which had been placed upon all men through the fall of Adam. This was only one part of His mission, another part of His mission was to organize His Church, which was presided over by a ministry authorized by Himself, to preach His gospel to all nations, and to point out how men might obtain a remission of their personal sins. This could only be done by a strict obedience to the commandments which Christ gave them. His last words to His disciples after His resurrection were, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28: 19, 20).

Peter distinctly stated upon the day of Pentecost, while under the influence of the Holy Ghost, that this baptism by water was for the remission of sins. As the death of Christ redeemed us from the sins of Adam, baptism must be for the remission of our personal sins. Part of the Savior's mission upon earth was finished with His death upon the cross; He had redeemed men from the curse of the law, but in order to become members of His Church they would have to obey His gospel, for the Apostle said that "Christ became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him."-EDITH SHEPHERD.

THE LOVELY THINGS OF EARTH.

The lovely things of earth, I think,
The Master loved where'er they be,

The palm branch shaking in the sun,
The tall grass waving like a sea.

How often He in gardens paced

For the deep peace they give the heart,

Or underneath the olive shade

On lonely hills went far apart.

It must be He on many an eve

Watched the red sunset from some height
And knew next morning one should see
The dewy day dawn fair and bright.

Felt not the lilies of the field

A thrill sweep through them like a breeze
When, bending there, He said the king
Was not arrayed like one of these?

O beauty of the sea and sky,

The rainbow, with the colors seven,
Still do you make this common earth
Seem like the anteroom of heaven.

HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD.

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1908.

PRESSING CALLS TO PRESENT DUTIES.

IN compiling the annual reports of the various conferences in the British Mission, it is evident that some attention, more than ordinary, will have to be paid by the conference presidents to the records that are kept in the different branches of the Church, as well as to the conference records. This work should be commenced at once so that everything of the kind may be put into complete order and then be kept so. Our branch and conference books ought to be in such condition that a report could be made up at any time when called for, without involving much work or taking up much time.

Each conference has, or should have, a record properly ruled and uniform with other conferences and with the branch records. These should be kept according to instructions printed as a prefix to the form provided. Every clerk should study those instructions until he thoroughly understands them; then the keeping of the record will be a very simple matter to every one who can read and write. It does not require an expert bookkeeper. But "whoso readeth, let him understand." We need not here recapitulate these instructions; they should be followed in every case implicitly. We fear that in many instances they are somewhat neglected.

All the branch records ought to be closely inspected by the respective clerks and put into as correct a condition as is possible with present facilities. All the details required by the forms provided should be supplied wherein they have been omitted. These can be obtained from the members who are still in the branches. If any have removed, or emigrated, or died or have been excommunicated, the particulars should be traced out and recorded as accurately as possible.

In cases of members who are lost and of whom no trace can be found, a note should be placed opposite their names in the column for remarks. A list should be made out by the clerk of each branch with particulars, if any can be found, concerning the lost members, and kept on file and a copy be forwarded to the conference president or clerk, who should compile them and have them on hand

from which to make inquiries in the different branches of the conference, so as to trace them out if possible. If it is learned that the lost members or either of them have gone to a place or places within some other conference, their names should be forwarded to the president of that conference that they may be searched out. When that has been accomplished, a list of the utterly lost should be sent to the Liverpool office so that efforts may be made to discover the parties. In counting up the number of members in a branch or conference those who are lost should, of course, be deducted from the total.

The conference record should contain all the items in the branch records, properly compiled; therefore every change, whether of new names added as baptized or received, or deducted through emigration, excommunication, death or otherwise, should be promptly reported to the conference president or clerk, and be immediately recorded in the conference record. In these cases also the instructions given in the form provided should be followed implicitly.

Attention is also directed to the recording of persons ordained to the priesthood, which should be done as directed, and when a person holding one office is ordained to another, the instructions in part 2 of the record should be followed in every particular. So with the record of children under eight years of age; the instructions in part 3 ought not to be neglected, nor should anything required therein be omitted. Carelessness in these particulars and negligence concerning them are inexcusable.

There is nothing really complicated in the manner of recordkeeping provided by the proper authority. The trouble, if any, begins when clerks do not perform their duties in the season thereof. Particulars ought to be obtained on the spot when any child is blessed or a person is baptized or a member ordained, and be recorded at once; so on the removal or emigration or excommunication or death of anyone connected with the Church. It should not be put off till "a more convenient season," and those changes should be immediately reported to the conference president or clerk.

