shining hair, and one by one, bright hopes, fondly nurtured, have faded away? While we cherish reverently the beautiful past, and our hearts yearn for the tender tones that have long since been forever hushed in the stillness of deathlet us not forget the living, who are hungering all around us for love and affection. It is well to be fully alive to the needs of the overflowing present, for no greater age was ever ushered in than the one in which we are now living. There are grand possibilities to engage in of sufficient importance to satisfy the most ambitious; but nothing gives to life such complete fulness of expression as domestic happiness. Without it the whole world is an aching void. The greatest men who ever lived, while standing upon the pinnacle of fame, have felt the sorest need of sympathy, have pined for true, unselfish devotion. Strong in intellect, yet, in moments of weakness and doubt that come alike to all, needing human love to give them courage. Everything which tends to exalt human character should be encouraged, and the cultivation of the domestic affections assuredly ennobles and beautifies life. The homes of the people are sure indications of their capabilities. Build up the home, fortify it with walls of affection, hedge it round with delicate germs of tenderness, and let it be ever curtained with gentle charity. Like fragrant flowers along our pathway, whose perfume lingers with us, long after passing, are the blessed holidays, scattered here and there along the road of life, helping to brighten the dreary way; and one of the best of these is New Year's Day. Amethyst. ASSOCIATION INTELLIGENCE. NEW TESTAMENT SUBJECTS. DISPENSATION OF THE MERIDIAN OF TIME. Period, from the year 1 B. C. to 97 A. D. I. Annunciation of John the Baptist (1 B. C). Luke i. 2. Annunciation of Jesus Christ (1 B. C). Luke i. 3. Birth of John the Baptist, (1 B. C). Luke i. 4. Birth of Jesus Christ, meridian of time. Matt. ii; Luke ii. 5. Infancy and childhood of Christ. (a) The Shepherds at night. Luke ii. (b) The wise men from the East. Matt. ii. (c) Presentation when eight days old, in the Temple. Luke ii. (d) Flight into Egypt, and Slaughter of the Innocents. Matt. ii. (e) Twelve years old in the Temple. Luke iii. 6. Calling of John the Baptist, and his prophecy concerning Christ (A. D. 26). Luke iii; John i. 7. Baptism of Jesus Christ, by the Baptist, in Jordan (A. D. 26). iii; Mark i. John Matt. 8. The Temptation (A. D. 27). Matt. iv; Luke iv. 9. Proclamation of His authority (A. D. 31). Luke iv. 10. Calling of the Twelve Apostles (A. D. 31). Mark iii; Luke vi. 11. His commission to His Apostles (A. D. 32). Matt. x; Luke ix. 12. The "Transfiguration" (A. D..32). Mark ix; Luke ix. 13. Appointment of the Seventy (A. D. 33). Luke x. 14. Christ's entry into Jerusalem (A. D. 33). Matt. xxi; Luke xix. 15. The Lord's Supper (A. D. 33). Matt. xxvi; Mark xiv; Luke xxii; John xii, xiii. 16. Gethsemane (A. D. 33). Matt. xxvi; Mark xiv; Luke xxii. 17. Christ's Betrayal (A. D. 33). Matt. xxvi; Mark xiv; Luke xxii; John xviii. 18. The mock trial. (a) Before the High Priests. Mark xv; Luke xxiii; John xviii. (b) Before Herod. xv; Luke xxiii. Luke xxiii. Matt. xxvii; Mark (d) The condemnation. Matt. xxvii; 19. The crucifixion and burial (A. D. THE NINE BIBLES OF THE WORLD. 33). Matt. xxvii; Mark xv; Luke xxiii; | (c) Before Festus. Acts xxv. John xix. (d) Before Agrippa. Acts xxvi. 20. Christ's descent to the world of spirits; preaching to the spirits in prison (A. D. 33). John xx; 1 Peter iii, iv. 21. The Resurrection (A. D. 33). Matt. xxviii; Mark xvi; Luke xxiv; John xx. 22. The "Forty Days" (A. D. 33). Matt. xxviii; Mark xvi; Luke xxiv; Acts i. 23. Christ's last will and testament before His ascension (A. D. 33). Matt. xxviii: 19, 20; Mark xvi: 15–18; Luke xxiv. 24. The Ascension (A. D. 33). xvi; Luke xxiv; Acts i. Mark 25. The Pentecost (A. D. 33). Acts ii. 26. Imprisonment of the Apostles (A. D. 33). Acts v. 27. Stephen (A. D. 34). Acts vi, vii. 28. Conversion of Saul, afterward Paul the Apostle (A. D. 37). Acts ix. 29. Cornelius (A. D.,41). Acts x, xi. 30. Martyrdom of James and imprisonment of Peter (A. D. 42). Acts xii. 31. Travels and preaching of Paul, in Asia Minor, Palestine, Greece, Italy and the islands in the Mediterranean Sea. 32. Paul (A. D. 60): (a) Before the High Council. Acts xxiii. (6) Before Felix. Acts xxiv. 127 33. Paul at Rome (A. D. 61 to 63). Acts xxviii. 