--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - J. H. Ward collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 5 number: 9 published: 1902-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. H. Ward, "The Two Wreaths," *Improvement Era* 5, no. 9 (July 1902): 661–662.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0509unse 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: improvementera0509unse start_page: 661 end_page: 662 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1902-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0509unse publication_year: 1902 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 1902, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Two Wreaths 660 IMPROVEMENT ERA. observed that our ministers would have more influence if they dressed in broadcloth. When I returned, I made known to Joseph the situation of flings where I had been, so he despatched Brother Jared Carter to that country. And in order that he might not lack influence, he was dressed in a suit of superfine broadcloth. He went immedi- ately into the midst of Mr. Ruggles' church, and, in a short time, brought away seventy of his best members, among whom was the deacon, just as I told the minister. This deacon was Brother Samuel Bent, who now presides over the High Council. In less than a month after my arrival, Samuel returned home from Missouri, and remained until the succeeding October, at which time a revelation was given, commanding him and Wm. McLellin to go to the town of Hiram, which was about thirty miles distant. Samuel commenced making preparations, but before he was ready to start he heard a voice in the night, which said, "Samuel, arise immediately, and go forth on the mission which thou wast com- manded to take to Hiram." He arose from his bed and took what clothing he had in readiness, and set off without further delay. On arriving at the above-mentioned place, he found Wm. E. McLellin there according to previous appointment. Here they commenced preaching together, and after laboring a while in this town, they went from place to place, bearing testimony of the truth in whatever city, town, or village they entered, until the twenty-seventh of December, at which time they arrived at Kirt- land. Samuel was not long permitted to remain at home in quiet; on the first of January he was sent, with Orson Hyde, on a mission into the eastern country. They went and preached from city to city, until they were called home to receive the ordinance of the washing of feet. THE TWO WREATHS. A TALE FOR BOT ANCIENT AND MODERN TIMES. BY J. H. WARD. It was a gala day in Jerusalem. Its crowded streets, the variegated dresses of the jostling populace, the merry jests of the motley crowd in which were represented many nationalities; the Tyrian, the Egyptian and the Jew — all seemed to indicate that an extraordinary festival was at hand. Reports of the wisdom of King Solomon, like the fragrance of the musk, had been insensibly wafted to every part of the civilized world. The story of his wealth and power had spread to many lands; and today above all others was a time of rejoicing in the capital, for the Queen of Sheba, attracted by the reputation of the king and his magnificent city, had come from her far off country to pay the mighty monarch a visit, and at the head of a royal reti- nue had actually entered the gates of Jerusalem, and was rapidly nearing the royal palace. The news of the queen's arrival, and the accounts that had al- ready come of her wondrous beauty, had put the populace in a fever of excitement. No wonder the youthful members of the community gathered close to the wheels of the queen's chariot, who good- naturedly aused fruits and flowers to be scattered among them. At length she reached the gates of the palace, and amidst the clashing of cymbals, the queen stepped from her chariot and made her way toward the palace of Solomon, who, seated upon his throne and surrounded by his courtiers, awaited her arrival. As the queen