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pire to be near him in wisdom, intelligence, culture or love? Then, too, my friends advised me to think of all I must sacrifice, must expect and endure. Could I submit myself to a life of sacrifice ?

Could I be content to share his time, his affection, with others whose claims were as just as mine, to whom he owed the same loyalty? Could I forsake my girlish fancies and associates, give up my youthful pleasures, to train and disci

dowment house in Salt Lake City. My marriage was known only to a few, and must remain a secret for a time, owing to the threatening attitude of our enemies. Consequently upon our return a reception was held for one bride only; my sweet young friend looked lovely in her bridal array, and husband in the midst of music and supremely happy with her proud young flowers, surrounded by a host of friends, all eager to bestow congratu

pline my words and actions, check my ❘lations, gifts and kindest wishes for wild and wayward impulses, seeking to adapt myself more nearly to my husband's taste and the circumstances which must surround me ?

"Then again, might he not be disappointed in discovering my faults, my simple attainments and meager learning? And the great disparagement of our age and experience might result in estrangement and unhappiness to both.

"These were indeed vexed questions, which tested my courage and faith in the certain and unquestionable course I knew was willed by heaven that I should take, and which were finally settled by my acceptance. But had it not been for my sense of duty, love of right and a knowledge of my relationship to God, it would have been utterly impossible to have accepted this principle. But in my heart I finally resolved to be a friend to every member of my husband's family, and no matter how tempted, to preserve an honest, courteous policy, in my intercourse with them.

"My husband's daughter, Clara, was to be married in the following spring, and it was decided to celebrate our marriage at the same time; so we were quietly married June 12th, 1871, by President Brigham Young, at the en

their brilliant and successful future. "There was one heavy heart, however, among that happy throng, few of whom suspected that another bride and groom were among them, who were meeting calmly and with apparent indifference while in their hearts there surged a wild tumult of conflicting emotions.

"This experience taught me that by submitting to the will of God, and reconciling myself to what seemed to be a sacrifice of my fondest hopes, I was made to realize blessings exceeding the brightest pictures of my im

agination.

"Had I traveled the world over or devoted a lifetime in the search of my "ideal," I could rot have found a more congenial companion-a better husband and father. In the twenty years of our married life I have proven him to be a man of superior intellect, taste and culture of a highly appreciative nature, pure and chaste in all his habits, in a word, a thorough gentleman, and an unkind word has never passed between us.

"In consideration of my very early consented to that my studies should be marriage, an agreement was mutually pursued uninterruptedly and my home

should be, as formerly, with my parents.

"In October, 1872, Apostle Snow, his sister, Eliza R. Snow, and others visited Europe and Palestine and during his absence my time was employed by adding French and German to my studies, also teaching, and here commenced a two years' successful experience in the school room. The lessons thus afforded in syternatic management, discipline and self-government, also in acquiring habits of punctuality, and a knowledge of human nature have proven of untold value to me. In May, 1873, in company with my mother, I started to visit relatives in the east, spending several weeks very pleasantly, until July, when we joined the Palestine tourists in St. Louis on their return and accompanied them home,

"The following November I moved into a suite of rooms in the "Old Homestead" occupied by my husband and family and assumed the responsibilities of married life for the first time, and now my life work began in earnest."

To write a brief sketch doing justice to the subject under consideration, truthfully portraying characteristics, and culling items of special interest in a friend's history that may inspire a worthy emulation in others or benefit co-laborers in a like calling, is indeed a delicate and exacting task. We have preferred that the original of the portrait here represented, should tell the story of her early personal experience, in her own sweet womanly way, revealing as it does with intense reality the secret force that has swayed, in a greater or less degree, the destiny of hundreds of plural wives. It gives to the wondering monogamous world the

