AUTUMN LEAVES

VOLUME 21

SEPTEMBER, 1908

黑爽爽爽

THE NEPHITE.

BY HORTENSE SELLON CRAMER.

NUMBER 9

YOUNG WOMAN sat at a table in the library of her father's country home, in deep thought. A number of large books lay on the table, and several more were on a chair at her side. A book lay open in front of her; but she was not now reading it; nor did she even see it, so far had her thoughts gone from the immediate subject. The Bible, the Old Testament only, and a large book of Psalms were there. Also the New Testament, separately bound.

The room was large and tastefully furnished, though plain and simple. Many book-shelves lined the walls, filled with books, attractive in their solid binding. There were treasures old and rare, as well as newer books. Evidently book-lovers were here.

The girl, in rich attire, her dark hair rolled back from a broad forehead, rose and closed the open book. Taking the copy of the New Testament with her, she passed out the door, down the wide hall, and out onto the broad veranda. She paced up and down it a time or two, and then ran lightly down the steps, on down the gravel walk, and across the lawn to a seat under an immense tree.

The air was balmy, and heavy with the fragrance of orange blossoms and the jasmine. The sky was blue and beautiful, flecked with tiny white clouds. Mountains were not far distant, sharply outlined against the sky.

The girl opened her book and began to read, but presently she closed it, laid it on the seat beside her, and fell to thinking again. "I wish I could know," she said, aloud.

"Know what, my daughter?" said a voice at her side.

She turned quickly to see a pleasant-faced, aged man, in rather rusty attire, but neat and clean. She hesitated a moment, questioning his presence in her father's grounds. But something in the sweet, kindly face reassured her, and she courteously made answer. "About my people on this continent," she said.

"Thou art a Jewess"; it was not a question, but rather an assertion.

"Yes."

"And thou hast been reading"-glancing at the book on the seat. "This book and many others. There are references to things of Hebrew origin in many books I have read. There are many accounts of researches made among the ruins on this continent, and I am interested. But the references to my people are so vague. They

do not satisfy me. I want to know more. And of the man-Jesus" -laying her hand on the book. "I wish I might know. But be seated," she said, as he began to speak.

There

"This land was once peopled with myriads of thy race. were happy, prosperous families. There were cities. They

were

"And thou believest that?"-eagerly. Unconsciously she had fallen into his manner of speech.

"I know it, my daughter."

"And they were Jews-they kept the law of Moses?"

"They were Jews and they kept the law of Moses-before Jesus the Christ came."

"How camest they in such numbers?" Her face was lighted up, and her dark eyes were bright with interest.

"They came in very small numbers, at first. But three different colonies were founded, and they grew into wondrous rich and prosperous nations. The first nation was entirely destroyed about the time the second came out from Jerusalem. Later two colonies were united."

"From Jerusalem?"

"These righteous men were permitted to come to this land. Thou dost remember that the city was destroyed and many carried away captive?"

"I have read it many times. But where hast thou this knowledge?"

"There is another record besides the one which the Jews and the Christians hold sacred."

"But how came they across the waters?"

"They were directed in building vessels which carried them in safety." A look of inquiry was upon her face. "Thou believest that Noah and his family were saved in the ark? Thou believest that the people of Israel were led out of Egypt and across the Red Sea?"

"I do. But go on," she said.

He had taken up the book and was turning its pages. "Jesus, my Lord!" he murmured.

"Thou believest that it is he that should come?"

"I know it, my daughter. He, and no other. But they rejected him," he said, sadly. "He appeared unto a multitude of thy own people, here on this land, after the crucifixion. And they believed that it was he. Because of their great faith he was able to perform many miracles. And great numbers worshiped him for many years. But, alas, they at last 'dwindled in unbelief." "

"Jesus-on this, our own land?"

"Hast thou read how he said, 'Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold'?"

She nodded assent. "I remember. As children we are taught the elements of Christianity; we are taught of Jesus, but that he was a Jew, and taught Jewish principles. But they who saw him and believed that was many centuries ago; they are now all dead, now long ago."

"But he hath also said to that unbelieving disciple, 'Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.' Thousands believed on his name both before and after his coming. And they are still living witnesses that he was upon the earth. Canst thou remember his words spoken of his beloved disciple, 'If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?' And there were three, who saw him when he came to thy people of this land, to whom he granted this same privilege to 'tarry.' They had so great a desire to seek and save souls, for him-'until he come.' Ah, my daughter, if you could but know the joy of believing on him—and of serving him!" The man was rising to go on his way.

"But the records," said the girl eagerly.

"Search the scriptures. Many of the prophets have testified of him. Be earnest in prayer. And thy neighbor in the cottage yonder a humble woman-but she can tell thee much. She has the record of which I spoke; a history of my people and of thy people; an account of the visit of Jesus, the Christ, our Savior, to this my land." He turned and was soon going down the slope toward the mountain stream.

The girl sat silent, gazing after him, then rose and quickly wended her way toward the little cottage, to see her neighbor. She paused and looked across to where her venerable friend now stood, his figure plainly outlined against the sky. He, too, had paused, and he raised his hands as if in blessing upon her, then turned and was soon lost to view.

The girl stood musing. "He said there were three who 'tarried' here," she said to herself. "He said, 'My people' and 'My land'-I wonder" her heart was strangely warmed, and she went on to seek this goodly woman, a believer in Jesus the Christ and in his whole mission.

INSPIRED DREAMS AND VISIONS OF MODERN TIMES. (Second Series.)

I

II. ANGELIC ADMINISTRATION.

BY EDWIN BAIR.

HAVE sometimes thought it was my duty to relate the following which came under my observation about two years ago. The question has been raised, "What is to be done by the isolated ones in sickness when no elders can be reached to have them administer?" Some one in reply advises, with what authority I do not know, "If the isolated ones live as they ought the Lord will send angels to administer to them." The following is to some extent a case in point. While there were elders near enough to be sent for in this case the extreme opposition of the woman's husband made it so impossible for the elders to attend that she might as well have been in New York and the elders in China.

The woman in the case is a relative of the writer. Prior to her