A M NE L b (i N

11

IMPROVEMENT
EM
Vol. XVIII JANUARY, 1915 No. 3

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 NAUVOO TEMPLE RUINS
In connection with the article, "Nauvoo in 1846," copied from
Charles Lanman's "A Summer in the Wilderness," and contributed
to the Improvement Era by Harrison C. Dale, Washington Uni-
versity, St. Louis, Missouri, it seems very appropriate to repro-
duce, as a frontispiece, a drawing of the Nauvoo Temple, and a
cut of the ruins as they appeared in 1853. The latter picture is a
photo after a steel engraving from the sketch of Frederick Piercy,
found in that rare book of travel entitled "The Route from Liver-
pool to Great Salt Lake Valley," edited by James Linford, and
published by Franklin D. Richards, in Liverpool, England, 1855.
It is roproduced for the Era through the courtesy of A. Win.
Lund, of the Church Historian's office. Mr. Lanman's article is a
vivtd description of the deserted city and temple, written on the
whole in a sympathetic vein. It will prove interesting to the read-
ers of the Improvement Era because it gives the thought of a
prominent writer of the period, who recorded his impressions
while the temple was still standing as it had been left by the fleeing
Saints. The Temple was constructed of easily-cut, light-gray
limestone, close-grained and durable, and said to have been
almost as hard as marble. It was 128 by 88 feet, and 65
feet to the square, the height of the tower, from the ground to the
top of the spire (which bore the figure of a flying herald sounding
a trumpet) being 165 feet, as stated by Dr. Talmage, in The House
of the Lord. It was two and a half stories high. It had thirty
hewn pilasters, at the bases of which were crescent moons. The
capitals of these pilasters were formed by suns in the shape of
human faces, in bold relief, ornamented with rays of light sur-
mounted with two hands holding trumpets. Pictures of these
stones have appeared on several occasions in the Era. Above the
capitals was a cornice or frieze of thirty star-stones. The building
faced the west, and above the center door appeared the inscription
"The House of the Lord. Built by the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Holiness to the Lord." The Temple was be-
gun in 1841, completed in 1846, and is said to have cost upwards
of one million dollars. It was partly destroyed by fire in 1848, and
gradually fell into decay and ruin, until most of the walls were
leveled by a tornado, in the fall of 1850, the ruins which we pre-
sent in this number being all that was left in 1853. The stones
of which it was built were used by the settlers, and are found to
this day in buildings along the Mississippi between Burlington
and St. Louis, not one stone being left upon another on the orig-
inal site. Edward H. Anderson.
 THE NAUVOO TEMPLE
From a drawing by \Y. Murphy, copyrighted and published in 1868, and in Tal-
mage's House of the Lord, in 1912.
Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII. JANUARY, 1915 No. 3.

Nauvoo in 1846
FROM CHARLES LANMAN, A SUMMER IN THE WILDERNESS
(CONTRIBUTED BY HARRISON C. DALE)

'
Rock Island, July, 1846.
On my way up the Mississippi, I few hours at the
tarried a
far-famed city of Nauvoo and when I resumed my course, I felt
:

like one just awakened from an incomprehensible dream. * * *

The "Mormon" city occupies an elevated position, and, as ap-
proached from the south, appears capable of containing a hundred
thousand souls. But its gloomy streets bring a most melancholy
disappointment. Where lately resided no less than twenty-five
thousand people, there are not to be seen more than about five
hundred and these, in mind, body, and purse, seem to be perfectly
;

wretched. In a walk of about ten minutes, I counted several

hundred chimneys, which were all at least that number of families
had left behind them as memorials of their folly and the wicked-
ness of their persecutors. When this city was in its glory, every
dwelling was surrounded with a garden, so that the corporation
limits were unusually extensive but now all the fences are in ruin,
;

and the lately crowded streets actually rank with vegetation. Of

the houses left standing, not more than one out of every ten is
occupied, excepting by the spider and the toad. Hardly a window
retained a whole pane of glass, and the doors were broken, and
open, and hingeless. Not a single laughing voice did I hear in
the whole place, and the lines of suffering and care seemed to be
imprinted on the faces of the very children who met me in the
way. I saw not a single one of those numerous .domestic animals,

*Charles Lanman, essayist and journalist, born at Monroe, Mich-

igan, 14 June, 1819, died at Washington, D. C, 4 March, 1895. Lan-
man was educated at Norwich Academy, Connecticut, and at the age
of sixteen began his career as a journalist in New York City. He rose
to prominence as an editorial writer, and in 1850, became private sec-
retary to Daniel Webster. He was the author of "A Tour to the
Saguenay," "Private Life of Daniel Webster," "A Dictionary of Con-
gress," etc. The book from which the following extract is taken (now
comparatively rare) was published in 1847. Lanman was one of the
many to visit the deserted Nauvoo, in 1846-47, but no one has left so
vivid a picture of the "grandeur of desolation" as he. D. —
192 IMPROVEMENT KRA
which add so much to the comforts of human life; and 1 heard
not a single song even from the robin and the wren, which are
always so sure to build their nests about the habitations of man.
Aye, the very sunshine and the pleasant passing breeze, seemed to
speak of sin, sorrow, and utter desolation.
Yet in the center of this scene of ruins, stands the Temple of
Nauvoo, which is unquestionably one of the finest buildings in this
country. It is built of limestone, quarried within the limits of the
city, in the bed of a dry stream ; and the architect, named Weeks,
and every individual who labored upon the building, were "Mor-
mons." It is one hundred and twenty-eight feet in length, eighty
feet wide, and from the ground to the extreme summit it measures
two hundred and ninety-two feet. It is principally after the
Roman style of architecture, somewhat intermixed with Grecian
and Egyptian. It has a portico with three Roman archways. It
is surrounded with pilasters; at the. base of each is carved a new
moon, inverted, while the capital of each is formed of an uncouth
head, supported by two hands holding a trumpet. Directly under
the tower is this inscription, in golden letters: "The House of the
Lord. Built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Commenced April 6th, 1841. Holiness to the Lord." In the
basement room, which is paved with brick, and converges to the

center, a baptismal font, supported by twelve oxen, large as

is
life, the whole executed in solid stone. Two stairways lead into
it, from opposite directions, while on either side are two rooms

for the recording clerks, and, all around, no less than twelve
preparation rooms besides. On the first floor are three pulpits,
and a place for the choir and on either side eight Roman win-
;

dows. Over the prophet's pulpit, or throne, is the inscription

"The Lord has beheld our sacrifice: come after us." Between the
first and second floors are two long rooms, appropriated to the
patriarchs, which are lighted with eight circular windows each.
The room of the second floor, in every particular, is precisely like
that of the first. Around the hall of a spacious attic are twelve
small rooms, with circular windows and a massive lock on each
door. At the two front corners of the edifice are two winding
stairways, which meet at the base of the tower and lead to the
—
summit, while the roof of the main building is arranged for a
place of promenade and the walls of the noble edifice vary from
;

four to six feet in thickness.

Estimating the manual labor
at the usual prices of the day
it said that the cost of this Temple was about $800,000.
is The
owners now offer it for sale at $200,000, but it will be a long time,
I fancv, before a purchaser is found.
The "Mormon," who took me over the Temple, and gave me
the above information, was nearly broken-hearted. Like the ma-
jority of his brethren remaining in the city, he was without money
 RUINS OF TITE TEMPLE OF NAUVOO
and without friends, and yet, it was to be his destiny, in a few
days, to push his way into the wilderness, with a large family de-
pending on him for support. It was in a most melancholy tone
indeed, that he spoke to me the following words :"Mine, sir, is a
hard, hard lot. What if my religion is a false one, if I am sincere,
is it not cruel, in the extreme, for those, who call themselves the

only true church, to oppress me and my people as they have done?

My property has been stolen from me, and my dwelling been con-
sumed and now, while my family is dependent upon a more for-
;

tunate brother for support, my little children cannot go into the

streets without being pelted with stones, and my daughters cannot
194 [MPRi )\ I MENT ERA
go to the well after a pail of water, without being insulted by the
young and noble among out persecutors. do not deserve this
I

treatment. am not a scoundrel or a foreigner:- far, far from

I

the truth is this supposition. "My grandfather, sir, was killed at

the battle of Yorktown, as an officer of the glorious Revolution;
my own father, to was also an American army officer during the
»,

last war; and all my kindred have ever been faithful to the upright
laws of the government. Knowing, therefore, these things to in
true, and knowing, too, that I am an honest man, it is very liar' 1

to be treated by my fellow-men as a 'vagabond.' O, 1 love this

sacred Temple, dearly, and it makes me weep to think that I must
soon leave it to the tender mercies of the Christian world."
Thus far had this poof man proceeded, when his utterance
was actually choked with tears, * * * and my own heart wa-
afTected by his piteous tale * * * le was called to attend to
I

a new arrival of visitors, and I was left alone in the belfry of the
Temple.
Then it was that I had an opportunity to muse upon the superb
panorama which met my gaze on every side. I was in a truly
splendid temple, —that temple in the center of a desolate city, and —
that city in the center of an apparently boundless wilderness. To
the east lay in perfect beauty the grand prairie of Illinois, reach
ing to the waters of Michigan to the north and south faded away
;

the winding Mississippi; and. on the west, far as the eye coul 1

reach, was spread out a perfect sea of forest land, entering which.
I could just distinguish a caravan of exiled "Mormons," on their
line of march to Oregon and California. As before remarked,
when I went forth from out the massy porches of the "Mormon"
Temple, to journey deeper into the wilderness, I felt like one
awakened from a dream.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY. ST. LOUIS. MO.

A SCENE IN NAUVOO ;
THE TEMPLE IN THE DISTANCE
 The Home Field
A Mutual Improvement Story for Parents and Officers

BY NEPIII ANDERSON, AUTHOR OF, "ADDED UPON," "STORY OF

CHESTER LAWRENCE," ETC.

The dusk of a summer evening deepened over the village of

Taborton, when forms of four small boys could be seen
the
stealthily approaching Shoemaker Jacobson's house. This house
was situated around the corner from the main thoroughfare on
a side street. The front room, which served as the village shoe-
mending shop, was near the sidewalk. The other rooms sloped
in a series of lean-to additions well into the lot.
"Is he in?" whispered the rear boy.-
"Yep there's his light," replied the leader as he peeped
;

around a corner of the fence. "Listen, he's mendin' shoes yet."

"Hen, it's your turn to put it on," said the largest of the
boys to the one next to him.
"No, it's Reddy's turn," explained Hen. "Last night I
put it on ol' man Parson's."
"Shucks, he don't count," ruled the leader. "When it comes
to tick-tackin', this is the only place that amounts to anything."
"Well, I ain't afraid come on."
;

The boys paused at the gate. This gate was the most sub-
stantial one in the village, fitting well in a high picket fence. Hen
gently tried the gate. It was securely fastened with chain and
padlock.
fellers, look here !"
"Gee,
The
four conspirators came close and examined carefully
the latest move of Shoemaker Jacobson against his tormentors.
This called for a council of war, and the boys withdrew to the
other side of the street to talk it over.
Of late there had not been many thrills in their fun. Per-
haps the hot weather had made grown people too lazy to move
fast, especially at night after their day's work. Of the two evils,
putting up quietly with the devilment of the boys, or chasing them
over the town to catch them, most of the people decided that to
"grin" and bear it was the wiser plan. Not so, however, with
Shoemaker Jacobson. He retaliated with all his might on his ene-
mies, and it was remarkable how swiftly his little old thin legs
could get over the ground when he had a fleeing boy to lead him
on. He lay in wait for the disturbers of his peace, so it was
196 [MPR( >\'l MENT ERA
necessary for the boys to plan carefully and approach skillfully the
old man's stronghold, all ol which added zest to their "fun."
"He thinks we can't gft in," remarked William Staley, other-
wise Rill or more often Shorty.
"Huh, we'll show him," said the boy known to his mother
as Clarence hut to the boys as Kiddy —
because of his hair.
The tallest of the hoys had been christened Solomon Johns-
ton, one Sunday afternoon in the meetinghouse, some twelve
years ago; but only last summer down by the swimming hole his
spindly legs had received the attention of an older boy, and hence-
forth he was known as Skinny.
The conference lasted for fully ten minutes. Then the light
was seen to disappear from the shoemaker's front room, ?nd pres-
ently appear in his bedroom. TTe was going to bed early, secure in
the efficacy of the pad-lock and chain.
The boys waited until the light went out for good. They
would "get it back on him," by letting him get to bed before they
began their pranks. Then they all crept up close to the side
fence, and Hen was helped over. He tip-toed across the
strip of grass, around by the currant bushes, and then stood up
by the window. He listened for a moment, then finding all still
within, he dug the point of his fishhook well into the upper part
of the sash so that the nail tied in the cord a few inches from it
would strike the glass. Carefully playing out the ball of twine
as he retreated, he passed it over a branch of a tree, then over the
fence to the boys.
When Hen had safely returned from his hazardous part of
the game, they waited again a few minutes, gloating over the com-
ing excitement. Skinny tested the cord to see if the tick-tack
worked properly. He lifted the nail gently, then let it fall back
on the glass with a light tap. Fine! Tap, tap, tap! then a pause
again tap, tap, tap, a little harder, and louder tap, tap, tap.
:

Presently the window blind went up and the figure of the

shoemaker could be dimly seen behind the window. The boys
knew that they were safe yet, for that window was never opened
winter or summer. Tap, tap, tap, went the nail, defiantly, as it
were, nearly in the old man's face. Tap, tap, tap, and he could
not prevent it unless he came out at the door.
Then they heard him shouting to them, but they bravely per-
sisted until they saw a light and they heard the door open. With
a strong pull the hook came away and the boys retreated with
their battery in good order. However, as far as the boys could
tell, the shoemaker did not leave his door step. The light went out
again, and the boys crept back to their former position.
"Let's give it to him again," suggested Reddv.
"Let's."
"It's your turn, Reddy;" whereupon, Clarence Brown, it must
 THE HOME FIELD 197

be admitted, with some fear and trembling was boosted over the
fence right into the grasp of their wily old enemy.
"Jeg skal laera dig du — —
"

Reddy's yells rang out in the stillness of the night, striking

terror to the other three who scampered away as fast as their
legs could carry them. Reddy squirmed from the shoemaker's
grasp, leaped like a cat over the fence, and darted down the
street.
"He's coming, he'll catch ye," he yelled in warning, as he and
Skinny left the street and started cross-lots through the field to
the other end of town. Hen and Shorty separated, one going up
the street homeward, the other climbing the hill, to the east of the
village. The shoemaker stood for some time in the middle of the
road, shaking his fist first in one direction and then in another
and muttering his strange foreign maledictions. Then he went
slowly back into the house.
Half an hour later the four boys met at their usual rendezvous
behind Bishop Brown's barn. They were out of breath with
running and excitement.
"Did he hurt ye, Reddy?"
"Naw, not a bit."
"He chased me half way up the hill," declared Shorty.
"I thougth he was follering me," said Hen.
"Gee, it's fun."
"You bet," agreed the others, though their teeth had not
stopped chattering.
—
What's that? Someone moved in the shadow towards the
road.. Was
the old man trailing them to their lair? They had had
enough for one night. Why
didn't Shoemaker Jacobson go to bed,
and let them alone? Sh —
The boys edged around the hay stack
.

to the corral bars, then darted out on the sidewalk, nearly run-
ning into, not the old shoemaker, but Wentworth Jones, one of
the young men of the village.
"Here, you rascals," he asked, goodnaturedly, "what are you
up to ?"
Wentworth was a good fellow who "took" well with the boys.
He had returned from a mission. The added dignity which
lately
had come to him through his mission was not of the kind which
the boys resented and so these four boys walked along with him
;

that evening and boasted to him of their night's adventures in

typical boyish fashion. He did not scold them, nor try to give
them good advice. He was not in the humor for that. One by
one the boys slipped into their homes, and, with well-acted inno-
cence of any act which would have displeased their parents, went,
without urging, to bed.
Wentworth Jones did not turn into his home, but he strolled
on down the street to the corner saloon. It was the best-lighted
198 IMPROVEMENT ERA
place the village.
in Even the meetinghouse had not installed as
many of the newly-obtained electric globes as had the saloon.
There were perhaps ei-ln or ten young men in the saloon that
evening. To all appearances they were an orderly lot. Some of
them were playing pool, the others were looking on. Wentworth,
as he stood for a moment looking in, saw no one drinking. But
there they were, nevertheless, —
Will, and George, and Tom, and
Al, and Dick —
all his boy friends, and all naturally good fellows.
But this saloon which had come to town about a year ago was
taking the boys away from other and better places. Many of
them did not drink as yet, some of them did not even play pool,
but it was nevertheless their loafing place; and environment, as
Wentworth knew well, would in time have its effect. The young
returned elder went on down the street, turned, repassed the sa-
loon, then walked slowly homeward. He did not go to bed imme-
diately, even though the evening was late. He sat on the porch in
the big wicker chair far into the night, thinking, thinking.

H •

The meditations of Wentworth

Jones, as he sat on the porch
that evening, ranged from the home
field to the mission field, from
the daily work pressing him to his experiences in foreign lands,
preaching the gospel. He had been home now nearly a month,
and as yet he had not been able to shake off that other and peculiar
home-longing for the mission field. And what a difference of con-
ditions can come into a man's life within the short period of thirty
days ! Six weeks ago he was "President Jones," and had twenty
elders to direct in the mission field. There were nine branches in
his conference to be properly officered and looked after. A
large
number of Church members and many investigators looked up to
him as their leader and they went to him for advice. Mothers
brought their problems in child-rearing to him, old men came to
him for counsel. He preached two or three times each week, and
frequently as many times each Sunday. He was stake president,
bishop, teacher, business manager of the affairs of the Church in
his conference —
all rolled into one and he bore all these responsi-
;

bilities gracefully and performed these important duties faithfully.

And now again to the farm. How
his back had ached the
first week His hands were calloused, his skin tanned. For ten
!

days he had hauled manure, protecting himself the best he could

with high boots, old overalls and gloves. Then there was plough-
ing and fall panting and looking after the stock. His father was
getting old, and, as he was not well, most of the work had sud-
denly fallen to Wentworth. Not that the young man ever ob-
jected to work, not at all. He had spoken in meeting once since
his return, and that, besides his Sunday School class, had been
 THE HOME FIELD 199

the extent of his religious activities in a public capacity. The

bishop had told him the other day that they were thinking of
putting him in as president of the Mutual as soon as the season
opened. He- would have, or at least should have, enrolled the boys
who frequented the saloon and the little fellows who tick-tacked
Shoemaker Jacobson's window. He realized full well that here
was a problem equally as difficult as any he had ever had in the
foreign mission field.
It was this problem which became the burden of Wentworth
Jones' meditations not only that evening but days and evenings
after that, until he had evolved a plan of action which he imme-
diately set out to try. Opportunely he met the bishop of the ward
on the street one day when his plans were well matured.
"Bishop," said Wentworth, "I want you to let me have the
use of the old meetinghouse."
The bishop looked at the young man in wonder. "What in
the world do you want the old meetinghouse for?" he asked.
"Well, it's somewhat a secret, but I don't mind telling you
that I want to try an experiment with the bunch of boys who spend
their leisure time in the saloon."
"Something ought to be done, sure," said the bishop, "but what
use will the old house be ? The boys broke nearly all the windows,
so we had to nail up boards. It's not an ornament to our main
street, I'll admit."

"You give me the key and full right to use the room."
—
"Why, yes, if it can be of any use but what? —
"Never mind now. I promise you, bishop, I'll do my best
with the boys in this town. You said I was to be the president of
the Mutual next season and I want to try a little preliminary work,
to sort o' get my hand in. Another thing I desire, Bishop I want ;

you to trust me. If you think I'm not doing just the right thing,
I want you to suspend judgment for a time. I can't say just how
long but six months, anyway."
The bishop promised, as a matter of course. The returned
missionary could surely be trusted not to do anything rash or
wicked and the boys needed looking after. All his sermons from
;

the pulpit seemed to be of no avail. The young people were get-

ting worse and worse, beyond the control of parents and all au-
thority, both civil and religious. Let the young man try his
scheme, and have the old meetinghouse, if he had any use for it.
Wentworth walked along with the bishop to his home, the key
was given him, and that same afternoon, he inspected the disused
house.
Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. There was litter in the cor-
was in a fairly sound condition. The boarded
ners, but the floor
windows fitted in with his plan. The old stove could be set up
200 IMPROVEMENT ERA
and used when the nights became uncomfortably cold. "Splen-
did," said Wentworth, as he looked around.
For the past three months Taborton had officially declared
that each Saturday should be a half-holiday, but as there had been
no concerted action on the part of those responsible for the move-
ment to provide something to do for the boys thus set free from
labor, the net results so far had been a larger attendance at the
saloon and more tick-tacking and other devilment by the smaller
boys.
It was on a Friday evening that Wentworth Jones called on
Will Smith, just as he was getting ready to go out for the evening.
They went out of the gate together.
"Say, Will," said Wentworth, "I want to show you some-
thing."
"Well, where?"
"In the old meetinghouse. It's a sort of secret, you know."
Will was willing. They went to the house, and Wentworth
opened the door with the key. He struck a match and lighted a
lamp hanging from the ceiling. The floor was swept and some
benches were arranged around the walls. Wentworth opened a
box in the corner and brought out two sets of boxing gloves.
Will stared in wonder.
"You see," said Wentworth, in explanation, "when in the
mission field we elders used to take physical exercise, after a day
of hard study. I had a pair of gloves, and when I was in the city
the other day I bought another
pair. Here, put them on and let's
have a try." Wehaven't a room large enough at the house, and
I got the bishop to let me use the old meetinghouse."
"What, for boxing?"
"I didn't tell him what for, Will —now, look out for your
nose."
They sparred, not very scientifically. They soon came to the
rough and tumble stage and Will was making too much noise.
"Not so loud, Will," admonished the other. "We don't want
to draw a crowd." They went at it more quietly.
"Say, this is great," remarked Will.
"Fun, isn't it?"
"Sure There, I landed you a good one."
!

They sat down to rest. "Bring the bunch in tomorrow after-

noon," suggested Went, "and let's see what they can do. We'll
have to be careful, though and not make a rough house."
The missionary looked carefully over his home field, decided
he had made a good beginning with Will, so he made a definite ap-
pointment with him to bring the "other fellows" along the next
afternoon. They were all there. The meetinghouse stood well
back from the street, so that a fairly jolly scuffle would not be
heard by anyone passing. The young men took turns at the
 THE HOME FIELD 201

gloves, the others sitting around on the old benches greatly enjoy-
ing the fun. Between the rests a number of them began wrest-
ling.
"Say, fellows," proposed Wentworth, "let's have some reg-
ular wrestling stunts also. The floor's pretty hard, but I can get
an old mattress and some of you can get others, and we'll rig up
a dandy mat, and here's room for bars and rings."
"What'll the bishop say?"
Whereupon Wentworth Jones "took the floor" and made a
confidential talk to the boys. He told them how he had got the
bishop's permission to use the old meetinghouse, and that if the
boys would help him he proposed to turn it into a dandy gym-
nasium, where they could come Saturday afternoons when nothing
else was going on, or on evenings for a jolly good time among
themselves. When the cold weather set in, they would warm the
room with the stove. There would, of necessity, be a little ex-
pense which could be met by forming a simple organization and
issuing admission cards. In this way undesirable characters could
be kept out and order be maintained. What did the .fellows think
of the scheme? Were there any suggestions?
That was the beginning. Before a month had passed fifteen
of the young men of the village were in the "Gym Association,"
and they were spending a good many evenings of the week in
the old meetinghouse. The smaller boys, having learned of what
was going on, pleaded to be admitted and the older of them were
allowed to join on conditions of accepting some strictures ex-
plained by Wentworth Jones, but which they readily accepted.
Meanwhile the Mutual season began. Wentworth was president,
but he said nothing to the big boys about their enrolling and at-
tending the regular sessions, although most of them naturally fol-
lowed their leader in this as well as in the athletic sports. The
small boys, however, were organized into scout patrols, and
turned over to the training of a scout master, and the "Gym"
was used for many of their activities. There was now no time for
tick-tacking or other street-corner mischief. In fact, the ceasing
of all such "foolishness" as Wentworth called it, was one of the
conditions he imposed on the small boys to retain membership
with the big boys in the "Gym Association."
One evening at the "Gym" Wentworth said "George, I
:

heard you singing at the Mutual the other night. I don't know
whether you are aware of it or not, but you have a fine voice.
—
And you, too, Sid and a lot of you fellows can sing. What do
you say to forming a glee club and doing some practicing right
here — where the girls can't hear us? Mother said I may have
that little old organ and we'll bring it over here. There's a lot of
good music in it yet.'
Given half a chance, and the proper encouragement, any boy
202 [MPRI >VEMENT ERA

will try to sing.Here was the ideal spot for the backward boy.
Under the lamp by the warm stove in the deserted meetinghouse,
where they were by themselves, far away from critics, these
young fellows opened their mouths and exercised their lungs; and
W'entworth called it "line." le selected the songs with care, songs
I

that were easy, and that had vim in them. He taught them to sing
the parts, and that was certainly interesting to them.
And thus the hoys boxed and wrestled and did "stunts" on
the horizontal bars and sang their songs. Everything went
smoothly for six weeks before the first snag was encountered.

Ill

Little Sammy Johnson came home one afternoon with a

bloody nose. He certainly looked a sight, with the gore of battle
smeared over face and shirt. The mother was indignant.
"What in the world are we coming to!" she exclaimed, as
she peeled off the boy's waist and told him to wash his face in the
ditch. "That's what you get from your 'Gym' lessons, as you
call 'em."

"It wasn't in the Gym."

"Well, you learned it there. What were you fighting over?"
"We wasn't fighting. Hen just hit a little too hard. He didn't
mean to, he said."
Just then the bishop came driving by. He had been away
for a month on his dry-land farm, and was not familiar with the
doings of his ward and people during that time. Mrs. Johnson
would inform him.
"Bishop," she called "you are just the man I want to see.
Come here a minute, can you ?"
The bishop stopped his horses, got slowly out of his wagon,
tied the team and came to the gate where the mother and the boy
were awaiting him. Sammy had gotten most of the blood from
his face, but the mother waved the stained garment, as she said
"It's a good thing, Bishop, you got home to put a stop to this
foolishness that Wentworth Jones has got a going in the old meet-
in' house. Here's a sample. He's teaching the boys to fight, and
they're up to all kinds of capers. I've heard tell."
—
"What what is it?" asked the bishop.
Whereupon Mrs. Johnson poured into the astonished bishop's
ears a tale of terribleness about this "Gym business." The bishop
listened patiently, indicating his attentiveness by, "Is that so?"
"Well," "Hem!" during the woman's pauses. Then he drove on
down towards his field. Just as he was in the act of letting down
the bars to drive through, he saw Wentworth Jones coming along
the road. He would ask him about what he had just heard
 THE HOME FIELD 203

"Well, Bishop," greeted the young man, "I'm glad to see you
home again. How's the dry-farm?"
—
"Nicely, thanks, nicely but you're just the man I want to
see. Sister Johnson has been telling me a startling story about
you and your doings in the old meetinghouse. I hope it isn't true."
"Well, of course, Bishop, I can't say what she has been telling
you, but we have been doing something, sure enough."
"Little Sammy came home with a bloody nose, and he was a
sight."
The two men leaned on the top rail of the fence as they con-
versed. The bishop explained a little further about the bloody
nose, so that Wentworth got the story straight.
"I'm glad Sammy wasn't hurt," said the young man; "but,
let me say, Bishop, it'sbetter that Sammy should have a trifle of
a bloody nose now than that his mother later should have a bleed-
ing heart. Boys will be boys. They are full of life and activity,
which is not to be repressed but to be directed. The boys in our
town have had no one to direct them in their play."
"Play," said the bishop. "When / was a boy there was no time
to play. / had to work, and I think that's the best thing a boy
!"
can do but now it's play, play
;

Wentworth knew the bishop's views on work and play. He

did not want to antagonize him, for he wanted his assistance in
the demonstration which he was making.
"Sure, a boy ought to work," agreed Wentworth "but a boy ;

will do something which he calls play, but which we often call dev-
ilment."
"That's true.'"'

"A boy will work hard all day until you would think he is
tired out but get a bunch of them together and an hour of day-
;

light, and they'll play ball and run races until dark."
"I've noticed that. It's the funniest thing
—
"It's just as natural for a child to play as for that calf out
there in the pasture to kick up his heels. A child is close to nature,
and to God, so we are taught. Christ himself set up a child as the
example for older people to follow. I think the Master meant a
natural child, not a wooden doll. I think we shall have to acknowl-
edge that a child should play at something part of his time. As the
child gets older and loses some of his innocent ways, he will do
things that are not so good, if he is not directed. The trouble with
the boys of this village is that they have been left to run wild too
much, no one having taken them in hand and provided the proper
activities for them. And that's what I have been trying to do in
connection with the Mutual."
The bishop had no ready reply to this little sermonizing.
"It's this way," continued Wentworth "The gospel is the
:

power of God unto salvation, not only to the grown-ups, but to the
204 IMPRl >VEMENT F.RA

young folks ; therefore, what will save the young from evil ways
and manners is just as much the gospel as faith and baptism.
Tsn't that true?"
"Y-e-s," said the bishop.
"You know when you were on your mission you had
that
to get at the people where they lived that is, you had to make
;

your first appeal lo them on the subjects that interested them. So

with the boys and girls. You can't drive them into the straight and
narrow path. You must lead them, and the leading strings must
not be made of material that chafes and makes sore. But I must
be going. Come over and see our Gym tomorrow night; see just
what we are doing, will you?"
"Why, yes, I'll be glad to" said the bishop.

IV.

It was the "Gym" night in connection with the Mutual. It

was not necessary as yet for the boys of Taborton to belong to
the Mutual in order to have the privileges of the "Gym," but the
Mutual officers had arranged their plans so nicely that much of
what was done in the "Gym" had its origin in the regular Mutual
meetings. The boys, therefore, attended Mutual to get "all that
was coming," as one boy put it.
Wentworth Jones had been busy all the afternoon getting
ready for the bishop's visit. The scout master had gathered the
boys after school and had put them through some of their drills
for evening exhibition. The older boys were well prepared, as
Wentworth had had the bishop's visit in view for some time. The
young leader called the bishop up by telephone, early in the after-
noon, and reminded him of his promise, at the same time urging
him to bring his wife, as also his counselors and their wives in ;

fact, "the more the merrier," he said.

The bishop and quite a following came in good time. The
good man looked curiously about the old meetingroom of pleasant
memories, and rubbed his hands before the glowing fire in the
stove before he took the seat of honor provided for him. The boys
had even had the electric lights installed, and the room was very
pleasant and comfortable. In a short time there was quite a gath-
ering of boys, and Wentworth took charge. He made a little
speech of welcome to the visitors, telling them that they were
always welcome and that they would see for themselves what was
being clone in the much-talked of "Gym."
The boys sang their best selection and then they had to give
another. Some "gymnastic stunts" were then given, much to the
interest of all. The floor was cleared and a game of basketball
was played. Wentworth introducing it by some explanations of
the game. Before it was over, the bishop was shouting with the
 THE HOME FIELD 205

rest. Then, while the larger boys were resting, the scouts gave an
exhibition ofwhat they were learning in the way of knot tying,
making camp, rescuing persons from drowning or from a burn-
ing building. After this the scout master made a little speech,
somewhat as follows
"Weare just beginning in this scout work for the boys. We
want the bishop here, as well as all our good people to understand,
that this is not merely another way of wasting our time. These
boys are better boys now than they were six weeks ago, and six
months from now, we assure you, they will be much better still. I
mean better in all good things. I hold in my hand the official
handbook for the scouts called 'Boy Scouts of America.' Every
boy should have this book. It is full of good things. For in-
stance, here is the scout promise which every boy must take before
he becomes a scout. These boys are not scouts yet, in the true
meaning of the word, but they are in training to become such.
This is the promise : 'On my honor, I will do my best : 1. To do
my duty to God and my country, and to obey the scout law 2. To ;

help other people at all times 3. To keep myself physically strong,

;

mentally awake, and morally straight. The scout law which the
boys promise to observe is summarized as follows: '1. A scout
is trustworthy. 2. A scout is loyal. 3. A scout is helpful. 4. A
scout is friendly. 5. A scout is courteous. 6. Ascout is kind. 7.
A scout is obedient. 8. A scout is cheerful. 9. A scout is thrifty.
"
10. A scout is brave. 11. A scout is clean. 12. A scout is reverent.'
During this recital the boys were as quietly listening as the
older people, which fact did not escape the bishop's observation.
The little fellows always had been a trial to him, because of their
disorder in meetings.
"The scout is taught to take care of himself in every way,"
continued the scout master." This is what our text book says on
tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco :'Should a boy drink coffee or
tea? This is a question often asked by boys. Coffee and tea are
the greatest stimulants known. But does a strong boy need a
stimulant? What is a stimulant and what does it do? A stimu-
lant is a whip, making the body do more at a given time than it
ordinarily would. It doesn't add any fiber to the tissues, doesn't
add any strength, isn't a food, but merely gets more out of the
tissues or nervous system than they would ordinarily yield. Of
course, there is a reaction, because the tissues have had nothing to
feed on. Herbert Fisher says that Peary's men, who drank lots
of tea on their voyage north, during the most trying time of their
trip showed it in their haggard faces and loss of tissue. Their own
tissues had turned cannibal and fed on their own material. Stim-
ulants are not foods. They add' no strength to the body. They
exact of the body what ought not to be exacted of it. There is
always a reaction, and one js always worse off as a result. Grow-
206 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ing boys especially should have nothing- to do with tea, coffee, nor
any other Stimulant. Alcohol is not a stimulant, but is really a nar-
cotic that is very depressing. It dulls rather than stimulates. The
same is true of nicotine in tobacco. No growing boy should use
either. The first athletes to drop out of a race are usually drink-
ers, and all trainers know that smoking is bad for the wind.'
Bishop, how is that for a word of wisdom?"
"And now, I had better explain to the Bishop our 'good
turn daily.' A scout rule is that he should do some good deed,
small though it may be, each day. Our boys are making a good
beginning in this, which explains why Widow Benson's cow is
driven to and from the pasture every day by one of our boys;
why, while Brother Hansen was laid up with a broken leg, some
—
boys our scout boys. Bishop, supplied him with water and kind-
ling. In short, our scout 'good turn daily' will explain many of
the little good deeds which have lately been done to the mysti-
fication of our good people."
. The Bishop was quiet. "Three rah's for the Bishop," said
the scout master. The boys gave them with a vim. "Now for
the counselors," and three more were given. "Now we'll show
how we bandage a wound and how we make a stretcher out of our
coats."
There was movement again after the few moments of quiet,
but there was no unnecessary or unpleasant noise. The boys
moved and stopped at given commands they were learning to
;

obey, without complaint or whine, and what a blessing if that

could be carried out in church, in school, and in the home ! The
Bishop looked and listened and thought. He would have some-
thing to say to his counselors, and to the people of the ward, after
a while for this Bishop, though somewhat slow, was wise and
;

shrewd in his old-fashioned way.

As the evening entertainment was about to close, the Bishop
motioned to Wentworth. "We haven't seen any exhibition of —
of boxing," he said.
"No," explained Wentworth "we are not doing any of that
;

now. Boxing, when carried out properly, is good exercise but ;

there are objections to it; and as we have now so many other, and,
we think, better things to do, we have gotten out of the notion
ourselves. However, we can show you. Boys, the Bishop would
like to see a little of the manly art of self defense —
all right, you.
Tom and Jack, you're about the best, put on the gloves for a
couple of rounds."
And so they did. The Bishop enjoyed the sport, for the boys
were good-natured about it and were not rough.
"Here," shouted the Bishop, at the close of a warm round. "T
can beat that
—
He was about to forget himself so far as to get into the ring
 THE HOME FIELD 207

himself, had not his wife pulled him down into his seat again
with a warning, "Behave yourself."

V
The Taberton Mutual season's work with a big
closed its

field day in which the boys and big and little, took part. The
girls,
good people of the ward said it had been the most enjoyable day
they had ever had. Everything was home made, even to some of
the "stunts" which were pulled off, and which Wentworth Jones
only, knew originated in the brain of the Bishop. What a new lease
of life comes to gray-haired men and women when they take part
in the games of the children
In the evening of the clay, Wentworth Jones sat on the porch
again, thinking, thinking. There was now no gloom in his medita-
tions as there had been six months ago. As he looked back on
his half-year's work among his own people in his own village,
a sense of genuine satisfaction took possession of him. He had to
acknowledge that he had accomplished more during the last six
months in the home field than he had during the same length of
time in the foreign mission field. This his native village, beauti-
ful for situation, with the grandest mountains around it, clear
skies, pure water, smiling fields, contained a host of young people.
These people were strong and sturdy and beautiful somewhat ;

crude, no doubt, lacking the polish of older and larger communi-

ties, but diamonds in the rough they were. And how these boys
and girls had longed for an opportunity to give expression to the
inborn need for social intercourse with each other The young
!

men had recourse to the saloon, the little fellows to the street
corners and their pranks the girls
; —
well, there was the occa-
sional dance, and that was about all for them. He knew girls too
old, they said, to go to school, but who milked cows, washed dishes
scrubbed floors and then went to bed and then got up next morn-
;

ing to repeat the same thing, until some rascal of a man came and
played havoc with them. The young people were not lacking in
life, but it had been dormant, or repressed, or misdirected. Some-
one was needed who understood, and with wise, firm hand would
direct the activities of the young into the right channels and —
there was some satisfaction in the thought that he, Wentworth
Jones, had made a successful beginning in this great work.
Someone shouted, "Hallo," from the sidewalk to Wentworth.
It was Shorty Staler, just getting home. Shorty and his chums
had taken an active part in the sports of the day. Only last sum-
mer, they who had been so diligent in tick-tacking on Shoemaker
Jacobson's windows, on learning of the old man's illness, as
one of their "daily good turns," chopped him a big pile of wood.
Wentworth stopped Shorty and told him that the last time he
208 IMI'ROVKMKNT ERA

and the boys had been to the "Gym" they had left it untidy.
Would they clean it up, properly? "Sure," said the boy, "tomor-
row -we'll do it."
This old meetinghouse "Gym," as Wentworth thought about
it, had certainly been a help. From the singing had grown three
male quartets, thin a double quartet and then later, when the
;

qirls had been invited, a big mixed double quartet, which had given
a concert. Then a dramatic society had been organized and they
had put on two plays. Sometimes the "Gym" had been
turned into a parlor, and social parties had been held. There had
been a lot of fun, without any silliness, at these parties. Went-
worth had even attempted a "literary evening" with a moderate
degree of success. Perhaps the crowning event of the field day, just
closed, was when the bishop had gotten up in the meeting and pro-
posed that they build an amusement hall in connection with the
new meetinghouse. How the crowd had clapped their approval
Yes, the home field was all right.
The clock within struck, which awoke him from his reverie
and reminded him that it was time he was going for his partner
to the dance so he walked slowly down the street towards her
;

home.
She was at the gate, waiting for him. She knew his desire
to be on time, even to a dance. They stood for a moment by the
gate.
"Have you noticed what has happened to the saloon?" she
asked.
"No; what has happened?"
"Can't you see that the corner is dark tonight?"
He peered down the street where the bright saloon lights
usually shone out into the street. "It's dark," said he.
"Yes the saloon has closed quit business."
;
;

"Howdo you know?"

—
"The Bishop went past a few minutes ago and told me, and
she laid her hand on his arm and looked up into his face "and
—
he told me further that one Wentworth Jones was the chief cause
of the saloon man's having to close up and move away. It's true
the saloon man admitted it to the Bishop. —
Just a minute till I get
my wrap, then we'll go." She ran up the path.
Was it the girl's touch, was it the look in her face, was it
the news of the big victory over the saloon that made Wentworth
Jones' heart sing for joy as he bowed his uncovered head and
breathed a prayer of thanksgiving?
 A King of Western Scouts
BY SOLOMON F. KIMBALL

In Three Parts —Part II

To read certain portions of Elder Ephraim K. Hanks' life, as
published in the December number of the Improvement Era,
would perhaps cause those who are unacquainted with the ways
of this remarkableman to believe that he was somewhat uncouth
but such by no means the case. It will be admitted that he was
is

a diamond in the rough. Had he been anything else he could not

have withstood the terrible hardships through which he passed,
during the early settlement of this intermountain region. Prob-

SALT LAKE CITY IN THE LATE 60's, LOOKING SOUTH

ably no other man did more for the cause of Zion and her people,
along the lines in which he worked, than did he and the most of
;

this he did without remuneration.

The part played by Elder Hanks during the winter of 1856, in
helping the belated handcart people to reach the Salt Lake Valley,
has already been told in part. Before he had time to recover from
the effects of that trying ordeal, he was called by the authorities of
the Church to perform another mission which, in severity, was even
greater, if possible, than the one he had just accomplished. It con-
sisted in the work of carrying government mail and important mes-
210 IMI'Ui )\ I.M1-.X 1 ERA

sages from rreat Salt Lake !ity to Independence, Missouri.

I < he 'I

winter was the severest experienced for years; and for the ordi-
nary western scout ot undertake a journe) of this description, un-
der such conditions, would have been nothing short of suicide.
Few men connected with the "Mormon" Church were equal to the
occasion, hut Presidenl Brigham Young knew who they were.
On the morning of Deceniher 11. 1X56, Ephraim K. lank-, I

in company with his bosom companion, Feramorz Little, after re-

SALl 1. >KK I IIV, LOOKING WEST

ceiving a powerful blessing from the Presidency of the Church,

started on their perilous journey to the East. They kept no jour-
nal, consequently nothing more than a brief account of what oc-
curred to them while making that twelve hundred mile trip, can be
recorded.
From Brother Benjamin Hampton, who was stationed at
Devil's Gate that winter, it is learned that Elders Hanks and Lit-
tle passed there two days before Christmas, after encountering,
near the Continental Divide, one of the- most severe storms ever
witnessed in that section of the country. After resting a few hours,
they continued on their way in snow up to their horses' knees.
The next heard of them was at A.sh Hollow, three hundred
miles beyond. Their experience up to this time was severe be-
yond measure, and their animals were greatly reduced in flesh and
strength. However, they had made good time, and felt assured
that they would be able to reach Independence, Missouri, on time,
even if they should be compelled to walk the greater part of the
way.
When they reached Ash Hollow, they were surprised to find
 \ KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 211

eight ofMajor & Russell's snowed-in freight teams there. The

wagons were loaded with mail for the East, and in care of a Mr.
Remick, who was in great trouhle as to what to do, since his food
supply was nearly exhausted. Eph assured him that his outfit
could be taken to Missouri River, and agreed to furnish the mail

Sketch by J. B. Fairbanks

E. K. HANKS AND FERAMORZ LITTLE CROSSING THE SOUTH PASS IN

A BLIZZARD

carrier with the buffalo meat that his men would need while
all
making the The plan proposed was finally agreed upon, and
trip.
everything was made ready for an early morning start.
A large tribe of Sioux were encamped a short distance away,
and Elder Hanks felt impressed to visit them. As soon as he
reached their camp he made his way to the chief's tent, where he
found no one present except an elderly female. Soon, however,
the chief came, and the lodge was filled with representative mem-
bers of the tribe. As Ephraim took his place among them, the
chief wanted to know who he was, and where he had come from.
Elder Hanks answered that he lived in the mountains and belonged
to the people who had pulled handcarts across the plains, that his
chief's name was Brigham Young, who sometimes talked with the
Great Spirit. The chief then wanted to know if Hanks himself
could talk with the Great Spirit, which question the scout an-
swered in the affirmative. The chief then spoke a few words to
the assembled warriors, after which a number of them left the
lodge and in a few moments returned, carrying an Indian boy in
a blanket.
212 IMPROVEMENT ERA
It seems that the boy, while out on a buffalo hunt, had been
thrown from his horse. His back was so badly injured that he had
not been able to move for months. The chief, pointing to the boy,
asked Elder Hanks if he would talk to the Great Spirit in behalf
of the injured lad, which Ephraim consented to do. After the
clothing had been removed from the boy's body, Elder Hanks
anointed the afflicted parts with consecrated oil, which he always
carried with him, and then administered to him in the name of
Jesus Christ, promising that he should be made whole from that
very moment. The boy immediately arose from his bed of afflic-
tion and walked out of the lodge, to the astonishment of all who
saw.
Elder Hanks informed the Indians that the company of
freighters at Ash Hollow, which he was about to escort to the
States, were nearly out of provisions, and wanted to know what

Sketch by G. M. Ottingcr

DEVIL'S GATE AND THE OLD FORT, AS IT APPEARED IN THE WINTER

OF 1856

they could do towards replenishing their food supply. They told

him that there had been no buffaloes in that section of country for
months, and that their people were on the eve of starvation on
account of it. Upon this, it is related that the spirit of prophecy
came upon Ephraim, to a remarkable degree, and he promised
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 213

them in the name of the Great Spirit, that within three days from
that time the whole country for miles around would be overrun
with buffaloes, which prediction caused a general stir throughout
the camp. He then bade them good-bye and returned to his camp,
filled with the Spirit of the Lord, but said nothing to his com-
panions about what had occurred.
Next morning, as the company was about to start on its six-
hundred-mile journey, about thirty prominent Indians formed into
line on either side of the road and, as Elder Hanks passed by in

Sketch by G. M. Ottinger
INDIAN CAMP AT ASH HOLLOW
the lead wagon, each of them gave him a package of the choicest
kind of sausage, made from buffalo meat, which proved to be
nothing short of a Godsend to them all. The Indians were anx-
ious to learn when their pale-faced benefactor would return for, ;

by this time, they had become intensely interested in the man whose
prayer could heal the sick and who had promised them meat when
they were in need of food. Ephraim informed them that he would
return later in the season, and as he passed that way, would call
upon them. Tears were seen upon their dusky cheeks as Elder
Hanks gave them another parting shake of the hand and bade
them farewell.
Messrs. Remick & Little asked to know what all this meant,
as this was the first time that they ever had known the Indians to
give food away, and especially in times of famine. Eph told the
boys that he had always been kind to the Redmen of the plains, and
that they were a class of people who never overlooked a kind act.
214 IMP Km \| MKNT KRA
This answer did not satisfy his companions, as they wort- fully
convinced that something of an unusual nature must have oc-
curred the night before between lanks and the Indians.
I

<)n these long and tedious journeys across the plains, Elder
I lanks was often blessed with impressive dreams and inspirations
that proved of great benefit to him on numerous occasions. The
predictions be made, while journeying from Ash Hollow to Fort
Kearney, were so literally Fulfilled in every instance thai Captain

INDIAN SQUAWS OF THE PLAINS

Remick, on more than one occasion, declared him to be a man of
very unusual foresight.
One night, soon after leaving Ash Hollow, Eph dreamed that
his company had all the fresh bison that they could take care of,
and that even their animals joined them in the feast. The next
morning, he predicted that such would be the case. He was ridi-
culed by the crowd, who said that such a thing as mules eating
fresh meat was nonsense in the extreme.
The next day the boys began to taunt Eph about his ridiculous
prediction, but he took it all in good part, at the same time reiter-
ating what he had predicted the day before. That evening, as he
was looking for a camping ground, he spied and killed a big buf-
falo bull near a small stream of water. When the teams drove up,
the boys could hardly believe their own eyes. All admitted that
that part of the prediction had been fulfilled, but the other part,
relating to their mules enjoying the feast, never would be. That
evening the cook filled a large camp kettle with fresh bison that
 \ KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 215

had been cut into small pieces. As he did so he mixed plenty of

flour with it. fire was booming, the
The
j^^ kettle was boiling, and before the cook
was aware of it, the pot of stew was
burned. The cook, not over good-natur-
edly, dumped the meat out on the ground.
After smothering the hungry freighters
with his apologies, he soon started an-
other pot of meat boiling. By this time
the hungry animals began to stroll into
camp and soon discovered the burned
stew scattered over the ground. They
made a rush for it, and in a short time
the mules cleaned up everything, meat and
all. Each man looked at the other in won-
derment, while Eph looked on and smiled.
EPH. K. HANKS A day or two later Eph told his com
panions that they would cross a river that
day, and if they would do as he told them
they would not get wet.
"What is that. Mr. Wizard?" asked
."aptain Remick, thinking, of course, that
Hanks intended play some practical
to
joke upon them. However, they soon
came to the river, anil as Mr. Remick was
driving over the ice, Eph called to him to
halt, but Mr. Remick, thinking that it was
all meant for a joke, continued on his
way. He had not gone far, when down
went his wagon, mules and all, in water
up to the wagon bed. No one was hurt,
but Mr. Remick and several of his team-
sters were drenched to the skin before
they reached shore.
When the company arrived within
twenty-five or thirty miles of Fort Kear-
ney, Captain Remick said to Eph, "What FERAMORZ LITTLE
next, Mr. Prophet?"
"You go into Fort Kearney blindfolded," was the reply.
will
"Will get sick?" asked Mr. Remick.
I
"No; you will simply ride into the Fort blindfolded."
"When the sun came out bright, the next day. the reflection
on the snow was so great that Captain Remick and several of the
teamsters became so snow blind that they were compelled to
bandage their eyes, so intense was the pain.
The officer at Fort Kearney informed Mr. Remick that it
would be impossible to go any farther with the mail on account of
 GROUP OF INDIANS OF THE PLAINS
Top Row: Pacer, Stumbling Bear, Woman's Heart. Center Row: Powder Face,
Big Bow. Bottom Row: Horseback-, Lone Wolf, Brown Bear.
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 217

the deep snow; whereupon the captain remarked, "We can go

through all right, as we are being piloted by a man who can take
us anywhere." The officer said, "Very well, Captain, if that is so,
go ahead and we will furnish you with such things as you need."
The company then continued on their way in snow almost two
feet deep and arrived at Independence, Missouri, February 27,
1857, the Salt Lake boys having been on the road just seventy-
eight days.
As soon were dumb-
as they reached their destination they
founded rumors of war, and government
to find the air filled with
agents scurrying over the country in every direction, buying sup-
plies for Johnston's army, who were about to march against the
"Mormons," who had, according to Judge Drummond's untruth-
ful stories, destroyed the Supreme court records of Utah.
We next hear of Elders Hanks and Little in a letter published
in the New York Herald, under date of April 15, 1857, and signed
by the latter. The first paragraph is as follows
"As myself and Mr. E. K. Hanks are the last persons who have
come to the States from Great Salt Lake City, I deem it my duty to
bear testimony against the lying scribblers who seem to be doing their
utmost to stir up a bad feeling against the Utonians. We
left our
homes on the 11th of December, brought the last mail to the States, and
certainly should know of the state of things there. The charges of Judge
Drummond are as false as he is corrupt. Before I left for the States,
I was five days every week in Great Salt Lake City, and I witness to
all the world that I never heard one word of the burning of nine hun-
dred volumes of law, records, etc., nor anything of that character, nor
do I know, or even heard, of anything of the dumb-boy story he
talks of."

Elders Hanks and Little remained in the States for several

months, and after gathering what information they could concern-
ing the Johnston army they started for home about the first of
June, with three wagons loaded with mail. When they arrived in
the neighborhood of Ash Hollow, the mountaineers in that vicinity
wanted to know what they had done for the Indians to cause such
a stir among them. They said that the Redmen had been inquiring
after them for the last month or two, and had been "going up and
down the country for miles looking for them. Eph asked the men
if they had seen any buffaloes since he left there, several months
before. Their answer was "Yes about three days aftere you left,
: ;

one of the largest herds of bison that has been seen in this part of
the country for a long time passed by here, and they came just in
time to save us from starvation, as our food supply was nearly
gone." The moment Elder Hanks made his appearance among the
Ash Hollow Indians, the news spread throughout their camp like
wildfire, and the whole tribe turned out en masse,

Warring Redmen wept for joy; the women danced with gladness;
Shouts from Redskins rent the air, that vanished care and sadness.
 This is one of the big trees of California, and i> an accurate en-
graving from a photograph. The tree is alive and is enjoying the best
of health. The scar which admitted the bacteria was caused by a for-
est fire. ,

Life in a Tree Trunk

BY D. W. PARRATT

"Is the woody part of an old tree trunk alive all the way
through?"
A little lad sprung this question on his big brother the other
evening. "Where did you get that notion from?" asked the elder.
"From school," came the reply.
"Well," said the brother, somewhat surprised, "are you alive
allthe way through ?"
"Certainly," replied the boy.
"Then, so is a big tree trunk," concluded the young man.
Next morning little Thad triumphantly returned to school
with the question solved. Imagine his feelings when the teacher
announced that nothing more would be said about the tree question
until every person in the room had seen a certain tree upon the
school grounds. "This tree," said the good lady, "may give you
the proper answer to Jthe question. See if you can all find the
tree and from it the answer."
"I know the answer now," interrupted Thad.
 LIFE IN A TREE TRUNK 219

"All right," responded the teacher, "just keep it a secret until

allhave seen the tree."
The first recess period witnessed the boys and girls examin-
ing every tree upon the premises. But before long all were
grouped about a medium sized poplar in front of the building.
They had found the tree. On one side of it was a good sized open-
ing extending from the ground some five or six feet up the trunk.
This opening showed that the trunk was completely hollow, and
yet the tree on the outside was apparently as alive as could be.
Thad looked dumfounded, as he gazed at the hollow center.
He could plainly see that this live tree was dead on the inside and
was not alive all the way through like he was.
While the pupils were thus engaged, the teacher was busy
writing the following questions upon the blackboard ready to con-
t me the work :

"1. Which part of the tree is the more alive, and why do
you think so?
Which part is less alive, and why do you think so?
"2.
Are all big trees rotten at the inside? Why do you think
"3.
so? Which are and which are not?
"4. Are all trees, big and little, alive throughout their
trunks? If not, which are? Which are not?
"5. Which is better for the tree, a solid center or a decayed
center? Why?
"6. What is meant by filling a tree ?"

The first two questions were, of course, readily answered for

all could easily see that the inside of the tree in front of the school
was perfectly dead and rotted away. Only the outside of the
trunk remained and since the tree was still alive this must be the
live part. Someone, too, remarked that when the outside of a
tree is cut all the way around the tree dies. "This," he said,
"proves that the outside is the live part." After further discussion
it was concluded that all big trees are dead on the inside and that

the sap flows through the part of the tree trunk that is toward
the outside.
Of course not all big tree trunks are rotten on the inside like
the one examined. If they were it would be impossible to get any
good lumber or timber from them with which to build houses,
bridges, and the like. Only those trees having met with some
misfortune or accident which permitted disease germs to get into
the inner part of the tree trunks have rotted on the inside. If you
have not noticed carefully, you may yet be surprised to see how
many of our common shade trees are thus diseased.
In young trees the sap is still flowing throughout all the
wood and therefore they are alive all the way through. It is
seldom that one finds such a tree with diseased center wood.
Trees with decayed centers are not nearly so strong as those
220 IMPROVEMENT ERA
solid throughout therr trunks, ;m<l consequently are unable to stand
against hard winds. In order to help many of our famous trees
from further ravages of wood-eating bacteria, all the rotten wood
has been carefully removed from the heart of the trees just as de-
cayed parts are cleaned by dentists from hollow teeth. The insid
of the tree is then thoroughly painted with tar, after which the
cavity is filled with cement. This filling prevents further decay
and greatly prolongs the life of the tree.
You recall that the teacher asked Thad to keep his answer a
secret, until all had seen the tree upon the school grounds. He
knows more about trees now, and he is going to keep his "secret"
a long time yet. He has since concluded that a big tree is not alive
all the way through, and that in this respect it is not like his own

body.

A Race

I race with the wind on a silvery sea,

Aloft on her billowy crest;
Wild laughter springs from the heart of me,
And I shout at my soul's behest.

Ah, what care I for the breakers there.

See, the white caps lead! Away!
I'm off with the wind for a rollicking race
Through the mist and the hoary spray.

The waves they lash my bounding steed

To a maddening, reckless pace,
And I sing "Yo ho," as I take the lead,
And away in a headlong chase.

And over the billows we

race and run
wind is spent,
Till the breath of the
Till she moans, "You won, you won, you won!"
And the heart of the wind is rent.
Louis W. Larsen
 Alcohol : Its Effect on the Human Body
BY DR. W. B. PARKINSON, SEN.

I am thoroughly convinced that the only way to deal with the

evils existing through the use of these poisonous drugs, alcohol,
morphine, cocaine, and the like, is to remove the cause and the
ignorance concerning" the harmful effects on the bodies and the
souls of men. As a physician of thirty-two years' experience in
the field of medical practice, I hope to convince you that alcohol
is not fit to be used, to any degree, or in any of the many drinks

in which it is contained. The United States Dispensatory, and

the best chemical authorities, state that alcohol is a solvent, an ir-
ritant, and a poison, and is the product of vinous fermentation,
necessarily existing in all vinous liquors obtained from them by
distillation. On being analyzed it is found to contain two parts of
carbon, six parts of hydrogen, and one of oxygen (C 2 H
Oj), by
measure.
Now where do wc find alcohol? Nowhere is it the product
of nature, but it is! an artifical product of man, prepared by him
through the destructive process of fermentation.
What is fermentation ? Simply decomposition, decay, a break-
ing up of the original product. Alcohol is, then, produced from
decayed vegetable or animal matter, and is the intoxicating ingre-
dient in all spirituous liquors, including whisky, brandy, wines,
ale, beer, cider, and every other liquid which has undergone vi-
nous fermentation or decay.
Now, what is vinous fermentation ? When anything ''sours"
or "works" it is said to ferment take any sweet liquid, put yeast
;

into it, and let it work or sour and you have fermentation. When
it is kept cool at a temperature under seventy-five degrees it is

called vinous fermentation. If it is kept warm, over seventy-five

degrees, it is then called acetic fermentation, or vinegar. Before
it ferments, the sweet liquid has no alcohol in it none in apple
;

or grape juice, they cannot make you drunk, they must "work" or
"ferment," rot or decay, at a low temperature before the drunk-
producing ferment is created. As we observed before, alcohol
exists nowhere in all the products of nature, but can only be made
by fermenting or souring any substance that contains the sweet
principle, sugar. Now, can it be obtained from anything which
does not contain sugar? Chemistry answers this question "One :

*A lecture before the parents' classes of Logan. Utah.

222 [MPRl IVEMENT ERA

part of diastase mingled with parts of Liquid starch at a

2. (XX)
temperature of one hundred sixty degrees will convert the
starch into grape sugar." So you see any of the vegetables,
beets, potatoes, grains, fruits of all kinds, the dead cow or horse,
all decayed or rotted matter, can be converted into alcohol, because
it the quint-essence of decay, or decomposition.
is

a little more pleasant to make alcohol out of vegetabli

It's
than animal matter, because of the odor. The vegetables, grains
or fruits decaying do not produce such a horrible stench. Why?
because the vegetables haven't so much nitrogen in their makeup.
I f you were in a brewery and threw nitrogen into the vats of
malt, at once there would be thrown off a fearful stench, as of a
dead animal. It would be the same if you were to throw nitrogen
into a barrel of grape juice or cider. The nitrogen would change
them at once to carrion.
Life builds up; fermentation, decomposition, putrefaction,
tear down; life gathers strength, fermentation and putrefaction
scatters and destroys that strength life is opposed to decay, fer-
;

mentation and putrefaction. Alcohol cannot be produced from

sugars until after vinous fermentation, which is death or decompo-
sition, has taken place. Alcohol, in fact, is the death principle of all
decayed vegetable or animal matter, found nowhere in living,
growing nature, but everywhere in dying and dead nature. So say
the ablest chemists of the age. The U. S. Dispensatory says, "Al-
cohol being the product of vinous fermentation necessarily exists
in all vinous liquors and may be obtained from them by distilla-
tion." From these vats of fermentation and the strength of this
mass of rotten matter, alcohol is distilled.
Now what is distilling? If you take a kettle of water or any
kind of juice or liquid, put it on the stove to boil, cover with a
tight lid, leaving a small hole for the steam to escape, and then
take any kind of a long, hollow tube or pipe, and fasten one end
of it over the hole, or lid, so as to make the steam run clear
through the long hollow tube before it can get out, and while it
is going through it gets cooled off and condensed,

process of distillation.
— you have the
Now put your fermented juice into ket-
tles and boil it, alcohol being the lightest, will go over first, cool-
ing as it goes, and is caught at the end of the pipe. If it's the
steam of boiling grape juice that has been fermented and rotted,
you have brandy. If fermented and rotted apple juice, in the same
way, you have apple whisky. When they put it in and repeat the
process, they call it redistilled spirits, or rectified spirits. When
obtained from fermented malt barley, it is called whisky when ;

from fermented rye, it is called rye whisky. If from malted corn

and distilled it is called Bourbon whisky. When from junipei
berries or red cedar it is called Holland gin. The best authorities
say, "alcohol is a solvent used to dissolve those things that water
 ALCOHOL AND ITS KFFECTS 22.^

and boiling will not, out of the roots, barks, herbs, resins, balsams,
and oils in medicines. It is capable of dissolving a great number
-

of chemical and medicinal substances which will not give up their

strength in any other way." And then you can distill off the
alcohol and use again, and again. All the medical dispensatories
of the world say alcohol is a poison. All the medical authorities
and dictionaries say it is a poison. The U. S. Dispensatory says

"Alcohol when taken habitually in excess, its local irritant in-

fluence often leads to gastritis, to that form of hepititis which is known
in the advanced stage as cirrhosis of the liver. Very frequently, espe-
cially when the alcohol is taken well diluted and with an abundance
of food, the organic changes produced by its use are rather those of
fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys, (and arteries) and it may
be of the heart. The single large dose of alcohol will produce the
condition known as drunkenness ending, if sufficient be taken, in
absolute muscular relaxation, profound stupor, fall of bodily temper-
ature, collapse, and it may be death. It also produces the most de-
plorable results, and is a very common cause of fatal maladies."

Some call it a narcotic poison, an "irritant" poison, and all

alcohols contain fusel oil which is so deadly that it is not used
by physicians for any purposes. Now what have we learned of
the nature of alcohol? We have learned that it is the intoxicating
ingredient in all liquors, whether whisky, brandy, gin, wine or
beer. That it is nowhere found in nature's vineyard, but only in
dead and decaying nature. Weknow that the sweet juices of
fruits, before they are fermented, can do no harm, because they
contain no alcohol, but are healthful and nutritious, and among the
choice gifts of our Maker that alcohol is the death principle of
;

decaying nature when it contains sugar in the liquid state, and that
the reason that the rotting vegetable matters do not smell as other
carrion, is because they do not contain nitrogen that everything
;

containing starch may be converted into sugar by the addition of

diastase, and then converted into alcohol by fermentation and pu-
trefaction. Alcohol is useful in the preparation of medicine, as a
solvent only. Now what effect does this poison alcohol have on the
body, physiologically? The body needs and contains every kind of
substance as food, consisting of sugar, starch, oil, and glutinous
matters composed of fibrin, albumen, and casein. Alcohol contain-
none of these, and therefore cannot be food. Alcohol is evolved not
from food but from decayed or decomposed food, and therefore
cannot be food. All food taken into the body is digested, trans-
formed into something that will renew and build up the body, but
alcohol does nothing of the kind. Put a drop of alcohol into your
eye and see how the eye will smart and burn, become bloodshot and
swollen, and nature will send out the tears to wash out the offend-
ing matter repeat the operation several times and you will destroy
;

the sight of the eye; now why? Because the alcohol irritates and
224 IMPROVEMENT KRA
burns the tender coatings of the eye, and is an irritant, burning
poison. Fill your mouth with alcohol and hold it there, and you
will get the same effect, scorched, inflamed, and irritated, it soon
becomes. It produces the same effect in the stomach and bowels,
because all are lined with comparatively the same delicate mem-
branes whatever injures one will injure the other. If you fill
;

your eyes with pure water, or your mouth, it doesn't act thus
swimmers, diving, open their eyes under water to no injury.
But wherever alcohol touches the interior of the human body, it
irritates, inflames and congests, arousing nature to action, to get
rid of the intruder. The dispensatories say, "alcohol is a very
powerful diffusible stimulant." It diffuses itself throughout the
whole body and stimulates every part it touches, by its burning
irritating effect. It goes into the body alcohol, and irritates, burns,
and scalds all the way through, making a sore wherever it touches.
It stimulates by irritation and not by building up, as does food
it sears and blisters, and irritates the hand passes it into the
;

mouth in the shape of whisky, brandy, wine or beer the stomach

;

and mucous membranes call out, "hot ball," and throw it as

quickly as possible into the blood the blood says, "hot stuff," take
;

it quickly, and throws it into the heart; the heart pumps it into

the arteries, and the arteries rush it into the brain, and skin, and
everywhere effort is made to drive it out of the system. The pores
of the skin open and say, throw it out here the lungs open and
;

hurl it off with the breath the liver takes a part of it, and the
;

kidneys pass it off through the urine. The whole system makes
haste to get rid of the intruder, because it is a foreign substance,
and not food, it is thrown out of the system just as it went in, un-
digested —
unchanged, alcohol. It is a diffusible stimulant, and
a powerful narcotic poison, and stimulates to unnatural activity
every part it touches. Stimulation means unduly exciting the
higher nerve centers suddenly, and often excessively elevating the
blood pressure and providing a quick but evanescent effect which
rapidly passes away and is many times more harmful than bene-
ficial. If it were beneficial as a tonic, even, it would prove its
efficiency by helping the body to help itself, but it does not do
that it does not make bone, muscle, brain, nor in any way sustain
;

the body. The best authorities state that "all alcohols excite the
system, render the pulse full, and give additional energy to the
muscles, and temporarily stimulate the mental faculties. As an
article of daily use alcoholic liquors produce the most deplorable
consequences, besides the moral degradation which they cause.
Their habitual use produces dyspepsia, hypochondriasis, viscerial
obstructions, dropsy, mania, and an innumerable list of diseases."
Dr. Rudolph Masing of Germany has prepared a test for
alcohol by putting a solution of bi-chromate of potash and sul-
;

phuric acid into a test tube, and the color is red. a very little
 ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS . 225

alcohol will turn it to an, emerald green. "Sober men breathe

into it, and it has no drunken man breathes into it, and it
effect, a
instantly turns green. Young ladies should have a test tube filled
with this solution to let their lovers breathe into so, if the solu-
;

tion turns green, tell him you cannot appreciate his color, make
him wait till he ripens. The test proves that alcohol goes out of the
body just as it goes in, without changing or digesting, and is there-
fore not a food, nor can it aid in any way in building up or renew-
ing any part, it is still alcohol."
A dog was given whisky and in a few hours the perspiration
from the skin turned the liquid green, and the same from all the
organs of the body. Now can you wonder why the drunken sot has
a red nose, eyes bleared and bloodshot, face bloated, and trembling
hand. He is literally burned out and diseased. In London a
number of physicians found a man who had fallen dead in the
street, and was taken to the Westminster Hospital. On dissection,
a quantity of fluid was found in the brain, they smelled it,
and tasted it, lit a match to it, and it burned, proving it was alcohol.
"Thus the dead record the history, character, habits of the soul,
its follies and vices are stamped in his silent ashes."

Alcohol prevents the digestion of food, and thus brings

disease, by irritating the stomach membranes, producing gastritis
and ulceration. It preserves or hardens the food and prevents
proper digestion. Some who think themselves very wise take a
drink of liquor or beer just to assist digestion. When you eat, the
process of digestion is started up and the pepsin and other
enzymes of digestion are the solvents, so is alcohol and "when
Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war;" one solvent is
going to dissolve the other, one must perish and in this case
alcohol dissolves pepsin and the other ingredients hence, diges- ;

tion cannot go on while alcohol remains in the stomach. This

is a scientific fact, and cannot be refuted, because it is backed by

the very best authorities. (Read the accounts of Alex St. Martin,
the Canadian).
Drs. Beaumont and Sewell who made so many experiments
with St. Martin's stomach, they say that "in the stomach of the
habitual drinker or drunkard, the mucous or internal coating is in
a continual state of irritation, with its blood vessels engorged,
which are not found in the healthy state in the drinker they are
;

enlarged and distended with blood similar to the rum blossoms

sometimes seen on the face of the drunkard, and very frequently
corroded with small ulcers, covered with white crusts, with the
margins of the ulcers elevated and rugged, showing a high degree
of inflammation."
Now, does alcohol assist digestion? No, not at all. Drs.
Beaumont and Sewell spent their whole lives in investigation
along these lines of research, and they say no. The stomach is
226 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the general office, the fire box of the engine, and when it is sore
and inflamed and irritated and ulceraten, the whole man must suf-
fer. Following the afflicted stomach we learn, in the words of Dr.
Austin Flint, of New York, "the digestive powers arc weakened,
the appetite is impaired, the muscular system is enfeebled, the gen-
erative functions decay, the blood is impoverished, and the effects
of alcohol enter directly into the causation of many affections such
as cirrhosis of the liver, fatty liver, muscular tremor, gastritis, py-
rosis, and a host of affections too numerous to mention." I'rof.
Lehman, the great chemist says, "alcohol is incapable of contribut-
ing anything toward maintaining life."
Dr. J. Higginbottom, of the Royal College of Surgeons, Eng-
land, says, "Alcohol has no specific effect on any organ of the
body for the cure of disease, and I consider it impious in any
medical man saying that any constitution requires alcoholic stim-
ulants." From our investigations, we learn the tremendous les-
sons that the effect of alcohol upon the human body is that of an
irritant, and a poison, and when a physician is called to a patient
with pneumonia or any serious disease, we immediately inquire,
"is the patient an habitual drinker?" If so, we have but little
faith that he will recover. Why? Because the drunkard rarely
ever escapes his whole system suffers from the effects of the
;

alcohol burning, irritating every organ of the body besides, the

;

drinking man is exposed to all kinds of excesses, and irregulari-

ties, he misses his regular food, sleep, and when he does sleep
with frightful dreams, and horrid visions from which he wakes
without being refreshed, injures his health and hastens the day of
his death. When we think: how wonderful is the structure of the
human body and the brain, with its fine network of little telegraph
wires in the shape of very fine nerves, keeping us posted on the
condition of the body, telling us when the fiery alcohol is taken
into the stomach, how it irritates and makes us feel and think im-
perfectly, how it makes us stagger when we walk, deprives us of
all the intelligence our Maker has endowed us with ! Can a brain
supplied with such blood sent from an irritated and inflamed
stomach do good work? The blood, being impure, brings disease
to the brain, causing it to be engorged, stretching the little arteries
too full, and distending them beyond their natural size, strains
them, and causing pressure against the nerves injures and destroys
the ability to feel, move and think. When a man feels, moves, and
thinks imperfectly, we say he is certainly drunk. And when he
can't think, feel, or move at all, we say he is dead drunk. If he is
a moderate drinker and keeps his whole arterial' system irritated
and inflamed for years with alcohol, in time fatty degeneration of
the whole arterial system is induced, and the inner coatings of the
finer arteries of the brain become ulcerated and break through
under this pressure at a time when he thinks he needs an extra
 ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS 227

c^lass to do his work, and he drops dead, his physician when called
in, gives as the cause of death, heart failure. Then, on dissection
of the brain, we find a clot of blood, which was the direct cause,
from a broken artery, as has been demonstrated thousands of
times on the dissecting table. Do you suppose that a substance
that is so poisonous as to burn a stomach until it is fiery red,
purple, ulcerated, engorged and sore —
a substance that is not
modified by digestion, but remains the same, a poison, as long as
it remains in the system, —
a substance thinner than blood, will
readily pass into the little arteries of the brain, propelled there
by the heart while it is making herculean efforts to get rid of the
—
poison itself, do you suppose such a poison does not inflame and
ulcerate the little tender arteries of the brain? Such a substance
could not fail to injure the brain seriously. Dissection shows the
fine arteries strained, irritated, inflamed, engorged, ulcerated, and
often burst by the poisonous effects of alcohol. The arch
destroyer leaves a fiery path on his journey through the brain
and a mind that has to act through such a brain must be injured in
proportion.
Now comes the question, what part does it stimulate the
most, or irritate the worst ? Like a tree the smallest twigs are at
the top. In the lower part of the head the arteries are quite large.
It follows, therefore, that the lower part of the brain will be stim-
ulated or irritated the most, and as the brain is the organ of the
mind or soul, the lower organs will be stimulated or irritated to the
greatest activity, and the desire to drink more, and more, until it
becomes a mania and then to attack, and that, too, perhaps his
;

nearest and dearest friend or he may want to break, burn,

;

destroy, or fight and quarrel with his neighbors, beat or abuse the
wife of his bosom, or the the children of his loins. Have we not
known of these horrible instances which are too cruel and brutal
to be repeated. When one man who had murdered his son was
on the scaffold and about to be hung, he said

"Fellow men, before God, in whose presence I shall stand in a

few minutes, I would as soon have taken my own life, as that of my
dear boy, for I loved my wife and children as dearly as any man
could do, but I was maddened by drink and knew not what I was
doing."

The organof acquisition or desire to get, possess, and ac-

cumulate, also one of the lower organs of the brain, we all km
is m
how common it is for drinkers to be found with a mania to steal,
or rob, gamble or lie hence the enormous, outrageous lies the
;

tipsy man will tell, and then gloat over the enormity of their
falsehoods.
Again, the organ of amativeness or sexual love is one of the
lower organs, through which pass some of the larger arteries, and
J^ IMPROVEMENT KRA
when filled with poisoned blood, the person will be possesse'd with
a mania for lust. Young men go from the saloon to the house of
prostitution. Husbands drinking this poison are apt to prove
faithless to their marriage vows. Wives who drink to intoxication
want only opportunity to commit adultery.
I have been in the active practice of medicine for the past

thirty-two years, and can testify that ninety per cent of all the
cases of venereal diseases I have treated became infected while
under the influence of this poison alcohol. On account of the
lower organs being so unduly excited and the higher organs of
reason, judgment, conscience, and will, not being equally excited,
so as to control them, the man ceases to be himself, and is directed
and impelled by his lower organs and passions, and becomes
obedient only to the powers and forces of evil. Is not this de-
pravity? All are forms of mania, insanity, madness, foolishness,
at first only temporary, but frequently become wild, raging, and
incurable. Let me say to you, there comes a time in the history
of the drunkard when he no longer sings, is witty, desires to be
lustful, lie, steal, or beat his wife or children. The organ of cau-
tion becomes inflamed, and he becomes cautious, and fearful he ;

sees strange things, and trembles with terror. The nerves of the
eyes become inflamed, and he sees awful sights, wild animals,
fierce beasts, slimy serpents, huge, terrible and hideous. The nerves
of the ear become inflamed and he hears strange and awful noises,
the growling of monsters and the laughter of fiends. The nerves
of the nose become inflamed and he smells terrible stenches. The
nerves of feeling become inflamed and he feels the points of sharp
daggers, hot coals, and blazes of burning ruins. The nerves of his
imagination being inflamed, he sees sights and hears sounds more
terrible than he could ever have dreamed of, and he quakes and
gasps with terror. The nerves of memory being inflamed, he re-
calls the image of a praying mother, a loving, beseeching wife, and
the smiles of innocent children. Anguish and hopeless remorse
take possession of his soul, and while he is raving and calling for
protection against these evils, the vital organs, scorched and
burned with the alcohol, cease to perform their duties, and in many
eases the victim dies a horrible death (delirium tremens).
It has been demonstrated beyond all controversy that the
children of parents begotten while under the influence of liquor
are below par, intellectually.
In the words of Dr. T. Alex. MacNicholl, ex-surgeon of
the New York Red Cross Hospital, sent abroad by former Presi-
dent Roosevelt to investigate alcoholism and narcotics, says:

"A wave of degeneracy is sweeping the land, and its development

threatens the physical vitality of the nation. Within fifty years the
population of the United States increased three hundred thirty per
 ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS 229

cent, while the number of insane and feeble minded, increased nine
hundred per cent, practically all of which is due to the chronic and
fifty
excessive use of alcohol and narcotics. Degeneracy is shown in the
lessened fertility of the nation. In fifty years the birth rate in this
country fell off thirty-three and one-half per cent." (This is an ad-
dress before the American Medical Association).

Dr. Howard A. Kelly, professor of diseases of women at the

Johns Hopkins Hospital, says

"With regard to my own work, I speak as a physician of thirty-

two years experience, which has taught me that the effect of alcohol is
evanescent, that the drug (for such it is) does no real good, and that a
dangerous habit is thus easily engendered which may be most dif-
ficult to eradicate, a habit which may utterly ruin a patient, body and
soul, and spirit, making it far better if she had died at once. It is
clear in the light of experience and of recent research work that
alcohol ought to be classed in the list of dangerous drugs, along with
morphine, cocaine, and chloral, a drug which may so affect the will
power as to gain the complete mastery over a person and in the end de-
stroy him. The fittest uses a doctor can make of alcohol are to pre-
serve dead tissues, cancers, and the like. As a citizen I observe with
alarm an increase in its use by women of society. I have seen sweet,
modest girls flushed with wine, become loud and boisterous, and at
last ruined morally and physically. I note it is alcohol which fills our

prisons, whether taken in the form of a stronger beverage or as

whisky of beer. It is at the bottom of most all crime."

Our own Prof. John A. Widtsoe, President of the Agricultural

College of Utah, one of our ablest western chemists, states

"Alcohol is a solvent, an irritant, and a poison, a drug which

should always be classed with morphine, cocaine, and chloral, because
of its ruinous effects upon the health and morals of all who persist in
the use of any of the beverages in which it is contained."

Having given this subject a somewhat thorough investigation,

we find the physiological, pathological, and psychological effects of
alcohol upon the human body are in every way frightfully detri-
mental to health, and our well being here and hereafter. As par-
ents and teachers we should use every endeavor to thoroughly edu-
cate our children, and those with whom we come in contact, con-
cerning the evils following in the wake of this fearfully irritant.poi-
sonous drug, that it should never be used only as every other poi-
sonous drug. We
should warn them of the folly of the arguments
of many who say, "Why a glass of beer will do you good, it will
give you an appetite, and brace you up, right off the ice, it's fine,"
etc., etc. The beer drinker is only deceiving himself and, besides,
;

if he is a married man with a family and has beer for dinner or

supper; or the English fashion of bread, cheese and beer, just

before retiring, it's only a longer way around he has to take more
;

of it to get the required stimulation, and irritation. Every glass

230 IMPROVEMENT ERA
only says more, and before he is aware of it, he has cultivated a
habit, besides the evil example he sets before his children. One of
the cardinals of the Catholic church remarked some time ago,
''You let us teach a child the Faith until he is ten years of age, and
come what may, he will never depart from it."
I have watched early teaching and early impressions upon
children, while their minds were like a sheet of clean paper, easily
impressionable. Don't forget the importance of this, parents, and
teachers, because it is our duty to impress these important facts
upon their minds now, that as an article of daily use, alcoholic
liquors produce the most deplorable consequences as to their evil ;

effects on health and the moral degredation caused by their

use. 1 cannot find words of condemnation strong enough.
LOGAN, UTAH

The New Year

I sat by my window, and waited, last night,

With many a silent tear,
To bid good-bye to the old, old pain,
And welcome, "A Happy New Year."

And I wondered if, in the coming year,

The pain would live again;
Or if the dead past buried its dead
With the dying Year's refrain.

Hark! 'tis the merry chiming bells, ringing "a bright New Year,"
And happy voices shout aloud its echoes far and near.
And so will I, "A Bright New Year," and let the dead be past;
Another year brings in the morn, with joys that yet .may last.

Let sorrow pass, and high thought climb to better aims in life,
And from the ashes of the past rise nobler from the strife.
Then welcome, "Bright New Year;" to all, your season's gifts be love;
And teach us all the way to reach a happy home above.
Henry Nicol Adam son
 Joy
BY NEPHI JENSON

After studying long and profoundly, Epicurus concluded that

"Happiness is the supreme good." The Greek philosopher came
very near to the truth about the object of man's existence. But a
greater than Epicurus gave the true and complete answer to the
old, and yet ever new, question, "Why are we here?" in the words,
"Man is that he might have joy." This is the text of texts. There
is more of sound philosophy in this simple Book of Mormon gen-

eralization of the purpose of human existence, than is to be found

iii volumes of the vaunted speculations of the sages.

This little word "Joy" is the name of the goal towards which
we should strive with all our might of brain and strength of
heart. There is only one way to this goal, and it is "straight and
narrow" said the One who traveled it. He is the wisest of the
wise, who really finds the way to joy and is never turned there-
from by vain illusions.
But what is joy? It is more than content. It is more than
pleasure. The mirth that lingers in the eye of the contented is
pleasure; joy is the golden glow of the mellow soul. Pleasure
is the rippling laughter that dances on the lips of the gay ;
joy is
the deep, lasting glory of the soul. Pleasure is the light that
Mashes from things that sparkle because of their splendor; joy is
the dew that distils in the soul in which the goodnesses of good-
ness, purity and beauty reside. Joy is the music of the heart that
beats true to heaven's symphony. Joy is the glory of the soul
so full of peace and melody that it cannot speak.
Where is joy? It is not in the heel of the gay dancer. It is
not in the joke of the jester. It is not in the sparkling wine. It is
not in the ease of the idler. It is not in the revel of the dissolute.
It is in the heart of the toiler who struggles to make others happy.
It is in the heart of the mother who sees heaven's light in the eyes
of her child. It is in the heart of the poet who weaves, of the
warp and woof of truth and beauty, words that inspire and thrill.
Tt is in the heart of the prophet who sends down the ages the
white light of truth to lift souls up to God. It is in the heart that
is glad when others are glad, and sad when others are sad. It is in
the heart that is great enough and true enough to beat just mid-
way between tears and gladness.
Joy is the most elusive thing in the world. When we seek it,
we fail to find it and often when we are not seeking it, we find it.
;

We cannot buy it. It cannot be brought from afar. He has found

232 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the way who lias learned that there is glory in working, and
to joy
sadness shirking; that the heart of the burden-bearer is light,
in
and the heart of the care-free is heavy; that ease and idleness is
vanity; and struggling and striving is sanity. In a word he has
found the way to joy who has learned that the full and successful
life is a "Gift and benediction."
The saying of the master, "My yoke is easy, my burden is
light," is the greatest paradox in all the literature of the world.
It is one of the strongest sentences ever spoken by poet, sage or
prophet. It contains the hardest lesson any one ever tried to learn.
Only one Person ever really knew the full truth that simple
sentence holds, and that was the One who spoke it. He knew it
and lived it.

The vain, abortive human striving to become light-hearted

without bearing burdens, and to get ease of soul without wearing
the yoke of service, is the saddest and most enduring tragedy of
human history!
There is joy in the acquisition of power. But strength does
not come from inaction. In the development of power of mind
or soul the law of equivalents holds inexorably true. The use of
strength develops strength. We cannot have robust minds and
strong hearts if we evade the solution of the stern problem of
political wrong, social injustice, and human misery. "Ease is for
dolls steep and craggy is the path of the gods."
; All the songs
that have lived and thrilled have come from hearts almost crushed
with their load of care. All the poems that have made the heart
beat faster have been written in tears. There is not, in all tongues
of the race, an oration worth the name that did not come from
some great heart made strong by the weight of human woe and
what it carried. There is not a name on the roll of fame that is
not the name of someone who in some way was a burden-bearer.
He alone receives strength and joy who faces the stern world
with its more stern problems with invincible resolution, and gives
to the full of his heart and brain for the defense of the weak, the
righting of wrongs, the eradication of evil, the glorification of
truth, the protection of purity, and the establishment of righteous-
ness. We
are as strong as the total weight of all the burdens we
have borne.
There is joy in living the purposeful life, the life which sees
in the sunset what the artist sees, that sees in the star what the
astronomer sees, that hears in the bird's plaintive note what the
singer hears, that is stirred by the truth as the orator is stirred,
that grows towards the light as surely as the needle finds the star.
There is joy in giving. A thousand times you have heard
someone say, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," but
not one in a thousand knows what profound truth lies hidden in
those simple words. "He who saves his life shall lose it." The
 JOY 233

only way to keep your blessings is to give them away. This is

the lesson the flower teaches. It opens its little heart and sends
forth the gentle dew of its soul to gladden the world. It live-
by what it gives. Shut up the flower, so that its tinted lips can-
not express in scent and color the thought God sent it to express,
and it withers and dies. Shut up your souls so that they do not
express in word, aspiration and act, the goodness, the truth and
beauty that God intended they should express, and they will wither
and die. But open your souls wide and let them send forth with-
out measure, smiles for the glad, tears for the sad, sympathy for
the sorrowing, inspiration' for the plodding, help for the needy,
and worship for God, and they will unfold and develop until they
become perfect even as God is perfect.

To Myself
( may
) I know the Lord as friend,
And love of him my life attend;
The sweetest joy be mine to know
That I have lessened others' woe.
May life eternal be my share,
Under my Redeemer's care,
With those I love eternal — joy,
Eternal good, my time employ:

Eternal increase of my life,

I'ternal victoiy, 'mid the strife,
Eternal truth to learn each day
Eternal betterment of way.
Geo. 1 1. Brim hall

n ,flj

M. I. A. GAMES
Oscar A Kirkliam teaching "The Poison Circle" to scoutmasters at Cowley, Wto
ming, at the three Hay?' M. 1 A Educational Cmirse.
 The New Year at Gunnison Island

Dreary is the land and dreary is the sea. More trying

are the silent, implacable hours, than are the times of uproar.
For New Year's Greeting, I heard only the shrill, sudden
call of the gull or the dry, harsh croak of the passing raven.
In the stillness the bitter cold frets the surface of wind-drift
and level, the storm clouds hang low ; or, slowly the big snow-
Hakes fall out of the sky. On the mountains, today, a wind-
storm is raging. So fierce up there is the gale, one could
scarcely keep his footing. The great snow-banners are
whirled from the crests, and grand and solemn, I know, is

the sound, when the strong northern winds smite upon those
harps, the pines, and when, along the mountain sides, the
loosened snow is caught from the forest branches and sent
madly up by crag and ravine. But see ! How the wind can
revel on these waters, too! Behold how the}
-
sweep over the
long reaches Of unbroken brine; how they pick up the foam-
dust from the waves of the Inland Sea, and, mixing it with
snow-dust from the island cliffs, whirl it around and around!
Yesterday the sun-dogs erlearr.ed river the desert hills — but
now? The sleet and snow, the foam and spray, are driven
by these winter winds.

A feeling of awe is upon me. Often, as in the Norse

mythology, the sun comes up, all faint and wan, sick nigh
unto death it seems, and languidly looks o'er the world of
white. What thoughts are mine! In the dim, uncertain, and
mysterious twilight, when all surrounding objects expand to

the sight, I half expect to see, looking upon me from out the
western desert, some angry deity of the Indians' forgotten
pantheon ; or, as my thoughts revert again to the olden world,
to see, springing from that Nifelheim in the north, the gaunt,
gray form of Fenris Wolf, and to behold his fiery eyes as he
passes onward to his terrible feast, when the Asas, Odin and
Thor, and the lesser ones, too, shall become his prey in Rag-
narok, the last, weird twilight of the Northern gods.

Tonight the wind roars. What care I ? The louder the

rumble in the spacious chimney, the brighter will burn my
drift-wood fire. One must oppose his resources of mind to
the blind anger of nature, and trust to prevail in the end.
What to me, in this comfortable room, if the wind grows
furious in its strength, and beats and clamors at window
and door? No sail, I know, is out on this winter sea. What
if the waves boom by the Northern Cliff if the wind veer ;

again and drive the foam far up the sands of the little bay?
There will be no need to hang out the signal lamp. The
Inland Sea, and the bleak, inhospitable season, will keep
both my island and myself in unbroken ostracism. The sleet
and the hail may lash against the window-panes, but it is only
such as might have been foreseen. There must pass many
and. many a day ere the yacht will put forth. So, stir the
embers of the smoldering fire let the red sparks fly, remem-
;

ber that thy food is safe-cached, and that the hut is firm-
planted and strong as the gale.

From "Our Inland Sea; The Story of a Homestead."

By Alfred Lam nor km:.

 Anthon L. Skanchy
A Brief Autobiographical Sketch of the Missionary Labors
of a Valiant Soldier for Christ

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE

III. I GO ON MY FIRST MISSION

Early in the spring of 1863 I was called to be present at

the conference to be held in Christiania. T resigned, immediately,
my place in the rope factory. According to law, six weeks'
notice had to be given when a person resigned from steady em-
ployment ;but if I was to reach the conference on time, I had to
leave at once, for at that time there was no railroad between
Christiania and Trondhjem. I was, therefore, obliged to tell the
owner of the factory that I had to leave in one week. This was a
hard nut for him to crack, especially since he had the law on his
side. I told him that I was going to the conference, law or no
law, and that I was going to be there on time. He finally gave in
to my request, and even offered to meet me in the morning of my
departure to bid me goodby, and promised to send an apprentice
to carry my satchel to the city limits.
On the morning of my departure, the master came, accord-
ing to his agreement, and brought with him an old school teacher,
connected with the church, as I supposed for the purpose of
driving "Mormonism" out of me. Their plan did not material-
ize ; our discussions were carried on in a friendly way, and at
last they bade me goodby, and gave me their best wishes for
my future. The apprentice came and carried my satchel through
the city. Thus I left my native city, to begin the many years of
missionary service.
A Swedish rope-maker was also on his way to Christiania,
and we, therefore, traveled together. We traveled on foot, along
the country roads, the 350 miles that separate Trondhjem from
Christiania. This was early in the month of March. The roads
were difficult to travel for there was much snow. Moreover,
neither of us knew the conditions and short cuts of the roads. We
had snow shoes along with us, which made our journey more
rapid in places where they could be used. On we traveled, day
after day along the valleys, over the hills, now in heavy drifted
:

snow, now where the road was bare from the heavy winds.
In the course of our journey, we finally had to climb Dovre
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY •
237

mountain, the highest divide in Norway. The mountain side was

covered with drifted snow, and it was exceedingly difficult to
walk there. One evening we reached the station known as
( rrievestuen, the first statical north of Dovre mountain, and spent
the night there on nearly the highest point of the mountain. This
is far above the tree line, and no dwelling houses are found so

far up on the mountain. The next day we crossed the mountain,

for the first time for me, though it was not to be my last. That
day we undertook, as usual, almost too much of a day's journey,
for we traveled almost fourteen miles through the heavy drifted
snow, to the second station from the one in which we had spent
the night. Darkness overtook us. The road was filled with
drifted snow, and in our worn-out condition we were in danger
of giving up and remaining in the snow throughout the night.
I had in my pocket a small bottle of camphor drops of which we

took a drop now and then. This seemed to help us, and at length,
we reached the station.
The next morning we walked ten or twelve miles downward
into the beautiful and well-known Guldbrands Valley. Some days
later we reached the beautiful city of Lillehammer, which lies at
the end of the great lake of Mjosen. Ships here take passengers to
Eidsvold but, when we arrived, the lake was still covered wfth ice
;

and we had to continue our foot journey twenty-eight miles far-

ther. At last we reached the town of Gjevig; where we journeyed
by ship to Eidsvold, the railroad terminus, where we boarded the
train immediately, and found ourselves in Christiania the same
clay. The long walk was ended.
On the evening of my arrival, the conference began, in the
large hall in Storgaden. Elder Rasmus Johansen was president,
and the brothers Dorius were also there. I felt like one who has
just escaped from a prison — glad and happy. We had a good
time together. Nearly all of the missionaries and our local
elders were there. During this conference I was called to go to
Nordland on a mission, and I received my commission from
President Rasmus Johansen. I suppose few of those present

knew anything about Nordland at that time.

Soon after the conference. I began, alone, my long tramp
of 350 miles, northward, to my native city of Trondhjem. On
the return journey, however. I took a somewhat different route.
through Osterdalcn. On this trip. also. I had to walk across a
great mountain and as I was not acquainted with the conditions,
it was night before I came down from the mountain, into the
nearest village. The people had all gone to bed. I knocked on
the door of one of the houses. "Who is there?" asked someone.
"A stranger who has come over the mountain." said I. "No, he
can get no entertainment here," said a woman, briskly. "Hold
on," said a man. "A man who has walked over the mountain
238 IMPROVEMENT ERA
• •

alone at this time of night needs rest. I have been out myself
and know what it means." He dressed himself, opened the door,
put good food on the table, made my bed, and said, "Help your-
self." This man was one of the many who has secured, for him-
self, a reward. •
I came Roros, where many of my family
finally to the city of
lived, and bore my testimony.
to whom At last I readied
I
Trondhjcm where I secured work again in the rope factory, and
where I worked during two weeks, in oder to earn enough to buy

&<*- ^ I

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vod HaaucUpftalaeggcbjc, ogovcreen stcn indc moVirkonsi Rcglcr, »g fuldkomrocu
berottigot ill it prsedike Evangeliu g lorretti . |
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lifter den Kujadiikab \i have
bans lieUtkaflenbd pg godi
orti Charakreer, og ban*
Attraa til at lane Menneskenc Sandhcdcii <>;.• ovenle dem til ,u skyt del Ond< •_
boldc m^' til ,iet Godc, anbefale vi ham ti) allegootHJcnnctker og uedbede vov bim
metske Fadoi» Vplsignelscr over allc hain< Bestrfflmser ng ovei Alle, *om give Agt
pan hana ' h . ,

Givel under vore Hauder racd aJmindcligt )> "M ;.i bemcldtc Kirkca Embeds-
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)
MISSIONARY CERTIFICATE OF BISHOP ANTHON L. SKANCHY
This certifirate, issued in 1863, bears the endorsement of different police officers,
under date of Nov. 2, 1863; June 10, 1864; and' May 24, 1865.

a steamer ticket to the place assigned to me for my missionary

labors. At that time, the missionaries were sent out without purse
or scrip, and depended entirely upon the promises of the Lord.

IV. MISSIONARY LABORS IN NORDLAND AND FINMARKEN

The 27th of May, 1863, I took passage with the steamship
Prince Gitstaf, and with God's mercy of eternal salvation before
me, I bade my dear mother goodby. With joy in my heart I
went out to carry the message of the everlasting covenant, to
preach the gospel and to battle for the cause of truth.
 ANTHON L. SKANCIIV 239

The first island I visited was Dcgoc. It lies off Hclgelancl.

There I bore my testimony to the people, and distributed books
and tracts wherever I went. I then traveled to Harstad, from
there to Qvarfjorden where there was a family who belonged to
the Church, and then along Kadsfjorden where there also was a
family belonging to the Church.
Then came numerous long visits among the many deep fjords
and sounds of which Nordland mainly consists, and upon the
islands, most of which are thickly peopled. I traveled by boat,
sailship or steamship, as opportunity offered. I tramped from
island to island, over mountains and valleys, visited houses and
fishing districts, and had opportunity to bear my testimony be-
fore many people. I visited nearly all of the inhabited islands,
fjords and sounds in Nordland. There I met many kinds of peo-
ple. —
priests and school teachers, and many people well versed
in the Bible, The people in Nordland seemed to me to be better
posted on the Bible than in any other place in Norway. The few
Saints whom T found scattered on the different islands were
visited, bu*, soon after I reached there, two families who belonged
to the Church emigrated to Zion, namely Pollov Israelsen, and
Peter Hartvigsen. My greatest interest and joy was my mission
work. this I can truthfully say.
;

Nordland begins several miles north of Trondhjem, where

the Atlantic ocean crowds in and follows the Norwegian coastline
northward and washes the old steep rocks of the shore, until the
famous North Cape is reached, a few miles from the widely
known city of Hammerfest. Hundreds of tourists from various
nations visit this place every summer. Here they may see the
midnight sun circle around the horizon, through two long months
of summer. After we leave North Cape the coast line draws
north-east and east to south, until the great Atlantic ocean sur-
rounds Norway's northern, barren and fjord-furrowed coast. This
part of Norway is called Finmarken. The country is here very
barren. No vegetation, excepting grass, is found, and the popula-
tion, chiefly Finns and Lapps, live on the mountains and care
for their great herds of reindeer, or, they live on the islands and
fishfrom season to season. Fishing, as is well known, is the life-
blood of Norway's industrial existence. I give these facts be-
cause this great mission field is little known, even now, in our
Church history.
was called
1 to go on a mission to Nordland, which includes
many such as Namsos, Bodo, Harstad, and Tromso. The
cities
last mentioned city lies $7? miles north of Trondhjem, and Vardo,
the most distant of the cities lies 1.400 miles north of Trondhjem.
This vast territory was. therefore, my mission field. In this field
only ten souls belonged to the Church at the time came there.
I
240 IMPROVEMENT ERA
»

These few had been baptized by Elder Ola Orstend who was the
captain of a trading ship, and who later became postmaster in
Cottonwood, Utah.
The people in thai part of the land did not always deem it
proper for me to preach "Mormonism" and to administer the
ordinances of the Church. Consequently, during the time T spent
in that country, I was arrested seven times, carried over land
and sea in boats and steamers as a prisoner, tried in various places,
and was sentenced to imprisonment six times. The first time I was
given six days imprisonment with only bread and water for food.
This was in the city of Tromso. In the prison I had to mingle
with thieves and murderers. 1 was assigned a little room in the
attic with a tiny window in the east, and a hard bed hanging by
hinges on the wall so that it might be dropped down when it was
tc be used and lifted again when not in use, so that there would
be some room for me in which to move about. A tiny table and
a tiny bench constituted the furniture. I had a small piece of

sour, coarse bread, and all the water I desired, every twenty-four
hours. The cause of my sentence was illegal religious activity.
When I had earned my freedom, and was let out of the
prison, I began again to bear my testimony among the people
and to distribute books and to hold meetings, and to baptize those
who were converted to the saving message.
The tracts that I distributed found their way to many of the
honest in heart. I heard at one time of a man far away in Fin-
marken who desired much to see and speak with an elder. He had
read something in some of our books that had reached him. T
had then just come out of the prison in Tromso. I bought a
ticket on a steamer to a station known as Hasvig, on the east side
of the great island of Soro. He who desired to meet an elder of
the Church lived in Ofjorden, west of the island, nearly thirty-
five miles away, over great mountains and morasses. Since I had
never been in this place, I wondered if I could find my way to it.
The only road was that made by the goats as they traveled back
and forth between the watering and feeding places. The steamship
was to arrive in Hasvig at two o'clock in the morning. It was the
16th day of September. I was the only deck passenger on the
ship. As the night went on I became very anxious about the
manner of my reaching my destination, and when all was quiet
on board I went forward on the ship, bowed before the Lord and
prayed to him, in whose service I was traveling, to guide my foot-
steps and to care for me on this particular task. I became sur-
rounded by a great light and a voice said to me, "Be of good
courage. You are not alone. Whatever is necessary will be given
you." I cannot describe how happy I felt.
At two o'clock in the morning the steamboat whistled and we
stopped at the station of Hasvig. There was no landing place
 WTIK >\ L. SKANCHY 241

there at that time, so the postmaster came out with a boat to de-
liver and receive the mail. I was the only passenger he brought

away. He asked me where I came from and where I was going.

I told him and he invited me immediately to go with him to
his office. Ho said, "My housekeeper has always a cup of coffee
ready for me when I am up at night to get the mail." Afterwards
he went down with me to the shore and took me to a freight boat
which was about to travel up the fjord the way I was going. The
postmaster asked those in the boat to take me with them as far as
they went, and told me it was best for me to begin my foot jour-
ney at the place the boat would stop. I continued with the boat
to Sorvar, which we reached at ten o'clock the next forenoon.
Great fishing districts are located there. I had been up all night,
and I was very tired. A fisherman whom I met asked me to go
with him to his place and he would make some coffee for me, for
he understood that I was tired.
As my strength returned to me I began to bear my testimony
to them. After an hour's time, one of the many who had gathered
to listen to me, invited me to go with him to his house for dinner,
after which he took a boat and rowed me across the sound. On
this journey our time was occupied in explaining questions which
he directed to me. He was very much interested. After we
crossed the sound he hired a boat and we rowed up to the head
of the fjord. Here we found shelter for the night with a family
of Laps. When they heard where I was going, one of the Lap
women said she knew the road well and offered to go with me and
to show me the road over the mountains, about seven miles.
We reached Ofjorden, my destination, early in the afternoon
and was welcomed by the man who had desired to see a "Mormon"
elder. This man, for some time, had held a position similar to that
of probate judge, but had resigned his position and was now living
quietly and was being cared for by a housekeeper. It was pe-

culiar that the man who had heard me speak on the island, and
who had rowed me across the sound, had followed me the whole
distance. I held a meeting with them and spoke to them the whole
day of my arrival and the day after. My friend the fisherman
returned, at last. The day afterward I baptized the old probate
judge later his housekeeper was baptized, and at last the Lap wo-
;

man who had acted as my guide over the mountain was baptized.
When this had been accomplished the Lap woman guided me
back straight over the mountain, to Hasvig where I had left
the steamship early in the night just a week previously. The
vision that I had had on the deck of the ship that night had been
literally fulfilled. Everything that was necessary had been given
me. I felt very grateful to the Lord for his fatherly care and
•guidance during the week.
Afterward I visited the huts of the Laps on the shore and
242 IMPROVEMENT ERA
slept one night with them. They received me with much kindness,
invited me to cat with them and desired much to listen to what I
had to tell them. I held a meeting with them and sang for them.
They all felt well, as did I also.

(to be continued.)

The Prophet Joseph's Birth

(December 23, 1805)

Of all whose wortli has graced the earth,

In all its varied history through,
The memories of whose mortal birth
And
missions great and true,
Next to the high Exalted One,
E'en Jesus, God's Beloved Son,
Whom most of all we should revere,
We have most cause in joy to raise.
Our thanks to God in tuneful lays
For Joseph Smith, our Modern Seer.

He made the span 'twixt God and man,

As Egypt's Joseph, in his day,
And plain revealed the heavenly plan
From God to whom we pray.
For Truth sublime, best boon from God,
Through him revealed and preached abroad
Through him restored a ain to earth
And gifts and keys of Heaven's choice,
We praise his name, and now rejoice,
And celebrate our Prophet's birth.
How we should live and honor give,
Heartfelt, to God, and Truth, and man,
lie showed with proof most positive
In God's all-perfect plan,
Of which he was, midst trials rife,
A true exemplar in his life;
His death, a martyr, oroved his worth,
For precious blood sealed living truth.
So let us all, adult and youth,
Commemorate our Prophet's birth.

The choicest ones of Israel's sons

And God's elect of every age,
To blaze the way till Jesus comes,
With prophet, seer, and sage,
Will all extol our Prophet's name,
Their leader in eternal fame,
For works of great and noble worth.
Then let all Israel join the lay
And celebrate with us today
The Prophet Joseph's name and birth.
F. E. Barker.
December, 1914.
 Two Moving Word Pictures

BY PROF. J. C. IIOGENSON, OF THE SI A I I. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

"Shall the youth of Zlon falter, in defending truth and

right?" Shall they fail because they are not improving their
time and talent in such a way as to cause them to become shin-
ing lights and persons of character later in life, who are able
to take hold of the responsibilities of life with a steady hand
and carry them on to a full and successful completion? I pray
God that the answer may be, No.
Some young people in this glorious state of ours, however,
are wasting their time largely in doing those things which bring-
only momentary pleasures, and which usually bring nothing but
disappointment in the end. If a person's youthful days be well
spent to a purpose, success is sure to follow later in life. If those
days be spent in idleness and frivolity there is not much of value
to look forward to in that person's life.
I would that I could paint a picture that would impress
this so vividly upon the minds of the young people that they
would never forget it but I am no artist to influence men to
;

good deeds with brush and paint. I only have words, simple
words yet, in a word, sometimes, are thoughts that have stirred
;

the world.
In my mind's eye I see before me two moving pictures. One
represents a young man standing at the mouth of a rugged can-
yon. He has a smile upon his lips, and with outstretched arms
looks with gladsome eyes upon a beautiful valley. For days,
weeks, months, and years he has been struggling through the
chaos of the canyon, hardly knowing what to do or where to
go, but with the firm resolve in his mind that he would make
the most of life and become a successful man. In the chaos of
the canyon when the path was difficult to find, his friends and
companions left him and, one by one, fell by the wayside. One
left him when they came to the rocks of "Strong Drink," an-
other at the river of "Temptation," still another when they had
crossed the swamp of a "Good, Easy Time." So, one by one,
they left him to struggle alone. Many times he felt like giving
up in despair, as the path became more and more difficult and
obscure but, with a firm purpose in his heart and a strong re-
;

solve, he struggled on and on, meeting difficulty after difficulty.

and overcoming temptation after temptation, until now we see
him standing at the mouth of the canyon of "Doubt" and gazing
244 IMPROVEMENT ERA
into the valley of "Preparation." It is a beautiful valley, sur-
rounded on all sides by high, rugged mountains, except a little
gap in the opposite side of the valley, through which he gets
his first glimpse into the valley of "Success," which lies beyond.
He begins to walk out into the valley. His progress is much
more rapid and easy than it had been in the canyon. In the dis-
tance, he now sees cities, towns and villages. Fields of golden
grain and pastures of green velvety grass seem to beckon to him
as he passes, while here and there he sees the cattle grazing upon
the thousand hills. In the center of the valley is a river, down
which beautiful barges descend and pass through the gap in the
mountains into the valley of "Success." At each village, town
and city, where the barges stop, a few persons get on board amid
the praises and songs of their fellows, who are left behind. They,
who descend in the barges, are prepared to enter the valley of
"Success." Our young man comes first to the village of "Nature,"
where he is tutored by a wonderfully wise old lady known as
"Dame Nature." She causes him to look upon the world in an
entirely different light from what he had looked upon it before.
She teaches him the wisdom of God in everything he sees. Next
he comes to the town of "Work," where the dignity of common
things is learned. The towns of "Concentration of Mind," and
of "Contentment" are next passed. In each of these he learns
valuabje lessons. Before him now is the city of "Practical Edu-
cation," which he enters with a cheerful heart. After passing
this beautiful city, he sees to the right and to the left the twin
cities of "Usefulness" and "Efficiency." Upon the gates of these
cities are -written in letters of gold "Let him who enters be of
:

service to his fellow men." From these beautiful cities he looks

beyond near the gap in the mountains and sees the spires and
domes of the city of "Experience." After spending some time
in this city, he is permitted to enter one of the barges and pass
down the river into the valley of "Success." This valley is beau-
tiful beyond description, and in one little spot in the valley he
sees his name written upon a beautiful house. His guide leads
him toward this, and as they open the gate a beautiful young
woman comes running toward him with outstretched arms. She
bids him welcome home. As he looks upon her he beholds the
little girl friend of his childhood now grown to womanhood, and
he is content.
They live now home in the valley of "Suc-
in their beautiful
cess," just where theand forest meet, with a mirrored lake
fields
in the foreground and the snowcapped mountains behind. To the
right, beautiful fields, orchards and gardens show the thrift of
the husbandman. To the left are the villages, towns, and cities
where the hum of industry is ever heard, and where sweet-toned
chimes tell melodiously the passing time of day.
 TWO MOVING WORD PICTURES 245

Success, indeed is apparent on every side, and as our friend

sits under the shade of the trees, near his home, with his young
wife by his side, listening to the sweet voices of their children
at play, he lifts his voice to God and says, "Lord, I am con-
tent, my cup of happiness runneth over."

The second picture, which I would paint, represents First,

:

a young man struggling in the swamps of "Worldly Pleasures."

Many of his young friends are lost in this swamp, nut he strug-
gles manfully on until at last he stands upon firm ground. He
looks back and sees hundreds still struggling in the swamp.
Many give up and disappear forever, while some struggle on and
finally they also reach the firm ground. He looks forward and
sees a path leading onward toward the uplands of "Work." This
path he takes because he knows that it is only by hard work that
he will ever be able to succeed. When he reaches the uplands
the sun seems to shine unusually warm, perspiration stands out
in drops upon his brow, but he still travels on. From here some
of his companions turn back. "It is too warm," they say. Others
return because some well-dressed persons laugh at them and
make fun of their rough clothes and toil-worn hands. Our young
friend, however, still goes on. He can still look back and see his
friends who left him, basking in the shade in the forest of "Ease
and Luxury." In front of him now he sees the mountains of
"Self-Denial." These he knows he must climb if he would reach
success, so he takes the narrow path that leads upward. Dav by
day the path becomes more steep and difficult to tread. Each
day he suffers from hunger and tlrrst and from the lack of sleep,
because of the rocks and thorns which beset his way. The cliffs
become so steep that he has to be careful at every step, lest he
lose his footing and tumble over the precipices of "Lusts." The
wild beasts of "Temptation" growl and snarl at him as he passes.
He looks over the cliffs and sees, at the bottom, many of those who
began their journey with him. He climbs higher and higher.
The little difficulties which before seemed almost unsurmountable
now appear like little mole hills below him. He smiles and turns
his face again upward. After much climbing he at last reaches
the summit of the mountains of "Self-Denial," and sees beyond,
still higher, towering toward the skies, mount "Success." With a
firm resolve he continues to climb. The mountain sides are steep,
and with every step he slides almost as far back as he goes for-
ward. Each step, however, enables him to make a little headway,
and so he struggles on. His feet are sore, and he aches at every
muscle, but still he climbs higher and higher, until, finally, with
bleeding feet and tattered clothes, yet, with a feeling of keen joy,
pleasure and satisfaction, he reaches the summit called "Success,"
where he can look down upon all the mountains of difficulty
246 IMPROVEMENT KRA
which were in his path, and where he now sees the world »as one
vast plain, with one endless reach of sky.
As he stands upon the mountain peak of "Success" he breathes
the pure air of God's fresh sunshine. He stretches out his arms
to his God and with his lips he says, "I thank God that I have
withstood the trials and temptations of youth, and that I have now
reached untainted and unsoiled, a pure and noble manhood, which
is the greatest of all successes."

The paths which lead to success in this world, and in the

world to come, are not easy but, young men, tread them firmly
;

and bravely, and with unfaltering heart; and as your reward yoti
will surely pluck the fruits of success, and you will then be able
to thank God all the clays of your life.

LOGAK, I'taii

My Babe
Another life to us is given;
A from Heaven,
"life," a soul first fresh
Another "Breath of God" enshrined in clay
Sent here to grow and flourish in its day.

A laughing soul born in "the Light,"

To send a radiant ray and banish night;
From a world all torn with shame and sin;
To see the Great Millennium ushered in.
As pure as a lily blown in the sun,
May it be as pure when
"Sands" are run, its

The "Wedding G"ment" may she don

When the "Crown of Victory's" won.
Then shall this "Soul" placed in my care,
Be a blessing sent to help me bear
The trials sore that beset my path.
For "Gifts" are given to "him that hath:"

To "him that hath" it shall be given

Crowns and Kingdoms, the Real Estate of Heaven;
Be it said of me when I am dead
That "Crowns and Glories are on his head."
Aubrey Pakkeb
shelley, idaho
 Evolution Not Supported by Embryology

BY ROBERT C. WEBB

[Sixth of a series of articles written for the Era by Dr. Webb, on

allied subjects. Each article is complete in itself, but students should
read the whole series. Editors.]
Theso-called "argument from embryology" for the hypoth-
esis of organic evolution is nearly the most famous of all the sup-
posed "evidences" in its behalf. In considering the embryo as,
in some sense, an epitome or "recapitulation" of its generic his-
tory, it is also nearly the oldest formal argument for the hypoth-
esis representing, in fact, the point at which the word "evolution"
;

was first introduced into the vocabulary of biology. As far back

as the time of Harvey —he who "discovered" the circulation of the
—
blood the- study of embryology was well under way toward a
scientific formulation although it suffered the retarding influence
;

of several fantastic theories, before it was finally established.

Among these was the theory, fathered probably by Albrecht von
Haller (1708-77), that the germ in ovo is a perfect "miniature
model" of the adult individual, and that, furthermore, the fertile
ovum contains, not only this "animalcule," as they termed it, but
also, germ within germ, ad infinitum, the simulacra, potential but
complete, each in itself, of the individuals to be begotten by the
"outermost," or first of the "models," which is supposed to repre-
sent the individual emerging into life at the completion of any
given process of gestation. The successive appearances (births)
of these "models," generation after generation, was supposed to
constitute a vital succession, which was termed "evolution," or
the "unfolding" of the destinies which had been "preformed" from
the beginning of time. Although, in its formal statement, any
such theory as this one would be ridiculed by biologists of the
present day, the same idea is involved in the current popular un-
derstanding of evolution as the racial working-out of an involved
potentiality of development, which is latent in every germ, through
the process describable as "cosmic gestation." Tt certainly accords

with Professor Le Conte's definition of evolution as a "continuous

progressive change * * * * by means of resident forces."
In modern evolution literature the ascribed significance of the
developing embryo is the reverse of that mentioned above. Now,
it is not so clearly the preformed epitome of all coming genera-

tions, but rather the "recapitulation" of the past. Thus, the mod-
ern evolutionist sees in its growth a very definitely marked "re-
enactment" of the main features of the process by which, sup-
posedly, the race represented by the embryo was first originated.
This idea is frequently expressed in some such statements as that
"the embryonic life of man is almost an epitome of the animal
248 IMPROVEMENT ERA
kingdom, beginning with characters common to the moneys and
worms, and ending with the vertebrates." (Packard.) The be-
ginnings of this theory are presented in Chambers' "Vestiges of
Creation," which outlines the development of the human brain,
through all the various stages in which it resembles the brains of
lower animals, from the "avertebrate" type to the human, during
the period of gestation. It has since been much elaborated ln-
such enthusiasts as Haeckel and Le Conte, who do not hesitate
to represent it as in the highest sense significant and established.
The same analogies are extended to every part of the developing
organism. Thus Haeckel is quoted as "identifying" no less than
twenty-two separate types of organism exemplified by stages in
the growth of the embryo. Prominent among these are "struc-
tureless protoplasm, (moner), egg, morula, planula, gastrula (sac
stage), ascidian (exhibiting what some regard as the homologue
of a spinal marrow), amphioxus, low shark, amphibian, mono-
treme, marsupial, lemurid, tailed monkey, tailless ape, Papuan
(Anthropogenic)." Such statements are made with a confidence
and naivete that might lead the general unbiological reader to
suppose that the resemblances referred to were somewhat other
than of a rather vague and general character, which is not the
case.
Professor Le Conte gives the following estimate of the de-
velopment of the human brain, which is worthy quotation, not
only for sake of fairness, but also in way of exhibiting the quality
of his logical analysis, and the temper of dogmatic certainty which
he assumes. He says
"Now, why should this peculiar order be observed in the building
of the individual brain? We find the answer, the only conceivable
scientific answer to this question, in the fact that this is the order of
the building of the vertebrate brain by evolution throughout geological
history. We have already seen that fishes were the only vertebrates
living in Devonian times. The first form of brain, therefore, was that
characteristic of that class. Then reptiles were introduced; then birds
and marsupials; then true mammals; and lastly man. The different
styles of brains characteristic of these classes were, therefore, suc-
cessively made by evolution from earlier and simpler forms. In
phylogeny* this order was observed because these successive forms
were necessary for perfect adaptation to the environment at each step.
In taxonomy* we find the same order, because, as already explained,
every stage in advance in phylogeny is still represented in existing
forms. In ontogeny* we have still the same order, because ancestral

*Phylogeny, the history of the evolution of a species or group;

tribal history; ancestral development.
Taxonomy, the department of science that embodies the principles
of classification: * * * * especially the branch of biology that
treats of the systematic classification of organisms or of morphological
facts.
Ontogeny, the history of the evolution of the individual: germ-
history; the development of the individual.
From Ar f70 Standard Dictionary, (1913).
 EVOLUTION AM) EMBRYOLOGY 249

characteristics arc inherited, and family history recapitulated in the

individual history." Evolution and Its Relation to Religious Thought.

