To the Contributor: EVERY young man should learn a trade, or acquire a knowledge of some business or profession upon which he may rely for employment and means of support. If it is not possible for every young man to obtain a thorough knowledge of some trade, profession or business, it is to be regretted. The individual who possesses a knowledge of a trade, whether lucrative or otherwise, his natural ability being equal, has an advantage over every other man not possessing such knowledge, to the extent at least of knowing something, and of being able to do something well, which the others do not know and cannot do well. The comparison between a man having a trade or a profession and one ignorant thereof, is as though one man owned something and the other nothing-one has a means of support, the other has not, the labor of one is in demand more than that of the other, one receives good wages, the other poor wages, and the tradesman, possessing physical and mental abilities equal to those of the common laborer, has equal chances with, if not better than, the non-tradesman in all the departments of common labor for success. As a man of a family the tradesman or artisan has the advantage over his less fortunate brother. As a citizen he stands much higher, possessing, as he does, an element of stability and usefulness in the commonwealth which the common laborer does not. In times past many Elders sent out into the world to preach the Gospel, without purse or scrip, have found it necessary occasionally to resort to physical labor in order to This excellent contribution was handed us too late to accompany the articles of a similar Character under the title of "Trade or Profession, Which?" It is, however, too valuable to be omitted from the number. provide themselves with clothing or money for traveling expenses, or perchance with food; the writer has had occasion, under such conditions, to realize the great advantage possessed by one having a trade over another who did not. Skilled labor always stands upon a higher plane, is more profitable to the laborer and is therefore far more desirable than unskilled or common labor. The man who possesses mechanical, agricultural, artistic or scientific skill wields a power above that of the unskillful which is to be envied by the latter. All legitimate labor is honorable. No man is degraded by performing needful toil, however simple or menial it may be considered. Even the skillful mechanic, artisan or professor may find it necessary to do the most common kinds of work, and he would be foolish to consider it beneath his dignity to do so, if needful to his welfare, for the reason that he was qualified for better things, or for the reason that some ignorant person might think he was lowering himself by it. The possession of higher knowledge or skill would only the better qualify a man to do drudgery, if his circumstances should require it, while ignorance can only serve to make the simplest forms of labor toilsome and unprofitable. For these and many other reasons which might be cited, I say let every young man strive to master some useful trade, art, business or profession, which may be turned to a living in his hands for himself and any who may be dependent upon him for support, that he may become a substantial man, a useful member of society, an intelligent worker in the hive of industry and a reliable citizen. The class of artisans or professional men that may be the most needed in our western country for the next twenty-five years, may not be so readily determined. We are still somewhat in the rough, so to speak, in this western world, but there are vast fields for industries lying before us; affording opportunities for a great variety of talents and pursuits. Our country is not what may be called an agricultural country, there being too many mountains and too few fertile valleys lying between them. Besides it is arid for the most part, and will only yield her strength to the husbandman when, by much toil and expense, our crystal streams are brought into contact with the desert soil. Yet the soil-with the water in contact, forms the basis for supplies without which, even existence ⚫would be almost, if not quite impossible in this interior region. Agriculture should therefore, in my opinion, be thoroughly studied, that the nature of the soils, the changes of climate and the seasons as to their adaptability to the production of cereals, fruits and vegetables might be thoroughly understood, and the labors of the husbandman wisely directed and applied. I believe it may be truthfully said that a reasonably good agricultural country, in the hands of an intelligent and industrious people will always be prosperous, if not abounding with riches, for in it will be found the principal elements of wealth, thrift and substantial progress, and that stability and independence without which no people can be truly blessed or happy. Notwithstanding, therefore, our mountain country falls short of being an agricultural region in the broadest sense of the term, owing to its limited area of tillable lands and scarcity of water, so necessary to remunerative production, still it is fair to say that the solid, sterling and staying characteristics of our people are due very largely to their agricultural pursuits. A mining country, on the contrary, "is always a poor country." Its people are not permanent and stable in their habits of life, they are more or less transient and unreliable. The fortunate owner of a rich mine, those who own the smelters, and a few men possessing scientific knowledge or skill in reducing the ores, in a mining region may become prosperous and wealthy, but the masses who toil in the mines and at the furnaces will always remain poor