--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Park, Clara Horne collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 32 number: 9 published: 1929-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Clara Horne Park, “The Call of Youth,” *Improvement Era* 32, no. 9 (July 1929): 769–770." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3209unse 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: improvementera3209unse start_page: 769 end_page: 770 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1929-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3209unse publication_year: 1929 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 1929, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Call of Youth The Call of Youth By Clara Horne Park The river Woe, with noiseless tread, On bold Destruction's errand sped, And with alluring, sinuous grace. Enticed the youth of every race To follow down its rose-strewn way, And give their lives to pleasures gay. Another pathway, marked by stone, Led up from Woe to heights unknown. Where, as a beacon, clear and bright, Shone Truth's divine, inspiring light; To guide the earnest-minded youth Who passed Temptation, seeking Truth. A Youth stood on the brink of Woe, Not knowing just which way to go — Adown the river surged a crowd, With voices calling clear and loud; "Come join our song! Come sing our lay! We live and laugh and love, today!" Temptation urged, "We'll join them, friend, I have a thousand francs to spend." Then with persuasion whispered he. "I know the way, come follow me, Together we will drift along And join this singing, joyous throng. Their way is t'ward the City Bliss, You'd give your soul, they say, for this." The Youth turned eyes of beauty keen Upon the grandeur of the scene, And longing filled his youthful heart Of that mad throng to be a part. One step toward eternal woe, — Temptation bade him onward gc ; But by his side a friend in need Cried, "Do not thus the Tempter heed, For his real plan you'll never know Until disgraced by those below. Then. Youth, alas, 'twill be too late To seek for Heaven's redeeming gate. For sin and mock'ry enter not The sacred realm of Heaven's plot." Thus Truth endeavored to restrain And save a soul from grief and pain. Youth looked once more upon the throng, In beauty's dress, with mirthful song. He stood irresolute, forlorn, — He visioned beauty yet unborn To his young inexperienced eye. "I cannot let this chance pass by To taste the joy of Life." quoth he. "Do thou come. Truth, along with me." But Truth of Wisdom was a paii And followed not a wav'ring heart. "I have a greater work to do, And I have need, O Youth, of you." But Youth heard not, — his eyes had seen, — His senses revelled in a dream. He saw himself a leader proud, A King amongst that reckless crowd; He'd go their way, of Life he'd learn, And when he'd seen enough, he'd turn And bring them back, yes, every one. To where their journey had begun. For Truth there waiting still would be To guide them through Eternity. Temptation, smiling, led the way To join the crowd of singers gay. Youth neared the throng, his head erect, For he must seem of the elect. — To show them all a King he'd make If they would but his guidance take. But what was that? A woman sank Upon the rose-strewn river bank. It seemed to Youth the crowd should wait. — But what cared they to know her fate! Some turned and threw a mocking kiss, "We'll meet you at the City Bliss." /70 IMPROVEMENT ERA July. 1929 She waved away Youth's proffered aid. "Where wert thou going, Youth?'' She laid A withered hand upon his own, While from her lips escaped a moan. "You're not of us, your soul is free To choose your path. You must leave me, For I no longer care to go And join the crowd in Bliss below." "Come thou with me," Youth grandly said. "Nay, I am numbered with the dead." The face she lifted to his own. Was one where beauty once had shone; But now the haggard, wasted look Of sin and suff'ring, he mistook For age. The call of Death was there, — The hopelessness of deep despair. Fast sinking in Woe's seething tide, With hands outstretched to Youth, she cried, "If thou, O Youth, dost heed the call Of him, the Tempter, thou wilt fall As I have done, and never rise To heights of Glory. Be thou wise, — Go back to Truth, thou still art free, Go back! Or thou wilt be like me." Temptation lingered, urging, "Son, Our way to Bliss has just begun." And pointed to the heedless crowd Far down Woe's course; with voice; loud, Still mocking, jesting on they went, As though on demon's errand bent. He saw once more the City Bliss — A tawdry shell! "Would I for this My soul forsake, my freedom give? My everlasting chance to live, Achieve and love my fellow-men? If I do this, what have I then?" Youth drew his eyes away from Sin, And turned, to see a light begin To glow upon the woman's face. Her form now clothed with beauty's grace Was standing by his side, alight With beauty dazzling to his sight. Youth recognized the soul within, — "O Truth," he cried, "how near to Sin I came. And but for thee I'd now At cruel Temptation's alter bow!" Truth smiled and pointed to the light. "Do thou, O Youth, keep that in sight, Let Truth and Wisdom guide thy way — They lead to Everlasting Day." Hollidau, Utah Crosses Christ carried His cross to Calvary, With his body bended, aching, sore. He sipped the gall, the thistles wore; For a sinning world the pain He bore. When He carried His cross to Calvary. We'll carry a cross to Calvary, But because of pain the Master stood, Ours may be fashioned of lighter wood. He took the heavy one for man's good. When He carried His cross to Calvary. But many that go toward Calvary Are not content with the cross of old. They want one fashioned out of gold. But, oh, it will cut and be hard to hold As they journey on to Calvary. Helen M. Livingston