know and recognize that the cure which is effected by silly and superstitious means is not effected by the forces of light and truth. You, or those to whom you may have applied, are responsible for the faith exercised, and you can reach, not the same end, but you can accomplish a healing which is spurious and which is like all other counterfeits, all the more dangerous for its near likeness to the true, by going to the opposing power.

manner

My little girl was slipping out of the back door in a suspicious one day last summer, and I stopped her. What are you going to do? I asked. After much hesitation I gleaned the fact that she had stolen the dish rag, and was just about to bury it in order to get rid of her big wart. Do you think this act of yours will take away the wart? I asked her. Yes, she confessed that she did, and she proceeded to retail to me. a whole batch of similar experiences of her young companions, each of whom had been mysteriously cured in the same way. We sat down, and with her in my arms I entered into some quiet and solemn talk. After it was over I suggested to her that it would be a wise thing to try what God would do for her in such a small matter as this, even before she appealed to a power which she dimly realized was wicked, for did she not have to proceed in deceit and stealth in orderto make the "devilish charm" complete? I told her I had felt

just the same way when I was a little girl, and showed her by what steps I had climbed out of that particular pit. Then we got the bottle of oil, and in a simple and childlike way we asked our Father to take away the unsightly disfigurement on my darling's hand. It is needless to add that the wart was gone before either one of us thought of it again.

I asked her in the course of our conversation why it was she had put so much faith in this, and she replied because her companions had tried it, and anyway. she felt in herself there was a strange and mysterious power in it she could not fathom, and because of its mysteriousness she thought it would surely come

true.

Do I believe in witches and their power? I most decidedly do, for I know there is a devil in hell, and he will lead all men to him, if they will allow him. But I know, too, that there is a God in heaven, and that He will give us infinitely more power and faith than we can ever get from that devilish source, and so I look up and trust in God. Tell your young girls in this lesson whenever they feel inclined to try this or that superstition just to try God and His plan first, and if it should fail then would be time enough to try the devil's plan. There is a point. point which I alluded to in my little girl's remark. It is the faith we get from hearing others' recital. You see she had heard her young com

panions tell of their experiences, and this strengthened her own faith. Dare you, my beloved sister, pour into the ears of your young sisters, the recital of your experiences with dish cloths, tow strings, or other false and misleading elements of this law of faith? I warn you, daughters of Israel, beware how you pollute the sanctuary of God by bringing in the superstitions and follies of a wicked and corrupt generation. There is so much to be said on this vast subject that I fear I shall weary you, and I must avoid that. There is one thingthe point of giving medicine-and this must be touched upon, lightly, perhaps, but certainly something must be said. I have said in the beginning of this article that part of the effect of the administration of medicine is due to the faith exercised in that remedy. This is true. I asked a man who does not believe in faith why it was that he had faith to give his child calomel. He said he had tried it, and he knew its effects were good. Well, I said, that is precisely why I have faith in consecrated oil and the administration of the priesthood. I have tried it, and I know its effects to be good. No man can pretend to exactly state what ails a sick person, nor what particular medicine will be the best. No, he gives as nearly as possible what other experiences have demonstrated to him would be good in such a case, and exercises quietly all the faith in his own

remedy that he can. If he had no faith he would not give it. Well, says my listener, but do you not believe there is much virtue in medicine? Most decidedly I do. For we are told to use mild food and herbs, mark that, if we have not faith to be healed without. If we can get faith, though, how much easier, how much less troublesome and expensive withal. And now, how shall we go to work to obtain this faith? My advice to the girls would be, do not wait until you are sick nigh unto death before making a trial of your faith and the power of God. The next time you have a headache take some oil and ask God to heal you. If you have a touch of sore throat, try the oil and a little. prayer before you try a single thing besides. Go to bed and see if you are not better in the morning. If you are, then go on adding experience to experience until you have accumulated a store of faith that will all be needed when your body is weak, and you are sick unto death. That is the very best way to obtain faith. If I were to tell you to try a certain patent medicine under the same circumstances, I think you would all be willing to test my words, if I spoke with the solemn. assurance I do on this subject. But I ask you to try faith, the consecrated oil, and if you still feel sick ask your mother or your father to administer to you. Try that; then if that fails, and they wish to call in Elders, let them

do so, and thus exhaust the ordinances of the priesthood before you take the other step. But I will assure you, except for some definite purpose in the Lord, if you will try all these methods of faith first, you will not be obliged to go for any doctor, nor to use any medicine, unless it be a fast and a drink of warm water to cleanse away morbid secretions. Sometimes we are afflicted in our bodies, and God allows it, that we may thus gain experiences.

