nnium may be distant, but a brighter day is dawning, when
intellectual activity, stimulated by the studies of the sciences and
material things, coupled with the fresher faith quickened by the larger
conceptions of the mission of the world's Master, will result in causing
the knowledge of the truth and heavenly affection to go to the farthest
parts of the earth, and the turning of men to the character which
attracteth all.

OBJECTIONS TO LEVEL-PREMIUM LIFE INSURANCE.

BY G. A. LITCHFIELD.

In considering the objections to level-premium life insurance, as at
present administered, it will not be assumed that there is not much in
the system to commend. It has subserved, and is now subserving, a great
and beneficent end.

It is the channel through which millions of dollars have been disbursed
to families in the time of their sorest need.

It has encouraged habits of economy, and stimulated the noble resolve to
lay by a part of earnings, scarcely adequate to meet present necessity,
for a time of greater necessity still.

Thousands of families have experienced exemption from actual want, and
thousands more have enjoyed comforts, not to say luxuries, that they
would never have known but for the forethought of husbands and fathers
who availed themselves of the provisions of life insurance when in
health, and with a long life in prospect.

We have no disposition to detract from the excellent results
accomplished, and perhaps the severest criticism that can be made upon a
system embracing such beneficent possibilities is that it has failed so
disastrously to realize them in such numerous instances. While it has
carried relief and comfort to many families whose wage-producers have
been taken from them by death, it has bitterly disappointed many more
who had made it their dependence for such a time of need.

While it has encouraged many a poor man to heroic self-sacrifice in the
effort to save the premium required from his scanty wages, it has too
often absorbed the products of his toil, and left his children to cry
for bread. Such results have been reached sometimes by extravagant and
incompetent management, and again by dishonesty and gross betrayal of
important trusts. The preposterous claim is frequently made by the
advocates of level-premium insurance, when contrasting it with
assessment insurance, that patrons of the former system may pay their
money with the absolute certainty of securing the benefits for whi