by a religious denomination, is founded on the broadest views ever set forth by a college of its class. To support this institution is our duty, not because of the individual gain resulting, but because of the general uplifting of our entire social institution. When we place this college on equal terms with the greater institutions of the land then Graceland will be not one of the best, but the best college in this country, because of also having the students surrounded by a pure moral and religious atmosphere.

To the students of Graceland the golden "G" on the blue background should represent grace, goodness, grandness, glory and godliness, standing on a field representing honor and justice. The very pennants of Graceland should therefore be an incentive to a higher plane of living.-Read before the Oakland local, "College day," by Arthur Domonoske.

THE OLD YEAR.

It is always hard to talk about the old year, since it is impossible to picture it in imagination with dreams of wealth and happiness, as we might the new year. It is as a "song that is sung, a tale that is told." Yet we believe a little reminiscence at this, the close of the year, good for us individually.

We might well ask, How has the old year served us, and how have we served the old year? To some it brought only happiness and prosperity; to others, sorrow and disappointment. The sun can not shine everywhere at the same time.

If it has been our good fortune to get the sunshine,-have we looked about us to see if our brother, or friend, who was having the sorrow and shadow, needed us? Have we mingled our tears with those who wept? Have you let no opportunity to help one another pass unheeded? Do we always remember the injunction, "Bear ye one another's burdens"?

Have those who have met with misfortune or sorrow striven to rise above such, keeping their faith firm in God and man? Have we endeavored to live for the good we might do in the world, rather than the good it might do us?

If for us the old year was laden with happiness, or burdened with sorrow, we are sure of this fact, it brought to each one opportunities to build character; to grow more like our heavenly Father. This is as sure as that the days come and go; whether we live in sunshine or shadow, the opportunity for this development is never denied us. If we have failed to make this development, this should be our saddest thought when we say, Good-bye, old year.

Looking backward is not always to be recommended, but where we might see an opportunity to do good we failed to improve, or a sorrowing one we forgot to comfort, it is well to take note, and strive to make no such mistake during the new year.

"Speak a shade more kindly, than the year before;

Pray a little oftener, love a little more;

Cling a little closer to the Father's love;

Life below shall liker grow to the life above."

Then we can say at the close of the old year, Good-bye, without any heartaches or regrets over wasted opportunities or duty neglected. And when we have bidden a fond good-bye to all the years of our lives, and Father Time has caressed our locks with frosty fingers, we can whisper to those around us, Good-bye and farewell, with the assurance that a golden dawn awaits us with Him who said, "Love one another."

EMMA MORGAN MARMADUKE.

HOME DEPARTMENT WORK.

The home department work is largely dependent on the various superintendents, and as there may have been some elected that we have received no notice of, we wish to call attention to the methods used in inviting and inducing the Saints to study. We have complete instructions in the revised leaflet, number two, of 1908. The pages 9, 10, 11, and 12 define the duties of the superintendents. It is desired that they see that local visitors are appointed in every branch of the church in their district. We have provided a visitor's canvass blank and report, and the name and residence, with reasons for refusal to study, are to be recorded.

We desire that every Saint in your district shall have an invitation at least, before the year is out.

This visitor makes a quarterly report, on blanks furnished by the district, to the superintendent of local or district. There is also an envelope to receive your contributions, as there are no fixed dues, and on which the lesson is recorded.

Every student is entitled to a membership card signed by superintendent of local or district.

As we have a large corps of workers we expect grand results this year, perhaps not so great a membership, but showing the amount of effort done by invitations. We wish the district superintendents to send all visiting canvass blanks to us as they come in, that we may know just what the status of the work is and thus feel the pulse of the Saints the world over.

This is the Lord's work and when we realize that we are privileged to help him and are thus representing him on earth, the burden rolls away and it becomes a pleasure. Once we were called to care for a sick person. It was a distressing case and required great endurance. We felt to give way under the work, when these words came to us, "As ye do it unto the least of these so do ye unto me." We were immediately strengthened and said, "Lord, we can do it for thee." And we tried to make it seem that it was Christ we were ministering to.

Thus it is in this work, and it becomes a labor of love.

We would like to hear from every one who is interested in the work of development along the lines of our department. We are anxious to enroll the name of every member of the church in this great work. ALTHA R. DEAM.

NEWS FROM THE SOCIETIES.

