carries a sting with it can never give a pleasant sensation to the object. The bite of a mosquito is a very little thing, but it leaves pain and inflammation behind it, and the more it is rubbed the longer it rankles in the blood. No one likes to have their foibles or mishaps turned into ridicule, before others especially, and few can cordially join in a laugh that is raised against themselves, though we should avoid being too sensitive on this point and be generous enough to allow our friends a little merriment at our expense without the least sign of ill-nature. Never speak of absent persons by only their Christian or surnames, but always as Mr. or Mrs. If members of our Church, brother or sister. Above all, never name anybody by the initial of their name. Married people are sometimes guilty of this offense. No lady should permit a gentleman who is not a near relative or very old friend of her family to defray the cost of her entrance fee to any theater or exhibition, or to pay for her refreshments or car or vehicle fare when she happened to be under his protection. If a person of greater age or higher rank than yourself desires you to first step into a carriage or through a door it is more polite to bow and obey than to decline. Compliance with and deference to the wishes of others is the finest breeding. When you cannot agree with the advanced in general conversation, be silent. If pressed for your opinion give it with modesty. Never defend your own views too warmly. When you find others remain unconvinced drop drop the subject and lead to some other topic. Never scandalize or ridicule an absent person; if others do so always politely defend. them, if possible, or try to counteract any prejudice that may be engendered in the minds of the company by holding up to view as many good traits of character as you can think of. It may be well to caution our young friends against certain bad practices, easily contracted but sometimes difficult to relinquish, such as biting your nails, slipping a ring up and down the finger, sitting cross-kneed and jogging your foot, drumming on the table with your fingers or knuckles, or, worse still, tinkling on a piano. with one finger only, humming a tune in the presence of strangers, holding the arm of a friend all the time she sits beside you, kissing and fondling her before company or sitting too closely. The fact that we truly love our companions should never con cealed, for it is the expression of love that sweetens life; but let it be told in the expression of the eye and the pleasure lighting up the countenance by gentle, thoughtful and considerate attentions, rather than by caresses. Slapping a gentleman with your handkerchief or tapping him with propositions your fan is unlady-like, and never you do not want it yourself, or that you should throw it away if it were not accepted, etc., etc. Such apologies would be insults. if true, and mean nothing if false. Unmarried ladies may not accept presents from gentlemen who are neither related nor engaged to them. Presents made by a married lady to a gentleman can only be offered in the joint names of husband and herself. Married ladies may occasionally accept presents from gentlemen who visit allow him to take a ring off your finger to look at it or permit him to unclasp your bracelet, or, still worse, to inspect your brooch. When these articles are to be shown to another person always take them off for the purpose. In company abstain from the "fidgets," and never appear uneasy, and no matter how the time may lag, maintain an air of interest and try to appreciate the efforts made by your friends for your entertainment, and never allow them to feel that their | frequently at their houses, and efforts are in vain. Etiquette who desire to show their sense of the hospitality which they receive there. A gift should be precious for something better than its price. It may have been brought by the giver from some far or famous place; it may be unique in its workmanship; it may be valuable only for its association with some great person or strange event. Autographic papers, foreign curiosities and the like are elegant gifts. An author may offer his book or a painter a sketch with grace and propriety. Offerings of flowers and game are unexceptionable, and may be made even to those whose position is superior to that of the giver. Never refuse a present, unless under exceptional circumstances, however humble the giver and however poor the gift. You should appreciate the good will and intention, and accept it with kindness and thanks. Never say, "I fear I rob you," or, "I am really ashamed to take it." Such deprecatory phrases imply that you think the giver cannot spare or afford it. Acknowledge the receipt of a present without delay. There is an art and propriety in the giving of presents which it requires a natural delicacy of disposition rightly to apprehend. Give not too rich nor too poor a gift. Give not to one much wealthier than yourself, and beware how you give to the poor lest their pride be offended. You must never make a gift with any expec tation of a return, nor be too anxious to make a return after accepting one, lest your friend will feel that he has placed you under a sense of obligation to him. Sometimes a gift of thyself is the most precious gift of all to offer thy friend. An hour of your time, a cheering word, a warm friendly, reassuring hand clasp, a song or pleasant smile is indeed a precious offering. EDITOR'S DEPARTMENT. THE YEAR 1893. In all the years of our history as a people there has never been a year so full of presage for a stupendous future as this dawning year of 1893. Statesmen, philosophers and thinkers of every kind and type have given the gravest consideration to the many signs of big events which loom upon the near horizon. The European war which has been so long held at bay, by Providence, we know, but, as infidels assert, by the strategy of wily diplomats, seems to hang with a peculiar force upon this year's crest. This continent is full of untoward situations, and it will be next to a miracle if the whole South American continent is not ablaze with war and excitement before the close of the spring. England is full of a trembling fear of inner