Pearl of Great Price, p. 9.-Satan records. 4. Why are individual sought to rob man of his agency, but records of such great importance? failing in this, he seeks to induce 5. Give two remarkable instances of men to abuse this, the greatest of examination of records. earthly gifts, well knowing that the abuse of any blessing or power leads BIBLE-OLD TESTAMENT. to its loss. Pearl of Great Price, pp. (Mosaic and Prophetic Dispensation 13, 14.-Obedience to divine law is the highest type of free agency and the most lofty liberty. Pearl of Great Price, p. 22. See also Doc. and Cov., Sec. x, 66, and Sec. xxix, 36-41.-Agency is conditioned by intelligence as well as by action. Doc. and Cov., Sec. cxxx, 18, 19. (Comment: We first know the right, then feel the right, then choose the right.)-Extent of agency and greatness of responsibility run parallel: "Unto whom much is given much is required." 3. Self-review: 1. What is the free agency of man? 2. What is the origin of man's free agency? Prove that the proper use of free agency extends it. 4. Give evidence that the improper use of choice power leads to a curtailing of free agency 5. In what respect is agency conditioned by knowledge? LECTURE 20. RECORDS. Subdivisions:- Meaning of the word, record. Relation of records record.-Relation to works. Object of keeping records.-Uses of records.-Antiquity of records.-Sacredness of records.-Dignity of the recorder's office.-Preservation of records. Reference to records. -Examination of records. The great Recorder. Ref. Bible; Revelations of St. John xx; Pearl of Great Price, p. 22 (Enoch); Doc. and Cov., Secs. xxi, cxxvii, cxxviii; Book of Mormon, I Nephi v, xiii, xvi, xxiii; Key to Theology x; Spencer's Letters v. Self-review:-1. What is the full meaning of the term records? 2. What can you say of the antiquity of records? 3. Give three remarkable instances of the preservation of Continued.) LECTRUE 18. EZRA THE SCRIBE. Subdivisions: Cyrus, king of Persia. His proclamation concerning the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem.-The response.—The return of the captives.-Work of rebuilding.-The interruption.-Darius' decree.-Completion of the house. Time, B. C. 536-457. Ref. Ezra; Josephus, Book XI. Self-review:-1. Give a synopsis of the proclamation of King Cyrus. 2. How was this proclamation responded to? 3. In fulfillment of whose prophecy was this proclamation made? 4. Through whose influence was the work continued after the interruption? 5. Give a synopsis of the decree of King Darius. LECTURE 19. NEHEMIAH. LECTURE 20. THREATENED EXTERMINATION OF tion in the mountain retreat.-The AVERTED THROUGH THE INSTRU- robbers. Time, 52 B.C. to 22 A.D. MENTALITY OF MORDECAI AND Subdivisions : Universal dominion of Ahasuerus, or Arta Self-review:-1. Who were the Gadianton robbers? 2. What was the nature and object of their organization? 3. How can you account xerxes.- The royal exposition.- for their getting control of the affairs Divorce of Queen Vashti.-Esther, of the government in the Nephitic the Jewess, queen of Babylon. republic? 4. What lesson does the Fidelity of Mordecai to the king and history of this organization teach his devotion to his own people.- concerning secret societies? 5. What Exterminating decree of Governor period of time is covered by the Haman. The king's sleepless night. events referred to in this lesson? -The providential record-reading.The memorable interrogation: "What shall be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor?"-Granted petition and request of Queen Esther. -The royal promotion of Mordecai. The counter decree.-The triumph of the Jews. Time 521 to 495 B. C. Ref. Book of Esther; Josephus Book XI, ch, vi. Self-review:-1. What was the extent of the political authority of King Ahasuerus? 2. What was the relation of Mordecai to Queen Esther? 3. What was the Haman decree? 4. What favorable results followed the examination of the records? 5. What was Queen Esther's petition and request? 6. What was the final result of Haman's nefarious scheme? BOOK OF MORMON. (Nephitic Dispensation continued.) LECTURE 18. THE GADIANTON ROBBERS. LECTURE 19. SAMUEL THE LAMANITE. Subdivisions:-The condition of the people requiring a warning.— The calling of Samuel.—The prophet rejected by all perverse people.-The prediction concerning the birth and the crucifixion of the Messiah.-The conversion of many and the hatred of the mass.-The futile attempts at the prophet's life.-The return of Samuel to his own land.—The blasphemy of the infidel people, among whom the prophecies began to be fulfilled. Time, 6 B.C. Ref. Helaman vi to xiii. Self-review:-1. Who was Samuel the Lamanite, and when did he make his appearance among the Nephites? 2. What were the chief features of his prophecies? 3. From the walls of what city did he deliver his divine message? 4. What effect had the mission of Samuel upon the Nephite people? 5. How can you account for their anger and hatred toward the prophet? LECTURE 20. THE FALL OF THE NEPHITE Subdivisions: Their origin.-The organization; (a) its nature; (b) its object; (c) the social condition of the community at the time; (d) the arch conspirators; (e) the operations; (f) the supporters; (g) temporary banishment from the Lamanites; (h) its encouragement and popularity (a) infidelity; (b) public sentiment among the Nephites, especially in against religious liberty; (c) corruppolitical circles; (i) the extinction of tion of the judiciary; (d) disregard the organization and the burial of for constitutional protection; (e) their secret oaths.