THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1895. ARE WE CONTENTED LABORERS ? THE twentieth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel contains a parable given by the Savior which illustrates the position of mankind and shows what is required of them to obtain the reward of the faithful. A householder went out to hire laborers to work in his vineyard, and found some who agreed to work for a penny a day. After this he went again at the third hour, the sixth, the ninth, and the eleventh, telling the men each time that they should receive whatever was right. When the day was over, all the laborers were paid the same amount, those who came at the eleventh hour receiving a penny, and those who were hired early in the morning getting no more than that. These latter thought this was unjust to them, forgetting that the lord of the vineyard had a right to make any contract which he thought proper. They would have been satisfied with the penny given them had no one else come into the vineyard afterwards. The results to those who came in last, or the amount paid to them, did not change the agreement made with the early laborers, but all obtained that which had been promised to them. Had those who came in at the eleventh hour been with the ones seen first, and refused to work, then they could not have claimed the penny, neither would it have been consistent for the householder to pay them all alike; but they went as soon as the opportunity was offered them, and if he gave them a full day's pay, he wronged no one by so doing. Those who have been working for their Master, laboring and toiling for years with the hope of salvation as their reward, will obtain the salvation which they merit; others who have not known until towards the end of their lives the requirements made by Him will be judged according to their faithfulness since entering the Lord's service. If salvation is given to both classes, it is through Him who has it to give. There are other classes of laborers which are not represented in this parable; they are referred to in the parable of the sower. These are they who begin work at some hour in the day, and after laboring for a time become weary and leave their employment; they have no promise of a reward. It is possible that they may try to claim something for the short time that they spent in the vineyard of the Lord; there is no doubt that He will render them justice tempered by mercy, but they can not consistently expect that which demanded all their life's work, if they fall asleep by the way, or neglect their work while the day lasts. The Lord has offered His children the privilege of laboring in His vineyard. The majority of people think that the terms offered them for laboring are not good enough; the work is not agreeable to their nature. Employment of this kind would compel them to forsake their lives of ease and pleasure, demand them to take up the implements of salvation and use them in cultivating the tender plants of the vineyard. They must endeavor to induce others to assist in the labor. Their faith in the Lord's promise is weak, hence they have entirely rejected His offer and refused to labor; these are doomed to disappointment when all men shall receive their reward for the deeds done in the flesh. Some have accepted the service cheerfully and continued until the close of their lives faithfully performing the work assigned them; others are still laboring zealously in the vineyard; these will find the Lord's promises sure and His reward beyond the conception of man. To which of these classes do we belong? Shall we be among those who murmur at the arrangement which God has made for the salvation of all His children, or will we thankfully receive that which He is pleased to give us? Those who know the Lord will acknowledge His goodness in making it possible for them to labor as His servants, they are fully assured that they will receive all that their faithfulness merits, and realize that the inconveniences which they undergo will result in their own benefit. They are determined to remain in the Master's employ, understanding that only they who endure to the end are the ones that will be saved. B. MANCHESTER CONFERENCE, THE Manchester Conference convened at the Co-operative Hall, Broughton Road, Pendleton, on Sunday, February 3, 1895. There were present: Anthon H. Lund, President of the European Mission; Alfred L. Booth and Victor P. Wells of the Liverpool Office; J. W. Chambers, President of the Newcastle Conference; Ira Bennion, J. W. McPherson and S. W. Ross, Traveling Elders in the Liverpool Conference; Robert Aveson, President of, and Joseph Ogden, Miles A. Romney, Isaac Langton, John W. MacDuff, Albert Arrowsmith, John W. Crook, William A. Taylor, William J. Lee, Joseph Nelson, William Jones and George C. Rigby, Traveling Elders in, the Manchester Conference. During the day three excellent meetings were held, the morning being chiefly occupied by the Elders in reporting the condition of the various branches. The afternoon and evening meetings were exceedingly well attended by Saints and a large number of strangers, who listened very attentively to the remarks of President Lund and the Elders who were privileged to speak. In the afternoon the general and local authorities of the Church were presented and unanimously sustained. The report of the statistics, and labor performed by the Elders for the six months ending January 31, was read as follows: Seventies 12; Elders 21; Priests 11; Teachers 4; Deacons 3; members 224; total officers and members 275. Tracts distributed 19,086; houses visited 6,280; books distributed 165; Gospel conversations 1317; open-air meetings 2; in-door meetings 409; Sunday Schools 69. Baptisms 17; confirmations 17; emigrated over eight years of age 6; emigrated under eight years of age 1; members received 2; died 2; children blessed 7; ordinations 4. President Lund proved from Scripture and reason the necessity of constant revelation. We were greatly blessed by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and the Saints felt to say: Truly God has been with us. Between the afternoon and evening meetings, the Elders met in the capacity of a priesthood meeting, and received some valuable counsel from President Lund. The sisters deserve praise for their kindness in providing dinner and "tea" which were served in one of the rooms of the building. JOHN W. MACDUFF, Clerk of Conference. CORRESPONDENCE. MANTI, SANPETE Co., UTAH, JANUARY 19, 1895. PRESIDENT A. H. LUND, I Do not know how often the brethren have been writing to you from this side of the water; I know, however, you have faithful correspondence from your own family, and lest perchance you have not heard from your Temple friends so frequently as you might wish, I thought I would send you a few lines by way of reminder that you are not forgotten by your former associates in the sacred work performed in the Manti Temple. I have perused with pleasurable interest the success attending our Elders in the Missionary Field, as narrated in the MILLENNIAL STAR, and was much gratified with your happy experiences on your continental tour, as also your exposition of doctrinal points, and as I review in my mind's eye, the unceasing care and responsibility devolving upon you, in the direction of the labors of your fellow-servants, and maintaining the cause of God in its