As a preparation for his invasion of the field of "religious

thought," Professor Le Conte evidently assumes the seat of au-
thority of the "new dogmatism," making a series of utterly inde-
fensible statements, to be accepted, apparently, "because he knows
the facts"— of biology. We may judge of his qualifications as a
philosopher by his method of handling his facts. Thus, as we
shall argue, the "order observed in the building of the individual
brain" is not explained only by his "only conceivable scientific
answer:" there are other answers quite as conceivable and quite
as scientific. His assumption that "fishes were the only verte-
brates living in Devonian times" is an unmitigated dogma, and one
in which he is contradicted by Huxley's theories, as already seen.
As for his jumble of learned terms, we might excuse his pedantry,
but for the fact that the type of "religion" which he, and his school,
would foist upon the world has no other excuse than to afford a
pretense of piety to people who lack courage to acknowledge that
they are really atheists. But this is the role of our evolution
"theologies."
In addition to the indicated similarities to be observed in the
process of developing the individual vertebrate and human brain,
quite analogous stages are to be observed in the progressive up-
building of the heart, and have been suggested in connection with
several other organs. The most triumphantly used argument, how-
ever, is that which urges the fact that the embryo, at a certain
stage, shows true gill slits, like a fish or other water-breather
and the statement of this fact is frequently made in italic type
which is urged as a certain evidence of the persistence of "ances-
tral structures," supplanted by quite different organs in the adult
animal. Dr. Romanes sums the general points of the argument,
as follows

"Now this progressive inheritance by higher types of embryo-

logical characteristics common to lower types is a fact which tells
greatly in favor of the theory of descent, whilst it seems almost fatal
to the theory of design. For instance, to take a specific case, Mr.
Lewes remarks of a species of salamander— which differs from most
—
salamanders in being exclusively terrestrial that, although its young
ones can never require gills, yet, * * * * when placed in the
water the young ones swim about like the tadpoles of the water newt.
Now, to suppose that these utterly useless gills were specially de-
signed, is to suppose design without any assignable purpose; for even
the far-fetched assumption that a unity of ideal is the cause of organic
affinities, becomes positively ridiculous when applied to the case of
embryonic structures, which are destined to disappear before the
animal is born. Who, for instance, would have the courage to affirm
that the Deity had any such motive in providing, not only the unborn
young of specially created salamanders, but also the unborn young of
specially created man, with the essential anatomical feature of gills?
1

"But this remark leads us to consider a little more attentively the

anatomical features presented by the human embryo. The gill-slits
250 [MPROVEMENT ERA
just mentioned occur on each side of the neck, and to them the arteries
run branching arches as in a fish. This, in fact, is the stage through
in
which the branchiae of a fish are developed, and, therefore, in fishes
the slits remain open during life, while the so-called 'visceral arches'
throw out filaments which receive the arterial branches coming from
the aortic arches, and so become the organs of respiration, or bran-
chiae. But in all other vcrtebrata (/. c, except fishes and amphibia)
the gill-slits do not develop branchiae, become closed (with the fre-
quent exception of the first), and so never subserve the function of
respiration. Or, as Mr. Darwin states it, 'At this period the arteries
run in arch-like branches, as if to carry the blood to the branchiae,
which are not present in the higher vertebrata, though the slits on
the sides of the neck still remain, marking their former position.' * *
"At a later period the human embryo is provided with a very con-
spicuous tail, which is considerably longer than the rudimentary legs
occurring at that period of development, and which Professor Turner
—
has found to be provided with muscles the extensor, which is so
largely developed in many animals, being especially well marked.
"Again, as Mr. Darwin says, 'In the embryos of all air-breathing
vertebrates, certain glands, called the corpora Wolffiana, correspond
with and act like the kidneys of mature fishes;' and during the sixth
month the whole body is covered very thickly with wool-like hair
even the forehead and ears being closely coated; but it is, as Mr.
Darwin observes, 'a significant fact that the palms of the hands and
the soles of the feet are quite naked, like the inferior surfaces of all
four extremities in most of the lower animals,' including monkeys."
Scientific Evidence of Organic Evolution.

The average evolutionist discussion of embryology might read-

ily lead the casual and superficial reader to suppose that the devel-
opment of the embryo of any species of animal is one long series of
protean changes, or kaleidoscopic rearrangements of elements, in
which it masquerades, first in one semblance, then in another, be-
fore settling down to the sober business of life. Such a person
might even conceive the notion that a developing embryo, taken
at any "typical period," and placed in a favorable environment,
might be expected to begin its independent existence, there and
then, as an "ascidian, amphioxus, low shark, amphibian," or even
a "tailed monkey," and grow old and die in that form, without
further development, precisely like the gill-breathing young of the
land-dwelling "salamanders" mentioned by Romanes. That such
is not the case, however, scarcely needs be said. The embryo of
any higher animal is essentially and unalterably an embryo merely,
an incomplete being in process of forming, and, if removed prem-
aturely from its natural environment, before a definite very ad-
vanced period, will infallibly perish. Furthermore, the specified
structural and functional analogies to certain lower animals,
shown, as stated, by vertebrate embryos, are of the most superficial
and empirical character, mere casual resemblances, in fact, which
would lead no one to suspect a "recapitulatory" significance, apart
from the desire to discover fresh "evidence" for a preassumed
theory.
Because the effort of theorists is to accumulate as large a
number as possible of facts in supposed support of their hypoth-
 EVOLUTION AND EMBRYOLOGY 251

esis,we find such writers as Haeckel mentioning anion-- recapit-

ulated "ancestral types," the "morula, planula, astrula," mere
stages of inevitable cell-division all, to be observed in the process
of developing any many-celled individual from the one-cell ovum.
Why this process includes the several stages found, we cannot, of
course, undertake to determine. That such stages surely indicate
"ancestral types," rather than the simple rule of all cell-work
whatever, ancestral or not, is a statement utterly gratuitous and
unsupported and that in spite of the fact that some of the lowest
;

orders of life do actually show the "gastrula," and other forms of

many-cell structure as permanent life-forms. Such "animals" as
the one-celled amoeba, for example, reproduce by "division ;" a
process in which the original cell and its nucleus both give out a
portion of the substance forming the original individual, thus
forming a new one, which performs the same function over and
over again, thus continuing the "species." The difference between
this order of being and those consisting of many cells is that, in
the latter case, the numerous consecutive cell-divisions —one into
—
two, two into four, four into eight, etc., are made for the definite
purpose of beginning the building-up of tissues and organs, in the
structure of which all the individual cells co-operate to form an
active unit, and, under normal conditions, attempt no semblance
of separate existence, either singly or in groups.
One fact which writers like Haeckel neglect to mention in the
"recapitulation" connection is the actual "difference in kind" be-
tween the behavior of amoeba and the development of Coclcntcrata
of the gastrula type, in the formation of which a hollow sphere,
composed of numerous distinct, but closely-associated cells, be-
comes turned in upon itself, as it were, so as to form a double-
walled sac. Nor, even admitting that the gastrula type of creature
may have resulted from an "acquired habit" in numerous separate
one-cell individuals of associating to form sphere or gastrula "col-
onies," which later became true many-celled individuals, is there
any certain explanation of further assumed development into the
"higher" and more complex forms of creature certainly and as-
;

suredly of nothing in any way resembling the processes occurring

in the course of developing a vertebrate, or other higher animal by
ordinary ovulation or gestation.
The life-story of the developing embryo indicates surely that
the one object involved in the several stages of cell-division, by
which the one original cell subdivides to form an association of
numerous smaller cells, is to afford the vehicle for the embryo
itself, which, as we may state here, does not result from further
—
transformations of the total mass of cells by which, for example,
the gastrula passes into a "bi-gastrula," and that into something
still more differentiated, by any number of stages that might be

—
imagined but is formed from a select few of them, in a definite
locality, and is protected and nourished by the remainder. Nor is
252 IMPROVEMENT ERA
there any very evident analogy between this process and the "dele-
gation" of functions to separate sets of cells or organisms, as seen
in the colony-forming zoophytes.
In order to support our contention that the early stages, at
least, of cell-division and combination in the process Of developing
and nourishing the embryo, argue to no "ancestral references"
whatever, we may outline these stages. After the formation of
the cell-cluster known as "morula" —this is the Latin word for
—
mulberry, and is used because of the resemblance we find that
in the central cavity, formed' by the numerous associated cells, a
special form of cell-combination begins, in a definite area known
as the "embryonal disc," and quickly spreads, giving rise to the
three-layered "blastoderm" (i. e., "germ-skin"). The next stage
is the appearance, on the "embryonal disc" of a definite thicken-
ing, upon which appears the so-called "primitive groove," the first
rudiments of the "longitudinal axis" of the vertebrate animal. At
a similar stage in the development of arthropods, for example, we
find, instead of such a groove, a series of segments, characteristic
of the transverse divisions of the mature body structure, which is
suggestive of the fact that the difference between vertebrate and
invertebrate life-forms is to be discerned upon the first definite
appearance of the germ. This vertebrate "primitive groove" be-
comes closed at both ends, by the meeting and fusing of its ends,
thus forming an outline resembling a flattened ring, or a very
much elongated letter "o." Its edges then close longitudinally,
transforming it into a tube. At one end of this closed "groove"
is begun the development of the head, and at the other, of the

lower extremities of the trunk. The embryo, thus laid down in

the bare outline of the creature to develop from it, is now enclosed
in the folds of the decidua, formed from the inner layer of the
blastoderm, known as the "hypoblast," which thus produces its
enveloping sac, known thereafter as the "amnion."
Thus, as is evident, the embryo arises, not from a recombina-
tion of all the cells of the "morula," or of the derived "blasto-
derm," but from a selected few of them, gathered at a definite
region on its wall. In other words, the process of germ-develop-
ment seems to begin as a substitution, rather than a metamorphosis,
in course of which the part absorbs the whole, and a new type of
life-form builds itself up from the material of the old. It may be
admissible to compare the process to the growth of a parasitic
organism, which begins by involving certain few cells in a definite
locality, and aims to absorb into itself the entire cell-structure, for
its own use and nourishment. In view of such facts, we may
understand that Haeckel's first five "recapitulatory stages" are
very imperfectly obvious.
(This subject in the series of articles will be concluded in the Feb-
ruary number.)
 Why Turkey was Drawn into the War
BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

Turkey has for a number of years diplomatically and finan-

cially been tied up with Germany. In case the Allies win, it is not
at all unlikely that one of the great assets of the war will be the so-
called Bagdad railroad, under process of construction from Scu-
tari, on the Bosphorus, to Bagdad, in the Mesopotamia. This rail-
road and its tributaries will without doubt be a war indemnity.
Furthermore, Russia has
in case of the success of the Allies,
at her command Balkan peninsula to in-
sufficient influence in the
volve Turkey again in war with the Balkans. Russia would natur-
ally therefore, become a party to such a war and reach out after
,

more country in the eastern part of Asia Minor. All these prob-
abilities had a powerful influence in Constantinople, with the war
party, in persuading the Turks to fix the period for their entrance
into the war that would be most advantageous to them. Such, at
any rate, was the reason for the war party at Constantinople.
Plausibility for such a process of reasoning was without doubt
greatly helped by the distribution of German gold. Those who
are at all familiar with conditions in the Balkan peninsula and
Turkey know something of the extravagant manner in which the
Russians and Austrians and the Germans distribute money for
political favors. Turkish generals are not above political corrup-
tion. They are perhaps the most susceptible of all peoples in
Europe. Their love of display and, above all, the meagre financial
opportunities which their country offers them, make temptations
all the greater in a poverty-stricken country like Turkey.
There was at Constantinople a powerful faction that was bit-
terly opposed to the war. Its leaders could see some possibility
of averting calamities to Turkey if it remained neutral, and it was,
of course, possible that England and France would restrain Rus-
sia in its efforts to aggrandize any part of the Ottoman empire.
While these considerations were discussed pro and con, Enver
Pasha, the leading spirit of the Turkish revolution and the war
party at Constantinople, was without question under the domina-
tion of German influence. German officers were there by the
scores. They had money and they were just as extravagant in
their assurances that Germany would finally win. Enver Pasha,
with others, was no doubt made to believe that the entrance of
Turkey into the war would not necessarily involve the Balkan
states the islands of the sea and Tripoli belonging to Italy and
;

Greece would not be molested, at any rate until it became a matter

of indifference to Germany and Austria whether Italy and Greece
entered into the war as an aid to the Allies.
254 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Turkey has a new Balkan problem on her eastern boundary,
and a problem that is likely to give her a great deal of trouble in
years to come. England and Russia have been for some years at
work allotting to each other their interests in Persia (perhaps it
would be more diplomatic to say, dividing up their spheres of in-
fluence). This recent movement by these great powers means an
exploitation of that country. It means the opening of its mineral
and agricultural wealth, the establishment of railroads and the ex-
tension of commerce. England and Russia will press on from the
east in Persia westward into the Ottoman empire. They will under-
take to compete with Germany and demand concessions that will
make the eastern boundary of the Turkish empire more trouble-
some even than the Balkans have been.
The Turks have believed for a number of years that their
interests lie with Germany, and in the language of Lord Salisbury,
"They have put their money up on the Teutonic horse." The
whole matter, however, has been with the Turks a gamble. Tur-
key must have an alliance. On its alliance its existence has de-
pended for a great number of years, and its relation to Germany
has made Turkey quite as dependent upon Germany as is Austria
today, although there is no definite alliance. Students of history
have long believed that there has been a secret understanding
between the Turks and the Germans, something perhaps in the
nature of an entente.

The Page
[A New Year Poem.]
Another page is turned in life's great book,
Another chapter finished of the tome
That must, by mine own hand, completed be,
Ere I, like you, Old Year, be gathered home.
My finger-tips caress the fluttering leaves,
;"
All indexed under title of "The Past
For some are writ with sanguine ink benign,
Though some bear marks that bitter tears have cast.
At my right hand there lies a goodly store
Of leaves uncut, and oh I wonder much
!

If one or more shall yet their pages yield

Unto a Future's kind or cruel touch.
Then, once again, mine eyes turn toward the page
Awaiting the inscription yet to be,
And from my heart a prayer ascends to Him
Who gives your gift to you and mine to me.
Grace Ixgles Frost.
 The Boy and the Farm
The Vocation and Industries supervisors and counselors of
the Y. M. M. I. A., as well as parents, and all who are interested
in vocations, will delight to read the following excerpts from a
speech delivered by the Hon. Thomas L. Rubey, of Missouri, in
the House of Representatives (March 5, 1914.) He was speaking
on making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, a bill before the House pro-
viding for an appropriation of ten million dollars for the direct
aid to agriculture in the United States. The year previous Con-
gress appropriated fifty thousand dollars to start, in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, a division of markets. This appropriation
has now been increased to two hundred thousand, and the division
of markets bids fair to become one of the most important functions
of the government. When it has been fully organized and put
into complete operation, it is expected that it will save hundreds of
millions of dollars. Both the producer and the consumer will be
benefited by this great saving.
As reported in the Record, Mr. Rubey said among other
things

Mr. Chairman, I want to discuss some phases of that great calling

known and recognized by all men in all ages as the oldest, most hon-
orable, as well as the most important vocation ever followed by mortal
—
man agriculture. [Applause.] We are today in the midst of a great
awakening in the study and development of agriculture. Never before
in the history of our country has the importance of the farming in-
dustry so impressed itself upon the minds of men in every walk of
life as at the present time. The banker, merchant, manufacturer, rail-
road man have all awakened to its importance. They have at last
come to realize that under present conditions it is not only desirable
for the success of their own business, but they have concluded that
agriculture and the success of agriculture is for the benefit of all, and
upon it depends the happiness and prosperity of the entire Nation.
[Applause.] Today if you will go with me to the meeting of any
banking association, I care not whether it be an association of bankers
in their national convention or whether it be an association of bankers
in their State convention, you will find upon an examination of their
programs that they are devoting a very large part of their time to
the discussion of the subject of agriculture. They are striving earn-
estly to bring about increased! prosperity among the farmers and to
improve the general conditions of rural life. Railway officials are
constantly sending out over their lines specially equipped agricultural
trains fitted up with exhibits of farm products and modern machinery.
These trains are accompanied by the best agricultural lecture talent
that can be obtained. Their coming is heralded weeks in advance,
stops are made at important stations, and everything possible done to
256 IMPROVEMENT ERA
arouse the people to the importance of agricultural development. In
almost every city and town of importance in the land commercial'dubs
have been organized and earnest efforts are being made by them to
secure hearty co-operation between the city and the country.
Why this awakening? In the early days of this Republic our
population was small, the amount of rich, fertile land available for
cultivation was great. The farmers in those days paid little or no
attention to methods of cultivation; they cared nothing about rotation
of crops; the question of soil fertility did not bother them. When a
piece of land, by reason of long use, became less productive, they sim-
ply cleared up another to take its place. The rich, virgin soil brought
forth abundant harvests, the farmer had plenty and to spare, and his
surplus went to feed the people of other lands. Today we are face
to face with new conditions. Our population has reached nearly the
100,000,000 mark and is increasing by leaps and bounds. * * * *
Within thirty or forty years there will be 200,000,000 people in this
country, and the question will then arise, how are they to be fed and
clothed? The amount of good land suitable for farming purposes is
growing less and less. With the growth of population has come the
—
development of other industries mining, manufacturing, and com-
'

merce. There is an ever-increasing population in the cities and a

consequent decreasing population in the rural communities. Produc-
tion has not kept pace with the increasing numbers, and how we shall
feed and clothe our people will soon become the all-important ques-
tinn n6 W *p t^

The decrease in the number of cattle, sheep, and hogs year by

year threatens our meat supply, and the decreased production of grain
threatens to take from us our daily bread. These are serious condi-
tions which confront us. People all over the land have come to
realize the gravity of the situation, and this accounts for the increased
activities in behalf of better farming and for improved conditions of
country life. How to make the farm more productive, obtain a better
quality of products, conserve the fertility of the soil, bring the farmer
better returns for his labors, make country life more attractive, keep
upon the farm those who are already there, and induce still others to
take up this noble calling. These are the questions which confront
not only us but the people everywhere throughout the length and
breadth of the land.
It is a deplorable fact, and one to be greatly regretted, that in this
country of ours thousands upon thousands of bright, intelligent coun-
try boys and girls leave the farm every year to engage in other voca-
tions. How can this great exodus be stopped? These boys and girls
constitute the most important factor of farm life, and if they can be
kept on the farm the future success of agriculture will be solved. How
can it be done? Let us consider this question for a moment. The
boy should be made to feel that he is an important factor in the de-
velopment of the farm. He should be taken into partnership and
should have an interest in' the grain, live stock, and, where possible,
in the farm itself. He should be encouraged to study agriculture and
to familiarize himself with improved methods of farming.
A little more than a year ago I stood in a great assembly hall in
the historic city of Columbia, S. C. All around me were hundreds of
boys and girls, representative of the flower of the youth of that fair
land. They were the winners of the boys' corn clubs and the girls'
canning and tomato clubs. As I looked into the bright, upturned
faces of those boys and girls my mind went beyond them; I saw in
my imagination the great army of boys and girls, numbering thou-
sands, who had contested with them for the prizes, and I said to my-
 THE BOY AND THE FARM 257

self, here indeed is an illustration of what can be done to arouse the

enthusiasm of the youth of the land. These boys and girls will not
leave the farm to fight their way in unknown and untried vocations.
They will stay where they are, and in the future years they will be the
men and women who will stand for better agriculture and advanced
farm life throughout all that great Southland. [Applause.] What
has been done in the South is being done in other parts of this coun-
try. We have clubs in the North, East, and West, and they are doing
wonderful work to encourage boys and girls to remain on the farm.
Corn clubs, poultry clubs, pig clubs, canning clubs, tomato clubs,
potato clubs, organized among the boys and girls in every community
will instill into them a love of agriculture and will solve the question
of keeping them upon the farm.
Last summer more than 200,000 boys engaged in the corn-club
contests. All could not win a prize, but the efforts put forth by each
one of them will not be lost. Let us see what has been accomplished.
The world's record was won by a fourteen-year-old boy from Ala-
bama, who produced 232.7 bushels of corn on one acre. The average
production of corn for the whole United States is about thirty bushels
to the acre. In the corn clubs of the North and West the average
production was nearly 114 bushels, while in those of the South the
average production was 154 bushels to the acre.
Fortune did not favor all. The drought struck the crops of a boy
in my own State, and when he was asked by the agent of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture to report the results of his efforts he penned his
reply in poetry, as follows:

MY CORN

No use for a boy to look forlorn

When it's too dry in the Ozarks to raise good corn.
He can feed the fodder to the goats
And throw the nubbins to the shoats.
I did the best that I know how
1 used the harrow, then the plow.

I plowed it deep and close at first,

Then plowed it shallow to quench its thirst;
But it remained dry as dry could be.
I looked and looked and looked in vain
If I do not succeed, I'll try again.

roads, improved schools, especially the consolidation of

Improved
districtsand the organization of country high schools, will do much
to make country life more attractive and keep the boys and girls at
home. How many well-to-do farmers with large families have you
known, who felt compelled to move to town to educate their children?
The farmer who moves to town for the purpose of educating his chil-
dren weans the boys and girls away from the farm; they become en-
amored with city life, and rarely, if ever, return to the farm. We have
in almost every city and town a number of farmers who have retired
from farm life and with their families have moved to town. The
farmer who thus retires from farm life and takes the boys and girls
to the city strikes a deadly blow at the great industry which he has
so long pursued.
The best place on earth to raise a boy is upon the farm. High
schools should be established in the country. We should take the
high school out to the boys and girls in the country rather than bring
the boys and girls to the high school in the city. [Applause.] Keep
them upon the farm, educate them upon the farm; if necessary, in
258 IMPROVEMENT ERA
order to educate them, send them from the farm to the near-by city
school. What if the boy does have to walk two or three miles to
school; it is good for him; will make him sturdy, robust, and healthy.
The happiest days of my life were those when as a boy I walked
two and a half miles from the farm to the city school. [Applause.
But, Mr. Chairman, what is being done in the States to encourage
the boys and girls upon the farm? My friend from South Carolina,
Mr. Lever, can tell you what they are doing in his state. My good
friend Mr. Candler, of Mississippi, can tell you what they are doing
in his state. Let me tell you briefly what is doing in Missouri to
encourage the poor boys who live out upon the farms. A few weeks
ago one of our great daily papers, the St. Louis Republic, began the
task of rasing money with which to send twelve poor boys from the
fnrms to the State agricultural college. It was proposed to pay the
entire expenses of each boy at the college for one year. Money came
ill rapidly, subscriptions came from bankers, merchants, lawyers, and
men in every vocation of life,, and in a very short time they raised
enough to send twelve boys to the agricultural college. But the work
did not stop there. It was taken up by the country press all over the
State, and country editors are today raising money with which to
send one poor boy from each county to the State agricultural college.
The result will be that when the agricultural college opens next Sep-
tember there will be from 100 to 200 poor farmer boys there to receive
the advantages of a year's study in agriculture. When their work has
been completed and they have returned to the farms each one of them
will not only be better prepared for the work himself, but he will
spread information and increase the enthusiasm for advanced agricul-
ture in the community in which he resides.
Right here, Mr. Chairman, I want to emphasize one thing, lest we
forget: We must not neglect the man upon the small farm. The man
away out yonder head of the hollow, with forty acres of land,
at the
striving earnestly and manfully to earn a livelihood for himself and
family, is entitled to our consideration and our encouragement. [Ap-
plause.] We want to remember that man as well as the man who
livesupon the thousand-acre farm. [Applause.] The small farmer
should be encouraged and helped by both State and Nation. Take
care of the small farmer and the large one will take care of himself.
It is far more important in this great country of ours that we should
have a large number of small farms, well cultivated, than a fewer
number of large farms. [Applause.] The tenant should be encour-
aged to become a landowner; we should in every way possible dis-
courage farming by proxy and encourage the man to own the land #

which he cultivates. [Applause.]

The Era is informed, by Prof. J.C. Hogenson, of the Agricul-

tural College, that the sweepstakes champion in boys' club work
for the State of Utah, 1914, is Howard Dalton, of Willard. He
was given the prize for raising the best half-acre of potatoes in
Utah, and will be given a free trip to the Panama-Pacific Expo-
sition at San Francisco. Mr. Dalton joined the Boys' Club of the
Willard school, early last spring, entering the potato contest,
which was started in Box Elder county in January, 1914. Mr.
Dalton's work, in every phase, has been done thoroughly and
carefully,and in accordance with the instructions of those in
charge. Cultivation was the big feature in his work, the crop
 THE BOY AND THE FARM 259

being matured with but two applications of irrigation water, ts

far as could be determined,
the plants were free from dis-
ease. The crop was harvested
about the third week in Sep-
tember, and a selection was
made by Mr. Dalton and sent
to the state fair. A careful
measurement of the product
showed a yield of seven hun-
dred and twenty bushels per
acre. Dalton's score was 84.8,
and his nearest competitor's,
82.9. The judges were Prof.
Henry Peterson, principal of
the Jordan High School Prof.
;

Junius Andres, Ogden High

School Prof. H. P. Barrows,
;

of the University of Utah.

The general opinion was that HOWARD DALTON
young Dalton did a splendid Sweepstakes Champion of Utah in
piece of work. Boys' Club Work

CASSIA STAKE CLASS IN M. I. A. LEADERSHIP

The class in the three-days' course in leadership at Oakley, Idaho,
for the Cassia stake closed on November 11th with a grand ball in
honor of Oscar A. Kirkham and Emily C. Adams, members of the
General Boards M. I. A. The class attendance was close to 150, two
being from Boise stake. The enthusiasm increased each day. "The
wisdom of this class of instruction," writes Stake President Wm. T.
Jack, "to the young folks will be more and more apparent as the
years come and %o. It is another witness of the inspiration of our
leaders in Israel. May the Lord bless them."
 Editors' Table

A Happy New Year

We bid all a Happy New Year. Amidst the turmoil of the

world, may peace abide with you. May we all live so that the
Spirit of God may dwell in our hearts and abound in our homes.
—
May our hearts be softened in prayer to God, in that prayer
which is a leading part in the great gospel of both temporal and
spiritual life and salvation; the prayer that inclines men to walk
in light and truth, and lifts them above the very appearance of
sin. So shall we be prevented from becoming so absorbed in our
temporal blessings that we forget the Giver of all good gifts who
possesses the earth and the fulness thereof. His it is by right
divine. He has given it to us to use freely, but without covetous-
ness. We are not to grasp for more than will be for our good,
for we thus hinder others from receiving their share of God's prov-
idence and love. In return for his blessing to us, he expects that
—
we shall render service by sharing with others the good and the
not good, the just and the unjust, even as he allows his sun to
shine upon the good and the evil.
Prayer helps us to remember and to appreciate. Then, let
us pray as one of old "Remove far from me vanity and lies
:

give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient

;

for me lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or
:

lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain ;"
and the Lord will continue to bless us. He will grant us all a
Happy New Year.

A Notable Missionary Tour

The main event of the recent missionary trip of President

Joseph F. Smith and his party to the Central and Southern states,
and California missions, was the dedication of a $25,000 chapel in
Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, the land of Zion. It

was a notable and historical event. The chapel was dedicated by

President Smith on November 22. Three meetings were held, that
day. The house was filled to overflowing, many representative
citizens being in attendance at each session.
Then followed the visit to leading mission quarters and citic
in the South, the main features of which were the sermons on the
 EDITORS' TABLE 261

firstprinciples of the gospel, delivered by Presidents Smith and

Penrose, and by Elders George Albert Smith, Joseph F. Smith, Jr.,
Bishop Charles W. Nibley, and on one occasion by Sisters Smith,
Penrose and Nibley. They had large audiences in Memphis and
Chattanooga, Term., in Atlanta, Ga., in Jacksonville, Fla., El Paso.
Texas, and Los Angeles, Cal. Many representative citizen
shook hands with them and congratulated them. In Jacksonville
the first Latter-day Saint meetinghouse had been burned down
by a mob some years ago, but the present house was built on the
same spot. Some of those who assisted in burning the former
house, had aided in the erection of the present one. The people
there were most friendly, and at the afternoon meeting in the
Woodmen of the World hall, 650 people attended, and the speak-
ers were applauded. While in Jacksonville, a new meetinghouse
site was inspected on which will be erected a building to cost be-
tween five and six thousand dollars. At El Paso President Smith
gave advice to the Mexican refugees who are still there, the El-
Paso Herald giving a full and favorable report of his sermon,
and summarized it thus :

"We want peace in Mexico so that our people can return, but we
have a deeper feeling than this.
"We want peace because we feel for the people of Mexico, we see
them cursed by all of the horrrors of bloody strife. It is a sad, sad sight."

After holding meetings in the Los Angeles mission chapel,

the party returned to Salt Lake on December 9, having spent
three weeks, in a successful and most remarkable missionary tour.
Concerning it the First Presidency in their "Greetings" in the
Christmas News says

"A cause of great rejoicing and encouragement is the evident

change of sentiment among thinking people everywhere in reference
to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Numerous visit-
ors to our chief cities have become acquainted with actual conditions
here, in seeing the 'fruits of Mormonism' for themselves. Number-
less tourists who have been on our Temple block and have obtained
knowledge through our efficient Bureau of Information established
there, have carried back to their homes an understanding of the
truth concerning us. And the missionaries, in their travels, by
the excellent example they set of purity in their lives, sincerity in
their callings and the 'love of the neighbor,' shown forth in their
gratuitous work for the uplifting of humanity, have made a favorable
impression upon the public mind, and the former feeling of animosity
'
has in a great degree been changed to one of admiration.
"In the recent tour of two of the First Presidency and party
through the Central and Southern States and California Missions this
change has been manifested in a most striking manner. In regions
where our elders in times past have been beaten with many stripes,
and some of them have lost their lives while promulgating the gospel
of peace, this company of ministers have been
received with the
greatest respect and courtesy. Prominent people in the different
262 IMPROVEMENT ERA
t

cities that were visited came forward and expressed their good-will
and their appreciation of the discourses that were delivered and the
presence among them of the servants of the Lord. The journey was
made through seventeen different States of the Union, covering over
six thousand one hundred miles of railway transportation, holding
numerous crowded meetings, and paying brief visits to notable
places, without any accident or misfortune; and the kindness exhibited
and the aid afforded by railway officials everywhere, as well as the
numerous friendly newspaper notices, combined to prove clearly
that public opinion is changing wonderfully, and the faith and works
of the Latter-day Saints are being discovered in their true light."

'Mormonism" — Historically, Doctrinally, Prophetically

Elias, the great epie poem of the Latter-day Saints, by Orson

F. Whitney, has recently appeared in a new edition. In the pop-
ular new form it is sold in different bindings, ranging in cost from
65 cents, $1, $1.50 to $2 per copy. It is most appropriate for
holiday or birthday gifts. As we learn from the foreword, Elias
was begnn in 1900, and first published in the autumn of 1904, in
an edition de luxe of 150 copies, with two less pretentious editions
that were subscribed for by friends of the author. Since the first
edition was printed, the author has brought the work into a more
finished state, the results of which are now placed before the
reader in this beautiful edition. The poem consists of twelve
parts, a prelude, ten cantos, and an epilogue. An important and
valuable addition is appended consisting of 314 explanatory notes
of reference, the same being for the benefit of students. Re-
cently the work was introduced as a text book in the Church
schools, hence the annotations. The poem is a comprehensive
presentation of the vast theme of "Mormonism," historically,
doctrinally and prophetically and the experiences of the Church
;

of Christ in various dispensations are graphically portrayed.

"The medial point is the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times,
the era of restitution, when the house of God is to be set in
order, and all things in Christ are to be gathered in one." To
those who enjoy a real study of "Mormonism" in exalted, poetic
dissertation, this work will strongly appeal. Every student of
the "Mormon" people and their religion will find opportunity
afforded in this great work to study their beliefs on man's origin
and destiny, and the direct dealings of God with man upon earth,
in both former dispensations and in our own dispensation.
Following is a brief synopsis of the contents
Canto 1 describes the author's spiritual awakening; his prepara-
tion for singing the "Song of the Ages." Canto 2 represents him as
soliloquizing upon his native mountains where he meets "The Soul of
Song," and is inspired to sing the epic of time and eternity. Canto 3,
"Elect of Elohim," is the beginning of the poem proper. It glimpses
 EDITORS' TABLE 263

—
the pre-existence the choosing of the Christ, the rebellion of Lucifer,
the Savior's descent to earth, his crucifixion and return to glory.
Canto 4, "Night and the Wilderness," portrays the spiritual night that
followed the setting of the Sun of Righteousness, a night lit by moon
—
and stars the Holy Spirit, the Apostolic Twelve, and lesser lights
twinkling down through the dark ages and onward into modern times.
Canto 5, "The Messenger of Morn," is the story of the Dispensation
of the Fulness of Times. Canto 6, "From Out the Dust," is a poetic
abridgment of the Book of Mormon. Canto 7, "The Arcana of the
Infinite," presents the advanced principles of the gospel. Canto 8,
"The Lifted Ensign," signifies the organization of the Church in latter
days. Canto 9, "Upon the Shoulders of the Philistine," portrays the
westward movement of God's people, incidental to the gathering of
scattered Israel. The concluding canto represents Joseph the Seer
as viewing the future and foretelling to his people their great destiny.
The Epilogue is an address to Elias, the angel of restoration, of prep-
aration, and eternal progress who, in response to the poet's invoca-
tion, proclaims his identity with the guiding genius of every great
movement that has benefited mankind.
Canto 10, "The Parted Veil," reveals the vision of the
Prophet Joseph Smith as he beheld the future destiny of the
world, and of the Saints in their settlements in the Rocky Moun-
tains. Preceding the prophet's vision are a number of verses
generalizing what follows in detail, and in which the author in
stately and beautiful lines eulogizes the glorious West, the home
of the Latter-day Saints

"Whose but a prophet's eye such end could see?

Whose but a prophet's tongue the issue tell?
A modern march of ancient destiny,
Another Exodus and Israel,
Bidding his bonds, his all, save hope, farewell,
Widening, 'mid alien wastes, true freedom's fame.
Where bondage, chained to darkness, fain would dwell;
And rearing temples to Jehovah's name,
Where looms the Aztec's altar, quenched of its ancient flame.
"There bringing forth the promise of thy land,
—
O rare and wondrous West! the prophecy
Of glittering cities strewn along thy strand,
Of golden empire of the sunset sea!
God-gifted Seer, while gazing endlessly,
Sawest thou an Eden on the desert brine,
Begirt with desolation's mystery,
Ere gusht the riven rock with milk and wine,
Where all was treeless waste and sun-baked alkaline!
"Sawest thou, O prophet! till the pioneer
Builded his eagle nest, and pure and brave
Homed on the white-helmed peak and crystal mere?
O —
matchless land the home their valor gave,
Mighty in will to bless, in work to save
264 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"Land prest by footprint of my pilgrim sire;
Land visioned by my more than sire, whose soul
Swept the far future with a glance of fire,
Bade hope, as memory, her page unroll;
Beheld uplifting, as parted scroll,
a
The curtain from a kingdom yet to be,
Binding in one world-realms from pole to pole;
Saw monarchs bow, saw nations bend the knee,
Saw dead and risen time take on eternity."

Brigham Young and the Poor Logger

"A Play-House," by Alfred Lambourne, is a new book just

issued from the press of the Deseret News, treating the old Salt
Lake Theatre. It is a sketch in the form of three short letters,
and contains reminiscences of the scene painter's gallery with
glimpses of the pioneers and a number of notables. It contains
also a number of very interesting sidelights upon the past votaries
of the dramas and tragedies that have been presented in the old
play-house. In this work the noted author has crowded into
sixty-four pages a story intensely interesting and full of history.
The facts lead one to philosophize. The interest is carried from
beginning to end, and many notable characters, local and foreign,
receive passing consideration. Brigham Young and others are
named, and many unnamed local characters are recalled between
the lines. Henry Ward Beecher, the younger Charles Dickens,
Oscar Wilde, George Francis Train, Victoria C. Woodhull, Theo-
dore Tilton, Anna Eva Fay, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Charles
Bright, John B. Goff, Moody & Sankey, Rev. Joseph Cooke, De-
witt Talmage, Charles Kingsley, Julia Dean, Henry M. Stanley,
Edwin Booth, Mary Anderson, Langtry and many others, who
have trodden the boards of the historic building, are among the
celebrities brought before the reader. Here is a little anecdote
of Brigham Young:
"How difficult is to be in the first class, in the first class as a
it
man, I mean. When the writer used to tell the following little an-
ecdote verbally, he used to spice it with rather a malicious pleasure,
pei haps, with the names of the second and third class men. But now
they shall be left out. It may be that they are dead, and if yet living,
they cannot play the game of little autocrats as once they did!
" 'The Big Picnic,' as pioneers remember, was held at the head
of a canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. The pine is yet standing,
trimmed of its upper branches, of course, that served as a flag-pole on
these occasions. One day, as the string of vehicles that brought back
the picnic party at the end of the week was winding its way down
the canyon road, it so happened that there was, also, trudging his way
homeward, a poor wood-cutter, a logger, a man loaded down with
his blankets, his pots and kettles, and making his way but wearily,
through the hot dust of the canyon road. Nothing remarkable about
that —but wait! Mr. Second-Class-Man went by; Mr. Third-Class-
Man went by. Did either of them stop to take up his poor 'brother*?
 EDITORS' TABU'. 265

No. Neither one nor the other offered to carry along his road the
poor, tired wayfarer. Only there was more dust upon him than there
was before. Mr. President's carriage went by. No! that is wrong.
Mr. President's carriage did not go by. The man who had been un-
noticed or ignored by the many, was taken up by the one. The
President of the Church, the Governor, -the Trustee-in-Trust, and what
rot, gave a place to the logger, and he was carried homeward, depos-
ited at his very door.
"Not much of an anecdote after all, my friend. Yet I am inclined
to believe with Thomas Carlyle: I believe that one such action re-
corded reveals to us more, a man who once lived, than a thousand
glittering generalities."

The book is printed in large, clear type, is wide-margined,

and embellished with sketches by Geo. M. Ottinger, James T. Har-
wood, Lee Greene Richards and Mahonri M. Young. Price $1.00.

Original Story Contest

1. This contest is open to all. The Improvement Era offers

$25 for the best story in a monthly competition beginning in Jan-
uary and ending in June.
2. All stories for the first monthly competition must be in
the hands of the editor by the 20th of January, and on the 5th of
each month thereafter, and must contain not less than three thou-
sand nor more than about five thousand words.
3. Competent judges will select the best story monthly and
out of those received the writer of the winning story will be
awarded $25.
4. During the six months, winning stories will be printed,
from time to time, in the Improvement Era.
5. At the close of the six months' contest, the best story out
of the six will be selected by competent judges, and at the June
conference the winning writer among the six will be awarded a
gold pin by the Improvement Era.
6. Points of judgment
a. —
For the central idea or leading incident 25 points.
b. The character study — 10 points.
c. The soul or moral of the story — 25 points.
d. The setting or word painting of the story —40 points.
7. If no story submitted is up to the standard required, no
award will be made that month.
Further information may be obtained by addressing the Asso-
ciate Editor of the Improvement Era.

Messages from the Missions

"This group represents President Wm. Gardner of the New

Zealand Mission, in the center; President II. S. Geddes nf the Hawkes
266 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Bay conference, and members of the Maori College faculty, the'wives
and children of the college elders, and the traveling elders of Hawkes
Bay. I doubt if any body of elders and Saints in the world are

AT THE L. D. S. MAORI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

busier and happier than this little group, in the land of 'Aotearoa.'
The work of the Lord is progressing in these islands and the elders
are much encouraged through the future outlook." —
S. J. Ottley.

William A. Schuldberg, Wasteras, Sweden, September 22: "We are

laboring in the central part of Sweden. Our headquarters are at Was-
teras, a prominent manufacturing city. Electrical machinery and
s» dynamos are made here which
are recognized as among the
best in the world. The city is
located seventy miles west of
Stockholm, on the beautiful
Lake Malaren. Many of the peo-
ple have accepted the gospel and
our books and tracts are finding
their way into* many homes.
especially the case with
This is
the Book of Mormon. Every
time one of these books is left
and read we gain a friend. The
priests oppose our meetings very
much, but in spite of their slanderous opposition, our future looks
bright. We have recently baptized four. Elders laboring in this
branch: Erick J. Sorensen, Bear River City, Utah; William A. Schuld-
berg, Winder, Idaho. The latter is a native of this country, who has
found his way to many of his former friends and relatives."

Elder Walter E. Clark. Council Bluffs, Iowa, November 10:

"Many are being added to the fold of Christ in the West Iowa Con-
 EDITORS' TABLE 267

ference. The elders regard it both as a duty and a privilege, as well

as a blessing, to be laboring in the cause and for that reason labor
diligently to promulgate the principles that will bring love and peace

among mankind. Elders, left to right: George Gane Olsen, Beazer,

Canada; Edgar Blackham, Moroni; Thomas E. Caldwell, Vernal;
Wells J. Robertson, Spanish Fork, Utah; Oliver J. Choules, Preston;
front: Walter E. Clark, conference president, Georgetown, Idaho;
Mission President German E. Ellsworth; Llewellyn W. Killpack, re-
tiring conference president, Fremont, Utah."

Lady missionaries of the

Jacksonville CFla.) branch:
Tn the front is Sister Mary
R. Whitaker, of Pocatello.
wife of President W. P.
Whitaker, holding her baby,
which was born in Jackson-
ville. Next to her is Sister
May Branch, of Coalville,
Utah, and the voting lady in
the center is Sister Thurza
Ellsworth, of Mesa, Arizona.
These sisters are working
dilisjentlv and very success-
fullv. They have helped to
make the Sunday School,
Relief Society, and the M. I.
A. flourishing institutions.
And, in addition to this no-
ble work, they have daily
distributed tracts, and as-
sisted in holding open air
and cottage meetings.

EldersRobt. R. Cordner and Earl S. Harper, Yorkshire, England.

November 2, 1914: "The city of Leeds contains more Jews thnn any
268 IM1'R< >\'l M I NT l-.RA

Other city in the United Kingdom. Around it center most jrll the
wool-weaving districts of Yorkshire. Weaving-sheds, clattering
machinery, and huge smokestacks, belching forth their volumes of
smoke, are numerous,
arresting the attention
of the stranger, partic-
ularly one who is ac-
customed to a clear,
sunshiny atmosphere.
A thriving branch of
the Leeds Conference
of the Church is lo-
cated at Leeds. The
people here treat the
elders with a degree of
courtesy. Opposition
is not often encoun-
tered, and only few
people bad things about the 'Mormons.' 'The church that per-
be-lieve
formed our baptism, united us in marriage, and laid our dead in their
resting places, is quite good enough for us,' is not the infrequent
reply we get while out tracting. By unceasing work, however, we
think God will permit us to realize a harvest in his own due time.
Elders who have labored in the Leeds Branch, Leeds Conference,
during the past year, left to right: John J. Haslam, Wellsville; Hazen
W. Hillyard, Smithfield; Robt. R. Cordner, Provo; Earl S. Harper,
Smithfield, Utah."

The elders and Saints of the Hyde branch, Manchester confer-

ence, England, held a successful harvest festival, October 19, last.
Elder Clarence E. Harris writes: "There was a most magnificent
display of fruits, vegetables and flowers contributed by the Saints
and their friends. Fifty-eight were in attendance at the afternoon
exercises, and in the evening ninety-one, thirty-nine of whom were
investigators, eleven of
whom
were present for
the first time. On botii
these occasions elders
addressed the people
on topics appropriate
to the occasion. On
the following evening
the festival was coutir •

ued and a splendid pro-

gram rendered after
which fruit refresh-
ments were served.
The Relief Society at
the colse of the exer-
cises took charge of
the vegetables and fruit remaining and distributed them to the worthy
poor. By the small admission charged on Monday evening, we
realized $5.20 which we expended for Sunday School song books. Our
friends were surprised and pleased with the event, and pronounced
it equal to any that they had attended this season. Elders, back row,
left to right: Rao B. Dunford, Bloomington, Idaho; Peter J. Peter-
son, Jr., Moroni; front row, Clarence E. Harris, Scofield; Samuel F.
Nichols, Salt Lake City, Utah."
 KMT< >RS' TABLE 269

Elder Alvin D. Stoker, secretary of the Aalborg conference, Den-

mark, November 5: "There were only four elders in attendance at
the semi-annual conference held in this city on the 3rd and 4th of
October, owing to the
fact that all
with the
the elders
exception of
W 1
M
the

a
conference

traveling elder
presi-
dents, secretaries and
of
ry* £.'»
each conference have 1 sir
been released owing to
the war conditions.
The change, which was
a great surprise to us,
*. Mm F*" MM
has upset our methods 4 1 H
considerably. We
had
exceedingly good meet-
ings during our confer-
ence, however, and are
having good success in
warning the Saints and
encouraging them to
live nearer to our
Father in heaven. We
are in a great deal of
suspense, for we know
not at what moment
the
now
terrible
raging at
conflict
our
121 II 'if
neighbors' doors will
come to this little land
of Denmark. All is
well at present, but the exports and imports at present are beginning
to be rather uncertain again." Elders of the Aalborg conference, left
to right, sitting: H. J. Christiansen, Scandinavian Mission president;
W. M. Jensen, conference president, Brigham City; standing, Alvin D.
Stoker, conference secretary, Clearfield; Erastus P. Peterson, Levan,
Utah.

Elder Leslie Thomas Fay writes, November 8, from Leeuwarden,

Holland: "The sailing of our elders from Rotterdam, a few weeks
ago, upon their being released from their missionary labors, owing
to the war, brought sadness to many homes and tears to many eyes.
The missionaries were sad in leaving their friends in the old world,
and the Saints mourned for the loss of their shepherds. A day may
bring great changes. One day we were fifty strong in Holland, push-
ing earnestly the work of the Lord, but on the day following, the
elders set sail for America, because of the word of release that had
come. Nearly two hundred Saints gathered to see the boys off.
Many turned to hide their tears, and in their hearts hoped and prayed
that the word permitting Christ's servants to return would soon be
spoken. As the steamer set sail from this blessed land, our prayers
went up, and a hymn, 'Sing we now at parting,' burst forth in worship
to God. We
sang, though our hearts were aching, and the voices of
the elders re-echoed the melody which died as they sailed away. We
remain, ten in number, to care for and to cheer the flock, until the
word shall be spoken that shall again cause the shepherds to return."
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Lesion Outline for the Deacons

INTRODUCTION

In the Forest Dale ward, eight instructors were engaged in teach-

ing that many quorums of the Lesser Priesthood. Entering the room
and looking over the eight groups, the bishop said to one of the ward
officers: "Note the difference in these teachers. There is one who
seems at ease; his boys do the work. Yonder is another on a very
great strain trying to entertain the boys. The first has the tact of
getting his class to think; the second is doing practically all the think-
ing himself."
The class instructor must not be a preacher, a lecturer, nor an
entertainer. His work resembles that of an instructor in a manual
training shop, who goes from one busy boy to another, correcting,
suggesting, and directing. He comes to his class prepared, not only
on the subject matter, but also with problems, based on the lesson,
which he is prepared to present to the class and help its members to
think out. The instructor does not spend his time in exhorting, nar-
rating facts nor playing upon the emotions of the boys. All these
methods may haye their place, but principally he is leading them to
think out some truth for themselves.
Thinking is the action of the mind that leads to belief in what
was formerly not known, and the gathering of evidence to support that
belief. Thought will be secured from the Deacons, by the presenta-
tion of lessons as outlined below. To get the Deacons to think, is
the object of every lesson.
Take, for example, chapter 15 in "The Latter-day Prophet." Most
teachers would simply narrate the very interesting but rather discon-
nected events therein. It tells of the accident to Newel K. Whitney;
the attempt to poison the Prophet; and the escape through inspira-
tion; the visit of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball to Kirtland;
the prophecy regarding the Civil War, and the Word of Wisdom.
Suppose, however, that the instructor should introduce this problem
into the lesson: What tests are necessary to prove that a man is a
prophet? To this direct question very simple answers would doubt-
less be given.
Additional questions bring forth answers like these: that prophecy
consists in accurately foretelling an event before it takes place; that
the boys of themselves are not able to foretell what will take place
in the ward a year or five years hence; that the inspiration of the
L.ord is necessary to bring about prophecy; that a prophet does not
always have the ability to foretell; that prophecy always has a useful
purpose, and is never to gratify a vain ambition; and that the predic-
tions of a prophet must be fulfilled. Then the subject matter of the
lesson is discussed. Almost every event is shown to be a test that
proves Joseph Smith to have been a prophet.

Lesson 1

The problem of lesson 1 may be. What was the character of the
family of Joseph Smith, Sr.? Before starting, it is well to prepare
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 271

the mind as to what is considered a good family. This may be done

by having the boys give their ideas on the following questions: What
are evidences of a good, trustworthy family? Honesty in business
and other affairs, industry, advancement in intelligence, God-fearing,
etc., are characteristics of good families. When these conclusions
have been reached, the class may begin to read chapter one. As dif-
ferent characteristics of the Smith family are met in the chapter,
each may be commented on as to whether it is commendable. For
example, what kind of a sign is it to be an industrious farmer? (2)
To fight for the independence of the Thirteen Colonies? (3) To be
a land owner? (4) To work hard? (5) To make sacrifices? (6)
For father and son to work side by side? (7) For father to teach
such things as mentioned in paragraph five? (8) For the mind to
remain calm in the midst of religious excitement?
In answer to the last read the following: "Meanwhile, there was
present during this strenuous religious revival in Manchester, a rather
serious-minded boy of some fourteen years of age. He was the
fourth child of the Smiths. The Smiths themselves were in the main
attracted by the doctrines of the Presbyterians. But Joseph did not
know what he should do. He attended the revival meetings. He
witnessed the violent manifestations of religious emotion. Undoubt-
edly, he was deeply affected at times by the excessive demonstrations
of his associates and friends. But through it all, he maintained a
perfect self-control. Never once was he so overcome by his emotions
that he took part in the excitement of his friends. He stood calmly,
—
thoughtfully by a spectator, puzzled, perplexed." (The Restoration
of the Gospel, O. J. P. Widtsoe, page 8.)
Close the class work on chapter one, with having two or three
boys state the several points studied, as evidence of the good qualities
of the family of Joseph Smith, Sr.

Lesson 2

Before beginning the lesson, recall the character of the family of

Joseph Smith, Sr., and some of the evidences studied.
The problem for lessoni two may be, Of what value is it to have
the knowledge of the existence of the Lord? Before studying the
chapter, get the boys to think about the following question: What
is the difference between knowing and believing a thing? Then study
chapter two. Ask such questions as the following: What was
Joseph's belief concerning the words of the apostle James? What
did his belief lead him to do? What was the answer to his prayer?
What kind of a testimony could Joseph Smith bear to the world con-
cerning God and Jesus Christ? Answer the question of the lesson.
Of what kind of a family was Joseph Smith, Jr., a member? What
kind of a boy was he? What does his testimony cause you to believe?
Who is the new witness for God?

Lesson 3

Recall the important points of lessons one and two. The problem
for lesson three may be: From what sources do the oppositions to
the Gospel of Jesus Christ come? With the foregoing question as
the aim of the lesson, it would be well to make it consist principally
cf paragraphs six (chapter two), and one, two, and three (chapter
three). Addtional readings are found in paragraphs 13-16 and 21 and
22, Writings of Joseph Smith (II), Pearl of Great Price. Get the boys
to think of their own experiences by answering the following ques-
272 '
IMPROVEMENT ERA
tions: Who makes sport of you for being a "Mormon"? Who op-
poses your efforts to attend to your quorum duties? Why? Study
the assignment as suggested in lesson two. Who tried to stop Joseph
Smith from praying? Why did some ministers oppose the testimony
of Joseph? Who helped Joseph to overcome the opposition? Why
was it important for him (1) to see and hear God and Jesus Christ?
(2) To
feel the power of Evil?
In connection with this, read the testimony of Moses found in the
Pearl of Great Price, chapter 1:1-22. Answer the general question of
the lesson. From whom may we expect opposition to our belief in
the Lord? Why?

Lesson 4

Review of last two lessons. The word prophet is derived from

the two words "for," or before, and "to say," or to speak, and a
prophet is one who foretells events. For whom did Joseph Smith,
Jr., speak? How did he learn that fact? How did he learn that
Satan exists? What was the mission of the Lord and his beloved Son
in their visit to Joseph Smith? What was Satan's mission in visiting
him?
Problem for lesson four:
How did Joseph Smith come to discover the Book of Mormon?
This lesson may consist of paragraphs 4-9, chapter 3, and all of
chapter 4.
Questions for preparing the mind to study the lesson. Tell how
the Presiding Bishopric may learn from records, what we are doing
now in our quorums. Who is our ward historian? Stake historian?
Where are the records of our Church kept? Who is our present
Church historian? Then, in four or five hundred years from now,
how may men get a history of us? Who lived in America when
Columbus discovered it? At one time these Indians had historians
like our Church historians. The Lord had told them to make truthful
records and carefully preserve them, because he wanted to use them
for his purposes. Now, we want to find out how one of those Church
historians helped Joseph Smith to get these records.
Study this lesson as suggested in lesson two.
What was the name of this ancient Church historian? How did
he come to visit Joseph Smith? What
mission was he sent to per-
form? How did he make sure that Joseph would understand what
he was told? How did Moroni make sure that Joseph would remem-
ber what he was told? How did Joseph prove that Moroni's message
was the truth? Answer the general question of the lesson.

—
Priesthood Quorums' Study, 1915. For the Deacons, 1915. "The
—
'Latter-day Prophet," same as used in the classes two years ago.
Copies may be obtained from the Era Office, price, cloth 40 cents,
paper 25 cents.
—
For the Teachers, 1915. "The Life of Christ," same text book
as last year, price 15 cents, to be obtained also at the Era office.
—
For the Priests, 1915. "What the Priest should Know and Do,"
price 15 cents. Supplemental reading, "The Strength of Being Clean,"
by David Starr Jordan.
For the High Priests, Seventies, and Elders, 1915. "Rational
—
Theology," a new book by Dr. John A. Widtsoe, ready about Jan.
15, 1915. Price 25 cents. This book, and that for the Priests will be
sent direct to the bishops.
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS" TABLE . 273
Attendance at Priesthood Meetings. — Bulletin
issued by the No. 16,
Presiding Bishop's Office, October 31, 1914, shows the average attend-
ance of priesthood at weekly priesthood meetings for the three months
ending Sept. 30, 1914, based on the total priesthood of stake, as follows:
c%
Sept. T
% w%
Mar.
June c %
Sept.
T%
June J°
Mar.
30 30 31 30 30 31

1- -Liberty 23 27 30 34— Millard 11 13 24

2- -Maricopa 23 21 32 35— Moapa 11 17 20
3- Pioneer 23 26 28 36— Nebo 11 13 23
4- Ogden 22 27 30 37— WasaUh 11 13 25
5- Taylor 22 26 32 38— Malad 10 17 25
6- Young 22 25 23 39— Shelley 10
7- -Cassia 20 22 27 40— So. Sanpete 10 \3 24
8- -Alberta 19 26 34 41—Teton 10 12
9- -Deseret 19 27 21 42— Utah 10 13 21
10- -North Weber ... 13 13 23 43— Boise 9 12 19
11- -Granite 18 23 27 44— Jordan 9 13 19
12- -Fremont 17 22 27 45— Oneida 9 14 23
13- -Salt Lake 17 19 19 46— Sevier 9 13 27
14- -San Juan 17 17 22 47— Bear River 8 20 27
15- -Snowflake 17 17 22 48— Emery 8 13 21
16- -Box Elder 16 22 32 49— Hyrum 8 12 27
17- -Carbon 16 22 23 50—Tooele 8 9 18
18- -Ensign '.
16 20 22 51— Woodruff 8 11 18
19- -Juab 16 18 27 52—Bannock 19 19
20- -St. Johns 16 14 32 53 — Duchesne .... 19 16
21- -Uintah 16 18 * 54 — Morgan 10 20
22- -Weber 16 20 26 55— Wayne 12 24
23- -Blackfoot 15 18 28 56 — Benson 8 26
24- -Davis 15 18 27 57 — Parovvan 8 13
25- -San Luis 15 15 20 58— Star Valley 11 26
59 — Summit
. .

26- -Union 15 21 25 12 26
27- -Bear Lake 14 15 22 60 — Pocatello .... 8
*
28- -Big Horn 13 17 27 61 — Yellowstone 9 21
62 — Beaver
. .

29- -No. Sanpete .... 13 13 23 10 19

30- -St. George 13 10 21 63— Panguitch .... 8 17
31- -St. Joseph 13 17 23 64— Rigbv 9 22
32- -Alpine 11 14 24 65— Cache 23 30
33- -Bingham 11 12 25 66 — Kanab 5 17

A
new book has just issued from the press of the Deseret News,
entitled "After Twenty Years," by Dr. George W. Middleton. Here is
a paragraph quoted from it, on work:
"The world has not much to bestow upon the man who will not
work. It is the get-up-and-get that makes men great. Go to the home
of the successful farmer and you will find the dews of the morning
upon his rugged brow. You will see the last glimmer of evening's
twilight fall upon him as he still bends over his unfinished task. Go to
the home of the scholar and you will find him poring over his books
in the silent hours of the night when all the world besides is hushed
in slumber. For God has set a price upon everything in this world
that is worth having, and he who would possess must pay the price of
the thing he covets.
"Again, the importance of frugality as a factor of success cannot
be overestimated. If your compensation is a dollar a day, and you
live on seventy-five cents a day, your credit will gradually grow as the
balance of each day is added to your possessions. But if with an in-
come of a dollar a day your expenditure is a dollar and a quarter a
day, you will as certainly come to discredit as the night will follow
the day. Nature deals with us justly but not mercifully. She makes
cold mathematical deductions in her verdicts. She balances the ledger
with unerring accuracy, and announces the verdict at the close of
every day. She fixes our credit among men by these daily bulletins,
and whether we will or not, we must submit to the rating she puts
upon us."

'Reports arrived too late to be included in classification.

 Mutual Work
Helpful Hints
(For Directors of Boys' Choruses, Y. M. M. I. A.)
BY PROF. EVAN STEPHENS
This is written to aid the M. I. A. Junior Choruses to excel in
the rendition of the "Boy Scouts' Chorus," the contest piece for the
next musical contest of the M. I. A.
The first and most important item towards superior excellence
of rendition of music, is the organization of the chorus itself. With-
out the greatest care in selecting the voices most suited to each part
to be sung, the good rendition of that part becomes from the first
an impossibility. Every boy selected to sing the upper part should be
able to reach the D Flat (fourth line, treble cleff) with ease and
freedom. If he can do this, the the fuller the voice the bettter will
be the effect, provided that coarseness does not mar the fullness.
Remember that one rather harsh, shrill voice that has to strain to
reach this top note may spoil your entire chorus. The second part
can be safely left to the boys who have good, full voices not yet
"changed" into bass or tenor, or to a "man voice." As a rule this
"change" does not occur in a boy's voice before he is about fourteen
years of age, but remember you cannot depend upon the age, as this
change of voice differs, over a period of three or four years,, in dif-
ferent boys. You must hear that the boy sings up like a woman before
selecting him for either the first or second part. Find out this mat-
ter by having the boys of your association sing the treble of any of
the familiar songs. Sing at your meetings before you take up this
chorus at all, and the boys who sing this treble like a girl should be
set aside for the two upper parts. Those who will sing it down
unconsciously, even though softly, will have "changed" voices, and
will be unfitted for upper parts, and if used at all should be for the
bass part. In this voice testing, let the boys all sing together. It
might frighten them too much to sing separately. Any good listener
can hear, by getting fairly close, whether a boy is singing up or
down. As fast as you hear and decide, set the high-voiced boys in a
row by themselves until you have them all separated from the low
(changed) voices. Next select the boys for the second voice. Out of
the unchanged voices take any who may have sung alto before, if any
have done so; if not, take the larger or stouter boys in preference to
the more slightly or delicately-built, dividing the whole number of
unchanged voices into two equal groups. The more you have the
better, the more good you are accomplishing; and then, by letting
all the balance learn to sing bass you will turn your association into
a chorus or singing class. Here find out just ho'w many will work,
and to clinch the matter have every one who means business sign for
a copy of the chorus (10c each), and you are ready for a start in
learning "The Scout Boys' March."

SUGGESTIONS

If you have only two copies, one for the conductor and one for
the accompanist, vou can make a start. Have them learn by note, ear,
 MUTUAL WORK 275

or imitation, the drum imitation section, and the shout ("hooray").

It will make a merry diversion if you are not too serious about it.
First teach the two repeated measures only, this will familiarize all
with the manner of rendering the "rub, ruba-dub, dub, dub, dub, dub."
Then when that is done properly, add the next four measures, calling
attention to the slight change in the last measure but one. Note that
the first two mesaures, after the repeat, are an exact imitation of the
first measure, and that the measure following is the only really new
one, the last being the same as the second measure. Then when the
part is all put together mechanically, try the crescendo effect, that is,
starting almost in a whisper, and gradually singing louder and louder
through the last four measures. Do not try to attain full singing
power for this; that must appear only when they sing in shouting
fashion the "hooray."
Study the latter by first having all the men give it (the bass)
strongly to pitch, holding it until you count seven exactly, chopping
it off sharply on the seventh. Then add your second alto, and finally
your first alto, doing it over and over with care, until it rings out a
strong harmonic shout. (Any hanging on, after the seventh beat, will
ruin the effect.)
This preliminary work will create much interest, if done well and
heartily, and perhaps is about all that should be done before the
individual copies arrive, even if it takes two or more weeks. Then,
in taking up the march, or song proper, let me recommend first the
mastery of the words,— two lines only at a time. Some will prefer,
and I should myself, having the second alto by themselves, alone, for
say twenty minutes, or better, a whole evening, in a separate room or
house to get them well started. Indeed, the enthusiastic director will
get all the separate practice he can with each part, either in full or a
half dozen leaders, before the first full rehearsal. Then take the
song up in short sections, two lines at a time, until each of the three
parts are going with certainty. When the song is absolutely mastered
to the first double bar, or second page of the music, remember that
though you have reached only to less than the end of one-third of
the music, you have mastered really more than three-fourths of the
work. In repeating from the words, "the bright and the true," the
second verse is sung ending in the words, "A friend's heavy load."
Compare well the two endings, so the boys will look out for the
difference.
If after even preliminary part rehearsals you can get this far
well done, at the first full rehearsal, you are doing well, and perhaps
better than if you try further.
Prepare now the next section, in the same manner that you did
the first, going no further than, "the whole day long." Then when
this is going all right end by singing verses one and two. If they
are right well learned there will be very little forgetting, but remember
to "make haste slowly;" what is learned too quickly is quickly for-
gottten.
"When the way is dark" is our next task, try to catch the in-
tense undertone, mysterious, almost "boogybooish" way of express-
—
ing it from the first, swelling the tone where marked. If a little over-
done at first, it will modify itself later, out of the crude into the
artistic, dramatic effect intended. The shout is repeated at the close
of this, and then while we have the march of the first verses here, we
find things all changed so that we need our separate rehearsals again
to master each part. The boys of the first alto to whistle a new tune,
or melody, while the second alto sings the old tune to the first verse;
the bass only singing its old time notes to the words. To get this
276 IMPKOVKMKN T ERA
whistling as good as possible, try and discover one or two better and
—
best whistlers, in your society some who have the gift, and let all
the other boys try and imitate. There will be lots of work about this,
but an equal lot of diversion, and interest created. To vary an exer-
cise and avoid monotony, you have now the other parts to sing over,
and the two closing lines to learn.

GENERAL HINTS

To get superior effects, prize-winning ones, in addition to the

general correct rendition of the whole piece, certain things and
touches must be emphasized. I will name a few.
Wherever there is a pause, it must be made impressive, notice-
able, whether it be silence or holding the tone.
—
Wherever there is a staccato mark, it must be clean-cut without
jerking.
The singing of the first and second sections of the march espe-
cially; also when the melody recurs on the last page, the singing
must be done with a light, bouyant, rhythmic swing, that gives it the
character of youthful, springy stepping.
In the dark, mysterious parts, this should be forgotten, in a sense,
in the other more important expression. And in the closing two
lines, it must get firmer and heavier until it slackens and broadens
into big, heavy steps in the last line, ending with full power and the
last note to strict time.
The words must naturally be brought out in the clearest distinct-
ness throughout. Remember the singing is entirely the expression
of what you are saying. You will notice that I advise that the entire
association learn to sing it, and then later select out of your then
plentiful material the required number for the contest. In this way
you will not only do vastly more good by the learning, but you will
have the chance to select the best material in the community to enter
the competition. It is poor economy to try and get along with as
few copies as possible, at first especially, of course; later, no one
should use a copy when singing, but a copy for each member will be
—
useful in many ways, such as in rehearsing to take with them when
they go on a mission, to have in the house. Many a music copy has
resulted in a family becoming musical.

New Regulation for Collecting the M. I. A. Fund

At a meeting of the General Board held on the 16th of December,

itwas ordered that the General Fund be based on the active enroll-
ment in our associations, and that a roll of honor be established on
the basis of the payment of 100% of the active enrollment. Also that
another roll of honor be established on active membership, to be
based on 12% of the Church population.
In case each member does not contribute 25 cents, the amount
of the fund, presidents and superintendents are at liberty to collect the
balance by concert, or entertainment, or by any other honorable
method.
A roll of honor will be opened for the stakes having the largest
enrollment, and the campaign for 12% of the Church population to
be enrolled in Mutual Improvement Associations of the young men
will be continued. The membership committees should get after this
work immediately if they have not already secured the 12%. Tt is
 MUTUAL WORK 277

expected that before the first week in February, the fund will be col-
lected and that immediately thereafter the amounts will be remitted
to the General Secretary, and not kept until May, as some stakes have
done heretofore. Prompt action, brethren, in matters of finance make
lasting friends.

Three New Instructions for Winding up the Season's Work

At the meeting of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A., held Novem-

ber 11 last, it was ordered and recommended that each association, at
the close of the year's work, hold a meeting at which the annual sta-
tistical and financial reports should be presented and approved, and a
report made of the various activities carried out in the association for
the past year.
At this meeting, also, the list of junior boys who have passed suc-
cessfully the first and second year's courses, should be presented, in
order to give due recognition to them in the ward.
The officers for the ensuing year should, as far as possible, also be
presented and voted on by the associations, so that they will be pre-
pared to carry on the summer's work, and be ready to take up the reg-
ular work as soon as the convention season opens in the fall. Officers
will kindly bear this in mind and give proper instructions thereon to
their associations. They are also advised to forward their reports,
at once, after the final meeting to the stake secretary, so that he may
be able to compile his stake report and have it in this office on time.

The City Boys' Industrial Contest

The winners inthe Y. M. M. I. A. City Boys' Industrial Contest

hist summer, were, to right:
left Samuel Stewart, 12 yearsold, 740
rst prize, $40; Albert H. Reiser,
East Broadway, firs age 17, 554 South
Eighth East, seco nd prize, $30; Eugene Hinckley, 15 years old, 723
278 IMPROVEMENT ERA
r

East Seventh South, third prize, $20; Wilford Reichmann, 16 years

old, 943 East Fourth South, fourth prize, $10. About thirty boys were
entered in the contest, the object of which was to impress on the
Mutual boys the value and use of money, encourage them to work, and
to save money during their summer vacations. The winner of the
first prize worked as a cash boy at Z. C. M. I. and later at one of the
concessions at Saltair. He earned, on an average, $1 a day, besides
caring for the lawn at his home and cultivating a small garden which
supplied the family with vegetables during the summer. The winner
of the second prize worked at Lagoon and earned $135, saving vir-
tually all his money to pay for his school tuition and books for the
winter. The winner of the third prize worked at the freight depot of
the O. S. L. railroad and saved $120. The winner of the fourth prize
worked at a soda fountain during his vacation and earned $101. He
paid his parents for his board, purchased books for his schooling, and
had $50 left. The judges of the contest were Mayor Samuel C. Park,
Hon. W. W. Riter, and Judge Elias A. Smith. On the 9th of -Decem-
ber the boys appeared before the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A.
President Heber J. Grant, in an encouraging speech to the boys, pre-
sented the prizes. A similar contest for the school vacation, for the
summer of 1915, will be held under the auspices of the Vocations and
Industries Committee of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. The
contest is open to all city boys who enter under the regulations of the
General Board.

The Reading Course

The following members of the M. I. A. who have read the Read-
ing Course books reside in Castle Dale, Emery stake:
—
"Philosophy of Mormonism," "Their Yesterdays," "Ches-
Senior class
ter Lawrence," read by Hyrum S. Rasmussen; "The Fair God," "The
Philosophy of Mormonism," by Clarence Clair; "The Fair God," Floyd
Day and Horace Larsen; "The Philosophy of Mormonism," Samuel H.
—
Larsen. Junior class "Cattle Ranch to College," Perry Day, Joseph
Jameson, Harold Jameson; "The Young- Farmer," Perry Day; "Chester
Lawrence," Randall Andersen, Hector Petersen; "Their Yesterdays,"
James Rasmussen.

Vocation Counselors

Attention is called to a recent recommendation made by the Com-

mittee on Vocations and Industries, and approved by the General
Board, that where ward associations have not yet chosen their voca-
tion counselors, the president of the association shall act in that
capacity, until some other suitable person can be found to take up
this work.
 Passing Events

The third session of the sixty-third Congress commenced on

Monday, December 7, the first Monday in December being the day
prescribed by the Constitution of the United States for the annual
meeting of Congress. The session will expire by statute March 4,
1915, and the newly elected Congress will convene next December.

Mrs. Elizabeth Howe B. Hyde, the oldest resident of Logan, died

November 24, age 101 years. She was born in Hollinston, Middlesex
county, Massachusetts, October 2, 1813. She joined the Church in
1838 and came to Utah in 1849. Her husband, William Hyde, was a
member of the "Mormon" Battalion. All her faculties were intact to
the last with the exception of failing eyesight.

George A. Black, formerly private secretary to Governor J. W.

Shaffer of Utah, and acting-governor of Utah for several months, in
1870, died at Tacoma, Washington, November 27, 1914. His body was
taken for burial to Freeport, Illinois. He was territorial secretary
under Vernon H. Vaughan and was a veteran of the G. A. R. He
had always considered himself a citizen of Utah since the time he
came here, over forty years ago.
President Joseph Smith, of the Re-organized Church of Latter-
day Saints, son of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and born in Kirtland,
Ohio, Nov. 6, 1832, took ill on the morning of November 26 with heart
failure superinduced by acute indigestion, and died at Independence,
Mo., on the 10th day of December, 1914. He was appointed president
of the Re-organized Church when it was organized in Amboy, 111., in
1860, and acted in that capacity until his death. President Joseph F.
Smith, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a cousin
of his. Frederick M. Smith will succeed Joseph Smith as president
of the Re-organized Church.

Stewart Eccles, of Ogden, Utah, president of the London confer-

ence, died November 3, 1914, at "Deseret," London, England. He was
a faithful and efficient missionary, and was filling his second mission
in Great Britain, having arrived in Liverpool on the 5th of May, 1913.
His remains were shipped on the "Adriatic" on the 11th of November
in charge of R. Delbert Rasmussen of Ephraim, Utah. Marintha
Eccles, the wife of the deceased, returned home on the same ship,
having been a faithful companion and help meet to him in his mis-
sionary labors. Elder Eccles was a brother of the late David Eccles.
The funeral was held in the Sixth ward chapel in Ogden, November
27, and he was buried in the cemetery at Eden.

James Andrus, son of Milo and Abigail Jane Daley Andrus, died
at St.George, December 8. He was born June 14, 1835. in Florence.
Ohio, and came to Utah, September 24, 1848. In 1857, he married
Lora Altha Gibson. Later he married Mamonas Luvine, a sister of
his first wife. Among his large family are many children and grand-
children who are prominent citizens of the community. He was a
pioneer of St. George, and for many years was bishop there, a member
of the High Council of St. George stake, a member of the first Utah
state legislature, and has held many other prominent and responsible
positions, civil and ecclesiastical. He was also an Indian war veteran.
280 IMPROVEMENT ERA
and later a successful farmer, stock raiser, merchant and banker, ana
above all a faithful Latter-day Saint.

A new chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

was dedicated at Independence, Mo., November 22, 1914. In giving
an account of the dedication, Liahona, the Elders' Journal stated that it
was the most notable gathering of Saints, from the standpoint of
numbers, in the history of the Church since their expulsion in 1833
and 1834; and marked a new era in the history of the city of Inde-
pendence of which all her substantial and progressive citizens are
proud. President Joseph F. Smith ofTered the dedicatory prayer.
Among President Smith's party were President Charles W. Penrose,
Elders George Albert Smith and Joseph F. Smith, Jr., of the Council
of the Twelve, Bishop C. W. Nibley, Presidents German E. Ellsworth,
John L. Herrick, Charles A. Callis and Elder Benjamin Goddard.
The Utah Educational Association met during the Thanksgiving
holidays in November, in Salt Lake City, and on the 24th elected
Prof. HowardR. Driggs and Principal O. J. P. Widtsoe of the L. D. S.
High School, president and vice-president, respectively, of that organ-
ization. W. S. Rawlings, of the Jackson school, Salt Lake, and D. A.
Broadbent, superintendent of Wasatch county, were elected for three-
year trustees; and C. H. Skidmore, superintendent of the Granite
district, and Miss Millie Peterson, primary supervisor of Weber
county, were elected for two-year trustees. A splendid feature of the
educational meetings was the school chorus of 200 voices from the
6th, 7th, and 8th grade schools of Nephi, under Music Supervisor Carl
Nelson, which appeared before the organization on November 24 and
gave some splendid demonstrations of their musical ability.
Col. Wm. N. Fife, Indian fighter, "Mormon" pioneer, and per-
sonal friend of President U. S. Grant and General Sheridan, died at
Ogden, October 21, 1914. He was a native of Scotland, 83 years of
age. He built the Ogden tabernacle, the Weber county courthouse,
the Central school, and other edifices about the city, and was marshal
of Ogden for fourteen years. He joined the Church while in Scot-
land, and came to Salt Lake in 1853, removing to Ogden shortly there-
after. He was commissioned a colonel by President Grant, and did
great work in suppressing Indian uprisings, in scouting, and in other
military duties in Utah and adjoining states. He entertained Presi-
dent Grant and General Sheridan at his home in Ogden on their visit
to Utah. He was a rough and ready officer of the law. At one time
he captured single-handed, two notorious robbers who had pillaged
the mails, and received a reward of one thousand dollars from the
United States government.
Hyrum Goff, late president of the Jordan stake, first mayor of
Midvale, and a prominent merchant of that city, died November 24,
age 65 years. He was born in Long Whatton, Leicestershire, Eng-
land, July 29, 1849. He came to America, crossing the plains in ox
team, arriving in Salt Lake City, September, 1862, when thirteen years
of age. He settled at West Jordan and established a store there
which later became the mercantile concern of Goff & Company. He
hns occupied the positions of superintendent of the West Jordan Sun-
day school, counselor to Bishop John A. Egbert, of West Jordan
word, bishop of East Jordan, and first counselor to President O. P.
Miller of the Jordan stake, and later became president of the stake in
which position he served for thirteen years. He was sincere, kind,
devoted and faithful. Funeral was held at Midvale chapel, Friday,
November 27'„ and his body was laid to rest in the West Jordan cem-
etery.
 PASSING EVKNTS 281

The Situation in Mexico.— On the 20th of November the troops of

General Carranza were withdrawn from Mexico City and General
Villa, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the forces of the Pro-
visional government of Gutierrez, and who was ordered to proceed
against the forces of General Carranza, drew near the capital.
On the 23rd, the United States soldiers and marines who had been
in Vera Cruz seven months were withdrawn. They were followed
closely in their movement towards the boats by the Carranza forces,
under General Aguilar, who took possession of the city. There was
no formal transfer of the place to any authority. The American sol-
diers simply departed, all the factions in Mexico having given the
guarantees that were demanded by the United States. In a proclama-
tion Aguilar stated that foreigners should be protected. He closed
the saloons and gave notice that citizens having arms must surrender
them under penalty of death within twenty-four hours, also that all
thieves would be shot. The United States troops found Vera Cruz a
foul den of disease, but left it a clean and healthful city.
On the 26th, General Carranza entered the city passing under the
arch of triumph. He came from Orizaba and asserted in a proclama-
tion that Vera Cruz was now the only legal capital, and that the dif-
ferences in Mexico can only be settled by arms. The United States
battleships will remain in the harbor, although Carranza has asked
the United States to withdraw them. Five hundred refugees left the
city on a steamship chartered by General Funston. They were taken
to Galveston, Texas. Mexico City was taken by Zapata with four
thousand men, while Villa and his army remained at Tuala, a short
distance from the capital.
On the 30th, General Pablo Gonzales proclaimed himself provis-
ional president and appointed a cabinet. He was at Pahucha, forty
miles northeast of the capital, with ten thousand men. Thus there
are three governments proclaimed. Villa published a statement say-
ing that he did not aspire to the presidency for which he knew he was
unfitted, but only desired to make the Mexican people free, affairs
in the country seem more muddled and complicated than ever. On
the northern border a long siege has been carried on by General
Maytorena at Naco. Shooting over the border into the American side
has been the cause of five killed and 42 wounded, and the Americans
urgently protested to the Governor and to Washington. The result
was that United States troops were ordered to Naco, and on Dec. 15
there were 5,000 men, the Washington government being determined
not to tolerate firing across the border. Some time ago, the bandit
Ynez Salazar escaped from prison in New Mexico, and is now leading
men to conquer Chihuahua. On Dec. 15, it was reported that between
100 and 150 Mexicans had been secretly executed.

The Great War in Europe.— Five months or more have passed

since the great war began, and yet no verdict of victory is in sight,
though this war is carried out upon a scale unparalleled in the history
of the world, involving, as it does, four continents and all the seven
seas. It is still practically a drawn game. Since our last report closed,
the field of big battle changed from Flanders, in the west, to Poland,
in the east. Conflicting reports come of victories on both sides, but
all that can certainly be said is that thousands upon thousands of
human beings have been slaughtered in the great battle lines. Ger-
many failed to reach the North Sea near Calais, the Allies holding
them back, with terrible losses on both sides. The latest news indi-
cates that the Allies are upon the aggressive. In the east there have
been fierce conflicts with no decisive results. In the meantime, Bel-
282 IMPROVEMENT KRA
gium is without food, and relief, by the ship load, is being forwarded
to the starving population, from America. Poland is reported in 'sim-
ilar condition to Belgium, in point of suffering. Opposing armies are
driving each other back and forth, occupying and re-occupying cities
and villages, inflicting upon the inhabitants bombardments, fire and
sword, similar to those suffered in Belgium and northern France.
It is reported that more than five hundred Polish towns have been
ruined. The flight of the civilians from Lodz is said to have been
one of the most tragic episodes of the war. The fate of Calisz is said
to- have been a repetition of Louvain. One of the sad features of the
Poland fighting lines. is the fact that blood kindred are pitted against
eacli other. Several hundred thousand Poles were in the Russian
ranks, and as many more in the ranks of the Germans and Austrians.
A short chronology of the war follows:
—
November 15 Premier Asquith informed the House of Com-
mons that fifty thousand British soldiers were killed, wounded or
taken prisoners during August, September and October.
—
November 16 The flooding operations were continued in the
canal systems of Belgium, making the German advance impossible at
any point from the coast to Dixmude. The British House of Com-
mons voted an additional credit of $1,250,000,000 for war purposes,
and authorized the enlistment of a million more men. Premier As-
quith stated that the war is costing Great Britain five million dollars
a day. Pope Benedict issued an encyclical urging peace among the
warring nations. The Vodka prohibition in Russia was extended to
other forms of alcoholic drinks and a stringent prohibition regulation
goes into effect in all the Russian war zones.
—
November 17 The German squadron bombarded Libau, a Rus-
sian port on the Baltic.
November 18 — Russian
and Turkish fleets have an engagement
in the Black Sea.
"Goeben," one of the Turkish cruisers manned by
Germans, received serious damage.
—
November 19 A strong German offensive movement in Poland
checks the Russian advance toward the German frontier, and forces
Russians back fifty miles toward Warsaw.
—
November 20 The Germans regain. Lodz and Plock, in Poland.
—
November 21 Premier Borden, of Canada, announced that by
the end of the year 108,000 Canadians will be under arms. Thiee
great Russian armies are engaged in Poland in battles of great im-
portance. In the north the Russians gained ground in East Prus-
sia. In the south, the siege of Cracow began. In the center, the
Russians claim to have checked the German offensive movement in
Poland.
—
November 23 The Turks claim to have defeated the Indian
troops east of Suez. The Russians retake Gumbinner in east Prus-
sir

_
November 24 — The Portuguese parliament votes to support the
Allies. war ships bombarded Zeebrugge on the Belgian coast.
British
—
November 25 German invasion of Poland was checked at Lodz
by a heavy counter attack from the Russians. The Germans mass
troops at Arras.
November 26 —
The British battleship "Bulwark" was blown up in
the The Russians defeat the Austrians east of Cracow.
Thames.
—
November 27 The forces of the Germans, in Poland, were di-
vided and partly surrounded by the Russians. German submarines
entered British Channel and sunk two British cruisers.
—
November 28 In the battle between the Warta and the Vis-
 PASSING EVENTS 283

tula, in Poland, both Russians and Germans lost heavily without

definite results.The Austrians advanced southward in Servia.
—
November 29 The Germans attack in Argonne and Vosges. The
invasion of the Russians into Hungary through the Carpathians was
repulsed.
—
November 30 The Germans broke through the Russian ring at
Lodz. Russia officially reports that 50,000 Austro-Hungarians and
600 officers were taken prisoners during the first half of November.
Parcel post service is resumed between the United States and Ger-
many.
—
December 1 Great activity was noted in the Kiel shipyards, and
it was reported that the German fleet would take to the North Sea.
General De Wet, leader of the South African rebellion, was capturd
by Colonel Britz, near Mafeking. The Prussian Reichstag votes
$1,250,000,000 as a new war credit.
—
December 2 Germany claims officially that on November 1 they
had inprison or hospitals Allied prisoners as follows: Officers, 7,213;
privates, 426,034. The Austrians take Belgrade.
—
December 3 King George visits the seat of war in Flanders and
meets King Albert, but the war in the west is overshadowed by the
great life and death struggle in Poland.
—
December 4 The French invade Lorrain, near Metz and Alsace
near Altkirch.
—
December 16 The Italian Congress approves the government's
policy of armed /neutrality.
—
December 6 The Germans take Lodz, whence they were driven
on a former retreat from Warsaw, and it is reported captured 100,000
Russians.
December 8—
After two months' effort to drive through the bat-
tle front of the Allies, to retake Calais, the Germans find themselves
compelled to fight on the defensive, and the offensive has passed to
the French-British armies.
—
December 9 The German cruisers "Scharnhorst," "Gneisman,"
and "Leipzig," under Admiral Count Von Spee, were sunk off the
Falkland Islands, in the Pacific, by a British Squadron commanded
by Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Devonton Sturdee. The "Dresden"
and "Nurnberg" succeeded in escaping.
—
December 10 The "Nurnberg," it is reported, was also destroyed
by the British, and no loss. to any of the British vessels is reported.
Emperor William has been sick some days with a bronchial attack,
but is reported better today.
—
December 12 Two German submarines were destroyed in Scot-
tish waters, that had entered the Firth of Forth to destroy the British
naval station. The French occupy the west bank of the Yser canal.
—
December 14 The Servians reoccupy Belgrade, having been in-
spired by King Peter to special effort by his visit and address on the
field to his soldiers.
December —
15 make a combined attack on the Ger-
The Allies
man line inBelgium from Hollebeke to Wytschaete. It is reported
that Servia is almost freed from her foes.
—
December 16 A daring raid on the north-east coast of England
was made at 8 a. m., by eight German battle and armed cruisers
which bombarded Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby, killing 146
people, wounding 226, doing much damage to property, and seriously
alarming Great Britain. The German cruisers sailed away without
injury, strewing the North Sea with mines that later destroyed
several vessels. The incident gave a striking impetus to British
recruiting.
 George D. Parkinson, Attorney-at-law, Room oUl Newhouse Building,
Salt Lake City. Telephone, Wasatch 3160. Adv.

Ray Finlinson, Butte, Montana: "Mueli credit is due the publisher of the
Era because each treatise printed therein expresses the high ideals for which
we are so faithfully and diligently seeking. Many things are discussed and
made clear respecting doctrinal subjects as well as conditions now prevailing
in the world."

G. Milton Babcock, 514 Sixth avenue, Salt Lake City, October 28, 1913, "I
know in my own case, I do not support Church publications as I should, for
out of about ten magazines, etc., coming to my home, the Deseret News is the
only one published in Utah. However, it is never too late to mend, and I wish
to enter my name at once as a subscriber to the Improvement Era."

Improvement Era, January, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.

Joseph F. Smith, }
Editors3
Heber J- Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, j
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Nauvoo Temple Frontispiece
Nauvoo Temple Ruins Edward H. Anderson 189
Nauvoo in 1846 Illustrated — Charles Lanman 191
The Home Feld. A story Nephi Anderson 195
A King of Western Scouts— II. Illustrated .. Solomon F. Kimball 209
Life in a Tree Trunk W. Parratt
D. 218
A Race. A Poem Louis W. Larsen 220
Alcohol: Its Effects on the Human Body. ..Dr. W. B. Parkinson, Sen... 221
The New Year. A Poem Henry Nicol Adamson 230
Joy Nephi Jenson 231
To Myself. A Poem Dr. George H. Brimhall 233
The New Year at Gunnison Island Alfred Lambourne 234
Arithon L. Skanchy— III— IV Dr. John A. Widtsoe 236
The Prophet Joseph's Birth. A Poem F. E. Barker 242
Two Moving Word Pictures Prof. J. C. Hogenson 243
My Babe. A Poem Aubrey Parker 246
Evolution Not Supported by Embryology Robert C. Webb 247
Why Turkey was drawn into the War Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 253
The Page. A Poem Grace Ingles Frost 254
The Boy and the Farm Hon. Thos. L. Rubey 255
—
Editors' Table A Happy New Year A Not-
— —
able Missionary Tour "Mormonism" His- —
torically, Doctrinally, Prophetically — Brig-
ham Young and the Poor Logger — Original
Story Contest 260
Messages from the Missions 265
Priesthood Quorums' Table 270
Mutual Work Helpful Hints . Prof. Evan Stephens 274
Passing Events • • 279
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 imnw
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( I

IMPROVEMENT
ERA
Vol. XVIH FEBRUARY, 1915 No. 4

ORGAN OF THX PRIESTHOOD CtSOFSUMS, THE YOU NO MEN'S MUTVAI

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS OF THE CHURL,** •#
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTEP DAY SAINTS
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closes Dec. 31, 1915.
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JANUARY 30, 1915 Round Trip Rate <flj A f\
Limit, March 15, 1915 Diverse Routes ^J^TC VJ
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cisco and Portland, or going via Portland
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case via ban Francisco or Ogden. call at Ci y Ticket Office

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"-saw^HF" "
^^^

WHEN SHALL WAR CEASE?

Lo, countless prayers are sent unto the skies.

And wives and mothers shed their bitter tears.

And famine stills the orphan's hunger cries;
The hearts of age are broken in their fears;
On field and meadow lie the thousands slain.
And ancient cities pass awiy in flames,
And need and beauty make their pleas in vain.
For man's wild passion Christ's sweet message shames-
Yea, in mad hatred millions draw their breath,

The dead, unburied, float on mere and flood,

And on the deep, men sink in ghastly death.
And love is lost amid the seas of bbod:
When comes Thy reign, O Christ; when will War cea c
e?

Yet dark the Night, when comes the dawn of Peace!

ALFRED LAMBOURNE
 PRESIDENT JEDEDIATT M. GRANT
Born, Windsor, Broome County, New York, February 21, 1816 -
died
December 1, 1856, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII. FEBRUARY, 1915 No. 4.

The Hand of God in Events on Earth

BY PRESIDENT JEDEDIAH M. GRANT

[Elder Jedediah M. Grant, second counselor to President Brigham

Young, (1854-1856), as early as the first named date foreshadowed
some of the conflicts that were to be witnessed in the world in the latter
days. From two of his sermons, delivered February 19 and April 2, 1854,
.

are quoted the prophetic words which follow, and which appear especially
timely under conditions at present prevailing in the European nations.
The quotations from the sermons were printed last October in Liahona
the Elders' Journal, in which a series of testimonies of the leaders of the
Church, past and present, are being featured. Editors.]

Weneed not expect the eyes of the inhabitants of the earth

to be opened to understand the meaning of the astounding events
that are transpiring around them, for one of the marked signs
of the last days is the blindness of the people we are told they
;

should have eyes and see not, and ears and hear not, and hearts
and understand not. If in the days of Jesus this was true of the
Jews and surrounding nations, it is doubly so now in relation
to the nations with which we are acquainted. Though the fulfil-
ment of the words of the prophets is clear and visible to us as the
noon-day sun in its splendor, yet the people of the world are
blinded thereto; they do not comprehend nor discern the hand of
the Lord.
We can see his hand in all the events of the earth we see ;

it inthe revolutions of our own continent we see it in the

;

scattering and scourging of the house of Israel in the fading

;

away of nations, on the right and on the left in the present;

commotion in our own nation in the broils and contentions be-

;

tween the South and the North we see the hand of the Lord
;

visibly at work in Europe, not only in the spread of the gospel, in

the prosperity of the people of God, and in the proclamation of the
eternal principles of truth through the agency of the elders of
Israel, but in the war cloud gathering black around, dying the
286 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ocean with human gore, and drenching the solid earth with blood
we see it in the preparations of war, and the framing of treaties
of peace among strong nations.
The world is in commotion, and the hearts of men fail them
for fear of the impending storm that threatens to enshroud all
nations in its black mantle. Treaties of peace may be made, and
war will stop for a season, but there are certain decrees of the
gods, and certain bounds fixed, and laws and edicts passed by the
high courts of heaven, beyond which the nations cannot pass and;

when the Almighty decrees the wicked shall slay the wicked,
strong nations may interfere, peace conventions may become rife
in the world and exert their influence to sheathe the sword of war
and make treaties of peace to calm the troubled surface of all
Europe, but to no effect the war cloud is still booming o'er the
;

heavens, darkening the earth, and threatening the world with des-
olation.
When we see nation stirred up against nation, and on the
other hand see other nations exerting a powerful influence to
bring about negotiations of peace, shall we say they can bring it
about? Do we expect they can stay the onward course of war?
The Prophet of God has spoken it all, and we expect to see the
—
work go on and see all things fulfilled as the prophets have
declared by the spirit of prophecy in them.
Why is it that the Latter-day Saints are perfectly calm and

—
serene among all the convulsions of the earth the turmoils, strife,
war, pestilence, famine and distress of nations? It is because the
spirit of prophecy has made known to us that such things would
actually transpire upon the earth. We understand it, and view
it in its true light.We have learned it by the visions of the Al-
—
mighty by that spirit of intelligence that searches out all things,
even the deep things of God.
Three days before the Prophet Joseph started for Carthage,
I well remember his telling us we should see the fulfilment of
the words of Jesus upon the earth, where he says the father shall
be against the son, and the son against the father; the mother
against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the
mother-in-law against the daughter-in-law, and the daughter-
in-law against the mother-in-law and when a man's enemies shall
;

be those of his own household.

The Prophet stood in his own house when he told several of
us the night visions of Heaven were opened to him, in which
he saw the American continent drenched in blood, and he saw
nation rising up against nation. He also saw the father shed the
blood of the son and the son the blood of the father the mother
;

put to the death the daughter, and the daughter the mother and ;

natural affection forsook the hearts of the wicked tor he saw that
;

the Spirit of God should be withdrawn from the inhabitants of

 THE HAND OF GOD IN EVENTS 287

the earth, in consequence of which there should be blood upon the

face of the whole earth except among the people of the Most
High. The prophet gazed upon the scene his vision presented,
until his heart sickened, and he besought the Lord to close it up
again.
Some think we rejoice to see the wicked in their distress, and
to behold the calamity that is coming upon the earth. That is not
the true cause of our rejoicing; but we rejoice to see the predic-
tions of the prophets coming to pass, the reign of wickedness clos-
ing, which is the cause of all the ills to which mortality is heir, the
cause of God move on in its majesty, and the great work fast ap-
proaching the winding up scene of the dispensations pertaining to
earth.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was visited by an holy angel, clad
who authorized him to sound the trump of the
in robes of light,
gospel of peace, and receive the sacred records from the earth,
and the Urim and Thummim, and who laid hands upon him and
gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost, and authorized him to
baptize for the remission of sins, and organize the Kingdom of
God on the earth.
The grand secret is told in a few words; the fact is, the Al-
mighty God has spoken from the heavens, sent heavenly messen-
gers, and organized his Church, restored the Holy Priesthood,
established his government upon the earth, and exerted his power
to extend it, and send forth his word.
Let us rally around the standard of God, and when we are
in the circle of truth, then let the devil and the enemies of the
Church of God fire their loudest guns, and wage their war, and
marshal their strength, yet, armed with the armor of righteous-
ness, clothed with the Priesthood and generalship of the Almighty,
we shall successfully resist and triumphantly conquer Satan and
all his allied forces of the earth and hell. They will then find out
whether Joseph had a right to rule by the power of the Priesthood.
They will then find out that the "Mormons" are authorized to
preach the Gospel of God, gather Israel, build up Zion, bind
Lucifer with a chain, and establish the reign of peace on earth.
 Making Farm Life More Attractive

BY F. S. HARRIS, PH. D., DIRECTOR SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL EN-

GINEERING AND MECHANIC ARTS, UTAH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

That life on the ordinary farm has not been as attractive as it

should have been, is evidenced by what might almost be called a
stampede of country-bred young men to the city. During the last
few decades the relative decrease in population of rural districts
and the rapid growth of cities has been conspicuous the world
over. If this movement is to be counteracted, the country must
offer attractions to balance the advantages found in the modern
city; but it is believed that these very much desired attractions in

Photo by F. S. Hams
LOCATING AN EXPERIMENTAL DRY-FARM

country life are rapidly being developed. The history of the

changes in distribution of population and the causes underlying
them is very interesting.
Long before man engaged in any other 'form of industry he
secured his living from the kind of work now classed as agricul-
ture. He gathered the herbs and fruits that were produced in
abundance by mother earth, and tended flocks and herds which
utilized the forage of the hills in producing food and clothing for
him. Indeed, his entire sustenance was derived directly or indi-
rectly from the soil. At first there was little or no commerce, and
 MAKING FARM LIFE MORE ATTRACTIVE 189

each man produced everything that was necessary for the welfare
greater complexity in the relations of man with man developed,
of himself and family but with the advance in civilization, a
;

The work was gradually divided until separate trades and pro-
fessions were developed, with
the result that each person be-
came more and more depend-
ent on the work of others.
Farming was then only one of
1?5ff fy&T BO the many kinds of work at
B . ^BvWl s^BHJ B^IiJhJ which people earned a living.
^^MR i^ Cities were built, and entire
communities depended en-
tirely on the outside for prod-
ucts of the farm.
The relation between
rural and the city,
districts
Photo by F. S. Harris
varied somewhat from cen-
BEAUTY CAN BE FOUND IN EVERY tury to century, but it was
PART OF THE FARM
not till within the last two
or three generations that a complete readjustment came. With
the development of modern methods of transportation and com-
munication, and with the invention of improved machines of all
kinds, came a revolution in commerce, and, at the same time, a
tremendous stimulus was given to city building. The best en-
ergies of scientists
and builders were
given to problems
arising from the mass-
ing of people into the
comparatively small
area of a modern city.
Many advantages
naturally arose from
the bringing together
of so many people.
Families of moderate
means were able to
Photo bv F S. Harris
have water in the
house, sewage connec- THE RURAL SCHOOL SHOULD BE GIVEN
CAREFUL ATTENTION
tions, electric lights
and many other conveniences that had not been known in the coun-
try districts. Facilities for the education of children were at hand,
amusements of all kinds were easily obtained and there was an op-
portunity to satisfy the longing for social intercourse which seems
so necessary to the happiness of human beings. Of course, many
disadvantages were found to accompany city life, but these were
291) IMPROVEMENT ERA
remedied as nearly as possible by the best thought of the age which
was being given to the problems of the city.
These great developments in the city were not accompanied
by corresponding advances in rural districts, and, as a result, much
of the best talent of the country was naturally attracted to centers

Photo by F. S. Harris
INTENSIVE FARMING HAS MANY ATTRACTIONS
of population where there was an opportunity for greater develop-
ment. Eventhe best farming districts suffered. The rural popu-
lation increased but slowly and, in many cases, actually decreased
while at the same time the cities grew by leaps and bounds like
great mushrooms springing up after a summer shower.

Photo by F. S. Harris
INTERURBAN TROLLIES ADD TO THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF
COUNTRY LIFE
While it is probable that there always will be a movement of
— —
population cityward and this is doubtless a good thing still, it
became evident that a halt must be made somewhere or the farms
would be depopulated and the food supply of the world shut off.
This state of affairs turned the attention of scholars and statesmen
toward the country to see what could be done to keep more people
 MAKING FARM LIFE MORE ATTRACTIVE 291

on the land. An investigation revealed the fact that if rural dis-

tricts are to maintain the position which the welfare of mankind
demands, more attention must be given to the solution of rural
problems. The city will probably never be a less important factor
in civilization than it is today, but the country must also be given

Photos by F. S. Harris

The work of Agricultural Experiment Great irrigation works transform the

Stations is of great service to farmers. deserts into happy homes.

Pumping water will add to the num- Scattered and poorly arranged build-
ber of farm homes that can be made in ings add greatly to the farm chores,
arid regions.

Cement is of great service to the Neatness of the farm yard adds to the
farmer. attractiveness of the farm.

a hearing; and those who' live on the land and cause the soil to
produce of bounties, must be taken care of as well.
its They must
have equal opportunities with those living in populous centers.
There are at present a number of forces at work which will
help to make life on the farm more attractive and overcome
many of its disadvantages. Some of these forces are just be-
ginning their operation while others have been working for some
J»J IMPROVEMENT ERA
time. Probably the greatest single factor working toward rural
betterment, is the wave in favor of rational education which is
being felt in every country district. The conviction is gradually
becoming more firmly fixed in the minds of country folk, that what
they want is an education suited to the environment in which they
are to live. They are not so much interested in the culture that
would make them good citizens of Paris or London, as in the
information needed by tillers of the soil, living in an age of civiliza-
tion and desiring to fill their proper places in that civilization.
They want to know how to do their work in an up-to-date manner,
and at the same time they wish to be intelligent citizens of the
community, realizing the joys of life and contributing something

Photo by F. S. Harris
THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ADVISOR WILL BE OF GREAT PRACTICAL
VALUE TO THE FARMER
to the welfare of mankind. The education, therefore, that is to
improve rural not the kind that will make the farmer dis-
life, is
satisfied with his lot and anxious to change his conditions but the
;

kind that will give him a better understanding of his high and
noble calling and make him a more effective unit in his own branch
of society. The day of this kind of education has dawned, and
it is to be hoped that the rays of its energizing sun will
rapidly
penetrate even the remote corners of the open country till the
inhabitants thereof may be lighted with a newness of life in the
commonplace occupations which were previously held in low
repute.
Wonders are also being worked by the introduction of modern
business methods on the farm and the use of suitable methods of
cost accounting in finding the profits and losses. Farming as an
 MAKING FARM LIFE MORE ATTRACTIVE 293

up-to-date business, where every department is given careful study,

is an entirely different thing from what it was when conducted by

the old slip-shod method of simply raising crops and live stock
after the manner of previous generations. Business methods in
farming not only lead to better ways of doing things on the indi-
vidual farm, but they help to promote co-operation among farmers
for mutual helpfulness in buying, selling and conducting all neces-
sary transactions.
In the past, one of the greatest disadvantages of farm life has
Seen the isolation accompanying it when working in the field, the
:

farmer is constantly interested in his crops and stock and does not
become so lonesome as his wife who is at home all day. The lack

Photos by F. S. Harris
A class of students studying agricul- A farm house of this type cannot at-
ture in the field. tract young people very strongly. The
lack of neatness is conspicuous.
Thebeginnings of a farm home. The farm isa home, and a good house
Neatness is seen everywhere. is as necessary on the farm as in the city.

of association, however, can not help having its effects even on

the farmer. A
number of comparatively recent inventions and de-
velopments have done much to overcome the disadvantages accom-
panying isolation. The rural free delivery of mail makes it possi-
ble for the man in the country to get his papers and letters each
day just the same as those living in the city. He is thereby able
to keep in much closer touch with the world than when the mail
was obtained only at irregular periods when trips to town were
necessary. The parcels post in connection with the mail service
means much to the people living in rural districts, since it enables
them to get many commodities that could not previously be had
294 IMPROVEMENT ERA

except at a very high cost. It may also be used as a medium of

profitable marketing.
The value of rural telephones to people living in the country
can hardly be overestimated. Not only is the work of the farmer
greatly helped by this convenience, but his wife and children are
made more contented, as they have at their disposal constant means
of communication with friends at some distance away. Young-
people long for the society of other young people, and the telephone
enables them in part to satisfy this longing without leaving the
farm.
The building of interurban trolley lines, the making of good
roads, and the use of the automobiles all help to reduce the effects
of distance, and place the isolated farmer in closer communication
with other people, thus lessen-
ing the undesirable features of
country life. With the trolley
or automobile it is possible in
a comparatively short time to
call on a neighbor, to attend
church or a social, or to make
a trip to the city.
Many little conveniences
such as the cream separator,
the gasoline engine and the

rlioto bx S. Harris
I- .
.

111
electric motor all tend to re-
move the drudgery from r r
farm
GOOD HORSES ADD GREATLY TO THEijr u
Ti ne Pnrnnpr rnmtrnr-
attractiveness of the farm n ie .
-
ro P er construc-
tion and arrangement of
buildings help to reduce the almost endless number of chores
always found on a farm and the use of cement and other suit-
;

able materials makes the farm home a much more attractive

and sanitary place than it used to be. There are very many little
devices that can be used about the farm to reduce the work and
make it more pleasant. These many conveniences have been slow
to reach the farm, but their adoption in the future means a great
lightening of the burdens of the farmer and his wife.
Although the man on the land has been almost forgotten in
this age of rapid city building, yet he is destined to come into his
own in the very near future. The new discoveries in agriculture
science, the introduction of an educational system suited to rural
needs, the adoption of better business methods, the improvement
in means of communication and transportation, and the conve-
niences that can now be had in farm homes will all contribute
toward making farm life more attractive in the future than it has
ever been in the past. When these forces have had time to fully
operate, a transformation in all the aspects of country life may be
expected.
LOGAN, UTAH
 Evolution not Supported by Embryology
BY ROBERT C. WEBB

[Continuation of the sixth of the series of articles written for the Era
by Dr. Webb, on allied subjects. Each article is complete in itself, but
students should read the whole series.- Editors.]

But it is equally evident that the subsequent analogies between

the embryonic structure and those of lower animals have little
or no "recapitulatory" significance. This may be argued from
the fact, not generally understood, that, in a very real sense, the
developing young of any animal is a separate individual being
from the very beginning of its history; functioning with its own
organs, according to the needs of its environment at any given
stage, and producing only such organs as structurally and func-
tionally are demanded at any such stages. Even in the mammals
the connection between the circulation of the mother and the
embryo is not direct, but the necessary nourishment and aeration
are communicated by a process known as dialysis, consisting of a
certain percolation through the tissues covered by the placenta.
Indeed, the moment that we recognize the obvious fact that the
whole process of maturing the embryo is one of cell-division and
cell-distribution, so soon will we understand that it must, from the
mere necessity of the case, proceed from a simple form of organi-
zation to one more complex, which is to say more varied or elab-
orated, the broad general outlines of the intended structure being
first produced, and the details and special differentiations being
filled in afterward. Such being the case, it is obviously reasonable
that, at various times in the development of the embryo, there
should be very close analogies to structures found in lower and
simpler organisms. Nor, when we consider that there is a grada-
tion in life-forms, just as in the light spectrum or the musical scale,
is it remarkable that a representative of the "higher orders," built

up in nature's fashion, as just explained, should progressively

approximate higher and higher forms of organism. But such a
"recapitulation" as this bears no necessary and logical relation to
any assumed "ancestral history :" such a claim is even absurd in
some particulars, as already seen.
According to this explanation of the matter, we find that the
first step in the development of the germ is the formation of the
"primitive groove," which is comparable to the keel of the ship,
first laid down upon the ways. Its subsequent history also resem-
bles the process of ship-building in the fact that the framework
and essentials are first produced;later, by specialization and elab-
oration, all. parts are perfected together, by a development which
296 IMPROVEMENT ERA
works on all at once, and does not attempt to complete one part
ahead of the others. Thus, the head is formed, not from a knob,
but by an actual infolding of one end of the tube-like embryo.
The brain within it is at first elongated, like itself, but later ap-
proaches spherical contours, and develops and enlarges in special
regions, as predetermined by the rank of the individual in the
grade of intelligence, entirely in step with the growth of the
embryo in other characteristic particulars. This is the story of
development in every other organ of the body; not necessan>
because of a strange habit of "recapitulating" stages in the alic^^
process by which the race was "evolved," but because, on any
theory whatever, the growth and formation of all organs because —
of the process of cell-division and specialization —
inevitably pro-
ceeds from the simplest to the more complex forms. Because the
germ is first an elongated tube-like structure, the brain begins in
elongated form because the tube is predestined to fold, bud and
;

differentiate to form a definite order of mature being, the brain,

and every other organ along with it, progressively approaches the
destined form, as the total structure gradually elaborates. In re-
spect to the gradual modification of the embryo to a nearer and
nearer approach to the advanced form which it is destined to
eventuate, the rule of perfection applies to it at any given stage
that applies to all mature animals in the state of nature. In fact,
even as to a mature animal, the principle stated by Agassiz, in the
following words, applies also to the embryo
"In one sense, all Each species has
animals are equally perfect.
its definite sphere of action, —
whether more or less extended, its own
peculiar office in the economy of nature; and a complete adaptation to
fulfil all the purposes of its creation, beyond the possibility of im-
provement. In this sense, every animal is perfect. But there is a
wide difference among them, in respect to their organization. In some
it is very simple, and very limited in its operation; in others, extremely

complicated, and capable of exercising a great variety of functions."

Principles of Zoology.

Since our biologists, therefore, have led off with the habit of
comparing the embryo with mature beings in nature, we may dare
to extend the analogy, even if into a new direction. But that our
new analogy is more evidently scientific cannot be denied. At any
stage of its growth the adjustment between the embryo and its

or complex — —
environment is perfect just like that of all mature beings, simple
and the adjustment is maintained by organs of such
a degree of simplicity or complexity as are required by the organ-
ism at that particular stage of growth, and no other. Thus, when
the embryonic body is at a very simple stage of development, we
find that the heart is a simple, one-chambered pulsating vessel,
which becomes two-chambered, and later four-chambered, only
js similar complexities in other parts of the structure are produced.
A four-chambered heart, or even a highly convoluted mammalian
 EVOLUTION AND EMBRYOLOGY 297

or human brain at an early period would be, not only unnecessary

to the needs of the total structure at that period, but also would
—
argue that the process had proceeded irregularly and this is not
nature's —
method making of the embryo precisely such a mon-
strosity as would be a child with a man-size head, hands or feet.
In the same manner, organs resembling the "corpora Wolffiana,"
mentioned by Mr. Darwin, as above, are sufficient to discharge
kidney functions at an early period, for the very obvious reason
that no more complicated structures are then needed. Further,
in accord with the evident rule of economy holding for all natural
processes, the single body canal is developed first, later the differ-
entiation which produces double openings, which differentiates the
birds and the monotremata from the higher mammals. This in-
volves merely that the stage has not been reached in which it is
consistent to have the complete structure with two external canals.
The indispensable elements appear first, in general outline, then
the variations, merely because the process of gestation progres-
sively transforms a simple structure into more and more differ-
entiated forms. We may assert, furthermore, that this is posi-
tively all that science tells us on the matter for, even though we
;

may have to depend upon our zoologists for the facts in the case,
we do not depend on them for our knowledge of the laws of logic,
which alone enable us to sift the "evidences" which they offer for
their ambitious theory. The theory of the "recapitulation" of an-
cestral types is not inevitable at any stage of the process conse-
;

quently, not logical in the sense of furnishing a demonstration, as

they claim.
As regards the "conspicuous tail" mentioned by Romanes, we
may remark that it merely indicates an apparently necessary stage
in the transformation of the elongated "worm-like" embryo into
the contours of its mature form. The "buds" of the lower limbs
start out at points above the insertion of this "tail," an anatomical
feature retained to maturity but, whereas in some animals, owing
;

to a "conditioning feature" existing, probably, from the earliest

appearance of the germ-cell, the "mammalian plan" is varied by
the continuous growth of the tail, along with the other organs and
limbs, in man it ceases to develop, or rather does not develop at all,
after the appearance of the rudimentary limbs. At no stage after
the development of the limbs is there discernible a true tail in the
human embryo. If the embryonal development "recapitulates"
generic evolution, we should logically expect the tail to develop
to a certain very advanced stage, and then to dwindle this is not
:

the case, however. The limbs appear first as rounded buds, from
which the rudiments of fingers start out as soon as the "arm"
begins to lengthen. There is no suggestion of the alleged stages
by which the fish fin passed into the hand. Why is this important
process not "recapitulated?"
298 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Other alleged "evidences" manifest the same contempt for
logical principles. Thus, with childish glee, our would-be re-
modelers of "religious thought" gravely inform us that the human
embryo, at a certain stage, "is covered very thickly with wool-like
hair" — therefore, our monkey ancestryis established, they suppose.

It is unnecessary to comment further on this remark than to call

attention to the' fact that the human animal is naturally a hairy
animal, and that, in proper conditions hair may be grown on any
part of the body, except, of course the palms of the hands and the
soles of the feet. The atrophy of the hair follicles in most of the
skin is no more remarkable, and no more "evolutionary" than the
disuse of numerous muscles in the body, which should be used
in a really "normal" being, precisely as the "flying muscles" of a
domestic fowl are found to be much weakened, and not nourished
up to the point of permitting strong flight, as in birds having no
"white meat." These are all examples of variation by atrophy,
which, as we have already claimed, is the larger part of all cer-
tainly established variation.Similarly, most of the so-called
"vestigial organs," such as the vermiform appendix, argue to de-
rivation from no "lower animals" having them developed, but,
precisely, to such changes in habits, diet, etc., as may be imagined
in all the radical revolutions in the past history of this world,
which cannot have failed to modify habits. But, of course, this
is "absurd," because we say nothing about "monkey ancestry," as
is acceptable to our "revisers of religious thought."
But the utter superficiality of all alleged "analogies" and
"affinities" involved in the common "evolution" arguments are
more apparent in some other matters. Thus, certain so-called
"scientists" have had the impudence to assert that the human
embryo reproduces the "worm" stage at a certain point in its de-
velopment. Wefind of course that this stage is suggested by the
appearance of an elongated tube-like structure, which might sug-
gest some low member of the Vermes or Holothuroidca, but for
the plain and simple fact that the tube does not represent the
alimentary canal, but the beginnings of the vertebral column. But,
when we come to the consideration of the developing eye, for ex-
ample, the assertion that the embryo "recapitulates" the develop-
ment of ancestral types is reduced to the lowest terms of absurdity.
There are no analogies worth mentioning between this process and
any assumed possible stages of development in the race.
This brings us to the king-argument in this entire, connection
— the appearance of gill-slits and arterial arches in the third and
fourth-week embryo. Before yielding, however, to the assertion
that these structures may possibly have a "recapitulatory" signifi-
cance, several facts associated with their appearance should be
carefully investigated. In the first place, although there are no
signs of branchiae, or gill structures, in the embryos of any higher
 EVOLUTION A \'D EMBRYOLOGY 299

mammals, and although, as some authorities have asserted, the

slits —
themselves are not fully perforated they seem, as is asserted,
to be closed by membranes — the fact remains, unless all published
drawings of these features are quite misleading, that the arteries
circulate the foetal blood through the gill-arches, precisely as if
true "water-breathing" were taking place. Secondly, these appar-
ent gill-slits persist for less than three
— — probably not for more
than two weeks of the entire period of embryonic development,
and disappear with the complete establishment of umbilical circu-
lation and aeration. These facts would seem to argue strongly
that these gill-slits and arterial arches are not "vestigial structures"
in any sense, but that they actually subserve some present use very
closely analogous to breathing and the "aeration" of the blood by
osmosis in mature animals of the water-breathing types. When
we consider the further fact that the embryo itself floats in the
liquid filling the amnionic sac, the concurrent presence of a very
well developed water-breathing structure seems to furnish con-
firmatory evidence of our supposition. Indeed, this conclusion
has actually been reached by several competent anatomists, not
under obligation to weave arguments for the support of an indi-
gent hypothesis. Thus, Agassiz directly states that, in the embryo
of a fowl in the egg shell, "there exist true gills upon the sides of
the neck, and a branchial respiration goes on." (Principles of
Zoology.) At this stage the human embryo is less than a quarter
inch in total length, and the functions are probably very slow, so
that such air as may be in the amnionic water may be sufficient for
its needs. At any rate the facts enforce our conclusion that, pre-
vious to the development of more efficient apparatus for maintain-
ing the normal equilibrium of conditions required by nature, a
simple temporary structure is improvised to serve present need,
and is eliminated with the completion of other organs. In per-
fectly analogous fashion, the young mammal, unlike the young
bird, unable to begin life by taking food like his parents, continues
his "parasitic existence," as we might call it, by the curious habit
of absorbing its mother's milk. This temporary function persists
until, with the growth of its teeth, it is able to eat like a normal
adult. That the mammalian young is not born with fully de-
veloped teeth merely exemplifies the fact that nature requires
further time, and new conditions for their development, meantime
using* a temporary, and rather rudimentary expedient, until the
more perfect structures appear. The explanation of a temporary
structure to supply a temporary need also explains the gills on
the unborn terrestrial "salamanders" mentioned, as above, by
Romanes.
If, however, the stages of development, and the temporary
forms, found in the course of up-building the mammalian, or
vertebrate, embryo, argue "ancestral vestiges" and "recapitula-
300 IMPROVEMENT ERA
tions," the rule of analogy should be observable throughout the
entire world of living' forms. In this test, however, it is found
sadly and absurdly deficient. Thus, in the development of those
six-legged arthropods, known as insects, whose structure is, in
many advanced and complicated as that of verte-
points, quite as
brates — —
although along different lines we find the curious process
of "metamorphosis," instead of the direct production of the young
from the egg-cell. Without mentioning the wings of these crea-
tures, which, like those of birds, as already explained,may be held
to offer grave difficulties in theof the evolution theory, we
way
may assert positively that the larval (*. c, the grub or caterpillar)
stage of no insect bears any resemblance whatever to its mature,
or "imago" form, and presents no parallels or analogies to any
assumed "ancestral types." The insect larva differs from the
vertebrate embryo in the fact that it is a complete and independent
being, so far as the requirements of its environment demand com-
pleteness. When, however, it shrivels into the pupa, or chrysalis,
stage, resuming a form of embryonic life, in course of which it is
radically transformed, we discern a stage of development which
would be difficult to explain by "ancestral analogies." On the
other hand, the process by which the legs and "pro-legs" of the
caterpillar are eliminated, and the six-jointed limbs of the mature
insect appear, is only another proof that temporary structures, in-
tended to serve temporary uses, are formed and used, and dis-
appear in due time. The transformation of the larva into the
chrysalis is not typical of slow development in ancestral forms, as
assumed, but a metamorphosis almost Circean in its suddenness
and completeness.
Such facts as these have been utterly ignored by advocates of
the evolution hypothesis. Nor are these the only ones. The few
facts supposed to prove it, or to create a presumption of its truth,
have been treated very much in the same manner as the facts of
astronomy were handled by the wise men of old, in their efforts
to demonstrate the Ptolemaic theory of the universe, and prove
that this earth was the centre around which all the stars revolve.
However favorable the few facts collated by "scientists" may
appear to the hypothesis, or dogma, of organic evolution, there are
myriads more that fatally oppose it. It may be, as they claim,
that all the innumerable types, organs, functions and structures
found through organic nature were really produced by some sort
of variation on more primitive forms, but it may be asserted posi-
vitely that they are not to be explained by the evolution hypoth-
esis, which would have to be radically modified in almost every
particular before it could possibly be accepted as a clear explana-
tion of even the smallest fraction of the appallingly numerous
variants of form to be found in nature.
 Navajo Marriage Customs

UY J. F. ANDERSON, A. B., DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, MILLARD

COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Courtship in Navajo land

is done on the Miles Standish plan.
The young man usually ready to marry long before he is twenty
is
years old. He keeps entirely away from the hogan of his pros-
pective bride, for it is considered bad decorum for a young man
to visit his bride at her home before they are married. He has
become acquainted with her by meeting her at the sheep herd, at a
ceremonial or festival gathering, or alone on the mountain trail,
or in the deep arroya, where he may have sung to her his love
songs. But he comes on his final courtship by proxy, usually en-
listing the services of an uncle to bear messages of love to his
Priscilla. The period of court-
ship is brief and when the
young brave has summoned
sufficient courage to "pro-
pose," he goes with one or
more of his relatives to the
girl's parents bearing appro-
priate presents for them. Still
the young man is silent cus- ;

tom demands that his relatives

plead his cause. This they do
Photo by Harper, Utah Arch. Exped. by extolling his virtues, re-
FLASHLIGHT OF THE UTAH EXPE- counting his deeds of bravery
DITION and skill in the chase.
With the auxiliary members and Indians The presents are offered
at a night campfire in an Arizona forest.
to the girl's parents, only. If
they are rejected it means that the young man's suit is denied; if
accepted, the marriage contract is complete and the time for the
ceremony is set at from five to ten days later.
The presents given usually consist of from five to fifteen
Navajo mustangs. A buxom Navajo maiden of a reputable family
may demand fifteen or more horses. The parents, however, do
not regard such an exchange as a sale of their daughter in mar-
riage. To them it is merely a sanction of the gift by tradition.
Navajo children are much loved and well treated by their parents,
who are loth to force them against their will and never chastise
them by corporal punishment.
302 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The marriage ceremony is always performed at the home of
the bride's mother, but it must be in the absence of the
mother,
taboo" effective after the
for the troublesome "mother-in-law is

engagement. Relatives and friends assemble at the hogan for

the event. . .

