sorrowing hearts. There is no other gift or endowment that will beautify and enrich the soul of him who makes a practical use of it, more than sympathy for others. It is the essence of human kindness. The outlet for the pure emotions of the heart. The gentle touch of sympathy often relieves the distressed. She calls back the sinner to reform. She soothes the aching heart of the bereft and comforts the afflicted. Her mission, like that of our Lord and Master, is to the poor, the lowly, the downcast and the weary-hearted; and all feel under the power of her magic touch newness of life. Life at once becomes dearer, sweeter, and they desire, like her, to go about doing good. Sympathy, like her sister charity, can see some good in every child of God. She is disinterested in her heavenly vocation, soliciting no compensation, and desiring no reward, except the reward of a satisfied conscience and that which comes from the Giver of all gifts and blessings. From that exalted source, her reward is sure, for, we are told, that he that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord. Thus, good deeds are put out on interest, that which comes back is two-fold. The world would, indeed, be cold and comfortless, were it not for this blessed virtue that cements soul to soul and heart to heart. Then, should we not listen to the promptings of this Divine Monitor, to seek the well-being, peace and happiness of our fellow-creatures? Thereby, our own will be greatly, yes, a hundred fold intensified. We are told that, "We do most for ourselves when we do most for others." He who is full of sympathy often does good when he knows it not, or at least the extent thereof. When this pleas

ing quality is cultivated, avariciousness will be subdued or driven out.

"Life was lent for noble deeds,"

So says the poet. Can we conceive of deeds more noble than those actuated by sympathy?

We quote the following beautiful lines, which seem very appropriate here: "Oh sympathy, thou sweetest gift of God! E'en in the greatest men who earth have trod So rarely found! Thy gentle beauteous calm, Acting on weary souls like healing balm, Dispelling care and softening the pain, Brings with it peace; restores to life again. Behold it yonder, by the sufferer's bed, It smoothes the pillow, cools the aching head, Speaks tenderly, and by its inward power Makes the long day of pain seem but an hour. Daring disease, its mission to fulfill, Flies swift on eagle's wings to do God's will. Fearless of danger: even to the grave 'Twould hasten, but one pang of pain to save. 'Tis but a look the heaving of a sigh, The clasped hand, the tear drop in the eye, All speak its language. Eloquence divine! That makes the soul that feels its presence shine With Godlike beauty, shedding purest light, In rays of glory, through the darkest night Of human pain, perplexity and care. Longing to ease the burden and to share With those distressed, the misery and woe. Those who have felt its value only know, The soothing magic of its tender love; Its wondrous strength-yet gentle as a dove. Could I the riches of a king commandAmid the train of earth's proud heroes stand A conqueror-applauded and admired; Or could I, with the zeal of science fired Discover planets, know each flashing star. And tell the world the distances they are; And had not sympathy within my breast, I were a poor, a miserable jest, Compared with him who can for others feel, Who gently tries the wounded heart to heal, E'en though he were the poorest on the earth, Yet is this one a pearl of wondrous worth In sight of God; and deemed by Him to be A king; who hath within him sympathy."

How many of earth's noblest characters have been formed in the mould of a mother's love, the judgment day will alone reveal.

8th, 1852. In 1863 Miss Burnham was married to James P. Freeze in Richmond, Cache Co., and shortly after moved into the 11th Ward, Salt Lake City, where they have since lived.

The name of Mary A. Freeze, has been so long and so closely identified with Retrenchment and Mutual Improvement that at the mention of one the other instinctively looms up in the mind. To the cause of Retrenchment in its infancy and afterward in its childhood renamed Mutual Improvement, she has indeed been a careful mother and still after the lapse of nineteen years is as anxious for the maiden and as earnest in furthering its development. In 1871, Sister Freeze was called to preside over the Retrenchment association in the 11th Ward. She says, "I accepted the position with reluctance feeling my incapability, but have filled it to the best ability which God has given me." She chose Mrs. Ellis R. Shipp and Mrs. Jane Freeze for her counselors. Like pioneers in every good cause they battled with many discouraging circumstances in this new and unpopular field of labor, but their zeal and persistence, born of a mighty faith in God and a sense of deep responsibility, enabled them to subdue unfavorable conditions until this society became the largest and most successful in the city. Hundreds of members joined during the presidency of Sister Freeze covering fifteen years-the latter nine of which she also held the position of president of the Salt Lake Stake, to which she was appointed September 14th, 1878, choosing Louie B. Felt and Clara Young Conrad, her half-sister, as her counselors. One feature underlying the success of this society was, we think,

