humble and energetic than ever before, that she might, with the assistance of the members and former officers, who have so willingly accepted their positions, be successful, and prayed God to assist her. Ida Coombs was interested in mutual improvement; regarded it as a school wherein all could be benefitted and prepare themselves for another life, becoming honored women in the Church and kingdom of God. Ellen Jones desired to be humble at all times, do her duty and work with the object of mutual improvement. in view. Evelyn Billings trusted all would be pleased with the appointed officers, be awake and alive to the various duties and responsibilities resting upon them, and be prepared to endure whatever trials may be brought to bear against them. Brother David John arose and testified to the truth of Sister Taylor's remarks. Knew they were dictated by the Spirit of the Lord. Counseled the girls that ere taking that most important step in life, choosing a husband, they seek unto the Lord humbly and prayerfully to be guided aright, and not entail misery upon their parents, themselves and their offspring. Sister Taylor desired the number of subscribers for the YOUNG WOMAN'S JOURNAL given in each branch report; also every society to pay to the Stake treasury one dollar per year. With closing exercises conference adjourned until 7 p. m. Convened at the appointed time, Prest. Donna Meecham presiding. After opening exercises, Brother G. H. Brimhall, by request of the president, made a few remarks. Had expected some of the Presidency pres ent, and felt somewhat delicate about attending these meetings, but had listened to powerful sermons from the sisters, especially that delivered by Sister E. S. Taylor in regard to young ladies choosing a companion for time and all eternity. Thought the young ladies were certainly setting a better example of dignity and respect than the young men are, although there are hundreds worthy of leading any young lady to the altar, yet the majority are wayward and wild. Considered the young ladies of this Stake were in advance of the young men. Spoke some length in regard to proper amusements and the necessity of the same. Sister Meecham regretted Sister Taylor's absence, but felt it was unavoidable. Thought many had received great testimonies through attending these meetings, and were better able to resist temptation. Miss Ida Coombs spoke for some time in regard to the efficacy of Their history from the beginning seems to represent the two extremes that the body and mind are capable of enduring, that is, they have either been reduced to abject slavery, or they have been prospered, and have received blessings that have been given to no other people dwelling upon God's footstool. The history of the tribes of Abraham is one that would, if discussed thoroughly, fill volumes; but it is not the aim in this article to be elaborate, but rather to briefly outline the story of this people, and take a glance at the position they occupy today. It is a subject that every Latter-day Saint should understand, because of us being so closely allied to Jacob's children. Abraham, the favored of Jehovah in ancient days, was much beloved of God because of his great faith; and unto him it was promised that his seed should be as numerous as the sands on the sea shore, or as the stars in the firmament. In accordance with this promise God gave unto Abraham and his wife Sarah a son, whom they called Isaac. When Isaac had reached years of maturity he married Rebecca, and unto them were given two sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau manifested a widely different disposition to Jacob, his brother; but we will not speak of him, but of Jacob, as he is the one who mostly affects our subject. Jacob married four wives, and unto them were given twelve sons. Unto Jacob God gave the name of Israel, hence his descendants are called the children of Israel. On account of the famine that occurred in Egypt, while Joseph, one of Jacob's younger sons, was ruler there, Israel and his other sons were forced to leave the land of their inheritance and came into Egypt. Here they lived and prospered, becoming very numerous and wealthy, until the Egyptian monarchs fearing their increase and influence, reduced them to a state of bondage. In this lamentable condition, Moses, a mighty leader and lawgiver in God's hands, led them across the Red Sea, across the wilderness of Arabia, into the land of their fathers, their promised Canaan. Here they had power to kill their enemies and subdue the land, and on the eastern shores of Asia they founded a mighty commonwealth. From the hour of their entrance into that blessed land the sun of prosperity shone upon them. God blessed them abundantly, both temporally and spiritually. The land produced in all its strength, and Israel became a mighty nation. Day by day they became more powerful; they built cities of magnitude and magnifiTheir public buildings commenced to be the envy of the world, until, under Solomon's reign, they reached a point that they have never since known. So under their Goddirected kings their ship of state knew no wrecks, their mariners and captains were ever preserved. Under these flattering conditions success alone could be the result of their labors. cence. But, alas! these weak, frail mortals fell into error, suffered disunion to come into their midst, by dividing themselves under Solomon's two sons, Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Under these circumstances they were in a fit condition for a foreign foe to come in and subdue them; and such seemed to be the inevitable fate that awaited them. leads him to worship a divine power and to look for the coming of a Messiah. Not long after their dissensions Joseph. That blood that naturally they were besieged by the Assyrians, who readily took them captive into Media. From this place Judah and Benjamin found their way back to the fertile valleys of the Jordan, the land of the olive and the fig. The other ten tribes wandered into northern Europe, from thence they wandered into a country unknown to the world, except through revelation. Remnants of these tribes were scattered throughout many of the European nations. Ephraim being most largely represented by those who lingered and remained on the way. Judah saw times of prosperity and righteousness, times of wickedness and decay, alternating with times of peace and plenty, bloodshed and famine. They became so corrupt that they knew not the God who came to redeem them, and wilfully nailed him to a cross. Then was the cup of God's wrath full; then were the Romans allowed to tear them asunder as a nation, and sift them through the nations of the world. During the middle ages those remnants who had remained in Europe had so thoroughly disguised themselves by mixing with other peoples that they were lost to the world, until those bearing authority from God, laden with tidings of great joy, came unto them. Lo! Israel heard the cry of her Redeemer! They were His sheep, and knew His voice, and readily did they gather to the fold He had prepared