| Show importance OF FAST MEETINGS THE first thursday of each month has from the early days of the church been set apart as a season for fasting and prayer blessing of little children COL firmin baptized members and tendering offerings for the support of the poor Alt although bough fast meetings are an ordinance of the church they are in some respects almost a dead letter the attendance at these meetings Is generally very small this Is partially accounted for by the fact that they they are held at a time when the adult male portion of the community Is actively engaged in to ofle usual vocations of life most of the workingmen are under the control of employers and their time hours of duty is not at their own disposal probably there are many who would not attend even if the situation were otherwise where employed emp loyes are members of the church it may in some instances be advis advisable awe to close up for a few hours or perhaps give a portion of the hands bands to lor for the purpose of going to fast meeting but this plan would not always operate satisfactorily for as already intimated not a few f ew would b be disposed to use the time tor for other purposes than that intended we Weon observe serve that this rule that of giving employed emp loyes the opportunity of attending fast meetings has been adopted by the woolley you young na and aad hardy company and by burton barton and gardner work is also suspended on the temple block lor for the same object in these matters circumstances have to be duly considered the lack of opportunity to attend these gatherings is far f from rom accounting counti tig for the paucity of the number of brethren generally seen in attend atten ancer sometimes it is so small that some difficulty is experienced in attending to the administration of the ordinances named in the first arst paragraph of this article the congregations are to a large degree necessarily composed of women and chil children drea but bat they to not turnout turn out to that extent that they should it to is highly important that at least the children should be educated to an understanding of the importance of this ordinance di nance and especially to the necessity of contributing to the wants of the poor while there are many of the people who can furnish reasonable excuses for personal attendance there are comparatively few but can send members of their families milles fa especially c ally the younger ones and reg their offerings bugs for the support of the needy there are many neglect this duty not from an ungenerous disposition but from having sunk into a condition of thoughtlessness bordering upon indifference some again have adopted the custom of donating to the poor once a year and in this way Ilum lumping pin it thus relieving themselves of the necessity of giving the subject more frequent attention it is a question as to whether conformity wita an established ordinance thus recognizing a salutary custom and an to alleviate the condition of the poor as their needs arise is not much the better way the duliss of the saints in all thin things are clear before them they should d be reminded of them in the spirit of kindness and persuasion there will be a final summing up ment based on the deeds dou iba the body will be declared |
