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Mormonism.

By Elder Charles W. Penrose.

"Mormonism" is a stem planted by the hand of the Lord; watered by the "blood of the Saints and of Prophets;" it flourishes gloriously. Its roots are striking deeper every day, and its thrifty branches shoot forth vigorously. The blasts of hell cannot wither it; the fire of the world's wrath cannot touch it; but while "every tree that the Father has not planted shall be rooted up," this "plant of renown" which is the "Kingdom of Heaven," growing up on the face of the earth, shall stretch out its mighty boughs, and yield forth its precious fruit, till the whole earth reposes under its shelter, and the heavenly ones shall "lodge in the branches thereof."

Make Childhood Happy.

BY ELDER BRIGHAM YOUNG, JR., IN MILLENNIAL STAR, 1866. It should ever be urged upon parents the high importance of preserving in childhood a cheerful and happy state of temper, by indulging them in the various pleasures and diversions suited to their years. Those who are themselves, either from age or temperament, grave or serious, will not unfrequently attempt to cultivate a similar disposition in their children. Such, however, is a manifest violation of the laws of the youthful constitution. Each period of life has its distinctive character and enjoyments; and gravity and sedateness, which fond parents commonly call manliness, appear to be quite as inconsistent and unbecoming in the character of childhood, as puerile levity in that of age. The young, if unwisely restrained. in their appropriate amusements, or too much confined to the society of what are termed serious people, may experience in consequence, such a dejection of spirits as to occasion a sensible injury to their health. And it should, furthermore, be considered that the sports and gaieties of happy childhood call forth those various muscular actions, as laughing, shouting, running, jumping, etc., which are in early life so absolutely essential to the healthful development of the different bodily organs. Again, children, when exposed to neglect and unkind treatment (for to such they are far more sensible than we are prone to suspect), will not unusually grow sad and spiritless, their stomach and nervous system becoming enfeebled and deranged; and various other painful infirmities, and even premature decay, may sometimes owe their origin to such an unhappy source. Let them also ever remember that nature is industrious in adorning her dominions; and that those to whom this beauty is addressed should feel and obey the lesson. Let them, too, be industrious in adorning their domain, in making home the dwelling of self, wife and children, not only convenient and com

fortable, but pleasant. Let them, as far as circumstances will admit, be industrious in surrounding it with pleasant objects, in decorating it within and without with things that tend to make it agreeable and attractive. Let industry make home the abode of neatness and order—a place which brings satisfaction to every inmate, and which in absence draws back the heart by the fond association of comfort and content. Let this be done and this sacred spot will become more surely the scene of cheerfulness and peace. Ye parents, who would have your children happy, be careful to bring them up in the midst of a pleasant, a cheerful and a happy home. Waste not your time in accumulating wealth for them, but plant in their minds and souls, in the way proposed, the seeds of virtue and prosperity.

Forgiveness and Love.

Mr. Frank Cox tells the following beautiful little anecdote illustrating forgiveness and love:

"A lad named Sydney, having reached the age of ten, considered he ought to be paid for various little services rendered to his mother in the home. Hearing a conversation concerning certain bills that had to be paid, he conceived the idea of making out a bill for what he had done, and the next morning he quietly laid on his mother's plate the following statement: 'Mother owes Sidney: For getting coal six times, 15 cents. For fetching logs of wood lots of times, 15 cents. For going on an errand twice, 10 cents. For being a good boy, 10 cents. Total, 50 cents.' The mother examined the bill, but said nothing. That evening Sydney found it lying on his own plate, with the fifty cents as payment; but accompanying it was another bill, which read as follows: Sidney owes to Mother: For his happy home for ten years nothing. For all his food-nothing. For nursing him through his illness last year-nothing. For his last new suit of clothes-nothing. For being good to him-nothing. Total-nothing. When the lad had looked at this for a moment, his eyes were dim and his lips quivering. Presently he took the fifty cents out of his pocket, and, unable to control his emotion, he rushed to his mother, flung his arms around her neck and exclaimed, 'Mother, dear! I was a mean wretch to give you that bill! Please forgive me and let me do lots of things for you still!' The mother's forgiveness of the debt awakened and increased the boy's love.”—Juvenile Instructor.

We also forbid that a man shall leave his wife because she is an unbeliever. If he be a bad man (that is the unbeliever) there is a law to remedy that evil. And if she be a bad woman, there is law to remedy that evil. And if the law divorce them, then they are at liberty; otherwise they are bound as long as they two shall live, and it is not our prerogative to go beyond this.-Hyrum Smith.

Living Life Over Again.

What the world needs is more today living; starting in the morning with fresh, clear ideals for that day, and seeking to live that day, and each successive hour and moment of that day, as if it were all time and all eternity. This has in it no element of disregard for the future, for each day is set in harmony with that future. It is like the sea-captain heading his vessel toward his point of destination, and day by day keeping her steaming toward it. This view of living kills morbid regret of the past, and morbid worry about the future. Most people want large, guaranteed slices of life; they would not be satisfied with manna fresh every day, as was given to the children of Israel; they want grain elevators filled with daily bread.

