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OUR PICTURE GALLERY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHT OF MRS. | expressions, proves she possesses the

ELMINA S. TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE Y. L. M. I. ASSOCIATIONS.

HOMESPUN.

T IS a pleasure to present to the readers of the JOURNAL, the face of our loved President, E. S. Taylor, and a pleasure which will be mutual to editor and readers. For many years we have seen the faithful labors of the sisters, chosen as the spiritual head of the young women of Zion, and it will be beneficial to us all to contemplate their life and labors to ask ourselves why it is that these women have been so blessed and favored of the Lord, and in the answer to the question provide ourselves with material for reflection, study and proper emulation.

The causes which lead a man or a woman to the front in this Church, are intrinsically different to those which elevate people in the outside world. And yet there are certain qualities or characteristics common to all mankind who march in the lead of their fellows. What those common qualities are, and what are the distinguishing traits of an honored Saint will occupy some of our time and attention in the biographical sketches which are to appear in these pages.

Wise old Solomon gives in his matchless way the very first requisite to leadership in any place, at any time. He tells us that "he that con quereth himself is greater than he that taketh a city." He might well have added that all men's power can be safely guaged by this rule.

force to possibly become a great and noble woman, but also shows she lacks the self-control necessary to reach even a moderate plane.

Brigham Young used to say that he was always delighted to find a child with plenty of temper, always adding that the mother's duty was to teach the child how to control that temper.

Sister Taylor's life well exemplifies this principle in a marked degree. With gentle, easy, yet dignified manners she possesses a strong will, well controlled.

The little chapter in the "Representative Women of Deseret," written by Sister Taylor herself, gives the details of dates, etc., with the brief clearness and simplicity which is a marked part of her character. I append it as follows:

"I was born at Middlefield, Otsego County, State of New York, September 12th, 1830. My parents are David S. Shepard and Rozella Bailey Shepard. Three daughters were all the children that were born to them, I being the eldest. My parents were staunch Methodists, and I was brought up in that faith. I united myself with that church when about twenty years of age, and during some six years was a zealous and consistent member of the same. At the time I joined the Church I was desirous to be baptized by immersion, as I considered that the pattern set by our Savior; although I had always been taught that baptism was not a saving ordinance, but only to answer a good conscience, otherwise, an outward sign of inward grace. To

The young woman who says so emphatically, "I'd rather die than to live in the country," or such like foolish | this my many friends were so much

opposed that after some time elapsed I consented, and was admitted a member of the church, by sprinkling; but there were many doctrines and tenets with which I never was satisfied, and when I went to my minister to have them explained I was more beclouded and found myself more in the dark than before; though I sought the Lord earnestly to be guided aright.

man;' I went forth and was baptized July 5th, 1856. When I was confirmed by the laying on of hands I received the testimony of its truth which I have never lost from that day to this.

"I was united in marriage to George Hamilton Taylor, August 31st, 1856, by Apostle, now President, John Taylor, and in 1859, April 15th, we

"In the year 1854, circumstances | left New York for Utah, where we ar

induced me to go to Haverstraw, a
large town situated in southern New
York, on the banks of the beautiful
Hudson River, to engage in teaching.
One of the trustees, John Druce, was
a Mormon elder, who had a very inter-
esting and intelligent family. My
cousin and I frequently visited there,
but for a long time they never men-
tioned religion to us, fearing to fright-
en us away, but one night, just as I
was leaving, he asked me if I would
read some Mormon books. I an-
swered, 'O, yes! You know the Bi-
ble says prove all things and hold fast
that which is good.' His earnestness
impressed me. Before opening the
books I bowed before the Lord and
fervently implored Him to give me
His spirit that I might understand if
they were true or false. My interest
was awakened, and the more I investi-
gated and compared the doctrines
with the scriptures, the more I was
convinced of their truth. I fought
against my convictions, for I well
knew how it would grieve my dear
parents to have me unite myself with
that despised people; and I also
thought I should lose my situation
which was a very lucrative one. How-
ever, I could not silence my convic-
tions, and as the promise was given,
'If you will obey the doctrine, you
shall know whether it is of God or

rived September 16th of the same year, after a long, tedious journey with ox teams. In the spring of 1860 we located in the Fourteenth Ward, where we have since resided, and where our first child, a son, was born July 16th of the same year. While in the States we were never blessed with children, but it was prophesied upon my head that I should go to Zion and should there be blessed with them, which has been fulfilled, for I am now the mother of seven.

