,,added ,,upon ,a ,story by ,,nephi ,,anderson ,author of ,the ,castle ,builder1 ,a ,daughter of the ,north1 ,john ,st4 ,john1 ,romance of a ,missionary1 etc4 ,and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon2 444 and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever4 ,ninth ,edition ,the ,deseret ,news ,press ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah ,copyright #ahih ,by ,nephi ,anderson4 ,copyright #aiab ,by ,nephi ,anderson4 ,all ,rights ,reserved4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,third ,,edition4 ,a religion1 to be worth while1 must give satisfactory answers to the great questions of life3 ,what am ,i8 ,whence came ,i8 ,what is the object of this life8 and what is my destiny8 ,true1 we walk by faith1 and not by sight1 but yet the eye of faith must have some light by which to see4 ,added ,upon is an effort to give in brief an outline of the scheme of things1 the ways of ,god to men as taught by the ,gospel of ,christ and believed in by the ,latter-day ,saints2 and to justify and praise these ways1 by a glance along the ,great ,plan1 from a point in the distant past to a point in the future--not so far away1 it is to be hoped4 ,on subjects where little of a definite character is revealed1 the story1 of necessity1 could not go into great detail4 ,it is suggestive only2 but it is hoped that the mind of the reader1 illumined by the ,spirit of the ,lord1 will be able to fill in all the details that the heart may desire1 to wander at will in the garden of the ,lord1 and dwell in peace in the mansions of the ,father4 ,many have told me that when they read ,added ,upon1 it seemed to have been written directly to them4 ,my greatest reward is to know that the little story has touched a sympathetic chord in the hearts of the ,latter-day ,saints1 and that it has brought to some aching hearts a little ray of hope and consolation4 ,nephi ,anderson4 ,liverpool1 ,november #e1 #aijd4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,fifth ,,and ,,enlarged ,,edition4 ,this story of things past1 things present1 and things to come has been before the ,latter-day ,saints for fourteen years4 ,during this time1 it seems to have won for itself a place in their hearts and in their literature4 ,a reviewer of the book when it was first published said that so great and grand a subject merits a more elaborate treatment4 ,many since then have said the story should be added upon1 and the present enlarged edition is an attempt to meet in a small way these demands4 ,the truths restored to the earth through ,mormonism are capable of illimitable enlargement2 and when we contemplate these glorious teachings1 we are led to exclaim with the poet3 ,wide1 and more wide1 the kindling bosom swells1 ,as love inspires1 and truth its wonders tells1 ,the soul enraptured tunes the sacred lyre1 ,and bids a worm of earth to heaven aspire1 ',mid solar systems numberless1 to soar1 ,the death of love and science to explore4 ,n4,a4 ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah1 ,may1 #aiab4 ,,part ,,first4 ,the ,lord possessed me in the beginning of his way1 before his works of old4 ,i was set up from everlasting1 from the beginning1 or ever the earth was4 ,when there were no depths1 ,i was brought forth2 when there were no fountains abounding with water4 ,before the mountains were settled1 before the hills was ,i brought forth3 ,while as yet he had not made the earth1 nor the fields1 nor the highest part of the dust of the world4 ,when he prepared the heavens1 ,i was there3 when he set a compass upon the face of the depth3 ,when he established the clouds above3 when he strengthened the fountains of the deep3 ,when he gave to the sea his decree1 that the waters should not pass his commandment3 when he appointed the foundations of the earth3 ,then ,i was by him1 as one brought up with him3 and ,i was daily his delight1 rejoicing always before him4--,prov4 #h3bb-cj4 ,,added ,,upon ,where was thou when ,i laid the foundations of the earth8444 ,when the morning stars sang together1 and all the ,sons of ,god shouted for joy8--,job #ch3d1g4 ,the hosts of heaven--sons and daughters of ,god--were assembled4 ,the many voices mingling1 rose and fell in one great murmur like the rising and falling of waves about to sink to rest4 ,then all tumult ceased1 and a perfect silence reigned4 ,listen1 said one to another by his side1 ,father's will is heard4 ,a voice thrilled the multitude4 ,it was clear as a crystal bell1 and so distinct that every ear heard1 so sweet1 and so full of music that every heart within its range beat with delight4 ,and now1 children of ,god1 were the words1 ye have arrived at a point in this stage of your development where a change must needs take place4 ,living1 as ye have1 all this time in the presence of ,god1 and under the control of the agencies which here exist1 ye have grown from children in knowledge to your present condition4 ,god is pleased with you--the most of you1 and many of you have shown yourselves to be spirits of power1 whom ,he will make ,his future rulers4 ,ye have been taught many of the laws of light and life1 whereby the universe is created and controlled4 ,true1 ye have not all advanced alike1 or along the same lines4 ,some have delighted more in the harmonies of music1 while others have studied the beauties of ,god's surrounding works4 ,each hath found pleasure and profit in something2 but there is one line of knowledge that is closed to you all4 ,in your present spiritual state1 ye have not come in contact with the grosser materials of existence4 ,your experiences have been wholly within the compass of spiritual life1 and there is a whole world of matter1 about which ye know nothing4 ,all things have their opposites4 ,ye have partly a conception of good and evil1 but the many branches into which these two principles sub-divide1 cannot be understood by you4 ,again1 ye all have had the hope given you that at some time ye would have the opportunity to become like unto your parents1 even to attain to a body of flesh and bones1 a tabernacle with which ye may pass on to perfection1 and inherit that which ,god inherits4 ,if1 then1 ye ever become creators and rulers1 ye must first become acquainted with the existence of properties1 laws1 and organization of matter other than that which surround you in this estate4 ,to be over all things1 ye must have passed through all things1 and have had experience with them4 ,it is now the ,father's pleasure to grant you this4 ,ye who continue steadfast1 shall be added upon1 and be permitted to enter the second estate2 and if ye abide in that1 ye shall be further increased and enlarged and be worthy of the third estate1 where glory shall be added upon your heads forever and ever4 ,even now1 out in space1 rolls another world--with no definite form1 and void2 but ,god's ,spirit is there1 moving upon it1 and organizing the elements4 ,in time1 it will be a fit abode for you4 ,the voice ceased4 ,majesty stood looking out upon the silent multitude4 ,then glad hearts could contain no more1 and the children of ,god gave a great shout of joy4 ,songs of praise and gladness came from the mighty throng1 and its music echoed through the realms of heaven6 ,then silence fell once more4 ,the ,voice was heard again3 ,now1 how1 and upon what principles will your salvation1 exaltation1 and eternal glory be brought about8 ,it has been decided in the councils of eternity1 and ,i will tell you4 ,when the earth is prepared1 two will be sent to begin the work of begetting bodies for you4 ,it needs be that a law be given these first parents4 ,this law will be broken1 thus bringing sin into the new world4 ,transgression is followed by punishment2 and thus ye1 when ye are born into the world1 will come in contact with misery1 pain1 suffering1 and death4 ,ye will have a field for the exercise of justice and mercy1 love and hatred4 ,ye will suffer1 but your suffering will be the furnace through which ye will be tested4 ,ye will die1 and your bodies will return to the earth again4 ,surrounded by earthly influences1 ye will sin4 ,then1 how can ye return to the ,father's presence1 and regain your tabernacles8 ,hear the plan3 ,one must be sent to the earth with power over death4 ,he will be the ,son1 the only begotten in the flesh4 ,he must be sinless1 yet bear the sins of the world4 ,being slain1 ,he will satisfy the eternal law of justice4 ,he will go before and bring to pass the resurrection from the dead4 ,he will give unto you another law1 obeying which1 will free you from your personal sins1 and set you again on the way of eternal life4 ,thus will your agency still be yours1 that ye may act in all things as ye will4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a faint murmur ran through the assembly4 ,then spoke the ,father3 ,whom shall ,i send8 ,one arose1 like unto the ,father--a majestic form1 meek1 yet noble--the ,son2 and thus he spoke3 ,father1 here am ,i1 send me4 ,thy will be done1 and the glory be thine forever4 ,then another arose4 ,erect and proud he stood4 ,his eyes flashed1 his lip curled in scorn4 ,bold in his bearing1 brilliant and influential1 ,lucifer1 the ,son of the ,morning1 spoke3 ,behold ,i1 send me4 ,i will be thy son1 and ,i will redeem all mankind1 that not one soul shall be lost2 and surely ,i will do it2 wherefore1 give me thine honor4 ,then spoke one as with authority3 ,lucifer1 thy plan would destroy the agency of man--his most priceless gift4 ,it would take away his means of eternal advancement4 ,your offer cannot be accepted4 ,the ,father looked out over the vast throng2 then clearly the words rang out3 ,i will send the first6 ,but the haughty spirit yielded not4 ,his countenance became fiercer in its anger1 and as he strode from the assembly1 many followed after him4 ,then went the news abroad throughout heaven of the council and the ,father's proposed plan2 of ,christ's offer1 and ,lucifer's rebellious actions4 ,the whole celestial realm was agitated1 and contention and strife began to wage among the children of ,god4 ,returning from the council chamber of the celestial glance through the paths of the surrounding gardens1 came two sons of ,god4 ,apparently1 the late events had affected them greatly4 ,the assembly had dispersed1 and1 save now and then a fleeting figure1 they were alone4 ,they were engaged in earnest conversation4 ,but1 ,brother ,sardus1 said one1 how can you look at it in that light8 ,lucifer was surely in the wrong4 ,and then1 how haughty and overbearing he was4 ,i cannot agree with you1 ,homan4 ,we have a right to think and to act as we please1 and ,i consider ,lucifer in the right4 ,think of this magnificent offer1 to bring back in glory to ,father's presence1 every one of ,his children1 and that1 too1 without condition on their part4 ,there6 ,he1 and you with him1 talk about your rights to think and act as you please4 ,have you not that right8 ,have you not used it freely in refusing to listen to ,father's counsel8 ,do not ,i exercise it in that ,i listen and agree with ,him8 ,but let me tell you1 brother1 what your reasoning will lead to4 ,i know it--but go on4 ,no1 you do not2 you do not seem to understand4 ,perhaps you will explain1 said the other haughtily4 ,brother1 be not angry4 ,it is because of my love for you that ,i speak thus4 ,it is evident that we1 in that future world of experience and trial1 will retain our agencies to choose between the opposites that will be presented to us4 ,without that privilege1 we should cease to be intelligences1 and become as inanimate things4 ,how could we be proved without this power8 ,how could we make any progress without it8 ,i grant it all4 ,then1 what would ,lucifer do8 ,he would save you from the dangers of the world1 whether you would or not4 ,he would take away any need of volition or choice on our part4 ,do what we would1 sink as deep into sin as we could1 he would save us notwithstanding1 without a trial1 without a purging process1 with all our sins upon us2 and in this condition we are expected to go on to perfection1 and become kings and priests unto ,god our ,father1 exercising power and dominion over our fellow creatures4 ,think of it6 ,evil would reign triumphant4 ,celestial order would be changed to chaos4 ,the other said not a word4 ,he could not answer his brother's array of arguments4 ,dear brother1 continued ,homan1 never before have ,i received such sorrow as when ,i saw you follow that rebellious ,son of ,morning4 ,henceforth quit his company4 ,i fear for him and his followers4 ,but he has such power over me1 ,homan4 ,his eloquence seems to hold me1 and his arguments certainly convince me4 ,but ,i must go--and brother1 come with me to the assembly which we are to hold4 ,many will be there from far and near4 ,will you come8 ,i cannot promise you1 ,sardus4 ,perhaps ,i may call and see what is said and done4 ,then they parted4 ,homan went to the gathering of which ,sardus had spoken1 and as had been intimated1 he met many strange faces4 ,everywhere in the conversation1 serious topics seemed to be uppermost4 ,the singing was not as usual4 ,the music1 though always sweet1 was sadder than ever before1 and a discord seemed to have crept into the even flow of life's sweet strain4 ,homan had no desire to talk4 ,he wandered from group to group with a smile for all4 ,sardus was in a heated discussion with some kindred spirits2 but ,homan did not join them4 ,under the beautiful spread of the trees and by the fountains1 sat and walked companies of sons and daughters of ,god4 ,ah1 they were fair to look upon1 and ,homan wondered at the creations of the ,father4 ,no two were alike1 yet all bore an impress of the ,creator1 and each had an individual beauty of his own4 ,strolling into an arbor of vines1 ,homan1 did not observe the fair daughter seated there until he turned to leave2 and then he saw her4 ,she seemed absorbed in thought1 and her eyes rested on the shiftings throngs4 ,a sweet face1 and a strange one1 thought he1 as he went up to her and spoke3 ,sister1 what are you thinking about8 ,she turned and looked at him1 and then a pleased smile overspread her face4 ,shall ,i tell you8 ,do1 ,i beg of you4 ,may ,i sit here8 ,he seated himself opposite4 ,yes1 brother1 sit4 ,my thoughts had such a strange ending that ,i will tell you what they were4 ,i have been sitting here looking at these many faces1 both new and old1 and studying their varied beauties2 but none seems to me to answer for my ideal4 ,so ,i have been taking a little from each face1 putting all together to form another4 ,i had just completed the composition1 and was looking admiringly at the new form when you came and--and-- ,drove away your picture4 ,that ,i should not have done4 ,no2 it was not exactly that4 ,it is so odd4 ,she hesitated and turned away her head4 ,then she looked up into his face again and said3 ,my dream face seemed to blend with yours4 ,they looked at each other strangely4 ,do you often make dream pictures8 asked he4 ,yes1 of late2 but ,i sometimes think ,i should not4 ,why8 ,because of them any great events that are taking place around us daily which need our careful thought and consideration4 ,i have been trying to comprehend this great plan of our ,father's in regards to us4 ,i have asked ,mother many questions1 and she has explained1 but ,i cannot fully understand--only1 it all seems so wonderful1 and our ,father is so good and great and wise2--but how could ,he be otherwise1 having ,himself come up through the school of the eternities8 ,her words were music to ,homan's ear4 ,her voice was soft and sweet4 ,yet it is very strange4 ,to think that we shall forget all we know1 and that our memories will fail to recall this world at all4 ,yes1 it is all strange to us1 but it cannot be otherwise4 ,you see1 if we knew all about what we really are and what our past has been1 mortal experiences would not be the test or the school that ,father intends it to be4 ,that is true2 but think of being shut out1 even in our thoughts1 from this world4 ,and then1 ,i hear that down on earth there will be much sin and misery1 and a power to tempt and lead astray4 ,o1 if we can but resist it1 dear brother4 ,what will this power be1 do you know8 ,i have only my thoughts about it4 ,i know nothing for a certainty2 but fear not1 something will prompt us to the right1 and we have this hope that ,father's ,spirit will not forsake us4 ,and above all1 our ,elder ,brother has been accepted as an offering for all the sins we may do4 ,he will come to us in purity1 and with power to loose the bands of death4 ,he will bring to us ,father's law whereby we may overcome the world and its sin4 ,you said the bands of death4 ,what is death8 ,death is simply the losing of our earthly tabernacles for a time4 ,we shall be separated from them1 but the promise is that our ,elder ,brother will be given power to raise them up again4 ,with them again united1 we shall become even as our parents are now1 eternal1 perfected1 celestialized beings4 ,as they conversed1 both faces shone with a soft1 beautiful light4 ,the joy within was traced on their countenances1 and for some time it was too deep for words4 ,homan was drawn to this beautiful sister4 ,all were pleasing to his eye1 but he was unusually attracted to one who took such pleasure in talking about matters nearest his heart4 ,i must be going1 said she4 ,may ,i go with you8 ,come4 ,they wandered silently among the people1 then out through the surrounding gardens1 listening to the music4 ,instinctively1 they clung to each other1 nor bestowed more than a smile or a word on passing brother or sister4 ,what do you think of ,lucifer and his plan8 asked she4 ,the talented ,son of the ,morning is in danger of being cast out if he persists in his course4 ,as to his plan1 it is this3 ',if ,i cannot rule1 ,i will ruin4' ,and if he rule1 it will still be ruin1 it seems to me4 ,true2 and he is gaining power over many4 ,yes2 he has talked with me4 ,he is a bewitching person2 but his fascination has something strange about it which ,i do not like4 ,i am glad of that4 ,she looked quickly at him1 and then they gazed again into each other's eyes4 ,by what name may ,i call you8 he asked4 ,my name is ,delsa4 ,will you tell me where you live8 ,may ,i come and talk with you again8 ,it will give me much pleasure4 ,which pleasure will be mutual1 said she4 ,they parted at the junction of two paths4 ,,ii4 ,how art thou fallen from heaven1 ,o1 ,lucifer1 son of the morning4--,isaiah #ad3ab4 ,never before in the experiences of the intelligences of heaven1 had such dire events been foreshadowed4 ,a crisis was certainly at hand4 ,lucifer was fast gaining influence among the spirits--and they had their agency to follow whom they would4 ,the revolting spirit had skill in argument2 and the light-minded1 the discontented1 and the rebellious were won over4 ,to be assured eternal glory and power without an effort on their part1 appealed to them as something to be desired4 ,to be untrammeled with laws1 to be free to act at pleasure1 without jeopardizing their future welfare1 certainly was an attractive proposition4 ,the pleasures in the body would be of a nature hitherto unknown4 ,why not be free to enjoy them8 ,why this curb on the passions and desires8 ,hail to ,lucifer and his plan6 ,we will follow him4 ,he is in the right4 ,many of the mighty and noble children of ,god arrayed themselves on the side of ,christ1 their ,elder ,brother1 and waged war against ,lucifer's pernicious doctrine4 ,one of the foremost among them was ,michael4 ,he was unceasing in his efforts to bring all under the authority of the ,father4 ,the plan which had been proposed1 and which had been accepted by the majority1 had been evolved from the wisdom of past eternities4 ,it had exalted worlds before4 ,it had been proved wise and just4 ,it was founded on correct principles4 ,by it only could the spiritual creation go on in its evolution to greater and to higher things4 ,it was the will of the ,father1 to whom they all owed their existence as progressive1 spiritual organizations4 ,to bow to ,him was no humiliation4 ,to honor and obey ,him was their duty4 ,to follow the ,first ,born1 ,him whom the ,father had chosen as mediator1 was no more than a ,father should request4 ,any other plan would lead to confusion4 ,thus reasoned the followers of ,christ4 ,then there were others1 not valiant in either cause1 who stood on neutral ground4 ,without strength of character to come out boldly1 they aided neither the right nor the wrong4 ,weak-minded as they were1 they could not be trusted1 nor could ,lucifer win them over4 ,meanwhile1 the earth1 rolling in space1 evolved from its chaotic state1 and in time became a fit abode for the higher creations of ,god4 ,then the crisis came4 ,the edict went forth that for many of the sons and daughters of ,god the first estate was about to end1 and that the second would be ushered in4 ,lucifer had now won over many of the hosts of heaven4 ,these had failed to keep their first estate4 ,now there would be a separation4 ,a council was convened1 and the leading spirits were summoned4 ,all waited for the outcome in silent awe4 ,then came the decision1 spoken with heavenly authority3 ,ye valiant and loyal sons and daughters of ,god1 blessed are ye for your righteousness and your faithfulness to ,god and ,his cause4 ,your reward is that ye shall be permitted to dwell on the new earth1 and in tabernacles of flesh continue in the eternal course of progress1 as has been marked out and explained to you4 ,then1 to the still defiant forms of ,lucifer and his adherents this was said3 ,lucifer1 son of the morning1 thou hast withdrawn from the ,father many of the children of heaven4 ,they have their agency1 and have chosen to believe thy lies4 ,they have fallen with thee from before the face of ,god4 ,thus hast thou used the power given thee4 ,thou hast said in thy heart1 ,i will exalt my throne above the stars of ,god4444 ,i will be like the ,most ,high6 ,thou hast sought to usurp power1 to take a kingdom that does not belong to thee4 ,god holds you all as in the hollow of ,his hand2 yet ,he has not restrained thine agency4 ,he has been patient and longsuffering with you4 ,rebellious children of heaven1 the ,father's bosom heaves with sorrow for you2 but justice claims its own--your punishment is that you be cast out of heaven4 ,bodies of flesh and bones ye shall not have2 but ye shall wander without tabernacles over the face of the earth4 ,ye shall be 'reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day4' ,thus went forth the decree of the ,almighty1 and with it the force of ,his power4 ,lucifer and many of the hosts of heaven were cast down4 ,the whole realm was thrilled with the power of ,god4 ,the celestial elements were stirred to their depths4 ,heaven wept over the fallen spirits1 and the cry went out1 ,lo1 lo1 he is fallen1 even the ,son of the ,morning4 ,,iii4 ,for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world4--,john #ag3bd4 ,there was a calm in heaven like unto that of a summer morning after a night of storm4 ,throughout the whole strife1 the dark clouds of evil had been gathering4 ,in the fierce struggle1 the spirits of heaven had been storm-tossed as on two contending waves2 but when ,lucifer and his forces were cast out1 the atmosphere became purged of its uncleanness1 and a sweet peace brooded over all4 ,save for sorrow for the lost ones1 nothing marred the perfect joy of heaven4 ,all now looked forward to the consummation of that plan whereby they would become inhabitants of another world1 fitted for their school of experience in the flesh4 ,all prepared themselves with this end in view4 ,none was more grateful to his ,father than ,homan4 ,in the midst of the strife1 he had done what he could for what he thought was right4 ,all his influence had been used with the wavering ones1 and many were those who owed him a debt of gratitude4 ,but his greatest reward was in the peace which dwelt within him and the joy with which he was greeted by all who knew him4 ,through it all1 ,homan's thoughts had often been with the fair sister ,delsa2 and often he had sought her and talked with her4 ,it pleased him greatly to see the earnestness and energy with which she defended the cause of the ,father4 ,he was drawn to her more than to the many others who were equally valiant4 ,as he thought of it1 its strangeness occurred to him4 ,why should it be so8 ,he did not know4 ,delsa was fair2 so were all the daughters of ,god4 ,she had attained to great intelligence2 so had thousands of others4 ,then wherein lay the secret of the power which drew him to her8 ,the vastness of the spiritual world held enough for study1 research1 and for occupation4 ,none needed to be idle1 for there were duties to be performed1 as much here as in any other sphere of action4 ,in the ,father's house are many mansions4 ,in the one where ,delsa lived1 she and ,homan sat in earnest conversation4 ,through the opening leading to the garden appeared the stately form of ,sardus4 ,homan sprang to meet him and greeted him joyously3 ,welcome1 ,brother ,sardus1 welcome6 ,delsa arose4 ,this is ,brother ,sardus1 said ,homan1 and this is ,sister ,delsa4 ,welcome1 brother1 said she4 ,come and sit with us4 ,sardus1 continued ,homan1 ,i thought you lost4 ,i have not met you for a long time4 ,you remember our last conversation8 ,sardus1 what joy to know that you are on the safe side1 that you did not fall with ,lucifer-- ,s--h1 that name4 ,dear brother1 he tempted me sorely1 but ,i overcame him4 ,but we are shortly to meet him on new ground1 continued ,homan4 ,as seducing spirits1 he and his followers will still fight against the anointed ,son4 ,they will not yield4 ,not obtaining bodies themselves1 they will seek to operate through those of others4 ,now we know how temptation and sin will come into the world1 said ,delsa4 ,god grant that we may overcome these dangers again1 as we once have done4 ,they conversed for some time2 then ,sardus departed to perform some duty4 ,i1 too1 must go1 said ,delsa4 ,a company of sisters is soon to leave for earth1 and ,i am going to say farewell to them4 ,delsa1 you do not go with them8 ,you are not leaving me8 ,no1 ,homan1 my time is not yet4 ,may we not go together8--but there--that is as ,father wills4 ,he will ordain for the best4 ,there are nations yet to go to the earth1 and we shall have our allotted time and place4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a group of persons was engaged in earnest conversation1 when a messenger approached4 ,he raised his hand for silence1 and then announced3 ,i come from the ,father on an errand to you4 ,the company gave him close attention1 and he continued3 ,it is pertaining to some of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us into earth-life4 ,i shall have to tell you about them so that you may understand4 ,a certain family of earth-children has fallen into evil ways4 ,not being very strong for the truth before they left us1 their experiences in the other world have not made them stronger4 ,this family1 it seems1 has become rooted in false doctrine and wrong living1 so that those who come to them from us partake also of their error and unbelief of the truth4 ,as you know1 kinship and environment are powerful agencies in forming character1 and it appears that none of the ,father's children have so far been able to withstand the tendency to wrong which is exerted on all who come to this family4 ,the messenger paused and looked around on the listening group4 ,then he continued3 ,the ,father bids me ask if any of you are willing to go in earth-life to this family1 become kin to those weak-hearted ones--for their salvation4 ,there was a long pause as if all were considering the proposition4 ,the messenger waited4 ,brother1 asked one1 is there not danger that he who goes on this mission might himself come under the influence you speak of to such an extent that he also would be lost to the good1 and thus make a failure of his mission8 ,in the earth-life1 as here1 replied the messenger1 all have their agency4 ,it is1 therefore1 possible that those who take upon themselves this mission--for there must be two1 male and female--to give way to the power of evil1 and thus fail in their errand4 ,but1 consider this3 the ,father has sent me to you4 ,he knows you1 your hearts1 your faithfulness1 your strength4 ,he knows whom ,he is asking to go into danger for the sake of saving souls4 ,yes1 friends1 the ,father knows1 and this ought to be enough for you4 ,the listeners bowed their heads as if ashamed of the doubting1 fearful thought4 ,then in the stillness1 one spoke as if to herself3 ,to be a savior1--to share in the work of our ,elder ,brother6 ,o1 think of it6 ,then the speaker raised her head quickly4 ,may ,i go1 may ,i8 she questioned eagerly4 ,and ,i1 and ,i1 came from others4 ,sister1 you will do for one1 said the messenger to her who had first spoken4 ,and now1 we need a brother--yes1 you1 brother1 will do4 ,this to one who was pressing forward1 asking to be chosen4 ,yes1 yes1 continued the messenger1 as he smiled his pleasure on the company1 ,i see that the ,father knows you all4 ,but1 faltered the sister who had been chosen1 what are we to do8 ,may we not know8 ,not wholly1 was the reply4 ,do you not remember what you have been taught1 that a veil is drawn over the eyes of all who enter mortality1 and the memory of this world is taken away2 but this ,i may tell you1 that by the power of your spiritual insight and moral strength you will be able to exert a correcting influence over your brothers and sisters in the flesh1 and especially over those of your kin4 ,then again1 when you hear the gospel of our ,elder ,brother preached1 it will have a familiar sound to you and you will receive it gladly4 ,then you will become teachers to your households and a light unto your families4 ,again1 not only to those in the flesh will you minister4 ,many will have passed from earth-life in ignorance of the gospel of salvation when you come4 ,these must have the saving ordinances of the gospel performed for them1 so that when they some time receive the truth1 the necessary rites will have been performed4 ,this work1 also1 is a part of your mission--to enter into the ,temples of the ,lord1 male and female1 each for his and her kind1 and do this work4 ,a sister1 pressing timidly forward near to him who had been chosen1 took his hand1 and looked pleadingly into the face of the messenger4 ,may not ,i1 too1 go8 she asked4 ,i believe ,i could help a little4 ,the messenger smiled at her1 seeing to whose hand she clung4 ,i think so1 he said2 but we shall see4 ,when do we go8 asked the brother4 ,not yet4 ,abide the will of the ,father1--and peace be with you all4 ,he left them in awed silence4 ,then1 presently1 they began to speak to each other of the wonderful things they had heard and the call that had come to some of them4 ,times and seasons1 nations and peoples had come and gone4 ,millions of the sons and daughters of ,god had passed through the earthly school1 and had gone on to other fields of labor1 some with honor1 others with dishonor4 ,god's spiritual intelligences1 in their innumerable gradations were being allotted their times and places4 ,the scheme of things inaugurated by the ,father was working out its legitimate results4 ,homan's time had come for him to leave his spiritual home4 ,he was now to take the step1 which1 though temporarily downward1 would secure him a footing by which to climb to greater heights4 ,delsa was still in her first estate4 ,so also was ,sardus4 ,they1 with a company1 were gathered to bid ,homan farewell1 and thus they spoke3 ,we do not know1 ,homan was saying1 whether or not we shall meet on the earth4 ,our places and callings may be far apart1 and we may never know or recognize each other until that day when we shall meet again in the mansions of our ,father4 ,i am thankful for one thing3 ,i understand that a more opportune time in which to fill our probation has never been known on the earth4 ,the ,gospel exists there in its fulness1 and the time of utter spiritual darkness has gone4 ,the race is strong and can give us sound bodies4 ,now1 if we are worthy1 we shall1 no doubt1 secure a parentage that will give us those powers of mind and body which are needed to successfully combat the powers of evil4 ,it was no new doctrine to them1 but they loved to dwell upon the glorious theme4 ,we have been taught that we shall get that position to which our preparation here entitles us4 ,existence is eternal1 and its various stages grade naturally into one another1 like the different departments of a school4 ,some have been ordained to certain positions of trust4 ,father knows us all1 and understands what we will do4 ,many of our mighty ones have already gone1 and many are yet with us awaiting ,father's will4 ,i was once quite impatient4 ,everything seemed to pass so slowly1 ,i thought2 but now ,i see in it the wisdom of the ,father4 ,what confusion would result if too many went to the earth-life at once4 ,the experience of those who go before are for our better reception4 ,sardus1 said ,homan1 ,i hear that you are taking great delight in music4 ,that is expressing the truth mildly1 dear ,homan4 ,lately ,i can think of nothing else4 ,what is your opinion of a person being so carried away with one subject8 asked one4 ,i was going to say1 answered ,homan1 that ,i think there is danger in it4 ,some ,i know who neglect every other duty except the cultivation of a certain gift4 ,i think we ought to grow into a perfectly rounded character1 cultivating all of ,father's gifts to us1 but not permitting any of them to become an object of worship4 ,remember1 we take with us our various traits1 said ,delsa4 ,i think1 ,homan1 your view is correct4 ,it is well enough to excel in one thing1 but that should not endanger our harmonious development4 ,i have noticed1 ,delsa1 that you are quite an adept at depicting the beautiful in ,father's creations4 ,i8 she asked2 there is no danger of my becoming a genius in that line4 ,i do not care enough for it1 though ,i do a little of it4 ,thus they conversed2 then they sang songs4 ,tunes born of heavenly melody thrilled them4 ,after a time they separated1 and ,homan would have gone his way alone1 but ,delsa touched him on the arm4 ,homan1 there is something ,i wish to tell you1 she said4 ,may ,i walk with you8 ,instead ,i will go with you1 he replied4 ,they went on together4 ,i1 too1 soon am going to earth1 she said4 ,is it true8 ,yes2 ,mother has informed me and ,i have been preparing for some time4 ,dear ,homan1 ,i am so glad1 still the strange uncertainty casts a peculiar feeling over me4 ,oh1 if we could but be classmates in the future school4 ,father may order it that way1 he replied4 ,he knows our desires1 and if they are righteous and for our good ,he may see that they are gratified4 ,do you go soon8 ,yes2 but not so soon as you4 ,you will go before and prepare a welcome for me4 ,then ,i will come4 ,she smiled up into his face4 ,by faith we see afar1 he replied4 ,yes2 we live by faith1 she added4 ,hand in hand1 they went4 ,they spoke no more1 but communed with each other through a more subtle channel of silence4 ,celestial melodies rang in their ears2 the celestial landscape gladdened their eyes2 the peace of ,god1 their ,father1 was in their hearts4 ,they walked hand in hand for the last time in this1 their first estate4 ,,part ,,second4 ,our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting2 ,the soul that rises with us1 our life's star1 ,hath had elsewhere its setting1 ,and cometh from afar4 ,not in entire forgetfulness ,and not in utter nakedness1 ,but trailing clouds of glory do we come ,from ,god who is our home4 --,wordsworth4 ,two shall be born the whole wide world apart1 ,and speak in different tongues and have no thought ,each of the other's being1 and no heed2 ,and these o'er unknown seas and unknown lands ,shall cross1 escaping wreck1 defying death2 ,and all unconsciously shape every act ,and bend each wandering step to this one end-- ,that1 one day1 out of darkness they shall meet ,and read life's meaning in each other's eyes4 --,susan ,marr ,spalding4 ,i4 ,even a child is known by his doings4--,prov4 #bj3aa4 ,how it did rain6 ,for two long months the sky had been one unchangeable color of blue2 but now the dark clouds hung low and touched the horizon at every point dropping their long-accumulated water on the thirsty barrens1 soaking the dried-up fields and meadows4 ,the earth was thirsty1 and the sky had at last taken pity4 ,it rained all day4 ,the water-ditches along the streets of the village ran thick and black4 ,the house-wife's tubs and buckets under the dripping eaves were overrunning4 ,the dust was washed from the long rows of trees which lined the streets4 ,it rained steadily all over the valley4 ,the creek which came from the mountains1 and which distributed its waters to the town and adjacent farm-lands1 was unusually muddy4 ,up in the canyon1 just above the town1 it seemed to leap over the rocks with unwonted fury1 dashing its brown waters into white foam4 ,the town below1 the farms and gardens of the whole valley1 depended for their existence on that small river4 ,through the long1 hot summer its waters had been distributed into streams and sub-streams like the branches of a great tree1 and had carried the life-giving element to the growing vegetation in the valley2 but now it was master no more4 ,the rain was pouring down on places which the river could not reach4 ,no wonder the river seemed angry at such usurpation4 ,about two miles from town1 upon the high bench-land which lay above the waters in the river1 stood a hut4 ,it was built of unhewn logs1 