tion among many philanthropists of Utah has already begun to manifest itself in this direction, and we may reasonably believe, and certainly hope, that the Church School system of the Latterday Saints will in time become one of the beneficiaries of men who recognize a church and public duty in the distribution of their estates.

It would be difficult to estimate the enormous wealth which education has created, and the recipients of that wealth may reasonably feel a sacred obligation to perpetuate the educational opportunities and advantages that are doing so much for the happiness and civilization of man.

THE JOY OF A LETTER.

"The odor of pine trees blow spicily over,
The brooklet below me goes singing along,
Across it, beyond, are the cows in the clover,
And I o'er a letter am singing my song.

"Letter, my letter, you're better, far better
Than gold-dust or jewels or sweet-scented wood.
Ah, yes; it is true that I prize you, my letter,

My letter that cheers me as nothing else could.

"For here do I read, and believe it most truly,

There is love, there is faith in a great heart for me;

And therefore my own heart is growing unruly,
And therefore the world is o'er-glorious to see.

"Then blow, spicy odors, around and above me,

And brooklet below me, sing loud and sing strong,
For here do I read that a great heart does love me,
And out of my soul bursts the joy of a song."

THE MEETING OF THE CENTURIES.

(Continued from page 176.)

What Truth did for Love.

Ere Truth looked forth, e'en truest love was blind.
Truth spake then fell the bandage from Love's eyes;
She taught dazed Eros how to see aright,

And rightly fill his ministry below.

Marriage, that builds life's bridge o'er death's dark gulf,
Was failure deemed, its fate a mystery;

Truth waved her wand-the darkness was dispelled,
And lovers fond, who wed and wept in vain

When death them parted, smiling through their tears,
Saw written on hope's rainbow arch, "Success;"
Saw Hymen's bridge, that only spans Time's wave

To human vision, forward thrown, till lost

Beyond the billows of Eternity.-ORSON F. WHITNEY.

The Schools and Teachers of the New Century.

The past century has witnessed many improvements in methods of teaching, in subject matter taught, and in the school buildings themselves; but present improved conditions only portend the greater possibilities of the opening century. Educators perceive that the marvelous physical world about us, in its wondrous pages of hill and dale and rock and sea and air and sky, contains subject matter better adapted for the study of modern youth than the thoughts received second-hand from the stale and musty books of past generations. They comprehend that the objective study of the matter-world about us, is the work that will continue to produce such material changes as will even surpass in greatness

the startling achievements of the hundred years now closing. Hence, the school programs of the future will be changed to emphasize the importance of the study of nature. The teachers of the future will be chosen with special reference to their fitness to teach right and truth in these lines. They should be original investigators, who recognize the Creator in the works of his creation, and not parrot-teachers of such untenable theories and sophistries as have often characterized the teachings of the past age, and are now extant in many of our scientific texts. They must believe that the indestructibility of matter and force but demonstrates the immortality of the soul; must lead the pupil from nature to a knowledge of nature's God.-Wм. H. JONES.

The Elders' Education.

Among the highest orders of sublime and ennobling education, obtainable under terrestrial conditions, we place that elevating and divine tuition which the Elders of Israel receive, while travelling amongst the Gentiles as witnesses of Christ, faithful to his instructions.-CHRISTIAN A. MADSEN.

Achievements of the Nineteenth Century.

God is above any and all the works of man. Knowledge of the true and living God is above any knowledge of a purely secular character, that can be acquired. Hence the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its simplicity and purity is the most important event, not only of this century but also of any other since the one that witnessed the birth and earthly existence of our Lord and Savior. It is fitting that this restoration should be contemporaneous with the greatest industrial development the world has ever known. It is much to be doubted whether man is morally better in this age than in those that precede it; and it is generally conceded that he has neither physical strength nor courage greater than his forefathers. But his control of the elements, and his knowledge of the laws by which they are governed, have increased many fold more than in any corresponding period in the history of the world. Chief among the agencies that have contributed to the wonderful industrial growth are steam and electricity. Both were previously known as elements of power, but their application

and control were each unknown. Little by little, they have been harnessed and made to serve man, until now the simple pressure of a button, or the touch of a lever, frequently sets in motion machinery that does the work formerly performed by thousands of men. Into every sphere of civilized life have these agencies been introduced. Truly marvelous have been the changes wrought. News items now flash around our globe faster than the earth turns upon its axis. Seas are crossed, and continents traversed, in an ever-decreasing fraction of the time once required by the most skilled and fortunate navigators, and the most expeditious landsmen. Night is illuminated by a light rivalling the sun in brilliancy; and, as never before, earth, air and sea verify the promise made to man in Genesis, by contributing to his comfort, and acknowledging his dominion. The knowledge of chemistry has revolutionized methods of extracting from the elements things most useful to man. The earth fills the measure of her creation. It remains only for man to live up to the standard required to fill his high destiny. -GEORGE M. CANNON.

Look to the Future with Hopeful Hearts.

The Nineteenth century! Wondrous age! Who among all the sons of men can grasp, in their fullness, the marvelous achievements of the past hundred years? The wildest imaginings of men who lived in former ages have been more than realized in the century now closing.

The contrast between the tallow dip, and the electric light, tells, in part, the startling story of advancement. During the century, there has been a bounding forward, in almost every branch of human learning, as great as the difference between the oldfashioned candle and the dazzling brilliance of the electric light.

One hundred years ago, the mode of travel was by ox team, lumbering coach, or uncertain sailing vessel. A journey of any length involved both hardship and peril. Now, with ease, comfort, and safety, journeys are made with marvelous speed, in the automobile, the Pullman, and the mighty ocean steamer. The thoughts of man are flashed from land to land, and circle the earth almost as soon as conceived. Peoples, on opposite sides of the globe, are

now as familiar with each other's doings, as they were in neighboring counties at the opening of the century.

Conditions, religiously, were as dismal, one hundred years ago, as in every other direction: no voice from heaven, no inspired man to point out the path leading back to God. Now, the darkness has been dispelled, the revelation of the Almighty is again enjoyed; the promises, made anciently by holy prophets, concerning the glory of the latter days, are beginning to come to pass. In the top of the mountains God is performing "a marvelous work." The year 1800 opened without a man upon the earth holding divine authority; 1900 closes with an army of inspired men authorized to speak and act in the name of the Lord.

It is the decree of God, oft repeated, that in this dispensation his work should be cut short. In the remarkable changes that have been wrought, since God spoke to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who cannot discern the finger of the Lord, and the inspiration of his Spirit in filling the minds of men with greater wisdom than they have heretofore possessed? Who so blind that they cannot see this mighty advancement paving the way for God's messengers to go with "speed swiftly" to all nations crying, "repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”?

The young men of Israel, who have inspired leaders to counsel them, who are surrounded with great educational advantages, who have the remarkable history of The Church and the world from which to draw lessons, all tending to prepare them for the work to which God has called them, should look into the coming century with hopeful hearts, and with the knowledge that they will play an important part in the future history of The Church, and of the world. Careful preparation for grave responsibilities should be made. The glorious future demands it.-Jos. W. MCMURRIN.

A Lesson from the Events of this Century.

If the marvelous events that make up the history of the Nineteenth century are thoughtfully considered, they convey one grand lesson: that God is the Supreme Ruler of the nations of the world, and that he is shaping the fate of mankind with the end in view of establishing the kingdom over which shall rule in infinite