PARENTS' DEPARTMENT

SPRING CLEANING.

If you belong to the ordinary class of mothers, you are doubtless being driven almost to distraction by the work to be done. these beautiful spring days. Doubtless you can see more to do in ten minutes than you can do in ten days; not knowing what you can possibly leave undone, you are trying to do it all. The bright spring sunshine reveals the dust in every corner of your house, till you fairly ache to throw open the windows, throw all the carpets out and have a regular old-fashioned house-cleaning. The gentle spring winds make the winter underwear almost intolerable, and woolen dresses, coats and wraps a weariness to the flesh; they make the children uncomfortable and irritable. What a joy it would be to cast the whole lot into the rag-barrel or the missionary box, and start out with a complete new lot, so fresh and so satisfactory; in fact, you feel the new clothes are necessary to your own selfrespect at this season, but the price of them and the sewing of them-oh dear! If you are blessed with a garden, you feel that it is crying to you for attention; you must get a man to help there right off. There are numberless little repairs to be made at once, inside and outside of the house, and-well-there is no use, you are just about ready to give up! To give up what? the whole thing? That would be a pretty way out of it! No, no; discriminate a bit and decide upon the non-essential—give them up, and then you will have time and strength and spirits for the essentials. It is a great point to learn this discrimination, a very delicate point. You will need to study it to be sure of it. In the first place as a step in this direction, when you come to the point of distraction from the ever muchness to do-stop! Either take a book or paper and lie down flat on your back for twenty minutes, or longer-don't read the book or paper if you can close your eyes and rest, but get something between you and your work to change the current, the vibration, and you will rise with a clearer head and lighter heart. Better still, run out of doors for a walk in the fields or woods, nothing is in a hurry or confusion in the beautiful world of nature; let its gentle, soothing influence steal over your spirit, it will make you feel so smooth. I know a dear mother who, when duties pressed and crowded, simply stopped and sang a hymn,really sang it; if you would know how much good it does one, try it yourself. Even

taking the time for a good laugh will clear the atmosphere and ease the strain!

Don't let this hurry and worry touch the children; help them to drink in the beautiful inspiration of spring. Open your eyes and help them to open theirs to the wonderful life all about them. Life and activity are teeming in all, through all, give them a share; if possible give them something alive to have for their own to care for, a pet of some kind, if it be nothing more than "a mother rooster" with a baby chicken.

Give the children a garden, a growing plot, if it be no more than a starch box or an earthen pot; let them plant something and watch its growth and wonderful development.

Don't worry your husband about all these matters either-not that he should be kept in ignorance of all that is needed; consult with him to the extent of giving him full opportunity to co-operate so far as possible; council with him to the extent. of keeping him in full sympathy with all you are doing, but do not worry him about what you are not doing, what you cannot do.

The question comes, "What shall I do with my little thrceyear-old who will run away at every opportunity?"

I know one mother, a model one in many ways, who has a splendid family of seven children, who takes little Miss or Mr. Three-year-old, and discoursing seriously on the subject, tethers him with the clothes-line in the back yard, repeating the punishment for every offense until the little roamaway sees the point and learns one of the very important lessons of childhood-of life-obedience. Has any one any objections or improvements to offer? Ellen Lee Wyman.

THE CANDY PROBLEM.

Candy is a great problem with most mothers, and is the object of an absolutely uncontrolled desire with most children. It is a point of considerable difference with all who have theories about children. Did you ever know a child that did not love sweets, and does not every mother know that the child's first food. is incomplete without it, and that the natural foods supplied by nature are always sweet?

In the question of candy, as in every other question of what is best for the child, there should be some principle to rule in every home. I firmly believe if it is not denied it is not apt to be so great a passion. If the mother would systematically, every day, upon a certain occasion, produce a few little bits of candy and have the children feel that they can have it without

any demand made, it would settle the whole question. It might come in with the very youngest when duty seems to be disagreeable, putting the sweet and bitter together. It would be very interesting to the children to see the process of making candy, and home-made candy is by far the most practical and wholesome to give children. Here are a few simple recipes:

CARAMELS.

One cup of granulated sugar, water to moisten; boil until it hairs; flavor, then stir until it is stiff enough to handle. Mold quickly into shape. If chocolate is desired, roll the molded caramels in chocolate that has been melted over steam.

PEANUT CANDY.

Put granulated sugar in rather a thick cooking-dish-an iron spider will do; put over fire that is not too hot, with a little moistening. Stir to prevent burning, and when all is melted, put in shelled peanuts and turn into mold and cool.

There are many plain molasses candies easily made, and the pulling is certainly an added attraction.--Arlene West.

We want all our mother readers to write us and send suggestions and questions to this department. How do you like it?

How many have started little gardens this spring-one for each child? and when the flowers begin to grow, think what a joy to have them for those who have none. Let it be ever so small, even a box, it is a miracle play to the child. The greatest lesson of life can be unconsciously taught through a garden.

"Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."-Matt. x, 42. (The widow's mite.-Luke xxi, 1-4.)

"Love's secret is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are such very little ones."

ened

"Every hour comes with some little faget of God's will fastupon its back."-F. W. Faber.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions in regard to Primary Work will be answered in this
Department. All Officers and Teachers are invited to contribute.

What is the stated length of time that a Primary meeting should last?

One hour.

Is it necessary to confine ourselves to one hour, if in doing so we cannot give enough time to the lessons in the "Friend."

The advice of the General Board is, that the meetings of the Primary associations should not exceed one hour, experience proves that it is not good for children to be kept in a meeting longer than that, especially as most of the meetings are held immediately after the dismissal of school, the children are already tired and not in a physical condition to undertake any difficult or lengthy lessons. Let your meetings begin promptly, have your opening exercises as brief as possible, if you cannot give all the lesson as it is outlined in the "Friend," select that part or parts which will be the most interesting and instructive and leave out the rest. Better give less and give it well.

When a President or Counselor is a regular teacher of a class, shall she be designated as teacher or by the former title in the minutes, when reporting the class work?

In the minutes the President and Counselors are always respected in their positions as such, and there is no necessity to make a change because they may have charge of a class, the positions which they hold in relation to the children are those of teachers. When a position as presiding officer is accepted it means that the responsibility is assumed to teach and train the children in the ways of truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If, however, assistants are needed in conducting the grades in Primary, they may be designated as teachers or aids.

Remember our annual conference for all the Primary Offices throughout the Church. Let us have a good representation from every Stake. Watch the newspapers for date and conference rates on the railroads. Excellent programs will be prepared which will include counsels and suggestions for the instruction and guidance of Primary workers.

THE VIOLETS.

I know blue, modest violets,

Gleaming with the dew at morn,
I know the place where you came from
And the way that you were born.

When God cuts holes in heaven,

The holes that stars look through,

He lets the scraps fall down to earth-
The little scraps are you.

-Selected.

A little four-year-old boy was bad the other day, and his mother said:

"Sammy, why don't you be good?"

"'Cause I'm afraid," was the prompt reply.

"What are you afraid of ?"

"Good little boys get to be angels, and I don't want to be an angel and have to wear fedders like a hen."

"I the Lord will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee."-Isaiah xli, 13.