fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them. Nevertheless he cried again, saying, Alma, arise, and stand forth, for why persecuteth thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said, This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people. And again, the angel said, Behold the Lord hath heard the prayers of his servant Alma, who is thy father: for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee, that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from God. Now I say unto thee, go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them: for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered; and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.

And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed. And now Alma, and those that were with him, fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was nothing save the power of God, that could shake the earth and cause it to tremble, as though it would part asunder. And now the astonishment of Alma was so great, that he became dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea and he became weak, even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father. And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened unto them; and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power of God. And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together, that they might witness what the Lord has done for his son, and also for those that were with him. And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God, that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak; and also that his limbs might receive their strength, that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.

And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort; for, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold, I am born of the Spirit.-Book of Mormon, Mosiah 11.

Among the Magazines.

For your home, where the right influence counts for so much, choose the reading that quickens the pulse, that tells of deeds of daring, that takes the reader into strange parts of the world, and yet, with all its power to entertain, depicts honor, true manliness, gentleness, loyalty to principle, as the things of chief importance in life. It benefits while it entertains.

You will find such reading week after week in the pages of The Youth's Companion, contributed by the most popular story-writers, and by men and women whose names are famous in every field of enterprise and scholarship.

Send us your address on a postal card, and we will mail you the beautiful Prospectus of The Companion for 1912, together with sample copies of the paper.

We think you will agree, when you have read them, that there is no other paper that gives quite so much of such a high quality as The Companion, and it costs only $1.75 now for the 52 weekly issues. On January 1, 1912, the subscription price will be advanced to $2.00.

The new subscriber receives a gift of The Companion's Calendar for 1912, in ten colors and gold, and all remaining issues for 1911 free from the time the subscription is received.

THE YOUTH'S COMPANION, 144 Berkeley street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Department of The
Woman's Auxiliary
of the Church.

Organized for Social Service.

Truer Parenthood, Better Children, Happier Homes, Purer Society.
CALLIE B. STEBBINS, Editor.

"A partnership with God is parenthood;

What strength, what purity, what self-control,
What love, what wisdom, should belong to them
Who help God fashion an immortal soul."

"I am among you as he that serveth." Jesus.
"Ye shall succor men: 'tis nobleness to serve."

ADVISORY BOARD.-Mrs. B. C. Smith, president, 214 South Spring street, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. F. M. Smith, vice president, 630 South Crysler street, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. D. J. Krahl, secretary, 724 South Crysler street, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. L. L. Resseguie, Lamoni, Iowa; Mrs. H. A. Stebbins, Lamoni, Iowa.

Treasurer, Mrs. M. E. Hulmes, 909 Maple avenue, Independence, Missouri. Chairman of Finance Committee: Mrs. L. R. Wells, 700 South Crysler street, Independence, Missouri.

Chairman of Social Purity Committee: street, Independence, Missouri.

Mrs. F. M. Smith, 630 South Crysler

Chairman of Ways and Means Committee: Iowa.

Executive Committee for Children's Home: man; Mrs. Lucy L. Resseguie, secretary; Mrs.

Mrs. T. A. Hougas, Macedonia,

Mrs. Callie B. Stebbins, chair-
Minnie B. Nicholson, treasurer.

The Burden-Bearer.

"Oh! the blessed promise, given on the hills of Galilee.
To the weary, heavy laden, still is made to you and me.

Many a heart has thrilled to hear it-many a tear been wiped away;
Many a load of sin been lifted, many a midnight turned to day;
Many a broken, contrite spirit, lonely, sorrowing and sad,
Felt the mighty consolation-heard the heavenly tidings glad;
And the dying gazed with rapture, trusting in the Savior's name,
On the land of rest and refuge, when the Burden-bearer came.

"Lazarus lies unfed and fainting-Peter sinks beneath the wave-
Loving Mary lingers sadly, near the Savior's guarded grave-
Blind Bartimæus, by the wayside, begs his bread disconsolate
For the moving of the waters, at the pool the suffering wait-
In the wilderness the lepers wander, outcast, in their pain—
Paul and Silas, in the prison, bear the fetter and the chain-
Mary Magdalene is weeping, friendless in her sin and shame,
But their burdens all were lifted when the Burden-bearer came.