"Through the gift of tongues, it was also promised that all my family should come to me, which was verified after we had been here nearly fifteen years, and my father is still with us, having reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years, but none of them ever received the gospel.

"At the organization of the Relief Society of the Fourteenth Ward, December 12th, 1867, I was elected Secretary, an office which I still occupy. September 23rd, 1874, by request of Sister E. R. S. Smith, I was appointed Superintendent of the Young Ladies' Association of the same ward. I was chosen First Counselor to Sister M. I. Horne, Relief Society President of Salt Lake Stake, December 22nd, 1879, and have traveled considerably in that capacity. "At a Conference held in the

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Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, June 19th, 1880, I was appointed President of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of Zion.

"July 4th, 1877, we entered into the celestial order of marriage, and have since all lived under the same roof, and eaten at the same table, ever in the enjoyment of peace and harmony."

All who are acquainted with the writer of the above autobiographical sketch, can cheerfully add testimony to its concluding paragraph. "Love at Home" might be graven upon a tablet of stone within their door, so indelibly seems that sacred principle to have been impressed upon the hearts within that household.

By example, by attainments, and the spiritual refinement and elegance in bearing which would denote the Christian lady, under any or all circumstances, it seems peculiarly appropriate that Mrs. Elmina S. Taylor was called to preside over the young ladies of Zion. May they emulate their standard, spiritually and socially. The simplicity and modesty of her sketch cannot convey to the mind of the reader those delicate attributes of character, so well understood by those who, like myself, have been recipients of her kindly counsels and encouragement, and recognized in a wider sense by those who have listened to her addresses, dictated by the spirit of our sacred and holy religion.

It would not be proper to close this article without speaking of the General Conference of the Y. L. M. I. A., held April 4th, 1890, in Salt Lake City, the first one ever convened. It marks an epoch in our Association history and was in all respects an occasion worthy of itself. There was,

in addition to the dignity and grace so essential to woman's work in any field, a spirit of love and sweet communion of soul so characteristic of woman's work in this gospel. Supported by her young Counselors, Sister Taylor presided over this historical meeting with the government of a wise mother and the bright, ready wit of a woman. The Conference closed as does this sketch with the ardent hope by all the girls that our President would live to so preside over our Conferences until the great millennium day.

NUMBER TWELVE.

LULA.

IN LOOKING o'er the last YOUNG WOMAN'S JOURNAL,

I said, "Of all the twelve this is the best; Herein are couched bright truths, sublime, eternal,

And high and holy thoughts made manifest." But then I turned, and taking former numbers Read o'er some things which had my soul impressed,

And said, "In each such light awakes or slumbers,

I know not, after all, which is the best." I want to say to each dear sister "writer," My heart goes out in love and prayers for you; The present year to me has been made brighter By this acquaintance with you-old or new.

And to the Editor, my worthy cousin,

I offer thanks for this continued feast, The wholesome "mind food" given in the whole

dozen,

Its sweets and richness to the last increased. Success and blessings still attend the movement; In every household may, a welcome guest, Be found this aid to Mutual Improvement, The latest number always being best. Smithfield, Sept. 10th, 1890.

Аст upon your impulses, but pray that they may be directed by God.

LITERARY DEPARTMENT.

INVOCATION.

L. M. HEWLINGS.

OH, SPIRIT of the infinite!

To Thee we humbly bow.

O listen, for our needs are great;
We ask Thy presence now.

Come in and be our guest, dear Lord,
Abide with us, we pray,

That we may ever follow Thee,

The Life, the Truth, the Way.

We know that we have grieved Thee oft,
Turned from Thy love away,
Carved worldly idols of our own,
Which proved but broken clay.

We know, dear Savior, Thou hast borne
With waywardness and sin:
That justice has been turned aside
To let sweet mercy in.

