_W. P._ "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." "Then said the king unto her, 'What wilt thou, Queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.'" _Cond._ Sister Martha. Martha rises and takes her position at the _left_ of her chair. _Martha._ Sister Conductress. _Cond._ I present this sister to be instructed in the sublime virtue of a trustful faith, in the hour of trial, and hope of immortal life, as illustrated in the history of Martha. _Martha._ The history of Martha is that of a young woman oppressed with grief at the loss of an only brother. The family, consisting of Martha, and Mary, and their brother Lazarus, were residents of Bethany. They were known among the people of the country as followers of Christ. During the absence of Jesus, Lazarus was taken ill, and in a short time died. At the close of the fourth day, intelligence reached them that Jesus was returning to Bethany. Martha hastened to meet him, raising her hands imploringly towards his face, looking upward with suppressed emotion, cried aloud, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again." "Martha saith unto him, 'I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.'" "Jesus saith unto her, I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" Here is the record of her unfaltering trust; here the record of her hope, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, that beyond the grave, the loved ones gone before are waiting to welcome us to our eternal home. In the measureless realm of time, how brief is our earthly life; yet how momentous and eternal its issues! Life's experiences, coming thick and fast, are the soul's appointed means of growth. To-day, we build our castles, to-morrow, fickle fortune snatches from hope the promised joy. To-day, prosperity or the presence of loved ones fills our cup with joy; to-morrow, adversity, or sore bereavement casts us into the valley of sorrow. My sister, may you have the trustful faith of Martha; it will lighten the burden of sorrow, and incline you to the voice of duty. The sign of this degree is given by-- Repeat from secret work. (12.) The pass. (13.) The color appropriate to this degree is green; an emblem of nature's life and beauty, and a symbol of Martha's trustful faith and hope of immortality. The Broken Column is an expressive emblem of the uncertainty of human life. Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the fifth point of the Star for further instruction.