This fact, they're what they were in days of yore,
Is proof they made their kind and nothing more;
This monkey logic is the gist of those,
Who seek the Eternal just beneath their nose,
Who in their gross researches find,
The great Progenitor of all mankind.

The eternal years of God ne'er found a plan,
To generate through ape, a God-like man;
Nor will the scientific e'er discover,
One single soul produced without a mother.

T'is vain to seek man's origin on earth,
For his ancestors were of heavenly birth;
Conceived and born by Heaven's eternal law,
Transmitted e'en to man without a flaw.

Go search the wond'rous fields of boundless space,

And learn if we're the only human race,

The scientific theorist perchance would find, The earth's creation least of human kind.

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Our little world is but a tiny mote,
Among the millions that in ether float,
Worlds peopled too, with beings chaste and
grand,

Innumerable as the countless sand;

Who claim no parentage from this our earth,
Nor seek to know if monkeys gave them birth;
Who dwell in worlds, redeemed from our sad
fate,

And mingle with the God's in royal state.
Before the fossils were, or formed the earth,
Th' Eternal Gods gave hosts of souls their birth;
Who sang together in the realms of bliss,
Anticipating just such worlds as this.

James H. Hart.

Thank God for our trials, they come and they go,
Like the sharp biting frost or the tempest of snow,
And as frost to the dew or as snow to the rain,
But changing the form while the blessings re-
main;

So ever our trials, are changes that bring,
A blessing in sorrow, though deadly the sting.

Thank God for our trials, what though they may be,

As wide and as deep as the waves of the sea, For the winds of the sea must in time cease to blow,

And the waters must rest in the calm that's below,

And the bark that has rode on the wild dashing tide,

By outriding the blast, to its harbor shall glide. Thank God for our trials, O! who has not found That the sun and the cloud bring the fruits of

the ground,

Were it sunshine forever, what joy have we won? Were it cloudy forever, we'd sigh for the sun! As an aid to our lives that would surfeit with

joy,

Come the trials of life other thoughts to employ. Thank God for our trials, adverse though they

seem

To the joys of prosperity whereof we dream, For the soul that is pampered in wealth from its birth,

Is the soul that of all has the least show of worth;

And the passions untamed, he indulges with zest,

Shall entail their diseases to rob him of rest.

'I hank God for our trials, perfection the goal That is reached by the trials that burn in the

soul;

Be the trial a love, unrequited and scorned, Or the longing for one whom in death we have mourned;

Let the daggers of pain pierce the heart in its

woe,

Yet still must the trial a blessing bestow.

Thank God for our trials, in them we must find Just the training that's needed to balance the mind;

For the sin and the pride to humanity yield, And our hearts are made warm where before they congealed;

And we turn to mankind, for our trials have proved,

That the soul must be tried who can love and he loved.

Thank God for our trials, yes, thank Him to

day.

While the laws that He gives we will strive to obey;

For the purpose of life on the earth where we

live,

Is to learn good from had, and learn to forgive! And the time of each birth is propitious for all, In events that shall try, as successive they fall. 7. L. Townsend.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. THE first numbers of this volume of the CONTRIBUTOR have been greatly delayed in consequence of the paper ordered for it from the East, not arriving for over two months after it was due. This delay, we are informed, was occasioned by a blockade of freight at St. Louis. The succeeding numbers will be issued as rapidly as possible until we catch up. With this explanation we trust subscribers will be satisfied, and assure them that hereafter the numbers will not only appear nearer their due time but will maintain the good reputation already secured for the Magazine.

ROLL AND RECORD.

OUR attention has lately been called to the method-or rather, lack of method -employed by many Associations in keeping their record of attendance and exercises. In some places a very careful and accurate roll of attendance is kept, but no account of exercises rendered by the members is preserved; in other instances Scripture readings are taken into account, but lectures of every description pass unnoticed, except casually in the minutes-and sometimes mention of them is omitted there. These

incongruities might be multiplied, but sufficient is shown to indicate the necessity of some kind of system in the keeping of rolls, records, minutes, etc.

ramifications and workings. These reports cannot possibly be uniform unless the records from which they are made up are uniform in character and systematically kept. The season is now far advanced for commencing to revise or change our rolls and records, but we understand the General Superintendency have had the matter under consideration and have concluded to adopt a form of roll and record book, which will be recommended to all Associations, with a request that they all procure and use it at as early a date as practicable.

