in London. But they proclaimed the fact that it had "no official standing in the Episcopal Church, but was an individualistic endeavor, and was presented in the form of Psychotherapy and Religion." This is an attempt to mingle the spiritual with the medical, and it contemplates the aid of the physician with the exercise of the mind over the body. In what is called the Emmanuel Church Movement, its originator explained that "no case was accepted unless it had been first reported upon by a competent physician, and no case of organic lesion or disease where a surgeon was needed was taken except as the patient's spiritual comfort might be concerned."

All these attempts to get back the original gospel gifts are, perhaps, well enough for those who move in man's ways and will not receive the plain, simple doctrine of Christ. But who ever heard of the early Christians consulting a physician or surgeon to know whether the divine promise could be realized, or whether the instructions given by the Apostle James could be carried out? He said, "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." (James 5:14-15.) Peter did not wait for the diagnosis of a physician or surgeon in the case of the lame man who was healed at the gate of the temple, nor did any of the disciples attempt to mingle the theories of men on medical questions with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power which accompanied it.

In these last days, God has restored the gospel in its fullness and with it every gift and blessing pertaining thereunto. The sick are healed to-day through faith, as in times of old. That faith is sometimes in the person who is afflicted; at other times in the human instrument of his healing; at other times in both. But faith is the cause and the cure is the effect. The healing is not manifested to create faith, but it comes as its result. It follows "them that believe." Cases of this kind are so numerous that the MILLENNIAL STAR could be filled every week with narrations concerning them. We do not often publish particular instances, but we are now in receipt of a letter from President J. Wilford Booth of the Turkish Mission, stating particulars which so clearly give evidence of the power of God in the cure of disease, contrary to the pronouncements of medical men and which cannot be ranked among those cases that are sought to be explained upon the theory of "suggestion," or of nervous excitement, that we give place to them in these columns.

Many of the saints in this country will remember the endeavor of a number of Armenians, members of the Church, to emigrate to America, who could not pass the examining physicians, and were therefore excluded from going on board ship, being afflicted with an eye disease common in Turkish dominions called trachoma.

Some of them were not permitted to land even in England, and they went to Havre, in France, where they vainly attempted to get passage to Mexico, then to Canada or to the United States. But the terrible affliction from which they suffered stood in their way, and in each instance they were debarred. They are now safe and sound in Utah, and the account of the healing of two of them, the most stubborn and severe cases in the whole company, is thus related by Elder Booth:

"When the emigration doctor had rejected them twice, I asked him if they could be cured by remaining there and having their eyes doctored. He replied that it would require four or five months to effect a cure on the woman's eyes, and there was no hope for the old man, who had the disease in a very bad form, and "he was too old to be cured." In about one week after the doctor had made this statement, they requested me to administer to them. I told them they must exercise faith and prepare themselves through humility and prayer, and then I would do so. The third day after that we held a protracted prayer meeting with them and then anointed their eyes and prayed for them in the usual way of administration. We arose and went to an eye specialist, who pronounced them both 'completely cured from bad cases of trachoma,' and gave them each a certificate to that effect. I took the certificates to the emigration doctor, but he remembered the cases and would not believe that they were cured. But after request, he consented to examine them once more. He did so next morning, and on looking into their eyes, he acknowledged that they were cured and said, 'They have not a bit of contagious disease about them.' They were afterwards accepted by the steamship company and taken to Canada and were examined there by the Canadian doctor, and afterwards by the United States doctor, and were pronounced 'clean' and 'O K,' and were allowed to proceed on their way."

No elder of this Church arrogates to himself any special power as a "healer," but we do all declare that God has not changed, and that faith in Him is as much of a vital healing force as ever it was in the world's history. This was the doctrine announced by the Prophet Joseph Smith amid opposition, ridicule, persecution and martyrdom. It is now forcing itself upon the minds of thinking people, religious and scientific, and with many other grand truths enunciated by the great prophet of the nineteenth century is being adopted, without giving credit to him or glory to God. No matter, so long as the truth wins its way and conquers error and evil. It will go on to victory. For, behold, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," and through it humanity will be blessed and God will be glorified.

CHRISTMAS AND ELDERS' VISITS.

C. W. P.

To save much letter-writing and many postage stamps, let it be understood by the Conference Presidents that applications by the elders under their care for permission to visit relatives during the Christmas holidays, with the object of spreading the truth while partaking of the good cheer of that occasion, may be granted at their discretion, providing it does not mean protracted absence of the elders from their fields of labor. This does not mean the for

saking of missionary work to go off to London or Paris, or some other point for a time of hilarity and frivolity. It is not desirable that our brethren should be rushing off to the Metropolis, taking away the elders there from their labors and occupation, and casting off the restrictions properly thrown around them where they are engaged. The notion that no missionary work can be done during the holidays we regard as without foundation or sound reason, but nevertheless, we desire that our friends shall not be debarred from rational recreation and a brief respite from their regular toils. Let the conference presidents exercise prudence and good judgment, and let the elders conform to the regulations established on these matters, as given in the instructions of the First Presidency and frequently repeated in the MILLENNIAL STAR. C. W. P.

Valuable Information.-The discourse by Elder Andrew Jenson, commenced in this issue of the STAR, will be continued and the elders and others will find in it valuable information concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and particularly the course pursued by the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses, after their testimonies were given to the world as published in the preface to that wonderful work.

"MORMONISM" A PRACTICAL RELIGION.