and had a mud roof4 ,stretches of sagebrush desert reached in every direction from it4 ,a few acres of cleared land lay near by1 its yellow stubble drinking in the rain4 ,a horse stood under a shed4 ,a pile of sagebrush with ax and chopping block lay in the yard4 ,evening came on and still it rained4 ,a woman often appeared at the door of the hut1 and a pale1 anxious face peered out into the twilight4 ,she looked out over the bench-land and then up to the mountains4 ,through the clouds which hung around their summits1 she could see the peaks being covered with snow4 ,she looked at the sky1 then again along the plain4 ,she went in1 closed the door1 and filled the stove from the brush-wood in the box4 ,a little girl was sitting in the corner by the stove1 with her feet resting on the hearth4 ,i thought ,i heard old ,reddy's bell1 she said1 looking up to her mother4 ,no2 ,i heard nothing4 ,poor boy1 he must be wet through4 ,the mud roof was leaking1 and pans and buckets were placed here and there to catch the water4 ,the bed had been moved a number of times to find a dry spot1 but at last two milk pans and a pail had to be placed on it4 ,drip1 drip1 rang the tins--and it still rained4 ,the mother went again to the door4 ,the clang of cow-bells greeted her1 and in a few minutes1 a boy drove two cows into the shed4 ,the mother held the door open while he came stamping into the house4 ,he was a boy of about fifteen1 wearing a big straw hat pressed down over his brown hair1 a shabby coat1 blue overalls with a rend up one leg1 ragged shoes1 but no stockings4 ,he was wet to the skin1 and a pool of water soon accumulated on the floor where he paused for an instant4 ,rupert1 you're wet through4 ,how long you have been6 ,you must get your clothes off1 anxiously exclaimed his mother4 ,phew6 said he1 that's a whoopin' big rain4 ,say1 mother1 if we'd only had this two months ago1 now1 on our dry farm1 wouldn't we have raised a crop though4 ,you must get your clothes off1 ,rupert4 ,oh1 that's nothin'4 ,i must milk first2 and say1 ,i guess the mud's washed off the roof by the looks of things4 ,i guess ,i'll fix it4 ,never mind now1 you're so wet4 ,well1 ,i can't get any wetter1 and ,i'll work and keep warm4 ,it won't do to have the water comin' in like this--look here1 there's a mud puddle right on ,sis's back1 an' she don't know it4 ,he laughed and went out4 ,it was quite dark1 but the rain had nearly ceased4 ,with his wheel-barrow and shovel he went to a ravine close by and obtained a load of clay1 which he easily threw up on the roof of the low lean-to2 then he climbed up and patched the holes4 ,a half hour's work and it was done4 ,and now ,i'll milk while ,i'm at it1 he said2 which he did4 ,i've kept your supper warm1 said his mother1 as she busied with the table4 ,it's turned quite cold4 ,why did you stay so long today8 ,rupert had changed his wet clothes1 and the family was sitting around the table eating mush and milk4 ,a small lamp threw a cheery light over the bare table and its few dishes1 over the faces of mother1 boy1 and girl4 ,it revealed the bed1 moved back into its usual corner1 shone on the cupboard with its red paint nearly worn off1 and dimly lighted the few pictures hanging on the rough whitewashed wall4 ,it was a poor home1 but the lamplight revealed no discontent in the faces around the table4 ,true1 the mother's was a little pinched and careworn1 which gave the yet beautiful face a sharp expression2 but the other two countenances shone with health and happiness4 ,the girl was enjoying her supper1 the bright sagebrush fire1 and the story book by the side of her bowl1 all at the same time4 ,she dipped1 alternately1 into her bowl and into her book4 ,the boy was the man of that family4 ,he had combed his hair well back1 and his bright1 honest face gleamed in the light4 ,he was big and strong1 hardened by constant toil1 matured beyond his years by the responsibility which had been placed upon him since his father's death1 now four years ago4 ,in answer to his mother's inquiries1 ,rupert explained3 ,you see1 the cows had strayed up ,dry ,holler1 an' ,i had an awful time a findin' them4 ,i couldn't hear any bell1 neither4 ,dry ,holler creek is just boomin'1 an' there's a big lake up there now4 ,the water has washed out a hole in the bank and has gone into ,dry ,basin1 an' it's backed up there till now it's a lake as big as ,brown's pond4 ,as ,i stood and looked at the running water an' the pond1 somethin' came into my head--somethin' ,i heard down town last summer4 ,an' mother1 we must do it6 ,the boy was glowing with some exciting thought4 ,his mother looked at him while his sister neglected both book and bowl4 ,do what1 ,rupert8 ,why1 we must have ,dry ,basin1 an' ,i'll make a reservoir out of it1 an' we'll have water in the summer for our land1 an' it'll be just the thing4 ,with a little work the creek can be turned into the ,basin which'll fill up during the winter an' spring4 ,there's a low place which we'll have to bank up1 an' the thing's done4 ,the ditch'll be the biggest job1 but ,i think we can get some help on that--but we must have the land up in ,dry ,holler now before someone else thinks of it an' settles on it4 ,mother1 ,i was just wonderin' why someone hasn't thought of this before4 ,the mother was taken by surprise4 ,she sat and looked wonderingly at the boy as he talked4 ,the idea was new to her1 but now she thought of it1 it seemed perfectly feasible4 ,work was the only thing needed2 but could she and her boy do it8 ,five years ago when ,mr4 ,ames had moved upon the bench1 he had been promised that the new canal should come high enough to bring water to his land2 but a new survey had been made which had left his farm far above the irrigation limit4 ,mr4 ,ames had died before he could move his family2 and they had been compelled to remain in their temporary hut these four long1 hard years4 ,rupert had tried to farm without water4 ,a little wheat and alfalfa had been raised1 which helped the little family to live without actual suffering4 99 99 99 99 99 ,that evening1 mother and son talked late into the night4 ,nina listened until her eyes closed in sleep4 ,the rain had ceased altogether1 and the moon1 hurrying through the breaking clouds1 shone in at the little curtained window4 ,prayers were said1 and then they retired4 ,peaceful sleep reigned within4 ,without1 the moonlight illumined the mountains1 shining on the caps of pearly whiteness which they had donned for the night4 ,,ii4 ,he that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread2 but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding4--,prov4 #ab3aa4 ,widow ,ames had homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of government land in ,dry ,hollow4 ,that was a subject for a two days' gossip in the town4 ,there was speculation about what she wanted with a dry ravine in the hills1 and many shook their heads in condemnation4 ,however1 it set some to thinking and moved one man1 at least1 to action4 ,jed ,bolton1 the same day that he heard of it1 rode up into the hills above town4 ,sure enough1 there was a rough shanty nearly finished2 some furrows had been plowed1 and every indication of settlement was present4 ,mr4 ,bolton bit his lip and used language which1 if it did not grate on his own ears1 could not on the only other listener1 his horse4 ,rupert was on the roof of his shanty1 and ,mr4 ,bolton greeted him as he rode up4 ,hello1 ,rupe1 what're ye doin'8 ,just finishin' my house4 ,it looks like more rain1 an' ,i must have the roof good an' tight4 ,you're not goin' to live here8 ,oh1 yes1 part of the time4 ,what's that for8 ,to secure our claim4 ,mother's homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of this land4 ,what in the world are you goin' to do with it8 ,we'll farm some of it1 of course1 an' we'll find some use for another part after awhile1 ,i guess4 ,then ,mr4 ,bolton changed his tactics4 ,he tried to discourage the boy by telling him that it was railroad land1 and even if it wasn't1 his own adjacent claim took it all in anyway2 ,rupert did not scare1 but said1 ,i guess not1 as he went on quietly fitting and pounding4 ,the man had to give it up4 ,that ,ames kid had gotten the best of him4 ,this was four years ago1 and wonderful changes had taken place since then4 ,rupert had begun work on his reservoir the spring after they had taken possession4 ,he had a most beautiful site for one2 and when the melting winter snows and spring rains filled ,dry ,hollow creek1 most of it was turned into the ,basin4 ,it slowly spread out1 filled the deep ravines1 and crept up to ,rupert's embankment4 ,then he turned the stream back into its natural channel again4 ,many came to look at the wonder4 ,some of his neighbor dry-benchers offered to join him and help him for a share in the water4 ,the reservoir could be greatly enlarged1 and the canal leading from it around the side-hills to the bench had yet to be dug2 so ,rupert and his mother accepted the offers of help and the work went on rapidly4 ,the next year ,dry ,bench had water4 ,new ground was broken and cleared4 ,trees were set out4 ,there was new life on the farm1 and new hopes within the hearts of ,widow ,ames and her children4 ,dry ,bench farm had undergone a change4 ,a neat frame house stood in front of the log hut1 which had been boarded and painted to match the newer part4 ,a barn filled with hay and containing horses and cows stood at a proper distance back4 ,a granary and a corn-crib were near4 ,the new county road now extended along the fronting of the ,ames place1 and a neat fence separated the garden from the public highway4 ,on the left was the orchard1 a beautiful sight4 ,standing in long1 symmetrical rows were peaches1 apples1 pears1 and a dozen other varieties of fruit1 now just beginning to bear4 ,at the rear1 stretching nearly to the mountains1 were the grain and alfalfa fields4 ,neighboring farms also were greatly improved by the advent of water1 but none showed such labor and care as the ,ames farm4 ,rupert grew with the growth of his labors1 until he was now a tall1 muscular fellow1 browned and calloused4 ,nina was fast outgrowing childish things and entering the young-lady period4 ,a beautiful girl she was1 and a favorite among her schoolmates4 ,she had attended school in town for the past three winters1 and her brother was talking of sending her to the high school4 ,practically1 ,rupert was the head of the family4 ,always respectful to his mother1 and generally consulting with her on any important matter1 he nevertheless could not help seeing that everything depended on him1 and that he was the master mind of ,ames farm4 ,and then the neighbors came to him for advice1 and older and presumably wiser men counseled with him1 and so it suggested itself to ,rupert that he was the master mind of all ,dry ,bench besides4 ,everybody called him a rustler4 ,when he had leisure for school1 he was beyond school age2 so1 nothing daunted1 he set out to study by himself4 ,he procured the necessary books1 and went to them with an energy that made up for the lack of a teacher4 ,nina kept pace with him for a time1 but the ungraded village school curriculum was too slow for ,rupert2 and when one spring the young reservoir projector appeared at the county teachers' examination and passed creditably1 all1 as he said just for fun and practice1 the people talked again--and elected him to the board of trustees4 ,a beautiful spring morning dawned on ,dry ,bench4 ,a cool breeze came from the mountains and played with the young leaves of the orchard4 ,the apricots were white with blossoms1 and the plums and peaches were just bursting into masses of pink and white4 ,the alfalfa and wheat fields were beautifully green4 ,blessed ,morning1 what a life promoter1 what a dispeller of fears and bringer of hopes1 thou art6 ,rupert was out early4 ,after tossing some hay to the horses and cows1 he shouldered his shovel and strode up the ditch1 whistling as he went4 ,his straw hat set well back on his head4 ,his blue jumper met the blue overalls which were tucked into a pair of heavy boots4 ,his tune was a merry one and rang out over the still fields and up to the hills4 ,rupert's thoughts were a mixture that morning1 and flew from one thing to another3 the ditch which he was to clean and repair2 the condition of the reservoir2 the meeting of the school board2 the planting of the garden2 the dance at the hall in town2 the wonderful spreading properties of weeds--so on from one subject to another1 until he came to a standstill1 leaning on his shovel and looking over his farm and down to the town1 fast growing into a city4 ,from a hundred chimneys smoke was beginning to come1 befouling the clear air of the valley4 ,it is a beautiful sight1 said he to himself4 ,six years ago and what was it8 ,under whose hand has this change grown8 ,mine4 ,i have done most of the work1 and ,i can lawfully claim most of the credit4 ,then it was worthless1 and just the other day ,i was offered five thousand dollars for the place4 ,that's pretty good4 ,father couldn't have done any better4 ,rupert was not given to boasting1 but it did seem lately that everything he set his hand to prospered exceedingly4 ,this had brought some self-exalting thoughts into his mind2 not that he talked of them to others1 but he communed with them to himself1 nevertheless4 ,that morning1 as he rested his chin on his hands that clasped the end of his shovel1 such thoughts swelled the pride in his heart1 and his work was left undone4 ,the sun came suddenly from behind the peak and flooded the valley with light2 still ,rupert stood looking over the fields4 ,in the distance towards the left he caught sight of a horse and buggy coming at a good pace along the new country road4 ,he watched it drawing nearer4 ,a lady was driving4 ,her horse was on its mettle this morning and the reins were tight4 ,they were at that ugly place where the road crosses the canal--he was to repair it that morning--,he awoke from his dreaming with a start1 but too late2 the horse shied1 a wheel went into the ugly hole1 and the occupant was pitched into the dry bottom of the canal4 ,rupert ran down the road shouting whoa to the horse which galloped past him4 ,the lady scrambled up before ,rupert reached her4 ,are you hurt8 he inquired4 ,no--no1 sir1 she managed to say4 ,she was pale and trembling4 ,can you catch my horse8 ,i think he will stop at that barn4 ,i'll get your horse1 never fear2 just so you're not hurt4 ,let me help you out of the ditch4 ,she held out a gloved hand and he assisted her up the bank4 ,she was just a girl1 and he could have carried her home1 had it been necessary4 ,thank you1 sir1 but could you get my horse1 please8 ,there1 he is stopping at that house4 ,that is where ,i live4 ,i'll bring him to you1 if you will wait4 ,oh1 thanks2 but ,i can walk that far4 ,the fall has just shaken me up a little4 ,i shall soon get over it4 ,they walked down the road to the gate4 ,you must come in and rest1 said he1 and ,i'll take care of your horse4 ,she remonstrated1 but he insisted1 and brought her into the kitchen where his mother was busy with breakfast4 ,rupert explained1 and his mother instantly became solicitous4 ,she drew a rocking chair up to the fire and with gentle force seated the stranger1 continuously asking questions and exclaiming1 ,too bad1 too bad4 ,rupert readily caught the runaway animal1 and1 leading him into the yard1 fastened and fed him4 ,take off your hat1 ,miss1 said ,mrs4 ,ames1 your head'll feel easier4 ,i know it must ache with such a knock as that4 ,i believe you're cold1 too4 ,put your feet on the hearth--or here1 ,i'll open the oven door--there6 ,you must take a cup of coffee with us4 ,it'll warm you4 ,you haven't had breakfast yet1 ,i dare say4 ,the stranger thanked her and leaned back in the chair quite content4 ,the fall had really shaken her severely and a pain shot1 now and then1 into her head4 ,rupert foolishly fidgeted about outside before he could make up his mind to come in4 ,nina now made her appearance4 ,the coffee was poured out and the stranger was invited to sit up4 ,once1 twice1 ,mrs4 ,ames spoke to her1 but she sat perfectly still4 ,her face was pale1 her eyes half closed4 ,what's the matter1 ,miss8 asked the mother1 looking into the girl's face4 ,mother1 ,i believe she has fainted1 said ,nina4 ,the three bent over the still form4 ,mrs4 ,ames rubbed the cold hands1 ,nina became nervous1 and ,rupert looked down into the pale1 beautiful face4 ,yes1 she has fainted4 ,it is too warm in here4 ,we must get her in the sitting-room on the sofa4 ,rupert1 help us4 ,rupert stood at a distance4 ,the mother and ,nina tried to lift her1 but they failed4 ,you'll have to carry her in1 ,rupert4 ,come1 don't stand there as if you couldn't move4 ,it's too close in this kitchen4 ,but the young fellow still hesitated4 ,to take a strange1 fair girl in his arms--such a thing he had never done--but he must do so now4 ,he put his strong arms under her and lifted her as he would a child1 and carried her into the next room1 where he laid his burden on the sofa4 ,the cool air had its effect1 and she opened her eyes and smiled into the faces that were bent over her4 ,lie still1 my dear1 said ,mrs4 ,ames4 ,you have been hurt more than you think4 ,did ,i faint8--yes1 ,i must have--but ,i'm not hurt4 ,she tried to rise1 but with a moan she sank back on the pillow which ,nina had brought4 ,i'll go for the doctor1 said ,rupert1 and off he went4 ,when he and ,doctor ,chase came in an hour later1 the girl was again sitting at the table with ,mrs4 ,ames and ,nina4 ,i met with a slight accident down the road1 she explained to the doctor4 ,i wasn't quite killed1 you see1 but these good people are trying to finish me with their kindness2 and she laughed merrily4 ,her name was ,miss ,wilton4 ,she was a school teacher1 and was on her way to answer an advertisement of the ,dry ,bench trustees for a teacher4 ,she hoped the doctor would pronounce her all right that she might continue her journey1 as she understood it was not far4 ,you have had a severe shaking up1 ,miss ,wilton1 but ,i don't think you need to postpone your journey more than a few hours1 was the doctor's decision4 ,about noon1 ,rupert drove ,miss ,wilton's horse around to the front door and delivered it to her4 ,with a profusion of thanks1 she drove away in the direction of the chairman of the school trustees4 ,neither ,nina nor her mother had said anything about ,rupert's being on the board4 ,mrs4 ,ames had once seemed to broach the subject1 but a look from ,rupert was enough to check her4 ,when the school teacher disappeared down the road1 ,rupert again shouldered his shovel1 and this time the ugly hole where the road crossed the canal was mended4 ,that done1 he returned home1 hitched a horse to his cart and drove to town4 ,,iii4 ,favor is deceitful and beauty is vain4--,psalms #ca3cj4 ,miss ,virginia ,wilton was engaged to teach the spring term of school at the ,dry ,bench schoolhouse4 ,why that upland strip bordering the mountains should be called ,dry ,bench1 ,miss ,wilton1 at first1 did not understand4 ,if there was a garden spot in this big1 ofttimes barren ,western country1 more beautiful than ,dry ,bench1 she had in all her rambles failed to find it4 ,but when the secret of the big reservoir up in the hills came to her knowledge1 she wondered the more2 and one member of the school board from that moment rose to a higher place in her estimation2 yes1 went past a long row of friends1 up1 shall it be said to the seat of honor8 ,miss ,wilton gave general satisfaction1 and she was engaged for the next school year4 ,for one whole year1 the school teacher had passed the ,ames farm twice each day4 ,she called often on ,mrs4 ,ames1 and ,nina became her fast friend4 ,during those cool ,may mornings and afternoons1 when the sky was cloudless and the breeze came from the mountains1 the young school teacher passed up and down the road and fell to looking with pleasure on the beautiful fields and orchards around her1 and especially at the ,ames farm the central and most flourishing of them all4 ,perhaps it would not be fair to analyze her thoughts too closely4 ,she was yet young1 only twenty-two--,rupert's own age2 yet ,miss ,wilton's experiences in this world's school were greater than that of the simple young farmer's4 ,had she designs on the ,ames farm and its master8 ,she had been in the place a year only4 ,how could such thoughts arise within such a little head8 ,how could such serious schemes brood behind such laughing lips and sparkling eyes8 ,strange that such should be the case1 but truth is ofttimes strange4 ,since the railroad had been extended through the valley1 the town of ,willowby had grown wonderfully4 ,its long1 straight streets enclosing the rectangular squares1 had not crept1 but had sped swiftly out into the country on all sides1 and especially towards the mountains1 until now the ,ames place was within the corporated city limits4 ,willowby soon became a shipping point for grain and fruits to the markets which the mining towns to the north afforded4 ,the ,ames orchard consisted of the finest fruits which commanded a high price4 ,yes1 the property was fast making its owners rich4 ,rupert ,ames was a rising young man1 lacking the finished polish of a higher education1 no doubt1 but still1 he was no green-horn4 ,even ,miss ,wilton had to acknowledge that1 when she became acquainted so that she could speak freely with him4 ,he was a shrewd business man and knew how to invest his growing bank account4 ,it was no secret that city lots and business property were continually being added to his possessions4 ,as to home life at the farm1 ,miss ,wilton was always charmed with the kind hearted mother1 the bright1 cheerful ,nina1 and the handsome1 sober head of the family4 ,such a beautiful spirit of harmony brooded over the place6 ,even within the year1 the observant young woman could see signs of culture and coming wealth4 ,the repairing of old buildings1 and the erecting of the new ones2 the repainting and decorating of rooms2 the addition of costly pictures and furniture2 the beautifying of the outside surroundings--all this was observed1 and a mental note taken4 ,for a time ,rupert ,ames was quite reserved in the presence of the young school teacher4 ,naturally reticent1 he was more than ever shy in the company of an educated lady from the ,east4 ,rupert never saw her but he thought of the day of her arrival on ,dry ,bench and the time when he held her in his arms4 ,never had he referred to the latter part of the episode1 though she often talked of her peculiar introduction to them4 ,at the end of the first year1 ,miss ,wilton had so far shown that she was but common flesh and blood that ,rupert had been in her company to a number of socials1 and they had walked from church a few times together4 ,dame gossip at once mated the two1 and pronounced it a fine match4 ,early in ,september they had a peach party at the ,ames farm4 ,willowby's young folks were there1 and having a good time4 ,when the sun sank behind the hills on the other side of the valley1 and the cool air came from the eastern mountains1 ,chinese lanterns were hung on the trees1 and chairs and tables were placed on the lawn4 ,there were cake and ice-cream and peaches--peaches of all kinds1 large and small1 white and yellow1 juicy and dry2 for this was a peach party1 and everybody was supposed to eat1 at least1 half a dozen4 ,the band1 with ,volmer ,holm as leader1 furnished the music2 and beautiful it was1 as it echoed from the porch out over the assembly on the lawn4 ,when the strains of a waltz floated out1 a dozen couples glided softly over the velvety grass4 ,that's fine music1 ,volmer1 ,rupert was saying to the bandmaster1 as the music ceased4 ,do you think so8 ,we've practiced very much since our new organization was effected4 ,will it do for a concert8 ,you know ,i'm no judge of music4 ,i like yours1 though1 ,volmer4 ,what do you say about it1 ,miss ,wilton8 ,mr4 ,holm wishes to know if his music is fit for a concert8 ,most certainly it is1 answered the young lady addressed1 as she stepped up with an empty peach basket4 ,mr4 ,holm1 ,i understand that last piece is your own composition8 ,if so1 ,i must congratulate you2 it is most beautiful4 ,thank you1 and he bowed as he gave the signal to begin again4 ,mr4 ,ames1 more peaches are wanted--the big yellow ones4 ,where shall ,i find them8 ,i'll get some--or1 ,i'll go with you4 ,he was getting quite bold4 ,perhaps the music had something to do with that4 ,he did not take the basket1 but led the way out into the orchard4 ,it was quite a distance to the right tree4 ,that is beautiful music1 said she4 ,mr4 ,holm is a genius4 ,he'll make his mark if he keeps on4 ,yes1 ,i understand that he is going ,east to study4 ,that will bring him out if there is anything in him4 ,there was a pause in the conversation2 then ,rupert remarked carefully1 as if feeling his way3 ,yes1 there's talent in ,volmer1 but he makes music his god1 which ,i think is wrong4 ,do you think so8 she asked4 ,what that expression meant1 it was hard to say4 ,yes1 ,i think that no man should so drown himself in one thing that he is absolutely dead to everything else4 ,mr4 ,holm does that4 ,volmer worships nothing but music4 ,rupert filled the basket and they sauntered back4 ,a more beautiful god ,i cannot imagine1 she said1 half aloud4 ,rupert turned with an inquiring look on his face1 but he got nothing more from her1 as she was busy with a peach4 ,her straw hat was tilted back on her head1 and the wavy brown hair was somewhat in confusion4 ,school teaching had not1 as yet1 driven the roses from her cheeks1 nor the smiles from her lips4 ,there was just enough of daylight left so that ,rupert could see ,miss ,wilton's big eye looking into his own4 ,how beautiful she was6 ,mr4 ,ames1 before we get back to the company1 ,i wish to ask you a question4 ,mr4 ,holm has asked me to sing at his concert1 and ,i should like to help him1 if the school trustees do not object4 ,why should they1 ,miss ,wilton8 ,well1 some people1 you know1 are so peculiar4 ,i assure you they will not care--that is1 if it will not interfere with your school duties4 ,as to that1 not a moment4 ,i need no rehearsals as ,i am used to--that is ,i--you see1 ,i will sing some old song4 ,miss ,wilton's speech became unusually confused1 and ,rupert noticed it2 but just then ,nina and her escort joined them1 and they all went back to the lawn4 ,miss ,wilton's going to sing at the concert1 ,volmer told ,rupert later in the evening4 ',twill be a big help4 ,she's a regular opera singer1 you know4 ,she's been in the business4 ,i heard her sing in ,denver two years ago1 and she was with a troupe that passed through here some time since4 ,i remember her well1 but of course ,i wouldn't say anything to her about it4 ,no doubt she wishes to forget it all4 ,what do you mean8 asked ,rupert1 quite fiercely4 ,i mean that her company then was not of the choicest1 but ,i believe she's all right and a good enough girl4 ,rupe1 don't bother about that4 ,perhaps ,i shouldn't have said anything to you4 ,oh1 that's all right4 ,i'm glad you mentioned it4 ,still a dull1 miserable pain fastened itself in ,rupert ,ames' heart the rest of the evening2 and even when the company had gone1 and ,miss ,wilton had lingered and sweetly said ,good-night1 and the lights were out1 strange thoughts and feelings drove from his eyes the sleep that usually came peacefully to him4 ,rupert ,ames was in love4 ,the fact became the central idea of his existence4 ,during ,rupert's busy life1 love affairs had not occupied much of his attention4 ,of course1 he1 in common with the rest of young mankind1 thought that some day he would love some girl and make her his wife2 but it was always as a far-away dream to him1 connected with an angelic perfection which he always found missing in the workaday world4 ,his wife must be a pure1 perfect creature4 ,marriage was a sacred thing--one of the great events in a person's life4 ,not that these views had now changed altogether1 for ,miss ,virginia ,wilton came nearer his ideal than anyone he had yet met4 ,still1 there was considerable of the tangible present about her4 ,she was educated1 businesslike1 and a leader1 and he1 ambitious of attaining to something in the world1 would need such a woman for his wife4 ,but that sting which ,volmer ,holm had given him6 ,his wife must be beyond suspicion4 ,he could not afford to make a mistake1 for if he did1 it would be the mistake of his life4 ,but was it a sin for a girl to sing in an opera8 ,certainly not4 ,anyway1 he would not condemn her unheard--and then1 he was sure he loved her4 ,it had come to him unbidden4 ,it was no fault of his that this girl should have come into his common life1 and1 seemingly1 completely change it4 ,the autumn days passed4 ,with the work of harvesting and marketing there was no time for social gatherings4 ,the school teacher had changed her boarding place1 and her path lay no longer past the ,ames farm4 ,so ,rupert mingled his thoughts with his labors1 and in time there emerged from that fusion a fixed purpose4 ,that fall ,rupert's time as school trustee expired4 ,at the first meeting of the new board1 ,miss ,wilton's position was given to a male teacher4 ,the reason given for the change was that ,it takes a man to govern boys4 ,other reasons1 however1 could be heard in the undercurrent of talk4 ,the first ,sunday after he heard of it1 ,rupert found ,miss ,wilton1 and together they walked up the canyon road4 ,it was a dull1 cloudy day1 and not a breath moved the odorous choke-cherry bushes which lined the dusty road4 ,never mind what was said and done that afternoon4 ',tis an old1 old story4 ,between woman's smiles and tears1 the man gained hope and courage1 and when that evening they came down the back way through the fields and orchards1 ,virginia ,wilton was ,rupert ,ames' promised wife4 ,,iv4 ,o ,lord1 lead me in a plain path4--,isaiah #bg3aa4 ,the scene shifts to a land afar off toward the north1 ,norway--away up into one of its mountain meadows4 ,the landscape is a mixture of grandeur and beauty4 ,hills upon hills1 covered with pine and fir1 stretch away from the lowlands to the distant glacier-clad mountains1 and patches of green meadow gleam through the dark pine depths4 ,the clear blue sky changes to a faint haze in the hilly distance4 ,the gentle air is perfumed with the odor of the forest4 ,a ,sabbath stillness broods over all4 ,the sun has swung around to the northwest1 and skims along the horizon as if loth to leave such a sweet scene4 ,evening was settling down on the ,norwegian saeter1 or summer herd ground4 ,riding along the trail through the pines appeared a young man4 ,he was evidently not at home in the forest1 as he peered anxiously through every opening4 ,his dress and bearing indicated that he was not a woodsman nor a herder of cattle4 ,pausing on a knoll1 he surveyed the scene around him1 and took off his hat that the evening breeze might cool his face4 ,suddenly1 there came echoing through the forest1 from hill to hill1 the deep notes of the lur4 ,the traveler listened1 and then urged his horse forward4 ,again and again the blast reverberated1 the notes dying in low echoes on the distant hills4 ,from another rise1 the rider saw the girl who was making all this wild music4 ,she was standing on a high knoll4 ,peering down into the forest1 she recognized the traveler and welcomed him with an attempt at a tune on her long1 wooden trumpet4 ,good evening1 ,hansine1 said he1 as his horse scrambled up the path close by1 your lur made welcome music this evening4 ,good evening1 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 said she1 are you not lost8 ,i was1 nearly1 until ,i heard you calling your cows4 ,it is a long way up here--but the air and the scenery are grand4 ,yes1 do you think so8 ,i don't know anything about what they call grand scenery4 ,i've always lived up here1 and it's work1 work all the time--but those cows are slow coming home4 ,she lifted her lur to her lips and once more made the woods ring4 ,down at the foot of the hills1 where the pines gave place to small1 grassy openings1 stood a group of log huts1 towards which the cows were now seen wending4 ,come1 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 ,i see the cows are coming4 ,i must go down to meet them4 ,they went down the hill together4 ,the lowing cows came up to the stables1 and as the herd grew larger there was a deafening din4 ,a girl was standing in the doorway of one of the cabins1 timidly watching the noisy herd4 ,come1 give the cows their salt1 laughingly shouted ,hansine to her4 ,and get hooked all to pieces8 ,not much4 ,you little coward4 ,what good would you be on a saeter8 ,what do you think1 ,hr4 ,bogstad8 ,as the girl caught sight of the new arrival she started and the color came to her face4 ,he went up to her4 ,how are you1 ,signe8 he said4 ,how do you like life on a saeter8 ,well1 ,i hardly know1 she said1 seemingly quite embarrassed4 ,oh1 ,i'll tell you1 broke in the busy ,hansine1 as she came with a pail full of salt4 ,she just goes around and looks at and talks about what she calls the beauties of nature4 ,that she likes2 but as for milking1 or churning1 or making cheese1 well-- ,then they all laughed good naturedly4 ,hansine was a large1 strong girl1 with round1 pleasant features4 ,she and the cows were good friends4 ,at the sound of the lur every afternoon the cows turned their grazing heads towards home1 and1 on their arrival1 each was given a pat and a handful of salt4 ,then they went quietly into their stalls4 ,it was quite late that evening before the milk had been strained into the wooden platters and placed in rows on the shelves in the milk house4 ,hr4 ,bogstad and ,signe had proffered their help1 but they had been ordered into the house and ,signe was told to prepare the evening meal4 ,when ,hansine came in1 she found the table set with the cheese1 milk1 butter1 and black bread1 while ,signe and ,hr4 ,bogstad sat by the large fireplace watching a pot of boiling cream mush4 ,the object of ,hr4 ,bogstad's visit was plain enough4 ,he had been devoting his attentions to ,signe ,dahl for some time1 and now that he was home from college on a vacation1 it was natural that he should follow her from the village up to the mountains4 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 though young1 was one of the rich men of ,nordal4 ,he had lately fallen heir to a large estate4 ,in fact1 ,signe's parents1 with a great many more1 were but tenants of young ,hr4 ,henrik ,bogstad2 and although it was considered a great honor to have the attentions of such a promising young man--for1 in fact1 ,henrik was quite exemplary in all things1 and had a good name in the neighborhood--still ,signe ,dahl did not care for him1 and was uneasy in his company4 ,she would rather sail with some of the fisher boys on the lake than be the object of envy by her companions4 ,but ,signe's slim1 graceful form1 large blue eyes1 clear1 dimpled face1 light silken hair1 combined with a native grace and beauty1 attracted not only the fisher boys but the fine ,hr4 ,bogstad also4 ,she was now spending a few days with her cousin ,hansine in the mountains4 ,her limited knowledge of saeter life was fast being augmented under her cousin's supervision1 notwithstanding ,hansine's remarks about her inabilities4 ,the cabin wherein the three were seated was of the rudest kind1 but everything was scrupulously clean4 ,the blazing pine log cast a red light over them as they sat at the table4 ,so you see nothing grand in your surroundings8 asked ,hr4 ,bogstad of ,hansine4 ,how can ,i8 ,i have never been far from home4 ,mountains and forests and lakes are all ,i know4 ,true1 said he1 and we can see grandeur and beauty by contrast only4 ,but here is ,signe1 remarked ,hansine2 she has never seen much of the world1 yet you should hear her4 ,i can never get her interested in my cows4 ,her mind must have been far away when she dished up the mush1 for she has forgotten something4 ,oh1 ,i beg pardon1 exclaimed the forgetful girl4 ,let me attend to it4 ,she went to the cupboard and brought out the sugar and a paper of ground cinnamon1 and sprinkled a layer of each over the plates of mush4 ,then she pressed into the middle of each a lump of butter which soon melted into a tiny yellow pond4 ,i should like to hear some of these ideas of yours1 remarked the visitor to ,signe1 who had so far forgotten her manners as to be blowing her spoonful of mush before dipping it into the butter4 ,i wish ,i were an artist1 said she1 without seeming to notice his remarks4 ,ah1 what pictures ,i would paint6 ,i would make them so natural that you could see the pine tops wave1 and smell the breath of the woods as you looked at them4 ,you would put me in1 standing on ,the ,look-out blowing my lur1 wouldn't you8 ,certainly4 ,and ,i have no doubt that we could hear the echoes ringing over the hills1 continued ,hansine1 soberly4 ,never mind1 you needn't make fun4 ,yes1 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 ,i think we have some grand natural scenes4 ,i often climb up on the hills1 and sit and look over the pines and the shining lake down towards home4 ,then1 sometimes1 ,i can see the ocean like a silver ribbon1 lying on the horizon4 ,i sit up there and gaze and think1 as ,hansine says1 nearly all night4 ,i seem to be under a spell4 ,you know it doesn't get dark all night now1 and the air is so delicious4 ,my thoughts go out ',over the high mountains1' as ,bjornson says1 and ,i want to be away to hear and see what the world is and has to tell me4 ,a kind of sweet loneliness comes