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Show V iTherTfuth-Seeker-and-Mormonis- m D r. National Safety And Religious Ideals JOSEPH F. MERRILL, Of The Council Of The Twelve By ELDER (Address Delivered On Sunday, November 4, 1945 Over KSL) THE last two talks, numbers 17 anj we have given some consideration IN to the need tor religion and to the influence ot Christian ideals on modern civilization. These are big subjects and they have many ramifications. Our purpose Is to discuss these topics in general outline only.' to call them jo your attention with the suggestion that you make them the subject of your thinking and - action. For.-fr- om aur.. poinlDf.V lew. the world is sadly in need of more re ligioi, religion of a kind that expresses Itself in conduct and action. Not that we" think ther werld is "going to the -Com intent -- obser verbe-- I e. v e. dogs.T . -- L Merrill TNext Subject Announced QAFETY O Training, Demands, Religious is the subject of the next radio address to be given years later, by diligence and devotion by Elder Joseph F. Merrill, of the he gained his license as captain. He had Council of the Twelve, Sunday, eagerly studied .the ship, the sea, the November 11, 1945, -- at 9 ptn. and had and the the "trade, land, people KSL. over As earned. part jsaved ofevery penny he' - This will be the twentieth in owner-Does not the safety of America rethevessels' cargo" he sailed the current series of radio talks quire that its youth shall be trained in to the West Indies; but his misfortune under the title of The reached Do he not given him. Do When need religion? went ahead of they religion? Truth-SeekAnd Mormon ism. his destination, an unforeseen decline they not need Christian ideals? -- THE STORY OF STEPHEN GIRARD most of him bis of deprived In contrast please listen to the fol- earnings and savings; but he did not dejority of - the - population- fled OfMhe lowing story, somewhat condensed from despaic butwith greater-energto He 15 sail . . took to over carry-ocided Su25,000 per cent fell: the December 1, 1930, issue of the remaining New York and first put foot on Amerivictims,, to the pestilence. History tells preme Council Bulletin 1774 citizens met at the 41s that twenty-seve- n Pursued by misfortune from child- can -soil inJuly, . 7 He there found a confiding nurses could City" hood, being not only the ugly duckling for whom he not be procured and they called "for" in his nest, but neglected by nature and friend in John Randall, New . . , between York, the volunteers to superintend the pest .family,. JtLis surprising ..that Stephen W est navigated I ndtes,- -a nd New Orleans, houser PeterHelm and Stephen Girard- Girard did not lose courage and was coincidence 'for the -- orphans --assumed undertaking, and not trodden under foot. two cities.. those ot not only of the took the latter charge in Bor lie was born May 24, 1750, On his return trip to New York In inside work but went out to bring the deaux; France, the son of Pierre Girard he became lost in a fog and stricken victims in his own arms from a.sea xaptain. andlrader..As glittle.. boy,. 1776, "lhto'Delaware7 "drifted the BayfTTT Sohs'ftherr"bedS"to"theambalanee'and he in became blind of eight totally to the emergency hospital. He never right- ye;andwhilehis- younger .took ref uge.Jn, Philadelphia,, where, he . , faltered or failed, no matter Low serious" brother was the recipient of parental made his permanent home. a case waff. He exposed himself to the Girard took advantage of the existfavors and educational advantages, he immewar e conditions greatest dangers of contagion, never of twelve-handstarted ing was neglected-A- t the age-thinking' orhimself,' but only of othei n lost his only friend his mother. Within diately as grocer, bottler and trader. . . er bring ' them- - help s In 1793,' Ph ilad el ph i a was" visited "by tie left home forever less than the from mostmeniMserv shrink maand went to sea as a cabin boy. Nine a yellow fever epidemic, and the ices. He trusted in God and practiced brotherhood' with the neediest and the ' . lowest. . i'll III J (foil COUNTRY SERVICE TO GIRARD'S He rapidly enlarged his . business, sending his ships all around the globe . . . under true and trusted upright men. Drunkards and immoral men never BY LEVI EDGAR YOUNG c. found employment in his service In the next fifteen years hi s Of The First Council Of Seventy , dollars grew like mushrooms, into hunAnd He said unto them, co ye into all the world, and preach the dreds of thousands and millions. When Gospel to every creature. war with England was imminent .in He that beueveth and is baptized shall be saved; and he that belteveth 1810, . . . the stock of the United States , not shall be damned. Bank had depreciated much below par So then after the Lord had spoken unto them. He ws received up and he directed his London brokers to ' into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. purchase for him the above stock held A ndthey went forth-ian- d Lord working "preached everywhere.