Editor's Table

EDITOR'S TABLE. A LESSON FOR THE BOYS. While there may be little use in preaching at you, young man, yet, let me in all confidence say a word or two on this subject of self-respect, as related to proper conduct and purity of life. Do you believe these qualities are desirable in a person? Certainly; self-respect requires, among other things, that one shall behave like a true gentleman, in a house of worship. No self-respecting person will go to a house devoted to the service of God, to whisper, gossip, and visit; rather, it is one's duty to put on self-restraint, to give one's undivided attention to the speaker, and concentrate the mind upon his words, that his thoughts may be grasped to our benefit and profit. With this in mind, it is clear that no self-respecting person will be guilty of unseemly conduct, in so sacred a place as a house of worship, where people have met to attune themselves to the whisperings of the Spirit of the Lord, Self-respect would teach every man due deference, in such a place, to those who have met to worship, as well as to the place and the occasion of such worship. Respect for others is one of the first steps in the process of gaining respect for one's self; and, like happiness, self-respect increases in proportion, as it is applied to other people. Among the strong helps to gain self-respect are, personal purity and proper thoughts, which are the basis of all proper action. I wish that all young men could appreciate the value there is in this practice, and in giving their youthful days to the service of the Lord. Growth, development, progress, self-respect, the esteem and admiration of men, naturally follow such a course

338 IMPROVEMENT ERA. in youth. The Savior set a striking example in this matter, and was early about his Father's business. He did not leave it until his older years, but even as early as twelve, he had developed so far in this line that he was able to teach men of wisdom, and doctors of knowledge, in the Temple. Samuel, the Prophet, had so prepared himself by a pure self-respecting childhood, that he was perfectly attuned to the whisperings of God. The shepherd youth David, was chosen above his older brethren, to serve in high places, in the Master's cause. Other great characters in history were also selected early in life; and the best men in all ages gave their young manhood to the service of God who honored them abundantly with commendation and approval. In more modem times, the Lord chose Joseph Smith in early youth to be the founder of the new and glorious dispensation of the gospel. Brigham Young was but a youth when he determined to devote his life to the church; John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and, in fact, all the early founders of the Church devoted their youth and manhood to the cause of Zion, You may look around you, today; and who are the leaders among the people but those who early and zealously devoted themselves to the faith? And you may foretell who are to be the leaders, by observing the boys who show self-respect and purity, and who are earnest in all good works. The Lord will not choose men from any other class of his people, and exalt them into prominence. The opposite course, waiting to serve the Lord until the wild oats of youth are sown, is reprehensible. There is always something lacking in the man who spends his youth in wickedness and sin, and then turns to righteousness in later years. Of course, the Lord honors his repentance, and it is better far that a man should late turn from evil, than to continue in sin all his days, but the fact is clear that the best part of his life and strength are wasted, and there remains only poor broken service to offer the Lord. There are regrets and heartburnings in repenting late in life from the follies and sins of youth, but there is consolation and rich reward in serving the Lord in the vigorous days of early manhood. Self-respect, deference for sacred things, and personal purity are the beginnings and the essence of wisdom. The value of the teachings of the gospel to assist the child and the youth in this