over me which ,i cannot explain4 ,hr4 ,bogstad had finished his dish4 ,he1 too1 was under a spell--the spell of a soft1 musical voice4 ,then the light in the summer1 she continued4 ,how ,i have wished to go north where the sun shines the whole twenty-four hours4 ,have you ever seen the ,midnight ,sun1 ,hr4 ,bogstad8 ,no2 but ,i have been thinking of taking a trip up there this summer1 if ,i can get some good company to go with me4 ,wouldn't you-- ,it was then that ,signe hurriedly pushed her chair away and said3 ,thanks for the food4 ,next morning ,signe was very busy4 ,she washed the wooden milk basins1 scalded them with juniper tea1 and then scoured them with sand4 ,she churned the butter and wanted to help with the cheese1 but ,hansine thought that she was not paying enough attention to their visitor1 so she ordered her off to her lookout on the mountain4 ,hr4 ,bogstad would help her up the steep places2 besides1 he could tell her the names of the ferns and flowers1 and answer the thousand and one questions which she was always asking4 ,so1 of course1 they had to go4 ,but ,signe was very quiet1 and ,henrik said but little4 ,he had come to the conclusion that he truly loved this girl whose parents were among the poorest of his tenants4 ,none other of his acquaintances1 even among the higher class1 charmed him as did ,signe4 ,he was old enough to marry1 and she was not too young4 ,he knew full well that if he did marry her1 many of his friends would criticise2 but ,henrik had some of the ,norseman spirit of liberty1 and he did not think that a girl's humble position barred her from him4 ,true1 he had received very little encouragement from her1 though her parents had looked with favor upon him4 ,and now he was thinking of her cold indifference4 ,they sat down on a rocky bank1 carpeted with gray reindeer moss4 ,they had been talking of his experiences at school4 ,he knew her desire to finish the college education cut short by a lack of means4 ,signe1 ,i wish you would let me do you a favor4 ,she thought for a moment before she asked what it was4 ,let me help you attend college4 ,you know ,i am able to1 besides--besides1 some day you may learn to think as much of me as ,i do of you1 and then1 dear ,signe-- ,signe arose4 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 she said1 ,i wish you would not talk like that4 ,if you do1 ,i shall go back to ,hansine4 ,why1 ,signe1 don't be offended4 ,i am not jesting4 ,he stood before her in the path1 and would have taken her hand1 but she drew back4 ,signe1 ,i have thought a great deal of you for a long time4 ,you know we have been boy and girl together4 ,my absence at school has made no difference in me4 ,i wish you could think a little of me1 ,signe4 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 ,i don't believe in deceiving anyone4 ,i am sorry that you have been thinking like that about me1 because ,i cannot think of you other than as a friend4 ,let us not talk about it4 ,if ,henrik could not talk about that nearest his heart1 he would remain silent1 which he did4 ,signe was gathering some rare ferns and mosses when ,hansine's lur sounded through the hills4 ,that was the signal for them1 as well as the cows1 to come home4 ,early the next morning ,hansine's brother came up to the saeter to take home the week's accumulation of butter and cheese4 ,signe1 perched on the top of the two-wheeled cart1 was also going home4 ,hr4 ,bogstad1 mounted on his horse1 accompanied them a short distance1 then rode off in another direction4 ,v4 ,can two walk together1 except they be agreed8--,amos #c3c ,it was nearly noon when ,signe ,dahl sprang from the cart1 and with her bundle under her arm1 ran down the hillside into the woods1 following a well-beaten trail4 ,that was the short cut home4 ,hans had found her poor company during the ride1 and even now1 alone in the woods1 the serious countenance was loth to relax4 ,a ten minutes' walk brought her to the brow of a hill1 and she sauntered down its sloping side4 ,signe had nearly reached home1 and being doubtful of her reception there1 she lingered4 ,then1 too1 she could usually amuse herself alone1 for she always found some new wonder in the exhaustless beauty of her surroundings4 ,she threw herself on a green bank1 and this is the picture which she saw3 ,just before her1 the greensward extended down to a lake1 whose waters lost themselves behind cliffs and islands and pine-clad hills4 ,here and there in the distance towards the north1 there could be seen shining spots of water2 but towards the south the hills closed in precipitously1 and left room only for the outlet of the lake to pour over its rocky bed into another valley below4 ,on the farther shore1 five miles distant1 a few red farm houses stood out from the plats of green--all the rest was forest and rock4 ,the sky was filled with soft1 fleecy clouds1 and not a breath stirred the surface of the lake4 ,signe gazed towards a rocky island before her4 ,only the roof of the house upon it could be seen1 but from its chimney arose no smoke4 ,that was where ,signe had been born1 and had lived most of the eighteen years of her life4 ,the girl walked down the hillside to the lake and again seated herself1 this time on a rock near the edge of the water4 ,she took a book from her bundle and began to read2 but the text was soon embellished with marginal sketches of rocks and bits of scenery1 and then both reading and drawing had to give place to the consideration of the pictures that came thronging into her mind4 ,hr4 ,bogstad had actually proposed to her--the rich and handsome ,hr4 ,bogstad2 and she1 the insignificant farmer girl1 had refused him1 had run away from him4 ,signe ,dahl1 she ruminated1 aren't you the most foolish child in the world8 ,he is the owner of miles and miles of the land about here4 ,the hills with their rich harvest of timber1 the rivers with their fish1 and even the island in the lake1 are his4 ,to be mistress over it all--ah1 what a temptation4 ,if she had only loved ,hr4 ,bogstad1 if she had only liked him2 but she did neither4 ,she could not explain the reason1 but she knew that she could not be his wife4 ,how could such a man love her1 anyway8 ,was she really so very good looking8 ,signe looked down into the still1 deep water and saw her own reflection asking the question over again4 ,there6 her face1 at least1 was but a little1 ordinary pink and white one4 ,her eyes were of the common blue color4 ,her hair--well1 it was a trifle wavy and more glossy than that of other girls1 but--gluck6 a stone broke her mirror into a hundred circling waves4 ,signe looked up with a start4 ,there was ,hagbert standing half concealed behind a bush4 ,oh1 ,i see you1 she shouted4 ,he came down to the water1 grinning good-naturedly4 ,well1 said he1 ,i didn't think you were so vain as all that4 ,can't a person look at the pebbles and fish at at the bottom of the lake without being vain8 and she laughed her confusion away4 ,say1 ,hagbert1 is your boat close by8 ,yes1 just down by the north landing4 ,oh1 that's good4 ,i thought ,i would have to wait until father came this evening to get home4 ,you'll row me across1 won't you8 ,why1 certainly2 but ,i thought you had gone to the saeter to stay1 at least a week4 ,yes1 but--but1 ,i've come home again1 you see4 ,yes1 ,i see1 and he looked oddly at her4 ,he had also seen ,hr4 ,bogstad set out for the mountains two days before1 and now he wondered4 ,hagbert fetched the boat1 took in his passenger1 and his strong arms soon sent the light craft to the other bank4 ,a thousand thanks1 ,hagbert1 she said1 as she sprang out1 and then climbed up the steep path1 and watched him pull back4 ,he was a strong1 handsome fellow1 too1 a poor fisherman1 yet somehow1 she felt easier in his company than in ,hr4 ,bogstad's4 ,signe found no one at home4 ,her mother and the children had1 no doubt1 gone to the mainland to pick blueberries2 so she went out into the garden to finish her book4 ,she became so absorbed in her reading that she did not see her mother's start of surprise when they came home with their baskets full of berries4 ,well1 well1 ,signe1 is that you8 ,what's the matter8 exclaimed her mother4 ,nothing1 mother2 only ,i couldn't stay up there any longer4 ,and that was all the explanation her mother could get until the father came home that evening4 ,he was tired and a little cross4 ,from ,hans he had heard a bit of gossip that irritated him1 and ,signe saw that her secret was not wholly her own4 ,she feared her father4 ,signe1 said he1 after supper1 ,i can guess pretty well why you came home so soon4 ,i had a talk with ,hr4 ,bogstad before he went to the saeter4 ,the girl's heart beat rapidly1 but she said nothing4 ,did he speak to you about--why did you run away from him1 girl8 ,father1 you know ,i don't like ,hr4 ,bogstad4 ,i don't know why2 he is nice and all that1 but ,i don't like him anyway4 ,you have such nonsensical ideas6 exclaimed the father1 and he paused before her in his impatient pacing back and forth4 ,he1 the gentleman1 the possessor of thousands4 ,girl1 do you know what you are doing when you act like this8 ,can't you see that we are poor2 that your father is worked to death to provide for you all8 ,that if you would treat him as you should1 we would be lifted out of this1 and could get away from this rock-ribbed island on to some land with soil on8 ,our future would be secure4 ,can't you see it1 girl8 ,o1 you little fool1 for running away from such a man4 ,don't you know he owns us all1 as it were8 ,no1 father1 he does not4 ,the very bread you eat and the water you drink come from his possessions4 ,still1 he does not own us all4 ,he does not own me1 nor shall he as long as ,i feel as ,i do now1 and as long as there is other land and other water and other air to which he can lay no claim4 ,it was a bold speech1 but something prompted her to say it4 ,she was aroused4 ,the mother came to intercede1 for she knew both father and daughter well4 ,i tell you1 girl1 there shall be no more foolishness4 ,you shall do as ,i want you1 do you hear6 ,signe arose to go1 but her father caught her forcibly by the arm4 ,sit down and listen to me1 he said4 ,the girl began to cry1 and the mother interposed3 ,never mind1 father2 you know it's useless to talk to her now4 ,let her go and milk the cow4 ,it's getting late4 ,so ,signe escaped with her pail into the little stable where the cow had been awaiting her for over an hour4 ,but she was a long time milking1 that evening4 ,,vi4 ,get thee out of thy country1 and from thy kindred1 and from thy father's house1 into a land that ,i will show thee4--,gen4 #ab3a4 ,signe ,dahl sat in the little coupe of the railroad train which was carrying her to ,christiania4 ,she was the sole occupant of the compartment1 her big valise resting on the opposite seat4 ,out through the lowered window she looked at the flying landscape1 a mingling of pine hills1 waters1 and green meadows4 ,an hour ago she had boarded the train at ,holmen1 the nearest station to ,nordal4 ,early that morning she had tearfully kissed them all good-by and had begun her journey to that haven of rest from old country oppressions--,america4 ,she and her mother had planned it1 and the father had at last given his consent4 ,it was all the outcome of ,hr4 ,bogstad's persistent devotions to the family on the island in the lake4 ,tiring of the scenery1 ,signe took from a bundle a letter4 ,it had been handed her by the postmaster at ,nordal that morning as she drove past1 and was from ,hr4 ,bogstad1 who was in the ,north with a party of tourists4 ,she opened it and read3 ,i wrote you a letter about a week ago1 describing our trip up to that time4 ,i hope you have received it4 ,you know ,i have no eye for the beautiful1 but ,i did the best ,i could4 ,you should have been along and seen it all yourself4 ,and now ,i write you again1 because1 dear friend1 ,i have heard a rumor from home that you are going to ,america4 ,it is news to me if it is true4 ,dear ,signe1 don't4 ,wait1 at least1 until ,i can see you again1 because ,i have something to tell you whether you go or stay4 ,i am coming home as fast as steam can carry me4 ,please1 don't run off like that4 ,why should you8 ,i ask myself4 ,but there1 it's only rumor4 ,you're not going1 and ,i'll see you again in a few days1 when ,i shall tell you all about the rest of the trip4 ,a smile played on ,signe's face1 but it soon changed to a more sober expression4 ,what was she to cause such a commotion in the life of a man like ,hr4 ,bogstad8 ,that he was in earnest she knew4 ,and here she was running away from him4 ,he would never see her again4 ,how disappointed he would be6 ,she could see him driving from the station1 alighting at the ferry1 springing into a boat1 and skimming over to the island4 ,up the steep bank he climbs1 and little ,hakon runs down to meet him1 for which he receives his usual bag of candy4 ,perhaps he gets to the house before he finds out4 ,then--8 ,surely the smile has changed to a tear1 for ,signe has wiped one away from her cheek4 ,to ,signe1 the journey that day was made up of strange thoughts and experiences4 ,the landscape1 the stopping at the stations1 the coming and going of people1 ,hr4 ,bogstad's letter1 the folks at home1 the uncertain future1--all seemed to mingle and to form one chain of thought1 which ended only when the train rolled into the glass-covered station at ,christiania4 ,with a firm grasp on her valise1 she picked her way through the crowd with its noise and bustle1 and placed herself safely in the care of a hackman1 who soon set her down at her lodgings4 ,at the steamship office she learned that the steamer was not to sail for three days4 ,so ,signe meant to see what she could of the city4 ,it was her first visit to the capital1 and perhaps her last4 ,she would make the best of her time4 ,she had no friends in the city1 but that did not hinder her from walking out alone4 ,in the afternoon of the second day1 ,signe went to the art gallery1 and that was the end of her sightseeing to other parts4 ,she lingered among the paintings of the masters and the beautiful chiseled marble--the first she had seen--until the attendant reminded her that it was time to close4 ,that evening the landlady informed her that a visitor had been inquiring for her during the day1 a gentleman4 ,who could it be8 ,he was described1 and then ,signe knew that it was ,hr4 ,bogstad4 ,he had said that he could call again in the evening4 ,signe was troubled4 ,what should she do8 ,he was following her1 but they must not meet4 ,it would do no good4 ,the steamer was to sail tomorrow1 and she would go on board that night4 ,she called a carriage and was driven to the wharf4 ,yes1 it was all right1 said the steward1 and she was made comfortable for the night4 ,among the crowd of people that came to see the steamer sail1 ,signe thought she caught sight of ,hr4 ,bogstad elbowing through the throng to get to the ship4 ,but he was too late4 ,the third bell had rung1 the gangplank was being withdrawn1 and the vessel was slowly moving away4 ,signe had concealed herself among the people1 but now she pressed to the railing and waved her handkerchief with the rest4 ,farewell to ,norway1 farewell to home and native land4 ,signe's heart was full4 ,all that day she sat on deck4 ,she had no desire for food1 and the crowded steerage had no attractions4 ,so she sat1 busy with her thoughts and the sights about the beautiful ,christiania fjord4 ,early the next morning they steamed into ,christiansand1 and a few hours later1 the last of ,norway's rocky coast sank below the waters of the ,north ,sea4 ,all went well for a week4 ,signe had not suffered much from seasickness1 but now a storm was surely coming4 ,sailors were busy making everything snug and tight2 and the night closed in fierce and dark1 with the sea spray sweeping the deck4 ,signe staggered down into the dimly lighted steerage4 ,most of the poor emigrants had crawled into their bunks1 and were rolling back and forth with each lurch of the ship4 ,signe sat and talked with a ,danish girl1 each clinging to a post4 ,i don't feel like going to bed1 said the girl4 ,nor ,i4 ,what a night it is6 ,do you think we shall get safely across8 ,why1 certainly1 replied ,signe4 ,you mustn't be frightened at a storm4 ,i try not to be afraid1 but ,i'm such a coward4 ,think about something pleasant1 now1 suggested the other4 ,remember where you're going and whom you are going to meet4 ,the girl from ,denmark had confided to ,signe that she was going to join her lover in ,america4 ,the girl tried to smile1 and ,signe continued3 ,what a contrast between us4 ,i am running away2 you are going to meet someone-- ,crash6 ,a blow struck the ship and shook it from end to end2 and presently the machinery came to a full stop4 ,then there was hurrying of feet on deck1 and they could hear the boatswain's shrill pipe1 and the captain giving commands4 ,the steerage was soon a scene of terror4 ,those who rushed up the stairs were met with fastened doors1 and were compelled to remain below4 ,women screamed and prayed and raved4 ,then the steward came in1 and informed them that there was no danger1 and the scene somewhat quieted down4 ,on further inquiry it was learned that they had collided with another ship4 ,some damage had been done forward1 but there was no further danger4 ,however1 very few slept that night1 and when morning broke1 clear and beautiful1 with glad hearts they rushed up into the open air4 ,the second class was forward4 ,three of the passengers had been killed and quite a number injured4 ,if ,signe had not been so poor1 and had not refused help from ,hr4 ,bogstad1 she would have taken second class passage4 ,but now1 thank ,god for being poor and--independent6 ,in another week they landed at ,new ,york1 and each went her own way4 ,signe ,dahl took the first train for ,chicago4 ,,vii4 ,the ,lord gave and the ,lord hath taken away4--,job #a3bb4 ,the news startled the young city of ,willowby from the ,honorable ,mayor to the newest comer in the place4 ,the railroad company had found a shorter route to its northern main line1 and it had been decided to remove1 or1 at least1 to abandon for a time1 the road running through the valley4 ,the short cut would save fifty miles of roadbed and avoid some heavy grades1 but it would leave the town of ,willowby twenty-five miles from the railroad4 ,everybody said it would be a death-blow to the place4 ,petitions and propositions from the citizens to the railroad company availed nothing4 ,the most diresome predictions came true4 ,after the change1 the life of the young town seemed to wither away4 ,its business almost ceased4 ,the speculator whose tenement houses were without roof1 hurriedly closed them in1 and so let them stand4 ,safer is the farmer1 in such times4 ,his fields will still yield the same1 let stocks and values in real estate rise and fall as they will4 ,alderman ,rupert ,ames had been attending the protracted meetings of the city council2 this1 with other business1 kept him away from home for a week4 ,this was the explanation which he gave to his mother when he at last came home4 ,rupert1 she said to him1 you must not worry so4 ,i see you are sick--you're as pale as death now4 ,is there anything the matter1 my boy8 ,rupert seated himself on the sofa1 resting his face in his hands1 and looked into the fire4 ,he was haggard and pale4 ,mother--yes1 mother1 something's the matter but ,i cannot tell you1 ,i cannot tell you4 ,the mother sank beside him4 ,rupert1 what is it1 are you sick8 ,no1 dear mother1 ,i'm not sick--only at heart4 ,he put his arms around her neck and resting his head on her shoulder1 began to sob4 ,it had been a long time since she had seen her boy shed tears4 ,mother1 he sprang to his feet and forced himself to talk1 ,i must tell you4 ,the bank has failed and--and--,i have not always told you of my business transactions1 mother4 ,i now owe more than we are worth in this world4 ,i have been investing in real estate4 ,i paid a big price for the ,riverside ,addition1 and the paper ,i asked you to sign was a mortgage on the farm to secure a loan4 ,mother1 ,i thought it was a good investment1 and it would have been had the railroad remained1 but now property has sunk so low that all we own will not pay my debts4 ,and the bank has failed also--,o mother6 ,my son1 do not carry on like that4 ,if the worst comes1 we still have the farm1 haven't we8 ,you do not understand1 mother2 our creditors can take that1 too4 ,then she also broke down1 and at sight of her tears the son gained control of his own feelings1 and tried to comfort his mother4 ,she should never want as long as he had two strong hands with which to work1 he assured her4 ,all would be right in the end4 ,what ,i have done1 ,i can do again1 mother2 and though if it comes to the worst1 it will be hard1 ,i am young yet1 and have life before me4 ,for an hour they sat on the sofa with their arms around each other1 talking and planning2 and then when they became silent1 the pictures they saw in the glowing coals partook of a log house1 a dreary sagebrush plain1 and the building of canals and reservoirs4 ,the worst did come4 ,they could1 perhaps1 have retained a part of ,ames farm1 but they decided to give up everything1 pay their debts1 and face the world honorably4 ,so1 before ,christmas1 everything had been cleared up1 and ,widow ,ames was installed in a neat three-roomed house nearer town1 for which they paid a monthly rental4 ,miss ,virginia ,wilton was on a visit to her folks in the ,east4 ,rupert both longed and feared for her return4 ,in his letters he had said nothing about the change in his affairs4 ,he would wait until her return1 and then he would explain it fully to her4 ,he had decided1 for her sake1 to propose to her the postponement of their marriage until spring4 ,he would certainly be better prepared then4 ,it would be a sacrifice on his part1 but ,virginia would be wise enough to see its advisability4 ,yes1 they would counsel together1 and ,virginia's love would be the power to hold him up4 ,after all1 the world was not so dark with such a girl as ,virginia ,wilton waiting to become his wife4 ,the day after her return to ,willowby1 ,rupert called on her4 ,mrs4 ,worth1 the landlady1 responded to his knock1 and said that ,virginia had gone out for the day4 ,she was1 however1 to give him this note if he called4 ,rupert took the paper and turned away4 ,he would find her at some neighbor's4 ,he carefully broke the envelope and read3 ,dear ,mr4 ,ames3 ,as ,i have accepted a position to teach in another state1 ,i shall have to leave ,willowby tomorrow4 ,i shall be too busy to see you1 and you have too much good sense to follow me4 ,forget the past4 ,with kindest regards1 ,i am1 ,virginia ,wilton4 99 99 99 99 99 ,nina was married on the first of the year4 ,widow ,ames died about two weeks after4 ,and so life's shifting scenes came fast to ,rupert ,ames2 and they were mostly scenes of dreariness and trial2 but he did not altogether give up4 ,many of his friends were his friends still1 and he could have drowned his sorrow in the social whirl2 but he preferred to sit at home during the long winter evenings1 beside his fire and shaded lamp1 and forget himself in his books4 ,he seemed to be drifting away from his former life1 into a strange world of his own4 ,he lost all interest in his surroundings4 ,to him1 the world was getting empty and barren and cold4 ,the former beautiful valley was a prison4 ,the hills in which his boyhood had been spent lost all their loveliness4 ,how foolish1 anyway1 he began to think1 to always live in a narrow valley1 and never know anything of the broad world without4 ,surely the soul will grow small in such conditions4 ,early that spring1 ,rupert packed his possessions in a bundle which he tied behind the saddle on his horse and bade good-bye to his friends4 ,where are you going1 ,rupe8 they asked4 ,but his answer was always1 ,i don't know4 ,,viii4 ,no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous1 but grievous3 nevertheless1 afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby4--,heb4 #ab3aa4 ,rupert ,ames had ridden all day1 resting only at noon to permit his horse to graze4 ,as for himself1 he was not tired4 ,the long pent-up energy had begun to escape1 and it seemed that he could have ridden1 or walked1 or in any way worked hard for a long time without need of rest4 ,move1 move he must4 ,he had been dormant long enough2 thinking1 thinking1 nothing but that for months4 ,it would have driven him mad had he not made a change4 ,where was he going8 ,no one knew2 ,rupert himself did not know2 anywhere for a change2 anywhere to get away1 for a time1 from the scenes and remembrances of the valley and town of ,willowby4 ,at dark he rode into a village at the mouth of a gorge4 ,lights gleamed from the windows4 ,a strong breeze came from the gorge1 and the trees which lined the one stony street all leaned away from the mountain4 ,rupert had never been in the place before1 but he had heard of ,windtown4 ,was there a hotel8 he asked a passer-by4 ,no2 but they took lodgers at ,smith's1 up the hill4 ,at ,smith's he1 therefore1 put up his horse and secured supper and bed4 ,until late at night he walked up and down ,windtown's one street1 and even climbed the cliffs above the town4 ,next morning he was out early1 and entered the canyon as the sun began to illumine its rocky domes and cast long shafts of light across the chasm4 ,a summer morning ride through a canyon of the ,rockies is always an inspiration1 but ,rupert was not conscious of it4 ,again1 at noon1 he fed his horse a bag of grain1 and let him crop the scanty bunch-grass on the narrow hillside4 ,a slice of bread from his pocket1 dipped into the clear stream1 was his own meal4 ,then1 out of the canyon1 and up the mountain1 and over the divide he went4 ,all that afternoon he rode over a stretch of sagebrush plain4 ,it was nearly midnight when he stopped at a mining camp4 ,in the morning he sold his horse for three twenty-dollar gold pieces1 and with his bundle on his back1 walked to the railroad station1 a distance of seven miles4 ,i want a ticket1 said he to the man at the little glass window4 ,where to8 ,to--to--well1 to ,chicago4 ,the man looked suspiciously at ,rupert1 and then turned to a card hanging on the wall4 ,twenty-eight-fifty1 he said4 ,two of the gold pieces were shoved under the glass1 and ,rupert received his ticket and his change4 ,in the car1 he secured a seat near the window that he might see the country4 ,it was the same familiar mountains and streams all that day1 but the next morning when he awoke and looked out of the car windows1 a strange sight met his gaze4 ,in every direction1 as far as he could see1 stretched the level prairie1 over which the train sped in straight lines for miles and miles4 ,we must be in ,kansas1 he thought4 ,what a sight1 to see so much level land4 ,but what was he going to do in ,chicago8 ,to see the world1 to mingle in the crowd1 to jostle with his fellow-beings--what else1 he did not know4 ,chicago6 ,what a sight to the man of the mountains6 ,streets1 houses1 people and the continuous din and traffic of the city nearly turned his head for a time4 ,what an ideal place in which to lose one's self4 ,rupert had a bundle no longer1 but in his pocket just fifteen dollars and ten cents4 ,he kept well out of the clutches of the sharpers in the city1 and lived quite comfortably for a week1 seeing the sights of the wonderful city4 ,then1 when his money was getting low1 he tried to get work1 as he wished to remain longer4 ,but ,rupert was a farmer1 and they were not in demand within the city limits4 ,outside the city1 ,rupert fell in with a body of travelers who were going ,west--walking1 and riding on the trains when they had a chance4 ,he joined them4 ,somehow1 he had ceased to consider what his doings might lead to1 and as for misgivings as to the company he was keeping1 that did not trouble him4 ,for many days there was more walking than riding4 ,rupert was not expert at swinging himself under the cars and hanging to the brakebeams1 so he traveled with the more easy-going element1 who slept in the haylofts at night and got what food they could from farmhouses1 though ,rupert hoarded his little store of money and usually paid for what he got4 ,then he lost all track of time4 ,it must have been far into the summer when ,rupert separated from his companions1 and found himself at the base of the mountains4 ,here he spent his last cent for a loaf of bread4 ,that night ,rupert felt a fever burning within him1 and in the morning he was too weak to travel4 ,he1 therefore1 lay in the hay which had served him for a bed until the sun shone in upon him2 then he again tried to get out1 but he trembled so that he crawled back into the loft and there lay the whole day4 ,towards evening he was driven out by the owner of the barn4 ,rupert staggered along until he came to another hayloft1 which he succeeded in reaching without being seen4 ,all that night he tossed in fever and suffered from the pains which racked his body4 ,the next day a farmer found him1 and seeing his condition1 brought him some food4 ,then on he went again4 ,his mind was now in a daze4 ,sometimes the mountains1 the houses1 and the fences became so jumbled together that he could not distinguish one from the other4 ,was he losing his mind8 ,or was it but the fever8 ,was the end coming8--and far from home1 too--,home8--he had no home4 ,one place was as good as another to him4 ,he had no distinct recollection how he got to the usual hayloft1 nor how long he lay there4 ,it was one confused mass of pains and dreams and fantastic shapes4 ,then the fever must have burned out1 for he awoke one night with a clear brain4 ,then he slept again4 ,on awakening next morning and crawling out1 he saw the sun shining on the snow-tipped peaks of the mountains4 ,he had dreamed during the night of his mother and ,virginia and ,nina1 and the dream had impressed him deeply4 ,his haggard face was covered with a short beard2 his clothes were dirty1 and some rents were getting large4 ,yes1 he had reached the bottom4 ,he could go no further4 ,he was a tramp--a dirty tramp4 ,he had got to the end of his rope4 ,he would reach the mountains which he still loved1 and there on some cliff he would lie down and die4 ,he would do it--would do it6 ,all that day he walked4 ,he asked not for food4 ,he wanted nothing from any man4 ,alone he had come into the world1 alone he would leave it4 ,his face was set and hard4 ,up the mountain road he went1 past farmhouse and village1 up1 farther up1 until he reached a valley that looked like one he knew1 but there was no town there1 nothing but a level stretch of bench-land and a stream coursing down the lower part of the valley4 ,groves of pines extended over the foothills up towards the peaks4 ,up there he would go4 ,under the pines his bones would lie and bleach4 ,he left the wagon road1 and followed a trail up the side of the hill4 ,the sun was nearing the white mountain peaks4 ,an autumn haze hung over the valley and made the distance dim and blue4 ,the odor from the trees greeted him1 and recalled memories of the time when1 full of life and hope1 he had roamed his native pine-clad hills4 ,he was nearing home1 anyway4 ,the preacher had said that dying was only going home4 ,if there was a hereafter1 it could be no worse than the present2 and if death ended all1 well1 his bones would rest in peace in this lone place4 ,the wolf and the coyote might devour his flesh--let them--and their night howl would be his funeral dirge4 ,far up1 he went into the deepest of the forest4 ,the noise of falling waters came to him as a distant hymn4 ,he sat on the ground to rest1 before he made his last climb4 ,mechanically1 he took from his pocket a small book1 his testament--his sole remaining bit of property4 ,he opened it1 and his eyes fell on some lines which he had penciled on the margin1 seemingly1 years and years ago4 ,they ran as follows3 ',tis sorrow builds the shining ladder up1 ,whose golden rounds are our calamities4 ,and the passages to which they pointed read3 ,my son1 despise not the chastening of the ,lord1 nor faint when thou art rebuked of him2 for whom the ,lord loveth he chasteneth1 and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth4 ,if ye receive chastenings1 ,god dealeth with you as with sons1 for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not8 ,the book dropped from the reader's trembling grasp4 ,it was then that the ,angel of ,mercy said1 ,it is enough1 and touched the young man's heart4 ,the long pent-up spring burst forth1 and ,rupert sobbed like a child4 ,by a huge gray rock sheltered by the pines1 he uttered his first prayer to ,god4 ,for a full hour he prayed and wept1 until a peaceful spirit overpowered him1 and he slept4 ,rupert awoke with a changed heart1 though he was weak and faint4 ,evening was coming on and he saw the smoke curling from the chimney of a farmhouse half a mile below4 ,painfully1 he made his way down to it4 ,a young man was feeding the cows for the night1 and ,rupert went up to him1 and said3 ,good evening1 sir2 have you any objection to my sleeping in your barn tonight8 ,the man eyed him closely4 ,tramps did not often come to his out-of-the-way place4 ,do you smoke8 ,no1 sir4 ,then ,i have no objection1 though ,i don't like tramps around the place4 ,thank you1 sir4 ,the man moved off1 but turned again4 ,have you had any supper8 he asked4 ,no2 but ,i do not care for anything to eat1 thank you4 ,strange tramp1 that1 said the man to himself1 not to want anything to eat4 ,well1 go into the shanty and warm yourself1 anyway4 ,in the shanty1 ,rupert found an old stove glowing with a hot fire1 by the side of which he seated himself4 ,the night was chilly in that high altitude1 and ,rupert spread out his palms to the warmth4 ,inside the house1 he heard the rattle of dishes and the voices of women4 ,then strains of songs floated out to him1 and he became an intent listener4 ,soon from out the humming came two sweet voices1 singing4 ,rupert sat as one spellbound1 as the song seemed to melt into his soul3 ,o my ,father1 thou that dwellest ,in the high and glorious place6 ,when shall ,i regain thy presence1 ,and again behold thy face8 ,in thy holy habitation1 ,did my spirit once reside2 ,in my first primeval childhood1 ,was ,i nurtured near thy side4 ,for a wise and glorious purpose ,thou hast placed me here on earth1 ,and withheld the recollection ,of my former friends and birth2 ,yet ofttimes a secret something ,whispered1 ,you're a stranger here2 ,and ,i felt that ,i had wandered ,from a more exalted sphere4 ,i had learned to call thee ,father1 ,through thy ,spirit from on high2 ,but until the ,key of ,knowledge ,was restored1 ,i knew not why4 ,in the heavens are parents single8 ,no2 the thought makes reason stare4 ,truth is reason2 truth eternal ,tells me ,i've a mother there4 ,when ,i leave this frail existence1 ,when ,i lay this mortal by1 ,father1 mother1 may ,i meet you ,in your royal courts on high8 ,then1 at length1 when ,i've completed ,all you sent me forth to do1 ,with your mutual approbation ,let me come and dwell with you4 ,the door opened1 and a young woman came out with a small tin pail in her hand4 ,at sight of ,rupert she gave a startled cry and backed to the door4 ,just then the young farmer passed through the shanty and explained that it was only a traveler warming himself4 ,the young woman looked steadily at ,rupert4 ,the fire shone out from the open door of the stove1 and the light danced on the rough board walls1 throwing a halo of red around the girl4 ,what a sweet picture1 instantly thought ,rupert4 ,then she slowly advanced again1 and1 instead of pouring the contents of the pail into a larger dish as was her errand1 she placed it on the table by ,rupert1 and said1 smilingly3 ,vil you have a drink of varm milk8 ,thank you1 thank you4 ,then she went back4 ,warm milk6 ,what could be more delicious8 ,rupert sipped the sweet fluid4 ,how it invigorated him and surcharged him with new life4 ,and given by such hands1 with such a smile6 ,it was a glimpse of past glories4 ,in the morning ,rupert was asked if he wanted a job4 ,yes1 was the answer4 ,can you work on a farm8 ,i've been a farmer all my life1 was the reply4 ,i'm not a tramp1 as you understand that term4 ,well1 stay around today and ,i'll see what ,i can do4 ,i want some help1 but ,i cannot pay high wages4 ,never mind the wages1 said ,rupert1 we'll agree on that after a while4 ,the young farmer saw that he had no common tramp to deal with1 although he looked rough and travel-stained4 ,i have been sick for the past few days1 explained ,rupert1 and if you can trust me1 ,i should like to rest up a bit before ,i go to work4 ,i'm too weak to do you much good yet4 ,that'll be all right1 was the answer4 ,i see you need something to eat this morning1 even if you weren't hungry last night4 ,come with me to the house4 ,so ,rupert ,ames remained with the farmer and did the chores around the house until he became stronger1 when he helped with the harder work4 ,he was treated kindly by them all1 and it was not long before he mingled freely with the family4 ,during this time ,rupert realized that his right senses1 as he called them1 were coming back to him1 and every night he thanked ,god in vocal prayer for his deliverance from a dark pit which seemed to have yawned before him4 ,the ,jansons were newcomers in the ,west1 and had much to learn about farming4 ,mr4 ,janson was a ,swede who had been in the country twenty years4 ,his wife and her cousin were from ,norway1 the former having been in the country long enough to become ,americanized2 it