Reorganization. Elder Pratt meets with the "conclave" to discuss religious topics.) STAND FROM UNDER. Sidney Luther did not see Elder Pratt again until Sunday morning, on which occasion he escorted the elder up the aisle of the old union church and proffered him a seat on the stand. As Elder Pratt glanced over the congregation, he beheld a variety of expression,-expressions that may be imagined, but can not be described. Those who did not know Mrs. Barker, and consequently were unaware of her reputation of sanctity, might have imagined that she was angry. Mr. E. E. Miller sat stiffly in his accustomed place, his pale face paler than usual, his shaven upper lip curled contemptuously, and a baleful light in his hawklike eyes. Some countenances expressed blank astonishment; clearly the puzzled owners thought that the pastor was insane. Others, who had attended the elder's meetings regularly, saw nothing to cause undue astonishment. Why should not the elder be asked to preach in the old union church? It was not the first time that the pastor had invited other ministers to preach from his pulpit. During the past week, the tongue of gossip had been busy with the name of Sidney Luther, as those could testify who had conversed with Mrs. Barker or with Mr. E. E. Miller. It was declared that he was about to turn traitor and ally himself with the Latter Day Saints. His present course seemed to confirm the rumor. But more dark and sinister rumors were afloat. Mr. E. E. Miller had quietly given out that he had it direct from the Reverend J. Albert Hubbard that Sidney Luther had resigned his former pastorate under a cloud. The old prejudice that had existed in certain quarters was fanned into a fresh glow. Miss Halloway and Ephraim Wilson refused to sing. Miss Halloway considered it "sacrilegious" to sing for a Latter Day Saint preacher; and Ephraim, who had gone back to his uncertain tenor, thought whatever Miss Halloway thought. However, this defection did not ruin the musical part of the services; Ephraim was no Caruso. In fact, though tall and dignified, he had not impressed Mentone. It was the general concensus of opinion that Ephraim would never "set the world on fire"; Norman Barker considered that to be a good thing in one way, "Because," declared he, "ef he did, he wouldn't nohow know enough to put it out." But, to Miss Halloway, he was a man; he represented the first and last opportunity-she embraced the opportunity. In due time, Sidney Luther "had the pleasure" of introducing Elder Phineas Pratt, of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as the speaker. In a friendly, courteous, yet plain and unflinching manner, the elder proceeded to expound the doctrines of his church. He followed with an account of the angel's visit to Joseph Smith and the organization and growth of the church. He read and explained those prophecies found in the Bible, so clearly anticipating the coming forth of the latter-day work. He closed with these words, "I have shown you, from the twenty-ninth chapter of Isaiah, how Lebanon was to become a fruitful field, and how, before that event, a sealed book was to be delivered to one who was unlearned, and a marvelous work was to be done. The Book of Mormon was delivered to an unlearned man, the gospel was restored, and the church was organized after the old pattern, all in fulfillment of this prophecy. At a date later than the work of Joseph Smith, the prophecy regarding Lebanon began to be fulfilled, as a divine confirmation. "One proof that I submit is this: A so-called prophetic conference, attended by representatives of the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Churches, met in Chicago, in July, 1895. I read from their findings, as reported in the Chicago Inter-Ocean, 'Another sign is the return of the Jews to Palestine. There are more of them there now than there were after the return from the Babylonian captivity. . . . A sign which is undeniably miraculous, too, is that Palestine is again becoming fruitful, after years of desolation, during which scarcely anything would grow. It was under a curse and the curse is being lifted.' "I am glad that these churches are on record, because they took part in the revival meeting that stirred Joseph Smith to seek the Lord and receive the revelation that was at that time branded as coming from the Devil. He predicted these things regarding the land of Jerusalem years before they occurred, and was called an impostor; these men mention them after they have happened, and they are called a 'prophetic' conference. "Why should you think the message that we present strange? Alexander Campbell is on record in the Christian System as