The form adopted may be briefly described as follows: It requires the name of each member to be entered once for the season, beginning in October and running until the first of April. Opposite each name, in suitably ruled spaces, under the appropriate headings, provision is made for keeping the weekly roll of attendance, with a column for a monthly summary. Beyond this on the same line with the name is the monthly individual record of exercises for the six months of the regular season. This is kept in ruled columns and consists of a report of the number of chapters read at home, in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, other Church Works and miscellaneous readings, respectively, also of the number of lectures delivered under each of the above headings. Columns are also provided for the recording of essays read, declamations delivered, missionary appointments filled and testimonies borne. Provision is made for totaling the monthly records every three months, showing at a glance the quarterly report of every member. From this individual record the reports required by the Stake and General Superintendencies can be readily prepared. If each Association is provided with this roll and record book, uniformity will at once be established and a correct and creditable exhibit of the entire organization may be obtained for every spring Conference.

fully recording the part each performs in the work of mutual improvement. It will not only stimulate the efforts of each at present, but will forever be a source of satisfaction; for if the record is properly kept, in years to come, it will show the standing of each member for every season while he was connected with the Associations.

The form is now in the hands of the printer and word should be immediately sent to the CONTRIBUTOR office by Stake Superintendents, indicating how many books they will require for the Associations in their respective Stakes.

SMOKING.

THIS habit is growing among small boys. We are reminded of it daily; on the streets, about the Post Office, the Theatre and particularly at the close of parties and meetings, the fact is painfully impressed upon us. Boys from eight to twenty years of age are met at these places whiffing their cigarettes with the nonchalance of old smokers.

Some of them, nearer the latter age, might be called young men, if it were not that the silly effort they are making to be so recognized, betrayed them, in reality to be, very small, narrow, light-minded boys, whose education and culture has been neglected. Boys of our faith ought, it appears to us, to understand that no matter to what age they attain,

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they can never be considered full grown, responsible men, while advertising their juvenility, at least of mental calibre, by a puffing of smoke from their lips.

Smoking is an evil of the world; it has no place assigned it in the life of a Saint, God, rather, forbids it. Therefore among the adult population of Zion, we must view it, as a strange custom of Babylon tolerated for charity's sake, out of respect to the weaknesses of those who have not the courage to repent. We are not sure, however, that there is much genuine charity in sanctioning so foul and disgusting a habit, even in the weakest. Be that as it may, we wish to brand the practice, and have all the youth of Israel so view it, as a plain confession of weakness, unworthy a believer in the revelations of Joseph Smith, or one professing to be a Latter-day Saint. The word of the Lord condemning tobacco, as only fit for sick cattle, etc., and warning intelligent men against its use declares that the recommendation is "adapted to the capacity of the weak and weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints." Let the young men of our people read this revelation and study it. It will afford them the best of reasons for denying the appetite for tobacco, strong and hot drinks, etc., if they are unfortunate enough to have such tastes, and will correct that most absurd of all fallacies, which so many appear to indulge, that "Smoking makes

us men."

AH, ME! It is Christmas time, merry and joyous. What sweet recollections are recalled to mind on this happy occasion. Old folks and young join in gay pastimes, and it is not only a season of rejoicing, but of refreshing, bodily and mentally. For a few hours at least peace is the sentiment of all honest hearts, and harshness and ingratitude are banished. The very name suggests innocence, purity and love; for is it not the embodiment and name of the dear Savior, the

blessed Redeemer, who came with the gladdest message that was ever brought to human hearts; the tidings of salvation? The most precious gift vouchsafed to man upon earth; and in imitation of his glorious example, mankind bestow the most fitting gift upon one another in remembrance of the blessed day, when unto the holy virgin a son was born, whose name was Emmanuel. Yes, He who said "Love one another." On this day all who desire to be his followers

should put away all ill-feeling, and try to forgive and forget and to do some good deed, as well as bestow costly gifts on those who are dear to them by the ties of kindred or friendship. The poor whom Jesus loved and sought to please are remembered on this day, more bounteously perhaps than on any other day in all the year. Blessed day! that brings gladness to so many lonely hearts! Blessed Savior! whose advent upon earth we celebrate so joyfully. What better tribute could we pay to him who loved the poor, the meak and the lowly ones, than to minister to these his children, and share with them the blessings kind heaven has bountifully vouchsafed; thus fulfilling his injunction, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of these ye have done it unto me." And in blessing we have the promise of being blessed in return. He who pours out abundantly upon the poor and unfortunate, will find his heart lighter, and in the hour of trial or of sorrow, will recall with satisfaction the good deeds which are recorded in his favor by the angels above and which may perchance insure him a safer passport into the realms of happiness. There is no pleasure so intense as that of bestowing happiness upon others. And on this day when all join in calling down blessings upon each other, surely the angels shout and sing for joy over those who are walking in Jesus' footsteps, treading the paths which will lead where He has gone, to prepare a place for those who love him and keep his commandments.