disasters, and each nation of Europe has its painful local problems as well as the terrible international prospects ahead of that continent. Canada is full of unrest, and Mexico is never very firm in its peace and tranquility. Our own nation has entered upon a state of national affairs or history which has never prevailed since the opening of the Civil War. What the attempted changes in policy may produce in the way of startling effects can only be dimly felt. Capital and labor are standing with hands at each other's throats, and no tell which will prevail. of the fearful outlooks for the future is the dreaded cholera scourge, which is known by the most conservative Americans to be a very horrible probability. All nature seems to be in that state of intense silence which awaits the peal of a thunderous one can Not least change. Will that peal sound before the opening of 1894? It has already forced the evidence of its near presence into the hearts of men, and only God can tell when the hour of His judgments will begin. It would be neither so strange nor so impressive if this people alone were the ones who are using the public press to set these gruesome pictures before the minds of the people, but it makes the lesson come with double force when, as is the case today, every leading paper in this country is full of these peculiar presages. The new year has inspired many of the stalwart editorial infidels of this nation to draw for themselves the horoscope of this year's mighty and awful events. They are their Own prophets, and can blame no for warning or the lack of warning which is being poured out upon them. How is it with this people? Yes, we Yes, we are under the bondage of our enemies, financially and socially. The Lord has seen fit to put their feet upon our necks. But we have no dread of labor troubles; we, who try to keep the Word of Wisdom, look with a calm trust in God for the coming of any scourge, and we are not afraid of war nor of famine. Instead of this, while we feel we may receive some premonitionary touches of these judgments, for are they not to begin in the House of the Lord? yet we have the glorious prospect ahead of us in the dedication of our beautiful temple, that edifice one which has been half a generation rearing to the Lord. We may receive trials and tribulations, we expect experiences, but we rely with calm trusting upon the providences of our loving God; and while we do this, we are no selfish nor bigoted, for the door of salvation is open to all men, bond and free, of whatever nation or belief. Our mission is peace on earth, good will to all men. Each man will receive the exact reward of his own doings. But this nation, as a nation, has assumed to allow and enact laws and statutes which will react upon themselves for judgments; they have passed into the hands of God. That is our If we have us try once And what lesson does this New Year's picture bring home to the Latter-day Saints? The lesson, first, last, and all the time, of obedience and a closer clinging to the rod of iron, lest we be swept away in the flood of events and situations about us. one and fixed lesson. failed in any law, let again to return to the simplicity and beauty of that observance, and thus be prepared to stand in holy places. All nature cries out with the bigness of events hastening towards us. Can we longer sit at ease in Zion? Up and put on thine armor, oh daughter of Zion, for bright o'er the hills. dawns the day star of gladness. Arise, arise, for the night of thy sorrow is o'er. MAY 15th has been selected as the opening date for the World's Congress of Representative Women. It is hoped that all those women who design attending the World's Fair may so time their visit as to attend this most important meeting ever held by the women of all the world. The congress will continue in session for one week, and it is hoped that several of our best Utah speakers will be included in the list of lecturers. THE Guide to one year's course for study in the Y. L. M. I. A. is now out, and can be obtained at the JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR Office; price ten cents. It is urged upon every active member of these associations that she shall buy and carefully study this little work, and that every Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association in Zion shall adopt this Guide in their weekly work. Let nothing occur to prevent the use of the Guide, for it has been sanctioned and heartily approved by the authorities of the Church, and the greatest good is expected to follow its adoption by each and every society in Zion. Any experience officers or members may have had in the use and study of other such works will serve as a help and assistance in taking up this Guide, which has been specially prepared for the young ladies throughout this whole Church. Get to work, young ladies, with all the force and power you can muster, and when next April comes be prepared to report through your Stake officers a goodly start and a promising future for yourselves and the grand cause of mutual improvement in which we are engaged. OUR GIRLS.* A VISIT TO THE SNAKE RIVER COUNTRY. of my BELIEVING that many young sisters would be pleased to hear of their co-laborers in the far northern settlements, I take refuge behind the time-worn adage, "Better late than never," and will attempt a brief synopsis of a ten days' visit to the Banthe Ban nock Stake, in Idaho. On the 12th of last August, in company with Sister M. I. Horne, I left the city to honor an invitation to visit the Y. L. and Primary Associations of that Stake, while Sister Horne went as a special messenger to the R. S., at the same time evincing, as every true Saint should, an equal interest in all the organizations. Having studied geography in the early days, when that science was taught "wrong end to," we had gained a pretty fair idea of "lands afar"-Europe, Asia and All communications from the members of the Y. L. M. I. Associations to this department should be addressed to Mrs. Elmina S. Taylor, 158 W. Third South St., Salt Lake City. The address of the Secretary of the Central Board of the Y. L. M. I. A. is Annie M. Cannon, Folsom Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. |