GREAT ENGINEERING PROJECTS. fore, Babylon being in thralldom, and prejudiced against God, takes offence in whatsoever the Lord says. The sayings of the Lord are therefore accepted only by those who tear themselves loose from under the slavery of Satan, and embrace the freedom of the Gospel of Christ. The acceptance of what the Lord says is therefore by the free act of conviction. What is conviction? Webster does not have the definition, on this grade-In sacred philosophy, it is a legitimate possession of the mind, called Faith. What is prejudice? Webster has only the profane definition. The sacred definition is: an illegitimate taking possession of 119 the mind by Satan; which in sacred language reads, "man ensnared by the powers of darkness." Man in this prejudiced condition, takes offence at whatsoever the Lord says. Sacred conviction, or faith, is a gift of God, on condition of exercised virtues. Without the retaining of that faith it is impossible to please God. To accept what the Lord says, is therefore not only a manifest virtue in those who accept; but it is also an evidence of the favor of God. Therefore the Savior said: "that man was blessed," even by not being offended Victor Eremita. in Him? GREAT ENGINEERING PROJECTS. The shortening of commercial routes by means of ship railways and ship canals seems to be the great ambition of the engineers of to-day. In addition to the De Lesseps ship canal at Panama, the Eads ship railway at Tehauntepec, the Florida ship canal, the Chesapeake and Deleware ship canal, the Cape Cod canal, and others in the interior of this country, there are several other important projects of like nature under way or in prospect in various parts of the world. The old project of connecting the Bay of Fundy and Baie Verte, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, across the Isthmus of Chignecto, has lately taken new form. It is now proposed to make the connection by a ship railway eighteen miles long, thus making a short cut for navigation between the United States and the ports on the St. Lawrence gulf and river, and saving the long and dangerous voyage around Nova Scotia. The projector of the ship railway, Mr. H. G. C. Ketchum, writes us that the plan grew out of a desire to save lockage and a deep channel in the design of the Baie Verte canal. His first plan was to lift vessels by hydraulic power on pontoons and then float them through the canal. The idea then occurred that they might as well be lifted to the sur face of the ground and hauled across the neck of land on rails. The road may be level and perfectly straight from end to end. The plan has been submitted to the Dominion government and is favorably entertained. Mr. Ketchum has issued an interesting pamphlet relative to the project. Across the ocean the construction of the tunnel under the British Channel, connecting England with the Continent, is being prosecuted with an energy which is indicative of ultimate success, and thus far no obstacles have been encountered to make the undertaking a difficult or exceptionally hazardous one. In France the connection of the Atlantic with the Mediterranean by a ship canal, to save the long and stormy voyage around the Spanish peninsula, is under serious consideration, and the Council-General of the Seine has just adopted a resolution approving of the project. The ship canal across the Isthmus of Corinth, in Greece, to shorten the route to Constantinople and the ports of the Black Sea, has, we believe, been definitely determined upon. In the far East a bolder and more important project is in contemplation, with a view to shortening the commercial route to China and Japan by six hundred miles or more. At the head of the Malay peninsula is the Isthmus of Kraw, connecting Upper and Lower Siam; and by the cutting of a ship canal at this point, about thirty miles in length, the need of sailing around the peninsula, might be obviated. At Kraw, the Malayan peninsula, which stretches southward for five hundred miles to Singapore, is at its narrowest breadth, and the distance across from the side of the Indian Ocean to that of the China seas is further decreased by the existence of natural waterways for some distance inland from both shores. From side to side it is no more than fifty miles, and the Pakchan River, on the western coast, and the Htassay on the eastern, afford the ready means of further reducing it. The distance, therefore, over which it would be necessary to cut a canal would probably not exceed thirty miles. The neighboring districts are known to be fertile and to contain great mineral wealth. A tin mining company has been established for more than ten years at Malewon, on the Pakchan, and gold has been found in the neighboring stream of the Lenya. So far as known the engineering difficulties are not of a stupendous character, and political drawbacks and considerations fortunately do not exist. The French appear to have taken the lead in proposing this important commercial short cut, and, if the opinion of the London Times is well founded, the government of British India will not decline to actively participate in its execution. A COMMON ENEMY. A DARING demon is abroad in the land. We have all heard of him. Saul slew his thousands, David his tens of thousands, but he has slain the millions. He has grieved the aged father and brought the affectionate mother in sorrow to the grave. He has made wives widows and children orphans. He has caused loving mothers to shed rivers of tears, but he heeded them not. He has taken the