreary alkalies
Roofs of a hundred hamlets rise,

Fair rose-and orchard-gardens bloom
Where mocked the uplands' arid doom;-
And lo! where proud in olden days
The pilgrim people rendered praise
For refuge found-devoting first

With fervent prayer, and hymnal burst
Amid the valley's primal hush

On waste unclaimed from rock and brush-
A princely Temple's future site-
(Traced with a true prophetic light-
Viewing the time that yet should yield
A fitting jewel for the shield)-
A stately house-a regal roof,

Takes predence in the picture's woof,-
And the great Temple-thus foreseen
Rears its fair structure on the scene.
In many a canyon's winding aisle
The mountain's great cathedral pile-
Vandalled through years by Labor's hand,
To gain their treasures for the land-
Yielded the blocks that fitly frame
An altar to Jehovah's name.
Now lost in new and shapely guise
The majesty that met the skies
In massive hight, by nature piled
Unhewn, within the lonely wild.
Here the true spirit of the peaks
Thrilled by the touch of sculpture speaks,
And through its moulding firm and warm
Gains for its living soul a form!

Slow toil and scanty substance knew
The stately building's dawning view;
Yet well at last the day was won
That saw the massive mission done.
Now in the landscape like a lance
Its vision quickens on the glance.
Its graceful mass the moonlight shows
Like some vale drifted peak of snows;
Upon the gleaming granite walls
The day's bright sunshine pallid falls,-

The leaping dawn and sunset's fires
Kindle its bosk of snowy spires-
And high aloft the angel blows
The trumpet of the ending woes
Of long forsaken Babylon.

By plodding steps the way was won ;
Hardship and struggle, toil and pain,
Plague-ravage of the future wain-

Dark Hate's dire threat of ceaseless harm,-
The note of battle's near alarm

Filled the long years whose only gleam
Was some dim future's living dream.

Yet though thy bleeding footsteps fail
Amid the tangles of the vale-
Upon the bridges of the years
In growing strength thy form appears.
What though beneath the arches glide
The waters ofa turbid tide?
Above their angry sweep and roar
Thy onward footsteps lightly soar,-
And though some fate of foreign fault
Cause thee to stumble or to halt,
Rise, and fare onward, lovely land!
An angel leads thee by the hand ;-
Thy red, high-heaped, baptismal fire
Shall chasten thee to high desire;

Thy vales, thy peaks, thy streams, thy sea-
Thy treasures born, and yet to be-
Fruits of the yet unwedded soil,

And all the mountains' hidden spoil,
With clear and clarion voices cry
The portent of thy destiny!

They dream who deem that long for naught
Such gifts unto thy arms were brought
To turn to ashes in the flame
Of some foregone, forgotten fame.
Thy country soon shall hear and heed
Thy plaint of merit, plea for meed;
And this fair Christmas tide that shines
Now close upon thy path, but signs
The precious light of peace whose ray
Shall gild thy future steps for aye.

Josephine Spencer.

astonishment in my countenance, for he smiled quietly, and added,

"The reason why I received none, was because I did not have to get one. It was born with me. Since I first heard the gospel, or

Mormonism as it is called, I have always known it to be true. It seemed to be a part of my very nature. I can remember, though in my early boyhood that I felt very badly because I had no especial gift, and I used to think I was not a favored child of God, else I would have received the gift of tongues or some other such gift. When, however, I went upon my mission to the Sandwich Islands, I did receive the gift of interpretation and also was assisted by the gift of tongues in the most satisfying manner. I became thoroughly proficient in the language of the islands in a very brief period, and these gifts became of practical service to me at a time when I absolutely needed. them to fulfill my mission. Το enumerate the cloud of testimonies which I have received and do receive to the truth and power of our religion would be too much for my time and perhaps your patience. As a part of my very life is my knowledge that God spoke through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and also that those who reject the gospel of Christ will be under sure condemnation."

"You know, Pres. Cannon, many of our young people wish to have a testimony of this gospel, and they say they don't know how to get it, and many of them don't know what it is when it comes. Perhaps they have been born with the testimony in their hearts, and there they let it lie, expecting some supernatural mani festation. This is the greatest

reason I had for desiring to prepare these articles, in order to bring before the minds of young people, the many and simple ways in which this precious testimony has come to our greatest and best men and women.'

"If you know of any young persons who think they have no testimony, just say to them that if the Lord were to withdraw His Spirit from them they would be apt to find the awful condition they would be in. I heard of one man who thought he did not have any testimony of the authenticity or divinity of the Book of Mormon, and he asked the Lord if the Book was true, to withdraw from him His spirit for a space of time as a testimony to him that he might know by that evidence that it was divine. The Lord answered his request. The effect was of the most startling kind. His experience was of such a terrible nature that he prostrated himself in supplication before the Lord for a speedy return of the precious gift he had voluntarily cast from him. After suffering past description the Spirit returned; he knew for himself then that the Book of Mormon was true and that this gospel was the plan of life and salvation. Such an experience was awful, and it ought to be a lesson to every member of the Church. Many undervalue, if they do not despise, the precious gift which God has given them. Instead of cherishing and culti vating it, they think it of no worth. Of course where this is the case,

the gift does not. grow. Faith does not increase, neither does it blossom into knowledge, and gradually the Spirit of the Lord is withdrawn."

