the spreading of the truth. This he took a keen interest in and thirty minutes won the battle, for he told me to call the next day, stating that we had been complained of, but giving me assurance that no religion would be discriminated against and that he would in the meantime investigate the matter. This one, grand old man, with breadth of mind, with liberality, saved the colony a disgraceful incident to its discredit, and indirectly helped on the work of God through the preaching of His servants. Sunday saw the largest gathering at a regular meeting in South Africa since the work began, and we all rejoice greatly in the strides which are being made.-RALPH A. BADGER. MISSIONARY THOUGHTS. In the course of our missionary experience it is interesting, and at the same time painful, to listen to the many conflicting ideas which members of the different religious societies entertain respecting the plan of salvation. Perhaps no other set of men hear such a variety of religious opinions as do the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is strange that otherwise intelligent people should become entangled in such a network of error and confusion. It is also strange that people who live peaceably as neighbors, governed by the same laws in civil affairs, should be so divided in their beliefs with regard to heavenly laws and quarrel with each other about those religious beliefs. Now, it is required of the subjects of every earthly kingdom that they observe the laws of those kingdoms; that they show respect to their rulers, magistrates, etc.; that they conduct themselves properly, and live at peace with each other. The laws of these kingdoms have been framed without discrimination; there is not one law for the rich and another for the poor. In the eyes of the law all men are equal. The heavenly kingdom is the greatest of all kingdoms; its Ruler is the King of kings and Lord of lords; its laws are perfect. Those who enter it will have to be obedient, systematic and orderly, for the Great Ruler has said, "My house is a house of order." When He was here on earth He was asked by a rich Jewish ruler what a man would have to do in order to become a citizen of His kingdom. The King told him there was one code of laws for all His subjects, and except a man conformed to it, he could not become a citizen. "Verily, verily, I say unto you," said He, "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven." Christ had no compromise to make with the scribes and Pharisees; there was one law for them as well as for the publicans and sinners; all would have to "enter in at the straight gate." In this connection I will relate a little personal experience. Recently my companion and I had to travel fourteen miles to fill an appointment. We were making the trip on bicycles. The road was in a deplorable state, and the sleet made cycling very disagreeable. One who has not had experience can scarcely realize the work that is required to push a bicycle over the country highways, which in many places are not very well kept. We picked the best path available, which was the footpath. After traveling some distance, we were stopped by a policeman, who wanted to know by what right we were riding on the footpath. We asked him what harm we were doing, and he promptly informed us that we were trespassing-in other words, that we were violating the law. We were somewhat surprised at this; we thought that at such an inclement season riding bicycles on the footpaths would be permissible. But the officer told us different; the law would have to be respected for the protection of the public. We told him we were not acquainted with the laws of this country governing such matters, and after warning us against infringing on the law again, he allowed us to proceed. This led me to reflect upon the similarity between human and Divine governments. "Order," we are told is the first law of heaven; and before we can become citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to observe its laws. "Not every one," said the Savior, "that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."-ADOLPH M. REEDER. WE have received additional copies of the Christmas edition of the Deseret News, published at Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., notice of which has already appeared in the STAR. Copies of this magnificent paper can be had by sending to this office, not later than February 15th, one shilling for the ordinary form, or fifteen pence for the bound or magazine form. This includes postage. Baptisms. We are pleased to report another baptism in the Birmingham branch. On Sunday, December 29th, a baptismal ser. vice was held at the Turkish Baths, Birmingham. President William E. Corbridge spoke briefly on the ordinance about to be performed, after which eight persons were added to the Church. Elder Donald A. S. Priestley officiated. The converts were confirmed at the regular afternoon service. Departures.