KATIE ELIZA HALE MERRILL. AMONG the noble and beautiful characters which have arisen in the midst of the young daughters of Zion, the name of Katie Hale Merrill should not be overlooked.

Her father, Elder Alma H. Hale, was fulfilling a mission to the Eastern States at the time of Katie's birth, which occurred at Grantsville, Tooele Co., Utah, Dec. 10, 1871.

for her

About six weeks before the birth of the little girl, the mother, Sister Sarah Annie Clark Hale, after doing her part in the necessary preparations for husband's departure, saw saw him start, with no other feeling than that as he was called to the work of the Lord, she would not hinder his progress for even one day; but would bid him God-speed, and uphold him constantly with her fervent faith and prayers. The same spirit of religious heroism which sustained the mother at that time, characterized the whole life of the girl which was born under its influence.

As a child, Katie never missed Sunday School or Primary meeting, unless compelled to do so from illness; and as she was blest with excellent health, her place in any of her meetings was rarely vacant. She was so devoted to her religion, so pure-minded and energetic that all duties were pleasures rather than tasks for her to perform.

In Grantsville, where the family

resided until Katie was sixteen, Sister Hale presided over the ward Primary from its first organization for a number of years. She also presided over the Stake Primaries for a long time, and until they removed from the stake. Katie was one of the most faithful attendants and helps in those organizations. When but a small girl, she played the organ for the Primary meetings. As soon as she was old enough, she joined the Young Woman's Mutual Improvement Association, but still attended and assisted in the Primary meetings.

When the family removed to Smithfield, Cache Co., in 1888, Katie immediately became identified with the Sabbath School and Young Woman's Association. of that settlement; was organist for the Sunday School for more than two years, besides teaching a class of young ladies; held the office of counselor in the Young Woman's Mutual Improvement Association for nearly three years. and most faithfully and efficiently performed her duties in all those callings.

Not only a laborer in those important public positions, but, Katie was also an industrious and intelligent operator in very many departments of woman's work: from the most delicate kinds of fancy and useful needle-work, to the minute details of the kitchen and fireside.

Being one of a large family of

children, twelve sons and nine daughters having been born to her father, four sons and six and six daughters to her mother, of of necessity there was plenty of family work of all kinds ever on hand. And these household duties, so prosy and distasteful to many girls, were never shirked nor slighted by Katie; but always performed as cheerfully and faithfully as any other of the various tasks allotted to her

It is almost wonderful that one so young in years, could so well have accomplished so much, in so many different directions as is shown by a review of the life works of this most excellent young

woman.

Chief among her labors, perhaps, may be counted the great work she had the privilege of doing in the Logan Temple. There she was baptized for four hundred and forty-nine of her dead relatives; was endowed for a great number, and also stood for the sealing and adopting of many souls.

The occasion of Katie's marriage to Elder Joseph Harris Merrill, was one long to be remembered by those who had the privilege of being present. It was fast day, Thursday, the 6th of November, 1890; and the inside of the Logan Temple seemed unusually bright, holy and inspiring.

Katie was a girl who always dressed sensibly; never wore corsets or in any other way defaced the true independence of character which was a part of her nature. And on that, the morning

of her marriage, in her beautiful, snow-white bridal robes, with her tall queenly bearing and her large, tenderly lustrous dark eyes, she seemed really angelic. And yet, although we who watched her, felt a singularly pathetic sacredness attached to the work that day, particularly that portion in which Katie was most interested, how little we thought that within a few months, angels would actually claim the lovely bride of that day and call her home to heaven!

A few weeks after their marriage, Brother Joseph H. Merrill received a notice that his name had been handed in to the Presidency of the Church as one suitable to take a mission to the Samoan Islands. The native energy and unswerving integrity. which were always exhibited in Katie's life were not lacking now.