diversified interests, amid the centres of the so-called Christian world, I marvel at the wondrous results brought to pass through the instrumentality of the servants of God sent as missionaries, since the Gospel standard was planted on Europe's shores, and am greatly impressed with the absolute verification of God's promises to His servant the Prophet Joseph Smith, concerning the manifestation of His overruling power, in behalf of all who should seek to establish the work of the Lord among the children of men. Be assured we do not cease to pray for you in holy places and invoke the blessings of the Highest upon all your efforts to promote the cause of truth. You will be pleased to learn that our Temple work has upon the whole been fully equal in amount in 1894 to the preceding year and that we are having very fair companies attending since the commencement of 1895. Peace, good peace, is the ruling element that pervades the Temple of the Lord and His blessings and favors are abundantly manifest to the comfort and joy of all who have the privilege of entering its sacred portals. During the last eighteen years there have been a total of 773,340 Baptisms and 365,837 Endowments administered for the living and the dead, in the four Temples at St. George, Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake, commencing at St. George, January 8, 1875, thus the work of human redemption is being amplified and will undoubtedly constantly increase in proportion, so that eventually the glorious predictions of the ancient prophets concerning the latter times will be fulfilled. Brother John L. Bench will send you the details of the work performed included in the totals I have given you. Our mutual friend Brother Soren Christopher Hansen, who has honorably filled three missions, has passed peacefully away, and on the closing day of the past year his remains were deposited in the silent tomb by loving hands. It is very interesting to read of the extraordinary progress that the Japanese have made, in so brief a period, in the civilization of the age, and it is no less surprising, the skill they have manifested in the conduct of their war with China; if they conclude a peace with equal diplomatic ability, they will certainly have made a remarkable record. Their's is the oldest Dynasty in the world, while China claims to be the oldest nation and having the largest population, it is very singular that these two nations, thus conspicuous and now pitted against each other, have greater regards (in their observances) to the Fifth Commandment, than any of the so-called Christian nations—the Scriptures may well declare that the heathen shall yet rise up in judgment against those who have had the greater light and that they shall yet be saved and come forth in the first resurrection. In last evening's paper, I read that it is contemplated, that the close of the 19th and the dawn of the 20th century shall be celebrated by the ringing of the Peace and Liberty Bell in Judea, on the spot where the shepherds received the message "Glory to God in the Highest." The corner stone of the Great Temple to be erected in the Holy Land to be laid at the same time. That electric communication shall be had with every congregation in Christendom, that Peace on Earth may be flashed all over the world at the same moment. Thus are many agencies at work to bring to pass wonderful changes in the near future. President McAllister and all of the brethren and sisters (including Sister Maiben) desire to be very kindly remembered to you, and join with me in wishing you a Happy New Year and many of them, and that you may conclude your labor in your European Mission with abundant success and return to your Mountain Home with joy and rejoicing in the due time of the Lord. Your brother in the Gospel, JOHN B. MAIBEN. A MIRACULOUS CASE OF HEALING. By request of the parents of Brother H. Argyle, I desire to relate the circumstances connected with an accident he met with and the remarkable manner in which he recovered from its effects. On the 24th day of May, 1890, young Brother Argyle was hauling a heavy load of hay from Bountiful to Salt Lake City. He had proceded as far as the Folsom residence, a short distance north of the warm springs, when the horses became frightened and started to run away. In his efforts to hold the horses the driver was pulled down on the double-trees, where he hung by his clothing. In this condition he was dragged a distance of about fifty yards, when his clothing gave way and he fell under the wagon, both wheels of which passed over his body, breaking all his ribs, and seriously injuring his spine and arms. He was found in this bruised and bleeding condition by Brother John Moss, Jr., of South Bountiful, who happened to be near when the accident occurred, and who carefully picked him up and placed him in his carriage, intending to take him to the Deseret Hospital, yet not knowing at the time whether he would live to reach there. On arriving at the hospital, Elder William White and other brethren of the Seventeenth Ward were sent for, who when they came administered to him and promised him life and health. Dr. Pratt then telephoned to his parents, Brother Joseph Argyle, Jr., and wife Ellen, who live at West Bountiful, and they came immediately. the After their arrival the physicians in attendance consulted upon case, and declared all of the ribs were broken; they invited the father and mother to examine for themselves, showing them and tracing with their fingers the broken bones. The parents were afterwards informed that their son could not possibly live to exceed twenty-four hours. Alarmed at this, the parents sent for Brother White and others to administer to him again, which they did. Elder White then suggested to the parents to write to the St. George Temple, and also to the Logan Temple, and have him prayed for in these sacred places. In the meantime Sister Argyle was working, praying and exercising all the faith she had in her son's behalf. She declared she could not and would not give him up, if it was the will of the Lord for him to live. Through all these trying hours she was assisted by her husband, and the stewart and many of the nurses of the house, also many friends from Bountiful and other places. came. Twenty-four hours after their first call the visiting doctors returned and made another examination, and said he could not live, as he was spitting up portions of his liver and bleeding internally. They sent again for the brethren to administer to their son. Brother White and five other Elders Brother White being mouth in prayer, commanded, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the bones to move into place and reunite, and his body to be made whole. The following day about eleven o'clock, to the suprise of all, he arose to sitting position, and then turning upon his right side and leaning upon his right hand and elbow, he smiled and remarked that he had no pain. He further stated that at the time he was administered to he felt the bones raise and come together, and knew that he was made whole that instant. A few days later the doctors made a third visit and iuquired if we had buried the young man. They were informed that he was still alive, and that he was sitting before them in full dress and in good health, except being a little weak. He had that day walked one block to visit Brother |