34. The epistles of Paul (A. D. 52 to 63). (a) To the Thessalonians (2); written at Corinth. (6) To the Galatians (1); written at Corinth or Ephesus. (c) To the Corinthians (2); written at Ephesus. (d) To Timothy(2); written in Macedonia. (e) To Titus (1). (f) To the Romans (1); written at Corinth. (g) To the Ephesians (1); written at Rome. (h) To the Phillippians (1); written at Rome. (2) To the Colossians (1); written at Rome. (j) To Philemon (1); written at Rome. (4) To the Hebrews (1); written at Rome. 35. The Epistles (A. D. 61 to 90). (a) James (1); written in Judea. (6) Peter (2); written at Rome. (c) John (3); written at Ephesus. (d) Jude (1). 36. Revelation of St. John the Divine (Ă. D. 96). 37. The "Gospel" of St. John (A.D.97). THE NINE BIBLES THE nine Bibles of the world are, viz: the Koran of the Mohammedans, the Eddas of the Scandinavians, the Tripitaka of the Buddhists, the Five Kings of the Chinese, the three Vedas of the Hindoos, the Zend-Avesta of the Persians, the Book of Mormon of the Nephites, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Latter-day Saints, and the Holy Bible. The Koran is since the seventh century of the Christian era, and is quotations from the Old and New Testaments, the Talmud and the Gospel of St. Barnabas. The Eddas of the Scandinavians was first published in the fourteenth century. The Tripitakas of the Buddhists contains sublime morals and pure aspirations, but their author lived and died in the sixth century B. C. The sacred writings of the Chinese are called the Five Kings, "Kings" meaning web of cloth, or the warp that keeps the OF THE WORLD. threads in their place; they contain the sayings of the best sages on the ethics and political duties of life; these sayings cannot be traced to a higher period than the eleventh century B. C. The three Vedas are the most ancient writings of the Hindoos, and it is the opinion of Max Müller, Wilson, Johnson and Whitney, that they are not older than from the eleventh century B. C. The Zend-Avesta of the Persians contains the sayings of Zoroaster, who was born in the twelfth century B. C. Nephi wrote his books, which are the first part of the Book of Mormon, in the sixth century B. C. The Book of Doctrine and Covenants was first published, April, 1830. Moses lived and wrote his Pentateuch fifteen centuries B. C.; and the Holy Bible therefore has a clear margin, three hundred years older, than the most ancient of other sacred writings. There is nothing of excellence in any of these sacred books that is not to be found in the Bible, and as a fact, it is the true foundation of all excellent writings, and useful acts. The Bible is the grandest of all sacred writings; it contains three million five hundred and sixty-six thousand four hundred and eighty letters, eight hundred and ten thousand six hundred and ninetyseven words, thirty-one thousand one hundred and seventy-three verses, one thousand one hundred and eighty-nine chapters, sixty-six books. The word "and" occurs forty-six thousand two hundred and twenty-seven times within its lids, the word "reverend," only once, viz: in the third verse of the eleventh Psalm. The word "Lord," one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five times. The middle and least chapter is the one hundred and seventeenth Psalm. The twenty-first verse, eighth chapter of Ezra, contains the alphabet. About the finest chapter to read is the twenty-sixth of the Acts. The nineteenth chapter of 2 Kings, and the thirty-seventh chapter of Isaiah are alike. The shortest verse is the thirty-fifth, eleventh chapter of St. John. The eighth, fifteenth, twentyfirst and thirty-first verses of the one hundred and seventh Psalm are alike. Each verse of the one hundred and thirtysixth Psalm ends alike. There are no words or names in the Bible of more than six syllables. