--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Gordon, Margaret E. P. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 27 number: 11 published: 1924-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Margaret E. P. Gordon, “The Crown Incorruptible,” *Improvement Era 27, no. 11 (September 1924)*: 1086–1094." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera27011unse 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: improvementera27011unse start_page: 1086 end_page: 1094 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1924-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera27011unse publication_year: 1924 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 1924, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Crown Incorruptible THE GROWN INCORRUPTIBLE By Margaret E. P. Gordon In the first century of the Christian Era, no city of Greece was more noted for its beauty than Corinth. It had been destroyed by the Romans two centuries before, but had been rebuilt by Julius Caesar with much splendor. At the date of this story, 57 A. D., it had much natural beauty which even the power of Rome had not been able to destroy. The mighty rampart of rock towering upward to the height of 2,000 feet, the deep blue of the sea which gently bathed its shores, the shelves of terracJ land descending in a rich succession of fertile gardens to the water's edge, were as lovely now as in the days of her greatest glory. A few miles from the city stood the temple of Neptune, and near it the theatre or Stadium in which were celebrated the Isthmian games, so long an object of attraction, not only to the great, but to the whole civilized world. The Stadium in which the foot races took place, consisted of an oblong space of level ground enclosed by a mound on which were erected tiers of stone seats. One end was semi-circular and the other square. The length of the course was about 220 yards. At the square end on one side was the starting place. At the other end was the goal, — a pillar set up a few feet from the semi-circular bend. When the single course was run, this was the Winning Post. When the double, the runners passed the pillar and returned to the starting place. On one side of the goal were the seats of the judges. The entrance to the Stadium lay through an avenue of trees, lined on either side with statues of successful champions; and the shores of the Gulf produced in abundance the groves of pine, from which was gathered the garland forming the prize of the contest. It was a bright morning in early summer. A vast crowd had gathered to watch the games to be celebrated that day, and the seats in the Stadium were fast filling. The rivalry between the great cities of Greece was keen, and in the present instance it was known that the rivalry betwen the champions of the various States was likely to be severe. Wagers were freely made and large sums staked on the favorite. Much discussion as to the relative merits of the contestants was heard. Ona youthful enthusiast asserted; "Athens will carry off the Pine Garland today, — let who will, win the other prizes." "Make not so sure of that," said a dark browed Spartan. "Stypho, THE CROWN INCORRRUPTIBLE 1087 the son of Crete, hath never yet encountered defeat, yet he hath run against the first champions of Greece." "I will wager an Attic talent he encounters it today," said the Athenian. "Scylax, the trainer, professes he hath never sent forth two such runners as Alcimos and Meno." "There are other trainers beside Scylax," said the Spartan. "1 am not rich enough to venture such a sum as thou namest, but I will wager a thousand drachmas on Stypho against either of thy boasted champions." And so opinions and wagers were passed, and the merits of contestants discussed. The two Athenians seemingly the most popular. "Thou preferest Alcimos to Meno," said one friend to another. "I thought Scylax held a contrary opinion." "He did at first," was the reply, "but lately Alcimos has so improved in wind and muscle that old Scylax has changed his mind." "Well, that is quite possible," said the other. "Considering the lazy luxurious life which Alcimos has led, it is no wonder it took some time to bring him into proper training. Since he was old enough to escape from his guardian he has devoted his whole time to riotous pleasure and indulgence. That he should shut up his house, sell his favorite slaves, and go to old Scylax for ten months of coarse fare and hard labor is a marvel indeed, and a still greater that he has persisted in it." "Whatever may be Alcimos' object he will likely gain it. I saw him a few days ago and I scarcely knew him. He no more re- sembles the idle lounger than a pampered lap dog resembles a wolfhound." "Well," said the other, "the judges have taken their places. Another half hour and the contest will be decided." Meanwhile Alcimos, the youth to whose performance so much attention had been attracted, was present among the competitors, but kept out of sight