"Every phase of human sorrow fills the path we tread to-day-
Harps are hanging on the willows-souls are fainting by the way;
But there still is balm in Gilead and though here, on earth, we weep,
God, within the many mansions, giveth his beloved sleep.

On the cloud his rainbow_glitters-shines the star of Faith above-
God will not forsake nor leave us-let us trust his truth and love-
And beyond the shining river we shall bless his holy name-
That to bear our sins and sorrows, Christ, the Burden-bearer, came."

Christmas All the Year.

The spirit of Christmas is given because of Goa's gift to us, and the blessedness of the season comes from the revival of this desire to give. It is truly blessed to give from a heart filled with love and in appreciation of God's goodness to us. We may carry the spirit of Christmas with us all the year by giving as we see the need and have the means. And the continuous moderate giving may accomplish more good than the impulsive kind that is confined to once a year, when the temptation is strong to act unwisely and to spend in excess of what good judgment approves.

Throughout the church the Christmas Offering is being recognized as a fitting remembrance of the birthday of our Savior, and this is good, not only for the amount brought into the church. treasury by it-and we hope it will be larger than ever this year, but for the benefit to our children and to all who participate in this freewill, enthusiastic giving.

There is another freewill fund that we want to keep before you, and it is the one for keeping up the Children's Home. This is one to be kept in mind all the year, not to detract from the Christmas Offering, but to gather the occasional nickel and dime; and if the many will systematically give these small amounts, they will be sufficient to meet the expenses of the home. Great hopes are built upon this plan. Is it in operation in your neighborhood? Is there some one else who will collect the monthly five-cent subscription, or are you the one who ought to do it? Don't let it slip by with no one to attend to it.

Now, while we build great hopes upon this plan when it shall have come into general operation, and that it will soon do so, we are confronted with rapidly increasing indebtedness for the expenses of the home, and we trust that there are those who will feel moved to contribute larger sums until the work of the home can be carried on in freedom from debt. Then we shall hope to see it sustained by a united effort in little things, so that an appeal for larger amounts shall be unnecessary. Let your joy this year in giving include something for the home. Freely ye have received, freely give.

The Children's Hour.

Mother had been away all day. She returned just as Harry was going reluctantly to bed.

Mother was pale and weary. The neighbor, beside whose bed she had passed the day, was gone from this life into the great beyond.

When mother took Harry's hand to go upstairs, father said: "Now, Annie, do come and try to eat some supper! Don't humor that great big boy by putting him to bed. You make a regular baby of him."

Mother's lip trembled, but she only shook her head. She was thinking of a boy in her neighbor's home who would go motherless to bed all the rest of his nights.

When Harry had prayed, as usual, for all his loved ones, he began the closing "Our Father who art in heaven," and then stopped. Mother's cheek pressed against his was like a question.

"Mother," he said, "will you tell me something, honest truth?" "Yes, darling."

"Well, is there really such a place as heaven, or is it just told us to make us be good? Like I used to be good, so Santa would bring me things, and there isn't any Santa Claus?"

The mother winced a little; but her voice was steady as she answered, "Yes, dear, there is a heaven."

"But George Thorn said at school that there isn't any such place at all; that it was just in folks' minds. And I came home and asked papa, and he said that was sc, that the Bible says, "The kingdom of God is within you." "

"Yes, that is in the Bible," said the mother.

"But I don't know what it means," said the boy. "Do you know where heaven is, mother?"

"No, dearest, but I know it is where Jesus is, and that is all I need to know. You believe what Jesus says, don't you, Harry?" "Yes, of course I do," said the boy.

"Then listen to what he said just before he was arrested. He was talking to his disciples who loved him, and he said: 'Ye believe in God, believe also in me. . . . I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.' Now don't you see that if Jesus has gone to prepare a place, heaven is a place?"

"Oh, yes, mother, I know now that it is a place."

She went on: "Then just as he was about to die in great pain, and the weight of the sins of the whole world was breaking his tender heart, he forgot himself to comfort some one else, and said to the sorrowful thief on one of the other crosses, "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.' So you see heaven is where Jesus is." Harry settled back with a long, satisfied sigh. "Oh mother," he said, "I do love to talk with you! You make it so plain and easy for a boy."

Silence for a time, then the child spoke again: "I wish I knew what kind of a place."