-th- e timEnglandr; with them, and confirming the word with signs following. When the war broke out Girard came (Mark XVI, to the rescue of our government, and when nobody cared to subscribe for the A CONVERSATION on the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a beautiful experi-enc- e. $5,000,000 United States Bonds, Girard No one can indulge in such a thing unless ones heart and mind assumed the entire issue at a favorable the Bubject, are atuned fo the bpfrit"of God. It is not-on- ly All missionaries understand the doctrinebut.the.man that moves people. In later years when the country was person or people to whom they speak. They think their thoughts and hard pressed . . . Girard again financially seize the right moment and right method for going straight to the heart. was the financial power who took the There is so much sorrow in the world, so much want, and the gift of balance of $3,000,000. administering the word of God with patience, with gentleness, and with He toiled from early until late. . . ." -e- nduring-effect is one of the most Joyful and mightiest powers a human in anticipation --of the bliss-whican possess being he might causeinio hundreds-an- d To be called to the field as a missionary is an honor and a recognition thousands of boys, who like him, of a person's real worth. It is a call to labor with undying zeal to awaken had nobody to care for them. And when within men a faith in the living God and to turn to Him with a repentant others misjudged his aims, and objects, heart. No one can deny the force or the beauty of the passion ior extenddeeds must be my life;-whing ones own belief and hope to others, for imparting to them the I am dead, my actions must speak comfort of ones own salvation. - What splendor of life is that of Paul " for me' the Apostle, who no sooner was his own life made over, no sooner had Stephen Girard, still very active at the faith and the hope of a new life taken possession of him, than he was the age of 81, . . . contracted pneumoovercome with the desire to disseminate this possession, to all the world, nia which terminated his earthly career and to make Jew and Gentile alike see and glory in the light and splendor on December 26, 1831. . . . .of the ChristianJruth. In our day, sincethe Restoration of the Gospel, ng been -- a poor, forsaken we know of the hundreds, yea thousands who have gone into the remote boy, had the greatest sympathy for the parts of the world to preach the Gospel and to turn mens thoughts to unfortunate orphans who have no one ZLthpir God "This was evenjrue long before there were railroads or quick to look after ..them and assist them in and safe means of travel by sea. Missionaries left home and Triends to their struggle for an honest living and of China and India,-an- d go to far-o- ff usefulness. So-- he opportunityfor-futur- e Europe and South America They faced hardships In strange lands, and left the bulk of his fortune to Philaoften misery for the sake of communicating the Gospel message. Many delphia for the care , of orphan boys have given their lives as they bore testimony of the restored word of God. coming first from the old City of PhilaThe splendor of their spirits and the grandeur of their achievements afe delphia, next from Pennsylvania, and known. The stories of their experiences and accomplishments will some then from the cities of New York and Latter-damost beautiful epics of the Saints, epics that day become the New Orleans. will thrill the world with their truth and beauty. Let me here relate one GIRARD COLLEGE FOUNDED lovely story: The Girard College In Philadelphia, rB. Ma1857.. summer of In the my father. Seymour Young. Phillip which he founded, now has twenty large setts, and David Wilrkrn Mere called to England on a mission. They were buildings, including a fine chapel and all of the same ate, nineteen years. Constructing a handcart, they made a power house representing over $6,-0ready to leave. Tbeir first objective was Council Bluffs. Just across the OOOy with ' arr endowment"! many Missouri River from Omaha. From there they would take a train for New millions. This institution now has in its York, where they could embark on a sailing vessel for England. One charge one thousand five hundred and on the Platte River, night, while they were sitting around a wood-fir- e forty orphan boys from four to eighteen -singing songs, and 'talking about the folks at home, Brother Margetts years of age, giving them all the opportbegan to recite some of the fine lines from the'plays"of Shakespeare, unity of securing a first class education, among which were the words of Macbeth: affording: A Junior School of three