saying, that 'some new revelation or some new development of the revelation of God must be made before the hopes and expectations of all true Christains can be realized or Christianity can save and reform the nations of this world. We want the old gospel back, and sustained by the ancient order of things.' Roger Williams declared, 'I conceive that the apostasy of Anti-christ has so far corrupted all, that there can be no recovery out of that apostasy till Christ shall send forth new apostles to plant churches anew.' I read from Struggles and Triumphs of Religious Liberty. John Wesley declared that the signs of the time indicated that God was about to arise 'to maintain his own cause and set up his own kingdom."" Some of the followers of these renowned reformers stirred uneasily. These quotations did not agree with the idea that the day of revelation and miracle had ended long, long ago. To find the illustrious Wesley, Campbell, and Williams hand in glove with Elder Phineas Pratt, of the Latter Day Saints' Church, was a surprise. Norman Barker could not forbear giving his wife a sly nudge; one of these men was her peerless reformer. The congregation sang, "Lead, kindly light," and in certain quarters the "encircling gloom" reigned profound. Before he dismissed the meeting, Sidney Luther made a few quiet remarks. He said, "Elder Pratt has presented some ideas that are worthy of your careful consideration. If they are true, you want to know it; and I trust you will be willing to accept them. If they are false, you ought to have light enough to detect that fact and reject them. I warned you, when I took this charge, that I should hold myself ready to accept truth, let it come from where it might. I realize that this is a day when all that can be shaken will be shaken. If our structure is faulty, and can be shaken, my advice to you is to stand from under." Deacon and Mrs. Deacon Hardpack walked down the street together-almost together-the good old lady found it difficult to maintain her hold upon the arm of her irate spouse. "I can't keep away from that there doctrine, anywheres I go," complained the old man, his cane rapping time to his words; "even in our own church!" "Never mind, Jonas," soothed the good old lady, "Bro. Luther, or Bro. E. E. Miller, or somebody'll reply to him.' The old man stopped and scowled up at her, "They ain't nairy one can reply to him," he retorted. CHAPTER 7. UNDER THE MAPLE-TREES. Minnie hastened home to prepare the noon-day meal, assisted by Donald, who insisted on paring the potatoes,-with vast extravagance as regards thickness of parings. He surveyed the finished product with a critical eye. “I'm afraid," he declared, "that I'll never again be able to look an honest potato in the eye." A little later he added, inconsequentially, "I think that I'll be a preacher, when I grow up; they seem to have a good time, trying to please everybody." "I don't know," began Minnie, "I one time made a vow never to -" she stopped suddenly, "Mercy, my biscuits are burning!" "What was it you vowed?" queried Donald, when the biscuits were again made comfortable. "I've forgotten," she replied. But he did not notice; he was lost in a dreamy contemplation of Minnie as a housekeeper. Sidney Luther and his wife loitered by the way. Adjoining the old union church was a tract of land owned by McBernie. A part of it the church held by perpetual lease as a cemetery; a part of it was shaded with fine old maple-trees, in whose leafy canopy the birds nested. Sunday-school picnics were sometimes held in this little park; and at times the congregation had assembled there for basket-meetings, and Luther had preached to them. In the shadow of these trees, the minister and his wife wandered, hand in hand, like little children. Always in perfect accord, an intuitive understanding had grown up between them, so that each often sensed the thought in the other's mind ere it was uttered. Presently the soft voice of Rose Luther broke the silence, "What is it, Sidney?" The husband heaved a deep sigh, and squared his shoulders, "Well, it's simply this: make a decision!" We have come to the point where we must "I am ready," responded the low voice. "The truth has come to us;" the husband went on, "the very thing I have long searched for. A messenger from the great God has found us. I know now that there is one church that is in perfect accord with the biblical pattern. I have studied and prayed, and I have received an evidence which I can not doubt. I have pledged myself to accept this message if I should find it true. how can I ask you to make another sacrifice!" But The little hand tightened its grasp upon the big fingers of the