of the instrument does not invalidate the authority which it holds. This is important; there is no more important principle than that of recognizing and honoring the Priesthood. Because of their failure to do this, many men, since the organization of this Church, have lost the faith. If we expect to stand and do stand, it will be by obedience to that principle. See that you honor the Priesthood which you hold, in your own lives, and you will find it easy to honor it everywhere. God bless you. Amen.

At the close of President Smith's remarks, President Snow arose and said, "What President Joseph F. Smith has said is the Gospel of life. Do not forget it. One thing more I want to say, this is one of the most important missions that was ever given to the Latter-day Saints, the most sacred, and from which I expect the highest and most sacred results.

"I do not wish you to go out without having your attention called to one thing, one thing that I want you to remember; and when you have an opportunity to speak, refer to it. That is the law of tithing. There is no sin that the Church is so generally guilty of as the breaking of this law, and there is no other law more important than this. The Church cannot exist nor progress unless the law of tithing is more generally observed than it has been. There has been great danger that the Trustee in Trust could not meet his obligations, and that he would lose the confidence of financial men both in and out of the Church. Now all this arose because the people generally neglected to pay their tithing. We can sanctify the earth by keeping this law. God bless you."

REMARKS OF APOSTLE FRANCIS M. LYMAN.

You have been instructed as no body of missionaries were ever instructed, and now, in commencing your labors, you must capture the superintendencies of the stakes; you must win their hearts. In doing this, if none of you make mistakes, you will be a very fortunate body of men, for no two superintendents are alike. When you have gained their hearts and they know who you are, it will be your duty to visit the presidencies of the stakes. You must approach them in a manner to get their hearts. Then meet with all the stake officers, and lay before them your mission, inquiring about

their work and how they are doing it. Instruct them wisely and carefully, and when you have captivated the superintendency and officers of the stake you will be ready to approach the presidents of the wards and repeat your efforts to gain their confidence.

Be sure not to build up any barriers between you and your mission; yet you must not be cowardly and weak, but have strength combined with humility. Remember always that you are representatives of the General Board, but go not in a boastful manner. In your labors in stakes and wards, approach the work in such manner that you will grow, and not shrink, in the estimation of those with whom you labor. Go into a stake like a lamb, but come out like a lion.

It does seem to me that this is one of the most delicate missions ever undertaken, because you labor among experienced people, and it is a superior work. Counsel together with the stake superintendents, and map out your program with them, posting them on all that you are doing. Exhibit the greatest possible humility, and set the best example before the people; but do not make your example offensively prominent; let others discover your goodness; don't boast of it. Work in harmony with the presidents and superintendents of stakes and get as much from them as you can possibly obtain. Be sure to carry from one ward to another the blessing and love of the presidency of the stake until they feel to lay their hands upon you and say, "God bless you, and help you in your labors."

There will come up in your minds and hearts instructions, theories, and counsels that you have not received here. God will inspire in your hearts a thousand splendid thoughts and ideas to assist you in your work, and you will be able to stir and move every soul in the stakes in which you labor.

Your mission will be full of delicate and difficult duties, and a misstep will be a barrier to you; hence, go in all humility, let your power and oratory and wisdom be that which comes from the Holy Ghost. If you have sin lurking in your hearts that may prevent you from having the Spirit of the Lord, the people will discover it; but by humility and faithfulness, the Spirit of God will attend you, and every heart and every soul will be impressed with you, with your words, your spirit, and your work. Get every element of strength

and influence in the stake arrayed on your side, because after you have gained the love of the authorities, you still have to win the hearts of the young people. Your mission is to the sick: we want them reformed and brought in to enjoy the Spirit and power of God. It is not expected that you will educate, or correct, or regulate the presidents of stakes or bishops, but that you will obtain their help and be submissive to them, seek counsel of them, and get from them instruction and blessing. Be very prayerful. You must remember your prayers night and morning, and in secret. Impress those with whom you associate with the idea that you are prayerful men; pray with the superintendents and with the presidents whenever you meet in council. Ask the Lord to inspire them as well as you, and you can make an impression on any young man you desire to approach.

