[. . .]

Remarks by Coun. Miss E R Snow

We have made a commencement in educating some sisters that have a disposition to study physiology. A partial organization has been made but we are about to organize more fully. We want the sisters to take an active part the school is open for every sister that wishes to attend We are about to choose a President Vice Presidents Secretaries & Treasurer.

Mrs Sarah M Kimball President.

Mrs. Emeline [M.] Benedict 1st Vice President.

Miss Mary E Cook 2nd Vice President.

Miss E. R. Snow Recording Secretary.

Mrs Hattie [C.] Morris Assistant & Corresponding Secretary.

Mrs. M. I. [Mary Isabella Hales] Horne, Treasurer. Were elected to fill these positions by unanimous vote.

Coun Mrs S M Kimball said

I would say a few words in relation to this Association in behalf of which you have been voting. I was pleased with sister Snow’s calling it an educational Society. [. . .] [n.p.] [. . .]

Coun Miss E R Snow said

Saints of God cannot be edified by nothing but the Spirit of God We have attained to an elevation so high above the ordinary walks of life that nothing but the revelations of heaven would edify the saints to their asperations being so much higher. I was pleased with a remark <in the minutes> made by a sister saying it is up hill business. It is up hill business and if you continue you will attain to something much higher than those who go down hill. How much more satisfied to you it will be if we can look back upon our preceeding years and having done what God required of us to do. They who are opposed to the course the young ladies are pursuing, may seem to enjoy them selves for a while but they do not know what it is to taste true happiness. It is but the gratification of the lower faculties of the mind, the higher emotions eminat[e] from God. I am interested in my young sisters. Do not grow cold they have taken a course that will elevate, prepare and purify them for the presence of Goddesses in eternity. This life if is full of trouble. Then why should we concentrate our all in that which is fading and will pass away. My young sisters do not grow cold, but be active in preparing yourselves to be of some use in the Kingdom of God. Some <seem> to think they live for nothing [n.p.] but self gratification. Our religion is not a fable, it is a reality And if we live it so as to <have> the spirit of God in our hearts, no matter what we are called to pass through God is with us to comfort us, and strengthen us. I sometimes think we have all got to look upward but it seems natural for woman to lean sideways that is not sufficient. My young sisters who meet together <and> have the spirit of God in their hearts, have a foretaste of eternal happiness.

Human knowledge and intelligence can not never impart the spirit and intelligence they possess. We may talk with some a generation and yet, cannot by words enlighten their understanding. If we have influence with God to penetrate their hearts it shows them the difference between the things God and the things of the world. It is necessary for the young to meet gather and exercise in religion it is just as much use to them as to any. We should consider ourselves immortal beings and live for immortality. We should improve every opportunity of treasuring up knowledge and every thing that will have a tendency to enlighten our mind understanding and make us useful, but not for aggrandizing ourselves. We should live for others, in doing so we benefit ourselves. The person that does the most good is the happiest. I was blessed when a child in realizing the advantage and superiority of doing good, to being useless. I devoted my early life to studying Now it makes my heart ache over the waste of time and physical energies of byhe by <of> some of the young by devoting themselves to amusement instead of study. Not that I would discard ammusement but do not make a business of it. It then ceases to be a diversion. I was very much pleased with the Conference. In speaking of the people living so far beneath [n.p.] their privileges President [Brigham] Young has said at three different times yet <out> from this people the Lord will call a people that will do his will. I have wondered how, when and to whom is this call to be made. In his remarks one day during Conference, President Young spoke of establishing a colony of composed of those who had sufficient confidence in each other to bind themselves in an indisso[l]vable band. Those that cannot see the order of Enoch will think it an excitement caused by the brethren. It rejoices my heart to see that God is working in our midst and who are prepared to enter in. Those who have abided the whole law. When we all come to examine ourselves or shall find the weaknesses of the flesh and <I am> thankful to God that I am associated with good sisters know that many of them are thinking of something besides human grandeur and mortal wealth. know that you love and are seeking after things of God. Do no Let us do it with our whole hearts & I suggest that we bring forward subjects that will improve and benefit us as daughters of the most High. Let those things that are foreign to us be let alone. I would not have you think that spiritual exercises are going to perfect us. They alone will not do it We come together to get our energies aroused to assist us in the duties of life. It is a difficult thing for mortals to take an even course, to devote to each department <duty> that part <portion> of time which belongs to it.

We want to study, reflect, pray, speak, sing, attend meetings, partake of the sacrament, seek out the poor and the needy and those who are losing the light of eternity from their bosoms. I do not beleive in taking the course the sectarian world is pursuing that is looking after [n.p.] the heathen and neglecting their duties at home. Do not leave those that are near by to reach after those that are far from us. Our labors <for the advancement of the kingdom of God> will not be lost, they are sure to meet with their reward. We may labor for other things and they will perish as the grass. I would exhort the aged to use their influence with the young in trying to get them interested in educational matters. We want to be good house wives Our young ladies should learn trades <and> get all the book knowledge that they can. But the perfect knowledge of domestic duties lay the foundation of a thoroughly accomplished lady. This constitutes a foundation upon which you may heap a great many of the finer accomplishments, and she will not become top heavy. But the ornaments are of no use if we are defficient <in> the other acquirements. To become queens and preistesses we must be business women. We are laying the foundation of the kingdom of God and it is our duty to mould the character of this generation. We do not want to be ignorant in regard to the principles of the gospel or any department of education which elevates us for the field of action. We expect everything Heaven to be of a higher and more perfect order and free from the weaknesses and impurity of the flesh.

[. . .] [n.p.]