When it is so, and our faith seems insufficient, let us be contented to wait patiently until the lesson is learned, and then we can go on and on. This is a beautiful and significant lesson, and you will receive as much benefit in teaching it to others as they will in receiving it from you. The younger the child

is who learns this lesson of faith the easier it is for him and the longer will the impres

sion last.

ETIQUETTE.

In our former chapters on this subject we dwelt upon the necessity of studying the laws regulating good society, the importance of good manners in the home circle and in all our associations with our fellow beings. We will take for granted that every young lady understands the duty of obedience to parental authority, and in the home is striving to become polite and refined in conversation and manners. It is exceedingly impolite to keep the family waiting at breakfast time, or to appear in an untidy morning. dress, with hair in disorder, shoes unbuttoned, the breastpin or bow of ribbon absent from the throat because only "our own folks" are present. Practice beginning the day right by rising early enough to attend to all the minor details of the personal appearance,

remembering always that "cleanliness is next to godliness." First, we ask, "Ere you left your room this morning did you think to pray?" Next, did you give careful attention to the perfect cleanliness of your person, the brushing of your hair and teeth and the cleaning of your nails? Did you separate your bedclothes, leaving each article free to the sweet, pure air that you let in to your bedroom through wide open doors or windows? If so, when you joined the family at prayer time, did you greet each member with a pleasant smile and cheerful good morning, or with a careless or indifferent nod and with averted eyes? Was your greeting respectful, cheerful and affectionate? Then you are on the highway to success for the day.

After breakfast sit quietly a few moments and look the duties

or

of

pleasures of the day squarely in the face; think over what should be done and how best to do it, and guard against forming a habit of indecision and fussiness, thus avoiding many causes annoyance to yourself and friends; and don't, oh don't let it be your besetting sin to feel irritated and "put out" at trifles. "He who at small things takes offense, shows great pride and little sense." Don't frown, pout, and look sullen, or sulk over little vexations. If you do this in the spring time of life you will grow into a disagreeable, peevish, crusty old woman as the real trials press upon you. When you go out leave all your real or fancied troubles at home, and try to speak and look kindly wherever you go, for the world "Wants full measure of all our pleasure, but it does not want our woe." if others tell us of their troubles no matter how much we may dislike to to hear it sympathize with them if possible, and add a cheerful, hopeful word; it will give them strength to endure. Charity and etiquette command a lady never to insult another in her own house, no matter how much she may dislike the visitor. Self-command is a Christian virtue that must be cbserved no matter how aggravating the situation. In speaking be moderate; never let your voice run away with you. Nothing grates. more upon the sensitive ear than loud, boisterous, high-pitched talk. Solomon, who, no doubt,

But

had some experience in the company of the gentler sex, said, "It is better to dwell in the corner of the house top, than in a wide house with a brawling woman.' Arguments and idle discourses are uncalled for, as they lead to no good. The better way is to adroitly change the subject and commence one that will lead to good feeling. In conversation, none but the ill-bred boast of their family connections, wealth, or superior intelligence. You will always leave it to others to praise the beauty, gifts or accomplishments of your own family, and where this is done always express pleasure with their good opinions. In correcting mistakes always say, "I ask your pardon, but I think you are mistaken;" and unless the mistake is of importance say nothing at all. The person who will scold, abuse, or ridicule others in company not worthy the name of lady or gentleman. Carefully avoid setting yourself up as a standard. The too frequent use of "Now I do or think so and so," implies that others are wrong and you are right. People who do this are very uncomfortable companions. Never answer a question impatiently, no matter how inconvenient or unpleasant it may be to you. However smart or witty you may be considered, never exercise your wit in rallying or bantering your friends. you do so their friendship will soon be worn out or converted into positive enmity. A jest that

is

If