How the Lord Saved Israel. A Poem

192 IMPROVEMENT ERA that in this respect also the principle of enallage was familiar to and used by the Nephitc writers: "And now, they snid. we know of a surety that the Lord is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying, I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother." (I Nep. 17:55.) Another example : "For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make mucli fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for he said, I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not." (I Nep. 17:12.) In all these illustrations — Biblical and Book of Mormon — the unwarranted substitution of the singular for the plural, according to English standards, is very noticeable. No composition in our language which observes its idioms can ever be characterized by peculiarities (if this nature. (to be continued) "How the Lord Saved Israel' Within a high and olden wall There stands a temple holy; Erected by brave, willing hands To Him who loves the lowly; Where prophets stand, and Saints repair To worship in the House of pray'r. Where falls the shadow of its spires 'Mid spruce and elm trees balmy, There lies a fount — a lily pond Where floats the broad leaf calmy; While gold-fish sport beneath the wave And searching eyes, sad, gay, or grave. Up from the center of the fount, Where flowers sly are peeping At their fair shades within the pool. Their pulses proudly leaping, There tow'rs a snow-white monument In inpm'ry of an incident.

HOW THE LORD SAVED ISRAEL 193 An incident? A miracle! Oft told in song and story; And graven deep on loyal hearts Who witnessed the wing'd glory; 'Tis written, too, on plain and hill — The Lord saved modern Israel. The granite base, the pedestal, The round shaft nobly i ising, Surmounted by a perfect sphere On which two gulls are poising, In shining gold from tip to bill, Declare: The Lord saved Israel. The metal tablets tell the tale: Into a desert dreary, There came a few — a gallant few, All travel-stained and weary; They pitched their camp within the vale — The vanguard 'twas of Israel. They broke the clod, and sowed their seed For winter-snows to nurture; They toiled and praised the Father for His promise of the future; Anon with joy the mountains ring, Their broad, green fields adorn the spring. How soon their joy is turned to grief, The crickets come, devouring The tender grain — their hope of life, The strength of man o'erpow'ring; But One can save from direst ill, It is the God of Israel. Behold! in answer to their pray'rs His messengers come flying, With rav 'nous haste they clear the fields Beneath the black plague lying. The stone, in rare artistic skill, Tells how the Lord saved Israel. Ruth May Fez.