The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1905-11-02
Letter From Elder
Geo. H. Smith, Jr,
snyonno, ILL.,, Oct 70, 1906.

Dear Sir While on the streets Of the
large cities, when all is hurry and hustle,
people moving in almost every direc-
ton, perhaps with no thought Of inn
mediate surroundings, my attention is
attracted by the attitude Of some person
or persons. who, by actions, seem to be
writing events Of sad life upon the
hidden pages Of silent history, realizing
wealth and plenty near. Words spoken
by one Of the ancient diyines comes
very fUrcibly TO my mind: mo one
cares for my soul" aud undoubtedly
the phrase is on the lips OF those who
attract my attention, and am remind
ed Of n circumstance among many that
took place short time ago IN one Of,
the cities man, middle aged, was
standing on the sidewalk, playing a
violin, and apparently intoxicated
With the passing hours men hurried by,
passing remarks one to the other;
people ought to do so aud 50, "What
use is man OF that character" Such
were the conversations Of the passer by
Women went hurrying on with an oh.
Jet in view, on the opposite side Of the
street, when passing the man with the
violin. (When the question confronted
Cain as To the whereabouts of his
brother, the reply was, "Am / my
brothers keeper) After some time
had passed and many had reached
their homes, reminded of the thought
Gam my brothers keeper" not
thinking at the same time "The one
who gives home and h0I piness gave
also the fallen soul, and my own" A
prominent man OF the city walked mp
to the holder OF the violin, assuming n
conversation. Soon the covenants are
seen walking down the street together
Weeks and months passed, the man
once engaged on the street playing the
violin is earnestly engaged in the office
OF one Of the leading business depart
ments Of the city, the Individual who
made it possible for the man once OH
the lower walk Of life to get his inn
proved position being business mana
ger. The man once regarded 10y many
people as useless became prominent and
was an honest, sincere. penitent and
considerable man; the man who ex-
tended to him the hand of friendship
manifested regard for his soul, had al
one time in life battled upon the lofty
peaks of adversely, but by the helping
hand and kind words Of true lriends
he became prominent. Through walk
ing the various parts Of life, striving
with misfortune, lac grew familiar, TO ~
extent, with the great object OF his ex
islence, thus retaining love, fraternil,
and regard for his iellowman. As
rule people who hurry along wiili th'
thought in mind "Of what use is he oil
shs," are those who have lived since
birth ia luxury, wealth and fashion
surrounded always with comforts .
home sweet home, know not the ways
advantages and disadvantages of life
and will be heard TO say "Am m
brothers. keeper'"
The lowest walks in life, the path
that lead into the deepest valleys q
sorrow, and up to the most Iugge
peaks of adyersity, if men travel theIei
for season, will, to an extent, neare
accomplish, the objcc. OF their existenc,
The stream that leaps over cliffs, theme
doyn through some canyons rugge
delle, then divides into babbliug brooke
singing songs OF laughter dancing /
the sheen of the noon, then stealth
into the shadow as it meanders throug
the meadows, then with u quIckenin
speed makes final rush to the~oceaI
keeps its waters pure; while the stag
nant pool is oyergrown with sedges,
the haunts Of touds apd insects, and
the originator Of disease germs. So
is with the life Of man The condition
that place men where they can alwal
walk upon the plane OF prosperity an
seek for nothing but their own pleasure
are not the best within the gilt OF God
For in -such circumstances men dIo
into u condition parallel to the stagndr
pool. While those who contend wit
difficulties, brave dangers, endure di
appointments, struggle with sorrow
eat the bread Of adversely and drir
water OF afiction, develop a moral an
spiritual character, unknown to Il
heirs Of ease, wealth aud pleasure.
'Ts sorrow builds the shining ladd
up, who's golden rounds are our Calam
ties. Men who walk The paths OF pro
perity, having never languished wi
anliclon, move along with but litl
thought of why they are here, bot a
80 wrapped up in wealth and things pit
tanning thereto, that the extent OF !
is forgotten The man that is struggli
with sorrow, adversely and weakness
pushed, sloughed and kicked about, a
soon the grave is victorious over
4 4. To-