was two years only since the latter had emigrated from her native land1 so she spoke ,english with a foreign accent4 ,her name was ,signe ,dahl 7first name pronounced in two syllables1 ,sig-ne74 ,she attracted ,rupert's attention from the first4 ,she had a complexion of pink and white1 blue eyes1 soft1 light hair2 but it was not her peculiar beauty alone that attracted him4 ,there was something else about her1 an atmosphere of peace and assurance which ,rupert could feel in her presence4 ,naturally1 she was reticent at first1 but on learning to know ,rupert1 which she seemed to do intuitively1 she talked freely with him1 and even seemed pleased with his company4 ,two weeks went by1 and ,rupert proffered to remain with ,mr4 ,janson and help him with his harvesting4 ,the latter gladly accepted the offer1 for he had by this time learned that ,rupert ,ames could give him many practical lessons in farming4 ,the song that ,rupert heard that first evening continually rang in his ears4 ,he remembered some of the words1 and1 as he thought of them1 strange ideas came to him4 ,one evening they were all sitting around the fire in the living room4 ,rupert had been telling them some of his history1 and when the conversation lagged1 he asked the two cousins to sing that song about ,o my ,father4 ,they readily consented4 ,a most beautiful song1 said ,rupert at its close2 and so strange4 ,it seems to bring me back for an instant to some former existence1 if that were possible4 ,what does it mean3 ',in thy holy habitation1 ,did my spirit once reside2 ,in my first primeval childhood ,was ,i nurtured near thy side4' ,what does it mean8 ,signe1 you explain it1 said ,mr4 ,janson4 ,you know1 you're a better preacher than ,i am4 ,signe made no excuses1 but went to the little bookshelf and took from it two books1 her ,english and her ,norwegian ,bibles4 ,she read for the most part from the ,english now1 but she always had the more familiar one at hand to explain any doubtful passage4 ,i vill do wat ,i can1 ,mr4 ,ames4 ,i cannot read ,english good1 so you must do de reading4 ,she opened the book and pointed to the fourth verse of the thirty-eighth chapter of the book of ,job4 ,rupert read3 ,where wast thou when ,i laid the foundation of the earth8 declare1 if thou hast understanding4 99 99 99 ,when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy8 ,yes1 said the reader1 that is a great question1 indeed4 ,where was ,job8 ,why1 he was not yet born4 ,who are de sons of ,god8 asked ,signe4 ,i suppose we--all of us1 in a sense4 ,of course2 and ve all shouted for joy when ,god ,he laid de foundation of de earth2 so1 ve must have been der1 and known someting about it4 ,yes1 but how could we8 ,we were not yet born4 ,no2 not in dis world2 but ve lived as spiritual children of our ,fader in heaven4 ,i don't know about that1 remarked ,rupert1 doubtfully4 ,of course you don't4 ,dat's why ,i tell you4 ,they all smiled at that4 ,signe again turned the leaves of her ,bible4 ,read here1 said she4 ,this time it was the first chapter of ,st4 ,john4 ,he read the first fourteen verses4 ,dat vil do2 now read here4 ,she returned to the sixth chapter1 sixty-second verse1 and he read3 ,what and if ye see the ,son of man ascend up to where ,he was before4 ,she turned to another4 ,it was the twenty-eighth verse of chapter sixteen3 ,i came forth from the ,father1 and am come into the world3 again1 ,i leave the world and go to the ,father4 ,still she made him read one more1 the fifth verse of the seventeenth chapter3 ,and now1 ,o ,father1 glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which ,i had with thee before the world was4 ,now1 vat does it all mean1 ,mr4 ,ames8 ,i see your point1 ,miss ,dahl4 ,christ certainly existed as an intelligent being before ,he came to this earth--yes1 even before the world was4 ,certainly2 our ,savior vas himself as ve4 ,he vas born1 ,he had a body as ve1 and ,he also had a spirit4 ,god is de ,fader of ,his spirit and it existed long ago1 as you said4 ,christ is our ,elder ,broder4 ,ve are of de same family4 ,if ,he existed before de vorld1 why not ve8 ,dat's right1 isn't it8 ,but couldn't ,christ have been the only one who had a pre-existence8 ,i believe something is said in your book about the ,savior being the only begotten of the ,father4 ,yes1 in de flesh2 dat is true1 but ,god is de ,fader of all spirits who have come to dis world to take a body4 ,i can find you many passages to prove it4 ,well1 ,i have never thought of these things before1 but it must be true if the ,bible means what it says4 ,that's a grand principle1 ,mr4 ,janson4 ,it certainly is1 ,mr4 ,ames4 ,many people object to it2 but ,i cannot see1 if we are to exist in a spiritual state after we leave this body1 why we could not have existed before we entered it--but ,signe1 here1 is the preacher4 ,her only trouble is with the w's and th's4 ,she can't get them right yet4 ,signe smiled4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,ames1 ,i'm no preacher4 ,it's all so plain to me4 ,de ,bible says ve have a ,fader in heaven1 and ,i believe it4 ,i also believe ve have 'a moder der1' as de song says4 ,i can't prove it from de book1 but ,i just use my reason on dat4 ,it was a new experience for ,rupert to hear a fair lady expound such doctrine4 ,the whole thing charmed him1 both the speaker and that which was spoken4 ,a new light seemed to dawn upon him4 ,what if this life was but a school1 anyway1 into which eternal souls were being sent to be proved1 to be taught4 ,have you any other quotations on the subject8 ,oh1 yes2 it is full1 said she4 ,when you get time read ,heb4 #ab3i1 ,jer4 #a3d-e1 ,eph4 #a3c-e and ,john #i3a-c4 ,i do not remember more now4 ,rupert took them down1 and read them that night before he went to bed4 ,and each day he saw a new horizon2 and the sweet-faced ,norwegian was not the least factor in this continued change of mental vision4 ,god bless her1 he said to himself1 ,god has sent her to me for a purpose2 and he began to add to his prayers that he might so live that he would be worthy of the blessings which1 seemingly1 were coming his way4 ,,ix4 ,even so faith1 if it hath not works1 is dead1 being alone--,james #b3ag4 ,chamogo ,valley lies on the edge of the great arid region of ,america4 ,at the time of ,rupert ,ames' arrival in the valley1 full crops were never certain1 and during some years1 rain was so scarce that there were no crops at all4 ,the ,chicago real estate dealer who had sold ,mr4 ,janson his land had not enlightened him on this fact1 and so he had already lost the best part of two years' work by failure of crops4 ,rupert ,ames learned of all this from ,mr4 ,janson1 and then he wondered why advantage was not taken of the stream in the bottom of the valley for irrigation purposes4 ,one day--it was near the end of the harvest1 and they were pitting their last potatoes--,rupert asked ,mr4 ,janson if the adjoining lands could be bought4 ,why1 yes1 was the reply4 ,i was offered nearly the whole valley for a small sum1 but ,i have all the land ,i care to handle4 ,you see1 this region would be different if we could rely on the moisture1 but we can't1 and ,i am nearly tired of it myself4 ,do you want to buy me out8 ,this with a laugh4 ,can you raise money enough to buy this whole valley8 asked ,rupert seriously4 ,yes2 ,i could get it4 ,then ,i am going to propose something to you4 ,whereupon ,rupert pointed out that the rich bench lands on each side of the river could be brought under cultivation1 and crops secured every year by bringing the water from the stream in canals1 and watering1 or irrigating them4 ,mr4 ,janson listened with wonder at ,rupert's description of ,dry-bench reservoir1 and how simple it would be to construct canals by which to water ,chamogo valley4 ,this valley can be made to support a good-sized population1 said ,rupert4 ,by securing the land and digging canals to it1 and then selling it out in farms again--well1 if you don't make a hundred per cent on your investment1 ,i am mistaken4 ,they had many talks on the scheme1 and at last it was decided to try it4 ,rupert would supervise the construction of the canals4 ,he would remain during the winter1 do what work could be done before the snow came1 and then continue the work in the spring4 ,the land was secured at a small outlay4 ,the canal was surveyed and a little digging was done that fall4 ,when the snow came1 ,rupert rode twenty-one miles to the county seat1 took the teachers' examination1 received a certificate1 and obtained the ,chamogo district school for the winter4 ,it was a new experience for him1 and a trying one at first4 ,the big boys came to school to get out of the storm1 and incidentally1 to learn something of the three ,r's4 ,they were often wild1 but ,rupert managed them without doing any licking1 the usual mode of discipline4 ,he now wrote to his sister ,nina1 and told her that he was located for the winter2 that he expected to get back to ,willowby1 but not for a time4 ,so the winter months passed4 ,rupert studied his own lessons when he was not preparing for his day's work4 ,he made frequent visits to the ,jansons1 though it was a good three miles' drive4 ,he was always received as a friend1 and1 indeed1 was treated as one of the family4 ,was it strange that a tie should grow between ,rupert ,ames and ,signe ,dahl8 ,was it anything out of the way that ,rupert's trips became more frequent1 and that the fair-haired ,norwegian looked longingly down the road for the school-master's horse8 ,rupert did not try to deceive himself4 ,it had been a year only since his experience with ,virginia ,wilton4 ,he had thought that he never would get over that1 but even now he could look back on it with indifference1 yes1 even with thankfulness4 ,this love which seemed to be coming to him was different from that first experience4 ,he could not explain this difference1 but he knew that it existed4 ,rupert had no misgivings4 ,signe did not thrill him1 did not hold him spell-bound with her presence4 ,no2 it was only a calm1 sweet assurance that she was a good girl1 that he loved her1 and that she thought well of him4 ,their conversations were mostly on serious1 but deeply interesting subjects4 ,signe1 in common with her cousin and ,mr4 ,janson1 had religious views of her own1 which were peculiar1 at least to ,rupert4 ,nothing more than the common doctrines of the ,christian denominations had ,rupert ever heard4 ,signe knew her ,bible well1 and she could find wonderful things within its lids1 teachings which were new to ,rupert1 but which opened to him a future1 a bright1 glorious future1 full of possibilities4 ,besides1 they explained to him many of the mysteries of life and answered many of its hard questions4 ,thus one evening--it was ,friday1 and he lingered longer on that evening--,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,janson were visiting neighbors1 and ,rupert and ,signe were alone4 ,they sat by the kitchen stove1 and the blazing pine wood made a lamp unnecessary4 ,signe had received a letter from home which she had translated to ,rupert4 ,her father had long since forgiven her4 ,the few dollars she sent home now and then multiplied to quite a few kroner by the time they reached ,norway1 and they helped the struggling family4 ,after old country topics had been exhausted1 the conversation had drifted to religious themes1 and especially to the doctrine expressed in the song ,o my ,father2 but they now sat silently looking into the fire4 ,their chairs were not far apart1 and it was an easy matter for ,rupert to lay his hand over ,signe's fingers that rested on the arm of her chair and draw them closely into his big palm4 ,signe1 he said1 if we ever lived as intelligent beings in a pre-existent state--and ,i now can not doubt it1--we two knew each other there4 ,perhaps we were the closest friends1 and ,i have just been letting my imagination run wild in contemplating the possibilities4 ,let me tell you someting--thing4 ,did ,i get tha-at right8 ,you get the th as well as ,i1 and the w's trouble you no more4 ,only sometimes ,i forget1 ,i was going to say1 you remember the first night you came here8 ,i certainly do2 and he pressed her fingers a little closer4 ,well1 ,i seemed to know you from the first4 ,though you looked bad and like a tramp1 ,i knew you were not1 and ,i felt as if ,i had known you before4 ,they were silent again1 reading life's meaning in each other's eyes4 ,signe filled the stove from the box beside it4 ,you remember that book you gave me to read the other day1 ,signe8 ,yes2 what do you think of it8 ,i have been thinking considerably about it4 ,it sets forth gospel doctrine altogether different from what ,i have ever heard2 still it agrees perfectly with what ,christ and ,his disciples taught4 ,you know1 ,i have always been taught that man is a kind of passive being1 as regards the salvation of his soul2 that everything has been done for him2 that1 in fact1 it would be the basest presumption on his part to attempt to do anything for himself2 that man is without free agency in the matter2 that he is simply as a lump of clay1 and with little more intelligence or active powers4 ,i know all about such teachings1 said ,signe1 as she went for her ,bible4 ,they were drilled into me in the old country4 ,now1 continued he1 ,i see that such doctrines lower man1 who is1 in fact1 a child of ,god4 ,i cannot perceive that an ,allwise ,parent would thus take away the agency of ,his children4 ,we have a motto in school which says3 ',self effort educates1' and ,i believe that to be the only principle upon which we can safely grow1 if we are to become like unto our ,eternal ,father4 ,yes1 answered ,signe1 but you must remember one thing1 that 'as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ shall all be made alive4' ,the resurrection from the dead comes through ,christ without any effort on our part4 ,we were not responsible for ,adam's transgression1 therefore we are redeemed from its effects through the atonement of ,christ1 all mankind are1 both good and bad--all will arise and stand before ,god to be judged by the deeds done in the body4 ,yes2 ,i admit all that2 but it is hardly plain to me what we must do to be freed from our individual sins4 ,we are in the midst of sin4 ,we are in a mortal state and partake of our surroundings4 ,now1 there must be a plan by which we may be rid of these imperfections1 for if we are ever to live in the presence of ,god1 it seems to me that we must be pure and holy1 without sin4 ,signe had her book open4 ,i will read here an answer to your question1 she said4 ,you remember that on the day of ,pentecost when the ,holy ,spirit was given1 ,peter preached to a large crowd of people4 ,many of them believed1 and being pricked in their hearts1 they said3 ',men and brethren1 what shall we do8' ,you know they are not the only ones who have asked that question4 ,no1 you are right4 ',and ,peter said unto them1 ,repent1 and be baptized every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ for the remission of sins1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4' ,that's plain enough1 isn't it8 ,words can make it no clearer4 ,when ,peter saw that they had faith1 he told them to repent1 then be baptized for the remission of their sins1 then they would get the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and the promise was to them and to their children and to them that were afar off4 ,signe1 is it not to us also8 ,rupert asked1 eagerly1 why shouldn't it be8 ,the promise is not limited--it is to you and to me4 ,i1 ,rupert1 have obeyed ,peter's word1 and have received the promise4 ,you may do the same1 and the same blessings will follow4 ,the gospel is a law1 a natural law1 and oh1 such a beautiful one6 ,why haven't ,i heard this before8 exclaimed he4 ,why isn't it written in our books1 and taught us in our childhood8 ,signe1 ,i am a bit bewildered yet4 ,rupert1 said she1 with a smile that had something of sadness in it1 the world is ',ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth4' ',darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people4' ',and as with the people1 so with the priest4' ',the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof2 because they have transgressed the laws1 changed the ordinance1 broken the everlasting covenant4' ,is there any wonder that you have not heard these doctrines before8 ,though you may read about them in the ,bible1 the world has been without their living presence for many hundreds of years4 ,but a new time has come to the world4 ,the gospel in its fulness and purity has been restored4 ,we read here that ,john1 on the ,isle of ,patmos1 saw that in the latter days an angel would 'fly in the midst of heaven1 having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth4' ,that angel has come1 ,rupert1 that gospel has been restored2 and what ,i have been telling you are the teachings of that gospel4 ,man is again endowed with power from on high to preach the gospel and administer its ordinances to those who believe4 ,rupert listened with deepest interest4 ,he became as a disciple at her feet4 ,they talked far into the night1 and when ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,janson came home they found them bending low over the fire reading from the good old book4 ,their heads were close together1 the dark-brown one and the one of soft1 silken tresses4 ,x4 ,i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith4--,,ii ,tim4 #d3g4 ,rupert was now continually thinking of the great questions of life4 ,never before had he been so stirred in his feelings2 never before had he contemplated life in the light which now came to him4 ,his heart was full of love1 gratitude1 and praise which swelled within him1 and seemed to take possession of his whole being4 ,the winter passed1 and ,rupert closed his school4 ,he came to the conclusion that school teaching was not his forte1 though the people were satisfied with his work4 ,he longed to be out digging ditches4 ,he liked it far better1 and conjectured that in this world his mission was to make the physical deserts to blossom as the rose4 ,during the summer1 ,chamogo valley did undergo a change4 ,one side of the valley was brought under irrigation1 and a number of farms were sold at a good profit4 ,mr4 ,janson did right by ,rupert1 and together they worked and prospered4 ,and that which now filled ,rupert's cup of happiness was the fact that he had rendered obedience to the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 and had received the promised gifts and blessings following4 ,the light that leadeth into all truth was his4 ,with ,signe and her co-religionists1 he could now see eye to eye1 all having the same glorious hope for the future4 ,one more winter passed2 and when nature had spread her robe of green over ,chamogo valley1 preparations were made for the ceremony that would make ,rupert and ,signe husband and wife4 ,rupert longed to see ,willowby and ,dry ,bench once more1 so it was decided that after they had visited the ,temple of ,god and had been sealed to each other for time and all eternity1 they would take a trip to ,rupert's old home4 ,they were married in the ,temple4 ,within its sacred walls they experienced more fully than ever before what still sweetness there is in the ministrations of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,they reached ,willowby late in ,september4 ,he had written ,nina when he would be there1 and she and her husband were at the station to meet them4 ,there were tears in their eyes at the meeting4 ,nina1 this is my wife1 said ,rupert4 ,signe1 my sister1 ,mrs4 ,furns4 ,a number of ,rupert's old friends were there who now came forward and welcomed him home4 ,then they rode through the valley behind two spirited grays4 ,nina had not changed much1 but she declared that had she met her brother on the street1 she would not have known him4 ,what has changed you so1 brother8 asked she4 ,experience1 ,nina1 experience with the world ,i have lived a long time in the two and a half years that ,i have been away--but never mind that now4 ,everything looks the same hereabouts4 ,i seem to have been absent but a few days4 ,how strange it is6 ,signe1 there you see ,willowby1 on that rise2 quite a town yet4 ,how's ,dry ,bench1 ,james8 ,much the same1 ,rupe4 ,no improvements since you left4 ,and the reservoir8 ,as you left it1 though it needs repairing badly4 ,in the few moments of silence that followed1 ,rupert contrasted his condition now with what it was when he left the place4 ,what a change6 ,he was wiser if not much older4 ,and then he had a wife--and he looked lovingly at her as he thought of all she had done for him4 ,as they drove into town1 friends greeted him and seemed pleased at his return4 ,married8 ,yes2 that is his wife4 ,not so dashing as ,miss ,wilton1 but far more charming1 was the general expression4 ,that evening there was quite a social gathering at ,nina's4 ,early next morning1 before others of the household were astir1 ,rupert and ,signe went up to ,dry ,bench4 ,a beautiful morning greeted them4 ,they walked up towards the hill that they might get a good view of the farm1 and when they turned1 ,dry ,bench was before them4 ,the trees had grown1 but otherwise it was the same scene that he had looked upon many and many a time4 ,the memory of a particular morning came to him--the morning when ,miss ,wilton's horse had run away4 ,miss ,wilton had never been heard of since she left ,willowby4 ,how beautiful6 exclaimed ,signe4 ,do you know1 ,rupert1 it reminds me of a scene in ,norway4 ,i must make a sketch here before we leave4 ,sit down on this rock1 said he1 while ,i tell you something4 ,here's my overcoat4 ,he made a seat for her and he stood by her side4 ,signe1 nearly six years ago1 ,i stood here on this spot4 ,i was the owner of the farm that you see4 ,in fact1 ,i dug this ditch4 ,i set out that orchard1 ,i planned and built the reservoir that has made all this possible2 and then ,i stood here1 and in the pride of my heart ,i said3 ',all this is mine4 ,i have done it all4' ,now ,i understand that ,god put me on trial1 lent me some of ,his riches to try me1 and then1 seeing that ,i was not in a condition to stand such favors1 took them all from me4 ,yes1 it was a blessing in disguise4 ,darling1 for this knowledge ,i am indebted to you1 and he leaned over and kissed her4 ,there you are wrong again1 she said2 what about ,god above8 ,you are right4 ',tis ,he only who should have our gratitude4 ,you have been but an instrument in ,his hand4 ,i see it all4 ,o ,father1 forgive my foolish thoughts4 ,he uncovered his head1 as if in prayer4 ,he sat down with her on the stone4 ,the smoke began to rise from the chimneys of the town below1 and soon the ,dry ,bench farm-houses showed signs of life4 ,he pressed her cheek against his own4 ,sweetheart1 said he1 ',when love has blended and molded two beings in an angelic and sacred union1 they have found the secret of life2 henceforth they are only the two terms of the same destiny1 the two wings of one mind4 ,love and soar4' ,that is from ,victor ,hugo2 how true it is4 ,after a time they went down to the old home4 ,a ,mr4 ,temming was living there1 as a renter4 ,he was not acquainted with ,mr4 ,ames1 and was not disposed to show much courtesy1 so they left4 ,what do you think of the place8 he asked4 ,i like it4 ,could you live there8 ,all my life1 ,i could4 ,rupert1 ,i see you in every tree1 fence1 and ditch4 ,he laughed at that4 ,i can now buy the place4 ,shall ,i8 ,yes1 do4 ,you don't object8 ,would you really like to live there8 ,i think1 my dear1 that you can do much good here4 ,we ought to live where we can do the most good4 ,and so it was settled4 ,next day ,rupert inquired after the owner of the farm which once was his1 and learned that it was in the hands of a real estate dealer4 ,he made his way to the office and knocked at the door1 which was partly open4 ,a man was sitting at a desk1 but he evidently did not hear1 so ,rupert stepped into the room1 at the same time giving the door another loud rap4 ,still the man did not hear4 ,good morning1 sir1 said ,rupert4 ,the man turned4 ,volmer1 ,volmer ,holm1 is it you8 ,rupert ,ames1 ,i'm pleased to see you4 ,when did you come to town8 ,have a chair4 ,are you in the real estate business8 ,i can't hear very well1 and you'll have to speak at close range1 ,rupe4 ,so they put their chairs close together1 and ,rupert repeated his last question4 ,yes1 a man must do something2 but there's nothing going on now--nothing in our line4 ,rupert looked in pity at his friend4 ,quite shabbily dressed he was1 and a careworn expression on his face made him look ten years older4 ,he wore glasses1 which he pushed up on his forehead1 and then took a good look at ,rupert4 ,well1 well1 ,rupe1 and where have you been keeping yourself8 ,an' ,i've had luck1 ,i tell you--you haven't heard1 perhaps8 ,no2 ,i haven't4 ,what's it been1 ,volmer8 ,was getting fifty dollars a week leading the orchestra at the ,grand in ,chicago1 when ,i got sick4 ,don't know what it was1 ,rupe--the doctors didn't know4 ,got into my ears1 and that knocked me--couldn't tell one note from another2 so1 of course1 that let me out4 ,hard luck1 ,rupe1 hard luck4 ,tough world this1 ,rupe4 ,why ,god ,almighty crams a fellow's head full of music1 and then disables him so's he can't make use of it1 ,i don't know--,i don't know4 ,rupert sympathized with his friend1 and then told him of his errand4 ,a ray of sunshine seemed to enter the musician's life4 ,the property was for sale1 yes1 and cheap1 dirt cheap2 so the transaction was partly arranged1 and ,volmer ,holm went home to his wife and four children with quite a happy heart that day4 ,it's too bad about ,volmer ,holm1 said ,rupert to his sister4 ,i had not heard of his misfortune4 ,such a genius in music1 too4 ,well1 ,i don't know1 answered ,nina1 it may be all for the best4 ,rumor had it that he was fast getting into bad ways in ,chicago2 and some men are better off by being poor1 anyway4 ,yes1 that's so1 was all he said4 99 99 99 99 99 ,rupert ,ames was again the owner of ,dry ,bench farm1 and the next spring they moved into the old home4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,janson came with them to visit1 but their interests in ,chamogo would not allow of a protracted stay4 ,signe was already in love with her new home4 ,with her taste for the artistic1 she soon had the place comfortable1 and ,rupert was never more satisfied than when he came in where his wife's adept fingers had been at work to adorn4 ,it was the dear old home to him with an added beauty1 lacking only his mother's presence to make it perfect4 ,then they sent for ,signe's family4 ,it was hard for the father to make ends meet in his native land1 and ,rupert needed just such help as ,hr4 ,dahl could give4 ,in due time they arrived1 and were installed in a cottage near ,rupert's farm4 ,in peace and prosperity1 the days1 months1 and years went by2 and ,rupert ,ames became a light to the surrounding world1 and a teacher of righteousness to his brethren4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it was the sixth year after ,rupert's return that the citizens of the ,bench decided to enlarge the reservoir in ,dry ,hollow4 ,rupert was given the work to supervise1 and he entered upon the task with his usual energy4 ,that morning in ,september1 when he gave his wife the usual departing kiss1 the children--four of them1 were hanging about his legs and clinging to his coat in great glee4 ,now papa must go1 said he1 as he tried to shake them off4 ,a kiss1 another kiss1 ,a tiss1 some more tisses1 they shouted4 ,so he lifted them up1 one by one1 and kissed them again4 ,then his arm went around his wife's neck1 and he drew her face to his4 ,goodbye1 sweetheart1 said he1 take care of the children1 and don't forget me1 and he tried to hum a song as he walked to the gate4 ,signe stood watching him4 ,the tune which floated back to her was1 ,o1 my ,father4 ,then a peculiar feeling came over her1 and she sat down crying1 while the children climbed over her with questions and comforting words4 99 99 99 99 99 ,terrible news from ,dry ,hollow6 ,a blast1 prematurely exploded1 had seriously injured some of the workmen1 and ,rupert ,ames had been killed--hurled down the ravine and nearly buried under falling rock4 ,break the news gently to his wife and children4 ,do not let them see that bruised1 bleeding form4 ,spare them all you can4 ,yes2 it was all done--all that lay in human power was done2 and hundreds of people to whom ,rupert ,ames had opened up new light1 and in the providence of ,god1 had given them a tangible hope of the future1 gathered around his body and mingled their tears with those of his children's4 ,another immortal soul's earthly mission was ended4 ,life's school had closed for him4 ,into another sphere he had gone4 ,the ,great ,schoolmaster had promoted him4 ,and ,mrs4 ,signe ,ames1 after it all1 simply said3 ,god knows best4 ,he has but gone before4 ,he was my husband for time1 he is my husband for eternity4 ,his mission is there1 mine is here4 ,in the morrow1 we shall meet again4 ,,xi4 ,go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature4--,mark #af3ae4 ,hr4 ,henrik ,bogstad leaned back in his chair before the fire in great relief4 ,he had just shown out a young man who was distributing religious tracts dealing with some new-fangled religion lately imported from ,america1 that land of all new-fangled things4 ,all the day1 ,hr4 ,bogstad had been adjusting some difficulties among his tenants1 and that evening he was somewhat ill-humored4 ,his treatment of the missionary1 was1 therefore1 harsher than he was wont to treat either strangers or friends4 ,his conscience smote him a little as he thought of what the young ,american had said4 ,he could find no fault with the religious doctrines advanced1 but why should he be bothered with religion anyway8 ,he had cares enough2 for a great responsibility had come to him since he had been put in charge of the estate left by his father's death4 ,just now was the season of gaiety in ,christiania1 and here he was missing a good many things by his enforced visit to his country home4 ,after musing for some time1 he got up and went to the window4 ,outside1 the snow covered everything--the fields1 the roads1 the frozen lake and river4 ,the houses were half hidden1 and the pines on the hill bore up great banks of snow4 ,from the window the view was beautiful in its solemn whiteness4 ,from the white level of the distant frozen lake1 broken patches of brown protruded4 ,these were the islands on one of which ,signe ,dahl had lived4 ,henrik wondered what had become of her1 and where in the big ,america she had taken up her abode4 ,he had heard that she was well and happy1 but further than that he had not set himself to learn4 ,long ago he had put behind him philosophically his affair with ,signe4 ,he had ceased to think of her as anything more than a sweet1 yet strange girl who could resist such an offer as he had extended to her4 ,as ,henrik was looking out of the window1 he saw the young stranger who had visited him less then an hour ago1 returning down the road4 ,just as he was about to pass1 ,henrik hailed him and asked him to come in again1 meeting him at the door4 ,come in1 he said2 ,i want to talk with you4 ,the missionary placed his grip on a chair and seated himself on another4 ,i was somewhat cross with you when you called1 said ,henrik4 ,i don't want you to think that ,i am rude1 especially to strangers4 ,i was not the least offended1 smiled the other4 ,i'm glad to hear it4 ,now ,i want you to tell me something about ,america4 ,i've never been there1 though ,i expect to go some day4 ,i have some friends and a good many relatives over there4 ,from what part do you come8 ,i am from ,wyoming4 ,that's away out west1 isn't it8 ,yes4 ,two uncles of mine live in ,minnesota1 but that's a long way from ,wyoming4 ,where are you staying here1 for the night8 ,i am a traveling minister of the gospel and ,i stay wherever there is an opportunity4 ,then you'll stay with me tonight4 ,i am not much on religion1 but if you will mix a little information about ,america with your preaching1 ,i shall be pleased to listen to you4 ,these conditions were easily agreed to4 ,so1 after a good supper1 the two young men seated themselves comfortably by the shaded lamp on the library table4 ,the missionary spread out his book of views and explained each of the pictures4 ,he told of the great stretch of arid land in western ,america1 of the ranches1 of the high mountains1 of the fertile valleys made fruitful by irrigation1 and of the wonders of the great ,salt ,lake4 ,this is the ,temple4 ,yes2 and what is that for8 ,the purposes of temples were explained4 ,you say you baptize for the dead8 enquired ,henrik1 ,how is that8 ,well1 as ,i was telling you when ,i called on you some time ago-- ,pardon me1 but ,i must confess that ,i did not pay enough attention to what you said to remember4 ,i was thinking about those quarreling tenants of mine4 ,tell me again4 ,the other smiled good-naturedly1 and did as he was asked4 ,henrik listened this time1 and was indeed interested1 asking a good many questions4 ,now1 about the ,temple1 continued the missionary--we believe that every soul that has ever lived on the earth1 that is living now1 or that will ever live must have the privilege of hearing this gospel of ,jesus ,christ4 ,there is only one name given under heaven by which men may be saved1 and every creature must hear that name4 ,now1 the great majority of the human race has never heard the gospel2 in fact1 will not hear it in this life4 ,where1 then1 can they hear it8 ,in the great spirit world4 ,christ1 when ,he was put to death went and preached to the spirits in prison--those who were disobedient in the days of ,noah and were destroyed in the flood2 and no doubt the saving power of ,christ has been proclaimed in that spirit world ever since4 ,among those who hear1 many will believe4 ,they have faith1 they repent of their sins1 but they can not be baptized in water for the remission of their sins4 ,no2 of course not4 ,and yet ,christ definitely said that unless a man is born again of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god4 ,what is to be done8 ,the listener1 leaning over the table1 merely shook his head4 ,paul speaks in ,i ,cor4 #ae3bi of some who were baptized for the dead--and that is a correct principle4 ,the living may be baptized for the dead1 so that those who have left this world may receive the gospel in the spirit world and have the birth of the water done for them vicariously by someone in the flesh4 ,this is strange doctrine4 ,temples are used for these baptisms4 ,the ,latter-day ,saints are busy tracing back as far as possible their lines of ancestry1 and then they are going into their temples--for they have already four of them--and are doing this work for their dead4 ,in this way is being fulfilled ,malachi's prediction that ,elijah the ,prophet should come before the great and dreadful day of the ,lord1 'and ,he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children1 and the heart of the children to their fathers1' lest the ,lord come and smite the earth with a curse4 ,you will find this in the last chapter of the ,old ,testament4 ,the lamp burned late into the night as these two men sat by it talking2 and the conversation was not1 as one of them had planned1 for the most part about the land of ,america and its material opportunities4 ,,xii4 ,whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath1 he cannot be my disciple4--,luke #ad3cc4 ,i cannot understand him1 ,frue ,bogstad was saying4 ,his actions are so strange4 ,it's simply wicked of him1 added ,froken ,selma ,bogstad4 ,he is bringing the whole family into disrepute4 ,the mother did not reply1 but turned her face thoughtfully away from the angry daughter4 ,the boy is completely carried away with this ,american religion1 continued the girl1 pacing nervously back and forth in the room4 ,pastor ,tonset called to see him the other day1 and you ought to have heard them6 ,the pastor1 as our friend1 came to advise him2 but do you think ,henrik would take any advice8 ,why1 he even argued with the pastor1 saying that he could prove the truth of this religion from the ,scriptures4 ,has he talked to you about it8 ,yes2 and he wanted me to accompany him to ,osterhausgaden where these people hold meetings4 ,i told him definitely and forcibly that ,i didn't want him to mention religion to me4 ,he seems to be in such deep earnest4 ,and that's the pity of it4 ,it does no good to talk to him4 ,he takes it for granted that he should be persecuted4 ,i believe he is ready to give up everything for this creed that has him in its grasp4 ,a violent ringing of the bell brought ,selma to the door4 ,it was ,henrik1 who had forgotten his latch key4 ,he hung up his hat1 wiped the perspiration from his face1 for it was a warm evening2 then he said cheerily3 ,spring is coming2 ,i feel it in the air4 ,i'll be glad to get out to ,nordal--there is so much to do this summer-- ,young man1 interrupted the sister1 we have been talking about you4 ,about my wickedness1 ,i suppose4 ,about your foolishness4 ,it isn't very pleasant for us--what you're doing4 ,what am ,i doing8 ,that which is unkind to you1 mother8 ,he placed his arms lovingly around her shoulders1 but she sat without replying1 her face in her handkerchief4 ,he turned to ,selma4 ,what have ,i done8 he asked4 ,do ,i drink8 ,do ,i gamble8 ,do ,i steal8 ,do ,i lie8 ,do ,i profane8 ,do ,i treat any of you unkindly8 ,am ,i disrespectful to my mother or my sister8 ,you associate with a people known everywhere