This was President George Q. Cannon's view as he expressed it to me. In conclusion I would most warmly urge our girls to cherish and place a high value on the gift of the Holy Ghost which they have received. Do they need a testimony? Let them look around and see the condition of those who have once had the Spirit of God and lost it. See the darkness, the blindness of mind, the hardness of heart which they exhibit. Ought this not to be a testimony to every soul that this is the work of God and that He has bestowed the Holy Ghost upon those who have submitted to the ordinances of the gospel and who

keep His commandments? Also, that He withdraws the Holy Ghost from those who do wrong? Is not this plain to every child in this Church who is capable of reflection? Then, if there are those who think they do not have a testimony, is not this a testimony? Do they want the Spirit of God, with the peace, the light and the happiness which it brings, withdraw from them to prove this to them? Do they want the darkness, the unhappiness, the uncertainty which Satan stands ready to give, to take possession of them, in order that they may see the contrast? God forbid that

any of our girls should be so dissatisfied with that which God has given her as to let it slip from her and the darkness of the adversary take its place.

THE TESTIMONY OF THE TRUTH. To some people the writings of this lesson may seem superfluous; but I have found so many little points in which only time and experience have helped me to make them plain before the young people under my care, that I am inclined to think there are others who may have some difficulties in dealing with this subject.

In talking with Pres. George Q. Cannon on this subject, he said he never had obtained a testimony, but the reason was

have thought a great deal about that since, and I have wondered if the great majority of our young people have not been born with a testimony. He said a good way to make sure of the fact that one has a testimony, if there is any doubt in the mind, is to ask the Lord to withdraw His Spirit and testimony for a short space of time, and the results would convince the most doubtful of the light and testimony they had previously been in possession of.

In the first place, it must be

every son and daughter of Adam must, if they would obtain eternal happiness, get and keep a testimony of the truth. No matter if your son or daughter has been raised in the best influences of a Mormon home, he or she must know, not think nor suppose, that this gospel is true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. There are several injunctions and pieces of advice given in scripture as to the manner of proceeding in order to get this testimony, but each one is after all the one and same way. Jesus told Peter that upon the rock of revelation would be built the Church of God. The Savior says in another place, that if any one will do the works of God, he or she shall know for himself or herself

that Jesus is the Christ. One saying to the same effect that only by revelation can a person cbtain the testimony of the gospel, and the other one says that by following out the commandments of God, that revelation shall follow. These are two precious keys.

There are many ways of obtaining this desired revelation; some of our saints have received dreams, some have had peculiar manifestations, some have just accepted the sound of the truth and have joyfully given it place in their hearts without delay or questioning. Some have even received visions, and again others have never had any special manifestations, except the daily and hourly testimonies that come to every one who lives a reasonably

proper life in.this Church. The Doctrine and Covenants says that to some it is given to know that Jesus is the Christ, and to others by the same gift it is given to believe on such a man's word. So you see we do not all have the same gift nor do we realize the same degree of power as others do. But each must have some measure and degree of light, and the greater it is the better for us.

Let me say one word to the hesitating soul who thinks she believes Mormonism is true, but because no glorious manifestation has been given, she is afraid to speak or to bear what little testimony she has: if you believe this to be true, let that belief persuade you that it is good to comply with the laws of this church, and if you will follow them faithfully, your testimony will grow brighter and brighter day by day. Some day, God will give you, if you de sire it, an overwhelming testimony of the truth of this gospel, and that day will come as sure as you live. He may not give it to you just at the time you ask for it; or when you think you ought to have it but if you are faithful in your desires He will, when the proper time comes, pour that blessing out upon you in such power and glory as shall fill your soul with light and life.

Be patient, don't worry if your desires are not granted this week, this month, or this year. Wait, for you don't know what good reason the Lord has for delaying the answer to your prayer, but be

assured of one thing, it is the best of good reasons. To her who has only the calm belief and feeling that "it surely must be true,' I would say, be thou also patient. I heard a man tell in fast meeting that the people he had converted who were of the sort that needed a vision or sign to convince them, were all the time needing a sign or vision to keep them firm in the truth. While those who were peacefully content with the happiness that the truth. always brings to every soul, asking for no special manifestation but contented to work out their salvation in fear and trembling, such patient souls needed but the faint whisper from the right source and their ears were always open to receive the still small voice. And so you and I that have our daily testimonies can go smoothly and calmly along, knowing that all is well with us, and God will care for us in time and eternity.

After you have received your testimony, guard it and cherish it as something too sacred and holy to be lightly spoken of. If you feel inclined to bear your testimony in any kind of a meeting, do

so without fear or excitement. Remember that the Spirit of the Lord does not make us feel nervous and excited. It is a Spirit of infinite peace; and although the strangeness of speaking in public may make us feel a little unnerved, yet if we have the right spirit, there will be a feeling of calmness and peace flow over us like a soft flowing river. Do not throw your gifts and testimonies where they would be laughed at, unless you are called upon to defend your sacred religion, and then do so in all quiet dignity, without anger or excitement. The moment you get angry, you may be sure you are not actuated with the right kind of spirit. The angry one in a debate is he who is on the wrong side.

The president should encourage her girls, first, last and all the time to get this blessed testimony. Do not preach prosy sermons upon the subject, but give occasionally stories of those who have received their testimonies of the truth, as stories are are always listened to eagerly, and they teach truths in the most interesting manner.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. IN giving this lesson to the girls, one of the best ways to proceed is to give to as many of them as possible some item of history to hunt up and bring to the next

meeting. For instance ask one to bring the number of revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants before the one on Church Government. Another could tell the date and place of organization,