At the afternoon social service in the basement of the church at Independence, Missouri, last Sunday afternoon, October 25, 1908, the Saints had just finished singing the first verse of that familiar hymn, "Jesus, I my cross have taken," to the tune, "My Redeemer," when Elder Joseph Luff arose and sang to the same tune, the following:

I have listened and recorded—
Every word before me lies,
Like the incense off mine altars
Doth your testimonies rise;

For mine eyes behold among you
Some whose words and works agree;
But not all who 'Abba Father'
Call me, sing in verity.

Have you really—have you truly
All things left to follow me?
Have you, without reservation,
Consecrated all to me?

Lingers there no old ambition—
Love of place or power or gain?
Seek ye now no longer pleasure
'Mid the scenes impure or vain?

As you've lived, so now make answer;
As you've labored sing today;
Add no whit to fill the measure—
Add no words for vain display.

For the virtue of your service
Must in righteousness be shown.
And your songs are good or evil
As your lives to me are known.

If in song ye would me worship,
And my favor thus secure,
Sing in truth and sing in Spirit—
Thus be comely—thus be pure.

For the lips that praise me vainly
Yield no honor to my name;
Lips and songs are holy only
When with truth and love aflame.