-Elders Joseph A. Capener, George E. Briggs, Elbert H. Barlow, Frank S. McAllister, British mission, sailed January 22nd, 1908, per s.s. Celtic, accompanied by two emigrating saints. The following Elders sailed to-day per s.s. Canada: From Great Britain-Brigham A. Seare, Edmund O. Norr, James R. Stuart, H. Successful Socials.-A very successful and enjoyable social was held in the Forrester's Hall, Charlotte Street, Hull, Wednesday evening, January 15th inst., in honor of President Brigham A. Seare, who has been honorably released from his missionary labors to return home, and Sister Naomi Crofts, who is emigrating to Zion. An excellent program was rendered and refreshments, in the shape of all kinds of fruit, served. A beautiful set of carvers and table knives were presented to President Seare by the elders of the Grimsby conference and the saints of the Hull branch, as a token of their love and esteem. President Seare carries with him the hearty good wishes of all who know him, having by his energetic and faithful labors endeared himself to them. A very enjoyable social was held in the Stockport branch, (Manchester conference) on Friday evening, the 17th inst., in honor of President George T. Beesley and Elder Charles W. Sherwood. Both elders labored in this branch and are held in high esteem by saints and friends who wish them God-speed and a safe and pleasant journey to their home in the mountains. SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS FOR THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. LESSON 2.-MAN'S FREE AGENCY. Text: We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.-Articles of Faith, 2. General reference: The Articles of Faith, Lecture III, pp. 54-66. I. Free agency is God-given. 1. A consequence of the Divine attribute of justice. (a) Without freedom of action man could not be held accountable for his acts. (b) Yet the natural results of individual acts are inevitable. 2. Proclaimed in scripture. (a) To individuals: Adam (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 2: 27-29; 3: 15-17; see also Genesis 2: 17, and compare Doc. and Cov. 29: 35); to Cain (Genesis 4:7). (b) To mankind in general (Book of Mormon II. Nephi 2: 16, 27; Alma 3: 26, 27; 12: 31; 29: 4, 5; 30:9; Helaman 14: 30, 31; see also Doc. and Cov. 29: 39; 58:27, 28; 98:8). 3. Assured to man from the beginning. (a) Satan's unsuccessful attempt to destroy man's agency. (b) Christ's offer accepted (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:1; see also Abraham 3:27, 28; compare Doc. and Cov. 29: 36-39; 76:25). II. Free agency entails responsibility. 1. The law of cause and effect. (a) Demonstrated in nature, III. Sin. 1. The nature of sin (I. John 3:4). (a) Sins committed in ignorance (Romans 2: 12; Book of Mormon, II. Nephi 9: 25, 26; Doc. and Cov. 76: 72; and 14: 54). (b) Wilful sin (Book of Mormon II. Nephi 9: 27). 2. Punishment for sin. (a) A natural consequence. (b) Graded according to the offense (Doc. and Cov. 76: 82-85; 82: 21; 104: 9; 63: 17; Book of Mormon, II. Nephi 1: 13; 9: 27; 28: 23). (c) Duration of Punishment, true significance of endless or eternal punishment (Doc. and Cov. 19: 4-12). DIED. HANNAH. At Jarrow, Durham County, November 1, 1907, Margaret, the beloved daughter of Thomas and Maria Hannah, of the West Hartlepool branch, aged 15 years. She was a faithful member of the Church. The funeral service was conducted by Elder W. M. Jones. BURROWS. At Swadlincote, Derbyshire, January 14th, 1908, Herbert Burrows, aged 59 years. Brother Burrows was a faithful Latter-day Saint. EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY CHARLES W. PENROSE, 295 EDGE LANE, FOR SALE IN ALL THE CONFERENCES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN GREAT BRITAIN, ASTOR, LENOX AND THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS MILLENNIAL STAR [ESTABLISHED 1840.] "Who is a true man? He who does the truth, and never holds a principle on which he is not prepared in any hour to act, and in any hour to risk the consequences of holding it."-CARLYLE. "WE know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." Such was the testimony of Nicodemus concerning the Messiah. It would appear that the Jewish ruler was pretty thoroughly convinced that Christ was working under Divine appointment; in fact, he said he knew that He was. The faith which he professed to have in the Son of God seems to have been born of certain miracles which he had either seen the Lord perform or of which he had been made acquainted. Now, while miracles, alone, are not to be taken as conclusive evidence that the persons who perform them have been called and sent of God, at the same time the testimony of miracles is of considerable importance. In almost every place that Christ visited He, out of sympathy for the poor, afflicted mortals who came to Him seeking relief, made manifest His power in their behalf and healed them of their infirmities. And while to the unthinking crowd the Savior of the world was nothing more than a highly educated magician, at the same time there were those among them who, like Nicodemus, saw in His mighty works evidence that He was truly "a teacher come from God" and they became His disciples. |