as much as possible. High born, rich, gifted with unusual powers of mind and body, indolence alone had prevented him from attaining to the highest distinction. Greece offered honors he might have won, but he preferred a life of luxury and self-in- dulgence, until one day he met for the first time a noble Athenian lady, whose father had just returned to the city after a long absence. Diotime was not only beautiful in body, but was endowed with distinguished qualities of mind, a deep student of the splendid literature of. her native city. It was her greatest wish to see it produce heroes once more, worthy to follow in the footsteps of Miltiades and Pericles. She looked with scorn on the effeminate fops who offered her their flattery. Alcimos in particular, who had been piqued first into admiration, then into love, by her indifference, sought in vain to win her regard. One day he chanced to overhear a conversation between Diotime 1088 IMPROVEMENT ERA and one of her companions, which had caused him to take the step so bewildering to his friends. "Athens is not at war with any foreign nation," her friend had said. "Our youth have not the opportunity to win the distinction thou dost insist upon." "The Athens of the past won glory in peace as well as war," re- turned Diotime, "but our youth attain distinction neither at home nor abroad. How many years have passed since the prize at Olympia or the Isthmus has been brought home to Athens? No, Callista, not until some Athenian can lay the crown of Wild Olives or of Pine at my feet will I harken to the suit of any." The ladies withdrew, unconscious that their conversation had been overheard. But Alcimos had drunk in every word, and his resolve was taken at once. He knew that among Diotime's suitors was Meno, a youth renowned for his swiftness of foot, and generally ex- pected to carry off the prize at the Isthmian games in the summer of the ensuing year. Whether Diotime had him in mind or not Alcimos could not tell, but the idea of his bringing home the crown of Victory, and thereby winning a fairer prize, was intolerable to him. In a few weeks he had entirely changed his course of living. He left the city and placed himself as a pupil of Scylax, one of the most celebrated trainers of the day, whose school was not far distant. Contrary to all expectations he had persevered in carrying out the severest regimen which is imposed on those in training. His af- fection for the fair Athenian seemed to increase with his life of toil and difficulty. He only saw her now at rare intervals, but when he did, he noted an expression of surprise and interest, which contrasted strongly with the scarcely veiled contempt of her former greeting. Old Scylax, who at first regarded him with a grim mixture of pity and amusement, treated him with ever increasing respect, and as the time of the contest drew near advised more than one of his friends to place their money on his chances of success. It was but a few weeks to the day of the big athletic event, when a strange adventure ending in a serious accident befell him. Not long after his arrival at Corinth, where he had come for the last stages of his training on the track at the Stadium, he was walking in a retired spot on the sea shore, a short distance away when he saw an old building surrounded by a grove of pines and laurels which almost hid it from view to all appearances a ruin, a deserted temple perhaps not used any more. While he was still looking at it- he saw several people walking on the narrow path leading to it and dis- appearing within the doorway. Curiosity caused him to follow them. Making his way through the shrubs he joined the company, and as they did not seem surprised at his presence he entered the building with them. He discovered he was in an ancient villa, the large entrance hall THE CROWN INCORRRUPTIBLE 1089 of which was used for this gathering. At one end was a rude desk before which a man, wearing the ordinary dress of a Greek mechanic, was seated. On the benches were some fifty or sixty persons of all ranks and ages, the seats to the right being occupied by men, those to the left by women. Observing that Alcimos looked about him in some perplexity, an old man beckoned him to take a seat at his side. As he did so all arose and sang a hymn addressed to some Deity. When this and some prayers which followed were concluded the occupant of the desk arose and began to speak. He told them that a letter had arrived from Ephesus written by Paul, the beloved Father in the Faith, who for the space of two years, as they would remember, had dwelt among them, and whose special order it was now that his letter should be read to all the Saints in Corinth, which order it was his purpose to obey. Alcimos, whose curiosity was by this time greatly aroused, paid particular attention to what followed. He had once or twice heard something of the new, strange religion which for twenty years had been promulgated in Greece and other lands. He could remember