as the scum of the earth1 snapped the sister1 as she stood in front of him4 ,you are disgracing us--the whole ,bogstad family--you--but what's the use of talking to you4 ,not a bit of use that way1 dear sister4 ,suppose you answer some of my questions4 ,you accuse1 but never bring proof4 ,you would rather believe uninformed people than me4 ,you accept hearsay1 but will not listen to the truth ,i wish to tell you4 ,i have asked you to point out some of the bad things taught by the ,latter-day ,saints1 but so far you have never tried4 ,i have invited you to go with me-- ,do you think ,i would thus disgrace myself to appear in their meetings6 ,you will not even read a simple tract2 you close your eyes and ears4 ,you push ,god from you when you say that ,he does not reveal ,himself any more2 and so does ,pastor ,tonset and all his followers4 ,because ,i am willing to receive light1 even though it comes from a 'sect everywhere spoken against1' ,i am a bad man4 ,i tell you1 my sister1 and also you1 my mother1 ,i may be looked upon as a disgrace to the ,bogstad family1 but the time will come when you and all that family will thank the ,lord that one member of the family heard the truth1 and had courage enough to accept it6 ,selma walked to the door1 and now passed out without replying4 ,henrik sat down by his mother1 and the two continued to converse in low1 quiet tones4 ,the mother's hair was white1 the face pinched from much suffering1 the hands shrunken4 ,selma's talk disturbed her1 as did that of a score or more of interested relatives2 but when she talked with ,henrik alone she was at peace1 and she listened quietly to what he told her4 ,she was so old and weak and traditionated in the belief of her fathers that she could grasp but feebly the principles taught her by ,henrik2 but this she knew1 that there was something in his tone and manner of speech that soothed her and drove away the resentment and hardness of heart left by the talk of others4 ,you know1 mother1 ,henrik was saying1 this restored gospel answers so many of life's perplexing questions4 ,it is broad1 full of common sense1 and mercy4 ,father1 as you well know1 was not a religious man4 ,when he died1 ,pastor ,tonset gave it as his opinion that father was a lost soul-- ,father was a good man4 ,i know he was1 mother2 and to say that because he could not believe in the many inconsistencies taught as religious truths1 he is everlastingly lost1 doesn't appeal to me--never did4 ,father1 as all of us1 will continue to learn in the spirit world to which all must go2 and when the time comes1 he will1 no doubt1 see the truths of the gospel and accept them4 ,and here is where the beauty of true religion comes in3 it teaches that there is hope beyond the grave2 that salvation is not limited to this life2 that every soul will have a chance1 either here or hereafter4 ,you1 mother1 have worried over father's condition4 ,don't do it any more2 he will be all right4 ,he felt like adding that she had more reason to worry over the living1 but he said no more4 ,selma came in with the coffee1 and no further discourse was had on religious topics4 ,although ,henrik had quit using coffee with his meals1 he occasionally sipped a little in the company of his mother4 ,this evening he took the proffered cup from his sister1 who soon withdrew again1 and then ,henrik and his mother continued their talk4 ,it was along the lines of the old faith1 grounded into them and their forefathers since ,christianity had been reformed in their country4 ,as a boy1 ,henrik had not been religious1 as that term was understood by his people1 but nevertheless he had in him a strain of true devotion which the message of the ,american missionary had aroused4 ,however1 this revival within the young man did not meet with the favor of his friends1 and he was looked upon as having come under the influence of some evil1 heretical power1 much to their regret4 ,marie is here1 announced ,selma from the door4 ,henrik arose4 ,where is she8 ,i did not know she was in town4 ,she is in the east room4 ,tell her to come in4 ,she says she wants to see you alone4 ,all right4 ,good night then1 mother4 ,pleasant dreams to you4 ,henrik found ,marie sitting by the open window looking over the tops of the shrubbery in the garden4 ,the light from the setting sun bathed her in its glow1 increasing the beauty of an already beautiful face4 ,henrik stepped up behind the girl and placed his hands under her chin4 ,she did not turn her head4 ,this is a surprise1 he said1 but ,i am so glad to see you4 ,did you have a pleasant time at ,skarpen8 ,there was no reply4 ,the young woman still surveyed the garden and the darkening shadows on the lawn4 ,what is the matter1 little girl8 he asked4 ,he felt the trembling of her chin as she removed his hands4 ,no1 she replied1 ,i did not have a good time4 ,i'm sorry4 ,what was wrong8 ,you were not there--you were somewhere else1 where your heart is more than with me--you were1 no doubt at ,osterhausgade4 ,she hardened her tone as she proceeded4 ,oh1 ,i'm not there all the time1 he laughed4 ,you think more of the people you meet there than you do of me1 at any rate4 ,what makes you think so8 ,you1 and your actions4 ,o1 ,henrik1 could you but hear the talk--,i hear it1 and people look so strangely at me1 and pity me 444 ,i can't stand it6 ,she arose as if to escape him1 walked across the room1 then sat down by the center table4 ,he closed the window blind1 then lighted the gas1 and seated himself opposite her by the table4 ,there was a pause which she at last broke by saying3 ,i hear that you are actually going to join those horrid people--is that true8 ,there was another long silence as they looked at each other across the table4 ,yes1 he said4 ,next week8 ,that was my intention--yes4 ,and we were to be married next month8 ,yes-- ,well1 ,i want to tell you1 ,henrik1 that if you join those people the wedding day will have to be postponed4 ,for how long8 ,for a long1 long time4 ,well--,i had thought to be baptized next week2 but1 of course1 ,i can postpone it4 ,for good1 ,henrik--say for good4 ,no2 ,i can't say that2 for a little while--to please you1 to let you think a little longer on the matter4 ,i want you to choose deliberately1 ,marie4 ,there need be no undue haste4 ,i don't want you to make up your mind unalterably to reject me because of the step which ,i am going to take4 ,i have already made up my mind4 ,marie6 ,you must choose between me or-- ,don't say it1 don't2 you'll be sorry some day1 if you do2 for the less said1 the less there is to retract4 ,marie arose4 ,i'm not going to take anything back1 she answered with forceful anger4 ,i thought you loved me1 but--,i--have been mistaken4 ,i shall not annoy you longer4 ,good night4 ,he arose to follow her4 ,you need not come with me1 she added4 ,i shall see ,selma1 and she will accompany me home--not you4 ,very well1 ,marie4 ,she turned at the door4 ,will you not promise8 ,promise what8 ,not to do as you said--not to disgrace-- ,marie1 where the light shines1 ,i must follow2 where the truth beckons1 ,i must go4 ,i-- ,with a low cry the girl turned and fled from the room4 ,,xiii4 ,the ,lord alone did lead him4--,deut4 #cb3ab4 ,one beautiful summer evening1 ,henrik ,bogstad was baptized in the waters of the ,christiania fjord4 ,after that1 the truths of the gospel appeared clearer than ever1 and still whisperings of the ,spirit1 to which he now had legal right1 testified to his spirit that he was in the way of salvation1 narrow and straight perhaps1 but glowing with a light that comforted and cheered4 ,he told none of his family or friends of his baptism4 ,they had already rejected him as far as they could1 and they asked him no questions4 ,his sister would hardly speak to him1 and ,marie cut him openly4 ,his many uncles1 aunts1 and cousins were cold and unfeeling4 ,his mother1 though feeble1 and sinking slowly1 was the only one of his family that he could talk to4 ,she seemed to understand and believe him4 ,he felt that in spirit they were one1 and he received great comfort from the thought4 ,about ,midsummer the mother died4 ,then ,henrik spent most of his time at ,nordal4 ,there was peace in the solitude of the pine-clad hills1 there was comfort in the waving fields of grain and the clear-flowing streams4 ,the lake spread out to his view from his window1 and he gazed at its beauty1 sometimes his mind wandering from the ,dahl home on the island westward to unknown ,america4 ,and ,america had a new meaning for him now4 ,before1 it had been simply a new wonder-land1 with untold possibilities in a material way2 but added to this there was now the fact that in ,america the ,latter-day ,zion was to be built2 there the people of ,god were gathering1 were building temples1 preparatory to the glorious coming of the ,lord4 ,henrik soon caught the spirit of gathering1 but he quenched it as much as possible4 ,his brethren in the gospel advised him to remain where he was and do his full duty to his sister and their interests4 ,this he tried to do4 ,he would not quarrel with ,selma1 but was exceedingly patient and considerate4 ,he would talk religion with any of his friends who expressed a desire to do so1 but he would not contend4 ,henrik mingled more freely with his tenants at ,nordal1 and they soon became aware of a change in him4 ,he gave them good treatment4 ,sometimes1 there were ,sunday services in the large parlor of the ,bogstad residence1 and the people were invited to attend4 ,they turned out1 it must be admitted1 more because of ,hr4 ,bogstad's invitation than because of any enthusiasm on their part4 ,henrik1 during this period of comparative loneliness1 read much4 ,he always carried a book in his pocket when out among the hills and fields1 and many a moss-covered stone became his reading table4 ,he had procured a number of ,english books which he delighted in1 for they brought to him much that had not yet been printed in his own language4 ,after the harvesting was over that summer1 ,henrik directed his attention to another line of work1 pointed out to him by the ,new ,light4 ,he gathered the genealogy of his forefathers4 ,his was a large family1 and when he searched the old church records at ,nordal1 at ,christiania1 and at a number of other places he found that the family was an old and prominent one1 reaching back to the ancient ,norsemen4 ,he derived a peculiar satisfaction in this work1 and he extended his researches until he had a large list of names on his mother's side as well as on his father's4 ,among these there are many noble and true1 thought ,henrik4 ,many will receive the gospel in the spirit world1 and all will have the opportunity4 ,i shall have the necessary earthly work done for them4 ,if my labors for the living will not avail1 my dead ancestors shall have their chance4 ,who knows but even now the gospel is being preached to them1 and many of them are looking eagerly for someone to do their work for them4 ,the thought filled him with enthusiasm4 ,the following spring ,selma married1 which left ,henrik quite alone4 ,he met ,marie at the wedding festivities4 ,she was silent and quiet4 ,he made no strong efforts to win her back to him1 so they drifted apart again4 ,then ,henrik arranged his affairs so that he could remain away for some months4 ,he said he was going to ,america to visit his uncles in ,minnesota1--and yes1 very likely he would go farther west4 ,his friends shook their heads misgivingly1 but he only smiled at their fears4 ,henrik sailed from ,christiania in company with a party of his fellow-believers1 and in due uneventful time1 landed in the ,new ,world4 ,he found ,america a wonderfully big and interesting country4 ,he went directly westward first1 crossing the great plains and rugged mountains to the valleys beyond4 ,here he found and visited many of his former friends4 ,he lived with the ,latter-day ,saints in their homes1 and learned to know their true character and worth4 ,then he saw the temples in which the ,saints were doing a saving work both for the living and the dead4 ,while in conversation with some of the temple workers1 he told them of what he had in the way of genealogy1 which they commended highly1 telling him that he had an opportunity to do much good for his family4 ,i am glad to hear you say that1 replied he1 for you know1 this work for the dead was what first impressed me in the gospel4 ,it came to me naturally1 it seems1 for ,i had no trouble in accepting it4 ,henrik learned much regarding the manner of procedure in this temple work4 ,he could do the work for the male members of his family1 but a woman must officiate for the female members4 ,this was the true order1 he found4 ,your sister or your wife or any other near relative would be the person to help you in this1 said his informant4 ,henrik shook his head4 ,i am the only member of the family that has received the gospel1 he replied4 ,then1 of course1 any other sister in the faith will do2 but the blessings for doing this work belongs to the nearest kin1 if they will receive it4 ,have you no relatives in ,america8 ,yes2 a lot of them are up in ,minnesota1 but none that ,i know are ,latter-day ,saints--but ,i'll go and find out1 he added as an afterthought4 ,and that is what ,henrik did4 ,within a month he was on his way4 ,he found his ,uncle ,ole living not far from ,st4 ,paul4 ,he was a prosperous farmer with a family of grown-up sons and daughters who were pleased to see their kinsman from the homeland4 ,all the news from all the family had to be told from both sides4 ,henrik was shown the big farm with its up-to-date ,american machinery and methods4 ,he was driven behind blooded horses to the city and there introduced to many people4 ,they knew that ,henrik was a person of some importance back in ,norway1 and they wanted to show him that they also were somebody4 ,that seemed to be the principle upon which they lived4 ,the father and mother still belonged to the ,lutheran church4 ,the three daughters had joined a ,methodist congregation because their set was there4 ,the two boys attended no church4 ,henrik was disappointed4 ,he saw plainly that here was no help for him4 ,all these were entrapped by the world4 ,at first1 ,henrik said nothing about his own religious faith1 but after a time he spoke of the subject to one of his girl cousins4 ,she was not the least interested4 ,he tried another with the same result4 ,then1 one day at the table1 he told them all plainly what he believed and what he was called4 ,they were merely surprised4 ,that's all right1 said his cousin ,jack who voiced the universal opinion1 we live in a free country1 you know1 where one's religion isn't called into question4 ,henrik's other uncle lived in the city4 ,he was a mechanic1 having worked for years in the railroad shops4 ,some months previous he had been discharged1 and since then he had operated a small tinker shop of his own4 ,uncle ,jens lived in a small rented house4 ,uncle ,ole's visits to his brother were far between4 ,brother ,jens is shiftless1 ,uncle ,ole said4 ,henrik was1 however1 made welcome in the humble home1 and he soon found the family a most interesting one4 ,his uncle was a religious man1 having1 as he put it1 got religion some years ago at a ,baptist revival4 ,he had joined that church and was an active member in it4 ,the wife and some of the children were devout believers4 ,they indulged in long family prayers and much scriptural reading4 ,this branch of the ,bogstad family called the wealthy farmer and his children a godless lot4 ,uncle ,jens' oldest daughter1 one about ,henrik's own age1 did not live at home1 therefore he did not see her4 ,he was getting well acquainted with the others1 but ,rachel he did not know4 ,i must meet ,rachel1 too1 he said one day to his uncle4 ,where can ,i find her8 ,she works in a down-town department store2 at night she stays with some friends of hers4 ,the fact is that ,rachel is peculiar4 ,she is not one with us4 ,she has been led astray-- ,oh6 cried ,henrik4 ,she is not a bad girl--no1 no2 but she has been led away into a false religion1 and as she will talk and argue with us all1 ,i thought it best that she stay away from our home until she comes to her senses2 but-- ,what is this religion that has caused her to err so badly8 ,why1 she calls herself a ,latter-day ,saint4 ,what6 ,yes2 ,i've tried to reason with the girl1 but it's been no use4 ,i want to see her--now1 today1 said ,henrik4 ,give me her address4 ,shall ,i go with you8 ,no1 ,i can find her1--you need not bother4 ,henrik obtained the proper directions1 and set out immediately4 ,was there then one other of his family that had received the gospel--one that could help him8 ,he boarded a car1 getting off at the store4 ,going to the department in which she worked1 he asked the floor-walker where he could find ,miss ,bogstad4 ,then he saw her behind a counter1 resting for a moment1 unoccupied4 ,though she was an ,american1 ,henrik could see the ,norwegian traits in his fair cousin4 ,she was of the dark type1 with round1 rosy lips and cheeks1 and heavy1 brown hair4 ,i am your cousin ,henrik from ,norway1 he said as he shook her hand4 ,her smile burst into a soft1 merry laugh as she greeted him4 ,i am glad to see you1 she said4 ,i heard you were here1 but thought perhaps ,i might not get to meet you4 ,he held her hand a long time1 as he looked into the pretty1 sweet face4 ,had he been an ,american1 he would1 no doubt1 have kissed her then and there2 but being a ,norwegian1 he only looked his wonder and pleasure4 ,they could not talk much because customers had to be served2 but ,henrik lingered until closing time1 saying he would walk home with her that they might talk4 ,she expressed her pleasure at the proposition2 and promptly at the closing gong1 she donned her wraps and joined him4 ,the day was warm1 and he suggested a walk around by the park1 where they might sit down on a bench under the trees4 ,it was a difficult matter for seriously minded ,uncle ,jens and his family to laugh1 and even a smile was seldom seen on their faces2 but here was one who seemed bubbling over with merriment--one whose countenance shone as if from an inner light of happiness4 ,rachel1 said ,henrik1 your father has told me about you4 ,yes1 she replied with sobering face1 they think ,i am a very bad girl1--but-- ,look here cousin1 don't make any apologies4 ,i know1 and understand4 ,he asked her some questions about herself1 all of which she answered frankly4 ,then he told her about himself1 which she first met with an astonished stare4 ,he narrated his experiences in ,norway1 of his trip westward1 and the real purpose of his coming to ,minnesota4 ,she heard his story with alternating smiles and tears1 as it touched her heart4 ,they sat thus for a long time1 oblivious to the singing birds above1 of the curious passers-by1 or the fast falling night4 ,they walked home in the lighted streets1 and it was late when he bade her goodnight at the gate4 ,the next day ,henrik had a talk with ,uncle ,jens which ended in the uncle's closing with a bang the open ,bible on the table out of which they had been reading1 and then in uncontrolled rage ordering his nephew out of the house4 ,henrik tried to make peace with his uncle1 but it proved useless1 so he took his hat and left4 ,henrik met ,rachel again that evening1 and again they sat on the bench under the trees4 ,once again they became lost to all outward disturbances in the deep concerns which brooded in their hearts and found utterance in their speech4 ,i shall remain here a few days more1 said he in conclusion1 because ,i want to get better acquainted with you2 and then we must talk over our plans further4 ,then ,i shall go back to ,norway4 ,in a few months ,i shall come back1 and we two shall go westward where the ,temples are1 and there begin the work that is ours--the work that the ,lord has called us to do4 ,what do you say to that8 ,thank you1 she replied simply1 and with her usual smile2 ,i shall be ready4 ,,xiv4 ,rend your heart and not your garments1 and turn unto the ,lord your ,god3 for he is gracious and merciful1 slow to anger1 and of great kindness4--,joel #b3ac4 ,on ,henrik's arrival in ,norway1 the harvesting was in full swing1 and he busied himself with that4 ,his friends1 some of whom were surprised at his return1 asked him what he had found in ,america1 and he told them freely4 ,had he discovered the delusion in his ,american religion8 ,no1 he replied1 his faith had been made stronger4 ,selma had relented somewhat1 she making him welcome at her home in ,christiania4 ,here he also met ,marie4 ,henrik treated her as a friend with whom he had never had differences4 ,when she saw him back again1 browned and hardy1 but the same gentle ,henrik1 ,marie wondered1 and by that wonder her resentment was modified1 and she listened to his accounts of ,america and his relatives in ,minnesota with much interest4 ,as he spoke with an added enthusiasm of his cousin ,rachel1 the listeners opened their ears and eyes4 ,he told them freely of his plans1 and what he and ,rachel were going to do4 ,yes1 he said1 ,i can see the hand of the ,lord in my finding ,rachel4--,marie had her doubts1 but she said nothing4--,it is all so wonderful to me1 and ,i am only sorry that you folks can't see it6 ,but they replied nothing4 ,henrik wrote often to ,rachel1 and the letters which he received in reply he usually handed to ,selma1 and ,marie1 if she was present4 ,they pronounced them fine letters4 ,she must be a jolly girl1 they said4 ,she is1 he affirmed2 the most religious and yet the merriest girl ,i have ever met4 ,that seems a contradiction1 but it isn't4 ,then he went on explaining1 and they could not help listening4 ,henrik studied the two young women to see what impression he might be making4 ,on ,selma there was very little1 but he believed ,marie was overcoming some of her prejudice4 ,selma told him that ,marie loved him as much as ever1 and that if he deserted her1 it would break her heart4 ,but ,selma1 he exclaimed1 ,i have never deserted her4 ,it was she who broke the engagement4 ,how could she do otherwise2--but she has been waiting1 and will still wait in hope4 ,i1 too1 shall do that1 he said4 99 99 99 99 99 ,that fall ,henrik again sailed for ,america4 ,going westward by way of ,minnesota1 he called for ,rachel and took her with him4 ,in one of the ,temple cities they found lodgings with some of his friends1 and then they entered upon their work for their ancestors4 ,henrik had a long list of them1 and so they were kept busy nearly all the winter4 ,at the end of three months1 ,henrik asked ,rachel if she was tired and wanted a rest4 ,oh1 no1 she said2 ,i believe ,i can do this work all my life4 ,it isn't always easy1 but there is so much joy and peace in it4 ,i believe the angels are with us1 and ,i don't want better company4 ,and so these two were very much contented4 ,they sent letters home telling of the glorious time they were having1 and the work they were doing4 ,at the opening of spring1 ,henrik left ,rachel to continue the work1 he having to go back to ,norway4 ,he asked her if she desired to return to her folks in ,minnesota1 but she said no1 not yet4 ,the early spring months found ,henrik in ,christiania4 ,he made a trip to ,denmark on genealogical research which proved quite successful4 ,the first of ,june found him back to ,nordal4 ,midsummer ,night came clear and cool4 ,henrik was in ,christiania1 and was to be one of a party to spend the night on the hills above the city4 ,marie was not with them1 and ,henrik enquired the reason4 ,she is ill1 said ,selma4 ,ill8 ,where is she8 ,at home4 ,i think you should go and see her4 ,does she want me8 ,yes4 ,henrik excused himself from the party and went immediately to ,marie4 ,he found her on the veranda1 reclining on a couch4 ,the lamp-light from an open window fell on a pale face1 startling in its changed expression4 ,he silently took her hand1 her fingers tightening in his grasp4 ,she looked him steadily in the face1 her swimming eyes not wavering4 ,then ,henrik knew that he loved this girl yet4 ,for a long time he had tried to forget her1 tried to root out his love for her1 tried to think that she was not for him4 ,i'll not try again1 he had thought1 for twice now have ,i been disappointed2 but now a flood of compassionate love engulfed him1 and he1 too1 clung to the fingers in his grasp4 ,i am sorry to see you like this1 he said1 what is the matter8 ,i don't know4 ,doesn't the doctor know8 ,she shook her head with a faint smile4 ,sit down1 ,henrik1 ,i want to talk to you1 she said4 ,he took the low chair by her side4 ,the mother looked at them from the door-way1 but did not come out4 ,i want you to forgive me1 she said4 ,that has been done long ago4 ,thank you--now listen4 ,i have been wrong1 wickedly wrong1 it seems to me--listen6 ,i have not been honest1 neither with you1 nor myself1 nor with the ,lord--which is the worst of all4 ,i understood much that you taught me of the restored gospel--,it seemed so easy to my understanding2 but my pride was in the way1 and ,i would not accept the light4 ,i pushed it away4 ,i kept saying to myself1 ',it isn't true1' when ,i knew all the time that it was4 ,that's the sin ,i have committed4 ,my dear-- ,you remember that book you asked me to read8 ,well1 ,i read it through1 though ,i led you to believe that ,i did not4 ,it is a beautiful book1 and true1 every word4 99 99 99 ,perhaps you will not believe me when ,i tell you that ,i have been a number of times to your meetings in ,osterhausgade4 ,once when you were there--,i thought you would see me1 she smiled4 ,and ,i could find no faults1 though at first ,i went looking for them 99 99 99 ,now1 ,i've told you4 ,you have forgiven me1 you say2 but will the ,lord8 ,yes2 the ,lord is good4 ,when ,i get better--if ,i do--,i am going to join the ,church as you have done4 ,that is the right thing to do1 isn't it8 ,yes4 ,and then1 may ,i go to where you and your cousin ,rachel are working for the dead8 ,when--when are you to be married8 ,married8 ,to whom8 ,why1 to your cousin ,rachel4 ,are you not going to marry her8 ,certainly not--never thought of it for a moment4 ,oh1 dear1 ,i must have made another mistake4 ,forgive me4 ,she lay back on her cushions4 ,marie1 when ,i get married1 it's you ,i want for my wife4 ,i have told you that before1 and ,i haven't changed my mind4 ,you shall be mine1 if you will come back to the sweet days of long ago4 ,will you8 ,he leaned over the couch1 and she drew his face to hers4 ,yes1 she whispered4 ,at the end of an hour's conversation wherein much had been said1 ,marie asked3 ,may ,i go with you to the temple and there help you in the work you are doing8 ,i believe ,i could help a little4 ,it was at that moment that the curtain lifted from the eyes of the mortal1 and ,henrik saw for an instant into the pre-existent world4 ,a group of spiritual beings was eagerly engaged in conversation1 and from out that group he heard the voice of one answering ,marie's question4 ,yes2 ,i think so2 but we shall see4 ,,xv4 ,a friend of mine in his journey is come to me4--,luke #aa3f4 ,the next time ,henrik went to the valleys of the mountains in western ,america1 ,marie accompanied him4 ,they were married in the ,temple1 made man and wife for time and eternity by the authority of the ,priesthood4 ,that event was among their supremely happy ones4 ,rachel witnessed the ceremony1 and the smile on her face was sweeter than ever4 ,after that1 ,marie helped in the temple work as she had desired4 ,the three then labored together until ,henrik's list of names was nearly exhausted4 ,after a very pleasant visit among friends1 ,henrik and ,marie went back to ,norway and to ,nordal4 ,they made a new home from the ancient one on the hillside by the forest1 and for them the years went by in peace and plenty4 ,sons and daughters came to them1 to whom they taught the gospel4 ,in time many of his kin also believed the truth and accepted it1 and thus the seed that was sown in humility1 and at first brought but small returns1 gave promise of a bounteous harvest4 ,once every four or five years1 ,henrik and ,marie visited the ,saints in the ,west1 and spent some time in the temple4 ,these were happy times for ,rachel1 who continued to live alone1 not making many intimate acquaintances4 ,henrik was glad to provide for her simple necessities1 so that she could continue her life's work in behalf of the dead4 ,rachel did not marry4 ,once in ,minnesota1 a young man had made love to her1 but she could not return that love1 so she was in duty bound not to encourage him4 ,rachel was hard to get acquainted with1 a number of young men had said4 ,she was always happy and smiling1 and yet a closer knowledge of her character disclosed a serious strain that puzzled her admirers--for ,rachel had admirers4 ,a number of times good men had been about to make love to her in earnest1 but each time some strange feeling had checked them4 ,the young woman was willing enough but what could she do8 ,there was without doubt a man for her1 but she could not go in search of him4 ,as the years went by1 and with them her youth and somewhat of her beauty1 she was often sad1 and sometimes heart-hungry2 and at such times she found no peace until she had poured out her heart to her heavenly ,father1 and said1 ,thy will be done--but make me satisfied4 ,after an absence of three years ,rachel visited her home in ,minnesota4 ,she was received kindly1 the parents being no doubt grateful that she had escaped alive from the clutches of those terrible people whom she had been among4 ,she could still smile and be happy1 be more patient than ever1 taking in good part the ridicule and sometimes the abuse directed toward her4 ,she talked on the gospel with those who would listen1 and after a time she found that she was making a little headway4 ,her father1 at the first1 told her emphatically that she was not to preach her religion in his house2 but he would sometimes forget himself and ask her a question1 which in being answered would lead to a gospel discourse4 ,then1 awakening to what was going on1 he would say1 ,that will do4 ,i thought ,i told you that we wanted none of your preaching1 at which ,rachel would smilingly look around to the others who were also smiling at the father's inconsistencies4 ,during this visit the good seed was planted1 from which in due time the ,lord gave an abundant harvest from among the ,bogstad family and its many ramifications4 ,one day in the temple ,rachel met ,signe ,dahl ,ames4 ,it was ,rachel's custom to keep a lookout for sisters who were new to the work that she might assist them4 ,signe had not been in the ,temple since the day she was married1 and now she had come to do some work for her family4 ,rachel met her in the outer room with a pleasant greeting4 ,i am ,sister ,bogstad1 she said2 and what is your name8 ,bogstad1 did you say--why--why1 my name is ,ames4 ,yes1 ,bogstad1 replied ,rachel1 noticing the sister's surprise4 ,we haven't met before1 have we8 ,no2 ,i think not4 ,the name is not common1 and ,i used to know a gentleman by that name--that's all4 ,you're a ,norwegian1 said ,rachel4 ,yes4 ,so am ,i2 though ,i was born in this country1 it may be possible that ,i belong to the family which you know4 ,i used to know ,henrik ,bogstad of ,nordal1 ,norway4 ,that's my cousin4 ,we have been doing work here in the temple4 ,signe was greatly surprised1 and ,rachel led her to a corner where they talked freely for some time4 ,during the day they found occasion to continue their conversation1 and that evening ,signe went home with her new-found friend4 ,this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship4 ,rachel knew enough of ,henrik's little romance with ,signe to make the acquaintanceship unusually interesting2 besides1 there came to be a strong affinity between the two4 ,rachel accompanied her friend to ,dry ,bench1 and there soon became ,aunt ,rachel to ,signe's four beautiful children4 ,then she wrote to ,henrik1 telling him of her wonderful find4 ,he replied that at their next visit to ,america1 they would surely give ,dry ,bench a call4 ,henrik1 ,marie1 and two of the older children came that fall when the peaches were ripe and the alfalfa fields were being cut4 ,and such delicious peaches1 and such stacks of fragrant hay they found6 ,amid the beautiful setting of the harvest time1 their several stories were told1 in wonder at the diverging and the meeting of the great streams of ,life4 ,the ,bogstad children practiced their book-learned ,english1 while the ,ames children were willing teachers4 ,the boys bathed in the irrigation canal1 rode on the loads of hay1 and gorged themselves with peaches4 ,the girls played house under the trees4 ,and were it part of this story1 it might be here told how that1 later1 ,arnt ,bogstad and ,margaret ,ames loved and mated--but it is not4 ,henrik and ,marie lived happily together for twelve years1 and then ,marie was called into the spirit world4 ,henrik was left with five children1 the youngest but a few months old4 ,with ample means1 he could obtain plenty of household help1 but money could not buy a mother for his children4 ,a number of years went by1 bringing to ,henrik new and varied experiences4 ,then on one of his visits to the ,west he found another helpmate for himself and children--a kind-hearted1 sweet-souled young woman1 born of ,danish parents1 and reared among the ,saints in the valleys of the mountains4 ,then the westward call became so strong that ,henrik disposed of most of his interests in ,norway and moved with his family to ,america1 taking up his abode in a town not far from ,dry ,bench4 ,here they enjoyed the association of the ,saints1 and his children had the advantage of companionship of children of the faith4 ,time1 and the world with it1 sped on4 ,peace and prosperity came to the people of this story4 ,as years were added to years1 their good works increased1 until the ,lord said to each of them1 ,enough4 ,then in their own time and place1 they passed into the ,paradise of ,god4 ,,part ,,third ,ye worlds of light and life1 beyond our sphere2 ,mysterious country6 ,let your light appear4 ,ye angels1 lift the veil1 the truth unfold1 ,and give our seers a glimpse of that bright world2 ,tell where ye live1 and what is your employ1 ,your present blessing1 and your future joy4 ,say1 have you learned the name1 and tuned the lyre1 ,and hymn'd the praise of ,him--the great ,messiah8 ,have love's emotions kindled in your breast1 ,and hope1 enraptured1 seized the promised rest8 ,or wait ye still the resurrection day1 ,that higher promise of ,millenial sway8 ,when ,saints and angels come to earth again1 ,and in the flesh with ,king ,messiah reign8 ,the spirits answered as they soared away-- ,we're happy now1 but wait a greater day1 ,when sin and death1 and hell1 shall conquered be1 ,and earth1 with heaven enjoy the victory4 --,parley ,p4 ,pratt4 ,i4 ,they shall be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit1 and shall be shut up in prison1 and after many days shall they be visited4--,isaiah #bd3bb4 ,the ,lord ,god created all things spiritually before they were naturally upon the earth4 ,he created every plant of the field before it was in the earth1 every herb of the field before it grew4 ,before this natural creation there was not yet flesh upon the earth1 neither in the water1 neither in the air2444 but spiritually were they created and made according to the word of ,god4 ,in this second or natural creation all things were clothed upon by earthly element1 or in other words1 the spiritual was materialized so that it became discernible to the natural senses4 ,the spiritual and the natural are1 therefore1 but different states of the same forms of life4 ,in the natural world there are men1 women1 beasts of the field1 fowls of the air1 and vegetation in boundless and varied forms4 ,these exist before the natural is added upon them2 they exist after the natural is laid down by the death of the body4 ,in like manner we find in the spirit world men1 women1 beasts of the field1 fowls of the air1 and vegetation in boundless and varied forms4 ,these things are as natural there as they are in earth-life4 ,they appeal to spirit nature the same as the natural prototype appeals to the mortal senses2 and this is why we may speak of our earth-known friends who are in the spirit world and of their surroundings in the manner of mortality4 ,and what a big world it is6 ,here are nations1 tribes1 races1 and families much larger than in earth-life1 and just as varied in all that made them different in mortality4 ,here1 as in all of ,god's creations1 like assemble1 dislike keep apart2 for intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence2 wisdom receiveth wisdom2 truth embraceth truth2 virtue loveth virtue2 light cleaveth unto light2 mercy hath compassion on mercy1 and claimeth her own4 ,the righteous in ,paradise have no desire to mingle with the wicked in the regions of darkness2 therefore they go there only as they may be called to perform some duty4 ,to the industrious there can be no true pleasure or rest in idleness2 therefore1 ,paradise furnishes employment to all its inhabitants4 ,a world of knowledge is open to them into which they may extend their researches4 ,thus they may continue in the ever-widening field of learning1 finding enough to occupy their time and talents4 ,an arrival in the spirit world brings with him just what he is when he leaves mortality4 ,the separation of the spiritual part of the soul from the earthly body does not essentially change that spirit4 ,a person takes with him the sum total of the character he has formed up to that time4 ,mortal death does not make a person