bread from the fatherless who have lifted their voices for mercy but he heard them not. He has stripped thousands of their clothing, who have wandered half clad in the chilly winds of winter, yet he had no feeling of compassion. He has robbed myraids of their daily substance, and said it was just. He has nerved the robber's arm, whetted the murderer's knife and loaded the desperate weapon. He has blasted fond hopes and caused lovers, husbands and wives, fathers and children, friends and kindred to separate forever. He has exalted vice in the minds of many, and buried all decency in deep oblivion. He despises the good, scoffs at the righteous, mocks the humble, rails on the pure, hates the holy and curses God. He leads the young into forbidden paths and prostitutes the virtuous. He promises wisdom but gives foolishness, joy but gives sorrow, wealth but gives poverty, health but gives desease, and life but gives death. He turns pleasure to pain, faith to doubt, love to hatred, hope to despair, blessings to cursing and revelation to blasphemy. He worships adultery and fornication, uncleanliness, lasciviousness, idolatry and witchcraft, and is the friend of hatred, variance, wrath, strife and envy. He fills the prisons and insane asylums of the earth. In short he is the servant of satan, the enemy of man, the friend of hell, the curse of God. He is, "Strong Drink." C. H. Bliss. TO L. B. J. When the summer roses grew, In their robes of crystal snow, O'er the prairies as they go, Sweeter than the stars of night, Seem thy graces in my sight. What has caused this charm to rise, In each word, each look of thine? And why seem those gentle eyes Evermore to beam on mine? 'Tis that Cupid's wand has shed Love's sweet magic o'er thy head. Beppe. "SAND."-LIVE AND LABOR. 121 Bards oft have sung in lofty strain, Subjects fit for poets pen. Of battles fought on sea or land; Another theme transcends them far'Tis of boys who've got the "sand!" And sand" is but another name For courage, valor, honesty; 'Tis not the dirt from out the pit, That is so much now in demand, But for those who've got the gritFor boys who have got the "sand!'' Here he comes, with elastic tread, A youth, just starting in life's morn; With form erect, a well poised head, Nobler son was never born. Following close, with jeweled cup, The tempter placed it at his hand; The sparkling draught he lifts not up— He's a boy that's got the "sand!" "SAND." Another comes: in rags he's drest- Bringing down this youth so low, Unsecured by lock or band"Good name is better far than pelf," Says the boy that's got the "sand!" Another case is brought to view- And many a prank enjoys; And before the stern judge stands, He will not lie, keeps nothing back-He's a boy that's got the "sand!" The youth who keep their honor bright, They are boys who've got the "sand!" LIVE AND LABOR. Wherefore thus succumb to sorrow? Those who glide along life's surface, 'Tis a coward that doth falter, In the thickest of the fight, 'Tis a coward that surrenders, Knowing that his cause is right. Weary not of this existence, Much depends Wisdom builds a broad foundation, For a glorious future life. Live, if worthy be thy metal, Thou shalt conquer many an ill, Life has many a bloodless hero Who ne'er crossed a foemen's steel. Live and labor-work doth banish, Comfort from thy purpose borrow, Emily Hill Woodmansee. THE CONTRIBUTOR. | monism," and rely on the glowing reports "YOUNG MORMONDOM.” THE question is often asked, what will be the attitude of "Young Mormondom" on the peculiarities of their fathers' faith? It is surprising to hear the various replies made to this inquiry. There appears to be a lot of people who have taken it upon themselves to regenerate Utah. They are the principal ones who propound this question in the world, one would think, for the express purpose of hearing themselves deliver the response, which their assumed experience and observation qualifies them to make. Some who pretend to be wonderfully well informed assert that the young Mormons dislike the old fashioned, plodding ways of their parents, are outgrowing, with the advancement of education, their simple homely principles, and, on contact with the civilization of the outside world, are becoming disgusted with their religion, and are willing candidates for reception into the social and religious circles of Christendom. The people who make these statements are, in fact, strangers not acquainted with a dozen Mormon boys or girls, weak-minded, foolish young people who have been dazzled by the glitter of the homes of wealthy outsiders, or vicious persons who, having lost self-respect, do not hesitate to misrepresent and slander their former acquaintances. We have not heard of the answer, which "Young Mormondom" itself makes to this very significant question, being published abroad. Perhaps if it were known it might discourage some of the self-appointed missionaries who have undertaken to root out "Mor of progress they are making to replenish the exchequer from time to time; it might also discourage the charitable people of the east, who contribute the funds to keep these missionaries employed. Whatever the effect may be, if the sentiment of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, which number about twenty thousand members may be taken as "Young Mormondom's" reply to the question, we have no hesitation in recording it: WE ARE FOR THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS. Our reasons for abiding in this faith may not prove any more satisfactory to the