---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Alcott, Louisa M.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 3
number: 4
published: 1900-02
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Louisa M. Alcott, "My Kingdom: A Poem," *Improvement Era* 3, no. 4 (February 1900): 259–260.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera34unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera34unse
start_page: 259
end_page: 260
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1900-02)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera34unse
  publication_year: 1900
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1900, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# My Kingdom: A Poem

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THE METHODS AND MOTIVES OF SCIENCE. 259

Church. The scientist in his self-denying earnest labors is a true child of God ; as he is strengthened spiritually will his work be the better. The scientific spirit is divine.

 MY KINGDOM. LOUISA M. ALCOTT. {Written in her diary when only fourteen.)

 A little kingdom I possess, Where thoughts and feelings dwell, And very hard I find the task Of governing it well; For passion tempts and troubles me, A wayward will misleads. And selfishness its shadow casts On all my words and deeds. How can I learn to rule myself. To be the child I should, Honest and brave, nor ever tire Of trying to be good? How can I keep a sunny soul To shine along life's way? How can I tune my little heart To sweetly sing all day? Dear Father, help me with the love That casteth out my fear; Teach me to lean on thee, and feel That thou art very near, That no temptation is unseen, No childish grief too small. Since thou, with patience infinite, Doth sooth and comfort all.

 I do not ask for any crown But that which all may win, Nor seek to conquer any world Except the one within. Be thou my guide until I find. Led by a tender hand. Thy happy kingdom in myself, And dare to take command.

<!-- page:260 -->

—

 COLLECTION OF ANECDOTES.

 [In a recent number of the Era, missionaries and others were asked to write anecdotes illustrating topics of interest which had come under their observation. In response to this request, several communications have been received, two of which are herewith presented. We repeat the request, and ask our friends to write and send us anecdotes. Editors.]