The ceremony elaborate, beginning with pollen-painting of

is

the bride and the groom. To them pollen is the emblem of life
and fruitfulness. Then follows the ceremony of hand-washing.
This is followed by the eating, in a peculiar way, by means of the
fingers, a dish of corn gruel by the bride and the groom. The
dish of corn gruel is the Navajo "wedding cake." After perform-
ing numerous religious rites the assemblage is led by the shaman,
or priest, in addressing an appeal to the sun, the moon, the "he-
and-she-rains," and all the other divinities for their favor in behalf
of the bride and groom in their
married career.
Any deviation from the
precise sequence of events in
the ceremony, or the omission
of a single word from the
chants and prayers, they be-
lieve incurs the lasting dis-
pleasure of their gods.
After the ceremony the
guests give advice to the
newly married couple and are
profuse in their predictions of
NAVAJO TRADERS AT AN ARIZONA
TRADING POST a long and happy wedded life
The Navajos are experts at with "plenty of corn and meat
driving
bargains.
to eat."
Navajo law requires that when a man marries he must get
his wife from some other clan than the one to which he belongs.
After marriage he is regarded as a member of his wife's clan and
is supposed to leave his own clan to make his home with the clan

to which his wife belongs. Descent is always reckoned through

the female line. Among the Navajos it is the man who changes
his family name after marriage and sacrifices his family identity.
The Navajo woman is always well treated and occupies a
position of dignity in the family —
in fact, she is the head of the
family. The line of family descent is maintained through her and
the children belong to her clan and must take her family name.
She perhaps does most of the work, but the Navajo husband is
not so lazy as the men of most Indian tribes. He cares for the
horses and burros, helps hoe the corn, and will often help his squaw
tend the papoose.
Polygamy is very common among the Navajos. Often a
young Indian will marry the mother of several daughters, if she
 NAVAJO MARRIAGE CUSTOMS 303

happens to be a widow. Then he will proceed to marry all the

daughters of the family. In this way he avoids the "mother-in-law
taboo" which forbids him to look his mother-in-law in the face.
—
The mother of the daughters is his wife not his mother-in-law
and in marrying the daughters he becomes his own father-in-law.
The number of wives a Navajo may take is limited only by his
ability to supply enough presents in exchange for them and by
his ability to provide for them. The regular marriage ceremony
is performed only when he marries the first time. All additional
wives are taken merely by common consent and without ceremony.
Polyandry is not so common as polygamy, but there are au-
thentic cases of Navajo women having several husbands. Women
have the same privilege as men in
marrying the brothers of their dead w ^
or divorced husbands. There are cases
where a Navajo woman has married a
whole family of brothers. l -*<>"?
Divorce is common and is readily
brought about without ceremony. The 1 *3Jft_M*ttfr»flttF
husband and wife may separate at any
time with, or without, mutual consent.
1 m T«T m
|_-#- m. m. jm. jm.
If a Navajo, upon approaching his
,

hogan, finds that his wife has piled

his saddle, bridle, hunting parapher-
nalia, and personal effects outside the
hogan, before the entrance, it is a no-
tification that she has decreed herself
divorced from him and his honor will
" • *^.
"i '

> ..
-•>-

not allow him to violate her decree. A NAVAJO BLANKET

His only recourse is to return to his The worr.an who wove tin's
own clan. Later they may adjust their blanket of extraordinary design
had been to the railroad, a hun-
differences and remarry if they elect dred miles away from her hogan,
and had seen a train which is a
to do so. The man may take the in- part of the design. It is an ex-
itiative in the divorce by simply taking tra large blanket such as would
consume almost a year of an ex-
his personal effects and going to his pert weaver's time in the mak-
own or some other clan. This done, ing.
the divorce is complete without the necessity of the divorce court
holding a "matinee." A couple may separate and reunite at will,
•as often as they please, without the interference of any Navajo
law.
Every Navajo woman is a thorough suffragette. Her voice
in government and public affairs is equal to that of the man. It is
she who determines where the hogan shall be built, where the
sheep and goats shall be herded, when and where the corn shall
be planted and what the household expenditures shall be. When
the husband wishes money, wool, skins or blankets with which to
buy ammunition, tobacco or trinkets, he must go to his squaw and
 304 IMPROVEMENT ERA
represent to her his needs. He is sometimes compelled to beg like
a child for a little spending material.
The women are usually able to enforce their decrees effec-
tively. The story is told of a stratagem to which they once re-
sorted in enforcing their will. The squaws of a small Navajo
group wished to move their hogans from the path of floods, in an
arroya, to the brow of a nearby mesa. The men demurred but
the women were insistent and determined to move alone to the
mesa, leaving the men behind. The stratagem was effective and

Photo by Brooks, Utah Arch. Expad.

THE UTAH EXPEDITION
Rushing over the quick-sands of the Chin Lee river, Arizona, after havine
that stream. ° forded

the submission of the men was complete, for the women had
occu-
pied the mesa alone but a short time when the men left the arroya
and followed their wives to their new home.
Ownership of property well defined in the
is Navajo family.
The wife owns the hogan, the children, the sheep and goats, and
the household goods. The man owns only the burros and horses.
There are no property squabbles or alimony suits at the time of
divorce. When her divorced husband has gone, the Navajo
woman remains in possession of the hogan, the children, and her
share of the property until an "affinity" comes along
to woo her.
The former husband goes to his own clan and lives with his rela-
tives, or goes to some other clan in quest of another
wife. Although
 NAVAJO MARRIAGE CUSTOMS 305

the Navajo is virtuous in sentiment and strongly disapproves any

form of social vice, divorce is often caused by infidelity as well as
by interference of mischief-making relatives and others.
Virginity and celibacy are not common. The Navajo glories
in a large family, and infanticide, abortion and race suicide are
almost unknown. A birth is a great event in a Navajo family
and is attended with great ceremony in which the medicine man
leads. They are great lovers of children and no task that min-
isters to the needs of a child is considered drudgery or trivial.
The birth of twins is considered a sign of special recognition
by the gods. A voiceless birth is held to be a bad omen and the

Photo by Brooks, Utah Arch. Expcd.

A NAVAJO HOGAN
Some of the homes of these people are only rude sheds covered with bark and
earth. They are often unsanitary and afford but little comfort in winter. The en-
trance always faces the east.

child is immediately killed by hanging it to a tree as a sacrifice to

the displeased gods. A
child prematurely born is disposed of in
the same way to appease the anger of the gods evidenced by the
premature birth. The death of a child or an adult is always fol-
lowed by four days of mourning, and in either case the hogan in
which the death occurred is considered chindee (haunted) and is
forever abandoned. A
new home must be built at a safe distance
from the old.
The Navajos have a splendid code of ethics, which has for
its basis, however, the return of equivalents. They are true to
306 IMPROVEMENT ERA

friends but treacherous and cruel to enemies.

Crimes are pun-
sort of Mosaic notion of justice.
ished according to a
The home of the Navajo is in the scenic land of the Cliff
Dwellers— a broad table-land of wide spaces, lofty mesas, deep
canyons, sheer cliffs and tortuous arroyas. They have left the
cliffdwellings of the country practically undisturbed, regarding
them with a superstitious awe. One of their legends recites that
1

the cliff dwellings are the deserted homes of a great people

who
are now living in the "under world" as deities to the Navajos and
whose descendants. the Navajos, in part, are. Such an environ-
ment has, no doubt, been conducive to the sturdiness of character
so general among the Navajos.

M. I. A. CLASS IN LEADERSHIP, SNOWFLAKE, ARIZ.

A
unique effort has been put forth at great expense by the General
Boards Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. to aid in the training of young men
and women for leadership in the young people's organizations of the
Church. During the past four months, three-day sessions have been
held in twenty of the Church Schools, conducted in the south by Dr.
John I" Taylor and Miss Clarissa A. Beesley, and in the North by
Oscar A. Kirkham and Mrs. Emily C. Adams. It is estimated that over
3,000 young men and women have taken this course in practical M. I. A.
leadership in lesson, contest, and scout work, and in joint social activ-
ities. The general feeling is that these courses have done more to
arouse interest and enthusiasm in the officers than anything else here-
tofore attempted; and that by these means thousands have awakened to
the marvelous possibilities of our organization, which is bigger, more
valuable and attractive than they had ever dreamed.
 The Wonderful Development of Modern
Bacteriology

BY J. E. GREAVES, PH. D., PROFESSOR OF BACTERIOLOGY, STATE AGRI-

CULTURAL COLLEGE.

Probably in no field of human endeavor has research been

crowned with such glorious achievements, at least in so far as the
welfare of the human race is concerned, as in the field of bac-
teriology and this, in spite of the fact that it had the most humble
;

and recent beginning. Even the very dawn of its development

dates back only to 1675 when Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch linen-draper,
spent his leisure time in the grinding of lenses. In this he became
so proficient that he perfected a lens superior to any that had been
made up to his time. With his crude lens he examined raindrops,
his own saliva, and many putrefying substances. In these he ob-
served many living, moving forms, which, prior to this time, had
been unseen. Wecan imagine his joy and surprise from his
statement

"I saw with wonder that my material contained many tiny animals
which moved about in amost amusing fashion; the largest of these
showed the liveliest and most active motion, moving through the water
or saliva as a fish of prey darts through the sea. They we're found
everywhere, although in no large numbers. A
second kind sometimes
spun around in a circle like a top. They were present in larger quan-
tities. A third kind could not be distinguished so clearly; now they
appeared oblong, now quite round. They looked like a swarm of gnats
or flies dancing about together. I had the impression that I was
looking at several thousand in a given part of the material from the
teeth no larger than a grain of sand, when only one part of the mate-
rial was added to nine parts of water or saliva."

Wefind this patient worker giving a very accurate description

of these minute forms of life, but even this did not awaken the
world to a full realization of the wonderful, invisible forms of life
which were present in everything, and always working for good or
evil. It did, however, stimulate discussion as to whether these
micro-organisms were the result of spontaneous generation due to
vegetative changes in the substances in which the organisms were
found, or whether they were the descendants of pre-existing or-
ganisms.
Back in the sixteenth century, we find the famous physicist
and chemist, Van Helmont, stating that mice can be spontaneously
generated by merely placing some dirty rags in a receptacle to-
gether with a few grains of wheat or a piece of cheese. The same
308 IMPROVEMENT ERA
philosopher's method of engendering scorpions appears to us very
amusing
"Scoop out a hole in a brick. Put into it some sweet basil. Lay a
second brick upon the so that the hole may be perfectly covered.
first,
Expose the two bricks to the sun, and at the end of a few days the
smell of the sweet basil, acting as a ferment, will change the herb into
a real scorpion."

An Italian, Buonami, tells of a wonderful metamorphosis

which he had witnessed. Rotten timber, which he rescued from
the sea, produced worms these gave rise to butterflies, and the
;

butterflies, strangest of all, became birds. These false notions

were overthrown by the Italian poet and physician, Redi, who
clearly demonstrated that larvae were not spontaneously generated
in decomposing meat. He merely took the precaution of placing
the meat in a wide-mouthed bottle and covered the mouth of the
bottle with gauze. Flies, attracted by the odor, deposited their
eggs on the gauze and it was shown that it was from these, and
not through spontaneous generation, that the so-called worms
arose.
The theory of the spontaneous generation of maggots and
the like had been proven to be untenable but how about these
;

microscopic organisms ? Could they develop directly from organic

material? Now anyone provided with this new instrument, the
microscope, could easily demonstrate for himself the spontaneous
generation of microscopic eels in vinegar or produce myriads of
different and interesting living creatures in a simple infusion of
hay or other organic material.
Needham and the great naturalist, Buffon, evolved the theory
that a force called Productive of vegetative force existed which
was responsible for the production of organized beings. Buffon
elaborated the theory that there were certain unchangeable parts
common to all living things. These ultimate organic constituents
he supposed capable of taking various molds or shapes which
constituted the various living creatures. After death these ultimate
constituents were supposed to be set free and become very active.
Uniting with one another and other particles they formed swarms
of microscopic creatures.
Needham took decaying organic matter and enclosed it in
vessels which he placed upon hot ashes to destroy any existing
animalculae. Yet later in these fluids he found micro-organisms
which were not there in the beginning.
In 1769 Spallanzani repeated the work, using hermetically
sealed flasks, and sterilized by boiling for one hour. He writes
"I used hermetically sealed vessels. I kept them for one hour in
boiling water and, after opening and examining their contents after
a reasonable interval. I found not the slightsst trace of animalculae,
though I had examined the infusion from nineteen different vessels ''
 MODERN BACTERIOLOGY 309

But the reply of Needham was that the boiling had altered
the character of the infusion so that it was unable to produce life.
Voltaire, with his characteristic satire, took up the fight at this
point and ridiculed the operations of the English clergy who had
engendered eels in the gravy of boiled mutton, and he wittily re-
marks, "It is strange that men should deny a Creator and yet
attribute to themselves the power of creating eels." But this was
a controversy to be settled not by ridicule but by experimental
evidence.
So we find Spallanzani answering this by cracking one of the
flasks so that air could enter. Decay soon set in. Even this was
not sufficient to overthrow a popular belief, for the claim was
made that the hermetically sealing of the flasks excluded the air
and this was essential to the normal development of these forms
of life. This objection was answered by the work of many an
ingenious investigator, some by passing the air through tubes con-
taining acid and then into the infusion, the acid removing the
micro-organisms, others by passing the air through a red hot tube.
But the final proof came when it was shown that it was sufficient
to place cotton plugs in the bottles so that, as the air passed in, the
microscopic organisms would be held back by the cotton. Every
now and then the contents of a flask would spoil, even after it had
been carefully stoppered and then boiled. This remained a stum-
bling block in the way of those who maintained that life sprang
only from life, until in the year 1865, when Pasteur demonstrated
the fact that many bacteria may pass into a resting stage, and
while in this condition they will withstand conditions which kill
them quickly while in the vegetation stage. Eleven years later
Conn, of Breslau, investigated very carefully organisms when in
this resting or spore stage, and today we know forms of micro-
organisms which will withstand boiling water for sixteen hours
without killing, and others are even resistant enough to endure for
many hours a ten per cent solution of carbolic acid.
Since the dawn of history man has been interested in the won-
derful process known as fermentation, and many an ingenious
theory has been formulated to explain it, but nothing more than
theory existed until the classic works of Louis Pasteur appeared
on fermentation, about 1837. He claimed that all forms of fer-
mentation were due to the action of microscopic organized cells.
An idea such as this, at this late date, did not go unchallenged,
for we find no less illustrious workers than Helholtz and Liebig
opposing him. Liebig even scoffed at such an idea for we find
him writing:
"Those who pretend to explain the putrefaction of animal sub-
stances by the presence of micro-organisms reason very much like a
child who would explain the rapidity of the Rhine by attributing it to
the violent motions imparted to it in the direction of Burgen by the
numerous wheels of the mills of Venence."
310 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Pasteur's carefully planned experiments, however, soon
showed that without these micro-organisms there would be no
fermentation, no putrefaction, no decay of any tissues, except by
the slow process of oxidation. care with which his experi-
The
ments were planned and executed are well shown in the experi-
ments with grape sugar, concerning which he writes

"I prepared forty flasks of a capacity of from two hundred and

fifty to three hundred cubic centimeters and filled them half full with
filtered grapemust, perfectly clear, and which, as is the case of all
acidulated liquids that have been boiled for a few seconds, remains
uncontaminated, although the curved neck of the flask containing them
remains constantly open during several months or years.
"In a small quantity of water, I washed a part of a bunch of
grapes, the grapes and the stalks together, and the stalks separately.
This washing was easily done by means of a small barber's hair brush.
The washing-water collected the dust upon the surface of the grapes
and the stalks, and it was easily shown under the microscope that this
water held in suspension a multitude of minute organisms closely re-
sembling either fungoid spores or those of alcoholic yeast, or those of
Mycoderma vini, etc. This being done, ten of the forty flasks were
preserved for reference; in ten of the remainder, through the straight
tube attached to each, some drops of the washing-water were intro-
duced; in a third series of ten flasks a few drops of the same liquid
were placed after it had been boiled; and finally in the ten remaining
flasks were placed some drops of grape juice taken from the inside of
a perfect fruit. In order to carry out this experiment the straight
tube of each flask was drawn out into a fine and firm point in the
lamp, and then curved. This fine and closed point was filed round
near the end and inserted into the grape while resting upon some
hard substance. When the point was felt to touch the support of the
grape it was by a slight pressure broken off at the file mark. Then
if care had been taken to create a slight vacuum in the flask, a drop of
the juice of the grape got into it, the filed/ point was withdrawn, and
the aperture immediately closed in the alcohol lamp. This decreased
pressure of the atmosphere in the flask was obtained by the following
means: After warming the sides of the flask, either in the hands or
in the lamp flame, thus causing a small quantity of air to be driven
out of the end of the curved neck, this end was closed in the lamp.
After the flask was cooled, there was a tendency to suck in the drop
of grape-juice in the manner just described.
"The drop of grape-juice which enters into the flask by this suction
ordinarily remains in the curved part of the tube, so that to mix it
with the must it was necessary to incline the flask so as to bring the
must into contact with the juice and then replace the flask in its normal
position. The four series of comparative experiments produced the
following results:
"The first ten flasks containing the grape-must boiled in pure air
did not show the production of any organism. The grape-must could
possibly remain in them for an indefinite number of years. Those in
the second series, containing the water in which the grapes had been
washed separately and together, showed without exception an alcoholic
fermentation which in several cases began to appear at the end of
forty-eight hours when the experiment took place at ordinary summer
temperature. At the same timethat the yeast appeared, in the form
o c white traces, which little by little united themselves in the form of
a deposit on the sides of all the flasks, there were seen to form little
 MODERN BACTERIOLOGY 311

flakes of Mycellium, often as a single fungoid growth or in combina-

tion, these fungoid growths being quite independent of the must or
of any alcoholic yeast. Often, also, the Mycoderma vini appeared
after some days upon the surface of the liquid. The Vibria and the
lactic ferments properly so-called did not appear on account of the
nature of the liquid.
"The third series of flasks, the washing-water in which had been
previously boiled, remained unchanged, as in the first series. Those
of the fourth series, in which was the juice of the interior of the
grapes, remained equally free from change, although I was not always
able, on account of the delicacy of the experiment, to eliminate every
chance of error. These experiments cannot leave the least doubt in
the mind as to the following facts:
"Grape-must, after heating, never ferments on contact with air,
when the air has been deprived of the germs which it ordinarily holds
in a state of suspension.
"The boiled grape-must ferments when there is introduced into
it a very small quantity of water in which the surface of the grapes
or their stalks have been washed.
"The grape-must does not ferment when there is added to it a
small quantity of the juice of the inside of the grape.
"The yeast, therefore, which causes the fermentation of the grapes
in the vintage-tub comes from the outside and not from the inside of
the grapes. Thus it destroyed the hypothesis of MM. Trecol and Fremy,
who surmised that the albuminous matter transformed itself into yeast
on account of the vital germs which were natural to it. With greater
reason, therefore, there is no longef any question of the theory of
Liebig of the transformation of albuminoid matter into ferments on
account of the oxidation."

Pasteur's work did not stop here, for he soon proved that a
disease that was attacking the silk worm was caused by bacteria.
And from this there developed the idea that disease in general is
due to bacteria. The profound importance of his work is well
summarized by Lord Lister, when he said of him

"Truly there does not exist in the entire world any individual to
whom the medical science owes more than they do to you" [referring
to Pasteur]. "Your researches on fermentation have thrown a power-
ful beam, which has lightened the baleful darkness of surgery, and has
transformed the treatment of wounds from a matter of uncertain and
too often disastrous empiricism into a scientific art of sure beneficence.
Thanks to you; surgery has undergone a complete revolution which
has deprived it of its terrors and has extended almost without limit
its efficacious power."

And we find Tyndall stating:

"We have been scourged by miserable throngs, attacked from im-

penetrable ambuscades, and it is only today that the light of science
is being let in upon the murderous dominion of our foes."

If there was any doubt in the mind of the scientific world as

to the fallacy of the theory of spontaneous generation, after the
work of Pasteur, it was dispelled by the work of Tyndall. He _

proved that in an atmosphere aboslutely devoid of dust, as is the

312 IMPROVEMENT ERA
case on the top of mountains, and in some ingeniously constructed
boxes used by him, perishable substances such as beef-tea will keep
for an indefinite time.
As early as 1863, Davanie had seen in the blood of some
animals that had died of a disease known as anthrax, a very smajl
rod-like organism which permeated all the capillaries. Experi-
ments showed that blood from such an animal when injected into
the veins of a second animal caused it to die of the same disease.
But he found that there were times when the organism could not
be found in the blood of the animal after death, yet blood from
this animal would cause the death of another animal when injected
into its veins. This left a doubt in the minds of thinking men as
to whether this rod-shaped organism was causing the death of the
animal, or- was it some invisible element in the blood itself. This
was not fully settled until thirteen years later, when the work of
Robert Koch appeared. He had not only seen the organism but
he obtained it free from all other substances and had proven that
it was the specific cause of the disease. This was followed by
many other discoveries, until today we know that practically all
diseases are due to these invisible foes. Yes, even many of the
changes taking place in the body and associated with old age are
probably caused by the products generated by bacteria.
The workers in this field are not satisfied with knowing the
cause of a disease, but they want to know how they can ward off
disease and how to cure it when it once gains access to the body
of an animal. Pasteur soon announced that he had found a pre-
vention for anthrax, and his statement was immediately challenged
by the president of an agricultural society in such a way that it
was brought to the attention of the entire civilized world. He
suggested that the subject be submitted to a decisive public test
and offered to furnish fifty sheep, half of which should be pro-
tected by the attenuated virus prepared by Pasteur. Later they
were all to be infected by the disease-producing organism and if
the vaccine be a success the protected ones were to remain healthy,
the unprotected ones to die of the disease. Pasteur accepted the
challenge and suggested that for two of the sheep there should be
substituted two goats, and that there be added to the herd ten cows,
but he stated that these latter animals should not be considered as
falling rigidly within the test, for his experiments had not yet
been extended to cattle. Before this time the fame of Pasteur
had been considered firmly established but now all the world looked
on with doubt to think that any man should make such a prepos-
terous claim. On May 5th the animals to be protected received
their first treatment with the vaccine and a second two weeks later.
On May 31st all the animals were inoculated with an extremely
virulent culture of the disease-producing organism. The results
of the test were dramatic indeed for
 MODERN BACTERIOLOGY 313

"Two days later, June 2nd, at the appointed hour of rendezvous, a

vast crowd, composed of veterinary surgeons, newspaper correspond-
ents, and farmers from far and near, gathered to witness the closing
scenes of this scientific tourney. What they saw was one of the most
dramatic scenes in the history of peaceful science, a scene which
Pasteur declared afterwards, 'amazed the assembly.' Scattered about
the enclosure, dead, dying or manifestly sick unto death, lay the un-
protected animals, one and all, while each and every protected animal
stalked unconcernedly about with every appearance of perfect health.
Twenty of the sheep and the one goat were already dead; two 'other
sheep expired under the eyes of the spectators; the remaining victims
lingered but a few hours longer. Thus in a manner theatrical enough,
not to say tragic, was proclaimed the unequivocal victory of science."

In 1885, he announced his cure for hydrophobia, the disease

following the bite of a mad dog, and since that time thousands
have been rescued from this terrible disease.
This was followed by other great advances, until today diph-
theria, in place of being a disease in which the death rate is 30
per cent, it is now cut to less than three. Typhoid fever is nearly
conquered, as is shown by the fact that during the first five months
of the year 1913, there was not a single case of typhoid fever
occurred in the United States army, while in 1909 there were 173
cases and 16 deaths. In the last quarter of 1911, anti-typhoid
vaccination of all persons in military service under forty-five years
of age was made compulsory, and since that time there has not
been a single vaccinated soldier die of this disease. Nor is it fol-
lowed by bad after-effects for, during the past four years, over
;

200,000 persons, mostly in the military or naval service, have been

immunized without any fatalities or serious complications. Surely
this is a great triumph.
The Asiatic cholera and the yellow fever have been nearly
wiped from the face of the earth. And thanks to the wonderful
work of Lord Lister, of whom it has been written, "He saved
more lives, due to his work in antiseptic surgery, than were lost
by Napoleon in all of his wars," the hospitals are no longer filled
with the harrows that were once to be seen there. The abdomen
has become the playground of the surgeon, nearly all parts
of the body may be entered and it is not followed by that awful
infection which used to follow even the slightest operation. The
organism which causes lockjaw following the wound with the toy
pistol has been ferreted out, and today this kind of wound if prop-
erly treated is only slightly more dangerous than a cut. The stage
to which antiseptic surgery has been developed is well shown by
the record of the Mayo Brothers who, during the last ten years,
have performed over 3,000 difficult operations with a death rate
of less than three per cent. Yes, greater advances than this have
been made, for we find the death rate amongst their patients dur-
ing the last year to be only slightly greater than one per cent.
The investigators in some of these fields have gone into it not
314 IMPROVEMENT ERA
only with a knowledge of the fact that failure may be their lot,
but they must even risk their lives in the work, as is shown in the
fight against yellow fever. Dr. Lazear, an American army sur-
geon, allowed himself to be bitten by a mosquito in an infected
ward. He soon acquired the disease in its most terrible form and
died a martyr to science and a true hero. Truly can we say of
him, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends." Dr. Lazear lost his life, but due to him
and his comrade's work, yellow fever has been conquered.
Throughout this summary we have been tracing man's fight
with these invisible foes, but there is another side to the story.
But it has not been developed to the extent to which this has, for
here man has not been driven on by the struggle against an in-
visible enemy. Only a very small fraction of these invisible or-
ganisms are man's enemies. Most are his friends. Some of them
toil for him night and day. We find them helping him in the
dairy, on the farm, in every avocation of life. Their true signifi-
cance is probably partly understood, when we realize that without
them life upon this planet would be impossible. The whole world
would become filled with never-changing dead matter. One of
the essential elements of the soil would soon be exhausted, and
plants and animals would soon perish from starvation. So we
find them increasing the fertility of the farmer's soil and helping
him in a thousand and one ways. We find them directed by man's
will today in many a large industry, not in the haphazard way as
was the case in the past, but with quantitative precision.
One may think from the preceding that in this field of science
there is little yet to be done, but this is not the case, for there are
diseases still unconquered. The great "White Plague" still claims
its millions each year. There are diseases which are sapping the
very life blood of the nation, yet they go unchecked. Science as
yet has not come to the aid of the unfortunate victims.
As regards the beneficial organisms, we have only just started
to realize their great possibilities. In the soil we have five great
classes of organisms which deal with the transformation of nitro-
gen in the soil. One class carries on purification, changing the
insoluble proteins into ammonia, another picks the ammonia up
as formed, transforming it into nitrites, and even this must be
changed into nitrates before the farmer's plants can use it. Under
what condition are these changes carried on at a maximum rate ?
What influence has moisture, temperature, crop and methods of
tillage on this change? Some of these questions are being an-
swered by the work being carried on by the Utah Experiment
Station, but there are many yet unanswered. Still they are vital
questions, for in many cases the yield of the farmer's crop will be
determined by the skill with which he controls these various
changes. We have another set of organisms in the soil, the func-
 MODERN BACTERIOLOGY 315

tion ofwhich is to take the practically valueless nitrogen of the

atmosphere and change it into forms such that the higher plants
can feed upon. How may we control them for maximum yields ?
for if treated right they will never tire, but toil on forever. Then
again, it- is possible that we may become so familiar with these
minute plants that we may use them to measure the requirements
of the soil, and it is quite possible that they will be more sensitive
than any tests we yet have. Truly can we say that in this field
great things have been accomplished, but there remains yet to
conquer fields richer than the workers in the past have ever
dreamed of.

LOGAN, UTAH

M. I. A. CLASS IN LEADERSHIP
This class, in which Supt. Heber J. Grant appears, held a three-
days' session in the Latter-day Saints University, Salt Lake City, under
the guidance of Oscar A. Kirkham and Emily C. Adams. In addition
to the six-weeks' course given in the Brigham Young College, in
Logan, which was well attended, a three-days' separate course was
'

given there on January 11, 12, and 13, at which some 200 or more were
in attendance. The three-day courses in nearly all parts of the Church
have been very successful, and the thanks of the General Superin-
tendencies and the Boards are due to the managements and teachers
of the different Church schools, for favors and accommodations ex-
tended. This applies not only to one but to all of them, and thanks
are. hereby expressed to all who have given aid to the officers and
members of the M. I. A. in these splendid three-day schools in leader-
ship. The General Officers are hopeful that good results will follow
for the entire membership, from the training given to M. I. A. workers
in these gatherings.
 A King of Western Scouts
BY SOLOMON F. KIMBALL

In Three Parts—Part III

Perhaps no subordinate military man, connected with the "Mor-

mon" Church, played a more prominent part in the so-called Echo
Canyon war, during the winter of 1857-58, than did Elder Ephraim
K. Hanks. So daring was he in some of his exploits that the
bravest men in his company were not anxious to follow him on
his reconnoitering expeditions. One dark night he crawled so
near to the army officers' tents that the cook unwittingly threw
scraps from the general's table over him. Nothing went on

MAIN STREET, SALT LAKE CITY, IN EARLY DAYS

around the Officers' Headquarters that he was not familiar with

consequently, he kept General Wells posted on every important
movement made by Johnston's army. He captured many of
Uncle Sam's teams, so as to prevent the troops from moving
towards the valley, until President Brigham Young had time to
make the authorities at Washington acquainted with the true con-
dition of things.
During the moe south, in 1858, he made his home at provo,
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 317

and after his return to Salt Lake, that fall, he took up a ranch be-
tween Big and Little Mountain, east of the city, which was named
by him Mountain Dell. Here he established a trading post and
did a thriving business with the emigrants who passed, during the
summer months. He also kept the stage station and looked after
the Pony Express boys who always enjoyed! with him a plate of
hot refreshments before speeding on their way to the East or to
the West.
During the winter months, Mr. Hanks had great difficulty to
keep the road open over the Big Mountain where the snow, near
the east brink, sometimes drifted to the depth of ten or twelve feet.

THE OLD BROMLEY STAGE STATION, MOUTH OF ECHO CANYON

In opening the way through this
place he generally used a yoke of
his oxen called Buck and Blow.On occasions of deep snow he
drove the cattle into the drift as far as possible and then unyoked
them. Buck, who understood the meaning of it, moved forward
until he came into snow up to his eyes. He then tramped around
until he secured a good footing, preparatory to the next move.
When everything was ready, that old bovine bunted into that bank
of snow with such vim that Eph, on several occasions, thought he
had lost him forever but the old fellow nearly always backed out
;

on time. As soon as he was out of the way, old Blow lined up

for the fray, and the bucking and blowing indulged in on such
occasions was enough to make the student of animals smile with
delight.
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 319

The stage that passed by Mr. Hanks' place was a semi-

occasional affair, but when it did arrive it was generally loaded
with the kind of people who appeared to have been born hungry.
The fare across the plains in those days was so high that only the
rich could afford to ride, consequently his visitors were a class of
people who were well able to pay their way. Eph was not long in
finding this out, and aimed to give each passenger his money's
worth of pie, even if sugar was a dollar a pound.
In those days beef, also, was scarce and, in order to keep his
;

table supplied with fresh meat, he was compelled to resort to many

schemes. His past experience had taught him that the meat of
many animals not generally considered wholesome was as good
as that used by the general public— it was sometimes better. When

ON THE SUMMIT OF BIG MOUNTAIN

Eph was caught in an unusually tight place for meat, he would

kill badgers, or hedge-hogs, boil the meat in several changes of
water until the strong taste and smell were gone, and then serve
it to the high-toned stranger in a way that made him smack
his
lips and look for more. On one occasion, a rich banker had en-
joyed several slices of boiled badger, when he wanted to know
what kind of meat it was, as he had never before tasted anything
quite so good. Eph, with a twinkle in his eye said, "Mr. Banker,
that is cub, our common Mountain Dell cub." The banker, turn-
ing to his accomplished wife, said, "Yes, I thought so, it is cer-
tainly themost delicious meat that has been set before us since we
left home."
About the year 1860, the road through Parley's Canyon and
320 IMPROVEMENT ERA
over the summit, was completed. After that, most of the travel
went that way. This change, of course, affected business at the
Dell, and the result was sold his mountain home and
that Eph
moved to Parlev's Park. the surrounding country there
He found
in a state of wild nature nor could a more beautiful spot be im-
;

agined. Here he built his home and commenced to raise stock.

There were but two other families in the Park at that time besides
his own, and the families resided about two miles apart. Maraud-
ing bands of Indians overran the country hence, great care had
;

to be used by the settlers to prevent the redskins from committing

depredations. Many scenes of a thrilling nature occurred during
those trying times, but Ephraim K. Hanks was always at his post
when danger was in sight, or
at its worst.
From 1856 to 1863, much
of his time was spent among
the hostile Indians of the
plains, in the interest of "Mor-
mon" emigration. He visited
first one tribe and then an-
other, and in this way, he by
his intelligent diplomacy saved
the lives of many people. All
this work he did without re-
—
muneration for his love of
God's children, which knew no
bounds.
Eph could go from the
sublime to the ridiculous prob-
THISBE READ WHO MARRIED ably as quickly and .with as
EPHRAIM K. HANKS little effort as any man who
APRIL 6, 1862 ever lived, no matter what the
conditions were. About the
year 1862 he had an old character by the name of Bill Braffett
working for him. Braffett had much conceit in his bald pate.
He was always boasting about what he could do. One day he had
the nerve to tell Hanks that he could do anything that Hanks
could. The latter was skinning an ox at the time. When he
came to the skin on the back of the animal's neck he cut out a
piece about two by twelve inches long. He scraped the hair off,
split it in two, and then asked Mr. Braffett to take his choice.
Bill, realizing what was coming, chose the smaller piece, of course,
Eph, turning to Mr. Braffett said, "Now Bill, go to it, and we will
see which of us can eat this hide in the shortest time." They
went to work in earnest. In less than ten minutes Eph had eaten
the last morsel of his piece of rawhide. He then went over to
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 321

where Braffett was standing and asked him what had become of
his portion of old Blue's neck. Bill said he had eaten it long ago.
The words had no more than escaped his mouth, when Eph pulled
the one-by-twelve-inch strip of rawhide out of Bill Braffett's
bosom. George W. Naylor of Salt Lake, and other parties who
witnessed this amusing incident, laugh to this day when they tell
about it.

Eph was man of many ideas. It was hard to catch

certainly a
hirn napping. Brother John Walsh, of Farmington, who lived in
Emigration Canyon during those stirring times, said that the last
time he saw Mr. Hanks he had a pair of live cub bears hung across
his shoulders and was "making for home" as fast as his horse
could carry him. He had
probably killed the mother
bear and was on his way to
secure a wagon to haul her
home.
The experience of
Ephraim K. Hanks along
certain lines was most mar-
velous, and all who knew
him were astounded at his
resourcefulness. For in-
stance, there was a man
moving a steam boiler from
Salt Lake to Heber City.
Just before he reached
Eph's place, he came to a
mud-hole in Sam Snyder's
slough. The moment the
front wheels struck the
s 1 o u g h-crossing they WALTER E., THE OLDEST SON OF
dropped almost out of
EPHRAIM K. AND THISBE R. HANKS
sight. The man worked
around there for a day or two, but accomplished nothing. About
the time he had given up all hopes of getting the boiler over, Eph
happened along.
He said to the stranger, "Mr., what will you give me to land
that thing on the other side of this slough between now and sun-
down?"
The man, looking dubiously at Hanks, said, "If you will get
this boilerover there by dark I will give you thirty-five dollars,
cash down, and furnish you with five yoke of oxen besides."
"Enough said," was Eph's reply.
He had three hours to complete the job, with no time to "spin
yarns." He pulled off his coat, felled two quaking-asp trees,
stripped the bark from them, rounded the butt-ends in sleigh-
322 IMPROVEMENT ERA
runner fashion, slipped the timbers under the axles, lashed one to
either side,and hitched six yokes of oxen to the big end of the
poles, with his Mountain Dell pets in the lead. When all was
ready,

He grabbed a whip and let it slip. He yelled at Buck and Blow

He goaded all, both great and small, till things began to go.

And things did go, until that 7,000-pound boiler was landed
on the other side of the Sam Snyder slough.
The stranger, looking on with amazement, said, "That's a new
one on me," and at the same time handed Eph his thirty-five dol-
lars. The Reese boys, and other Salt Lake residents were wit-
nesses to-this little incident, and often enjoyed a good laugh over it.
Eph built his home under the hills just north of where Park
City is now located, and was the first man to discover silver quartz

SCENE IN THE BLACK HILLS, WYOMING, IN EARLY DAYS, NORTH

OF THE OLD PIONEER TRAIL

in thatneighborhood. He lived in Parley's Park until the Black

Hawk war broke out, in 1865, and then moved to Salt Lake City.
For the next two or three years much of his time was spent in
helping to subdue the savages of the south who were making life
a burden to the inhabitants of that part of the state.
In 1877, he was advised, by the Church authorities, to pur-
chase Lee's Ferry, on the Colorado river. He made all 'prepara-
tions to remove thither, when his plans were frustrated
by the death
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 323

of President Brigham Young. He had already sold his home

and so, on the advice of President John Taylor, he
moved his
family to Burrville, in Wayne county, Utah. That
being- a cold
country, he changed his location to the mouth of
a box canyon
some distance east of that place, on a small tributary to the
Fre-
mont river, called Pleasant Creek. Here he built a comfortable
home and set out about two hundred fruit trees. It was in this
location that Assistant Church Historian Andrew
Jenson visited
Elder Hanks, in June, 1891, and gathered from this King of
Scouts
many interesting incidents of his life, some of which are contained
in this series of articles.
Just prior to the death of President Woodruff, he sent Elder
Brigham Young, of the Quorum of the Twelve, on a special mis-

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;

AN OX TRAIN IN THE EARLY SIXTIES

sion to southern Utah to ordain Elder Hanks a Patriarch, realiz-

ing that he was worthy of that high and exalted office. Ephraim
K. Hanks was first counselor to Bishop Henry Giles, of Blue
Valley ward, Wayne county, Utah, up to the day of his death which
occurred June 9, 1896.
President Brigham Young, in speaking of the virtues of Elder
Hanks, once said, in substance, that there is a man who has always
been ready to lay down his life for the authorities of the Church,
as well as for the cause of Zion and her people, and in due time
he will receive his reward.
It would require volumes to place properly before the Latter-
324 IMPROVEMENT ERA

day Saints all the heroic deeds performed by this

remarkable man.
He was certainly an instrument in the hands of the Lord in heh>
ing to make it possible for the thousands of emigrants who
came
dwell in peace in these valleys of the
to Utah, in early days, to
mountains. The Indians of the plains learned to love and respect
him ; and. in later years, he wielded an influence among them that
was nothing short of marvelous. There was not a man in the
Church who had more influence with them than he had. So many

A GROUP OF UTAH INDIANS

cures he performed among them that they almost looked upon him
as a superhuman being. They fed him when he was hungry,
clothed him when he was naked, and cared for him when sick.
The Spirit of the Lord was with him, and no one realized that fact
more than did the redmen of the plains.
He was naturally intelligent, God-fearing, and liberal to a
fault. Of course, he was somewhat rough, as he had but little
opportunity to attend school, or to enjoy the comforts of home life.
He was good at relating stories and never permitted any point to
be lost in the story's telling. Under the most trying circumstances
he was always cheerful, and scarce a word of complaint was ever
heard to come from his lips. His life was marvelously and often
miraculously spared while he passed through terrible dangers.
This generation of Latter-day Saints will never fully appreciate
 A KING OF WESTERN SCOUTS 325

what this King of Scouts did towards the establishment of this

Church in these valleys, until the books spoken of in the revela-
tion of John shall have been opened. When the dead, small and
great, shall stand before God to be judged according to their works,
Father Hanks will be found in the front ranks among the noble
and great "which came out of great tribulation."
We'll drop a tear as we draw near, the tomb of this our noble brave
—
Our hero dear, who knew no fear, we'll strew sweet flowers o'er his grave.

Chastity

O is there a virtue that man must own

And woman must ever possess,
That nature demands, and God has shown
The hearts of the young should impress —
That man's very nature, and God, declare
Shall truly be pure and deep and rare,
As true as the diamond without impair?
Yes, surely: the virtue of Chastity.

And is there one standard of virtue for all,

For man and for woman as well,
Or woman infracting, be hurled to her fall
While man in all freedom may dwell
The man dragging woman, for lust, to her shame,
Besmirching her honor while honored his name,
He deepest in guilt yet not sharing the blame?
No, truly; one standard has Chastity.
Then man should be pure and chaste as the snow.
With virtue the woman be crowned,
That both, as they live in probation below,
Fit subjects for heaven be found
Unsullied in thought, and both undefiled,
As pure as angel or innocent child,
From Heaven's strict law being never beguiled, .

An honor to God and to Chastity.

Then be, O young men, as sturdy as oak,
Ne'er yielding to passion's red lure,
Your freedom is greater, and lighter your yoke,
While treading the path of the pure.
Most sternly resolve your life-blood you'll yield
In the conflict with vice (having truth for your shield),
—
Ere virtue surrender yes, die in the field
Ere ever you sin against Chastity.
And, maidens so sweet, be your virtue your crown,
And modesty ever your grace:
To tempters be swift with your "no" and your frown—
A positive signal in place.
Unswerving in virtue, then make firm demand
That man live thus strictly or seek not your hand,
That both in like honor most truly may stand
Deserving the bright crown of Chastity. F. E. Barker
 Anthon L. Skanchy
A Brief Autobiographical Sketch of the Missionary Labors
of a Valiant Soldier for Christ

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE

V. AGAIN BEFORE THE COURTS

I had a sister five years older than myself who was not in the

Church, but was a private teacher in the family of Mr. Miller, a

merchant in Kovaaen, about one hundred seventy-five miles south
of Tromso. Mrs. Miller was slightly releated to the Skanchys.
At one time I had been kept in prison in Tromso during twenty-
one days, waiting for a session of the court at which I could be
tried. At last I was sent by steamship to Kovaaen, where a court
was to be held.
We left Tromso about ten o'clock in the evening. There
were many passengers on board, especially on the deck. It was
one of the mild, beautiful summer nights of Nordland. The stew-
ard who had my ticket and was supposed to take care of me de-
sired to have a little fun with the "Mormon" preacher, but ap-
parently he made a wrong calculation, for when he attacked me
with improper words, I talked back to him so loudly that the cap-
tain on the bridge came running down to the steward and took him
by the coat collar and put him under arrest, saying that he had no
right to make life disagreeable for a prisoner. The steward re-
mained under deck as a prisoner during the whole day.
At once, as a result of this episode, I was surrounded by all
the passengers on the deck, and as I stood on one side of the deck
the little ship began to tip. The captain very politely asked me
to stand in the middle of the deck. I felt then that I had a good
opportunity to preach and to answer the questions that might be
put to me. The people again gathered about me, and I stood
there and defended the cause of truth from twelve o'clock at
night until five o'clock in the morning. At that time a lady of
the first class came to me and offered me something to eat. This
food strengthened my body. Thus, in my life's experience, I have
been occupied a whole night in battling for the cause of truth.
On was not alone, but that I was power-
this occasion I felt that I
fullysupported by the Lord and his influence.
At seven o'clock in the morning we reached our destination,
and two of the civil authorities came on board. Thev both greeted
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 327

me, as I had long been acquainted with them. At eight o'clock

we reached the place where the court was to be held. The court-
house was on a little hill rising abruptly from the fjord. Mr.
Nordrum, the court clerk, and his deputy went at once into the
house which was occupied as a dwelling house, and where the fam-
ily were eating breakfast. Mr. Nordrum was a liberal-minded
man and he said to Mrs. Miller, "Have you a comfortable room
that we can have, as we have a prisoner along with us ?"
"What?" said the lady, "a nice room for a prisoner?"
"Yes," he answered. "It is no ordinary prisoner. It is the
'Mormon' preacher, Skanchy."
My sister, who was standing by the table, heard this and
almost fainted. She left the table and went weeping down to the
shore where I was standing, threw her arms about my neck, kissed
me, and cried again. All this was done to the great surprise of
my fellow passenger, the lady who so kindly gave me a bite to eat
earlier in the morning. This lady soon heard that I was her
brother. This also brought tears from the lady, who said, "I would
give a great deal if I had such a brother, for he has been on the
battlefield all night and has won a victory."
All this occurred on Sunday morning. I was given a good
breakfast in a large, well-furnished room in the building. The
court clerk came to my room, greeted me in a friendly way, and
told me that my hearing should be the first one so that I could be
released early.
At eight o'clock Monday morning, I was called into the court
room where I was examined concerning my great crime against
the Norwegian law, namely, that I had freely preached the doc-
trines of the Bible and performed the ordinances of the gospel
which should be done only by the Lutheran priests who were paid
for so doing. The court clerk, Mr. Nordrum, of whom I have
spoken, felt well towards the "Mormons" and treated them with
much respect, but he was obliged, of course, to do his work in ac-
cordance with the laws of the land. The only judges who were
after us were those who wanted to make a reputation for them-
selves by persecuting the "Mormons."
This bitter trial was similar to the many others to which I had
been subjected. Upon the request of the court, I bore a long tes-
timony to the truthfulnesss of "Mormonism," all of which was
written down in the records of the court. All of it was read to me
again, so that I might correct it, if I so desired, before it becam<-
a permanent part of the court records. I thought this was not so
bad, as my testimony had been written into the official records
each time that I had been before the courts. As a result a great
deal of "Mormonism" stands recorded in the official records of
northern Norway, as a testimony against the unjust persecu-
tions to which the servants of the Lord have been subjected.
328 IMPROVEMENT ERA
My case now went to a superior officer for his consideration,
and I was set free until such time as he might pronounce judgment
upon me. The day after, the clerk of the court, Mr. Nordrum,
offered to take me my
journey with him, in a large row boat
on
which belonged to the city. It would be at least a week before
the steamer arrived. The boat had four men as rowers. The
clerk and I sat at the back of the boat on a comfortable bench,
and during the eight hours of the trip discussed the gospel. We
came during the day to a large island which was densely popu-
lated and there, in accordance with my wishes, I was set on land.
On this island I took up my work with much satisfaction, and
continued it from island to island.
I will say here again that my mission work was of greatest
interest and joy to me. When I saw the fruits of my work, as I
took the honest in heart to the water's edge and there baptized
them, I felt that it was the most glorious work any mortal could
perform. No sacrifice seemed too great, for I felt as if my
whole system was swallowed up in "Mormonism."
The experiences which I won by my work in Nordland, the
long journeys by land and water, the sacrifices and the suffering
I had to endure, such as hunger and loss of sleep, will always
remain in my memory, and they were no doubt for my good. I
learned on this mission great lessons, and the Lord be praised
therefor.

VI. HOW I SPENT THE WINTER IN NORDLAND.

I continued my work and early winter,

until late into the fall
home. When winter opened,
as long as I could find the people at
most of the able-bodied men voyaged to the fishing districts and
worked there throughout the winter. Especially did the fisher-
men gather in the famous fisheries of Lofoten, where thousands
of men and boats assembled each winter while the women, chil-
dren and the aged remained home on the islands. At that season
so much snow falls that it is almost impossible to travel from
place to place.
I was in considerable distress, for I hardly knew what a poor
missionary could do during the winter to perform his duties and
to measure up to the responsibilities that had been placed upon
him and be true to his call. This great problem filled my thoughts.
T presented the matter to Him in whose service I had been called.

The result was that I obtained the testimony that I should go

wherever I could find people and work with them just as far as I
could. Consequently, I started out for the fisheries where the
men gathered for the winter.
First I went to the island of Hatsel, and from there to a place
near Lofoten, in the midst of the wild ocean, and hired out to one
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 329

of the fishermen, the owner of a large boat. There were six of us

in the boat, and during the winter we fished with all our strength
in the great Atlantic Ocean. An old house stood on the shore, at
a point known as Qualnes, in which the fishermen lived during
the fishing season. Twelve men, six from our boat and six from
another, lived in the large, one room of the cabin. Here we
cooked and slept but it went pretty well.
;

As I was quick, strong, and endured the sea without becom-

ing sick, I felt that I never needed to take a place inferior to any
of the other men. My associates were raw, uncultured seamen. I
thought to myself, "Here is something for me to do." I went out
among the great rocks that littered the coast and had my prayers
and communions with the Lord. Soon I acquired influence over
the men and began to teach them to refrain from their fearful
swearing and cursing, which they continued from morning until
evening. They all knew that I was a "Mormon" preacher. Our
captain was the first to stop swearing then the others, and finally
;

they developed a very great respect for me. Whatever I said,

they accepted as being right. In the end they developd such a
love for me that when the fishing season was ended, and I bade
them farewell, tears came into their eyes. This was the first win-
ter of my first mission, and the first winter that I spent as a fisher-
man on the wild ocean.
From the fisheries I sailed to the island of Hatsel where my
winter's captain lived, and visited for a short time with him and
his family. I received my $34 for the winter's work, and went joy-
fully on my way, to continue my mission over the country.

VII. THE LORD SENDS ME MONEY AND MORE FRIENDS

The second summer of my mission was used chiefly in preach-

ing to the fishermen. I traveled from island to island, from shore
to shore, over mountains and valleys, and I won numerous friends.
Many were baptized and more were left with a testimony. I was
days'
arrested, of course, and on one occasion was given eight
confinement with only bread and water to eat. In the
solitary
fall my means had all been consumed, and
the snow water ran in
and out of my boots. I succeeded in borrowing about five dollars
from a friend, who was not in the Church, and that put me
in

tip-top shape again. On my journey I secured many subscribers

spread the gospel.
for the Scandinavian Star, which also helped to
from Captain
The second winter came, and I received a letter
preceding winter,
Christian Hansen, with whom I had labored the
home the of January, 186b. It was
asking me to report at his first

about" the middle of December that one of the

brethren who took
whence I could walk over
a boat and rowed me into Gosfjorden,
a mountain, about fourteen miles, until I would be opposite the
330 IMPROVEMENT ERA
island which was my destination. The country here was very
wild and open, and had great chasms running through it. It was
very easy for a person to become hopelessly lost in a maze of won-
derful natural phenomena. I bade my good brother goodby by
the ocean side he gave me explicit instructions for my guidance.
;

1 was to go in a straight line southward, and I would reach my

destination. As much snow lay on the ground, I took a pair of
skis and carried my clothes and books in a satchel on my back.
Within five minutes after starting, the air became filled with
snow, so that I could not discover which was south or north. To
go back was impossible, for no one lived by the fjord; the boat
had gone back, and I stood alone in the solitary, mountainous wil-
derness. However, this did not frighten me, for I felt that I was
directed by the Lord. I turned about to get the direction I had

taken in. the beginning, and then sighted ahead, as best I could, in
the same direction to some bush or other natural object. This I
repeated, over and over again, and in that fashion I traveled the
whole fourteen miles in the midst of a terrific snow-storm. The
snow was so soft that my skis sank down in it until I was in the
snow almost up to my knees, and I could hardly see the end of
my skis, as I brought them out of the snow. Naturally, my prog-
ress was slow.
Night came and darkness overtook me, but for me there was
light, nevertheless. At nine o'clock that night I reached the shore.
It was joy to take the skis from my feet and walk on the sand
among the great rocks. I saw a house on the shore about a mile
away. I went in there. and asked for lodging. I was so overcome
by weakness from the hard journey of the day that I could scarcely
speak. The man in the house, however, understood what troubled
me, and placed me in a chair by the warm stove then he took my
;

boots from off my feet, and brought me from the cellar a bowl
of home-made malt beer. After I had become warmed, he asked
me to sit up to the table and eat. I did this in a great hurry.
This poor fisherman's home was the only house on this side
of the island. After I had eaten, the wife made the beds. She
put clean sheets and pillow slips over a good straw mattress cov-
ered with an old boat sail in the corner of the one room in the
house. After prayers, it seemed that they knew who I was. I
was then made to sleep in their own bed, while they slept on the
straw bed made in the corner.
The next morning we had a modest breakfast, and the man
rowed me across the sound to the next island, and would not take
the slightest pay for what he had done. I then walked across this
island and found a man to ferry me across the next sound. For
this service the ferryman demanded twenty-five cents. This was
the last money that I had. I gave him the money and he set me
ashore on a sand ridge that jutted out from the island into the
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 331

water. Heimmediately rowed back to his own island. There I

stood, alone, penniless and in a strange place. With a heavy heart
I gathered up my satchel and my coat and
looked around for my
directions. There, as I looked, by my side and on the sand, lay a
little pile of money in silver and copper coins, totaling
nearly a
dollar. I was so affected by this unexpected relief that I sat down
on a stone and wept for gratitude.
I wondered how this money had been left, and came to the
conclusion that some fishermen had probably been selling fish
among the neighboring islands and had placed the money that they
received, as is very common, in the bailing dipper of the boat; on
their way back they had forgotten that the money was in the bail-
ing dipper, and in bailing out the boat had thrown the money ac-
cidentally on the sand-ridge on which I had landed. However,
it had happened. It was another testimony to me that there is
One high above us, who sees and knows all things. He knew, no
doubt, that I had paid out my last money, and therefore guided
my boat so that I landed where this money had been lost. I was
grateful to the Lord.
I continued my journey from island to island, and at last
reached the island of Hasel, where I was received warmly by Cap-
tain Christian Hansen and his wife. This time he offered me a
much better position in the fishery than I had the previous winter.
I was to be with him during January, February and March. He
was to furnish the fishing apparatus and my provisions, and we
were to divide equally the products of my labor. I agreed to this
and we sailed away. j

We lived this winter also in the old log house, and all went
fairly well. When the fishing season was ended, and the account
was to be settled, I found that my share was about fifty dollars.

I paid my debts and continued my journeys again.

(to be continued)

Just walk out into the fields
Where the flowers grow;
Feel the freshness of the air,
Feel the breezes blow.
Hear the humming of the
Hear the waterfall,
To Nature
Hear the twittering of birds,
Hear the woodland call.
See the flying clouds above,
See the butterflies.
bees, In the beauty of them all
Nature's power lies.

What for? Don't you get the thought?

Think again; did you mar the scene, or not?
midway, utah
Guy Coleman
 The Miser
BY ELSIE C. CARROLL

The "Miser's" real name was John Henry Welker, and he

had once been a highly-respected and influential citizen in southern
Utah. But that was before Bates Thompson, his partner in the
sheep business, had absconded with the fortune the two men had
spent their young manhood in accumulating. Some rare natures
use adversities as stepping stones to higher development of char-
acter, but more common ones are often crushed beneath them.
John Henry Welker, unfortunately, belonged to the latter type.
There is an old proverb that misfortunes come seldom alone. This
was also verified in the Miser's case. He might in time have been
able to overcome the distrust and hate caused by his friend's per-
fidy, had that been all. But a short time after this, his only daugh-
ter eloped with Thompson's nephew, and the sins of the fathers
were certainly the deserts of the children in the Miser's mind so;

this degradation completely crushed him. His own youth had

been so completely obliterated in his struggle for the almighty
dollar that he could not understand that the bond which had grown
between his child and his neighbor's, through the years of child-
hood and youth, was too strong to be broken by the will of a
third party.
This was the beginning of. John Henry's life as a Miser. He
had lost none of his ability to accumulate, but his confidence in
his fellow-men was dead, and as the years went by he drew more
and more within himself and away from his associates.
When his daughter was left a widow he refused to give her
assistance. But a year later she died, and her little son was sent
tohim. He received the child sullenly, and the hopes of his old
friends that the little one's influence would bring him back to his
old life were never realized.
The Miser was going over the years that had followed the
child's arrival now, as he sat on the crude bench outside of the
dilapidated ranch house. It was Sunday morning, and the world
was filled with the glory of late springtime. Everywhere were
signs of Nature's bounty. The sun was pouring its mellow warmth
over the shriveled old man as he leaned against the weather-
beaten logs; but its radiance failed to bring an answering glow
to the hardened, brown face. A meadow-lark perched on a little
mound of grass in the flower-sprinkled meadow a few rods away,
was almost bursting its throat in an ecstasy of song, but the
 THE MISER 333

Miser's ears were deaf to the melody. He saw only the blighted
years that stretched behind him, and the desolate, empty years
before.
A one-seated buggy came around a point in the road. The
Miser involuntarily looked in its direction, but when he recog-
nized the occupants his face grew even more hard and melancholy
than before, and he left the bench and tottered into the cabin,
muttering, "Curse him ! Curse him ! And I meant it all should
be his. But he couldn't wait. He had to get high-falutin' ideas about
school and wouldn't stay. And now it's that girl. I had hoped he
might come back after he'd had a little taste of strugglin' for his
self, but he won't now. But what do I care? I was wise not to
learn to love him. I knew it would be the same story of ingrat-
itude, and I was right. Curse him."
The young man in the buggy was the Miser's grandson who
had left him a few months ago, after many vain attempts to gain
the old man's consent to go away to college. He felt the need of
his time and finally had told his grandfather that he would go
without his consent or assistance, and he had gone, followed by
the old man's maledictions.
"I meant it all should be his," again the old man muttered as
he hobbled along the rough floor. "But he shall not have a cent.
Not a cent. No one shall have it it is mine. Bah how I hate
; !

him. How I hate the world ! It is false. Everyone is false. How

I hate it all !" His claw-like hands opened and closed diabolically.
"But it never changes, my money. It is always the same. I love
it." The bitterness faded from his sunken eyes and his voice grew
almost tender as he spoke these words, "Gold Gold !" he re-
!

peated as he bent over the crude hearth in front of the open fire-
place and laboriously lifted part of the stone and took from
their hiding place two large bags. He held them in his arms for
a moment as a mother would hold a child from whom she had
been unwillingly separated for a time. "Mine, mine," he mur-
mured, and patted the bags. Then he carried them to the other
side of the room and stood beside the high bunk. He opened the
bags and poured the shining contents out. "Mine, mine," he re-
peated again, gloatingly, as he lifted up handfuls of the yellow
coin and let them slip through his crooked fingers. As he sat thus
with his treasure the sound of a church bell came faintly from a
distance.
"Sunday," he muttered. "God's day! God!" His thin lip
curled in a "sneering laugh. "There's no God, nor friends, nor
good in life. I've tried them all. They're all false. Only you are
sure," and he turned again to his treasure. His fingers caressed
the sparkling heap before him. "God! You are my god, and
no one shall take you from me."
In the meantime, the young man and girl in the one-seated
334 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the road to the thrifty fields beyond the
buggy rode on down
Miser's cabin.
river-
"See, Mary, it begins here and goes clear over to the
bed." The young man drew his horse in beside a new wire fence
surrounding a field proudly waving its first crop of alfalfa and
wheat. "If it does as well as it looks like it will, I can finish
pay-
ing for it this fall, and then I— can talk about college." The
we—
girl's face flushed and she hastened to say, "You
have done won-
derfully well, George. I can hardly believe it. You will be a rich

man some day."

"Not if the Miser has his way," the young man answered, and
a gloomy expression came over his face. His companion quickly
changed the subject again.
"Never mind, let's not think of that, George. There are so
many pleasant things to think about today, and there is the bell for
Church already. Weshall have to hurry back," and they turned
into the road and drove toward the village. Everywhere the world
was full of summer loveliness. As the young couple neared the
village their eyes rested on thrifty farms, stretching away on
each side of the peaceful Sevier, to the foothills. Comfortable
homes nestled among green trees and blooming shrubbery. It
was a picture of successful toil and prosperity. Little did they
dream that within a few hours that beautiful valley would be
devastated by a ruthless flood. That fields would be swept barren,
and that this carefully tilled land would be covered with brush and
boulders. That beautiful homes would be made unsightly and
uninhabitable. That trees would be uprooted, bridges washed
—
away, telephone poles shattered in a word, that the years and
years of man's labor would be swept away in a few hours by a
fettered element which would burst the bands of man's control.
The people living along the Sevier River will long remember
the 25th of May. 1914. The morning had been spent in a May
dav festival at Circleville. The afternoon passed in athletic sports.
The day was to be completed by a
grand ball in the evening. The
inhabitants from neighboring ranches had come to Circleville for
the occasion. Crowds still stood on the public square, although
the sports were over. Everyone was in a holiday mood. It was
almost time for the young people to go home to prepare for the
dance. Some one espied a foaming horse dashing up the river
road. All eyes were turned in the direction of the rider. A pre
sage of fear clutched every heart. The courier drew rein as he
neared the crowd and called out: "The Hatch Town dam is
broken !
Run to the hills !" For a moment the people stood and
stared in white-faced alarm. Then someone cried out, "Go on
with the dance. That flood will never touch us. We're half
a
mile out of its course, at least. Besides, it's thirty miles away.
It
won't be here until some time tomorrow. On with the dance.
 THE MISER 335

Let joy be unconfined." Others took up his cry, and faces began
to lose their expression of fright. Some of the older people ar-
gued that precautions should be taken, and went to prepare in
case an exit from the town should be necessary. But soon the
spirit of the day had been restored, and preparations went on for
the dance.
There was one who heard the courier's call, who felt the full
significance of his words and watched in horror the calm indiffer-
ence to his warning. But it was only "Daft Meg," so no one
paid any attention to her entreaties. At last the poor soul went
home disheartened, and lived over again the tragedy of seeing her
husband go down in the muddy torrent of a flood caused by the
break of a dam. "And we felt safe," she moaned. "That was it.
We felt safe." She called up to her tortured brain the little valley
home fifty miles from the head of the flood, and how they had
scoffed at danger until the seething, cruel, boiling mass was sud-
denly upon them. She lived again the torture of seeing her hus-
band, in his desperate attempt to save her and their baby, give him-
self up to the roaring torrent. "And that is why I am 'Daft Meg'
and they will not listen to me," she cried in a frenzy of despair, as
the picture tortured her memory. Then she sprang up and rushed
out. "They must listen ! They must !" she cried, and hurried to-
ward the dancing pavilion.
When "Daft Meg" entered the hall, her wild eyes and livid
face commanded attention. Everyone knew the sad story of her
misfortune, and regarded her with pitying tolerance.
"Get to the hills !" she cried, in a shrill, excited voice. "Don't
be fools like we were. The flood was fifty miles away that night,
— —
but it rushed upon us and stole him. Get to the hills the hills
Or are you a pack of fools ?" Her weird laugh sounded through
the hall, as she rushed into the night, leaving the people staring
into each other's faces. Somehowthis time her words had made
them realize their danger. There was a mad rush toward the
door. Soon the whole village was aroused, and began to make
their way up the mountain side. There they stopped and waited.
An hour before dawn they could hear the roar of the oncom-
ing flood as it pounded its way through the narrow gorge of Cir-
cleville Canyon which opened into the village from the south. It

was quite light when the great, boiling, seething, sixteen-foot

wall of water could first be seen tumbling through the mouth of
the canyon. The people stood in awe-stricken groups and saw it
sweep on towards their homes, helpless to stem its tide. It was
like an avaricious giant clutching treasures on every hand.
After the first fearful fascination had passed, eyes began to
rove up and down the valley to make sure that all human lives, at!"
least, were safe. Then it was that someone cried out, "The Miser
and a look of horror came into every face.
336 IMPROVEMENT ERA

George Thompson went cold. In his solicitude for Mary and

her widowed mother he had not once thought of his grandfather.
He was standing beside Mary when the cry went up. She clutched
his arm and looked with mute sympathy into his face.
Friends
gathered instinctively about the young man. He pressed Mary's
hand silently, then started down the mountain-side. Someone
seized his arm. "Where are you going?" was the question on
every lip.
'To save my grandfather !" was the calm reply.
"Don't be a fool, boy. Can't you see that it is too late?"
Still George, filled with remorse at his neglect, stumbled on-
ward.
"Come back, George," someone else implored. "What do you
owe the Miser, anyhow? Surely not your own life, and that is
what you are sacrificing without the least hope of saving him,
either. Think of Mary and your friends and be sensible."
The young man hesitated a moment at these words, and
looked into the white face of the girl he loved, but what he saw in
Mary's brown eyes rather urged him on than detained him. He
knew that at the rate the water was going the flood would almost
beat him to the Miser's cabin.
His horse was tied to a tree a little way down the hillside, and
he hurried to her. When the boy's friends saw that he was de-
termined to make the risk, several of them followed him, but he
was heedless to their calls for him to wait, and once upon his
horse, went galloping over brush and boulders, down toward the
flood.
The Miser was awakened by an unusual sound. He lay for a
moment listening. It was a peculiar, dull roar, growing louder
and louder. The old man got painfully from his bed and looked
from the window. The sight that met his eyes froze the blood in
his veins. It was a murky, clutching mass of water rushing upon
him.
Time and again the Miser had told himself that there was no
God, but now he groaned in agony, "O God, deliver me deliver !

me!" And still the flood rushed on. He knew that before he
could cross half the distance to the nearest hill the water would
be upon him. He suddenly remembered that he had heard of
—
houses floating on the crests of floods perhaps he found that —
he could move, after all. He stooped over the hearthstone. Even
in that hour of danger the Miser's first thought was of his treas-
ure. A mother would as likely think of abandoning her child as
the Miser his gold. He flung the strap attached to the bags over
his shoulder and put on a heavy overcoat that was hanging near,
then he went out and laboriously climbed to the top of the cabin.
As the Miser sat and watched that ominious death creeping
certainly upon him, his thoughts turned curiously back over his
 THE MISER 337

past life, and terrifying dread of the hereafter that was so near
almost overpowered him. The flood struck the cabin. It tottered
and quivered for a second then began to rock. One glance at the
seething waves about him, and the Miser covered his face with his
trembling hands. "O God, forgive and save me O God, forgive
!

and save me !" he repeated over and over in the anguish of despair.
These were the words that reached George's ears as he neared
the cabin, and something clutched at the boy's heart as he looked
at the old man's distorted face, and made him redouble his efforts.
He shouted to his grandfather, but the old man was too absorbed
in his plight to hear.George knew that Queen was an excellent
swimmer, and he had brought a long rope. He saw that his only
hope of success was to swim in behind the flood and throw the
rope to the old man. He was yet in comparatively shallow water,
not yet having entered the direct current of the flood. He waited
a moment to see which direction the cabin would take. It sud-
denly swerved to the right and away from him. With a shriek the
old man clutched the ridgepole of the roof and buried his face in
his arms..
George leaned over his horse. "Dear old Queenie, you have
never failed me Don't, oh, don't fail me now !" And the
yet.
faithful beast plunged into the flood.
George's friends had followed him around the point of the
mountain, and were watching him with breathless interest from
the edge of the flood. As he plunged into the foaming water
there was a deathlike hush among the watchers. Mary covered
her face for a moment, then with another silent prayer looked
again at the brave young savior.
Inch by inch the horse and rider neared the drifting shack.
Now a mass of debris would entangle them, and again a tum-
bling boulder would swerve them from their course. At last,
after what seemed an age to the watchers on the mountain-side,
the cabin was reached. They saw George throw the rope. They
—
saw the Miser clutch for it and miss it. It was flung again, and
this time the old man caught it and tried to totter to the edge of
the roof. He stumbled and fell, dragging George from his horse.
They both went down, down out of sight in the boiling water. The
men on the mountain looked at each other with white, questioning
faces the women clung to each other, weeping. After a moment
;

the flood threw its victims to the surface, and the watchers saw
the struggle begin again. Queen had become frightened, and
with dilated nostrils was swimming to the opposite edge of the
water. The Miser seemed to be unconscious. The spectators saw
George bind the old man to his back and begin to swim toward
them. Ashout of encouragement went up from the hillside, and
a dozen men ran to the rescue.
They dragged the two unconscious men to safety. For an
338 IMPROVEMENT ERA
hour they rubbed the stiffened limbs of the Miser before he
showed signs of life. George had recovered and was bending
over the old man when he first opened his eyes. The sun was just
coming up over the eastern hills, revealing all the devastation of
the flood. The people stood in disconsolate groups, gazing at
the waste before them.
The Miser tottered to his feet. He looked first at the barren
valley, then at the people, and last at his grandson. new light A
beamed in his wrinkled face. Slowly he took up the bags which
had been carelessly flung to the ground with his coat. "Here,
son," he said, touching George on the shoulder, "take this and
—
give it where it is needed most, and then if if you are ready, per-
haps we had better try to get to the sheep ranch to see if things
are safe there." George looked into the old man's face, and as he
read the meaning there, he caught the Miser's trembling hand and
!"
pressed it tight in both his own, and whispered, "Grandfather
PROVO. UTAH

Missionaries of the Minnesota conference, held November 8, 1914:

Back row, left to right: Marvin G. Bennion, Taylorsville; W.
J. Hen-
derson, Cannonville; Chas. S. Miller, Farmington; L. R. Nelson,
Provo; E. H. Erickson, Ogden, Utah. Second row: Zelda Kirkham

r h hi Ca ; V f Presi ^ncy of Alpine stake', Lei*

O L.
U?a h O. Olson, n7"
niin f Idaho;
TT{.°
'

Utah, T Oxford, T
Joseph I. Cook, Vernal, Utah.
 The Sabbath Day
BY GEORGE W. CROCKWELL

Which is the proper day to be observed as a day of worship,

or Sabbath day, the first or the seventh day of the week?
To the Latter-day Saint there is no uncertainty about it we ;

have the word of the Lord, through the Prophet Joseph Smith,
that the first day of the week, called by John the beloved disciple,
the Lord's day, is the proper day, and should settle the question
—
without further cavil, but with the world at large this is different.
Our Seventh Day Advent friends contend vigorously for the
seventh day, boldly asserting that Constantine, Emperor of Rome,
changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week,
by an edict in the fourth century.
This is most certainly an error as the following excerpts from
the writings of theological historians will prove

Mosheim's Church History, Book 1. Century 1, Part 2, Chap. 4:4:

"The Christians of this century assembled for the worship of God and
for their advancement, on the first day of the week, the day on
which Christ reassumed his life; for that this day was set apart for
religious worship by the apostles themselves ; and that after the example
of the church at Jerusalem, it was generally observed, we have unex-
ceptionable testimony."
Epistle to the Magnesians, 101 A. D., Chap. 9, Ignatius said:
"Those who were brought up in the ancient order of things, have
come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sab-
bath (Jewish or seventh day), but living in the observance of the
Lord's day (first day) on which also our life was sprung by him and
his death."
Barderaven, A. D. 130: "On one day, the first day of the week,
we assemble ourselves together."
Apologies, 1:67, A. D. 140, Justin Martyr says: "And in the day
called Sunday all who live in the cities or in the country gather to-
gether in one place and the memoirs of the apostles, or the writings of
the prophets, are read as long as time permits, etc. * * * Sunday
is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it was
the first day on which the Lord, having brought a change in the dark-
ness and matter said, Let there be light, made the world, and Jesus
Christ our Savior on the same day arose from the dead."
Clement of Alexandria, Book 7, Chap. 12, A. D. 193: "He, in
fulfilment of the precept according to the gospel, keeps the Lord's
day."
Apologies, Sec. 21, A. D. 200: "We neither accord with the Jews
in their peculiarities in regard to food nor in their sacred days."
Origen, Book 3, Chap. 23, A. D. 201: "We ourselves are accus-
tomed to observe certain days, as for example, the Lord's day."
Mosheim's Church History, Book 2, Century 4, Part 1, Chap. 1:8:
340 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"It is indeed true that Constantine's life was not such as the precepts
of Christianity required; and it is also true that he remained a
catechumen (unbaptized Christian) all his life, and was received to full
membership in the Church, by baptism at Nicomedia, only a few days
before his d&ath."
Footnote 25: "Constantine, long before this time, A. D. 324, de-
clared himself a Christian, and that he was acknowledged as such by
the churches is certain. It is also true, he had for a long time per-
formed the religious acts of an unbaptized Christian, that is, a cate-
chumen; for he attended the public worship, fasted, prayed, observed
the Christian Sabbath, and the anniversaries of the martyrs, and
watched in the vigils of Easter."

From the foregoing excerpts, we learn that the first day of

the week was observed as the Sabbath, Sunday, or the Lord's day,
long before the birth of Emperor Constantine, even from the day
of the resurrection of Christ and from New Testament scriptures,
;

it is very clear that the first day was observed by the apostles, be-

ginning with the day on which Jesus arose from the dead and if ;

a correct translation of the scriptures had been made, there would

have been no occasion or opportunity for a dispute about the
matter.
New Testament references Math. 28:1 Mark 16 :2, 9 Luke
: ; ;

24:1 John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; I Corin. 16:2.

; In all of these
passages (eight in number) we find these words, "First day of
the week." We also find that the word "day" in each and every
place is printed in italics. This indicates that the word "day" was
not in the original text, but is an interpolation, and the word in
the original Greek, which was translated "Sabbaton," (see Em-
phatic Diaglott) meaning Sabbath, and when the translators
translated this word week, they were forced to put in the word
"day" to make sense.
The following analysis of Math. 28 :1 will cover each of the
eight references cited: "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began
to dawn toward the first day of the week." In the original Greek
this sentence is written, "Opse de sabbaton, te epiphoskouse
eis
mian sabbaton." "Late but of the Sabbath, it beginning to dawn
week."
into the first of the
By what manner of reasoning King James' "wise men" could
translate "Sabbaton," Sabbath, in the first part of the sentence,
and
translate the same word, "week," at the end, is beyond the
power
of theological students to comprehend or successfully
explain
They all admit that the word, "Sabbaton," means Sabbath, and
also that in the Tyndale Bible, and the Lutheran
German Bible,
the word "Sabbaton" is rendered Sabbath at both the
be°-innin^
and end of the sentence.
What could Matthew have meant other than this At the end
:

of the old Jewish Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first

of
the Christian Sabbath.
 THE SABBATH DAY 341

He no doubt understood that the Jewish or Mosaic Sabbath

was an end. Jesus had fulfilled the Law. "He had blotted out
at
the handwriting contained in ordinances," "old things had passed
away, all things had become new."
From the brief record that is left in the New Testament there
is no doubt that the first day was observed by the apostles and the
primitive Church, from the very day of the resurrection of the
Savior and acknowledged by his own presence.
John 20:19: "Then the same day (day of the resurrection)
at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were
shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came
Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto
you."
John 20 :26 : "And after eight days again his disciples were
within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors
being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you."
There is a difference of opinion as to the meaning of this
verse, some holding that instead of it meaning on the eighth day,
or the first day of the week having come again, it means the ninth
day, alleging as it does after eight days.
In Matthew 27 :63 and Mark 8 :31, we find Jesus saying twice :

"After three days I will rise again." Did Jesus arise on the third
day? There is no dispute about this, "after three days" means the
third day including and counting from the first day. Therefore,
by the same rule, after eight days, means the eighth day counting
from and including the first or, on the first day of the following
;

week, the new or Christian Sabbath.

The day of pentecost came in the first day of the week. See
Lev. 23:15, 16:

"And we shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath,
from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven
Sabbaths shall be complete."
"Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number
fifty days: and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord."

Seven weeks from the Jewish Sabbath would be 49 days, and

we have the Jewish Sabbath again. But it says, even unto the
morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days.
This would certainly identify it as the new or Christian Sabbath.
There is another point here: See Acts 2:1-4. The God of
heaven appears to have honored that day:

1. "And when the day of pentecost was fully come, they were
all with one accord in one place.
2. "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rush-
ing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and
it sat on each of them.
342 IMPROVEMENT ERA
4. "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Herein we find the promise that Jesus made (see Acts 1 :4)

was fulfilled. Jesus, being assembled together with them, com-

manded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which he saith ye heard of me.
(See John 14:16-26, also 15:26.)
In Acts 13 :42, we learn that the Christian Sabbath is recog-
nized as a different day from the Jewish Sabbath. It reads, "And
when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles be-
sought that these words might be preached to them the next Sab-
bath." We find in this verse a marginal difference, which shows
it should read the Sabbath between. This could only refer to the
Christian Sabbath which followed, and therefore came between
two Jewish Sabbaths.
In Col. 2:16, we find Paul, writing to the Saints at Colossia:
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect
of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days."
During Paul's ministry he was constantly annoyed by the
Jews insisting that the converted Gentiles should obey the Laws
of Moses with regard to circumcision, but at Colossia they ap-
pear to have taken another tack and assailed the Christian Sab-
bath, insisting that the seventh day be observed. Paul dismissed
the question with the admonition, "Let no man judge you * * *
in respect of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day."
There is no reasonable way of subverting the fact, as shown
by the light of history, that the first day was adopted, beginning
on the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
There is a question which naturally arises Why was the
:

first day adopted ? Why was not the seventh continued ?

To the "law and the testimony." The Bible answers this
question.

THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH ITS BEGINNING AND ITS END

The commandment that was given as to its observance is
first
found Exodus 20:8-11. This commandment was given to
in
Moses about 2,500 years from the date of the creation. We do
find in Genesis 2 :2-3 the following

2. "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had
made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he
had made.
3. "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because
that in it he had rested."

But here is no commandment given to man to observe it.

Neither was Adam given one, nor Seth, Enos, Cainaan, Mahal-
aleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech nor Noah, all good men,
upright and true, who feared God and loved righteousness. Noah,'
 THE SABBATH DAY 343

in all his preaching, has

no words to say about the seventh or any
Sabbath day.
After the flood we find Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to say
nothing about Melchizedek, who was so great a high priest that the
Priesthood of the Son of God was named after him have nothing —
to say about the Sabbath day. Is it possible, if it was so important
to worship God on the seventh day, that for 2,500 years he left the
children of men without that Law ?
In Deuteronomy, (the recapitulation of the Law) we learn
more fully why God gave it. See Deut. 5 :2, 3, 12, 15.

2. "The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb."

3. "The Lord made not his covenant with our fathers, but
with us, even us, who of us here alive this day."
are all
12. "Keep the Sabbath day
to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God
hath commanded thee." (See Exo. 28:8-11).
15. "And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of
Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through
a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy
God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day."
Hence, we learn to whom the Law was given, when, and the
reason why.
It was given to the children of Israel, 1,490 B. C., or 2,510
after the creation. They were commanded to keep it because God,
"through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm" had brought
them out of the land of Egypt.
This commandment to observe the Sabbath day was incorpor-
ated in the Law of Moses as was also the Sabbatic year and the
forty-ninth and the fiftieth year Sabbath.
Paul, in speaking of this law, says, (Gal. 3 :24) "Wherefore :

the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ." So when

Christ was come there was no need of the schoolmaster.
Jesus himself said, (Matt. 5:17): "Think not that I am
come to destroy the law, or the prophets ; I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil."
"To fulfil," to complete. God made a covenant with Israel.
Jesus came to fulfil it. The covenant was the law of Moses, in
which was included the several Sabbatic periods aforementioned.
This law or covenant Jesus fulfilled, completed, ended. Not a
part of the law, but the whole law.
Paul declared, (Eph. 2:15) "Having abolished in his flesh
:

the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordi-

nances.." (Also Col. 2:14) "Blotting out the handwriting of
:

ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took
it out of the way, nailing it to the cross."

Thus was ended the law of Moses, the seventh day Sabbath,
the seventh year Sabbath, the forty-ninth year Sabbath, and the
year of Jubilee.
 344 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Therefore, upon the death of Jesus, there was no Sabbath
Law, it was fulfilled, ended, put out of the way, and nailed to

the cross.
This being true, the apostles, recognizing that it was neces-
sary that one day of the week be set apart as a day of rest and for
the worship of God, did the most natural thing possible adopted :

the first day of the week; for, on this day, Jesus Christ, the Savior
of the world, arose from the dead. On this day Jesus broke the
bonds of death and, for the reason that on the first day of the
;

creation the first thing that God did was to separate the light from
the darkness, saying, "Let there be light, and there was light,"
and Jesus was that light which came into the world that all who
believed on him and obeyed should have everlasting life. Or, was
it for another and better reason? Jesus was with the apostles
forty days after his death and resurrection, teaching them all
things. He had said, in his natural life, "The Son of Man is Lord
also of the Sabbath." It is, therefore, not unreasonable to sup-
pose that Jesus himself inaugurated the observance of the first day
to supercede the old Mosaic Sabbath which had been ended, put
out of the way, and nailed to the cross i

PORTLAND, OREGON

A Wise Old Man

"Wouldst thou have back thy youth again?" I asked an aged man.
"Couldst thou not grander ends attain, and better life's whole plan?"
."No, son," he said; "I rest content and calmly wait the end.
One life alone to man is lent, to waste, or wisely spend.

"If,with the knowledge years bestow, we started in the race,

All plans might meet with overthrow and shame us with disgrace.
No combination man can make insures complete success;
The lucky winner takes the prize he won by random guess.

"I would not say chance —

rules below all Nature shows design;
Life is —
not like the dice's throw luck follows laws divine.
Some men are born to grace a throne, some to a leper's doom;
Yet equal light for both has shone their spirits to illume.

"My life has run through light and shade— the end is drawing near;
I long for rest, all undismayed, and ask not back one year.''
— Selected.
The Kindergarten and its Educational Value
BY MRS. IDA DUSENBERRY, OF THE BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

"Beware!" says Emerson, "when the great God lets loose a

thinker on this planet, then all things are at a risk."
A little over a century ago Immanuel Kant, a little old
bachelor by whose punctual walk his neighbors set their watches,
spent many hours during sleepless nights and anxious days troub-
ling over theories with regard to the nature and source of human
knowledge.
Today we live in a world where everything is affected by
Immanuel Kant's influence.
Perhaps his first and greatest disciple was his pupil Fichte,
who, becoming enthusiastic over the spirit of his great teacher, cre-
ated the national school system of Germany, and was a leading fac-
tor in establishing the solidarity of her political government.
Through the influence of Fichte's successors, came a modifi-
cation in the religious domination of Germany, England, and
Rome.
Goethe and Schiller, impressed with its living truth, sings its
rhythm in German literature. We follow it with Carlyle and
Coleridge, in English verse.
Through the music of Beethoven and Wagner it has lifted
souls to greater heights and loftier aspirations, finally entering the
realm of childhood and, using as its instrument the mind of Froe-
bel, is influential in the infant schools of all civilized lands.
The above educational progression is recorded as following
—
the declaration by Immanuel Kant that "Reason is present in the
subconscious activities of intelligence."
In every phase of Frederick Froebel's educational philosophy
we can see the influence of this educational doctrine.
Impressed by the power of its purpose he proclaimed to pro-
moters of child welfare that "Deep meaning oft lies hidden in
childish play."
Froebel studied childhood and motherhood in their inmost
union. He sought for the point of contact between the mani-
fested needs of the one and the instructive efforts of the other.
This he found in the nursery rhymes, and the unrhymed games
which have been nursery favorites for unknown ages.
The Mother Goose melodies give types of characters and
found in higher literature.
situations
Dr. Harris says, "The meager and abstract outline is given
346 IMPROVEMENT ERA
in the nursery tale, and the deep comprehensive grasp of the situa-
tion with all of its motives is found in Shakespeare."
Take for instance something of the life of Solomon Grundy.
How does compare with Shakespeare's "Seven Ages," "The
it

three men of Gotham," the oft repeated story of human disaster

through rash adventure; "Little Boy Blue"— effects of slothful
neglect of duty, a cause for some of the world's greatest disasters ?
"There was a man in our town, and he was wondrous wise. He
jumped into a bramble bush and scratched out both his eyes. And
when he saw his eyes were out, with all his might and main, he
jumped into another bush and scratched them in again."
—
Lesson the record of the deed saves the doer. In our every
day walks in life how often we meet "Jack Horner," reaping the
advantages of deeds not his own, and pluming himself on their
fancied achievements.
And here comes the old woman who couldn't keep quiet on
victuals and drink. Can you read in that life the yearning of a
soul which may not dare to live on bread alone?
Examine the rational content of the old nursery rhymes and
you will not be surprised that they have endured the test of time,
and merit the name of genuine literature.
If mothers understood what comprised true story content, and
would select children's books accordingly, there would not be so
many children with a destroyed and perverted literary sense.
Even simpler than the rhymes which furnish types of char-
acter and situations, are the nursery plays. Games like "Knock
at the door, peep in," "The little pigs that went to market," or
"Pulling baby's nose," and showing it with the thumb between
two fingers, are attempts to call attention to the different parts
of the body and give some idea of their unity.
"Bye, Baby Bunting," "Father's a Nobleman, Mother's a
Queen," interpret to the heart of the child his own love for father
and mother and their love and care for him.
"Pat a Cake," "The Miller of Dee," "Here I Bake and here I
Brew," are crude pictures of the busy world of labor.
"The Church and the Steeple" responds to the wonder of
church bells and the people all hurrying to worship.
Such games as "Hide and Seek" satisfy the craving for rec-
ognition. Miss Susan Blow and others have figured out long
lists of rhymes, games and stories explaining their lasting moral
content in such a clear, simple way that it would be well for every
mother to become familiar with their interpretation.
Considering the above mentioned plays, with many others, we
have before us the reasons from which Froebel drew the material
for his "Mother Play" book.
It was after many years of close observation that Froebel
_

decided mothers should be made conscious of the underlying prin-

 THE KINDERGARTEN •
347

ciples of the life they were unsystematically but instinctively nur-

turing unobserved. He was an interested spectator at many little
love-inspired dramas between mother and child.
Finding the same universal, instinctive tendency, even among
mothers of different nationalities, he knew there was an under-
lying philosophical truth, a knowledge of which would be of great
educational value to the world. As a result of this investigation
and persistent, intelligent study we have his "Mother Play" book.
In it he has attempted to preserve what was good and omit
what was bad in the instinctive plays of motherhood, at the same
time trying to present a series of games wherein each is organ-
ically related to all the others, and by means of dramatic repre-
sentation, poetry and music, to win for the ideals embodied in these
games a controlling power over the imagination.
Froebel said, "The aim of education is a correspondence be-
tween the individual and his spiritual environment, and to fit him
for participation in the universal life."
It was because simple mother wit had tried, however blindly,
to accomplish these purposes that Froebel was able to learn from
mothers how to educate the child. He has aimed to lift their in-
stinctive procedure into the light of clear consciousness that they
in turn may be directed by the use of their reasoning faculties
instead of continuing to blindly follow their inherent tendencies.
He says in his chapter on the weather vane, "What adult deed
is there that children will not at once imitate ? Therefore, be care-
ful, you grown-up people, what you do in the presence of little
ones." Continuing, he claims "the tendency to imitate in children
should be most carefully cultivated. Such culture will lighten by
one-half, the work of education. The mother who utilizes imita-
tion at the proper stage of development will accomplish by a touch,
light as a feather, what later she could hardly do with a hundred
weight of words." "If thy child is to apprehend another's deed,
then he must' repeat that deed."
During the last few years the attention of psychologists has
been directed with increasing interest to the study of the nature
and scope of imitative activity.
Prof. James says, "In young children this instinct often
knows no bounds. For a few months in one of my children's
third year, he literally hardly ever appeared in his own person.
If you called him by his name H you invariably got the reply,
,

"I'm not H I'm a hyena," or "horse car," or whatever the

,

feigned object might be.

It is an odd fact that all of us come by our own developed
personal self-consciousness, through very decidedly imitative
processes.
For the child to be his real self is to him the same as being
no body, but to be a horse, soldier, hero of a favorite story, or
348 IMPROVEMENT ERA
perhaps a fairy, that is to be some body. His interest is centered
on some fascinating object from without, and his one thought is
to make this over .into his own definite comprehension,
through
imitative personification.
One of the most realistic performances I ever witnessed, was
a recent imaginative encounter with Lopez in the Apex mine.
The scene of attack was under a back porch. The participants
were officers who ranged in age from three to six, in cow-boy and
Indian suits fully armed with sticks for swords and guns, they
;

crouched down with all the anticipation of a real and fierce en-
counter.
We must realize that nothing less than the child's person-
ality is at stake in the method and matter of his imitations. "For
the self," says Baldwin, "is but the form or process in which
the influences surrounding the child take on their new individu-
ality." Educators claim it is inevitable that the child make up
his personality, under limitations of heredity, by imitation, out of
the copy set in the actions, temper, and emotions of the persons
who build around him the social inclosure of his childhood. In
other words, the child creates himself by reproducing his environ-
ment within himself.
If believe the statements of Prof. James Baldwin, Dr.
we
Royce, and other great psychologists pertaining to this subject,
our conclusion must be that imitation is the true point of de-
parture, both for educational psychology and from the wise nurture
of childhood.
From this, then, we find the plain duty of parent and teacher
is to protect the child from bad models, and to supply him with
good ones.
We should observe with care what special objects and actions
are most frequently imitated, for in such imitations the child
reveals the native bias of his temperament he indicates the line of
;

his possibilities and suggests the dangers to which he is prone.

They should divert attention from persons or things which
monopolize imagination and threaten to derange the balance of
character.
Froebel says, "Divine energy must be communicated to each
individual by the association of his fellow man also through the ;

realizat on or significance of the world of nature, as these things

:

bring to light the knowledge T

just as that grows into T
the image of God."
Froebel's "Mother's Play" book has long been recognized by
his students, disciples, and admirers, but unfortunately for the
cause of child study, it is written in such a manner that the beauty
of its themes and the underlying life principles it portrays, is to
the majority of readers but mystical illusions and ofttimes, mis-
understood sentimental expressions.
 THE KINDERGARTEN 3+9

Studied from a spirit of Divine love and a comprehensive

understanding of the psycholog cal development of child growth,
:

the "Mother's Play" book for child and mother in this line of work
stands today among the best and most profitable literature.
After being fifteen years a student and teacher of Froebel's
child study book, my students have reached many hundreds, and
from that number the expression has always been "Certainly, it is
one of the truly great, beneficial, and cultural influences of my life."
In justice to the present needs of child life and to the gen-
erations yet to come, there is a crying need, both in our colleges
and church organizations, for more instruction that will make
for efficient motherhood.
The infant is plastic and versatile and, unlike the animal,
is not the prisoner of the past; but he is the prophet of the
future and only in proportion to the intelligence through which
;

we seek and get Divine help, can we hope to lead and guide him
into the light that leads to eternal growth and blessedness.
PROVO, UTAH

Father's Sweetheart
(A Mother's-Day Poem)

My father had a sweetheart in the days of long ago,

A pure and hopeful maiden, her soul with love aglow;
And father wooed and won her because he loved her so,
And she became my mother, my good angel here below.
REFRAIN
I'm in love with father's sweetheart, she's the dearest girl I know;
My guiding angel she will be, no matter where I go;
Though I'm saddened by misfortune, or though life goes like a song,
Iknow that father's sweetheart's prayers, will help to make me strong.
Iknow she'll always love me, no matter what my part;
God help me to be worthy of father's old sweetheart.
II

Why father loved his sweetheart is to me not hard to tell;

No one could help but love her who knew her very well;
She is so kind and patient, so full of hope and joy,
Her love makes me rejoice to be my father's sweetheart's boy.
Ill

My father and his sweetheart now are getting old and gray;
The charms of youthful splendor are fading fast away;
Yet, now their souls are sweeter than e'er they were before,
And father's sweetheart's grayness makes me love her all the more.
A. Ira Cox
 Tree Sap in Winter Time
BY DELBERT W. PARRATT

Thad's big brother is named Vaughn Wisemar. Yesterday

he had occasion to spend a few minutes in Thad's room at school.
Just at the close of the reading recitation the principal of the school
came in and called attention to the barren trees standing outside
near the windows. The trees, against the white snow, appeared
almost black they were leafless and to all indications were totally
;

dead.
"Now, boys and girls," smilingly asked the principal, "where
is the sap of those trees during this time of the year ?"
As quick as a flash, nearly all the pupils were ready with an
answer. What do you think they said ? Everybody gave the
—
same reply that all the sap goes to the roots in the winter and
stays there till spring.
"Are you sure that all the sap of the entire trees is now in
their roots?" responded the principal.
 TREE SAP IN WINTER TIME 351

"Yes, sir," came the reply, unhesitatingly from the whole

class.
No expression whatever of satisfaction or disappointment
could be seen in the principal's countenance, as he said, "Thank
you that will do," and left the room.
;

Mr. Wisemar felt quite sure the teacher of the boys and girls
was delighted with the hearty response on the part of her pupils.
He knew he was well pleased with the way in which Thad and
the other little folks answered.
The incident was apparently forgotten when all the room
delved into fraction-problems for the arithmetic lesson. But the
principal didn't forget it. In a few minutes a shy little girl tip-
toed into the room with a sheet of paper for the teacher.
The arithmetic lesson was soon over, and then the lady in
charge reminded the boys and girls that a number of trees were
then being cut down, near the school building. She asked her
pupils to examine the exposed ends for sap. Could someone bring
a cross-section of one of the trees to school? Two or three volun-
teered to do so. Could somebody else dig up a good-sized root
and bring a pieces of it to school also ? Others agreed to do this.
"I suppose," said the good teacher, "you are wondering what
these are for. Well, Principal Looksum has just sent us some
questions to answer for nature study this week. Here are the
questions

1. What
does tree sap look like?
Whe're does it come from and of what is it made?.
2.
3. Is there more sap in the tree trunk now than there is in the
summer, or is there less, or is there about the same?
4. Then is the sap stored in the trunk in the winter time? Why-
do you think so?
5. If all the sap of the entire tree is in the roots, in the winter,
would they now be inflated with sap? Why? Examine a root to see
if you are right.

6. Does the root have more sap in it now than it has in the sum-
mer, or has it less, or has it about the same?
7. Then where is the sap in the winter time?

These questions seemed to electrify the whole class. The pu-

pils could hardly wait to examine winter trunks and roots, in
search of sap. Some showed doubt about their first "positive
answer" regarding the sap, and wanted to satisfy themselves on
the point.
Vaughn Wisemar began to feel about as they did. On leav-
ing the school he made for one of the cut-down trees. He exam-
ined for sap, and to his surprise found that, the tree contained just
about the same amount now that it did in summer. Like the pu-
pils, he supposed it was in the roots and therefore expected to
find the trunk pretty dry. But not so, there was the sap, and lots
352 IMPROVEMENT ERA
of it, perhaps not quite so much as in the summer time, but not
far from it.

This aroused his curiosity still further, so, upon reaching

home he dug up a tree root about as big around as a broom stick.
With a pocket knife he made a clean cut through it and examined
again for sap. Once more he met with a surprise, for instead of
the root being inflated it had perhaps less than the ordinary
amount in it.
These simple observations readily convinced him that he and
also all the pupils in the school-room were mistaken, for anyone
who would take the trouble to look could easily see that the whole
amount of a tree's sap is not stored in the roots for the winter, but
that most of it remains right in the branches, in the trunk, and in
the roots just as in the summer. Some, however, may have evap-
orated and thus escaped into the air, leaving, very likely, a little
less in branches, trunk, and roots than in the warm, growing sea-
sons.
Regarding the color of Mr. Wisemar soon learned that,
sap,
in the main, it is when some kinds are
colorless, like water, but
exposed to the air they change to different tints and colors. The
sap from a black walnut tree is a glaring example of this.
Tree sap is composed mostly of water with a little mineral
salts, some sugar, and other plant food carried in solution. All
the water of the sap, together with the mineral salts, are taken
from the ground, and get into the tree through the tip ends of the
roots. This may not surprise you, but it did Thad's big brother,
for he had been led to believe that much of the water in a tree
was absorbed through the leaves during rainy weather. Consider-
able of the water parses out from the tree through the leaves, but
it all gets into the tree through the root tips.

Mr. Wisemar learned something by being in school only a

short time, and he is now satisfied the boys and girls of that room
:ire no longer sure that all the sap of the entire tree sinks down
into the roots, where it is stored during the cold winter months
awaiting the warm days of spring to draw it once more up into
the trunk and branches. At any rate, he knows one pupil whose
ideas on the subject have undergone considerable change since
the question was sprung yesterday morning. He became certain
of this when Thad reached home from school this afternoon.
 Some Problems of the War
BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

That men should speculate about the outcome of the pres-

ent war is the most natural thing in the world. Never did a war
entail so much suffering on innocent people. Never were the dire
consequences of a struggle of arms so universally felt as those
which the world is now experiencing through the great Euro-
pean war. When will it end? How will it end? Who will win?
These are pertinent questions that people are asking themselves
or asking one another.
As the war stands, at present, no one can very easily figure
out the advantages of one side over another. This is sometimes
called the war of the trenches. If the armies must burrow one
another out, the process will be very slow. Both sides have
learned that an aggressive movement either way- means a ter-
rible sacrifice of men, and when men are sacrificed to take one
trench, a little way beyond it other trenches are found filled with
men. No one knows just how many men who enter the defensive
under such conditions are required to withstand aggressive at-
tacks. Some say that one man in a trench is good for two out
of it, others say for three. Certain it is that those on the de-
fensive are capable of holding in check an army very much
larger than its own. At present it does not seem possible for the
Germans to make any further advancement toward Paris or to-
ward Calais. They are practically blocked; and since they have
begun to call out "Landsturm," it would seem that they are ap-
proaching the end of their really effective supplies. True, Eng-
land and Russia have greater sources from which to draw than
Germany or Austria, but are these countries ready to sacrifice
from two to three men for one? Can they afford to do it? The
Allies can put more men on the defensive than the Germans, so
that there is no means of calculating a success on the part of
Germany, even if there were no advantage of being on the de-
fensive. The question then resolves itself into this: Can Ger-
many withstand the Allies?
In the first place, Germany is fighting the Allies for the
most part in their own countries, and while it is possible that the
Allies may crowd Germany back within its own empire, the
fiercest struggle would be yet to come. The Germans in Germany
can put up a more effective -defense than they can in France or
Russia. Take, for example, the western frontier of Germany.
The whole country consists of rolling hills. It is covered by im-
354 IMPROVEMENT ERA
niense forests which are penetrated and crossed by roads that
the Germans have built, not only for securing timbers and for
public convenience and railroads, but in them they have certain
military purposes. Undoubtedly these roads are either mined or
in a position to be mined immediately. Over them the armies
of the Allies could not very' well go. They must make their
•

way through the forests. A German soldier behind a tree,

knowing all the ground minutely, should be good for three or
four allied soldiers who have to make their way through the
forests. Rushing the enemies' line under such circumstances
is well nigh impossible. We may then say, in conclusion on the
subject, that even should the Allies push the Germans back
into their own country, their greatest problem is yet to be
solved. On the east, the German line of defense is not so favor-
able to the empire. In the first place, it is a long line. In the
second place, the Germans have depended on the rivers and in ;

the third place, the Germans have not calculated on Russia in

anything more than a near defensive war. Of course, Germany
would go to the outskirts of Poland, on the east, if she could. To
penetrate Russia is not, and never has been, the design of Ger-
man tacticians. On the other hand, it may be assumed reason-
ably that it will cost Russia two lives for every German soldier
killed, in an effort of Russia to penetrate the heart of Germany.
It must still further be remembered that Germany has a com-
plete net work of so-called strategic railways on her eastern
frontier, and that by means of these railways Germany can
mass large armies in a marvelously short time. The strategy of
German railroads makes one German soldier practically nearly
the equal of two Russian soldiers.
The numbers in the present struggle are too evenly divided to
bring the end of the struggle within perceptible reach. If Russia
could force the Germans back a hundred miles within East Prus-
sia, the possibility of strangling the German empire for want of
supplies would be within sight. As Germany stands today, with
Belgium at her command, and in her possession, and all of East
Prussia including a part of Russian Poland, she is in a position
to support for a number of years her large population, even with
her commerce in the world shut off. With the empire, it is no
longer a question of commercial development ; it is merely a

process of existence. If Austria could be finally overthrown, and

the Allies' armies permitted to enter Germany from the south-
east, the problem would be much simpler. The easiest road to
Berlin is probably by way of Cracow. As the matter stands to-
day, Austria would be in the rear and the Carpathian mountains
a splendid support to an Austrian army.
If other nations are not drawn into the war, it looks as if
the game must be a draw. While one party may feel exhausted
 SOME PROBLEMS OF THE WAR 355

before the other, there is a great difference between exhaustion

and surrender. Then there may be revolutions to overthrow
certain existing monarchies, and the people themselves may de-
mand a cessation of the awful slaughter of human life.
In the solution of the great European problem, there is an
—
important factor required that is the entrance of other nations
into the war. It is conceivable that Rumania might be suf-
ficient to make the results decisive, though they would not be
very prompt, with Rumania counted in. If to the support of
the Allies there were not only added Rumania, but Italy, it is easy
to figure out the end of the war and the manner of its termina-
tion.

The Campaign For Funds

At a recent meeting of the General Board, Y. M.
M. I.,two changes were made in the method of collecting
the General Fund.
First. is to be based on the active roll
The Fund
and not on the permanent roll, as heretofore.
Second. A roll of honor will be established with the
ward as a unit, as well as the stake;— 100% meanig 25c
from each member on the active roll. Also a roll of honor
will be established for active membership, based on
12
per cent of the Church population.
Based on the active roll of last year, stake and ward
officers will know the proportion due from
each ward.
Your active enrollment has no doubt increased, but on
receipt of 25c from each active member, on
record, last
the wards
year it will be a delight to list your stake and
roll of honor for
entitled to such recognition on the
In making remittances, report the amount to
be
1915.
credited to each ward.
your stake
Let us place all of your wards as well as
on this
roll. Mutual Improvement work is growing.. Let
us rally at once to this call. , We
must have the Sinews
" or our plans will be seriously handicapped.
of War
In nearly all cases, it is just a
matter of getting at
it and finishing it.
Forward your remittances at once to
the general office. Every dollar contributed will come
greater and more ef-
back in "dividends" by giving you
ficient service. .

With every good wish, 1 am,

Your brother,
Heber J. Grant,
Y. M. M. A.
Assistant General Superintendent,
I.
 Time's holy gift
Again, New Year!
The bells of ages
Ring for cheer.

—
The Old Year didsl thou see him go
With king-like tread, with crown of snow?
Still true of heart,
He called farewell
His voice was lost

By that great bell

Whose echo from the sky was hurled,
To thrill the great, expectant world.

O Father — God — hear thou the prayer

•
Of hearts that break — great earth-wide wail;
Let not thy benediction fail
For those bowed low in dire despair;
For those who this dread day must live
To die, or life for sacrifice to give;
To die, lest honor shall be stained
To die that faith shall be maintained
To give the lives whose sacred worth
Is not elsewhere in all the earth!
Provo, 1914. ARETTA YOUNG.
 Editors' Table

Walk in the Light

"He that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

Hence, when we know what

is right, when we are in the
midst of the light, a duty to walk in that light as the Savior
it is
did, that we may have fellowship with each other and fellowship
with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that his blood may
cleanse us from all sin. Prayer, as we have learned, is a duty
imposed upon all. It is more than a duty; it is a pleasurable
way to God, through his Son Jesus Christ. The hearts of all
should be softened to pray to God. Prayer is a requirement of the
great gospel of life and salvation. Spiritual salvation? Not only
spiritual but temporal. There is joy and satisfaction to the con-
trite heart and the humble soul who invokes the blessings of the
living God. It is a joy which surpasses the comforts and joys
of temporal things. It creates a something in one's soul that lifts
up, makes better, comforts and softens the heart. It gives con-
viction of the truth, and creates in men a desire to walk in the
light and in the truth t and to shun the very appearance of sin.
These are some of the spiritual blessings that come through prayer.
Temporal blessings will not produce these feelings. Men, on the
contrary, are sometimes so absorbed in the temporal blessings of
life that they forget the Giver of these spiritual gifts.

Let us bear in mind

that the earth is the Lord's and the fulness
thereof. There nothing in and of the earth which he has not
is

created, nothing that he has not made and ordained, nothing that
is not his by right divine. We are permitted to use the materials
of the earth, which he has given us, freely for this purpose, but
we are to be wise in the use of them and not covetous. are We
not to grasp at more than will be for our good, thus hindering
others from receiving their share of the benefits of God's provi-
dence and love. The Lord gives us all that we need in this life,
and confers these blessings upon us that we may share them with
the good and with those who are not good, with the just and with
the unjust. He allows his sun to shine upon the good and upon
the evil, and sends his rains upon the just and the unjust. He
rewards the labor of men according to their industry and persever-
ance, and fidelity in their labor. The Lord bestows upon us great
temporal blessings, comfortable homes, food, raiment, lands, cattle,
sheep, horses, carriages, automobiles, railroads and steamships,
358 IMPROVEMENT ERA
and all those great facilities for comfort and travel that have been
developed in the day in which we live. He has given us the tele-
graph and the telephone, wireless communication through the
ether with which God has filled his immensity of what is called
space. The Lord has permitted us to share and enjoy all these
privileges and blessings. He has given to some more abundantly
of these temporal blessings than to others. Some in fact have
received so much by their industry, and by their covetousness,
perhaps, and by their determination to gather to themselves the
temporalities of life, that they have forgotten God altogether and
are like the rich man of whom we read in the Good Book who said
"What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my
fruits ? And he said, This will I do I will pull down my barns,
:

and build greater and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
:

goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.
;

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be
required of thee then whose shall those things be, which thou
:

hast provided?"
When men become wicked, corrupt, overbearing and oppres-
sive, the Lord suffers them to go to war with each other and to
destroy each other until they shall fill the cup of their iniquity,
or until they shall be required to pay the uttermost penalties of
their crimes. They shall come before the just Judge and be re-
warded for their works every man, whether he be good or evil,
;

king or emperor, president or statesman, or ruler. Whoever he

may be, he is but the child of God, and 'will pass to the great
judgment in the end, to receive the punishment or the reward that
he merits. This is God's justice, judgment and righteousness.
I love his gospel because he is just and will judge all men accord-
ing to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
Prayer opens the way between man and God so that man may
keep in harmony with the Spirit of God and do all things in con-
formity with its promptings, and so walk in the light which leads
from sin to the righteousness of life everlasting.
Joseph F. Smith.

The Man Behind the Czar

How the late edict of the Czar of Russia crushed the vodka
evil with one blow was told in the December number of the Era.
Now comes a correspondent of the Era, who writes from London,
giving some light on the man behind the Czar, and how he really
did the work. Our correspondent, Christian Richardson, calls
attention to the fact that "much has been said of the Czar's his-
toric deed— making the empire sober with a stroke of his pen,"
Then he continues
 EDITORS' TABLE 359

"Less is known, naturally, of the man behind the Czar.

Mikail Demitrovich Chelinshev was born fifty years ago in a
little village in the Volga district where there was neither hos-
pital nor school. What education he got as a boy he picked up
from stray papers and books. Something of his natural mental
calibre may be judged from the fact that in a few years the poor
peasant boy had developed into a great railway contractor and
wealthy land owner.
"One day he chanced on a book that spoke of vodka, the
national beverage, as a poison. He took it to the first doctor
he knew and the doctor assured him it was true. From that day
he worked to learn all about the effects of vodka on the human
system. That was seven years ago. Later he was elected Mayor
of Samara, the leading port on the Volga, and decided that holding
such an office he could do more than merely passively disapprove,
and not long afterwards he was actually elected to the Duma on a
prohibition platform.
first work in the Duma was a bill to give local option
"His
to every town and village, and another to compel the labelling of
every bottle of vodka with the word 'poison.'
"The bill passed the Duma but was amended out of recogni-
tion in the Imperial Council and then tabled. Nothing daunted
M. Chelinshev sought an audience with the Czar.
"His Majesty listened patiently, and promised
at once to
speak to the Minister of Finance on the subject. The Minister, M.
Kokovsoff, represented to His Majesty that to deprive the govern-
ment of 1,000,000,000 roubles, $500,000,000 a year, the taxes from
vodka, was a dangerous innovation when there was no way of
replacing it.

"The emperorvisited the country about Moscow, saw for

himself the wreck wrought by the stuff that his finance minister
said could not be done without, dismissed M. Kokovsoff and ap-
pointed M. Bark in his place.
"Then unexpectedly to any one, the war was sprung. The
Grand Duke at the head of the army, remembered the scenes at
the mobilization of 1904, and ordered all vodka shops closed for a
—
month prohibiting all alcoholic drinks, except in clubs and first-
class restaurants.
"The results of this first month of prohibition were amazing.
In spite of the general depression, the paralysis of business, the
closing of factories, and the general disruption of railways, the
people felt no privation. Savings banks deposits showed an in-
crease over the previous month, and over the corresponding
month
of 1913. More than that, there was a boom in the sale of cloth-

ing, dry goods, house furnishings, groceries and

meats. The
heretofore flung into the tills of the
30,000.000 roubles a day
vodka shops were circulating in practically every other business.
360 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"Then, too, the working week increased from three or four
days to six. No time was required for sobering up. Also the
workmen were more efficient, twice as good as when daily under
vodka. And, perhaps best of all, the women began to rejoice. It is
not the women who drink in Russia, it is chiefly the men. And
with the men earning double the usual amount, bringing it all
home, and being always pleasant instead of stupid or quarrelsome
the women began to say it was like being in heaven.
"This occasion M. Chelinshev seized for a press campaign.
Also, he organized delegations to present petitions to the proper
authorities urging that the month's prohibition be prolonged dur-
ing the war.
"This His Majesty agreed to, and issued the necessary order.
Further work on the part of M. Chelinshev secured the removing
of the licenses from clubs and privileged restaurants, and the
second month saw prohibition of vodka complete throughout the
empire.
"Filled with gratitude to the Emperor, a temperance deputation
then called upon His Majesty to thank him for the reform, and
the deputation got the further assurance from His Majesty that
never again would the government engage in the vodka business.
And that promise he at once made public in a telegram to the
Grand Duke Constantine.
"And what of the revenue? Is Russia going to be able to pay
her national bills without the $500,000,000 revenue from vodka?
It seems so and without any drastic. new taxation either.
; Already
a bill has been introduced to supply the deficiency, not even by
an increase in present taxes but, through arrangements by which
the government domains and possessions may be rendered more
productive."

Messages from the Missions

Elder Wm. W. Seare, Bradford, England, November 20: "A few
words respecting the parents' class work in this part of the world.
One of the surest and greatest aids we enjoy in the promulgation of
the gospel is the addition of a fully organized parents' class in the
Bradford branch of the Leeds Conference. It was organized October,
1913, through the efforts of Elders Melvin J. Benson, Irvin S. Noall,
Charles L. Porter, and Wm. W. Seare. Having been associated di-
rectly with the class, I can truthfully testify that after a year's trial
all the members recognize it is a God-send to them. The subjects
presented are in harmony with the outlines found in the 'Juvenile In-
structor.' Our efforts have been centered upon the overthrow of the
monster mock-modesty, by implanting plain truths of great value in
its place. The labor has been tedious, and much opposition has con-
fronted our efforts, but today we rejoice in saying that truth has
prevailed. Many mothers are rejoicing because of the enlightenment
they have received through their parents' class, and fathers are proud
to know they have discovered a way to be boys with their boys. Be-
tween 150 and 200 children in this part of the vineyard are receiving
truths concerning themselves, due to the recognition of the counsels
of God by true fathers and mothers who have delighted in parents' class
work and teachings. The class in Bardford is the first to be established
in the British Isles. The average attendance is about seventy. We
meet for our lesson work every Sunday afternoon at the present time.
Elders W. W. Seare and Alfred E. Higgins are the class teachers. We
look upon the parents' class of the Bradford branch as being second
to none, as every enrolled member is actively engaged in dealing a
death-blow to the prevailing ignorance of sexual problems. We extend
our best wishes and desires for the success of those connected with this
great God-ordained movement. In tracting, we find much success in
introducing the work and purposes of the parents' class to the people."
Elders left to right: Benson, Noall, Porter, Higgins and Seare.