world, than have those assigned by our elders for the adoption of it; but to us they are logical, true and convincing. In the first place, a cardinal principle of our fathers' faith is expressed in the words of the fifth commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," We hold that neither we, nor the youth of any other people, have the right to break this commandment to please the fancy, gratify the ambition, or fill the purses of the wily seducers who come, in the form of Christian teachers, to pursuade us to abandon father and mother for a fair name in their society. Nothing but the plainest, simplest evidence that it is God's will that we part from the teachings of parents can justify such a separation, and that must be accompanied with the principle of eternal union as compensation for the temporary sacrifice. If those who wish "Mormonism" to be obliterated can present this evidence, we assure them they are wasting time and means in building schoolhouses, paying high salaried teachers, and employing lobbyists around the halls of Congress to effect their purpose. "Mormonism" is enjoined upon her children as the fullness and perfection of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Prove it to be otherwise or in the least degree defective, or false in any particular, and the honesty of the hearts of the thousands of the young people of Utah who believe it, EDITORIAL. will cause us to repudiate it at once, and though our purity of life will prevent us from joining hands with the mercenary and corrupt missionaries you have sent to labor among us, we will seek for some other religion. Does the world expect to do this? Does it contemplate supplanting the faith it seeks to destroy in our breasts, by a purer, better, more Christianlike doctrine? Ostensibly it does, but in fact, the world knows that it has no Christian principle that is not embodied in the Gospel believed and practiced by the Latter-day Saints. That is why they have given up, as hopeless, the effort to convince our fathers of the error of their ways, and must forsooth attack the credulity and ignorance of their children. Noble calling, is it not? Afraid to meet those whose experience and education qualifies them to compare doctrines, they set their insidious spies to work prowling around the young, seeking to allure, pursuade, bribe, or steal away the spark of faith that may attach the little ones to the doctrine of their fathers' fireside. This may appear to be plain language, but do not the facts justify it? Is there one among all the young people of Utah, that has been approached by these destroyers of faith with evidences of the falsity of "Mormonism?" On the contrary have they not studiously avoided argument on the main question, ever seeking to infatuate you with ostentatious exhibitions of learning, of manners, or of wealth; contrasting the highly colored. pictures of life their rhetoric might paint, with the stern realities of your every day career, for the purpose of discouraging you with the trials and hardships entailed in following the footsteps of your parents? Have they ever quoted Christian precepts or Godlike doctrines in your hearing that conflicted with the teachings received at your mothers' knees? Have they ever advanced a stronger reason, of any description, than to harmonize with the popular sentiment, why you should abandon them? We undertake to assert that among all the young "Mormons" disaffected by the labors of these people, there is not one whom they have supplied 123 with a valid argument against the doctrines of "Mormonism." This is a fearful position for the young people who have turned away from the path their parents have walked in, to contemplate. Faithful, valiant, honorable fathers and mothers, whose intelligence and hearts were converted by the manifestation and power of God, must live to see their children turn from a life's work of Christian faithfulness for no reason, but to appear better in the eyes of the aesthetic world, which cannot bear the disgusting sight of practical Christianity. And what does the world care for these converts from the ranks of "Mormondom" after they have made them? For a few days they will patronizingly pat them on the shoulder to exhibit their great Christian courage in having gone into the flames to rescue them from the burning, and then they spurn them with their heels, as the descendants of too loathsome a system to be of consequence to them. Not only because we know the treachery of the world's friendship must we maintain the faith of our fathers, and abide in it, but the consciousness of losing self respect in departing from it, would be too galling to endure. And is it not possible for one to turn from "Mormonism" and retain his self respect? Not if he understands it. This is apparent on looking into the life of any apostate. He never could have become such unless he violated a sacred covenant, and he would not have done that if he hadn't given the Tempter the advantage over him by committing some act of folly or wickedness. We defy the entire congregation of apostates from "Mormonism" to deny that their progress out of the Church has not been substantially according to this formula. This is too great a sacrifice for "Young Mormondom" to make, to please the world or the myraids of evil spirits that are working to effect it. Reasons might be multiplied why we should not accept the proposition of the world to abandon the faith of our fathers. Least among them are the rewards the the world would or could give. Among |