The president of each conference is expected to see that the couference clerk attends to his duties in the season thereof, and to overlook the work so that the conference record is kept posted up to date, and that the statistical report at the close of the year is accurate and complete in every particular. In order that the records may be in proper shape, it is desired that a call should be made for all the branch records to be brought in at a priesthood meeting to be held at a convenient time, not far off, so that they may be examined by the conference president and clerk, and such corrections be made as may be found necessary to put them in proper order. This as a preparation for a general examination to be had when the mission president attends each conference, notice

of which will be published in the MILLENNIAL STAR. Now is the time to straighten every record and get them all in readiness for inspection, so that little, if any, fault may be found when the time for general examination shall arrive.

The respective Sunday Schools, Relief Societies and Mutual Improvement Associations are requested to put their records and accounts in proper order. It should be a very easy matter at any time, on the shortest notice, to render an account of the number of officers and members, with average attendance, number of meetings held and other particulars. Records should be kept in each of these organizations and the presidents of branches and the conference president become familiar therewith. Reports from all these are required to be sent annually to the headquarters of the Church, and the information should be at hand when called for. The presiding officers in those societies are requested to pay attention to this and be ready to respond when questions are asked concerning them. The secretaries also should be prompt in keeping up their records.

The law of tithing and that of offerings are not observed in the British Mission as faithfully as would be for the spiritual and temporal advantage of the Latter-day Saints. Tithing is not a tax. It is not made compulsory upon any one in the Church, but there is no person who is exempt from the law, from the President down to the newest member; it is a privilege to all. "Pay your tithing and be blest" was the motto of a prominent presiding bishop. He knew its value, and so desired that all might receive that which naturally flows from observance of the duty. Onetenth of each member's interest annually belongs to the Lord, as He has declared by direct revelation in this age as well as in former times. They who comply with it are promised special blessings. If they observe the law they are sure to obtain those blessings; if they neglect or reject it, they will not receive them. That is the matter in brief. The poor who pay their tithing have a claim on the Lord's storehouse, or on the dispensers of the Church funds. God can and does give wisdom to tithe-payers in the use of the nine-tenths remaining, so that in the course of a year the remainder will go farther than the full amount in its expenditure. This has been demonstrated in instances innumerable. It should be taught to the saints, not forced upon them; it should be presented by explanation and not by compulsion. It requires faith for its performance and the very exercise of that faith is beneficial.

Fast offerings are those donated for the special benefit of the poor of the Lord's people, given on the first Sunday in every month as the amount saved by omitting the morning and mid-day meals. The fast itself, once a month, is good for the body as well as for the spirit, and the value of the food thus saved, if donated for the succor of the needy, will ensure the blessing of the Lord upon the

donors, upon their substance, upon their health, upon their homes. It is His requirement with promise. He never fails to keep His word. The elders in this mission are faithful in observing the fast day; let them teach it to the saints in home conversations as well as by their example. There are many poor people belonging to the Church in these lands, and they should not be neglected. There is a difference between the Lord's poor and those who are professional mendicants. The former should be supplied with necessaries and such comforts as can be bestowed, and there would be plenty of means on hand to relieve their necessities if the monthly fast was observed as the Lord has provided. There need be no hesitation in presenting these simple truths to any who may be called saints, but there should be no undue pressure nor attempts at enforcement. The liberty of the gospel should be maintained. Blessed are those who both keep and teach these commandments!

Brethren, presidents of conferences, traveling elders and all who bear the priesthood of the Lord, will you pay attention to the instructions here presented? Do not pass them by with a single passing notice. Read them carefully, ponder upon them closely, and carry them out in practice regularly, and the Lord will give you power in the year 1908 to make a splendid record for advancement in everything that will encourage and cheer you in your labors. Light and truth will break forth. The powers of evil will be driven back. Strength will be given you for your work, joy in seeing the results thereof. The branches of the Church will flourish and many souls will be brought to the knowledge of the truth. Go forward and prosper!

C. W. P.

The New "Juvenile."-The Juvenile Instructor for 1908 comes out in very neat and elegant form. It is better adapted to the Sunday School portion of the population than ever; it comes down nearer than before to the capacity of the children, while it still contains much that is instructive to the older members of the Church. We do not know of any juvenile publication that surpasses or is really equal to this periodical. It is now to be published monthly, is printed on fine book paper, and is elegantly illustrated in the best style of modern art. The January number contains fine portraits of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles. This valuable work is published at Salt Lake City, by the Sunday School Union Board, for one dollar per year.

To the Relief Societies. It is desirable that all the Relief Societies in the world shall hold a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 1908, the anniversary of the organization of the Society by the Prophet Joseph Smith. When that is impracticable the meeting should be held on some day or evening before that date as near to it as is