that the meetings were never adjourned, thus the standard was always raised around which the few faithful might rally, and many to-day look back upon those times of sisterly love and unity as the happiest of their lives. Her labors in the stake, this being the largest, have been arduous but also faithfully performed, often traveling alone when without the aid of counselors, through summer's heat and winter's cold on early morning or late evening trains or by team at all hours, herself the driver, ever making a willing cheerful sacrifice of all personal ease and comfort in the interest of those whose spiritual welfare was entrusted to her care and under conditions where a less conscientious or zealous officer would have given up in despair. The constant presence of her dear faithful mother or one of her sister wives in her home gave her more freedom in the discharge of public duties than many enjoy, and a frail constitution has from early womanhood unfitted her for the heavier labor necessary in housekeeping, thus the mind had greater scope for study and reflection-she acknowledges the hand of the Lord in being deprived of physical strength that she might the better discharge the spiritual duties required of her. As a public speaker she is clear in argument, sound in doctrine, decidedly earnest in expression, while her persuasive attitude never fails to hold the attention of old and young, and as one of her assistant officers remarked she is dearly loved by the young ladies of the Salt Lake Stake, and in a number of other stakes, where she has visited, is held in affectionate remembrance.

One gift in particular is hers, possessed by few, the power to repeat correctly a conversation or relate circum

riage was so closely and tenderly interwoven with that of Mary. Their friendship was like that of Ruth and Naomi. She would laughingly say if any household article was missing, "Oh, Mary has donated it to somebody; she will donate all her own things to the poor, and if I don't watch her, mine will go the same way." President Freeze is the mother of nine children, five sons, three of whom are dead, and four daughters still living. The mother's intense love of music and sweet voice have descended as a precious heritage to her children. Mrs. Maggie Bassett is noted for the sweetness and pathos of her voice, having sung on many public occasions at the age of eleven years, assuming the leading role in two operas presented on the Salt Lake stage. Mrs. Alice Atkins is a talented musician and elocutionist, and Miss Mamie is an ardent student of music.

In November, 1884, Prest. Freeze lost a beautiful boy of over five years, in whom the fondest hopes were centered. Shortly after her husband and daughter Maggie departed for Pennsylvania and the family broke up and scattered by the crusade against the Saints, after living in affectionate harmony for many years. She felt lonely and bereft, so took the remainder of her family to Logan, where she found peace and comfort laboring in the temple, aiding in the redemption of hundreds of her dead kindred and officiating for nearly one year in the ordinances of that sacred place. Her monthly letters to the officers of this stake during that time and read in the regular officers' meetings were gems of encouragement and wise counsel. That Prest. Freeze has literary ability, is told in many sweet poems of the heart.

As a proof that polygamy does not blunt the finer susceptibilities of the wife and deaden love, I cull a few lines from a poem written on the silver wedding anniversary:

"Though a fourth of a century's passed since the day

You first called me wife, and we're both growing gray;

Though changes and sorrows together we've known,

Yet my heart is still true as in happy days flown. While blessings and praises around thee entwine I've a proud satisfaction in knowing you're mine, And in thy dear presence a sweet, mystic spell Thrills my being with rapture that words cannot tell,

'Tis a joy, 'tis a peace that lovers well know, Yet we're not the same lovers we were years ago, For our love has been tested in various waysBy the pitiless storm and the sun's glaring rays; Separation has only cemented the chain That has bound us together through pleasure and pain,

So our love may be voted the love that will last Through the changes of time and the tempest's

rude blast.

Once we loved the rare qualities guessed in each

other

That had never been proven through fair or foul weather,

Now we love understandingly, knowing the

worth

Of the soul that we chose above all on the earth. Such ties must endure, through all time, shall I

say?

Yes, and more, through eternity's long, endless day.

A number of her articles are published, and proclaim their own merit, but as an entertaining correspondent among family and friends she shines the brightest.

President Freeze's name is on record among those who were favored with hearing the singing of the angelic choir at the dedication of the Manti temple, and rejoices greatly in this gracious manifestation of God's goodness

to her.

May she live long to repeat this testimony to the youth of Israel, and