Elder F. J. Foulger, Auck-

land, New Zealand, November
11: "The picture represents the
staff of the 'Messenger' of the
New Zealand Mission of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Lat-
ter-day Saints: Standing, D. G.
Seegmiller, Orderville; F. J.
Foulger, editor of the 'Messen-
ger,' Ogden; sitting: R. J.
Kingston, Ogden; G. A. Chad-
wick, editor of 'Te Karere,'
Park Valley, Utah. We are all
enjoying our labors and feel that
the Lord is blessing our efforts,
because our work is advancing.
With best wishes for the success
of the Improvement Era, we re-
main, your brethren in the work
of the Lord."

Otis E. Rogers, Natchez,

Mississippi: "The Missionary
work in this district is progress-
ing favorably and the elders are
enthusiastic in their work feeling that the hand of the Lord is with
them in what they are doing. They are called to be messengers of
truth to the people whose hearts the Spirit of the Lord has softened
so that in our work there is a marked advancement over last year.
Elders of the Mississippi Conference, from left to right, standing:
Wm H. Jones, Eureka, Irvin L. Whatcott, Kanosh, Joseph Enckson,
 ELDERS AT NATCHES, MISS.

Springville, Utah; John R. Brown, Preston, Idaho; Henry M. Jones,

Enoch, Calvin Memmott, Scipio, Utah; Chas. E. Campbell, Ozone.
Idaho, fitting: Richard Tullis, Pinto, Wilford B. Haws, Provo, H.
L. Buttars, Clarkston, Utah; Conference Pres. Otis E. Rogers, Jr.,
Mesa, Arizona; Carlos S. Higgins, Dempsy, James L. Walker, Iona,
Idaho; David R. LeBaron, Santaquin, Utah; Wallace Ellsworth, Show
Low, Arizona; Front Row: C. E. Chatelain, Ogden, Albertus Dalton,
Moab, R. S. Hughes, Spanish Fork, Utah."

Elder Stephen R. Paskett, Nottingham, England, December 8,

1914: "During the spring and summer of this year we received con-
siderable attention by ministers of the different sects who slandered
us to a great extent. Meetings were held by them in which the people
were warned against 'Mormonism.' They told the people that our
gospel tracts were Biblical, but that our real motive in this country
was to. entice young women to Utah. Pictures were printed of the
vilest type and unreasonable
and revolting stories were told
about us. A committee was or-
ganized to expel us from the
town but we have continued to
labor without hearing from
them, because our cause is just
and true and our labors are for
the good of the people. The
more persecution we receiver! in
that way the greater success \\ ;

had in our tracting. People who

had heard little or nothing of us
were anxious to learn what we taught that had caused so much
excitement, and when they read our tracts and pamphlets, and heard
the principles of the gospel explained in their true light they received
our message and recognized it as the gospel which Christ taught.
 EDITORS' TABLE 363

The people in this way became interested and their prejudices have
died away to some extent. We have made friends with several of the
leading citizens of the town and can say that it is a pleasure to know
that while so many of the men of the world are being called to fight
to defend their kings and countries, we continue the soldiers of
Christ fighting for the cause of truth and the downfall of evil. We
are protected by truth and righteousness, the armor of the Lord, and
we have peace and faith in our King Jesus Christ. Our branch is
prospering. Elders, Saints and friends are united in trying to make
the work a success, which is very encouraging to us. Aaron T. Pin-
gree, Ogden; Stephen H. Paskett, GrouseCreek, Utah."

Elder W. N. Leavitt, Auckland, Xew Zealand: "These elders are

laboring in the south islands of New Zealand, and the photo was taken
at Christchurch, Canterbury, recently. The address of the elders'
headquarters has been changed from Christchurch to Box 72, Auck-
land, New Zealand. Elders Bellows and Jackson have been visiting with
us for a few days and we enjoyed their stay very much. They have been
laboring in a district chiefly composed of English-speaking Maoris,
while our labors have been among the Europeans exclusively. The
elders in Canterbury have not succeeded in increasing the numbers
in the Church in the past year, but have secured a number of friends
who, previous to our visit to them, were not informed about the Lat-
ter-day Saints except through misrepresentations. We
wish the Era
every success possible, and read it with great interest. Elders left to
right: J. A. Bellows, Spanish Fork; Francis Henrie,
Panguitch; sit-
ting: Ren Jackson, Logan, Utah; Wm. N. Leavitt, Bunkerville, Ne-
vada, president of the Canterbury Conference; W. N. Adams, Bunk-
erville, Nevada."

Elder Russell Titensor, Hobart, Tasmania, writes: "Although lack

of rain, and the war, have caused some hindrance to the work of the
Lord in this district, the elders are still working with great interest for
the advancement of the truth. On October 18 last, we held our annual
conference in Victoria hall. President Don C. Rushton and wife were
in attendance. We held two meetings and received much encourage-
ment and many good instructions from President Rushton. Both Saints
and friends enjoy the Era greatly. It is a big help in our missionary
work in preaching the gospel which is to be preached among all na-
tions. We pray that the Lord will open the way for the elders through-
364 IMPROVEMENT ERA
out the world, so that the truth may be established. Elders left to
right, standing: Carl L. Johnson, Frankburg, Alta, Canada; Frank
lin E. Weaver, Bennington, Idaho; Russell Titensor, Bedford, Wyo-

ming, who was sustained as conference president in October; Charles

R. Turner, Hobart, Tasmania; sitting: Thomas A. Longey, Tooele;
Don C. Rushton, Mission President, Salt Lake City; Sister Rushton, his
wife; Edward F. Clark, acting confe rence president, Farmington,
Utah."
Elders and lady
missionaries of the East
Pennsylvania confer-
ence. Top row, left to
right: B. Frank Bert-
cher, Salt Lake City,
Utah; Walter E. Dye,
conference president,
Firth, Idaho; Leonard
Madsen, Provo, Utah;
second row: Quimby
Roundy, Alton; Walter
P. Monson, mission
president, Ogden; Eu-
gene Hilton, retired
conference president,
Hinckley; Percival P.
Bigelow, Provo; first
circle, Leslie Tidwell,
Smithfield, Utah; Ruth
M. Savage, Woodruff,
Arizona; Viola C.
Peterson, Samaria, Ida-
ho; lower circle: Hy-
rum W. Stevens. Mt.
Carmel; Edmund Sper-
ry, Salt Lake City;
Samuel Hadley Jr., Og-
den, Utah; Grover N.'
Arrington, Twin Falls;
Lorenzo H. Hatch,
Franklin Idaho.
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Lesson Outlines for the Deacons

In the January Era, the plan for conducting the lessons empha-
sized thinking on the part of the boy. In the present issue, the
emphasis is placed on coupling the truths learned with practice, in
other words, forming habits in connection with the ideas acquired. The
physical basis for habit is the plasticity of the nervous system. Be-
cause of that property of the nerves, when an act, in accordance with
an idea, is performed, the part of the body concerned adapts itself to
the act. Then there is a tendency to perform the act again and again.
For example, a boy by repetition of acts acquires a liking for whole-
some food and drink, or for unwholesome food and drink, as the case
may be. There is a desire in either case which influences conduct and
which urges the boy to seek the company where either the wholesome
or the unwholesome foods can be secured. That is also true in matters
spiritual.
The deacons are just beginning to form habits that pertain to the
Holy Priesthood. In natural disposition of mind they are most
adaptable to habits in harmony with the priesthood, in the deacon period
of their lives. No service of more importance can be rendered to the
Church than to help the deacons to acquire gospel ideas and work them
out into habits.
To this end we recommend that each instructor give such time
as is needed during the week to keep in touch with boys who are
careless in respect to the callings of their office; and, at the recitation
period, make inquiry as to whether they are performing their allotted
ward service. In adidtion to the truths learned from the lessons, sec-
tion 4 contains other goals to strive for. Verses 41-46 of section 121
tell how to do it.
Lesson 5
(TextThe Latter-day Prophet, Chapter 5)
Problem: We have learned how Joseph the Prophet discovered
the ancient records, now we are to learn what the Angel Moroni re-
quired of him in return for the possession of the sacred treasure.
Study the chapter. As each paragraph is read or reported on, ask
questions that will bring out the bearing of the paragraph on the
problem of the lesson. These outlines are suggestive only on one
problem, which may occupy the whole recitation period. .

Get the answer to the problem of the lesson. Show that the
principle involved is a common, fundamental principle.
For example,
the state pays nearly $39 in each of your school years for
your edu-
cation What does it expect of you in return? Name some things
in return?
your parents have done for you. What do they expect
of Mor-
You have the privilege to possess the contents of the Book
mon; what will be expected of you in return? Also you have
the
Lord expect
Aaronic Priesthood conferred upon you; what will the
of you in return? How does these instances agree with the Saviors
statement, "where much is given much is required ?
Lesson 6
(Chapter VI)
Problem. Through what means and by whom
was Joseph Smith
English.
taught to translate the ancient record into
Study the chapter. (See lessson five).
366 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Find the answer to the problem of the lesson. Contrast the way
in which the Prophet was taught to translate ancient languages into
English, with the way of learned men. Which do you think is the
more reliable? Give instances where the Lord's power has translated
unknown spoken languages.
Lesson 7

(Chapter VII)

Problem: What did Joseph Smith do in connection with thfi

translation of the Book of Mormon, by which he learned that to
displease the Lord brings sorrow? How
did he gain forgiveness?
Study the chapter. (See lesson five). Read chapter 25, History
of the Prophet Joseph, by Lucy Smith.
Answer the problem of the lesson.
Name some acts of the boys of your ward that you think are dis-
pleasing before the Lord. Compare them in principle with what the
Prophet did in this instance. What blessings do the boys have which
they may be deprived of, if they do not repent? What does the Lord
expect of us when we displease him?

Lesson 8
(Chapter VIII)

Problem: In a former lesson we have seen how the Prophet

Joseph obtained a knowledge of the existence of God our Eternal
Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Relate the event. This gives us
evidence for our faith in them. Now let us inquire as to how he came
to introduce into the gospel the principles of repentence and baptism
by immersion for the remission of sins.
Study the chapter. (See lesson five).
Answer the problem of the lesson.
What other denominations believe these principles? Who in-
structed Joseph and Oliver, and gave them authority to baptize? What
important baptism did he (John the Baptist) perform when he lived
on the earth? How
would he know, then, which was the right way
and what baptism was for?
—
Courses of Study for Priesthood Quorums 1915 Priests "What—
the Priest Should Know and Do." A book of eighty-four pages, writ-
ten especially for the classes of 1915. Price 15c, postpaid. This out-
line and also "Rational Theology," by Dr. John A. Widtsoe, for the
High Priests, Seventies and Elders, will be sent direct without order.
Teachers —
"The Life of Christ," the same as for 1914. It is rec-
ommended that the gospel be studied directly from the New Testament,
as supplemental exercises. Price 15c.
Deacons —"TheLatter-day Prophet," by Geo. Q. Cannon, a book
of 192 pages, boundin cloth. This book was used some three years
ago with great success and many of the volumes may be found in the
homes of the Saints. Price, 40c, in cloth. There are none of these
books in paper binding.
High Priests, Seventies and Elders. "Rational Theology," by Dr.
John A. Widtsoe, a book of about 200 pages, in which the doctrines
and aims of the gospel and the Church of Christ, are set forth in a text
new, attractive and scientific. Price, paper 25 cents.
All these courses will be distributed through the office of the Im-
provement Era, address 20-22 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.
 Mutual Work
Stake Work
Originality in Public Speaking

Young people should learn early the need of stating information

which they may have obtained, in words of their own. Using without
credit other people's language and expression, besides being ethically
wrong and despicable, hinders the progress of the individual and re-
tards his growth in public speaking. Our present excellent activities in
contest work, in the Mutual Improvement Associations, carry with thcjm
possibilities of great harm to the contestants, if they are indiffernt about
thinking for themselves, and expressing their thoughts in their own
words. The individual contestants should carefully watch themselves
in this matter, so that plagiarism may be strictly avoided. Wherever
it is necessary to use other people's words, or tell other pepple's
stories, distinct, credit^ should be given to them by the speakers'.
The public speaking contests which are now carried on in our
Mutual Improvement Associations are intended to be original on the
part of the person whospeaks, as far as the construction of the speech
is* concerned, and also as far as possible in the development of the
argument or story. It is permissible, and really advisable, that the
contestants shall be coached, and that they shall receive as much train-
ing for the contest as they can get. If they so prefer, they may pat-
tern after model orators, and even adopt the style of some favorite
orator. It is also legitimate to secure all the criticism from friends
and teachers, that they can get, but it is entirely wrong for them to
copy other people's words and adopt them as their own, or quote from
other writers without giving such writers due credit. Of course, it is
not expected that our contestants shall be original in the sense that
they are to create everything new, but it is emphatically impressed
upon them that they shall avoid the direct use of other writers' or
speakers' words and ideas, without acknowledging the sources. In
public speaking, particularly among the young, the speakers, it has been
noticed, frequently commit to memory paragraphs and pages of other
writer's productions and repeat them without proper credit being given
to the source. This must be avoided. In order to experience the very
best results from our contest work, officers should impress upon the
contestants early in the contest the need of getting all the information
and help they can to help develop and present their theme but aftre this
;

help and information is received, they themselves must do the think-

ing, the construction, and the development of the theme, then deliver
it in their own words in a simple, straightforward manner. Wherever
they have occasion to quote, proper credit must be given to the source
of the information.

A New Year Greeting

The Improvement Era has received the Granite Wireless, number

one, volume, 2, 1915, afour-page publication issued by the
little
Mutual Improvement Associations of the Granite Stake of Zion. It
is full of encouragement to the members of our organizations
and of
368 IMPROVEMENT ERA
important items pertaining to their work and activities. Among its
leading articles is a greeting from the Granite stake presidency to
the members of the Mutual Improvement Associations which is ap-
propriate and applicable to all stakes, and we therefore take pleasure
in quoting it in full. Supt. C. H. Nordberg and his associates are
busily engaged in M. I. A. activities and express themselves pleased
with the privilege of devoting their time and energy to the cause, and
in "teaching the unthinking boy to think." And President May
Greene and her associates are likewise devoted to the girls:

GREETINGS

"May the year 1915 bring to you an increase in the joy of living
the sure recompense of loving service. In heaven the joy of living
is complete because service is perfect. And we bring heaven to earth
in proportion as we unselfishly work with love unalloyed for the real
good and happiness of our fellows. Hence heaven is found not in
the play-house, the skating rink, or in the dance hall, but in a visit
to the bedside of the sick, in the bread fed to the worthy poor, in the
clothing given to the naked, in the cheering word spoken to the down-
cast, in the uplift extended to the fallen, in the love shown to the
lonely, —
in every act springing from a pure motive to be helpful
without thought of reward.
"May the continuous aim of all Mutual workers be to establish
—
heaven on earth. And this result can be achieved the Millennium
—
established in Zion only when Satan shall be bound, i. e., when the
tempter shall have no power over the children of men because of the
purity and sinlessness of their lives. Such a condition is no Utopian
dream. The 'sure work of prophecy' makes it a future certainty.
Christ, our elder brother, lived the perfect life. With increased dili-
gence let us try to be like him. And when we are so our 'joy will be
full.'
"Frank Y. Taylor,
"John M. Cannon,
"Jos. F. Merrill,
"Stake Presidency."

Vocations and Industries

The Fourth Annual Convention of the National Vocation Guidance

Association

BY B. H. ROBERTS

The above convention was held in the John Marshall High

School Building, Richmond, Virginia, on the 7th, 8th and 9th Decem-
ber, 1914. In the number in attendance, the convention was disap-
pointing; but all parts of the United States were represented, from the
Pacific to the Atlantic coast, and from north to south; but the member
from Utah was the only representative from the Inter-Mountain states.
The program for the three days sessions was crowded. The general
topic of the first day's meeting was "Practical Phases of Vocational
Guidance." The papers that seemed to attract most attention under
this heading was one by Miss Margaret Brown of Henry street set-
tlement, New York City; and "Vocational Guidance: A Function
of the state University." by Prof. J. D. Elliff, of the University of
 MUTUAL WORK 369

Missouri, Columbia. The second day the general topic was: (a)
"Vocational Guidance in the Public School System;" and (b) "Voca-
tional Guidance and Social Welfare; on the third day the questions
considered were under the general caption, "Vocational Guidance
Problems and Issues." At this meeting the member from Utah was
given the opportunity to report the works of Vocational Guidance
undertaken by the Y. M. M. I. A. The report was listened to with
marked attention, and the treatment of the problems of guidance,
especially the employment of men for vocational counselors of some
experience in life, with some knowledge of the stress of the struggle
for existence,and especially the employment of the services of fathers
who had been successful in guiding their own sons and daughters into
—
vocations where they were achieving success was received with ap-
plause; as was also the emphasizing of the need of coupling with a
vocation some avocation, that would tend to enrich the life, and enlarge
the usefulness of individuals following even the humblest vocations.
All the papers and the trend of all the discussions at this con-
vention were on the supposition that vocational guidance would become
a function of the public school system; of the higher grades say the —
—
seventh and eighth of the grade schools; of the high schools, and the
state universities. And doubtless this will be the case; the schools
furnishing the best machinery for performing the work, and can
easiest supply the trained vocational counselors, so necessary to the
complete success of vocational guidance. But it willbe some time be-
fore this work can be introduced into the public school system, and the
expert counselors trained for the practical work required. Meantime,
the needs of the youth of today, who will be the men and women of
tomorrow, are upon us now, and are pressing for attention. These
needs must be met. I conclude, therefore, that there is urgent need of
going on with this work in our Y. M. M. I. Associations without any
hesitation or fear in regard to our undertaking work that will ultimately
gravitate to the public schools. We
should aim to cultivate public
opinion that will demand that vocational guidance become part of the
public school curriculum. Let our work be in aid of such a consum-
mation so devoutly to be wished, a work in which there shall be co-
operation with, and supplemental aid to such work in the public
schools, rather than competition and rivalry. It is also probable that
for some years to come there will be quite a large element of the
youth in our community who will not be reached by this work through
the public schools, and among these we shall find a legitimate field
for the work of our associations in Vocational Guidance for some time
to come at least; and always we can give, vocational guidance, by
whomsoever undertaken, sympathetic and, I hope, intelligent, practical
support.

Vocation Lectures

The General Board, through the Vocations and Industries Com-

mittee, has arranged for a series of lectures on vocations to be
given
in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City. The Committee co-operated
neer
with the superintendents of the Ensign, Liberty, Salt Lake, Pi° >

Granite and Cottonwood stakes, and have obtained some of the lead-
lectures on
ing citizens of the community to present the following
the dates named:
January 9— "The Trades as Vocations," Nephi L. Morris.
January 17— "Agriculture," Dr. Liberty H. Bailey
January 23— "Business,"— "Buying," Bishop Chas. W. Nibley.
"Selling," John D. Spencer.
370 IMPROVEMENT ERA
January 30 — "Business,"— "Merchandizing and Banking," W. W.
Riter.

February 13 —"Manufacturing," T. R. Cutler.

"Engineering," Sylvester Q. Cannon.
"Mining," Dr. F. Merrill.
27 — "Architecture," Lewis T. Cannon.
J.
February
"Art," Elbert Eastmond.

March 14
— "Medicine,"
"Music," Anthon
Dr. A.
C.
Ridges.
J
Lund.

"Law," Stephen L. Richards.

—
March 27 "Teaching," Dr. George H. Brimhall.
"Journalism and Authorship," B. H. Roberts.
The lectures are free to all.

Class Study

To Class Leaders
BY DR. GEORGE H. BRIMHALL

You may estimate the value of any lesson by:

First, the percent of enrolled members present.
Second, by the percent of those present who are attentive, or open
to impressions.
Third, by the percent of those present who are in action, express-
ing themselves during the recitation, and especially by the percent of
backward members brought into action during the recitation.
Fourth, by the attitude of the class at the close of the recitation,
conquest or defeat, weariness, or workativeness, satiation or ap-
petency.

SUGGESTIVE STEPS IN CONDUCTING A RECITATION

First, review the previous lessons, or some phase of the previous

lessons, or some phase of the previous work by test questions, stim-
ulating or suggestive inquiries.
Second, test the preparation of the lesson at hand by calling for a
statement of what the subject of the present is and also a statement of
the chief problem assigned. Now, take the attitude of one who is
present to remove obstacles, and lead the members to present their
difficulties to you. When a difficulty is presented by a member, give
the class a chance to help them out, you remaining in the back-
ground as a court of last resort. Let the boys tussle with their diffi-
culties among themselves, using you as reference.
Third, when the discussion of difficulties has proceeded to the
limit of either time or profit, you come to the foreground with a talk
on the new lesson in the light of the discussion among the members,
adding to what they have brought out, from the text and enriching the
text by supplemented ideas.
Fourth, step into the background again and judiciously provoke
a discussion of the lesson in the light of your contribution to the
lesson.
Fifth, have a co-operation summary of the essentials of the les-
son, discovering what conclusions have been reached by the class.
Sixth, assign the next lesson definitely, by stating what matter
 MUTUAL WORK 371

should be read, and also by naming at least one problem to be solved

by. the whole class in preparation. Other problems may be assigned to
individuals but the main problem should be worked at by every mem-
ber in his preparation.
You must study the lesson, picking out the problems and plan-
ning for their presentation and solution, equiping yourself with apt
illustrations with which to illuminate your explanations. You must
not forget that a lesson that is not problematic will be lacking in the
—
elements of contest and conquest the two great spurs of youth.
Remember that all teaching is not preaching. The latter is
admirably suited to congregations, and the former is especially adapted
to class work. See that your members have a chance to do one-half of
the asking and telling. See that the backward boy is led to say some-
thing.
— "Good meeting; I spoke."

Athletic and Scout Work

Important Information for Scout Leaders
BY DR. JOHN H. TAYLOR

In December the committee on Athletic and Scout Work gave in-

structions as to the method of handling the annual scout fee. This
month we call your attention to the method of sending in new names
of boys and the amounts due, etc. These blanks can be obtained at the
Era office.
FEES
In remitting dues for new boys during the year, you may pay "pro-
portionate" dues for the unexpired period of the year for which your
troop is registered, as follows: 25 cents for 9 months or more, 20
cents for 6 to 9 months, 15 cents for 3 to 6 months, and 10 cents for
3 months or any part thereof. Thus, if your commission expires August
31, 1915, a boy entering your troop in June, July or August, 1915, will
pay 10 cents; if he joins in March. April or May, 1915, he will pav 15
cents; if he joins in December, 1914, or January or February, 1915,
20 cents, etc.. Obviously it is necessary to have a plan whereby no boy
receives a certificate beyond the period for which the troop is regis-
tered.
If the original registration covered less than 12 Scouts then the
difference between the $3.00 minimum troop registration fee and the
amount for the originally registered Scouts at 25 cents each may be
anpHed toward the payment of registration fees for newly enrolled
Scouts in such troops.
CERTIFICATES
A Boy Scout membership card will be provided for each boy reg-
ularly enrolled. It is understood that no boy shall receive this certifi-
cate nor wear the official badge or uniform until he has passed the
Tenderfoot test and taken the promise as prescribed in the Official
Handbook.
REGISTRATIONS
Lst year, scoutmasters registered boys in New York as candidates
to become scouts. A whole year has passed, and many of the boys are
still candidates, and have no authority to call themselves scouts. In
a vear's time, a boy should be able to pass his Tenderfoot and Second
Class tests, at least. Are we fair with the boy when we fail to do
our work systematically, and carry him through these grades? Scout
372 IMPROVEMENT ERA
lessons, as published in theEra for November, 1914, if followed will
get the boy through. Do
not study at random the phases of scout
work which may interest you or the boys most; but work out the re-
quirements of a Tenderfoot first, then the Second Class, then the First
Class, and then the merit badges. This order of taking up the work
encourages the boy, makes a better program, and gets the boy to the
desired place. No excuse is good enough to induce you to follow any
other plan. (References to the lessons, in the Era are to the old
edition of the "Hand Book for Boys.")

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION DAY

The week February 8 is organization week. On that day, 1910,
of
the National Organization of Boy Scouts of America was effected,
so on each anniversary of that day and week the scouts remember
it by doing special scout work. One day should be used by the
scouts in doing a "daily good turn," as a troop. Each stake should
have all the scouts come together when practicable, on February 8, or
during that week, and carry out a program consisting of short scout
talks, scout songs, scout yells, scout stories, scout stunts, and re-
views of scout promise and laws, and flag salute. Why not make it
a big night for the boys in your stake or ward?

Reading Course

Books
BY BRYANT S. HINCKLEY
"It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with su-
perior minds, and these invaluable means of communication are in
the reach of all. In the best books great men talk to us, give us
their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. God
be thanked for books. They are the voices of the distant and the
dead, and make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages. Books are
true levelers. They give to all, who will faithfully vise them, the
society, the spiritual presence of the best and greatest of our race.
No matter how poor I am, — no matter though the prosperous of my
own time will not enter my —
obscure dwelling, if the sacred writers
will enter and take up their abode under my
roof, if Milton will cross
my threshold to sing to me of Paradise, and Shakespeare to open to me
the worlds of imagination and the workings of the human heart, and
Franklin to enrich me with his practical wisdom, I shall not pine for
want of intellectual companionship, and I may become a cultivated
man, though excluded from what is called the best society in the
—
place where I live." Channing.
In this beautiful tribute of Dr. Channing, we are inclined to under-
score the statement "they give to all who will faithfully use them, the
society, the spiritual presence of the best and greatest of all our race."
To encourage the wise and "faithful use" of good books is the end
sought for by the Reading Course Committee. It is confidently ex-
pected that all Stake and Ward Officers will co-operate in this effort,
that they themselves will not only read, but that they will ardently
encourage the reading habit among the young men everywhere.
"Read and get others to read," is our motto. For suggestions and
helps in this direction, consult the Y. M. M. I. A. Handbook, page 45.
Through the courtesy of the editor, we will be permitted to say some-
thing about what to read and how to read, in subsequent issues of
the Era.
 Passing Events
The Knight Sugar Company decided on January 13 to move their
factory from Alberta, Canada, to a site near Layton, Davis county,
Utah.

The San Diego-Panama-California Exposition was officially opened

at midnight, January 1st, by President Woodrow Wilson who pushed
the button at Washington connecting a wire leading to the exposition
grounds. The Utah building was visited by a large contingent of Utah
people including Governor William Spry and other leading citizens.
A national prohibition amendment was submitted to the House of
Representatives, and a final adverse decision upon the subject was
given by the House on the 22nd of December. The resolution was by
Representative Hobson and was submitted to Congress as a constitu-
tional amendment prohibiting the sale and manufacture of liquor in the
United States. There were 197 yeas and 189 nays. Among the nays
were Representatives Howell and Johnston of Utah.
Increase in freight rates, approximating five per cent on all the
railroads between the Atlantic seaboard and the Mississippi river,
north of the Potomac and Ohio rivers, were granted on December 18
by the Interstate Commerce Commission. It is estimated that the
advanced rates will increase the income of the roads about thirty
million dollars annually. The decision was made upon the showing
by the roads that in addition to conditions from which they previously
asked relief, they are now confronted with an emergency because of
* the war in Europe.

A resolution on woman suffrage which provided for the submitting

to the states an amendment to the federal constitution to enfranchise
women, was defeated House of Representatives January 12, by
in the
a vote of 204 to 174. was the second vote in the history of Congress
It
on the woman suffrage issue. The question was before the House on
the Mondell resolution to submit a constitutional amendment providing
that the right of suffrage shall not be abridged "because of sex." A
two-thirds affirmative vote was necessary to pass the resolution, and
it was defeated by a vote of 30. Congressman Howell voted for the
resolution and Congressman Johnston was absent and did not vote.
A severe earthquake in Italy on January 13, 1915, destroyed a num-
bei of villages. It is estimated that fifty thousand people were either
killed or injured in the disaster, and a later estimate places the number
at 100,000. The earthquake was of wide extent and is said to be
the most severe that Rome has felt in more than a hundred years. The '

earthquake swept over central and southern Italy, with Ayazzano, as

the center of disturbance. Towns with thousands of inhabitants were
overthrown and great suffering has resulted. The wounded in some
instances were left in the ruins for two and three days. In Avazzano
there were over eight thousand dead. Famine and severe cold add to
the sufferings.

The eleventh assembly of the Utah Legislature convened in Salt

Lake City on Monday, January 11, 1915. The senate was organized
immediately by the selection of Senator W. Mont Ferry as president,
with Alexander Buchanan, Jr., as secretary. The House, however,
374 IMPROVEMENT ERA
being nearly equally divided politically were in deadlock until Satur-
day, the 16th, when the members succeeded in organizing by the selec-
tion of Lewis R. Anderson of Sanpete county as speaker, by a vote of
25 to 20. One of the important questions to come before this legisla-
ture is the formation of a prohibition bill to be submitted for adoption
to the people who are to vote upon it at a special election, if the pro-
gram carries. A straight prohibition bill was introduced on January
20, in the Senate.

James Dwyer, a noted pioneer of Salt Lake, and well known

throughout the state of Utah and the intermountain west, as a man
of sterling character and ability, died of general debility in the early
morning of January 13, at the L. D. S. Hospital. Mr. Dwyer was born
November 22, 1831, in Bansha, Tipperary county, Ireland. While he
was very young, his parents settled in Detroit, Michigan, where his
father became a leading business man. While a boy Mr. Dwyer at-
tended school there and worked with his father. In 1860 he was con-
verted to the faith of the Latter-day Saints and came to Utah, crossing
the plains in an ox team company. He came to Salt Lake and engaged
as a news dealer and began his famous book-store, as a news-stand, in
the old Townsend House, on West Temple and First South. He was
greatly interested in education and many young men throughout the
state can testify to the help which he rendered them in their selection
of books. His old store at No. 72 South Main street was the center
of the educational and literary thought and gatherings of Salt Lake
City for many years. In 1884 a fire destroyed his stock, and he went
out of business, devoting the remainder of his time to educational
affairs and to his personal business. In 1862 he was married to Sarah
Hammer with whom he had eight children. An extended sketch of
Brother Dwyer appeared in the Improvement Era for June, 1911, Vol,
H, page 696.
An enjoyable dinner was given by the General Board of the Y. M.
M. A. to the General Board of the Y. L. M. I. A. on January 14, at
I.
the Bishop's Building. The purpose was to increase the spirit of good
fellowship between the members of the two boards, and to provide
an enjoyable evening's entertainment. Both purposes were fully ac-
complished. There were over one hundred and fifty in attendance, in-
cluding members of the two boards, their escorts, and some of the
leading authorities of the Church. A reception was held at seven
o'clock, and the dinner was followed by a program of speeches, toasts,
songs and a joke contest. President Joseph F. Smith gave the address
of welcome, which was responded to by President Martha H. Tingey
of the Y. L. M. I. A. President Heber J. Grant acted as toastmaster.
He was introduced by a very complimentary speech by President
Smith, in these words: "It is my pleasurable duty to introduce to
you a gentleman who possesses a tongue 'like the pen of a ready
writer;' a gentleman with memories as inexhaustible as the eternal
elements; a gentleman with a brain as full of energy as harnessed
electricity; a vigorous, true friend and an intense but forgiving
enemy; a gentleman who is generous to a fault, whose days are
full of wakeful activities, and whose nights are sleepless; a gentle-
man you can 'tie to', and who will not disappoint vou this even-
— —
ing our 'toastmaster' for this auspicious occasion Elder Heber J.
Grant." After a witty response by Elder Grant, he introduced toasts
which were responded to by President Richard W. Young. Mrs. Ruth
May Fox, and Oscar A. Kirkham. A feature of the evening was the
joke contest between Orson F. Whitney and B. S. Hinckley. Among
the delightful musical selections were the contralto solo by Evangeline
Thomas, violin solo by Miss Mae Anderson, and the bass solo by
 PASSING EVENTS 375

Willard Andelin who responded to an encore and sang "Rocked in the

Cradle of the Deep." Elder B. H. Roberts offered the invocation and
President Anthon H. Lund pronounced the benediction. Thomas Hull
of the General Board social committee had charge, and to him and as-
sociates is due in great measure the success of the very pleasant
evening..
The Great War. Since our last report closing December 16, des-
ultory fighting has been proceeding both in the east and in the west
with no decisive results. Much suffering has been endured by the
soldiers both in Poland and Belgium and France on account of the
snows and winter storms.
'
—
December 17. Great Britain declared that henceforth Egypt will
constitute a British protectorate, the suzerainty of Turkey being ter-
minated. It was announced from Russia that the German cruiser
"Frederich-Karl" was sunk during a recent engagement in the Baltic.
The allied troops occupy Westende on the Belgian coast after a bom-
bardment by warships which forced the Germans to retire.
—
December 18. The British government announced that the khedive
of Egypt Abbas Hilmi Pasha had been deposed and the government
bad appointed in his place his uncle Prince Hussein Kemal Pasha, with
the title of sultan. Sir Arthur MacMahon is appointed high commis-
sioner for Egypt. The Germans occupy Lowicz half way between
Lodz and Warsaw, after several days' fighting. The Italian senate
adjourned after a demonstration in favor of peace. King Haakon of
Norway, and King Christian of Denmark met with King Gustave at
Malmo, Sweden, to discuss problems of the war affecting the Scan-
dinavian countries.
—
December 20. Dixmude is evacuated by the Germans after occu-
pation since November 10. Prince von Buelow, special German am-
bassador to Italy, was received by King Victor Emmanuel.
—
December 22. General Joffre retires twenty-four French generals.
—
December 24. The Russians take four thousand Austrians pris-
oners. The Germans take 837 prisoners and kill three thousand Anglo-
Indian troops near St. Hubert.
—
December 25. Seven British sea planes attack Cuxhaven, Helgo-
land, the German naval base.
December 26. —A
British submarine enters the Dardanelles and
destroys mines. The Russians captured ten thousand Austrians at
Krosno in Galicia.
December 28. — Georges, near Nieuport taken by the French.of
St. is
December 29. — President Wilson protests against the detentionAus-
American ships in search for contraband. Russians defeat the
trians near the Carpathians, taking three thousand prisoners.
—
December 30. There was hard and continued fighting in the
trenches between Meuse and Moselle. The Germans make a bomb-
dropping raid on Dunkirk, and fifteen are reported killed.
December 31.— The French attack the village of Steinbach, Alsace,
and the Montenegrins invade Herzegovina.
January 1.— The British battleship "Formidable" was sunk in the
Channel by a German submarine, according to official announcement
from Berlin.
—
January 3. Two British men of war attack the German East
African port of Dar-es-Salaam effecting considerable damage.
—
January 5. Cardinal Mercier is said to have been arrested and con-
revolt
fined to Malines by the Germans for inciting the Belgians to
against German military rule. _
.

January 9.—The swift German battle cruiser Von-Der Tann was

sunk in battle with a British battle cruiser off Pernambuco, South
America.
376 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The Sonora Colonies, Mexico, were recently visited by C. W.
Lillywhite, of Douglas, Arizona. In a letter to the Era, dated January
4. he gives an account of his trip with a brief statement of the present
condition attending the colonies. Since the exodus of our people from
—
Morelos, San Jose and Oaxaca, in September, 1912, there has not been
on an average more than eight or ten Americans caring for the prop-
erty in those colonies. Notwithstasding this small American popula-
tion, practically all of the more than one hundred and forty homes
vacated by the colonists are occupied at present. The lands have been
utilized, and doubtless never before in the history of that country
have the natives enjoyed such luxuries without cost to them. If they
had used American economy and foresight they might have stored food
and clothing to last them for years to come, but their shiftless habits
and indolence have not only proved their own loss and present suffer-
ing but also have been the cause of the destruction of thousands of
dollars' worth of property belonging to the colonists. When the
"Mormon" colonists were forced to fly before the invasion of Salazar's
"Red Flaggers" there was every appearance of thrift and industry, but
today a more perfect picture of decay, destruction and retrogression
it would be hard to find. Notwithstanding that the land is well sup-
plied with firewood to be obtained at little labor, fence posts have been
burned for fire wood and even door and window frames from brick
houses are torn out and burned, not out of revenge, but merely to
supply an immediate want of firewood at a minimum cost of labor.
The fruit trees yielded much delicious fruit, and many thousands of
bushels of golden grain were harvested and sold, the proceeds going
to buy drink (mescal) — that greatest curse to the Mexican race, and
today the colonies are teeming with a destitute, starving people, a
people, it seems to the observer, almost too indolent to feed and warm
themselves when the necessaries for such comforts are placed in their
hands, without coit to them. The bean crop this year was almost
a complete failure, and now to add to the misery and want of the
nation, and to the colonists' keen loss, the most destructive floods in
the history of the colonies have visited the country (December 19-20,

THE MAXHAM HOME

One of the neatest brick cottages of Colonia Morelos as seen
while the flood was washing the corner walls away Dec. 27, 1914.
 PASSING EVENTS 377

1914). Hundreds of acres of rich lands have been washed away, and
thousands of dollars of damage have been done to fences and canals,
and have placed these colonies apparently beyond the possibility of
being reclaimed and re-inhabited and settled by the Latter-day Saints
In 1905, the colonies also suffered greatly by floods. At
that time
more than a thousand acres of fertile land, under a high state of culti-
vation, and many homes, were washed away at Oaxaca.
What with
floods, crop failures, drought, the revolution, grafters, bandits and
rob-
bers, poor Mexico has suffered more than any other land; and these
have reduced its race of fifteen million people to the most abject suf-
fering, poverty and famine. There is no need to go to Belgium to
find a famine-stricken and starving nation. Not more than sixty miles
from the boundary line, dividing peace and plenty and misery and
want, between progress and degradation, between the United States

The flood at its height, Dec. 27, 1914.

and Mexico, one may witness tnousands of human beings suffering

severely for food and clothing. It will be six months yet before any-
thing from the soil can be harvested for their relief. These are the
conditions now confronting the natives inhabiting the homes of
the colonists at Sonora. They are starving in a land surrounded with
rich mineral deposits, acres of the most fertile soil, with orchards of
choice fruit trees, implements on the ground. Our colonists are, in
obedience to wise counsel, seeking homes in a land whose government
guarantees to the industrious inhabitants thereof the fruits of patient
toil. "In my opinion," says the writer, "any of the colonists who
cherish the faintest hope that they might ere long be permitted to
return to the Sonora solonies and enjoy the same blessings as before
the exodus, and see those colonies again peopled by industrious Latter-
day Saints, will do well now to banish such hopes and resign them-
selves to labor to build homes in a land of more perfect peace and
security. Aside from the ravages of the revolution, the recent floods
have rendered the security of the colonies hopeless. Their present
condition would discourage the stoutest hearts. Many farms along
the Batipito river were washed away entirely. It was formerly a small,
harmless little stream but is now a yawning, hungry-looking river-bed
covering almost a third part of the once fertile valley." Driftwood
and sediment cover the farms for some distance back from the banks.
 "The Last Letters of the Prophet Joseph," by B. F. Cummings, Sen.,
in the next number of the Era. Many other attractive features; including
a good story.

Original Story Contest. — 1. Open to all. The Improvement Era of-

fers $25 for the best story in a monthly competition beginning in January and
ending in June.
2. stories for monthly competitions must be in the hands of the
All
editor by the 5th of February and on the 5th of each month thereafter, and
must contain not less than three thousand nor more than about five thou-
sand words. Address the Associate Editor Improvement Era for further
particulars. Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Improvement Era, February, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.

Joseph F. Smith, \ -pr j:

( torsb
Heber J. Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, )
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Portrait of Prest, Jedediah M. Grant Frontispiece
When Shall War Cease? A Poem Alfred Lambourne 283
The Hand of God in Events on Earth Prest. Jedediah M. Grant.. 285
Making Farm Life More Attractive. Illus-
trated F. S. Harris, Ph. D 288
Evolution not Supported by Embryology Rcbert C. Webb 295
Navajo Marriage Customs. Illustrated J. F. Anderson, A. B 301
The Wonderful Development of Modern Bac-
teriology J.F. Greaves, Ph. D 307
A King of Western Scouts 111. Illustrated., colcmon F. Kimball 316
Chastity. A Poem F. E. Barker 325
Antho-n L. Skanchy— V. VI, VII Dr. John A. Widtsoe 326
To Nature. A Poem Guy Coleman 331
The Miser. A Story Elsie C. Carroll 332
The Sabbath Day George W. Crockwell 339
A Wise Old Man. A Poem 344
The Kindergarten and its Educational Value. .Ida Dusenberry 345
Father's Sweetheart. A Poem A. Ira Cox 349
Tree Sap in Winter. Illustrated Delbert W. Parratt 350
Some Problems of the War Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 353
Nineteen Fifteen. A Poem Aretta Young 356
Editors' Table— Walk in the Light Prest. Joseph F. Smith 357
The Man Behind the Czar Christian Richardson 358
Messages from the Missions 360
Priesthood Quorums' Table Suggestive Les- —
son Outlines for the Deacons 365
—
Mutual Work Originality in Public Speaking 367
Fourth Annual Convention of the Na onal
Vocation Guidance Association B. H. Roberts 368
The Class Leader Dr. George H. Brimhall .... 370
Important Information for Scout Leaders. .Dr. Jchn H. Taylor . . 371
Books Bryant S. Hinckley 372
The Campaign for Funds Heber J. Grant 355
Passing Events 373
 Boy Scout Hand Books
PRICE 25c, By Mail 30c
We have ju<t received a big shipment and your order will be filled as soon as
it reaches us. Be money with your order and avoid delays.
sure to send the
On orders for 2 or more, accompanied by the money
1

we will send the books for 25c each, post paid.

ORDER NOW
SCOUT MASTERS' MANUAL-60c pest paid.

DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION BOOK STORE, Salt Lake City, 44E .So.Temple

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W. S. MCCORMICK.
YlCE-PR UIDSNT
GRANT HAMPTON,
SEO'Y S Treac,
GEO. T.ODELL,
GEN'L MANASER
G. G. WRIGHT, DIRECTORY
ASST, GEN'L M«R.
JOSEPH F. SMITH FRANCIS M. LYMAN
W. S. MCCORMICK THOS. R. CUTLER
T. ODELL
GEO. WILLIAM SPRY
c J «. G. WRIGHT JAMES L. WRATHALL
tSr- C. S. BURTON
JAMES H. MOYLE
HEBER SCOWCROFT
GEO. D. KEYSER
W. W. ARMSTRONG

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 ™1L
( )

ERA
Vol. XVIII MARCH, 1915 No. .5

ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD CcfORUMS, THE YOUNO MEN'S MUTVAl

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS OF THE CHURLlt •#
JESUS CHRIST OF. LATTER DAY SAINTS
MrauanKD monthly by the oenkral board at malt lake trrr, VTAft
 ,
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SALT LAKE CnYUTAHi

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—
The Panama California Exposition
SAN LVIEAjW
OZ-VIN DIFCn Opens January 1,
closes Dec. 31, 1915.
CALIFORNIA
The Panama-Pacific International Ex-
position SAN FRANCISCO EXCURSIONS
Opens February 20. closes December 4, 1915

There will be excursion rates in

effect throughout the year via Tickets on Sale
Nov. 21-22-23
Return Limit Jan. 31
Dec. 19-20-21-22
Return Limit Feb. 28
Dec. 29
The hr»t excursion date from
Return Limit March 7
Utah points will be
JANUARY Round Trip Rate
Limit, March
30,
15,
1915
1915 Diverse Routes $40
Rate will be in effect via Salt Lake and Los 3 Good Trains Every Day 3
Angeles going, and returning via San Fran-
cisco and Portland, or going via Portland
and San Francisco, returning via Los An- For California Literature or Information
geles and Salt Lake, or returning in either
case via San Francisco or Ogden. call at Cily Ticket Office

Other Excursions will 10 East Third South St.

be announced later. 01 wri'e

Consult any O. S. L. Agent for rates, de.

scriptive literature, etc., or write, T. C. Peck, H. Manderfield
J.
D. E. BURLEY, Gen'l Passenger Agent, A.G.P. A. Salt Lake
Salt Lake City, Utah
G. P. A., Los Angeles

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'Tfpe bees ail s^u^ly l/i^ea,
AWa^ fy<? spvu^s retime ]

JWr summer birds lj>dVe ^Uv/tfy

'To seei^ & Winter i^est,

XII v/iil?erea le&Ves l^aVe blWij>-, J

Kfyd i^ture seeV^sf© rest
Tfpe Ipeeiril^sTc-me embers <^low;
(Sv/eet ^iresiae lore eLipd -soy<£

Brills Joy ^? ^?9te<fav(.U^

CJ

H cattle iree ^ron? cola;

M?e w^err)/ slei^l?-bells clpin^e.
>VI?o s&yslfn^ Wwler' old
Jirii^s i^ofa. Jolly tin?t?
 DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE
President of the Utah Agricultural College, and originator of the annual Farmers'
Round-Up and Housekeepers' Conference. Dr. Widtsoe is also a world authority on
dry-farming and irrigation. His recent work on "Principles of Irrigation Practice" has
just been issued by The Macmillan Co., New York ana London.
Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII. MARCH, 1915. No. 5.

Bringing the Farmer to School

A New Way of Getting the Gospel of Better Agriculture

Before the Man on the Soil

BY LON J. HADDOCK, B. S.

"Mirandy, hev y'u seen my fountain pen anywheres?"

"No, Josh, I don't know where it is, unless, mebbe, I hev put
it in my note book along with my recipes."

"Well, I've got tu hev it tu git them irrigation formulies fig-

gered out before the mornin' session."
A farm boy and girl going through the usual performance of
hunting up their school paraphernalia, you say. But you are
wrong. This is but one incident typical of a hundred like inci-
dents occurring in the farm homes of Utah at the present time.
And it is not the farm boy and girl who are putting on the main
performance, but it is the grizzled and bronzed old farmer himself,
and his good housewife who are thus discussing the necessary
preparation for the morrow's lessons, for in Utah Pap and Mam
are actually going to school ! Yes, strange though it may appear,
the Utah farmer and his wife are really registered at the Agricul-
tural College. Nor is registering alone che summum bonum of
the proceedings. They are registered for a purpose. Previous
arrangements have been made for taking care of the children and
the farm during their absence. Now they are busily occupied,
from early morning till late evening, in attending the various
lectures given by the college and government experts, supple-
mented by the practical talks of the very best farmers and house-
wives of the state. They are making notes, asking questions,
solving problems, figuring out formulas, and a hundred and one
other mental gymnastics, all strangely new to the average slow-
380 IMPROVEMENT ERA
going, stay-at-home man on the soil. Hence the anxiety to dis-
cover the hiding place of the much-needed fountain pen, that he
may be prepared on the morrow to keep abreast of the new ideas
and suggestions which his previous experience tells him will be
so freely disseminated.
To teach the farmer how to make farming a business Such :

is the standard set by Dr. John A. Widtsoe, President of the Utah

Agricultural College, who, in addition to presiding over one of the

most wide-awake colleges in the west, is a recognized authority on
the twin arts of agriculture; viz., Dry-farming and Irrigation,
having been, up till recently, president of the International Dry-

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF FARMERS AND HOUSEWIVES IN FRONT OF

THE UTAH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
farming Congress. He is the author of the well known book,
Dry-Farming, and a new 500-page work, just issued by The
Macmillan Co., New York and London, on Principles of Irrigation
Practice, as well as divers and sundry other works bearing on
these and other important agricultural subjects.
To accomplish the purpose announced at the beginning of
this paragraph, Dr. Widtsoe and his associates, some years ago,
conceived the idea of putting on an annual Farmers' Round-Up
and Housekeepers' Convention. He had the matter figured out
something on this wise: The Agricultural College was estab-
lished by the people of the state. Not by a few of the people, but
by all the people. To the maintenance of its institutions of higher
learning the taxpayers of Utah were devoting 86 per cent of the
entire revenue of the state. But the records at the Agricultural
College showed that less than one-fifth of one per cent of the entire
 BRINGING THE FARMER TO SCHOOL 381

population of the state was registered at the institution, and this

fraction of one-fifth of one per cent was made up almost exclu-
sively of young people. True, they were mostly the sons and
daughters of the families living in the rural sections of the state,
the families which the Agricultural College was designed primarily
to assist. But, after all, the few students registered were scarcely
as a "drop in the bucket" compared with the vast army of people
out on the farms, and in the shops, factories, and mills, scattered
from Portage to Kanab, and from Vernal to Deep Creek, over
the state.
But the standing expense of the college went on just the same.

FARMERS AND HOUSEWIVES IN JOINT SESSION IN COLLEGE CHAPEL

Whether showed one hundred, one thousand, or only

the register
one dozen students upkeep continued.
in attendance, the faculty
Men might come and men might go, but salaries went on forever.
Such being the case, what was the advisable thing to do? Obvi-
ously to extend the usefulness of the college to such a point that
the faculty members might be kept industriously employed, and
that the people of Utah, the supporters of the college, the men and
women whose taxes provided the bone and sinew for the institu-
tion, might get the maximum of efficient service with the very
minimum of effort.
Having arrived at this determination, the outlining of a policy
became a simple matter. A campaign of extension work was
382 IMPROVEMENT ERA
immediately begun. A program to continue all winter was planned
out a year in advance. Promptly with the opening of the regular
school term, in the fall, the propaganda was begun. A
series of
itinerant farmers' and housekeepers' "schools" had been carefully
scheduled in advance, and now a corps of trained experts, women
and men, went out from the home institution in Logan, to carry
the gospel of better agriculture, and home culture, into the vari-
ous sections of the state. Most of the "schools" were held for
five days in each community. Three sessions were held, the men
and women meeting separately during the day, and jointly in the
evening. For a time the innovation gave promise of being short-
lived. The practical man on the farm was not in the habit of
receiving "something for nuthin'," as he put it. His the part,
rather, to do the hard, dirty work that provided the revenue for
the other fellow. Then, too/ he had his doubts, and very grave
doubts they were, as to the particular amount of real, practical
assistance he could expect to get from these "book-larned" city
chaps.
The good housewife shared his doubts with him, in an ad-
mirable degree. She had reared a large family of boys and girls,
and they would measure well up to the standard of any of the boys
and girls in the vicinity, if she did say it herself, and what, there-
fore, could she hope to learn from these smart women folks, with
their manish ways and their city frills, who were coming out
there to teach her housekeeping.

SECTION OF FREE DAY NURSERY

Supervised by a trained nurse, to enable busy mothers to attend the various sessions
of the Conference.
 r— 1*1$ ^ ,- «
IK ^

St*
1

Bf3 Lv3HUv|
1 '

'
'f^myNu*^a^
*'-'#
/
• — —^=
: :
K^l
FARM WOMEN AT HOUSEKEEPERS' CONFERENCE
Learning the latest development in scientific home management.

But gradually the work made itself felt. When neighbor

Barlow's choice herd of swine came down with the cholera, during
the time that the "school" was being held in that vicinity, and one
of the "teachers" immediately set to work injecting some new-
fangled "see-rum" into them with the result that not a hog died
in the entire herd, Farmer Doubtful began to take the matter
of
the school in a more serious vein. And when Mrs. Higgins, who
formerly lived a life of isolation in her own home, because of the
multiplicity of her household duties in caring for a growing fam-
ily, began 'to appear at all of the various gatherings
of the com-
munity folk when she appeared to be taking on a new lease of
;

life as evidenced by her blithe and cheerful manner ;

and when a
little discreet inquiry disclosed that the change
had been made
possible because of the installation of a few labor-saving devices
in the home,— coming as the result of a suggestion by
one of the
con-
lady teachers at the "school," Mrs. Farmer Doubtful just
cluded that she would visit the school herself, next time. And this
in order that she might know first-handed, just
what it was they
were trying to do there, anyhow. One visit was generally enough
shortly the
to bring her up to the "mourners' bench," and
"almanac" and the "mail order" catalogue ceased to be the chief
literary adornments of the home, and "mother" was numbered
among the most ardent advocates of the Housekeepers' School.
But the work did not stop there. There were, throughout the
state, hundreds of men and women who,
because of their limited
circumstances, were unable to quit their daily employment to
take
temporary schools. Obviously, they had
advantage, even of these
righteous a claim upon the services of the college as those
just as
who were more comfortably situated. To meet their needs, there-
fore, a splendid course of correspondence
study was outlined.
such men and
This was of such scope as to meet the demands of
384 IMPROVEMENT ERA
women as had been denied the privilege of finishing" the grammar
grades and, too, it was sufficiently advanced to care for those
;

seeking higher degrees. As a result of this new departure, hun-

dreds of ambitious men and women from all parts of the state

A CLASS IN STOCK-JUDGING AT THE ROUND-UP

immediately became identified with the college, and gradually the

courses were increased and enlarged, until now practically any
course taught at the institution itself can be carried on by cor-
respondence, save in cases wherein laboratory work is imperative.
But still the work admitted of further improvement and en-
largement. Five-day schools were all right, in their way, but the
trouble was they didn't "weigh" enough. Five, ten, or fifteen
sessions held during but one week in the entire year soon became
but a tantalizing morsel, calculated to tease the appetite of these
farm men and women whose hunger for knowledge was now fairly
consuming. How could the work be extended? More schools
required more money, and money was fast becoming a rare com-
modity, according to the report of the college treasurer.
Then came a happy idea ! One of those inspirational things
born out of a pressing demand. Inasmuch as the college could do
very little more in the way of going to the farmer, why not have
the farmer and his good wife come to the college? Well, why
not? During certain seasons of the year, there was very little to
be done on trie farm. Along in January and February there was
 BRINGING THli FARMER TO SGKOOL 385

little to the attention of the farmer about the home place.

demand
Why
not provide for an annual "Round-Up," and invite the
farmers of the state, together with their wives, to come for a short,
mid-winter session at their state college? No sooner decided on
than done The dates were set for late in January of the follow-
!

ing year, and when the time came a smattering of farmers, about
fifteen all told, showed up for the Round-Up and for the House-
;

keepers' Conference there were registered just seven And !

still the maid replied, "O no,

little sir, we
are seven."
disgust, the entire category of
Amazement, chagrin, dismay,
emotions ran riot in the souls of the expectant faculty members
The head of the Home Economics school was for giving up the
entire "farce," as she termed it. The director of the Extension
Division expressed keen disappointment but was far from giving
up the experiment. But the President of the college, Dr. Widtsoe,
was not of the quitting kind
"Patience," he suggested, "patience and perseverance. The
movement is new, and they must be given time to think it over
and become acquainted with it. Remember the institutes and the
schools! Rome wasn't built in a day."

MINIATURE IRRIGATED FARM

hydroelectric plant, and the latest approved
methods of cropping
^ ° B complete
Showing F
and water measuring.

So they went.
at it Not with a great deal of spirit to be
sure but at it, just the same. But what the faculty lacked in
spirit the farmers and few
housekeepers in attendance made up in
These latter entered so hungrily and devotedly into
enthusiasm
386 IMPROVEMENT ERA
their work that soon the hearts of the teachers began to warm up
to their labors, and before long the Round-Up was winging along
as happily as if the entire state were in attendance.
The following year the attendance doubled, and each suc-
ceeding year, of the seven that have ensued since the movement
was begun, has witnessed the same proportionate increase viz., ;

nearly one hundred per cent. The tidings carried back home by
the pioneers in the movement fired the ambitions of those who
were backward in the various country settlements, and the next
year these, too, became students at the college.
Meantime, the college officials had been busy. They had not
only provided for lectures by the trained experts on the local
faculty, but experts of larger experience. Heads of departments
in the Federal service were engaged to address the farmers and
their "housekeepers," supplemented by good, sound talks, deliv-
ered by some of the best practical farmers and engineers of the
state.
Soon another departure became necessary, Logan, where the
Utah Agricultural College is located, is situated in the northeast
corner of the state. Railroad fare is relatively high, and the ex-
pense incident to attendance at the Round-Up, on the part of the
people living in the central and southern parts of the state, pre-
cluded many of the poorer farmers from taking advantage of the
institution. The next move, therefore, was to arrange for a sec-
ond annual Round-Up and Housekeepers' Conference, to be held
at Richfield, in the south central part of the state. The first of
these "branch" Round-Ups was held in February, of 1913, and the
response was spontaneous and immediate. Nearly three hundred
farmers and over two hundred housewives were registered, mak-
ing this the largest gathering of the kind ever held in the United
States.
This year, three Round-Ups and Housekeepers' Conferences
have been arranged for. The one at Logan has just concluded its
sessions, with an average daily attendance of over four hundred
fifty men and three hundred fifty women. Every arrangement had
been made by the college officials for the comfort and convenience
of the visitors, including boarding places, recreation, and entertain-
ment. One of the unique features of the Housekeepers' Confer-
ence being a day nursery for the children of the women who were
unable otherwise to be present. This was in charge of a trained
nurse from one of the local hospitals, and was most generously
supplied with runabouts, walking-chairs, dolls, etc., including a
sand pile ingeniously arranged in one corner of the room. From
six to a score of children romped happily through the hours while
their overworked mothers sat hungrily partaking of the intellectual
feast provided for them. Child-culture made up the bulk of the
woman's program, while the masculine contingent was entertained
 BRINGING THE FARMER TO SCHOOL 387

with topics on irrigation, cropping, care of livestock, fruit-packing

and marketing, etc., etc., including a short course in practical
horse-shoeing, the first course of its kind ever instituted in a reg-
ular college curriculum. In addition to this, working models of
various kinds were arranged at strategic points about the college,
including a model mountain and valley showing an electric power
house, a complete irrigation project, in miniature, with approved
weirs, headgates, etc., for distributing the water, and a model farm
demonstrating the most advantageous methods of diversified farm-
ing.
In addition to the two Round-Ups, already mentioned, the
college is this year inaugurating a third gathering at Cedar City,

in the central part of the state, where a branch of the college is

located. Each of these gatherings gives promise of eclipsing the
attendance at the previous gatherings, and it is safe to assume that
more than nine hundred farmers and between seven and eight hun-
dred housewives will be in attendance at the various conferences.
The results of all this have shown clearly and indisputably
that the effort has paid. The marked improvement in the agricul-
tural operations throughout the state the better methods of plant-
;

ing, harvesting, and marketing; the new breeds of high-class

animals being introduced, the number of silos now being erected
the more economical distribution of water; the improvements in
and about the home, and the thousand and one improvements
noted in various directions, demonstrate, beyond any shadow of a
doubt, that the experiment begun in "fear and trembling" has
justified the faith and the courage of Dr. John A. Widtsoe, and
his associates. In Utah, at least, the entire commonwealth is being
abundantly rewarded for its effort in bringing the farmer to school.

The Point of View

I measured myself by the child I was,

When my long, full years began,
And I said, with an air of pompous pride,
"How great, how great I am !"

Then I looked away to the stars at night,

And I seemed but a child grown tall
And I said in a whisper, all contrite,
"How small, how very small!"
Louis W. Larsen.
 The Prophet's Last Letters

BY B. F. CUMMINGS

One day in June, 1909, while I was laboring as a missionary

in Independence, Mo., and editing Liahona, The Elders' Journal,
Mr. Frederick M. Smith, one
of the first presidency of the
Re-organized church, called
me up over the telephone and
invited me to come to his of-
fice, saying he had something
to show me which would in-
terestme. I had often met
Mr. Smith and we were on
excellent terms.
immediately went to the
I
office,which was only a short
distance from that of Liahona,
The Elders' Journal, and on
entering was pleasantly re-
ceived. On a large office table
were placed the manuscipt of
the Book of Mormon, claimed
by the Re-organized church to
be the "original," but which,
as a matter of fact, is a

B. F. CUMMINGS copy of the original

printer's
and the manuscript of the in-
spired revision of the Bible. In the latter I was greatly
interested. It was of foolscap paper and made a package three
or four inches thick. It bore evidence of having been written
at different times and by different scribes. Most of it had been
written on paper that had never been cut through the center as a
writer would do now-a-days. A quarter or a half a quire of
paper, folded in the center in the old-fashioned way, was stitched
through the "saddle" or fold, and thus fastened in the form of a
book. Sometimes stocking yarn had been used for stitching.
Some of these quarter or half quires were enclosed in covers made
of a newspaper. Part of a newspaper thus used contained an
advertisement dated, 1838. In those days news print paper was
far more durable than it is now.
I was permitted to handle the manuscript and scan its pages,
 THE PROPHET'S LAST LETTERS 389

but of course anything like a critical examination of it was out of

the question within the time at my disposal. As I was turning
its leaves I came to a page on which was written in a bold hand

and large letters, bolder and larger than the rest of the writing on
that page, this sentence, which, unless memory is at fault, I here
reproduce verbatim
"The Song of Solomon is not inspired writing."
Mr. Smith produced and permitted me to examine a number
of letters written by his grandfather, the Prophet Joseph. From
several of them the autograph signatures had been clipped, by
relic hunters, Mr. Smith explained but some of them still bore
;

the Prophet's signature. Two of these had for me such a pathetic

interest, and were, in my judgment, of such great historical value,
that I ventured to request Mr. Smith to have his stenographer
make copies of them for me. My request was cheerfully complied
with, and a typewritten copy of each letter was handed me. One
of them, the first one reproduced below, was entirely new to me
but the contents of the second one did not seem so, and yet I could
not remember having read it. I asked Mr. Smith if these letters
had ever been published, and he replied that, to the best of his
knowledge neither of them had ever appeared in print. I cannot
learn that the first one was ever printed, and believe that it never
was but the second one has been. It appears in the "History of
;

Joseph Smith," published in the Deseret News, nearly half a

century ago, and it forms a part of an installment of the. History
of the Mormon Church, by Brigham H. Roberts, which appeared
in Americana for August, 1911.
The stenographer and I carefully compared the copies of both
letters with the originals so as to preserve the latter verbatim et
literatim. In transcribing these copies for use in this article I have
preserved the wording faithfully, but have made a few technical
corrections. I give the letters in the order of their dates the ;

first one is as follows

Safety, June 23rd,

Emma Brother Lewis has some money of mine H. C.
Smith: —
Kimball has $1000 in his hands of mine, Brother Neff, Lancaster Co.,
—
Pa. ,$400. You may sell the Quincy property, or any property that
belongs to me you can find anything about, for your support and chil-
dren and mother's. Do not despair if God ever opens a door that is
;

possible for me I will see you again. I do not know where I shall go
or what I shall do, but shall, if possible, endeavor to go to the city
of Washington.
May God Almighty bless you and the children and mother and all
my friends. My heart bleeds. No more at present. If you con-
clude to go to Kirtland, Cincinnati, or any other place, I wish you
would contrive to inform me this evening.
Joseph Smith.
P. S. — Tf in your power, T want you should help Dr. Richards'
family.
390 IMPROVEMENT ERA
This letter is dated from "Safety," a hiding place in which
the Prophet had taken refuge, and which he took care to avoid
disclosing to any enemy into whose hands the letter by any mis-
chance might fall. Such precaution was made necessary by the
fact that many who professed to be his friends were, in reality,
his enemies. The year (1844) is omitted from the date.
A
study of this letter is a pathetic and impressive revealment
of the state of the Prophet's mind at the moment when it was
written. That it was penned hurriedly, even abruptly, is plain
enough. His love for his wife and children, and his mother,
and his anxiety to provide for them, are vividly portrayed and in
;

the portrayal he shows how little hope he has that he will escape
from his enemies for this letter has much the character of a will.
;

It virtually makes his wife his executrix, as it authorizes her to

dispose of his property for the support of herself and their chil-
dren, and his aged mother. "Do not despair if God ever opens
;

a door that is possible for me, I will see you again." This
sentence is a plain intimation that he was aware of his impending
death.
"I do not know where I shall go or what I shall do, but shall,
ifpossible, endeavor to go to the city of Washington." Betrayed
and hunted, the light of revelation for the time being failing to
show his next step, how he, in these words, recalls the night the
Savior spent in Gethsemane But his own danger and sufferings
!

did not for a moment divert his thoughts from his loved ones and
his brethren. This is strikingly proved by the postscript in which
he charges his wife to aid Dr. Richards' family, if in her power
to do so. He means Dr. Willard Richards, who narrowly escaped
death with him four days later in Carthage jail.
•"My heart bleeds." Not for himself, but for his family and
his people. Grand, magnanimous and magnificent soul that he
was! He knew by the gift of prophecy that the Church must
leaveNauvoo and flee to the Rocky mountains but he did not
;

know what would become of his wife and children. Would they
go back to Kirtland, or seek refuge in Cincinnati, or where would
they go? If his wife had any plans he was eager to be informed
of them forthwith.
God had commanded him, more than once, to petition the
sources of earthly power for protection for himself and his peo-
nle and it is clear that this commandment was in his mind, even
;

in this dark hour, and that by it was inspired his purpose, most
difficultof accomplishment, to make his way to the capital of the
nation, there to implore the national government to protect his peo-
ple from the mob violence that threatened their extermination.
The next day after this letter was written, he yielded to the
urgings of some of his friends and returned to Nauvoo, where he
permitted himself to be taken into custody.
 Tl IIC PROPHET'S I. AST LETTERS 391

The second letter is as follows

Carthage Jail, June 27tli, 1844.

20 past 8 a. m.
Dear Emma: The Governor continues
courtesies, and per- his
mits us to see our friends. We
hear this morning that the Governor
will not go down with his troops today (to Nauvoo) as was anticipated
last evening, but if he does come down with his troops you will be
protected; and I want you to tell Brother Dunham to instruct the
people to stay at home and attend to their own business; and let
there be no groups or gathering together, unless by permission of the
Governor they are called together to receive communications from
the Governor, which would please our people. But let the Governor
direct. Bro. Dunham of course will obey the Government officers,
and render them the assistance they require. There is no danger of
any "exterminating order." Should there be a mutiny among the
troops (which we do not anticipate, excitement is abating), a part
will remain loyal, and stand for the defense of the state and our
rights. There is one principle which is eternal: It ts the duty of a!!
men to protect their lives and the lives of their households whenever
necessity requires; and no person has a right to forbid it. Should
the last extreme arrive, —
but 1 anticipate no such extreme. But cau- —
tion is the parent of safety.
Joseph Smith.
P. S. Dear Emma: very much resigned to my lot, know-
I am
in? that I am justified and have done the best that could be done.
Give mylove to the children and all my friends, Mr. Brower and all
who inquire after me; and as for treason, I know that T have not
committed any. and they cannot prove one appearance of anything
of the kind, so you need not have any fears that any harm can hap-
pen to us on that score. May God bless you all. Amen.
Joseph Smith.
p s.— 20minutes to 10. T just learned that the Governor is about
to disband his troops —
all but a guard to protect us and the peace—
and come himself to Nauvoo and deliver a speech to the people.
This is right as I suppose.

It will be noted that this letter was written at twenty minutes

past eight o'clock in the morning' of the day on which the martyr-
dom of the Prophet and Patriarch occurred, but whether it was
begun or finished at that exact time seems uncertain. The main
part of the letter is in the handwriting of Dr. Willard Richards,
^n Mr. Smith told me, but the first postscript, and T believe the
second, are in the handwriting of the Prophet. The two signatures
are his autographs.
The second postscript at twenty minutes before
was written
km minute before the letter was handed
o'clock, probably the last
to the messenger who was to convev it to Nauvoo, and records the
very htest news that had reached the Prophet's ears relative to the
steps Governor Ford was about to take.
As this letter was finished between seven and eight hours
before the Prophet was shot, it is probably the last he ever either
wrote, dictated or signed. This circumstance alone would im-
part to it profound interest and great value. Put a study of .its
392 IMTROVIvMENT l-.RA

contents vastly increases its significance. It shows the state of the

Prophet's mind, up to the very hour of his death, in regard to
reverence for law and authority, and respect for officials who
represent the one and exercise the other.
He gives explicit instructions to the effect that the people
in Nauvoo "attend to their own business," and do not gather
in groups on the streets, nor form assemblages elsewhere, "unless
by permission of the Governor they are called together to receive
communications from the Governor." The Prophet seems to think
such a proceeding "would please our people." But he explicitly
says :"Let the Governor direct." It was a critical hour, and the
Prophet was extremely anxious that the Saints should avoid doing
or saying anything that could possibly increase the prevailing
tension and excitement.
"Bro. Dunham," to whom the Prophet's instructions were
specially directed, was Major-General Jonathan Dunham, com-
manding officer of the Nauvoo Legion. He is explicitly instructed
to "obev the orders of the Government officers, and render them
the assistance they require."
Tn this, almost the very last recorded sentiment of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, he shows his love for the law, his respect for its
and his desire that his people obev them and assist them
officers,
in theperformance of their duties. Coupled with this sentiment,
however, he lays down "one principle which is eternal It is :

the duty of all men to protect their lives and the lives of their
households whenever necessitv requires, and no person has a right
to forbid it."
Both the courage and righteousness of this declaration must
inspire every just and unbiased mind with admiration for its
author, especially when the circumstances under which it was
made are considered.
Note the closing disjointed words "Should the last extreme
:

arrive —
but / anticipate no such extreme but caution is the —
parent of safety." How much the Prophet feared, and how nuic'n
he foresaw, are partly disclosed and partly concealed by these
words.
Into the first postscript great thoughts are crowded. "I am
very much resigned to my lot." On his way to Carthage, two
davs before, he had said "I go like a lamb to the slaughter." He
:

knew what his lot was to be. "I am justified and have done the
best that could be done." Here he records the judgment of his
conscience on his course, a judgment of complete acquittal, which
millions of the honest in heart throughout the world will yet con-
firm, as thousands who knew him and his works best have done
already. He tells his wife to give his love to their children. In
jail, nnd in momentary danger of assassination, his heart reaches

out after his children and imt only them but his friends.
; How
 THE PROPHET'S LAST LETTERS 393

proud this Mr. Brower ought to be to have his name preserved in

this connection
In this dying declaration, for as such it may be regarded, the
Prophet denies the charge of treason that had been made against
him and asserts that even the appearance of any thing of the
;

kind could not be proved. He assures his wife that no harm can
happen to him or his fellow prisoners on that score. How abund-
antly has the truth of all this been established Not on the score !

of any legal conviction of treason or any other crime did harm

come to them.
How rich in food for reflection these two letters are I am !

glad to place them on record in the pages of the Improvement

Era, and do so in the firm belief that some future commentator
will show the strength, beauty and grandeur of the man who wrote
them far more adequately than I have power to do.

My Prayer

My prayer is not for power, but for strength

bear the ills that now beset my way;
To
That I may struggle onward, day by day,
And rest beside the Master's throne, at length.
I me rich," but, "Make me
pray not, "Make strong,
That may find true riches here below
I

Which I may carry with me when I go,

And bear them to my Maker, with a song."

Iask not, "Take me," but, "Show me the way

By which the Savior passed to realms above;
That I may follow in this way of love
And kneel before his throne, some happy day.
"That, should I have my thorns and cross to bear,

Thy Lord, will help and comfort me,

Spirit,
Will guide me, teach me to become like Thee,"
This, then, shall be my hope, my life, my prayer.
Minerva Pinkerton
redmesa, col.
 The Life Message of John Ruskin
BY ALFRED LAMBOURNE

"He thirsted —as

a thirsty land for rain
For beauty and for good, as men for gain
Now may he drink of the immortal tide,
Ever athirst, and ever satisfied."
—
"The life message of John Ruskin" what was it? I begin this
short inquiry with the words of its caption, and put them into
quotation marks, because they are not my own, but were spoken
at the same time with a request that I write something concerning
his life message, and the request has made me thoughtful. What
was the life message of John Ruskin? I repeat the question, and
 THE LIFE MESSAGE OF JOHN RUSKIN 395

find that it not an easy one to

is answer. Can it be answered?
John Ruskin was a man with a many-sided mind he was the
;

possessor of a great and varied knowledge he was a tireless

;

worker in many fields of thought and action he drank deeply of

;

the alternate sweet and bitter in the cup which fate held to his
lips, and his life was prolonged beyond the scriptural span. Did
John Ruskin leave one central message among the countless beau-
tiful thoughts which came from his pen, in the recorded actions
of his intense and lengthened life?
John Ruskin! There is a charm in that name. "Next to
being great oneself," was his dictum, "is the capacity to see and
understand greatness in others." And the thought that prompted
those words to the great man, is a sort of keynote in the melody
of his own life work. Ruskin himself was a hero-worshiper, his
books are filled with words of admiration for the great ones of
all ages. He has been called "The Art-Seer," and "The Modern
Plato." —
Divide his life work into parts if that be possible and —
we find him art-critic, poet, artist, scientist, political and social
economist, historian, reformer, a teacher and worker in endless
fields. Well, indeed, must he have pondered upon and understood
the Parable of the Talents. Unto him how truly could have been
spoken the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
:

One life experience, and one that has been such an unwelcome
teacher to many, Ruskin never knew. I mean that terrible yet
—
thorough teacher Poverty. For gold he who is our subject never
lacked, and perhaps an experience of poverty might have changed
many of his earlier and later views upon social and political econ-
omy, upon the question, for instance, of becoming involved in the
mesh of debt. Be that as it may, we will not speculate upon what
might have been but think of that which was. Out of that vast
mass of writing of his, in which he has dealt with every phase
of art, from ancient to modern times, of botany, of geology, ques-
tions of relationship between labor and capital, of state and re-
ligion, what is the central message that John Ruskin has given the
world?
The French art-critic, R. de la Sizeranne, has written a book
entitled Ruskin and the Religion of Beauty. Yes, that is correct.
Ruskin's intense and passionate admiration of beauty of art, of—
literature, of nature, the works of the inspired ones, of streams
—
and woods, of mountains and sea, was a sort of religion and his
own words the litany of his worship. Pmt his religion included
the spiritual, it is founded upon the words of Christ, and the lines
of the Psalms "Consider the lilies of the field ;" "His countenance
:

was as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars." Rut from his admira-

tion of art and nature. Ruskin passed on to a like passionate de-
sire to be of assistance to his fellow men. Not only to point out
to them the beauty and truths of art, literature and the world on
396 IMPROVEMENT ERA
which we live, but also to point out the higher spiritual truths of
existence, to alleviate the suffering that comes from false ideals,
blind selfishness and misdirected energies. If his theories were
right or wrong; whether he was merely a dreamer or an advanced
practical thinker, in the true manner of directing mental and
physical —
power many are the days which shall pass away before
we shall fully and rightfully answer those questions.
But to our subject! I wonder how many of my readers have
read Ruskin's four books, Sesame and Lilies, Crozvn of Wild
Olive, Queen of the Air, and Ethics of the Dust? The first named
is the most popular of all the writer's books —
if we except the
—
marvelous child's story, King of the Golden River, and perhaps
deservedly so from one standpoint of thought. It is detrimental
and unfortunate to the reputation and usefulness of the great
English writer that so much of his splendid and instructive writing
is contained in works of such a special and technical nature as to

bar them from ever becoming popular or even understandable to

the general reader. I refer to Modem Painters, Stones of Venice,
Two Paths, Seven Lamps of Architecture, and the like books of
his. Such beauty of diction, such wealth of imagery and knowl-
edge, are hardly to be found in any other writer. But from the
causes mentioned they are only read by the few, but by these few
Ruskin is beloved as is none other. He is of the very greatest
and by some critics is placed on the same level with the Greek
dreamer Plato, the English philosopher Francis Bacon, and the
German poet and thinker Goethe. If he falls below these men in
certain strengths he is the equal of the first, and far above the two
latter in spirituality.
There was something saint-like almost Christ-like in the life
of the manof whom we write. Even in his madness there was a
touch of the divine. Although he professed but little patience with
the lives of certain saints and hermits of the Middle Ages, there
is a question what he might not have been, in spite of all his love

of art, the wonder of that study of his, with its many treasures,
had he lived in their day.
Truth, Beauty, Power, Sacrifice, Obedience, Labor, Memory,
these are the names of the lamps in Ruskin's Seven Lamps of
Achitecture. — —
Ruskin often sat figuratively as one of his biog-
raphers says, "like Job or Jeremiah among the potsherds and
thorns, not ceasing to speculate on why the universe existed and
whether there was a life beyond death." Afterwards, when his
great trials of life came, and indeed they came, he discovered that
truth which is learned by many of us who have not his advantages
of wealth : "It is work that keeps one sane." In his famous
Letters to the Worhingmen, he points out the vast difference be-
tween Liberty and Anarchy. "Men must be spoken simply to, if
you would sruide them kindlv and long." and vet he forgot this
 THE LIFE MESSAGE OF JOHN RUSKIN 397

dictum when addressing the workmen of Great Britain. Few

of them could follow his intricate logic, or translate his quotations
of Greek and Latin. He failed, for the time being, because he
was not understood.
To admire, to love the beauty of the. physical world to com- ;

prehend the great poets to understand the great masters of art

;

to be taught of the great philosophers; to obey and revere, the

true kings of the earth to follow the prophets of old to live in
; ;

—
very truth the teachings of Christ, are not all these messages
from the life of John Ruskin? Which one of these did he not
himself live ? No this man, who was a poet, an art-seer, a scien-
;

tist, a philosopher, a moralist, a politician, and a philanthropist,

was not perfect. Such is not given for man to be. Yet, out of
the furnaces of fire in which he was tried, he emerged victorious
and unscathed.
What a pathetic and beautiful figure he presents in his last
days ! Gentle, loving, patient brain-heart-and soul-tired, uttering
;

no word of controversy or bitterness, with only a smile of infinite

wisdom upon his calm face, regretting not the passing of life, and
ever ready to receive the welcome summons of death.
The life message of John Ruskin Have I not already told
!

it? To let the ideal life, and the real, the spiritual and the material,
be as near alike as possible. Love Beauty, Be Pure, Be Brave,
Admire and Be Taught by Genius, Obey and Revere Power, Be
Sincere.
Be true This appears to be the central thought in the Life
:

Message of John Ruskin

m
^"""'""•^^H

W{
3k "
«2?SJE
HI
N

fiSp! *^"
||.
Origin of the Brown South Pacific Islander

BY JOHN Q. ADAMS

In Two Parts —Part One

As the insignificant, wafted straw points out unerringly the
path of the wind, otherwise unseen, so in the onward march of
great historical events apparently minor incidents have often,
within themselves, the indication of the general trend.
Some centuries back there was recounted by Alma, prophet-
historian, a seemingly insignificant narrative, brief and simple, that
undoubtedly has assumed broad proportions in the light of more
modern developments. It is this

THE BLACK SOLOMON ISLANDER

The type of person with which the brown islander has no possible connection.

"And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an exceeding curious

man; therefore he went forth and built him an exceeding large ship,
on the borders of the Land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and
launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led
into the land northward.
 THE BROWN SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDER 399

"And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter
therein and did sail forth with much provisions, and also many women
and children; and they took their course northward, and thus ended
the thirty and seventh year.
"And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built other ships.
And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter
into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the
hind northward.
"And it came to pass that they were never heard of more. And
we suppose that they were drowned up in the depths of the sea. And
it came to pass that one other ship did also sail forth; and whither she

did go, we know not."

Now for a geographical query: Where was the "Land

Bountiful," the "Land of Desolation," the "narrow neck," the

GROUP OF SAMOAN WOMEN

Note the close resemblance to the American squaw.

"west sea" and the "land northward"? And, of what relative

value is all this to our theme? We shall note presently that answer-
ing the above question provides for us a very stable foundation
upon which we shall proceed to erect our more modern superstruc-
ture.
The "Land Bountiful" is familiar to all Book of Mormon
students as having been located in the northwestern part of South
America, adjacent to the Isthmus of Panama, which, by the way,
is, of course, the "narrow neck," and the Pacific ocean the "west

sea." The "land northward" may have referred to any part of

400 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the western coast of North America, probably off Central America
or Mexico, as voyages of that time were rather limited than ex-
tensive. .

Bearing all this in mind, in its plain simplicity, we shall now

deal with something nearer our own time.
Out in the South seas, approximately four thousand miles
from San Francisco, lies a group of land dots know as the Samoan
or Navigator Islands. On the 24th day of November, 1901, Elder
Martin F. Sanders, who was then laboring on the island of Savaii,
the largest of the nine, visited, quite by accident, a rude, thatched,
native hut where dwelt a couple who had the day previous picked
up on the beach, a bottle of rather curious appearance. It was
seen to be the depository of a written message of some sort which
had not been damaged in its hermetically sealed abode, and curi-
osity led to further investigation. On the paper in seven different
languages the finder was informed that it had been dropped into
the Pacific off the western coast of Mexico by the ship Cavaliere
Ciampa, in the endeavor to ascertain the direction and velocity
of the ocean current that swept along there. Incorporated with
this information was the request that anyone picking it up in any
quarter of the world should return it to Washington, D. C, where
the facts gained would be valuable to that department of the
national government interested in such work. This was done by
Elder Sanders.
Now for a summary. In little more than eight months, with-
out other aid than drifting with the current, the bottle had crossed
the intervening four thousand-mile span of ocean waste between
Mexico and Samoa, proving conclusively the existence of an ever-
moving "ocean river" in that
latitude. We are all aware of
the peculiarly restless nature
of the ocean. Its waters are
never perfectly stationary, but
move, not only in an up and
down wave action, but also as
huge rivers moving in varying
directions and velocities in dif-
ferent latitudes. To further
substantiate the presence of
the current in question, an
Englishman, four years after
the occurrence related above,
accidentally was set adrift in a
THE WAR CANOE
On which the islanders could have from the Marquesa
been
canoe
transported. islands near Tahiti, and he,
too, followed the drifting course of the bottle, eventually bringing
up at Samoa.
 THE BROWN SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDER 401

In conclusion, let us call to the fore once again the part played
by Alma in all this. Hundreds of years before the existence of
such maritime knowledge, as is now in our possession, he refers
to two vessels having been lost in those waters (where the bottle
began its journey two thousand years later). What is more
natural than to draw the fair conclusion that very easily a small,
clumsily constructed craft, devoid of other propellling power than
wind or wave, could easily have become dismantled in a squall,
and, drifting sailless and rudderless, where would she have been
heard from next ? Anyone will logically exclaim "The bottle :

and boat traversed identically the same course."

To lengthen this particular part of our discussion would fail
to add to its impressiveness, and we shall reserve for the succeed-
ing article of conclusion the remaining array of facts that establish
from various standpoints the identity of our brown brother of
the South Seas, simply suggesting that from Alma 63 :5-8 may be
evolved a very consistent and logical reason for holding to the
Israelitish origin of the brown islander, as we do.
RIVERSIDE, UTAH

The Toiler

O toiler, weary of your task,

With head bowed low;
O breaking heart, and weary soul;
O son of woe,

Work and bear your

on, load.
Those fewidle
Who wallow in their gold
Are less than you.

Although your health may fail,

Your soul is white.

Their souls will rust in them;
They are as night.

"Allye who are weary and heavy laden,

Come unto me,
And I will give you rest,"
Christ calls to thee.
Guy Coleman
midway, utah
 Thoughts on the Origin of Life
BY ROBERT C. WEBB

[The. seventh of a series of articles written for the Era by the author,
on allied subjects. Each article is complete in itself, but students should
read the whole series.— Editors.]

In the preceding" articles on the subject of the evolution

hypothesis we have attempted to discuss the involved issues and
arguments with regard to the main contention that all life-forms
have been developed through the operation of natural generation
from the simplest one-celled creatures, precisely as any animal of
the present clay emerges from the one-celled tgg. In spite of the
fact that paleontologists have presented numerous presumptive
evidences for a considerable range of variation, particularly among
the higher vertebrates, we have contended that such constitute
extremely meagre supports to the main contention also that, log- ;

ically speaking, the careful thinker must bear consistently in mind

that variation and organic evolution are positively not co-extensive
terms. Their evident interchangeable use by even competent
scientists is wholly unwarranted. But it would be unnecessary to
call attention to this inconsistency were it not for the fact that the
(to-date) largely inconclusive hypothesis of evolutionary develop-
ment is a highly-esteemed "working principle" with all sorts of
destructive critics of vital religion and common sense.
Very many scientists, in attempting to deal with the essential
and ultimate facts of creation, have espoused the theory that life
is essentially a mode of the universal energy. Although, of
course, such a statement can give the mind no clue to the explana-
tion of "consciousness" and other facts manifested in life-forms—
since it is not perfectly intelligible that the "brain secretes thought,
just as the liver secretes bile," as some have held, nor yet that all
material particles are accompanied with atoms of "mind stuff,"
as Clifford and others have stated —
yet, in view of the fact that
all manifestations of life in a living organism are characterized
by the presence and activity of certain forces, chemical, electrical,
etc., we may assume it to represent an essential part of the truth.
In any event, it is a theory so widely supported by scientific writers
— some of them suggest a chemical or electrical "origin" of life
that we are in very slight danger of criticism in assuming it in
some sense accurate.
In using the term "energy," we are to be understood as re-
ferring to the basis of all the forces found at work in the material
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OE LIFE 403

world, which, under favoring conditions, is "transmutable" into

heat, light, electrical according to the theory ac-
activity, etc.,
cepted by physicists. The meaning of this term "transmutability"
may be understood in the current explanation of the transmission
of energy from the sun to the earth. Considering the sun to be
what it seems, a vast centre of most intense activity, we are accus-
tomed to the statement that it lights and warms our earth by rays
transmitted to us through interstellar space. In spite of the fact,
as believed, that the interstellar space is utterly dark, also so
utterly devoid of temperature as to be below the "absolute zero"
of physicists —
the theoretical point at which gases cease to con-
tract (493° Fahrenheit below the freezing point) — we know that
solar energy, entering our atmosphere and striking the surface of
the earth, becomes transformed into the modes of force known as
heat and light, also, probably, into electrical activities of several
orders. We can not, however, as a certain writer has expressed
it, "hear the awful roar of the sun," and this fact is to be explained

quite consistently on the basis of physical theory. All forms of

energy are, as believed, manifested in undulatory or vibrating
activities in physical substance differing most evidently among
;

themselves according to their characteristic wave-lengths and

frequencies. This fact has led some physicists to assume that all
may be arranged in series of "octaves," after the analogy of the
musical scale. Arranging forces according to wave-lengths, we
have a very wide range of comparison as between the so-called
—
"Hertzian waves"- which form the basis of wireless telegraphy
•having waves of from one to several feet in length, and the so-
called Roentgen, or X-rays, whose characteristic wave-length is
calculated at about 1-250,000,000 inch. Audible sounds range
from the "lowest," consisting of about 16 vibrations per second,
to the "highest," consisting of 38,000 per second. Sound waves
may be measured in terms of inches or of intelligible fractions of
an inch, but, when we come to light we find a series of wave-
lengths, varying from 38,000 to the inch up to 62,000 to the inch.
Thus, as we need not be surprised to hear, certain forces, such
as sound, manifest through undulatory activities in the atmospheric
air, while others, such as light, undulate in the interstitial ether.
Accordingly, we need air for the transmission of sound. In the
same manner, we need other favoring conditions for the mani-
festation of other modes of energy.
Regarding the ultimate facts involved in any order of physical
energies, we know, of course, nothing at all. Some writers have
suggested that the ultimate energy is simply a manifestation of
divine power and presence in all creation, which is probably as
near to a orecise statement as the human mind is capable of formu-
lating. Other writers have suggested that such a description of
the one, ultimate energy of the universe involves also that life,
404 IMPROVEMENT ERA
viewed as vital or "spiritual" energy, is, in itself, the ultimate
mode of expression. However this may be, it remains true that
life, as we know it in the physical organisms of this world is found

manifested only in certain physical and chemical conditions as,—

for example, typically, within the 180 degrees, Fahrenheit, be-
tween the freezing and boiling points of water, extremes beyond
which life usually ceases. As to whether life can exist under
other conditions than the several physical and chemical, limits,
—
within which protoplasm "the physical basis of life"— can be
vitalized, science, of course, knows nothing. Nor are we con-
cerned to discuss the matter here.
Although we may hold that life, so far at least as it has a
distinct physical manifestation, is a mode of energy, it would seem
that we are justified in holding that it differs from other modes
and manifestations in the fact that its characteristic is concen-
trated or localized activity, rather than generalized or diffused,
as with other forces in nature. Thus, even though all forces must
—
have a source of some kind such as the sun, for the light, heat,
etc., in the world— we find that their characteristic is to radiate
into all directions, or to set up their vibrations in the air, ether,
and other media. With life, however, there is no such thing as
diffusion. It is to be found, not pervading the atmosphere, but
expressed in "living" things," all of which, from the lowest simple
cell to the highest and most elaborate creature, differ from un-
vitalized substance in the common possession of individuality.
Nor can the term "individuality" be applied to unvitalized objects
in the same sense as belongs to living things. Even with the
crystals of various substances, whose production has often been
compared to the essential process by which life-forms come into
being, we have "individualization" only as the consequence of
activity in the substance, tending to produce separate, definitely-
shaped pieces, under such conditions as cooling, the evaporation
of a solvent medium (such as water), or the exercise of some
certain stress. The size or perfection of crystals seems to be a
consequence of the intensity of the change in condition which
occasions their production, but the shape, or conformation, ac-
cording to which one of the six "systems" of crystallization is fol-
lowed, results from the properties of the substance itself, and is
characteristic of it. This latter fact is well exemplified by the
—
study of crystals in polarized light, through which as for exam-
ple, in the examination of sugars
molecular arrangements,
— profound facts concerning
have been revealed.
etc., Other physical
conditions, also, contribute to variation in configuration. Thus
moisture collected on a window pane or a stone pavement crystal-
lizes along lines resembling vegetation, but, when in the form of
finely-divided atmospheric mist, the six-pointed snowflake is the
result.
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 405

—
In comparing crystals and life-forms as several others have
—
done before us it may be in place to call attention to the essen-
tial difference between the two. In the case of the crystal we
have rather a resultant arrangement of the molecules of matter,
which seems to indicate that the forces giving it form have ceased
to act (although, if we understand them, some authorities seem
to hold to a quite contrary conclusion), whereas, in the case of
living things, on the other hand, the characteristic material form,
in any given case, arises at the start from the activities of certain
forces existing, presumably, in the germ, or, at least, directed and
determined by its qualities comes to perfection, persists so long
;

as the vital forces continue to act, and, on their cessation, enters

immediately on inevitable dissolution. Both crystals and organ-
isms, therefore, are, in a very real sense, examples of the results
of certain energies acting upon matter, since both, in the processes
of formation, at least, are shown to be certain centres of activity.
Here, however, the analogy seems to cease.
In view of the above facts, and of others, also, we may be
justified in asserting that the essential fact regarding the organism
is the specific directive or determinative principle in the germ

that which involves that the forces at work in the development of

the mature form shall follow a certain specific line of development,
—
and no other which is, in a very intelligible sense, a focus or
vortex of activity, differing from all other such foci or vortices,
either in its own or other species, in a manner analogous to the
difference between sound-tones or color-tints. The differences
in the latter connections, as already suggested, are to be stated in
the terms of the wave-lengths and frequencies of the activities
set up by the action of the several modes of energy. Whatever
may be the correct terms of expression in the case of vital force,
the fact remains that there are to be found in nature or art several
closely suggestive illustrations.
Sound and light, in certain definite connections, at least, fur-
nish suggestive working analogies to the presumed activities which
produce the original germ-elements out of which "develop" organ-
isms as we know them. Thus, a fact presented to the attention
of the sentient organism in the terms of either hearing or vision
—
produces a distinct impression upon the brain such impression,
as has been suggested by some theorists, consists in some definite
modification in the structure of some certain cell in the cerebrum
— by virtue of which a more or less definite "idea" becomes an
element of memory, associative thinking, concept-forming and the
ability to discriminate, express or recognize (on repetition) the
original matter of sensation. Although no subtlety of human
science has yet enabled anyone to "read" a brain, and decipher the
individual impressions formed in its mass by the presumed modi-
fication of cell-structures, it may be possible to hold that such
406 IMPROVEMENT ERA
individual impressions or "modifications" — by virtue of which,
for memory, for associative thinking or reasoning, under proper
conditions of co-ordination, also, for the expressive faculty (as
in art, etc.), the imaginative function of the brain can produce a
definite "concept" corresponding more or less accurately to the
original "percept" — are in a very real and intelligible sense an-
alogous to the cell-modifications or specific potentialities, by virtue
of which the egg produced by a parent of a given species infallibly
develops into, another individual of the same species. Further-
more, in both cases, the production of the "actual" (the mature
form) from the "potential" or germinal is a process taking place
in precisely the same substance, to wit, protoplasm, "the physical
basis of life." Nor is it evident that these "morphological phe-
nomena" of either generation or ideation result from inherent
properties of protoplasm, as the characteristic crystals of specific
—
substances salt, quartz, adrenalin, etc. — result from the inherent
properties of such substances, expressed under certain favoring
conditions. Vital phenomena seem to result from certain impulses
originated independently, but "focalized" upon a "plastic" sub-
stance, capable, for some obscure reason, of manifesting certain
functions which belong to the energy acting upon it, rather than
to the substance itself.
Assuming that "cerebral phenomena" are good working
analogies for the "morphological phenomena" in protoplasm
ideas resulting in the one case and organisms in the other — we
find that the impulses in the former connection produce cell-modi-
fications through the action of perfectly mechanical instruments,
the organs of the several senses. The organs are constructed to
receive impressions from the outer world of fact, and to translate
them into terms capable of producing brain-records. Although
the modus operandi in this connection is exceedingly obscure, the
science of mechanics furnishes some suggestive analogies, which
enable us to understand in a way how the potential becomes the
actual, both in ideation and generation, or how the "germ" in
both instances becomes the "organism."
In the case of sound, for example, we have a wonderfully
suggestive analogy for either of the above-mentioned processes in
the mechanical phonograph and its record. In this instrument
a minute stylus point, secured to a sensitive diaphragm, is caused to
travel over the surface of some impressionable substance, like
wax or metal foil, and to produce a groove varied by a series of
punctures of different areas and depths, as the diaphragm vibrates
under the pressure of the successive sound-pulsations that strike
it. We have at the completion of the process a "record" which a
practiced eye, helped by a microscope, can discriminate from
others, but which cannot be "interpreted" until another stylus is
drawn along the groove in precisely similar manner. When this
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 407

"reproducer" stylus follows the path, falling successively into each

pit and puncture in turn, and causing- its attached diaphragm to
reproduce the movements of the "recorder" diaphragm, the result
is an entirely recognizable reproduction of the original sounds that
caused the formation of the "record" in the beginning.
This partial and mechanical analogy may be made even more
suggestive in this connection when we consider the possibilities
of the machine under discusssion, and of the "record" produced by
its operation. If, for example, some certain musical air is per-
formed on a given instrument before the recorder diaphragm, we
have upon the surface of the cylinder or disc a record of a succes-
sion of fundamental tones, combined with a series of overtones
characteristic of the timbre of that particular instrument, and both
of these may be perfectly reproduced from the record, as already
explained. If, now, we make a second record of the same air,
played, however, by two instruments, we will have a record com-
bining the timbres of both with the same fundamentals, and re-
sulting in a very different musical effect. If, again, a third record
is formed for the same air, not only with the two instruments,

but also with the human voice in singing, we have four diverse
elements in the record, the two differing timbres of the two instru-
ments, the timbre of the human voice, and, superposed upon its
vibrations, the shaping of the sounds into the forms of articulate
speech. We may see, therefore, that corresponding portions of
the records in the first case and in the third, however faithfully
they may reproduce precisely the same fundamental tones, differ
in other essential and original particulars, which constitute in
them radically diverse sound-potentialities. Nor could we con-
ceive of any proposition that the more complex record could be,
in any sense, "developed" or elaborated upon the first since the
;

differences consist in the essential qualities of the original impulses

—
originating the records the third containing elements which do
not appear at all in the first.

The lesson involved in the artificial sound-record may be,

perhaps, even more suggestively learned in the Poullsen magnetic
phonograph, or "phonautograph". In this instrument a flexible
steel ribbon is drawn lengthwise between the poles of two very
small electro-magnets, the windings of which are in circuit with
the secondary of a telephone induction coil. Words, or other
sounds, affecting the telephone transmitter, constantly vary the
resistance of the primary coil, or battery circuit, consequently
also the durations and intensities of the currents carried on it;
induce corresponding currents in the secondary, and thus constant-
ly vary the magnetization of the cores of the small electro-mag-
nets, whose poles are in proximity to the steel tape. The result of
is that the moving
this operation steel tape is locally magnetized at

numerous successive points in its length, and with constantly

 4U8 IMPROVEMENT ERA
varying degrees and qualities of magnetization. When, however,
a telephone receiver is connected in circuit with the windings of
the small electro-magnets, and the now locally magnetized steel
tape is again drawn along between the poles as before, the iron
of the magnet cores is excited magnetically by each successive
spot or centre of magnetization, currents are induced in the wind-
ings, and the original sounds — —
words or musical tones originally
spoken, sung or played into the transmitter, are reproduced in the
receiver. In this instrument, instead of the minute series of me-
chanical punctures, we have tiny vortices of magnetic circulation
each of which differs from all the other magnetic spots in the fact
that it contains the potentiality of reproducing, only and pre-
cisely, the sounds that originally gave it existence.
These mechanical and magnetic effects demonstrate the fact
—
one form of undulating energy sound such
that, in the case of —
"foci" as the punctures on the phonograph record, or spots of
localized magnetism on the steel tape of the phonautograph, are,
precisely, potentialities for the production of ultimate conse-
quences utterly different from anything suggested by their con-
struction or physical appearance. Why it is that a phonographic
record, resulting from a musical air played on a violin, for ex-
ample, should be capable of reproducing, not only the air, con-
sidered as a succession of fundamental tones, but also the har-
monics characteristic of the violin, while the same air played
on a horn or flute, consisting of the same fundamentals, differs
in possessing harmonics characteristic of the horn or flute, is a
question that could be answered only after the most exhaustive
investigation. It is even imaginable, however, that, on the basis
of such an exhaustive investigation, human ingenuity could
compass the feat of producing "phonographic records" mechanic-
ally, even taking advantage of knowledge based on thorough
familiarity with the essential facts, by introducing weird and
—
unfamiliar timbres thus "tapping out a tune" that no earthly
instrument ever played. As strange and remarkable things have
been accomplished.
All this is imaginable because of the fact that each separate
component of any such records as we have been discusssing repre-
sents a group of elements, which, in its entirety, differs from any
other having the same fundamentals, in respect of such proportions
as may be expressed by one combination of numbers, rather than
another. In the magnetic phonograph, for example, it is evident
that the several sounds, recorded and reproduced, differ originally
merely as the resistance of an electric circuit is modified with a
constantly varying frequency. But in these elements we have the
potentiality of building tones, timbres and words. This fact is to
be seen even more strikingly in Professor Bell's "radiophone" ap-
paratus, in which a ray of light, focused through a lens upon the
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 409

silvered surface of a metal diaphragm — which, vibrating under

the pressure of sound undulations, constantly varies its reflecting
surface (according to the amount of distortion imposed upon it),
consequently, also, the amount of light actually reflected, through
—
given periods is directed upon a cell of selenium, included in
circuit with a battery and a magnet telephone receiver. As is
well known, the resistance of the metalloid selenium to the passage
of the electric current varies directly as the amount of light that
strikes upon its surface — its resistance in total darkness is twice
as high as in full sunlight. Yet, in the "radiophone" apparatus,
its action in constantly modifying the current passing on the
telephonic circuit (according to the amount of illumination) en-
ables the magnet receiver to reproduce all the complex sounds that
originally agitated the silvered diaphragm, as already explained.
Here the result is a concern, merely, of ohms and milliamperes,
of circuit resistance and current intensity, combined with nothing
else, except a varying time-element.
All such conditions help to illustrate how we may form a
conception of the fact that an organic cell or germ, informed by
vital energy, represents a potentiality of producing effects utterly
unrecognizable in, and not to be suspected from its present ap-
pearance or structure. The organism developed from it, after the
cycle of its metamorphosis has been completed, is the product of
"evolution" in the sense proper to the original use of that term in
biological science, as already explained. That is to say, it is the
out-working, the unfoldment, of an involved plan or destiny, which
was "stored" in it precisely as sound was "stored" in the mechan-
ical or magnetic record already described. As the current phrase
has it, it "was there" from the beginning of the cell's life, waiting,
like the "stored-up echo" in the phonographic record, for the con-
ditions favorable to its complete emergence from the "potential"
or possible, into the actual world, as we know it.
The involved potentiality of each germ-cell to subdivide and
recombine into new forms, until the perfect destined individual
is produced, may be compared to some order of "valency" — to
use a term familiar in chemical and other sciences— which is con-
ceivable as a factor expressible in terms of the relative propor-
tions of component elements. Thus the typical cell of one species
differs from the typical cell of another, conceivably, just as cor-
responding elements of two sound-records, possessing identical
fundamentals but differing harmonics. Indeed, the thought is as
beautiful as it seems to be accurate, that the fundamental distinc-
tions between natural forces and elements are found to be ex-
pressible in the terms of number and proportion. The same idea
was developed in the Buddhistic teaching on Karma, which, as the
leading principle in the doctrine of "metempsychosis" (Samsara),
represents each individual as dissolving at death into a sort of
410 IMPROVEMENT ERA
— —
"echo," so that adopting- a musical metaphor as the consequence
of its release, it may form the impulse for the production of a
new individual in a favoring environment, very much as the
vibrations_ issuing from a bell of given tone may evoke a "re-
sponse" from another bell of the same tone, even across a wide
distance. The tone and pitch of the bell, its numerically-expressi-
ble equivalent or significance —
also the resultant of its size, shape
—
and bulk of metal may be said to be its Karma (Sanskrit, "act"
or "doing"), stated in the terms of the frequency and amplitude
of its sound vibrations per second. Although the doctrine of
Karma was primarily a moralistic solution, it has always been
treated as if it had a definite ontological significance. It is thus
explained by Professor Rhys Davids, a noted authority
"Buddhism claimsto have looked through the word soul for the
fact purports to cover; and to have found no fact at all, but only
it

one or other of twenty different delusions which blind the eyes of

men. Nevertheless, Buddhism is convinced that if a man reaps sor-
'

row, disappointment, pain, he himself, and no other, must at some

time have sown folly, error, sin; and if not in this life, then in some
former birth. Where then, in the latter case, is the identity between
him who sows and him who reaps? In that which alone remains when
a man dies, and the constituent parts of the sentient being are dis-
solved; in the result, namely, of his action, speech, and thought, in
his good or evil karma (literally his 'doing'), which does not die.
* * * But the peculiarity of Buddhism lies in this, that the re-
sult of what a man is or does is held, not to be dissipated, as it were,
but to be concentrated together in the formation of one new sentient
—
beings new, that is, in its constituent parts and powers, but the same
in its essence, its being, its doing, its karma." —
Buddhism, pp. 103-104.

Of course, in the system to which it belongs, the doctrine of

Karma represents one possible intellectual device to escape the un-
intelligible hypothesis of "immaterial spirit", even while acknowl-
edging the reality of "things unseen and eternal". Instead of an
"immaterial" essence, which the mind can scarcely avoid identify-
ing with nothingness, it supposes that the resultant of life is, as it
—
were, a "chord" of vital energies as may be understood partially
—
from our former musical analogies which can, in effect, exert
a "formative pressure", as the modern physicist might term it,
upon a suitable receptive substance. From another point of view,
also, is the doctrine significant in the present discussion — this is

in the fact that, as taught, the Karma' of an individual man, or of

the world or universe itself, is the fundamental element that
discriminates him, or it, from the universal. Indeed, this tendency
to "act", or to "do" certain definite and involved things, is the
only reason why the fundamental Akasa ["ether?"] is to be per-
ceived in the appearance of "stars, earths, worlds, and changes
changing them", or why the "delusion of individual existence"
remains the obstacle to attaining Nirvana [the universalized
life?]. Quite apart from all the philosophical consequences which
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 411

the doctrine was believed by its original formulator to involve,

it argues to,and well illustrates the theory that, in modern
terms, the primal germ-element of each individual being is to
be considered as a "focus" or "vortex" of energy, of some such
character as is suggested by the previously-used analogies. A
somewhat similar use of this doctrine of Karma has been made
'
by Professor Huxley, who says

"What actually happens, in all but the lowest organisms, is that

one part of the growing germ (A) gives rise to tissues and organs;
while another part (B) remains in its primitive condition, or is but
slightly modified. The moiety A becomes the body of the adult and,
sooner or later, perishes, while portions of the moiety B are detached
and, as offspring, continue the life of the species. Thus, if we trace
back an organism along the direct line of descent from its remotest
ancestor, B, as a whole, has never suffered death; portions of it, only,
*
have been cast off and died in each individual offspring * *
If we could restore the continuity which was once possessed by the
portions of B, contained in all the individuals of a direct line of de-
scent, they would form a sucker, or stolon [using the simile of the
strawberry plant], on which these individuals would be strung, and
which would never have wholly died." Evolution and Ethics, Note 1.
"The tendency of a germ to develop according to a certain specific
type, e. g. of the kidney bean seed to grow into a plant having all the
characters of Phaseolus vulgaris is its 'Karma'. It is the last 'inheritor
and the last result' of all the conditions that have affected a line of
ancestry which goes back for many millions of years to the time when
life first appeared on the earth. The moiety B of the substance of the
bean plant is the last link in a once continuous chain extending from
the primitive living substance: and the characters of the successive
species to which it has given rise are the manifestations of its gradu-
ally modified Karma". Ibid., Note 6.

In these passages Huxley follows the Buddhistic understand-

ing of Karma with perfect consistency the essential element of
:

the doctrine of metempsychosis is invoked to explain an essential

situation in the doctrine of derivative descent. Thus he speaks
of a " gradually -modified Karma." [In Buddhistic acceptation,
Karma is to be "modified" only as the "moral significance" of
the being approaches to or moves away from the ideal "universal
life," in which the "delusion of personality" is "blown out"
"Nirvana-ed." ] It is doubtful, however, if his inferences in this
particular are perfectly logical. Considered as an expression for
"potential being", or organism, Karma, as we have seen, is an
enlightening term. Taken, however, as Huxley takes it and as —
evolutionists in general take the matter of potentiality in the
vital germ, as an element susceptible of indefinite variation in
its essential constitution— we find that the Buddhistic
device for
escaping the "absurdities of immaterialism" by assuming a mere
effect or potency for "merit or demerit", in a moral sense, for
"things done and undone" [so that each succesive "new individ-
ual" is morally scaled to begin doing and neglecting precisely
412 IMPROVEMENT ERA
where his predecessor left off] is a very unsatisfactory metaphor
for biological situations.
From all that we know or may surmise regarding the germinal
-

elements of living things, not only as seen in the partial mechanical

analogies, with which we have attempted to illustrate them, but
also in all the facts brought to our notice in common observation
and experience, it may be held to be fairly evident that the
tendency to develop along certain definite lines into organic ma-
turity represents an original impulse from without, and in no
sense a product of matter, or of any of the forces of which we
have knowledge in material nature. The fact of variation in
nature seems to be established, as is also the artificial method of
"crossing," by which a quality present in one type of organism
may be "engrafted" upon another, making a new "breed," but
neither of these has any logical relation to the theory that new
elements, not previously known in nature, are to be considered pro-
ducible by any influences analogous to "artificial selection." In other
words, returning again to the metaphor of sound phenomena, we
may hold that, on the basis of our knowledge of vital germs, varia-
tion in the natural world is either (1) suppression, by which full
development is prevented, as we will presently explain, or (2)
opportunity, in which obstacles to full development are removed.
— —
Neither of these conditions affects much less alters the essential
germ potentiality, any more than one of the numerous "stops" of
a reed or pipe organ, while modifying the timbre of the tone, can
change its "fundamental" character.
Whether our persistently-used musical metaphor be fully il-
lustrative, or not, we may insist, logically enough, that it is valid
to the extent, at least, that the original vital germ element is, as
—
we know it, positively not neutral, or passive so as to be modified
by "external influences" or environments of any kind but en-
tirely active, and possessed of a
—
definite significance of its own.
The "Karma" of the red ant, or of the Greenland whale, for ex-
ample, as produced in the respective parental eggs, brings forth
its kind unerringly, although a mere "valency", or,
as previously
explained, a "numerically-conceivable potentiality", in a speck
of matter, indistinguishable —except for size, shape, etc., from—
most other specks of similar import. Just as already explained,
the minute scratch or puncture of the phonographic record con-
tains, in posse, some definite sound, different from all others
in
point of timbre, volume and pitch, so each minute germinal proto-
plast contains in nature's equivalent terms the certainty
of the
several qualities proper to the species to which the germ belongs.
The germ of the bird contains the certain potential equivalent of
beak, wings and feathers that of the fish, the invisible determining
;

cause of fins, scales and gills; that of man, the rudiments of the
"idea" of spiritual possibilities, together with the tendency
to
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 413

build up a brain that should think. The involved potentialities

of the germinal principle seem nearly endless, as we may guess
from the multiplicity of "special instincts" manifested among
living things, and which we are asked to believe represent only so
many "acquired habits". By what order of phonograph-like "rec-
ord", for example, is there impressed upon the tiny brain of
the garden wasp the certain knowledge of the area on the body of
a larva of alien species, in which a sting puncture will produce
paralysis, instead of death, thus preserving the ill-fated victim as
food for her unlaid young? [Such instinct must be inherited
—
and "innate" a cell is "born" with an "idea" involved in its
structure, instead of derived from sense experience —
since she
never saw her own parents, who might have taught her the
"trick."] There are hundreds of such "records" that might be
mentioned, and all exist wrapped among the "possibilities" of
the parental germs. So precise is the knowledge involved, often-
—
times as in the nest-building instinct, which, as it were, depends
—
on a whole "cell-literature" of architecture that certain older
philosophers offered as solution of the situation the statement,
"God is the mind of the brutes" (Deus est anima brutorum)
If, however, it can be demonstrated from the rock records,
or by experiment, that all life-forms, as we know them, certainly
came forth in the course of countless ages of gradual change
from a common "indefinite homogeneous" original, each new form,
Proteus-like, following every predecessor, we may reasonably
assume on the ground of all the knowledge that we possess of
germ-potentialities and developments, that all must have existed
potentially, or in imminent possibility, from the beginning, await-
ing only the favoring opportunity to burst into actual existence
just as solar energy hurries toward the earth's atmosphere, in
order that it may become transformed into the modes of light and

heat. Even assuming that environment, in the form of "natural

selection", or whatever we may elect to call it, is a provocative,
rather than a permissive, cause of variation, we merely ascribe to
its influence a depth and subtlety of influence that is, simply
speaking, undiscoverable to science. In either case we state
merely all that could be meant by the term "special creation",
when examined in the light of scientifically-established fact. [For
"special creation" need not imply what Herbert Spencer character-
ized as "the carpenter theory of creation", representing God as
forming the world as a man makes a box.] We
have on the one
hand the belief in the fundamental and unalterable germ-po-
tentialitv, which is the organism in possibility on the other, merely
;

a guess' at the creative influence that could modify it— changing

its "fundamental", as well as its "harmonics". Positively no valid
objection can be urged to the statement that the "organic equival-
ents" mentioned above could have existed in original primeval
414 IMPROVEMENT ERA
germs, and sprung into developed existence under favoring cir-
— —
cumstances whatever such may have been any more than that
ages of slow upbuilding were necessary to make a germ-equivalent
the correspondent of the developed fact, be that bone, muscle,
or other structure. Our former analogies tell us this.
But, as already suggested, environment plays a great part in
life-history,and there is variation of life-forms in numerous
instances. Environment may suppress possibilities, just as the
conditions of "domestication" modify animals, so as to cause them
to lose, wholly or partially, many of their proper characteristics.
From the standpoint of the animals, domestication always in-
volves a distortion of nature. [A suppressive environment might
be to a living organism precisely what a small room would be to
a large volume of musical sound: in the latter case harmony is
distorted into painful cacophony.] Such conditions may be as-
sumed to exist in nature, as seen when birds or insects, from
habit, forced or original, disuse and finally, as it might seem,, lose
the power of flight —
even, in some cases, the organs of flight, also.
In the same manner, as we might imagine, if seeking for an "ex-
planation", that the trilobites of the Paleozoic Time, which, as some
zoologists have indicated, "resemble the embryonic forms of some
higher Crustacea", were "let and hundred" from their proper
—
development by the conditions of life such as they may have
—
been which obtained in their day. Their sudden disappearance
from the rock records in the early Mesozoic measures might be
held to indicate some such alteration in these conditions, as would
permit development into the "maturity" which nature had in-
tended from the beginning. .A partial analogy may exist in the
so-called Axolotl, a problematic tadpole-like creature, which some
authorities have asserted is merely the undeveloped "larva" of
some true newt, and which others claim has actually been known
to assume a land-dwelling "maturity", under favoring conditions.
It might seem, according to some showings, to
represent, under
natural conditions, the same sort of permanent "tadpolism"
if we may coin a term— as has been artifically
produced by certain
experimenters with the young of ordinary toads and frogs.
[These
"permanent tadpoles" not only do not "mature", but, as we are
told, actually breed in the larval state.] Similar distortive, or sup-
pressive, influences,whatever they may have been, might also be
assumed to explain the appearance and persistence— for
a time
—of some of the huge and unwieldy reptiles of ancient days Why
should an ^'orderly progress upward" produce such
"anatomical
absurdities as have existed at various periods
of the world's his-
tory? The suppressive and distortive influence
of environment
might also be invoked to explain the presence of
"rudimentary
organs in men and other animals.
Given the conditions favorable to the appearance
of life, and
 THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 415

we have the earliest germs — and theorists admit this.

all scientists
Given the germs, and we have no war-
possibility of the simplest
rant, apart from our tendency to theorize and dogmatize, for deny-
ing the possibility of the most complex germ-potentiality nor —
yet, its development. Such favoring conditions may not have
—
been those that now exist on earth we may reasonably assume
—
that they were not but we know of nothing to prevent the belief
that all were "originally created", any more than we know of
conditions hostile to the production of any of the colors of the
spectrum, or of any of the tones of the musical gamut, even before
there was as yet an instrument devised to produce them. It is
useless to theorize, however, after we have reached the confines of
facts as we know them. One significant lesson, however, lies in
the story of the vital germ, considered as a focus of vital energy,
which, as it may be, is also a focus of creative activity. The fol-
lowing is a very suggestive treatment of this very situation

(An Englishman questions a Hindu sage on the mysteries of life.)

Pundit
—
(Reading) "The spirit of a man, whereby he strives.
Flashes from star to star if so it — will
And — if it will —sleeps in the smallest drop
Of midmost heart-blood". Yama sayeth so.

Sahib — Yet, Pundit, this is hard to comprehend!

How can it be that what hath plenitude
To range from star to star should hide itself
I' the hollow of a heart?

p I answer thee
Out of the great Upanishad, surnamed
Khandogya! Gather up yon fruit
Dropped by the parrots from the Banyan tree!
What seest thou therein?

$ A scarlet fig
Not larger than a Moulvie's praying bead!

p. Break it, and say again!

I break it, Sir,

$
And see a hundred little yellow seeds!

p. Break it, and say again!

I break a seed;
$
though a silkworm's egg
It is as slight as
Were crushed; and in the midst a germ, a speck!
p Break it, and say again!

c The speck is gone

In touching, Guru! There is nothing now!

P Yet, in that "nothing" lay (thou knowest well!)

The Nyagrodha tree, the Banyan tree,
416 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Comely and vast as it was formed to grow;
With all its thousand downward-dropping stems
Waiting to fall from all its thousand boughs,
And all its lakhs and lakhs of lustrous leaves
Waiting to push to sunlight, and so make
New canopies of flower and fruit and shade,
Where creatures of the field, fowls of the air,
Monkey and squirrel folk might find their home,
And man and cattle 'neath its ample roof
Have shelter from the noon. This Forest King—
Of bulk to overspread a Raja's camp
Was wrapped in what thou sayest passeth sight.
—Edwin Arnold, The Secret of Death.

