insight for our needs and a clear brain to guide she stood at the hilltop, beckoning us all to climb, until a swift-winged courier called her to the greater life. When a little child goes stumbling again and again in its first walks to a parent's knee and receives a welcome instead of a warning; when the child of six comes home from the rough world in tears, and receives sympathy and patient instruction instead of scolding; when the opening flowers of young manhood and young womanhood are helped and nurtured in the critical years by a friendly arm at the shoulder and thoughtful counsel at the right places; when this is true in all nations and all homes, then, and then only, will the world measure the heritage left by this splendid woman."

The Religio's Arena

ELBERT A. SMITH, Editor, Lamoni, Iowa.

THE OBJECT OF THE RELIGIO.

HE primary and fundamental object of the Religio is without question of divine origin, and has in contemplation the salvation of humanity, by virtue of a better understanding and comprehension of the contents and mission of the Book of Mormon.

First, as relating to the book, that the people sometimes known as the remnant or seed of Ephraim, as embraced in the true church of latter days, may become familiar with it in all its bearing, and the question of its authorship and genuineness be established beyond the realm of doubt.

Second, that the book may be carried into the camp of literal Israel as a verified and authenticated work-a polished and ready instrument for the establishing of the cause and kingdom of Christ the Messiah among them, and from them to the uttermost bounds of humanity, inasmuch as it is written, "In thee [Abraham] and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."

It is evident that to accomplish the first named object, the youth of succeeding generations must be reached, and their heart-interest solicited. It is also quite evident that the second or final object named can not be reached until the first is accomplished.

The book itself is not constructed, written, or compiled in a manner that naturally appeals to the young of the present day as a literary production of engaging interest, being comparatively destitute of the embellishment of witticism, romance, or the poetic rhetoric of the age; and as a consequence, in the great majority of cases, might be unhandled upon the shelf until the dates of ages might be written upon the covers thereof, while the gems of truth within remain unhidden and unknown.

It is also apparent that the facilities for acquiring anything like a thorough knowledge of the book as relating to its contents and the part it shall occupy as a factor in the destinies of the future, through the medium of preaching, is extremely limited; inasmuch as in the very nature of the case, the most that can be done from the pulpit, as a rule, is simply the announcement of such a work, and the presenting of evidence in favor of its divinity, with only a slight allusion to its natural value, and even then, oftentimes, only as it has a special bearing upon some mooted question.

Hence, the moving of the Spirit of the divine Father, whose omnipresent eye is upon the great work, upon the hearts of the sincere workers of the body to arrange and provide for the segregation and utilization of the social element in the young of the church, focusing as it were the literary inherencies with the social infusion and energy, in the concentration of effort, enhanced and illuminated by the peculiar afflatus of fraternal instincts and spiritual allignment.

In contemplation of all this, we have the name adopted: "Zion's Religio-Literary Society."

That is to say, the gathering of Zion's children in fraternal relation, for literary purposes, with a religious purpose of special moment in view.

It would seem from the early experience of the movement that the human conception did not fully grasp the divine as to the intent and design. The human did perceive a demand for social improvement, and being alive to present needs, supplied an organization with varied features thought to cover every contingent necessity.

The study of the Book of Mormon, along with other things, was introduced in a sort of experimental way as a means to an end. As time elapsed an opposing sentiment was manifested and prevailed, upon the ground of its prohibitive character as relating to the young people not of the church that might be otherwise interested in the society.

The study of the book was then abandoned, as a prime feature, and other experiments were made, and substitutes adopted. But a gradual diminishing of interest all along the line was soon clearly perceptible, which soon became a matter of serious concern among the promoters of the institution. For a while there were grave misgivings as to the final destiny of the movement, and even an early death was among the possibilities of the future.

After serious and prayerful consideration, it would seem that the mind of the Lord was obtained, or at least concurred in, and a return to the study of the Nephite record was determined upon, -this time, not merely as a side issue, or a means for promoting the social idea, but as the grand central feature around which all other issues must cluster as aids and adornments.

There is no doubt but that the secret and key to the situation had been discovered; for no sooner had the society entered upon the plan of its late adoption, when new and quickening influences began to course through the channels of activity, and soon the

whole superstructure, inspired by a consciousness above hope found itself upon a foundation hitherto unenjoyed.

Thus, through the experiences and vicissitudes of life, the Religio, like the human race generally in all its varied parts and phases, learns the great lesson of existence, the origin and object of its creation. H. J. DAVISON.

A LITTLE HUMOR NOW AND THEN.

THE MAJESTY OF THE LAW.

Judge-You are accused of having beaten this person cruelly. The Accused-Well, I had to beat him to make him do his work. He is an idiot.

Judge (severely)-You should remember that an idiot is a man like you or me.-From the French.

"Here, hold my horse a minute, will you?"

"Sir! I'm a member of Congress!"

"Never mind. You look honest. I'll take a chance."-Louisville Courier-Journal.