Life is worth living if it be lived in a way that is worth living. At each New Year tide it is common to make new resolutions, but in the true life of the individual each day is the beginning of a New Year if he will only make it so. A mere date on the calendar of eternity is no more a divider of time than that a particular grain of sand divides the desert.

Let us not make heroic resolutions so far beyond our strength that the resolution becomes a dead memory within a week; but let us promise ourselves that each day will be the new beginning of a newer, better and truer life for ourselves, for those around us, and for the world.— WILLIAM G. JORDAN in Millennial Star.

Quotations From Our Leaders.

The Gospel is the perfect law of liberty. Within the Church is plenty of freedom, without the need of going to the extreme in anything. But there is no freedom in sin, in doing what will tend to defile the temple of the Spirit. There is an inevitable penalty that follows the violation of law, whether spiritual or temporal, so called. The indulging in wrongdoing will as surely be followed by a penalty as would be the putting of our hand upon a hot stove. No wicked thing, no evil thing, can stand in, or even enter, the presence of God; and men should learn this as early as possible, in order that they may put their lives in harmony with truth.— Joseph F. Smith.

If every family in the Church were, as they ought to be, keeping the commandments of God, worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth, praying night and morning, and living up to the principles of the Gospel, so that the spirit of love may abound-a love in the hearts of the father and mother for their children, and a love in the hearts of the children for their parents, a love on the part of the husband for his wife, and the wife for her husband, if the homes of the Latter-day Saints could be such as

they ought to be, then imagine if you can what a wonderful power a community could exert for good, if composed of a great number of such homes. Hyrum M. Smith.

The speech and conduct of Elders one towards another is frequently wrong; one Elder will speak evil of another; and while you undertake to trample on others, you will sink yourself. A man has sinking principles; but if his feelings are elevated, he will build up others and build up himself. Just as sure as one Elder tries to build himself up on the destruction of another, he will surely sink himself.—Brigham Young.

In regard to the ministry I would recommend, and earnestly exhort, that the first principles of the Gospel be fully and constantly taught, and the spirit of discussion and contention avoided as far as possible, for he that hath the spirit of contention is not of God but is of the devil.-Parley Pratt, while presiding over the European Mission, 1842.

The laws of man we have kept faithfully, adhering tenaciously to the principles of the Constitution of the government, under which we live. We have not transgressed them in one iota, but have maintained our relationship honorably with the nation we have been associated with. -John Taylor.

Saints must practice cleanliness and purity, and show by their prayers, by all their works, and in their families that they are reforming and forsaking all and every kind of species of filthiness and evil practice, no matter what it is.—Jedediah M. Grant.

The government of the United States we, as a people, venerate and defend. Why do we do this? We do it because God had His hand in the organization of it.-Orson Pratt.

No one who has ill feelings against his brother in the Church should partake of the sacrament until all wrongs have been righted.—John R. Winder.

You cannot hide the heart when the mouth is open. If you want to keep your heart secret, keep your mouth shut.-Brigham Young.

After we have made covenants with the Lord, we should show ourselves strong enough to carry them out.-Anthon H. Lund.

The devil can hurt no man, only when he gives way to his influence. -Heber C. Kimball.

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Willard Richarles. Clerk and Aid.

Historical Letter.

The above is a reprint of a historical letter which is self-explanatory. Pursuant to the instructions contained therein, General Rich returned to Nauvoo and executed the order. Among the things gathered up were three cannons, which were taken across the plains. One of these, called Long Tom, was driven part way by one of his daughters, who was then a little girl of but eight years of age, and who is still living. We have reference to Sister Sarah Jane Rich Miller, one of the pioneers of 1847. The fac simile above given is taken from the original, which is now in possession of the editor.

The subscription department of the Journal for the past twenty-one months has been under the able management of Elder Richard B. Summerhays. No one could have been more energetic, more conscientious, or rendered more diligent or effective services in this division of office work, than has Elder Summerhays. His whole soul has been absorbed in the interest of our missionary paper, and he has worked most faithfully both early and late for its welfare. His labors have been rewarded with gratifying success, and now upon his return home we desire herewith to express these few words of appreciation of his most satisfactory and commendable labors which have contributed so much toward the progress of the Elders' Journal. Brother Summerhays' experience in the field has been somewhat limited on account of his responsible position at the office, however, he has experienced some of the joys of active missionary life which will be of much pleasure and value to him in his future career. He will, upon his return, at once enter into business for himself following the line of circular advertising. Brother Summerhays returns to his home with the love, good will and best wishes of all his com panions, carrying with him also the blessings of the authorities of the Mission.

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