and dependent. Not only poor as to worldly goods, but more than likely also intellectually, morally and religiously poor, although this condition would be somewhat relieved in Utah, by the good foundation already laid for prosperous agriculture. Utah is bound to become very largely a mining country. Almost everywhere her mountains abound with gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, coal, salt, sulphur, and numerous other minerals. These will in time be developed, furnishing opportunities for very much skilled and much more manual labor for the people. It must not be forgotten, however, that supplementing this vast field for labor in Utah, and lying at the foundation of true prosperity in every direction, are to be found the indispensable supplies furnished by the farmers, fruiterers, gardeners and stockraisers from their soils and from their flocks and herds. My impression is that farmers, fruit raisers, gardeners and stock growers, not bunglers at the business, but skillful, intelligent men, devoted to these industries, will be found to be among the foremost in importance to the material and permanent welfare of our country for the next two or three decades. Next to these may be classed manufacturers and builders, mechanics, machinists, engineers, surveyors, architects and other artisans; then the mining industries of the country, requiring skill and intelligence in the numerous departments of labor which are opened to mankind in this direction. All new countries, like ours, with solid foundations for prosperity and perpetuity require, in order to be built up, a very large number of skillful workmen besides architects, masons, carpenters, painters, glaziers, etc. Skillful and honest plumbers are needed very much needed at times-also honest electricians, or gas-fitters, decorators and gilders. Then come the traders or merchants, and the bankers, the students of law and of medicine and of music, mostly non-producers, but adjuncts to society and more or less necessary in their several places, and all depending upon the farmers, the manufacturers and the miners. I have passed by the occupations of teachers of religion, of literature, of the arts and sciences, which are among the most necessary of occupations, until the last, because these form the character and shape the destiny, religiously, morally, industrially and intellectually, of all communities, reaching to the limits of the commonwealth. If it were not for these teachers, we would soon dwindle into barbarism and savagery. For these occupations should be chosen the very best minds and spirits of the race. Only men and women of the highest order of intelligence and morality should aspire, or be elevated to the important and responsible calling or profession of teachers and instructors of mankind. They establish the ethics and build the character of society. By them. may be gauged the standards of intelligence, skill, honesty and virtue. in all the pursuits of man. In the art of teaching, then, there is room for very many of our best and purest minds; and there is always "ample room higher up. Νο young man can be wholly fitted for a trade, profession or occupation by theoretical or scholastic training alone. He must also have practical education, or actual experience. It may sometimes be found that both teaching and practice will fail to qualify a person fully for a chosen occu pation. There must be more or less natural ability, a degree of aptitude, a liking or taste for it, and his physical as well as his mental capacity or condition must be adapted to the occupation chosen in order to become successful therein. These things cannot always, but generally may be foreseen and determined, but when they are not, he who mistakes his calling or profession should try another, and by the light of riper experience he will succeed better the second or third time. No one should get discouraged and give up. A determined and manful struggle will be sure to succeed. Honest, persistent effort will always pay. Let every young man qualify himself, the best he can, for that calling or occupation for which he is mentally and physically the best adapted, which he will accomplish most to his satisfaction by doing well whatever he undertakes to do. He will then be prepared to fill an an honorable place in society, to do a vast amount of good in his time, and the world will be better for his having lived in it. Jos. F. Smith. THE UNATTAINABLE. "Deep in the earth lies a buried gem," I heard the Prophet say, "A glorious stone in a diadem Of priceless worth, away!" One, hearing, turned the earth's soft soil, For others, eager to attain Such wealth, strove like this one The wondrous prize to find; but vain Their labor in the sun. "O fools!" the Prophet cried at last, "Why did ye toil so long To gain this unseen thing, while passed Ye by a mighty throng "Of gems that lay upon the earth Charles Hanson Towne. THE CONTRIBUTOR turned to the settlements of the Saints had the satisfaction of seeing all his children grow up in the faith, even though they had been exposed to very hard work to maintain themselves. The other, though he had accumulated some wealth and was in comparatively easy circumstances financially, was bowed with sorrow under the knowledge that his children had lost the faith, having united themselves with men and women outside the Church, thus finding sorrow themselves, and saddening the hearts of their still faithful parents. On meeting, the brother who had remained near Pioche, exclaimed “O! Brother P—, how I wish I had returned with you to St. George, for then my children were small and could be controlled and would have grown up in the Gospel! Now, however, they are all lost to me." He felt that he would have