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the girls, of the impression our spirit of oneness and sisterly love made on the outside world, ending her discourse with a strong, earnest appeal to the girls to cling to their virtue and preserve' their chastity as they would life itself, adding, "It is the greatest pearl you can possess."

"Spirit Divine" was sweetly rendered by Miss Lottie Jensen, accompanied by the choir.

Sister S. A. Kelly made a few closing remarks.

Adjourned until two with singing and prayer.

Afternoon session opened with the usual exercises. President Snow introduced the originator of the Primary, Sister Rogers, who addressed the girls in a very interesting manner.

Sister Ray Evans expressed the appreciation of the conference, and made a few remarks on the efficacy of prayer.

Sister Freeze again gave us the benefit of her excellent counsel. Spoke of the many gifts of the gospel, of the beauty of our girls, and how they should use it to the glory of God, and not be vain over it.

Combine with it sweetness of disposition and charm of manner. Sister Freeze had the gift of singing in tongues, and also its partial interpretation, the remainder being given by Sister Maria Fosgren. The Spirit of God was there in rich abundance, and all felt its lovely influence.

President Clawson addressed the congregation a few minutes.

Minnie Loveland Snow arose

and told how her prayers had been answered immediately dur. ing the meeting.

Vocal duet by Emeline Watkins and Sadie Stohl.

President Snow made a few closing remarks, referring to the Spirit of God that had aided them while at the Woman's Congress, and the high compliments they had been paid by women of talent and ability, not of us. Ascribed all the honor to Our Creator. After singing and prayer, the conference was closed. Tillie S. Horsley, Sec'y.

A WRITTEN ADDRESS.
(READ AT THE Y. L. M. I. A.)

As it has fallen to my lot to take part in the evening programme, I take pleasure in responding, realizing the great good done in obedience to the calls made upon us in the M. I. A.

How thankful ought we to be for the opportunities that surround us on every hand for gaining knowledge.

How thankful to an all-merciful Father that we live in an age of so much advancement. Then, again we we are blest with this wonderful brain power which we weaken or make strong according to usage; unless we take good care of it, keep, it in good running order, it quickly gets out of repair and grows rusty from neglect.

How wicked it seems to me to so abuse such a grand piece of work. Yet how often we abuse these earthly tabernacles within

which we dwell. How often we see a fine, healthy man or woman so give themselves up to the excesses of life in such a manner that when seen a few years later there is not the least particle of a semblance of their former selves.

Don't you think, my dear sis

ter that we will be held accountable for such crimes as these, for it cannot be anything else but a crime? If a person is killed by some one, it is called murder, the person perpetrating the deed, murderer, and he is expected to answer for the deed committed while living as well as at the great bar of justice, where our Heavenly Father reigns as judge; then, if we abuse these earthly tabernacles which He has SO generously given us to live in, if we abuse this great brain power, if our souls are unclean, if we give ourselves up to undue excesses in such a manner that we narrow our minds, shorten our lives what are we then in the sight of God? How many young women are there among us that are intelligent, possess fine talents that the Giver of all has bestowed upon them that let them lie dormant and grow rusty from neglect and abuse. Yes, how many like this, allow Mr. Careless to step in and take charge of their natures until they are like a once beautiful flower in someone's garden, its beauty and strength long since gone through coming in contact. with odious weeds and that grim fiend, neglect. Then again, how essential it is that we set a good

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example before those that younger, that they may not rightfully ridicule when we get up to speak or bear our testimony to the truth of this gospel, thereby proving ourselves stumbling blocks in their way. It is well said, "Practice is better than precept.' A little story I once heard when a child I recall to mind as I write. If true or not, I cannot say. Nevertheless the moral is good.

A man having his aged father. living with him, bitterly complained at his breaking so many dishes at the table while eating, being weak and feeble. One day the offense being repeated, he became angry and started for a neighboring wood in company with his own little son, saying, 'I'll get a dish the old man can't break." After cutting and hewing away for some time, his little son, who had been intently watching him, suddenly asked, "What are you doing, papa?"

"I am whittling out a trough for grandad to eat out of," was the answer. The little boy remained silent for a few minutes then suddenly exclaimed, with a face all lit up with enthusiasm, "Papa, when you get old I will make you one."

This startled the father, who stopped work and stood as if dumbfounded, and, to the surprise of his little son, who expected to see a look of pleasure and thankfulness, he exclaimed, "I guess we will go home, "and immediately started off.

Yes, dear sisters, example is

and

better than precept. Let us have charity for one another, be kind to our parents, the aged, infirm, and if we are always seeking after intelligence, with the love of God in our hearts, it will always be easy for us to discern

between good and evil, and we will then become intelligent, noble women in Zion.

And departing leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time, befitting a Latter-day Saint. Ida Haag.

EARLY DAYS IN THE TERRITORY.

Dear Niece Susa Y. Gates:

A FEW days since, I was in conversation with three or four business associates, and the stringency of the times was quoted, as we can hear any day, in the stores and on the streets.