Maxims and Wise Sayings

From Wii.dows in the Library of the University of Pennsylvania, 1904

COPIED AND CONTRIBUTED BY J. B. BALL

Striving to better, oft we mar what's good.

Wisely and slow they stumble that run fast.
;

When clouds appear, wise men put on -their cloaks.

Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take
for granted, nor to find fault, but to weigh arid consider.
Self-love is not so vile a thing as self-negligence.
Celerity is never more admired than by the negligent.
O world, how apt the poor are to be proud
The empty vessel makes the greatest sound.
How poor are they that have no patience.
Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile.
Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.
Many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills.
Truth is truth to the end of reckoning.
Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?
Past and to come seem best, things present worse.
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
Time is an old justice that examines all offenders.
Strong reasons make strong actions.
Men should be what they seem.
No might nor greatness in mortality can censure 'scape.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire, begin it with
weak straws.
Ignorance is the curse of God.
Knowledge, the wings wherewith we fly to heaven.
Everyone can master a grief but he that has it.
Winning will put any man into courage.
 Anthon L. Skanchy
A Brief Autobiographical Sketch of the Missionary Labors
of a Valiant Soldier for Christ

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE

VIII. I AM RELEASED FROM MY FIRST MISSION

At last I came town Vardo in Finmarken, the most

to the
distant city in my where I remained a few weeks. While
field,
there I went out on the ocean and fished. Instead of nets, hooks
and lines were used. The whole ocean was so filled with fish that
it seemed as if it were a great pot in which fish were boiled. It
was a common experience that heavily weighted fish lines could
not get past the mass of fish.
On this trip I was arrested for preaching the gospel of Christ
and brought by steamer to the city of Hammerfest, where sentence
was pronounced on me and from there, in another steamer to
;

Tromso where I spent ten days in prison on a diet of bread and

water. I learned many things from these seasons of imprison-
ment. I was a young man, healthy and strong, accustomed to
moving quickly in my work, and I found that this diet of bread
and water did not agree with me especially as I was given a tiny
;

piece of sour, heavy, dry, coarse bread, about the size of half of
my hand, every twenty-four hours. As the days went by in prison,
I must confess that I became very hungry and that it caused sleep-
lessness. I was able to sleep about two hours each night, and

would awake weak and tired. I dreamed usually that I was feast-
ing on an abundance of things to eat and drink and then would
suddenly awake hungry and weak, dizziness and headache over-
mastering me. I lay on my hard bed hoping for the arrival of day
because I could then divert my thoughts a little better. These sea-
sons of imprisonment tired me severely. None can fully under-
stand it unless he has experienced it himself. It brought to my
mind the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "It shall even be as when
a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth but he waketh, ;

and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and

behold, he drinketh, but he waketh, and, behold, he is faint, and
his soul has appetite So shall the multitude of the nations be that
:

fight against Mount Zion." I thought to myself that he who

spoke those Avords had undoubtedly had experience in it.

418 IMPROVEMENT ERA
During the month of July, in 1865, the third summer of my
labors in Nordland, I received my release from this mission, from
Elder George M. Brown, who then presided over the Norway
conference. I wrote to all the Saints in Nordland's branch to
meet in the historical place Bjarkoe at a stated time. All of the
Saints came to the meeting, as also strangers. Mysister in the
flesh, Amelia, came there, also, and was baptized. Wepartook
of the sacrament together, and for three or four days we had a
most enjoyable time. At last, then, I bade farewell to my brethren,
sisters and friends, and to Nordland with its many islands, fjords
and great and beautiful mountains, forming a landscape so bril-
liantly equipped that it does not stand second to any that I have
seen. The impressions which became stamped upon my mind dur-
ing my mission up among the people of northern Norway, in the
days of my youth, will never, I believe, leave me, for one might
learn more up there than can be learned in a university.
Before I leave this extensive and valuable mission field, I
will add my modest judgment of this great and beautiful country,
with fjords and sounds, islands and high mountains covered with
leafy trees, reaching down to the shore, with the background of
high cliffs and barren mountains, covered with patches of trees
and moss, where the Laps watch their great herds grazing in the
small mountain valleys. All about, are every kind of feathered
life, representing the birds of the ocean, among which the eider

duck is a prominent feature. It seems as if Nature has here made

attempt after attempt to invite wealth and beauty to the children
of men. Three months throughout the year the midnight sun
shines the great ocean teems with measureless wealth Cw food for
;

man. Wherever one turns there is something attractive to behold.

Not only is the eye pleased, but the spiritual intelligence is touched
as well. To me it was as if, in this rugged nature, a new world
of inspiration and introspection came from God, who from the
beginning had organized the whole land. No wonder that thous-
ands visit summer after summer this land of the midnight sun,
this wonderland.
I took passage homeward in a steamer under Capt.
J. S.
Green, a friend of mine, and a member of the Church. I was very
grateful to the Lord for his fatherly care and protection over me
during my honest labors both on land and sea and though I felt
;

myself a very humble and imperfect messenger of the great and

noble work, I also felt that the Lord was satisfied with my
work,
and that the honor belonged to him. At last I reached Trondhjem
and had the joy to greet my dear mother again, together with my
brethren, sisters and friends. I remained a few davs with the mis-
sionaries, who still roomed in my mother's house,
and held several
meetings. Then I bade my mother farewell again, and began my
long walk to Christiania, and again had the opportunity
of walking
 LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MISSION HOUSE, CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY

over the Dovre mountain alone. I reached Christiania in due

season, about two and a half years after I set out on my mission.

IX. I LABOR IN AALESUND

I was retained as a missionary, but was now at liberty to go

wherever I wanted. I said goodby, and journeyed on to Guld-
brands valley where I thought there would be a good field for
work, as the whole valley is thickly populated. From there I
went to Roms valley and at last reached Aalesund. In this city I
found a sister whom I had baptized in Nordland and who was
now married to Mr. Myre, a bookkeeper. As I was the first elder
who had visited this town, I was greatly persecuted by the min-
ister, Mr. Buck, and by the police who were on my track every
day. Nevertheless, I won friends there and after a time baptized
Mr. Myre.
Just at this time Elder Christian Folkman, and the Saints who
were in Trondhjem, invited me to spend the Christmas season
there, and sent me traveling money so that I could buy my steam-
ship ticket. I was in my native city by Christmas and had a most
interesting time.
Early in January, I returned by steamer to Aalesund, to con-
tinue my work. When I arrived I had only twelve cents, which
was just enough to pay the man who fowed me from the steamship
 INTERIOR OF THE ASSEMBLY HALL, LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MISSION
HOUSE, CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY

and placed me on land in the city. I secured lodgings in the house

of a master shoemaker, Nielsen, who owned a large three-story
house. The police chief soon came and ordered me to leave the
city, but when I told him I was paying for my support, and that
I knew something about the Norwegian law and his authority,
and that it did not extend so far as to drive me out of the city, he
left me alone, but commanded his force to keep a very close watch
over me.
Then came the priest of the city, the Mr. Buck formerly men-
tioned, incompany with one of the local merchants, and told me
considerable more such information, that if I conducted any meet-
ings, the doors of the prison were ready to close behind me. A
few days afterward I went to call on the priest, but he saw me
come and instructed his housekeeper to tell me that he was not at
home. When I asked if the pastor was at home, she said, "No,
he is away." As I knew that he was at home at that time, I
warned the lady she should not tell an untruth to one of the Lord's
servants. She took my words to heart and told her folks what
had happened. It so happened that this lady was of very prom-
inent parents, and they immediately took their daughter home.
Two days later, one of the merchants greeted me, and told me that
this story of the pastor's untruthfulness had spread over the city
to the shame of the pastor himself. Sometime after I had left
Aalesund, I heard that this minister, Mr. Buck, had hun<y himself,
for what reason I did not learn.
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 421

Then came the superior priest of the district and pressed

upon mylandlord that he must drive me out of the house, and not
give home or habitation to false prophets. Mr. Nielsen, who had
learned something of the gospel, bore testimony in my behalf, and
then everything went wrong. I was not present, but the two must
have had a serious time together.
In a few days came a letter from the superior priest to Mr.
Ni hen insisting that as Nielsen was a respected man in the com-
munity, in order to maintain his good name he must not any longer
give me lodging. Mr. Nielsen was now in a tight place, and he
presented the matter to me. He did not want to turn me out, yet
he desired to favor the chief priest of the district. In fact, so
overcome was he that he cried. An evening or two later he re-
ceived another letter from the pastor which was even more in-
sistent.
The morning after the receipt of the second letter, I placed the
whole matter before the Lord, and received my inspiration that if
I would call on the priest he would acknowledge the correctness
of every principle that I might present to him. Filled with jov, T
walked to his home some two miles beyond the edge of the citv.
1 was courteously invited into the office of the great man. We
had first a conversation concerning- the Bible then, concerning the
;

relation of "Mormonism" to Biblical doctrines. Questions were

directed to me, and I replied in the spirit of truth that was present
and he acknowledged the correctness of every principle that I ad-
vocated. For two hours we were together in friendly conversa-
tion. The battle was won and from that time on he was espe-
;

cially kind and helpful to our missionaries who followed me. The
same day Mr. Nielsen was informed by letter from the_ priest that
he could give me lodging as long as he liked, and the priest further
stated that he had had a conversation with Mr. Skanchy which
convinced him that he had been mistaken in his opposition, but
excused himself by saying that it was the duty of his profession
to oppose those who believed in any other religion than that sup-
ported by the state.
Even after this, I had a pretty hard time in Aalesund but ;

after several members had been brought into the Church the work
became somewhat easier. Among others who were baptized at
this time was Mrs. Soneva Torgesen, the wife of a friendly ship
captain. This woman was a true daughter of Israel, and did
much good. She had two small children whom I blessed. The _

boy was instructed by his mother and is a faithful elder in the

Church today.
In the spring of 1867, at a conference held in Christjania,
C. C. A. Christensen, who had arrived from Utah, was assigned
to preside in Norway. I bade farewell to Aalesund and began

my journey up the valley of the Roms, over Dovre mountain

 422 IMPROVEMENT ERA
again, and then down Gnldbrands valley until I reached the little
town of Lillehammer, where we had a sister in the gospel, Ellen
Buckwald, who was employed in the household of a Mr. Revers,
a friend of our people. To this house the elders were invited
whenever they came to the city, and were treated there in the
very best manner. I had many conversations concerning the gos-

pel with this educated man. The family did not want to part with
Kllen, for she taught the children of the household "Mormonism,"
and used to pray, even, for Brigham Young as a leader of Israel.
I finally again came to Christiania, and in the conference then
held was released from my second mission by the outgoing presi-
dent.

X. I PRESIDE IN CHRISTIANIA

Elder C. C. A. Christensen then took over the guidance of

the Saints in Norway. I was called to act as the president of the
Christiania branch which at that time had about 600 members.
Upon the receipt of this call I felt my unworthiness in a very great
degree. There were many in the congregation who had accepted
the gospel long before I had, many of them older and more intelli-
gent men and women, but I prayed to my God for wisdom and
intelligence to be able to guide this great body of people. These
prayers were heard and the Lord blessed me mightily. I gained
the love and respect of the Saints and with the fatherly guidance
of our respected President, C. C. A. Christensen, I got along very
well.
_
Many
persons were converted and baptized into the Church
both Christiania and throughout the branches in the country
in
as a result of the visits of President Christensen to the different
branches and the meetings he held everywhere with the people.
As the children of the Saints in Christiania were often perse-
cuted in school by the other children, because their parents were
"Mormons," decided to try to stop this unnecessary and improper
I
persecution.- went to the chief of police, one of our friends,
I
and counseled with him as to what we would best do. He ad-
vised us to petition the school board, the chairman of which
was
Bishop Arup, for the privilege of establishing a school
of our
own, and he suggested further that we secure a number of well
known names to this petition and offered to be the first to sign it.
We delh^red this petition to the bishop who was a very courteous
man. After a couple of weeks the petition was granted, on
the
condition that an officer of the school board should
inspect the
school once a year to make sure that we were giving
the right
training and maintaining proper discipline.
Moreover, in our
school, the children should not be obliged to
study the state re-
ligion or the history of the Bible. We thought this a very ^crreat '

concession.
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 423

I was then appointed to take charge of this school, with Sister

Christina Osterbeck as assistant. The children were each to pay
a little, as they could obtain the means, for the expense of books,
and other supplies. This was a fairly successful experiment. The
officers of the school board also seemed satisfied with our work.
I was permitted occasionally to make mission journeys into the
district surrounding Christiania. Some of these journeys, taken in
the winter, were very difficult.
In the summer of 1867, I was sent to visit the town of Kongs-
berg and Numme valley, where I had been before. From the city
of Drammen, the road leads through a great forest, and then over
a high mountain. When I reached the top of the mountain the
sun was setting in the west behind me, and the shadow of the
mountain was thrown miles and miles over the forest below the
mountain and covered the whole city of Kongsberg. The mag-
nificent beauty and vastness of this sunset from the mountain top
worked upon my feelings and I sought a place under a small hill
where, with enthusiasm in my heart, I kneeled before the Lord
and opened my heart to him. I prayed especially, that he would
lead my footsteps, guide me on my way, and help me find a place
to stay that night, for I had only a few cents left. At the close
of my prayers, it seemed to me that I was surrounded by a holy
influence.
I then began my descent of the mountain. It was already
dark when I crossed the bridge over the river that flows near the
city. Where was I to go? The houses of the city are built very
near to each other. When I reached the first block, I turned to
the right and walked around it. Then I crossed the street and
began on the next block. At last, I thought, "Here is the place
where I would better go in and knock." But the answer of the
Spirit was immediately "No." I continued to walk to the right
around the blocks and after a while I thought, "Now I will knock
on the next door." But again the voice whispered, "No." I
continued circling the blocks until I reached the eighth block. As
I approached the middle of this block a voice whispered to me,
"Here you are to enter." I knocked on the door, and a hearty,
"Come in" was the answer. I stepped into the room and saw a

man and his wife sitting by a table, playing dominos. I noticed

that they looked at each other and smiled. "Can I obtain lodging
here tonight?" I said. "Yes," said the man and pointed to a door
that led into a little bedroom, in which were a table, a candlestick
ready to be lighted, a bed, a wash bowl and other furniture. The
lady came in and lighted the candle and asked me if I did not
want something to eat. I was very hungry and could have eaten
a good hearty supper, but I told her, if she pleased, a little bowl
of bread and milk would be sufficient.
Next morning at six o'clock, I heard the man move about in
 424 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the house. As
learned later, he worked in the national rifle
I

factory, and had work quite early in the morning. After

to he at
he had gone, the lady came into my room, placed a chair in front
of the bed, and placed upon it a tray with food. When she left,
I got up and ate this light breakfast with great appetite. At eight
o'clock the man came back for his breakfast, and I was called in
and placed at the table. There was a little pause. They looked
at each other, and I asked if they would permit me to bless the
food. The man said, "That is what we are waiting for." I
blessed the food, and we began to eat. Then a very peculiar con-
versation ensued. "You have not been here before?" "No."
"Who brought you here last night?" "No one." "Are you not a
'Mormon' elder?" "Yes." "Did you notice anything when you
came in here last night?" "Yes." "What was it you noticed?"
"I noticed that you looked at your wife and smiled and she smiled
back."
He then told me the story. Just before I knocked on the
door, they both heard distinctly a voice which said, "Here comes
a servant of the Lord, who desires lodging for the night. Take
good care of him." He continued, "The bed in which you slept
last night has not been used during the last six years. The last
person before you who slept there was a 'Mormon' elder to whom
the room was rented out for a year. When he left, most of the
people he had baptized sold out and went to Utah. No 'Mormon'
has been here since."
I said to him, "I suppose then you know very well
the teach-
ings of 'Mormonism.' "
He said, "Yes I believe that what is called 'Mormonism' is
;

the message from God above. I am not baptized, and if I should

go with you alone this evening to be baptized it would be known
in the factory tomorrow, for those in charge there
call upon their
god frorn morning till evening, and he can reveal to those who
.

pray to him just as our God revealed to us who would

knock on
our door last night. Then I would receive my 'walking
papers'
at once. Should I be baptized, and then lose my position my
savings would possibly take me and my familv to Zion,
but I have
here at home an old father and mother who cannot
help themselves
and I have not means enough to take them with me.
Perhaps
rrv faith is not strong enough, or I should
leave them in the hands
of the Lord, for he provides for us all,
but I cannot bear the
thought of bidding them farewell and leaving them
alone." These
were his words.
had a splendid mission journey through the
T
I met many good and honest people. As far as I
Numme vallev
know, no mis-
sionary has been there since that day.
 The Girl Who Came Back
BY ELIZABETH CANNON PORTER

"I think, father, that I shall go to New York this winter to

study art." Mary Baldwin's tones were even, although her heart
was thumping spasmodically against her ribs. She had chosen a
propitious time when her father was nearly through with his boiled
dinner to make her last attack. Her defenses she had carefully
prepared beforehand.
The grizzled old farmer eyed his daughter, "Can't you get
enough art here?"
"No," answered Mary "I've taken all they give at the high
;

school, and if I'm going to do anything worth while, I've got to

have the training."
"'Fraid I can't afford it this year, with taxes coming on, water
assessments, the new drain ditch to pay for, and three horses
dying."
"Oh, I've got nearly three hundred dollars saved up, mostly
my chicken money," countered Mary, gaining courage. Ever
since the ambition to be a great artist had been born in Mary, years
before, when her drawings first attracted attention in the country
school, she had started saving for this purpose. The flower gar-
den and the chickens were hers, and from the latter she had saved
dollar by dollar in an old umbrella cover in the bottom of her
trunk. Then she would change them into bills of larger denom-
ination until the umbrella had, not a silver lining, — but a green-
back one.
"H'm," ejaculated the old man, a fleeting look of surprise
taking the place of his usual stolidity. "Didn't know there was
that much money in chickens What has your mother got to say
!

about it?"
"Mary's a good girl and deserves a chance," replied Mrs.
Baldwin valiantly.
Mr. Baldwin had not consulted his wife's judgment for thirty
years for nothing, and he knew himself beaten. "I don't like the
idea of my girl being off alone in that big city," he mumbled.
"I shall write to the Fergusons there to look after her," re-
plied his wife, "and I think Mary can take care of herself," she
added.
"What will it all amount to?" Mr. Baldwin could see money
in "broad acres," hogs and cows, but art he considered "high-
falutin'."
 426 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"I've promised mother that if I don't make it go I'll give it
up with good grace and come back home and not string it on
forever like Angeline Walker." Angeline Walker was the daugh-
ter of a neighbor who had been studying music abroad for six
years. Although they heard wonderful reports of her voice, she
was still pouring gold into the hands of greedy foreign music
teachers and seemed as far from a position as ever.
"No, nor you hadn't better be like Cissie Landis, either," mut-
tered the old man wrath fully. Cissie was the daughter of a widow
who had toiled in the fields with her calloused hands to send her
pretty daughter to a business college. The girl returned a gum-
chewing stenographer with peroxide hair and a trunk full of fol-
de-rols. She divided her time between cold-creaming her face
and manicuring her finger nails and thought her mother very
foolish for having spoiled her looks with toil.
"Well, since you and your mother have decided on it, when
do you go?"
"The school of design opens in about three weeks, and I think
that I'd better start a little before that so I can get settled."
"The old place will seem lonesome without you, and what
are you going to do about Lem Hardy?" Mr. Baldwin arose and
reached for his hat.
Mary tossed her head. "I'm not going to alter my plans for
Lem Hardy." The person in question was the good-looking,
honest young farmer that called to see Mary on Sunday nights.
The next two weeks were busy ones at Willow farm. Mrs.
Baldwin left her canning and pickling to run the sewing machine,
and if her mother-heart ached over the parting with this her last
birdie to fly the nest —
her two older children were married she
hid under a bright smile, for she was determined that her girl
it

should have a chance. There were her clothes to be got

ready,
friends to say good-bye to, several afternoon parties
to attend and
her trunk to pack. Lem Hardy came over with his
fast horse
and took her driving through the bright autum afternoons.
He
seemed very serious and pre-occupied, as if he had something
on
his mind, but every time he tried to get rid of
it, Mary adroitly
changed the subject.
"It isn't as if I were going away forever,
winter in New York
you know A
won't hurt me, and it may do me lots of good
I'll find out if I really have any ability, and
I haven't I'll be
if
more satisfied to come home and settle clown,"
she assured him
and she parted with him with the comfortable feelino-
that she
hadn't committed herself. "If he cares anything for me he'll
wait, and if he doesn't, he's not worth
bothering about " she
thought, but she couldn't forget the dumb
question in his eyes
when he parted with her at the depot, but it was
not till her
mother pressed several gold pieces into her hand
(the proceeds
 THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK 427

from the sale of Lottie, the yellow cow, that Mrs. Baldwin had

***********
raised from a calf) saying, "You may want some different clothes
when you get there," that Mary totally broke down.

It was dark when the train wound down the Hudson and
approached the great city. Mary, who had been sitting stiffly
with her hat on for an hour had her first misgiving when she
peered out through the rain-bespattered window and saw the lights
of the elevated. The Fergusons, who lived in Harlem, met her
at the 125th street station, so she was spared the rush and roar
of the great central depot. They rushed her in a taxi to their flat.
As it was already overcrowded, they explained to her that they
had engaged a room for her at a "family" hotel next door, for the
present, until she could look around a little more and get located.
When they mentioned the price Mary felt the chills run up and
down her back. Mary hunched herself on the Ferguson sofa that
night and the next day she procured her trunk and took up her
abode in a dark back room of the family hotel. Her one window
opened onto a court which emitted many smells. At night the
mice ran through her room and at two o'clock in the morning she
could hear the guests stumbling up the back stairs. The hotel
parlor was decorated with gilt mirrors and^ lacquer vases but the
curtains at the windows were dirty and even the great glittering
dining room at the fashionable dinner hour had an unwholesome
atmosphere. The electric bulbs shone on the tinsel dresses of the
women, but above the bare shoulders were sallow complexions
and drug-dulled eyes. The food was mostly mixed up messes
with French names. Mary had yet to learn that clean, plain food
in New York cost more than "a las." If there were any fresh
eggs they never drifted down to the "Woodward ;" beefsteak was
the most expensive thing in the city; and even the milk, Mary
imagined the nigger wench in the kitchen had stuck her finger
into. When Mary thought of what she paid for these things
here, and then remembered how her father toiled to wring every
dollar from the soil with his potatoes and wheat, it turned her
sick.
Mary plunged herself into her work at the school with inde-
and from the first she did well. The teachers
fatigable energy,
encouraged her ability, and the students liked the clear-eyed
western girl. Two of the women she met there were to play an
important part in her life that winter.
The Fergusons, she soon found, were luxuries she could not
afford. The two boys attended Columbia University and the
girls, Mary discovered, were taking a course
mostly in dressing
and matinees. Although they were generous in their invitations,

Mary had to buy clothes that she really didn't need in order to
go around with them. Also, she took her turn in paying for the
428 IMPROVEMENT ERA
numerous luncheons, teas, boxes of chocolates, bouquets of fresh
flowers, and other things the girls were always loping in between
shows. So, gradually she separated herself from them and began
finding out the free things that would benefit her. She found the
public library, and read up on landscape gardening and archi-
tecture. She visited the museum, and when she felt she needed
air she walked in Central park- Her half holidays she spent in
the Metropolitan art gallery, and it was here, in the long hours
brooding over the pictures that the realization came to Mary that
nine-tenths of success in art, as in everything else, is hard work,
and she began to wonder in her heart whether it were worth so
—
much of a woman's life. Even if one could succeed and how
many of them didn't The J. Pierpont Morgan collection was on
!

exhibition there, and she read with gasps the prices that had been
paid for some of the works of art. But then the men who had
painted these pictures were dead, and many of them had toiled
in poverty all their lives.
A
few days after her arrival Mary had been much comforted
bv a letter from her mother, breathing heart-ache in every line.
The girl tucked it into the bosom of her dress as a talisman
against the evils of the great city. A
week later came a check
from her father with a few scribbled lines saying that he could
send her the enclosed amount as an allowance every month, "until
art got to paying." Mary breathed a sigh of relief, and set to
work with renewed energy, determined that the loved ones at
home should not be disappointed.
Among the girls at the art school that Mary got acquainted
with was Mattie Welch, a lanky, matter-of-fact girl with mouse-
colored hair. Mary learned that many of the students tabooed
Mattie because she wasn't an artist. She "did" fashion drawings
for the Sunday supplement of one of the newspapers, "Some
smart gowns seen at the Horse Show," "Evening costumes at the
opening of the opera," "The imported gowns of Gaby Deslys."
But Mattie made her living at it, and she had a contempt for
"sap-heads" who loafed around afternoon teas and talked art but
who never did any of it.
One day, when she heard Mary lamenting that she didn't
livenearer the school of design, she exclaimed, "Why don't you
come and live with me. I have a hall bedroom that I pay three
dollars a week for and the old ladv lets me use her gas in the
morning to get my breakfast. For four dollars I can get a larger
room and we could both occupy it." Mary gratefully accepted
her offer. The girls lunched down town and carried their supper
up_ from the delicatessen around the corner. So Mary began to
gain on her expenses, but nevertheless she was beginning
to feel
that it was about time that art was "beginning to
pay," for she
had had a long rudimentary training before she went east.
 THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK 429

Three of the teachers had shown special interest in her. They

were the French water-color teacher, a woman sculptor and a big,
red-faced New Yorker who taught' illustrating. Mary got her
first lesson from the woman, Mrs. Long. She was considered a
successful artist, and she made a good appearance when she was
out. One afternoon she invited the western girl to go to a lecture
with her. When Mary called for her, at her rooms, she was
ushered into a bare, untidy studio. Mrs. Long was in a bitter
mood that afternoon, and when Mary ventured to admire the
figure of a baby that the sculptor had been modeling, she burst
out, "Yes; that's all the children I have, stone ones. I've been
making that for the new Foundling hospital. Take it from me,
girlie, that it's better to marry than to follow up art. I'm con-
sidered successful, and this is ill the home I've got," she shrugged
her shoulders. "I had a home once and a husband, a young —
newspaper man out in Denver.; He didn't make much money, and
I couldn't keep- house, and he; got to drinking to brace him up so

he could write. So I chucked it all to follow up a career. I

sometimes think that if I'd known how to do anything, and could

have backed him up, that we'd have pulled through, for he wasn't
half bad and I might have had flesh-and-blood children instead
of clay models for Foundling hospitals."
Mr. Armstrong, the man who taught illustrating, had got
Mary to illustrate a little story for a friend of his who "wrote
for the magazines." Mary had sat up till two o'clock in the
morning until the sketches were finished. Armstrong met her in
the hall, one day, and told her that his friend Spencer was well
pleased with the pictures and wanted to see her about doing some
more. Spencer was coming up to his studio to supper that night.
Couldn't she come, too, and talk it over with him? Mary thanked
him glowingly. Aside from the success it portended, it meant a
check for the Christmas holidays which were now approaching.
Mary went.
That night when she flung herself into their room, Mattie
looked up and caught the expression on the other girl's face.
"Why, what on earth's the matter?" she exclaimed.
Mary sat down on the edge of the lounge and buried her face
in her hands. The older girl came over and tried to comfort her
in her clumsy way. When she could finally talk, Mary told her
of her evening's experience.
"Armstrong made an appointment with me to meet Mr.
Spencer to see about illustrating another of his stories. When I

went toMr. Armstrong's rooms, Spencer hadn't come, but our

host made it very interesting for me, showing me his great collec-
tion of sketches and explaining his ideas of illustrating. Finally
when Mr. Spencer didn't come, he suggested that we go on and
have supper without him. The meal was sent up on trays from
 430 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the cafe below, and he served it studio style, very charmingly.
Then he poured out some champagne, which I, of course, refused.
He drank it and it loosened his tongue. He began to hint that he
could get me kinds of commissions, would make a famous
all
illustrator of me
I would just "be good" to him.
if At first I
pretended I didn't understand, but when his meaning got too
obvious I got up and found my hat, suggesting that Mr. Spencer
must have been detained. At that Armstrong came over and
grabbed hold of me and tried to kiss me, and I only got loose
by threatening to scream and rouse the building. Then I backed
slowly toward the door, and slammed it in his face. I didn't stop
to get my gloves or rubbers, either," she finished with an hysterical
laugh.
"Well," asked Mattie, "what could you expect? Lots of the
girls in New York have 'backers,' men who buy them positions
in musical comedies, and then pay for their costumes, spend hun-
dreds of dollars to get their pictures in the magazines, and hire
"write-ups" for them in the newspapers. Then the men take all
their friends to see the show and exhibit their protege, and inci-
dentally that swells the box office receipts. Is it any wonder that
managers prefer girls with backers to ability? A
good many
girls who expect to succeed in other professions have to pay the
price."
"But I'm not that kind," interposed Mary, hotly.
"No, and that's probably the reason that Armstrong took a
fancy to you. It must be that 'Mormon' religion of yours that
makes you so particular."
"Yes, that and my mother. Whenever I've been in doubt as
to what to do I would always think, 'What would mother want
me to do?' and I've never failed of the right answer yet," and at
mention of her mother's name Mary buried her face in the pillow
and sobbed.
Mattie Welch went over and clumsily patted the brown hair,
"Never mind, I don't think you've heard the last of Armstrong
yet, but if I know you, it just takes opposition to show what you
can do. Besides, he can't drive you to the wall."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Mary, looking like an
April day through her tears.
"You've got your father's check to fall back on, and he can't

***********
starve you out as if you were alone in this great city, dependent
on your own resources."

"Are many of the men here like Armstrong?"

"A good man nowadays is a rare and precious thing. Most
of the New York women are glad to marry any kind of man
at all."
"I know one back home who is absolutely good."
 THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK 431

"Does he want to marry you?" asked the downright Mattie.

"Yes," blushingly.
"And here you've left that to come back here and puddle
around with art!"

The nextthree days were dark and stormy, and to Mary it

seemed as she had all the bad luck that could come to a strug-
if

gling young artist. Two days after her visit to Armstrong's

studio, the postman brought back her sketches with a brief note
that "the editor found the illustrations unavailable for Mr. Spen-
cer's story." Mary had toiled laboriously over the pictures, and
as they had been made for that particular story, they wouldn't
do for anything else. At the holiday exhibit of the school of de-
sign, fresh disappointment awaited her. The two water-color
sketches she had entered had both been rejected. One was a
climbing rose on a yellow, sunlit, Mexican wall, and the other
was a pool lying between Salt Lake City and the lake over which
the wild ducks screamed. Not only that but Mr. Le Conte, the
water-color instructor, treated her decidedly cool, and several
other teachers avoided her. Her conventialized sego lily wall
paper design, which she had confidently expected would take a
prize had been stuck down in a dark corner without even an
"honorable mention."
When she recited her troubles that night in their room, Mattie
burst out, "It's that Armstrong. I knew it."

"But do you think that it's all Armstrong's influence against

me?" asked Mary.
"Well," answered Mattie, "a person may be hit by a brick or
two by accident, but when a brick wall falls on your head, you can
be pretty sure that someone pushed it."
The next morning Mary arose early and donned her best
suit. rejected pictures she carefully wrapped and sent
Her two
to her mother andLem Hardy for Christmas. The rest of her
water-color sketches, exquisite flowers, and bits of scenery, she
gathered up and took to an old man who kept a curio store down
town. She offered to put the sketches in cheap, ready-made
frames and pay him a commission on all he sold. The old dealer
was glad to help the bright-faced western girl, and made a window
display of them, and before the holidays they were
nearly all sold.
Then, one night, Mattie Welch came home with the news that
Miles, the reporter, on the Star who "did" the
human interest
story 'for the Sunday supplement every week wanted Mary to
make the pen and ink illustrations for his write-ups. As for the
Mary remarked, "that all the best things in it
art exhibit itself
were from the west." She heard a group of New York artists
fact that they
standing in front of a cowboy picture lamenting the
"had never had a chance in the west."
432 IMPROVEMENT ERA
One day in March came a scribbled little note from Mrs.
Baldwin saying that she hadn't written because she had been sick
in bed for three weeks. Mary knew that her mother must be very
sick indeed if she took to her bed. In times of calamity people
often see things in their true values, so Mary realized how empty
a career would be, if she lost her mother. She walked the floor
half the night, then set her things in order, and when her father's
telegram reached her two days later she took the first train for
the west.
When the train pulled into Salt Lake, Lem Hardy met her at
the station. He said little but looked a great deal. "My, but
it's good to see you again," he smiled.

"It's good to be home. How is mother?"

"About the same. Your father sent me after you, while he
stayed with her."
When Mary reached the farm house and threw her arms
around the wasted form of her mother, she felt that she had in-
deed come home.
Her father seeiTjed a helpless old man now that his brave help-
mate was stricken.
"You pull your mother through," he promised, "and I'll fix
up as much as you like."
Mary had told him that she would give up going back to New
York, if he would make certain improvements about the place.
One thing the East had taught her was that unless art made peo-
ple's immediate surroundings more beautiful, it had failed in its
first purpose. ,

Withthe return of Mary the old farm house took on new

life. The hired help that had grown slack while their mistress
lay ill, got busy. Lem Hardy haunted the place in the hopes of
being of service even the old doctor ceased to complain so much
;

of the mud on his automobile, and the sick woman in the capable
hands of her daughter, gradually regained her strength.
As soon as Mrs. Baldwin could be moved, Mary remodeled
her room. She painted the sombre old furniture white, tinted the
walls,and hung gay chintzes at the windows.
The
old attic she had white-washed, and mended the old-
fashioned furniture which had really better lines than many of the
new fads in furniture. Mary called this room her studio, and did
her art work up there while she listened to the chirping of the
mating birds outside. Her father kept his word, and had the old
house plastered on the outside with cement. He also tore down
an unsightly row of sheds and Mary herself painted the chicken
coop. Mr. Baldwin could see some use in that kind of "art"
work.
As the days grew warmer, Mrs. Baldwin sat in the sun, on
the porch, while Mary, with the help of a boy tore up and remod-
 THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK 433

eled the old garden. She pruned, hoed, and transplanted, and off
to one side she planted row after row of gaudy annuals.
Her garden was in its first riot of bloom when the idea came
to Mary to use both her garden and her artistic ability to make
money. She had gone with a friend to see the Russian dancers,
and after the matinee they stopped in at Stancy's, a chocolate cafe,
for light refreshments. Down the middle of the room extended
a row of little tables with copper vases, filled with wilted roses.
It occurred to Mary how much better the tables would look with
fresh flowers. She got ready her proposition and presented it to
the manager. She agreed to furnish fresh flowers every morning
and arrange them on the tables. He accepted her offer. So,
every morning Mary picked the flowers at dawn when the dew
was still on them. Her father placed his roadster at her disposal
and she ran her flowers into town in half an hour and had them
all arranged by the time other people were going to their work.
The garden bore valiantly. After the roses came bachelor buttons
and tiger lilies, then poppies, marigolds and goldenglow, zenias,
petunias, and cosmos, dahlias, asters, and pinks. The sweet peas
and nasturtiums bloomed continuously, and during a dearth Mary
decorated her tables with wild flowers to the delight of some
eastern tourists.
This work opened up the way for her to become assistant to
one of the leading florists who decorated for the leading hotel,
and several fashionable clubs of the city. This man had more
work than he could do, and he was glad to fall back on his clever
co-worker. Mary studied the art of table decorating carefully,
and she was successful from the first. By the time the frost killed
her gardening, in the glory of its chrysanthemums, she had saved
enough to install a green-house with a steam heating plant for the
winter. So Mary made the old home charming, until she left it
with Lem Hardy to create a new one.

Life's Meaning

meaning ne'er hath been attained

Life's fullest
By. what sought and what for self is gained
is

Though luxury and care-free, sensuous ease,

The mortal mind a litle time may please,
The acme of humanity's great plan,
Is reached by mankind's service unto
man.
Grace Ingles Frost.
 Teaching in the Home
BY CHARLES B. FELT.

The Lord has decreed that his people shall be brought to a

unity of the faith, has restored the priesthood and given many
instructions as to the exercise of that priesthood among others
;

*
that those holding it "shall preach, teach, expound, exhort,*
* * and visit the house of each member, and exhort the people
to pray vocally and in secret, and attend to all family duties;
and strengthen them, and see that there is no iniquity in the
Church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbit-
ing, nor evil speaking; and see that the Church meet together
often, and also see that all members do their duty." —
Doc. and
Cov., 20.
The Word of the Lord. Again the Lord says "And I give:

unto you a commandment, that you teach one another the doctrine
of the kingdom teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you,
;

that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle,

in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto
the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand."
Doc. and Cov. 88 :77 78.
,

Who are Liable to Service. We have been told by those in

high authority in the Church that "The work of teaching the prin-
ciples of the gospel within the boundaries of Zion devolves upon
all. who bear the priesthood." That means, then, that members of

high councils, bishoprics, and high priests, seventies, elders, priests,

and teachers, whether they be in presiding positions or not, or
whether acting as officers, teachers, or class leaders in auxiliary
organizations, are subject to this duty, one of the most important
in the Church.
A Test of Love. Is it not reasonable for us to suppose that
the test of our love for the Lord will be the same as it was with
Peter, as disclosed in the conversation found in John 21:15-17:
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him,
Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs. He saith unto him again the second time, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord thou ;

*One of a number of papers read at a three-day convention of the

Stake Presidency, High Council, Bishops and Counselors, and Ward
Clerks of the Granite stake of Zion.
 TEACHING IN THE HOME 435

.knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time,
Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord thou knowest all
things thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed
;

my sheep."
To properly perform the great duties of ward teacher
requires the authority of the priesthood a knowledge of the
: ;

gospel a love for the work, and a determination to do one's duty.

;

Some Things Necessary. Among those duties, as I view

the matter, are:
Attendance at the monthly meetings of acting teachers to as-
certain what is wanted by the bishopric under whom this work is
done, and to make such report as shall be called for.
To get inbued with the message to the ward, the topic for
the month, and study the scriptures, to be able to properly carry
and teach it.
To pray in secret, and with the companion appointed to labor
with you.
get acquainted with those assigned to your watchcare.
To
Tovisit each family, at least once a month, carrying the
bishop's message, and giving such further advice, exhortation,
counsel, and comfort as the spirit shall give you utterance.
Be where most needed in case of sickness, trouble or death
among your little flock.

If assistance of a temporal nature is required, make requisi-

tion for it, and then, not resting content with the making of the
requisition, see that it reaches them.
Make full and prompt written report of your activities and
failures.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE WORK

To accomplish this big work, plan, organization and co-oper-

tion are absolutely necessary.
A Census Needed. A correct census of the ward, showing
name, age, priesthood and address is necessary, that a proper dis-
tricting of the ward may be made so that specific assignments to
each pair of teachers can be given. This data being in the hands
of the teachers will enable them to know where to look for the
record of attendance at required meetings, or the performance of
assigned duties on the part of the members of their little flock,
information which they should have, and that without having to
ask the individual for it. '

Listing Material for Teachers. A listing of the material

,

in the ward available for "Ward Teaching," to include the strong-

est menthe most efficient teachers, the most faithful workers in
the ward, as well as the less experienced
men, including priests and
 436 IMPROVEMENT ERA
teachers, so that the ward may be divided into districts in which
there shall be no more than six families to each. With districts
of that size, which could be visited in two evenings, the work
would be so light as to permit the use of nearly every capable man
in the ward, even though he be a quorum president, superintendent
of the Sunday school, president of the young men's mutual im-
—
provement association, teacher or class leader and it is just such
men as are most needed. While I recognize that the duties of the
teachers in these auxiliary organizations are heavy, if properly
performed, I feel also that they ought not to rest satisfied with the
performance of labor that could, if necessary, be done by persons
not clothed with the priesthood— as evidenced in the fact that in
all departments are found sisters doing efficient work.
Pairing Teachers. Assigning two teachers to each district,
having due consideration as to strength and weakness, giving to
the inexperienced, a companion who has had experience;
to one
whose faith or knowledge is weak, one whose faith is strong,
whose knowledge is extensive.
Ward Divisions. In small wards it would appear desirable
to make three divisions of the ward,
with the responsibility of
seeing that the work of teaching is properly done
resting upon a
member of the bishopric, each member being assigned one division.
In very large wards, it may be necessary to have
more than
three divisions, and therefore to appoint
division presidents,
charged with the same responsibilities, who in turn
would be re-
sponsible to the bishop for the full performance of
that duty
Visits by Bishopric. I feel that while it might
not be wise
to assign members of the bishopric to
certain districts, that they
should nevertheless lead out in this work of ward
teaching, savino-
to all of the teachers, "Come," rather
than, "Go"—but that their
visits should be based upon
special needs coming under their
observation, and especially as shown by
the reports rendered bv
the teachers. J

Teachers Report Book and Monthly Reports

_
Th-
senior teacher should be provided with
a "Ward Teachers Monthly
Report Book properly filled in, and be strongly impressed with
the necessity of making regular and complete monthly reports
without which it is quite impossible for the
bishop to make accurate
report to stake president or presiding
bishop; but I would suggest
e * tab lshed that thi
* report shall be in the hands
n i the
of W?
hi bishop ,u l
the Sunday previous to the monthly
report meeting,
so that the bishop can determine •

Getting 100 Per Cent. Whether or not each family

has been visited and have opportunity
of taking further steps to
have those not then visited, visited
before the time for the closing
the month s work either by laboring
with the delinquent teachers
appointing special visitors, or making
the visits himself, for on
 TEACHING IN THE HOME 437

thus does it seem possible to reach one hundred per cent, which
should be sought for in every ward.
Time for Visiting. A visiting- night should be decided
upon it would appear that Thursday night is the one more widely
;

used than others, but not restricting the teachers to that night in
the event that another day or time of day would suit their con-
venience better.
THE WORK OF THE TEACHER
The Teacher's First Steps. Having been called by the
bishop to this important work, given a companion, assigned a dis-
trict, and supplied with the names, addresses etc., of the little
flock, the teacher should carefully consider how best he may "Feed
—
my Sheep." Ascertain from proper sources and that is not
—
neighborhood gossip' to what extent they are taking advantage
of the opportunities given them under the gospel, and wherein
they are shortsighted, neglecting opportunities for spiritual growth
and development, negligent of duty, or weak in any point within
his power to remedy.
Shepherd of a Flock. He
should realize that having been
made, as it little flock, charged with caring
were, shepherd of this
for their welfare, spiritual and, to some extent, temporal, it car-
ries with it a very solemn responsibility, and that the Lord re-
quires that demonstration of love for him demanded of Peter of
old, the feeding of his sheep.
Getting in Love with the Work. The teacher should
strive earnestly, through prayer and humility, to get in love with
his work, ask the Lord to give him the spirit of discernment that
he might be able to discern the needs of his flock and know how
to meet them, and then, following in the steps of the Master who
went about doing good, take up this labor of love.
Planning the Work Jointly. He should meet with his
companion, consider when they can best make their visits, giving
his companion the assurance that when decided upon, that that
time will be held sacred for that purpose, and asking of him that
same assurance. That may be upon the Thursday evening, or part
then and part at some other time, possibly on a Sunday afternoon
when such a visit will not interfere with attendance at meetings.
Determine that the work shall be done early in the month, and not
left until necessity forces it upon them. Give joint consideration
as to the needs and environments, etc., of each member of the
flock, and how best to meet the needs and better the environment.
Talk over the subject or topic for the month to insure having the
same conception of it, coming to a unity of the faith thereon.
Fix the time and place of meeting for the making of visits.
The Power of Prayer. Preparatory to commencing the
evening's visit, in view of the fact that he is to teach things of the
438 IMPROVEMENT ERA
kingdom, the teacher should go before the Lord and ask him for
aid and inspiration. Nor would this wholly satisfy me, for I
would want to join my companion and offer a joint petition, when
I feel sure there would be more perfect unity of purpose, of faith,,

of understanding, hence greater power for good when we shall

enter the homes of the people. Nor need this take but a few
minutes of time, but would require the meeting place to be in
doors rather than upon a street corner.
How to Enter the Homes. Go into the homes as a
brother and a friend, a counselor and guide, with love in the heart,
love for God and love for his children, and with an earnest desire
and prayer to do good. Not as a critic, a useless faultfinder. Go
with the desire to find good, to sound the people to the depths of
their hearts through the power of discernment which you have
sought and can get, and build up the good found there until the
evil, if there be evil, shall be rooted out. Let the people feel that
you have come to extend good, to give encouragement, to build up
and strengthen. Be careful to treat their confidence as sacred,
that they may know they can trust you fully because they feel your
love for them.
Object of Visit. Remember that you are there to teach the
gospel, not to indulge in idle conversation, or still worse, unworthy
gossip. In a kindly way to let them understand you desire to meet
the whole family, if possibly convenient, and get right into the
work before you. Take up the message from the bishop if it is—
upon a point upon which they are weak, they may receive it better
when they know it is a message to every family in the ward, and

not aimed especially at them. If they are strong and incorporat-

ing that principle in their lives, they will the more readily join in a
consideration of it, rejoice in it, and be strengthened and encour-
aged through their knowledge of living it.
Missionary for Ward Organizations. At the proper time,
act as a missionary for the Sunday school, for the Mutual Im-
provement Association, for the Religion Class, for the Primary
Association, the Relief Society, and encourage those holding the
priesthood to identify themselves with the proper quorum and
attend its meetings, being careful to use tact mixed liberally with
love.
Prayer in Family Circle. If the spirit indicates, great
good can be accomplished by having the family join you in prayer,
brief, spirited, and fitting the occasion. I favor that at the begin-
ning rather than at the close of thevisit, provided, of course, that
conditions are ripe for it, for I am sure there would be greater
unity in evidence after such a prayer was offered, and all hearts
would be softened and ready to receive instruction.
^
Beginning Subject to the Spirit. It should go without
saying, that the taking up of the topic for the month, is not
 TEACHING IN THE HOME •
439

mandatory as against the promptings of the Spirit but it should

;

be taken up unless the teacher feels strong promptings otherwise.

Nor should he permit the consideration of the topic to prevent
the consideration of other matters of immediate need to the family
visited.
Settling Difficulties. If there is a difficulty to be set-
tled,bear in mind that the bishop is carrying a very heavy load,
and settle it with the help of your companion if possible.
Subject to Call. Let the people understand that you are
subject to their call in case of sickness, of death, or need of other
kindness within your power to supply, nor wait for the call if you
know of the need.
When Not to Stay. Upon entering a home, be observant
of conditions, and if you find that your visit will seriously incon-
venience the household, promptly withdraw, telling them you wilt
call again, fixing a definite time for such call if possible. If some
member of the family, not expecting your call, appears to have, or
it becomes known to you has, an? appointment elsewhere, tactfully

excuse them, so will your later visits be the more welcome.

Time Limit. Except for some unusual reason, let the limit
of time for your visit be thirty minutes remember that you will
;

visit them again within a month.

Non-member. Should the husband be a non-member and
make plain either in word or in act, that your visits are not
desired, respect his wish and cease visiting, but make special
report of that condition to the bishop, for such action as he may
determine upon.
Notifying Bishop of People Coming Into Ward. Get into
the habit of advising the bishop of people coming into the ward,
even before their transfers of certificates of membership shall
have come to hand, thus giving him an opportunity of visiting
them in their new home, should he desire to do so, and don't wait
indefinitely for information to reach you as to the faith or mem-
bership of a family moving into your district, but visit that house
promptly, ascertainwhether or not the family are members
of the Church, where they come from, and bid them a hearty
welcome, with an invitation to take active part in the great ward
family. No harm will be done if the bishop, either before or
after, goes over the same ground.
At the Sacrament Meeting. Inasmuch as it will be your
duty to advise and encourage the members of your flock to at-
tend the Sacrament meeting regularly, be consistent enough to be
regular in attendance yourself. When there, look for your flock,
remembering that most people like to be missed and will be grati-
fied when you tell them, and at the same time tend to
lead them
to be present the next time. Should your flock be added to by
new comers, look for them particularly, meet them at the door
440 IMPROVEMENT ERA
of the meeting house, greet them, introduce them to the bishop, if
possible, and as many others in the meeting house as you con-
veniently can.
REMEMBER

One Hundred Per Cent Due the Ward. That your failure
to make a hundred per cent, record is an injustice to the ward as
a whole, to the bishopric, and to those other teachers wno are
striving for and have attained a hundred per cent in their work
and, more serious still, that members of your flock whom you
should have visited may suffer because of your failure to convey
the food entrusted to you for them
Necessity of Reporting. That you should invariably send
in your monthly report on or before the time set therefor, recog-
nizing that the bishop needs it that he may perform his duty, that
he may be able to make full returns to the monthly meeting, must
have it for the making of his report to the presiding bishop.
Obligation to Attend Monthly Meeting. That you
should attend the monthly ~ ~eting with the bishopric, that you
may know what is being aone in the teachers' department of
ward work, learn what the topic for the next month is, and how it
is intended it shall be presented to the people, get familiar with

the value of it, add your mite perhaps in the consideration of it,
and show your respect for the bishop who has called the meet-
ing and your self-respect in the performance of duty.
Weight of Unperformed Duty. That the load of the
knowledge of unperformed duties is generally heavier than the
performing of those duties, so determine to start your work early
each month and push it to completion.
Value of the Lost Sheep. That it is the straying or lost
sheep that most needs the shepherd, the sick that needs the
physician, and don't let apparent coolness toward the gospel or
gospel duties permit you to slacken your efforts with that per-
son, but rather increase them.
Getting the Lord in Your Debt. That you cannot do any-
thing for the uplift of your fellows, for their increase in faith
and good works, for their sustenance and blessing, but the prom-
ise is unto you, "Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,'" and ihe worid
has never produced and never will produce so splendid a debtor as
the Lord.

THE MONTHLY MEETING

Time Fixed for and Why. This should be held several days
after the d- f - fixed for the turning in of the written reports of the
teachers, with surricienc tit-e intervening to permit the bishop to
 TEACHING IN THE HOME 441

cause to "be accomplished whatever work those reports show un-

done, and also to have abstracted tne month's work, and espe-
cially all items of general importance, so that such abstract and
special items can be laid before the meeting. This would, and
in my opinion should, obviate the calling for reports from senior
teachers. Such reports cannot but become monotonous and
uninteresting, and have been in the past the cause (and
shall I say a just cause?) of complaint from teachers who have
felt that their time was worth more to them than to sit and listen
thereto. This would permit a more comprehensive consideration
of the topic for the month, the transaction of any proper business,
the separation into divisions, if necessary, and yet the adjourn-
ment within an hour and a quarter.
The following program for such a meeting appeals to me
—
Opening hymn spirited and not too long.
Prayer.
Roll Call (aloud until the corps become acquainted with
one another).
Reading of minutes.
Order of Business. Reading of summary or recapitulation
of the month's work, giving special mention of those districts
showing one hundred per cent activity.
Presentation of topic for the month, giving opportunity for
brief expressions of views thereon.
Instructions from bishop and miscellaneous business. »

Separation into divisions for special divisional assignments

or business.
Adjournment from divisions (by benediction) at con-
venience of each.
THE MESSAGE OF THE BISHOP
How Submitted. not enough that the subject should
It is
detail for those
be named, but it should be explained in sufficient
present to grasp the point to be made in its delivery, and get some
idea of how best to deliver it. .

io writing, showing
In some stakes the subject is reduced
special object, outline and suggestion, mimeographed
title text,
each teacher to be supplied
or printed in number sufficient for
that in some stakes this is printed in number
with one I believe
;

sufficient to supply each family in

the ward, and is distributed
the statement that un-
by the teachers a month in advance with
less something more important arises, that will be the special
subject for consideration upon their next
visit.

While. The bishop should impress upon

Message Worth
he is sending by them to
every teacher present that the message
the homes of the people, is really worth while, and calculated to
benefit and bless those who receive it.
442 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Salvation Rather than Statistics. While impressing
upon the teachers the desirability of securing one hundred per cent
activity, let be understood that it is not alone for statistics,
it

for statistics are secondary to salvation of souls, but that their

efforts should be actuated by interest in the peoples' welfare and
directed for their salvation.
The Leader. The bishop has been chosen because he is a
leader, and there is great opportunity for him to demonstrate that
in creating enthusiasm in the teachers and a love for the work of
teaching, and driving home to their conviction that, if it is
looked upon as drudgery, it will not call out the teachers' best
efforts.
Magnify Our Calling. He can and should say: "Come,
brethren, us magnify our calling as teachers, let us teach
let
one another the doctrine of the kingdom, let us feed the Lord's
sheep, and prove our love for him and them. Let us go into the
homes of the people."
results that should follow
A greater interest in the gospel on the part of the members
of the ward, and increased activity in Church work, such as
More praying in the homes.
Increased attendance at the sacrament meetings of the ward.
Larger enrollment in the quorums of the priesthood, and in
the auxiliary associations, with more regular and greater attend-
ance.
Abetter observance of the Word of Wisdom.
More unity between the members of families and of the ward.
A stricter observance of tithe-paying, with the consequent
reduction in the list of non-tithepayers.
Less privation among the poor because of the increased fast
offerings of the people.
Better physical conditions in and around the ward build-
ings owing to increased contributions to the ward maintenance
fund.
—
More marriages in the Temple fewer strictly civil marriages
and members marrying non-members.
More scripture reading in the homes.

summary

The Lord has decreed that his people shall come to a unity
of the faith.
He has restored the priesthood that the gospel principles
may be taught, gospel ordinances be performed.
He requires the teaching of the people in their homes, which
duty rests upon all those holding the priesthood.
 TEACHING IN THE HOME 443

The bishop must secure a complete and correct census of

his ward.
If from the priesthood, giving preference to the
possible,
most ordained teachers and priests, he should
able, but including
secure enough teachers to permit the districting of the ward so
that each pair of teachers shall have about six families to visit.
In such case it is reasonable to expect that those called upon to
be teachers will willingly respond as they will recognize that the
duty imposed will not interfere with other duties resting upon
them, nor become burdensome. „
The bishopric, while not being given a district, shall never-
theless lead out in the work of visiting and teaching the people
in their homes.
Each member of the bishopric to be responsible for seeing
that teaching is done in his particular division of the ward or —
where the ward is so large that it would require more than three
divisions, that division presidents be appointed, charged with such
responsibility.
Each pair of teachers to be provided with a "monthly report
book" and charged with filing with the bishop promptly, on or
before the Sunday preceding the monthly meeting night, a full re-
port of his activities and failures.
The bishop shall take such steps as may be necessary to have
clone, before the monthly meeting night, what those reports
show
has not been done, so that one hundred per cent of visits shall
be made each month.
The bishop shall causeto be abstracted the reports, including
items of special interest to the whole corps.
He should designate some certain night as the official visit-
ing night upon which the people have a right to expect the teach-
ers. Every teacher should prepare himself for his
labor by prayer
and study. .

Each pair of teachers should know the members of their

/^—ascertaining as to their attendance at quorum or other or-
char-
ganization meetings, from the rolls thereof, studying their
actersand characteristics, noting their environments, their line
the Spirit, and
of work, sounding their souls by the power of
striving unceasingly to demonstrate to them that
they are inter-
anxious to benefit and bless them, and will-
ested in their welfare,
confidence and love.
ing to serve them, thus winning their
'
Enter their homes as teachers in very deed, teachers of the
gospel, and with a special message from the bishop, in addition to
observed.
meeting the individual needs they have
Praying with the family whenever opportunity offers.
visit thirty min-
As rule making the maximum time for a
a

to assist in time of trouble and distress.

Being on hand
444 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Settling difficulties without recourse upon the bishop if pos-
sible.
Striving to make visits suit the convenience of the people.
Note the coming into the ward of new people and advising
the bishop of such, whether they are in your district or not.
Calling upon new comers in your own district at the earliest
practicable date.
Attend sacrament meetings and look out for your flock.
Make special efforts to meet and introduce to the bishop
and others, new members.
Be prompt in making out and sending in monthly reports.
Be regular in attending the monthly meetings, and taking
active part therein.

REMEMBER

That duty's burden becomes heavier and heavier as time

rolls on with it unperformed, so let your motto be "Do it Now."
That love for one's work makes a splendid career.
That it is the sick that needs the physician, the straying or
lost sheep that most needs the shepherd.
That the Lord is the best paymaster in all creation, and that
we do nothing for one of his children that he does not accept as
done for him.
A monthly meeting should be held upon a fixed day.
An order of business be followed, obviating the necessity of
having individual reports from teachers, except upon special and
important matters.
The "message for the month" should have been prepared be-
forehand and be here presented to the teachers in a forceful and
inspiring manner.
Opportunity be given division presidents to transact any neces-
sary business with their respective teachers.
Adjournment be taken from individual divisions.
That the measure of success be the improvement in the lives of
the individual members of the ward, in increased ward activities,
and not by the per centage shown in the dead letter.

COTTAGE MEETINGS

I have not gone into this important phase of ward teaching as

my paper has already gone into such great length.
 New Map of Europe

BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

The temptation to speculate about how Europe will look on

the map
after this war is quite irresistible. In the beginning
men were discussing the causes, now they are arguing effects. It
is a little premature, to be sure, but speculation has about it the
charm of and appeals to the spirit of wonderment in man.
novelty,
If the Allies win, what? If the Germans and Austrians succeed,
what will they do?
There is between these two extremes a medium that has in
it perhaps stronger probabilities than either extreme. As things
now look, the process of the war will be a wearing one, and the
question rather one of exhaustion than of conquest. The side that
loses through exhaustion, or even through an unrelenting aggres-
sion, must pay a terribly heavy penalty. The system of defense in
modern warfare has such numerous advantages that on either side
it can almost demand two men for one. Who wants to pay such
a terrible toll of death to win out?
What is likely to happen in case of a compromise or a draw,
if you please? It could hardly be a statu quo because at present
Germany has such an advantage in Belgium, France and Russia,
that these powers would insist, in any event, upon the return to
Germany's original, boundaries. Japan, in any event, may be
looked to as retaining the possession of Kaiu Chau and perhaps
Germany will lose some of her Pacific islands. The rearrange-
ment of the sea powers is of no consequence, because the invention
of the submarine has upset all naval calculations. What the neu-
tral world will want to see, however the war may end, is restitution
to Belgium. She was entitled to the rights of her neutrality, and
was perfectly justified in insisting that her country should not be
made a cockpit for the contending armies of Europe. The calam-
ity of Belgium is the most pathetic thing of the whole war.
It may, perhaps, be safest to believe that the war will close
with the victorious party willing to make a considerable number
of concessions. What a nation might want to do in the flush of
its vigor, and in the exercise of its greatest power, and what it

may be willing to do at the point of exhaustion, are two very

different things, so we may look for a number of compromises.
What most people are now asking, however, is what certain
nations would like to have. If Germany wins, she would like to
have on the east her boundaries extended so as to include Russian
446 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Poland. She would keep Belgium and northern France which
would include the iron mines and coal fields. She would want to
draw a line straight across eastward from Calais to the German
boundary. Military necessity would compel her to make some
change in Holland for future protection. That country might be
annexed, but it is more likely they would give the Dutch the
empty honors of becoming an impotent German state whose chief
privileges would be to send representatives to the German
reichstag. That would practically give Germany control of the
North Sea.
What Germany would like to see, perhaps most of all, would
be the utter destruction of the English navy. Such a possibility
at present seems to me the most distant result of the war. It is
not even imaginable. Austria would annex Servia and perhaps
all of the country extending south in Macedonia and Adrianople,
though it is hard to see how the Germans could really take any
Turkish territory under the circumstances. They would no doubt
ask for additional concessions for railroads, mining and manu-
facturing in Asia Minor. Austria would also aim to control the
whole Albanian coast, as well as Istria, and Dalmatia. However,
Austria is not likely to want a very large increase of her territory,
as it would include foreigners who are already giving her no end
of trouble, even in times of peace.
If the Allies win, what then? The richest plum of the whole
war would fall over the fence into their garden the greatest
:

country of the whole world now awaiting development by a pro-

gressive civilization is Asia Minor, and we may include the Valley
of the Mesopotamia. Russia and England would make some sort
of division of that country between themselves, and satisfy France
bv enlarging her boundaries in Europe, and granting to her the
chief money indemnity. Russia would straighten out her western
borders so as to bring Prussian Poland and Austrian Poland
within her domain. It is probable that she would want a consid-
erable strip of Selicia. Russia already has as many Teutons in
her empire as she can well handle. England would insist upon the
destruction of the German fleet, and a very heavy indemnity for
Belgium the neutralization of the Kiel canal, and perhaps the
;

return of Schleswig-Holstein to Denmark. England traded

Helgoland in front of Wilhelmshaven, in the North Sea, for a
worthless strip of land in Africa. That turned out to be a bad
bargain on the part of England, and she may insist on the return
of Helgoland to the British empire. France will want, first of all,
the return of Alsace Lorraine and perhaps five billion franks, a
billion dollars which Bismarck took out of France as an indemnity
after the war of 1870. To Belgium might be added a small strip
of Geman territory, but that is hardly likely. What Belgium
would want most would be a heavy money indemnity.
 NEW MAP OF EUROPE 447

Perhaps the most significant changes of all would be in the

break-up of the Austrian empire. Not one-third of that entire
empire consists of Germans. Austria is a conglomeration of
nationalities, the most important of which are the Hungarians
who insist that the empire shall be called the Austro-Hungarian
empire. Then there are the Slavs of the north Bohemians on
;

the east; the Rumanians, a kinspeople to the Italians, on the

south, and the Servians; and on the west, the Italians. Many
students of history have for years believed that the Austro-Hun-
garian empire would fall to pieces upon the death of the present
emperor. The possibility of inhabiting some of the richest parts
of Austria is the greatest inducement to the Balkan countries and
Italy for entering the war. The Italians would hope for Trentino,
Istria, with Trieste, and perhaps a part of the northern coast of
Dalmatia. Servia would want the southern part of Dalmatia,
Bosnia, Herzegovina and perhaps a part of Albania. There are
other considerations, in the contract upon which the nations would
insist, but those given are perhaps the most vital. It may be said,
however, in passing, that Rumania would want Bukovina in the
north and Transylvania in the west.

Nebraska Conference of the Western States Mission Back row

Catherine S. Marchant, Peoa Utah; Frederick B.
from left to right,
Mid-
Prospect, Idaho; Estella E. Criddle Kaysville,
Utah;
Me kin,
Victor Lundgreen, Treasureton, Idaho; The
Misses Wil-
dle row:
son- George T. Simper, Salina, Utah.
Front row: Wilford G. Dames,
Conferencf President. Hyde Park, Utah; Jo
hn L Hernc k Mission
Salt Lake City, Utah.
President, Leo Blosch, Branch President.
 B. C.

Shape of Tree Trunks and Branches

BY DELBERT W. PARRATT, B. S.

Look at these drawings. Notice that "A" tapers as it goes

from the ground upwards, "B" is practically cylindrical, and "C"
flares as it goes from the ground upward. Which most nearly
represents the shape of the ordinary trunk of our common trees?
This is what Thad Wisemar's teacher asked her pupils yesterday.
Every one answered "A." The question was then carried to other
and higher rooms of the school where more than two hundred
and fifty pupils likewise answered "A" and only four spoke in
favor of "B." Nobody gave "C."
When the returns of the "vote" were announced, Thad and
all his room companions expressed a sense of satisfaction on find-
ing that none of the four "votes" for "B" were from their room.
—
Only the teacher seemed quite indifferent no signs of approval
or disapproval were noticeable in her manner. She calmly sug-
gested that sometimes the minority is in the right, and urged
her enthusiastic hearers not to vent their applause until first mak-
ing sure of their ground.
"We are sure now," responded Thad after gaining due recog-
nition from the lady in charge, "all the tree trunks around our
place are just like 'A.'"
"Very well," tactfully injected the teacher," perhaps there are
some here who have never looked at a tree trunk with this thought
in mind, so let us leave this question till tomorrow. In the mean-
time will all make it a point to observe tree trunks ?"
Thad was so thoroughly satisfied that his answer was correct
that he did not even take pains to verify his conclusion by so
much as consciously glancing at one of the many tree trunks on
the way home from school. He "knew" and therefore why should
he look? As a matter of fact, after leaving school he gave no
 SHAPE OF TREE TRUNKS 449

thought to the question until upon reaching home when he was

greeted with, "Well, Thad, this is your nature study day. Did
you have any more questions about trees ?"
"Yes," answered Thad, "the other pupils are to find the
answer. I already know."
"What is the question?" queried Vaughn Wisemar, Thad's
older brother.
"Here it is," came the reply as Thad pulled out his pencil
and drew three sketches similar to those made by his teacher.
"Which of these is most like an ordinary tree trunk?"
"Which did you say?" retorted Mr. Wisemar.
"Why, 'A' of course !" replied Thad with utmost confidence.
"Anybody who has ever seen a tree knows that!"
"You are sure then that you have seen a tree. Thad, I believe
you are right but you know we were 'caught' by two other simple
questions on trees. You remember the one about life in a big tree
trunk, don't you ? And also the one about sap in the winter time ?
We were 'sure' of our answer then, and yet we were both wrong,
weren't we? Let's look at some tree
trunks this time before being 'sure'."
"That's easy to do," came from Thad
as both turned toward the open door.
Both centered attention upon the
firsttree encountered —
the box elder
near the kitchen window. Both looked
surprised. The trunk was like "B"
and not like "A." The old apple tree's
trunk was like "B" and so were those
of the poplar and pear trees. Tree
after tree was examined and in every
instance the trunk, while more or less
crooked, was about cylindrical and not
appreciably tapering.
At length, however, Thad found
one giving evidence of tapering but
upon closer examination it was found
that the apparent tapermg was due to
the removal of some branches. So
Cross sections B and C after making careful study of a great
equal approximatelycross many trees in the neighborhood, both
section Across sections E
;
Thad and Mr. Wisemar concluded that
and Dequal approximately-
cross section B cross sections
;
tree trunks are of about the same
F and G equal approximately thickness throughout their lengths and
cross section D, etc. that there is no pronounced tapering,
suggestive of inverted, parsnips, as is commonly believed. They
also noticed that many trunks enlarge flare out just before— —
450 IMPROVEMENT ERA
entering the ground which, of course, is clue to the branching of
the trunk into roots just as the trunks often enlarge at the top
when dividing into scaffold limbs.
While making this little study, our two amateur naturalists
discovered that each of the scaffold limbs was also a crooked
cylinder like the trunk. The same was true of the main limbs and
also all the branches and even the twigs. This being the case,
Mr. Wisemar concluded his preconceived notion that a tree gradu-
ally tapers from the ground up, through the trunk, and out
through the various branches was erroneous and that in reality
the decreasing in size, step by step, from section to section. The
reduction in every instance came only where the limb gave off
a branch or where the branches were divided and subdivided and
then, in every case, reduction was equal to the amount contained
in the branching bough or twig. A little rough measuring and
figuring demonstrated the fact that the amount of cross section
material in all the scaffold limbs put together was not far from
equaling that of the trunk. The same was true of the cross section
material of the main branches compared with that of the support-
ing scaffold limb. And, moreover, this relationship carried right
out through the smaller branches and even to the terminal twigs.
"Then," reasoned Mr. Wisemar, "the sum of all the cross section
areas of all the main branches, or of the minor branches, or even
—
the twigs of a perfect tree a tree from which no parts have been
—
removed must be approximately the same as the cross section
area of the tree's trunk."
These new discoveries he explained to Thad, and while doing
so marveled at what little they both had ordinarily seen of the
beautiful, companionable trees so common in their experiences.
He wondered if most people, like himself, "have eyes and see
not."
This morning Thad anxiously hurried off to school. He had
some new ideas and, like all normal children, could hardly wait
to impart these ideas to his fellow school associates. He willingly
withdrew his former statement relative to tree trunk shapes and
gladly explained what he and his big brother had learned regard-
ing the sreneral structure of trees.
 Editors' Table

Work for the Dead

Arrangements are now being made to assist the Saints resid-

ing in the various missions of the Church, and in other places
remote from the Temples, who are thereby unable, personally, to
perform Temple ordinances in behalf of their dead kindred, or
friends to obtain the needed services of proxies. It is our desire
that faithful members of the Church, in the condition stated, shall
be helped, to the fullest possible extent, to accomplish this sacred
duty that all Latter-day Saints are required, by Divine injunction,
to fulfil.
The information needed to properly identify the dead, for
whom Temple ordinances are to be performed, includes the fol-
lowing: Names in full (maiden names of women). Date of
birth. Place of birth (Town, County and State or Country). Date
of death. Name of heir, or friend, at whose instance the work is
to be done, and his, or her, relationship to each one named. When
this information cannot be given as complete as desired, that
which is lacking may be approximately formulated, by following
instructions that will be published in periodicals issued in various
missions of the Church.
Members of the Church in missions, and localities a great dis-
tance from the Temples, who desire to comply with the gospel re-
quirements for salvation of the dead, should confer with the
President of the mission, or district, in which they reside, stating
what ordinances they wish to have performed, and they will then
be provided with the blanks, and instructions needed.
The proper method of compiling records of names of the
dead, for whom Temple work in desired, is provided for in a
blank book specially prepared for that purpose, which can be pro-
cured, at a moderate price, by application to the mission presi-
dents.
Donations are thankfully received at the Temples, to assist
in meeting the heavy expense of their maintenance, but the poor,
who can give nothing, are cheerfully accorded all the privileges
that the most liberal donors receive.
There is no charge made by the Temple authorities for per-
formance of the ordinances, but, when proxies have to be ob-
tained to act in endowments for the dead, which occupies the
time of an entire session in Temple work, it is customary to pay
such proxies a small sum, to partly remunerate them for personal
452 IMPROVEMENT ERA
expenses usually a
; man receives 75 cents, and a woman 50 cents,
for such services.
Arrangements are already made whereby faithful members
of the Church who have died in various missions or who may die
therein hereafter, without having received Temple ordinances in
life, will have those ordinances attended to in their behalf. The
names and genealogies of all such worthy individuals are now
being sent to the St. George Temple, by the mission Presidents.
The editors of our Church publications, in various missions,
are requested to insert a copy of the foregoing in their respective
periodicals, to be followed, when convenient, with instructions
concerning Temple work, copies of which can be turnished them
by the mission Presidents.
Joseph F. Smith,
Anthon H. Lund,
Charles W. Penrose,
The First Presidency.

Boys in the Office of Deacon

A correspondent writes
"Please explain I Tim. 3:8-13. When and by what authority
was this portion of the priesthood taken from men of mature years
and given to boys of twelve and thirteen years of age?"
It was customary in Paul's days to ordain mature men to the
office of deacons, because the conditions of the Saints were such
that only elderly people could be used to advantage. The Church
was new, and adults were converted perhaps only few, if any,
;

were born and educated in the Church. But even in our day, there
has been no departure from the counsel of Paul to Timothy, say
in the missions and at home also, where similar conditions prevail.
His counsel and advice are good, and should be followed. This
priesthood has not "been taken from men," though it has "been
given to boys." There are many men holding the office of Deacon,
and rnany more who hold the Higher Priesthood who act in the
office of Deacon. It is true the Priesthood is conferred on boys
of twelve and thirteen who are found faithful and worthy. But
that is no sign that such action is not acceptable to God, as some
have argued nor is it an indication that the Latter-day Saints make
;

light of the Priesthood, conferring it upon those who cannot un-

derstand the importance of it. In this Priesthood dispensation,
when children are born in the covenant, and trained under the
guidance of the gospel, much may be done that could not be done
in times such as Paul experienced when he wrote to his friend
Timothy. We believe in the guidance and inspiration of living
oracles who are authorized to conduct the affairs of the Church
 EDITORS' TABLE 453

as the Spirit may and the exigencies of the times may De-
direct
mand. The appointment of boys to the deaconship is done under
the direction of the constituted authority of the Lord, though the
exact date of its beginning is perhaps not on record. It is an ac-
tion that could not have been taken without the sanction of the
Priesthood, acting in the regular order.

The Boys' Half Acre and Industrial Contests

The General Board Y. M. M. I. A., last season, made ar-

rangements for a boys' half acre contest, and a city boys' industrial
contest. We have already mentioned the latter, the leading prize for
1914 being won by Samuel Stewart. The half-acre contest, con-
ducted last summer by the Vocations Committee of the General
Board, was won by Howard Dalton, Willard, Box Elder stake, first
prize $40. Mention has already been made in the Era of his unpre-
cedented potato crop by which he received national recognition,
by the Department of Agriculture, and several mentions having
been made of him in eastern magazines. The second prize, $30,
was won by Noell Fuller, of Winder ward, Cottonwood stake
the third prize, $20, by La Yerle Stewart of Alpine stake; the
fourth prize, $10, was won by Clayton Hogan, Lewiston First
ward, Benson stake. Each boy who entered was required to care
for a' half acre on which he could raise anything that suited his
fancy, under regulations provided by the Committee. Reports
were to be made to the Committee on all work done, the processes
used, and the success achieved in each line during the season.
Dalton raised potatoes; Fuller and Stewart cultivated general
truck gardens, and Hogan raised sugar beets. The judges were
Professor I. B. Ball, Professor A. S. Bennion, and Ernest Wangs-
gaard. Both of these contests will be repeated for 1915. .

In this connection the widowed mother of twelve-year-old

Samuel Stewart who won first prize in the City Soys' Industrial
Contest, has written the following letter to President
Heber J.
the General Board, in relation to the awarding of
the
Grant 'of

prize to her son. The letter is self-explanatory and we believe

will be of interest to all who read

Salt Lake City, Utah.
December 16, 1914.

Mr. Heber J. Grant,

General Board Y. M. M. I. A., and
Vocations and Industries Committee.
I must thank you for
the very great incentive
Dear Brethren:
given my boy. Samuel Stewart, to bring out the very
you have little
best there is in him. in an effort to
improve the time and talents that
God has blessed him with, to the very best of his knowledge and
he can to help others and improve his
ability, in trying'to do all that
own mind and body.
454 IMPROVEMEN1 ERA
1 you have done all this for him by awarding him the tirst
feel that
prize in the Y M M I. A. Industrial contest. I am sure it will do
him far more good than just the money value of the prize, as he is so
proud of the fact that grown nun thought he had at least tried to do
m he should. Ever bo many times lasl summer other boys laughed
at him for working as he did, and his reply was:
"Well, you've got a father to work for you; so, may be, it's all
right for to loaf; but haven't, and why shouldn't
I
do my share I

as well as the rest of the family?"

It has always seemed to me that children who were deprived of
a father's companionship always seemed to appreciate approval from
men in a greater degree than those who have never been deprived
i
f that blessing.
I thought I should like you to know what Samuel did with his
money, was not at home the evening he received it, so knew nothing
I

about Next morning, after lighting the fire earlier than usual, he
it.

came into my room and asked how much more money needed to paj I

my tax, and if I would have to borrow it. After told how much I I

should have to borrow, lie replied:

"I wouldn't borrow any for a few days. I believe you'll get it
without borrowing it."
Nothing more was said about it until he was ready for school
then he shoved the folded check into my hand, saying,
"You may just as well have your Christmas present now as any
other time. Let me have enough to pay my tithing on it; take the
other and pay the tax, and if you can spare enough, please get Florence
a doll for Christmas. Now. mama, be as happy as I am, and give me
a kiss, quick, or I shall be late for school."
After explanations were made, his older sister thought he ought
to put it in the bank, but he said:
"Not much, and mama worry over borrowing?"
I could not help but think while tears of joy came to my eyes,
"Count your many blessings, see what God has done."
Thanking you all again, from the depths of my heart, I am,
Your sister in the gospel,
Amelia Spencer Stewart.

Donation to War Sufferers

The Church recently appealed to the

First Presidency of the
members Church in behalf of the sufferers of the European
of the
war, and Sunday, January 24, was designated as the day upon
which contributions would he received, from members of the
Church, to he transmitted to President Ilyrum M. Smith of the
European Mission for distribution to the sufferers from the Euro-
pean conflict. The following communication from the Presiding
Bishopric is self-explanatory, showing the result of the appeal
February 13, 1915.
President Joseph P. Smith and Counselors, City.
Dear Brethren: Complying with your request that Sunday, Jan-
uary 24. be set apart as a day for the collection of contributions in
the Sabbath schools and sacrament meetings of the Latter-day Saints.
for the purpose of aiding those who are suffering as a consequence of
the war in Europe, we take pleasure in reporting to you that out of
 EDITI >RS' TABLE 455

772 wards and independent branches, we have received contributions

at the Presiding Bishop's office, from (u?> wards, and the fallowing is
a list of the amounts contributed by the several Stakes ;m<l missions:
Alberta $ 257.80 Nonh Weber
Alpine 561.90 Ogden 437.79
Bannock 764.69 Oneida 689.37
Rear Lake 1,222.81 Panguitch 433.42
Rear River . • 377.61 Parowan 418.65
Reaver 240.70 Pioneer 289.21
Renson 530. 1 Pocatell» 630.18
Big Horn 206.56 Rigbv 325.00
Bingham 259.50 St. George 583.45
Rlackfoot 244.19 St. [ohna 189.75
Roise 135.80 St. Joseph 309.85
Roxelder 680.46 Salt Lake 990.92
Cache 853.38 San Juan 248.00
California wards 32.90 San Luis 97.90
Carbon 322.62 Sevier 626. 1

Cassia 635.91 Shelley 196.25

Cottonwood 379.41 Rnowflake 273.05
Davis 964.78 Smith Sanpete 619.43
Deseret 277.52 Star Valley 275.00
Duchesne 129.10 Summit 478.97
Emery 188.55 Taylor 750.00
Ensign 889.9" Teton 90.75
Fremont 732.76 Tooele 317.75
C.ranite 642.07 Tinta 197.80
Hyrum . ,
668.94 Onion 1 067
Jordan . ,
474.98 Utah 656.11
Tuab 292.18 Wasatch 131.05
Juarez 18.45 Wavnc 103.15
Kanab . . 272.63 Weber 362. 1

Liberty 586.97 Woodruff 187.02

Malad'. . . 408.21 Yellowstone 192.30
Maricopa 160.01 Young 103.35
Millard . 334.81 Northern States Mission 170.00
Moapa . 180.45 Central States 209. HI
Morgan . 155.73 Eastern States , 23J .5 I

Nebo . . 644.26 Individuals 192.15

North Sanpete 621.26
We are pleased to advise you that this fund, now aggregating fhe
sum of $28,411.52, has been collected without any charge to the fund
whatever, not even for postage or paper.
Respectfully submitted, your brethren in the gospel.
Charles W. Xibi.kv.
Orrin P. Miller,
David A. Smith,
Presiding Bishopric.
Since the above was in type 75 more wards have reported, swell
iug the total to approximately $32,000. A substantial proportion
has been scut to President Hyrum M. Smith and balance will
be remitted at regular intervals.

The "Era" Story Contest

Closing January 20. resulted in the awarding of the $25
prize to Josephine Spencer whose story, "McClosky and the-
("able." will appear in the April number of the Era. There were
thirteen contestants. The judges were: Nephi Anderson, editor of
the Genealogical Magazine; Elizabeth Cannon Porter, a well
known story writer; Attorney Hugo P.. Anderson Mary Connelly, :

editor of the Young Woman's Journal; and the associate editor of

the Era. A minority rather favored "'The Gift" by Elsie
456 IMPROVEMENT I R \

Chamberlain Carroll. This story was also secured and the read-
ers of the Era will have the pleasure, therefore, to enjoy both.
There were thirteen stories received for the February 5 con-
test, and the winner will he named in the April Era. The next
contest takes place March 5, and monthly thereafter, till June.
No story can be entered for more than one contest. Ask the as-
sociate editor for particulars.

Messages from the Missions

Photograph of elders of the London Conference, top row, left to

right: G. F. McDonald, L. E. Stoker, I. S. Campbell, M. Hendri, II.
J. Layton, Lester Cocking, visiting: C. D. Hunsley, R. P. Stratford;
second row: J. P. Egan, C. F. Powell, L. A. Southwick, R. V. Barnes,
F. S. Lyman, George Stevens, L. B. Merrill, Robert Jones: third row:
W. S. Evans, H. S. Pyne, Leo Egar, Marintha Eccles, Stewart Ec-
cles, president of the conference; J. I. May, E. M. Greenwood, L. K.

Sims; bottom row: O. C. Anderson, J. F. Fowles, L. L. Jackson, J.

W. Munson, J. V. Olsen, F. S. Leaver, R. D. Rasmussen. Elder J. J.
Fowles, London, December 4: "This group picture was taken with
our beloved president Stewart Eccles who recently died in the mis-
sion field. The past season's work has proved successful in bringing
joy to the laborers and sheep into the fold. Many people in the great
metropolis have heard the sound of the gospel either from the street
corner or through the means of door to door teaching. Some de-
pression has been felt in the work since the beginning of the great
European conflict but there is much good to be done. Through the
medium of the Era we wish to transmit our heartfelt greetings to all
the e/ders throughout the world.
 EDITORS' TABLE 457

"Lady missionariesof the Eastern States Mission: Back row,

left to Janette McNeil, Edna Crowther, Minnie, C. Poulson,
right:
Gertrude Phelps, Alta M. Johnson, Lona J. Ipsen, Lizzie O. Borgeson;
middle row: Annie C. Peterson, Helga Pedersen, Mrs. Leona Mon-
son, Ruth N. Savage, Viola Peterson; front row: Venna Monson,
Zelma Peterson.
"The idea of having lady missionaries is new in this mission, but
is no longer an experiment. The faithful labors of these sisters have
gone far in making the mission what it is today. Neither their de-
votion can be questioned, nor their industry criticized. Their ser-
vices have been of great value in tracting, in which capacity they are
generally well received. Great credit is due them for the number of
cottage meetings they have beer able to arrange for and hold, and

'm^ i Ml
ft
A » J? S71
v ;m ^ ;^-j^J
* V I
1

JP'_
-

yV j i^*^^*^ *

they have held some very successful street meetings. In the Y. L. M.

I. A., Relief Society and Sunday school, much good has been realized
from their work. So splendid has this feature of the missionary work
been, that the time is looked for when two or more lady missionaries
will be placed in each of the twelve conferences of this mission. These
lady missionaries, on invitation, spent the holidays in New York,
and were entertained there by a number of different people, including
Mrs. David Eccles, Mrs. Henrietta Harvey, Long Island; Ed. M.
Horton, Brooklyn; and Riter, of New York.
W. P. Monson and F. W.
The assignments Lizzie C. Borgeson and
of the sisters are as follows:
Annie C. Peterson, Boston, Mass.; Janett McNiel and Alta Johnson,
New Haven. Conn.: Edna Crowther and Gertrude Phelps, Brooklyn,
N. Y.; Ruth Savage and Minnie Poulson. Philadelphia, Pa.; Viola
Peterson and Lona Ipsen, Baltimore, Md.: Helga Pedersen and Zelma
458 IMI'k< )\'l MEN I ERA
Petersen, Office, New York; Leona Monson and Vcnna Monson,
Headquarters, New York."
Elders M. G. Kuhre, president of the Maine conference, writes to
the Era, January 8: "The elders enjoy their work and are determined
to increase their efforts for its advancement during the new year.
The elders in Lewiston are having great success and quite a number
of the people have either applied for or have talked of baptism. We
hold meetings in small country school houses, and are meeting with
wonderful success. The elders in Portland are making visiting their
main work. One of our friends recently bore this testimony: 'I
cannot rest; something seems to tell me that I have heard the truth,
and it asks me: What are you going to do about it? I wake up at
night with this thought upon my mind; I feel it all day, and when my
daughter plays your songs something is always telling me: You have
heard the truth. What are you going to do about it?' Another friend

* I » 1 1 | I
9 I t f |

ELDERS OF THE MAINE CONFERENCE

wrote me recently applying for baptism and testified that the elders
had administered to her when afflicted, and that she had been
healed. As soon as the weather will permit we will begin our work
in the rural districts. In our meetings we are having some new visitors
each night and are much encouraged by the present condition."
Top row, left to right: W. R. Jensen, Greenfield; J. F. Swain,
Charleston, Utah: A. W. Hyde, Fairview, Idaho; Lorenzo Standifird,
Snowflake, Arizona: L. H. Evans, Ogden, Utah; Geraint Humphreys,
Paris, Idaho; O. V. Anderson, Pleasant Green; Alma Kasteler, Salt
Lake City; W. Stark. Payson, Utah: James Larson, Thatcher, Idaho.
Bottom row: F. S. Emery, Salt Lake City; President I. A. Young, of
the Massachussetts Conference, Logan: President M. G. Kuhre, of
the Maine Conference, Sandy: Norton Piatt, Salt Lake City; Thomas
Allen, Provo; and W. H. Joyce, Ogden.
 EDITORS' fABLE 459

Elder X. J. Anderson, Burnley, England: "We air enjoying our

labors very much in Burnley branch of the Liverpool conference. The
city has a population of 135 thousand and is a busy cotton-manufactur-
ing center. There arc over 200 large factory chimneys that pierce the
sky. Owing to the war, trade
has been much affected causing
harship generally on the people.
But it is still a very busy town.
Thestreets are paved with oval
cobbles and the side walks with
flat flag-stones. The Burnley
people, especially the Saints, have
good hearts. Nineteen baptisms
were performed in this branch
the past j'ear, proving that this
part of England is still fruitful in converts to the gospel. Elders left to
right, Lafayette Giles, Salt Lake City, Utah; Niels J. Anderson, Barn-
well, Canada; Alfred J. Theurer, Providence; and Vern C. Woolley,
Grantsville, Utah.

To the Improvement Era:

Dear Brethren The bearer
: of this letter, Elder Petrus Johannes
Klaphaak, is a member of the of the Netherlands
Rotterdam branch
mission, where he has presided over the branch during the past six
months, and is now leaving us to join the Saints in Zion. Prior to
his departure, a picture was taken of the local priesthood of the Rot-
terdam branch, a copy of which you will find enclosed. I thought

it might be interesting to the readers of the Era to see that the mis-
sions have not been left without men to look after the affairs of the
Church, even though the majority of the missionaries have been called
home to America. There are two elders from Zion in the picture
the balance are all local men. Trusting the publishing of this picture,
with Brother Klaphaak as president will meet with your approval, 1
remain, Sincerely,
Rotterdam. Jan. 5, 1915. LeGrande Richards.
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Lesson Outlines for the Deacons

Lesson 9
(Text: The Latter-day Prophet, Chapter IX: 1-11 particularly)

Problem: What is the evidence that an angel gave Joseph Smith

the records from which was translated the Book of Mormon?
Study the chapter. When each paragraph is read, show its bear-
ing on the problem of the lesson by having appropriate questions
answered.
How many men in all saw and handled the records? How many
men saw the angel handle them and talk about them? Who were
they? (See Cannon's Life of Joseph Smith, p. 78).
Have a Book of Mormon in the class and read part of the wit-
nesses' testimony. Let the boys look at the book. Compare the
way the Lord did to establish securely the Book of Mormon, as a
sacred history, with the way scientific historians test an historical
event. Historians say that an event, to be historical, must have
a witness or witnesses who are willing and able to tell the truth; then,
even if the event is a miracle, it is historical, because such witnesses
would not imagine the event to have taken place and then tell that it
actually did take place.
What, therefore, is our evidence that the Book of Mormon is a
socred record?
Answer the problem of the lesson.
Lesson 10
(Latter part of Chapter TX:12-15, and events from other chapters)
Before taking up chapter ten review former work according to
the following problem, viz.: By what events had Joseph Smith_ Jr.,
been fitted to organize the "Mormon" Church?
What knowledge did he possess that God and Jesus Christ exist?
Who, then, did he know would be the author of the gospel?
What priesthood or authority did he have to organize the Church?
How did he get it? What other man had this authority given to him?
How did he get it? What book did he have that taught the gospel in
its purity? How had he obtained it? In what language was it writ-
ten? How many of the revelations contained in the Doctrine and
Covenants had been given by April 6, 1830? (Sections 2-20). What
heavenly messengers had taught him? By April 6, 1830, how many
years had he been the student of heavenly beings?
Compare Joseph Smith's preparation for leader of the "Mormon"
Church with, for example, Henry VIII's preparation for the "Supreme
Head on earth of the Church of England." (See any good English
history. Note particularly the part of Parliament).

Lesson 11

(Chapter X)
Problem: How did Joseph Smith proceed to organize the Churcii
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 461

Study the chapter, (See lesson nine, also the Prophet's own ac-
count, History of the Church, Vol. I, pp. 74-78).
How was the time designated? (See Doc. & Cov., 20:1). How do
we commemorate that day now? What laws did it conform to?
(Doc. & Cov., 20:1). According to whose will was it organized? What
was the office of Joseph Smith in the organization? See paragraph
4 lines 1 and 2 of the text, also Doc. & Cov., 1:3). How did he receive
his office? (Compare Doc. & Cov., 26:2). What were signs that fol-
lowed the organizations? Of what were these signs an evidence?
Answer the problem of the lesson.
Lesson 12

(Chapter XI)

Problem: Does the Lord help his servants when they are in
need?
Study the chapter. (See lesson nine).
What had the Prophet done to bring on the trouble?
How was he unexpectedly befriended on three occasions?
In which did the Lord give assistance?
What was the value of suffering indignities?
Compare one of the arrests of the Apostle Peter after final ascen-
sion of our Savior. (See Acts 5:12-29).
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Dr. Luther M. Palmer, family physician to President

Brigham
Young, and a pioneer resident of Salt Lake, died January 12, 1915. He
was born July 5, 1827, in Ogdensburg, New York, and crossed the
plains in 1848 to San Francisco, where he studied
medicine, and re-
turned to Utah in 1851. He attended President Brigham
Young at
his death.

JM. Christensen, former president of the Scandinavian mission,

in bait
and aprominent Salt Lake business man, died January 7, 1915
Harmstrup, Denmark January 8, 1846 and
Lake City. He was born in
at the age of twenty came to America,
and to Utah m the fall of 186/.
was member of the 15th ward bishopric and at the
For ten years he a
of Salt Lake
time of his death a president of the high priests
quorum
stake of Zion. He was highly respected
both for his business integrity
his Church duties.
and for his diligence in the performance of
entitled, "Pre-
The sixteenth book of the Faith-promoting Seriesis compiled and
the Era. It
cious Memor?es'' has been received by
published by George C. Lambert and the
instruction and encouragement

of Thomas Briggs,
exoeriences in two
and
in six
of
present volume of ninety-six pages
chapters,

Its Fulfilment," "Judgment

the

and
young

George
Lat

L
tf^y/?^^*
^""f m ^™!
contains, the s
~
series is designed for ^the

* d
ss
-J*™"*A rreaicuon
chapters; "Prepared for the Gospel,
Upon an Anti-'Mormon, etc The

for publication.
 Mutual Work
Stake Work
Suggestive Ward Report to Stake Officers
Anumber of stake officers have requested a suggestive outline for
a monthly report of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the wards for the stake
officers. Complying with this request, the Committee suggest the
following, which may be printed on postal cards or paper, and sent
monthly by the local secretary to the secretary of the stake for com-
pilation. The matter which would thus be placed in the hands of the
stake officers would be of great value, enabling them to have knowl-
edge of the details of the various association activities every month
of the year. The blanks might be modified, in each stake, to meet
the requirements of the wards of that stake. The Committee are of
the opinion and recommend that the officers of each stake print their
own report blanks, as the local conditions vary to such an extent that
one form would scarcely meet the demands of all the stakes. Hence,
stake officers will please prepare their own reports for their own par-
ticular wards, from this suggestive outline, adding such new matter or
making such changes or eliminations as their local conditions demand.
The report follows:
MONTHLY REPORT OF THE Y. M. M. I. A. FOR THE WARD
STAKE 191-—
[The ward secretary, will fill out this report and mail to the stake
secretary immediately after the last meeting of each month.]
1. How many weekly officers' meetings have you held?
2. Give enrollment of officers including class teachers—
Give average number* who attended:
At weekly officers' meetings
(a)
At regular sessions
(b) .'

At monthly officers' meetings

(c)
3. Name any vacancies in your ward organization
4. Give enrollment of seniors Average attendance* for
the month
5. .Give enrollment of juniors Average attendance*
for the month
6. What percent of the ward population is enrolled?
7. What have you done to increase your membership?
8. What manual lessons did you complete in the senior
class? In the Junior class?
9. What was done in vocational work?
10. What was done in scout work?
11. How many members have read one or more of the books of
the reading course?
12. What did you do in contest work?
13. What was done in social work?
14. How many Era subscribers do you lack to make up your
five percent ?
15. What percent of the Fund has been collected?
What measures have been taken to secure the balance?
Remarks: ,--

President Secretary

*To obtain average, add number in attendance at each meeting,

and divide by the number of meetings held each month. Ask the —
bishop or ward clerk for population.
 MUTUAL WORK 463

Organization and Membership

Elimination of Dead Material

BY PRESTON D. RICHARDS

Some officers and teachers in ward associations are always an

obstruction to progress in M. I. A. work. They may be considered
as dead. One of the most important and difficult problems with which
we have to deal is how to get rid of these dead ones.
There has recently come to our attention a case which we are
sure will afford much help to stake officers who have similar prob-
lems in their own stakes, and we are sure there are similar cases in
we were about to say, every stake of Zion.
The wide-awake stake aid had observed, during his visit to the
regular meeting of the ward association, that the second counselor to
the president was the moving spirit and the real leader of the as-
sociation. On account of his labors, the association was doing good
work in the way of preliminary programs and class work, and, in
fact, it was considered one of the good associations of the stake.
After the dismissal of the meeting the stake aid made careful and
discreet inquiry into the work of the officers of the association and
his observation was confirmed, viz., that the second counselor was
the real leader.
The other officers and members disliked to complain or talk of
the matter and this made it difficult for the stake aid to learn ths
real condition, but after persistent inquiry he discovered that, the
other officers of the association were discouraged and the second
counselor told him he expected to resign at the close of the season's
work. He learned that the president, notwithstanding he was a
thoroughly good man, was not popular with young people, he could
not see into their hearts, he had forgotten his own feelings when a
boy. . . .

The officers and members had honored the president in his posi-
tion for three years, but all that time he was dead to the
glorious
possibilities and golden opportunities of M. I. A. work. He was a
clog in the wheel, an obstruction in the pathway of progress. The
wide-awake stake aid reported the case to the newly appointed wide-
awake stake superintendency who called on the bishop of the ward
learn
and explained the situation to him. The bishop was surprised to
that the ward president was not efficient, he had
supposed that as
president was the
the association was doing fairly good work that the
man to whom the credit for this condition was mainly due.realHeleaderwas
also 'surprised to learn that the second counselor was the
in the association. The bishop was convinced that for the good o
the young people of the ward a new president
should be appointed and
bishop the authorization
the stake superintendency secured from the
to call on the president and talk the
matter over with him. Ac-
cordingly the superintendency called on the
ward president at his

:
,

s
^^Z^^^Mi^^
oc atlon is now
the change, and the
pointed out as one of the banner
associations in

Zi0n material, and let the

Come, brethren, discreetly remove the dead
work advance.
464 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Vocations and Industries

Monthly Consultations
BY CLAUDE RICHARDS

Fellow Members : "Are you impressed with the true religion in

Vocational work?"
Your committee of the General Board urges at this time that
you do one thing, namely, hold a monthly vocational officers' meet-
ing every month in your stake. Make this meeting a part of your
monthly joint stake and ward officers' meeting. You will remember
that the Committee on Stake work has earnestly advised a monthly
M. I. A. departmental meeting for all stake and ward officers. In
many stakes this meeting is held in connection with the stake priest-
hood meeting. By "departmental" is meant that after preliminary
exercises the workers shall separate into departments. The super-
intendents will meet by themselves, and likewise the secretaries,
Senior class leaders, Junior class leaders, those in charge of athletic
and scout work, special activities and any other vocational workers.
In each case the stake officer will conduct the exercises. This depart-
mental feature will increase the attendance at the monthly meetings,
and will also furnish members of the respective departments the
opportunity to consider with care and profit their own particular line
of M. I. A. work, their own specialty, if you please. You are aware
that this is a day of specialization. Our whole movement of Voca-
tions and Industries is founded on specializing. As vocational coun-
selor you will say to the boy in your ward: "Choose a vocation;
specialize and become efficient." Let us put this question to ourselves.
What about our own case? Vocational work in our splendid organ-
izations has been selected for us by those in authority as our special
work in the M. I. A. We
have accepted that call to become specialists
in this splendid department of true religion. We
have adopted this
vocational work as our specialty in Church work; as our avocation.
Now, shall we specialize? Shall we become efficient in this part of
God's work? The opportunity is before us; shall we use it? In your
slake will you help to make these vocational meetings hum?
A Suggestion. For your first meeting have a lively discussion on
the Boys' Half-Acre contest and the City Boys' Industrial contest,
using as your guide the instructions sent to you by our committee.
Do you know that thirty-three thousand boys and young men in
the Church are in need of our services.

Class Study

On Teaching
BY ANDREW A. KERR

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE TEACHER TO THE LESSON AND HIS WORK

1. —
Look to the details, such as fresh air, light, heat, etc. Seat
the students in front of you. Remove things that invite play. Don't
scold if the pupils play, if you haven't removed the playthings.
2. Be free with the pupils, but still be the teacher.
 MUTUAL WORK 465

3. Be master not dictator. Get

example is better than mere precept.
in, yourself, and work — practical
4. Don't put off preparation until ten minutes before meeting
time. Avoid books and outlines in class. Have a vast fund of in-
formation at hand. Keep abreast of the times. Avoid excuses for lack
of preparation. The best way to do is to be prepared. You value your
time, why not value theirs. Take nothing for granted by way of
preparation. Don't depend on home preparation. Make your ques-
tions definite. Make your questions mean something. Use simple
words. Big words do not hide ignorance. Be prepared for the worst
—
condition. Be cheerful. Be enthusiastic it is contagious. The teach-
er's mental attitudes are reflected in the class. Believe what you teach
— if you don't —
then do not teach it. Inspiration, plus perspiration,
plus enthusiasm, bring best results. Don't be late. Be regular in at-
tendance. Don't think the course of worlds will be changed if the
boy doesn't get his lesson. Socializing the individual, not information
imparted, counts. Don't be discouraged. Keep on never-minding.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE TEACHER TO THE BOY

1.Consider the boy has some rights.
2.Don't forget that you were once a boy.
3. Get the boy's confidence and then keep it.
4. Believe in the boy. In the general run of things environment
has more influence than heredity. Adolescent period: The boy may
fall to the gutter and later pick himself up. Curious period— let him
ask questions. Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." Don't, try to
bluff. Don't get angry. .

5. Don't let your acts belie your words. Don t give the boy
the ten commandments and you yourself use the same ten
command-
ments with the "nots" left out.
6. Be optimistic. Your opinion doesn't always decide. Examples
of this are Webster and Kelvin. ,.,-., ,• ,-, ,

7 Get the boy's point of view. Find out his likes and dislikes.
wearisome,
Play upon his likes— avoid his dislikes. If the lesson is
change it.
8. Be tolerant.
9 Be interesting. Don't entertain merely; instruct.
are good to
10". Use praise wisely— chide gently. Illustrations
use.

a teacher's ten commandments

1. When it is time for class thou shalt have no other business

be or e n e vain
2 ^ ; ou shah not make unto thyself any graven images of
]

C ° nC eit
3 'Thou shalt not bow down
thyself to the god of Ignorance nor
SefV hl
all thy work.
Seven days shalt thou labor and then not do name may long
4
Honor thy calling and profession that thy
5.
be remembered.
6 not kill time.
Thou shalt
7. not be given to excuses.
Thou shalt
8 not be unprepared
Thou shalt
9 not act falsely in thy dealings
Thou shalt
not covet thy neighbor's ability
Thou shah no
10.' Thou shalt
neighbor's work, nor his wages, nor his plans, nor his
covet thy
schemes to educate his fellows,
466 IMPROVEMENT ERA
To compensate for that,

a teacher's symphony, may be:

"To teach man to be content."
"To seek refinement rather than fashion."
"To be wealthy, not rich."
"To study hard, think quietly," (act honestly).
"To listen with open heart."
"To bear all cheerfully and bravely."
"To let a richness of life spring up unconsciously through the
commonplace."
"There is no death to the faithful teacher who has inspired the
children to go onward and upward. The greatest immortality comes
to those who are ready for any sacrifice to do good. Such a life in-
creases in a geometric ratio forever."

M. I. A. Day
Contests, 1915

At a recent meeting of the joint committees of the Y. M., and

Y. L. M. I. A., the following recommendations relative to contest
work were made:
1. As to Contests on Sunday Nights: That contests, that is,
try-outs or exercises calling for adjudication, be not held on Sunday
night.
2. As to Active Membership: That for the present year, we leave
the question of what constitutes active membership to the various
stakes, encouraging them to raise the standard as high as possible;
that for the next year, in order to become eligible for contest work
a member must have been in attendance at regular class meetings at
least five times prior to April 1st.
3. As to Time Limits: That all contestants in story-telling and
public speaking, so desiring, shall be warned by the time keeper at
the expiration of nine minutes and ten minutes. Contestants exceed-
ing ten minutes shall be discounted 5%; exceeding eleven minutes,
shall be disqualified.
4. As To Public Speaking: The contestants are referred to an
article in the February number of the Era on page 367, on "Originality
in Public Speaking," and each superintendent or ward president should
read this to all members entering the public speaking contest.
Public speeches for contest must be strictly original, and viola-
tions of this rule will disqualify the contestant.
5. The Mixed Double Quartet: The committee further recom-
mends that the following be published in the "Journal" and Era.
On account of some misunderstanding of our instructions as to the
Mixed Double Quartet, we make the following statement:
All three numbers (a, b, c,) must be sung at all contests by the
members of each Mixed Double Quartet. Judgment will be rendered
on each number, but only the winners of c, (Lead Kindly Light)
will be entitled to further contest and at the grand finals will be the
only group receiving the gold medals.
Decisions will be rendered, as above stated, on the a and b num-
bers but this decision should not effect the judgment of the c number.
The arrangement in relation to this feature of the contest work
was made not only in order to lend interest in male and ladies' quartet
singing, but to establish specially the Mixed Double Quartet as a
permanent organization in each ward association.
 Passing Events
Fanny Crosby
Conn., February 12.
the well known hymn of,
writer, died in Bridgeport,

Eli Harvey Peirce, business manager of the Salt Lake

Tabernacle
choir, telegraph operator, singer, actor, and book collector,
died after
a four-days' illness, February 9, 1915. He was born in Salt Lake City,
Pt r 1850, His coIIection of 2,600 volumes of literature on
u »A '

the Mormons" was purchased some year and a half ago by Harvard
University, for $6,000.

Ahurricane, earthquake, and tidal wave swept over Manua, of the

Samoan group, on February 10. Entire villages disappeared. The
fury of the wind was unbelievable. Iron roofs were blown ten miles,
and the very soil was torn from the coral rock. Even coffins in new
made graves were left exposed. Five thousand inhabitants are left
destitute.

Edwin S. Hinckley was chosen, January 21, by the Board of Trus-

tees, to be Superintendent of the Utah State Industrial School, Ogden,
to succeed Dr. E. G. Gowans, who became State Superintendent of
Public Instruction, on January 4 last. Mr. Hinckley is a graduate of
the Brigham Young University of Provo, where he was dean of the
teachers' college; and he attended the University of Michigan for four
years, specializing in geology and education. He began his teaching
career in his native town Fillmore, Millard county, Utah.

The Mexican situation appears to be more complicated and un-

promising than ever. On the 16th of January the convention of con-
stitutionalist leaders in Mexico deposed provisional president Gutierrez
and selected Colonel Roque Gonzales Garza to succeed him. Garza
fled from Mexico City, January 27, for Cuernavaca where the conven-
tion government was to be established. There are now four or five
provisional presidents of the republic. Among this number is Gen-
eral Francisco Villa who proclaimed himself in charge of the Mexi-
can presidency, on February 3. He appointed three ministers to take
charge of the civil government.
Mrs. May WilckenCannon, president of the Woman's Press Club,
and firstcounselor of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement As-
sociation of Liberty stake, died on the 14th of February, at the L. D. S.
hospital. She was born in Heber City, January 8, 1870. and was the
daughter of Charles H. and Eliza Reich Wilcken. She graduated
from the University of Utah, and was married to President Hugh J.
Cannon of the Liberty stake, October 1, 1890. She accompanied her
husband on missions to Switzerland and Germany, in 1903, and was
a faithful and active worker in the organizations of the Church. She
had a family of seven children the oldest of which is twenty-three
years and the youngest seven.

—
Prize Essay. The National Education Association, through the
generosity of a California resident, and in connection with the Panama-
Pacific International Exposition, offers a prize of $1,000 for the best
essay on "The Essential Place of Religion in Education, with an Out-
line of a Plan for Introducing Religious Teaching Into the Public
Schools." Notice of intention to file an essay must be given the
secretary, D. W. Springer, Arm Arbor, Michigan, by April 1, 1915.
468 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Further particulars will be glady furnished by him. The essays are
limited to ten thousand words and must be in possession of the sec-
retary by June 1, 1915. Six typewritten copies must be furnished so
that the preliminary reading may be done independently.

Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone in 1875, has

lived to see the day when his voice can be heard across the continent.
On the 25th of January last he spoke from New York to California, a
distance of 3,400 miles. He spoke to Mr. Watson, his assistant. The
first words he said were: "Are you there?" Mr. Watson answered,
"Indeed, I am," and as he did so he threw up his hands with a whoop
of joy. This was the first official talk between the western and eastern
gates of the United States, over a telephone line whose wires span
cities, prairies, snowy mountain peaks, rivers, and chasms, and hummed
the words from ocean to ocean in the twitch of an eyelid.

The M. I. A. Boy Scouts of America, who are affiliated with the

National Organization, celebrated, during the week February 7-13, the
fourth anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America in
Washington, D. C, February 8, 1911. There are about 2,000,000 boy
scouts in the world, one-sixth of whom reside in the United States.
There are over 1,200 M. I. A. scouts registered with the national or-
ganization, and more than 3,000 doing scout work in the wards of the
Church. The number is rapidly increasing, and systematic efforts are
being made to effect a strong and united organization in the Y. M.
M. I. A. They are represented by Major Richard W. Young in the
National Council, by Dr. John H. Taylor as Scout Commissioner, and
are supervised by about sixty scout masters. The movement has the
hearty support of leading Church officials.

Education in Utah is flourishing and forging on with great strides.

During 1914, according to the tenth biennial report of the state super-
intendent of public instruction, $4,570,085, were expended for school
purposes. There were 96,679 children in attendance with a school
population of 117,682; that means an increase since statehood, in 1896,
of 28,793, in attendance, and 38.239 in population. The valuation of
school property is now $8,963,579, as against $1,386,851, in 1896, an
increase of more than seven and a half million dollars. Counting the
school year 180 days, Utah expended daily for schools, during 1914,
$25,411 per day, or more than $12,000 for each day in the year.
Out
of 2,600 teachers 600 are males, and 2,000 females. In the forty-four
high schools of the state there were 7,444 pupils enrolled and 640
graduates, taught by 400 teachers— 130 men and 270 women. The
"teachers received $1,839,690 in salary, and the sum of $813,576
was
spent for new buildings. Text books cost $186,202.

A direct prohibition bill was introduced January 20, into the Sen-
ate of the Utah State Legislature, by Senator John
H. Wootton, at the
request of the Utah Federation of Prohibition and Betterment League,
John M. Whitaker, president; and the Municipal League of Utah.
Thomas H. Burton, chairman of the law and legislative committee of >

that league. The signers said to Senator Wootton,

in their invitation

to him to introduce the bill, that it is "the sincere

hope of the better
element throughout the state that this measure be given prompt atten-
of 7,000 words or more,
tion and speedv approval." The bill consists
or strong
and prohibits the "manufacture, sale, or keeping, of liquor
sacramental pur-
drink of whatever description." It excepts wine for
noses and alcohol and wine for medicinal purposes
through physicians
prescriptions. The act is to take effect on the first
Monday in June,
 PASSING EVENTS 469

1916. On February 11, after six hours of debate, the bill passed the
Senate by a vote of fourteen to three. Senators voting for the bill
were: Bradley, Chez, Colton, Cottrell, Craig, Eckersley, Evans, Funk,
Hansen, Reynolds, Rideout, Seegmiller, Thornley, and Wootton; vot-
ing against it: Dern, Wight, who changed his vote to aye to move a
reconsideration, and Ferry.
Prohibition in the United States appears to be progressing: Dur-
ing the month, Arkansas declared for state-wide prohibtion, and on
January 14, both branches of the /\labama legislature passed a pro-
hibition bill by large majorities. On February 9, the Colorado Senate,
passed a state-wide prohibition bill by a vote of 27 to 4. On the 11th,
the Senate of the Utah legislature passed a bill prohibiting the manu-
facture and sale of liquors in the state of Utah by a vote of 14 to 3.
On February 12, the Iowa Senate adopted a constitutional amendment
providing for state-wide prohibition by a vote of 29 to 10. In this
conection "Collier's Weekly" quotes from the editor of the "Arkansas
Fruit and Farms," giving the condition on the border of the state be-
tween Oklahoma and Arkansas as follows:
"The liquor interests advocate that prohibition does not prohibit,
but the record here in Fort Smith shows that the curse has been elim-
inated to a point where our jails are empty, our police half of what
it was when we had saloons, the cost of feeding prisoners is less than
fifty dollars per month as compared to nearly a thousand a month
under wet conditions, and our city jail is now used as a lodging house
for the transient poor. No arrests occurred in Fort Smith from
Thursday morning to Saturday morning, which included New Year's
Day."
The same paper also gives this quotation from a letter received
from Waterloo, Iowa, and adds, "This is our idea of progress:"
"The saloons in Iowa have been dwindling, and are being chopped
off here and there through one action or another for the last number
of years. In 1910 we had nearly 4,000 saloons in the state. Today
we have whittled them down to about 560, and we have, through court
actions and other actions, 150 of these to be closed between now and
July 1 next. Des Moines, our capital, is to close its 86 saloons on the
16th day of February under a vote of the City Council."
In answer to inquiry from George Albert Smith and Richard W.
Young, of Utah, Hon. J. B. Case, President National Irrigation Con-
gress, Abilene, Kansas, says:
"Prohibition in Kansas has brought clean towns, permanent pros-
perity and a high standard of morality. Ninety-five per cent of voters
would indorse prohibition today. My experience dates from 1871 and
any former Kansan who declares prohibition a failure here misrepre-
sents facts. Our money goes into homes and happiness. Our bank
deposits are overflowing. New generations who have never seen a
saloon are making model citizens. No one thing ever was of so much
value to the state industries and social life as prohibition. No law in
Kansas is more rigidly enforced than prohibition."

—
The Submarine. The recent announcement that the submarine
U-21 had rounded the north coast of Scotland and raided the mer-
chant fleet of England on her western shores was perhaps the most
depressing thing to England of all the present war. Before the pres-
ent conflict in Europe broke out, naval experts declared that the new
inventions looking to the perfection of the submarine system of war-
fare meant the annihilation of the great dreadnoughts, just as Eng-
470 IMPROVEMENT ERA
land, by the construction of these great vessels, had practically thrown
into her junk-pile all of what then became an inferior almost useless
navy. Experts point out the almost defenseless condition of any
nation whose commerce and navy could be brought within the radius
of the submarine. This great terror of the seas is intended to destroy
the naval supremacy of any country. Germany cannot be reached.
Her ships of war have either been destroyed or put securely under
cover. Her commerce upon the ocean has been destroyed. The work
of raiding the seas through the submarine is therefore her only and
last resort, and she intends that England shall pay dearly for her
command of the seas. It is said that the submarine has now a radius
of 2,500 miles. If so, the damage which Germany can do to the com-
merce of Great Britain is limited only by the number of effective sub-
marines she can put in operation. England is at a disadvantage, be-
cause, in the matter of submarine attacks, her position is wholly one
of defense, and she is now very greatly exercised over the invention
of some sort of craft that will counteract the dangers of German sub-
marines. Up to the present, her light cruisers have been relied upon
for that work. England will undoubtedly commence the construction
of a submarine flotilla that shall as far as possible, counteract the
Germans, but the sea is so large that its fogs and its tempests make
it almost impossible to patrol. When the calmer weather comes,
it is not unlikely that an effort will be made to circumscribe the whole
German submarine system to as narrow a locality as possible. If
Germany now endangers England, it is not unlikely that before long
Russia will attack Germany. Germany is now in control of the
Baltic sea, and still maintains her commerce with the Scandinavian
countries. The Russians, with an adequate system of submarines,
might even become a greater menace to that part of Germany's trad-
ing than Germany is to England on the open sea. Germany is very
concerned lest the United States should undertake the construction of
submarine boats for sale to European countries, especially to Russia.
For the present, England no doubt will be compelled to furnish
a number of war vessels to escort her merchant ships beyond the
reach of the German submarine. It may here be said that the sub-
marine is a vastly greater factor in the present war than airships.
The latter are merely auxiliaries, at the best. The submarine may
become a dominating agency of war. Its possibilities, experts tell us,
have barely begun. Only a year ago it was an experiment; today it
has been developed into one of the most effective means of warfare
that has ever been discovered. Its secrets have been guarded by the
Germans for a number of years, as they realized it would be the most
effective means which that country could invent to combat the naval
power of Great Britain. Joseph M. Tanner.

