FINDING OUT GOD.

No matter how strong a mind may be, it can not find out God; no matter how weak it may be, God can reveal himself to it. He denies himself to scientists and reveals himself to babes and sucklings.

The basis of Christ's economy is conservation of life; the basis of the world's economy is accumulation of wealth. The two can never get together until the world relinquishes its basis or Christ abandons

his.

I am glad to note that when men are driven to an extremity they will abandon their basis and accept that of Christ. All that they have will be relinquished to save the life of a loved one.

Why not make the sacrifice in the interests of a still higher life? Why not make it before we are driven to the extremity?

--Heman C. Smith.

BY EARNEST WEBBE.

"Back of the loaf is the snowy flour,

And back of the flour the mill,

And back of the mill are the wheat and the shower
And the sun and the Father's will."

Then give us this day our daily bread,

O Lord of the sunshine and shower;

Give us to work so it may be said,

We know of thy glory and power!

THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER.

FFICACY

BY LILIAN J. PROUD.

means power to produce effects,-force, energy, ability. Do we want to find out how our prayers are to become effectual? We are told in the word of God that we are to be instant in prayer, and in another part of the word it is written, "Pray without ceasing." This does not mean that we are to shut ourselves up in our room all the time, or be on our knees in the attitude of prayer. Our Father knows that amid the very many duties of life we could not do this. But although not always in the act of prayer, we should ever be in the spirit of it; in spite of the contempt often thrown upon it, believing "prayer" still remains the highest of agencies. It can still, as of old, bring down from opened heaven showers of blessings, and, if need be, scatter foes and remove mountains. In order to do this, however, there must be importunity, seeking, and knocking, as well as asking, and a patient, trustful waiting, whatever the delay.

"The method appointed for the attainment of blessing," says John Newton, "is the most simple imaginable. It is only 'ask and ye shall receive,'" but then we are not going to give a runaway knock at wisdom's gate, but humbly and patiently wait until it is opened.

When we were children we were always told to say our prayers, and I feel that that is the trouble with many people to-day, they say their prayers instead of praying. They do not know anything about the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous, and so, thereby miss many of the blessings which they might enjoy. Even we, who know and have seen the power there is in prayer, do we not

often fail just here? Are we as earnest as we ought to be in these matters?

It is in the time of deep trial and trouble that we get close to God. It is at such times as these that the true prayers of God's children ascend to him. When we are in the sick-room and see our loved ones suffering, and know that nothing that we can do can give them relief, then our hearts go up in earnest, heartfelt prayers. It is then we forget all our surroundings, and our minds are centered on the Father, who can answer our prayers.

In these days much has been said and written about the place and power of prayer, and things that may or may not be presented at the throne of grace. Paul had no difficulties regarding this matter, but ever carried out to the full the blessed command, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." He prayed for things spiritual as few before or since have done, but, if needful, he equally prayed for things temporal. In sore hungering, he prayed for "food"; in perilous times, he prayed for safety; in bonds and imprisonment, he prayed for escape and liberty, and very markedly, too; in hindrances, he prayed for providential guidance. So it should be with us; but often when we do pray about things we have our doubts, especially if we are not answered at

once.

Nothing gives such efficacy to prayer as abiding intimacy with the Lord. When we are not in touch with him, prayer is usually a cold, burdensome, heartless task, in which there is neither faith nor expectancy; but when there is loving intimacy with God, prayer becomes sweetly natural, and has life and power in it. We always feel more or less restraint in the presence of strangers, and it is with difficulty we can bring ourselves to ask any favor at their hands. With intimate friends, however, we have no such hesitancy or reserve, but feel as free and ready to ask a kindness as they are ready to grant it. It is just the same in the Christian experience. The nearer we come to God, and the more intimate our fellowship, the easier it is to pour out our hearts in fervent supplication. Further, such intimacy makes prayer wisely appropriate.

In daily life there is a great deal of what the Scripture calls "asking amiss," and in very mercy to the supplicant, asking of this kind is not followed by any receiving. Although a needful experience, this is often a very bitter one. Now, in such a case, abiding communion would be an effectual remedy; for by its very nature it tends to assimilate the will of the believer with the will of the Lord, and to control and wisely regulate the manifold desires of the heart, so that if we ask in accordance with the will of the Lord, we shall receive the answer; for we are told in John 15: 7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

Has not the church almost yet to learn what is the power of prayer? What conception have we of believing prayer before which mountains depart? What of persevering prayer which

causes us to stand continually on the watch-tower? What of practical prayer which fulfills itself? Let such prayers be understood. Let our spirits but break with such longing, and the expectations of our hearts shall be fulfilled. So we will find that the influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of prayer.

The power to pray comes from God. The thoughts to which you give utterance in prayer are, when acceptable to the Lord, suggested by him. Therefore, ever seek his influence when you begin to pray. Another thought is, that if we want our prayers to become effectual we must learn to pray for others, we must not be selfish in our prayers; in interceding at the throne of grace for others, we will receive much blessing ourselves.

May each one of us know what it is to be in habitual converse with him at every time, and in every place. If we thus walk with Christ we will be more likely to walk in holiness through an evil world.

THE DEDICATION OF KIRTLAND TEMPLE.

I

BY RICHARD BULLARD.

T WAS Sunday morning, March 27, 1836, in Kirtland, Ohio. The sun was shining between the gray clouds driven swiftly along by the force of the cold northeast wind. On tne hillsides the snow lay in small drifts, for the evidences of winter had not yet been obliterated. The early morning air was cold and penetrating. The sun's rays had not yet melted the frost that whitened the grasses on the bare hilltops.

An imposing structure of solid masonry, its cemented walls showing architectural beauty and strength, crowned a hill at whose base ran the swift waters of the Chagrin River. It was a scene of animation; everywhere life abounded. A crowd of people in plain apparel, but with earnest faces lighted by smiles of pleasure, stood before the unopened doors of the building. It was the morning of the dedication of the temple, that remarkable structure erected by their sacrifice, by the toil and labor of their own hands. Now it stood before them, a monument of the indomitable courage and determination of that band of workers.

The doors are opened, the social talk so common to Saints is at once hushed and quietude pervades the throng. With hats removed and bowed heads they enter the building, which during its erection. had received its baptism of tears, caused by the opposing forces, which, from the laying of the corner-stone to the last stroke of the painter's brush, had forced persecution and suffering upon its builders.

But the hour of their triumph had come, and the recognition of a heavenly Father's favor was awaiting their entry into the courts. of the Lord's house. A mellow, soul-pervading power took possession of the hearts of the faithful as they entered the auditorium. The eye refused to keep back the tears, the lips would quiver as the

fire of God's Holy Spirit burned within the soul, and before they were conscious of it they had begun to breathe the atmosphere of heaven.

Ah, who but a true child of God could appreciate those moments of a heavenly Father's acknowledgment. The throng still surged around the doors, and every seat provided for the assembly was

taken. The aisles were filled, also the vestibule, when at nine o'clock, the presidents, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, reluctantly ordered the doors closed so that the exercises of this memorable day could commence.

The ninety-sixth and twenty-fourth Psalms were read by Sidney Rigdon, after which the following hymn was sung (Saints' Harp, 1004):