some four or five years previously the very man, who seemed to be the writer of this Epistle, coming to Athens, and discoursing on Mars Hill to the scorn and amusement of many, and to the perplexity and alarm of others. He found himself startled and impressed. The authoritative, unhestitating tone of the writer, even when handling the deepest mysteries, the earnest exhortations to universal ]ove and good will, all this struck and surprised him with a force for which he could not account. Presently the epistle went on to speak of the self-denial, toil, and suffering, his calling as a minister of this new faith brought upon him, and that many accounted it folly for him to so endure. Yet there was no folly even from a human point of view, because the prize to be gained as a result was well worth it all. He cited as an argument in its favor the toil and self-sacrifice which those who were contestants in the public games underwent, though their hope of victory was precarious, while that of the Christians was firm and sure. "Know ye not," so the letter was worded, "that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." After the meeting Alcimos left without speaking to any one. and slowly walked homeward through the thick trees by which he had approached the villa. The passage in the Epistle relative to the foot races had removed the favorable impression which the previous part had created. The writer, he thought, knows little of our Greek games or he would not speak so of them. A short heart and a de- 1090 IMPROVEMENT ERA termined will rarely fail of success. And the crown he spoke slight- ingly of, which is to me the crown alike of glory and love, is well worth all the effort needed to secure it. While these thoughts were passing through his mind, he was suddenly startled by a sharp stinging pain in his foot, and looking down, saw a snake gliding away in the thicket. He hastened home and had the wound dressed. The bite was not dangerous, and it healed in a few days, but it left a strange languor which he could not shake off. He concealed it carefully from his companions, and would not admit even to himself that it might possibly affect his chances of suc- cess. Indeed, on the morning of the race itself the excitement of the struggle seemed to have restored his former vigor and he presented himself before the judges to take the required oaths, as confident of victory as ever. After the preliminary formalities had been gone through, the competitors took their places at the starting post. There were seven contestants from various cities of Greece, amongst them the two Athen- ians, Meno and Alcimos. They were all of noble appearance and splendidly built. Alcimos was fortunate in obtaining the place generally con- sidered the best and there was some change in the betting when he was seen to take it. After a pause of breathless expectation the signal was given, then in an instant the seven competitors shot forward with the speed of a flight of arrows. For the first thirty yards they all seemed to keep together. When the middle of the course was reached the two Athenians were well to the fore. In this way they gained the pillar at the other end. Skim- ming lightly around it they darted back on the return course. Here Diodes, the Begarian, who to this point had kept the lead, began to fail. He was passed first by Meno, then by Alcimos and Stypho, the Lacedonian, running shoulder to shoulder. Amid deafening shouts of encouragement half the return course was traveled. This was the point at which the superior powers of Alcimos had always shown themselves. Old Scylax, who has chosen his seat at exactly this spot, and who had heard nothing about the snake's bite, fully expected him to shoot forward a yard in front of his antagonists and maintain his lead to the end of the race. To his surprise Alcimos, though evidently exerting his powers to the utmost, could not shake off his Lacedonian rival, while Meno gained slightly but surely on both. Within ten yards of the goal Alcimos made a last desperate effort, but his exertions only carried him once more abreast of Stypho, be- hind whom he had been gradually falling, Meno maintaining his posi- tion a clear stride in advance. The next moment a trumpet sounded THE CROWN INCORRRUPTIBLE 1091 the termination of the race. And a herald announced in a loud voice that Meno, the son of Aristo, a citizen of Athens, was the conqueror in the foot race. Alcimos hardly heard the words of the proclamation, or the shouts of the people which followed. He rested for a moment by one of the statues which ornament the avenue. When he recovered sufficiently to take notice, he saw his successful rival at a little distance receiving congratulations. He saw also Diotime looking radiant with triumph, glancing proudly at Meno, who was surrounded by a group of noble Athenians. Alcimos could not endure the sight. Moving away in the op- posite direction under the shelter of the Sacred Grove he soon found himself alone. A