Independence, Mo.-During the last four months some may have thought the Independence local either dead or asleep, so far as reporting is concerned, but she is again awakening to her duties and desires to report that present symptoms are favorable for a steady growth and development.

During the summer our attendance was somewhat light, the reunion being responsible for a share of this, also breaking into our committee work. However, our committees are busily at work now, and find a wide field for service.

We are making a special effort to develop new material, working in the untried metal on our programs and in our committees. Many have responded promptly to our appeals for service, and we find a number of the backward ones are qualified for service, and need only experience and opportunity to develop into most earnest, faithful workers.

On our last parliamentary evening, we tried a new plan, the seniors combining in one class, taught by Bro. Joshua Nunn, while the juniors had class-work as usual. We believe that with the aid of a large blackboard on which to outline the lessson, this plan will make the parliamentary work more effective and will be more interesting. W. H. CALLIN.

Dow City, Iowa.-Although the membership of our society is increasing very slowly, we are not at all discouraged. The interest during the last few months has been good, but we expect it to be better this winter. A few of our committees are doing good work, which we hope and trust will be used as an example by the others.

A short time ago the society gave a temperance program which we believe did much good.

We know that the hand of the Lord is in this work and that he will push it onward if we but put our trust and confidence in him and do all that is required of true loyal disciples of Christ. RAYMOND BUTTERWORTH.

Council Bluffs, Iowa.-I am sending, inclosed herewith, for publication, two of the literary selections of our rally program given October 24. The following week a Halloween social was held at the home of Bro. A. E. Dempsey. We are in hope that these events have created an interest that will continue throughout the new course of study taken up by the last Quarterly.

Our committees are working faithfully, and all looks bright for the future. We still hold our monthly prayer-meetings, and they are very beneficial to us. MRS. S. C. JACOBSON.

Des Moines, Iowa.-We are still trying to keep pace with the times. There are a few more interested workers now than when we reported last. But not as many as we wish to see, knowing there are a number here in our local that could make themselves useful if they so desired. The lookout committee, assisted by the executive committtee, have tried and are yet trying to make a better record in the way of not having so many "dead" members. For we feel

as though something should be done. If they do not intend to attend our meetings or to do anything for the Religio, we had better drop them from the list of membership.

Our "Journal" published by Sr. Orpha Emslie continues to grow in interest, the members looking forward to its appearance. MRS. MARY RUDKIN.

Independence Stake. The semiannual convention of the Independence Stake Religio Society was held at Holden, Missouri, November 7 and 8 (Saturday and Sunday). There was a very good delegation, from Kansas City, although not quite as large as was expected, but the convention was a profitable one to all who attended. Our Holden brothers and sisters are to be thanked kindly for the cordial reception given the delegates from other places.

Saturday, with the usual morning prayer-service, the convention opened. The reports of officers and committees followed, and were very pleasing to all. Reports indicate that the work has not fallen back in the least, but that all have been awake to their duty, and the fact that we have made notable progress during the past six months warrants us in trusting and striving for a continuance of the good work in the future. The total enrollment of the stake, including home class members, is 1,446, with an average attendance of 32. One year ago there was a total enrollment in the Independence Stake, including home class members, of 1,179. We have gained 267 members in the last year. While we have enjoyed progression in the past, that fact alone does not assure its continuance, and the sentiment which seemed to prevail at the convention was a requirement of more diligence and persistence on the part of officers and committees of the locals, in order to make our present ideals a matter of reality, and we should, as an earnest body of Religians, with a faith and a hope that will encourage us to the use of personal endeavor, move onward and upward.

PAUL KUNTZ, Sec'y.

St. Louis, Missouri.-The result of the Religio work for November has been very satisfactory indeed. The attendance and interest are much improved, and programs are interesting and instructive. Our temperance program was fine; and the children's program, in charge of Sr. S. R. Burgess, could not have been better. Some pleasing features were the lesson review, given by one of the juniors, Bro. David Archibald. A sketch or dialogue from the "Babes of Toy Land" between Bro. S. R. Burgess and nine little girls; a doll-dressing contest of children under fourteen years of age, and a guessing contest of the attendance by the older folks.

Sr. Florence Burgess, with the chorister, Bro. Joerndt, gave a musical program recently, and good music was enjoyed throughout all meetings.

We are looking forward to good programs, which are promised to follow, and are now being prepared.

E. M. PATTERSON.

INDEX TO VOLUME 21TOR, LENOX AND