termed the lubricating oil of the wheels of trade.

A dishonest person is avoided as is a small-pox patient, and when once spotted, may bid adieu to the trust or esteem of honest folk. 'Tis just that dishonesty is shunned, if only for the reason that it often proves the coagulator of the machinery of business; for through the failure of one dishonest person to meet his obligations, a half dozen honest men may be thrown out of their calculations, and be placed in false positions, perhaps be made to appear that which they most abhor. 'Tis said that "by one man's disobedience many are made sinners;" and it might as well be said that by one man's dishonesty many are made dis honest, while on the other hand one person's promptness may redeem a dozen from the stigma of neglect.

An anecdote is related of a company of friends who were taking dinner together. The meal had been dispensed with, and during the after-dinner chat it suddenly occurred to one of them that he was debtor five dollars to his right-hand friend, whereupon he produced the amount, and with thanks redeemed himself. This promptness reminded the person receiving the money that he also was debtor the amount to another friend who was present, and handed the five to him, when, strange to say, the man last paid suddenly bethought him that he had borrowed the same

amount from his friend on the opposite side of the table. And so the one five dollars went the entire round, and was at last handed back in payment to the one who had first given it out. They had all been paid with

this one five dollars.

Any individual possessing a spark of self respect, or regard for his reputation, will, if possible, meet the honest obligations required of him; but we sometimes meet with honesty which is of a higher type, and while it astonishes us, it does not fail to increase, at a ten fold ratio, our faith and confidence in humanity. A story is told of a poor German peasant of the last century, who was one of many sufferers from the devastations of war, which on every hand was displaying its multitude of horrors; and the golden rule might supposedly have been the idea most remote from such scenes. However, this man of simple honesty, being commanded by a captain of dragoons of the invading army to show him a field where he might obtain forage for his troops, straightway took the lead of the company to comply with the captain's bidding. They soon. arrived at a field of waving grain, and the captain called. a halt; but the peasant urgently requested him to proceed yet a little farther, saying that it would be all right. Arriving at another field some little distance along, the troops dismounted and proceeded to cut down the grain for

his declining years could withstand. And though he well knew that his vital powers were giving way, yet he ceased not his labors, but literally made a martyr of himself to his exalted sense of honor. This almost unprecedented example in a man of letters is as lofty and commendable as is his name and fame in a literary sense.

Such men stand as monumental in a world of fraudulence and scheming as do the towering pyramids amid the sands of Egypt.

The quality of sympathy as a component part of the Golden Rule

now claims our attention.

of

Deep down in the heart humanity is a great, hungry spot, which can only be satisfied by sympathy, pure and genuine. 'Tis this yearning that makes us so dependent on each other for support, for happiness; 'tis the 'one touch of nature that makes the whole world kin."

Sympathy is the magic power that reaches the inmost heart, lightening life's weary burdens, and making its sorrows seem almost sweet.

We all crave sympathy, for we are all in need of its divine influence. Yet too often are its life-giving rays obscured, as the sun behind a cloud, leaving the sad heart desolate, the drooping spirit unconsoled.

Sympathy enlarges our hearts, ennobles and beautifies our lives, and raises us nearer the sphere from whence we came. Let us consider, then, that which is so necessary to our own well-being, is also essential to the well-being of others; and give not stintingly grudgingly of that which enriches ourselves in the bestowing, and blesses immeasurably those who receive.

or

Love, patience, and forgiveness are also embraced in this subject. Who is there so utterly miserable as that person whom nobody loves? Can we picture a more desolate condition than a life unblessed by the benign influence of love? That which is the soul of the universe, and lends to earth the only semblance which it bears to heaven. "Love is

heaven and heaven is love," for our Father is the personification of that quality.

Love is the illuminator of this troubled sphere, that which lends to life the rainbow tints, the sunset hues, and makes our lives worth living.

Inasmuch then as this quality is so requisite to our real happiness, we should strive to cultivate those qualities of sympathy, patience, kindness and cheerfulness, which we know cannot fail to make us lovable; and forget not to mete to others the full measure of love which they merit. Seek for lovable qualities rather than for those which would call out censure; for love begets love, and as it is a purifying, ennobling element, cannot fail to work a revolution to the extent that it is indulged in. Besides this, it will make the world seem brighter, and all nature will assume a diviner aspect; for heaven will be nearer and life more complete.