Tomorrow, aud tomorrow, and tomorrow, years; Middle School of three year s; Creeps in this petty pace front day to day Preparatory High School; Senior High To the last syllable of recorded time, School; Commercial School with five And all our yesterdays have lighted fools 2 departments; : Mechanical School with-nl- ne The way to dusty death. Out. out. brief candle! shops; and Departments of Instru-ment- al Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player Music; Singing, Drawing and That struts and frets his hour upon the stage Art. . . ; And then is heard no more. Every boy gets a complete education of his own choosing and adaptability,-beside- s We sat in deep thought. said my father, for we had been listening a complete outfit of tools and to a sage of history, a man who knew Shakespeare. reference books and a suitable emWe slept under the stars that night, as we did for over three months. . ployment. Every night we studied the words of Holy Writ, every day as we pulled The first book brought to Girard the handcart over the trail and through the rivers, onr hearts were swalwas the Bible, which has a fore- College -lowed wp in a kind of gloW of Gods love coming down as a constant most place in the teachings of the instistream of Light. tution. The religious instruction is given -by laymen, no sectarian Instruction 7 . They were missionaries of the Lord. average age of the criminal la getting younger and younger. Official records prove that criminals are not made over night, but evolve from juvbnlle er ces y, n -.-- '; us ... - Religion is a personal affair.. And-u- n less it touches the indivIduaTIts benefits to him may be negligible. The in- spiration, yision, consolation, p e a c e, -strength, satisfaction and - other- helps worthy enjoyed by every truly feligious, - person are not experienced by the irreligious man. If the latter is an atheist he has no compass by which to steer his course, no star upon which to fix his gaze. He lacks the motivating power necessary to carry him, successfully over some of lifes obstacles and through some - of its discouraging gloom. A STUDENT WITHOUT HOPE This is illustrated by a very sad story that came over the wires and was pub- lished in the press some years ago. The lifeless body of an amiable Yale student a "was"found one morning hanging-b- y rope attached to a ceiling fixture. The student was said to be a member ot a good family, in comfortable circumstances financially, possessed of good intellectual ability h ys ic a lly,well- formed, without any material handicaps. - Seemingly his prospects la -- life were excellent. Before committing the rash deed he wrote a note which revealed to his friends a cause for his action. What is the use?" it asked. Death is the end,why not bring it quickly-an- d Life-i- s a useless finish game and is not worth the price." Seemingly the joys that spring out of and accompany true religion had never - been - experienced - by him. And- - his hopeless outlook was typical of that of myriads of other people of the present time. And these people constitute a menace to the safety of our civilization. ""The Christian ideals of marriage, home, - service, justice, liberty, government, etc., areendangeredbythe. existence of this large class of people who see in the grave the end of all humaa hopes, and desires. Is. it any wonder that our prophets are calling upon the "masses to repent and to adopt the two great commandments into their conscious living? 7 In the March 2, 1931, issue of the Su- rr preme Council Bulletin- ,- published in Washington, D. C., there is published a short article under the heading, A Blame For Crime. It is as follows: - YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS The most compelling factor of the " underlying cause for the ever increasing number of youthful crlminals entering reformatories, jails and penitentiaries today lies at the door of society in the reglect to provide for the leisure time activities for" boys, especially u n d e boys, declared William Edwin Hall, member of the New York State Crime Commission, in an address .over theTadio recently; He""eontinued in part: z " Not long ago I viewed the lineup at pqliee headquarters In New York I was shocked to see that a very large number of those who had been arrested were boys under twentyrone years of age. The other day I stood within the 'grar walls of Sing Sing Prison and Saw one hundred of the most recent arrivals and was struck by the fact that these ftewly arrived convicts were practically all mere boys. Month after month there Is a stream of youth into the jails and penitentiaries of our country. The - - ,p - -- le?. -- con-tinuo- uj . . Pose Nor. 10, 1945 - -- and-hop- two-year- - , lt The Dignity Of Missionary Work ..7 15-2- 9) not-only-- the ed ch en He,-havi- say-noth- ing y- 00, ' - (Continued on. Page Twelve) |