A Garland of Verse

A GARLAND OF VERSE Little Things Outlined in clear and perfect grace, The maple sees her pictured face. In flecks of gold and gleams of red, Soft fall the leaves from overhead Upon the still pool's level floor. Wave after wave will seek the shore; So faint the dimpling rims go by They might escape a watchful eye; And yet these tiny ceaseless shocks Will undermine the solid rocks. They firmly stood when torrents raved, The earthquake's shock, the lightning braved, To these succumb, and mutely grieves To yield to foemen such as leaves. And little plants beneath have grown And overturned a mighty stone — Opened a path for wind and rain That lastly split the mount in twain. A footprint one could scarce descry Has caused a noble chief to die. A sight, a song, a woman's tears May echo for a thousand years. * * * * At war with everything but God and truth Man has stood firmer than the granite cliffs. Noble, heroic in disaster's deadliest hour; To save his honor, and for virtue's sake, The love of freedom and the love of God, Man launched his frail ships on a shoreless sea, Crossed unknown rivers; plunged into the shades Of pathless forests where all fears abound ; Serpents and savages, disease and death; Nor turned he back, nor lowered his proud crest. Routed the plains, buried beloved dead And with high faith left them to God's good care. Performed prodigious labors undismayed. Divided his last loaf with one in need And gloried in his powers to endure. Turned not aside for gold nor woman's lure. Scorning the weakness of common men. His own approval — looking up to God For ultimate reward of everything. But when these storms were past he sat him down At ease, in peace; and in the marts of trade, By small decrees insensibly he came To grind the shrinking faces of the poor; To filch from labor its small recompense, Appropriating what endeavor earned

414 IMPROVEMENT ERA To swell his coffers with a golden tide. For deprivations in the time gone past, Felt he had earned indulgence; ate and drank The things accursed of God, darkened his mind. Lusted for power; which, won in devious ways, And striking hands with sly and wicked men He used perforce improperly; and his example led A host of youths to follow in his steps, Lured by the story of his noble past. He tolerated sneers at sacred things, Until he scarcely knew what he believed And was ashamed to speak in its defense. He lost his all because of little things, Compared with what he once endured — withstood, As gnat stings are beside the thunder bolt; Yet wreck the souls of well intentioned men. Salt Lake City ELLEN L. JAKEMAN The Greatest Prize Ye Saints of God, awake and hasten For coming changes to prepare. The hand of love that guides must chasten Those who shall know his sovereign care, All who his grace and peace shall share, Shall worldly greed for wealth and station Corrupt our hearts and dim our sight? We who have seen the gospel light — The power of God unto salvation? Awake, ye Saints — arise To conquer sin and strife — And win the great — the matchless prize Of Life— Eternal Life! And shall we rise as Christ hath risen To life and light and endless day. While myriad hosts in spirit prison Remain in darkness and dismay? No ! he hath taught the truth, the way, And as we learn the gospel story, How he, the Lamb, was sacrificed, We for the dead will be baptized That they with us may see his glory; That they, with us, may rise, Redeemed from death and strife, And gain the great — the royal prize Of Life — Eternal Life! While nations war in futile blindness, Debauched and drunken — not with wine. O! Saints, our light of love and kindness Must through our good works bravely shine, Till others, seeing, fall in line And glorify the Lord descending

A GARLAND OF VERSE 4 15 Upon the earth to rule and reign, Triumphant over death and pain, His own receiving and commending. Then shall the just arise, And freed from sin and strife, Obtain the first — the greatest prize- — Life — Life — Eternal Life! Salt Lake City LULA GREENE RICHARDS Our Savior Christ went so quietly upon his way, Yet knowing still The bitter anguish of that coming day On Calvary's hill. He went so quietly about his work, So much to do; Toiling for those who scoffed, he did not shirk, Though followed few. There were the sick to heal, the blind and lame, The dead to raise; There was repentance to be cried; God's name To lift in praise. Day after day, in patient, quiet mood, He worked for all, Knowing full well the shadow of the rood On him would fall. Ah! we who know no sad on-coming fate, Yet fret and fear. Let us our Savior's pattern contemplate. Till faith appear! Murray, Utah MAUD CHEGWIDDEN The Turn in the Road There always comes a turn in the road, Somehow, somewhere, someday, Tho' years seem long and hours seem void, And sombre has grown the way. When you have reached the crest of the hill That you found so hard to climb. Have you not attained to a broader view. And to sun of a gladder shine? You who are braving the stress of time, And graciously bear your load, Tho* rough to your feet may be the trail. Watch for the turn in the road.

•*16 IMPROVEMENT ERA Provo, Utah And when you come to the turn in the road, You will find an unlatched gate That shall swing awide at your lightest touch, If your soul knows naught of hate. Be mindful then, of the turn in the road It leads to where heaven's blue Is bright with a galaxy of stars, Awaiting to welcome you. Grace ingle« frost March Oh, March, wonderful month of promise! Within thy gaunt trees are cradled uncounted baby buds, eager to burst forth into lives of service and of beauty. Under thy myriad pools and patches of old snow ;lics the moist, brown body of Earth, silently nurturing innumerable seeds, bulbs, plants and living things; all waiting breathlessly for the magic words of April — "Grow and Increase." From far off uncharted spaces come thy winds — -March winds — with their wonderful whispering, as they shake the bare trees into life. They also shake my soul, and arouse it to climb to the highest there is in me. As in the wind's cadences, I hear voices of a past, where once I dwelt, and sweet murmurings of a future sphere, where I yet may rise to the pinnacle of the best, with the assurance that all my tears, my strivings, my regrets, have not been in vain. Oh, March, month of wonderful promise; golden step from drab, bleak Winter to pulsing beauteous Spring! Let me learn -thy lesson and take up my cross again — I, too, may grow and increase. Salt Lake City A. O. NUTTER Greetings to Loved Ones at Home On a calm and peaceful night, While the stars are shining bright; Is it strange that I should dream. When so far away? Dream of happy days of yore, Dream of joys forevermore, Dream of those on yonder shore, And dreaming. I should say: Refrain : Give my love to Mother, Give my love to Dad, Sister and to Brother; Let your hearts be glad. Loving friends and neighbors. I remember, too ; And to home and loved ones, All my love to you. Esbjerg, Denmark Days may come and days may go, Heart will thrill and tears may flow, As I think of what I owe To my Mother dear. She who taught me what to be; And to pray with bended knee, "Rock of Ages cleft for me," To you these words of cheer. Nor shall I e'er blinded be To what Dad has been to me, How he toiled unceasingly Strong my stay to be. I have watched him struggle on Days so long, until he won. I will be your own true son, Through all eternity. R. MlCHELSEN.