Rich feasts of love thou didst prepare,
When we on husks have fed,
And bade our hungry, famished souls
Partake of living bread.

And now again we come to Thee
With penitential tears,
Pardon our waiting souls, we pray,
And banish all our fears.

Oh, call the wand'rers back to Thee,
Gather them in Thy fold,

That they may hear, and see, and walk
As in the days of old.

We pray, O God, that war and strife
Throughout the earth may cease,
That all the nations of the world
May own Thee Prince of Peace.
Atchison Kansas.

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telling you a story, and it is one I have never told before."

"Is the moral very severe?" Hazel enquired with mock apprehension. "If there be any moral, you will put it there, Hazel, for I shall not; but I promise you will find it full of interest."

The young girl brightened, for she had not outgrown her childish love of hearing her kind aunt tell a story. She was soon seated on her low chair, ready to give attention, while her deft fingers wove the silken margin of the long row of buttonholes in her mamma's new polonaise.

The elder lady rethreaded her needle, readjusted her work, rearranged her footstool, and was ready to begin.

was

"Three years ago I went, you remember, on a visit to my friends and relatives in the state of Rhode Island. I visited the dear old home of my childhood, and many a time melted to tears by the sight of some well-remembered and beloved object, or by some sweeping change which seemed to me sacriligious or sad. How I roamed through the old wood lot and orchard to mark the trees I had climbed, or swung under in swing or hammock! How I catalogued the kinds of fruit I used to gather, and pointed out where old Rover once caught a gopher, and I took it from him! And I looked again at this ridge through my thumb nail, a lasting evidence of how fiercely the little creature attacked me in defense of his liberty. How I ran here and there recalling old memories, laughing over the happy ones and weeping over the sad ones!

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"Many an hour I spent in the old graveyard, copying dates of births and deaths, in aid of my temple work here at home; and blessed hours they were. "After I had visited and conversed with all the relatives I could find, having heard of a dear old schoolmate in the next county, I wrote to her and asked permission to visit her. She answered with a kind invitation for the next day, and a two hours' ride by rail set me down within a mile of her house.

when I remember how profound and dignified he was as a young man.'

""No, poor Edgar!' she answered with a sigh, while the animation faded from her face and her dark eyes filled with tears.

"I hastened to beg pardon if I had spoken amis, but she pressed my hand to reassure me, and said she had nothing to conceal from me, although she did not talk freely about Edgar to the neighbors because he so shrank from curiosity.

"It was a cool, pleasant day, and "She excused herself and left the the country looked so green and deroom for a few minutes, and when she lightful, I quite enjoyed walking that | returned she said all was right in the mile. I had such plain directions for finding the place that I could not miss it, and I passed down the green lanes looking into orchards and gardens, fields and farm-yards at my leisure.

"As I neared Mrs. Williamson's home, I observed a group of little girls setting a table under a maple tree, flitting here and there and chat tering like magpies. I passed on to the front gate, and was met half way across the little lawn, kissed and welcomed by Mary Crane, now Mrs. Williamson.

"She did not seem in the least afraid of me because I was a Mormon, but made enquiries about my family and friends, my travels and experiences, and kept me talking of myself and my own affairs for more than an hour before I could become the questioner. Then she told me of her marriage and motherhood, the deaths of her parents, the welfare of her three sisters and the death of her younger brother.

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grove, and invited me to follow her. "She conducted me through her neat New England kitchen and to the end of the latticed porch where I could see the group of children I had observed in coming to the place.

"They were sitting at table now, and with them was a gray-haired man whom they waited on most assiduously, and called Uncle Ed. Their plump rosiness was in strong contrast to his pallid thinness; but they all seemed very happy together. I looked at Mary in mute wonder, and she conducted me back to the sitting-room before she spoke.

""Do you remember,' she began, 'that my brother was so devoted a student, our father used to say he was afraid Ned would be an old bachelor?'

""Yes, I remember it, but I remember, too, that in one of your letters, several years after I left this state, you said he was about to marry.'

were

""He was about to marry; he was engaged to Kate Freeman, though they both engaged in the higher branches of education, and did not expect to marry until each had completed the course. They meant then to estab

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