Your authority is of God, and the Church in which you are working is of God, and those with whom you are working are the children of God. Go in humility to them and love their souls and try to make everyone you meet your particular friend. The love of these young men will help your salvation. You will be remembered as you have never been remembered, and it will lay a foundation upon which you can surely build all your lives, and hundreds of people will remember you forever for this mission. It is one of the greatest privileges and blessings that has ever come to the young men of this Church, but remember, that without the Spirit of God, you can accomplish nothing. Whatever you have been taught here you will go into the field and teach. See to it that you cover the ground. See that every particle of material within your reach is utilized and made the most of. Take the boys into your hearts, and love them. Be wise, prudent and modest. Don't hunt for the follies and failings of the young people, and if any confide in you, never betray the trust; never tell anyone of the weaknesses confessed to you. Keep all such confidences and confessions sacred. Give God all the credit for all you accomplish.

We send you forth, and bless you, to depend upon the Spirit and power of God, and to fulfill a unique and remarkable mission, such as has never been required of a similiar body of men.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

BY DR. J. M. TANNER, PRESIDENT OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, LOGAN.

The war now going on in South Africa between the English on one side and the Dutch, or Boers, as they have been popularly called, on the other, is creating an unusual interest in the Dark Continent, and is giving rise to many arguments as to the justification which England has in aggravating the Boers to a declaration of war. This war is also bringing prominently before the people of the world a history of the Dark Continent, a history whose interest increases as the development of the country goes on, and questions of great political importance arise.

It would be difficult to appreciate all the causes which have led up to this war, without some knowledge of the early history of the people who founded South Africa. The question which now interests most people is, whether or not England has been guilty of a political crime, and whether she can find justification for the war which is now going on in that country. The question is argued from both sides, and these arguments depend largely upon the sympathy of those who undertake to treat the matter. But the justification of this war is a question, and for that reason has two sides. In America we have not been very greatly interested in South Africa. Neither its people nor its government has affected the affairs in this country, and therefore its history is little known to us.

In 1497, the great sailor, Vasco de Gama, doubled the Cape of Good Hope. This was the period of its discovery. But no settlements were begun in that country until about 1652, when the Dutch began to colonize what is now known as Cape Colony. Holland, the country from which the Dutch came, was then great sea power, having its territories and colonies in different parts of the world.

These Dutch emigrants were not of the character of the Pilgrim Fathers; they were in a large measure a restless class of people with indifferent characters, and belonging to what was styled the lower orders. In 1686, they were joined by refugees from France, who took up their abode at Cape Colony after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Some Germans settled later in that country, and thus the Boers, as they are commonly called, are a mixture of the different races. The Dutch element, however, predominates almost entirely. Of course, in those times, the country was inhabited by the negro, or African race, and the Africans who inhabited this part of the country were known as the Quaequae, afterwards called by the Dutch Hottentots. From 1652 to 1815, Holland ruled this colony very much as it governed her other distant colonies. The mother country prescribed just what class of crops should be planted, and so burdened the people with taxation that they became rebellious, and became imbued with more or less hatred or dislike for all systems of government. So that in time, they grew to be very unlike their ancestors. The Dutch are a quiet, peaceful race, with little inclination for outdoor sport, for hunting, shooting, horseback riding, while these became the predominate characteristics of the Dutch in South Africa.

In 1815, when the country was taken by England, Great Britain found these peculiar traits in the Dutch, which they have never yet been able to overcome, and a resistance in them which they have never yet been able to subdue. The Dutch, like others, found in the negro element an excellent slave; and so subdued the unfortunate race in South Africa, that involuntary servitude overtook the negro there as it overtook him here; but England at a very early period had contended against slavery, and, in 1834, succeeded in emancipating the slaves in the possession of the Dutch colonists. This was perhaps the greatest cause of national prejudices towards the English on the part of the Dutch. It was interfering with a somewhat sacred institution to them, and in the midst of this discontent, and a year or two later, they determined to leave English rule altogether, and took up their march northward. This exodus is known in history as the great Trek. The Boers took their march in a north-easterly direction and located three or four hundred miles north in a country called Natal. But Natal was also full of resources, which invited the English into that country, and