---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - F. E. Barker
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 18
number: 4
published: 1915-02
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'F. E. Barker, "Chastity," *Improvement Era* 18, no. 4 (February 1915): 325.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1804unse
  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: improvementera1804unse
start_page: 325
end_page: 325
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1915-02)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1804unse
  publication_year: 1915
  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 1915, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Chastity

<!-- page:325 -->

A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS                               325

what this King of Scouts did towards the establishment of this
Church in these valleys, until the books spoken of in the revela-
tion of John shall have been opened.     When the dead, small and
great, shall stand before God to be judged according to their works,
Father Hanks will be found in the front ranks among the noble
and great "which came out of great tribulation."
We'll drop a tear as we draw near, the tomb of this our noble brave
                                  —
Our hero dear, who knew no fear, we'll strew sweet flowers o'er his grave.

                                Chastity

      O is there a virtue that man must own
        And woman must ever possess,
      That nature demands, and God has shown
        The hearts of the young should impress        —
      That man's very nature, and God, declare
      Shall truly be pure and deep and rare,
      As true as the diamond without impair?
         Yes, surely: the virtue of Chastity.

       And is there one standard of virtue for all,
         For man and for woman as well,
       Or woman infracting, be hurled to her fall
         While man in all freedom may dwell
       The man dragging woman, for lust, to her shame,
       Besmirching her honor while honored his name,
       He deepest in guilt yet not sharing the blame?
         No, truly; one standard has Chastity.
       Then man should be pure and chaste as the snow.
         With virtue the woman be crowned,
       That both, as they live in probation below,
         Fit subjects for heaven be found
       Unsullied in thought, and both undefiled,
       As pure as angel or innocent child,
       From Heaven's strict law being never beguiled,      .

         An honor to God and to Chastity.
       Then be, O young men, as sturdy as oak,
          Ne'er yielding to passion's red   lure,
       Your freedom is greater, and lighter your yoke,
         While treading the path of the pure.
       Most sternly resolve your life-blood you'll yield
        In the conflict with vice (having truth for your shield),
                              —
        Ere virtue surrender yes, die in the field
          Ere ever you sin against Chastity.
        And, maidens so sweet, be your virtue your crown,
          And modesty ever your grace:
        To tempters be swift with your "no" and your frown—
          A positive signal in place.
        Unswerving in virtue, then make firm demand
        That man live thus strictly or seek not your hand,
        That both in like honor most truly may stand
          Deserving the bright crown of Chastity.              F. E.   Barker