In do we go and have a look at the China in the French department. There is one vase that cost $2,000. The statuary from France is beyond any powers of description. this building are exhibits from all over the world; no two exhibits in this building are exactly alike. We had our lunch in this building, and then we go to Thomas' Orchestra. There are one hundred and forty-two gentlemen in this orchestra. This concert is given every day in one of the World's Fair Halls. The concert was enjoyed greatly by us, and by all, especially by those who were great admirers of beautiful music. Next day we do not go to the Fair, but we go to see the Opera America, in the Auditorium Theater. It took seven years to make their costumes, they are so very gorgeous. In the opera there are seven hundred singers. I will not even try to describe the grandeur to my readers, for I know I would fail in so doing, but will simply say it was grand, hoping perhaps some day some of you may have the privilege of seeing it yourselves. We also went through the Auditorium Hotel. It is most elegantly furnished throughout. It is an immense building, being made of gray stone; it has sixteen stories. I will not extend my chapter, but next time I will try to tell you what I saw in New York and some other eastern cities. [TO BE CONTINUED.] Isabell Romney. A TRIP THROUGH THE ONEIDA STAKE. SATURDAY, June 10th, President Esther C. Parkinson, Counselor Laura Johnson, Secretary Louie Dowdle, accompanied by Sister Mary A. Freeze of Salt Lake City, left Franklin tor Fairview, where we met with the Y. L. M. I. A. at 10 a. m., and 2 p. m. had an excellent time together. After lunch we continued our journey to Weston. The following morning found the meeting house well filled, and the brethren present in large numbers and the people in this peaceful little place fully awake to their duty. June 12th. Held two meetings at Dayton. Tuesday, 13th, met at Clifton, where we met old friends and made many new ones, and found our girls doing an excellent work. June 14th, held meet ing at Treasureton. Notwithstanding the smallness of the settlement the people turned out well, and we had a good time. At 2:30 were on Our way to Oxford, twelve miles ride, where we were entertained by Bishop Lewis and family, who did all in their power for our comfort. Thursday morning at 10 o'clock our meeting commenced, Sister Johnson presiding. The Association was reported as being fully organized and doing a good work with the Y. L. Guide. Sister Freeze spoke to the young in a very entertaining manner, and encouraged the virtues of modesty and purity. On the 16th pro ceeded to Marsh Center, where was we met with three small associations, and while but few were in attendance a most excellent spirit prevailed. The 17th we started at eight o'clock for Garden Creek, where the people were all glad to meet and shake hands with us. Again a full house and our young sisters were urged to a more faithful discharge of their important duties in these organizations. June 18th drove to Dempsy, distance eighteen miles. At 1 p.m. met with the people. As the place is small the audience was small; but good attention paid and I feel that good was accomplished. At 3:30 we started for Chesterfield, distance thirty miles, arriving safely at 9 o'clock, and gladly sought rest and strength for the coming morrow. Monday, 10 a. m., the young ladies and parents made a good-sized audience in the meeting house, people coming from eight to ten miles to attend the meetings. The Spirit of the Lord was enjoyed by the people, and all felt to rejoice in this great Latter-day work. At noon we were entertained in the vestry, and enjoyed a most inviting picnic. Continued conference at 2 p.m., and the young were encouraged to train and educate their minds, that we may be prepared to associate with the purest and most glorious intelligences of the eternal worlds. In the evening we drove twentyfive miles to Soda Springs, where we viewed the wonders of nature and drank of the refreshing water. Tuesday at 2 p.m. met at That cher Ward, where our girls are doing a creditable work and striv ing to learn as much concerning the gospel as they reasonably can. At 5 o'clock held meeting, and organized an Association at Cleveland, where Sister Freeze spoke in her usual spirited way, showing the importance of these organizations. In the evening drove five miles to Mound Valley, where we were made to feel at home by Sister Hammond. The following morning 10. a.m. found their little meeting house beautifully clean and well filled and the sisters were shown the real purpose of improving themselves that they may become a greater power for good than they have heitherto been. After another dusty ride of fifteen miles over hills, we reached Mink Creek at 5 o'clock, where the people were anxiously awaiting our arrival. This is one of our largest wards, where perfect harmony of feeling and love for each other prevails. They were encouraged to continue in a way that would reflect honor upon the gospel, which teaches them purity and righteousness. The 23rd we joined my Counselor, Sister Susan Purnell, at Riverdale. The Bishop was absent from home, but we had a good, spirited meeting. Saturday, 24th, met at Worm Creek; organized an Association, and the people rejoiced at the privileges afforded them. Sunday another time of rejoicing awaited us at Preston. A large audience of parents and young ladies were gathered to gether, the largest attendance of mothers seen at any place. Sister Nellie Parkinson, who has been a faithful worker for many years, felt compelled through a press of other duties to resign her position as President of the Young Ladies' Association of this place, and Sister Media Nelson was chosen President, with Sister Hattie Thatcher and Miss Nellie Greaves Counselors, after which Sister Purnell said if this is to be a Mutual Improvement Association in anything more than name, its work must be spiritual and intellectual. Sister Freeze exhorted them to show their appreciation of these grand truths by striving to know more and more concerning them. On the 26th met with the Association at Whitney, where there are but few girls, but they are striving to become bright and strong in the Kingdom of our God. Tuesday drove five miles to St. Joseph; but on account of the sickness and death that had been in the