for them in the highland fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains. Here they came in contact with another branch of the "olive tree," that was to leaven the whole lump-the poor savage, the untutored Lamanite-who has running in his veins the blood of We have briefly followed Israel from the time of her infancy unto the present time. Have seen her in her joys and in her sorrows; observed what a remarkable part she has played in the world's history in the past. Now let us take a casual glance at the place she occupies at present. Pick up the most insignificant papers of the day, and what are the main topics that present themselves? The Mormons, the Jews, and the Indians, or Ephraim, Judah and Manassah. The icy barriers of the north have buried nearly ten tribes from our knowledge, but the three remaining tribes are still notoriously eminent. But, alas! how is that notoriety brought about? Their prominence is due alone to the persecutions to which they are forced to submit at the present time, at the hands of so-called civilized nations. Ephraim has had his homes despoiled; her temples burned and stolen; has been beaten, driven and killed by violent mobs. Manasseh, likewise, has been robbed of his lands, cheated and killed at the hands of lawless commissioners and wilful thieves, without redress. Judah has wandered over nearly the entire footstool of God, without finding a place to lay his head, save in the land of the Moham medans! 1 And for what? Why should these Israel be maltreated? This is a quesremnants of the mighty kingdom of tion that cannot be answered, so far as the persecutors are concerned, from any reasonable standpoint, save that men are impelled by some unnatural power. We can understand in but My Dear Young Sisters : DO wonder if I can write any I thing that would benent ye I think I will try for surely we can do nothing without trying, and I always feel that I should like to be the humble instrument in the hands of God of doing something to help roll along His kingdom. Of course, if I can in a measure overcome my faults and failings and live the life of a consistent Saint, that in itself is a great work, but I believe that in listening to or But so sure as he was defeated there, ❘ reading the testimonies, trials, tempta so sure will he be defeated here. Therefore fear not, Ephraim, because the last vestage of liberty is being wrenched from your hands, and your people made bondsmen! Fail not, Manasseh, because United States soldiers are marshalled on your borders, ready at the slightest provocation to annihilate you! Despair not, Judah, because you are stripped, beaten and reduced to servitude by a tyrannical Czar. For so sure as the sun shining in yon firmament is brighter than the other heavenly lights, so sure shall your triumph be greater than that of your oppressors. For thou art of that same Joseph, who was called a dreamer and unvirtuous, and who was cast into prison. And like him you shall shake off your shackles and save a nation from a famine of servitude! Then shall the Pharaohs of this and other nations dress you in purple and fine linen, put the chain of gold around your neck, the sceptre in your hand, and bid you rule. ALICE REYNOLDS, 17th Ward Y. L. M. I. A. As adversity leads us to think properly of our state, it is most beneficial to us. tions or pleasures, as the case may be, of my sisters, and in mingling my thoughts with theirs, that I shall gather strength and faith and be better enabled to perform that work; and I do think that as daughters of Zion we should do everything we can to improve ourselves and our talents, whatever they may be, that we may not be considered slothful handmaidens, but that we may grow in wisdom and intelligence, that we may become fitting helpmeets for the servants of God and fitting mothers for the children that shall help bear off this kingdom triumphant. Sometimes we think we have a great deal to contend with, but I tell you, my sisters, when I read of the trials that our sisters passed through in early days, I feel ashamed that I ever thought I had a trial, and I think of the many blessings we enjoy at the present time in spite of persecution. Plenty to eat, plenty to wear, most of us in comfortable homes, and all of us surrounded by friends. What a contrast to the picture some of our aged sisters could draw! Many of them could tell us of no homes nor shelter in the dead of winter; no food, their children sick, a howling mob behind, a wilderness before, and as if this were not enough, many of their husbands were on missions, or else in prison, and with all they had to contend with, what must have been a trial in those days, the doctrine of plural marriage; how could they have endured all this had it not been for their unbounded faith in God? Just think of it, and then think how grateful to our heavenly Father we should be, and how we should love and respect those sisters that have set us such noble examples and how we should endeavor to live so that we may be willing and able to endure anything and everything that our Father sees fit to sift us with; for you know He says He will have a tried people, and I do hope that we may stand the sifting, that our dross may be consumed, that we may be found amongst the wise virgins with oil in our lamps ready to meet the bridegroom. Salt Lake City. R. M. F. OUR SHOPPING DEPARTMENT. THE merchants of Salt Lake have received our plan of putting them before the people in a very warmhearted way. And since our last No. was issued we have received quite a number of new advertisements. All of these firms like those spoken of before, are our people and the girls will be perfectly safe to deal with any firm advertised in our pages. THE Co-op. Wagon and Machine Co. are so widely known that they need only be called by name. The incorporated Co. are composed of a number of firms who were gathered under one head by Heber J. Grant, and who, instead of doing a business of a few thousands a year, now import whole trains of implements and machinery. I happen to know that when this firm declare a dividend, even if it reaches up to fifty thousand, before any further disposition is made of the money, the tithing is at once taken out and paid into the Lord's store house. Certainly a firm pursuing this policy deserve to prosper. THE Western Shoe and Dry Goods Co. have certainly one of the neatest and most attractive interiors in the city. The exquisite cleanliness of everything makes the stock exhibited very enticing to buyers. Their goods as implied in the title of the firm, consist of shoes and all sorts of dry goods and dress goods. During the Conference season, they are giving to every customer who buys $5.00 worth of goods, a dress pattern. This has already proved a grand success in the matter of calling new customers to their store. THE distressing circumstances of the recent burning out of the Co-op. Furniture Co. has enlisted the deep sympathy of every one in behalf of the firm. Being a new enterprise, and also being but fairly under way, this heavy blow has partially crippled the |