husband. Tears sprang to the tender, uplifted eyes of Rose Luther. "Sacrifice! It is no sacrifice," she murmured, "I, too, am a believer. We can not call it a sacrifice when the goodness of a kind Father sends that which we have long prayed for. Let us sell all that we have, and secure this great treasure.' The heavens, beholding the tender love of a true man and a faithful woman, devoted to the service of God, rejoiced; and the sun, glinting down through maple-boughs, showered them with a golden benediction. When the two reached home, Minnie was busy in the kitchen, while Donald was innocently reading in the parlor. Apparently he was absorbed, though Rose Luther, with a woman's curiosity, wondered how he could read with the book bottom upward. Little Viola, observing but not always observed, informed the assembled company that Donald had "buried the potato peeling in the garden." Unknown to Luther, a select meeting of "the pillars" was held at the home of Mr. E. E. Miller, at three o'clock of that afternoon. Luther was detained by one of his parishioners, purposely, perhaps, until almost time for the evening service. In the meantime, little groups of people approached the old union church, found the doors closed, read a notice tacked thereon, and wonderingly took their departure or loitered near to watch developments. When Luther hastened to his service, through the early twilight, he, too, found the door locked. Stooping down, he read, "No services to-night! Revival services next week! By order of the trustees. Mr. E. E. Miller." Mrs. Deacon Hardpack was preparing for bed. The strings of her red flannel nightcap were tied under her chin (she never changed to the white until July 15). The deacon was pottering around the kitchen stove, "fixin' the fire for mornin'." "Come, Jonas," pleaded the old lady, "read a chapter afore we go to bed." "Naw!" grunted the deacon. "Ain't you never goin' to read no more?" "Naw! not 'til them Latter Day Saints git out o' town, an' I've hed time to fergit all they ever preached." "Now, Jonas, don't be foolish. know is all right.” Come'n read-somethin' that you The old man straightened his bent back as much as he could, and glared at her, "Quit pesterin' me, will ye? They ain't none of it that's all right, any more. You go on to bed an' leave me alone." Dabbing mournfully at her eyes, the good old lady sought her couch, only kneeling long enough to pray, "Lord, save Jonas! I can't do nothing with him." Silence followed. Presently the old deacon stuck his head in at the bedroom door. "Maw! maw!" he called, "where's my specks? Hev you seen my specks?" His wife sat up in bed and surveyed him. "Land sakes, Jonas," she cried, "you've got 'em on!" The deacon lifted his hand to confirm the report that his ears had heard, and disappeared. A long silence followed. The old lady dozed off, then sat up with a start. It seemed that half the night had gone. "Jonas, Jonas," she called, "air you ever comin' to bed?" "In a minit, maw," responded the voice from the other room. She subsided, and the affair repeated itself. This time, however, she got up and came to the door to peer forth at him. He heard her hard little heels coming on the bare floor, thump, thump, and got up hastily. He had been reading the Bible, Isaiah 29. (To be continued.) Daughters of Zion Truer Parenthood, Better Children, Happier Homes, Purer Society. CALLIE B. STEBBINS, Editor. "A partnership with God is motherhood; ADVISORY BOARD.-Mrs. B. C. Smith, president, 214 South Spring Street, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. H. A. Stebbins, vice-president, Lamoni, Iowa; Mrs. F. M. Smith, secretary, 630 South Crysler Street, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. M. E. Hulmes, treasurer, 909 Maple Avenue, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. E. Etzenhouser, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. S. R. Burgess, 5920 Etzel Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. P be judged. CHILDREN'S LIES AND TRAINING IN TRUTH. ERHAPS one of the most difficult and perplexing problems which confront the parent and teacher is that of untruthfulness in children, and too often there is a lack of knowledge of the principles and conditions under which supposed cases of moral delinquency should be Of two children in the same family, brought up under like conditions and influences, one may always be trusted as to the accuracy of his statements, while the word of the other may be subjected to doubt if a question arises. What is the ground of this difference? Is it to be ascribed to innate moral differences or how has it come about? And what can be done to remedy it? Before this latter |