ward we failed to have meeting, but returned to Franklin and spent a very pleasant evening with Sister Annie Challis. Wednesday at 10 o'clock met with a good sized audience in the meeting house. President Challis gave a good report of their labors in the Franklin Ward. Sister Louie Dowdle gave a lecture on Hygiene. Continued our conference at 2 p.m. Sister Freeze, who spoke to the young about an hour, exhorted them to live pure lives, that they may discern good from evil, and not be This ended our labors in the Oneida Stake. I must not forget to mention that the beautiful lectures given by our girls delighted us, as did much that we have not space to mention, the lively singing adding to the spirit of our meetings. The Bishops and others of the brethren met with us in nearly every ward, and we felt encouraged by their presence. We trust we have done good in encouraging the Saints in their duties, and that these Associations will wield a mightier power for good than they have ever done. We have some three hundred and fifty Young Ladies' Guides in the Stake, which are a wonderful help to us. Esther C. Parkinson. MAURICE THOMPSON says; I have come to think that the highest reach of art will be the joint achievement of a man and woman working together as a completed individual representative of the human race. THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. MEDITATION AND PRAYER. an MEDITATION and communion, continued thought and contemplation are terms expressive of an affectionate and reciprocal intercourse of mind one with another. This intercourse is not limited to our mortal existence but it reaches to the Diety and to the eternal worlds. This principle is implanted in the nature of men and angels, the nature of communion and worship. Organization is the natural result of this disposition. The mind expresses a desire to break through its environments and have intercourse with kindred spirits who have existed in ages past. Contemplation for such a desire fails to satisfy the human heart; communion and fellowship only will satisfy the mind and this holy desire is fed and encouraged by the revelations of Jesus Christ. It is the existence of this principle which forms every tie, and upon its foundation society is erected and perpetuated. There is no attribute dwelling in màn but is a reflection of a similar attribute dwelling in God Himself. The existence therefore of ing on spiritual matters, the fire of devotion will kindle and our sacrifice will ascend acceptably to Him who desires not the mere service of the lip but the homage of the heart. Prayers may be expressed in words and in the muttered feelings which abide as silent meditations. The Psalmist prayed, "Consider my meditation," as much as to say, "If I have asked that which is right, give it me; if I have omitted to ask that which I most needed, fill up the vacancy." Again, "And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding." The same All-Wise Spirit who made the ancient seers eloquent also made them thoughtful. The office work of the Holy Spirit was never intended to supersede the use of the mental powers of mankind but to inspire their thoughts, to survey and understand the works and attributes of God. It is the theme of angels and Saints to contemplate the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person --God manifest in the flesh. The heart of the miser is in his gold and his treasures; but they any inherent quality in the spirit view in comparison of man is an undeniable evidence that it dwells in its matured and perfected state in the Father of all spirits. Devout meditation is the best preparative for fervent and effectual prayer. While we are ponder sink from with the Says one riches of eternal life. fect understanding. It is a term of great latitude, involving the whole compass of our intercourse with God. It includes our adoration of His perfections, our acknowledgment of His wisdom, the avowal of our dependence on Him, and of our absolute subjection to Him, the declaration of our faith in Him, and our devotion to His cause. It is the consultation with divine wisdom. We read in scripture of prayers that were without speech; they had no sound to the world of sense; they had only to do with the spirit world. Such was Nehemiah's in the presence of the king, and such was Hannah's when her lips moved and no words were heard. Prayer is not designed to bend the will of God as some have supposed. Christ prayed, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done." It is, therefore, the bending of our will to that of the Father. Christ at the grave of Lazarus "lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I know that thou hearest me always, but because of the people which stood by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. He apologized for asking a favor, which had been granted, for the purpose of convincing men of the divinity of His mission. It is recorded in scripture, "If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us and if we know that He heareth us, what soever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. Our prayers then are answered according to our need rather than our wishes. Prayer is also defined by our Lord as "asking that we may receive, seeking that we may find." Thus it implies supplication, and searching, so as to obtain the blessings of heaven. It is the simple intercourse of a child to the parent, which is a fit symbol of prayer. At times it is imperative to pray for immediate help. This was the case with the Lord's ancient apostles when they awoke Him from His sleep, saying, "Lord, save us, we perish." Jacob was reduced to a dread extremity, when he met his brother Esau, accompanied with four hundred men, his supposed enemies. His possessions were in peril, the mothers with the children were in danger, his own life might be taken. But the Lord was with Jacob, "for as a prince" he had "power with God and with men," and had "prevailed." Esau's heart was made tender by the power of God. He ran to meet Jacob, "and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept" with joy. Peter, perhaps, neglected prayer before starting upon his venturesome journey, but when he began to sink his danger made him earnestly ask for help, and it reached him in time. Prayer was our Lord's refuge from the storm; almost every word He uttered |