In my observations of modern Christendom, its workings, ideals, teachings and accomplishments, I have been impressed that true religion, as instituted by Christ, is very much misunderstood. It has simmered down to simply a supposition relating to the next life. It does not enter into the warp and woof of this existence, circumscribing all the actions of mankind, filling the heart and brightening the countenance with joy and happiness as we journey on. To me a religion that does not furnish the balm of life, and bring joy to the soul on earth, cannot be trusted for such accomplishments in the world to come. I admit that the doctrines of Christ are in opposition to the world and bring reproach and calumny upon those who adhere to them, but the assurance, peace and satisfaction which they bring to the heart of the believer counteract all that, and more. The angelic chorus that announced the birth of Jesus sang "Peace on earth, good will to man." In order to bring about this happy state, some things, great things, must be done in this life, which has been given to us to prepare us for the life that is to come.

In heaven, we understand, love and unity abound. The Savior taught His disciples to pray for His will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven, which certainly means that love and unity should prevail here among the children of men. This thought implies a necessary solution of the perplexing problems that bring strife and confusion. How happy the Latter-day Saints should be

in knowing that the gospel revealed in these last days through the Prophet Joseph Smith not only comports in doctrines, organization, gifts and blessings with the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by Him in the meridian of time, but also meets the social issue and solves it for all who live up to its teachings.

First, the doctrine of pre-existence and the fatherhood of God give an understanding of the true relationship between man and man, making known that we are brothers in all the word implies, creating a feeling of kinship which incites interest and concern for each others' welfare, just as two brothers under the same parental roof are interested in each other. Let this truth be rightly understood and the seed of love for fellow-man is planted, and through careful and prayerful cultivation it will grow and its influence will be felt for great good.

Selfishness lies at the very root of the present social inequality. It is not to be overcome by some radical outburst against existent evils. The dreadful disease must be rooted out of the heart before the desired end can be attained. It has grown in the heart of man through the course of many years, and will require proper teaching, backed by the power of religious convictions, to counteract it. The law of tithing as taught to ancient Israel, sanctioned and commended by Christ, and revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, is one of the remedies which the Lord has for this disease-selfishness. Tithing is a just law applying to both rich and poor, each voluntarily imparting for the benefit of the needy. Where little is given little is required. The widow's mite fulfils the requirement of the Lord equally with the pounds of the rich man. Both learn alike the lesson of self-denial for the benefit of others. tithing is a lesser law, given to prepare the saints for the law of consecration, which will bring about a condition that must prevail when the Savior reappears, for He has said, unless "ye are one ye are not mine." Tithing was given as a schoolmaster to tutor the saints up to the law which will establish equality.

The law of

The Latter-day Saints are pressing forward to the condition when there will be no rich and no poor among them. Our religion is practical, embracing all the laws necessary for peace on earth, and teaching us to consider this life as much an integral part of the Lord's kingdom as the life hereafter. Man is here that he might have joy, and all that contributes to real happiness in this life or the next is part of the gospel. The happiest moments that come to man are those spent in working righteousness. While the kingdoms of the world are groaning under the weight of the perplexing questions of the day, that threaten their very foundations, let the saints labor with all their might to bring about that glorious reign of righteousness and peace foretold by the prophets and poets, when the knowledge of God shall fill the earth and when every man shall recognize in his neighbor a brother and a friend.-JULIUS A. ROCKWOOD.

"THE UTAH INDEPENDENT."

THE Deseret Evening News of the 20th ult. announces editorially the birth of a new weekly paper-The Utah Independent-in Salt Lake City. The editor and publisher of this new publication, which is successor to Truth, is Mr. Fred V. S. Peet, who has resided for quite a number of years in Utah, and is thoroughly familiar with the State and its people. Mr. Peet is a Wesleyan Methodist. He is a fearless champion of the right, and has on numerous occasions defended the Latter-day Saints when they were attacked and misrepresented by their enemies. It was this same gentleman who circulated pamphlets throughout the United States offering a thousand dollars to any person who would prove that a plural marriage had been celebrated with the sanction of the Church since the appearance of President Woodruff's manifesto. The challenge was not accepted. An editorial in the initial number of The Utah Independent sets forth the platform and policy of the paper thus:

"This paper will tell the truth and will speak it out. It will not mince matters. It will have no friends to shield and even no enemies to attack except as men make themselves such by their hostility towards fact. The situation as the editor sees it, and not as viewed by party, sect, clique, or society, this paper will honestly endeavor to portray. On all subjects of public moment the opinions of the paper will be freely given, and this freedom will apply to controverted, political, ethical, and religious questions, as well as to the general truths upon which there is, in theory as least, substantial agreement among thinking men. And whenever the opinions of this paper are thus given on any subject an equal space will be accorded to any person who desires to add to, comment on, or present an opposite opinion with his reasons therefor. Thus will the paper be truly independent without being spiritless. Independence does not mean apathy or neutrality. We shall advocate the truth wherever we find it, whether in the creeds, the platforms, or the acts of churches, of parties, of unions, or of men, and shall refuse to 'belong' to any party or organization whatsoever further than it 'belongs' to the right, the good, the true, in human conduct."

The MILLENNIAL STAR joins with the Deseret News in the hope that the Independent will be able to carry out the promises here given, and that success may crown the new publication.

Baptisms. A baptismal service was held at "Deseret," South Tottenham, London, on Sunday last, the 6th inst., when three converts were baptized into the Church by Elder Aldert B. Needham.