few moments brought him to the sea shore, close to the old villa in the pine wood where he had received the injury which had wrecked his hopes forever. The sight of the fatal spot roused him from his stupor which had fallen on his senses, and he felt for the first time the full bitterness of his disappointment. He had not merely lost the foot race, though that to his proud spirit would have been hard enough to bear, but with it he lost everything that in his eyes made life worth living. Diotime's love was hopelessly given to another. He could never return to Athens and see her Meno's wife. The idea of resuming his former life there, or elsewhere, seemed insupportable to him. The advantages of his rank, birth, and possessions seemed wholly forfeited. And all this through no fault of his. He had striven with all pos- sible diligence to win the prize on which his heart was set. He had denied himself every , indulgence that could impede his hopes of suc- cess. He had endured every hardship that could promote it. And yet he had failed — failed as utterly as if he had gone into the race unprepared, as if he had been the poorest, instead of the generally ac- knowledged swiftest runner in the Training School. "All run, but one only obtaineth the prize — ." Where did he hear those words? he muttered to himself. Ah! It was in the old villa in the pine grove and they were the words of Paul, the Christian. And then he remembered what came afterwards, what he had said of himself. "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." He had thought lightly of the wisdom of those words when he heard them, but they sounded different now. It might be that there was a race in wich success was sure, not doubtful and liable to defeat as the one he had just run. He would at least seek the Christian Teacher and find out more about it. On the following day Alcimos was received as an investigator, and baptized shortly afterwards. When he had completed a course of in- 1092 IMPROVEMENT ERA struction, he was sent at his own request into the distant parts of Asia, and for many years never re-visited Greece. The same qualities which had been shown in the Training School of Scylax were now exerted for a nobler purpose. No toil was too severe for him. No sacrifice of self too great. No danger too formidable to be cheerfully encountered. For thirty-seven years he ran his noble and devoted course. At last in the persecution under the Emperor Domitian he attracted the attention of the Roman prefect. He was arrested, and on his re- fusal to sacrifice, was beheaded in the amphitheatre at Ephesus. His last words are said to have been: "They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incor- ruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly — ." Salt Lake City, "AND RUTH SAID" By Minerva Pinkerton "Any mail for me today?" Grant Shores tried to ask the ques- tion casually, just as he had each day for the past three months, and was summoning the usual cheerful grin and jaunty backward nod for reply to old Simms' ninety times repeated, "No thin' today, me boy," when the aged postmaster, after a pretended search through the "R-S-T" box, slapped a square, cream envelope through the tiny window, and cackled excitedly. "Sure, an' there's mail for ye today! Straight from the city, an' writ by a young lady with brown eyes an' a dimple, or I'm no jedge o' handwritin'." "Hey! An't ye agoin' to open it?" he shrilled again, as Grant seized the letter and began to elbow his way through the daily mail- time crowd which jammed the tiny office; but his question was lost on the broad-shouldered young giant who plowed his path to the door, and with the precious letter held tightly in his hand, walked rapidly through the little town and out toward the hills. He wanted to be alone, away from the loud congratulations, or the crudely expressed sympathy, of the villagers; alone with the letter which contained a word sentencing him to a life time of hap- piness or despair. Reaching the wooded hills, he plunged down a narrow canyon to a small grove of feathery pines, in the center of which a seat had been constructed of stones and moss. He threw himself down in front of this throne and half closed his eyes while he held the still unopened letter, as if it were a priceless treasure. In fancy he could see pretty golden-haired Ruth Hathaway sitting before him, as she had sat so many times during the past summer; he recalled the long hours they had read, studied and talked here, "AND RUTH SAID" 1093 in their months of friendship, the few precious weeks during which they had come here to plan for their future home together; and, finally, the bitter day when he had told her of the wonderful, new religion to which he had become converted, and had tried to ex- plain to her some of its beliefs and principles. She had at first refused to take him seriously, accusing him of trying to tease or frighten her; but finally, realizing that he was in earnest, she had contemptuously tossed