Show THE OLT OH YEAR TEAK the she year that is about to pass into the annals of history Is in some respects ok a notable one for utah 1897 will be known as the year of jubilee and oat event attracted the attention of tafe world to her people and the IRV happy conditions under which they are living it to is believed that 1897 has inaugurated augu rated an era of prosperity to the united states and the discovery of the alaskan gold fields gives promise of large additions to the nations resources looking over the world at large the picture presented at the close of the year is in some respects a sad one all 32 Surope is an armed camp christian nations lations distrust each other because their policy individually and collectively to Is one of taking from the weaker 1 what these cannot defend it is a policy of oppression instead of protection the names flames of war in many places cast their glare over the pages of the history of the dying year and if appearances do not deceive it seems that further plots are being laid the denouement nou ement of which may come as an international ter national broglio imbroglio em that will make W 1 the earth tremble hardly less discouraging ta is the fact that misgovern misgovernment ging k both oth national and municipal seems seem mel jb flourish and that efforts for reform grow more sporadic there is unrest the masses in the vii various rious goun countries tries it takes different forms but nearly everywhere it is heard as the in the air aar before an approaching pro aching storm but there Is a bri brighter giter side labor abigt has jao had ad its well earned victories during the year and so has science in its various brax branches ches the need of a national institute of learning has been felt in this cotry and the work though preparatory park tory may be classed amo among ng the important achievements of the year when completed it will be a shining light among the constellations of knowledge in the world the progress of the church during the past year has haa been remarkable in fact it has attracted the attention of those who had formed an idea that mormonism was expiring some years aap and frequently remarks have been made in pulpit and press that the reli religion glon of the saints is as active as over eves and it is at home the people ari manifesting a desire to get a deeper per understanding of the doctrine of truth th and to practice it as they understand d it the servants of the lord have e the confidence and the affection 0 01 the people and a spirit of unity prevails there is a willingness to make sacrifices for the proclamation of the gospel on the part of young an and d and the power of the almighty is revealed in their midst prom from reports received from time to time from the various missionary fields it lp is gathered that the gospel work is progressing abroad elders F M lyman and mccowley MF Cowley have been holding a number of conferences and meetings an the various states of the union and neatly nearly everywhere found crowds eager to listen to their testimony while the lord lard has set his seal upon the work ba signs and wonders following the believers la in europe the missionary work is equally satisfactory opportunities tor for preaching the gospel multiply in switzerland and the german empire liberty to preach to is being granted more freely than tham ever to the elders in germany and as a consequence more mare souls sare added to the church elders ruton rulon S wells and J W mcmurrin of the X pro presidency sideney ot of the european mission have held well attended meetings in frankfort hamburg berlin dresden stuttgart and other cities and everywhere found many people willing to listen to their message of salvation in scandinavia the reports from nearly every conference have been satisfactory souls are constantly being added to the branches the netherlands mission is nourishing flourishing and in great britain the feeling of indifference seems to be disappearing similar encouraging reports have come from the islands of the sea while an immense field of labor is about to be opened up in asia from which the gospel message may go out to the millions on that continent and reach the scattered seed of the house of israel there it is a matter of sincere gratitude that there have been more additions to the church during the past year than in any previous twelve months of its history and that the bopra are about to be opened to vast multitudes that have as yet not heard the gospel one of the most important imp orant events con needed with the religious world abroad is perhaps the lambeth conference attended by prelates pr elates from every part of the british empire this council virtually reject edthe overtures of the catholic church for reconciliation and declared that the only ecclesiastical unity possible was one of purpose and essential beliefs not one of ceremonial it may be regarded as an official approval pr 0 val of the fractured condition of the christian world and a denial of the need of the offices of apostles teach ers etc tor for the unification of the church these are some of the signs of the time to those who have gone out to meet the bridegroom and are eagerly waiting for the midnight signal they indicate the approach of that momentous time they are a reminder that watchfulness is needed at this late hour on the part of all who axe are waiting for the appearance of the hope ot of israel i |