Thegreat war in Europe continued unceasingly during the month

with change. The British authorities announced that 147,000
little
men constituted the loss of Great Britain during the past five months.
Taking this figure as a basis it is clear that more than 500,000 men
have been lost in the battlefields during the first five months, which
means about three thousand each day. It is no wonder that the Ger-
man emperor should express himself, as he did recently, that "the
losses have been discouraging."
On January 24th, a British squadron, composed of five large battle
cruisers and a number of smaller vessels, met a German squadron of
four battle cruisers and a number of smaller craft somewhere in the
North sea near the Frisian islands. The British ships were superior
in gun power and the contact resulted in the German ships withdraw-
 PASSING EVENTS 471

mg into the protection of their mine fields. One German ship, the
"Blucher," was sunk and the British battle cruiser "Lion" and the
destroyer "Meteor" were damaged by the Germans and towed into
port. This battle was celebrated in London as a great victory, while
Berlin declared that at least one British cruiser had been sunk, and
considered the honors equal. Up to January 19, no material change
was reported in Poland or Galicia. The Russians were reported ad-
vancing steadily through Bukowina. In the west, on January 14,
Kaiser Wilhelm was a spectator of the German success in which his
army captured the heights of Vregny and drove the French across
the Aisne. The French claimed that the floods compelled them to
cross the Aisne. The Germans, in the west, particularly in Belgium,
held up the conflict on the battle line's extremities. On January 18,
a fleet of German aircraft bombarded the English towns of Yar-
mouth, King's Lynn, and other parts on the Norfolk coast. Consid-
erable damage resulted and four lives were lost.
—
January 21. British aeroplanes bombarded Zeebrugge, Burges,
Ostend, and Essen. German aeroplanes bombarded Dunkirk.
—
January 26. Turkish outposts reached the Suez canal and fought
at Elkantara.
—
January 28. Russian torpedo boats sunk many Turkish vessels in
the Black sea and bombarded Trebizend.
—
January 29. Germans destroyed a French regiment in the Ar-
gonne forest.
January — German submarines sunk the British steamships
30.
"Kilcoan," "Ben Cruachan," and "Linda Blanche," the Irish sea.
in
January — German submarines torpedoed the British steam-
31.
ships "Tokomaru" and "Icaria" off Havre, which were carrying food
to the continent. The Russians claim sweeping victories over Otto-
man forces in the Caucasus, and at Tabriz.
—
February 1. Both Russia and Germany claim success in several
severe engagements northeast of the lower Vistula.
—
February 2. Great Britain notified Washington that hereafter all
foodstuffs from America, destined for Germany, Austria or Turkey
will be regarded as conditional contraband. Preparations are made in
England to fit out a "mosquito fleet" to detect the presence of sub-
marines along the coast and to sein for floating mines.
—
February 4. The German Admiralty announced to the world:
"The waters around Great Britain and Ireland, including the whole
of the English Channel, are declared a war zone from and after Feb-
ruary 18, 1915.
"Every enemy merchant ship found in this war zone will be de-
stroyed even if it is impossible to avert dangers which threaten the
crew and passengers.
"Also, neutral ships in the war zone are in danger, as in conse-
quence of the misuse of neutral flags ordered by the British govern-
ment on January 31, and in view of the hazards of naval warfare, it
'can not always be avoided that attacks meant for enemy ships endan-
ger neutral ships.
"Shipping northward, around the Shetland Islands, in the eastern
basin of the North Sea, and in a strip of at least_ thirty nautical miles
in breadth along the Dutch coast, is endangered in the same way."
—
February 10. The United States government sent a note to Great
Britain, making friendly observations on the use by British ships of
neutral flags, and at the same time dispatched a communication to
Germany, inquiring what steps will be taken by German naval com-
manders to verify the identity of ships flying neutral flags in the re-
cently proclaimed zones of war around England and Ireland.
 The Jitney, a new word in the language, has appeared in Salt
Lake City and Ogden; it ismore than a word; it is an auto bus in
competition with the street railways. The idea is working east from
the extreme west, and according to a coast paper here is an estimate
of the business the jitneys were doing late in January:

Number Daily
City Cars Receipts
San Francisco 300 $2,400
Transbay cities 450 3,600
Los Angeles 1,050 8,400
Portland 75 600
Seattle : 500 4,000

Totals 2,375 $19,000

Ogden andSalt Lake City commissioners are figuring out whether

to permit the jitneys, and if so, what the regulations shall be.
The Utah Legislature met in the new state capitol on Thursday,
February 11, 2 p. m., and had as their guest David J. Palmer, Com-
mander-in-Chief of the G. A. R. It is expected that all the state offices
will be opened by August 1.

Improvement Era, March, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter

Joseph F. Smith, )
Editors
Heber J- Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, J
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Portrait of Dr. John A. Widtsoe Frontispiece
Winter. A Poem O. F. Ursenbach
377
Bringing the Farmer to School.Illustrated. .Lon J. Haddock, B. S . 379
The Prophet's Last Letters B. F. Cummings 388
My Prayer. A Poem Minerva Pinkerton 393
The Life Message of John Ruskin Alfred Lambourne 394
Origin of the Brown South Pacific Islander.John Q. Adams 393
Illustrated. I Guy Coleman 401
The Toiler. A Poem tab
Thoughts on the Origin of Life Robert C. Webb.. 402
Maxims and Wise Sayings J. B. Ball 416
Anthon L. Skanchy—VIII-X Dr. John A. Widtsoe....... 417
The Girl Who Came Back. A Story Elizabeth Cannon Porter. . 425
Teaching in the Home Charles B. Felt 434
New Map of Europe Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 445
Shape of Tree Trunks and Branches Delbert Parratt, B. S 448
—
Editor's Table Work for the Dead The First Presidency 451
Boys in the Office of Deacon 452
The Boys' Half Acre Contest 453
Donations to War Sufferers 454
The "Era" Story Contest 455
Messages from the Missions 456
Priesthood Quorums' Table Suggested Les- —
son Outlines for the Deacons P. Joseph Jensen 460
—
Mutual Work Suggestive Ward Report '
462
Elimination of Dead Material Preston D. Richards 463
Monthly Consultations Claude Richards 464
On Teaching Walter A. Kerr 464
Contests, 1915 466
Passing Events 467
 Boy Scout Hand Books
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A bird in the hand is worth

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tWO in the bUSh.— Cervantes. Scientist
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Improvement
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Era
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Benn Pitman, Founder.
Jerome B. Howard, President. Salt Lake City, Utah

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 Place this Piano
in your home NO W
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PR IIIDINT
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Yici-Pbisidint
grant hampton,
Sect s Tubas,
geo. t.odell,
GlN'L MANAOIR
C. 6. WRIGHT, DIRECTORY
ASST, (IN L Man.
JOSEPH F. SMITH FRANCIS M. LYMAN
W. S. MCCORNICK THOS. R. CUTLER
T. ODELL
GEO. WILLIAM SPRY
*-*&-* 6. S. WRIGHT JAMES L. WRATHALL
C. S. BURTON HEBER SCOWCROFT
JAMES H. MOYLE GEO. O. KEYSER
W. W. ARMSTRONG

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IMPROVEMENT
ERA
Vol. XVIII APRIL, 1915 No. 6

ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, THE YOUNO MEN'S MUTUAL

MPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONSAND THE SCHOOLS OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
PmWUBMEB MONTHLY BY TMM BKHKIUU. BOAMB AT BALT LAMM «fTT, VTAM
 iD? BOUZEKJ
E NGRAVING Qp i

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The Panama — California Exposition

QAM FMFPO
•J/AIN
Opens
LVIEAjW closes January
Dec 31, 1915.
1,

Los Angeles
The Panama- p acific International Ex- Round trip
™
SAN FRANCISCO from and San
position
Opens February 20, closes December 4, 1915

Th«re will be excursion rates in Salt Lake City FranciSGO

effect throughout the year via
Tickets on Sale DAILY
Three Months Limit
—
Stop-overs Diverse Routes

UjjBf THREE DAILY FAST TRAINS

8:45 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 11:50 p.m.
The first excursion date from
Utah points will be Ask for Exposition Booklets
Ticket Office 10 East 3rd So.
JANUARY 30, 1915 Phones W. 3501-3502
Limit, March 15, 1915
$4.00 Round Trip
Rate will be in effect via Salt Lake and Los
Angeles going, and returning via San Fran-
LOS ANGELES
cisco and Portland, or going via Portland to
and San Francisco, returning via Los An- SAN DIEGO
geles and Salt Lake, or returning in either
case via San Francisco or Ogden.
Ocean Trip
On Steamers
Other Excursions will Yale and Harvard
be announced later. J. H. Manderfield,
Consult any O. S. L. Agent for rates, de- A.G.P.A., Salt Lake
scriptive literature, etc.. or write,
D. E. BURLEY, Gen'l Passenger Agent. Visit Both Expositions
Salt Lake City, Utah.

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, ^A/\ZVV^VV%yV\/V^/\/N/\/SA/V/\/\«^V\/VV\«^^

EASTER.

Full on the morn doth rise the Easter-hymn ;

Glad words of praise this time auspicious hail

Of that event beyond the years grown dim.

Sweet living voices sing the wondrous tale.

The world's great miracle anew they tell,

In joyous accents, pure and silver clear

The tidings marvelous exultant swell, .

With words of promise fill the listening ear.

Hark! how the thoughts inspiring buoyant rise,

As unto tribes and peoples countless sung;

The message known to all beneath the skies,

In ancient speech or fresh-created tongue.

That story brought us from the days of old,

From happy lips now falls in measured sound;

That wonder unto listening nations told,

From land to land wherever man is found.

Forget this day all bitterness and sin,

Let pain and discord in sweet sounds expire ;

The words of Gentleness make all akin,

And man and nature are one mighty choir!

ALFRED LAMBOURNE.
 \ •

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EASTER
From a painting by Henry O'Neil
Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII APRIL, 1915 No. 6.

The Sin of Blasphemy

BY J. W. BOOTH

Far back in the days of Isaiah, when that gifted seer was
viewing through his prophetic telescope the distant scenes which
now are near to us, he uttered with a joyous heart these strains of
glorious melody "Awake, awake. Put on thy strength, O Zion
:

put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City;" and,

then, turning from that scene of joy, he quotes the words which
God himself proclaimed in sad, rebuking tones: "My name con-
tinually every day is blasphemed."
Young men of Zion, was it our Zion to whom these awaken-
ing words were sung? Was it modern Jerusalem, (starving,
famine-ravished city that she is) now about to put on her beautiful
garments? Was it us, of America, dear reader, upon whom that
prophetic lens was focused with such convincing accuracy as to
reveal, so far away, this awful sin of "continual blasphemy?" 1

fear it is Whether or not we are the objects of Isaiah's

true.
words, we —a —
number of us at least are guilty of that awful
sin. Take note of some evidence aginst us
For some time past the writer has been investigating this most
impious habit of using the sacred name of Deity in our common
talk.
I asked one man if he had any idea of how many times he
had profaned during a certain period. His own estimate was
over five hundred times a day. To another habitual swearer, I
put the question
"Now, Mr. you have been in nearly every state of
,

the Union,working for many years among men of various classes,

and I want to get your candid opinion on a question on which
you can give me some 'expert testimony.' as you are an expert
474 IMPROVEMENT ERA
in this line. Now, please tell me what per cent of the men of this
nation, in your opinion, are guilt}' of blasphemy?"
The gentleman unhesitatingly replied : "More than one-half
of them."
Another, even more vile with his lips, said "Yes, more than :

two-thirds of them."
I once spent about thirty minutes in one of the barracks of the

United States army, and among the soldiers, in their usual talk,
profanity was indulged in at the rate of about three times a
minute for each of fifty men.
During a year's time, I kept tab on my associates, and men
with whom I worked, and I found that 63 per cent of them were
men who took the name of God in vain. I later learned that some
of these would profane when among profaners, but did not do so
in my hearing. Now, what does all this mean? In the United
States there are about one hundred millions of people. Of these,
fifty millions, we will say, are females, to whom we shall not
impute this heinous crime of the remaining fifty millions there
;

are half of them children too young to swear. Of the remaining

twenty-five million men and boys, we will take a safer figure than
two-thirds, or 63 percent of them, and say that only 40 percent, or
ten millions, are guilty of blasphemy. I shudder to tell it, but that
if. about the percentage in my own home town, dear old Alpine,
within the precincts of which, but a few decades ago, the name of
God was seldom heard, except in reverence. But now, about one-
tenth of the population ignorantly dares to utter his holy name to
emphasize their otherwise weak and senseless expressions of some
of their common talk.
Let us be more lenient than the one who swore five hundred
times a day and give their average in more mitigating terms. I
have often heard men take wicked oaths at the rate of eight to
ten times a minute but these were, of course, extreme cases.
Following is one man's conclusion, on fairly good authority,
on daily average swearing:

Of ten million profaners in the United States it is estimated that,

on an average,

1,000,000 swear 50 times every day, amounting to 50,000,000 times

2,000,000 swear 25 times every day, amounting to 50,000,000 times
3,000,000 swear 10 times every day, amounting to 30,000,000 times
2,000,000 swear 5 times every day, amounting to 10,000,000 times
1,000,000 swear 3 times every day, amounting to 3,000,000 times
1.000,000 swear 2 times every day, amounting to 2,000,000 times

Total 145,000,000

That sacred Name ! Blasphemed one hundred and forty-five

million times a day by army of Christian
this (soldiers
?) It !

means that every hour, more than six million times, the fourth
 THE SIN OF BLASPHEMY 475

commandment of the decalogue is broken that more than one

;

hundred thousand times every minute Deity is defied that more

;

than sixteen hundred times every second the most holy names of
the Father and the Son are taken in vain by vile and impious
tongues in' this choice land, where liberty abounds from sea to
sea. Astonishing, is it not? Doubt it if you will, but investigate,
as I have done, from numerous points, and you will probably be
convinced of this sad fact.
Sixteen hundred times a second ! What means this awful
cyclone of sin, carrying in its whirling circles the slang and filthy
phrases of so many millions, and hurling itself with bullish fury
into the face of heaven's King? Whence comes this woeful wind
of wickedness this blizzard of blasphemy that makes the blood run
;

cold? Think you this storm originates within the higher atmos-
phere of love and affection? In the boundless regions of reason?
I'oon the great, wide waves of wisdom? Among the inland
hills of intelligence? On the mountains of manhood? Or out
on the dry deserts of sober sincerity? Nay, but from the heated
pampas of passion arise the heavily laden vapors of vice and ;

these, mingled with the inrushing currents of ignorance, im-

—
pregnated only with cold irreverence, stir up the storm at first
in levity, but finally ending in this soul-destroying whirlwind of
wickedness.
Ask the man in whose heart dwell love and charity, if he
ever feels like cursing his fellow man in God's holy name. Ask
him whose mental powers are swayed by reason if he could ever
give an answer, in reason, why such things are done. Ask the
wise man if he knows why. Appeal to one of superior intelligence
for a justifiable excuse to drag the sacred name of our Creator
into the mire of maledictions. Ask your very choicest specimen
of manhood if he thinks that manhood would mix and mingle the
glorious appellation of Christ the Redeemer with a cursing
mockery of all things sacred to the human heart. Ask Sincerity.
herself, she ever felt proud of a polluted profaner, or ever
if

boasted of a bumptious blasphemer. No ! No a thousand times

!

no ! These nobler qualities have no part nor portion in that in-

fernal practice so prevalent among the people of this country.
more strongly emphasize my thoughts in story form
At the opening of one of the great historic wars, between two
powerful nations of the earth, the call, at first, went out from one
of them for volunteers to come and fight, for the honor of the
nation had been assailed. Asecond call was followed by con-
scription wherein, within one family, the last of seven sons, Iago,
was listed for the morrow's march. Father and mother, with
broken hearts, finding solace only in their love of country, were
willing that their last and seventh son should don his regimentals
in the morning-. The trio spent that night as only war-infested
476 IMPROVEMENT I K \

families know. In another house, nearby, two parents and their

only son sat pondering on the sadness in their neighbor's home
across the way. The father of this only son of love and promise
spoke, and said
"My son, our neighbors over there have now sent all but one
to war, and if he, too, falls in battle, it will bring that poor old
couple to their graves with unrelenting haste. I wonder if
—
But ere the thought was half expressed, the brave young
heart responded with the willing words
"I'll go myself and save them such a fate."
"Magnanimity personified !" exclaimed the father, whose
heart had never felt the taint of selfishness^ while the mother's
—
pride loomed up in thankfulness to God for such a son and yet,
forebodings of what might occur hung pensive shadows in the hall,
while hasty preparations went ahead. The night passed on and
ere the aurora of morning had pushed aside the curtains of the
early hour, this noble son was at Iago's side with news of his
unpurchased ransom, and the wailing of that unhappy home was
turned to thankfulness and joy, that this one son was spared to
comfort them.
At 6 a. m., in uniform, this fearless volunteer was waiting
for the bugle's call. A father's fond embrace and blessing; a
—
mother's loving clasp and a kiss a boy, choking, "good-bye"
;

and he was gone.

For three long years and more the battles raged. Salvador,
with his great heart had won distinction as a private and, up;

through official ranks, had been commisioned Captain of the

Mighty Host. Meantime. Iago. at home, ha grown forgetful of
1

his neighbor's love, and into his cold heart there came no im-
pulse of gratitude for such a sacrifice made for him and his.
Tidings of the glorious achievements of Salvador were only
sneered at and rejected by this degenerate son.
At last the Captain saw the hour of victory had come but ;

victory at such a price! Two plans were laid and were dis-
cussed thus
First, to call twelve legions more, and with these multi-
tudinous troops fight man to man and death to death until the
foe surrendered.
Second, to take his trusted staff alone and with these few,
scale the hights, descend the rugged path, and lure the enemy
—
from his intrenchments knowing well that death would be
their own and final doom, but that while these few encountered
death, the army would be blessed with glorious victory. And so
it was! That brave and noble leader fell— a volunteer in death,
as in his life, to save his comrades from the fate of war.
On mournful wings the news was sent throughout the land
of the sad but glorious death of Salvador. His corpse would
 Til l£ SIN 01? i;i,ASL'l I LCM V 477

soon be borne in honor to his native town. That hour came.

Ten thousand, weeping, went welcome home the greatest hero
to
of the war. In the suburbs of the city, where the mourners met
the incoming cortege, there was an outburst of lamentations. As
the solemn procession passed along the crape-hung boulevard,
the populace, too, bowed heads and paid the tribute of their tears.
All seemed to understand that the occasion was so unspeakably
touching that every feature of the program which bore the slight-
est hint of coarseness must be avoided. Military music, it was
feared, would lack in tenderness (though the hero was a soldier
true), and in its place, a harp, with tones as delicate as the voice
of angels and tuned in perfect harmony with the tensioned sweet-
ness of his mother's soul, was given into "David's" skilful hands.
Just as the casket was being carried acrosss the threshold of the
old home, the dextrous harpist touched the strings which uttered,
in almost human voice, a tune akin to our sweet melody, "The
Soldier's Farewell."
Solemnity was more intense than tongue or pen can describe.
As the last tones blended into celestial silence there was such a
peace-distilling, love-encircling, divinely beautiful influence per-
vading that holy precinct that no one wished to break the still-
ness, even with a muffled moan.
But hark !Sin's evil darts now pierce the heart of Inno-
cence ! Across the way, on the balcony of his home, sat the
wretched Iago, with more such sons of 'Belial. Sneering in ri-
bald jest, they mocked the sacred scenes before them made ;

sport of Salvador's great sacrifice for Iago threw taunting ;

insults at the throng for being tender hearted shouted in fiendish

;

falsetto the moanings of the mother, now overwhelmed by grief.

They cursed the father of the dead man denied honor to the ;

son, and at last, in drunken revelry, they sought, with the tink-
ling of their cursed wine cups, to mimic the tones of the hal-
lowed requiem of the harp. In the midst of this infamous up-
roar, a letter was handed to the father by an officer, to whom it
was given by Salvador the hour he left his army for the fatal
move to draw the opposing forces from their fort. It read
"Salvador to his honored Sire, Greetings: Your epistle from
home brings joy. May it ever be well with you and mother. Duty
calls me this day to meet the crisis. Better for one to die than for
my whole army to perish. Peace be with you. Farewell."
This short postscript was added:

"I heard of Tago's indiscretion. Forgive his folly for my sake.

Again, farewell."

The rabble on the balcony listened long enough for these

words to be readby the funeral orator, when again with cursing
478 IMPROVEMENT ERA
derision their tumultwas resumed. But the hero's body was at
last entombed with honor, and they who mocked his memory
were brought to answer in the courts of justice.
What think you was their punishment? Was mercy found
for them? Was the court influenced by those last words of Sal-
vador, pleading for his recreant neighbor? Speak out, and say
what sentence you would pass in such a case. Mr. Blasphemer,
come to judgment. Render your decision in case the hero were
your own dear brother. What? Full justice? Be careful,
friend — be merciful, for — thou
art the man! Thou art Iago :

Salvador is the Christ. Listen to what the poets have said and
how they tell in verse the story of The Suffering One:

"He left his Father's home on high

With man to live, for man to die."
"Here's love and grief beyond degree,
The Lord of Glory died for man."

"How great, how glorious, and complete,

Redemption's grand design ;

Where justice, love and mercy meet

In harmony divine."

"See, from his head, his hands, his feet.

Sorrow and love flow, mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?"
"Come Saints, and drop a tear or two
For Him who groaned beneath your load;
He shed a thousand drops for you,
A thousand drops of precious blood."

And now. Friend Scoffer, come! Stand up and face these

facts like a man and tell me if your pusillanimous excuses "just —
a habit," "oh, I was 'hot'," "it relieves me" —
are really justifiable?
For these are the only excuses, silly as they are, that I ever heard
offered by even the most intelligent of your class.
Had you been one of that motley crowd on Calvary, when the
Son of God hung in agony on the cross, would you, with your
present feeling, have been a mourner with the mother, or a mocker
with the mob? Choose the latter and you confess that you, too.
would have taken part in that most diabolical crime of the ages
Tf you sav that in the nresence of such an awful tragvdv von would
have defended that Sinless Sufferer, then you must confess again
that, in hiding behind the curtains of two millenniums to change
your sympathy into (now) wicked scoffing, you make your-
this
self the incarnation ofcrouching cowardice, for you dare not face
him with vour polluted oaths, nor mock him as he hung unon the
cross in that uneven struggle with death, pleading to the very
last for you before the courts of an offended God.
 THE SIN OF BLASPHKMV 479

—
Think you that you are secure from justice perched there
upon the high balcony of your own free agency, and flinging your
slimy sentences with dastardly defiance into the face of your dying
Redeemer? Will the Lord ever hold such impious mockery guilt-
less before his holy throne?
Oh why can we not cease this senseless sin and, in the place
of cursing all mankind and all that God has given into our care,
cultivate the nobler traits of gratitude and praise for the great
gift of eternal life through the precious blood *of Him who never
sinned?
In the visions of St. John, he saw, in the days of the mighty
Armageddon, that the earth, because of wickedness, would be
overwhelmed with plagues, and that men would even blaspheme
God while dying.
Another class of men, recipient of his kindly care, will join
that glorious anthem, singing:

"Thy mercy, O God, is great above the heavens,

And Thy truth unto the clouds."

The choice is ours to be in one or the other of these throngs,

and the hour of our choice should be not long delayed.
CASTLE ROCK, UTAH

M. I. A. CLASS IN LEADERSHIP, ST. JOHNS, ARIZOX,

 Prayer and Worship

BY LOUIS L. ALLEN

t is our duty and privilege to know the true and living God,
]

and that he is a "rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

"If men do not comprehend the character of God they do not
comprehend themselves," said the Prophet Joseph Smith.
"It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty
the character of God and to know that we can converse with him
as one man converses with another."
Before we can really, truly and sincerely worship, we must
have some conception or idea of the object to whom we present
our prayers. We may not be able to comprehend God in his
might and power, in his glory and intelligence but we may know
;

—
him as he would that we should know him as King, Ruler and
Creator.
The Savior has given us the key whereby we may know
more of God's will and purposes "Our Father, which art in
:

heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be

done in earth as it is in heaven." He has given unto all his sons
and daughters the right to call him Father, and his greatest desire
is that we should know him, love him, and keep his command-

ments, thereby reaping the blessings in store for the righteous,

thus making his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer is the great way to bringing mankind in harmony with
God's will. If all would engage more frequently in prayer, hu-
manity would be raised to a higher level. We must remember that
prayer consists not in words only. The most acceptable prayers
are not those that are couched in choicest language, nor those
that meet the requirements of rhetoric. But the prayer that
counts is uttered with the seal of the heart's desire.
When we have prayed, we must remember to wait also. The
more patient and insistent we are in prayer, so much more will
God grant unto us when he sees fit to bestow the "blessing. We
must know and remember that God always hears and grants our
petitions, though he often postpones the anwser until his infinite
wisdom determines the fittest time. In short, the burden of the
word of God is He who prays earnestly for blessings or instruc-
:
 PRAYLR AND WORSHIP 481

tions may confidently say, such and such blessings are actually
laid up for me.
"Thus saith the wisdom of the Lord:
Bless'd is the man who hears my word:
Keeps daily watch before my gates,
And at my feet for mercy waits."
"The soul that seeks me shall obtain
Immortal wealth and heavenly gain;
Immortal life is his reward,
Life and the favor of the Lord."
BONIDA, IDAHO

The Ship of Zion

BY ALFRED OSMOND

A boy was commanded to build a ship

And
sail o'er a stormy sea;
But his life was young and his hand unskilled,
And
he thought, "This can never be.
Icannot perform such a mighty task;
It cannot be just nor true.
My Master is kind and could never ask
That which I can never do."
The voice the Master is heard again,
<">f

And its tones are still mild and sweet:

"I command thee, my son, that ye build a ship
That is rugged and strong and fleet;
That ye make your home on the boundless sea,
Where the winds and the billows rave,
That ye give your life to the storm and strife
Go forth, and be strong and brave."
The boy has completed the stately ship.
(For years have been rushing by.)
She is proudly launched on the boundless sea
List, list the commander's cry;
"On, on to the harbor of distant lands!
Sail on o'er the boundless sea!
We are seamen all who obey the call
Of the God of our destiny."

Soon the storm came down with titanic rage

And burst o'er the calm, blue sea,
Till her placid breast heav'd with wild unrest
To yield to her king's decree;
While the lightning's glare through the startled air
Rushed on with its trains of fire,
And the thunder's roll seemed to shake the soul
Of the world with its horrors dire.
Then death, on the wings of the midnight blast,
Came down to the vessel's crew
482 IMPROVEMENT ERA
From that little band who on sea and land
Had been sturdy and bold and true,
He selected the bravest and best of all,
The captain who, dying, cried,
"Sail on through this carnage of blood and death!
Sail on o'er this storm-swept sea!
Ye are seamen all who obey God's call —
Sail on to your destiny."

With her splintered masts and her shredded sails,

The ship, as in throes of pain,
Like a thing of life in a deadly strife,
Contends with the wrathful main.
And the crew in dread, with the captain dead,
Are ready to yield and die,
When the voice they hear of their captain dear
Ts their new commander's cry:
"Sailon through this carnage of blood and death!
Sail on o'er this roaring sea!
We are seamen all who obey the call
Of the God of our destiny."
And the ship on through the wrathful storm
Till its bold commander fell,
Then the crew again felt the pangs of pain,
And sad are the tales they tell.
But another came with a soul of flame,
A hero who dared to die.
On the deck he stands, and his bold commands
Are- heard in the ringing cry:
"Sail on to the harbor of distant lands:
Sail on o'er this roaring sea!
We are seamen all who obey God's call -
Sail on to our destiny."
The captain is dead on the wave-washed deck,
And horror has seized the crew.
When a man as mild as a laughing child,
Yet manly and bold and true.
Is called by the Master to sail the ship
When the waves that are mounting high "

Wildly crash and roar, but as oft before

Is heard the commander's cry:
"Sail on to the harbor of peace and love!
Sail on o'er this troubled sea!
We are children all and our Father's call
Will give us the victory."
The Captain who paces the deck today
Looks out on troubled sea;
a
Rut his eyes are bright and his heart is light,
And his spirit is bold and free.
When demons of death, with their blasting breath,
Leap forth from the sea and sky,
'Mid the wreck and gore and the crash and roar.
We hear our commander's cry:
"Sail on through this carnage of strife- and death:
Sail on o'er this raging sea!
I command us all to obey God's will
Sail on to our destinv."
 THE SHIP OF ZION 483

When this captain mild as a laughing child

Is called from his faithful crew,
Then another came in the Master's name,
Who was gentle and bold and true,
Though he loved a life free from storm and strife,
When danger and death were nigh,
'Mid the lightning's flash and the thunder's crash
Is heard this commander's cry:
"Sail on to the harbor of blissful peace!
Sail on o'er this raging sea!
We are seamen all who obey God's will
Sail on to our destiny."

As the months and years, with their smiles and tears,

Sail on o'er life's troubled sea,
So this ship and crew, with a chosen few,
Sail on to their destiny.
The God of the tempest has launched the ship;
He chose its commanders brave,
He commands the storm and can shield from harm;
He alone has the pow'r to save.
When captain and crew shall have passed away,
And their sons and their daughters die,
There will still be then good and faithful men
Who will hear from the decks thecry:
"Sail on to the harbor of peace and joy!
Sail on o'er life's troubled sea!
We are seamen all who obey the call
Of the God who has made us free."
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH

W^R 9^
; l

WINNING THROUGH PLAY

Le Grand Hardy, with his M. I. A. Scouts, on Maple Flats, above
Prove Brother Hardy is a son of the great pioneer in the M. I. A.
cause, the late Dr. Milton H. Hardy.
 McClosky and the Cable*
The Improvement Era Prize Story, January Contest

BY JOSEPHINE SPENCER

"I mind, Molly," said Mrs. Harrigan, snatching at her spool

as itrolled from her lap into the zinc sauce-pan used as a coal-
scuttle, "I mind Mag Geegan's man the time he run out of his
door wid the print of Mag's mop betwixt his shoulders. "If yez
iver come back," bawls Mag after him, "I'll make a picture-card
of yer face —
wid the mop done on it in scalthin' wather, like the
!"
sailor weseen at the play wid the tatchood arm
"It's enough of the foine arts for me," rejoins Geegan, "the
valentine ye've smocked on me shoulder wid the same utinsil!"
and goes off, wid niver another word. The next Mag hears of
him, he's over the Divide, at Mullett's, makin' love to a young
—
widdy, on the promise of divorcin' Mag for mintil dishtress, or
some such dislocation. 'Twas his shoulder blade, I'm thinkin' put
out by Mag's mop. When Mag hears of his perjurin' thricks,
over the hill she goes wid a sheriff, and brings Geegan safe home
on a charge of intinded bigamy."
Molly McClosky lifted a pair of dripping arms from the tub,
and made vain attempts to dry her streaming eyes. "Go for him,
is it?" she asked, stooping to pick a nondescript article from the

floor, and mopping her face. "I'd niver go nor sind for Mc-
Closky if me and the young wans saw him no more forever. 'Twas
neither actual assault nor batthery I gave him., like Mag's, but
'twas the promise of it, like hers, if he ever came back. 'Tis the
ind of everythin' I told him, and 'twill be a pail of suds in yer
mouth if yez iver open it again in me presence. More than that,
I tell him, 'twill be me and the childer walkin' out the door, if it's
verself I iver see walkin' in.' Them are the words I spoke, Mrs.
Harrigan, and I'd take the choice of a jump down Matt Crowther's
ould shaft than the shame of McClosky's seein' me ate me own
words. A
fine fool I'd be, the next time he's in the liquor, wid
no more to daunt him wid, than my last cock-crowin' threat, swal-
leyed to the pin-feathers."
—
"Where'll he be stoppin' at think yez?" asked Mrs. Harri-
gan.
"At the company bunk-house for lodgin's, I'm guessin', and its

*This story won the $25 prize for January, in the Improvement Era
six-months' contest, ending tune, 1915.
 McCI-OSKY AND II IK CAI'.I.K 485

ristraunt for his meals. He'll mind neither, if the cot's comfort-
able he slapes in, and the Chinaman cooks him hot waffles for
breakfast ivry marnin' —
as I've been tould."
She whimpered a moment, resentfully, and then went on. "I
said harder thing's to him maybe, than I should —
but would a
woman be spakin' poethry at him, I wonder, afther me hard day's
work at the tubs, and him comin' home in the liquor, and a month's
!"
pay gone into the whiskey
"It's a marvel the fool a man's mouth'll make of him," sym-
pathized Mrs. Harrigan. "It's the first taste, and thin Noah's
flood and all the animals. I nivver thought he'd hilt out so long,
—
though, away from his home and him so daft on the young
!"
wans
Her remark brought a fresh flood of tears from Molly's eyes.
"Jim McClosky had that good in him," she declared. "He'd a
heart soft as dough for the childer. 'A fine bit of managin".
Molly,' he'd say, when I went off wid my basket o' clean launthry
atop me head. 'What's brought in by the tubs goes into the bank
for the young wans —
its meself that'll be lookin' out for the day's
livin'. After all. maybe I'd better have kept a still tongue, than he
left wid the intire burden on me own bone and brain. Niver a
better man lives than McClosky —out of his cups." She stopped
—
again to dry her eyes then began over her plaint against the need-
less evil which disturbed her happiness.

The scant furnishings of the little room, seen through a haze

of steam rising from tub and clothes-boiler, were dim and grimy.
The pine table spread with oil cloth, the unpainted cupboard with
its tin utensils and cheap crockery, and rusted stove topped with its

boiler — all were veiled with steam, and the one little window with
a haze of it, to the comparative exclusion of view and sunlight.
Companionably housed in this smudge, Molly McClosky rubbed
away at her laundry, and her neighbor, Mrs. Harrigan, wielded
stiffly, but with wonderful swiftness, the task known to her inti-
mates as "crochy-work," at the same time dropping a bit of Sympa-
thy into Molly's monologue of domestic woe, delivered to her ac-
companying rhythmic motion at the tub.
This ceased, momentarily, as Molly, raising a dripping arm
from the suds, pulled at a slackened length of rope tied to the tub-
bench, until an invisible resistance from the other end outside the
door, rewarded her experiment.
"It's a fine scheme ye have there for keepin' the child safe,"
commented Mrs. Harrigan.
"The inspiration of me life —
that bit o' tether !" answered
Mollv. same as
"It's the havin' me eye on the young wan. widout
the distraction of him underfut I've trouble enough, too, to make
;

me glad to be rid of any bit o' anxietv, comin' anither wav."

m IMPROVEMENT KRA
Outside, on the slope which formed the front door yard of
the McClosky's shanty, a small mite of humanity, crowned with a
mop of red hair, resented Mrs. McClosky's test of his twine liga-
ment with a backward tug which brought him suddenly to earth,
the mishap eliciting a cry of enraged challenge from him to the
unseen but guessed offender. Past experience having taught him,
however, the futility of prolonged vocal rebellion against this ab-
sent maternal care, he presently regained his feet, and re-com-
menced his search for pebbles to fling at the near creek. One lay
temptingly in the little hillside path just outside the limit of the
Mite's hobble,; and as he struggled against its hold, the encircling
drawn taut by the Mite's tug, gave sud-
belt attached to the tether,
denly, and lay, with the rope's length, an impotent link on the
ground.
Loosed from its coils, the Mite, in ecstasy of discovered lib-

erty, sped, with joyful patter of steps up the sloping path, the
vivi'' r^d of his small head detaching itself from dingv drabs of
earth, boulders and somnolent pigs in McClosky's front yard, to
make a wavering patch of color against the hillside.
A train of coal-wagons, manned by swarthy drivers, the Mite's
erstwhile awesome delight, rumbled along the road at foot of the
slope. A yellow lizard ran dauntingly across his path black choke-
;

cherries gleamed temptingly from the low bushes on either side

a chipmunk whisked a tail luringly from a near boulder — but the
Mite's steps pattered steadfastly on, pausing neither for suggestion
of fear nor temptation.
Against the c e, a tiny, subconscious self whispered memories of
better things lying at end of the upward path. He had threaded
it before on a rollicking shoulder, with a jovial, worshipful, red-

bearded face pressed close to his, and a springing, sure-footed

tread bearing him into sudden view of a medley of splendid
things
— "too-toot" cars tram-cars
; ; wonderful, crashing sounds
and unwonted sights and then, afterward, to a glorious ride on a
;

whirling car into the very mountain itself, past whizzing lights and
patches of inky darkness to a big pit where men with coal-black
faces, and candle-crowned caps, struck and hammered at shiny
black walls — with a splendid indifference to their instant destruc-
tion. One scene came into view now from behind a little bunch
of scrub-oaks at end of the path — the big platform, the coal-black
men at work with the "jigger;" the train on the track below, into
which big blocks of coal fell with a fine thunder of sound and ;

there, beyond all these — the great, yawning hole leading down to
the very roots of the hills, and threaded by wonderful, gliding cars
pulled bv a something which whizzed an 1 hummed intoxicatingly
overhead.
At Q(\^;e of the platform the Mite paused, trying to single,
from the group of busy men, a familiar bristle of red beard, merg-
 McCLOSKY A XI) THE CABLE 487

ing into round blue eyes whose glance would spell access to the
joys of this enchanted spot but no familiar face met his glance.
;

An empty tram-car, released from the "dump," whizzed away

into the black hole, and the Mite, clambering hastily upon the
platform, held out vainly imploring arms, then, wrathfully stum-
bled after the vanishing joy into the tunnel's gloom.
The steel tramway, bare just now in an interim of loading,
stretched, a long sloping trail through the dim, black-walled vault,
empty, too, of human traffic. Down its incline glided the car of
potential delight and on, after it pattered the purposeful Mite, the
;

envied ride a possible, final spoil. Cool, subterranean airs gushed

refreshingly against the small, hot face. On either side electric
globes made patches of dazzling light into which the car flitted to
his temptation, then dimmed again into the alternating black
shades but ever with no hint of detriment to the Mite, trudging
;

after its lure.

In the coal-chamber at end of the two-thousand foot tunnel a
return tram-train loaded with its shining black freight, started up
the incline and Jim McClosky, running from the near cross-cut,
;

iumped with a Hying leap to his place on the moving train, agile
from long practice as an acrobat to his bar. The close-cropped
walls of the tunnel narrowed before him into hazy gloom, a patch
of near space, only, visible in the light of nearer lamps, whose
rays struck onyx-like gleams from the blocks on his train.
The whir of the cable sent mumbling echoes through the vault
— a complaining murmur filling its arched length after the motion
had ceased. Its tireless click measured the half-distance, a slow,
steady rotation up the easy incline. McClosky, glimpsing a mo-
tion on the over-arching beam ahead seized a lump of coal from
the truck. Rat-killing for wagers assumed aspects of dizzy sport
in all day shifts of travel through unchanging scenery of coal-
cropped walls and propping pine-beams.
Having landed his prey, McClosky slipped from his inner
—
pocket a large flask, and raised it to his lips another common
diversion on the daily trips. But the indulgence was stayed. A
sound, sharp as the report of a light-calibre gun broke the low,
close silence, filling it with detonations. The cars jerked, reversed
motion, and began to slip back.
"It's the cable, clane busted, I'm guessin'," muttered Mc-
Closky, peering ahead. The wheels began to click with ominous
swiftness, and he jumped. from the tram — picking himself up in-
stantlv. to run with muttering comment, after the flying cars.
—
"A bad smash it'll be at the foot, an' no help for it bad luck
—
A fast race I'll be makin', too, if I'm to see the ind of it wid the
train flyin' past the speed o' comets.
—
It's luck if the engineer'll
be gettin' the signal down to clear the boys out o' the cut
He halted with a jerk. Behind him, far up the incline, sound-
488 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ed a strange clamor, an intermittent whir, and clang and crash
filling the long vault with a chaos of echoes. Peering back, Mc-
Closky for a moment could distinguish nothing, though the mys-
terious din seemed to come nearer. Running back, he gained a
spot where the tunnel, widening a little, gave him a farther view,
and the sietfit faintly visioned in the dim light, effaced the careless
curiosity from McClosky's air and visage.
—
Far up the incline, the tail of the broken cable a big, lithe,
python-twist of steel, whirling on its way with a velocity gained
momentarily from the speeding cars in front, thrashed from side
to side of the tunnel, its way marked by huge from
splinters struck
beams and coal-blocks banking the low walls. To McClosky's
startled sense it seemed like nothing so much as a giant scimetar
weilded by unseen, purposeful hands thrashing the narrow space
for expected prey. Its strokes cut the parallel walls with the
—
timed precision of machinery and McCloskey, sensing its menace,
turned, with wholesome caution, and took to his heels.
A few paces ahead he stopped listening. The high, frightened
scream of a child rang shrilly from the rear vault, and McClosky's
cheeks under their coat of grime turned pale.
"It's likely one o' Mike Riley's little wans, wandered from
the shanty across the tracks," he gasped. "It's lost he is, I'm
fearin'— the poor micky, wid that whirlin' cable-tail on his tracks."
He turned away with a shudder, then suddenly set his teeth. "It's
niver I'd stand to face .Mike if I lave the babe to be chopped
down," he muttered. "There'll be nothing but shrids o' the
craythur to pick up."
His steps back through the dim vault were flying leaps, and
he snatched at a tiny form hardly outlined in the gloom, his wary
and fearful eye on the flying cable.
"Stop the squallin !" he shouted to the Mite perched on his
shoulders as he turned to run, "There's noise from the rampin'
—
thing behint to craze me and if yez put extras of yer own into
the program, I'll be leavin' yez to the big chopper that's like to
make mince o' yez !"
The child, yielding both to the threat and the compelling
wonder of the situation, snuggled to McClosky's shoulder and fell
silent. Something like consciousness, too, of impending climax
might have oozed through the small, tense mind.
McClosky's steps, under the Mite's added weight seemed to
his strained sense to crawl and the cross-cut promising its feeble
;

chance at safety many yards ahead, as vain a hope as Olympus or

the stars. Once, too, the uneven path all but tripped him, and he
staggered to his feet with oaths in his set teeth.
The sound of the cable's whir, like a tremendous human
respiration, goaded the man suddenly into a frenzy, in which
selfish fear and resentment fought uppermost.
 McCLOSKY AND THE CABLE 489

"I'llniver be makin' the cut wid the spalpeen !" he gasped

thickly, half pausing. "I've a mind to drop him and take my
chance." Then a wave of tenderness, the appeal of helplessness to
his man instinct of protection swept out the impulse. His arms,
tightened aggressively about the small form. "I'll maybe be savin'
yez yet," he muttered, "if I can dodge the blazin' hellion that's
prancin' to make mince o' us
—
" He lunged, and struck against
—
an unseen obstacle two great beams placed to support the roof-
braces, jutting out from the side-wall. Stunned by the collision.
McClosky faltered an instant, then sprang forward and wedged
himself into the angle formed by the posts and the wall, while
the coil of twisted steel whizzed at his ear, sparing the beams by
a hand's breadth, and clanging onward into the gloom.
—
McClosky hugged his refuge a newly fledged imagination
framing other unguessed perils lurking in the tunnel's dark. The
child, pressed tight in the angle, stirred restlessly and McCloskv
;

let him out of his limp arms to toddle into the dim 1ieht on the
track, where he stood, with fascinated eyes gazing after the clang-'
ing "chopper."
McClosky 's knees gave way. "Mother of all the saints," he
gasped, and crawled dazedly, to clasp the Mite in weakly clinging
arms.
"It's mine" — —
he whispered, "and I thought 'twas Rilev's.**
—
His voice broke then trailed -on, gaspingly. "Little 1 dremp of
his wanderin' here unbeknownst —the brave little wan ! It's the
fondness he has for follyin' me, in spite o' me threats. How kem
yez in the tunnel, ye spalpeen? It'll be the lock an' kay for yez
now, stead o' the tether. Afine fright ye'll be givin' yer mother —
too,— and serve her right. I warned her more than wanst again'
the rope. 'Couldn't the pigs chew it through,' I says, 'or some
micheevious lad loose the knot of it?' Whativer freed yez, 'tis me
—
own prophecy come thrue and I'll maybe be gettin' a squint
—
of recognition as head o' me own house
He stopped suddenly, staring into space for a long silence.
Then he snatched at the flask in his pocket, to splinter it against
the steel tracks.
"Better be deservin' of me rights, before I'm demandin'
— " he muttered. "I've done nothin' worthy in my life —
'em
this one thing
— but

A thunderous crash resounded from below, its echoes rolling

in great waves up the vaulted incline.
"The train's struck," muttered McClosky, "but if the en-
gineer's signalled the boys out o' the cut, there'll be no worse
mischief than the smashed trams and walls. I'll best be gettin' out
before a crew's called for repairin' the timbers. I'm no use for
the work till I've the young wan safe home, and I'll make it —if it's

a lost job —
and Molly's pail o' suds in my face for the cost !"
490 IMI'Ki iVEMENT ERA

At the kitchen door, the valor of past moments declined.

Screened by the Mite, nodding sleepily on his shoulder, McClosky
peered stealthily across the sill, alert for impromptu ablutions.
Defiance, however, swelled the loud tone in which he called out.
—
"I'm home again, Molly and the young wan safe wid me"
the last a possible straw's dam against impending deluge.
The expected liquid gauntlet failing to meet this challenge,
McClosky stepped gingerly inside, and finding the kitchen empty,
went into the front room, where, after an alert look around, he
put down the Mite in a small crib in the corner.
"It's not like her to lave the tubs wid the launthry soakin' in
'em," ruminated McClosky, striding restlessly about. "She'll be
off after the young wan, I'm guessin' —
and bad luck to her, let her
look ! 'Twill give her the moral she nades for houlding out
against me judgment o' the tether, to say nothin' o' the pledge o'
the suds she flung on me thracks. Maybe I'd best be stoppin' for
the noon bite, now I'm down, and have it out with the woman;
and I'll just be kapin' whist o' the young wan, till she proves if it's
war or —
A distant sound of wailing that had been growing gradually
on McClosky's ear, broke into nearer diapason and hastening to;

the front window, he saw, emerging from a screening bulge in

the hillside at foot of the slope, Molly McClosky followed by—
Mrs. Harrigan, beating the creek-banks with hasty steps, whilst
the voice of each uttered its doleful note of terror and grief.
In Molly's stout grasp was the household mop, and with it
she was churning the stream, leaping by means of its boulders
from bank to bank, and prodding its bed with her homely plum-
met, whilst Mrs. Harrigan, armed similarly with a broom, essayed
vainly to keep pace with her hostess' frantic gyrations.
McClosky watched them through the window, his wide eyes
glazed with a dull wonderment.
"Is it lunicy — —
or the drink that's took them," he muttered.
Then, presently, dawning comprehension brought a wide grin
to his face. "It's the young wan they're after, I'll be bound!" he
beamed. "She'll be thinkin' him drowned in some deep hole o'
the creek."
He stepped glibly to the front door, and opening it, stood,
pipe in hand, at the sill.

"Molly !" he bawled. "It's the task o' no woman to kape the
outside the platter clane whilst the inside's littered with tubs
o'
and soaked launthry. When yer through moppin' the creek-bed,
I'd like me bite o' food before I'm back to the job."
Going into the kitchen, he sat down, pulling with pretended
nonchalance at his cold pipe and here Mollv McClosky faced him.
;

panting, disheveled, wide-eyed, her face a composite mask of relief,

resentment and dire distress. Behind her trailed Mrs. Harrio-an
 McCLOSKEY AND THE CABLE 491

with her dripping broom, a faint physical and vocal echo of

Molly's blatant woe.
"You're back, then, is it — wid yer home and family deserted
for a wake '"Twill be longer than that, too,
past," cried Molly.
before you're seein' them all again. The young wan's drowned
slipped from his tither whilst I tinded Mis' Harrigan's hand, scalt
—
by wather spilt from me wash-boiler " her voice broke into wail-
ing, and Mrs. Harrigan whimperingly took up the story.
"It's thrue, Jim McClosky. I was snug in my corner there,
—
me wits glued to the crochy when the boiler slipped from her
hand—"
"Are yez lost to the grief o' common parenthood, Jim
—
McClosky," screamed Molly "sittin' there wid yer pipe, like an
Injun totem, and yer youngest dead in the strame!"
McClosky, tilted back against the wall with effective indif-
ference, brought his chair legs to the floor with a resounding
thump.
"Is it to be tea — or —
suds that'll be washin' down the bite,
Molly?" he demanded. not speak till I know your choice."
"I'll
Her wail, high, raucous, hopeless, broke forth anew. "He's
in the liquor again," she screamed, "and with his youngest choked
in the strame!" Shrieking, she ran to the door, but McClosky,
.big, eased, masterful, stood in her way.
"It's what I've long told yez woman, would come from the
tither — and if the moral has scared yez into a reasonable recogni-
tion o' me judgmint, as it should, then I'll ease your mind. The
spalpeen's asleep in the cot —
saved by me own hand from the fate
flung on him by yer woman's stubbornness."
Whilst Molly, rushing tumultuously, buried her face in the
Mite's red hair, on the cot, Mrs. Harrigan gazed at McClosky
with solemn, and even awed regard.
"After this day, McClosky," she said presently, "yez might
do the tricks of a performin' mule in yer cups, and niver know the
sting o' a reproachful word."
She went back to her bench in the corner, and McClosky
raised a voice that was both gentle and husky. "If ye'll be layin'
a bite, Molly, I'll be gettin' back to the job. The whistle'll be
pipin' in a jiffy
—
" McClosky stopped and snatched the tub
from Molly's fingers to set it down outside the door, then, with
quick strides, intercepted her at the wash-boiler.
"It's no woman's task liftin' the heavy things when the man's
about, Molly," he said and then, with the room cleared "set
;
—
up for the bite, Mrs. Harrigan. There's no more than a snack,
but such as it is you're welcome as any of us." With an extreme
of gallantry he drew her bench from the corner to the table, and
pushed the old woman with kindly hands into her seat. Mollv,
492 IMPROVEMENT ERA
with a tune hummed under her breath, went to whisk a pitcher of
water from the piped stream at the door.
"I'll bring the darlint to the table," called Molly, setting her
brimming pitcher on the board. "If he's awake, he'll be wantin'
his bite with the rest of us."
"Put him on my knee," said McClosky, "I'll hold him. And
now, I'll be tellin' yez how the little spalpeen came nigh ending
his own and his father's life. 'Twas in the tunnel, where I rode
wicl the load."
"Think of his wanderin' there," choked Molly, "and them
trams paradin' up and down ivry minute. '"Tis Providence he's
not kilt under the wheels."
—
"'Twas the cable came near slicin' him" essayed McClosky.
"If you've the third of a Christian in yez —
McClosky, ye'll
speak no more till ye've remembered yer blessin's in prayer."
"There's more to be thankful for than ye'r dreamin,' Molly,"
said McClosky, choking. "It's the drink, Molly —
that I've give
up foriver. 'Twas Providence saved me in time, or where would
I have been but asleep on the load, as I've been often before, after

a sly snack at the flask on me trips in the tunnel —

and no wan
to save the spalpeen —
there alone in the dark wid the cable broke,
and lashin' along like mad. It's the whole story of the drink
—
Molly the man under the curse of it is what I might have been
today, a sodden log by the road, while the big things life and —
death, and plenty or poverty rides by close at hand for him to—
take— or lose. It all came to me there in the tunnel, like words
o'flame on the dark walls, and I know if I iver went back on the
warnin' it 'ud end in my curse. It's foriver, then, I say foriver!" —
And Molly sobbing on her man's shoulder, knew that his
,

word would hold. the end.

'Thou Shalt Worship the Lord Thy God"

Remember Me, remember Me;

Thou are my child, remember Me;
I made this beauteous world for thee,
I sent My Son who died for thee.

Remember Me, remember Me;

At dawn of day, remember Me;
At eventide, remember Me,
At Plenty's board, remember Me.
Remember Me, remember Me;
In all thy joys, remember Me;
And in thy grief, remember Me;
In Jesus' name, remember Me.
George M. Brimhall
 Beautiful Madeira

BY FRANK J. HEWLETT, FORMERLY PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH

AFRICAN MISSION

After fourteen days of gentle sailing on the North Atlantic,

which on this trip was to us like a sea of painted glass, with just
a few ripples to remind us that we were sailing over the ocean
blue, we obtained our first vision of beautiful Madeira, a Portu-
guese island, 360 miles from the coast of Africa, with a land area
of 313 square miles.
We are nearing the land on a charming autumn morning in
November. Steaming close to the coast, for several miles, we saw

ft ^~

'

.- ^W" ms", '••5p! •5" - '^,

BBI^
:
"

% ^. ?

«1L '.';'••" »- .- ^;-~"*'*l.

VIEW OF THE BAY AND TOWN OF FUNCHAL, MADEIRA, AS SEEN FROM

THE RAILWAY.

a glorious panorama comprising almost all the varied features of

the island — a rocky coast line, beetling cliffs, tall peaks, slopes
clad with verdure, valleys and ravines piercing the interior, and
little villages nestling slightly on the edge of the sea then Fun- ;

chal, the peer of them all.

We have seen many beautiful cities in our travels, but Fun-
chal, the capital of Madeira, may well be compared with Honolulu,
the paradise of the Pacific, or with any of the land jewels that dot
the inland seas of Japan.
494 IMPROVEMENT ERA
It is difficult to describe Funchal as it appeared to us that
morning, in all its pristine beauty. The Bay at Funchal is about
six miles wide. It is surrounded by lofty hills, whose steep sides
are tenaced like the circle of a great amphitheatre, and clad in
luxuriant sub-tropical verdure in which are dotted picturesquely,
white-sided and red-roofed houses.
Here and there the hillside is cleft by ravines down which tiny
shining rivers find their way to the sea. On one bold eminence is
a castle-like structure, Fort De Pico, or peak fort; several sim-
ilar points of vantage have been seized upon for hotel sites.
Nearer the town, which crowds upon the foreshore, is the gover-
nor's palace. All these striking features reveal themselves clearly
in the morning sunlight. In the immediate foreground, on the
blue waters of the bay, lie the busy, innumerable sailboats. As
the s. s. Armadale Castle churned her way slowly to anchorage,
we noticed many large vessels preparing to sail for Australia,
South Africa, and England. Some of them were seen with coal

GENERAL VIEW OF FUNCHAL

hulks alongside, from which they were filling depleted bunkers.

The island of Madeira, so richly endowed by nature with
scenery of unrivaled beauty, rich cultivation, and fruits natural to
both tropical and temperate regions, is about thirty nautical miles
in length, the greatest breadth being nearly sixteen miles.' The
islancHs traversed by a central mountain ridge, the highest peaks
of which reaches 6,000 feet.
The population, composed mostly of Portuguese, is about one
hundred and sixty thousand. Next to the Portuguese in numbers
 BEAUTIFUL MADEIRA 495

are the English, in Funchal, who are not merely visitors and ship-
ping people, but residents. The English language is, therefore,
understood in most of the streets and shops. So also is English
money; not English sovereigns alone, which are current the
world over, but shillings and pennies.
Th Madeiraites absolutely refused to take our African
money, sovereigns and shillings, with sturdy Oom Paul Kruger
engraved on it. So it was agreed, as a last resort, to use it for

Madeira. Carro de

AN OX CARRO THE CARRIAGE OF MADEIRA

the stewards as tips on shipboard and for other current expenses.

It was gladly taken at par value there.

Like most tropical and semi-tropical countries, there was a sur-

plus of beggars in Funchal and "Penny, please," constantly rang
;

in our ears. Even the well-clad and obviously well-fed men and
women do not feel any loss of self-respect in asking for coppers,
and it was common for mere babes in mothers' arms to do so.
One of the singular institutions in Funchal is the town prison.
It is located on one of the principal streets, facing one of the
leading squares. Portuguese soldiers, dressed in brilliant uni-
forms, stand sentry at its doors. As one passes down the street
beside it, a strange din greets the ear. Looking up, one sees
faces peering from grated openings in the thick walls and;

through the bars are thrust long poles, with small trays or cups
at one end, on which the stranger is implored to put a penny or a
cake.
"Me six months," said one bold rascal, calling out to ns in
4% IMPROVEMENT ERA
plain English. This extraordinary clamor goes on unheeded and
unchecked by the authorities though, so far as we observed, it
;

seldom received any response. We went through this house of

detention, and while the place was somewhat musty, having evi-
dently been built at a remote period, the prisoners were not appar-
ently so badly off. We learned, however, that they were not des-
perate characters, but offenders of the milder type.
But let us forget the shadows of Madeira, and take a glimpse
of the typical scenes of this island, which we have read and talked
so much about during our sixteen days at sea. .

Among them were the means of locomotion. One of the first

things we observed, was the absence, with one exception, of
wheeled vehicles. There are no wagons, carts, bicycles or horses.
The carriage of Madeira is a carro, a basket-worked chariot, with
a canopy, curtains and cushioned seats. It moves not on wheels,
but on a wooden, sledge-like frame. It is not drawn by horses,

HAULING FREIGHT ON A BULLOCK SLEDGE.

but by a sleek, well-fed yoke of oxen. The drivers are often pic-
turesquely garbed, and run beside the oxen, guiding them with a
long pole. They not infrequently encourage or chide their oxen
with strange, uncouth shouts. The oxen plod patiently over the
stones, and though the carro is not a swift mode of conveyance, it
is very comfortable, quaint and romantic, so much so that one

hopes that it may long survive.

A few automobiles have invaded the town, and thev convey
 BEAUTIFUL MAUJil KA 497

the tourists to a neighboring- village along the only macadamized

road in the island. Autos are out of place, however, in the nar-.
row, winding streets, where they seem entirely out of harmony
with their surroundings.
Tourists who have any sense of the fitness of things in Ma-
deira, will rigidly boycott these modern inventions, and do their
sight-seeing leisurely in the native ox-drawn chariots.
Merchandise and wine (the most famous wine in the world),
as well as passengers, are conveyed on bullock-sledges and in-
;

deed there is no other mode of conveyance up the steep hill paths

except on mules, or on the heads of the buxom, brightly-clad
Portuguese women. The women often carry very heavy burdens on
their heads, and it is astonishing how carefully they balance them.
The rustic sledge is peculiarly suitable to Maderia. There is
delightful coasting, without the unknown quantities, ice and snow.
Substitutes are pebbles, by which the typical roads and pathways
are paved. These are completely covered with pebble stones, and,
bv constant wear, probably for centuries, the flint-like pebbles,
being set close together upon edge, form an uncommonly slippery
surface. Once, therefore, a
sledge has gained some degree
of momentum, it glides easily
along and as there is prac-
;

tically no level ground, the

suitability of this sledge, and
method of locomotion is ob-
vious. On the downward
grade it merely requires start-
ing and it will run well while
;

on the up grade, the slipperi-

ness of the pebbles is counter-
acted, both for man and beast,
by the formation of the pave-
ment, which is laid in ridges
or waves, instead of having a
plain surface. The upper por-
tion of each ridge furnishes,
in fact, a slightly raised step
,>r stair.A favorite excursion
visitors is to travel up the
mountain, behind the town, by A SLEDGE FROM THE MOUNTAIN'
the cog-wheel railroad to a
height of nearly four thousand feet, and then rapidly down, to-
boggan-fashion. The experience is a thrilling one. The tobog-
gan does not, as may be imagined, jump from ridge to ridge, be-
cause it is always borne by two of the ridges, and hence glides
comparatively smoothly down the slope. But soon it gathers
498 [MPR< (VEMENT ERA

if it were uncontrolled, it would ily down the

hill like
speed, and
an auto without brakes. There are many sharp curves, which
would furnish a hard spill in such an event. But two natives, in
fantastic garb, sure-footed as goats, run beside or behind the car,
holding to the ropes which are fastened to the car's front, and
check or guide its progress. If absolutely necessary, in an emer-
gency, they have a thick piece of folded burlap, which they would

1
Sft Madeira. JM
*A " ^B •*•

+^>^'~
•
^^0*.
-

j*
^
^Sfl
pt Sp
-^-"fwfl

aPer^'t^^

^^ ^Str^

SLEDGE AND COG-WHEEL TRAIN UP ON THE TRAIN,

THE SLEDGE
-
1

^^mMm EL

^^^^_-9Bu8
*

'

3^3Ks^c*'S^r

DOWN ON
_

*
"•*-_=
i

then cast in front of the polished runners. Nevertheless, there

are some points on the journey where it is not wise to reflect
too much upon what would happen if one of the men should fall
or a check-rope snap.
Our toboggan trip was the climax to a charming excursion
which impressed us with a sense of the lavish luxuriance with
which nature has endowed this fortunate island. As the little cog-
wheeled train climbed the steep, we had glimpses of lovely gar-
dens and splendid vineyards. Roses of all colors gleamed in rich
piofusion, camellias, azaleas, pinks, and many variegated flowers
which lacked names, as far as we were concerned. Near the
summit, the mountain was embowered with a mass of trees and
foliage, from which peeped the magnificent Portuguese villas. On
the lower slopes were the sugar cane, the banana, and other fruit
trees, loaded with a luxuriance of luscious fruit.
But time pressing, and the Armadale Castle is sending forth
is

blast after blast from the brass throat of its siren, the warning
that we know so well —
time and tide wait for no man,
 BEAUTIFUL MADEIRA 499

We hurry back to our palatial ocean home once more, and,

as the good ship sails toward dear old England, we turn with keen
regret to the lovely island with its luxurious scenes, enjoyed so
much during the few lovely hours we spent there. Madeira fades
awav in the distance like a beautiful dream

NATIVES

Growth

Full oft a loosened pebble, that hath turned

Beneath the tread, hath given wealth so yearned
That earth's vast bosom hath been undermined,
Such Midas of her affluence to find.
The morn foretells not what, at waning light,
Shall grace the advent of approaching night.

From small beginnings wondrous things arise,

Far greater than do mortals realize;

In striving to perform some duty well,
A duty that, perchance, the truth to tell,
Unlovely seems unto the eye of man,
He yet hath learned to know some higher plan,
A meed that unto him ofttimes hath brought,
Like Saul, a recompense he had not sought.
Grace Ingles Frost
 MISSION HOUSE OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS, AT COPENHAGEN,
DENMARK

Anthon L. Skanchy
A Brief Autobiogrpahical Sketch of the Missionary Labors
of a Valiant Soldier for Christ

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE

XI. THE LAND OF ZION

In the spring of 1868, through the help of President C. C. A.
Christensen, I succeeded in borrowing enough means to emigrate
to Zion. I had then been in the Church a little more than
seven
years, the first two of which had been devoted in part, and the
last five wholly, to missionary service. I married at this time,
Anna Christina Krogero, an assistant in the mission office, who
was a widow with four children. After bidding farewell to the
many Saints in Christiania, we traveled to Copenhagen and thence
to Liverpool, where we boarded the sailship, John Bright, which
has carried many of our people across the ocean. After a
voyage of six weeks, mostly in the face of a strong headwind,
we reached New York on the 15th of July, 1868, during a speli
of very warm weather. There were over 700 immigrants in our
company.
 ANTHON L.-SKANCHY 501

We spent a few days in New York and were then sent west-
ward by railway. The terminus of the railway was Laramie, which
left about 600 miles to Salt Lake City. At Laramie there was a
company from Utah with horses and mules to conduct the immi-
grants onward. We were organized into companies, with Hector
C. Haight as captain, and we began our journey over the plains
along the banks of the Sweetwater.
We reached Salt Lake City the first week in September, 1868,
after a six weeks' march from Laramie over the dry and warm
plains, immersed in a cloud of dust from morning until night.
The children and the weak mothers were allowed to ride in the
wagons while all the men' were obliged to walk the whole distance
;

in dust by day, and keep watch against the Indians at nighj;.

We were pretty well supplied with meat, flour, fruit and other
food for our journey over the plains. When we camped in the
evening, we cooked our food, and made our bread. All went
fairly well.
At last we came to Emigration canyon, and had our first
glimpse of Salt Lake City. We were glad and grateful to our
heavenly Father for his fatherly care of us during our journey.
On arriving at the Tithing yard, in Salt Lake City, our captain
was released. I pitched our little tent and remained there during
eleven days awaiting an opportunity to go to Cache Valley where
I had some Norwegian friends of earlier days.
That fall, the grasshoppers visited Cache Valley, and all the
crops were destroyed, so that there was not enough food to supply
the needs of the people. As I was responsible for a family I
took my blanket on my shoulder and walked over the mountains
to Salt Lake Valley in search of work that would bring me a little
—
money with which to buy bread stuff, the greatest need of my
family at the time. There was just then a call for "Mormon"
boys to go out and do section work on the Union Pacific Railway.
I worked at this until the October Conference at Salt Lake City,
v, hich I felt I must attend. I was given free fare to Salt Lake City,

upon my promise to return, as the railroad company wanted the

"Mormons" to continue the work on the road. When the railroad
was laid to Corinne, Box Elder Co., we were laid off, and I went
home Logan the following night.
to
I rented a small log house, in the Logan Fifth ward, and
began to work at once in the canyon, cutting timber. In this
work I continued for five years. I took out logs for the house
of Apostle Ezra T. Benson, in exchange for which I obtained the
city lot on which I later built my residence. I filled a contract

to deliver to the Utah Northern Railroad two thousand ties. Then

I contracted to deliver to Brother Micklesen the timber for the
grist mill in Logan, now known as the Central Mills. For this
last contract I received six hundred pounds of flour. I also con-
502 IMPROVEMENT ERA
tracted with Alexander Allen of Newton and received as pay
twenty gallons of molasses. I was now well off. I could have
bread, with molasses, and this, indeed, was my steady diet while
I worked in the mountains. Nevertheless, this work was very
hard. Between times, I helped in the hay harvest, and thus earned
some wheat and, in fact, I took hold of whatever work offered
itself.
In the fall of 1873, we began to build the Logan tabernacle.
Brother Charles O. Card was called to act as the superintendent
and he called me to assist him. It was my special work to keep
accounts and to collect donations with which to pay the work-
men. I measured and weighed rocks, sand, and other materials
of construction, brought in for the building, and paid the work-
ers in beef, vegetables, and the variety of things donated. Many
beeves were brought in as donations, so we tanned the hides, and
began to manufacture shoes. Thus came the Tabernacle Shoe
Shop and Meet Shop in one building, which we called, Our Meat
Market and Our Shoe Shop. I labored nearly six years in this
capacity. In 1879, I was ordained a High Priest and set apart
as a member of the Cache stake High Council.

XII. MY THIRD MISSION

when the Logan tabernacle was completed, and we

In 1879,
were work on the Logan temple, I was called, at the October
at
conference, to go on a mission to Scandinavia. I left Logan in
November, 1879, and reached Liverpool, December 12. We had
a rough voyage across the ocean. I was sent to Frederickstad,
for a short time, then to my native city, Trondhjem, in Norway.
Elder Ellingsen, of Lehi, was there when I arrived, but in a
couple of months he was released to return to his home. I then
remained there alone to represent the gospel of the everlasting
covenant, but I harbored only gratitude to my heavenly Father.
I organized a choir, held meetings and preached the gospel with all
my might. Many were won to the truth. Those who did not
enter the Church, through baptism, are good friends to our people,
and respect "Mormonism" with its doctrines and principles of
salvation. Among many others. I had the honor to baptize, as a
member of the Church, Anna C. Widtsoe. Her son. John, I had
the joy to baptize after the family arrived in Utah. Our meeting
place, at that time, was on what was known as Mollenberg, in a
house belonging to Johnson who later settled in Logan
The branch over which presided extended far into Northern
I
Norway. I went frequently to the northern city of Namsos,
where I rented a hall and had large meetings. Many were also
brought into the Church in that place. I made many friends in
Namsos, and among the more influential, a Mr. Salvesen. He
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 503

belonged to the aristocracy of the city, but became friendly to

me and the cause I represented, until he even offered me one of his
large halls for our gatherings, in case the priest should attempt to
banish me. Mr. Salvesen, with his two sons, came to our meet-
ings. Once when the hall was crammed full, he stood up before
the congregation and testified to the truth of what I had said. So
much honor
to his
I went from house to house and offered books and writings.
I did not find much to eat, but I was well satisfied and when I
sold a few books I could buy myself a little bread before I re-
turned to my little room. And a little bread with fresh water
tasted really good
By the early spring, I had baptized, in Namsos among others,
Brother Hassing and his family, who are yet living in Salt Lake
City. Before I left Namsos, I organized a Relief Society so that
the good sisters could conduct meetings when I left.
In the spring of 1870, I was called to attend the conference in
Christiania. After the conference, I tried to find some of the
brethren and sisters of Christiania whom I knew so well in earlier
days. Some, I found, and many had moved away to the distant
valleys of Norway. I decided to find, if I could, the tamily Ox

Guilder Johnson. To do this, I was obliged, again, to walk the

full length of southern Norway, over the Dovre mountain and
down Guldbrands valley and up and down other valleys. I found
at last Gunder Johnson with his family. I found that they had
had no opportunities for schooling, nor for meetings, for several
years, but they had our books and the Scandinavian Star, which
had been read and reread until the books were almost worn out.
They lived as the gospel demanded. I remained with these
friends about two weeks, held meetings, and baptized all who
would embrace the doctrines taught by me.
During this visit, in Guldbrands valley, I had very great suc-
cess. The whole community took sides with me, until the priest
came and broke up my crowded meetings, and warned the people
against following teachers of false doctrines ! This priest, Mr.
Hailing, was well respected and beloved of the people. He edited
a magazine called Rich and Poor. He was good to the poor.
He lived only four miles from where I held my meetings, and I
stayed with a friend near his home.
One day I called on this minister to discuss things with him,
but his feelings were so bitter that he showed me the door several
times, and at last took my hat and cane and threw them out.
As I left the house, he spoke bitter, hard words to me. Half a
year later I came there again. The priest had then become the
chairman of the county court. One of his duties was to keep
the country roads in good condition. This brought him in quite
close contact with the people who all worked on the roads. I
504 IMPROVEMENT ERA

was on one occasion when he was supervising a body of

told that
road workers, while they were all at lunch, one of the
men, a
friend of mine, curious to know what the priest would
say, said,

"I should like to know what became of that tramp

'Mormon'
preacher that we had here a half year ago." The priest immedi-
ately took up the conversation and said, "That man was
no tramp.
We were both angry when we left each other, but I would give
much now if I could have that man in conversation again." This
was his testimony that day, before a large, gathering of people. I
have now performed the endowment ordinances for him in the
temple, and I look upon him as a good man, although he did all
he could to work against me and my beloved religion.
When I had been in the mission field something over th;-ec
•

SIXTH WARD MEETINGHOUSE, LOGAN

years, I was released. I reached my home in Logan late in the

year, 1881.
Upon my return from my third mission, I was called, in
1882, to take charge of a district of the Logan First ward, as
Presiding priest. After the Logan temple was dedicated, this dis-
trict was made a ward, and I was ordained to be bishop of the
Logan Sixth ward, on June 6, 1884. The many duties pertaining
to this calling occupied my time very completely for several years.

XIII. MY FOURTH MISSION

On October 11, 1886, I left Logan for another mission to
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 505

Scandinavia. Upon my arrival in Copenhagen I was assigned to

labor in Norway. I acted first as a traveling elder, and in that
capacity visited nearly the whole of Norway. Later I presided,
again, at Christiania. My mission was filled with active labors,
and I believe much good was accomplished.
In the year, 1888, while I presided over the Christiania Con-
ference, many were baptized into the Church. Among them
was Brother Koldstad who afterwards became superintendent of
the Christiania Sunday school. His wife seemed to be against
the gospel, but the Lord, who knows the hearts of the children of
men, made manifest to her when she humbled herself in prayer,
that "Mormonism" is a saving message sent by God from the
heavens. It came about in this manner.

INTERIOR SIXTH WARD MEETINGHOUSE, LOGAN

My mission was nearly ended. I had been away more than

three years, and had been released to return home. I spent the

last days before leaving Christiania in bidding goodbye to the

Saints. One evening I took the train from the little village of
Lien, where I had been visiting. That evening there was to be
an important council meeting in Christiania, at which I was to
transfer the presidency of the conference to Elder O. H. Berg,
of Provo, now bishop of the Provo Fourth ward. While the cars
were rapidly moving towards Christiania, I sat in one of the com-
partments thinking of the business of the evening. Suddenly a
506 IMPROVEMENT ERA
voice came me to go out to Granlund, where Brother
to me, telling
Koldstad resided, for a woman there had fasted and prayed to the
Lord that Elder Skanchy might visit her, and she desired to accept
the gospel in which she had faith. In my simplicity, I believed
the voice to be an imagination of my soul, and for about five
minutes tried to convince myself that such was the case. I had
very little time, because I had to be in Christiania before our
council meeting began, in order to get things in order to deliver
into new hands, and the place the voice told me to go was in an
opposite direction from the meetinghouse. I felt that the Lord

knew that my service was in his cause, and that the council meet-
ing was in his service. Soon, however, the message came again,
this time in a tremendous voice, that I must go to Koldstad's home,
for a woman there had fasted and prayed to the Lord that I might
come. The voice was so commanding that I arose to my feet,
in the car, andthrew my right arm into the air, and said, "Yes.
I

Lord, I will go." As soon as I reached the Christiania station, I

proceeded there. With Brother Koldstad I found Sister Koldstad.
I told her that I had received a message to meet there. I felt
greatly touched by the Spirit. She told me that she had fasted
and prayed that I would come to her home before I went away.
She told me further that she believed all that I had taught, and
if I thought her worthy, she would like to be baptized before I

left Christiania. She was determined that I should baptize her the
dav following. Thus the Lord dictates in his own way to his
children. This revelation from our heavenly Father was a very
great testimony to me, and may be pleasing to all who believe
in spiritual manifestations. Many years after, when we were all
in Zion, I called on Sister Anna C. Widtsoe and her sister Lina
Gaarden. and we visited Sister Koldstad in her home. Salt Lake
City, during one of the annual conferences. Sister Koldstad, then
and there, explained to them the manner of her conversion, and
that I had come to her in answer to prayer.

Just a Moment! Daily Strength and Cheer

Things worth doing Smiling, speaking kind words.

: Show-
ing respect for the aged. Lending always a helping hand. Tell-
ing the truth, under all circumstances. Choosing only the good
for daily companions. Read books that instruct and inspire, rather
than excite. Forming the habit of close observation and careful
study. Spending less than one makes, so as to provide for emer-
gencies. Accepting the Book of Mormon as one true guide for
this life. Elder Milton F. Dalley, of the Eastern States Mission.
 Marriage
BY JOHN A. OLSEN

Matrimony should be considered holy and sacred, leading, as

it does, to the climax of man's mission here on earth, and to a
continuation of progress and eternal happiness in the hereafter.
The main key to a happy family union is our Savior's injunc-
tion, "Love one another." True love is neither superficial nor
selfish. It cheerfully adds to the happiness of others, and is ever
ready to join in the mutual efforts incumbent upon the dutiful
husband and wife in laboringmentally and physically for the main-
tenance of home and the caring for offspring, if any there be.
Parenthood is indeed as noble a state as parental guardianship is a
holy trust.
Where love rules, service becomes a pleasure. The observant
writer, Robt. L. Stevenson, says "When we love we serve, and
:

when we are loved by others, I would almost say we are indis-

pensable." The love that serves is pure and undefiled, because "it
seeketh not its own." Its highest aim and greatest pleasures are
to minister unto others, to help where help is needed, and to labor
wherever possible for the welfare and happiness of humanity.
The possessor of such love is not only a ray of living light to
his surroundings, but he is daily receiving his reward, through a
clear conscience and an inner satisfaction resulting from all right-
eous deeds. Truly, Solomon the wise was right in saying, "A
contented mind is a continual feast."
But, unfortunately, the love that serves is not always the
foundation, or corner stone, of marriage. If, as is too frequently
the case, the love that seeketh its ozvn is actuating either, or both,
of the contracting 'parties, such love will most assuredly "wax
cold," sooner or later.
The —
causes of unhappy marriages many of these resulting in
desertion, separation or divorce —
are too many to enumerate but ;

the following may be mentioned

First of all, there is the well-known disregard for the sanctity
—
of married life the breaking of holy vows and the violation of
sacred covenants entered into also, unchastity, elopements, secret
;

or clandestine marriages, idleness, dishonest speculations, cruelty

and intemperance. Statisticians claim that intemperance alone is
directly or indirectly responsible for nearly ninety per cent of all
crimes committed in the world. And certain it is, that this same
vice is largely responsible for most of the misery mismated couples
508 IMPROVEMENT ERA
endure. Then again, there is being "unequally yoked," with ref-
erence to religious inclinations, as well as differences of opinions
politically, on the part of husband and wife also lack of education,
;

wealth or social standing, may likewise in a great measure affect

the happiness of married couples. There are also marriages where
one or both of the parties lack considerably in sound judgment,
or even good common sense. Where such a condition exists, un-
happiness must eventually result.
It would seem that the points here referred to are worth
careful consideration by all intending to marry, and who have
moral courage enough to meet the responsibilities of wedlock.
On the other hand, where prospective candidates for marriage
seriously seek for the mind and will of the Lord in the matter,
studiously consider the pros and cons, and then exercise at least
ordinary judgment before taking a step of so far-reaching conse-
quence, little or no fear need be entertained as to the probable out-
come provided, of course, that after the marriage the husband and
;

wife endeavor to live in peace and harmony with each other, shun-
ning even the very appearance of evil.
In such a matrimonial union, where husband and wife, as far
as they can, truly and in the spirit of love sympathize with each
other, mutually sharing each other's responsibilities, joy abounds
and happiness reigns supreme.
A husband and wife, full of integrity, having thus made up
their minds beforehand to "stay with the bargain" at all hazards
through rain or shine, joy or sorrow, sickness or health, prosperity
—
or adversity, will faithfully continue to support each other- yea,
even in the shadow of death, when even former friends might for-
sake them.
—
Lo this is the work of pure love the love that seeketh "not
!

its own" —
the kind of which the poet says :

"It grows like the oak

In the long, long years;
It is nourished by thoughts,
By songs and by tears.
It flashes so swift
In a moment's dart
Its roots take hold
In the depths of the heart."
SALEM, UTAH
 The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre
BY HORACE G. WHITNEY, DRAMATIC EDITOR, THE DESERET NEWS

In Four Parts —Part I

AM ASKED you the
to tell
story of the Salt Lake Thea-
tre. To perform that task in-
telligently, meansthat one
must hark back many a long
year prior to the date the first
spadeful of earth was turned,
or the first stone laid for the
historic structure. He must,
in fact look into the pages of
the history of Nauvoo, that
the historic salt lake theatre once-famous city on the Mis-
^"FiS op^Ma^t" 8^^ sissi PP^ b " i!t h Y the " M
° r-
mons," and where they laid
the foundations for much of the culture, social pleasure, and
entertainment, which years afterwards characterized the life
of the Utah pioneers. In Nauvoo, in the early forties,
music, both vocal and instrumental, flourished there were several
;

bands and choral societies, and many teachers and performers.

Schools were founded, and advanced classes studied Latin, Greek,
and Hebrew, and there, more than all, the drama was encouraged
and cultivated to a degree quite remarkable in a community so iso-
lated, and so far from the centers of wealth and population.

Joseph Smith, T. A. Lyne and H. B. Claivson

Joseph Smith, the prophet, thought so highly of the mission

of the drama, that he formed a dramatic company in Nauvoo,
and among those who took part in some of the plays were Brig-
ham Young, Erastus Snow and George A. Smith. Thomas A.
Lyne, then a prominent tragedian of the east, came from Phil-
adelphia to play with the Nauvoo company. He became so
enamored of life among the people there, that he joined the
"Mormon" faith, and for a time was a zealous expounder of its
tenets. The rock on which he foundered, however, was the call
*An address delivered before the Cleofan Society, Salt Lake City,
January 27, 1915.
510 IMPROVEMENT ERA

to a foreign mission when that call came he

;
faded away, to re-
appear among the people, as we shall see later, in a somewhat
romantic manner, after a silence of nearly twenty years.
While
he lived in Nauvoo, however, he was vastly popular, and the
leading
plays he produced, mostly tragedies, with himself in the
roles, never failed to draw enthusiastic audiences.

One day Joseph Smith brought to him a young man named

Hiram Clawson. "Here's a boy," he said, "who is clever at mim-
icry. I wish you would
give him a chance."
Lyne told the boy he
was then engaged on
"Pizzaro," and the
only position vacant
was that of the stage
hand who sat in the
flies and threw down
the fire from the heav-
ens at the proper cue.
Young Clawson eag-
erly accepted the task,
and thus began the
theatrical career
HIRAM B. CLAWSON AND JOHN T. CAINE which ripened so fully
First Managers of the Salt
in Salt Lake, years
Lake Theatre
afterward. Brigham
Young played the High Priest in the same production, and the
long and intimate acquaintance between those two which there
had its beginning, and the taste for theatricals which took so deep
a root among the people from those performances, without doubt
were the first causes, the germs from whence sprang the wide-
spread interest in the drama among the Utah pioneers, and which
culminated in the building of the Salt Lake theatre, nearly twenty
years later.

The Earliest Plays and Players.

In many of his moves, Brigham Young has been compared

to Napoleon. He was never more Napoleonic than when, in
1846, on the banks of the Missouri River, after the exodus from
Nauvoo, he laid out his plans for the great westward march to the
Rockies, or perhaps to the Californias. Napoleon paused on the
banks of the Vistula, as he prepared for the invasion of Russia,
to receive couriers from Paris, telling him what plays and operas
were being produced, and to forward his instructions to the play-
ers and managers, with the programs they should present during
his absence. Even so, Brigham Young, with far-seeing eye, made
 THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 511

nut his programs for the social life, employment, and entertain-
ment of his people before he knew where their future home was
to be. The schools, music, the press, and the drama were alike pro-
vided for, and the pioneers were no sooner located than those four
great civilizing agencies, whose roots had been carefully taken up
from the soil of Nauvoo, and tenderly nurtured in the great mi-
gration across the plains, were transplanted amid the more con-
genial soils of "The Valley," where they blossomed and shed their
fragrance on "wide neighborhoods of men."
The famous Nauvoo brass band, under Captain William Pitt,
ministering angels to the souls of the pioneers, was never allowed
to lapse the Nauvoo choirs be-
;

came the Tabernacle choir the ;

University of Deseret began its

operations as soon as the crops
could be planted and shelter pro-
vided the first issue of the Des-
;

eret News was printed in June,

1850, not three years after the
first body of pioneers arrived,
and in the same year the first play
ever produced in the intermoun-
tain region, if not in all the west,
was given in the"Bowery,"an ed-
ifice made half of lumber, half of

f boughs, located on the Temple

block, and in which the religious
assemblies of the people were
also held. "Robert Macaire" was
THOMAS A. LYNE the play chosen, and naturally we
.find the name of Hiram B. Claw-
First Trainer of Our Pioneer Actors, Nau-
voo, 1842, Utah, 1863 son prominent in the cast. Who
can doubt that the revival of the
drama amid such surroundings was largely the result of the ex-
periences of Brigham Young and Hiram B. Clawson, in Nauvoo,
years before? Would that we had preserved to us, some of the
"details of those "Bowery" performances, the rehearsals, the casts,
the means by which plays, costumes, lights and the thousand
and
one adjuncts of a theatre, were procured.
Two years later, 1852-3, saw the opening of the Social Hall,
then the marvel of the time, with H. B. Clawson again in the
front, now reinforced by other talented players. For ten years
the Social Hall was the center of the social, musical
and theatrical
pioneers. Then Brigham Young saw that the commu-
life of the
nity was outgrowing it, and as it began to be monopolized, more
and more, as a place of dancing, he turned his thoughts
to the

erection of a more ambitious and permanent

temple of the drama
512 1 M PRUVEMENT ERA

The M'argetts-Bowring Company

The late Phil Margetts, who took part with H. B. Clawson in
"Robert Macaire," and all the later plays that followed in the
"Bowery" and the Social Hall, was always fond of claiming that
he was largely instrumental in causing President Young to reach
his decision to build the Salt Lake Theatre. He and Henry Bow-
ring, with a number of associates, organized the Mechanics Dra-
matic Association, an offshoot of the Social Hall company. They
gave a number of performances in "Bowring's" theatre, located
on East First South, in the Twelfth-Thirteenth Ward. Presi-
dent Young attended the performances there, and was so well
pleased that he took steps to bring the two companies together,
and he then promised them a real theatre, worthy of their talents.
In the Mechanics
Company were in-
cluded the following
Phil Margetts, Henry
McEwan, J.A.Thomp-
son, Joseph Barker,
John B. Kelley, John
Chambers, Jos. Bull,
Pat Lynch, William
Wright, William Poul-
ter, William Price,
Henry E. Bowring,
Mrs. Marian Bowring,
Mrs. Bull, Mrs. Mc-
Ewan, Elizabeth Tul-
lidge, and Ellen Bow- HENRY BOWRING AND PHIL MARGETTS
ring. The perform- Twin Comedians of the Salt Lake Stage
ance referred to by
Phil Margetts occurred in the winter of 1860. In 1861 the exca-
vation for the new building was commenced on "the Reynolds-
Cahoon corner," First South and State Streets.

Theatre Built With Speed

President Young, as usual, allowed no grass to grow under

his feet. I searched the files of the Deseret News, for 1861, and
found that in October of that year, it was stated the walls of the
"new theatre" were completed on the afternoon of October 22.
On Christmas day, 1861, the News said the roof was on the build-
ing, and a few weeks more would make it ready for use. In a
speech before the curtain, on Christmas night, 1862, the stage
manager, John T. Caine, said that the work on the building had
begun in July, 1861, and up to Christmas, 1862, he said the cost
was $100,0C0. This is the first mention I ever remember to have
 THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 513

seen of the cost of the original structure. I le said, however, it was

still far from completion.

I have often heard that the center of interest with Salt Lake's
population, in the winter of 1861, alternated between two points:
( 1 ) the wall in front of the Descret Neivs, whereon were posted

bulletins of the great Civil War, then raging, and (2) the mam-
moth structure going up two blocks away, the long awaited "new
theatre," so-called in contradistinction to the Social Hall, which
was generally styled the "old" theatre.

The Theatre's First Night

We can but faintly imagine the gratification that must have

filled the breast of Brigham Young, as he sat upon the stage that
first night of the great playhouse, and gazed upon the audience
which had responded to his invitation. That event has been so
often narrated, and written about, and was so recently celebrated
by a week of festivities (in March, 1912, when its fiftieth anni-
versary was observed), that I shall only refer to it briefly. The
house held then about what it does now, 1200 to 1500, and the
demand for accommodations was so great that two nights were
set apart, Thursday, March 6, and Saturday, March 8, 1862. The
dedication occurred the first night, the attendance being by invita-
tion, the guests being Church officials, and the men wdio worked
on the building, and their families. William H. Folsom, the arch-
itect, also had a place of honor.
The following is a copy of the invitation issued by President
Brigham Young, for the opening night
Mr and familv are respectfully invited to
be present at the dedication of the New Theatre, on Thursday evening,
March 6, 1862, at 6 o'clock.
"Brigham Young.
"P. S. —
Children under four years of age not admitted. As the
house is not finished, care should be taken to come warmly clothed.
"This ticket must be presented at the door of the Theatre.
"Great Salt Lake City,
"Feb. 28, 1862."

The dedication exercises consisted of addresses by Presidents

Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Elder John Taylor. The
dedicatory prayer, a long and eloquent one, was given by Presi-
dent Daniel H. Wells. A large choir and orchestra, under Prof.
C. J. Thomas, furnished several selections, one of them an anthem,
the words by Eliza R. Snow, the music by Prof. C. J. Thomas,
composed for the occasion; W. C. Dunbar (another name famous
in our amusement annals) sang "The Star-spangled Banner;" he
and Agnes Lynch sang the solo parts in the anthem. A song by
John Taylor and C. J. Thomas was also rendered by W. C. Dunbar
during the evening.
514 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The play, "The Pride of the Market." followed, after which
dancing by the company concluded the entertainment.
The second night, Saturday, March 8, saw the first paid per-
formance. It began at 7 o'clock, and the crowds commenced to as-
semble at 5. Hundreds were turned away from the door, and all
the standing room was occupied. The prices charged were, par-
quet and first circle, 75 cents upper galleries, 50 cents.
; "The
Pride of the Market" was repeated, followed by "State Secrets,"
and between the two, W. C. Dunbar sang a comic song, "Bob-
bing Round." H. B. Clawson and John T. Caine were joint man-
agers, and their connection with the house continued many years
thereafter.
Two Disputed Points Settled

may be interesting if we settle here an oft-disputed ques-

It
tion, whether or not there was any dramatic performance on the
opening night, or whether the entire evening was occupied by the
dedicatory exercises. The memory of the old timers, and some
printed records, are greatly at variance on this point, but it may
be taken as certain that "The Pride of the Market" formed part
of the exercises on the opening night, Thursday, March 6. The
late Mrs. M. G. Clawson, says she remembered it very well, be-
cause she sat shivering in the wings, in a character costume,
through Squire Wells' very extended prayer. She is corrobo-
rated by the diary of the late George Goddard, who wrote as fol-
lows:
"Thursday, March 6, 1862, at 6 p. m., the new theatre was dedi-
cated, afterwhich a new play was performed; Eliza and Mary [his
daughters] took part as French peasant girls."

In passing, it may be said that there is a similar confusion re-

garding the play which opened the Social Hall, in 1853. Some
accounts give it as "The Lady of Lyons," others as "Pizzaro."
The diary of the late James Ferguson, now in the possesion of his
daughter, Mrs. Mary Ferguson Keith, says that "Don Caesar
d'Bazan" was the bill.
A Roll of Honor
roll of honor, made up of the names of those
That rare old
who took part in the first two plays at the Salt Lake Theatre, is as
follows John T. Caine, Henry Maiben, Jos. Simmons, R. H.
:

Parker, David McKenzie, H. B. Clawson, S. D. Sirrine. R. Mat-

thews, Henry Snell, John B. Kelly, Mrs. Woodmansee, Mrs. Mar-
garet G. Clawson, W. C. Dunbar, H. E. Bowring, W. H. Miles,
Phil Margetts, Mrs. Bowring, and Miss Maggie Thomas. They
are well worth preserving in the memories of everyone interested
in the history of pioneer theatricals in the state, and the story of
the Salt Lake Theatre. The Maggie Thomas of those days is now
 THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 515

Mrs. Margaret Romney, President of the Relief Societies of En-

sign stake. She is the
sole survivor of that list of players. Her
brother, C. J. Thomas, led the orchestra that night. He also sur-
vives, but is in quite feeble health. When the fiftieth anniversary
of the opening of the house was celebrated, in 1912, both were
present, as were H. B. Clawson, Phil Margetts, David McKenzie,
Geo. M. Ottinger, the first scene painter, and Charles Millard, the
firstproperty man. Of the last named five, only Messrs. Ottinger
and Millard are surviving.
The company played fifteen times, that month and the next,
and it may be imagined reaped a golden harvest at Conference,
April, 1862, when country visitors had their first opportunity to
enter the new building. Operations were then suspended. The
interior work was again taken up, and on Christmas eve, Decem-
ber 24, 1862, the house was re-opened for another big social func-
tion, Church officials and members of the Legislature, with their
families; responding to the invitation of President Young. No
dramatic entertainment was given that night. The Tabernacle
choir sang, and addresses were delivered by President Young,
John Taylor, Orson Hyde, Amasa M. Lyman, and George A.
Smith, J. D. T. McAllister gave a song, and Mrs. Clara Stenhouse
rendered "The Cottage by the Sea," the remainder of the evening
being passed in dancing.
Next night, Christmas, 1862, there was a grand dramatic per-
formance, at which "The Honeymoon" and "Paddy Miles' Boy"
were rendered. Between the acts a patriotic poem by T. A. Lyne
was recited by John R. Clawson. The editor of the News, Judge
Elias Smith, gave the performance a front page position, and as a
prelude to the program, with remarkable foresight, he said "As :

a matter of local history, which may be looked for by the genera-

tion to come, as well as of interest on the stage of life, we publish
the opening bill in full." Then followed the complete cast and
the poem referred to.

H. B. Clawson' s Surprise
Manager Clawson delighted in nothing so much as spring-
ing surprises. One of these was the announcement that T. A.
Lyne, the pioneer actor in Nauvoo days, twenty years before, was
in Denver, and would soon be in the midst of the Deseret
players.
Encouraged by President Young and Manager Clawson, Lyne
came by stage from Denver, and very hearty was the greeting be-
tween him and the boy he had placed in the flies, to throw down
the from the heavens in the Nauvoo performance. Lyne was
fire
at once engaged to coach the local players, but he
was not long
content to remain in that capacity. In 1863, we find him
playing
in rapid succession such dramas as "Damon and Pythias," "Riche-
" "Othello," "Richard III," "William Tell," "A New Way to
lieu
516 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Pay Old Debts," and the always favorite "Pizzaro." He could
call on Brigham Young
no longer for the high priest, in the latter
play, but he secured another, who later rose to a high Church po-
sition, George Teasdale. President Young's only objection to the
Lyne plays was that they ran too greatly to the tragic, and he
used to say that the people had known tragedy enough in their
lives, and he would like the theatre offerings to run more to com-
edies. Under the influence of Mr. Lyne's fine renditions, how-
ever, he gradually relented, and finally came to allow his own
daughter, Alice, to play Virginia, the maid who was killed by her
own father, Virginius, to save her from the Roman tyrant. Alice
Young later married Manager Clawson, and became the mother
of the noted artist, J. W. Clawson.
The names of those with whom Mr. Lyne worked, with some
others who joined the company later (in addition to the first night
players already named) were as follows: James Ferguson, Ber-
nard Snow, John S. Lindsay, John C. Graham, J. M. Hardie, Nel-
lie Colebrook, Mrs. Gibson, Henry Maiben,' J. A. Thompson, John
R. Clawson, Horace K. Whitney, R. H. Parker, George M. Ottin-
ger, C. R. Savage, Joseph Bull, D. J. Mcintosh, Henry McEwan,
John B. Kelly, Richard Matthews, J. E. Evans, John D. T. Mc-
Allister, and Sara Alexander. On July 25, 1865, Annie Asenath
Adams made her first appearance. She and David McKenzie
played the leading roles for years, and later she became famed as
the mother of Maude Adams.
(to be continued.)

SCOUTS AT A FOOTBALL GAME

On the Maple Flats, Provo, 5,000 feet above the Utah Valley.
 A Junior Sub

BY JOHN HENRY EVANS

At last the jolt came.

That was at an afternoon practice game of the Seagull basket
ball team, in the new gymnasium. The Hun came in late, as usual.
Sidling up to Dyke, he sneered loud enough for all the fellows to
hear :

"You ain't going to play, Mr. Fenton?" The thought was

strongly declarative, but the tone was even more strongly interrog-
ative.
"Looks like it, Mr. Watson!" came the answer.
—
"Then I don't that's a cinch !"
And the tall, center slouched to the sidelines and sulked.
"What's the matter there?" the coach demanded, for all the
world as if the thing had happened now for the first time.
"Turk's going to play with us," the Hun took it upon himself
to reply. "We don't want Fenton. He's not one of the bunch."
"He's one of the bunch now, Hun," the trainer answered. He
spoke emphatic tones, as his cleft fingers laced the slit in
in quiet,
the ball. made him one of the bunch. Several times
"I've just
lately you've threatened to quit unless you had your own way.
And I've humored you like a baby, in the hopes that your mean-
ness and injustice to Dyke would dawn on you. But it hasn't.
And now I've called your bluff. I've put him on the team. What
are you going to do about it?"
The Hun's answer was to shuffle off noisily into the dressing
room and slam the door behind him.
Everybody looked surprised, and nobody was surprised. The
ticking of the big clock above the gallery sounded out on the
stillair like an auctioneer's hammer when the sale goes hard and
he is anxious to get away. Dyke and the coach expected the very
next tick of the clock to bring about an exit of three of the fel-
lows unquestionably on the Hun's side. The trio them-
who were
selves were in two minds whether to follow their leader. The
—
Turk was on the fence, after his manner he did not know what
to think. Fully nineteen ticks had counted themselves off when
the voice of the coach broke the oppressive silence
"Come here, fellows !"
And five athletes surrounded him as expeditiously as if he had
pressed a button for the appearance of five sawdust athletes out
of a box.
518 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"See here!" he said, "are you for the honor of the school or
not?"
He put the question first to one and then to another till he had
gi me the rounds. All were for the honor of the school.
"Good!" he went on. "Now, we've got'some stiff games to
play this season. The stiffest, as you know, is the game with the
Rosehill squad. That comes just four weeks from now. And if
we win that game we've got to hustle. Turk, you take the Hun's
place for the present."
Turk pricked up his ears at the phrase "for the present." He
said humorously, to nobody in "You're right; the
particularly,
ITun'll be back as soon as he knows nothing's happened if not —
sooner !" The others smiled significantly.
Turk's reading of the situation was as true as a gypsy for-
tune teller's when she has gathered all the facts beforehand. For
sooner even than the Turk's imaginative mind had ventured to
expect, in trotted the Hun, his face wreathed in smiles, which he
was endeavoring to make appear natural. Snatching the ball from
his substitute, he quickly got into place and proceeded as if noth-
ing out of the ordinary had occurred.
"Glad you thought better of it," said the coach, offering him
a pabulum. "It would be hard for us to get along without you."
"Only joshin', you know," the Hun said to the coach. But to
the Indian he told a different story. "I'll get his goat yet see if —
I don't !" he whispered, loud enough for Dyke, who was close by,

to hear.
Dyke said nothing, but he thought, "We'll see, all right!"
And he turned away on his toe from a ball which he had grace-
fully tossed into the iron hoop.
That evening Dyke remarked casually to his brother, "Guess
I'll have to get down now and scratch gravel."

Bud, who had himself been a star on the Seagull team, asked,
"You've made the team? I knew you would. Your work as sub
last year merited nothing less than that. You should have been
put on before. You would have but for the Hun and his stupid
prejudice. I've always said it's a mistake to have four seniors
and only one from another class on a team."
"Or four juniors and one from any other class," Dyke inter-
jected.
"Yes," Bud admitted. And then, "They'll make it hot for
you now."
"The Hun threatened to do it," Dyke confirmed. And he
told Budof the whole episode at the gymnasium.
"How do the other fellows act? It all depends on how they
treat you."
"They stick to the I Inn like burs, and you can't pull 'em off.
 A JUNIOR SUB 519

The wonder is that they didn't strike when he did. But I guess
the fun and honor of it. all overcame their loyalty to him."
"Or else they knew he'd come back," Bud put in. "Did you
tellthe coach what Dad said?"
"No that would only make matters worse. It would look like
;

I was trying to force his hand."

"That's so," his brother admitted. "All the same, Dad's right
— you ought to get out of it altogether or get in and do some-
thing."
"That's what I'm going to do- — or die trying!" Dyke said,
positively.
"Sure!" And I'll help you."
The young athlete looked at his brother curiously.
Bud explained, "You've got to take extra training with Brunt.
He'll make your flesh like iron and give you the endurance of a
Chinese coolie. And I'll foot the bill."
"Thanks, Bud. You're a brick!"
Brunt was an ex-pugilist, with a punch that had been famous
.

in its time. He gave lessons in boxing and wrestling, and was

much in requisition as an umpire in the ring, and in such emer-
gencies as the present.
During the next few weeks, therefore, till the end of the
basket ball season, Dyke underwent the severest training and self-
discipline. He was thus reaping the triple advantage of relieving
the already overworked coach, of getting himself in splendid trim
for the games, and of experiencing the always exquisite sensation
of being about to spring a surprise. He trained every day with
Brunt as well as with the coach of the Seagulls. He dieted care-
fully. No matter what the temptation, he ate and drank nothing
that would prevent him from attaining the highest efficiency of
which he was capable. He kept. regular hours. Nine o'clock saw
him in bed, except, of course, when he had a game. You couldn't
drag him to a party with a cart rope, and no amount of whistling
in certain ways outside the house could ever induce him to show
his face there. In this manner his will was iron. And he kept
up in all his studies, too, for the rules of the school and of the
league were very strict in this respect. Clearly, Dyke was out
after bear.
o'clock on the night of the first game with the Rose-
Twelve
hillsfound Dyke Fenton softly pillowed and cushioned in a big
chair and ample bandages, where he was likely to stay till morn-
ing, if not longer
"Would you
believe it, Bud," he said, from out the chair and
bandages, "but I didn't know I was hurt till I got nearly home
And then— oh !"
"I know," Bud sympathized; "I've been there."
"How long did I stay on my back that last time?"
520 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"I was too scared to ask. I thought once it

was all up with
vou."
"Gee, but I'm happy!" Dyke silently enjoyed his happiness,
and Bur! silently contemplated that happiness. "That old skate
that guarded me," Dyke added, presently, "ought to be in foot-
ball in'ste.vl of basket ball. He rolls himself up in a wad and then
asks somebody to throw him at you It's like dodging a cannon
!

ball."
"It was some game, all right!" Bud commented. "And we
won !"

"I'd rather have won that game than the pennant."

"So'd I. But the next game will be harder still, and on their
own floor, too. We've just got to win!"
"The fellows'll have to cut out their politics, though, or else
we won't," Dyke commented. "Did you see how hard they tried
to freeze me out of the game? They just wouldn't throw me the
ball till they had to."
"Rotten!" cried Bud, "rotten!"
"Anyone else notice it?"
"Everybody talked aboutit where I was. It'd have gone hard
'
—
with the ilun if we'd lost it which we nearly did for they ;

blamed the Hun. He'd have been mobbed, I really believe."

"Once when I was right under the basket," Dyke went on,
"and all alone, he passed the ball to the Indian, who wasn't any-
where near."
"Rotten ! rotten !" Bud repeated.
"My, but the coach was hot. He roasted the Hun to a finish.
Said if he did it again he'd send him out of the game on the spot.
After that it wasn't so bad. Say, did you see that strange guy
come up to me after the game and grab my hand ?"
"That was Holt, an old star."
"Well, all he said was, T used to play for S !' but he couldn't
have said anything that would make me feel better. I could have
!"
swum in the air
The papers next morning praised Dyke's work almost ex-
travagantly. He was the star, one said. Another declared that
but for his field throws the game would have gone to the Rose-
hills. And a third spoke of Dyke's having to fight against great
odds from his own team, and predicted great things for him when
those odds were removed.
"That'll be gall and wormwood for the Hun!" Dyke observed
when these eulogies were read to him.
''Serves him right—the skunk!" echoed the resentful Bud.
"Gee, but I'm happy!" came from the pillows again.
The coolness with which Dyke was met by his fellow-players
the next practice was increased, even if it was compensated for,
by the unalloyed enthusiasm with which he had been greeted by
 A JUNIOR SUB 521

the school after the game. For the first time in three seasons the
Hun had a fellow idol with the student body. Still there was a
strong feeling against him on account of what he had done in the
game with the Rosehills, even among his own personal friends.
As for Dyke's followers, their open contempt for the Hun's tac-
tics was like a fang sunk deep in the enemy's flesh. Their hopes
and fears for their hero, however, flew apart. They doubted
whether his slender, though wiry, frame could hold out. None of
them knew of the ex-pugilist's work in flesh-toning. But they
trusted that the spectacular plays of the last game were not the
result of mere accident.
And so there gradually sprang up in the large student body
a feeling that more or less consciously looked forward to the out-
come of this personal contest. Except only in the games with the
Rosehills, their ancient enemy, interest thereatened to transfer
itself from the game to the battle between Dyke and the Hun. But
if they expected to see any visible evidences of the conflict, they

were predestined to disappointment. For, although the Hun might

be jealous and spiteful, he was not altogether a fool. Very early
indeed he had discovered to be a huge blunder what he might
have known as such beforehand. The towering indignation of the
coach alone would have served to call him back to his senses. But
it was left to the students to administer the extreme penalty. And
this sentiment was shown, for the most part, in tumultous ridicule
and sarcasm. His mortification was keen. Whatever embarrass-
ments, therefore, Dyke might have to endure from his comrades
of the ball, the Hun would see to it that they were of a sort that
the school could hot easily detect.
"Wonder what the next move is?" Bud asked., when his
brother told him of the coolness of the team.
"That's what I've been wondering?, too," Dyke confessed.
"I'm sure they've got something up their sleeve."
"What do they call you now?" asked Bud.
—
"Same's ever Mr. Fenton !"
This was an allusion to the pet names by which the boys of
the team called one another. From time out of mind the Seagull
fellows had gone as foreigners —
all except Dyke. The invidious
distinction was made only in his case. There were the Hungarian,
the Indian, the Swede, the Jew, and the Turk. The Turk, a soph-
omore, was a sub. Dyke should have been named the Dane last
year, and Ireland as soon this year as he had made the team. But
he had not been. The fellows had studiously avoided giving him
either of these distinguished titles, although the new sub who took
Dyke's place had been instantly dubbed the Dane, as if to empha-
size Dyke's outlawry. And all this, though he had said nothing
to any one but his brother, sat like lead on his heart.
It mav not be generally known, but it is nevertheless a fact,
522 IMPROVEMENT ERA
is such a thing as a "beef."
that in basket ball there Now, a beef,
like achameleon, has the peculiar property of changing its color
under varying circumstances. An error is an error, but a beef,
well — From now on Mr. Fenton was forever making beefs!
!

That the Seagulls won any games at all was in spite of Fenton's
beefs, the fellows said. The wonder is that any game was won
by the team. In the dressing room, coming out of the dressing
—
room, going into the dressing room everywhere, in fact, except
on the floor itself, Dyke was bawled out good and plenty, as he
told Bud. Only when Dyke supplanted the Hun in throwing the
fouls did this species of persecution cease.
That event took place in the third game with the Rosehills.
The sec6nd game —
the enemy had won because it was played on
their own floor, of course. The Rosehills were silly enough to
believe that their wad that had itself thrown at its guard had
something to do with the victory ! The game went to them, any-
how, and a third game had to be played on a neutral floor. It
was in this latter contest, when the odds were fast going in favor
of the Rosehills, that Dyke was told to throw all the fouls for the
Seagulls. He did beautiful work in this capacity also. Out of
seventeen throws he made sixteen baskets. And won the final
margin for the Seagulls.
But he had never said anything about their treatment of him
— except of course to Bud. It would have done no good. Maybe
it would have done harm. —
And it was so hard harder than any
other self-discipline he had made himself undergo. But he held
out.
was healing balm compared with what there was in
Still this
store for him. For the boys now prosecuted a systematic freeze-
out. They carefully avoided him. None of them would speak to
him unless he had to. He dressed in the same place, but they
moved camp. And they talked about him. He could hear them
all the time. Shafts of ridicule, poisoned arrows, reached him
tli rough door, through the transom, between crevices. They
the.
hurt, but provoked no sign of the hurt. Only on the floor was
there any comradery —and that was false. Always,everywhere else,
there were two groups of Seagulls —
one of six and one of one!
Wherever the team went it was the same. Occasionally the Dane
showed signs of a thaw, but presently a Hungarian northeaster
blew on him, and the frost set in heavier than before. Once when
the team went to Clearstream to play. Dyke, getting on the train
last, took his seat with the bunch. One by one the rest got up
and found another place. After that he always got on the train
first. This cold snap continued till the team went to the tourn-
ament at Landsdown.
On that occasion Dyke entered the train first, as usual. And
the team as usual filed past him in answer to the boisterous "Come
 A JUNIOR SUB 523

on, fellows!" of the Hun. Evidently, however, there was some

dissension in camp, for Dyke could hear suppressed argu-
little
ment. He divined that it had some relation to him. Nor was his
conjecture wrong. The Dane and the Jew pretty soon came back
to where he sat and plumped themselves down in front of him.
The Dane said
"We're going to stop handing it out to you !"
"I'm mighty glad of that!" Dyke confessed. "It's been blamed
lonesome, I c'n tell you."
Before the train pulled into the station the Swede joined the
group.
"Three Hungarians !" he drawled, significantly.
"And four Irelands !" added the Dane. "We've christened
Dyke Ireland."
"Hurrah for Ireland!" approved the Swede.
And
the four shook hands solemnly.
In previous games Dyke had proved his skill in throwing bas-
kets and fouls. It remained to see whether he would have the en-
durance of the other members of the team.
The Seagulls belonged to two leagues. In order, therefore,,
to win the pennants of both leagues, they would be required to
play nine games hand-running. One pennant they had already
won when they came to the tournament, playing six games in as
many successive evenings. And some of the boys were beginning
to show signs of fatigue. Would the Seagulls be able to hold out
in the contest? The Overton boys, the only real rivals of the Sea-
gulls, were counting on their giving out, and in this opinion a good
many people shared.
It was in the games of this tournament, therefore, that the
enduring qualities of Dyke's nature and training were tested. And
splendidly they bore the test !For, whereas all the other boys in
his team were obviously glad when the referee's whistle blew for
a momentary rest or for the end of the first or the second half,
and trotted with tired joy into the dressing room, Dyke remained
on his feet, playing with the ball the entire time of rest or of inter-
val. When the others were dripping with perspiration, there was
not a wet hair to be found on his body. Each game he ended as
fresh as when he began it. His endurance was the standing mar-
vel of the tournament.
It surprised no one when the Overton team captured the
pennant.
On the way home the Indian forsook the ranks of the Hun.
The staying qualities of the enemy proved the last straw with him.
"How the "dickens did you do it, Dyke ?" he asked.
Dyke told him of the ex-pugilist.
Presently the Turk joined the enlarging group. The Hun
held out to the last. So it came about that on most of the home-
524 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ward journey the tables were completely turned. There were still
two groups, but the Inn comprised the lone Hungarian.
I

The school took a half holiday in honor of the pennant of the

first league, and the victory over the Rosehills. A mass meeting
of the students was held, where blankets and sweaters and the
official "S" were given. The cheering, and the shouting, and the
calls showed clearly a total eclipse of the Hun. The star of Ire-
land shone in the sky of Seagulldom big and resplendent. Down
the main street, in the historic snake dance, all the boys of the
school marched, the triumphant Dyke on the shoulders of two
huskies.
After it was all over, the subdued Hun came to his rival.
"Say, Dyke," he confessed, "I ain't treated you white this year,
and. I want to apologize. I've treated you like dirt. You're a bet-
ter man than me."
"I don't know about that," said Dyke, magnanimously. "I'm
afraid if I had treated you the way you've treated me, I wouldn't
!"
be man enough to say what you've just said

Lines on the Death of a Young Mother in Israel

(For her own grey-haired mother)

The Friend Offering Consolation

"There is one more to meet in heaven,
And one less to leave behind.
God has taken what he had given,
And the giving and taking — were kind.
He wonld turn our eyes from the earthly
To the new lode-star in the sky,
For she trod the path that he had trod,
When she laid her down to die.

"From the thorns in the path of duty,

From the tears by the bed of pain —
The Mother, Interrupting
"In her youth, and goodness, and beauty —
"God has taken her home again."

The Mother and the Friend in Unison

"Not yet do we know Him as we are known
—
But we brokenly suffer and trust, —
And pray that our stricken souls have grown, '

Though our hearts are bruised and crushed."

 ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNG MOTHER 525

The Mother
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow,
And our Vision of Life will change,
And our eyes, now bund with sorrow,
Will lift to a wider range.

O, I know
that our darling who walked with us
On
earth, now walks with God,
But oftenest now, with my
face in the dust,
I see her under the sod."
The wintry winds blow bitter-cold,
And her grave is white with snow —
The Friend
"But the waxen temple that held her soul
Sleeps sweet and serene below.
Who would call her back to her suffering,
Or who her staying seek?"

The Mother, with Clasped Hands and Streaming Eyes

"Father, our spirits are willing to give,
—
But the flesh agonizingly weak!"

The Mother
"The Love with Faith has its struggle,
And selfishness wars with consent.
The desire to keep God's Gift for myself,
With
the courage to yield her was blent,
I had suffered so, Lord, for my darling,
I had bought my Gift with a price,
She stood at the threshold, and I at the end
O, would not my own life suffice?"

The Voice of the Spirit, Tenderly Reproachful

"The mystery and the majesty
Of Life and Death, she's probed.
With the Gods' Best Gifts to woman
She had been crowned and robed."

The Mother, in Faith and Patience

"O, I know that the spring with its blossoming
Will rise from the ice-blocked earth,
And the budding leaves their symbols bring
Of her glorious Second Birth."
Mother and Friend in Unison.
"And so, tomorrow, and tomorrow,
And the years will roll away.
Soon the Pale Messenger bids us go,
Or longerbids us stay
But be sure, 'tis only a veil between
The quickened and the dead;
So, we stoop to conquer, as Jesus did,
And suffer ourselves to be led."
Sarah E. Hawi.ey Pearson
 Told About Alfred Lambourne

BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON

Among intimate friends the poet-artist, Alfred Lam-

his
bourne, is known
as the Cheerful Pessimist. Here are a few good
stories concerning him. He himself has told them to his friends,
and friends have told them to others, hence, the writer does not
hesitate to run chances in repeating them for the benefit of those
who for years have read Mr. Lambourne's verse and prose in the
pages of the Improvement Era :

"The other day,"said the poet, "I heard an insistent knocking

at mystudy door. On turning the knob, the wind blew into the
room a lot of dust in which was mixed a big collector. Of course,
he was welcome collectors always are. He was told to enter, to
;

take a seat, to make himself at home and admire the scenery.

However, he received an object lesson, and learned a solemn truth :

'

'Dust can always settle down, but poets cannot always settle up.'

Apropos of the financial troubles of poets and artists, here is

a tale worth telling: The poet met one day with the artist, the
late John Hafen. Under the arm of the former was a roll of
manuscript, and under that of the latter a just-completed sketch.
"I am the most miserable man on the earth," said the artist. "That
is impossible," said the poet.. "And why?" queried the artist.

"Because / am the most miserable man on the earth," replied the

poet. And then the friends understood, and parted, laughing.
They met on another day, upon almost the same spot, and in a
burst of confidence, the artist asked of the poet, "Can you manage
to pay your debts?" The poet thought that silence was golden.
"I have made it a matter of prayer," continued the artist. "I ex-
plained to the Lord that I could not pay my debts. I told him
that for sure I had tried, but could not find the way." "And,"
—
concluded the artist, becoming more confidential still "I told the
Lord that that was not the worst, I asked that he send me a change
of heart as well as the money, for I was becoming so that I did
not care very much whether I paid my debts or no." The poet
realized that this was a serious case, and again the friends parted,
this time to meet no more.

Mr. Lambourne is vain of his native land— Shakespeare, and

 TOLD ABOUT LAMBOURNE 527

that sort of thing, you know. But recently his vanity received a
jolt. He was accosted on the Deseret News corner by an indi-
vidual who asked for the price of a meal. As the applicant's
breath gave strong evidence that he had been recently drinking
liquor, he was refused. But the beggar had a sort of revenge:
"Veil," he said, "I was sorry dat you give me noting; I had tought
sure you give me someting ven I see you coming, I tink you vas
;

a Svede."

Here is an excellent one One day the poet stood on a bank

:

corner in a pensive mood. It was the day before Christmas. Per-

haps something of his pensive mood was shown in his attitude,
perhaps he was cold, or perhaps his coat needed dusting. His
—
hand was slightly extended. A dear old soul near-sighted, he
says —
was passing by. Suddenly she appeared to be seized with
a charitable thought befitting the holiday season. She approached
him and, with a sweet smile of Christian pity, placed a dime in
the extended hand. "I could not help it," says Mr. Lambourne,
"I would not for the world have deprived that good, kind old
creature of her new-found joy. I hope that my voice was suf-

ficiently thankful, and that it quavered rightly as I received the gift

with a low-spoken, 'God bless you.' That dime is now fastened
uncn a card, and the card is framed, and it bears the inscription,
'It is more blessed to give than it is to receive.'
:

The is in somewhat the same vein

following anecdote Re- :

cently the poet visited the County Infirmary. It was on a Sunday,

and a service, by kindly and thoughtful volunteers, was being held
in the chapel room. The interested poet walked several times
along the corridor and passed the open chapel door. A most
charming and zealous young lady, who was assisting in the service,
came out and accosted him thus: "Why don't you step in? We
have come here to help make you happy, if we can. I am sure
you will feel at home. Won't you come in and help us sing, 'Jesus
Loves Me?' Remember that if you seem to have no other friends,
you are not forgotten by the Savior." "I was a little surprised, a
little startled," said Mr. Lambourne, "but it was all right. Why
undeceive her, why tell her that I was not an inmate ? It did apply
to me. It was good to know that there was a place where one
could feel at home, and that a poet could be sure there was One
by whom he was not forgotten. 'A touch of Nature makes the
"
world akin.'
 'Scenes thatwe see with the clearness of youth
Some day zve'll review with our glasses"

The King of the Kodak Brigade

I am the of the Kodak Brigade;

King
My army ten million strong;
is

We carry no guns, nor pistols, nor swords,

When we go a-marching along;
We is our own
go with a smile, for the earth
And is pleasant as true hearts can make it;
And if some bright spot seems worthy to us,
There'll be none to oppose when we take it.

Most of the soldiers have kodaks all set —

A
corps in each land can be found;
They're dashing young men, and fair, winsome maids-
You'll meet them the big world around.
Their munitions of war they carry on spools,
The King And the brand is N. C. altogether,
—
For those films are sure they never miss fire,
In rainy or in sunshiny weather.