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. HEMAN'S BIBLE ALMANAC. Price, 15 cts. at all book stores and Deseret News office. This is the only home almanac for 1881. It contains, besides the calendar and phases of the moon, a passage of Scripture for each day in the year, and some very applicable selections from Holy Writ for the national and religious holidays. If the author continues almanac publishing, we may look for some fine annuals in the future on the basis he has laid in this his first publication. Everyone should see it. THE YOUTH'S COMPANION, a weekly illustrated paper for young people. Price, $1.75 per annum; address, Perry Mason & Co., Boston, Mass. The closing numbers of the fifty-third volume of this, one of America's best juvenile publications, have reached us. They are filled with interesting stories, instructive and exciting incidents of adventure, travel and biography. The children's department is bright and entertaining, while under the heading, "Nuts to Crack," are some of the best puzzles we have ever seen published. The moral and educational tone of the Companion is unexceptionable. The new volume, commencing in January, promises to be better than any previous one. We cannot advise a better investment for an imported juvenile publication, than to subscribe for the Compan Fno. Thorgeirson. ion. HEBREW CAPTIVITY AND CONSTANCY. Where rivers of Bab'lon are flowing, Our captors with jeering required us But our harps on the willows we hung. And made her high places their prey? No; never shall this heart forget thee, Lord, think of the children of Edom, Who strove for Jerusalem's fall; When comes their just day of destruction, Be deaf to their pitiful call. Lay low the defenders of Bab'lon, And hasten to bring on the day, When they shall receive the same measure They meted to us, in their sway. FROM the east tower of the Cathedral of Mexico, at an elevation of about one hundred and twenty-five feet from the pavement of the surrounding streets, one secures a very fine view of the valley and city, as well as of the placid waters of Lake Tezcuco lying east, and extending well towards both the northern and southern extremities of the valley. The latter is probably forty miles in length by twenty in width. East from the tower named, one square south and almost at our feet, stands the Presidential Palace, which includes the Post Office, National Museum, Art Gallery and the Office of the Cabinet. This building covers an entire block, seven hundred feet square; containing in the centre, like the Louvre at Paris, a hollow square or uncovered court, wherein the National guard is frequently exercised in military evolutions. It occupies, it is believed, the same ground as that upon which stood, three hundred and sixty years ago, the less pretentious but nevertheless magnificent and extensive palace of the Montezumas; from which the second prince of that kidnaped by the Christian Hernando Cortez, and by him and his ambitious followers conveyed across the square to the palatial quarters,occupied by the adventurers army, which were located near the sacred temple of the Aztecs. name was Here Cortez, using soft, deceitful words, implying duty to the king of Spain, treacherously placed the shackels of slavery upon the shrinking limbs of the Indian Monarch; and, by that dastardly act, taught him that "gratitude frequently No. 5. has more reference to the future, than to the past." For we must remember that the "Christian" was the guest of the "Heathen" when that infamous act was perpetrated. The former with his gold-loving followers not only received from the latter kindness, as expressed in valuable presents, but also daily bread. Its At the termination of the street directly east, commences the Morelos narrowguage railroad, which, crossing the valley on a tangent running in a southeasterly direction to the town of Ozumba, situated at the base of Popocatepetl, thence south toward the proposed, terminus at Acapulco, distant about three hundred and fifty miles. Rising, apparently, out of the margin of Lake Tezcuco, at a point a little north of east is a hill or small mountain, flattened at the summit and from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet in height, covering perhaps not more than forty acres. location is very nearly the centre of the valley; and standing alone as it does, presents a very singular appearance. From the description given by the historian Prescott, we conclude that it is the hill, upon the summit of which the Aztec priests, at the end of each cycle of fiftytwo years, offered a young man a sacrifice to the "god of fire." The performance was singular, deeply impressive and barbarous. The young victim having been prepared, the lights of the temple and all fires throughout the Empire were extinguished. At