Give Us Peace

SUBDUING THE EARTH 151 i to our condemnation. It is only through education that we shall bo enabled to fulfil the commands of God. Young men and young women, your patriotism for your country, your love for your God, and your devotion to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, should stimulate you to a genuine desire for the development of those hidden resources within your own souls. Let us embrace the splendid oportunities — that lie before us educate ourselves for the great mission that devolves upon us to multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it, and make the deserts to blossom as the rose. Beaver, Utah Why Doubt Our Father's Power? By President Nicholas G. Smith of the South African Mission (Concluded) After having been in the field a few months, I was called in by a faithful sister to administer to her boy who was, to my mind, slowly choking to death. I asked why she had not called a doctor, and 6he told me that the boy was so ill that a doctor could do no good, but that the Lord would heal him; and she wanted me to administer at once. Of course, I lost no time. Imagine my surprise when, fifteen minutes later, the swelling in the throat burst, and a fearful mass of blood and puss was ejected, and the boy got out of bed and began to play on the floor. Was there chance in this healing? Never in the world would anyone be able to convince that fond mother, who was filled with faith that God had healed her child. All idea of chance was wiped out of my mind, and yet it was several weeks later, before I fully realized what power there was in the Priesthood. From then on I have never had a doubt as to what the Lord can do, but I find that I am still inclined to be able to see better at a distance when the Lord does things. My own babe went cold and limp one day, and his mother ran with him in her arms to me. He appeared to be lifeless, as his breath had stopped, but the minute I blessed him he came to, and has never had an attack like that since. Last July I received a letter from some of the Saints from Queenstown, telling me that a neighbor's wife had been taken from there to Cape Town to the asylum. The neighbor was very anxious that the "Mormon" elders should visit her and see if anything could be done. Conference President June B. Sharp and I called at the institution, and after an exciting few minutes she was ushered into the room, and we were left there alone with her. In talking to her we discovered that she seemed to be rational on everything but religion. She

152 IMPROVEMENT ERA told us that she had been converted to Christ, and that she so loved him that she wanted nothing to do with her husband or children, and would not cook or do anything for them. As she walked along the street, she would fall to her knees and pray to God that she might love him more, but her babes she hated with such a hate that it was feared something might happen if she were left alone with them. She had been to the different ministers of the churches in the town, and they had prayed for her, but she said the words were beautiful, but they fell dead upon her ears and she loved God more, and mankind less. After talking with her for an hour, and it came time to leave, I said to President Sharp that we would bow our heads and offer up a prayer, which we did. We rebuked the devil that had taken hold of her body, because we felt and told her that it was a devil, and commanded it to leave her, and asked our heavenly Father to send her back to her family. She seemed very pleased, and we left. President Sharp was released and went home, and when I had time to find out something about the good woman, I was told that she had gone home, well. At our recent conference in Kimberley, President B. Glen Kenney, who had just completed a trip through the conference, reported that he had met with a wonderful experience in Queenstown. A lady came out to a meeting which he held there and testified that she was convinced that "Mormonism" was true. She went on to tell of how Elders Smith and Sharp had come to see her while she was confined in the asylum, how they had told her what her trouble was, and how true their words were, and how from the minute that they had uttered their prayer she began to get better and another influence had enterd her heart, and she knew the devil had departed from her. Her great desire is again to meet these men and have them tell her how they knew so well what the trouble was, when doctors and half a dozen ministers did not know. If there had been one lingering doubt as to the power of Christ in casting out the devil from the mad man in Galilee,or the power of the Priesthood today, it would have been forever driven from my mind. Here is a case where there could have been no element of chance, because the woman was healed, and she felt at the time that she was being healed, and knew that it was by the power of God. These are only a few of the instances that have come under my immediate observation; but aside from these, there is that influence that works in the souls of men which convinces them better than healings, or even words, could do, and that is the Holy Spirit, through which, if we will, we can know of a surety that God lives and that the leaders of the Church are his prophets. Then why doubt our Father's power?

Give Us Peace O Lord, give Thou us peace. Our simis are torn with grief. The earth travails. Release The bonds of hate. Relief Can come from Thee alone; Yes, only Thou art left Lord, give Thou us peace. To still the cannon's groan, The ways of men have failed, And bind what strife has cleft. And wars on earth increase; From Thee we ask surcease Yea, e'en Thy throne's assailed. Of pain, with firm belief. Uncounted tear-scorched eyes O Lord, give Thou us peace. Upturn to Thee on high, Our souls are torn with grief! With pleading, helpless cries. To save them ere they die. O when will sorrow cease. And peace on earth be hailed? Lord, give Thou us peace. The ways of men have failed! Andrew Kimball Smith. §*,&