better or worse2 it simply adds to him one more experience which1 no doubt1 has a teachable influence on him4 ,at death1 no person is perfect1 even though he is a ,saint1 and passes into the ,paradise of ,god4 ,there he must continue the process of eliminating the weaknesses which he did not wholly overcome in earth-life4 ,death will not destroy the tendency to tell untruths1 or change the ungovernable temper to one which is under perfect control4 ,such transformations are not of instant attainment1 but are the result of long1 patient endeavor4 ,as there are gradations of righteousness and intelligences in the spirit world1 there must be a vast field of usefulness for preaching the gospel1 training the ignorant1 and helping the weak4 ,as in the world of mortality1 this work is carried on by those who have accepted the gospel and who have conformed their lives to its principles2 so in the spirit world1 the righteous find pleasant and profitable employment in working for the salvation of souls4 ,and as they work they must needs talk of the glories of the great plan of salvation1 made perfect through the atonement of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,that which they look forward to most keenly1 that about which they talk and sing most fervently is the time when they also shall follow their ,savior through the door of the resurrection which ,he has opened for them1--when their souls shall be perfectly redeemed1 and they shall be clothed upon with a body of the heavenly order1 a tabernacle incorruptible and immortal with which to go on into the celestial world4 ,though the future is most glorious to these people1 the past is also bright4 ,the hopes of the future are well grounded on the facts of the past4 ,an ever-present theme is that of ,christ's first visit to the spirit world1 when1 having died on the cross1 ,he brought life and light and immortality to the world of spirits1 entering even into the prison house where the disobedient had lain for a long time1 and preached the gospel to them4 ,and among these who gloried both in the past and in the future were ,rupert and ,henrik4 ,often they conversed on themes near to their hearts3 ,it must have been a place of darkness1 of sad despairing hearts1 that prison house1 before ,christ's visit to it1 said ,rupert4 ,there1 as in a pit1 dwelt those who in earth-life had rejected the truth1 and who1 sinking low in the vices of the world1 permitted themselves to be led captive by the power of the evil one4 ,noah in his day preached to them1 but they laughed him to scorn and continued in their evil ways4 ,others of the prophets in their generations had warned them1 but without avail2 so here were found ,satan's harvest from the fruitful fields of the earth4 ,i can well imagine that long1 long1 night of darkness1 added ,henrik4 ,no ray of hope pierced the gloom of their abode4 ,the prison walls loomed around and above them1 shutting out any glimpse of heaven4 ,these had rejected the truth1 which alone can make men free4 ,they themselves had shut out the light when it would have shone in upon their vision4 ,they had chosen the evil1 and the evil was claiming its own4 ,outside the prison were their fellows who had chosen to do the right1 basking in the light of a clear conscience1 enjoying the approval of the ,lord4 ,these faithful ones were going on to eternal perfection4 ,how long would it take the prisoners1 if they ever were released1 to overtake those ahead8 ,between these was a great gulf fixed1 which1 in the ordinary order of things1 could never be lessened or bridged4 ,but at last the time of mercy and deliverance came4 ,i remember how the events of the time have been described to me4 ,just before the coming of the ,lord1 a peculiar1 indescribable tremor ran through this spirit world as if one pulse beat through the universe and that pulse had been disturbed4 ,the spirits in prison looked in awe at one another1 many crouching in terror1 fearful that the day of judgment had come4 ,the vast multitude of the ignorant wondered what the 'peculiar feeling' could mean4 ,the righteous1 who had been looking wistfully for some manifestation of the coming of the ,lord1 whispered to each other1 ',the ,lord is dying for the sins of the world6' ,yes2 the prophets of every dispensation had labored faithfully to prepare the world of spirits among whom they lived for the coming of the ,lord and ,savior4 ,there were ,adam1 ,noah1 ,abraham1 with those who followed them2 there were ,lehi1 ,nephi1 ,mosiah1 and the others of their race2 there were the prophets who had lived among the lost ,ten tribes2 these had all been valiant in earth-life1 and were faithful yet in the spirit world4 ,the burden of their message in mortality had been the coming of ,christ the ,redeemer1 and now they still looked forward with the eye of faith to ,him who should die for the sins of the world1 and who should deliver them from the bondage of the grave4 ,they understood that the body of flesh which had been given them in mortality was necessary for their full salvation4 ,christ would bring to pass the resurrection1 so that bodies would be restored to them1 not corruptible as before1 but perfected1 immortal and glorious1 a fit tabernacle for the immortal spirit with which to go on into the eternal mansions of the ,father4 ,but oh1 that time1 brother1 when the ,son of ,god was dying on the cross6 ,while the earth was shrouded in darkness1 and the bulk of it trembled in sympathy with the death throes of its ,maker1 the spirit world also received the imprint of the terrible event on ,calvary as for a moment the whole spiritual creation lay in tense expectancy4 ,the usual occupations were suspended4 ,speech became low and constrained4 ,songs ended abruptly1 and laughter ceased4 ,there were no audible sobs1 neither sighing4 ,bird and beast were stilled1 as if the end had come1 and nothing more mattered4 ,then1 in a little while1 the tenseness relaxed1 and everything went on as before1 though much subdued4 ,the righteous in the ,paradise of ,god quietly gathered themselves together in their usual places of worship4 ,they clasped each other's hands1 and looked with trembling gladness into each other's faces4 ,there was no fear here3 they were ready4 ,and then ,his actual coming6 ,that which had been fore-ordained from before the foundation of the world was about to be fulfilled2 that which had been the theme of the prophets from the beginning was at the door2 that which the seers of all times and nations had beheld in vision was now to be realized2 that about which poets had sung2 that for which every pure heart had yearned2 that for which the ages had waited1 was now here6 ,a feeling of sweet peace filled the righteous1 which expressed itself in songs of praise and gladness4 ,thus they watched and waited4 ,then ,jesus stood in their midst1 and they beheld the glorious presence of their ,lord4 ,then there came to their hearts a small1 sweet1 penetrating voice1 testifying that this was ,jesus ,christ the ,son of ,god who had glorified the name of the ,father2 who was the life and the light of the world2 who had drunk of the bitter cup which the ,father had given him2 and had glorified the ,father in taking upon ,himself the sins of the world1 in which ,he had suffered the will of the ,father in all things from the beginning4 ,the multitude fell down at his feet and worshiped4 ,i have been told that as ,jesus entered the prison of the condemned in the spirit world1 a murmur of greeting welcomed ,him4 ,it was timid and faint at first1 but it increased in volume and force until it became a shout4 ',lift up your heads1 ,o ye gates1 and be ye lifted up1 ye everlasting doors4' ',hail1 hail1 to the ,lord4' ',and the ,king of ,glory shall come in4' ',who is the ,king of ,glory8' ',the ,lord1 strong and mighty4' ',the ,lord1 will not cast off forever2 but though ,he cause grief1 yet will ,he have compassion1 according to the multitude of ,his mercies4' ',i will not contend forever1 neither will ,i be always wroth4' ',come and let us return unto the ,lord3 for ,he hath torn and ,he will heal2 ,he hath smitten and ,he will bind us up4' ',i will heal their back slidings1 ,i will love them freely2 for mine anger is turned away4' ',who is a ,god like unto ,thee1 that pardoneth iniquity4 ,he retaineth not ,his anger forever1 because ,he delighteth in mercy4' ',say to the prisoners1 ,go forth2 to them that are in darkness1 show yourselves4 ,i am ,he that liveth and was dead2 and behold ,i am alive forevermore1 anew3 and ,i have the keys of hell and death4' ,and thus the gates were lifted1 and the ,king of ,glory entered4 ,and what a radiance shone in the gloom6 ,the shades of darkness fled1 the chains of error dropped asunder1 the overburdened heart found glad relief1 for the ,lord brought the tidings of great joy to the spirits in prison1 offering them pardon and peace in exchange for their broken hearts4 ,then they sang3 ',hark1 ten thousand thousand voices ,sing a song of ,jubilee6 ,a world1 once captive1 now rejoices1 ,freed from long captivity4 ,hail1 ,emanuel6 ,great ,deliverer6 ,hail1 our ,savior1 praise to thee6 ,now the theme1 in pealing thunders1 ,through the universe is rung2 ,now in gentle tones1 the wonders ,of redeeming grace is sung4' ,for three days1 as counted by earth-time1 the ,redeemer ministered in this spirit world1 preaching the gospel1 giving instructions1 and making plain the way of ,his servants to follow4 ,joy and gladness filled many hearts4 ,then1 when the time had fully come1 the great ,captain of ,salvation led the way against the enemy of men's souls4 ,he laid low the ,monster that had for ages kept grim watch at the ,gates of ,death4 ,he broke through the grave to the regions of life and light and immortality4 ,the ,hope of ,ages thus went forth conquering2 and those who followed ,him through the resurrection from the dead sang3 ',death is swallowed up in victory6 ,o1 death1 where is thy sting8 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8' ,,ii4 ,whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4 ,for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption2 but he that soweth to the ,spirit shall of the ,spirit reap life everlasting4--,gal4 #f3g1 #h4 ,in the spirit world are ,rupert1 ,signe1 ,henrik1 ,marie1 ,rachel and all our friends in their time and place4 ,these are employed in joyous activity1 as they see their field of usefulness continually widen4 ,rupert had done a great work before the others had come4 ,he had preached the gospel to many people1 mostly his ancestors1 among whom there had been at the time of his arrival among them an awakening and a desire for the truth4 ,he had traced his family back to those who on earth had been known as the ,pilgrim ,fathers1 thence through many generations to the ,norsemen of northern ,europe4 ,his wife's family he had also searched out1 and he had discovered1 greatly to his delight1 that her family and his met in a sturdy1 somewhat fierce1 ,viking chief4 ,rupert had sought him out1 and had told him of ,christ and ,his gospel--and the ,viking had been willing to be taught4 ,when ,signe had come1 ,rupert had brought her to visit her many-times-great-grandmother1 who was a beautiful flaxen-haired1 blue-eyed woman1 whom ,signe herself somewhat resembled4 ,then when ,rupert met and became acquainted with ,henrik1 ,marie1 and ,rachel1 he told them of what he had done1 and how that their vicarious work for the dead had fitted so nicely in with his preaching1 in that many of those for whom they had been baptized were those whom he had converted4 ,we have been working in harmony and in conjunction1 exclaimed ,rupert1 and ,god's providence is even now clearly justified4 ,what joy was there when ,henrik and his friends met those for whom they had performed the necessary earthly rites6 ,many of these had long ago believed the gospel1 and their hearts had been turned to their children--their descendants living on the earth--that they would remember their fathers who had gone before2 and these were overjoyed when they met their saviors1 as they called them4 ,then1 there were others who had not accepted the work done for them1 and these were1 naturally1 not so enthusiastic in their greetings4 ,others there were who were yet in ignorance of ,christ1 of ,his plan of salvation1 and the work that had been done for them4 ,these would have to be taught and given a chance to accept or reject what had been done4 ,you enjoy a happiness that does not come to me1 said a brother to ,henrik1 in that you receive the love and joyous greetings of those for whom you did work in mortality4 ,had you no opportunity to do such work8 asked ,henrik4 ,yes2 but ,i had no names of ancestry1 and the truth is1 ,i did not try to get any4 ,you did not do all in your power8 ,no2 ,i was careless in the matter4 ,if you had only tried1 the way would have been opened4 ,that is a true principle4 ,we do not know what regions of usefulness lie before us if we do no exploring4 ,signe and ,rachel were closely associated1 and they performed missions together to their less enlightened sisters whose condition was not so favorable4 ,these were of the frivolous and foolish women who had been taken captive by earthly things4 ,all their treasures had been of earth1 so on earth they had to be left1 for none could be taken into the spirit world2 these1 therefore1 were poor indeed4 ,they had nothing with which to occupy themselves3 in earth-life1 wealth1 fashion1 the gratification of depraved appetites and passions1 and the pampering of worldly vanities had been their chief concern2 and now that earthly things were no more1 these women were as if lost in a strange world1 having no sure footing1 groping about in semi-darkness1 hungering and thirsting1 but finding no means by which they might be satisfied4 ,they laughed and appeared to make merry because it was their nature so to do1 but their laugh was empty1 and their merriment rang hollow and untrue4 ,i am more than ever thankful1 said ,signe to ,rachel when they had labored long with a group of frivolous women1 that the gospel reached us in earth-life4 ,and that we accepted it1 added ,rachel4 ,yes2 many of these sisters of ours are not evil2 they are just weak1--empty of good4 ,their earthly training was at fault4 ,and then some of them have told me that they were very much surprised to find that death had not worked a transformation in them3 they have still the same feelings1 desires and thoughts as before4 ,some foolish things were taught in earth-life1 said ,rachel1 one of them being deathbed repentance4 ,common sense1 if not reason1 ought to have told us that a change of heart coming when a person is in full possession of his faculties is far better than the confessions made in fear of death4 ,repentance should have come further back1 for the sooner we turn about on the right way1 the further we get on the road to perfection4 ,rachel finished her little speech with a smile--the simple sweet smile1 fixed into her nature for all time4 ,a strange sister came up to her1 who was greeted pleasantly4 ,i want to know more of you two1 she said4 ,there is something about you different from me or my mates4 ,when you mix with us and talk with us1 ,i can feel it1 but ,i don't know what it is4 ,you appear to me to be1 lilies-of-the-valley among weeds--yes1 that's it4 ,and isn't a weed just a useful plant grown wild8 asked ,signe4 ,all it needs is careful cultivation4 ,come with us as we walk along4 ,we shall be pleased to talk with you4 ,we are not very wise1 but we may always ask the brethren who are wiser1 for more light4 ,and so these three went slowly along the beautiful paths of spirit-land1 conversing as they went4 ,the hazel eyes of the brown-haired stranger opened in wide astonishment at what her sisters told her4 ,sometimes she asked questions1 sometimes she shook her head in disbelief4 ,she had been a worldly woman1 she told them1 never thinking that there would be any life other than the one she was living while on the earth2 and so she had shaped her daily conduct by that narrow standard4 ,her earth-life had ended sadly1 and existence had been bitter ever since1 ,restless and hopeless1 ,i have wandered for a long time1 she said4 ,i have seen you two a number of times and have heard you talk to the women4 ,your words seemed to bring to me a glimpse of something better1 but ,i never had the courage to speak to you until now4 ,signe put her arms around her1 drew her close1 and kissed her cheek4 ,let us do you all the good we can1 she said4 ,we are going now to attend a meeting where my husband is to speak4 ,come with us4 ,rachel linked her arm into that of the stranger's who willingly accompanied them4 ,is your husband also a preacher8 she asked of ,rachel4 ,i have no husband1 was the reply4 ,i did not--,i mean1 he did not find me1 has not found me yet4 ,rachel was somewhat confused but she smiled as ever4 ,she means1 explained ,signe1 that she did not marry while in earth-life1 for the very good reason that she had no chance-- ,none such that ,i could accept1 added ,rachel4 ,then as the newly-found friend looked at her inquiringly1 she continued3 ,i have always believed1 and ,i believe now1 that ,i have a mate somewhere1 but he has not yet been revealed4 ,frequently ,i asked the ,lord about it in earth-life1 and the answer by the spirit always was ',wait1 patiently wait'2 so ,i am still waiting4 ,and you still have faith1 asked the stranger1 that the ,god of heaven will answer your prayers and bring about all things for the best8 ,why1 certainly4 ,i wish ,i could believe that4 ,had ,i in earth life had some such belief to anchor to1 perhaps ,i would not have made so many mistakes4 ,i married twice1 and they were both mistakes4 ,the one chance ,i had of getting a man--,i mean1 one who does not belie the word--,i threw away1 because he was poor in worldly goods2 but ,i suffered through my foolish errors4444 ,i have heard of people praying about many things1 but never have ,i heard of the ,lord being asked about love affairs4 ,that may be true1 said ,signe2 and it shows how foolish we were4 ,why should people importune the ,lord about small trials and petty ailments1 and at the same time neglect to ask ,his guidance on matters of love and marriage which make or mar one's life8 ,there seemed to be no immediate answer to this query1 so the three passed along in silence4 ,presently the newcomer spoke again3 ,i am getting more light and hope since ,i associate with you two4 ,i believe my faith is being kindled1 and ,o1 it feels so good to get a little firm footing4 ,yes1 dear sister1 said ,rachel4 ,the tangled threads of earth-life are not all straightened out yet4 ,it will take time1 and we must have patience4 ,arriving at the place of meeting1 the three women took positions near the platform upon which the speakers sat4 ,rupert was the principal speaker4 ,he began by telling his listeners something about his experiences in earth-life4 ,he spoke of his boyhood days1 of the trials and difficulties he had encountered1 and how near he had come to being lost to all good4 ,then he told how the ,lord had rescued him1 and brought him to a knowledge of the gospel of salvation4 ,and the ,lord's chief instrument in this work of rescue1 the speaker said1 was a beautiful1 good woman1 who became my wife4 ,o1 you women1 what power you have for good or evil6 ,see to it that you use your powers for the purposes of good4 ,rachel smiled at ,signe while they listened1 for ,rupert's and ,signe's story was quite familiar to her4 ,all the time ,rupert had been speaking1 the woman who had come with them sat as if spellbound1 her big eyes fixed on the speaker4 ,when ,rupert closed1 ,signe said to her friend3 ,that is my husband4 ,let us go up to him2 he will be glad to meet you4 ,but the woman drew back as if afraid4 ,i can't1 she whispered4 ,forgive me1 but ,i must go--and with a faint cry she retreated and disappeared in the crowd1 the two women looking after in wonder and astonishment4 ,just then ,rupert stepped up to them4 ,seeing their wonder1 he asked the reason4 ,signe explained4 ,i think ,i can guess who it was1 said ,rupert4 ,well1 well1 he murmured as if to himself1 ,i had nearly forgotten her4 ,yes1 ,i believe it was she1 added ,signe4 ,was who8 inquired ,rachel4 ,but ,rupert stopped any reply that his wife might wish to make by interrupting with3 ,i saw an impressive sight not long ago--,come let us be getting on our way home1 and ,i shall tell it to you4 ,they were willing to listen as they journeyed4 ,we were out1 began ,rupert--a brother and ,i--getting some information needed in one of the temples on earth for a brother who had gone as far as he could with his genealogy4 ,as we were talking to a group of sisters a man rushed in upon us4 ,with quick1 eager words he asked us if we had seen someone whom he named and described4 ,at the sight of him1 one of the women shrunk back as if to hide in the crowd1 but he saw her1 and exclaimed3 ',is that you8 ,yes--,oh1 have ,i found you at last6' ,the sister put forth her hand as if to ward him off1 as he pressed through the crowd to her4 ',how did you get here8' she asked4 ',keep away--you are unclean--keep away4' ,he paused in some astonishment at this reception4 ,then he pleaded with her to let him accompany her2 but she retreated from him1 crying1 ',you are unclean2 do not touch me4' ',yes1' he acknowledged1 ',i suppose ,i have been a sinner2 but listen to my justification3 ,i sinned to drown my sorrow when you died4 ,i1 also1 wanted to die4 ,my heart was broken--,i could not stand it--it was because ,i loved you so--' ',no2 you did not love me4 ,love is pure--made purer by sorrow4 ,had you truly loved1 you would not have sinned so grievously4 ,your sorrow needed to be repented of4 ,sorrow cannot be drowned in sin--no1 no2 go away4 ,please go2 you frighten me4' ,the man stood rigid for some time1 and the expression on his face was something terrible to see4 ,the cold1 clear truth had for the first time burst upon him to his convincing4 ,he had a 'bright recollection of all his guilt1' and his torment was 'as a lake of fire and brimstone4' ,the woman1 recovering somewhat from her fright1 stood before him with innocent1 clear-shining eyes1 with half pity and half fear showing in her beautiful countenance--for the woman was beautiful4 ,the man stood for a moment1 which seemed a long time to all who witnessed the scene1 then his head dropped1 his form seemed to shrivel up as he slouched out of our company and disappeared from sight4 ,there was silence4 ,then ,rupert added1 ,and yet some people tried to make us believe that there is no hell4 ,rachel1 even1 forgot to ask further questions regarding the identity of the woman with hazel eyes and auburn hair1 for just then ,henrik and ,marie appeared4 ,with them was another woman1 and the three were so preoccupied that they were oblivious to all others4 ,you are too late for the meeting1 said ,rupert4 ,i did intend to get there in time1 replied ,henrik1 but don't you see who is here8 ,rupert did not recognize the woman who stood by ,marie with arms about each other1 but ,signe cried in joyous greeting1 ,clara1 ,clara1 is that you8 ,this is ,clara1 said ,marie to ,rupert1 she who came to ,henrik after ,i left him1--who helped him so much1 and who was so good to my children4 ,she has just come1 and has brought us much good news from them4 ,i am so glad4 ,marie's arm drew tight around the newcomer as she kissed her cheek4 ,i1 also1 am glad to welcome you1 said ,rupert4 ,brother ,henrik1 he added1 your excuse for non-attendance at our meeting is accepted4 ,,iii4 ,the ,lord 444 will fulfill the desire of them that fear him2 he will also hear their cry4--,psalms #aef3ai4 ,rachel found continual delight in all the wonders of spirit-land4 ,her circle of acquaintances enlarged rapidly1 as those for whom she had done temple work were glad to know her1 and to know her was to love her4 ,these brought her in touch with many others2 thus her sphere of usefulness extended until she1 too1 could say that she was busier than ever in joy-giving activities4 ,sometimes ,rachel went on what she called excursions of exploration4 ,usually she went alone1 for the habit of doing things of herself still clung to her4 ,frequently1 in the throngs of people with whom she mingled1 she was accosted by someone who recognized her4 ,rachel did not remember faces easily1 but 7she was on one of her excursions7 she knew this woman who touched her on the arm1 and said3 ,you are ,sister ,rachel1 are you not8 ,yes2 and you--yes1 ,i know you4 ,i am glad to meet you4 ,how are you8 ,has the ,lord shown you1--has ,he satisfied you8 ,you see ,i remember you well4 ,the woman showed her gladness at ,rachel's recognition4 ,the ,lord has shown me abundantly and graciously1 she replied2 but come with me away from the crowd4 ,i shall be pleased to tell you all about it4 ,rachel accompanied the woman1 who led her out into some quieter streets1 thence to a beautiful home under tall trees4 ,flowers bloomed and birds sang in the garden4 ,the two women seated themselves by a playing fountain4 ,i am glad you have not forgotten me4 ,my name you may not remember--it is ,sister ,rose4 ,your face1 dear sister1 your beautiful face marked with that deep sorrow1 no one could forget2 said ,rachel1 but now the sorrow is gone1 ,i see1 and the beauty remains4 ,sister ,rose took the other's hand caressingly4 ,that day in the temple1 she said1 ,i came there as a place of last resort4 ,i was suffering1 and had tried everything that ,i could think of to ease my troubled soul4 ,i had prayed to ,god to give me some manifestation regarding my boy4 ,i came to the temple to get a great favor1 and ,i obtained a blessing4 ,instead of receiving some miraculous manifestation1 you came to me and led me gently to a seat by ourselves4 ,and there you talked to me4 ,it was not so much what you said1 but the spirit by which you said it that soothed and quieted and rested me4 ,you repeated to me some verses1 do you remember8 ,i had you write them out1 and ,i committed them to memory4 ,do you remember them yet8 ,listen3 ,thou knowest1 ,o my ,father6 ,why should ,i ,weary high heaven with restless prayers and tears6 ,thou knowest all6 ,my heart's unuttered cry ,hath soared beyond the stars and reached ,thine ears4 ,thou knowest--ah1 ,thou knowest6 ,then what need1 ,oh1 loving ,god1 to tell ,thee o'er and o'er4 ,and with persistent iteration plead ,as one who crieth at some closed door4 ,that day ,i went away comforted and strengthened4 ,do you recollect8 ,yes2 but what was your trouble8 ,i do not remember that4 ,my son1 my only child1 was taken so cruelly from me4 ,he was the hope of my life1 and when he answered the call to go on a mission to the islands of the sea1 ,i let him go gladly1 because it was on the ,lord's business4 ,then some months later the news came that he had died4 ,i was crazed with grief4 ,i could not understand why the ,lord would permit such a thing to take place4 ,was my boy not in ,his service8 ,why did not the ,lord take care of ,his own8 ,and so you suffered1 both because of your loss and because of your thoughts1 said ,rachel4 ,poor sister1--but now8 ,he is with me now1 and it has all been explained4 ,we live in this house4 ,do you care to hear the story8 ,if you desire to tell it1 yes4 ,you seem so near and dear to me that ,i may tell it to you4 ,my boy1 while on his mission1 was tempted4 ,he has told me all about it--he was tempted sorely4 ,he was in great danger1 and so the ,lord1 to prevent him from falling into the mire of sin1 permitted him to be taken away4 ,they brought his lifeless body home to me1 but his spirit went back to its ,maker pure and unspotted from the sins of the world1--and thus ,i found him here1 a big1 fine-looking man as he was4 ,you ought to see him4 ,mother1 someone called from the direction of the house4 ,that is he now1 said the mother1 rising4 ,mother1 where are you8 ,oh6 the son exclaimed as he caught sight of the two women4 ,he came up to them and rested his arm tenderly on his mother's shoulder4 ,he was big and handsome1 and ,rachel's eyes dropped before his curious gaze4 ,david1 this is ,sister ,rachel1 whom ,i first met in earth-life in the temple4 ,i think ,i have told you about her and what a comfort she was to me4 ,i am very glad to know you1 said he1 as he clasped ,rachel's hand4 ,then there was a pause which promised to become awkward1 at which ,david said3 ,mother1 ,i want to show you something in the back garden4 ,you know ,i have been experimenting with my roses4 ,i believe ,i have obtained some wonderful color effects4 ,you'll come also8 he asked ,rachel4 ,the three walked on together into the garden where ,david exhibited and explained his work4 ,when1 at length1 ,rachel said it was time she was going1 the mother urged her to come again4 ,i'm going along with ,sister ,rachel to her home1 and to find out where she lives1 explained ,david1 as he stepped along1 unbidden1 by ,rachel's side4 ,and so these two walked side by side for the first time4 ,they talked freely on many topics1 she listening contentedly4 ,they smiled into each other's eyes1 and at the end of that short journey1 something had happened4 ,true love had awakened in two hearts4 ,through all the shifting scenes of earth-life1 nothing like this had ever come to this man and this woman4 ,love had waited all this time4 ,the power that draws kindred souls together is not limited to the few years of earth-life4 ,while time lasts1 ,god will provide sometime1 somewhere1 in which to give opportunity for every deserving soul4 ,here were two whose hearts beat as one2 but one must needs have left mortality early in his course1 while the other went on to the end alone4 ,the reason for this was difficult to see by mortal eyes1 but now-- ,i'm coming again to see you1 said ,david1 as he prepared to depart4 ,i have so much to tell you2 and you1--you have said very little4 ,i must hear your story too4 ,i have no story1 said she4 ,my earth-life was very uneventful4 ,i just seemed to be waiting-- ,yes8 ,but ,rachel was confused4 ,her simple heart had spoken1 and true to earthly habit1 she now tried to cover up her tell-tale words2 but he saw and understood1 and as they stood there1 his heart burned with a great joy4 ,good-bye1 he said1 as he took her hand1 may ,i come again soon8 ,yes2 she answered4 ,i shall be pleased to see more of your beautiful flower garden4 ,this was the beginning of a courtship1 not the less sweet because it had been postponed for so long2 not the less real1 from the fact that the man and the woman were spiritual beings4 ,sin1 said the apostle1 is without the body2 so love and affection are attributes of the spirit1 whether that spirit is within or without a tabernacle of flesh4 ,and this courtship did not differ to any great extent from all others which had taken place from the beginning of time4 ,there were the same timid approaches and responses2 the getting acquainted with each other1 wherein each lover's eyes glorified every act in the other2 the tremulous pressure of hands2 the love-laden looks and words2 the thrill of inexpressible joy when the two were together4 ,neither was this courtship exceptional4 ,among the vast multitude in the spirit world there are many who did not mate in the brief time allotted to them in the earth-life2 therefore1 congenial spirits are continually meeting and reading life's meaning in each other's eyes4 ,rachel1 though she claimed to have no story to tell1 interested ,david greatly in her account of how the ,lord had chosen her as one of a family to become a savior on ,mt4 ,zion4 ,the work for the dead had not interested him4 ,he1 in connection with the youth of his time1 had neglected that part of the gospel plan2 and now1 of course1 he saw his mistake4 ,yes1 ,david acknowledged to ,rachel1 ,i see my error now1 as usual1 when it is too late to remedy it4 ,you who were faithful rank above me here4 ,don't say that1 she pleaded4 ,but it is true4 ,your good deeds came before you here and gave you a standing4 ,some of the treasures you destined for heaven were detained here1 and you are now reaping benefits from them4 ,do ,i not see it all the time8 ,when we meet new people1 you are received with delight--,i am unknown4 ,david1 what comes to me1 you partake of also1 because-- ,because you shall belong to me4 ,yes1 dear one2 that is the blessed truth4 ,the ,lord has brought us together1 and all else should be forgotten in our gratitude to ,him4444 ,rachel1 we would have known each other in earth-life had ,i behaved myself4 ,our lives were surely trending toward each other1 and our paths would have met4 ,we would have loved and have wedded there1 had it not been for my-- ,say no more4 ,let us forget the past in thinking of and planning for the future4 ,i am happy now1 and so is your mother4 ,and so am ,i4 ,,iv4 ,whatsoever ,god doeth it shall be forever4--,eccl4 #c3ad4 ,david and ,rachel were out walking when they saw another couple whose lovelike actions were noticeable4 ,as they met1 the couple stopped and the man said1 ,pardon me1 but we are somewhat strange in this new world4 ,may we ask you some questions8 ,let us sit down here together1 suggested ,david1 and he led the way to a place where they could sit quietly4 ,are you in trouble8 ,well1 ,i hardly know1 replied the man4 ,anna and ,i are together1 and perhaps we ought to be satisfied2 but somehow we are not4 ,there is something lacking4 ,yes8 ,you see1 we left the earth-life1 so suddenly--we were so poorly prepared for this4 ,his companion clasped his arm as if to be protected from some impending danger4 ,we were boating on the lake1 the boat overturned1 and here we are4444 ,we were to have been married the next day1 but now--now what is our condition8 ,we are not husband and wife2 neither1 ,i suppose1 can we be1 for we were taught back in that world from where we came1 that there is no married condition here4 ,yet you two are husband and wife1 are you not8 ,not yet1 replied ,david1 but we expect to be4 ,i don't understand2 you seem to know2 teach us4 ,may we be married here8 ,david explained the principle of celestial marriage as it had been revealed to them in earth-life1 and contrasted that doctrine with what was usually taught4 ,so you see1 said he1 even if you had been married on that day appointed in mortality1 it would have been only until death did you part4 ,you have passed through death1 and so1 the contract between you would have come to an end1 and you would not now be husband and wife4 ,but you said that you two were to be married4 ,how8 ,had we been married in earth-life1 it would have been for time and eternity1 because it would have been performed by the authority of the ,lord4 ,what ,god does1 is forever4 ,marriage must be solemnized on the earth4 ,as our earth-days are past1 we cannot go back1 so the ceremony must be done for us by someone else living on the earth4 ,sister ,rachel here1 while in earth-life1 did for thousands who had gone before what they could not do for themselves4 ,now1 someone1 in the ,lord's own due time1 will stand for her1 and do for her what she did not do for herself4 ,the two new acquaintances listened attentively while ,david and sometimes ,rachel instructed them on the principles of the gospel1 and their application to those who were in the spirit world4 ,they spoke to them of faith and repentance1 principles which all men everywhere could receive and exercise4 ,they explained the ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins1 an earthly rite1 which could be believed in and accepted by those in the spirit world1 but would have to be performed for them vicariously by someone on earth4 ,marriage for eternity was also further explained4 ,it is true1 concluded ,david1 that in the resurrection there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage4 ,all that must be attended to before the resurrection1 which for all of us--luckily--is yet in the future4 ,we know for a surety that if we do our part the best we know1 the ,lord will take care of the rest4 ,these four people did not part until ,david and ,rachel had promised to meet their friends again soon1 and continue the talk which had so favorably begun4 ,when the two had left1 ,david turned to ,rachel and said3 ,did you see the lovelight glowing in their eyes when their hearts were touched with the truth8 ,yes1 as it did in yours when you were speaking4 ,and in yours1 too1 my dear1 when it was your turn4 ,it's good to be a missionary--always a missionary1 isn't it1 as long as there is one being in need of guidance and instruction4 ,it is very good1 indeed1 ,david4 ,rachel1 glad news for us4 ,we1 you and ,i1 are soon to follow our parents and our older brothers and sisters1 up through the gates of the resurrection1 which our ,lord so graciously opened4444 ,yes1 yes1 it is true4444 ,into the celestial kingdom1 with bodies of celestial glory and go on to our exaltation4444 ,and1 dear1 the work is being done for us in the ,temple of our ,god4444 ,yes1 right now1 it is being done4 ,come1 ,rachel1 let us go and be as near as we can4444 ,yes1 we have permission4444 ,this is the ,temple4 ,god's messengers are here1 and ,his ,spirit broods in and around the holy place4 ,that ,spirit we also in common with mortality1 may feel4 ,you1 ,rachel1 ought to be at home here1 more so than ,i4 ,let us follow the man and the woman who are doing the work for us4444 ,do you see them clearly1 ,rachel8444 ,yes2 we shall not forget them when they1 too1 come to us in the spirit1 but we shall give them a welcome such as they have never dreamed of4444 ,now they are by the altar4 ,kneel here by me1 ,rachel1--your hand