--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Woodruff, J. Lloyd collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 14 number: 3 published: 1911-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. Lloyd Woodruff, "The Fisherman," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 3 (January 1911): 230.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1403unse 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: improvementera1403unse start_page: 230 end_page: 230 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1403unse publication_year: 1911 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 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Fisherman nology was inspired in his efforts, and consequently, that the divine authenticity of the Book of Genesis has been corroborated through the researches of modern science. (the end.) The Fisherman. (For the Improvement Era.) Dawn in the mountains, its glory around him, Far from the turmoil we wage for greed's god, Tints that no brush ever yet touched to canvas, Sparkling dewdrops that litter the sod; Breath of the wild-wood, all laden with fragrance — Sluggish blood leaps at the mystery it feels, Waterfalls tumble with echoing laughter Here at the shrine where the fisherman kneels. Hurrying Night hides away in her caverns, Conquered and routed by dimpling Morn, Druid trees wave high their pinions, saluting Crags a?ons old ere their green shafts were born. All the wild life wakens now at his bidding, He, the great Sun, coming into his own. Carroling birds raise an anthem to greet him; Darkness and shadow far westward have flown. Untrammeled waters swirl, heeding no master, Leaping and dashing with babble and roar, White water-lilies find sun-dappled haven In some broad bend cutting into the shore. Shimmering lake glints with bright, dancing sunbeams, Rippling waves kiss the grass-covered strandMother and fawn crop the tender young cresses As in the cool water knee-deep they stand. Wide stands the door to the soul who may enter Into the holy of holies laid bare; Nature's warm pulse throbs with joy to receive him Into her temple to join in her prayer, Raised and renewed by the touch she accords him. Sordidness finds in his being no part. Cleaner and better he comes from his fishing, Feeling a kinship with Nature's great heart. Dr. J. Lloyd Woodruff.