A Story of a Sphinx

A STORY OF A SPHINX By J. B. Sumsion Standing before the Mayor of a little city in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as he sat turning and teetering in his swivel chair, was a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who spoke as follows: "Honored Sir, Ten days ago the Mayor of this city was presented with literature dealing with the religious teachings of the 'Mormon' Church. And as he has just said, the literature so deeply impressed his soul, that he feels the 'Mormon' people have been mis- represented and misunderstood; that even his best friends in his own town do not understand the 'Mormons'. And the Mayor has con- cluded that he has reached a test in life, wherein he must change his views, or lose his friends and his self-respect. The candidness of the Mayor is certainly appreciated, and if he wishes to hold his self- respect it will be necessary that he be dutiful to his convictions." "Yes," said the Mayor, "If he holds his self-respect, he will abide by his convictions." "You may have the market square in which to preach. Good afternoon, sir." The missionary left. Ten days later as the missionaries were sitting at the table eating their evening meal, a letter came: Ontario, Canada October 6. 1917. Mr 863 Markham Street, Ontario, Canada. Dear Sir: To my wife and daughter I said, "The 'Mormon' people are mis- understood, misrepresented, and their literature is worth reading." Since that sentence was uttered I have been rained on with a storm of words. I am almost ready to change my views. * * * If I do so, I can't hold my self-respect. What would you do? Yours respectfully, After the letter was read and dinner was over the following letter was written: Ontario, Canada, 863 Markham Street, October 6, 1917. Mr. Charles H , Ontario, Canada. My Dear Sir: I very seldom advise a man older than myself, but the rule is now suspended for a season. Remain true to your convictions. You'll grow by leaps and bounds under such a test. But remain silent; say no more, let the matter rest. If I remember you said you were contemplating a trip across the states in a few years. Very well, when you do, stop off at Salt Lake City. Take your wife and daughter over the temple grounds, let them read, and see; let them hear the organ, hear the choir and listen to the Sunday

1140 IMPROVEMENT ERA sermon in the Tabernacle. Don't be afraid to ask questions, "Faith without works is dead," and works without "gall" is dead, of the people you meet, of those of the Church and those who do not belong to the Church, but until then remain silent — silent as the Sphinx. It holds its self-respect by keep- ing still. When you are being laughed at, ridiculed; your best thoughts trampled upon, your heart's sentiments spurned, remember the sphinx. It is one hundred and twenty feet long and sixty feet high. It has remained silent for ages, yet, telling a story in unspoken tones of a civilization undone, past and gone. It has stood silent for ages, lashed by the sand storms, shaken by earthquakes, cuffed by the wind, blistered by the burning sun, and slashed by lightning. I bid you silent be. Sincerely, Salt Lake City, Utah, Hotel Utah. July 8. 1923. Mr. Dear Sir: The sphinx has spoken. He has been cold and silent for more than five years. He has turned over his office to another. He has traveled far. The singing of the choir, the organ, the Temple grounds, the courtesy of the guides, the sermon, the peace of the city have changed the views of a wife and daughter. Today the sphinx cried. A tear trickled over his stone face. It was wiped away by a loving wife and a devoted daughter. The sphinx is free to speak, free to talk, free to discuss, free from ridicule. The sphinx has his self-respect plus the respect of his wife and daughter and his friends. Self-respect. What is it? Devotion to duty, acting the right, correcting mistakes, honoring one's better self, living the truth, acting wisely, being tolerant, thinking nobly. We are leaving for California. Sincerely, The Sphinx, . Springville, Utah. The wheels of time rolled on. Many times had the snow fallen and melted away. But it was summer, the flowers were blooming, the the birds were singing, the sun's last rays were touching the mountain tops and a letter was carried up to the porch, which read: If memory serves me right, 1. Self-respect "challenges the respect of others." 2. The eye of self-respect is always turned inside. 3. Self-respect lays the foundation for confidence. 4. Respect for one's self drives out iniquity. 5. Self-respect establishes self-reliance. 6. Self-respect is closely associated with virtue. 7. Self-respect means self-denial, self-discipline, self-control. 8. "Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man may clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired. One of Pythagoras' wisest maxims in his Golden Verses, is that in which he enjoins the pupil to 'reverence himself."