in mine1 like this4 ,listen1 can you hear8 ',for and in behalf of1'444 you and me4444 ,it is done4 ,we are husband and wife4 ,you are mine for eternity1 mine1 mine4444 ,o1 ,eternal ,father1 we thank ,thee6 ,david holds the fair form of his wife in his arms4 ,he kisses her cheeks1 her eyes1 her lips4 ,then there is silence4 ,,part ,,fourth4 ,freedom waves her joyous pinions ,o'er a land1 from sea to sea1 ,ransomed1 righteous1 and rejoicing ,in a world-wide jubilee4 ,o'er a people happy1 holy1 ,gifted now with heavenly grace1 ,free from every sordid fetter ,that enslaved a fallen race4 ,union1 love1 and fellow feeling ,mark the sainted day of power2 ,rich and poor in all things equal1 ,righteousness their rock and tower4 ,mountain peaks of pride are leveled1 ,lifted up the lowly plain1 ,crookedness made straight1 while crudeness ,now gives way to culture's reign4 ,now no tyrant's sceptre saddens2 ,now no bigot's power can bind4 ,faith and work1 alike unfettered1 ,win the goal by heaven designed4 ,god1 not mammon1 hath the worship ,of ,his people1 pure in heart3 ,this is ,zion--oh1 ye nations1 ,choose with her the better part6 ,crown and sceptre1 sword and buckler-- ,baubles6--lay them at her feet4 ,strife no more shall vex creation2 ,christ's is now the kingly seat4 ,cities1 empires1 kingdoms1 powers1 ,in one mighty realm divine4 ,she1 the least and last of nations1 ,henceforth as their head shall shine4 ',tis thy future glory1 ,zion1 ,glittering in celestial rays1 ,as the ocean's sun-lit surging ,rolls upon my raptured gaze6 ,all that ages past have promised1 ,all that noblest minds have prized1 ,all that holy lips have prayed for1 ,here at last is realized4 --,orson ,f4 ,whitney4 ,i4 ,arise1 shine2 for thy light is come1 and the glory of the ,lord is risen upon thee4 99 99 99 ,and the ,gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightness of thy rising4--,isaiah #fj3a1 #c4 ,the sun in its downward course had reached the hazy zone1 which1 bounded by the clear blue above and the horizon below1 extended around the green earth2 in the west1 the round disk of the sun shone through it1 and tinged the landscape with a beautiful1 mellow light4 ,it was midsummer4 ,the sun had been hot all the day1 and when on that evening two men reined in the horses they were driving1 and paused on the summit of a small hill1 a cool breeze reached them1 and they bared their heads to the refreshing air4 ,not a word was spoken as they gazed on the scene before them2 its grandeur and beauty were too vast for words4 ,before them1 to the west1 lay the city1 the object of their long journey--before them1 it lay as a queen in the midst of her surroundings4 ,at first sight1 it seemed one immense palace1 rather than a city of palaces1 as the second view indicated4 ,street after street1 mansion after mansion1 the city stretched away as far as the eye could reach1 mingling with trees and gardens4 ,rising from the center of the city was the temple4 ,its walls shone like polished marble1 and its towers seemed to pierce the sky1 as around about them a white cloud hung4 ,this cloud extended from the temple as a center1 over the whole city1 and seemed as it were a covering4 ,the sun sank behind the horizon2 still the cloud glowed with light1 as if the sun's rays still lingered there4 ,for ten minutes the carriage had paused on the elevation1 and the two men had gazed in silence4 ,then the driver1 as if awakening from a dream1 gave the horses the word to go1 as he said3 ,we must drive on4 ,yes2 night is coming on4 ,the second speaker was a middle aged man of commanding bearing4 ,he leaned back in the carriage as they sped onward4 ,so this is the world renowned city1 he said1 the new capital of the world to which we all must bow in submission2 within whose borders sit judges and rulers the like of which for power and wisdom have never yet appeared4 ,truly1 she is the rising light of the world4 ,what say you1 ,remand8 ',tis indeed a wondrous sight1 your majesty4 ,the reality far exceeds any reports that have come to us4 ,it is well1 ,remand1 that we chose this slower mode of coming into the city4 ,electricity would have brought us here in a fraction of the time2 but who would miss this beautiful drive8 ,they were already within the outskirts of the city4 ,although all that day they had driven through a most beautiful region of cities and fields and gardens1 the latter being gorgeous with flowers and fruit1 yet the glory of this city far surpassed anything they had yet beheld4 ,over the smooth1 paved roadway1 their carriage glided noiselessly4 ,the blooming flowers and trees shed sweet odors in the air4 ,buildings and gardens1 arranged in perfect symmetry1 delighted the eye4 ,the song of birds and the hum of evening melodies charmed the ear4 ,men1 women and children and vehicles of all kinds were continually passing4 ,the shades of night crept over the landscape2 still the cloudy covering of the city glowed with brilliant light4 ,the darker the night became1 the brighter became the cloud1 until the palace1 built of marble and precious stone1 appeared in its soft1 clear light like the colors of the rainbow4 ,your majesty1 must we not soon seek some place to rest for the night8 ,yes1 you are right4 ,do you think anyone will suspect our true character8 ,no one save ourselves1 within thousands of miles1 knows that you are the king of ,poland4 ,i do hope so1 ,remand1 for ,i wish to see these things from the point of view of a commoner4 ,see1 there is the pillar of fire spoken about4 ,truly1 my good friend1 the glory of the ,lord is risen upon this place4 ,hardly were the words spoken before the carriage drew up to a gateway1 or open arch1 which spanned the road4 ,a man appeared and inquired of the travelers where they were going4 ,on being informed that they were strangers come to see the city1 the man bade them wait a few minutes4 ,soon he returned4 ,as you are strangers and wish to rest for the night1 you will please alight and receive that which you need4 ,your horses will be taken care of4 ,come4 ,they drove along a road leading to a large house4 ,grooms took charge of the horses1 and they themselves were ushered into a room1 which1 for convenience and beauty of finish1 was not surpassed even by the king of ,poland's own palaces4 ,soon fruits and bread were placed before them1 and they were shown couches where they would rest for the night4 ,though weary with their day's journey1 the travelers could not sleep4 ,the strangeness of it all bewildered them1 and they talked about it far into the night4 ,next morning they were awakened by song birds that had taken position in a tree near their open window1 and were now pouring forth a chorus of welcome4 ,how beautiful was the morning6 ,earth and sky were full of the perfume of flowers and the song of birds4 ,the cloud still hung over the city4 ,from the garden they were called into the dining room1 where a meal was spread before them4 ,fruits and fruit preparations of a dozen kinds2 breads1 cakes and vegetables1 drinks from the juice of fruits3 this was the bill of fare4 ,after they had eaten1 the person who had met them the evening before1 entered1 and announced that their carriage was ready for their drive2 or1 if they chose to take the cars1 they would get within the city much quicker1 but1 of course1 would miss some interesting sights4 ,we prefer to see all1 replied the king4 ,then come with me4 ,the king and ,remand followed into another room where they met a young man who was to be their escort4 ,the first now retired1 and the young man advanced and shook their hands4 ,be seated for a moment1 said he4 ,my name is ,paulus4 ,i am to conduct you into the city1 and be your guide for the day4 ,such is the rule here4 ,the speaker also took a seat by the table4 ,the king and his companion sat opposite4 ,in this city1 continued ,paulus1 there can be no hypocrisy1 no deceit of any kind4 ,i am instructed1 therefore1 to tell you that your true name1 character1 and mission is known4 ,you are the king of ,poland1 and you his counselor and friend4 ,the king started1 changed color1 and looked towards ,remand4 ,how--how is that8 he stammered4 ,paulus smiled4 ,do not be alarmed1 my dear sir4 ,you were known before you entered the first gate yesterday4 ,these people have entertained you with a full knowledge of what you are2 nevertheless1 the treatment you have received has been in no wise different from that which is given to every honest man who comes to this city for righteous purposes1 no matter be he high or low1 rich or poor1 in the estimation of the world4 ,you see1 true worth and righteousness are the only standards of judgment here4 ,again1 you are safer here than in the house of your best friend in ,poland1 or surrounded by your old-time host of armed warriors2 for violence is no more heard in this land1 neither wasting nor destruction within our borders4 ,our walls are ,salvation2 our gates1 praise2 and the inhabitants of this city are all righteous4 ,it is their inheritance forever1 for they are a branch of the ,lord's planting1 the work of ,his hands1 wherein ,he is glorified4 ,neither of the strangers spoke4 ,the words seemed to thrill them into silence4 ,come1 then1 let us be going4 ,the carriage was awaiting2 but it was not the travelers' own4 ,no1 was ,paulus' answer to their inquiry1 your horses will rest4 ,this is our equipage4 ,they drove into the city4 ',walk about ,zion1 and go round about her2 tell the towers thereof4 ,mark ye well her bulwarks1 consider her palaces1 that ye may tell it to the generations following1' said ,paulus4 ,you quote from the writings of the ancient ,hebrews1 said ,remand4 ,yes2 these 'holy men of ,god spake as they were moved by the ,holy ,ghost1' was the answer4 ,an hour's drive through indescribable grandeur brought them to a gate in the wall which surrounded the temple1 where they alighted4 ,an attendant took charge of the horses4 ,paulus led the way4 ,a word to the keeper of the gate1 and they were permitted to pass4 ,surrounding the central building1 was a large open space laid out in walks1 grass plats1 ornamental trees1 and flowers4 ,people were walking about4 ,guides and instructors were busy with strangers1 who seemed to have come from all nations1 by the varied manner of dress displayed1 and the different languages spoken4 ,this1 said ,paulus1 is the sanctuary of freedom1 the place of the great ,king4 ,from this center go the righteous laws that govern nations and peoples4 ,it is not time yet to proceed further1 so we will walk about the gardens4 ,is the great ,king here today8 asked ,poland's ruler4 ,i do not know2 but the council will sit and transact all needed business4 ,and now ,i will tell you another thing3 ,all whom you have met or seen have appeared to you as mortal beings1 as you or ,i2 but in reality1 in our drive through the city1 you have seen many immortal1 that is1 resurrected1 men and women2 for you must remember that now the righteous live to the age of a tree1 and when they die1 they do not sleep in the dust1 but are changed in the twinkling of an eye4 ,these visit with us1 abide with us for a time to instruct us4 ,because you are a ruler among the nations1 you will be permitted to see the assembling of the council1 and receive instruction from it4 ,the time is drawing nigh4 ,let us be going4 ,great crowds of white-robed men were flocking into the temple4 ,the three followed4 ,the king and ,remand gazed in wonder at those who had been pointed out as being resurrected beings1 and their wonder increased when they could see no marked difference between them and the rest of mankind1 save perhaps in the calm1 sweet expression of the face1 and the light which appeared to beam from the countenances of the immortals4 ,they certainly were not unreal1 shadowy beings4 ,entering a wide hallway1 they soon arrived at the council chamber4 ,its glory dazzled the beholders4 ,in the midst of this room was a vast throne as white as ivory1 and ascended by seventy steps4 ,on each side of the throne were tiers of seats1 rising one above the other4 ,the seats were rapidly being filled1 but the throne remained vacant4 ,the ,king is not here today1 whispered ,paulus4 ,then a soft1 sweet strain of music was heard4 ,it increased in volume until a thousand instruments seemed to blend into one melody4 ,suddenly1 the vast assembly arose as one man and joined in a song of joy and thanksgiving4 ,guide--dear friend1 whispered the king of ,poland1 ,i am overcome1 ,i cannot remain4 ,i feel faint1 said ,remand1 ,i fear ,i shall perish4 ,come1 then1 we had better go1 answered ,paulus4 ,this is all we shall see at present4 ,we shall now go into another room and wait the council's adjournment2 then you will have an interview with one delegated to talk with you4 ,from the hallway they entered a smaller room1 decorated with beautiful pictures and adorned with statuary4 ,books1 newspapers and magazines were at hand1 and when the visitors were tired of gazing1 they sat down by a table4 ,they had not long to wait before word came that the king and his friends should enter another room close by4 ,paulus would wait for their return4 ,the two found a venerable looking man awaiting them1 who1 upon their entrance1 arose and said3 ,welcome1 welcome1 to the ,lord's house4 ,i may not call you king of ,poland--there is but one ,king on this earth--but ,i will call you servants of the ,king1 as we all are4 ,be seated4 ,i am instructed to tell you that1 as a whole1 the ,king is pleased with the manner you are conducting your stewardship4 ,the ,spirit of our ,lord moved upon you to take this journey to his capital1 and you chose to come as you did4 ,that is well enough4 ,tyrants do not enter this city1 and your presence here is assurance to you that you are justified4 ,it is well that you have disbanded your armies1 and that your instruments of war have been made into plows and pruning hooks4 ,remember the law that the nation and kingdom that will not serve the ,lord shall perish4 ,the ,king grants to all ,his subjects their free agency in the matter of religion1 forcing no one to obey the gospel law2 still ,he is the ,king of the earth2 it is ,his1 and ,he made it1 and has redeemed it2 and ,he now wills that all nations shall come under one government organized by ,him in righteousness4 ,for a thousand years the earth must rest in peace2 then comes the great and dreadful day of the ,lord4 ,and now1 another thing4 ,there have been some complaints from your country that the servants of the ,lord who have been sent to preach the gospel to your people1 have not had that perfect freedom which is desired4 ,please see to it that they are not molested while peaceably promulgating religious doctrines4 ,i shall see to it1 answered the king of ,poland4 ,for some time they counseled together2 then the two withdrew1 and joined ,paulus1 who conducted them out into the city4 ,,ii4 ,the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb1 and the leopard shall lie down with the kid2 99 99 99 and a little child shall lead them4 ,they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,lord as the waters cover the sea4--,isaiah #aa3f-i4 ,the next day ,paulus with his two visitors walked about the city4 ,he described and explained the many deeply interesting scenes1 and answered the numerous questions directed to him4 ,the foreigners did not fail to note the wonderful advances made in the arts and sciences and their practical application to everyday affairs4 ,they had thought their own country not behind in improvements1 but here their own were far surpassed4 ,we will ride out on the ether-line to one of our schools1 remarked ,paulus4 ,you will be pleased with the children4 ,this is an improvement on electricity1 said their director1 as seated in an elegant car1 they were carried through the city without noise or jostle4 ,this line is rather crude yet4 ,i was reading in the newspaper the other day that some very important improvements were shortly to be made4 ,you have noticed1 ere this1 our method of heating and lighting4 ,don't you think it is an advancement on the old way8 ,it certainly is1 though we use some steam and considerable electricity yet in our country4 ,i suppose so--but here we are4 ,although nothing in the city was cramped or crowded for room1 the place where they now alighted was planned on an unusually large scale4 ,immense buildings stood upon a large tract of land1 planted with trees1 grass1 and flowers4 ,here were breathing room and playground4 ,a number of streams of clear water flowed through the grounds1 and small ponds were alive with fish and swimming birds4 ,fountains played1 and statues of marble gleamed through the foliage4 ,see1 what is that8 exclaimed ,remand1 as he caught sight of a huge1 shaggy beast lying under a tree4 ,just a brown bear1 said ,paulus4 ,we have some lions and few of the rarest animals on these grounds--but ,i am forgetting that these scenes must be strange to you4 ,in ,poland you have not wholly shaken off the old world and its way4 ,it takes time of course4 ,well1 replied ,remand1 although the enmity between man and beast is nearly gone1 we have not yet adopted bears and lions as pets for our children to play with4 ,well1 we have1 you perceive4 ,a bevy of children came dancing through the grounds4 ,beautiful children they were1 full of life and gladness4 ,they caught sight of bruin1 stretched under the tree1 and with a shout they stormed him4 ,the animal saw them coming1 and extending himself at full length on the ground1 seemed to enjoy the children's tumbling over his shaggy sides4 ,when they patted him on the head and stroked his nose1 he licked their hands4 ,we haven't reached quite that far1 remarked the king4 ,neither do we behold such sights1 added his companion1 as he pointed to a tiger crouching on the grass1 and gazing with no evil intention at a lamb quietly feeding by4 ,you will in time1 said ,paulus4 ,the earth is being filled with the knowledge of ,god4 ,hate1 envy1 and destruction are fast disappearing1 and you see the natural results3 the wolf lying down with the lamb1 and children playing with once savage beasts4 ,in this way1 ,satan is being bound1 and the whole earth will soon be released from his power4 ,they came to another group of children1 gathered on the shore of a small lake1 who were eagerly listening to a man in their midst4 ,we will hear what the lesson is today1 said ,paulus1 and they went up to the group4 ,the instructor was holding up a flower which he had plucked from the margin of the water1 and was illustrating some peculiarity of vegetable formation to the class4 ,it is botany today1 said ,paulus4 ,i hoped that it would be his favorite theme4 ,and what is that8 ,the improvements on these grounds are the work of his planning and supervision1 and he delights to give lessons on earth and water formations4 ,he often sets a class to digging trenches and waterways4 ,he says that he learned all about such things when he went to school1 meaning when he was on the earth before4 ,is he a resurrected being8 asked ,remand in a low voice4 ,he is1 was the reply4 ,many of our instructors are4 ,you will understand without argument the advantages they have over others4 ,certainly1 certainly4 ,i see he is through with the recitation4 ,let us speak to him4 ,as they came up1 the children recognized them with a smile and a salute1 and the instructor said3 ,welcome1 brothers1 welcome1 ,brother ,paulus4 ,you are dismissed4 ,go to your next lesson1 he said to the children1 and they quietly walked away4 ,now1 said he1 ,i have some leisure4 ,will you all come with me into the reading room8 ,i have something to show you1 ,paulus1 and it may interest our visitors4 ,need we no introduction8 asked the king1 as they followed into a large building4 ,not at all4 ,he knows who you are4 ,the reading room was a compartment beautifully adorned and furnished4 ,it was filled with tables1 chairs1 bookracks1 etc4 ,hundreds of children were there reading4 ,perfect order reigned1 though no overseers or watchers were seen4 ,the three followed the instructor into a smaller room1 seemingly arranged for private use4 ,chairs were placed1 and then he opened a newspaper which he spread on the table4 ,have you seen the last edition of today's paper8 ,none of them had4 ,well1 ,i found something here of more than usual interest4 ,it seems that some workmen1 excavating for a building1 came across the ruins of a nineteenth century city4 ,in a cavity in a stone they found some coins of that period1 also a number of newspapers4 ,it was a common practice in those days to imbed such things in the corner stones of buildings4 ,extracts from those papers are reproduced here1 and they are of interest to the children of today in showing the condition of the world when under the influence of that fallen spirit who rebelled against ,god in the beginning4 ,let me read you a few extracts1 principally headings only4 ',yesterday this city was visited by a most destructive fire4 ,one-half of the business part was swept away4 ,thousands of dollars of property were lost1 and it is supposed that about fifty persons have perished in the flames4' ',the great strike4 ,thousands of workmen out of employment4 ,children crying for bread4 ,mobs march through the streets1 defying the police1 and demolishing property4 ,the governor calls out the state militia4' ,here is another3 ',war6 ,war6 ,england1 ,germany1 ,france1 ,russia and the ,united ,states are preparing6' ,yes1 you have read your histories4 ,you know all about that4 ,what do you think of this8 ',millions of the people's money have been expended by those in office to purchase votes4 ,a set of corrupt political bosses rule the nation4' ,still another3 ',a gang of tramps capture a train--' ,the reader did not finish1 but laid the paper down and looked out of the open door4 ,he did not speak for some time2 then turning1 said3 ,brothers1 thank ,god that you live in the ,millennium of the world4 ,my heart grows sick when my mind reverts back to the scenes of long ago4 ,i passed through some of them4 ,i learned my lessons in a hard school2 but ,god has been good to me4 ,he has known me all along1 and has given me just what ,i needed4 ,shall we visit the buildings8 ,shall we see the children who grow up without sin unto salvation8 ,come with me4 ,from room to room1 from building to building1 they went4 ,children1 children1 everywhere--bright1 beautiful children4 ,oh1 it was a grand sight6 ,hark6 ,they sing--a thousand voices2 and such music6 ,are there special visitors today8 asked ,paulus4 ,yes2 come let us go outside and see them4 ,they stepped out on to a portico where they could see the throng of children standing on a large lawn outside4 ,they were singing a song of welcome1 and through the trees could be seen three men approaching4 ,the children made way for them1 and they walked through towards the building4 ,look well at them as they pass1 said the instructor2 you may recognize them4 ,they walked with the sprightliness of youth though their hair was white as snow4 ,they smiled at the children as they passed4 ,two of the faces are familiar1 remarked ,remand1 but the third is strange4 ,surely1 surely-- ,surely you did not expect to see ,george ,washington and ,martin ,luther in the flesh1 walking and talking as other men8 ,never4 ,it is they4 ,and the third8 ,the third is ,socrates of old4 ,what is their mission8 ,they are about to speak to the children4 ,they have been at the school of the prophets all morning1 and now they come from the high school yonder4 ,you see what advantages today's students of history have4 ,has the knowledge of ,god exalted men to the society of resurrected beings8 ,your senses do not deceive you1 was the reply4 ,now ,i must go1 said the instructor4 ,farewell1 and peace be with you4 ,he went into the house again1 the three following directly1 but they saw nothing more of him4 ,,iii4 ,every beast of the forest is mine1 and the cattle upon a thousand hills 99 99 99 for the world is mine1 and the fulness thereof4--,psalms #ej3aj1 #ab4 ,the ,king of ,poland and his counselor lodged that night in the city4 ,early next morning1 ,paulus came again for them4 ,what do you wish to see1 today8 he asked4 ,take us to some or your workshops and mills1 replied the ,king2 we would like to learn more of your social and industrial conditions1 about which we have heard4 ,a car soon took them to a part of the city where the workshops were situated4 ,the buildings were not great1 black-looking structures with rows of small windows in the walls2 but they were handsome1 spacious buildings1 resembling somewhat the finest of the public buildings with which the visitors were acquainted in their own country4 ,remand noted the absence of smoking chimneys1 and inquired about them4 ,we have done away with all that1 explained ,paulus4 ,pure air is one of the essentials to life4 ,one of the crudest imperfections of the past was the wilderness of smoking chimneys which belched forth their blackness and poison into the atmosphere4 ,as you have noticed1 our city is clean1 and the air above us is as clear as that above forests or fields4 ,i suppose you use electricity for light and power1 remarked ,remand2 but you need heat1 too4 ,we use electricity for heat also1 was explained4 ,we get it direct from the earth1 also have it generated by water power1 both from falls and the waves of the sea1 and transmitted to us4 ,some of these power stations are hundreds of miles away among the mountains1 and by the sea4 ,we have also learned to collect and conserve heat from the sun2 so1 you see1 we are well supplied for all purposes4 ,this building1 said the instructor1 pointing to the one in front of which they had stopped1 is a furniture factory4 ,would you like to see it in working operation8 ,yes2 very much1 said the ,king4 ,they entered clean1 well-lighted1 airy rooms where beautiful machinery was being operated by well-dressed and happy-looking workmen4 ,the visitors passed from section to section1 noting1 admiring1 and asking questions4 ,whose factory is this8 asked ,remand of the guide4 ,you mean who has charge--who is the steward8 corrected ,paulus4 ,no2 not exactly that4 ,this magnificent plant must have an owner1 either an individual or a corporation4 ,i asked for the ownership of the property4 ,the guide looked strangely at his companions4 ,then he realized that these men had come from the parts of the earth where the celestial order had not yet been established4 ,the old ideas of private property rights were still with them4 ,my friends1 he said1 ,the earth is the ,lord's1 and the fulness thereof4 ,he is the only proprietor4 ,how can weak1 mortal man own any part of this earth6 ,no1 ownership is for a future time1 a future state4 ,now we are only stewards over the ,lord's possession4 ,but someone must have charge here1 said the king4 ,certainly4 ,a master mechanic is steward over this factory1 and he renders an account of all its doings to the ,bishop1 who is the ,lord's representative4 ,in this building1 as you have seen1 are many departments1 and these are also stewardships1 given to those in whose charge they are4 ,likewise1 each workman has a stewardship for which he is responsible and accountable to the ,lord4 ,they came to the wood-carving department where beautiful designs were being drawn and executed4 ,each man1 as far as possible1 does the kind of work best suited to his tastes and abilities4 ,here1 for instance1 those who are skilled carvers of wood find employment for their talent1 and they turn out some fine articles of furniture4 ,of course1 we have machines that stamp and carve wood2 but the pleasure derived from the use of the skilled hand is not to be denied the well-trained mechanic and artist4 ,i don't quite understand what you mean by stewardships1 said ,remand as they passed into a rest room4 ,let us sit down here1 replied ,paulus1 and ,i shall try to explain further4 ,you must know that all this order1 beauty1 peace1 and plenty has been attained by an observance of celestial law4 ,and the celestial law as pertaining to temporal things is that no man shall have more than is required for his and his family's support4 ,in this respect all men are equal according to their needs4 ,in olden times1 this law was called the order of ,enoch1 because we are informed that ,enoch and his city attained to a high degree of righteousness through its observance4 ,later it was called the ,united ,order4 ,it has been revealed to and tried by men in various periods of the earth's history1 but never has it had such a chance to redeem the world as it is having now4 ,according to this law1 no man can accumulate unto himself the wealth created by the work of others1 as was the case in former times with us1 and still prevails to some extent among other nations4 ,all surplus which a worker accumulates beyond his needs is turned into the general storehouse of the ,lord4 ,thus each man becomes equal in temporal things as well as in spiritual things4 ,there is no rich or poor3 each man obtains what he requires1 and no more4 ,what is the extent of this surplus8 asked the ,king4 ,is it large8 ,yes2 because of the nearly perfect condition of our industrial system1 a great amount of wealth flows into the general storehouse4 ,you will understand1 of course1 that all public institutions receive their support from this fund1 so that the old order of taxes is done away with4 ,you have noticed our beautiful city4 ,you have not seen palaces of the rich and hovels of the poor1 but you have seen magnificent public buildings1 parks1 and thoroughfares4 ,these institutions that are for all alike have been built and are sustained by the surplus2 and this city does not represent all of what the people of the ,lord are doing4 ,the ,lord's work is being extended throughout this land and to lands beyond the sea4 ,not the least of our duties is the building of temples and the performing of the work for our dead in them4 ,so you see1 we have need of much wealth to carry on our work4 ,yes2 ,i understand1 remarked ,remand2 but in our country and time1 as indeed1 it has been in the past1 many have tried plans of equality1 but they have been more or less failures4 ,why have you succeeded so well8 ,the chief cause for the past failures of the world in this industrial order lies in the supposition that unregenerated men1 who have not obeyed the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 and who are1 therefore1 full of weaknesses and sins incident to human nature without the power to overcome them--,i say the mistake lies in the supposition that such men can come together and establish a celestial order of things1 an order wherein the heart must be purged from every selfish thought and desire4 ,no wonder that a building erected on such a poor foundation could not stand4 ,we have succeeded because we have begun right4 ,we have had faith in the ,lord and ,his providences1 have repented of our sins1 have been born again of water and of the ,spirit1 and then we have tried to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of ,god4 ,we have done this pretty well1 or we could never have succeeded in this work of equality that you see and admire4 ,people who do the things that you observe around you must have the ,spirit of ,god in their hearts4 ,this celestial order is ,god's order1 and those who partake of its blessings must be in harmony with ,god's mind and will4 ,high law cannot be obeyed and lived by inferior beings who are not willing to submit to the first principles of salvation and power4 ,the three sat in quiet contemplation for a time4 ,then the ,king said3 ,tell us about the wages of these workmen4 ,the proper adjustment of wages has always been a source of much trouble with us4 ,yes1 in the days when every man had to look out for himself and had no thought for his neighbor1 it was a continual struggle to get as much as possible for one's work and to give as little as possible for the work of another4 ,such conditions were natural under a system of greed and selfishness1 and they brought on much contention and trouble1 which1 happily are now ended4 ,in the beginning1 explained the speaker1 those who enter this order of equality are required to consecrate all their property to the ,lord4 ,then each is given a stewardship according to his needs and his ability to manage and to work4 ,children have a claim upon their parents for support until they are of age1 when they also are given a stewardship4 ,are the wages equal to all8 ,no2 and for the very good reason that the needs of all are not alike4 ,according to the old order1 the superintendent of these works1 for instance1 would draw a salary of perhaps #ejjj4jj a year1 while the men who do the manual labor would get less than a tenth of that sum4 ,true1 remarked ,remand1 supply and demand regulates these things4 ,superintendents are scarce1 but common workmen are plentiful4 ,but1 my dear friend1 we have no common workmen4 ,it is just as important that a table should be put together properly1 and that it be well finished as that there should be a superintendent of the works4 ,no man in our industrial system can say to another1 ',i have no need of thee4' ,each is important1 each has his place1 each supports the other4 ,the polisher or the sawyer1 therefore1 should have his needs supplied1 and so should the overseer--but no more4 ,what would he do with more1 anyway8 ,tell me4 ,why1 why1 replied ,remand1 ,he could save it1 put it in the bank1 invest it4 ,paulus smiled4 ,what good would hoarded wealth be to a man whose needs are all provided for as long as he lives1 as also his children after him4 ,we have but one bank here--the ,lord's storehouse1 and all profits derived from investments are there deposited4 ,but speaking again of wages1 ,i happen to know that the superintendent of this factory is a man with a wife only to support1 and they are very simple in their tastes4 ,the wood-carver whom we spoke of has a large family of children4 ,his needs are greater than the superintendent's1 therefore he receives more for his portion4 ,that is just1 is it not8 ,yes1 replied ,remand1 the theory seems to be all right but its application1 among us at least1 would bring endless complications to be adjusted4 ,perhaps so1 replied ,paulus4 ,we are not perfect1 even here4 ,while we are in mortality1 we have weaknesses to contend with2 but you must remember that we look on every man as a brother and a friend1 and as ,i have stated1 we have the spirit of the ,master to help us4 ,when this help proves insufficient by reason of our own failure to do the right1 and in our weakness we are unjust or overbearing1 or oppressive1 then there is the ,lord ,himself whose throne is with us4 ,he balances again the scales of justice1 and metes out to every man his just deserts4 ,paulus arose1 and the others followed him reverently out into the park-like space surrounding the factory4 ,they walked slowly along the paths as they talked4 ,the argument usually urged against all orders of equality1 remarked ,remand1 is that it takes away man's incentive to work4 ,have you seen any idle men in or about ,zion8 asked the guide4 ,they acknowledged that they had not4 ,the new order has not taken away incentives to work2 it has simply changed the incentive from a low order to a higher4 ,we can not afford to work for money as an end4 ,wealth1 with us1 is simply a means to an end1 and that is the bringing to pass of saving righteousness to the race1 individually and collectively4 ,wealth is not created to be used for personal aggrandizement2 and1 in fact1 its power to work mischief is taken away when all men have what they need of it4 ,the attainment of worldly wealth was at one time the standard of success4 ,it was1 indeed1 a low standard4 ,what is your standard8 asked the king4 ,among us the greatest of all is the servant of all4 ,he who does his best along the line of his work1 and contributes the results of his efforts to the general good1 is successful4 ,quantity is not always the test1 for the gardener who supplies us with the choicest vegetables is counted just as successful as he who digs from the mountain his thousands in gold4444 ,who1 in your country1 is counted the greatest success in history8 ,neither ,remand nor the ,king replied to this query4 ,i will not confuse you by urging a reply1 said ,paulus4 ,you1 of course1 understand our view of that matter4 ,he who did the greatest good to the greatest number made the greatest success4 ,that was the ,lord and ,master4 ',if ,i be lifted up1 ,i shall draw all men to me1' he said2 and that is being fulfilled4 ,in like manner the greatest among us is he who serves us best4 ,they seated themselves on a bench and watched the workers flock from the workshop homeward to their mid-day meal4 ,it was an interesting sight to the two visitors4 ,the people appeared so happy and contented that the king noticed it and commented on it4 ,yes1 replied ,paulus2 why should they not be happy8 ,when ,i think of the times in the past--how so many of the human race had to struggle desperately merely to live2 how men1 women and children often had to beg for work by which to obtain the means of existence2 how sometimes everything that was good and pure and priceless was sold for bread2 while on the other hand many others of the race lolled in ease and luxury1 being surfeited with the good things of the world--,i say1 when ,i think of this1 ,i can not praise the ,lord too much for what ,he now has given to us4 ,what are these men's working hours8 asked ,remand4 ,the hours vary according to the arduousness of the work1 though it is now much more easy and pleasant1 owing to our labor-saving machinery4 ,from three