-The reorganiza- partisan conspiracy; (f) professional Subdivisions:-The chief causes: anarchism.—The effects: (a) tribal organization; (b) protection peacetreaty; (c) establishment of temporary factional monarchy; (d) condemnation of and death sentence upon a whole community without trial. Time, I B.C. Ref., III Nephi, 6-7. Self-review:-1. How old was the Nephite republic when it fell? Name three of the greatest causes of its fall. 3. What form of government followed its fall? 4. What was the protection peace-treaty? 5. How can you account for the bitter hatred of the infidel mass toward the saints who believed the words of the prophet? NEW TESTAMENT. (Dispensation of the Meridian Times, continued.) LECTURE 18. PARABLES OF OUR SAVIOR. COURSE II Self-review:-1. What is knowledge? 2. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? 3. What is meant by the Pearl of of Great Price? 4. What is meant by the treasure? 5. Why would a wise man sell all he has to secure the field containing the treasure. Group I-Illustrating the principle of Faith. Subdivisions:-1. The sower; (a) place, Capernaum; (b) ref., Matt. xiii. 2. Seed springing up imperfectly; (a) place, Capernaum; (b) ref., Mark iv. 3. Tares; (a) place, Capernaum; (b) ref., Matt. xiii. Leaven; (a) place, Capernaum; (b) ref., Matt. xiii. 5. Grain of mustard; (a) place, Capernaum; (b) ref., Matt. xiii. able two. 4. Self-review:-1. Relate the parable of the sower. 2. Explain par3. What fact is shown in parable three? 4. Make an application of parable four. 5. Explain parable five. LECTURE 19. Group II-Illustrating the principle of repentance. Subdivisions:-1. The Pharisee and publican; (a) place, Peræra; (b) ref., Luke xviii. 2. The two sons; (a) place, Jerusalem; (b) ref., Matt. xxi. Self-review:-1. What is true repentance? 2. What malevolent principle is exposed in the first par A WORD TO GIRLS. A TERRIBLE tragedy occurred recently in Baltimore, which, contrary to our usual custom with regard to tales of crime, we repeat for the consideration of every young girl, among our readers. It was the history of a young girl, beautiful, innocent, and carefully guarded; the idol of her father and brothers. Her mother, however, was dead, and her head was filled with romantic dreams of a hero who was to come and rule over her life. On her way to and from school, she met a handsome, dashing fellow, who eagerly sought her acquaintance, managing to throw a kind of mystery over their meetings. He was vulgar, false, and cruel, but he had brilliant eyes and well-cut features. What more would a girl of sixteen demand in a hero? The friendship lasted for years; he gained an absolute control over her. She hid her love for him from her fond old father and brothers; he eloped with her finally, but refused her marriage. The girl came home to die. Her elder brother pursued her lover, shot at him repeatedly, but failed to kill him. Later, the villain met her gray-haired father, and when the feeble old man, maddened by grief, threatened him, he shot him dead. Now here is a young girl dead, before she had fairly tasted life, her old father murdered, and her brothers left homeless, all for her indulgence at first in silly, reckless romance. It is natural for you to think of love, girls. God meant you to love and to marry. But He meant you to do it frankly and purely, under the YELLOW PRIMROSES. Shrieking and wailing in maddening tones, That wrest in vain with the angry breeze. E'en the passer-by seems to hold his breath, With fears that the storm may be his death, Till a thought of home makes him hasten on, And the present dread is past and gone. But the homeless waif that hurries away On the wings of the passing storm is borne A voice by sorrow and anguish torn: "Primroses, primroses," came the low cry, "Only a penny, O please to buy." 'Twas a pitiful face, so white and cold, That was framed by curls of rarest gold; And eyes bright and clear as heaven's own blue, That shadowed only the pure and true. Scantily clad in a well-tattered gown, Whose folds refuse the chill to drown: Bare feet that are numb and bruised by the gale, Tread the stone pavement of snow and hail. A world of entreaty, the blue eyes hold, As they scan the face of young and old; The pale lips tremble as they try to say Words they have uttered so oft that day. "Roses, primroses, a penny to buy Bread for my starving soul e'er I die," But the aching hand its treasure retains, While the misty daylight slowly wanes. Dying of hunger, unknown and alone, None near to pity the last sad moan; Pride dared not stoop from its proud lofty height, Nor wealth care to give one penny bright. Long e'er the shades of night passed and went, The angry storm had its fury spent; The new-born day a blessing seemed to breathe On the smiling face of all beneath. The bright sun shone down on the wind-swept streets, The busy scenes and the still retreats; On the little face of an angel child, That slept the last sleep so calm and mild. Clustering curls kissed the cold, pallid brow, The soulful eyes plead to heaven now; In the frozen clasp there still reposes A bunch of yellow, sweet primroses. Fresh as when plucked from their twin sisters' beds, A sheen of gold on the velvet heads, That sparkled and glistened as if to woo Balm from sunshine with tear drops of dew. Only a waif that was cradled in woeA pillow of stone, a shroud of snow; Unloved, forsaken, but by Him who gave, Resting at last in a pauper's grave. April 10. 1894. Hyacinth. |