been much better off without his money and with his family still in the faith, than to have lost them and to have gained the wealth of the world besides. Among a number of Saints who were called to settle in a valley near Pioche, were two brethren faithful and true in the Gospel, each of whom had a growing, promising family of small children. The brethren worked hard and earnestly to establish homes, but met with very poor success. After they had been in the country for several years they were given the privilege of either returning to St. George, whence they had been called, or remaining where they then were. At the time of their release very good wages were paid to workmen and all the products of the farm and garden were sold at extremely high figures. There was every prospect for a rapid accumulation of wealth for those who remained in the settlement, which had been established under such great difficulties. One of these brethren, however, was so anxious concerning his growing family and was so fearful of the evils which might result from their association with miners and other transients who visited the settlement, that he decided to move back to St. George and so informed his friend. The latter, however, was We are told in the scriptures that so entranced by the prospect of speedy wealth that he decided to remain. Several years passed and the two friends again met. Their children were mostly grown to man and womanhood. The one who had re Are not many of the Latter-day Saints sacrificing their families for the sake of gold? Is not the temptation to become wealthy causing many to forget their covenants both to God and their families? If this is the case, let us be warned by the experience of others, and we will find that in saving ourselves and those whom God has entrusted to our care, we are gaining wealth which will be ours eternally, while the other course will result in our misery here and our condemnation hereafter. BEWARE OF DELUSIONS. in the last days strong delusions shall be sent among the children of men, so that, if possible, even the very elect may be deceived. These delusions are becoming quite common among the Latter-day Saints. Every once in a while we hear of men and women in the Territory who claim to be the spirits of some ancient worthies, or to be indeed the Savior come again to the earth. They teach their false doctrines, and, surprising to state, there are even some members of the Church who accept their teachings. The result is that no small number of the people are being led away by these deceptions, and are losing the Spirit of the Lord, which is capable of discerning spirits and detecting the evil influences which are abroad in the earth. Satan uses every possible device by which to deceive the people, and will sometimes mix one falsehood or error with a great amount of truth in order to mislead. An instance of this kind is related concerning a brother of experience and quite long standing in the Church. He happened to be visiting a house where a planchette was being worked, and being encouraged to do so, placed his hands in a certain position upon it and began to ask questions. He was informed in reply to his inquiries that certain building material which was not expected for the finishing of a public room in the settlement where he resided, had already arrived and that the room in which it was to be used would be completed in time for a contemplated gathering. It did not seem possible for this to be done in the short space of time allotted. He was further told that two certain prominent brethren of the Church would be in attendance at this gathering. Returning home he found to his astonishment that the building material had arrived, and as the time passed it also became evident that the room would be completed by the appointed day. Finding these answers of the planchette were correct he supposed that the remainder would also prove true, and therefore announced to his friends that the two brethren named would be in attendance at the meeting. When the gathering took place, however, they were not there. Should it have happened that these two brethren had come, no doubt the faith of the Elder would have been strengthened in this device. It is in this manner that Spiritualism grows on people. They are frequently informed of things which seem improbable but which occur as promised. They are told of secrets which it is supposed they alone know, and thus their faith in such things increases until they reject those things which are not so demonstrative, yet are sure, and the power of which they have known for so many years. truths, but he never tells them with a Satan has the power to tell some he communicates. His object is to view to benefiting those with whom bring about their destruction, as this is his mission upon the earth. Even in his messages, there is also decepthough he may announce some truths tion close at hand tending to bring about the ruin of the party who partakes of the spirit. We should accept the admonition of the scriptures to try the various spirits that are around us by the Holy Ghost, which it is the right of every Latter-day Saint to enjoy. Thus if we are careful and continually live so near to the Lord that we can receive answers to our prayers, we will not of these latter days, nor fall into the be overcome by the many delusions snares and pitfalls which are laid for our feet by the adversary of our souls. ASSOCIATION INTELLI GENCE. JUAB STAKE. THE two Y. M. M. I. A. of Nephi are in a flourishing condition this season, the officers and members taking much interest in the work, and showing a great desire for mutual improvement. The ward meetings are well attended and all the members take their parts when called upon, most |