My Testimony

MY TESTIMONY By E. Hollings It was in a far-off, foreign land. Two merchants were going around from door to door trying to dispose of a quantity of valuable pearls. They declared that they had been sent as emissaries from the Great King, in whose kingdom was the wealth of the earth, and the source whence came those beautiful pearls. The King was kind and wished to do good to all people, and, in order to show his great love for mankind, he instructed these messengers to go into all the coun- tries round about, and present to everyone who desired to receive it a beautiful gift — a pearl of great price. The persons receiving it were told to treasure it, to care for it, as its value was beyond price; that if they should try to sell it, it would vanish; that no one could take it from them; that the more they cared for it and valued it the bigger and more brilliant and beautiful it would become; that if they did this, it would become a charm to their lives, it would bring them joy and hap- piness, and in time the Great King would call them to come and live with his people; that the pearl would be a charm to protect them that no harm or evil should befall them, either upon land or sea, in their journeying to the land of his people; that if they then continued to prize and care for it, the time would come when they would be re- quired to show their pearl at the heavenly gate, the entrance to the city of the Great King, and be permitted to dwell in his presence forever, where there is eternal sunshine and happiness, no darkness, sorrow or fear. It was difficult for the merchants to dispose of these pearls, as the people could not imagine that anyone could be so good as to give away such valuable treasure, and they believed the merchants to be fakes, and the pearls to be imitations. Others had been deceived so many times that they had no trust in anyone and would not even per- mit the merchants to explain their visit. Occasionally they would meet with one who would listen to their story, and to whom they would present a pearl. Some received it as a gift from the Great King and valued it as such, and found joy and happiness as promised; while oth- ers accepted it doubting its value, not caring for it, and it would remain dim for some time and then gradually fade away until they lost it, as was also promised. Nearly sixteen years ago in the city of Bloemfontein, in far-off South Africa, I met two of these merchants and listened to their story, accepting a pearl. I examined it carefully to see if it was genuine, and found it to be bright and clear, without blemish. It was the best I had ever seen. I kept it and valued it; cared for it and treasured it up. The more I examined it the more beautiful and bright it became; its lustre improved; it was genuine. For seven long years I cared for it and

MY TESTIMONY 1177 treasured it. My friends tried to convince me that it was false, an imi- tation; that it was of no value and that I was deceived, that it was not genuine; but I clung to my pearl. I held it tighter because they tried to take it from me. It shone brighter and brought comfort and peace, as promised. As time went on I remembered the words of the merchants, and desired to mingle with the people of the Great King. In overcoming many obstacles, through trials and tribulations, in my journey upon land and sea, the pearl was my charm. In times of trouble, it was a comfort; in danger, it was a protection; in time of sorrow, it brought peace to my soul. I arrived at my destination in safety, although the great World War was raging, and there was danger both on land and sea. For the last eight years I have mingled with the people of the Great King. I still have my pearl. I love it and care for it. It is life to me. University of Utah. The Desert and the Rose Is there beauty in the desert? Is there splendor in the vast Expanse, unbroken, level, Of the parching plain aghast, With the torrid heat that swelters - As the Summers come and pass? Is there glory in such bleakness? Is there color in the gray, Uninviting prairie on a thirsty July day, Where there's naught but sage and shadscale For the sultry winds to sway? Is there fragrance from the rosebud, Ere it blossoms to'the morn? Or enchantment to the sunlight Before the day is born, Hid behind the mountain blackness Like a cold and dismal storm? Throughout all of God's creation There is beauty yet to know — There is splendor and enchantment Wherever man may go; But the glorious art of seeing Comes as God doth will it so. Helena, Mont. LE MAX SAxON