One of the men present declared adversely to the general cry, and said the times were good, there was lots of money in the country, only we have been used to such an overflowing abundance, people cry there is a scarcity.

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I can remember the time when we seldom thought of money this country and did not have even good clothing enough to keep us warm. We hardly ever had sugar in the house, and if we could raise through the summer enough of beets, cane, watermelons and in many instances corn stalks enough to get ten or twenty-five gallons of "sweet" (oh how delicious was the very word!) call it molasses boiled down from the juice of these products we were happy indeed.

In those very early days of this Territory men and women went to meeting in much poorer clothes than they will now be content to

wear while working in the fields and in the kitchen. I well remember when I was called on a Sunday to talk to the people in meeting assembled on a Sabbath day, when I had on no coat, and my shirt sleeves had each a patch on the elbow. My shirt was scrupulously clean, and I felt just as well then in the stand, as I do now with the best suit on.

I saw one Elder called from the congreation into the stand to speak to the people who had on neither coat, shoes or socks, and he spoke with much power of the Holy Spirit, just as well as men do now dressed in fine black suits of imported goods.

We then felt such circumstances as no hardship, and were thankful to have that much. We felt it no shame because it was the best we could do, and we were even with a majority of the people.

In those early days I went to dances in private houses where there was no floor but the ground, and no splendor but bright, cheerful, honest faces that reflected the intelligence, virtue and Christian zeal of honest souls within.

We needed no money then to

pay extravagant fiddlers "bills"-for waxed floors, and a few dollars "clear gain" for some man to put in his pocket to pay for getting up the dance.

We could pay for our admission to a party in wheat, flour, oats, corn, potatoes, cabbage, squashes, molasses, beets or anything the people wanted to eat or wear, or that they could trade off.

The brother I alluded to in the beginning, who thought these times to be good, said that once here in Springville when all the productions I have named were "the currency of the country," a party was gotten up; and when a dance was announced it meant an invitation to all, old and young. One gent. who had been very fortunate in raising a good crop of squashes, brought a large squash

to pay his bill at the dance. The door-keeper eyed the squash with admiration, and remarked that "that squash was worth more than they charged for a number, and here's somethin' in change back," handing the young man three

carrots.

In those days we all "met on a level and parted on the square. We never heard of burglaries, hold-ups, or suicides. We never had heard or thought of bankruptcy or gambling in stocks.

The present hard times are more in the imagination than reality. If people will not borrow trouble about hard times now I think it will not be very long before they will have plenty of their own, and not have to pay back some borrowed. Oliver B. Huntington.

EDITOR'S DEPARTMENT.

THE FINANCIAL SITUATION. ABOUT sixteen years ago there was a strong effort made to establish close and undivided business interests between the members of this community. Brigham Young said the Lord had told him that the time had come to establish the United Order, and that it would be a necessary, step if this people would avoid the afflictions which were about to come upon them. He further remarked that he did not want to live to see what would come upon this people if they did not accept and try to live up to that principle.

Now,

I am not about to prophesy evil concerning Zion, for the words. of President George Q. Cannon, even those of President Woodruff himself during the late dedication services were that no one must prophesy evil concerning Zion. I do not consider the present situation of financial affairs here as an evil, in one respect. I firmly believe that there is a very wise and glorious purpose underlying the present "hard times" in Utah. This people wanted to run their own financial affairs; in fact they said so by the thousands fifteen years ago, and it looks very much

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like the Lord has let them have their wish. What do you think of the result? How much more do you think we will have to be pinched before we will humble ourselves and say to the Lord that we are willing to let Him take a hand now in the management of our finances? I wondering that every day. ago, such men as President Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Abraham H. Cannon, Orson F. Whitney and others have said to me that they felt that the United Order would have to come to this people, and so far as they were concerned, they did not care how quick it came. A few more months of such squeezing as we are getting now at the hands of the money changers, and I think it President Woodruff was then to rise up and say that the Lord would deliver those who were willing to obey His will in the future as to finances, there would be quite a sprinkling of our good brethren. arise and go to the Lord with the remnants of their inheritDon't you remember that we have been advised for years by Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff to patronize home industries! Why, I heard President Smith preach an eloquent sermon on that subject not very long ago. Do you think we would be where we are now if we had taken that excellent advice? President George Q. Cannon has a plain statement of our situation in that matter in a recent issue of the JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR.

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important advice! important advice! I am fully of the opinion that they will wish it still more before this present year is out. I do not think Zion is going to be injured by this financial crash, not at all, this people have had too much experience in hard times to be crushed for a small thing; but I do feel that individuals all along the line. are going to be humbled to the dust, and that many heedless men among us will be brought to realize that God has as much to do with their business as He has with their religion. And when He says it will be better for us to work on a co-operative principle, I think such men will be ready to listen to His words.

But after all, what has all this talk to do with my girl readers? Quite a deal. Are you not daughters and sisters of the men who are suffering in this crisis? And what is your particular duty in this matter? Very simple and plain it is, my dear girls. In the first place, let me urge you to remember your dear father in earnest and constant prayer. Not only do this in general terms and

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