Glories of youth with their tinsel and gold

Evanish with oncoming years,
And the dreams that we dream just dreams may remain,
In spite of our labor and tears.
I'll lead out my army, some ten million strong,
And we'll catch the old world as she passes;
And scenes we behold with the clearness of youth,
Some day we'll review with our glasses.

While we are young we'll imprison the earth,

and dews;
Its flowers, its grasses,
We'll get the old home and the garden and well,
And the orchard with its many hues;
We'll keep the old folk as we love them today,
Ere their youth and their roses can fade,
Then we'll laugh at old Time, we'll baffle him quite,
We are Scouts of the Kodak Brigade!
'That mischievous
H. R. Merrill smile."
ONEIDA ACADEMY, PRESTON, IDA.
 Canada at War
BY FRANK C. STEELE

"Goodby, Dad goodby. Mother

! So long Sis
!
-

, ! Be sure
and write. I'll send you the first German flag I capture. Goodby,
everybody! Come on, f el lews. Let's have 'Tipperary.'
And as the troop t ain pulled out of the little red station, and
crept faster and faster eastward over the frozen prairie, the strains
of that catchy marching song of Tommy Atkins, were borne to the
ears of the group on the platform.
"Poor Jack !He's got a heart of steel. Cheer up, Mother.
Somebody must part with their sons, and we're no better than
anv one else. Besides the lad comes from good old fighting stock.
His grandfather died at Sebastopol, and his old dad went through
the Mutiny. God bless the boy He'll come out all right,
!

Mother."
But Mother did not see things like Father. Great tears
streamed down her burning cheeks. Longingly, she gazed after
the fast disappearing train, that carried her only son, the pride and
joy of her life, to the. training camp at Valcartier, then, then
to the front.
This phrase may now be heard in every nook and corner of
Canada. It seems to have some magic charm. From Halifax to
Vancouver people are talking about "the front." Everyone you
meet, whether in a fashionable Montreal hotel, at a Toronto hockey
match, or on the prairies of the West, has a brother or a cousin or
an uncle at the front. He is not at all backward about informing
you of the fact, either. Even the Winnipeg waitresses look
grieved if you don't care to discuss the latest letter from "her
friend" who is with the army in Europe. Newsboys take great
delight in describing the exploits of "Brother Fred at the front,"
their sturdy chests expanding to the bursting point. It doesn't
matter so much whether Brother Fred is at Salisbury Plains, or
Valcartier, or any other concentration point. He is invariably
at the front.
War is a new business for Johnny Canuck. But he has taken
itup with his characteristic zeal and dogged determination to win.
Johnny's jaw is set just as firmly as is Dad's, away across the sea,
— —
and he is going to fight yes, fight and die, if needs be for "Can-
ada and Old England." Johnny is thrilled in every bone and
muscle and sinew of his virile body. He has blood in his eye.
Canadians are aroused. Again, but with a fierceness a hun-
530 IMPROVEMENT ERA
dred-fold more intense, may be seen that swaying devotion to the
Empire, that prompted the sons of the Dominion to answer the
call of the imperial government in the Boer war, and
inspired
them to willingly lay down their lives on the silent veldts of that
far-off land.
The recruiting offices are crowded. The ease with which the
first and second contingents were recruited, was most gratifying.
But the response to the third call for men is nothing short of re-
markable. Men of all classes are joining the colors. In this
respect, the present war is in a distinct class. Lawyers, doctors,
merchants, bankers, clerks, mechanics, farmers and day laborers,
swarm and jostle about the stations, waiting their turn. Especially
is this true in the cities. Often a figure of national repute is seen

ARRIVAL OF WESTERN CONTINGENT

Valcartier Camp, Canada

chatting familiarly with Mike or Jack or Bill, who ordinarily are

pick and shovel artists.
Men in khaki are seen everywhere. Civilians give them the
road, and pretty girls cast admiring glances at the keen eyes, the
broad shoulders and easy carriage. Occasionally, a group of
I lighlanders pass by, their brawny knees peeping out from be-
neath their beloved kilts. Over yonder, reading the latest war
bulletins, are two privates from a western regiment. One, a strap-
ping fellow of six feet if he is an inch, was fed in his youth on
corn bread and home-cured bacon. He originally hailed from
Iowa. This possibly accounts for his fine physique. He now
has become a thorough Canadian, and owns a splendid ranch in
Alberta. When the war broke out, he was among the first to
enlist. His companion's old home was undeniably in Old London,
as betrayed in his inimitable "cockney" speech, which savored
plainly of Piccadilly and the Strand. On investigation we discov-
ered this to be true, and that he had been a trusted employee of
 CANADA AT WAR. 531

the American for the past four years. A Belgian stands near
them, anxiously waiting news from his distressed fatherland. We
sympathize with him and shake our fist. And Leo understands,
and a light kindles in his eye.
Bands are playing martial airs. People are singing them.
"Tipperary" is by far the biggest favorite. It has taken sleepy

•HllilH!

Ie*>*~

FIFTH ROYAL HIGHLANDERS DETRAINING

Valcartier Camp, Canada

French Canadian villag'es by storm. One enterprising biscuit

manufacturer in the east has called a new line of crackers "Tip-
perary." And now thousands are daily eating the "Biscuits of the
Bull Dog Breed." The schools are no exception to the rule. The
military spirit has seized teacher and student alike, and there is
scarcely a reputable university, college or high school in the coun-
try, that isnot vigorously pushing military drill and rifle practice.
While Canada will be expected to furnish her quota of men
to keep the lines intact, an even greater duty is bearing down upon
her. She must feed the Mother Country. And Canada feels this
mighty responsibility. "Patriotism and Production" has become
a national slogan. The farmer who is preparing to sow two acres
where he formerly sowed one, is looked upon by the leaders of
public life as equally as true a patriot as the man who fights in the
trenches. Tommy Atkins and his allies must have full stomachs
or they cannot fight. Canada must supply much of their bread
and meat. And if the elements are favorable she will do it. The
government is prosecuting a vigorous campaign in favor of in-
creased production, and in the drouth-stricken areas of the West,
they are even distributing seed grain.
532 IMPROVEMENT ERA
preparing for a long war. Ten or twenty contin-
Canada is

gents may be called for by the imperial government, and if such is

the case, ten or twenty will answer the call. General Sam Hughes,
Canada's fighting war minister, recently toured the prairie prov-
inces, inspecting the western units. Everywhere he was greeted
with tremendous enthusiasm. All classes and all nationalities took
part in the ovations. At Lethbridge a veteran of the Civil War,
Colonel Page, of Minneapolis, proposed the toast to the war min-
ister. The warm reception accorded General Hughes is a safe
index to the sentiments of the West, and if it is true in the West,
where so many are only now undergoing the process of adoption,
how intense must that loyalty be in the eastern provinces
That the fire of patriotism has been truly lighted is evidenced
in the wonderful outburst of poetry inspired by the war. Poets
have been born in a night. And alas! many have died in a clay.
Some real poetry, however, has been written by our Canadian
writes, in which fire and vigor, so essential to good war poetry,
are not lacking. The national magazines capture most of the real,

^Jk.
'

S^» *
A ## .J^'^t j^B^H
tfc± msr*^ SBOB- "
-^ttT ? X'-j-gfi-

)%
™n^ f
J*
'

Jj*V.

'
;

PST ' is*

CLEANING THE DINNER DISHES

Valcartier Camp, Canada

live matter, and it falls to the unhappy lot of the innocent editors
of the great city dailies to wade through the voluminous produc-
tions of budding poets in every village and hamlet in the Dominion.
For every village and hamlet has a poet, and they are all wasting
precious oil and energy writing war songs. Imagine, if you can,
and you cannot unless you have experienced it yourself, the trag-
edy in a curt note, neatly printed in black type that burn like acid,
telling a meek but faithful follower of the sacred Muse, that his
work is "very creditable but cannot be accepted at the present
time." The reason? The poor poet looks everywhere but the
right place for the reason. War poetry is unmaking more patriots
in Canada than any other one thing.
 CANADA AT WAR 533

While Canada is true and devoted to the Empire, and is re-

solved to see the business through successfully, her people are not
slow in wishing for a speedy restoration of peace. War, with its
untold horrors, finds no support in the innermost recesses of the
Canadian heart. Canadians have imbibed the spirit of the New
World, which is a spirit diametrically opposed to war and the
makers of war.
Let peace be soon established, but only when Right and Jus-
tice are vindicated. This, we believe, is the earnest disire of the
Canadian people. They face the crisis with confidence of ultimate
victory, trusting steadfastly in that ever-ruling Father, who has
piloted the nations through many perilous seas to what has event-
ually proved a haven, in which a greater measure of liberty and
toleration is enjoyed.

RAYMOND, CANADA

COL. THE IIONT . FAMUEL HUGHES

Origin of the Brown South Pacific Islander

BY JOHN Q. ADAMS

In Two Parts —Part II

[The author is thirty-three years of age, and spent forty-two months, beginning in
1907, as a missionary on the South Pacific islands, principally in Samoa. He was edu-
cated in the state schools and in the University of Utah, in which latter institution he
studied for two years. As branch and mission secretary, conference president, general
supervisor of the Mapusaga school, the largest Latter-day Saint institution of learning
in the islands, and as director of a 360-acre cocoanut plantation, he had ample oppor-
tunities to get a varied experience, and to learn the ins and outs of native life. Shoot-
ing the breakers surrounding the islands, in row boats; raising cocoanuts, rounding
up Church cattle in the forests, and swinging pick and shovel in building heavy-grade
roads, were divisions of his ticklish tasks and strenuous labor in his Samoan career, in
addition to teaching -the gospel to the natives. He is a ready writer, an extensive
reader, a careful observer and thinker, and is, therefore, well prepared to discuss the
question under consideration as well as any subject relating to the islands. Editors.]

In the preceding article we rested our case of establishing the

identity of thebrown islander of the South Pacific with the simple
narration of a series of facts which tended to show that the inhab-

THE MAORI AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE MILITARY BAND

Which made an extensive tour of the dominion during December, 1914, and January,
1915. (See note at end of article.)

itants of various groups of islands of that quarter of the globe un-

doubtedly originated on the American continent, at the time the
Nephites and Lamanites were alternately at the helm of history.
This one fact is quite sufficient to connect them up with an Israel-
itish origin, for no doubt exists as to the identity of the offspring
 THE BROWN SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDER 535

of Father Lehi. The declaration, then, of "Indian Islander," must

be fortified with an array of all available facts to stand. Bearing
in mind Hagoth and his very plausible sea-faring link of evidence,
let us proceed to reinforce our premise
First, there looms up the confronting task of establishing the
common origin of the language in which the various groups of
brown islanders converse. With a map before us, beginning at the
Hawaiian, or Sandwich Islands, let us trace a line to Tahiti, two
thousand miles distant. From there, ex-
tend the course to Samoa, a direct jump
of one thousand miles more, and a little
further on, in a southerly sweep of some
three hundred miles, take in the Tongan
group. From there strike out direct for
New Zealand, the land of the Maori, dis-
tant one thousand five hundred and
miles,
as the great enclosing bar of this immense
geographical pasture wherein browses
some of Israel's choicest blood-line, mark
the three thousand mile line back to Hon-
olulu from Auckland. These five groups
comprise the more important aggrega-
tions of differing languages, although
within the circumscribing irregular line
are here and there island dots on which
HAWAIIAN GIRL OF cling brown peoples of still different
INDIAN FEATURES
consfues. No one language is intelligible

to any other group, and yet let us here

and now strike directly at the heart of
the question by making the broad as-
sertion that all have developed from
one parent root, assuming the aspects
and proportions of separate and dis-
tinct languages, because of no written
record having been perpetuated, which
inevitably means changing to an en-
tirely new form.
Below, at a glance, may be noted
'

the strong analogy which the five

named island nations bear to each
other in the way of speech. But a
few widely varying words were se-
lected at random from a list which
could be multiplied vastly. Without
further comment, it speaks for itself, MAORI GIRL WHO MIGHT
NATURALLY IMPERSON-
the only difference being in a letter ATE POCAHONTAS
or so:
536 IMPROVEMENT ERA
English God the us man thing his
Hawaiian Akua ke makou kanaka mea kana
Samoan Atua le matou tagata mea lana
Tongan Otua he oku tagata me'a hono
Maori Atua te matou tangata mea tona
Tahitian Atua te matou ta'ata mea ona

Tahiti and Samoa in particular have both unconsciously gone

far towards specifying the direction whence came the first man
to their shores when they say that the first landing was to the
east of the group from the way the sun first appears. In Samoa,
according to tradition of the dim and misty bygone ages, Manua,
the eastern island of the group, first saw the advent of man. Is
it an unimportant incident, unworthy of credence, that the isl-

ander, in his only method of transferring the records of the past,

unwittingly gives a Jewish boost to his ancestry when he says
that from the. direction of the Americas came his forbears ? Ver-
ily, tradition must be accorded a place*

It might be well now to point out the fallacy of holding to

the untenable theory that brown and black are akin, as met up
with in the South Seas, this idea being prevalent among some eth-
nologists. Often has the writer beheld the wiry, ebony-hued Sol-
omon Islanders, as they busied themselves in some of the exten-
sive German cocoanut plantations of German Samoa, or as they
appeared in their diminutive domiciles. In fact, close observa-
tion of their every characteristic, as revealed in act, physique or
ideal, fails to promote them into the class of their brown contem-
poraries. Inferior in every way, that inferiority can be best em-
phasized by taking them in their native haunts a few hundred
miles from Australia. As yet a century of Christianity has failed,
utterly failed, to even eradicate their racial propensity for canni-
balistic rites. Only five years since, while the writer was treading
in absolute security the isles of the brown Samoan, a couple of less
fortunate representatives of another denomination met a horrible
end in the Solomons, to the southwest, their bones, picked clean,
telling vividly of their fate. Not this case alone, but others, unite
in overwhelmingly controverting any theory of close relationship
with a more light and enlightened division of the human race.
In bright contrast we shall quite appropriately make much of
the fact right here that Christianity has had a far easier field in
brown than in black spheres. In all the 33,000 inhabitants of
Samoa, for example, an atheist or even a person tending that way,
has yet to be encountered at the present time, and this despite the
fact that just one generation back they were as foreign to Chris-
tianity as could well be, its advent occurring in the year 1830.
Within the short span of eighty-four years since, the light of
truth has penetrated every soul, and we have there what no white
 THE BROWN SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDER 537

country of culture and centuries of gospel contact can ever lay

—
claim to throughout all time a nation without a disbeliever in
God. Wonderful, isn't it? And yet account for it in any other
way than that they have heard the "old, old story, ever new,"
known once to their forefathers, which has now succeeded in
striking a responsive chord, long in dis-
use. This one fact is of tremendous
weight in giving them a place in Is-
rael's royal blood-line.
A striking picture is it to behold one
of nature's freaks in the form of a
—
brown man made white the tetea of
the Samoan and the albino of the In-
dian. There are several such in that
group, and classic, indeed, does the pro-
file become when the miraculous of na-

ture steps in and covers an otherwise

native body with dazzling white skin
with accompanying light eyes and hair.
\n such cases the tendency is towards a
distinct type, not of the slant-eyed Mon-
golian, nor the slant-headed Ethiopian,
but towards the classic in physiog-
nomy. Forceful and convincing is such
a transformation, and the observer can
read for himself therein the history of
a preceding age as it is there depicted
in startling simplicity,
Of the Hebrew race it can be said
that their racial characteristics and cus-
toms have remained as firmly stamped
upon each generation as upon its pre-
decessor, reaching thus into the bygone SAMOAN GIRL
ages when they played a more major Who unconsciously portrays the
part in world affairs. Take the rite of direct relationship with her In-
circumcision for an example, and a dian sister of this hemisphere.

Hebrew of today, tomorrow or yester-

day would be found designating his nationality in the undeviating
-

performance of it. In adhering closely to this practice the isl-

ander unknowingly betrays himself racially. Where else could
he or did he inherit the idea of circumcision?
To revert once more to the close relationship of the brown
races of the seas with those of the continent, we may take either
in their council house or lodge and find their course there dupli-
cated in the council circle of the other. Weare familiar with the
trait of character invariably exhibited by the Indian in the tribal
councils of the past. Cooper, in his delightful and accurate vol-
538 IMPROVEMENT ERA
umes on aboriginal life in America a century and a half ago, lays
much stress upon the peculiar, almost weird form of eloquence
that apparently was the birthright of the Redman. In his coun-
cils, and crafty as exigencies demanded, he could arise
deliberate
in his turn in the wild, flickering, ember-gJow of the lodge-fire
and, with glittering eye and forceful gesture, coupled with biting,
straight-to-the-point phraseology, sway his silent, attentive hearers
with the magic of his eloquence. Civilization, with all its polished
oratory, fails to equal the sort of outbursts above referred to. The
writer has sat in the councils of the islander when it became a dif-
ficult matter to force upon the mind the conviction that he was not
back in some Delaware or Mingo wickiup in the heyday of Coop-
er's depicting. Such stinging and comprehensive words of sar-
casm and warning, of rebuke and reproof, of admonition and
pleading, could never find expression in the vocabulary of the most
fervid white orator. And so again we say that the two brown
branches are of the same family tree.
In a limited way mention might be made in passing of the
curious customs of decorating the body, both by intricate tattooing
and adornments of varying sorts, of dancing and drinking, image-
worshiping, etc., which each has preserved, but these are of minor
importance, and their value is rather incidentally corroborative
than otherwise, as other races do likewise.
In conclusion, we shall deal with the question that might arise
regarding just how this brown type of Israel spread through such
an extensive area of the South Pacific. Bear in mind, to begin
with, the part played by winds and ocean currents when navigation
ways are crude, and then let us pay the island of Upolu (Samoa)
a flying visit. There, just on the outskirts of Apia, its chief sea-
port, is an aboriginal curio that commands instant attention, and
serves us a useful purpose at this particular stage of our discus-
sion. Asheltering roof covers it in its now obsolete station on
the beach, where it is to be preserved by the government. It is
nothing more nor less than a huge war canoe of olden type, in
which past generations sailed forth to battle in primitive naval en-
counter with like adversaries. Massive it is, for the time and
method of construction, and valuable is its tale spoken out from
the numerous engravings on its surface. Of perhaps eighty feet in
length and ten feet in width, and of sufficient hold capacity to ad-
mit of a person standing upright beneath its rude deck, it consists
of two such canoes fastened together securely, each of the dimen-
sions given above. It is or was a craft that could scarcely cap-
size nor sink, and on which perhaps 200 dusky warriors could
find quarters. The timbers were doubtless shaped by aid of the
prevalent stone ax of the time, and while rude, are perfectly joined
together throughout, forming a hull as thoroughly impervious
to water as the modern steel ribbed and plated ship. With sail
 THE BROWN SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDER 539

set and manned by swarthy warriors, it must have presented an

extremely picturesque appearance, albeit a formidable one for its
time and place. The Maoris and other groups also had them. On
such a craft the bosom of the naturally restful Pacific Ocean would
have afforded at least equal security to the pigmy caravels of an
adventurous Columbus on a more restive Atlantic. And so we
account for the planting of humanity on different island groups,
not knowing which particular group first saw it.
In the face of all this, are we not justified in ascribing to the
brown islander of the south seas the distinction of having for a
parent root, Father Lehi of Jerusalem?
RIVERSIDE, UTAH
[Note: The tour of the military band was arranged with a three-
fold idea, namely, that we might attend two Church conferences, one
in Thames, and the other in Bay of Islands; to aid, if possible, in the
great movement to alleviate the sufferings of the unfortunate Belgians;
and lastly, to allow our boys to show their folks at home just what they
were accomplishing. The tour was very successful and enjoyable to
the members of the company, and to those who were visited. As in
most other things attempted by our unpopular people, we were at
times heavily opposed by the sectarian ministry, but such happenings
only added spice to our trip and conduced to better work. We en-
joyed good health during the tour, and with the help of the Lord we
opened up the path for a great labor among the Maoris and Europeans.
Brother Walter Smith, who had developed the band from practically
raw material with one season's labor, is deserving of great credit.
Prayer and push can accomplish wonders when directed by a compe-
tent man." —
S. J. Ottley, Hastings, New Zealand.]

ST. JOSEPH, ARIZONA, M. I. A. LEADERSHIP CLASS

Up. vesper Joi^H&d W "fe

%e abyss
bnlliW ray,
^Vj°9« clear a&d brt<tWi
Wkile isles o$

rartottje easfwai<i fir>U c$ pearly ^y;

Brought Hjer9ii|4.<l4i*»)<rei»j c*rtljV »i)«st <J»e«tyul
from sylvai) ijeeks. fro*) vale <m<t <UU *r)4 £rove.
Sweet birds wift voice subline 4»)<i spWiTs $,«y,
Chirped lyric seiris e$ pe*ce a»jd joy ai)<J lev*;

5ed eUfttj) V>a<l cUi»«);4 victory -pre$<»u.Y)d,

O'erHim.wljose s\)ert careered rqet life's a©e»i
"frjat sepvUV)re,trje jfeliest e^ £roat)<i,
C©i)1V»»je(J tyh bocKj ify it's jiiegt towjb;

But witj) w^it jotf Hje avj$°{ veice Web 4l' ve 9t

"fljyMastet sleep«fij)jot, TfcsCljftst is ri&ei).
O vjtajbkck
General Von Hindenburg and Grand Duke
Nicholas

BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

Up to the present time in the great European conflict no sin-

gle general of the war has stood forth more prominently in public
attention than General von Hindenburg, the so-called "old man of
the lakes." The story of his recent drive in eastern Prussia, and his
defeats of Renmenkampf, in the battle of Tannenburg, have won
the admiration of all disinterested onlookers.
In a general way it should be understood that the last thirty
years of preparation by the Germans have given them in the east-
ern battlefield a tremendous advantage. The east has the longest
line of battle fields, extending from Konigsberg in the north, to
the Carpathian mountains in the south. For this eastern conflict
Germany had built a system of strategic railroads that would
enable her in a remarkably short time to concentrate her eastern
army on any given point. She could strike the right wing, the
left wing, or the center of the Russian army, with her entire force
before the Russians could reach with recruits the point of German
attack. When the war broke out the Russians had just begun their
system of strategic railroads, on their own frontier, so that Rus-
sia was not prepared to move her armies from one point to an-
other with anything like the rapidity of the Germans. It was not
impossible for the Germans to get in a week's fighting before the
Russians had time to bring up reinforcements. In this way the
Russians have practically needed as many men on each wing, and at
the center, as the whole Germany army of the east amounted to. It
will be noticed in all these German drives that when the Germans
reached a certain distance in Russian territory that their armies
have been stopped, and the Russians began again the aggressive.
The Russians, therefore, to make any headway, must do one of
two things. They must either. put on the front three soldiers for
every one of Germany's, or they must first complete a system of
railroads on their frontier that will make mobilization as easy and
rapid for them as it is for the Germans.
There is in this eastern game of war a very interesting pre-
lude which reaches back into the early eighties, when Bismarck
and Von Moltke were at the helm. In the Kriegschule, at Berlin,
Von Moltke and Hindenburg gave courses of instruction to the
officers -of the department of war, and sometimes public addresses
542 . IMPROVEMENT ERA
were given to which the public was invited. Much of the burden
of those talks was along the line of a future war with Russia. In
the course of time Von Hindenburg fell into more or less disfavor,
and was subjected to military demotion by the kaiser for the
reason, it was said, that he was too outspoken in his criticisms.
It may be well here to remark that the kaiser has made some
very important changes in the system established by the great Von
Moltke. He has substituted what is called the general staff, a co-
terie of commanders, for the geniuses of war, individual leaders,
who had in the past distinguished themselves on the battlefield.
In the present war, however, especially in the east, the general
staff system did not work well, and Von Hindenburg, who knew
fh?t whck country better than anyone else, was summoned to
Berlin and given commands, and by his promotion there came a
decided setback to the general staff. Von Hindenburg made good.
He is a hero today of all heroes in the German nation. Because of
his devoted study to the eastern frontier and the strategy that must
be used along the great system of lakes and marshes in the north,
he has been contemptuously called "the old man of the lakes."
Von Hindenburg has also been a devoted follower of the
great Bismarck in his political wisdom he had unbounded con-
;

fidence. When Bismarck broke with the young emperor, Von

Hindenburg still maintained quietly his loyalty to the wisdom of
the great statesman he had so much admired. This may have had
something to do with Von Hindenburg's disfavor in the eyes of
the emperor. Bismarck had warned the emperor and country in
the most solemn manner that they must not break friendship with
Russia. The old statesman did not think the policy of a certain
class of Germans, in the Balkans, in any way worth the loss of
Russia's friendship, and on one occasion in the Reichstag he ex-
claimed from the utmost depths of his emotions : "I would not
give the bones of a Pomeranian soldier for all the Balkans."
The emperor evidently did not heed the great statesman's
warning. Year after year, Russia and Germany drifted apart, and
they drifted apart over the contentions that arose between them
in the Balkan peninsula, a district of Europe inhabited chiefly by
the Slavic race for whom Russia declared herself sponsor.
It is interesting to take notice that in this war there is another
"old man of the lakes" — Nicholas Nicholavitch. When the war
broke out between Russia and Japan, military jealousy at Petro-
grad consigned this great general to the western frontier, where
it was his ostensible duty to protect the Russians against some im-

aginary attack from the Germans. Nicholas also studied the lakes.
What Von Hindenburg was learning about them, this- great Rus-
sian general was likewise studying. These two generals, there-
fore, know, as no other men in Russia and Germany know, the
whole boundary from the Baltic in the north, to the .Carpathians
 VON HINDENBURG AND GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS 543

in the south. In the present military movements it is, therefore,

"diamond cut diamond." The Germans found that Von Hinden-
burg was the one man they could discover to withstand the Grand
Duke Nicholas, and the Russians have learned that Nicholas is
the only man that can withstand Von Hindenburg. These two
at the present are the most interesting characters of all the war.
The great contest between the Germans and the Russians does not'
find the Russians, this time, carrying on a "scientific retreat," such
as the Russians carried on in Manchuria.
The recent defeat of the Russians along the Niemen, in east-
ern Prussia, was in a large measure due to the boldness with
which Nicholas had advanced the right wing of his army in the
hope that he might maintain its position without the use of
trenches until the coming of spring when a strategic advantage
along the Mansurean lakes would tell greatly in favor of the
army holding that advantage. Handling an army in the great
marshes on- the northwest border line of Russia demands, perhaps,
today, the greatest military, skill of the present war. Its disad-
vantages and its tremendous risks are seen in -no other battlefield
of Europe, and one may almost safely predict that among the pres-
ent surprises that will grow out of the present war will be the
coming man of Russia, Grand Duke Nicholas, who, today, is as
strong", no doubt, in the hearts and confidence of his soldiers as
even the old Von Moltke was during the war with France, in
1870.
Other great generals will, no doubt, in time make their ap-
pearance high up in the scale of military glory, but at present Von
Hindenburg and Grand Duke Nicholas occupy the central posi-
tion of almost universal admiration.

A great salt refinery from which comes Royal Crystal Table Salt
is located fifteen miles due west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Round
about the refinery, in circling whiteness, lies a shimmering expanse ot
hundreds of acres of salt ponds which constitute one of the scenic
attractions of Utah, and are viewed by thousands of tourists annually.
The country around tne refinery is as level as a table top. Great
ponds are formed by throwing up earthen dykes and into these ponds
salt water is pumped to a depth of twelve to fifteen inches. Nature
provides sunshine in Utah 300 days out of every year, and after water
is' pumped into each of the ponds, the action of the sun
is allowed to

take its course, and for several months the water in the ponds is sub-
jected to a process of evaporation. The salt is conveyed to the refinery
where it goes through a purifying process that removes what im-
purities are contained in the crude salt, producing an excellent quality
of refined salt. An ordinary season will evaporate about four inches
of salt. It is then harvested and piled in pyramids of from 500
to

1,000 tons. The brine is pumped from the Great Salt Lake, com-
mencing in March and continued as long as evaporation takes place
off, thus leaving
Just prior to harvesting the salt, the brine is drawn
nothing but the crude salt which has been deposited on the bottom
of
the harvesting ponds.
 Editors' Table

Let the Guilty Beware

The first article in this number, by J. W. Booth, former pres-

ident of the Turkish mission, should at least awaken thought in
the heart of every reader on the need of a closer observance of
the third commandment "Thou shalt not take the name of the
:

Lord thy God in vain." We wish that all might give it consid-
eration.
If profanity among the people of our favored nation is as
prevalent as the author would have us believe, we should sharply
awaken to the truth that was thundered from Sinai, "the Lord
will not hold him .guiltless that taketh his "name in vain." If
the youth of our own communities, in these happy valleys, are so
wanting in reverence for the Supreme Being as to indulge increas-
ingly in the sin of taking his name in vain, it is well worth our
time and attention to sound the alarm, and so help to stamp out
this impious habit.
If we are to believe the author, and his veracity we have no
reason to doubt, for he is a man of high standing among the peo-
ple and of varied experiences in the world, the sin of profanity is
increasing among all classes, both in and out of the Church. His
observations emphatically lead him to such a conclusion. Cer-
tainly no member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints will continue to be guilty of such irreverence, when he once
stops to consider the condemnation that he is under by so doing.
The habit denotes a coarseness and lack of refinement in speech,
that no person of self-respect would either care to cultivate, or
to have his friends and associates believe him addicted to, even on
occasion when he might be provoked. It denotes "poverty of in-
tellect," ignorance, and lack of elegance in manners, taste and cul-
ture. Above all, it indicates a deep disregard for Deity. And, let
it be remembered that reverence for God is the first characteristic

of a true man and a faithful Latter-day Saint. True reverence is

a strong feeling of profound love, respect and esteem towards God
and his cause, ardently expressed. It leads men to perform the
requirements of the law of the Lord. It is reverence for the spirit
of the gospel that leads men to righteousness, to serve each other
and the Lord in purity and in truth. True reverence leads to
prayer. Prayer leads to clean life, to purity and truth. To think
of that which is most ennobling, and to revere God —
that is the
 EDITORS' TABLE 545

true spirit of reverence. This no man can possess who taketh the
name of God in vain.
Some people profane without thought of the meaning of their
words, believing it adds emphasis to their speech. But it simply
shows their misconception of language, and their lack of dis-
crimination in its use. Swearing is a crude species of slang, sel-
dom used by men and boys before people for whom they harbor
respect. While on earth, Jesus taught the sin of profanity in these
words
"Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old
time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the
Lord thine oaths;
"But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven;
for it is God's throne
"Nor by the earth
for it is his footstool neither by Jerusa-
; ;

lem ; forthe city of the great King.

it is

"Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst

not make one hair white or black.
"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
As early as 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph
Smith how sacred are the names of God and our Savior, Jesus
Christ, and what is the penalty of blasphemy. The prophet was
cautioned in these words :

"Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.

"Wherefore let all men beware how they take my name in
their lips;
"For, behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under
this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in
vain, having not authority.
"Wherefore, let the Church repent of their sins, and I, the
Lord, will own them, otherwise they shall be cut off.
"Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and
must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit, and in
this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through
prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation."

Priesthood Quorum and Other Statistics

In the sixty-six stakes of Zion, according to information com-

piled from the stake annual reports, by the Presiding Bishop's
Office, for the year ending December 31, 1914, there are in the
Church 11,450 High Priests, 2,413 of whom are inactive, and
3,309 who did not attend quorum meeting during 1914. There
were 11,112 Seventies on record at the close of the year, 2,275 of
546 IMPROVEMENT ERA
whom were and 2,772 did not attend quorum meeting
inactive,
during the year. There are 27,382 Elders on record, 10,099 of
whom were inactive, and 9,545 who did not attend quorum meet-
ing during 1914. There are 10,607 Teachers, with 3,975 reported
inactive, and 2,937 who did not attend their quorum meeting.
Of Deacons there are 22,722 on record, with 7,008 reported in-
active and 6,477 who did not attend quorum meeting. This
makes a total of Priesthood in the stakes of 92,103, with 29,008
inactive and 27,508 who did not attend quorum meeting during
1914.
Nearly every stake of Zion had an increase in membership
during the year. The average per capita of fast offerings for the
year 1914 in the Church was 18 cents. The percentage of fam-
ilies who own their own homes in the Church is 73, a most re-
markable showing. The birth rate per thousand was 39.5, with
a death rate per thousand of 8.3. This is a very favorable show-
ing in vital statistics. The number of children blessed per thou-
sand was 40, and the number of baptisms per thousand was 33.3
the number of persons married per thousand was 16. The per-
centage of membership attending sacrament meetings was 18
and the average per cent of Priesthood attending the weekly
priesthood meetings was 20. The percentage of Melchizedek
Priesthood who are inactive is 28, and the percentage of Aaronic
Priesthood who are inactive in the Church is 33 ; while the average
percentage of families visited by ward teachers is 45.

The Era Story Contest

The Era story contest for February resulted in the selection

of "Unbidden Guests," by Nephi Anderson, for first place. There
were thirteen stories submitted, and a number of them were very
favorably mentioned by the judges who were Thomas Hull,
:

James H. Anderson, Moroni Snow, Oscar A. Kirkham, and Ed-

ward H. Anderson, of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. Prof. ;

D. M. Draper, of the L. D. S. U. Hugo B. Anderson, attorney-at-

;

law; Mary E. Connelly, editor of the Young Woman's Journal;

and Dr. Joseph M. Tanner.
The winner in the third contest for March 6 will be mentioned
in the May number of the Era. Seventeen lively stories were sub-
mitted, which are being considered by competent judges. The
stories for the April contest must be in by the 5th of April. Par-
ticulars relating to the contest will be gladly furnished upon appli-
cation to the Associate Editor. The first prize story is printed in this
number, and we are sure the readers of the Era will enjoy it. The
 EDITORS' TABLE 547

lesson, among other lessons taught, is that calamity and fright are
about the only things through which some people will learn to let
—
"booze" alone the short way to bring them to their senses as to
the need of personal prohibition.

Wheat Prices

Some agitation recently arose throughout our country with

respect to a shortage in wheat for home consumption, and the
government was urged to put an embargo on that food product.
However, after an examination it was shown that there were in
the country 147,000,000 bushels, and that if 1,000,000 bushels
were exported daily, between the time of the report and the com-
mencement of this year's harvest, we would still be amply pro-
vided for. This put a quietus on the clamor for an embargo.
Furthermore, it is discovered that Argentine will now have
something like 100,000,000 bushels of wheat to put on the market,
and that the supply for exportation from India will be unusually
large. The exact amount is not stated. In the United States
there has been a considerable increase in the number of acres
planted, and it is stated that the acreage throughout Europe will
be somewhat larger than it was last year, so that conditions up
to the present hour were never more promising for a large crop
of wheat.
Of course, there are the great unknown factors of the
weather. The weather, indeed, is the most important considera-
tion, and the changes between now and next harvest may be of a
character to run up the price of grain. Further, while the na-
tions are at war they will store grain in advance to the utmost
of their financial capacity. That may increase prices. However,
if we supposed that peace will be declared by next harvest, and

the present conditions of the grain crop were to continue, we

should conclude that we shall probably have the largest crop on
record and, correspondingly, the lowest price for grain for at least
ten years past. The important thing to be remembered in this
matter is that the question of high prices for wheat next fall is
purely speculative. The reasons and the probabilities of low
prices are just as strong as those making for high prices.

Book for Teachers

If class teachers wish a book with helpful thoughts and new-

ideas on how Problems of Boyhood, by Frank
to teach bovs, the
548 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Winslow Johnson, of the University of Chicago, is such a one. It
points out a different way from the ordinary methods of in-
struction. It recognizes that that which is of timely inter-
est to boys appeals to their natures, and then permits them by
choice in class exercises to take sides and stoutly defend their po-
sitions. system of teaching by problems which may easily,
It is a
and we believe with much benefit, be adapted to the Y. M.M.I. A.
At any rate it is a book which every teacher of boys will find full
of helpful suggestions, in its course of twenty-two lessons,
on the teaching of ethics to boys of high school age. It is, besides,
full of material according with the spirit of the teachings and life
of Jesus, and when used in the spirit of the Great Teacher, as can
most easily be done in the Y.M.M.I.A., it will be found very ef-
fective. Printed by the University Press, Chicago.

Enrollment in the Auxiliary Organizations

The Presiding Bishop's Office has prepared a schedule of the

average per cent of enrollment in the auxiliary organizations of
the Church in the sixty-six stakes of Zion. The total average per
cent of each organization, according to this schedule, follows
Relief Society, 9.2; Sunday School, 44; Y. M. M. I. A., 8.8;
Y. L. M. I. A., 8.5 Primary Associations, 17; Religion Class. 12.4.
;

Messages from the Missions

Elder A. Hulme Nebeker, Blackburn, England, January 20, 1915,

writes: "We met on New Year's day in monthly priesthood meeting
to be strengthened by fellowship with each other. Short, though im-
pressive toasts were given: 'Departed Brothers,' 'The Folks at Home,'
'Our Future,' and 'Our Fraternity.' Though of different tempera-
ments and capabilities the gospel power absolves these artificial di-
visions and causes us to work together in love and harmony for the
spreading of the truth. Our number is gradually being diminished by
releases, and no more elders are at present being sent into the war
zone; but we hope to keep on the armor of Christ, as long as one man
remains in the field."

Walter E. Dye, Philadelphia, Pa., February 2: "At our conference

on January 24, there were sixteen elders and lady missionaries of the
East Pennsylvania conference in attendance. President Walter P.
Monson delivered three very interesting discourses, and the elders and
lady missionaries bore strong testimonies to the truthfulness of the
gospel, as revealed by the Prophet Toseph Smith, all of which was
much enjoyed by our visiting friends and investigators, as well as by
the many assembled Saints. We held a Priesthood meeting on Mon-
 EDITORS' TABLE 549

day, at which the missionaries reported their labors for the past seven
months. The reports generally showed that the work in this mission
was on a firmer basis than ever before in the past few years."

Elders and Lady Missionaries of the East Pennsylvania Confer-

ence, Jan. 25, 1915: Back row, left to right: Paul B. Talmage, Globe,
Arizona; Benj. H. Knudsen, Provo, Utah; Grover N. Arrington, Twin
Falls, Idaho; J. Lester Ogden, Richfield, Quimby Roundy, Alton, Utah;
Woodruff Stucki, Paris, Idaho; Leslie Tidwell, Smithfield, Edmund
Sperry, Salt Lake City, Utah. Second row: Leonard Madsen, Provo,
Hyrum W. Stevens, Mt. Carmel, Utah; Ruth N. Savage, Woodruff,
Arizona; Walter E. Dye (conference president), Firth, Ida; Walter P.
Monson (mission president), F. D. Fielding (president Maryland con-
ference) Mancos, Colorado; Minnie Poulson. Richfield, Utah.
Front
row: James W. Nixon, Huntington, Samuel Hadley, Jr., Ogden, Utah;
Lorenzo H. Hatch, Franklin, Idaho.

W. M. Wooldridge, secretary and treasurer of the Milk River Im-

provement Co., Chinook, Montana, having requested some literature
relating to the Y. M.M.I. A. .writes, in acknowledgment d' the same, say-
well
ing: "I am most agreeably surprised at the extent and scope, as
as the character of your Y.M.M.I.A. work. It is simply grand,
and it
is a pity that something similar has not been
followed by other great
denominations. There is certainly a most urgent field for it all along
the line. * * * Personally, the writer believes that the
Latter-day
I am
Saints are doing a great work in the Lord's vineyard; in fact,
compelled to say, after a most close study, and, frankly, at times
in-
with it in its
clined to criticize— that I know of nothing comparable
practical application of the teachings of our Lord
and Savior Jesus
Christ."
550 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Elders of the Virginia Conference. Top row left to right: E. L.

Hatch, Randolph, G. T. Furner, Mammoth, B. A. Montague, Salem,
Elmer Stoddard, Richmond, Henry Child, Salt Lake City, Alma Pace,
Park City, Utah. Second row: E. L. Hunter, Lewisville, Idaho; Jos.
C. Norton, Fairview, Ariz.; Geo. S. Weekes, Archer, Idaho; R. W.
Miles, St. George, Dell Shumway, Clarkston, Utah. Third row:
F. J. Bowcutt, Collinston, S. H. Butterfield, Riverton, Utah; J. H.
Slade, Egar, Arizona; A. F. Wiggill, Kimball, Alta, Canada. Bot-
tom row: Ira J. Taylor, Rigby, M. W. Cranney, Island, Idaho; W.
T. Owens, Jr., Conference President, Panguitch, Utah; L. C. Owens,
Snowflake, Arizona.

President Theodore Tobiason of the Swedish mission, writes:

"When the war broke out, we expected it would only last a month
first
or two, but it now appears that it has not much more than begun,
after being in full blast for nearly four months, and when it will end
only our Father in heaven knows. It appears to me that the nations
are only reaping what thney have sown for many hundreds of years.
Our fall conferences have been held, and were a success, and we now
—
have only from two to three elders in each conference, only fifteen
elders in all from Zion being in this mission. We have besides three
local missionaries and two local lady missionaries. We are trying to
do what we can to keep the work going, but cannot accomplish much
among strangers, as it requires most of our time to attend to the
Saints and our friends. This requires me to travel much more than
heretofore, as I have to be out in the various districts to hold meet-
ings with the Saints to encourage and comfort them. We regret that
it was deemed advisable to call our missionaries home. We were
meeting many good people who received us very kindly, after our
recent victory over Pastor Aslev, in the Swedish Parliament. We
have been successful in distributing hundreds of Books of Mormon
and baptizing quite a number of people. Little did we think that
the war storm which blew up so suddenly would cause such great
changes throughout the nations, or that it would cause such a change
in our work. The withdrawal of the elders caused sorrow, not only
among the Saints but also among the elders. Eight days after re-
ceiving the telegram of release, thirty-seven of our elders sailed from
 EDITORS' TABLE 551

Copenhagen bound for Liverpool on their way to America,

leaving us
as I have said, with only fifteen ciders in the whole mission."

•
I
E1
f
C1
if„ls 'f G Clark left Oakley, Idaho; Wilford B. Murray,
TI ;
S
' '

llle tah report from Amsterdam, Holland, January

inTc
iyii>:
'
\S! X V'

We have been the only two 'Mormon' elders working

'
21
in the
Amsterdam conference of the Netherlands Mission, since the majority
of our elders left Holland to continue their labors in other parts of the
world, owing to conditions ex-
isting in Europe. are thank- We
ful to- the Lord for the great
privilege of remaining at our
posts during these critical times,
when God's judgments are be-
ing poured out upon his chil-
dren. We
have learned to love
the Dutch people and to appre-
ciate the privilege of laboring
among them as representatives
of the true Church of Christ.
Our one desire is to be a joy and
a blesisng unto them. Local
brethren have been called to preside over most of the branches, and
they have all proved energetic. They are doing a splendid work. Not-
withstanding the conditions here, which are not very encouraging, ow-
ing to the absence of most of the elders, which causes a great decrease
in the work being done among strangers, the work of the Lord is pros-
pering in Holland. We
pray that the year 1915 may be a banner year
for the work of the Lord."

J. V. Nelson, Apai, Samoa, December 25: "We certainly enjoy

reading the Era, and wish you continued success. The Lord's work
is growing on Samoa, though we are very few in numbers upon this
island (Savaii). We are all happy and rejoice in our labors. The Era
is a factor for good among the white population here, and we all ap-
preciate it very much, and thank you very much in behalf of the Savaii
Conference."
Elder Geo. G. Howarth, Edinburgh,
Scotland, February 16: "The work in
the Edinburgh branch of the Scottish
mission, especially as regards the con-
versing with and having the privilege
of explaining the truths to the people
is improving. The war which has en-
thralled the majority of European na-
tions has caused many people to think
of their future state, and we are given
many opportunities to present the
gospel where it would seem otherwise
difficult if not practically impossible.
We hope that many will take cogni-
zance of the warning, and seek to
serve the Lord more fullv. Elders,
left to right, standing: J. W. Savage,
Hyrum; George G. Howarth, Nephi;
sitting. J. K. Cannon Logan. Utah;
A. J. Barker, Knight, Wyoming."
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

THE POINT OF CONTACT
When you have read this introduction, pause a few moments and
ask yourself, "What is the relation that exists between me as teacher
and each of the members of the quorum that I instruct as learners?"
The meeting of that particular attitude that I take towards John, and
the attitude he takes towards me is the point of contact between us.
Is that relation such as to favor growth and advancement in the
gospel? Does the relation of learner and teacher exist mutually be-
tween us? If it does, then the quorum is in the way of progress.
If not, in what particular thing is there friction? Is the fault in
me, the teacher, or is it in the pupil? It may be in both.
How can we come nearer that relation where the deacon is an
interested learner, and the instructor an interested teacher? How can
we improve the point of contact? A worker with deacons said con-
cerning a boy who had given a number of instructors trouble, "One
day I was painting my house, when the boy in mind came up. I
remembered, because of the very difficulties that had arisen between
us, that he was interested in painting. I asked for his opinion on
something. He said, 'My father is a painter, and says so and so.'
Our conversation continued for some little time. But the point of
interest to me was that from that little conversation about one of his
interests, our point of contact changed, and he became a different pupil
in the quorum I instructed."
There are frequently unruly boys in the quorum, but the fact
that they are there is evidence that they have interest to some extent,
or that they obey their parents. With unruly boys, the point of
contact is naturally less favorable. Now, what course shall be pur-
sued with them? Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-45 describes the
course very clearly. Although .you may have read it many times
before, study it again. In the light of that passage, study from the
point of view of teacher and learner the' course our Savior pursued
with Peter, as shown in the following passages: Matt. 16:15-28. Note
first, the commendation; Second, the severe rebuke; Third, the clari-
fying of Peter's mind concerning saving and losing life. Also Matt.
26:31-35, 57-75; John 21:15-23.
Lesson 13
(Text The Latter-day Prophet, Chapter 12)
Problem. What officer in our Church has the authority to com-
mand the Church in the name of the Lord? Why is it this one par-
ticular officer?
Study the chapter as formerly recommended.
How had Joseph Smith learned to distinguish revelations given
by Satan, from, those given by the Lord? What men had been
influenced "by Satan? What order does the Lord employ in giving
revelations for his Church? Why is this necessary? Of what is this
way of giving revelations an evidence? Answer the problem of
the lesson.
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 553

Lesson 14

(Chapter XIII)

Problem: Where is the New Jerusalem of the Latter-day Saints

to be built?
Study the chapter. Have a map of the United States. Locate
Sharon, Vt. (2) Manchester, N. Y. (3) Harmony, Penn. (4) Fayette,
N. Y. (5) Kirtland, Ohio (6) Independence, Mo. How many miles
apart are the Prophet's birth place and Independence? Tell the
principal events in the life of the Prophet which took place at each
of the above places. How was Kirtland selected as a gathering place
for tlie Saints? Why were there a number of elders at Independence,
Mo., by Aug. 2, 1831? How did the Prophet know where the spot
was on which the Temple was to be built? (See Doc. & Cov., 57.)
Do the Latter-day Saints own any part of this promised land? How
do you feel about the promise of the Lord concerning Zion?

Lesson 15

(Chapter XIV)
Problems: What did William E. McLellan's failure to write a
revelation prove concerning Joseph Smith? What trait of character
did Joseph Smith show in preaching on Sunday in the same village
where he was tarred and feathered the night before?
Study the chapter.
Compare the feeling that William E. McLellan had concern-
ing his wisdom, with the feeling of Peter (Matt. 26:31-35; 71-75).
Whose wisdom did both men oppose? What was the outcome in each
case? What evidence do these instances give of the wisdom of our
Savior? Compare the courage of Joseph Smith with our Savior's
instructions. (Matt. 10:28.) How
do these instances strengthen
your faith in Joseph Smith's being helped by the Lord? (See note
below.)
Lesson 16

(Chapter XV)
See the January number of the Era, in the introduction. Con-
clude the lesson with relating all the evidences so far studied that
Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord.
Note. Every instructor of deacons should own for himself a
Bible, a Book of Mormon, a Doc. & Cov., and a Pearl of Great Price,
and should acquire the habit of looking up passages.

Suggestions for Teachers' Quorums

(Course of Study, 1915, The Life of Christ.)

Thefirst three lessons are introductory,

but their importance is
vital in the consideration of the life of Christ.
The success of the
depend largely upon the foundation that is laid in
year's work will
these lessons.
554 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Lesson 1 The Jews

Get the land of Canaan clearly fixed in the mind. Have this
mental coception as nearly correct as possible, as to location, physical
features, etc., so that any future reference to it will call up a mental
picture of the promised land.
Establish the house of Israel by making a brief chronology of
the leaders whereby the lineage of Jesus may be seen at a glance.
Make this chronology a prominent feature of class study.
Lesson 2 The J civs (Continued.)
Connect up with the early history of Israel. Note the warning
of Samuel, given by the Lord (I Samuel 8). Observe the loss of
special privileges as a result of failure to do the will of the Lord.

Lesson 3 John the Baptist

Minor details should be used as introduction; let burden of les-

son be. his ministry; his preparation and preaching.
on Show that
humility, his example, and repentance, his message, are the two
essentials that perpare one to receive Christ. Thus John prepared the
way before him and bore witness of Christ's divinity.

Rout me

I murmured once at matin old and same,

At night's unchanged compline,
At task and routine fretting as they came,
When lo! at 'plaint of mine
There came fair Springtime sunning down the land,
With lilt and starling song,
With balmy blossoms snowing from her hand,
As in Springtimes agone!

A dryad flinging vesture to the tree,

And sun-moats to the noon
To every leaf a likened palmestry
'Twas thus at yesternoon!

On fell and moor the same beatitude,

Of April's chrism'd tear,
Each copse apulse with holy interlude
The same as yesteryear!
The Autumn's rust shall stain the lily's sheen,
And necrodeall her gold,
Yet blithely through the woof of her routine
Spring plies her loom of old!

Her triumph spun in fragile monocarp,

Shall mould in sodden fen,
Yet though her forests twang a rusted harp,
She shall make new again!
MESA, ARIZONA BERTHA A. KlEINMAN.
 Mutual Work
Stake Work
The Closing Meeting — Summer Activity
As the season for Mutual work is about ended for this year, the
General Board calls your attention to the holding of a closing session,
in each of the wards in your stake, as per instructions in the January
number of the Improvement Era, page 277.
It is desired that each ward shall conclude its season's meetings
with a session at which the annual statistical and financial reports of
the ward shall be presented and approved, and a report made of
the various activities carried out in the association for the past year.
At this meeting also, the certified list of junior boys who have
passed successfully, the first and second years' courses, should be
presented, in order to give them due recognition.
The officers for the ensuing year should, as far as possible, also
be presented and voted upon by the association, so that they will be
prepared to carry on the summer's work, and be ready to take up
the regular work as soon as the convention season opens in the fall.
The annual report should be forwarded at once, after the final
meeting, to the stake secretary, and that officer should compile the
ward reports and forward the stake report to the General Secretary,
to reach him not later than May 10.
The blank stake and ward reports have been forwarded to the
stake superintendents, and we hope, promptly distributed. Follow
them up until the reports are properly made out, and in the hands
of your stake secretary.
You are requested to forward all funds collected on the general
fund account, promptly, to the General Secretary, reporting with
your remittance the amount paid by each ward.

Avoid Cash Prizes for Athletic Contests

The attention of all stake superintendents and ward presidents of

the Y. M. M. I. A., is called to this fact: the International Collegiate
Athletic rules declare that after a man has received money for athletic
contests, he must be rated as a professional, and becomes, therefore,
ineligible to play on any regular college team.
It is quite as satisfactory to give prizes in the form of a hat,
shoes,
books or a medal, or anything else except money; and such prizes
would not disqualify the recipient from work on college teams.
The reason why we call especial attention to this matter now, is
that President John A. Widtsoe, of the State
Agricultural College, has
found that in several M. I. A. athletic contests, men have
received
automatically,
small cash prizes, such as $2.50 or $5, and have, thereby,
in colleges
barred themselves from participating in athletic contests
which they have later entered. We, therefore, again warn
our officers
and young men "of this condition.
on this
Warning was given by the Board, some three years ago, appears
discouraged but it
point and cash prizes have been constantly
that in some places, the warning has not
been heeded.
556 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Reports and the Final Meetings

A supply of stake and ward report blanks for making out annual
reports have been sent to superintendents. These ward reports should
be promptly distributed and followed up with vigorous action. Sug-
gestions of the Board in the matter of holding a closing session in
each ward at which the ward annual report should be presented for
the approval of the association, have also been sent to superintendents.
(See Era, January, 1915, page 277.) If this be done, in every instance,
stake officers should be able to secure the ward reports in ample time
for the stake secretaries to compile the ward reports and have the
stake report reach this office by May 10, according to the printed in-
structions. Please leave no stone unturned, this year, to secure a
full report from all associations. If there is any neglect or delay on
the part of the ward officers, take the matter up with the bishops of
the wards.
The June Conference
The joint conference committee, as well as the separate com-
mittees of General Boards, have had several sessions devising new
and attractive features for the annual conference of the Mutual Im-
provement Associations in June. Preparations are being made for
lively times in which every moment of the three days, June II, 12, and
13, will be occupied with meetings, contests, literary, musical, and
devotional exercises. Of course, the great social on Friday, 12th,
will be one of the big things. All superintendents and presidents
should begin to lay plans to be present.

Vocations and Industries

Vocation Lectures in Ogden
The M. I. A. of the Weber County stakes combined and provided
for a free lecture course on Vocations. J. Dwight Harding, M. D.,
vocation supervisor for the Ogden stake, has favored the Era with a
program of the lecture course which is held in the Ogden Tabernacle,
the music being furnished by the Tabernacle choir, Joseph Ballantyne,
director. Dr. Harding writes that up to March 12 the lectures had
been well attended and he was certain much good is being accom-
plished. The lectures had been strong and pointed. Only one sub-
stitution had been necessary, Major R. W. Young, being unable to
appear, but other speakers were provided. Following is the original
program:
—
Feb. 21, 2 p. m. Chairman, H. H. Rolapp. "Trades," Nephi L.
Morris.
Feb. 28, 2 p. m. —
Chairman, Heber Scowcroft. "Architecture,"
Lewis T. Cannon; "Art," J. Leo Fairbanks.
March 7, 7 p. m.— Chairman, A. R. Heywood. "Medicine," Dr. G.
W. Middleton; "Law," Major R. W. Young.
—
March 14, 2 p m. Chairman, Maude Dee Porter. "Girl's Voca-
tions," Lizzie M. Hill; "Woman's Vocations," Lydia H. Tanner.
—
March 21, 2 p. m. Chairman, T. Samuel Browning. "Authorship
and Journalism," B. H. Roberts; "Teaching," Dr. G. H. Brimhall.
March 28, 2 p. m.— Chairman, Supt. J. M. Mills "Science," Dr.
F. J. Pack.
April 11, 2 p. m. —
Chairman, Dr. E. I. Rich. "Agriculture," Dr.
John A. Widtsoe.
 MUTUAL WORK 557

A Vocational Convention.

On Saturday, February 13, a vocational convention was held at

Brigham City for the Box Elder stake of Zion. The attendance, ac-
cording to a letter sent us by Superintendent Ernest P. Horsley, was
large and about as follows: At the agricultural room, 100; normal
training, 100; commerce and banking, 75; law room, 50; medicine,
surgery and nursing, 100; manual training, 20. The time devoted for
the vocational work by competent division teachers was one and a
half hours. On Sunday afternoon following, there was a special vo-
cationn meeting held, attended by 675 people, the audience being com-
posed almost entirely of Brigham City residents. The convention was
held in the Box Elder high school. The professors taking part were:
agriculture and horticulture, Walter J. Glenn and Abel S. Rich; animal
husbandry, Louis Wangsgaard; commerce and banking, Hon. J. D.
Peters; normal training, Supt. D. C. Jensen; law, Hon. W. J. Low,
county attorney; medicine and surgery, Dr. D. W. Henderson; manual
training, Prof. George C. Laney. The meetings were a source of
great instruction to those who attended. The idea of holding such a
convention is a good one, well worth favorable consideration by others.

Rules for M. I. A. Boys' Half-Acre and Garden Contests

The Boys' Half-Acre Contest, during 1914, caused the General

Board of Y. M. M. I. A. to decide to hold a similar contest^ during 1915.
The purposes are to impress our boys and young men with the value
and use of money, the worth of time and the necessity of forming
habits of industry and thrift; and also to give them experience in
intensely cultivating the soil and marketing their products.
1. The contests shall be known as the M. I. A. Boys' Half-Acre
and Garden Contests.
2. All Y. M. M. I. A. members, twelve to eighteen years of age
inclusive, are eligible to enter the contests.
3. AH who enter this contest are to fill out the entrance blank
accompanying these rules, and file same through the ward vocation
counselor or stake supervisor, with R. W. Eardley, Secretary of the
Committee on Vocations and Industries, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt
Lake City, Utah, not later than June 1, 1915.
4. Sugar beets, mangel wurzel, potatoes or garden truck, may be
grown. For sugar beets, wurzel and potatoes, one-half acre of ground
shall form the unit for this contest, and in garden truck
one-eighth
of an acre shall form the unit of the contest; but each contestant
may
enter one, two, three or four units.
but
5. Two or more young men may form a club or partnership,
there must be at least one unit of ground for each member
participat-
shall be
ing in such partnership or club. All partnerships or clubs
restricted to not more than five members each.
6 The participant or participants in the contest are to decide
for themselves what crops shall be planted
but the crops must be
sha 1 also decide
confined to the products enumerated in Rule 4. They
crops shall be culti-
the frequency and amount of irrigation, how the
shall do his own
vated and marketed, and, as far as possible, each
unable to d o. An
work, hiring only such work done as he may be
both as to time the
accurate record shall be kept of all work hired,
spends and the amount he receives for his labors.
hired person
558 IMPROVEMENT ERA
7. An accurate record shall be kept of all the expenses pertaining
to the cultivation of the ground and the marketing of the crop, and
the returns shall also be carefully and accurately recorded. The ex-
penses shall include labor, seed, fertilizer, as per report blank.
8. In estimating the cost of production the contestant shall allow
$8 rental for each half-acre of land which he uses. He is to count his
own time worth ten cents an hour; all team work and help at actual
cost, and barn-yard manure at $2 per. ton.
9. The contest shall be conducted by the Committee on Voca-
tions and Industries, affiliated with the State and National Boys' and
Girls' Clubs. It shall be under the direction of the stake supervisor,
assisted by the state and county leaders of boys' and girls' clubs. All
instructions issued by the state leader of boys' and girls' clubs are ap-
plicable to these contests, and those who enter will be furnished, upon
application, the bulletins issued by the boys' and girls' clubs which
give instructions relating to the planting and caring for the crops.
Each stake shall form a unit in the contest. At the end of the season
the report of each contestant shall be certified to by his ward vocation
counselor, or president, and bishop, and is to be sent to the stake
supervisor, who shall arrange for judges to decide the merits of the
different contestants.
10. At the conclusion of the contest in each stake, the stake
supervisor shall send to the Committee on Vocations and Industries
of the General Board the four records which shall have been adjudged
to be the first, second, third, and fourth best. From the records thus
submitted a final decision will be rendered for the work done through-
out all the stakes of the Church, recognizing, first, second, third, and
fourth best. All boys and young men entering this contest are also
eligible to compete in the county and state contests of the boys' and
girls' clubs, and are in line to win the M. I. A., the State, and the
National championships.
11. The contest shall be determined on the following points,
namely: the crop yield, marketing of the crop, record, and net results.
12. The winners of the final contest shall be given honorable
mention in the Improvement Era, and presented with a suitable token
signifying their achievement.

M. I. A. Contests, 1915
Rules Governing Finals

1. Final contests will be held at the June Conference, Salt Lake

City.
2. 11, at 2 p. m.
Preliminary try-outs will be held on Friday, June
The Music section will meet in the Assembly Hall; the Public Speak-
ing section, in the Bishop's building; the Retold Story section, in the
Fourteenth ward chapel. Grand Finals will be held in the Assembly
Hall. Saturday, June 12, at 8 p. m.
3. Only those may participate in these contests who have won in
Church District contests. The same stories, and Public speeches used
in Church District contests must be used in the Finals.
4. Winners of first and second place at the Preliminary contests
on Friday afternoon will contest in Grand Finals on Saturday evening.
5. Gold medals will be awarded to the winners in Senior and
advanced Senior events, and silver medals to the winners in Junior
events, at the Finals.
 MUTUAL WORK 559

6. The names and addresses of all contestants and events for

which they enter; also manuscript copies of Public speeches, and titles
of Retold Stories, must be forwarded to the General Secretary, Moroni
Snow, not later than May 25.
7. An official accompanist will be provided, when musical con-
testants so desire. •

8._ Competent judges will be provided by the General Boards to

adjudicate all events.
9. All contestants should read carefully the rules and regulations
published in convention folder of last fall, and in September, 1914, and
March, 1915, numbers of Era; and February and March, 1915, Journal.
—
Note. See January Era, page 274, "Helpful Hints for Boys'
Chorus."
Before this issue of the Era reaches you, many ward contests will
have been held, and you will find yourselves in the midst of this work.
Let us suggest again that ward and stake officers be as tactful and
helpful as possible. If it is your ward or stake representative who
loses, or wins, you be the first to give help where it is needed. See
that your judges are selected with the greatest of care; then, when
they render decisions, let them be final, and encourage all to abide by
the same. Let us ever keep in mind that there are no losers where
conscientious effort has been put forth.
"Your ceaseless struggles, made in sun and storm,
Will bring their blessings just because you tried.
The best that you could do, you may ne'er perform;
At topmost height, some must be thrust aside;
But our desires and struggles serve to teach
Us to rejoice, when we our best have tried." Porter.

M. I. A. CLASS IN LEADERSHIP, PROVO, UTAH

 Passing Events
The
sixty-third Congress adjourned on March 4. The session
twenty-three months. During that time appropriations were
lasted
made aggregating $2,225,000,000, which was $125,000,000 more than
the Congress before.

Mrs. Emily M. Shurtliff, wife of President Lewis W. Shurtliff, of

the Weber stake, died January 7 in Ogden. She was the president of
the Weber stake Relief Society. She was born at Swonwick, Derby-
shire, England, December 16, 1852, and married President Shurtliff in
April, 1872, having come to Utah in 1870.

The fruit crops of Utah for 1914, according to the report of State
Horticulturist J. Edward Taylor, was the heaviest crop in the history
of the state, the total commercial output being 5,001 carloads. During
the year 1913, 203,153 fruit trees of all varieties were planted; and
during the spring of 1914, 121,582 were set out; while in the past five
years 2,675,523 fruit trees of all varieties are said to have been planted
in the state.

The apple crop in the United States for 1914 was the largest ever pro-
duced in this country. The Department of Agriculture places the 1914
yield at 259,000,000 bushels, or 114,000,000 bushels more than was pro-
duced in 1913. The states leading in the production of apples were:
New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, followed by Virginia, Ken-
tucky, Ohio, Missouri, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and
Washington in their order.

Patriarch Thomas Hicken, of the Wasatch stake of Zion, died at

Heber City, Utah, March 2, 1915. He was born June 15, 1826, in Eng-
land, baptized, February 15, 1845, and came to Utah in 1851, settling
in Heber City, in 1860. He has always been a diligent Church worker
and filled many offices of an ecclesiastical and civil nature, taking part
also in military affairs and serving in the Black Hawk war.

The state collegiate debating league championship was won, Feb-

ruary 20, by the Brigham Young University. The league consisted of
the University of Utah, the Agricultural College, and the Brigham
Young University. The question was, "Resolved that a tax on land
values should be substituted for the general tax for city purposes in
American cities' of over ten thousand inhabitants." This question was
discussed in all three debates.

The Duchesne county high school building at Roosevelt was dedi-

cated on Wednesday, February 17, with appropriate exercises, prayer
being offered by President William H. Smart. The new building is of
brick and cement, three stories high, and cost $35,000. The whole
county of Duchesne was an Indian reservation ten years ag6, and white
settlers only began moving into the section some nine years ago. The
county now has twelve grade school districts.
Colonel Willard Young, formerly instructor at West Point Mili-
tary Academy, and president of the L. D. S. U. since 1906, resigned
from the latter position March 3, 1915, the resignation to be effective
 PASSING EVENTS 561

at the end of the present school year. In the meantime Prof. O P

J
Widtsoe will serve as acting president. Colonel Young was at one
time instructor in engineering at West Point, Colonel George W.
Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal, being one of those who took
instruction from him.

Frank Fuller, former secretary of Utah, died in New York, Feb-

ruary 19, in his He was appointed secretary of Utah with
88th year.
Governor John W. Dawspn, bv President Abraham Lincoln, in 1861,
and was on several occasions acting governor of Utah. While acting
governor he sent one of the first messages over the Pacific telegraph
line,and in 1872 with President George Q. Cannon and Thomas Fitch
carried a memorial to Congress asking that Utah be admitted to state-
hood. He was delegated from Utah to the National Republican con-
vention, in 1872.

Richard Kendall Thomas, former member *of the state senate, and
well-known business man and citizen of Salt Lake City, died February
23, 1915. at his home in Salt Lake City. He was born in St. Columb,
Cornwall, England, June 30, 1844, and joined the Church in 1859, serv-
ing as a missionary in his native land until 1863 when he emigrated
to America. He was married February 28, 1865, to Carrie Stockdale.
For many years he was a member of the board of education of the
Salt Lake stake and served also as" treasurer of the L. D. S. U., and
high councilor in Pioneer stake, and state senator in the Legislature.

The Utah Legislature adjourned Friday, March 12, some thirty-

four hours after the expiration of the regular time. In the upper house
268 bills were introduced and on the 15th of March, 28 of these had be-
come legal statutes by the signature of the governor. In the house
266 bills were introduced, 78 of which had reached the governor. The
public utilities bill failed of passage, and the Wootten prohibition bill,
which originated in the senate, passed the house by a vote of 40 to ?,
a few days before adjournment, and was in the hands of the governor
on the 6th, who vetoed it on the 18th. The legislature sat in the new
capitol building during the closing days of the session.

Gould B. Blakley of Salt Lake City, was confirmed by the United

States Senate, March 4, as registrar, and Heber C. Jex of Provo, as
receiver of the United States land office in Salt Lake City. E. D. R.
Thompson and Col. M. M. Kaighn, are the retiring registrar and re-
ceiver, respectively. Attorney Blakley, in Salt Lake City since 1890,
was formerly receiver of the land office at Sidney, Nebraska. Mr. Jex
was born in Spanish Fork, in 1871, and was educated at the Brigham
Young University. He has served in various capacities in Democratic
political organizations in the state. He was a well-known worker in
the Y. M. M. I. A., and has been a resident of Provo since 1907 where
he has served also at different times as mayor, and city justice of the
peace. He has acted as city treasurer of Spanish Fork.

Hon. Jesse W. Crosby, Jr., died at Cowley, Wyo., February 24.

He was born in Salt Lake City, June 12, 1848, and has resided in
Wyoming for the past fifteen years. He had been a resident of south-
ern Utah where he helped to survey the city of St. George. He came
frequently in contact with Indians and was a scout and frontiersman
in every sense of the word. In 1868-9 he filled a mission to the
Southern States, later serving as a high councilor in St. George stake,
and was in 1877 chosen counselor to President James Henrie of Pan-
guitch stake which district he helped to colonize. In 1882 he was
made president of the stake which position he held until 1900 when
 562 IMPROVEMENT ERA
he moved to Big Horn, Wyoming, where he continued his leadership
in colonization and pioneer work.

Josh' a Terry, of whom the readers of the Era have heard consid-
erable in articles recently published, died at his home in Draper, Feb-
ruary 22, of old age. He was born in Canada, August 1, 1825, baptized
June 20, 1840, and was well-known in the history of the early settle-
ment of Utah. He was a patriarch at his death, in the Jordan stake
of Zion, having been ordained to that office by Elder John Henry
Smith, in 1901. Mr. Terry passed through the Missouri persecutions,
and was a well-known Indian scout and pioneer in this western coun-
try. He remained at Fort Bridger for two years and so became a
pioneer of Wyoming. He followed trading with the Indians for nine
years, and as an early day character was regarded as a remarkable
type of pioneer and mountaineer.

The Panama Paciric Exposition was opened at San Francisco Feb-

ruary 20, at noon, as the telegrams read, "under blue skies, with a
soft breeze blowing from the ocean, under the gaze of four hundred
thousand visitors." President Wilson at Washington touched a but-
ton, the great guns boomed, the fountains began to flow, the engines
in the palace of machinery began to move, the people sang, "The Star
Spangled Banner," and there "were cheers, and tears, and laughter and
exhilaration. There was no hitch in the ceremony, and the great day
was hailed by the blowing of horns in early morning, whistles, and
shouts and everything that was ever invented to make a noise. At the
opening of the exposition forty-one foreign nations, forty-three states
and three territories of the American Union participated.

James M. Forsythe, in a communication to the Era, has many

words of commendation for the Charleston ward, Wasatch stake of
Zion, which he recently visited. He speaks especially of the order of
'the sacrament meeting, Sunday school, and other organizations of the
ward, and comments upon the splendid work which the people are
doing. He refers to the organization of a dramatic club under the
guidance of Mrs. Winifred Schlandecker, of King's School of Oratory.
The young people of this club; often at a great sacrifice to themselves,
visit the various wards of the stake and give their services free, the
proceeds of the entertainment being turned over to the M. I. A. The
dramatic clubs of the various wards and stakes of Zion in the M. I. A.
organizations he thinks may take this as an example of the proper
spirit to help the organizations, and at the same time to develop
among the young people ability to carry on dramatic work.
An Indian outbreak in southern Utah, near Bluff, occurred on
February 21, caused by the effort to arrest Tse-Ne-Gat, a Piute Indian
outlaw who murdered a Mexican, about one year or more ago. The
Colorado authorities requested Marshal Nebeker of Utah, to make the
arrest, and on February 21, the Utah deputy marshals engaged in a bat-
tle near Bluff in which one white and two red men were killed. The
following day the battle was continued, and efforts made to arrest "Old
Polk," the Piute leader, and the father of the renegade who is wanted,
sometimes known as Hatch. It was finally concluded to refer the mat-
ter to govrnment officials, and Brigadier-General Hugh L. Scott, chief
of the general staff. United State's army, was sent to Bluff to endeavor
to settle the trouble with the Piutes. He left Washington on March 3
for Utah, and went directly to Bluff where, at last accounts, he was
endeavoring to meet the Indians. General Scott has a long record, not
only as an Indian fighter, but also as a mediator among the Indians.
 PASSING EVENTS 563

He speaks' their dialects and knows their habits thoroughly. On the

16th, he had failed to find the outlaws, and Indian runners had been
sent to induce their surrender.
Utah Bird Day was proclaimed for April 3, by Governor William
Spry. April 3rd is the birthday of John Burroughs, America's greatest
living naturalist. It is recommended that all school systems of the
state as well as all citizens annually set apart this day to be devoted
to exercises illustrative and commemorative of the great economic
value of bird life to the agriculturist, horticulturist, the home makers,
and to all who live within the borders of our state. The governor
recommends and urges that a prescribed portion of the exercises of
the day be expressive of the humane consideration of all animal life
which the people of Utah desire to make manifest to the world. He
calls attention to the fact that Utah has the only monument erected to
birds in the United States, and for that matter, by any country, and
calls attention to the state Audubon Societies and other organizations
calculated to conserve and protect the wild life of the state, urging
earnest support of them in their worthy undertakings. In this con-
nection the report from the Department of Agriculture, February 16,
announced that a census of the birds of the United States shows an
average of sixty pairs of English sparrows to the square mile or seven
to every hundred native birds throughout the country. The robin is
the most numerous bird, with the English sparrow a close second.
In the northeast, robins average six pairs to each farm of fifty-eight
acres, while English sparrows average five pairs per farm. According
to the department experts, the bird population is much less than it
ought to be. There was only an average of one pair of birds for each
acre of farm land in this country.

In Mexico the situation threatened to become more serious in the

early part of March. On the 8th, the United States warned Chief Car-
ranza and demanded an improvement of conditions in Mexico City,
where it was stated anarchy prevailed as well as famine. The United
States government seemed to be losing patience with General Car'ran-
za's indifference to the objectionable acts of General Obregon in Mexico
City. The cruiser "Tacoma" was ordered to Vera Cruz. On the 9th
Mexico City was evacuated by General Obregon, and the opposition
forces immediately took posession of the place. Two more United
States warships were ordered to Vera Cruz and Secretary Bryan
again warned the American citizens to leave Mexico. On the 10th,
General Carranza answered the United States, denying the responsibil-
ity of the Constitutionalists for the alarming situation to foreigners
in Mexico City, and pledging every facility in his power for the exo-
dus of Americans, which he recommends. It was also announced on
the 10th that the embargo would be raised at Progreso, and the ex-
portation of sisal hemp would be assured. The blockade was aban-
doned, on the 13th on the urgent representation of the United States.
Sisal is used extensively in making binder twine for the harvests. On
the 12th it was announced that the crisis had passed, also that the
food famine in Mexico City was relieved. However, news arrived
\

that on the entry of Zapata's troops in Mexico City, John B. McManus,

an American citizen, was shot down in his home, the door of which
was sealed with a coat-of-arms of the United States, and over which
flew the Stars and Stripes. The Brazilian minister, acting for the
United States, was authorized to insist on an early punishment of the
offenders, and to impress on General Salazar (not the bandit) the
seriousness with which the American government viewed the occur-
rence. The situation altogether was considered improved.
564 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The Great War. The note of the United States government to
Great Britain concerning the flying of neutral flags, and to Germany
inquiring what steps will be taken by the German naval commanders
to verify the identity of ships flying neutral flags in the recently pro-
claimed war zones around England and Ireland, were answered by the
two countries by a declaration satisfactory to the United States,
though neither of the countries will permit neutral countries to land
freight in the other. The vessels lost in the first week of the German
war zone operations, February 18 to 25, numbered eighteen, many of
them being torpedoed in the Channel. Among those were two Amer-
ican ships, the "Evelyn" and the "Carib." Since that time, the Ger-
mans have destroyed a large number of ships at various times and
places. The most dramatic incident, perhaps, during the month was
the endeavor of the allied fleet to force their way through the Dar-
danelles. If this is done it will be counted as one of the most re-
markable feats of the great war. The strait has been regarded as im-
pregnable ever since the first cannons were placed upon its bank in
1453, by Mohammed II. Since that time no hostile ship has succeeded
in passing the Dardanelles, except in 1807, when Admiral Duckworth,
with a British fleet, ran the gauntlet, but he was not even able to
reach Constantinople. England was a party to the treaty of London,
made in 1840, to which also Russia was a party, which treaty pro-
vided that ships of war of foreign powers should be prohibited from
entering the Dardanelles and the Bosporus. A fleet of over fifty
British and French warships were endeavoring to force the Darda-
nelles, and the Russian fleet was crossing the Black sea to the Bos-
porus. The most powerful battleships afloat are shelling the Turk-
ish forts along the narrows from the Aegian sea. Ships that carry as
high as 15-inch shells which they throw for ten miles or more away,
silenced the entrance forts, and a landing force completed the demoli-
tion of the batteries in the vicinity. Four hundred British marines
occupied Kuna Kale, or the "sand castle" on the right. It was here
that 3,000 years before, Agamemnon, and the hosts of Greece, disem-
barked to undertake the siege of Troy, the site of which is about four
miles up the Scamander river. The city of Dardanus was older than
Homer's Illium, and the Dardanelles is named from Dardanus. Doubt-
less many of the fortifications lining both the steep and rocky banks
up the Dardanelles are antiquated and useless, but quite a number are
modern and have been worked over by German engineers, and supplied
with Krupp guns. The heaviest armaments are concentrated at the
narrowest point in the Dardanelles, where the shores are only a mile
and a quarter apart. These forts contained twenty-six guns, ranging
from 14 to 8 inches, but on March 5, they were bombarded without the
possibilities of retaliation, being obsolutely helpless because the guns
were directed inward towards the narrows, while they were shelled
by the battle cruisers from behind. "The Queen Elizabeth" was able
to throw her 15-inch shells with marvelous precision at her invisible
targets. "The aeroplanes, hovering above and the British war ships in
the lower part of the Dardanelles reported the result of each shot by
wireless. The weather being good the 'Queen Elizabeth' fired twenty-
nine rounds that day 'with satisfactory results,' as the dispatch puts it.
The magazine of the strongest fort was blown up and the other two
damaged. It is said that there is no apparent reason why the other
forts on the strait may not be demolished with equal ease and safety.'
—
February 10 The British House of Commons unanimously voted
unlimited funds to the government, and adopted army estimates for
three million men.
—
Februarv 11 The Russian duma was informed that the war cost
 PASSING EVENTS 565

Russia for the first five months, from August to the end of the year,
$1,555,000,000, or $7,210,000 a day.
—
February 12 Thirty-four British aeroplanes took part in a bomb-
dropping raid on the Belgian coast towns that were used as strategical
centers by the Germans.
—
February 13 President Poincaire signs a measure authorizing an
issue of $2,000,000 national defense bonds.
February 15 — The
Rockefeller foundation states that twenty per
cent of the 7,000,000 people of Belgium are unable to pay for their
bread. The exports of war materials from the United States for the
last four months of 1914 amounted to nearly $50,000,000, more than
four times the figures for the same period of the previous year.
February 16— Great Britain seizes the "Wilhelmina," an American
ship destined for German ports, with wheat for civilian consumption.
Forty French and British aeroplanes carry out the second bomb-
dropping attack on the German positions along the Belgian coast.
—
February 17 Great Britain replies to the American protest against
undue interference with American shipping, claiming a desire and an
effort to be as lenient as possible with neutral shipping.
—
February 21 Two thousand shells were blown into the Darda-
nelles forts by the Anglo-French fleet. The British steamship "Cam-
bank" was torpedoed near Liverpool.
—
February 22 The American cotton ship "Evelyn" was sunk by a
mine off Barkum island.
—
February 24 Przansysz, Poland, and ten thousand prisoners were
taken by the Germans. The American cotton ship "Carib" was sunk
in German waters.
—
February 25 The Turks were repulsed in Carcasus and withdrew
entirely from the Sinai peninsula.
—
February 26 The forts at the entrance to the Dardanelles were
demolished.
February 27 — A
French cruiser captures the American "Dacia,"
laden with cotton for Rotterdam.
—
February 28- Przansysz is retaken by the Russians, who take 4,000
Austrians in the Galician battle.
—
March 1 Premier Asquith announces the British intention to
shut off all commerce with Germany. The bombardment of the Dar-
danelles continues.
—
March 3 The British attack the Turks in Tigris valley. Germany
declares she will agree to the American proposition for free neutral
commerce, if England will permit food shipments to Germany.
—
March 4 The Russian fleet sails to the Bosporus.
—
March 5 The British fleet bombards Smyrna forts. "Queen Eliza-
zeth," the greatest superdreadnought on the ocean, finished since the
war, began shelling the Dardanelles forts from Gallipoli. The allied
army of one hundred thousand land on the peninsula.
March 6—Venizelos, the Greek oremier, resigns because the king
will not approve of his war policy, which is understood to be in favor
of the Allies.
March 7 —A revolutionary riot in Portugal.
—
March 10 The German cruiser "Prinz Eitel Freidrich" arrives
at Newport News; after her four months scour of the seas as
a com-
merce raider. She announced that she had sent to the bottom the
American ship "William P. Frye," off the coast of South America.
The captain and some of the seamen were landed.
—
March 11 President Wilson announces that a searching inquiry
will be made into the sinking of the "Frye."
 Several articles crowded out of this issue will appear in May. "Unbidden
Guests," the ERA prize story for February, will also be printed in May. It is
a gripping story for young married people. "The Test," a boys' story, for
.May, by R. S. Bean, a student of the High School, Brigham Young University,
will find favor with all who love horses. It draws upon a young teamster's
own native feeling for color and emphasis. You will sympathize with him, and
witli his horses. All are sorely tried, hut without having their spirits broken.
The Era contemplates issuing an all-story number perhaps in August. In
the meantime, read the more serious articles as well. You will like them.
—

Improvement Era, April, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.

Joseph F. Smith, )
Traitors
Heber J. Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, )
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Easter Henry O'Neil. . Frontispiece
. . . .

Easter. A Poem Alfred Lambourne 471

The Sin of Blasphemy J. W. Booth 473
Prayer and Worship Louis L. Allen 480
The Ship of Zion. A Poem Alfred Osmond 481
McClosky and the Cable. Prize Story Josephine Spencer 484
"Thou Shalt Worship the Lord Thy God". A
Poem George H. Brimhall 492
Beautiful Madeira. Illustrated Frank J. Hewlett 493
Growth. A Poem Grace Ingles Frost 499
Anthon L. Skanchy— XI-XIII Dr. John A. Widtsoe 500
Marriage John A. Olsen 507
The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre. Illustrated Hcrace G. Whitney 509
A Junior Sub. A Story John Henry Evans 517
Lines on the Death of a Young Mother in
Israel. A Poem Sarah E. H. Pearson 524
Told About Alfred Lambourne Edward H. Andersen 526
The King of the Kodak Brigade. A Poem H. R. Merrill 528
Canada at War.
Illustrated Frank C. Steele 529
Origin of the Brown South Pacific Islander — II
Illustrated John Q. Adams 534
An Easter Sonnet O. F. Ursenbach 540
General Von Hindenburg and Grand Duke
Nicholas Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 541
Editor's Table —
Let the Guilty Beware Priest- —
hood Quorums and Other
—
Statistics —The
—
"Era" Story Contest Wheat Prices
—
Book for Teachers Enrollment of the
Auxiliary Organizations 544
Messages from the Missions 548
Priesthood Quorums' Table Suggestive Out- —
lines for the Deacons —
Suggestions for the
Teachers 552
—
Mutual Work Stake Work Vocations and —
—
Industries M. I. A. Boys' Half-Acre and
Garden Contests— M. I. A. Contests, 1915 555
Passing Events 560
 Boy Scout Hand Books
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and learned to box. Send postal for our free
Catalog illustrating Boxing Gloves and everything
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A bird in the hand is worth Utah Made

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Don't get lost in the bush
chasing uncertainties; take the real thing.

Tor full information address the publishers

The Phonographic Institute Company,

CINCINNATI, OHIO.
Benn Pitman, Founder.
Jerome B. Howard, President.

WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PLEASE MENTION THE, \^PRQVUUEVT ERA

 SPECIAL CONFERENCE-TIME --Player Piano Offer
During conference time ten $600 player-pianos will be offered at $415.
A small cash payment brings you the instrument, freight prepaid, with 25
rolls of music and a fine bench. You can pay the balance quarterly, half-
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It is a big money-saving opportunity.

If you are not coming in to Conference ' ** rAf,t ' Wf> i860
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OFFICERS
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W. ». MOCORN1CK,
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• icy a Trias.
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8. 6. WRIGHT, DIRECTORY
a»«t. «bn-l Man.
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 v\/U^/(jL^s-L*&. C*^ W^-i^-n^X A

Hi

ETYA

Vol. XVUI MAY, 1915 No. 7

ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, THE YOUNO MEN'S MUTUAL

MPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONSAND THE SCHOOLS OF THK CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
PWBU9MKB MQKTMLY BY TUB BKHMHML BOAMB AT BAIT UUCB BtTY, ¥TAB
 ENGRAVING ClOl

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BEFORE THE SMOKE BOTH PHONES Sll
CLEARS AWAY
Da your fire-stricken shop, factory,
office or store, you can resume bud-
Jos. Wm. Taylor
neee If Insured with us. Mo long
unnecessary delays In adjusting, bo
Utah's Leading Undertaker
haggling orer terms; but prompt pay- and Licensed Embalmer.
ment of losses every time. Ifc's to our
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Hilar J. Grant Go. Vgs. & 11, 28 aad 25 South West Temple
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
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20-26 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah

The Panama — California Exposition

^AM
O/AlN niHT,n
UlnUVJ Opens January 1,
closes Dec. 31, 1915.
Los Angeles
The Panama-Pacific International Ex-
position
Opens February
SAN FRANCISCO
20, closes December 4, 1915
Round trip ID
^^
There willbe excursion rates in Salt Lake City FranciSCO
effect throughout the year via
Tickets on Sale DAILY
Three Months Limit
—
Stop-overs Diverse Routes

THREE DAILY FAST TRAINS

8:45 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 11:50 p.m.
The first excursion date from
Utah points will be Ask for Exposition Booklets
Ticket Office 10 East 3rd So.
JANUARY 30, 1915 Phones W. 3501-3502
Limit, March 15, 1915
$4.00 Roun.1 Trip
Rate will be in effect via Salt
Angeles going, and returning via San Fran-
Lake and Los LOS ANGELES
cisco and Portland, or going via Portland to
and San Francisco, returning via Los An- SAN DIEGO
geles and Salt Lake, or returning in either Ocean Trip
case via San Francisco or Ogden.
On Steamers
Other Excursions will Yale and Harvard
be announced later. T. H. Manderfield,

Consult any O. S. L. Agent for rates, de-

A.G.P.A., Salt Lake
scriptive literature, etc., or write,
D. E. BURLEY, Gen'l Passenger Agent, Visit Both Expositions
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 —

Work
A Song of Triumph

"Work!
Thank God for the might of it,
The ardor, the urge, the delight of it

Work that springs from the heart's desire.

Setting the soul and the brain on lire.
Oh, what is so good as the heat of it,
And what is so glad as the beat of it,
And what is so kind as the stern command
Challenging brain and heart and hand?

"Work!
Thank God for the pride of it,

For the beautiful conquering tide of it,

Sweeping the life in its furious flood,
Thrilling the arteries, cleansing the blood,
Mastering stupor and dull despair,
Moving the dreamer to do and dare.
Oh, what is so good as the urge of it,
And what is so glad as the surge of it,
And what is so strong as the summons deep
Rousing the torpid soul from sleep?

"Work!
Thank God for the peace of it,

For the terrible, keen, swift race of it;

Fiery steeds in full control,

Nostrils aquiver to greet the goal,
Work, the power that drives behind,
Guiding the purposes, taming the mind,
Holding the runaway wishes back,
Reining the will to one steady track,
Speeding the energies faster, faster,
Triumphing over disaster.
Oh, what is so good as the pain of it,
And what is so great as the gain of it,
And what is so kind as the cruel goad,
Forcing us on through the rugged road?

"Work!
Thank God for the swing of it,
For the clamoring, hammering ring of it.

Passion of labor daily hurled

On the mighty anvils of the world * *
Oh, what is so fierce as the flame of it,
And what is so huge as the aim of it,
Thundering on through death and doubt,
Calling the plan of the Maker out;
Work, the Titan; Work, the Friend,
Shaping the earth to a glorious end;
Drawing the swamps and blasting the hills,
Doing whatever the spirit wills.
Rending a continent apart
To answer the dream of the master heart.
Thank God for a world where none may- shirk.
Thank God for the splendor of work!"
Angela Morgan
 ROMANTIC RUINS
The old Deseret Paper Mill, on the road to Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII. MAY, 1915 No. 7.

Faith
BY NEPHI JENSEN

On the afternoon of the 25th day of November, 1914, Thanks-

giving Day, I stood beside Elder Oscar A. Kirkham, on the streets
of Preston, Idaho, and watched the students of the Oneida Stake
Academy on parade. It was Founder's Day, and the student band
was playing, and banners were waving in the autumn breeze. One
of the banners, held proudly above the heads of the marching stu-
dents, had printed across it, in bold letters, "Labor conquers every-
thing." As Brother Kirkham caught sight of this inscription, he
turned to me and remarked, "Labor does not conquer everything.
There are many things that can only be accomplished by faith."
Then with emphasis, "faith should be the big word in Church
school education."
"Faith" is and should be the "big word," not only in Church
school education, but in all Church work. When Joseph Smith
said, "Faith is the foundation of all righteousness," he uttered one
of the most profound religious truths. Faith is the mainspring of
human endeavor. It is the heart of hope, the soul of morality,
and the chief cornerstone of character. It is the moral gravity
that holds the soul in the orbit of truth. Faith is the soul's shield
and garment, woven by God's Spirit of the warp and woof of sen-
timent and truth.
Faith is mightier than reason. At the outer edge of known
fact reason halts, but faith goes boldly on and discovers new truth
that the eye has not seen nor ear heard. Faith is the only bridge
that spans the chasm between the known and the unknown. If the
inventors, explorers and discoverers had been agnostics, most of
modern history would still be unwritten. It was faith, not reason,
that marked Columbus' path across the Atlantic. It was faith, not
knowledge, that impelled Morse to experiment, and experiment,
until telegraphy became an accomplished fact. In the realm of
568 IMPROVEMENT ERA
religion, faith is manifestly the "Key to knowledge too rare." In
spite of Job's challenge,"Canst thou by searching find out God?"
men of science have gone on striving to reason their way to God,
and then, in their desperation, have exclaimed with Tyndal, "If
you present God as a poem I will believe it, but as a fact I reject
it." But Saints having faith stronger than sight, have through
prayer and devotion found God to be very near, and the faithful
unvarying "rewarder of those who diligently seek him."
Reason is sometimes destructive, faith is always constructive.
Reason is sometimes arrogant and proud faith always bows in
;

humble submission to the will of Him whose laws are just and
true.
Faith the assurance of the actuality of the unseen and un-
is

known. It knits thefuture into the present and makes spiritual

laws as real as the laws of nature.
It is through faith that the gospel becomes "the power of God
unto salvation." The gospel is more than a system of ethics de-
fining man's duty to man it not only holds before man the highest
;

conception of human destiny, but it also imparts to its devotees

the faith which becomes the power to work out that destiny.
Those who claim that religion is no better than man's philosophy,
often tell us that Confucius before Christ gave the Golden Rule
of conduct. If the contention of these critics is well founded, it
need only be said that it is Christ, not Confucius, who imparts
the spiritual power to do unto others as we would have others do
unto us. In spite of Dr. Charles Eliot's conclusion, that, "The
new religion will not teach that character is likely to be suddenly
changed," it is the common experience of the elders of the Church,
who have performed foreign missionary service, that people who
truly become converted to the gospel receive the faith that com-
pletely transforms their lives. The writer recalls a man in
Georgia, of some prominence and more than ordinary intelligence,
who, prior to his acceptance of the gospel smoked, drank, profaned
and gave way to bad temper who, when he received the faith the
;

gospel imparts, immediately abandoned all his bad habits and be-
came, and lived and died a saint.
Vital faith in the immutability of divine law and the infalli-
bility of God's promises, is the most powerful force for righteous-
ness in the world. There is no deduction of science or conclusion
of the philosopher that has so much restraining and controlling-
power on human conduct as the divine mandate, "This is the way,
walk ye in it." In spite of the positive conclusion of science that
the use of tobacco is injurious to health, we frequently see doctors
walking the streets smoking cigars and even cigarettes, while men
walking side by side with them, who cannot explain scientifically
the effect of nicotine upon muscle or nerve fiber, but who believe
iti the "Word of Wisdom," neither smoke nor chew. can How
 ;

FAITH 569

this be ? There is only one answer. Real, vital faith in the word
of God is a mightier power for right living than the wisest words
of the wisest men.
Many who doubt the divinity of Christianity, point to the
present crumbling and crashing of European civilization as proof
of the failure of the teachings of the Nazarene. But these critics
are unjust. This fearful clashing of maddened human hoards is
only a demonstration of the impotence of faithless, Godless theol-
ogy. It furnishes proof of the futility of man's efforts to establish
enduring civilization without building upon the chief cornerstone,
the fatherhood of God. Those who have gloried in this vaunted
European civilization should now humbly acknowledge that "the
inspiration of the Almighty giveth man understanding," and that
man's understanding without the "inspiration of the Almighty," is
nothing to boast about.
European civilization has not failed because Europe has been
without religion. She has had a religion which has dwindled from
the dynamic "faith once delivered to the Saints," to a mere senti-
ment, devoid of the wonder-working power of faith. The nations
of Europe have departed from the ways of peace because they have
not been held in closeness to God and truth by that faith which
was made invincible by the confirmation of miracles, which nerved
the primitive Saints to endure bonds, prisons and death for the
name of the Master. If these warring nations had soul-rooted
faith in Him who said, "My kingdom is not of this world," would
they now be making the rivers of a continent run blood in the
name of worldly pomp and power? If they doubted not the
mighty fact of Christ's mission would they have forgotten that he
was the Prince of Peace ?
Those who believe that the "torch of reason" is a better guide
than faith, refuse to "walk by faith," because they are required to
receive the word of God upon the testimony of others. A
bright
young lawyer, in conversation with the writer said, "I don't want
any priest to tell me my duty to God. One man knows as much
about religion as another." I asked my friend, "What would you
think of a farmer who, after receiving your opinion on a technical,
legal question should exclaim, T will not accept your opinion
one man knows as much about law as another?' Really, would
you not think you had earned your fee?" My friend assured me
that he thought he would have taken the money.
It is no more rational to say that "one knows as much about
religion as another," than it is to say. one man knows as much
about medicine or engineering as another. And notwithstanding
Dr. Eliot's assertion that there is a "decline of reliance upon abso-
lute authority," there is a marked increase of tendency in business,
industry, and even farming, to be guided by the conclusions of
experts. What is an expert? He is a person upon whose au-
 !

570 IMPROVEMENT ERA

thority we
accept certain statements as facts, because of his supe-
rior knowledge of an experience in the subject matter. Might
there not be spiritual experts? Who shall say that a prophet who
has spent a lifetime in devotion to God and the study of his ways
is not truly an expert upon whose authority we would be justified,

and even obligated to receive the word of God

Faithis the very life of religion through which it becomes

and God's soul-molding force in the world. But religion, dis-

is

associated with the idea of special divine providence, is a mere

sentiment. Where there are no miracles there is no faith, and
where there is no faith there is no vital soul-saving religion. The
Christ plainly taught that the manifestation of the power of God
through him, in the work he did that human ingenuity and skill
cannot do, was the very insignia of his calling and priesthood. He
made the working of miracles the very test of the divinity of his
mission. To the messenger sent to him by John the Baptist to
inquire if he was the Messiah, Jesus said, "Tell John the sick are
healed, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to
life." Why send such a message to the Baptist? So that he would
know that Jesus was the Christ, by the fact that he had power
over the issues of life and death that are beyond the might of man.
In God's great latter-day work, faith, confirmed and made
vital by new revelations of God's unvarying willingness to answer
the soul's cry for truth, with truth, has been and is the soul-im-
pelling and controlling power through which God has worked out,
and is working out, the destiny of modern Israel. "Mormonism"
was born of the undoubting faith that God will answer prayer.
From the first vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith to the last in-
stance of special divine intervention in the lives of the Latter-day
Saints, the whole history of the Saints has been the history of the
triumph of faith revivified by modern evidences of the infallibility
of the Master's promise, "Ask and ye shall receive." Some men
who behold the splendid achievements of the Latter-day Saints
exclaim, "The 'Mormons' are a great people." But those who look
deep into the history of the Saints say, in their souls, "What hath
God wrought!"
When gold was discovered in California, Mark Twain, who
was then living in New England, with others, caught the gold
fever and started for the new El Dorado. On his way, he stopped
in Salt Lake City a few days. There was one circumstance about
the Saints which wrote itself deep in the brain of the great humor-
ist.He noticed with astonishment that the Saints, although sev-
eralthousand miles nearer the gold fields, than the people of New
England, remained peacefully and contentedly at the foot of the
Wastch mountains. In his notes to Roughing It, he wrote of
this circumstance:
 ! ; : ;

FAITH 571

"Neither hunger, thirst, poverty, grief, hatred, contempt, nor perse-

cution could drive the 'Mormons' from their faith or their allegiance
and even the thirst for gold, which gleaned the flower of the youth and
strength of many nations, was not able to entice them! That was the
final test, an experiment that could survive that, was an experiment with
some substance to it somewhere."

Ah, yes, Mr. Twain, you spoke more truthfully than you
knew. It is too bad that you did not find, as others have found,
that the name of the "substance" in the "Mormon" experiment is
Truth ! It is unfortunate that you did not find, as others have
found, that the power in "Mormonism" which is stronger than the
lure of gold, is faith, sublime faith, anchored to the rock of reve-
lation, which was, is, and always will be the enduring strength of
the Church

Somewhere Today

Somewhere, today, you've a mother, my boy.

Somewhere, near by or afar
And if she is all that a mother should be,
Is she not your guiding star?

Somewhere, today, you've a mother, my boy,

Mayhaps who once taught you to pray.
When you knelt by her knee at the bedtime hour.
Your childish petitions to say.

Somewhere, today, you've a mother, my boy.

Although she be not upon earth ;

Somewhere, today, you've a mother, my boy,

Whose agony gave to you birth.

Somewhere, today, you've a mother, my boy.

Who trusts you as none others do
E'en if for bread you've given but stones,
Methinks she is pleading for you.

Then, oh! today, for that mother, my boy.

Who gave of her best unto you.
Place o'er your heart the emblem so pure,*
In honor of motherhood true.
Grate Ingles Frost.

*The white carnation.

 " ;

Unbidden Guests*
The Improvement Era Prize Story, February Contest

BY NEPHI ANDERSON

Theclock in the City Hall tower struck two in the morning

as the motor car stopped and the man and the woman alighted.
Pausing a moment to pay the driver his fee, the two walked
wearily up the stone steps to the porch. The night was still and
dark. The breeze from the north hills was chilly, and the electric
light from the street hardly penetrated the shrubbery about the
house.
"Hurry, Phil," said the woman, "I'm so tired."
"I can't find the key," he replied, as he searched his pockets.
"Where in the world —
The woman leaned languidly against the porch rail as she
watched the man vain hunt.
in his
"I haven't it," he said. "We'll have to ring up Sarah."
"You forget that this particular night Sarah is not at home."
"Then we'll have to wake father."
"No don't do that yet. You know he hasn't been well lately."
;

"Then tell me what to do." There was a pause.

"Is there no other way to get in?"
"Trust Sarah to have everything burglar proof."
—
"Well, ring the bell, then but it's a shame."
The bell within rang clearly. They waited in sibnce, for
usually it took some time for the father to reach the front door
but tonight there was no answering movement within. The button
was pressed again, yet the silence of the night reigned within as
well as without.
"Well, what is the matter?" cried the woman. We can't
camp here all night, Phil."
"I agree with you —
I'll go around to the back door."

—
"I'm shivering I'm afraid," she moaned.
"My dear, there's nothing to be afraid of. We'll get in
somehow."
The man's reassuring whistle sounded from the rear. Then
itsuddenly stopped there was a sound of
; opening doors, and a
switching on of lights then the front door
; opened.
"Come in, Mary. The back door was open," said he.

*This story won the $25 prize for February, in the Improvement Era
six-months' contest ending June, 1915.
 !

UNBIDDEN GUESTS 573

She stepped in and slowly took off her wraps. The party that
night must have been unusually debilitating; the woman was dead
tired.
"Why didn't your father answer the bell?" she asked. "Is he
in his room?"
"I'll see."
They both went quietly into a bedroom leading from the hall
to the left, but the bed was still as Sarah the girl, had left it that
day. In connection with the bedroom was the father's library
where he sat to read and write. The door was ajar, and the young
man, pushing it wide open, looked in. The father was lying heav-
ily on the table, his head resting on one hand as if he were asleep.
In the other hand was a pen, and at his elbow lay a neatly piled
number of sheets of paper.
"Father has been at his writing, until he has fallen asleep,"
said the young man. He went up to the prostrate form, and tak-
ing hold of his father's shoulder, shook him gently: "Wake up,
father, and get to bed."
But there was no response. The body was rigid. .

—
"What what is it, Phil?" whispered the young woman, as
she came up.
They looked it aside, and then
into his face, gently turned
realized the truth. For him there would be no more long waits for
his children to come home. The little, beautiful, old man lay
there, with a smile on his lips, as if he were asleep —
but he was
dead
The funeral was most fashionable, most up-to-date, and as
such, it cost a deal of money. Flowever, the dead man left plenty
of that, so, the laying away of his little body to sleep in the dust
until the resurrection day, brought no financial hardship on any
one. All his wealth passed to his only son and his wife, known
to society as "splendid entertainers." Always, Phil and Mary
had had much of the father's money, but now they had it all.
After the funeral was over and the last friends had departed
from the big house, the reality of their loss came to them more
keenly than ever. During the seven years of their married life,
these two had had one long "easy time" of it, thanks to the old
man's money but they loved him dearly, despite all their careless
;

ways, and their hearts were very tender now. One of the missions
of death, it seems, is to soften hearts that are becoming calloused.
"Phil," asked Mary one evening about a week after the
funeral, "what was that writing your father was busy with during
his last days ?"
"He kept a journal all his life, but it seems that he was writing

something special lately. I gathered up the sheets and placed

them in his desk. Shall we see what they are? — we're not going
out tonight, are we?"
 : —

574 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"No; there is the Mcjenkins card party, but Sadie said we
—
would be excused, of course and I'm glad of it."
The two went into the father's library, the apartment that he
had called his room. Mary seated herself comfortably while Phil
fetched his father's papers.
"There is a lot of writing here," he explained, "which deals
with the common events of his life but here within a few days
;

of his death, he seems to have written a story of some kind

looks like it."
And this is what Phil read
—
"Monday- Most of this which I want now to tell you, my son,
happened in what your mother and I used to call the 'Sage-brush'
period of our lives That seems a long time ago, but I remember
it as clearly as if it had been yesterday. Those were the days of
our small beginning, and although they were days of poverty and
struggle, I know now that they were years of real happiness.
"Sage-brush! yes, the whole Flat where now stands a town,
was one mass of gray sage. We
moved out the year before the
canal was completed, and we lived that first winter in a one-roomed
log granary. I cut a window in the south wall, and nailed sheet-

ing across the rafters for a ceiling and when I white-washed the
;

log walls, I gave the ceiling a coat, too. We

made it quite cosy,
your mother and I, and as we were contented with our love and
our prospects, what more could be asked?
"I worked most of the time clearing the land of sage-brush
and I tell you, the sage-brush was big and beautiful yes, I mean —
that. . The thick trunks of the brush not only indicated fertile soil,
but they made splendid fire-wood for our stove. I built quite a
comfortable shelter for our cow and span of horses out of the
thickest growth of brush I could find. Oh, yes; there was sage-
brush within and without, sage-brush greeted the eye and the nose,
and sometimes we had a taste of the leaves in our food.
"We were truly happy, mother and I. We had no company
to speak of — ournearest neighbor being a mile away. During
the long, cold evenings, your mother sat with her sewing (we had
no machine, of course), and I read. What do you suppose we
—
read? The Book of Mormon yes, and Dickens. With the snow
piling up towards the window without, what cared we, for we
lived with Alma and Moroni, and with David Copperfield and
Little Nell. Your mother was an adept at needle work and I, ;

in the pauses of the reading, was good at stuffing sage-brush into

the stove.
"Wednesday — I began my
story night before last.
little I

can't write much at a time, for I tired. In looking over

soon get
what I have written, I observe that there is considerable sage-
—
brush in it but I wouldn't have you understand that our lives
were wrapped up wholly in that. There were other good things out
 —

UNBIDDEN GUESTS 575

there on the Flat, among them, not the least, the good, hard work
in subduing the soil, and bringing a living out of it. We
slept
well, we had good appetites. Weexperienced the joy of living
as only two young people such as we were can.
"The spring following that first winter on the Flat, there came
to us our supreme joy you were born. Yes, my boy, your com-
ing had been looked for so long that we did not dare regret it,
even though our home was cramped and crude. I could have
wished for more comfort for the mother, of course, but the idea of
purposely postponing your coming never entered our minds. We
never spoke of waiting until we could afford it or until we had
enjoyed some years of care-free pleasure, or anything like that. I
suppose we were two real, old-fashioned people. But I remember
yet the morning you were born. As I went out in the early dawn,
after the doctor said all was well and the little mother was sleep-
ing, I noticed that on the yet uncleared land the grass was soft and
green between the brush. 'The gray sage stands in a bed of
green,' I mused, and that line has never left me. Everything was
lovely that morning. * * * Your mother bore her trials with
sweetest resignation and courage. God bless her sacred memory.
How you did grow that summer !
—
I can't write more tonight, as
I see is after midnight.
it I hope you are having a good time at
—
your party, but I am tired. I must close now.
—
"Thursday) Last night I felt chilly, so Sarah built me a fire
in the grate. That felt so comfortable that I fell asleep before I
could get to bed. I suppose what happened then was a dream. I

thought I was in some far-off country. I had been there before,

on some mission, it seemed, but the details were not clear. There
was, however, a wonderful sense of security and peace, and I re-
member the smell of roses. You know how I like roses. Then,
in the midst of my dream, out of the indistinctness, I heard clearly
the voice of a child. 'Grandpa,' it said, 'grandpa, I want to come
to you. Why am I not sent for, grandpa, I want to come.' I
looked about, but I could not see anyone, though I felt the pres-
ence of the child. I was dumb with amazement, I suppose, for I
said nothing. Then again I heard a soft pleading voice, T would
sit with you, grandpa, I would sleep with you, I would stay with
you day and night. I would be your company. Tell them to let
me come.' My heart burned, and I attempted to answer, but in
my efforts, I awoke.
—
"Friday* I have been thinking about my dream. * * * *

Your coming to us, Phil, thirty-five years ago, completed our hap-
piness. Your mother would name you Philip, for, said she, 'Is he
not the 'son and heir?' He is to perpetuate your name and race.'
You see, your mother descended from high-born English stock,
and she came naturally by such notions. She would have been
quite 'a lady' had she remained in England. I may not have
576 IMPROVEMENT ERA
looked at the matter in quite the same way as your mother did,
but it was a wonderful satisfaction that I had a son. I myself am

an only son, even as you have proved to be and so much depends ;

on an only son.
"When you were two years old, you had a severe illness. We
thought we should lose you then, but the Lord blessed our efforts,
and we pulled you through. The next winter we rented a com-
fortable house in town, chiefly for your sake, and then but I have —
no need to write about your childhood days that is written else- —
where in my journal. We did all that we could for you, your
mother and I. Had your mother remained with us longer, per-
haps things might have been different. I have not always been
wise with that which the Lord has intrusted to me, but my mis-
takes have been of the head, as they say. Shall I say it now not —
in anger, my son —
but my greatest disappointment has been that
I have not had grand-children to climb upon my knee but there, —
forgive —good night.
me
Sunday — 9 now.
It is :30 I felt so much better today that
I went to meeting this evening. We had a good meeting. I came
home, as usual, to a cold and empty house. Even Sarah had other
company and did not come home. I can't write any more tonight.
—
"Monday It is now afternoon, but I must begin my writing
early today, I have so much to record, and I do not feel strong.
—
The glamor of my vision for surely I have had a vision is still —
upon me. * * * Let me tell it to you. I was sitting in my
room thinking of what I had heard in meeting. The window was
open, for the evening was warm. And as I sat there in the still-
ness, there came to me the premonition that the child of the other
evening was coming to me again. I remained perfectly quiet,
praying in my heart that I might be worthy of such a visit. Pres-
ently, from the direction of the window, I heard the voice, and I
turned. There stood the prettiest, plump-cheeked, blue-eyed little
girl I had ever seen.
" 'Grandpa,' she said, softly in the sweetest of tones, 'are you
all alone?'
"I stretched out my hand to the child and answered, 'Yes, I

am alone.'
"
'You are nearly always alone, aren't you ? Well, we have
come to —
keep you company for a little while.'
" 'Thank you,' I said.
" 'Can you see me?' she asked.
" 'Yes, I can see you —
and I am glad you have come.'
" 'Wait —
there is some one else.' With that she stepped to
the window, and presently there appeared a little boy. He was
—
younger than the girl a beautiful curly-headed fellow, with big,
round, questioning eyes. He* had Mary's face. The little girl
 — ' :

UNBIDDEN GUESTS 577

took him by the hand, and together they came softly and a little
shyly to where I was sitting by the table. The girl spoke
" 'This is my brother-to-be. I think his name will be Philip,

but T don't call him that yet, for you see'

"She stopped as if she was a little confused in her ideas, not
knowing how to proceed with her explanation. They now stood
close by my chair, and I laid a hand on each head.
'
'And what is your name?' I asked the girl.
" 'I — I can't tell you that,' she hesitated. 'But I hope it will
be Alicia, for that was my grand-mama's name, wasn't it?'
" 'It was— and how do you know?'
" 'Why, I know her. —
It was she who
"The little boy pulled at her sleeve and looked strangely into
her face as if he was reminding her of something. Presently, the
little fellow, overcoming his timidity, climbed upon my knee. He
felt of my face and ran his fingers through my hair. He did not
speak, but dimples came into his cheeks when he smiled up into
my face. My whole being thrilled with delight.
" Ts there room for me?' asked the girl.
" 'Yes, indeed,' I said as I lifted her to the other knee. One
arm slipped around my neck, and she pressed her soft cheek to
mine.
'
T love you, grandpa,' she said, and the little boy also gave
an assenting pressure with his chubby fist.
"For pure joy I could not speak, sitting there with those two
children so close to me, feeling their hands, hearing them, seeing
the innocent love-light in their eyes. They nestled closely to me,
as if they trusted me implicitly. For a time they too, seemed sat-
isfied without further speech.
"Presently, a distant door seemed to open and close. In-
stantly, the children slid from my knees and were about to run
away as if they were frightened.
" 'Children,' I cried, reaching for them, 'stay, where are you
going?'
'
—
'We don't want them our papa-to-be and mama-to-be to
see us,' whispered the girl. 'We're not welcome yet, you know.'
" 'They're not coming.' I looked at the clock —
it was only

1 1 :30. 'They'll not be here for a long time. Come, stay with me.
I welcome you, and this is my room —my house,' I pleaded.
"They came back. The little girl kissed my cheek. The bov
played with my watch chain.
"'We should like to stay here always,' explained the girl,
'but we can't until we are sent for. Tell them to send for us,
grandpa.'
" 'Yes, T will, T certainly will.'
" 'Tell them not to wait until it is too late. There are children
— oh, ever so many, I have been told, who are compelled to wait,
 ' ' '

578 IMPROVEMENT ERA

and wait for their papas-to-be and their mamas-to-be until at last, —
—
some other arrangements have to be made and then, you know,
there are a lot of unhappy people.'
'" A lot?' I asked.
" 'Yes the grandpas and grandma's, and the papas-to-be and
;

—
mamas-to-be and most of all, the children. You see, we wouldn't
—
like not to have you for a grandpa, and so
"But there again the little thing seemed to come to the end
of her reasoning. She looked a little bewildered at the train of
thought which had been started in her little brain. All this time
the boy had been looking around the room, until his eyes rested
on the bronze horse on the mantle. I saw what had taken his
attention, so I slipped the children from my knees, got the horse
and placed it on the floor by the boy. He patted it gleefully, and
I am sure he tried to make some horse noises. The little girl now
looked about the room as if she also wanted something to play
with but grandpa's room was woefully deficient in children's
;

playthings.
" 'Had I known you were coming,' I said to her, 'I would
have bought you a doll.'
" 'Oh !'
—
and she clapped her hands.
" 'I'll have one for your next visit; not only a doll, but a bed
for it to go to sleep in, and' a carriage to take it out in, and
—
" 'But maybe there won't be a next visit
— —
I'm afraid there
won't be, grandpa, because
" 'Because what,
" 'I don't know —mysurely there
'
little girl?'
were tears in her eyes now.
The boy saw them, and he left his plaything. Taking the
little
girl's hand, he led her towards the window.
" 'You're not going?' I exclaimed.
"The two stood still as if listening to some distant call. A
peculiar expression came into their faces which I did not under-
stand. I pleaded with them not to leave their grandpa he was —
so lonesome without them —
oh, so lonesome —
but they seemed not
to hear me, or even to be aware of my presence. Visitors from
another world they were, and of that world and only by permis- ;

sion had they been to visit me. I knew very well they could not
stay, and yet their going seemed to pull my heart from me. Had
Alicia sent them to me? Why had they not come to you, my son
Philip, and you, my daughter Mary ? Then they could have stayed.
* * * My pen drags.
" 'Little girl,' I managed to say, 'promise me to come again.
Come and on my knee again, and I shall surely give you all the
sit
playthings you want.' I started towards them as if to catch and
detain them. The little girl smiled at me as much as to say, how
foolish for an old man like me to try to catch them. She took my
 :

UNBIDDEN GUESTS 579

hand and led me back to my chair. Then, coming back again to my

plane of consciousness, as it were, she said
" 'Grandpa, if we can't come to you, maybe you can come
to us.'
" 'But you are coming, my children
—you arelongcoming!'
" 'Oh, yes, in time of course but — — it is so wait to — and
we want to be with you and so, we'll come for you, maybe.'
;

"Then the little boy beckoned for his sister, and she let go my
hand and joined him. She smiled at me all the time, and the boy's
dimpled face was the last I saw, like a dissolving picture. Then
they were gone. I thought I heard them in the distance as if they
were shouting farewells to me, but I suppose that was only in
my imagination. * * *
"The room is quiet, and I am alone in it. I am so tired now.
—
"Wednesday Last night she, the little girl she said she — —
r*r^i"y*i (*
—
would come for me O, little sweetheart, there you are yes, I'll
** '<* "r H*
— —
**» *r*
i

Phil stopped his reading, for that was the end of the writing,
and the last few sentences were hardly discernible. He laid the
last sheet carefully on the pile of manuscript, and looked at the
pale face of his wife. For a time there was silence. The man
noticed the bronze horse on the mantle, and half expected to see
dolls and dolls' clothing strewed about the floor. Then he arose
and shook himself as if to get out from under a burden. He paced
the floor, then dropped with a moan back into his chair.
The wife came to him. "Phil," she breathed, "Phil !"
"Yes, Mary, come here."
She sank into his arms.
—what have we done?" he asked.
"What
"Nothing, hope," she I "but faltered, what we can — with
God's help — make right."
"Oh, T hope so, Mary, I hope so."

The Money Grubber

Like bird of the air, flying hither and yon,
Hurries he, scurries he, till life is gone;
And when comes the end, pray what has he done?
Never yet learned how to live.