This is an exalting theme, and an inexhaustible one; but lest I weary my readers by pursuing a monotonous strain, let us go back to childhood or wonderland, where we have all been "once upon a time," and ramble a little over enchanted ground, when erst the fairies sported, and Santa Claus held unbounded dominion at this season of the year. Who does not remember Santa Claus? Dear old fellow; children almost worship him, and are always on their good behavior when this antique ginii is expected. They are told the most extravagant tales, and in many instances, the

impressions thus made, are so strong and lasting, that in maturer years, one can shut his eyes and imagine dear old St. Nicholas, driving his reindeer, eight in hand, muffled in furs and covered with bells, that always peal merrily, merrily, gliding over the house tops, dropping the bon bons and goodies down the chimneys, and skimming along as easily as though he rode on the fleecy white clouds. Who is there that cannot remember popping out of bed in the gray morning, with a trailing night robe on, to see what Santa Claus had left in the stocking by the chimney corner, the dear little barefeet, blessed footprints "on the sands of time!"

Without entering upon any dissertation upon the merits or demerits of such fanciful traditions, let us take a cursory view of the Christmas of to-day. This is a most extraordinary age, and the people have made great discoveries in all the various departments of the arts and sciences. The spirit of invention is rife and there is nothing seemingly that can be made, that has not been attempted in the way of utility or ornament. Consequently, there are articles of every des cription and quality, suited to the individual or circumstances; and all may be gratified in the selection of appropriate gifts.

But after all is there not a certain nice discrimination to be observed in choosing or adapting a gift to the recipient, and is there not a means of bestowal which brightens the pleasure of the poorest present, making it exceed in value the costliest given in an ostentatious manner. There is certainly a great deal yet to be learned about the method of giving.

The poor who possess innate refinement of character, or perhaps may have seen better days, may be so wounded by the manner in which the Christmas din ner is given or the simple offering made to them, that a morsel of bread and water would be preferable. And even friends are ofttimes careless how the gift is con veyed, and think perchance it matters little. It would be sad indeed if this practice has become so common that one

takes no thought of the manner of it, but gives simply that it may be said of him, he gave liberally or to be in the fashion. True love, esteem or friendship, a desire to actually bless others should be the motive, and let us be charitable enough to think that in most instances it is so; though the hurry and bustle of this workaday would make us now and then forget how beautiful it is to do all things gracefully.

I know it is sometimes remarked by very practical, matter of fact people, that it is all nonsense to decorate and take such pains to gather evergreens, flowers and holly berries for Christmas and holidays, but I beg leave to differ, and to declare that these inanimate things possess in a great degree the power of imparting efficacy to thought and feeling and appeal strongly to the heart which is the highest embodiment of sensibility or approximates nearest to the soul. Therefore I would say do not shut out all the beautiful, and live within four bare walls, but adorn your homes with those things which will suggest pleasant themes for conversation, which will remind you of innocence, and draw your thoughts towards that paradise you may attain, through diligence in good works where all is beauty and glory and brightness supernal.

Yes, the mistletoe and holly are specially dear to every English heart, and their custom of celebrating Christmas, reminds one of the days of chivalry of which the bards and poets sang:

"Children like holly berries,
Dear little robin said;

Gather them, bunch them together
Mix with the green, the red.
"For if you love the children,
It has been said some time,
In every holly berry,

Santa Claus hides a rhyme.
"Somebody pulled an armful,
Run quickly home to look;
Found, for she so loves children,

Rhymes enough for a book."

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The Savior, himself, beautifully illustrates the most sublime sayings, and instructs his disciples in parables that surpass in richness and delicacy of sentiment, any productions of man. They are all the more forcible, because they are clothed by the touch of divine beauty. Who does not know that flowers inspire the tenderest emotions, and that evergreens and immortelles recall the immortal and imperishable? By all means encourage the beautiful, be it ever so simple.

"Fair nature's sweet simplicity With elegance refined." What is there more touching in expression than the Savior's words:

"Consider the lilies, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

But so dearly do I love the lilies, and such like charming things, that lest I enter into an elaborate dissertation upon flowers and trailing vines, winter berries and forest boughs, I will say to my patient readers and dear, good friends, known or unknown, "A Merry Christmas" and "A Happy New Year," peace happiness and prosperity." Amethyst.

FAULT FAULT finding may be said to be the lazy man's evidence of wisdom, as it requires no reflection nor study nor effort to find fault. That in which there is no fault is perfect, hence the impossibility of anything mortal escaping the reach of the fault finder. The fault finder is like the vulture who soars over God's beautiful footstool seeing nothing of the beauty

FINDING.

and harmony that prevails there. In vain to him do the sweet scented zephyrs rise from the earth. He is deaf to the warbling of the songsters of the forests. He is not looking for order, peace or joy, but only scents afar off the loathsome carcass and hastes to feast his soul upon 'carrion.

The practice of fault finding is especi