to four hours usually constitute a day's work4 ,some prefer to put in their allotted time every day1 and then spend the remainder in other pursuits4 ,others work all day1 perhaps for a week1 which would give them a week to do other things4 ,others1 again1 who wish more leisure for their self-appointed tasks1 keep steadily on for a year1 thus earning a year for themselves4 ,and what is done with this leisure8 asked the king4 ,most of it is devoted to working in the temples of the ,lord1 where the saving ordinances of the gospel are performed for those who had not the privilege to do them for themselves in this life2 but many other things are done4 ,for instance1 he who thinks he is an inventor1 devotes his time to perfecting his invention2 those who wish to pursue a certain line of study1 now have time to do so2 some spend time in traveling4 ,is there no competition among you8 said ,remand4 ,such a condition1 it seems to me1 would bring stagnation4 ,we have the keenest kind of competition1 was the reply--a competition of the highest order that brings the most joyous life-activity into our work4 ,each steward competes with every other steward to see who can improve his stewardship the most and bring the best results to the general storehouse4 ,for example1 you noticed as you came into the city the beautifully kept gardens and farms lying for miles out into the country4 ,these are all stewardships1 and there is the keenest competition among the farmers and gardeners to see who can make the land produce--first the best crops1 and then the most of that best4 ,one man last year who has a small farm turned into the storehouse as his surplus one thousand bushels of wheat4 ,it was a remarkable record which this year many others are trying to equal or exceed4 ,this sort of rivalry is found among all the various businesses and industries in ,zion and her stakes2 so you see1 that even what you term the wealth producing incentive is not lost to us1 but is used as an end to a mighty good1 and not to foster personal greed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the three strolled farther away from the large factory building1 out into a section where residences stood here and there among the trees in the park-like grounds4 ,approaching a beautiful sheet of water bordered by flowering bushes1 lawns1 and well-kept walks1 they saw a man sitting on a bench by the lake4 ,as his occupation seemed to be throwing bread crumbs to the swans in the water1 the ,king and his companion concluded that here1 at last1 they had discovered one of the idle rich1 whom they still had in their own country4 ,remand expressed his thought to the guide4 ,he idle8 was the reply4 ,oh1 no2 he is one of our hardest working men4 ,that is one of our most popular writers1 and in many people's opinion1 our best4 ,we must not disturb him now1 but we will sit down here and observe him4 ,we are told that when he is planning one of his famous chapters of a story1 he comes down to this lake and feeds the swans4 ,and do you still write1 print1 and read stories8 asked ,remand4 ,certainly4 ,imaginative literature is one of the highest forms of art4 ,this man has most beautifully pictured the trend of the race1 his special themes being the future greatness and glory of ,zion4 ,why should he not paint pictures by words1 as well as the artist who does the same by colors and the sculptor by form8 ,if you have not read any of his books1 you must take some of them home with you4 ,see1 he is moving away4 ,would you like to meet him8 ,they said they would4 ,the author was soon overtaken1 and he received his visitors graciously4 ,yes1 he laughingly acknowledged to ,paulus1 you caught me fairly4 ,i was planning a most interesting scene of the book on which ,i am now engaged1 and the swans are a great help4 ,he led his visitors into the grounds surrounding his home1 and then into his house4 ,he showed them his books1 his studio1 and his collection of art treasures4 ,from an upstairs balcony he pointed out his favorite bit of landscape1 a mixture of hill and dale1 shining water1 and purple haze in the distance4 ,yes1 he said1 in answer to an inquiry1 ,i have read how1 in former times1 the workers in art1 and especially the writer were seriously handicapped4 ,the struggle for bread often sapped the strength which ought to have gone into the producing of a picture1 a piece of statuary1 or a book4 ,fear of some day wanting the necessities of life drove men to think of nothing else but the making of money2 and when sometimes men and women were driven by the strong impulse of expression to neglect somewhat the ',making a living1' they nearly starved4 ,how could the best work be produced under such conditions8 ,i marvel at what was done1 nevertheless4 ,after spending a pleasant and profitable hour with the writer1 the three visitors went on their way4 ,they partook of some lunch at one of the public eating houses1 then they went out farther into the country to look at the farms and gardens4 ,lines of easy and rapid transit extended in every direction1 so that it took but a few minutes for ,paulus and his friends to arrive at the place they desired4 ,they alighted at an orchard1 looked at the growing fruit and listened to the orchardist's explanations4 ,after they had been left to themselves1 ,paulus continued3 ,i want you to see and taste a certain kind of apple that this man has produced4 ,apples are his specialty4 ,he led the way to another part of the orchard1 and found a number of ripening apples which he gave his friends4 ,what do you think of them8 he asked4 ,most delicious6 they both exclaimed4 ,this might be the identical fruit that tempted ,eve in the ,garden of ,eden1 remarked ,remand4 ,as they walked amid the trees1 the conversation reverted again to the writer of books whom they had just left4 ,this author's royalties must be very great-- began the ,king's counselor1 and then checked himself when he remembered the conditions about him4 ,royalties8 replied ,paulus2 yes1 they are great2 but they are not in money or material wealth4 ,they consist in the vast amount of help1 encouragement1 hope1 and true happiness he brings to his readers4 ,but do not men like treasure for treasure's sake8 ,have your very natures changed8 asked the ,king4 ,to some extent our natures have changed1 but not altogether in this4 ,men and women still like to lay up treasures4 ,it is an inevitable law that when men do some good to others1 credit is given them for that good in the ,book of ,life4 ,this wealth of good deeds may accumulate until one may become a veritable millionaire2 and this treasure can never be put to an unrighteous use2 moth can not corrupt it1 nor thieves break through and steal4 ,one more question1 asked ,remand4 ,i observed that your novelist had a beautiful house1 many rare books1 and some priceless paintings and pieces of sculptured marble4 ,are these among the 'needs' that you have spoken of so many times8 ,to him1 certainly4 ,each man gets that which will aid him most in his particular line of work4 ,those things are not needless luxuries or extravagances4 ,the writer is surrounded by beautiful things that he may be influenced by them to produce the most beautiful literature1 just the same as any other laborer is provided with the best tools1 helps1 and environments that he may produce the best work4 ,from the orchard they went to the gardens and other workshops1 closing the day with a visit to one of the large mercantile establishments of the city4 ,the next morning ,paulus was on hand again to be their guide1 but the ,king said3 ,we must now return home4 ,much as we would like to remain--to take up our permanent abode here1 ,i see that my duty calls me home4 ,the ,great ,king has something for me to do1 and ,i shall try to do it4 ,let us be going4 ,then the two visitors thanked their guide most graciously as he set them on their homeward way4 ,,iv4 ,in my ,father's house are many mansions4 99 99 99 ,i go to prepare a place for you4--,john #ad3b4 ,two men were walking in the grounds surrounding a stately residence on the outskirts of the city4 ,i told you some time ago of the king of ,poland's visit1 said the one who had been instructor at the school4 ,did you see that item in the paper this morning8 ,yes1 replied the other4 ,the visit must have made a great impression on him1 judging by what he is doing4 ,he was much interested4 ,he is a good man1 and is carrying out the instructions which he received while here4 ,you have not been here before8 ,no2 this is my first visit4 ,this house is being built for a descendant of mine who is yet in mortality4 ,i visit with him frequently1 and he has asked me for suggestions as to its construction4 ,i have had much pleasure in giving them4 ,soon he is to bring a wife into his new home1 a dear good girl whom ,i am pleased to welcome in this way into our family4 ,the workmen have nearly finished their labors and ,i am devoting some time to the preparation of the grounds4 ,will you have time to look around with me8 ,i have time today1 brother4 ,they walked towards the house4 ,it stood on the slope of a gentle elevation which furnished a view of the country westward4 ,here you see what ,i am doing4 ,i am departing somewhat from the usual form of lawn plans1 but ,i want this place to have a special feature4 ,you see1 ,i have led this stream of water around the hill-side and made it fall over this small precipice into this tiny lake4 ,what do you think of it8 ,it is beautiful and unique4 ,you see1 brother1 ,i have a liking for streams of water4 ,they always please my eye1 and their babble and roar is music to my ears4 ,and then1 someone else will soon be visiting with me here4 ,i call this my temporary ,earth-home2 and brother1 nothing can be too beautiful for my wife4 ,his companion looked at him and smiled4 ,the speaker smiled in return4 ,they understood each other4 ,yes1 she is coming soon--at any time1 now4 ,they walked into the house and inspected the building4 ,it was no exception to the other houses in the city1 as beautiful as gold1 silver1 precious stones1 fine woods1 silks1 and other fabrics could make it4 ,most of the rooms were furnished1 as if in readiness for occupancy4 ,i delight in statuary1 was explained to the visitor1 and my wife delights in paintings4 ,you see1 ,i have catered to both our tastes1 and especially hers4 ,those panels are the work of the famous ,rene1 and this ceiling was painted by the best artist in the city4 ,here1 what do you think of this8 ,they paused before a large painting hung in the best light4 ,it showed traces of age1 but the colors indicated the hand of a master4 ,it represented a scene where grandeur and beauty mingle2 in the distance1 blue hills2 nearer1 they became darker and pine clad2 in the foreground loomed a rocky ledge2 encircled by the hills1 lay a lake1 around whose shores were farms and farm houses with red roofs2 and in the foreground of the lake was an island4 ,a fine picture1 said the visitor1 and an old one4 ,it is a scene in old-time ,norway1 by one of ,europe's best painters4 ,here is another4 ,this is new1 hardly dry1 in fact4 ,you observe that there are no pines on those hills4 ,the farm house and the orchard in the foreground are as natural as life4 ,she will recognize them at once4 ,they passed out4 ,i have not had time to collect much in the way of statuary4 ,i work a little at that art myself4 ,here is an unfinished piece1 a model for a fountain4 ,they sat on a bench within sight of the falling water4 ,tell me about your family4 ,i have a wife and four children yet in the spirit world4 ,it is not long as we count time since ,i left them1 and they are soon to follow2 but ,i am impatient1 ,i think4 ,oh1 but she is a good woman1 brother1 good and true and beautiful2 and my children are noble ones--two boys and two girls--even if one has been wayward4 ,he will come back in time4 ,yes1 my wife first taught me the knowledge of ,god1 in the second estate1 and opened to me the beauties of our ,fathers' great plan4 ,i had fallen low1 and was in danger of going lower1 when she came--,god sent her--and with her pure1 strong hand drew me up from the mire1 ,god bless her4 ,and the speaker smiled at the splashing waters4 ,then in earth-life ,i left them so suddenly1 and she struggled bravely on to the end4 ,it was all for the best--we know that now4 ,i had a work to do in the spirit world1 and ,god called me to it4 ,i did it1 and was accepted of the ,master4 ,we all met in the spirit world1 and there continued our labors of love for the glory of ,god and the salvation of ,his children4 ,then my time came to pass through the resurrection1 and here ,i am4--,hark1 what is that8 ,someone is calling4 ,they listened4 ,from the house came a voice1 a low1 sweet voice1 calling4 ,brother1 ,i must go1 said he who had been talking4 ,someone calls my name4 ,he disappeared hurriedly within the door-way2 and the visitor went on his way4 ,v4 ,and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes2 and there shall be no more death1 neither sorrow1 nor crying1 neither shall there by any more pain3 for the former things are passed away4 ,he that overcometh shall inherit all things2 and ,i will be his ,god and he shall be my son4--,rev4 #ba3d-g4 ,a sound1 a whispered word echoes through the air and enters the ear4 ,it touches the chords and finds them tuned to its own harmony4 ,it plays tenderly on responsive strings1 and what an awakening is within that soul6 ,what rapture in the blending1 what delight in the union6 ,from it is born a joy of the heavenly world4 ,a sight1 a glimpse of a form--a certain form or face2 the rays of light entering the eye meet with something keenly sympathetic1 and the soul leaps in ecstasy4 ,a touch1 a gentle pressure of the hand2 the union is complete4 ,what was that voice that reached him--a voice love-laden1 full to over-flowing from the regions of the past8 ,ah1 what sweetness courses through his veins1 what joy leaps in his heart6 ,within1 he sees her4 ,she stands in the middle of the room1 with her eyes upon the open door4 ,she does not move4 ,her beautiful robe of shining white clings about her form or falls in graceful folds to the floor4 ,her hair1 light as of old1 now glistens like silken threads4 ,her face shines with the indescribable glow of immortality4 ,she sees her husband4 ,she raises her arms1 and takes a step forward4 ,she smiles--such a smile6 ,homan--,rupert4 ,delsa--,signe4 ,he takes her in his arms4 ,he kisses her and holds her to his breast4444 ,presently strains of music came from another room4 ,he listened as if surprised1 but she looked up into her husband's eyes and smiled4 ,the music ceased and a little girl appeared in the doorway4 ,may ,i come in8 she asked4 ,alice1 my darling4 ,she runs towards them4 ,papa1 papa1 oh1 how glad ,i am6 ,he lifted her up and she threw her arms about his neck and kissed him again and again4 ,what a beautiful place this is6 she said4 ,o1 mamma1 ,i am very happy6 ,yes1 ,alice1 we are all happy--happy beyond expression4 ,we now can partly understand that glorious truth taught us1 that 'spirit and element1 inseparably connected1 receiveth a fulness of joy4' 99 99 99 99 99 ,alice was playing with the fishes and the swans in the garden1 and the husband and wife were sitting by an open window1 gazing out upon the city4 ,brother ,volmer has not been to see us yet1 said he4 ,you remember he was our brother ,sardus8 ,i remember him well1 she answered4 ,his musical talent is now of great blessing to himself and to the cause of ,god1 as he is a musical director in the ,temple4 ,he understands now why he lost his hearing while in mortality1 and he praises ,god for his then seeming misfortune4 ,husband1 said she1 ,i am thinking again about our children4 ,how long will it be before we shall receive them all8 ,not long now2 but each in his order4 ,leave that to the ,lord4 ,they looked out at ,alice4 ,the swans were eating from her hand1 and she was stroking their curved necks4 ,to look back1 said he1 and see the wonderful ways through which the ,lord has brought us to this perfection1 fills my heart with praise to ,him4 ,now we are beyond the power of death and the evil one4 ,now the pure1 life-giving spirit of ,god flows in our veins instead of the blood of mortality4 ,now we can know the two sides of things4 ,we understand the good1 because we have been in contact with the evil4 ,our joy is perfect1 because we have experienced pain and sorrow4 ,we know what life is1 eternal life1 because we have passed through the ordeal of death4 ,yes1 ,father teaches a good school4 ,and we have learned this truth1 said she1 that existence itself is a continuous penalty or reward4 ,the children of ,god reap as they sow from eternity to eternity4 ,yes2 then dwell on this thought for a moment3 ,our lives have just begun1 as it were4 ,we have eternity before us1 and we are only now equipped to meet it4 ,i am lost in the thought4 ,but tell me about this thousand years of earthly peace and the last great change4 ,husband1 ,i am a pupil now1 and you the teacher4 ,there is much to tell in contemplating not only the realities but the possibilities of the future4 ,this earth has for some time been enjoying its ,sabbath of peace and rest4 ,he who rebelled in the beginning and fought against ,god is bound1 and ,christ is sole ,king of the earth4 ,his laws go to the ends thereof1 and all nations must obey them4 ,the ,saints are building holy places1 and working for the living and the dead4 ,no graves are now made1 as the bodies of the ,saints do not sleep in the dust4 ,thus it will go on until the thousand years are ended4 ,then ,satan will be loosed for a little season2 but his time will be short4 ,then comes the last great scene4 ,the ,lord will finish ,his work4 ,in the clouds of heaven1 with power and great glory1 ,he will be seen with all ,his angels4 ,the mortal ,saints yet on the earth will be instantly changed and caught up to meet ,him4 ,the holy cities will be lifted up4 ,then the elements will melt with fervent heat4 ,the earth will die as all things must1 and be resurrected in perfection and glory1 to be a fit abode1 eternally1 for celestial beings4 ,all things will become new2 all things will become celestial1 and the earth will take its place among the self-shining stars of heaven4 ,then shall we receive our eternal inheritance1 with our children and our families4 ,then shall we be in possession of that better and more enduring substance spoken of by the prophets4 ,all things shall be ours1 'whether life or death1 or things present1 or things to come2' all are ours1 and we are ,christ's and ,christ is ,god's4 ,why1 then we will be like unto ,god4 ,and is it strange that children should become like their father8 ,i remember now1 said she1 as distinctly as though it were yesterday1 what ,father promised us in our first estate1 that if we were faithful1 we should be added upon1 and still added upon4 ,do you remember it8 ,distinctly1 he answered4 ,it was to be 'glory added upon our heads for ever and ever4' ,father is fulfilling his promise4 ,then they sat still1 not being able to speak their thoughts1 but looked out towards the cloud-encircled towers of the city4 ,alice came running in4 ,the people are coming1 she said4 ,they looked out of the window and saw two persons approach1 viewing the grounds with interest4 ,it is ,henrik and ,marie1 exclaimed ,signe4 ,the newcomers were greeted rapturously4 ,come in and see the results of my husband's planning1 said ,signe4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the visitors were led through the house1 and shown the gardens surrounding it4 ,as they had been separated for a time from their friends they had many things to tell each other4 ,do you know1 said ,henrik1 as they were all sitting by the playing fountain1 on our way here1 we met ,rachel6 ,is she also risen8 asked ,signe4 ,oh1 why did you not bring her with you8 ,well1 said ,henrik with a smile1 ,i told her where we were going and asked her to come along4 ,but she naturally preferred to stay with her husband who was taking her to see some of his own people2 so she graciously declined1 but said she would visit with us some other time4 ,right away8 ,i can't say4 ,she clung pretty closely to her husband4 ,they are a splendid pair4 ,i am glad1 for ,i will admit that ,i once thought ,rachel's case was hopeless4 ,we couldn't see very far1 could we1 brother8 remarked ,rupert4 ,our faith was weak1 and we did not trust the ,lord enough4 ,yes2 ,i used to wonder how the ,lord would ever straighten out the mass of entanglements that seemed to exist in the world4 ,we failed to comprehend the providences of the ,lord because we could not see beyond the narrow confines of the world in which we were living2 we could see only a small part of the circle of eternity2 we could not see how that visible portion1 which was often rough and unshapely1 could fit into anything beautiful2 but now our vision is extended1 and we have a larger1 and therefore1 a more correct view4 ,and this ,i have found1 said ,henrik1 smiling at ,signe and ,marie as with arms around each other1 they sauntered down the garden path1 ,i have found that our work never ends4 ,while in earth-life my mission was to seek after those of my people who had gone before me1 and to do a work of salvation for them in the temples4 ,in the spirit world1 ,i continued my work preaching to my fellowmen1 and preparing them to receive that which was and is being done for them by others4 ,and now1 ,i find1 that ,i am busier than ever4 ,we are teachers1 directors1 leaders1 judges1 and our field is all the earth4 ,yes1 replied ,rupert1 ,i attended the laying of the corner-stone of the one-hundredth temple the other day2 and we have only just begun4 ,the time1 talent1 wealth1 and energy that formerly went to the enriching of a few and that was spent to build and sustain armies and navies1 now are directed to the building of temples and the carrying on the work in them4 ,i used to wonder how the needed temple work could ever be done for the millions of earth's inhabitants1 but now ,i can see how simple it is4 ,tens of thousands of ,saints1 in thousands of temples1 in a thousand years of millenium can accomplish it4 ,every son and daughter of ,adam must have a chance2 every tangled thread must be straightened out2 every broken link must be welded2 every wrong must be righted2 every created thing that fills the measure of its creation must be perfected2--all this must be before the 'winding-up scene' comes4 ,all this can be accomplished1 for now we have every force working to that end4 ,the earth is yet teeming with our brothers and sisters in mortality2 there is continual communication between the spirit world and this world1 and then here are we1 with our kind2 we have passed through the earth-life1 through the spirit world1 through the resurrection--and we1 as you said1 are busier than ever1 because with our added knowledge and wider view comes greater power4 ,our services are needed everywhere4 ,and what a blessed privilege we have in thus being able to help the ,lord in the salvation of ,his children and the hastening to its destined end of celestial glory this world of ours4 ,alice was playing with some birds1 which she seemed to have well trained1 as they were flying back and forth from her hand to the bushes4 ,the two women now came back along the path1 stopping now and then to listen to a bird or to look at a flower4 ,they joined ,rupert and ,henrik4 ,i have quite a lot of names from the spirit world to bring to the ,temple today1 said ,rupert1 among them fifteen couples to be made husband and wife4 ,i have heard it said1 remarked ,marie1 that in heaven there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage4 ,neither is there1 answered ,rupert1 any more than there is baptism for the remission of sins4 ,neither this world nor the world of spirits1 where live the contracting parties1 is heaven4 ,isn't this heaven8 asked ,marie1 looking around on the beauty with which she was surrounded4 ,as far as we resurrected beings are concerned1 replied ,rupert1 we have heaven wherever we go2 but this earth is only being prepared for its heavenly or celestial state4 ,until that is finished1 there shall be marrying and giving in marriage4 ,i'm glad of it1 said ,signe2 for there is-- ,she was interrupted by ,alice1 who came in with the announcement that others were coming up to the house4 ,henrik and ,marie were greeted for the first time by visitors who continued to gather4 ,for some time1 white-clothed persons had been directing their steps towards the ,temple4 ,now they were hurrying4 ,it is time to go1 said ,rupert4 ,in a few moments they had changed their clothing1 and with the speed of thought1 they were within the ,temple grounds4 ,entering1 they took their places4 ,volmer passed1 and he paused to speak to them4 ,soon the hall was filled4 ,the ,lord of ,life and ,light was there1 and lent of ,his light to the scene4 ,brilliancy pervaded everything1 shone from everything4 ,it was not the sun1 there being no dazzle2 it was not the moon1 but a clearness as of noonday4 ,the whole ,temple shed forth a lustre as if it were built of some celestial substance4 ,the marble1 the precious stones1 the gold1 seemed changed into light--light1 pure1 calm1 and consolidated into form4 ,it radiated from the throne1 and from ,him who sat upon it4 ,around ,his head was as the colors of the rainbow1 and under ,his feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber4 ,hark6 the music6 ,how it fills the ,temple1 how it thrills the souls assembled4 ,a thousand instruments blend in exquisite harmony1 ten thousand voices join in the song3 ,the earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength1 ,and truth is established in her bowels2 ,and the heavens have smiled upon her2 ,and she is clothed with the glory of her ,god2 ,for ,he stands in the midst of ,his people4 ,glory1 and honor1 and power1 and might ,be ascribed to our ,god2 for ,he is full of mercy1 ,justice1 grace1 and truth1 and peace1 ,forever and ever1 ,amen4 ,,part ,,fifth ,the rise of man is endless4 ,be in hope4 ,all stars are gathered in his horoscope4 ,the brute man of the planet1 he will pass1 ,blown out like forms of vapor on a glass4 ,and from this quaking pulp of life will rise ,the superman1 child of the higher skies4 ,immortal1 he will break the ancient bars1 ,laugh and reach out his hands among the stars4 --,edwin ,markham4 ,i4 ,old things have passed away1 all now are new2 ,its measure of creation ,earth has filled2 ,the law of a celestial kingdom it ,has kept1 transgressed not the law2 ,yea1 notwithstanding it has died1 it has ,been quickened once again2 and it abides ,the power by which that quick'ning has been done4 ,wherefore1 it now is sanctified from all ,unrighteousness1 and crowned with glory1 e'en ,the presence of the ,father and the ,son4 ,immortal ,earth on wings of glory rolls1 ,shines like unto a crystal sea of glass ,and fire1 whereon all things are manifest3 ,past1 present1 future1--all are clear to those ,who live upon this glorious orb of ,god4 ,upon this globe1 ,god's children glorified ,are no more strangers1 wand'ring to and fro ,as weary pilgrims2 now they have received ,possessions everlasting on the ,earth-- ,a portion of a glorified domain ,on which to build and multiply and spread-- ,a part of ,earth to call always their own4 ,eternal mansions may they now erect3 ,make them of whatsoe'er their hearts' desire2 ,for gold and silver1 precious stones and woods1 ,and fabrics rare1 and stuffs of every hue1 ,all plentiful in ,nature's store-house lie1 ,for them to freely draw upon and use4 ,masters of all the elements are they2 ,and ,nature's forces are at their command4 ,the man and woman1 in the ,lord made one1 ,eternally are wedded man and wife4 ,these now together make their plans1 and build ,a lovely1 spacious home wherein to dwell1 ,a place for work1 for rest1 for new-found joys1 ,a peaceful habitation1 one beyond ,the power of evil ever to destroy4 ,,ii4 ,in their primeval childhood--first estate-- ,these once had lived within their ,father's home4 ,out from that home they had been sent to ,earth ,to have their spirit bodies clothed upon ,with element1 to come in contact with ,conditions which were needful for their growth1 ,and learn the lessons of mortality4 ,there they had overcome temptation's wiles1 ,there had obeyed the gospel of their ,lord ,and worked out their salvation by its power4 ,these two had met and mated1 had fulfilled ,the first great law3 ,give bodies clean and strong ,to ,father's spirit-children from above4 ,the time allotted they had lived on ,earth1 ,had died the mortal death1 had gone into ,the spirit world2 from there they had come forth ,with resurrected bodies from the grave4 ,thus they had kept their first and second estates1 ,and now were counted worthy to receive ,their portion 'mong the exalted ones of ,god4 ,,iii4 ,celestial man and woman now do live ,the perfect life2 for every faculty ,of heart and brain is put to highest use4 ,the appetites and passions purged are ,from dross that fallen nature with them mixed4 ,the will is master now1 and every sense ,is under absolute control1 and gives ,perfected service to perfected souls4 ,these two have come into their very own4 ,they walk by sight2 and yet the eye of faith ,sweeps out to future time and distant space ,and leads them on and on4 ,they lay their plans ,and execute these plans to perfectness4 ,eternal ,glory-land is their abode1 ,so beautifully clothed in ,nature's best1 ,and basking in the pleasing smile of ,god2 ,no need of light of sun or moon or stars2 ,the glory of the ,father and the ,son ,eclipses all such lights of lesser ray4 ,although with godlike powers they rule and reign1 ,yet are they ,father's children1 and to ,him ,all loving honor and obedience give4 ,and then that ,elder ,brother who has done ,so much for all1 ,he also here abides1-- ,the ,savior of the world and souls of men1 ,the ,lord of lords1 the ,king of all the ,earth1 ,yet ever-present ,comforter and ,friend4 ,,iv4 ,and now they learn the things they could not know ,on mortal earth4 ,they learn the secrets of ,all things that are in space above1 or in ,the ,earth beneath3 the elements which form ,the air that man did breathe1 and where obtained1 ,and how composed4 ,they learn of primal rocks1 ,foundations of the new-formed worlds in space1 ,and how these worlds evolve into abodes ,for man4 ,the source of light and heat and power ,they find1 and grasp the laws by which they may ,be rightly used and perfectly controlled4 ,and then1 most precious gift6 they learn of life3 ,what makes the grass to grow1 what gives the flowers ,their fragrance and their many-colored hues4 ,they comprehend all life in moving forms1-- ,in worm1 in insect1 fish1 and bird1 and beast2 ,and knowing this1 they have the power to draw ,life from its store-house1 and to make it serve ,the highest good in never-ending ways4 ,v4 ,the truth has made these holy beings free4 ,they having overcome all evil powers1 ,unfettered now they are and free to go ,where'er they wish within the heavenly spheres4 ,they're not alone on this perfected world1 ,here other children of the ,father dwell1 ,who also have obeyed celestial law4 ,all these are of the ,father's household1 and ,are numbered with the just and true1 of whom ',tis written1 ,they are ,god's1 and they shall dwell ,forever in the presence of their ,god4 ,what bliss to mingle with such company6 ,to taste the joys of friendships perfected1 ,and feel to fulness that sweet brother-love ,which binds in one the noble race of ,gods6 ,and other worlds may now be visited2 ,for end there's none to matter and to space4 ,infinitude holds kingdoms1 great and small1-- ,worlds upon worlds1 redeemed and glorified1 ,and peopled with the children of our ,god1 ,who also have evolved from lower things4 ,what opening visions here for knowledge rare6 ,what sciences1 what laws1 what history6 ,what stories of ,god's love in other worlds6 ,exhaustless themes for poets' sweetest songs2 ,for painters1 sculptors1 every science1 art ,has never-ending fields of pure delight4 ,to them the universe its incense brings-- ,distilled from all the sweetness of the spheres4 ,,vi4 ,earth's loveliest flow'r1 the love 'tween man and wife1 ,transplanted is to this most holy sphere4 ,through all the toiling years of earth-life1 it ,had grown2 and now1 instead of dying with ,the mortal death1 its roots are firmly fixed ,in the eternal soil of ,glory-land4 ,and blessed man6 now at his side there stands ,a woman1 one of heaven's queens1 a wife1 ,a mother to his children of the ,earth1 ,and yet to be a mother of a race4 ,her beauty rare surpasses power of words4 ,her purity1 her sweetly gentle ways ,rest as a crown of glory on her brow4 ,her love transcendent fills his heart with joy1 ,and now he fully realizes that ,the woman is the glory of the man4 ,here in thy ,home1 ,o ,woman all divine1 ,thy measure of creation thou doest fill6 ,intelligences come from out the womb ,of ,time1 into thine own2 thence are they born ,with spirit bodies1 to thy loving care4 ,now thou art ,mother1 and doest know in full ,a mother's joy--a joy untinged by pain1 ,and with thy ,husband thou hast now become ,creator1 fellow worker with thy ,lord4 ,celestial ,father1 ,mother at the head ,of parentage they stand1 the perfect type ,of that eternal principle of sex ,found in all nature1 making possible ,for every living thing to multiply ,and bring increase of being of its kind4 ,in this celestial world1 the fittest have ,survived4 ,to them alone the pow'r is given ,to propagate their kind4 ',twas wisely planned4 ,the race of ,gods must not deteriorate4 ,thus everlasting increase is denied ,to those who have not reached perfection's plane4 ,herein is justice1 wisdom all-divine1 ,that every child born into spirit world ,has perfect parentage1 thus equal chance ,is given all to reach the highest goal1 ,and win the race which runs up through the worlds4 ,and children fill the household of these ,two-- ,and children bring perpetual youth1 renew ,the tender sentiments1 and firmly knit ,the heart of ,father1 ,mother close in one4 ,thus do they work1 and thus they follow in ,the footsteps of their ,father2 and they spread ,out o'er the land of their inheritance4 ,masters of all1 joint owners of the spheres1 ,eternal increase of eternal lives ,is theirs2 and this their work and glory is ,to bring to pass the immortality ,and life eternal to the race of men4 ,,vii4 ,time passes as an ever-flowing stream4 ,the many mansions teem with offspring fair1-- ,the spirit children of this heavenly world4 ,varied are they1 as human beings are ,in form1 in likes1 in capabilities4 ,here love1 combined with justice1 rules2 ,here truth is taught1 the right and wrong are shown2 ,yet agency is given all1 and they ,may choose the way selected by desire4 ,thus some more faithful are than others1 and ,advance more rapidly along the great ,highway that leads among the shining stars4 ,time passes1--and the time has fully come ,when spirits must be clothed upon with flesh1 ,must follow in the footsteps of their ,sire1 ,must go to mortal earth and there work out ,their soul's salvation in the self-same way ,that all perfected beings once have done4 ,far out in space where there is ample room ,and where primeval element abounds1 ,this ,father has been working1 and still works1 ,fashioning a world on which to place ,his children4 ,without proper form1 and void1 ,in the beginning1 this new world has passed ,from one stage to another1 until now ,it rolls in space1 an orb in beauty clad1 ,a world on which a human race may dwell4 ,this ,father to his children thus doth speak3 ,the time has come for you to leave this home-- ,this first estate1 and take another step ,along progression's path4 ,a new-formed world ,is ready to receive you1 and to clothe ,you in another body4 ,you will then ,learn many things you cannot here receive4 ,a veil will then be drawn before your eyes ,that you will be unable to look back ,to us4 ,alone you'll have to stand2 be tried ,to see if faithful you will still remain4 ,there's darkness in that world2 and sin will come ,and pain and suffering such as now you know ,not of4 ,but these will only clearly show ,how good is righteousness1 and how much more ,to be desired the light than darkness is4 ,yet1 you shall not be wholly left alone2 ,my ministering angels shall keep watch1 ,and near you all the time my power shall be1 ,to help you in your direst hours of need4 ,my sons and daughters1 as you now do live ,within your ,father's ever-watchful care1 ,know this that always shall his loving arm ,extended be to you2 the ,father-heart ,and ,mother-heart eternally do yearn ,and feel for you in sorrow or in pain4 ,where'er you are1 you're still within my reach4 ,if you'll but turn to me1 ,i'll hear your cries ,and answer you in my good time and place4 ,go forth as you are called1 the lessons learn ,of earthly school2 fear only sin2 abide ,by law1 nor seek to be a law unto ,yourselves1 for by eternal law the worlds ,are formed1 redeemed1 and brought to perfectness1 ,together with all flesh which on them live4 ,go forth4 ,be worthy to come back again ,and be partakers of all heights and depths1 ,things present1 things to come1 yea1 life or death1 ,and it shall be my pleasure to bestow ,upon you all there is eternally4 ,joy fills this ,father's children1 and with one ,united voice of gladness do they sing3 ,thanks1 ,father1 kind and good for what you've done2 ,thanks for the added blessings which you bring4 ,o glorious1 wond'rous truth that we have found3 ,the course of ,gods' is one eternal round6