Patience and forgiveness we should all strive to cultivate for we are but poor, weak mortals, even at our best, and prone to do that which we should not do. We are continually supplicating our Father for patience and forgiveness, and dream not that He will turn a deaf ear to our pleading. Yet we must remember that Christ has said, "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses." Herein we see the justice and mercy of God; for in self-defense we must comply

with the golden precept. None need feel too large, too great or too wise to humble themselves and ask forgiveness of one they have injured. This is but just and right, and what we would expect from another. 'Tis the only way of maintaining confidence and love, and avoiding a separating gulf to widen and deepen between friend and friend. "Then as ye would that men should do to you, do ye likewise unto them."

What a blessed revolution would be brought about in this world of trouble and sin should the children of earth but heed this gentle precept! We have an example of its magic working power in the city Enoch, where the earth became as Eden, for each loved his neighbor as himself.

As the chosen people of God, from whom much will be expected we should strive to hasten that glorious time, the promised reign of righteousness, when sorrow shall be done away, and all shall live in peace and love. This noble cause each one may aid by heeding the divine precept of the Perfect One, in making the Golden Rule the law of life.

Gladys Woodmansee.

A TOUCHING INCIDENT.
LITTLE JENNIE.

ALL mortal faith and works had been in vain,
The precious soul is free from earthly pain,
The little one is resting peaceful now,
No shade of anguish on her marble brow.

The casements opened to admit the breeze,
Sighing a requiem in the leafy trees,

It entered in and touched the little form,
That all had sought to shield from every harm.
The father saw and with a sudden start,
And cry that touched afresh each weeping heart,
"It is too cold for her, oh it is too cold,
Our little blossom, oh it is too cold!"

He could not yield her to death's icy touch,
But sobbed and moaned, "Oh 'tis too much,
too much;"

And sought to keep her warm that long, sad night,

Then bowed at last and gave to God His right.

Oh little one, so helpless and so weak,
Oh mighty love that language cannot speak,
Frail little hands but oh so strong their hold,
Gently they lead her loved ones to the fold.

The old gentleman looked amazed.

"Surely, my child; there is not a doubt in my mind as to that. What evil spirit has been sowing the seed of doubt in your heart?"

"I have heard so much lately. There are so many religions, and they all declare to be the only true Church."

"Are not the scriptures verified in this, my dear, where it says that in the latter days many shall arise and cry here is Christ, or there is Christ?" "Did you hear of the Mormons?" inquired Thorborg abruptly.

ever

Pastor Hog's eyebrows went up and his pipe went down.

"Thorborg, my child, promise your old minister that whatever you do you will never listen to anything they may want to say to you; for be sure they are the very anti-Christ that is spoken SO much about in the Bible. Let me implore you, child," and the old gentleman raised his voice in much alarm, "to keep away from the wicked people. I do not en consider it proper to speak of them to a young and innocent girl."

even

"But they claim to have the gifts and powers that attended the former-day Saints."

"If they have them, which I doubt, they work their miracles.

by the power of the devil and no other; of that you may be sure."

The old minister went on at some length, denouncing the Mormons very vehemently, and Thorborg had never seen him so roused. She said no more on the subject, but she was much disappointed. She had hoped to get some light on the subject in a kindly way, and only found that even he, her good, kind old minister, was up in arms against a people he knew very little about. She went home disappointed and no wiser than she came; and as luck would have it she met young Ibsen going through the park. They at once entered into conversation, and he walked with her. She told him where she had been and what her errand had been. He could not help smiling when he heard it, and told her that the Church of Christ had no worse enemies than the ministers of the different denomintions. She could not understand that, and wondered why these men, who were well versed in scripture, should not know the gospel when it came.

"Miss Thorborg, were not the Pharisees and the scribes well versed in scripture; had they not spent all their lives in studying about the prophecies of the coming Messiah, yet when He came did they know Him? Did they not persecute Him from the very beginning until they had crucified Him?"

Thorborg was struck with this. argument.

"Yes, yes," she said, "but your words frighten me; they almost convince me that your religion is from God, and how can I bear to leave my loved ones, my old associates, my mode of living and thinking! How could I bear the world's scorn!"

"Do you remember the young man who came to Jesus and asked Him what he must do to be saved, and when the Lord told him to sell his goods. and follow Him he went away sadly, for he had much goods. It is harder for those who have any of this world's goods to follow the Savior. But I know that if you would pray earnestly to the Lord for His assistance and help to bear these things, He would help you."

He spoke with much earnestness; his words had such power that Thorborg could but be well impressed.

She sought the Lord that night in earnest prayer that she might know if this religion was from Him. She met her brother next morning with red, swollen eyes, and when he anxiously inquired for the cause of her distress, she had slept very little that night, and she had cried a good deal over the sorrow she was about to inflict on her parents. Emil was thoroughly alarmed, and wanted to know what she meant; and Thorborg told him that she was going to become a Mormon. was much frightened, and besought her to not do such a thing before considering it well. He

He