That proved a lesson to Brother Parkin that he has never forgotten. He has felt ever since that the Lord was entitled to a tenth of whatever crop he produced, whether good, bad or indifferent, and believes now that the measure of prosperity that he has since enjoyed has been largely if not wholly due to his willingness and faithfulness in the matter of paying his tithing. In other words, he feels that it pays to be on good terms with the Lord. CHAPTER III. FARMING ON SHARES--A NEW VOCATION--FUTURE HOME SHOWN IN VISION--HOME RECOGNIZED WHEN FIRST SEEN IN UTAH--REPUTATION GAINED AS A FAITHFUL AND THOROUGH WORKER--PROVIDENTIAL FULFILMENT OF VISION--HOME VIEWED AS A SACRED HERITAGE. For years after Brother Parkin arrived in Utah he worked land on shares, not being able to buy any. He had been a coal miner in England, his native land, and had no experience in any other line. Here, however, there was no demand for coal miners; in fact, the people of Utah all burned wood at that time, no coal mines being then developed. He readily adapted himself to the ways of the country, and made up by hard work for what he lacked in skill in whatever employment he was able to secure. He soon gained a reputation as a profitable person to employ, and was given the preference by a number of his well-to-do neighbors when they required help, and when he could work for others without neglecting the small farm which he was cultivating on shares. Cradling grain (the method then in vogue of cutting it before mechanical reapers were introduced) was at first one of the most difficult things he ever tried to do. Until he acquired the knack of it, it was an awful tax upon his strength. He was determined to learn, however, having an idea that what others could do in the line of work he could if he only persevered. In course of time he acquired sufficient skill at cradling that quite a few of his neighbors who could afford to hire others to cut their grain instead of doing it themselves, relied upon him doing it for them, and paid him two bushels per acre therefor. He had not been married long when, one day, as he and his wife were journeying to Salt Lake City by ox team to make a few necessary purchases she pointed out a certain corner field to him with the remark, "that is our farm!" "Oh, no," he replied, "that is Monroe Perkins' field." "Well," she then responded, "if it isn't ours now, it will be some day; I saw that place in a vision a year before I left England, and long before I ever thought of marrying you, and was assured that it would sometime be my home." The incident passed without further comment at the time, the possibility of their being able to buy it if they could afford the price being too remote and uncertain to entertain the thought of, for Monroe Perkins was not disposed to sell land, and didn't have to, for he could afford to keep it.