midnight of the day terminating the cycle,the priests, bearing their willing sacrifice, commenced their solemn march from the city, while the people by thousands anxiously cast their eyes towards the mountain and watched with quickly beating hearts, uncertain whether the "god of light" would accept the sacrifice, and grant them fire for another fifty-two years, or, rejecting, consign them to darkness, misery and cold. Thus, while they were filled with glowing forebodings tinged with faint rays of hope, the priests reach the summit; and, quickly baring the bosom of their victim, the head and shoulders are thrown back, the chest forward and the sharp obsidian blade pierces the side, a hand is thrust in and the beating heart is torn out. Into the gaping wound the ends of two dry sticks are inserted, which by means of rapid friction are ignited. The spark, catching the prepared tinder at hand,blazes forth, and rays of light dancing on the shimmering bosom of the lake are answered by shouts from a hundred thousand lips, expressing joy at the success attending the human sacrificial offering. moved. Beyond all these, their summits now enwrapped with ice, snow and storm clouds, rises the famous, volcanic peaks of grand old Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. From the former, the chain gradually recedes westward, forming a low pass to the valley beyond. To the north of the latter it continues bold and rugged, forming bulwarks not unlike the heavier chains of the Wasatch range. They terminate in groups of low sugarloaf hills near the pyramids of Teotihuacan, where once stood the wondrous Toltec "city of the gods," said to have been twenty-seven miles in circumference. Previous to, and during the time of the Montezumas, the city of Mexico had a circumference of about nine miles, containing probably five hundred thousand inhabitants. It was then entirely surrounded by water, communication being had with it by means of five broad causeways. The lakes have for many years gradually receded, though at one time, after the city was rebuilt by the Spaniards, it was inundated, the water being four feet deep. This was principally occasioned by filling up the old Aztec canals and drains. Lake Tezcuco has so far receded that its western shore at the nearest point, I should judge to be at least two miles from the city. It has left in its stead an unattractive salt grass plain, relieved here and there by small groves growing on the bank of some old canal. Looking north we see a low chain of mountains, along which we count some twenty cone-like peaks. At the base of one of them stands the far famed church of Guadalupe, the solid silver railing and banisters in the interior of which, are estimated to be worth a million of dollars. The attributed origin of this church is peculiar, but the account of it is altogether too fabulous for repetition here. A "saintly" mystery, tinged with blood, and pointing to the dark deeds of the sixteenth century, is memorialized At the southern end, but within the there on the 12th of December of each range of mountains surrounding the val- year,at which time from twenty-five to fifty ley, we note six cone like hills, with one thousand people, mostly Indians, gather, to the east of them like a huge grave, some from great distances. The celeand another westward,which resembles a bration consists mainly in the free use of great pyramid with the upper half re- | pulque, and consequent intoxication. To From the torch thus lighted, swift and trained runners convey fire for the people and lights for the temples to the remotest parts of the Empire; while upon the minds of all, the end of one and the beginning of another cycle of fifty-two years is impressed by the indellible mark of human blood. Thus around this memorable hill group historic events, whose dark shadows still point to the acts of a fallen race-to an age of superstition and ignorance. From the history of such an adolatrous people we might turn away in disgust, did. not their acts of horror pale when compared with those of their so called Christian conquerors, before whom fifteen millions of people faded away in less than forty years. The contemplation of the cruelties attending which, even to this day, make one sick. Under the shadow of the cross, and in the sacred name of religion, Mexico has truly been baptized in blood. |