Hard as it seemed to part so soon after the holy union of marriage had been sealed, the young couple did not waver, but immediately set about making ready for the husband's departure, which was to take place in February, and the mission would probably last for three or four years.

It was while passing through this time of trial that the picture presented in this number of the YOUNG WOMAN'S JOURNAL was taken; the very sad expression it shows was not usual with Katie. She said she felt as though she must cry, and did not want to sit for the picture; but Joseph wanted it, and so she consented.

Soon after, however, another notice from the First Presidency was recieved by the young wife, which brightened her hopes, and gave to her soul new animation. Having learned of the recent marriage, the church officials deemed it advisable for Brother Merrill to take his bride with him.

This was a joyful piece of news for the young couple. Katie was Although repeatedly Although repeatedly

now elated. warned of the many and severe hardships to which she would unavoidably be subjected, she never lost courage but persistently clung to the assurance that the Lord never requires anything of His children. that He does not give them power to accomplish.

On the 24th of February, 1891, Joseph and Katie left home to make their journey over land and ocean, to the Samoan Islands, where their missionary labors were to be performed, and where they landed safely in good time. Katie was ill most of the time

during the voyage; and after reaching Samoa, it soon became apparent that the country and fare did not agree well with her. Brother and Sister Wm. O. and Louie Lee, were soon to be released and come home, having fulfilled a mission there, thought perhaps it would be best for Katie to return with them, as her health continued failing. But after considering the matter carefully, she said she would remain with her husband, and with him fulfill the mission to which they

And before the time for Brother and Sister Lee's "good-by" to her had come, Katie's last promise of faithfulness to the service of her God had been fulfilled, she had died. ·

The sad and startling news of the young missionary woman's death first reached President Wilford Woodruff, sent direct from Elder Lee. Wisely and tenderly, as a father would have done, President Woodruff had a telegram sent to Elder Samuel Roskelly, at the Logan Temple, with instructions to have the news taken as promptly, yet given as gently and carefully as possible to the bereaved parents. And Brother Rosskelly himself bore the sorrowful tidings to the stricken household.

Sister Louie Lee, who was with Katie during the time of her last illness, wrote very feelingly to Brother and Sister Hale and family; and extracts from her letters will best describe the peaceful close of our young friend's life. She wrote: "Fagalii, Upolu, Samoa, July 10th, 1891. * * * Katie was such a congenial, charitable, sweet girl; and we were so happy together and had such pleasant, nice times.

"We took day about doing the work. May 23rd, she complained. of a headache, but still wanted to do her work, as it was her day; in the afternoon I insisted on doing it, and her taking a rest. Sunday morning she felt no better."

Do let

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"At 2 P. M., on Monday, the baby passed quietly away, without a struggle. The doctor said he had no hopes of it from the first. We did not tell Katie of it as she was SO weak. Before washing and dressing the little one for burial, I went to her bed-side. She had told me repeatedly she had no pain but was so weak. Now when I went to her she asked for her husband, and said, 'Oh Sister Lee, I am dying!' I called my husband to administer to her, rubbed her hands and feet, and sent for her husband who had gone out to try to control his feelings, after seeing his baby. breathe its last. 'Oh Katie,' I said, 'you are mistaken, surely you would not leave your poor husband!' She answered, 'They have come for me, and I must go, I can't stop.' After being ad

After receiving the news of Katie's death, touching and appropriate memorials were prepared by the Smithfield Sunday. School and Young Woman's Mutual Improvement Association, showing the loving appreciation with which she was regarded by her associates.

Dr. Edward Young, in his "Night Thoughts" has said, "Some men live more in thirty years than others do in sixty."

The subject of this sketch was one of the humble yet earnest spirited kind, who live and learns much in a short time. Her whole life may be defined as a beautiful and most successful mission, devoted to the service of Christ.

It seems a remarkable coincidence that, as before mentioned, at the time of the birth of this young woman, her father was away on a mission; that her death occurred while she was herself on missionary duty in a foreign land.