his ring toward him, and told him to choose between her and — "Mormonism." He was bewildered for a moment, but not for an instant did his faith waver, and he replied gently, "You don't seem to understand, Ruth, dear; there is nothing to decide, no choice to make. I am already a member of this great Church; I know its truth and feel its power in every fiber of my being, and I could no more renounce it and declare myself something else than I could, by simply saying so, change myself to an Eskimo. It is a part of me, and will be forever." He walked toward her and held out his arms, "Just as our love is a part of me, Ruth — " but she interrupted angrily, "Don't speak of love to me. You have made our love second to your cheap, trashy religion; and until you come to your senses, I never want to see you again." She turned and walked rapidly away, and hours later he fol- lowed back to town, with sad heart but unshaken conviction, only to find that she had left the house of her Aunt, with whom she had been spending the spring and summer months, and had returned to her home in the city. Three months had passed, and he had heard nothing from her, but each day he had sent her some reminder of himself and his re- ligion. He had such perfect faith in the new work with which he had united, such absolute knowledge of its truth, that he felt if Ruth could only learn more about it, really know and understand it, she would love its message as he did; so, on every day's mail he had sent her a little inanimate missionary — sometimes a small tract or leaf- let which he procured from the elders who had converted him; or oft- times-asked question, to be followed the next day by the answer; one half of a quotation from some of the Church books, and then the other half the books themselves, and copies of the various magazines of the Church organizations, with a line, a paragraph or an entire story or article marked for her special reading. He sent records for her phonograph, containing some of the choicest Latter-day Saint hymns; and each day, with every offering, went a sincere, humble prayer that his inspired missionaries would bring her to know and love the truth. Every day as he read and studied to find something to send to Ruth on the morrow, new paths had opened up before him, greater 1094 IMPROVEMENT ERA glories and wonders had been shown to him, and his faith had been strengthened until it almost seemed that this alone of life was real, and nothing else mattered; but now that he held Ruth's letter, and knew that this answer must indeed be final, he realized again how dear she was to him, how essential to his future happiness and pro gression, and he almost feared to open the letter. Down in front of the throne he had builded for her, he bowed his head and asked God that the answer might be the right one for both of them. Then he slowly opened the envelope and drew forth the folded sheet. He stared stupidly at its one short line — just her name and three figures: "RUTH: 1:16." Almost afraid to believe, he reached for his worn little pocket Bible, and with trembling fingers turned to the first chapter of Ruth, found the sixteenth verse, and read: "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Redmesa, Colorado. Sunday Scouting Boy Scouts of America National Council, with reference to the en- couragement of boys while in camp to meet their religious obligations, passed this resolution at their Second Biennial Conference: Whereas, the Boy Scouts of America are specifically pledged to encourage reverence and faithfulness to religious obligations; And Whereas, The attention of the National Council has been called to the fact that in some cases, scouts have been permitted to neglect church attendance, while at week-end camps, or on week-end camp hikes; Be It Resolved: That the National Council, record its disapproval of programs for week-end hikes or camps which preclude the attendance of scouts at religious services, or which cause loss of credits for the individual or patrol, or troop, if the scout elects to remain at home to attend church. The Boy Scout Movement will keep faith with the churches, of what- ever creed or denomination. Officers of the M. I. A. Scouts of America are against Sunday hiking, and where boys are away over Sunday, religious services should always be held, and the day held sacred. In Old Mexico M. A. Romney reports from Colonia Juarez, a fathers and sons' outing in June, in which a large number of M. I. A. workers participated. The conditions compel all the people to participate, with fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and all M. I. A. workers in a general excursion. They ap- preciate the good to be obtained from these associations of fathers and sons, and mothers and daughters in outdoor occasions. "We feel very much en- couraged in our work in the stake. Out of a ward population here in Colonia Juarez, of 270, we have an average attendance at our M. I. A. meetings on Sunday night of over 100,"