"Judge," said Mrs. Starvem to the magistrate who had recently come to board with her, "I'm particularly anxious to have you try this chicken soup."

"I have tried it," replied the magistrate, "and my decision is that the chicken has proved an alibi."-Philadelphia Press.

The Judge "Well, sir, have you anything to say?"

The Lawyer-"No, sir. But if your honor were a mind-reader, you would fine me for contempt of court."-Exchange.

"I'm sorry," said the justice, "but there's no evidence against you, and I'll have to turn you loose, with just a fine for contempt of court."

"But I haven't said a word."

"I know it, my friends; but I'll be blest if you didn't look it!" -Atlanta Constitution.

DUTIES OF A SECRETARY.

The subject as given us is bare of all flourishes, unattractive in appearance, and brings us down to the practical duties of a secretary. However, in considering this subject, not only since it was assigned us but through several years of experience in the secretary's work, we have come to several conclusions, which we hope may be of assistance to fellow secretaries.

First, a report must be kept by the secretary of every meeting of the society of which he is a member. We understand that these reports should include all of the interesting and important items and compose the secretary's journal. These reports are much less monotonous if made briefly and concisely. It is well to record who assisted in the service by offering prayer or having

some part on the program, but this should be told briefly. We refer only to the secretary's journal, which if kept in a businesslike way will not occupy too much of his time nor fill many books with useless matter. In this journal the record of all businesssessions should be kept.

Second, there is no doubt that much may be made of the secretary's record. He may spend too much time on it and he can easily spend too little time. Each secretary has his individual method of keeping this record. We believe that a record of the attendance of the officers and teachers should be kept, also the collection as contributed by classes. The secretary should keep a record of each member, giving date of his becoming a member, opposite the place of his enrollment. Also if a member's name be be taken from the roll, the date and cause of it being taken therefrom should be placed opposite the member's name.

It should be the pride of every secretary to have a clean and accurate journal and record. Aside from these there should be classbooks to be taken care of by a member from each class, who has been appointed secretary of that class. This relieves the secretary of much work and gives him more time for the extra work that comes with every session. This class secretary may keep account of all irregular attendants, and report to the lookout committee, and this committee may request him to assist them in reclaiming the indifferent or irregular. This suggests to us the work of the lookout committee. There is so much to be done along this line that we can only suggest that this is one of the reasons why a secretary should spend as little time as possible upon the statistical work and yet keep it specific and accurate.

There are always so many demands being made upon the lookout committee at each separate session of the society, that, as chairman, the secretary must be somewhat free to oversee, as few committees are so much alive to their opportunities and duties that the chairman need not be ever ready to lead out.

Besides what we have already mentioned, there is the official duty of a secretary, such as reading communications, and weekly reports.

And what of the duties of the secretary toward the president of the society? Do you not think it is an advantage to him to have the secretary so occupied with the proceedings of the session that he may anticipate his needs and be ready with an answer to a question or some reference that may be needed? A secretary must be alert and wide awake to do this, and he should feel repaid by the satisfaction of knowing he has been of great assistance.

There is much that a live secretary may do for the Religio, but we must not overlook what the Religio may do for the secretary. We think that a secretary should be a true Religian, and to do this he can not afford to allow his work as secretary to employ his time and mind to such an extent that he does not receive the benefit to be had from the Religio lesson study.

A secretary who does not study his lesson does not keep in touch with the work of the Religio in that department, hence is

alienating himself from one of the results to be obtained and losing a valuable opportunity for development. A secretary who has studied his lesson, can, while going about his duties, catch questions now and then from the different classes, which will bring the lesson to his mind, and he may know what each class is studying or discussing, thereby deriving satisfaction from the thought that while his work occupies much of his time, he is interested and in touch with each class in its lesson study. He is also receiving the development and benefits of being a member of the Religio. MRS. J. A. GARDNER.

SOLOMON'S WISDOM.

BY ELIZABETH M. PATTERSON.

Two mothers peacefully lie at rest;
Calmly, sweetly are they sleeping,
Each with a little one close to her breast,
Given them for their keeping.

When suddenly, in the dark of night,

The one awakes with much affright,

To find that by her side,

Her little one has died.

Then stealthily does she go

Hush! No sound must she make;

No, she will never know,

If her little one I take.

Softly, softly, creeping on so light,
Making never a sound;-

Verily a thief in the night,

Ready on her prey to bound.

Gently taking from the mother's side

The little innocent one,

Deftly she places the one that had died,
Her own dear little son.

Then hurriedly she moves away,

Before the mother wakens

For now 'tis the break of day,

She must not know her child was taken.

But ah, 'tis hard indeed,

A mother's love to blind,

She can not be deceived,

Thus did she the deception find.

Straightway did she assert her rights
But the other one denied:-

Then, said they, "To settle this strife,
Let great King Solomon decide."

Then to the king did they go,
And asked him to tell,-

Yes, he would surely know,

His wisdom they knew full well.

Solemnly the king stood by,

Listening to their tale of woe,