| Show A WORTHY EXAMPLE IN another column will be found a report to the first presidency from the weber stake of zion it will be very gratifying to all who are interested in the welfare and progress of the work of god on the earth cef anderst and that the course pursued by the brethren as outlined in the report is cor bially approved by the presiding authorities of the church and that it is in a line with their instructions may be seen from their latest general epistle the rhe strength ot of our cause is not in the numbers of its adherents but in their union and fellowship with the ht heavens avens everything that tends to draw the saints together in that true unity which is of the spirit to banish ff trite to dispel doubt to promote concord and iuster spiritual life increases the power by which alone we can prevail against our adversaries and accomplish that for which we live and labor private ministrations are provided r 0 for in the order of bap church ar ch government established by revelation tion and are required by divine coid command mand in common practice they fall tar lar short of the design it is intended that they shall be a source of continual blessing to all the household of faith they are meant to supply a real want in the homes of the people they are to reach those who wre are unable to meet in public assemblies and enjoy the preaching of the word and the communion of saints they are for the benefit of young and old rich and poor priest and people the highest authorities of ef the church and the simplest member the most experienced and the newest convert are alike included in their jurisdiction luris diction A stereotyped catechism of an kind does not meet the requirements of house to house ministrations they are to be conducted as the spirit of light and truth shall suggest and as various conditions and circumstances pay may demand Conio consolation lation its ia needed in some instances rebuke in others one cabe may require a stimulus to faith another a wise direction to excessive zea zeal 1 there are differences to harmonize wounded hearts to comfort sick bodies to heal and also ungoverned exa exuberance berance and a tendency to forbidden forbid dea pleasures to check and restrain Wis wisdom domand and a keen perception of the spirits are absolutely necessary to family teaching kindness s and firmness must be blended in these private visitations and wis it is rare to find tile the true qualifications of the teacher and see them exercised as designed by the author of I 1 our faith training in these duties is of inestimable value and one of the requirements ot the times and we know ol of no better method to impart this education to spiritual teachers than the practical examples set by experienced oft officers leers in n the church in the manner prescribed prescribe in the report from weber every stake presidency la Is not in I 1 a position to imitate the example set loran in that document but where this is practicable it seems seeing to us that it will commend itself to all who are in similar authority public assemblies are a feature of our faith and practice they are indispensable but they are not all sufficient ent more permanent and profitable impressions pres can be m made 0 e upon the latter day saints in th their air homes by familiar visits aud and instruction by counsel based upon an understanding of their individual and family wants than simply by the preaching of the word in the sunday congregation and when the leaders of trie the peo people e can get right down to the bedrock of tile the peoples people a hearts they can discover what kind of treatment is needed that the true metal may be developed and pol polished i and brightened brighten edlor tor the masters shed t use be and the dross and the baser material materi ai may be shown up and consumed block meetings haw have been adopted in many wards of the salt lake stake with considerable success they are like likely y to become general they reach peo people pi e who seldom attend the larger pu public bli c meetings and they give an opportunity port unity for the aged and infirm as well as the young to exp eap express ress their feelings in regard to the kingdom of god a and ud to exercise the gifts of the spirit they have an excellent effect care should be taken not to overdo the matter by too frequent repetition and by prolonging them beyond rea 4 hours let all things be done in moderation and under the whisperings of the spirit to the elders in charge who are instructed by revelation to conduct all meetings as they are led by that divine influence we rejoice in the good tidings from the weber stake and trust that we shall hear similar news from other portions of the zion of our god when the spiritual we life of the saints is aroused and the lord visibly works in the hearts and homes of the people when they purify themselves before him and dwell together in love and confidence and unity then we may assuredly expect to see his mighty arm made bare in behalf of his people and the plans and the schemes of the wicked brought to nought may the good work go eo on until zion Z ion is cleansed from evil and god feigus inspirit in spirit and in power la in every home in israel |
