12 The Acorn Thanksgiving celebration was one of the important affairs of the year, in Elton. Every family in the village came, bringing their baskets full of deliciacies, which were tastefully spread on the two long tables in one room; while a program and dancing were carried on in the other. In these entertainments, all took part, and every one was happy in the thought that some one else was receiving pleasure. The young folks enjoyed-themselves to the fullest extent No wonder Eva was disappointed when her mother said she was not well enough to go, but of course Eva would not leave her alone. With a dejected air she began her morning work. Her cheerless tasks were soon completed and "Now for a long, lonely day," said Eva. Trying, for mother's sake, to look happy, she entered the parlor, where a cheerful fire made the room so cozy and homelike. "What shall we do, mamma?" asked Eva. "Would you like to read to me, dear? Iv'e found an old, old journal here that might be interesting." Eva seated herself in a rocker by the fire and taking the book from her mother's hand began glancing over it. "Oh dear, I wish Thanksgiving Day would never come," she said sadly. "I'm always thinking how happy we used to be when George was home." The mother's face turned suddenly away. She did not wish her daughter to see how this remark effected her. With an effort she controlled herself and said quite cheerfully, "Let's try to think of something else, daughter, we surely have something cheerful left." Meanwhile Eva's eyes had fallen on a story entitled, "If we appreciate." She began to read. The story was of a young man in very humble and adverse circumstances. Despite all obstacles and oppressions, he seemed always happy, and determined to make the most of his opportunities. Through his persistent effort, he won love and esteem and also a high position in his home town. It ended with this statement: "It is wonderful what one can become if he rises above circumstances, and tries to see beauty and blessing in all things." Eva sat for a while staring into the fire. Strange thoughts were running through her mind, and tears gathered in her eyes. "Mamma," she said finally, "how weak and wicked I've been. The moment one little pleasure is denied me, I'm ready to forget that God has ever given me a blessing. Ready to say, He is unmerciful and unjust, when its only because I don't understand and don't appreciate what I do understand." "Yes, daughter, such is human nature, but my girl, we have many such things to pass through. We must learn the lesson of patience and appreciation. Until we learn this we are not fit subjects for God's choicest blessings." "Well," said Eva, "I'll try to start now by putting into practice the lesson I have learned. We'll have our picnic here and be just as happy as though we were at the party." So saying, she brought in a little table; and soon her busy fingers had it laden with delicious food prepared by her own hands. All The Acorn 13 the while she and her mother were chatting happily. "Come, mamma, it's time for dinner." "How inviting it looks," said the mother. "If only there were more to enjoy it!" At this moment a knock came at the door. "Your wish has been fullfilled!" exclaimed Eva as she went to the door. Outside stood a young man stamping the snow from his feet. As the door opened he entered exclaiming as he did so, "Mother! Sister! I've found you at last." "Oh, George, George," cried both in a breath. The meeting can better be imagined than described. After the first great excitement of joy was over, Eva reminded them that the dinner was still waiting A happy trio sat down to the table doing full justice to the ample feast. "Mamma," said Eva, when they were alone, "Surely today the Lord has blessed us more than we deserve, but I hope He will help us learn to appreciate." Ruth Larson '09 The Gospel The gospel has many definitions, yet they are all the same when summed up. It is spoken of as "good news" and "tidings of great joy" to mankind. It is "a world of reconciliation" between God and man. It is the plan of salvation that God laid down for the redemption of His children. It is the plan whereby man may get back into the Kingdom, and lastly, it is truth. The gospel was given to Adam soon after he left the Garden of Eden, and by him to all the Patriarchs on the western, as well as the eastern continent. The Saviour came in fullfillment of part of that gospel. He taught it and then commanded his apostles to go into all the world and preach it unto every creature. Paul says that Jesus Christ shall judge men according to the gospel hence the importance of it. The apostles realized this and many of them gave their lives attempting to establish it. We said the gospel is truth, hence but "one" and an eternal gospel. No two things can be true and contradict one another. If the world had the gospel they could not disagree, or if each denomination had a portion of the truth without any falsehood, there could be no opposition. There was harmony in the teachings of the apostles so long as they spoke the principles of the gospel. "Truth is the oldest of all virtues; it antedated man, it lived before there was man to per-cieve it or aceept it. It is the unchangeable, the constant, it is law the eternal truth of nature the unity that always produces identical results under identical conditions." "Truth is the son of mortality,