---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Steele, Frank C.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 20
number: 11
published: 1917-09
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Frank C. Steele, "Reparation," *Improvement Era* 20, no. 11 (September 1917): 980.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera20011unse
  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: improvementera20011unse
start_page: 980
end_page: 980
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1917-09)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera20011unse
  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.
---

# Reparation

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IMPROVEMENT ERA

some way affecting the lives of others. Not only the man who
first led Annie astray, but all of them, every one, who helped
in her downfall, for some of its far-reaching effects will be held
responsible."
     They were nearing camp now, and the Doctor, eager that
the boy might learn his life's lesson, without going through the
sorrow that had brought to his own temples the premature grey,
grew very solemn, very earnest. "You can do but little, my boy,
to stem the tide of wickedness; but keep your own soul pure,
and you can go back to the God who placed you here, unspotted,
unafraid."
     The walk was ended. Hal crawled into his bunk, his body
weary with the long day's journey; and, as he lay looking
through the open side of the tent into the calm, still night, he
registered in his soul a thought that was like unto a vow and a
prayer: "Oh Father, in my hour of temptation, bring again to
my memory this day, that I may remember ever, man's respon-
sibility."

Glendale, Oregon




                                 Reparation

             We speak of reparation, but tell me, pray,
             What power can clear, what hand repay
                             —
             The bitter loss the life that's snatched away?

             Reparation! Yes, 'tis pleasing to our ears;
             But can it half atone for burning tears,
             For aching hearts, or fevered brows, or haunting fears?

             Naught can restore the loss of manly power;
             The faith of women, true but tender as a flower;
             The cries of children, lest wicked Thor devour.

             Reparation! Yes. But, hark! the tolling bell
             Strikes deep for those slain in that living hell;
             And list!   afar the dirge for   Nurse Cavell.

             Reparation!  we shout. But nothing e'er redeems
             The loss of classic art. Rare, ravaged Rheims
             Now lives alone in sad and cherished dreams.
                                       But can they, pray,
             Ships, cities, states, gold!
             Bring back loved ones who proudly marched away?
             Great God, e'en thou cannot in full repay!
                                                              Frank C. Steel*
Atlanta, Georgia