key to unlock the mystery of their peculiar position under the gospel dispensation, for which their names are cast out as evil. To me has fallen the pleasant task of portraying Sister Snow's public labors, particularly as an officer in the cause of Mutual Improvement. This position was first predicted in a patriarchal blessing, followed by other blessings, given in her early youth, in these words, "Sister Minnie, you shall open your mouth in private and in public, and the Lord will give you power to express your ideas in a manner that will astonish yourself and those who shall hear you, and your name shall be in the mouths of thousands, and your good deeds in the memory of tens of thousands, and you shall be a wise and steadfast counselor in His Kingdom. Many holy prophets shall dine at your table, yea, many whom you little dream of." Pres. Snow's co-laborers assert that if she possesses one virtue above another it is that of veneration. This fact was demonstrated by the very early age at which her spiritual nature began to develop, leading her to love the Sabbath School, where, at the age of twelve she taught a class in the Book of Mormon, at fourteen she assumed the duty of organist for the tabernacle choir, which she has conscientiously performed for over twenty years, also acting as secretary of the Relief Society for some time. These labors, while of a public nature came far short of fulfilling the above prophecy, for no field was open, as yet, for such opportunities, as were contained in that prediction. But, on March 13th, 1875, when called to preside over the Young Ladies association of Brigham City, the dawn of this important era was plainly visible in the

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efficient discharge of this trying posi-
tion, for one just emerging from her
teens. And the approach of the
promised blessings once seen, only by
the eye of faith, became more clearly
defined in the realms of reality, when
at the organization of the Box Elder
Stake Associations on July 31st, 1879,
she was promoted to the office of
Stake president, laboring in this office
two years without the aid of counsel-
ors, and in company with the
Stake authorities visited all the
branches, some at
distance of
one hundred and fifty miles,
usually once
year, sometimes
under conditions which no one would
choose for pleasure, duty being always
uppermost, and the key note to action.
Her associate workers testify of her,
that under discouraging circumstances,
"brilliant results have been realized,
through her indomitable will, energy
and perserverance. We have ample
proof of her sincerity and earnestness.
God has endowed her with faith and
talents which she is always willing to
exercise for the upbuilding of God's
Kingdom, sparing neither time nor
ability in teaching and encouraging
her sisters, pointing out to them the
Pearl of Great Price, and how to keep
it undimmed, assisting them to improve
by constantly urging them to perform
each task allotted to them".

heart.

society and cultivating those graces that adorn a woman's life, yet withal, so domesticated herself, that the sterner duties requisite in a well ordered home, are never neglected. The notes of her birdlike voice float out upon the air in cheerful melody, as she airily glides from room to room, intent upon the cares and duties of a busy housewife. In the meantime acting as the easy, yet dignified Apostle Snow's private secretary which item alone means many hours of earnest labor. The easy, yet dignified grace, the gracious smile and whole-souled cordiality with which she receives you as her guest, at once disarms you of all fear and restraint, and recalls the art of a true hostess. Her home is adorned with many rare and beautiful ornaments, the work of her own hands, and here you discover, an oasis in the desert, a safe retreat where the goddess of peace holds sway. Ah, yes there is the fragrant boquet of flowers just as you would expect to find them at her suggestive of a refined taste. We notable, with all the dainty appointments waiting upon the table with polite ticed the children, boy and girl alike, attention, the mother, not once arising therefrom, during the meal. "Yes," said Sister Snow, "I do without help which I really need, in order to train them in the habits of self-reliance and industry."

her table, of which she little dreamed, Many holy prophets have dined at with holy women, too, for beneath her roof have been entertained, not the devotees of fashion and folly, but the benefactors of our race, the earnest workers in the cause of true religion,

One of the most striking features in Sister Snow's personality, is a certain delicacy and refinement that instinctively accompany superior intellectual taste, and a gentle sympathetic Her own self-discipline, and culture is reflected in the characters she has helped to mould, having early impressed the girls with the importance | literature and science. The doors of her spacious home have ever stood open for the accommodation and social

of acquiring a knowledge of and
strictly serving, the rules of good

enjoyment of her friends, and the dice he may have held against woman's social and spiritual feasts enjoyed there, laboring in the ministry. Sister with the many lovely and accomplishMinnie's situation in life clearly deed girls of the associations will ever monstrates the possibility of home-life remain among our brightest memories. and public enterprise walking hand in Here the officer's meetings are held, hand, success attending both, where where advice and counsel are sought executive ability, faith and mercy are and given and the spirit of love cultivnot lacking. She has traveled from ated, that characterizes all their inIdaho to Arizona with the authorities tercourse with each other. Perhaps of the Church whose tours through one secret of this union lies in this the settlements in earlier days were grand trait of her character as testified | eagerly watched for and highly appreciof by her fellow officers, "she never allows herself to indulge in slander." She plans with wise and careful forethought, and executes with promptitude and decision, preventing delay or waste of time, and possesses to a marked degree the invaluable gift or necessary tact to one in her calling, that of arousing the latent ambition, discovering the latent talents of each, and calling forth each one's best efforts.

