--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Iverson, Minnie collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 20 number: 5 published: 1917-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Minnie Iverson, "The Hidden Spring: A Poem," *Improvement Era* 20, no. 5 (March 1917): 395.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2005unse 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: improvementera2005unse start_page: 395 end_page: 395 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1917-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2005unse publication_year: 1917 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 1917, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Hidden Spring: A Poem THE KINGDOM OF LITTLE CHILDREN 395 inspiration; but if it is not —" His voice became choked and he stopped. "And if it is not restored," the calmness of resignation filledWallace Marden's soul as Old John spoke, "you will go on together and you will place your hand in hers and she will lead you back to the kingdom of little children." Ogden, Utah The Hidden Spring It is reported that within the vaults of the Historical Museum, in Dresden, Germany, there are many curious and costly trinkets. A visitor writes: "We saw an egg which was sent as a present to a Saxon Princess long ago. It was an iron egg. Long did she keep it without knowing its value or the purpose for which it was sent. One day in handling it she touched a spring, and the egg opened and revealed a golden yolk. Time rolled on, and a spring was discovered in the yolk, and that opened and out dropped a jeweled chicken. By some concealed spring the chicken opened, and a ruby crown, all studded with jewels, fell out. This also opened, and a diamond ring was laid up within. This trifling thing must have cost thousands of dollars, and years of labor and skill." There are rare gems of truth that lie concealed, Wrapt in the deep of every human heart, Kept in reserve: by utmost toil revealed When with a shining luster they upstart. Deem not the iron rind of circumstance A certain index where all fortunes cling, Could'st thou but view the choice luxuriance Won by thy will. Ring out, ye triumphs, ring! Wilt name the power to thus unbind? A hidden spring! Who hath not seen within e'en meanest bounds The gleam of chances that may serve us well? With sure reward adversity redounds With equal grace our every grief to quell. What fadeless gain the subtle spring may hold But do not deem the price extravagance, E'en though the "precious ointment" could "be sold." Oh, count not gifts divine so small as measured gold! Lo! View the scene of progress here and now! Truth's light, unerring, guides the struggling soul; With cleanest lips step forth and make thy vow, With strong humility press toward the goal. May pure conviction touch the "inward spring." May Inspiration find the gems of worth. List! The rejoicing angel voices sing, A saving-glory smileth o'er the earth, O life, to Peace and God attuned! Hail glad rebirth! Minnie Iverson.