| Show AN ELEPHANT WITHOUT an indian writer relates an interesting anecdote concerning the father of the first ruling prince 0 the hindustan hindostan Hind who lived at about the of the seventeenth century on one occasion certain high official madea made a vow that a be would distribute to the poor the weight of his own elephant in silver money but the great difficulty that first presented itself was the mode of ascertaining certa ining what this was and all the learned and clever men of the court seem to have endeavored in vain to construct a machine of sufficient to weight the elephant at power it is said that shabee came forward length and suggested a plan which was simple and yet ingenious in abe highest degree he caused the unwieldy animal to be conducted along a si age specially made for the purpose by a waterside water side into a flat bottomed boat and aeu having marked on the boat the heigh to which the water reached after the elephant had weighed it down the latter was taken out and stones sufficient quantity to load abe boat to in the same line the stones were then taken to the scales aad thus to toe of abe court was ascertained the true weight of the birth its circle of friends become more extended and the sphere of its influence is further enlarged and as the years roll on its devires to enlighten comfort battle for and defend them grow deeper and its determination to maintain their interests is more firmly christmas 1886 finds utah notwithstanding hir her trials in very tine fine condition there is plenty in the land and no man or woman youth or child need libed suffer for lack of food or shelter toe tae display of goods in the windows wando ws and on the shelves of the store stor sand esaud the well clad smiling crowds that flock to purchase them with the full bins and abundant stacks in rural districts mark the pecuniary condition of the territory and the last fast diminishing stock of holiday attractions witness that the seasonable custom of gift making is the fashion in utah as elsewhere and that the little folks are to be made glad on christmas morning this is a place of large families and therefore in that respect is iii rather out of the fashion but i the he hearts of our fathers and mothers do not contract as the family numbers increase and the little children whom the master loved will be as joyful in utah on the celebration of his birth as in in any part ot of either continent there will be less real want too here than anywhere else in christendom the very wealthy are not numerous but the very indigent are also scarce while no one Is 14 allowed to remain destitute the mormon system comprehends regular provision for the wants of the boora nd when others least they are not permitted to go hungry or cold coid or unclothed some of our good brethren are in in pris prison qu vic victims titus to a 9 brej prejudice udice and to inea measures that thae are not all but they too will be supplied with comforts at ac this blessed season and we are happy in the assurance that like their divine preceptor they will bear no malice to their enemies but rather cry like he did fattier father forgive them they know not what they do others including most of our leading men are driven from their homes by the same merciless measures we hope they will share in the good things of tile the time and though thong bl absent from whom they hold dear will be comforted and made happy happ fc by the spirit of him who suffered for lor their sake as well as others this christmas finds the cause which is uppermost in our hearts uninjured by the shafts that have been hurled against it and its principles more firmly rooted than ever in the souls of its advocates and so it will be at each succeeding christian anniversary the fidelity of its adherents gives joy in heaven and is a guaranty of its triumph on earth in its mission is embodied the sentiment wafred wafted on the breeze tat bethlehem when the angels sang at night nearly nineteen hundred jars years ago and the spirit brought to earth by bv that mighty being who maine the young child jesus is in it as a rein re in carnation to remain and nourish flourish and prevail may the sweed sweet influence that surrounded the Savior hallow the day we celebrate in all the homes homek of the saints and whisper hope and peace to those who are parted for a season may the feasting and ga gaiety gayety ety pastimes and pleasures which will be the order of the occasion be seasoned with temperance and made profitable by wisdom may gladness reign in every heart and union jn in every house may faults be forgotten and feuds be buried and the binds of fraternity be drawn firmer and closer with adfer vent veat god bless you we wish all people who in their way whatever it may be desire to do right a cordial merry christmas |