One privilege has been granted her, accorded to but few of her sex, viz., that of speaking at a funeral. This opportunity was given at the funeral services of Sister Marion Perry, president of the Y. L. A. of Willard.

It is an established custom for a brother to pay the last tribute of respect to a fellow-laborer, in expressions of esteem for the departed, or sympathy for the bereaved, but who better knows the virtues of a woman (excepting her own family) than those closely engaged with her in the same field of labor? She also addressed the assembly at the Young Men's Conference in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City held in June, 1889.

ated by the Saints as seasons of spiritual refreshing, and has also often accompanied Sister Eliza R. Snow in her labors of organizing the various associations.

Sister Minnie is the mother of four children three of whom are living, two sons and one daughter, whose present status was anticipated with some curiosity, owing to a difference of 40 years in the ages of their parents, but these children seem not to have suffered the least disadvantage physically or mentally. All are well endowedbright, and active. Her assistance as a helpmate is graciously acknowledged in the following extract, from a poem; written by her husband while confined in the Utah Penitentiary for conscience sake, and is a beautiful tribute, to woman's power:

"Thy husband, dear, now oft recalls
Thy burden's borne mid cares and toils
With cloudless brow and smiling face,
With spirit bright and charming grace,

"And cheering words and counsels wise
Did prompt his heart and mind to rise
With added force to struggle through
His thorny path, inspired anew."

Her modest and unassuming bearing, sweet voice and choice language | her God-appointed mission, by the inpresiding over or addressing her audience, would, we think, disarm the most hostile opponent of the preju

By self sacrifice, and devotion to fluence of thoughtful love, the charms of music, and the melody of song, she has won her way to the hearts of her

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My neighbor awoke me this morning, My neighbor just over the way, Merrily whistling a dear old tune, Sang oft in a long ago day.

With the songs of my youth it blended, Until time turned back on its wayAnd muffled them fresh o'er the meadows, With the scent of newly mown hay,

All nature with voices was singing,
Yet harmony seemed to prevail,
Ne'er discordant note in the music,
Went forth from the hill-top or vale.

The whole world changed into an Eden, With fountains of light in full playBright showers of gold fall around me, And beauty resplendent held sway.

The long night of watching had vanished,
The skies wore a roseate hue;
Hope's day-star beamed clearer above me,
My heart beat with gladness anew.

I put back the blinds from my window,
To hail the bright glory of day,
And longed to clasp hands with my neighbor,
My neighbor just over the way.

Some treasure-trove has been discovered,
Else wherefore this outburst of joy?
To questioning look he responded,
And smilingly said, "It's a boy !"

No thought of the cares that must follow-
Heart brimming with happiness o'er,
With hands thrust deep in his pockets
He whistled away as before.

While out on the air the words floated,
And thro the streets busy employ,
Echo and re-echo repeated,

The glad spoken words, "It's a boy!"
Atchison, Kan.

S

LOVE'S SACRIFICE.

W. T. FORSGREN.

ITUATED on the banks of the Thames and not far from the large and bustling city of London, stands the little town of W. It has an olden time, yet aristocratic look about it; so that one would naturally conclude the inhabitants were rustling, wide-awake and well-to-do people.

On one of the principal streets stands a not very large but comfortable looking stone house. There is an air of beauty and neatness about the surroundings that attracts the attention of every passer-by. The large and well-kept lawn, dotted here and there with the most beautiful shrubbery and flowering plants, its broad, cleanly swept walks, bordered with simple yet lovely flowers, and the creeping vines entwining themselves around the pillars supporting a portico at the entrance, all combined to form a picture most pleasing to look upon.

Let us now take a peep into the interior of this little home on a beautiful summer's eve. Seated in an easy chair with an open book before her, is an elderly lady of perhaps forty-five, she raises her eyes from the book which she has been reading, and rests them upon the young girl sitting near her; there is a kindly expression upon her face while she proceeds to explain some of the passages she has been reading from the book of God, relat

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