---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Townsend, Joseph Longking
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 23
number: 8
published: 1920-06
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Townsend, Joseph Longking, "A Hymn of Humanity," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 8 (June 1920): 721.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera238unse
  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: improvementera238unse
start_page: 721
end_page: 721
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-06)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera238unse
  publication_year: 1920
  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 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# A Hymn of Humanity

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THE SACRED GROVE 721


 'Tis true. I well recall the morn when Joseph came to pray. I loved the child, and always in the springtime welcomed his return. Like the birds he was a carrier of gladness, strong of limb and bright of eye. This morn I shall not forget, so strange was that which fell beneath my view. He came the — — boy and looked about in youthful fear. The day was calm like this. In sympathy, I held my breath for fear of frightening the tender lad. And then, I saw him fall upon his knees, with eyes turned toward the sky. He prayed, and it seemed that all the universe stood still and hung upon a thread. Soon the sun seemed darkened. A power, black as the blackest night, seized the praying lad. I, too, did feel the wicked presence, shaking as I do before the winter gales. But still did Joseph pray. Ere long I felt a peaceful, heavenly spirit soothe the world, and lo! descending from the clouds I saw two Personages arrayed in white of purest hue. My bosom heaved with ecstasy. The birds gushed o'er with harmonies divine. The flowers changed to blooms of paradise. And a Voice, gentle and kind, yet pierc- ing like the lightning flash, addressed the kneeling boy: " 'This is my beloved Son. Hear him!' "And then One spoke in tones much like the First. And Joseph listened, his face illumined in the glorious light. In time, the Voice ceased, the light slowly faded, and then, 'twas gone. Then the youthful seer arose. I spoke to him in voice we oft had used. And Joseph, strengthened, melted into joyous tears." "'Palmyra, Palmyra, dear! Did you not hear the story of the Grove?' I cried. "My only answer was the rustle of the leaves. The child had gone.*' Raymond, Canada

 A Hymn of Humanity The joyful theme of liberty Humanity to man must be; One brotherhood of all the race O'er land and sea, in ev'ry place.

 Let love of man our race redeem, Till men their fellow men esteem; Spread wide the love, extend the good Of universal brotherhood! Joseph Longking Townsend