The Victor

SOME MISTAKES MADE WHILE PREACHING. 411 preacher opened fire upon me, all I had to defend myself with was blank cartridges. He beat me right and left, and when he had finished, this poor, theological game-rooster wasn't able to raise a crow. I returned to my home, and while sitting before the fire nursing my wounds, scriptural passages, as numerous as autumn leaves, came to me. I saw where I could have beaten my oppo- nent every time he opened his mouth. But the Lord took this means of teaching me a lesson, and I hope that some may profit by my experience. My advice to young missionaries is, "Don't court trouble. Preach in meekness and humility the gospel of Christ, and leave contention to the devil, for he is the author of it." THE VICTOR. Bind on thy helm and buckler, nor reck though death betide! He liveth well who dieth with Truth upon his side! He fears not any foeman with gilded spear and mail. Who knoweth only duty to win or die, not fail. Bind on thy shield and helmet, and reckon not the host; But wage again the battles thy fathers fought and lost. While Sin, the fatal foeman, is marshalled still in pride. Thy only truce is bondage: 'twere better thou hadst died! While Evil's golden banners, of mocking Doubt and Crime, Flaunt in thy holy places with stolen spoils of time, While Vice, the gilded Tempter, rules half thy kingdom still, Fail not where thy fathers faltered: thy peace is thy children's ill. Then wield thy sword with tumult, ere the day of thy strength decline,. Till the night and thy glory cometh, when the sceptre shall be thine. And shouldst thou bleed in the battle, what evil can befall? He giveth best and grandly who giveth his last and all. Bind on thy helm and buckler, nor reck though death betide! He liveth well who dieth with Truth upon his side! —Clinton D. Ray, Fillmore, Utah.