For the smile of a god, now cold, now benign,

He sees through the years and in every clime;
Knows not
if blue or if grey is the sky,
Heeds not the blossoms that at his feet lie.
And when on the brink of Death's River he stands,
Where is the touch of Love's gentle hands
To gladden the journey and help him across?
Counted with what he appraised but as loss.
Grace Ingles Frost
 The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre'
BY HORACE G. WHITNEY, DRAMATIC EDITOR "THE DESERET NEWS'

In Four Parts —Part II

It is doubtful whether in all the annals of the drama, a more

unique condition could be found than that which existed in the
"Mormon" playhouse, when T. A. Lyne arrived in Salt Lake. It
was eight years before the advent of the railroad, and the theatre
had been built entirely of timbers from the mountains, native
stone, and adobes. Yet all the appointments of the house (ex-
cept the seats, which were wooden benches) were as complete as
those in the large eastern cities. Artists like Ottinger and Mor-
ris, provided scenery for all the plays. A large wardrobe for
ancient and modern dramas was kept on hand in charge of Robert
Neslen, C. Give, Mrs. Maiben and Mrs. Bowring; a small army
of supers could be clothed in fashion historically correct at any
time. John Squires, wig maker and barber, saw that every char-
acter in the "dress" plays, was provided with suitable headgear
before he or she stepped upon the stage a captain of supers was
;

responsible for the appearance of his men whether they were

Indians, courtiers, slaves, or the army of Richard III. Harry
Horsley, the veteran street car conductor of today, won his first
spurs as super captain, and later became locally famous as the
waiter who bore the baby Maude Adams across the stage upon
a platter the fine old greenroom, then the place where the actors
;

met to receive their' partsfrom the stately stage manager and

occasional player, John T. Caine (now the dressing room of
visiting stars) contained a huge mirror, where each character sur-
veyed himself or herself just prior to venturing before the audi-
ence, and where fellow players passed judgment upon the cos-
tumes, and "makeups ;" Charlie Millard, most ingenious of prop-
erty men, could turn out anything from a throne to a mouse trap,
and manufactured all the fire works, lightnings and thunders
that any demon required, while William Derr, in charge of the
lighting, though limited to coal oil lamps, produced some illumin-
ations of which the house had no reason to feel ashamed. As for
music, there was an orchestra of twenty, and when choral effects
were desired, as in "Macbeth," the whole strength of the taber-
nacle choir could be called on. In fact, Mr. Lyne, fresh from a

*An address delivered before The Cleofan Society, Salt Lake City,
January 27, 1915.
 THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 581

chain of eastern theatres, was wont to say that nowhere outside

of the houses of the great populous cities, and in but few of them,
was there such completeness of stage appointments, scenery and
accessories as were found in Brigham Young's theatre, in the
heart of the Rockies, in 1862.

Lambourne on "The Playhouse."

Alfred Lambourne, the poet-artist, succeeded Ottinger as
scene painter of the house. In his poetic work, A Playhouse,
speaking of conditions at the Salt Lake Theatre in those early
days, Lambourne says:
"In my mind's eye, I do not see the Playhouse, as it now is,
overlooked by buildings higher than itself, but as the structure
was when its bulk entirely dominated all that was around it. How
calmly imposing it used to appear, how grandly massive it showed
hi the twilight, or when the moonlight was falling on its white
walls! T, for one, could not go from home to the Playhouse,

without passing through and inhaling the odor of the Artemesia

and the sunflower. That odor is mixed up in my mind with the
first seeing of many a great play. But how can I bring back to
your understanding those times? How suggest the indefinable
—
something that then existed out amid the semi-solitude, the iso-
lation? How am I to recall the humorous earnestness, the fine-
ness or roughness of fibre, the pathetic side, the laughing deter-
mination of religious pioneer life as associated with a theatre?
Yet such are all mixed up again, with my memories of the Play-
house.
"Swing a circle —
around the Playhouse I mean as it was in
those early days swing a circle of hundreds, of thousands of
:

miles, and how unique it was ! Men who assisted in the building
of that theatre acted upon its stage. That was the strong time
of the legitimate drama. Even the people in the isolated west
became connoisseurs. In this particular Playhouse, people would
go to performances, not to see a new play, but to see some new
actor or actress in the old parts. Each star, man or woman, as
they stepped upon the boards, was tested by the acting of those
who had gone before. 'Damon and Pythias,' 'Pizzaro,' 'Vir-
ginius,' The Duke's Motto,' The Man with the Iron Mask,'
and the like plays, not to mention those of the Bard of Avon,
were those in which the newcomers were held to the lines. How
many times, in that Playhouse, did I not see Shakespeare's mas-
terpiece? How many actors did I not see play Hamlet? Paunce-
fort, Lyne, Adams, Kean, McCullough, Davenport, Miss Evans,
—
Chaplin, Barrett, Booth that is not half.
'The greater number of actors and actresses who belonged
to the regular stock company of the Playhouse, and who support-
 ;

582 IMPROVEMENT ERA

ed the stars, had crossed the plains and mountains in ox or mule
trains, and one, I believe, in a hand-cart company. And who
were their critics? Men and women who had done the same.
There was a peculiar sympathy between those who acted upon
the stage, and those who comprised their audience. Many a man
who watched the play at night, had done the roughest of pioneer
work during the day. Perhaps he had "grubbed sage" for an
order for a theatre-ticket perhaps he had toiled in the fields,
;

irrigated an orchard, or dug on a water ditch. Perhaps he helped at

building a saw-mill, or at blazing a trail up to the mountain pines.
It may be that he had brought down a load of logs and stood
thereafter, for many hours in rain or shine, in the wood-yard op-
posite the Playhouse, until he sold that load of fire-wood, and
the pay that he received for it might have partly been used for
his theatre admission fee. There was, indeed, a strange bond ex-
isting between the stage and the auditorium. All were friends
they would meet in daily labor, they would dance together, they
might bear 'their testimony' in the same meetinghouse, or listen
to the same sermon on the coming Sunday. Every actor was a
'Brother every actress was a 'Sister.' Their salaries were partly
;'

paid in that which had been received by the Church as religious

tithes. The man who guffawed at the comedian might talk with
him on the morrow, whilst he chiseled granite on the Temple
Square.' Another who watched the tragedian might visit him dur-
ing the coming week in the capacity of a 'Teacher.' Those who
sympathized with the hero and heroine of the play, might soon
meet them in social intercourse of a 'Surprise Party,' and they
might tell how they 'Crossed the Plains' in the same 'company.'
All were one big family, Thespians and audiences, performers
and watchers. And more than this, each and every actor was
liable to be 'Called on a Mission' to Europe or to 'the States.'
Again, each and every actor was liable to become a Church official,
and each and every one of the actresses to become a worker in
the 'Relief Society.' On the morrow, perhaps, all would look with
the same emotions on the great, watchful mountains, and take a
like interest in the planting of trees and vines, or, it may be, the
setting out of a flower garden. All were alike interested in bring-
—
ing about that miracle when the desert should blossom as the
rose.
think I put it too strongly, my friend ? Not in the
"Do you
least. Certain of these facts justify me in the claim that this
Playhouse and that theatrical organization were unmatched by
any other in the world."

A Notable Decade.
Over years have passed since those days, and every one
fifty
of the five decades has been crowded with events of interest. In-
 —

THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 583

deed, the history of the Salt Lake Theatre during those five
periods is a huge part of the history of the drama and music, and
much of the social uplift of Utah for the past half century. Most
of you here present, are familiar with the record of the theatre
for the past twenty or twenty-five years. In that time it has had
visits from many of the world's notables, who have left some
brilliant pages in the history of the house, but to my mind the
most interesting period since the doors of the famous structure
were opened, was the first decade, between the '60s and early 70s,
when the community was passing
through its formative period
when the crude material assembled by
the pioneers first began to come in con-
tact with actors and actresses from
abroad, and when the foundations were
laid for the dramatic and musical cul-
ture which radiated from the players
in the Salt Lake Theatre, and formed
the basis of the taste and appreciation
so widespread throughout the state to-
day. As the fame of the "Mormon"
theatre extended, some of the fore-
most artists of America turned their
steps in this direction and tarried for
long periods. The first, as already

SELDEN IRWIN narrated, was T. A. Lyne, who came

One of the earliest foreign stars at the age of 56, remained several
to visit Salt Lake.
years, departed on several starring
tours, but came back from time to time, finally settling here, and
dying at an advanced age.

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin

Next came Mr. and Mrs. Selden Irwin, in 1863. The plays
they produced were generally along the lines of comedy and ro-
—
mance a relief from the somewhat ponderous tragedies presented
by Lyne. In his speech before the curtain, Christmas, 1862, John
T. Caine impressed upon the audience that the players were not
professionals, simply amateurs, but after Irwin's engagement, it
was generally voted that most of the leading players, were entitled
to a place in professional ranks. The advance of John T. Caine
and David McKenzie was especially noticeable. The Irwins re-
mained in Salt Lake about six months, closing at the April con-
ference, in 1864, and returning two years later. The friendship
between the Clawsons and Irwins was so pronounced that one of
IT. B. Clawson's sons was named Selden Irwin, after the actor, and

voting Mr. Clawson, to perpetuate the old bonds of friendship,

 : —

584 IMPROVEMENT ERA

named his eldest son Irwin. Mrs. Selden I. Clawson is one of the
prominent members of your association.

The Scholarly Pauncefort.

In the middle of 1864, came an artist who probably exerted
the strongest influence for refinement in art and modern methods
of any other artist of those days
George Pauncefort, a scholarly and
polished actor, who had acquired con-
siderable fame on the London stage.
He was the original Armand Duval,
in when Matilda Heron
"Camille,"
produced that play in New York.
first
He came from Denver to Salt Lake
by stage, accompanied by a co-star,
Mrs. Florence Bell. His opening bill
July 20, 1864, was ''The Romance
of a Poor Young Man," which caused
a sensation. Under his direction, David
McKenzie made a strong, success in
the part of the old doctor, and six-
teen years later, when the Home Dra-
matic Club was casting about for a
play in which to make its bow to the
public, Mr. McKenzie suggested "The
Romance of a Poor Young Man," and
he coached Bishop Whitney in his orig-
inal role.
Lyne and Pauncefort played a num-
GEORGE PAUNCEFORT ber of memorable performances to-
The scholarly actor, who exer
gether. It was during Pauncefort's
cised a great influence on stay that "Hamlet" and "Macbeth"
Salt Lake's pioneer players were first produced at the Salt Lake
theatre, stellar attractions which our
mothers and fathers rewarded with some tremendous audiences.
The first performance of "Hamlet" was justly deemed so im-
portant an event, that the News featured the cast. The date was
August 10, 1864, and the players were as follows

Hamlet Mr. Pauncefort

King John Lindsay
Polonius David McKenzie
Laertes John T. Caine
Horatio Joseph Simmons
Marcellus H. K. Whitney
Francisco E.G. Woolley
First Actor George Teasdale
 : : :

the salt lake theatre 585

Ophelia Mrs. Florence Bell

Queen Mrs. Gibson
Player Queen Sara Alexander

Margetts and Dunbar appeared in their inimitable roles of

the two grave diggers, and John R. Clawson and Henry Maiben
had lesser parts.
The old green room of the Salt Lake Theatre is hoary with
legends and anecdotes of the old days. One of them which has
come down through a generation of stage hands, pertains to
George Pauncefort. In the production of "Macbeth" given under
his direction, it was featured by bringing in one hundred voices
from the Tabernacle choir to do proper justice to the Witches'
Chorus. A
weird and fantastic group they made in their dis-
guises, and the fine old strains of Locke's music had a ringing-
rendition.
The leader of the orchestra had been rehearsing his chorus
and musicians in a separate hall, and the night before the produc-
tion, they all came together for a dress rehearsal on the stage.
The leader invited Mr. Pauncefort to sit in front of the house, while
the witches scene was on, asking him to observe the effect, giving
special attention to the echoes, a quartet of witches stationed far
off in the flies, who echoed the strains of the chorus on the stage.
The leader said his "echo quartet" had just arrived from Eng-
land, and were said to have fine voices. Mr. Pauncefort seated
himself, and the work began. The great chorus sang the music
and came to the strains
"To the Echo, to the Echo."
Back from the flies came the faint but distinct call
"To the Hecho, to the Hecho."
"The chorus proceeded
"To the Echo of a Hollow Hill," and the faithful echo re-
sponded :

the Hecho of an 'Ollow Til."

"To
History does not record the denoument, but it is likely that
Mr. Pauncefort suggested an echo quartet selected from the
American section of the weird sisters.
Pauncefort settled in Japan and died there a few years ago, at
an advanced age.

Julia Dean Haync.

Following Pauncefort came the most brilliant star that ever

illuminated the western theatrical horizon, Julia Dean Hayne, who
played in 1865 and 1866. She was an actress who in her youth
had been the sweetheart of Joe Jefferson, and in his famous
Memoirs, he says he preferred her Juliet to that of Mary An-
586 IMPROVKMKNT 1£RA

derson. She came with a traveling company, headed by George

B. Waldron, another eminent actor, who died years ago, but
whose son has lately made a success in New York in the role of
Daddy Longlegs, recently played here by Henry Miller. Julia
Dean Hayne was fairly worshiped in Salt Lake, and the members
of the Deseret Dramatic Association, male and female, looked
upon playing with her as a privilege and a liberal education. Her
leading parts were Camille, Lady Macbeth, Leah the Forsaken,
Parthenia in "Ingomar," Julia in "The Hunchback," Lucretia
Borgia, Medea, Marco in "The Marble Heart," Lady Teazle, Peg
Woffington, and Pauline in "The Lady of Lyons." E. L. Sloan,
editor of the Salt Lake Herald, wrote an Indian play for her,

THREE PICTURES OF JULIA DEAN HAYNE

On the left,from photograph presented by her to the late Phil Margetts; center, a
youthful picture in the possession of William Naylor; right, from a
picture presented by Mrs. Hayne to President Brigham Young.

called W. Tullidge, the historian, wrote a

"Osceola," and E.
drama "Eleanor DeVere." As a sort of diversion, she
entitled
produced "Aladdin, or The Wonderful Lamp," and "The Forty
Thieves," all the music for which was composed by Prof. George
Careless, then leader of the orchestra.
It might be a matter of astonishment to us that Mrs. Hayne,
then at the height of her fame, should have tarried in Salt Lake
ten months, did we not know that it was here that she met the
gentleman who became her second husband, James G. Cooper,
then secretary of the Territory. They were married and went
east, where, two years later, the great actress died, and was buried
in Port Jervis, New York her grave was unmarked until lately,
;

when her niece, Julia Dean, a Salt Lake girl, and today a prom-
inent actress, had her resting place sought out, and erected over it
a handsome headstone.
 :

THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 587

Many here will remember that President Young, who was

one of the great actress' friends, had a huge sleigh built, and
named it "The Julia Dean ;"
for many years drawn by six
horses, and with sleighing parties, it was one of the sights
filled
on the streets of our city. It is worth noting that Miss A. A.
Adams, made her first appearance on the stage of the Salt Lake
Theatre, the same day that Julia Dean Hayne arrived in the city,
July 25, 1865, and her frequent appearances with that great ac-
tress did much to shape her after career.

Mrs. Hayne 's Farewell

The last appearance in Salt Lake of Julia Dean Hayne was

a memorable event. It took place July 4, 1866, and the play was
"The Pope of Rome." The house was packed, and President
Brigham Young occupied a prominent place in the audience when
the fair actress, being called before the curtain, made the follow.-
ing graceful speech
"Ladies and Gentlemen: It is but seldom I lose the artist in
the woman or permit a personal feeling to mingle with my public
duties yet, perhaps, in now taking leave, I may be pardoned if
;

I essay to speak of obligations which are lasting. If, during my

lengthened stay within your midst, some trials have beset my
path, many kindnesses have cheered the way, the shafts of malice
have fallen powerless, and the evil words of falser hearts have
wasted as the air. And perhaps in teaching me how sweet the
gratitude I owe these friends, I should almost thank the ma-
lignancy which called their kindness forth. For such, believe me,
memory holds a sacred chamber where no meaner emotion can
intrude.
"To President Young, for very many courtesies to a stranger,
alone and unprotected, I return these thanks which are hallowed
by their earnestness and I trust he will permit me, in the name
;

of my art, to speak my high appreciation of the order and beauty

that reigns throughout this house.
"I would the same purity prevailed in every temple for the
drama's teachings. Then, indeed, the grand object would be
achieved and it would become a school

" 'To wake the soul by tender strokes of art,

To raise the genius and to mend the heart.'

"But I speak too long and pause —perhaps, before the last
farewell,
" 'A word that has been and must be,
A sound which "makes us linger,
Yet, Farewell.'
 — :

588 IMPROVEMENT ERA

It was at that time that the gifted Utah poetess, Sarah
Carmichael, whose offering's appeared regularly in the Deseret
News, inscribed the following beautiful lines to Mrs. Hayne

"jULIA DEAN HAYNE

"A form of sculptured beauty;

A deep, magnetic face,
That draws the gazer's worship
To its intense embrace;
Her beauty presses on the heart,
Yet shines above it far

"With a strange polar luster,

Exquisite woman's star
Her beauty hath a splendid stress
That words cannot explain,
Expression swoons in its caress —
Julia Dean Hayne.

A repose of motion,
still

Ananimate repose;
Expressive power of silence.
No language can disclose;
Her lip, with languid motion, turns
Each leaf in feeling's book;

"Her voice can picture all things, but

Her eloquence of look.
A warm pulse in the world's great heart,
She thrills its every vein;
And bids its tear-drops stay or start
Julia Dean Hayne."

Couldock and Other Stars

Other foreign stars who appeared in that first decade, all of

whom exercised a strong influence on the Deseret players, were
A. R. Phelps, C. W. Couldock and his daughter Eliza. Couldock
was one of the famous players of the day, and his presentation of
"The Willow Copse," the play from which "Hazel Kirke" was
produced years after, is a vivid remembrance with old time theatre-
goers. He also brought out "Rosedale," playing the role of Miles
McKenna, the gypsy, in rare fashion. Couldock and his daughter
played several engagements here, and during one, in the middle
'60s, she died, and was buried in the Mt. Olivet cemetery. Coul-
dock also appeared in Salt Lake several times in later years, one
notable engagement being with the Home Dramatic Club, in 1890,
 :

THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 589

when he revived "Hazel Kirke" to im-

mense business. He never failed to
visit the resting place of his daughter
when he passed through Salt Lake.
Couldock was long known as the
"grand old man of the stage," and his
two farewells in New York were red
letter events. In one, in 1887, Booth,
P>arrett, Fanny Davenport, Joe Jeffer-
son and Mrs. John Drew appeared. In
another, in 1895, Joe Jefferson, Nat
Goodwin, Tom Keene, W. H. Crane,
Kyrle Bellew, Henry Miller, DeWolf
Hopper, Viola Allen and Mrs. John
Drew gave a performance of "The
C. W. COULDOCK
Rivals," the receipts of which were
sufficient to guarantee him an income
The "grand old man of the
American stage," as he ap- of $1200 a year as long as he lived. He
peared in "Hazel Kirke." died in 1898, at the age of 84.
i Another of our "green room leg-
ends" illustrates the autocratic manner and irascible temper for
which Couldock was noted. He was, in fact, a veritable terror
to the stage hands when anything went wrong. W. C. Spence,
of the Church office, who filled minor roles in the Couldock clays,
is authority for the following
They were playing "The Willow Copse," and the leader of
the orchestra should have played a plaintive, melancholy air, to
mark the entrance of Couldock, who was carried in on a
stretcher. Through some mischance, the wrong cue was given,
and the leader struck up a lively jig. The old man delivered his
lines, but could be heard fuming and swearing under his breath.
The curtain had no sooner descended than he leaped to his feet,
tore down to the prompt stand, pushed aside the curtain, and
pushing his head out, shouted to the leader of the orchestra,
"Blast your eyes, Professor if I had a brick bat, I'd let
,

you have it on the head." The astonishment of the audience

and the discomfiture of the leader may well be imagined.

Davenport and Sara Alexander

Amy who gave us our first glimpse

Stone and her husband,
of such plays as "Wept
of the Wishton Wish," "Fanchon the
Cricket." and "The Pearl of Savoy," came in 1867-68. James
Stark, who brought out "Money," "Victorine," "Brutus" or "The
Fall of Tarquin," came in the same year. Mine. Scheller was an-
other popular star, and during her engagement, Salt Lake first
 :

590 IMPROVEMENT ERA

beheld "Under the Gaslight," in which Phil Margetts as Byke,
Mrs. M. G. Clawson as Judas, John C. Graham as Bermudas,
David McKenzie as Snorkey, Sara Alexander as Peachblossom,
and Johnny Matson as Peanuts, made an impression that was long
remembered. Charlotte Crampton, another noted star, who played
male parts, such as Shylock, Hamlet and Richard III, with the
same facility that she enacted Lady Macbeth and Meg Merrilies,
came in 1868. In
many respects she was
said to rival the great
Charlotte Cushman.
Anette Ince then came
in a round of trag-
edies, followed by one
of the most distin-
guished stars of the
day, E. L. Davenport,
father of the famous
Fanny Davenport. He,
Mrs. Davenport (well
known as Fanny Vin-
ing) and Miss Ince
formed a trio whom E. L. DAVENPORT AND SARA ALEXANDER
the Deseret Dramatic
Who danced the Hornpipe in "Black Eyed Susan."
players were proud E. L. Davenport was one of the foremost tragedians
of the American stage, and father of Fanny Daven-
to support. Davenport port.
essayed everything,
from Richelieu down to the role of William in "Black Eyed
Susan," and in that play the sailor's hornpipe, which he and Miss
Alexander executed together, was a delight to them and their
audience. He often complimented the little Salt Lake dancer upon
her grace. Another "green room legend" says that Sara Alex-
ander was the heroine of the following
She lived with one of President Young's families, who had
befriended her and her mother after they came to Utah from the
east, where they had been converted to the Church by the late
James Dwyer. An eastern actor who played here for some time,
wished to marry Miss Alexander. Calling on President Young he
stated his request. "Young man," the President replied, "I have
seen you attempt Richard III and Julius Caesar with fair success,
but I advise you not to aspire to Alexander."

McCullough, Heme, Lucille Western

One of the great musical events of this day came with the
engagement of Parepa Rosa who, with her husband, Carl Rosa,
gave three concerts. Then came the visit of the famous John
 THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 591

McCullough, whose list of Shakespearean roles left a record that

has seldom been equaled here. The en-
gagement ran twenty-three nights, and
George B. Waldron and Mme. Schel-
ler, lately back from Montana, lent
support. Annie Lockhart, an English
actress of rare refinement, next played
here a short time. She returned to
Salt Lake a year or two later, and
died here. Then came James A.
Heme and his Lucille West-
wife,
ern. Such plays "Green Bushes,"
as
"Flowers of the Forest," "Foul
play." and "Oliver Twist" were
their headliners. It was in the latter
play that Lucile Western indulged in a
bit of realism where she is supposed
to be killed by Bill Sykes, which was
so revolting to the audience that many MME. SCHELLER
Who gave Salt Lake its first
women fainted. President Young ad- production of "Under
the Gaslight."
vised that the piece should not be al-
lowed to be repeated. Miss Western's
farewell performance in "Arrah Na-
Pogue" was a melancholy affair, as it
is one of the few instances in the his-

tory of the Salt Lake Theatre when the

curtain had to be rung down, owing to
the indisposition of a star. The Hess
Opera Company, which gave us our
first vision of those glorious tenors,
Maas and Castle, and the baritone,
Carleton, then a young man, who
often visited us in later years at the
head of the Carleton Opera Company,
also belongs to those days.
Charles Wheatleigh in "After Dark"
and "The Lottery of Life," the How-
son Opera Company, George D. Chap-
LUCILLE WESTERN lin, who gave us our first view of "Arm-
Whose rendition of Nancy Sykes adale," and the burlesque of "The
in "Oliver Twist" was the
sensation of the decade Seven Sisters," the famous Lotta
in Salt Lake.
in "Little Nell," and "Uncle Tom's
Cabin," Joe Murphy, Neil Warner, the great tragedian,
Kate Denin, Charlotte Thompson, McKee Rankin, Kitty Blanch-
ard, Rose Evans, Daniel Bandmann, J. K. Emmett in "Fritz," The
Lingards, Edwin Adams, an actor who has been compared with
 —

592 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Booth, and a few days later Adams and John McCullough to-
gether in a wonderful round of plays Milton Nobles, then an un-
;

known young actor, in "The Marble Heart," and Mr. and Mrs.
F. M. Bates with their infant, later famed as Blanche Bates
these are some of the visiting stars, but by no means all of them,
who came and went during the first decade of the Salt Lake The-
atre, and left their impressions alike on their audiences and their
fellow players.
This brings us down to 1872, and, like the preacher, I might
say, "Here endeth the lesson," for that period was a com-
first
plete epoch in itself, unique and peculiar, and unlike any other
in the history of the famous playhouse.
(to be continued.)

Mcreland Ball Team, Blackfoot Stake M. I. A. League

Games won, 33; lost, 3.

From left right:

to Back row, H. McKnight, (manager and
catcher); J. V. Wray, (C. F.), C. Christiansen, Capt., (2nd B.),
Liljenquist (F.\ Grimmett (S. S.), R. Wray (P.), Wheeler (F.),
Bottom row, Farnsworth (F. r>.), J. Jewel (P.), Harper (R. F.),
England (L. F.), P. Wray (F), Clark (3rd B.)
 Anthon L. Skanchy
A Brief Autobiographical Sketch of the Missionary Labors
of a Valiant Soldier for Christ

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE

XIV. — THE QUIET YEARS OF HOME SERVICE

From 1889, the time of his return from his fourth mission, to
1901, when he went on his fifth mission, Bishop Skanchy remained
in Logan, Utah, in pursuit of his duties as Bishop of the Logan
Sixth Ward. Under his direction, the ward prospered the poor ;

were well cared for and a good spirit pervaded all the organiza-
;

tions of the ward.

During this period, also, the longest in his life without foreign
missionary service, Bishop Skanchy built up his material interests.
The lumber business which he had organized, flourished under his
care. Though he had sacrificed many years in spiritual service,
they were fully made up to him in a material way, during 'the
periods that he could give himself to his business interests. He
—
was always a good provider for his families, they had comfort-
able homes, and the comforts of the day. His personal gifts and
charities to people in Utah and in the old countries, have not been
recorded, but they were large. Bishop Skanchy loved the poor
and afflicted, and to their relief he gave unstintingly of his time,
means and sympathy.

XV. MY FIFTH MISSION

In 1901, I was called by Presidents Lorenzo Snow, George Q.

Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith to take charge of the Scandinavian
Mission, which then included Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
I was set apart in the Salt Lake Temple, April 2, by President
C. D. Fjeldsted, and I was especially commissioned to buy and
erect for the Church, mission houses in these three Scandinavian
countries. I presented to the First Presidency the necessity of
having C. D. Fjeldsted accompany me as he was well acquainted
with Denmark. This was permitted. We had a pleasant voyage
across the ocean.
In Copenhagen we bought the place where our mission house
is now erected. President Fjeldsted was called home again and I
remained to arrange the matter. I laid the foundation of the

Copenhagen mission house and dedicated the place together with

594 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the corner stone the 2nd of March, 1901. The house itself was
dedicated on the fourth of July, 1901.
The next mission house was built the year afterwards on the
same ground that the old mission house had stood on in Chris-
tiania. The old house had been built of poor materials and was

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, MISSION HOUSE

in a dangerous condition. We therefore took it down and sold

the material by auction. I then contracted with architects and

builders and the house was erected and finally dedicated the 24tb
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 595

of July, 1902, after a great celebration. The dedicatory prayer

was offered by President Francis M. Lyman.
When these two countries had obtained their splendid houses,
we turned our attention to Sweden. I went to Stockholm but
found great difficulties confronting me there, since the Swedish
law does not permit strangers to buy building lots. We were
obliged, therefore, to secure agents to act for us. We bought, at
last, a building lot in a very public place, in an excellent district.
There we built a large four-story building, so arranged as to
make it a worthy and most beautiful place for presenting the

INTERIOR OF THE STOCKHOLM MISSION HOUSE, LOOKING FROM

THE GALLERY

gospel. Several smaller rooms in the building can be rented out,

thus providing a small income. This mission house was dedi-
cated the second of October, 1904, President Heber J. Grant
offering the dedicatory prayer. Thus, my mission time was
lengthened out so that I could remain until this house had been
dedicated.
That I had my hands full on this mission, I suppose everyone
will understand. Mywork appeared to be satisfactory to the
Presidency of the Church, and as for myself, I trusted that I could
complete this responsible work with satisfaction to my own soul.
For the success that was achieved I will continue to give gratitude
to my Father in heaven. I owe to him all the praise and honor.
 INITIO iVI Ml N 1 1 RA

\t the
•

ted "in mission hou i

uii

v.l with .1 itonc cutter, b) the name oi Peterson,

•II and room for the elders, in .idwelling ;i

house which In- wai derickshavn, Denmark. We

also bought a house in Boruj in thecit) of ^arhus, Den .

mark, in which we constructed a baptismal »n Elder Adam t » t .

Peterson, who was on mission at that time, had great influence

.i

among tin- people "i Varhus, ;m<l won man) friends, which all
helped.
While I had ch linavian Mission, Sister Anna
I \\i it ... .tii. l Gaarden, were called on a mission
lnt sister Lina
and remained there for about four years. These two
Norway, from tin- extreme north to tin- i

.. kik'i m mission House, looking towards ran

GALLl HY

trcme south, and spared neither time nor money in order to bring
the people the gospel. The) \\>>n honor and friends every-
where for the cause of truth. They bore a great testimony to the
world, which we hope will in time bear fruit.
Brother II J. Christiansen was also called on a mission again,
at this time, and was chosen president over the conference in

Copenhagen. He was born there, acquainted with the conditions,

and had the language of Copenhagen under complete control.
He gathered many friends for the mse.
 ANTHON L. SKANCHY 597

XVI. THE LAST WORD

I do not care to write more, as most of my friends are ac-

quainted with the work that has hcen done in the mission field.
What T have done here at home has gratified me and the people
;

here know my whole life. Now I am on the sick list. I have for-
gotten to take care of myself in my desire to care for others. The
Lord be honored and praised from now to eternity and forever.
Amen. The Lord he merciful with us all and forgive our weak-
nesses and imperfections.

XVII. THE SIXTH MISSION

After Bishop Skanchy had returned from his labors as Presi-
dent of the Scandinavian mission, he entered again upon his duties
in the bishopric of the Logan Sixth Ward. He rallied the people
to his support, and he laid the cornerstone of a new ward chapel,
one of the handsomest in the Church. This house is now com-
pleted.
On January 23, 1910, after twenty-five years of service,
Bishop Skanchy was honorably released from his position as
bishop of the Logan Sixth ward. A little later he closed out such
of his business interests as required his daily active supervision.
OnJuly 11, 1910, he went again to Norway, with his wife
and younger children, to spend some time in gathering genealog-
ical information for his temple work. This may be called his
sixth mission, for he went with the authority of a missionary, and
did much good wdiile away.
True Trondhjem, he took
to his love for the city of his birth,
with him and expensive copy of Munkacsy's painting of
a large
Christ before Pilate, executed by Dan Weggeland, of Salt Lake
City, which he presented to the branch, and which now adorns
the meeting hall in Trondhjem.
He returned to Zion, June 22, 1911 never again to leave it
;

in the flesh.

XVIII. THE END OF THE JOURNEY

Soon after Bishop Skanchy returned from his last trip to
Norway, he was seized with his last illness. The evil preyed
steadily upon him, but his strong body and iron constitution, could
not be broken at once. It took years for the disease to undermine
his strength and reach the vital processes of his system.
During his long illness, he composed the sketch now pre-
sented. From page to page it bears the marks of the physical
sufferings which he endured. Had he been in good health, he
would have told more of the marvelous experiences of his long
missionary life. Perhaps, however, in good health, he would not
have undertaken the work at all.
SOS IMPROVEMENT ERA
While withdrawn from active life by this lingering illness,
lit' also reviewed his own poems, his favorite songs, and the word
of God that he loved.
like all who live in close communion with
Bishop Skanchy,
spiritual was much of a poet; a lover of the fine arts,
things,
painting and sculpture, and an ardent worshiper of all natural
beauty. In his last days, though filled with physical pain, he
found the leisure for the contemplation of the things of the spirit
he loved so well, which he had been denied in his active life.
Ever did his thoughts go back to the land of the midnight
sun, in which he was born where the gospel message found him,
;

and where, in the full strength of his youth, he fought valiantly

for the cause of truth, and won hundreds, yea, thousands, to the
cause of eternal truth.
On Sunday, April 19, 1914, in his 75th year, his spirit re-
turned to the God he had served so well. On the following
Wednesday he was buried from the beautiful chapel he had built.
Many wept at his grave, especially those who were poor in spirit
or worldly goods, and whom this noble man had loved and helped
and raised up, and brought into the glorious light of truth.
(the end)
 Does God Answer Prayer?

BY PROF. L. F. MOENCII

Part II

"God's eyes are upon all men," so the sacred scriptures tell us, "and
lie knows their thoughts and hears their prayers."

A REMARKABLE ANSWER TO FASTING AND PRAYER

WhileI worked in the office as secretary of the Swiss and
German mission, we received a letter, one morning, from a German
professor, named Maurer, of Landau, Bavaria, asking us to send
him some literature which would give him some idea respecting
our belief, as he was writing a history of all the religious de-
nominations of the various Christian sects, and he had but lately
heard of the "Mormons," and would like to embody something of
our religion in his work. Accordingly we mailed him the Book
of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and some of our leading
tracts. Wethought no more about this, as such requests were of
common occurrence.
Afew weeks passed when we received another letter from
thjs same professor. The contents were surprising to us all. In
it he made the request that one of our missionaries be sent to

him at once that something very incomprehensible had occurred

;

to him, in connection with the books we had sent him, that he

felt he must see one of us, and at our earliest convenience. As his
profession was in my line, the lot fell to me, and I was instructed
to go at once.
Minute-man like, the next day found me on my way speed-
ing to Landau. On my arrival I registered at the hotel, after
which I at once repaired to the professor's home. I found him to
be one of the most prominent educators of Germany, and in
charge of the leading school at Landau. He was a man highly
respected for his literary attainments, well-built, and of dignified
appearance which was augmented by his height six feet and —
two inches in short, a man of the regular Bismarckian school
;

in physique and bearing —

a German professor in every sense of
the word.
After the introduction, I once admonished by him not
was at
to make myself known, as "Mormon"
missionaries were not toler-
ated at Landau, while he himself would lose his position, should
it become known that he entertained a "Mormon" missionary in his
600 IMPROVEMENT ERA
bouse. My lie suggested, should be at the hotel, and my
lodgings,
visits early in the morning, through a private entrance, so that
public attention might not be aroused.
My next visit, therefore, was at his private office, at the
appointed hour, and in the designated way. As soon as I was
comfortably seated, and the compliments of the morning passed,
he told me that he had been in search of the true gospel of Christ
for years, but that he had searched in vain among the various
sects, and that, in his mind, they were all wrong, and that none of
them harmonized with the true gospel of Christ, as taught in the
New Testament. He had even searched among the heathen na-
tions, but with the same unsatisfactory result. At last, to satisfy
his own he had written a novel in which he had embodied his
soul,
views, respecting the true gospel of Christ. So saying he handed
me the novel. I read it carefully during the day, and to my great
surprise found that it contained "Mormon" doctrine ttirough and
through. After this, he said, he seemed to have some peace of
mind. But it lasted but a short time, when his mind again be-
came restless, and this time, he said, he resolved to write a history
of religion, and to embody in it the religious views of the various
Christian sects, and of the heathen religions as well, still hoping
thereby to find the truth. "While gathering material for this pur-
pose," he said, using his own language now, "I came across a
notice in one of the Landau papers, announcing the imprisonment
and banishment of two 'Mormon' missionaries from one of the
cities of Germany. The editor, at the same time, called upon
the police of Landau to keep a lookout for these men, representing
this unpopular religion, and to imprison and banish them should
they make their appearance. This made a great impression upon
my mind, and I resolved forthwith to become acquainted with
them, and to know more about their religion. I went to the editor
in person and learned from him where the headquarters
of these
missionaries were located. He gave me the address, No. 32 Post-
gasse, Bern, Switzerland, and I at once addressed a letter
there
with the result of which you are already familiar.
"To my great surprise," he continued, "the more I read the
books, the more convinced I became that at last I had
found the
truth, for the books entirely harmonized with my views
but that
it should be found among the despised and
persecuted 'Mormons,'
was a surprise to me, and beyond my comprehension.
"While reading and pondering over the things contained in
the books, my wife was suddenly taken very sick. She is my
second wife, my first having died about three years ago
leaving me
a widower with seven children. As days passed on,
she gradually
grew worse, until I finally realized that unless some unforseen
power would step in, I would again be left a widower
and *his
time with nine ch ldrcn. T summoned, therefore, three
:

of the best
 DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYER? oOl

physicians of Landau, but they finally gave her up, telling me

she could not live till morning. I sat that night by her bedside in
despair, expecting every moment to see her breathe her last, for she
was sinking very rapidly. No human being knows, unless he has
passed through the same experience, how I felt that night with
my nine dependent children surrounding that sick bed. The fatal
rattle in her throat at last announced the approaching end. I could
stand it no longer, and in the agony of my soul, I called upon the
Lord to deliver me from this terrible affliction, and to spare my
wife. A bright light burst suddenly into the room, and a voice,
as if from heaven, said, T will help you if you will help me !' It is
needless to say what promise I made, but to my surprise, when I
looked around at my wife, I found her breathing naturally, sweetly
slumbering in a calm, quiet sleep from which, in a few moments,
she awoke with a heavenly smile upon her face, perfectly restored
to health and strength again. My joy was unbounded the Lord
;

had heard and answered my prayer. The happiness was cor-

respondingly as great as the sadness had been a few moments be-
fore. The light that had burst into and filled the room, had faded
away, and as I sat overwhelmed with joy, and pondering on what
had happened, the distinct recollection forced itself upon my mind
that I had made a covenant with the Lord that I would help him if
he would help me. The question now arose, 'Lord, what do you
want me to do?' Suddenly and unconsciously, my eyes fell upon
the Book of Mormon which I had been reading and which I
had laid open upon a chair by the side of the bed, when I felt
that my wife was dying; and as distinctly as though a voice had
spoken it, the impression came upon me, 'There is the truth, and
in those books your duty will be made known.' The next morn-
ing, when I thought this all over, I felt that I must see one of you
personally, and, therefore, sat down and addressed the letter to
you, in response to which you are here with me now. The books
are all right, but there are some things which I do not understand,
and that I wish you to explain to me personally."
In subsequent conversations, I soon found that his perplexing
question was the living prophet of God, President John Taylor,
who then stood at the head of the Church. The dead prophet,
President Young, was all right; he had been a mighty man, and a
prophet of God.but President Taylor was the wrong man, lacking
the ability, and hence he could not be the true prophet of God. I
also soon found that I, like President Taylor, shared the same
fate, and that I had as little influence with him as President Taylor
had.
The more T met with him the more I became convinced that
I could do nothing with him. and that unless the Lord intervened,
my mission would be in vain. As a last resort, therefore, I re-
solved to call upon the Lord through fasting and prayer to help
 :

602 IMPROVEMENT ERA

mc in my work. I notified the professor, therefore, that I would

not meet with him again for two or three days in consequence of
other duties I had to perform. At the end of three days, during
which time neither food nor drink passed my lips, I felt impressed
to call upon him again. He received me cordially, and after the
usual greeting exclaimed, "Oh, Mr. Moench, if you had only come
yesterday, I could have told you some marvelous things, but, per-
haps, after all, it was only some imagination or psychological
working of my
brain that caused me to see and dream what I
did, so that I do not care to relate it now." Feeling impressed
that the Lord had heard and answered my prayer, I urged him
to tell me what had happened. After some hesitation and urging,
he related to me the following remarkable vision, which, as near
as I can remember, I prefer to give in his own language
"The second night after you were here, I lay in bed thinking
over some things which you had told me. All of a sudden,
whether asleep or awake, I know not, I was wrapped in a vision
in which you and I seemed to be sitting in my private office, dis-
cussing the principles of 'Mormonism' as we had been doing.
Suddenly, to my great surprise, you became transformed into a
large, portly man." (I would here say that in our conversations
he usually occupied a large congress chair, while I occupied a
small arm chair, facing him.) "When you were thus transformed,"
he continued, "I asked you, 'Are you not Mr. Moench?' To my
great surprise you answer.ed, 'No, I am not, I am President
(Those who remember President Young will remem-
' :

Young!'
ber that he was a large, portly man, much larger than myself,
though not so tall.) "If you are President Young," he again con-
tinued, "you are a prophet of God, and you can tell me what will
transpire in the future. He answered, T can,' and bade me to
follow. Immediately my spirit seemed to leave my body, and
together we seemed easily to journey through the air, to the top
of yonder prominent peak," pointing out the place through the
window. "As I tood gazing on the scene before me, President
Young said, 'Look!' All at once, the whole world lay like an
open sheet before me, and I could see every part of it, and every
nation that dwelled thereon. Men seemed to be pursuing their
natural vocations of life, and all seemed peace and quietness. The
scene was beautiful beyond all description. Again President
Young said, 'Look!' And glancing in the direction indicated,
I beheld a small, dark cloud arise, not larger, seemingly, than a
man's hand. It no sooner made its appearance than I saw trouble
arise among the nations of the earth; and as the cloud grew
larger and darker in appearance, so, proportionately, the strife
seemed to increase/ At last the cloud cast an inky darkness over
the face of the whole earth, and then the scene became terrible.
All the nations of the earth seemed to be involved in a most ter-
 !

DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYER? 603

rible war, the sight of which is beyond all description. Oh ! so

horrible that no human mind can describe it! I saw men in
battle array mowing eachother down like grass, until streams
of blood ran through the land, with the crowns of kings floating
upon them. And everywhere I looked, the same sight met my
gaze.
"While yet looking upon this dreadful scene of murder, mas-
sacre and bloodshed. President Young again said, 'Look!' pointing
in an opposite direction. Again looking in the direction indicated,
I could see America, looming up beyond the Atlantic ocean, and
up in the top of the Rocky mountains, I could see a beautiful, white
building loom up with tall spires pointing to the skies and in it
;

I saw men and women moving around dressed in beautiful, white

clothing, while in the valleys surrounding it, I saw cattle and
sheep grazing, and men and women quietly pursuing their ordinary
vocations of life. A sweet, heavenly influence rested upon the
—
building and seemed to hover over the valleys the only spot upon
the whole face of the whole earth where there was peace. Oh
the contrast between the two I shall never forget it.
! In the one
place men were murdering each other in cold blood, while in the
other place peace on earth and good will to men prevailed.
"I was greatly overcome at this and finally asked President
Young what the Lord wanted me to do, a weak and sinful man.
He told me he wanted me to help in spreading the principles of
truth among the nations of the earth, and to warn them of the
terrible judgments of God, that would shortly fall upon the in-
habitants of the earth.
"This vision was repeated to me three times in succession,
and whether awake or asleep I do not know, but when I finally
came to myself, it was daylight. I was very anxious to see you,
and to tell you what I had seen, while it was yet fresh upon my
mind."
And now was literally fulfilled a remarkable part of his vision.
Knowing that this was of God, and in answer to my prayer, I
commenced to bear testimony to him. And, as I continued, the
Spirit of God rested upon me to that degree that T seeing' to
grow beyond my natural size, while he, on the other h?nd, seemed
to diminish in stature, until he sat before me, a small, chunky man,
staring up at me, while I seemed to be gazing down upon him.
He appeared to be perfectly spell-bound and moved neither limb
nor muscle. This transformation seemed marvelous to me. while
I was speaking, and to convince myself that it was
no delusion, I

compared, in my mind's eye, my body with his. and found it to be

as first shown. When I had finished speaking, and the Spirit of
'

the Lord had, in a measure, withdrawn, he was again a large,

portly man, as before, sitting in his large congress chair, and, in
 ;

604 IMPROVF.MENT ERA

comparison with him, T again dwindled to my natural size, sitting

before him in my
smaller chair.
When I concluded, he asked me, "Mr. Moench, what will you
do with me if I receive your gospel? I have a wife and nine
children, as you know, to support, and no other way of doing it
only through my profession." I told him the Lord who heard the
raven's cry, and marked the sparrow's fall, would surely not for-
sake a man and his wife' with their nine lovely children, especially
if he hearkened to and obeyed a direct command which the Lord

had given him. I had no promise to make of a financial character

I was there to preach the gospel to him, and there my mission

ended and if he received it, he would have to trust to the Lord

;

for his help and guidance, as men of old had done, and as we
were doing now.
Whether he ever received the gospel or not, or whether he is
alive yet or not, do not know. I heard, years afterwards, that he
I

inquired after ire, and that he made the remark, he never would be
satisfied until he could be baptized and gathered with our people,
for he knew the gospel was true.
Now as to wdiether the present awful war is in fulfilment of
this vision, I know not ; but if it is, most terrible consequences will
yet follow.
Verily, verily, God hears and answers prayers.
OGDEN, UTAH

Brothers

Homeless, though mansions fronted him;

Alone in the wind-swept street,
Though myriad faces drifted by;
Only the beat of stranger feet

Answered the bitter cry

Of the vagrant, mocked by vain desire,
Heart-hunger for the bread of life,
Love, and a waiting fire.

Homeless, though shut from dark and rain,

By gilded, stately walls;
Alone, though mirth and melody
Rang through the raftered halls:

The rich man sat by his cheerless hearth,

Mocked by vain desire
For the sound of little pattering feet,
And love at his glowing fire.
Maud Baggari ey
 The Secret of Successful Presiding

BY J. H. DEAN

When one is called to any position of presidency, in the

Church, about the first feeling that enters the heart is, How may I
gain and keep the love, respect and confidence of those over whom
I have been called to preside?
Throughout a somewhat lengthy and varied experience, the
writer has made a study of the reasons why some succeed in
this and others fail, and herewith offers some of his conclusions in
the hope that presiding officers, especially in the auxiliary organiza-
tions of the Church, may find something that will be of help to
them in solving this most important problem.
The scriptures say, "As with the priest so with the people,"
and experience has taught me that, as the Sunday school super-
intendent, so with the Sunday school, as with the M. I. A. presi-
dent and officers, so with the members. As with the Relief Society
president, so with the society. As with the bishop, so with his
ward. As with the teacher, so with the class, and so on through-
out all the organizations of the Church.
An intelligent, bright woman was chosen to be president of a
Relief society. She attended all her meetings, was faithful in tithes
and offerings, charitable to the poor, always remembered her
prayers, and taught her family to keep the Word of Wisdom, but
she did' not keep it herself. She was a confirmed tea drinker.
One day she was sure she smelled tobacco when her sixteen year
old.son Alfred came into the house. She led him into another
room and shut the door and, feeling in his pocket, found a sack of
tobacco and cigarette papers. He admitted that he had been smok-
ing for nearly two years. In her alarm the mother questioned
him severely and found that he took a glass of beer quite
fre-

drank coffee whenever was offered him.

quently, and it

"And why shouldn't I, mother? You drink your tea, is it

any worse for me than for you, to do these things
She was surprised to hear from him that her daugther Jane
'

drank tea, though she took it on the "sly."

"And I tell you. mother," said the son, "all the ward knows
the street. They
you drink tea, for the boys threw it up to me on
you a hypocrite, and they say that
"have heard their mothers calling
drink tea so can they.
ifyou, the Relief society president, can
And they are doing it." He called his sister Jane and made her
every time her mother did, and she
admit that she drank tea
 !

606 IMPROVEMENT ERA

also claimed the same right. The only thing- she was ashamed of
was that she had "sneaked it" in the pantry.
The mother was thunderstruck and a deadly fear almost
!

deprived her of speech. All her life, when any dreadful calamity
threatened her, she had appealed to the Lord for help, and that
was the first thought in her mind now. She asked her children to
kneel with her in prayer. But the son said he didn't feel like
praying.
"What's the use of praying, mother? You say you can't
quit your tea, and I am sure I don't want to give up my tobacco
and coffee, and I tell you what's what, mother, from now on I am
not going to be a 'sneak !'
If you are going to have your tea, I
want my coffee, and I'll think more of Jane if, instead of drinking
her tea on the 'sly' in the pantry, she will take it at the table with
her mother. If we can't keep the Word of Wisdom, mother, let's
quit being pretenders, anyway.'
And he picked up his tobacco sack and was about to quit the
room. His mother begged him to wait a minute. Was it possible
her cup f tea was bringing all these dire calamities upon her
That th; sisters of the Relief society were drinking tea because
she did ! That she was spoken of in the street as a hypocrite She
!

felt sure now that this was why she had so little influence among
the sisters; and maybe, already, she had lost control of her chil-
dren. She took her son and daughter in her arms, and said,
"Children !I see that I am the transgressor in these things. I
have always thought I couldn't do without my tea, but now I
covenant with you, in the most solemn manner, that I will never
taste another drop as long as I live. Now, will you not make the
same covenant with me?"
The children's hearts were softened, in a moment, and the
son said, "Now mother, you're talking. You're right, I'll make the
same covenant, and so will Jane, won't you, Jane?" fane who
was sobbing on her mother's shoulder nodded her head, and the
mother and children wept together.
"And now, mother," said Alfred, as soon as they had dried
their tears, "I can't taper off, let's quit right here and
now. Get
your tea and here's my tobacco. Let's put them in the stove to-
gether." And they did so, and Jane, to show her good will
got
a hammer and smashed the tea pot.
This Relief society president, at the next society testimony
meeting, told her experiences to her sisters. She confessed
that
she had set them an evil example, and asked to be forgiven.
She
asked how many of them knew she was a breaker of the Word
of Wisdom, and she was surprised when every hand went
up. Then
she tremblingly asked how many adopted this habit on
account of
her evd example, and her knees smote together when
five of her
sisters stood up.
 THE SECRET OF SUCCESSFUL PRESIDING 607

"Well, sisters," she said, "it's plain to me that I am unworthy

to be your president, and I shall hand in my resignation to the
bishop. I realize that what I have done is past recall, but if you
will tell me anything- 1 can do to help to make amends, I will surely
do it."
One Scotch sister jumped up and said, "I dinna ken why ye
should resign, ye are more worthy now, to be our president than
ever before." And the other sisters followed in the same strain,
and though this sister felt she should lay down her presidency,
yet, by the advice of those over her, and the unanimous voice of the
sisters of the society, she still presides over them. And her society
is one of the best in the Church.
That sister has found the secret of successful presidency.
Now, instead of being called a hypocrite, her humble repentance
and reformation, have given her an influence for good with every
member of the ward. And the parents who are trying to bring up
their children aright, feel that her example is a tower of strength
to help them. When the subject of the Word of Wisdom is
mentioned in her presence, she doesn't quake and feel conscious-
stricken as she used to, but she can throw all her- influence and
power on the side of the word of the Lord.
At the dedication of one of our temples where none were ad-
mitted unless they had a card of invitation signed by the president
of the Church, a small boy presented himself for admission. He
had no card, but he claimed he had a right to go in, for he had
helped to build the temple. Elder John Henry Smith, of the
quorum of the Twelve, was close at hand and the door-keeper
referred the matter to him. Elder Smith took the child to one
side and, in his kind, fatherly way, listened to his story. He
if they
said his Sunday school teacher had told his class, that
water and such like things for
would deny themselves candy, soda
together their nickels, dimes and quarters, she
one year, and put
one
thought they would have sufficient to pay for the cutting of
stone in the temple, and then they would have a right to go into

the House of the Lord, for they had helped to build it.
And they
fellow in his arms and
had done so. Elder Smith took the little

said, "God bless you, my little man You

!
shall go in !
Many big-
cards, can t
ger 'persons than you, though they have admission
to'build the House of the Lord."
say that they have helped
of a deacons'
can imagine that boy a fine manly president
I
who One who will be a leader, and
quorum— one will do things!
have an influence for good wherever he goes. And
there is crying
teachers as this little man had, who
need for such Sunday school
results from then-
have faith and influence enough to get practical
such a teacher lived her
classes. We don't need to be told that
would have suf-
religion and was "true blue." No other kind
608 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ficicnt inspiration and influence with a class of innocent children
to get them to make such a sacrifice.
A Sunday school superintendent was spending the clay at a
pleasure resort. He was invited by some friends who were eating
their dinner, to join them. During the meal some bottles of beer
were opened, and a glass was offered to him. He was about to
take it, when he saw a little girl belonging to his Sunday school
off at a little distance watching him, so he declined the beer. "Oh
take a glass," said his friend, "it won't hurt you. Look at your
Church members all around you drinking it, are you better than
they? There are lots worse things than taking a glass of beer."
He again glanced at the little child. Her eyes were still fixed upon
him and he said, "No thanks, I don't drink beer."
He felt like he wanted to be alone and got up and walked
away. The little girl ran after him and took hold of his hand
and looking up lovingly into his face said, "Bro. 1 was
watching you over there at that table, / knew our Sunday school
superintendent wouldn't drink beer." He glanced at her in a
frightened way, fearing she had read his thought but no, she
;

had given him. full credit, in her childish heart, for having refused
the beer, because it was wrong to drink it. She didn't know that
if it hadn't been for her innocent eyes he would have drunk it.

After she had left him he sought a secluded place where he couldn't
be seen and removing his hat asked his heavenly Father to forgive
his unworthiness, and solemnly covenanted that, henceforth, he
would be worthy the love and confidence of an innocent child.
But suppose he had drunk that glass of beer? It only cost
five-cents, and his friend would have paid that. But, what would
have been his loss? What would have been the consequences to
that little child ? What would the harvest be ? Who can estimate
it? Where would the consequence end? And what a tragedy
would have taken place in the heart of that little child. "Tragedy"
is none too strong a word. What is more beautiful than the love
and confidence that beams from the countenances of little children
for whom they love? Parents know what it looks like, and if the
officers and teachers of our auxiliary organizations haven't seen
it in the faces of those over whom they preside and teach, it is

because they haven't desired it. I have never seen an angel, but
if an angel's face can show anything more heart-satisfying, soul-

inspiring, and wonderful, it must be beautiful indeed. Well isn't

anything that destroys this sweet, chidlish confidence and in its
place plants suspicion and doubt, an awful tragedy? I wonder
how many such tragedies are happening every week in our homes
and associations and cities !Isn't that the offense the Lord means
when he says "Who shall offend one of these little ones that be-
:

lieve in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the
 THE SECRET OF SUCCESSFUL PRESIDING 609

sea." The offense that merits such a punishment must be as

serious and vital as death itself. And why shouldn't our lives be
blotted out if our example tends to evil, and to pull down and
destroy the souls of our fellows?
"Well, but," says one, "the drinking of a cup of tea or coffee
or beer, or the smoking of tobacco are such small offenses. Is
that true? Is anything that is wrong small or insignificant? Is
one less a thief who steals a dollar than who steals a thousand?
It's the offense that is the crime, not the amount. Would it have
been a small thing if the usefulness and influence for good of
that superintendent had been destroyed? Yet that is just what
would have happened, had he drunk that glass of beer. That
little girl, in her sorrow and disappointment, would have told her
classmates and her family, and in a short time it would have been
known throughout the whole ward.
It is considered a very proper and reasonable thing for a
victorious army to take for their own use the flocks and herds of
their enemies, but when Saul, King of Israel, took those of the
Amalekites, cost him his kingdom, for the Lord had commanded
him to destroy every living thing. The sin was in the disobedience.
It would not lower the Pope of Rome, or the President of the
United States very much in our estimation if they smoked their
cigars or pipes, but if President Joseph F. Smith should do such a
thing, it would shake the Church to its very foundation. Even
the smokers in the Church would be heartbroken and wonder
how in the world he could do such a thing. Yet hasn't he as good
a right to indulge in these things as we have? Isn't our influence
and example as potent for good or evil in our sphere as his in his
sphere? Haven't we made the same covenant? Are we not under
the same law?
Tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor are just as harmful to the
world as to us, so far as the body is concerned, but we come under
a condemnation that doesn't apply to them, for the Lord has told
us that these things are not good, and has commandedus to refrain
from them. And we are under covenant to keep his command-
ments. When we indulge in these things, we suffer a moral degra-
dation as well as a phvsical hurt. We are covenant-breakers, and
feel self-condemned. Non-"Mormons" can partake of these things
and and confidence of their wives and chil-
will retain the respect
dren and associates, for with them it is merely a habit or "weak-
ness." But when we do these things, we are stripped of our
power and influence for good among the people. Even the non-
think less of us, for thev know that we claim to
live
"Mormons"
above these things. In addition to the injury to the body which
others as well as we receive, we violate our consciences.
A per-
and smothers the voice of con-
son who persistently violates
directions. He is
science weakens his powers to resist evil in other
olO IMPROVEMENT ERA
a moral coward. He knows what is right but refuses to do it.
He lowers the flag of his high ideals. Such a one doesn't need the
day of judgment to condemn him he is condemned already.
;

Are these small things? It's a small thing for a cow to

kick over a lamp, and yet such an insignificant accident burned
up the great city of Chicago. No wonder that when Relief society
officers, Sunday school superintendents, M. I. A. presidents, Sun-
day school and other teachers are guilty of these small offenses that
they lose the influence and power necessary to make them success-
ful in their work.
is a growing sentiment throughout the Church that in
There
order to be a successful presiding officer, one must be a strong
personality, magnetic, educated, fine-looking, well dressed, and
not a "moss-back." He must in short be "up-to-date." And that
is true. It is a pleasure to look upon such a one. great evil A
among us today is mental laziness. So many of us are "back
numbers."
Some one has paraphrased Maud Muller:

"Of all sad words of tongue or pen,

The —
saddest are these He's a has-been."

Put there are a few small things that are additionally neces-
sary. He must be virtuous and humble and prayerful. He must be
true to his covenants. He must be true to his brethren. He must sus-
tain and speak well of those who are over him, and thereby prove
that he is worthy the love and support of those over whom he pre-
sides. Fie must keep the Sabbath day holy. He must keep his body
free from anything that would defile it. But why particularize ? Let
us cover the whole ground in one sentence, he must be a genuine
Latter-day Saint. One who is lacking in these, may please the eye,
tickle the ear, and even instruct the mind, but he imll leave our
hearts cold and hungry. The Saints are hungry for heart-food,
and any presiding officer or speaker or singer who can touch their
hearts and fill their eyes with tears, has a wonderful and marvelous
power, and is always listened to with grateful attention.
When we find presiding officers who have been faithful, who
have clean records behind them who, notwithstanding their weak-
;

nesses and shortcomings, (and they will have plenty of them) have
nevertheless lived pure, consistent lives, when thev speak there is
a light in the eye, an inspiration and a ring to the voice, and a
convincing power and demonstration of the spirit, that the un-
faithful and thr unclean are not entitled to and do not possess.
Verily: "It is the Spirit that giveth life."
Such presiding officers have found the secret of successful
presiding.
KT'DMESA, COLO.
 Urim and Thummim
BY JOEL RICKS

DEFINITION

In several places in the Bible, the old Jewish historians have

left us references to a curious instrument which was given to the
High Priest who was to wear it upon his breast when he went into
the holy precincts of the temple to officiate in behalf of the people ;

but nowhere have they given us a description of what the instru-

ment was. The Book of Mormon writers are a little more ex-
plicit as to its appearance and uses, but even they refer to it in such
meagre terms as these : "And now he translated them by the
means of these two stones which were fastened into the two rims
of a bow." (Mosiah 38 :13.) The Jaredite historian refers to the
instrument as two stones. (Ether 3:23.)
It is left to the Prophet Joseph Smith to give us definite in-
formation as to the appearance of the wonderful instrument
which played so important a part as a revealer of mysteries in the
various dispensations of the past. This is his statement, "With
the records was found a curious instrument, called by the ancients
the Urim and Thummim, which consisted of two transparent
stones, clear as crystal, set in the two rims of a bow." Compare
this clear statement with the following "The Urim and Thum-
:

mim were two small oracular images, similar to the teraphim, per-
sonifving revelation and truth, which were placed in the cavitv or
pouch formed by the folds of the breastplate, and which uttered
oracles by voice." (Popular Bible Encyclopaedia, page 1,693.)
The description given by the Nephite writers and the Prophet
Toseph indicate that the instrument was very similar to a pair of
old style spectacles, minus the appendage that passes over the ear.

HISTORY

given to man
Just when the Urim and Thummim was first
must* remain a mystery, but the first reference we have of it was
when the brother of Jared received the instrument from the Lord.
This was somewhere near the year 2000 B. C. The brother of
Tared had been shown some wonderful visions
which he was com-
to seal up that the world should not know
of them until
manded
after thecoming of Christ. He was also commanded to seal up

the two stones with his records. Whether the instrument was
 :

612 IMPROVEMENT ERA

attached to the twenty-four plates found by the men of Limhi,
and thus came into the possession of Mosiah, we are not informed,
but from the statement of Moroni, (Ether 4:1-3) it is evident
that Mosiah received the records and passed them on down to
Moroni who buried them in the earth to be revealed 1400 years
later.
It seems from the reference, in Mosiah 8:13, that the Nephite
prophets were the custodians of a Urim and Thummim of their
own, which had been handed down from generation to generation
long before the finding of Jaredite records, so it seems not im-
probable that for a period, at least, they had two of those instru-
ments in their possession.
The first Bible reference to the Urim and Thummim, is made
when Moses was preparing the robes of the high priest who was
to administer in the tabernacle. After being instructed to put the
two onyx stones on the shoulders, and engrave on them the names
of the twelve tribes of Israel, he was instructed to make a breast-
plate, of the bigness of a span, and to place in it four rows of
stones, in rows of threes, and to engrave on each the name of one
of the tribes.The breastplate was to be made double, and the
Urim and Thummim was to be placed within the breastplate and
was always to be worn on the breast of the high priest when he
went into the sacred precincts of the tabernacle or temple to offi-
ciate before the Lord. (Exodus 28:30.) generally under-
It is
stood that the Urim and Thummim was in the
possession of the
Jews until the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, about
600 B. C, when it disappeared. After the return from captivity
the priests regretted its loss, and refused to determine certain
matters until a priest stood up with the instrument who could
adjust the matters satisfactorily.
Josephus is authority for the following, (Book 3 :8) in regard
to the two stones set on the shoulders of the high priest

"But as to those stones, of which we told you before, the high

priest bare on his shoulders, which were sardonyxes; (and I think it
needless to describe their nature, they being known to everybody);
the one of them shined out when God was present at their sacrifices:
I mean that which was in the nature of a button on his right shoulder,
bright rays darting out thence: and being seen by those that were most
remote: which splendor yet was not before natural to the stone. This
has appeared a wonderful thing to such as have not so far indulged
themselves in philosophy, as to despise divine revelation. Yet will I
mention what is still more wonderful than this: for God declared
beforehand, by those twelve stones which the high priest bare on his
breast, and which were inserted into his breastplate, when they should
he victorious in battle: for so great a splendor shone forth from them
before the army began to march, that all the people were sensible of
God's being present for their assistance. Whence it came to pass
that those Greeks who had a veneration for nur laws, because they
could not possibly contradict this, called the breastplate the Oracle.
Now this breastplate, and this sardonyx, left off shining two hundred
 :

URIM AND THUMMIM 613

years before I composed this book, God having been displeased at the
transgression of his laws."

It is evident from the above that Josephus attributed to the

stones in the breastplate the miraculous power of manifesting the
Divine will to the high priest and the people. Inasmuch as the
Urim and Thummim was lost about 600 B. C. and the stones in the
breastplate continued to shine down to about 200 B. C, it is clear
that there was no connection between the two.
The room in the temple where the high priest went to com-
mune with God was without windows, and was therefore a dark
place. This probably explains the statement of Solomon "The
:

Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness." It is prob-

able that the shining of the stones in the breastplate indicated to
the high priest the presence of the Lord, and gave light to the
room.

THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE URIM AND THUMMIM WAS USED
This subject has been more widely discussed than any other,
bearing on the Urim and Trummim, clue to the fact that the ancient
writers failed to leave us an explicit statement of the uses of the
instrument, thinking probably, as Josephus expresses it, "I think it
needless to describe their nature, they being known to everybody."
There are a number of statements made by ancient and modern
writers, which indicate quite clearly the uses of the instrument.
The following is from the Popular Bible Encyclopedia:

"The meaning- of the words,Urim is rendered as Haw-oo-reem, or

lights- Thummim rendered veh-hat-toom-meem, or perfections. The
is
believed
septuagint render them as revelation and truth. It is generally
in difficult cases, in-
that thee stones, in answer to an appeal to God,
It has been con-
dicated his mind by some supernatural appearance.
audible voice to
jectured bv others that the resnonse was given in an
arrayed in full pontificals and standing in the holy
the high priest,
place with his face towards the ark."

translator of Josephus in a footnote, on

page 87, says
The
"I sav these answers were not made bv the shining of the special
stones, after an awkward manner, in the high priest's breastplate as the
of!the stones
modern rabbis vainly suppose. For certainly the shiningdehvwngftat :

might precede or accompany the oracle without

itself
the mercy seat between
oracle, but. rather by an audible voice from
the cherubim."
is proved by the
That neither of these views is wholly correct
fact that David utilized the Urim and
Thummim which had been
priest Abithar to obtain
carried awav from the tabernacle by
the
Lord on several occasions when m sore
information' from the
for the ephod which con-
need On such occasions David sent
tamed the Urim and Thummim, and
God, who gave him an immediate answer.
^f.^^Ztltl
If it were not that it is
 : : :

614 IMPROVEMENT ERA

so evident that the Urim and Thummim was used as a medium in
receiving these answers, we would incline to the opinion that the
answers were by an audible voice, but the following quotations
would indicate more clearly how the answers came

"Now Ammonsaid to him, I can assuredly tell thee, O

king, of a
man that can translate the records: for he has wherewith that he can
look and translate all records of ancient date; and it is a gift from
God, and the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in
them, except he be commanded lest he should look for that he ought
not, and should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in
them, the same is called a seer." (Mosiah 8:13.)

Moroni refers to the instrument as follows

"Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I

have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them
up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpreta-
tion thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters according to
the commandment of the Lord." (Ether 4:5.)
"Joseph kept the Urim and Thummim constantly about his per-
son, by the use of which he could in a moment tell whether the plates
were in any danger. Just before Emma rode up to Mrs. Wells, Joseph,
from an impression that he had had, came up out of the well in which
he was laboring, and met her not far from the house. Emma imme-
diatelv informed him of what had transpired, whereupon he looked in
the Urim and Thummim, and saw that the record was yet safe." (His-
tory of Joseph Smith, by his Mother, page 104.)

On this subject David Whitmer says:

"A piece of something resembling parchment did appear (i. e., in

the Urim and Thummim), and on that appeared the writing, one char-
acter at a time would appear and under it was the translation in Eng-
lish." (An Address to All Believers in Christ, page 12.)
«

Martin Harris is quoted as saying:

"Ry
aid of the seer stone sentences would appear and were read by
tli proohet and written by Martin and when finished he would say
c
'written' and if correctly written the sentence would disappear and
another appear in its place; but if not written correctly it remained
until corrected."
"Some time after Mr. Harris begun to write for me, he began to
importune me to give him liberty to carry the writings home and show
them: and desired of me that I would inquire of the Lord through the
Urim and Thummim. if he might not do so, I did inouire and the
answer was that he must not." (History of the Church, Vol. 1, page 21.)

The prophet often refers to its use in terms like this, "T in-
nuired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received
the following." A difference of opinion arose between Oliver and
Toseoh which thev agreed to settle bv the Urim and Thummim.
An important revelation was received through the instrument in
answer to their request
 URIM AND THUMMIM 615

"And now behold I say unto you, that because you delivered up
those writings, which you had power given unto you to translate, by
means of the Urim and Thummim, into the hands of a wicked man,
you have lost them." (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 10:1.)
"That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was, indeed,
nothing more nor less than the Urim and Thummim, and it was by this
that the angel showed him many things which he saw in vision; by
which also he could ascertain at any time, the approach of danger,
either to himself or the record, and on account of which he always
kept the Urim and Thummim about his person." (History of Joseph
Smith, by his Mother, page 106.)

From the foregoing quotations it is clear that the Urim and

Thummim was not only used for the purpose of translating ancient
records ; but as a medium of communicating with God, also of
seeing visions of things past, present and to come. Understand-
_

ing this, one can readily see the reason why the high priest was
commanded to wear it upon his breast continually, when he went
into the sacred precincts of the temple to communicate with God.
The Tirshatah understood its importance as a medium of receiv-
ing divine instruction, and were not willing to act until a priest
stood up with Urim and Thummim. Wecan now understand
how the two stones given to the brother of Jared were to magnify
to the eyes of men, the sacred things which he had
written. One
can readily see why David sent for the instrument when he de-
sired to know the will of God pertaining to himself
and people.
In fact, it makes plain many things which heretofore have been
on the following ex-
little understood, and throws greater
light
from the Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 130:6-10:
tracts
but they
"The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth,
a sea of glass and fire,
reside in the presence of God, on a globe like
present and future
where all things for their glory are manifest-past,
continually before the Lord. The place where God resides
and are
is a great Urim and Thummim.
This earth in its sanctified and im-
mortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Unm and
who dwell thereon, whereby all things
Thummim to The inhabitants
ngdoms of a lower order
per Zing to an inferior kingdom, or all k
will be manifest to those who
dwell. on it; and this eart h w ill be
will
Christ's Then the white stone mentioned in Revelations 2.17,
individual whe recede one
become a Urim and Thummim to each >

order of kingdoms, even all

whereby things pertaining to a higher
kingdoms, will be made known.'
LOGAN, UTAH
 A Cloud by Day
Marvelous Provision to Furnish Water for Drink

BY NICHOLAS G. SMITH, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MISSION

When I received South Africa, on a mis-

a call to come to
sion, my heart seemed and when I reached
to stop with a dull thud,
a telephone, and told my wife that it was South Africa, she said,
"Oh what, to that horrid black place !" and burst into tears. My
mother, as she heard the name of the mission to which I was
called, tried hard to hide the tears that rushed to her eyes, as
she said "You will do what the Lord wants you to do, my
:

son." My desire is best shown in the words of the song:

"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain, or plain, or sea;
I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,
I'll be what you want me to be."

Myobject in writing this letter is to reach those who have

received calls, and those who may receive calls, to come to this
land and let them know the advantages of coming to such a
;

blessed place.
In the first place, I might have asked to have my mission
changed to a closer and as I thought a more civilized country.
But the authorities knew where they wanted me. I was not call-
ing myself on a mission, but the servants of the living God had
designated the place where they needed me and wanted me to go.
Who was I that I could tell the Lord that he was mistaken, that
I was better needed elsewhere? I had fifteen days time to sell my
furniture and turn over business interests that really needed my
attention, and get myself, wife and three children ready for a
six weeks' journey to an unknown land.
The trip to England by
and boat, is without doubt
train
one and, of course, much talked about by the
a very interesting
many people who make it but it can not compare with the trip
;

from England to South Africa. A fact to which the few fortunate

ones who come here can testify.
Saving nothing about the cold, bleak, windy Atlantic which is
so well known by our people, I will begin our trip at Southampton.
The evening was rather chilly as we sailed out past the
needles into the North Atlantic ocean, but we were interested in
watching the lights of other ships that were rising and falling,
 A CLOUD BY DAY 617

so that we hardly noticed the cold. We

walked up and down
the decks, which, by the way, are so much more roomy and at-
tractive than the decks on the ships plying between Europe and
America, and wondered how we would stand another rough and
.'uncomfortable journey for three weeks. We
did not spend much
time on deck that evening as we were tired out from the day's
business in arranging to embark, so we soon retired to our cabins
which were much bigger and better than the ones across the
Atlantic. We slept well.
On arising in the morning we found that we were in the Bay
of Biscay, with a clear sky, a smooth sea, and a most refreshing
breeze. The weather was ideal and, in fact, continued so until we
arrived at Madeira, three days later. Really, it was a wonderful
sight to see the Island as we approached it, dressed in its tropical
vegetation. Here we stopped for a few hours, and were surprised
to see, as ashore, the sleds that are drawn by oxen to
we went
take sight-seeing crowds around the city over the pebble-made
pavements which are worn very smooth. Beautiful hand-made
inhabitants of
laces are displayed on every hand by the Portugese
the island.
After leaving Maderia we set our course due South and the
of the
next morning had the opportunity of seeing the outline
we passed them. This is the last land we
Canary Islands, as
The
saw until we arrived in Table Bav fourteen days later.
way. Dances were held nearly every
weather was grand all the
of sports were
eveirno- on the decks, and during the day all sorts
Over $500 were gathered up to be given out as
indulged in.
*
Day after day, we wondered just what Cape Town was like,
or not. and whether the people would
and whether we would like it
or not, or if it could compare with our own deal
be to our liking
we wondered whether
home in the mountains. Last, but not least,

would let us land in peace, or whether

the immigration officials
prison, and keep us thereuntil another
they would cast us into
boat should leave for England on
which we could be deported
What intense excitement filled our whole souls when just
before dawn, the propeller which
had been pushing us through
slowed down and stopped. Wejumped
the water for two weeks
out of bed and stuck our heads
out of ^^.-^/'^S
sky, we bel lei d Table Mou
ntam
with its dark outline against the
twinkling around its base which seemed
with hundreds of lights
:™dow^to the water's edge. As daylight
city from the deck
came
:

of the ship we felt

and

we looked on this beautiful mother

U-iat we would give our
very life to walk upon good old
detention bureau with the undesir-
earth evln though it be in the
and the poor Russian Jew
ables £om India" China, Italy, Greece,
who has come to a land of freedom.
618 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Cape Town's main street, which is only about the length of
two Salt Lake blocks, is Adderley Street. On it the shops all have
balconies which extend out over the sidewalk and protect you
from the tropical sun, and the rain in wet weather. The shop
windows are all fixed up just as tastily as are the windows in our
big stores in Salt Lake City. The sidewalks are always crowded
with people dressed in immaculate, white clothes, many without
hats, but nearly all walking up and down to see how well other
folks can dress.
American goods of all sorts can be purchased here, in fact,
petroleum is the fuel of the country and it comes from America.
;

Nearly everyone uses an American oil stove, and we pay twenty-

five cents a gallon for our oil. Ford cars are everywhere to be
seen and cost $900.
Cape Town proper had a population, in 1911, of 67.170
people, 37,237 of the total being colored. With the suberbs Cape
Town extends almost around Table Mountain, and has a popula-
tion of about 170,000 with about half of them colored. The
wholesale houses and factories are located right in Cape Town,
and the laborers live in the nearest suberbs. Woodstock, where
we have a very nice branch of the mission, is where most of the
laboring classes live. As you go on out around the mountain the
homes become more pretentious and the people have their auto's to
travel in. The street cars are double deckers and run three-fourths
of the way around the mountain, and this trip as viewed from the
top story of the car, is the most beautiful one I ever took, notwith-
standing the fact that I have visited most of the great and beau-
tiful, cities of the world.

Tropical vegetation of every sort thrives here, and the state-

ment is made that on Table Mountain alone there are two hundred
more species of plant life than there is in the whole of England.
Chief among the number is the famous Silver Leaf tree which it
is claimed is only found on the slopes of Table Mountain. The
blue and red gum trees, with their beautiful blue and deep red
flowers, are everywhere to be seen mighty oaks spread their
;

branches everywhere eucaliptus trees and weeping willow, palms

;

of every sort, cactus and shrubbery of every imaginable kind,

covers the earth. A peculiar thing is that nearly every kind of
vegetation bears flowers of some sort. The great fir trees that
have been planted all over the mountain, by the municipality, bring
forth cones which produce a nut similar to our pine nut, but with
a shell as hard as a Brazil nut.
November to March are the dry months, or summer time, as
they call it here and, during that time the grass and weeds all
;

die for want of moisture. We have had very little rain since
October, so you can see it is an easy matter for this tropical sun
to destroy the plant life and bake the soil to such an extent that it
 A CLOUD BY DAY 619

looks just like red brick dust. From March to October we have
rain most of the time in the afternoons, and when the season begins
the vegetation springs up like magic, and the whole face of nature
takes on a most beautiful hue.
To me the water supply is the most wonderful part of the
general make-up of the city. In Africa the rivers are mostly dry
gulches in the summer time. Cape Town would be in serious
difficulty if she had to depend on rivers or snow for her water
supply, in the summer. Herein lies the glory of Table Mountain.
Table mountain rises to a height of three thousand five hun-
dred and eighty two feet (3,582) and is flat on top, with a general
slope towards the south. Here the city has builded a number of
reservoirs which are filled with water from the clouds. In the
winter season, when it rains all the time, it is not so wonderful thai
the reservoirs should be full; but in the summer time, when we
have no rain for three months, it would take a wonderful basin
to hold enough water for one hundred and seventy thousand
people with their domestic animals and gardens. Here is where

PROMENADE PIER AND TABLE MOUNTAIN, SOUTH AFRICA

During the
the Lord shows his power to a wonderful extent.
south-easters, or a wind that
summer, we have what are called
and when that wind is blowing there is
blows from the south-east ;

the mountain and extends down

a cloud that settles on the top of
as the table cloth. I his
over the ed^es and has become known
right there for days when one would think it would
cloud remain
moisture which i
blow away; and all the while it is depositing
and then brought down to the plains
drained"into the reservoirs,
below, to give life to all living there.
of how the children of
We marvel when we read the account
620 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Israel were cared for in their journey through the wilderness.
Manna was furnished to them for food, and living water gushed
forth from solid rocks, at the magic touch of the prophet's staff;
and a cloud was set to lead them. Yet in our day we have our
heavenly Father showing his power in the self-same way by a
cloud, and by that cloud giving us drink day by day. People can

TABLE MOUNTAIN
With famous table cloth, as taken by Conference President June B.
Sharp, January 25, 1915.

see the divine when it is a long way off, but not when right at
their doors.
Truly this is a civilized and a wonderful country, and my
wife, with eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed with happiness,
as she looks at our three bonny boys, says, "I love this horrid
black place, and I thank the Lord that he called us to such a
lovely land to do our little part."

"MAGDALA," CAPE COLONY, AFRICA

 : — ;

The Test
P.Y R. S. BEAN, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE BRIGHAM YOUNG
UNIVERSITY

It was the first real work they had ever done, and
the Boy's
heart was half-exultant, half-anxious, as he drew the lines over
his young; team and noted their quick response to every
word and
touch. Would they stand the long strain? It was more than
they should have been asked to do. This the Boy knew better
than anyone else, but there seemed to be no alternative.
For a year previous, the lad had been caring for and training
these babies of his, who were yet hardly three years old. The
mare was a fine gray, with a large frame well covered with
muscle. Her eye, though kind, might have shown more spirit,
and her ears were not as alert as was desirable. The Boy knew
the signs and said
"If she's ever over-done in her first year or two, she's no good
any more."
The horse, a sorrel, showed the same large frame, but his
eye and ear indicated that he more than made up in courage what
he lacked in muscle.
"He'll work her to death and not be tired," prophesied the
Boy "and she's better'n most of 'em."
:

With much patience he made them familiar with the harness,

having halter-broken them as foals. Then with fall seeding came
first two, then three, then four hours a day on the drill, each
working in turn at the side of a veteran who took the heavy end
and the initiative. When winter set in, there was manure-hauling
and starting with light loads and the old horse as a helper, each
was taught how to pull the loads increasing in size as they gained
;

confidence in their own strength and their driver.

Finallv the old horse was left out and the colts were hitched
together. This meant light loading again while thev learned to
know each other. Never were thev loaded so heavily that there
was any doubt of their pulling it. Never were thev kept at work
until over-tired. Gradually they showed signs of liking the har-
ness and when spring came the Boy was boasting:
;

*Astory banded in as an exercise in English. It illustrates well what

Prof. N. L. Nelson insists upon as a cardinal principle of composition;

viz.: that young writers should make experience the basic theme-
material, and learn to trust and draw upon their own native feelings
for color and emphasis. Editors.
622 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"Hitch 'em Nebo, and I'll pull the earth backward!*'
to old
how soon the test was to come.
Little did he realize
Up at the head of the Sevier, the melting snows and spring
rains were playing havoc. Swollen streams converging at the
Hatch-town reservoir had broken its banks, and the released flood
was rushing down the valley, inundating farms and threatening
the mammoth dam a hundred miles below; especially as it was
already severely strained under the unusual spring freshets. Higher
each day rose the water, as anxious farmers watched the big em-
bankment for signs of weakness. Finally a seep appeared, then
a portion of the huge pile slipped, and a swift appeal went out
for help.
A oat-seeding and harrowing time is not so readily
call just at
responded Yet the crops of a thousand farmers below are in
to.
danger. A hundred teams are needed at once. The appeal comes
home to the heart of every farmer within miles of the reservoir.
"But, Dad," protested the Boy, "they're too young. It will
pull them to death."
"Go and do what you can. If they can't keep their place, pull
out and rest them occasionally, or load lighter."
So the Boy piled some hay and grain into the wagon, hitched
up his pets, and started.
The next six hours seemed interminable. The road was
sticky and slippery, and the wagon, every rod or two, dropped
into chuck-holes to the hubs. The colts had difficulty in keeping
their feet, and the driver his seat. And to make conditions still
more disagreeable, a cold, drizzling rain fell all day.
The teams reached camp at last and the Boy busied himself
for some time in caring for his darlings all the while crooning
;

a boy's love-song of mild chastisement.

"Oh, you no-account mustangs ! You ornery crowbaits Ye
!

think ye're fine, don't you? Proud of yourselves? Why, you

cayuses !You've got nothin' to be proud of. Whew but you're
;

dirty! For two cents I'd leave that mud on ye!"

A note of affection in the voice softened the banter, and
belied the harshness of the words and the expression on the Boy's
;

face, as he ran his eye over them during pauses in the work of
grooming, showed an admiration and a love that only a lad can
bestow on the first creatures he calls his own. Once, to a mis-
chievous dig from the Boy, the horse responded with a playful
nip. Again, as he scratched the mare's jaw with his fingers, she
cease eating and, twisting her head to one side, lowered a muddy
forehead at the same time. She was rewarded with a good massage
around the base of each ear, just where a colt most likes it.
"And you two plugs purtend to be good horses ! Why, ye're
not growed up yet. Ye're only babies, and I bet you're homesick
right now."
 THE TEST 623

Finally, between spells of loving and petting, he got them

cleaned and blanketed. Then, while they contentedly munched
their grain, he went to find himself some supper and a bed.
Early next morning, while the rain was still drizzling, they
toiled to and fro between chute and dam, slipping with every step,
and occasionally dropping to their knees. The tongue worried
their necks with never-ceasing jerks, as the wagon dropped into
the numerous chuck-holes in the road. It was enough to dis-
courage more experienced horses, and the Boy wondered at the
way they responded, on the heavy pulls, to his clucking and
kissing.
But this was just a beginning. How
long could the young-
legs stand that terrible pulling? Some of the more thoughtless
young drivers jeered at him, with his big team and small loads.
But though he flushed with anger, he refused to load beyond their
strength. The older drivers smiled encouragingly at him one or
;

two told him his colts were pretty good, and those men the Boy
loved.
When quitting time came that afternoon, the colts were tak-
ing full loads, nor had they fallen back a single place in the line.
Moreover, the Boy had the satisfaction of pulling by one of the
scoffers, who now stood up on his load and lashed and shouted at
horses which were already too bewildered to know what was
wanted of them. The Boy was not an angel so he halted and said :

"Want me to pull it out for ye?"

The driver declined with many thanks ( ?) and dumped his
load where it stood. Then a friend gave him a roll on the wheel
to help free the wagon.
Thus ended the first day. But after being unharnessed, the
grain.
colts stood for some time without offering to touch their
The Boy's heart ached, and his voice shook as he talked to them.
"What's the matter, Andy, old boy? You're not done up by
that little bit of plav, are ye? And you. Bird, shame on you, to
sulk like this, jist 'cause we had to work a little. Come, get in
on them oats thev'll taste mightv good
;
tonight."
After he had done considerable chiding and coaxing, slapping
and patting them the while, they began to nose the grain around,
and he went to his own supper with a light heart.
The second dav promised to be better than the first. The sun
dinner
came out and the footing got a trifle firmer. But after
again and the tracks were soon as bad
fine rain began falling
as ever. .... ,
weari-
Bv four o'clock the colts were showing indications ot
ness They took the hard pulls with difficulty. The careful

placing of their feet was -one; they pawed the

mud at random,
time and when they stopped to
slipping more and more all the :

breathe! there was a quivering of the muscles.

 — :

624 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"Steady, old boy. Come on, old girl. Take it easy. Only
three more trips now," encouraged their small master, and they
toiled on.
It was the last load. Two scrapers coming close together
across the chute had put on more than the usual amount of dirt.
As the Boy pulled away, somone said
"He'll never make it. Those colts are ready to stop right
now."
"That would be too bad," said a gray-haired driver. "The
kid handles them well, and they are really fine."
The Boy heard, and knew that his own heart was entertain-
ing the same doubt. So he breathed them at the bottom of the
first sharp pull, trying hard to steady his hand and voice with the
usual slapping and crooning. Then
"Come, Bird come, Andy," accompanied by
;
a long-drawn
kissing. They took the pull with a rush.
"Bad work, you cayuses !" remonstrated the Boy as they
rested at the top. "That's no way to pull. Take it easy now."
They moved on and started the next pull. Just at the crest
the mare slipped and both front feet went into a hole at once. She
struggled to regain her balance, leaned over against the tongue,
and turned the front wheels out of the ruts into mud, stiff and
sticky, and reaching almost to the hubs.
The colts stopped and both leaned back in the traces, trem-
bling in every muscle. The Boy's heart dropped like a chunk of ice.
He seemed to realize that this was the end. At last the thing he
had so long feared, had come they were discouraged and "stuck."
:

But no !It could not be —

it must not be They would pull
!

it with a minute's rest. He got down from the wagon, patted

and rubbed them, swore at them lovingly, picked up their feet
and cleaned the dirt out of them, then rubbed their shoulders
vigorously. Climbing back upon the seat, he gathered his lines
and spoke.
The horse started, but the mare made not a move. The fall
had evidently taken the last bit of nerve out of her.
By now a long string of loaded wagons were waiting for
him to move on, and those going back empty had stopped to look
on. However, as most of them had on their last loads and were
intensely interested in the outcome, they cared little for the delay.
"Better let us pull you out," said one. "They're done. You
see she won't start."
"Thanks but I want to know she won't," said the lad and
:

got down again.

He dug up
the dirt under their feet, cleared it from in front
of the wheels a little, pushed the horse back against the wheel,

and led the mare up as far as possible. Then he was ready for a
last try.
 THE TEST 625

"Steady now, Andy. Easy, boy."

The horse leaned out in the collar. The mare feeling the
weight, responded in like manner, refusing from force of habit
to be so easily thrust back.
"Come, Andy, come now."
The horse crouched and leaned harder and harder, the mare
gradually responding as the weight on her end of the evener
increased. Now they were straining every muscle !

"Gee, now, Andy !Get up, boy Bird don't you come back
! !

now !"
They leaned to the right and the nigh front wheel moved in
itsbed of mud.
"Get down there, you cayuses Take it away. Now !"
!

A shout arose from the onlookers as the wagon moved, rolled

back into the ruts, and went on its way.
When the Boy was alone with his pets, he buried his face
in their manes to hide the tears of happiness that involuntarily
welled up in his eyes.
The next morning was bright and clear. The work of the
night shift had put the dam out of danger, and the water was
slowly falling in the reservoir as it rushed out through the wide-
opened gates.
So the Boy did not go to work that day, but turned his pets
toward home. Though their muscles were stiff from the strain,
they responded to his voice and he knew that though sorely tried
;

their spirits had not been broken.

OLD "MORMON" FORT, NEAR FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

 Missionaries

BY GEORGE D. KIRBY

[The author was recently asked to prepare a farewell address to be

given at an entertainment by the Seventies, to seven of their number
who were leaving on missions. In sending it to the Era for publica-
tion, he says: "1 cannot claim entire originality, as I read some ser-
mons preached by different ministers, as well as by President Anthon
II. Lund and Elder Nephi L. Morris; and the latter part of my re-
marks is taken, with slight alterations, from a sermon preached Octo-
ber 8, 1905, by Elder Rulon S. Wells."— Editors.]

The question of missionary work, or evangelism, is of the

greatest importance, when considered in all its scope. It is the
greatest work in all the world. What constitutes a missionary?
Not only the one who bears the message of the word of God,
but the one who bears the messsage most effectively and under-
stands it and lives it thoroughly. The missionary must have a
personal acquaintance with the Savior, love him, and also love
his fellowmen. There are millions of people in the world who
cannot be reached by the Church as a body, and this great mass of
humanity must be reached by our elders through personal evangel-
ism. God works for humanity through men and women. When
he wants to warm a human heart, he takes another human heart
and places it beside the one he wants to touch.
In the work of missionaries, we have a great teacher in the
life of Christ. He won many of his followers through his personal
efforts, rather than in his talks to the multitudes. If you want
to be followers of Jesus Christ, you must be workers for him.
It may take sacrifice on your part to bear the message, but to the
one who receives it, it means much. Self-control is one of the
most conspicuous characteristics of missionaries. They accept
poverty and adversity with serenity and cheerfulness, and pursue
their purpose with an abiding sense of their personal responsi-
bility. There are no limits to the possibilities of faith. The
Savior invites us to a greater zeal God knows our ability and
;

what we do is done under the divine eye.

If we are to realize certain results, we cannot minimize mis-
sionary labor. Christ's last command was, "Go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel." Three things must go with the
preaching; humility, pure example, and aggressiveness as against
sin holding up before the world the living God.
;

The question has been asked "What is the best way for
:
 MISSIONARIES 627

a man to win his fellowman to an active and useful life for God
and humanity?" I would suggest: The most effective way is
that of personal missionary effort. The humblest as well as the
greatest men are to be used by the Lord in this persistent propaga-
tion of the gospel. I believe that according to the modern work-
ing of God's providence will the world be saved, not so much by
the striking efforts of great leaders as by the faithful toil of
the rank and file of the men and women who follow Christ. Only
one Niagara thunders forth its vapory anthem for one continent.
1 ut multitudinous meandering streams flow on their mighty mis-
sion of fertilization all over the land. Every Latter-day Saint
should be a well-spring of salvation, that flows over and out to
all thirsty souls who come within their range of effort.
The young men of the Church should be encouraged to look
forward to a mission as an important event in their lives, and they
should prepare themselves spiritually and financially to accept a
call when it comes. One who gives two or more years of his life
to the work of preaching the words of salvation comes back bet-
ter equipped for the problems of life. He has been made stronger
and broader-minded by his experiences while away from home.
It is a blessing to a young man to be called upon a mission. He
has an opportunity to visit other lands and other peoples. This
has an educational value. It tends to broaden his views of life.
Then again, he is prevented from becoming selfish, for he must
leave at home the business of acquiring riches,
and go forth,
without pecuniary compensation, paying his own expenses, or
rely-

ing upon his relatives or friends.

'

It has been said that the Latter-day

Saints are a peculiar
have wondered in what did this peculiar-
reople and sometimes I

Wherever we go, we find that we are somewhat dif-

ity consist.
that we are pointed
ferent from the rest of mankind, so much so
out and observed. In fact, we might say we are the observed
of all observers, when we get out into the world. Many times it
has been said of our missionaries, "Your
men are different from
ours- they seem to be a different class of people.' Why is it?

not the effect the gospel of Jesus Christ is producing among

Is it
If we are living in harmony with
the
the Latter-day Saints?
the gospel, will have the effect to make those
teachings of it

peculiarities still more pronounced.

There is an influence that
Jesus Christ that is felt among the peo-
o-oes with the gospel of
I do not wish to con-
ple of the world with whom we
associate.
advanced and become so perfect
vey the idea that we have so far
holier than the rest of mankind, but I do wish
that we claim to be
has been an effect wrought upon
to convey the idea that there
result of our religion It has opened the
the world as a direct
It has caused us to look
at life
eyes of our understanding.
from an entirely different view. We have been enlightened In
 :

628 IMPROVEMENT ERA

the power of the Holy Ghost conferred upon us when we entered
into covenant with -the Lord. The peculiarity that is more promi-
nent with us than all others is the spirit of love. The spirit of
the gospel is the spirit of love, and there have been exhibitions of
that love in the whole career of the Latter-day Saints.
In pursuance of this quality, which so distinguishes us from
other peoples in the world, our young men leave their fathers
and their mothers, their wives and children, and go out into the
world without remuneration to proclaim the glad message of great
joy. Oh! what a wonderful manifestation of love towards their
fellowmen. Where in all. the world can such a thing be found,
other than among the Latter-day Saints ? There may be isolated
instances of great devotion on the part of men who are sincere
and honest in their motives but where, upon the face of the whole
;

earth, will you find a whole community who are willlirig to make
this sacrifice, because of the love which they hold towards their
fellowmen ? The spirit of this work, the spirit that impels these
young men to go out into the world, distinguishes them where-
ever they go, and manifests iself in the spirit of love. You do not
hear of the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints being full of hatred and venom and seeking whom
they can destroy you do not find them laying traps, or disseminat-
;

ing falsehood, or doing that which will bring their opponents into
discomfort. No you will find them laboring for the salvation
;

of the souls of the children of men. You will find them going from
door to door, holding forth upon the corners of the streets, and
encountering all kinds of opposition. You will find them pro-
claiming the fact that God has- spoken from heaven and restored
to earth his everlasting gospel. You will find them traveling
without purse and without scrip, ofttimes going hungry, and sub-
mitting to great indignities and privations. These are not acts
of men filled with the spirit of hate, but they are impelled by the
spirit of love, a spirit to benefit and bless their fellowmen. There
is a spirit of peace that accompanies them in their ministrations ;

there is an influence which they carry with them of which they

themselves seem to be unconscious. They do not realize the great
force and influence that is with them when they go out into the
world. The influence that impels the Latter-day Saints is the
soirit of the gospel, which is the spirit of love. God is love, and
if we possess his Holy Spirit it will manifest itself in acts of

love. The man who is in possession of the Spirit of the Lord

carries with him an influence that is a strange thing in the world,
and it will cause those who come in contact with him to recog-
nize the fact that he is different from the majority of mankind.
In the 121st section of the book of Doctrine and Covenants
you will find these words
 MISSIONARIES 629

"45. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and
to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts un-
ceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of
God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as
the dews from heaven.
"46. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy
sceptre an unchanging sceptre of righteousness and truth, and thy
dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory
means it shall flow unto thee for ever and ever."

If the Latter-day Saints will allow their hearts to go out

in sympathy and love and especially for me
for their fellowmen,
household of faith, their faith will stronger, day by day;
grow
they will increase in the knowledge of God, and their confidence
shall wax strong in his presence, and this doctrine of the priest-
hood shall distil upon their souls as the dews from heaven. Their
whole being will be lit up by the power of the Spirit of God, and
this power will make itself felt among the people of the world.
This is the great advantage we have received in yielding
obedience
to the gospel. It is in this regard that we are different from the
rest of mankind. This is not saying there are not millions of
good people upon the face of the earth who desire to do the will
of the Lord. But I would say to such that if they will also ac-
cept the truth as it has been revealed from heaven, the
same
power, the same gifts, and the same influence, will distinguish them
from the rest of mankind. It is the marvelous power of the Spirit
of God the doctrine of the priesthood distilling upon
;
the souls of
those who allow their hearts to go out in sympathy and love to-
going out
ward their fellowmen, and who manifest that love in

proclaim the truth as has been revealed from

into the world to it

heaven It is the same love that imbued the

Savior of the world
his life for the salvation of men. Greater love than
when he gave
hath no man, that he will lay down his life for
his friends. It
this
Smith to lay down
is that love that impelled the Prophet Joseph
love that
his life and to go as a lamb to the slaughter. It is that
servants of the Lord in this day to take their lives
impels 'the
in their hands and go into the world,
which is so full of hatred and
prejudice against the work of the Lord.
Those who rise up
can they find m
against the Latter-day Saints, what
justification

What spirit is it that imbues the men and women who

that?
falsehood and misstatements, which have the result
disseminate
the Latter-day^ Saints r
of arousing prejudice and hatred toward
What spirit is it that impels men and women to raise their voices

against men whom they know to be

honorable men of virtue and
blackening their lives and making
integrity for the purpose of
the eyes of the world as men of the vilest character i

them appear in
animates our mission-
Contrast this spirit with the spirit that
the heritage of the Saints to be_ hated of
aries It seems to be
spoken against them
the world and to have all manner
of evil
630 IMPROVEMENT ERA
falsely. It was so in the case of the Savior himself. It was so
with the prophets and holy men who have spoken under the
inspiration of the Spirit of God. It is that which has helped to
distinguish them in the different periods of the world's history.
They have always stood out prominent among the inhabitants of
the earth, and their names have been had for good and for evil
in all the world. The name of the Savior himself was had for
good and evil. The prophets of God have been despised and hated
and stoned to death. The Latter-day Saints in this day and age
of the world are no exception. They are spoken evil of by
those who possess an evil spirit, and they are spoken well of by
those who are honest in heart.
Having said this much about the peculiarities of our people,
let us, my brethren and sisters, continue to be a peculiar people.
Let our influence be felt wherever we go. Let it be said of us
that we are indeed a peculiar people, in this, that the love of God
abounds in our hearts, and that we seek to build one another up,
not to tear down. When we come in contact with the people of
the world let them feel that we have no spirit of hatred toward
them, no spirit to tear down, but that in the depths of our
hearts we desire to save their souls and to do them good. This
gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto
salvation through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph
;

Smith it has been restored to earth, never again to be taken away,

and never again to be thrown down those whom God has chosen
;

to stand at the head of his people, today, are inspired of him

and possess the spirit of their calling. I pray that God may help
us all to attain this testimony for ourselves, and to uphold and
sustain his servants with all our hearts.
SUGAR CITY, IDAHO

Only Two' Elders Left, but the Work Goes on

Elders Howard M. Andreasen and J. Frank Petersen, the former
.of Tremonton, Utah, and the latter of Preston, Idaho, write from
Rergen, Norway, March 10: "We are the only two elders in this dis-
trict left to care for the Bergen conference of the Scandinavian mis-
sion. —
We have four branches to oversee, Aalesund, Haugesund,
S'avanger and Bergen,— but manage to look after the Saints and at
the same time to do some trading and visiting with friends and inves-
tigators. Our meeting place here is not the best, as we cannot well
accommodate strangers as we should. We hope the future will bring
a change for the better in regard to our accommodations. We look
forward to receiving several applicants for baptism in the near future.
The Saints are helping along the work very much. We have a fully
organized Sunday school. Relief society and Mutual in each of the
f^ur branches, and all of these are doing a good work."
 ; ———
; !

In Memoriam
Yea, all the dead of ages slumber still,

And their lost voices come to us no more

They rise not up, come forth on plain or hill,

Ascend to life from ocean's sunken floor.

They lie, the friend and foe, as they have lain

To time of peace the time of tumult yields

Who died for Thee or in Thy name were slain,

In grassy mounds on countless battlefields.

Wing we our eager feet, or weigh, with lead

With deeper knowledge shall the game be won ?

In trust shall we above our cherished dead,

With ashen lips repeat, "Thy will be done"?

Yet not Thy words, O Christ, nor love shall fail,

More sweet with years Thy teaching ever sounds ;

May we the heights of Thy completeness scale,

And know beyond dead formalism's bounds?

Yea, unto doubt itself Thou bring'st a hope,

Unbound by selfish or by narrow creed

Yea, still thy mighty love of boundless scope,

With cross we follow where Thy footsteps lead

ALFRED LAMBOURNE
 The Psychology of the War
BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

For the past twenty years the war in progress has been more
or less in the mental frame-up of the various nations now engaged
in it. Each of the nations has not only calculated its own superi-
ority at arms, but has also figured out the weaknesses of its prob-
able antagonists. What these nations have thought and expressed
of themselves and one another has given to the world a mental
picture of the events which would take place on the field of battle.
It is interesting, in view of what is taking place, to recall what we
may term the psychology of the war.
The nation which has drawn the most complete mental pic-
ture of what would take place is beyond all question Germany.
The Germans as a consequence built up the most wonderful fight-
ing organization the world has ever known. Their wars with
Denmark, in 1864, with Austria, in. 1866, and with France, in
1870, made Germany the most feared of all military countries of
Europe. They also created a national self-confidence that gave
rise to the glorification of war in the minds of the people of that
vast empire. The acquisition of large and valuable territory, the
confederation of the Teutonic race, and the indemnity of $1,000,-
000,000 from France, made the German people quite generally
believe that to them, in the future, war would mean vast benefits
in commerce, in territory and in dominance as a European power.
They never admitted the possibility of defeat indeed, they never
;

dreamed that such a contingency was possible. They were as con-

fident of their future military exploits as the other nations were
fearful. True, they did not anticipate such an array of opponents,
nor did the statesmen of Europe generally believe that such a com-
bination against Germany was possible. The diplomatic contests
of the past twenty years have shown this self-confidence on the
one side, and the fear of German arms on the other. It has taken
five years of a threatened outbreak to brace up the leading nations,
now opposed to the dual alliance, to muster courage enough to
accept the challenge of the Germans when they pressed into the
foreground of diplomatic contention the threat of war. The result
has been the cautious diplomatic preparation of the Allies on the
one hand, and the reckless diplomacy of the Germans on the other.
Bismarck's shrewd isolation of all other nations when he under-
took war with any one of them has been grossly neglected in
Germany's preparation for war. The counsels of that old pilot of
 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE WAR 633

state who was so ruthlessly dropped have not only- been disre-
garded, but have been directly opposed. With the emperor, strat-
egy has been everything, diplomacy, nothing.
France was fearful, but she was at the same time revengeful.
Every approach to national friendship offered by the Germans she
rejected. She nurtured social and political antagonisms. They
in turn aroused in Germany a determination further to humiliate
France. The French knew their comparative helplessness, and
sought alliances that aggravated the Germans.
The English saw in the naval program of Germany a danger
to her supremacy upon the seas. She asked Germany to take a
naval holiday for a year or two that the burdens of the people of
the two countries might be lessened. The answer was more Ger-
man dreadnaughts. The English believed themselves impregnable
upon the seas, and they were as over-confident in their naval su-
premacy as the Germans were in their supremacy on land.
Russia was fearful. The unexpected had happened in her
war with Japan. That war had made the Russians more or less a
negligible quantity in the German mind.
Italy was a part of the Triple Alliance. She might fight for
Germany and Austria, under certain circumstances; but she did
not anticipate a war with England, against which she could hardly
be induced to fight.
Germans have been heard to say that the English soldier was
no good, that one German soldier was good for from three to a
half dozen Englishmen. When war broke out, the German agent,
whose mission it was to keep England out of the war. confidently
informed Sir Edward Grey that the assistance of the English on
land would be of no consequence to France. On the other hand,
Lord Churchill proposed to go over to the German coast and
dig the German navy out like rats.
Again, consider the mental attitude of the European nations
in the "matter of the fortifications of the Dardanelles.
Writers
generally, for the past two decades, have regarded that water-way
as impassable. Certain forts, particularly those of
Antwerp, were
considered impregnable.
Such were quite generally the mental conceptions of the
world when the present war broke out. The best informed
men
surprises.
have been compelled to admit their disappointment or
calculations
This war has taught us the dangers of any mental
for God s
that do not make ample allowances for the unforeseen,
rights as an arbiter in the destinies of nations.
"
Tommy Atkins is a real fighter of the first order the German
;

even
submarine has astounded the world, and Russia has surprised
It looks as if the passage
of the Darda-
military experts.
Thirty years ago 1
nelles might now at this writing be forced.
merchant vessels point out to me, as 1 trav-
had the captains of
 ! !

634 IMPROVEMENT ERA

ersed that waterway on different occasions, the impregnable forts
which lined it, and I heard the absolute assurance of English,
French and Russians, that its passage by war vessels was not even
thinkable. What a strange contradiction of opinions and facts
Heretofore war has been an affair of two or three nations at
most, at one time. There was an alliance to crush Napoleon but ;

today we must admit our surprise at the spectacle of all Europe

at arms, or what promises to be the most universal war any con-
tinent or even all the world has ever witnessed. The end is not
yet. All Europe is frenzied by the spirit of destruction. In the
presence of such devastation and loss of human life, what an im-
potent thing is even the imagination
Perhaps it is best to conclude that more and greater surprises
await us that God is a reality in the history and destiny of this
;

world and that our calculations which do not make conservative

;

allowances for his interventions are never safe.

Memorial Day
Today we scatter the blossoms
Wet with our sorrowing tears,
O'er the mounds where lie the ashes
Of heroes of bygone years.
We mark with the nation's emblem
Each valiant soldier's grave
Who answered the call with his life-blood
His war-racked country gave.
Today we scatter the blossoms,
With service of sonsr and prayer,
And glimpses of war-time horrors
That veterans with whitening hair
Recall from a past unforgotten:
Pray God that this glorious land
Such terrible toll from her people
May never again demand.
Today we scatter the blossoms
With a prayer for the lands afar,
That are numbed with the awful anguish
Of the world's most appalling war.
For the unburied dead and the dying
'Mid the terrible scenes that are,
We would plant the Savior's emblems—
The Lily, the Cross and the Star.
And while we scatte'r the blossoms
For the dead with a lavish hand,
Let us remember the living
Who battle for peace in the land.
With blossoms of praise encourage
The loyal and faithful ones,
Who would for the good of the nation
Spare the blood of her sons.
EUGENE, OREGON Mrs L
. _ R Roylance
 A Hand on My Shoulder
Not for one hasty word spoken,
Did my heart lay crushed and broken,
Now newly torn and bleeding.
Months of coldness and censure
I had met with, lone and pleading,
Until my heart was sore and bruised.
Courage, hope, and faith were gone,
Still love had kept my heart strong.

Labor had multiplied, burdens had grown,

Constant toil, self-denial for love unreturned,
Had smitten my strength; my life it had burned,
Until I was done, my grip I had lost.
I felt my
feet slipping, fast slipping down;
I knew was losing my place, my hold
I

On the pathway of duty, a pathway of gold.

Surging below me, awaiting my fall,
The River of Despair for my ruin did call.

Out in the night away from the eyes of men,

My soul cried to God, to save me from those I loved
Who loved me not.
I heard a sound, light as a babe's footstep,
Felt a shadowy presence, an angel-like peace;
A hand was laid on my shoulder,
An arm slipped around my neck,
A voice, that I knew in the troubles of boyhood,
Spoke to me, now, words of healing, then:
"My boy, I am proud, so glad of your strength,
Your patience to suffer in silence; like Jesus
To love and be true. I never knew you till now.
My suffering, my sorrow, my pain, are rewarded,
In you I have joy." A light pressure of the arm
About my shoulders, a warm kiss on the forehead.
And Mother was gone. Gone from my side.
God had answered my prayer,
My strength had come back, my heart was renewed.
Years have passed by, my mother has gone to her rest;
Rut never has hope, or strength, or heart failed me.
My joy has been full to this day, since my mother,
So small, so weak, so timid, so mighty,
Lay her hand on my shoulder that night.
K WSVILLE, UTAH E. VOL
 :

Editors' Table

General Condition of the Church

At the opening session of the 85th Annual General conference,

April 4, 1915, President Joseph F. Smith expressed himself as
follows in regard to the general condition of the Church
"There never has been a time, at least within my remem-
brance, when the Church was in a better condition, spiritually and
temporally, than it is today. I do not believe that there has ever been
a time when the organizations of the various quorums of the priest-
hood were more nearly perfect or more diligent than they are at
present or when the stakes of Zion were more properly guarded,
;

and their interests watched, by those who are presiding over them,
than they are today. I believe that our general and auxiliary
organizations of the Church, also the standard organizations of the
priesthood, are performing their duty quite as well now, and I
think somewhat better, than at any previous period of the Church's
history. Why should it not be so ? We are not 'ever learning and
never coming to a knowledge of the truth.' On the contrary, we
are ever learning and we are ever drawing nearer to a proper com-
prehension of the truth, the duty and the responsibility, that devolve
upon members of the Church who are called to responsible posi-
tions in it. Not only does this apply to those members who are
called to act in responsible positions, but it applies to those who
may be termed 'lay members ;' if we may use such a term with
reference to members of the Church of Testis Christ of Latter-dav
Saints."

Duty of Parents to Children, and Officers to Members

One of the important instructions given by President Joseph
F. Smith at the late annual conference related to the duty of
parents to teach their children the principles of the gospel. Some
of the stakes have adopted a home evening for this purpose, upon
which the children are gathered together once each week to spend
the evening with their parents, at which time the parents take
special delight in teaching them, among other things, the principles
of the gospel. Here is what President Smith stated upon the
subject:
"A great and important duty devolving upon this people is to
teach their children, from their cradle until they become men and
women, every principle of the gospel and to endeavor, as far as
;
 ;

EDITORS' TABLE 637

it lies in the power of the parents, to instil into their hearts a love
for God, the truth, virtue, honesty, honor and integrity to every
thing" that is good. That is important for all men and women
who stand at the head of a family in the household of faith. Teach
your children the love of God. Teach them to love the principles
of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Teach them to love their fellowmen,
and especially to love their fellow members in the Church, that
they may be true to their fellowship with the people of God. Teach
them to honor the priesthood, to honor the authority that God has
bestowed upon his Church for the proper government of his
Church. The house of God is a house of order, and not a house
of confusion and it could not be thus, if there were not those who
;

had authority to preside, to direct, to counsel, to lead in the affairs

of the Church. No house would be a house of order if it were
not properly organized, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints is organized. Take away the organization of the
Church.and its power would cease. Every part of its organization
is necessary and essential to its perfect existence.
Disregard,
ignore, or omit any part, and you start imperfection in the Church
and if we should continue in that way, we would find ourselves
like those of old, being led by error, superstition, ignorance-, and
by the cunning and craftiness' of men. We would soon leave out
here a little and there a little, here a line and there a precept, until
we would become like the rest of the world,— divided, disorgan-
ized, confused, and without knowledge, without
revelation or in-
spiration, and without divine authority or power. Of course, it
is very necessary that those who preside
in the Church should learn

thoroughly their duties. There is not a man holding any

position

authority in the Church who can perform his duty as he should

of
in any other spirit than in the spirit of fatherhood
and brotherhood
toward those over whom he presides. Those who have authority
arbitrary
should not be rulers, nor dictators they should not be
:
;

confidence and the love of those

they should gain the hearts, the
and love unfeigned by gen-
over whom they preside, by kindness
tleness of spirit, by persuasion, by an
example that is above re-
reach of unjust criticism In this way in
proach and above the
for their people, they
the kindness of their hearts, in their love
righteousness, and teach them the wax
lead them in the path of
saving to them, both by precept and example:
of salvation, by
Redeemer of the v orld. his
Follow me, as I follow our head, the
I

The duty of the high councils

is the duty -of those who preside.
of the Church, when they are called to act
upon questions involv-
the members of the C nurcn is
ing the membership or standing of
the facts, and then judge according to the
to find out the truth,
their unders tan ding always
;

truth and the facts that are brought to

and kindness and with the spirit in
tempered with mercy, love
and cast out. Our mission
their souls to save and not to destroy
638 IMPROVEMENT ERA
is our aim should be to build up, and not to
to save, not destroy;
tear down. Our calling is to convey the spirit of love, truth, peace
and good will to mankind throughout all the world that war may ;

cease that strife may come to an end, and that peace may prevail."
;

Our Thankfulness for Peace

President Joseph F. Smith expressed himself as follows upon
this subject:
"I thank God, my heavenly Father, as you do, every one of
you present here today, and as do all the people of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that our land is at peace, as
much as it is. I am sorry that there should be any internal dis-
ruptions, divisions, or contentions existing at all, among the vari-
ous organizations of the people of our land. I am sorry that there
should be strife. If they had the true spirit of the gospel of Jesus
Christ they would not have strife they would cease to harbor
;

feelings of contention and strife if trouble came they would meet

;

together and deliberate in the spirit of wisdom, meekness and

humility, invoking the blessing and spirit of Almighty God upon
their deliberations and counsels, and calmly decide together upon
that which would be for the common good, and then go as one
man to do that which is necessary to build up the nation and the
country in which we dwell. I am glad that we have kept out of
war so far, and I hope and pray that we may not be under the
necessity of sending our sons to war, or experience as a nation the
distress, the anguish and sorrow that come from a condition such
as exists upon the old continent. Oh God, have mercy upon the
poor children in Europe, and throughout the world, who are
brought under the awful conditions that exist there because of the
ambition and pride of men who claim the right and power to
dictate, even to life or death, the conduct of the people over whom
they rule.
"My brethren and sisters, God is with you the Lord is with ;

this people; and if we will be his children, in very deed, as he is

in very deed our Father, I tell you that God will temper the ele-
ments for your good he will bless you with health he will bless
; ;

vou with abundance he will bless the earth and make it fruitful.
;

Those who reap their harvests by the toil and sweat of their brows,
from mother earth, will have bounteous harvests, if they will only
serve God in their hearts and in their outward life. I feel just
as sure of this as I do that I am standing before you here."

The Tithing of the Latter-day Saints and its Expenditure

President Joseph F. Smith in his opening address at the April
conference called attention to the fact that the Presidency have
not the means to provide as amply as they would like for the
necessities of the poor. He called attention to the tithing record
 EDITORS' TABLE 639

containing the names of the members of the Church who do not

pay their tithing, and told the people that they need not wonder
why the Church has not more means to provide for the poor, when
so many were upon the delinquent tithing record. He stated that
the Presidency were doing the best they could with the means
they have on hand, and then he read the following statement, with
comments, of what the Presidency are doing with the means that
the people have consecrated to the Lord for the upbuilding of Zion :

"The general Church Auditing Committee has examined the

receipts and disbursements of the tithes of the stakes of Zion and
missions, also the accounts of the Presiding Bishop's Office, and
the accounts in the office of the Trustee-in-Trust. Their report
will be rendered before the close of the conference, I suppose.
The following report will show how the tithing of the Church, for
the year 1914, has been disbursed. Now I am taking a liberty
that has not been indulged in very much but there have been so
;

many false charges made against me, and against my brethren, by

ignorant and evilly disposed people, that I propose to make a true
statement which will, I believe, at least have a tendency to con-
vince you that we are trying to do our duty the best we know how :

"Means expended for the erection and maintenance of

stake tabernacles, ward meeting houses, amusement halls, and
other stake and ward expenses for 1914 $730,960
"For the maintenance of the Church Schools during the
same year 330,984
"For the maintenance of our temples, four, from St. George
to Logan . . . . . . 64,508
"Disbursements in the missions, for the erection of mission
houses, general mission activities, and for return fares of mis-
sionaries, during 1914 227,900
"For the maintenance Church buildings and Church in-
of
stitutions, including the Temple Block and the Presiding
Bishop's Office 99,293
"For the completion and maintenance of the Latter-day-
Saints' Hospital, during that year 136,727
"To explain why this happens to be so much, I may say
that we have built a very beautiful and convenient addition to
the hospital, which has made this expense much greater. One
who knows, who has had experience and seen, says that the
William H. Groves' Latter-day Saints Hospital is one that
would be a credit to any country in the world.
"For the erection of the Cardston Temple, Canada 52,647
"For the erection of the new Church office building, which
course of erection, already ......
is in J28,663
"Paid to the worthy poor out of the general tithing funds. 116,^6 .

"This amount out of the tithing; there are other funds be-
sides it that have been used for the poor.
"These appropriations and application of the tithing ot the
$1,85/ ,y-u
Latter-day Saints, for the year 1914, amount to

people have reported that the tithes of the Church

"Now some
abso-
amount to millions every year, and Joseph F. Smith has the
 ;

040 IMPROVEMENT ERA

lute control of all these millions, and never gives any account of
them to the world, nor to anybody else. Now we are not giving
this to the world we are giving it to the Latter-day Saints. These
;

amounts which I have read, I think it may be proper to state here,

cover the entire tithing of the Church in all the world, for the year
1914. Now when you come to talk about the millions and millions
of dollars in tithing paid by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints, it is simmered down to $1,887,920, for the year 1914,
and that was an average year. I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I
say here, for the benefit of any who do not know the facts, that
the law of tithing is a voluntary law that is, it imposes only a
;

voluntary duty upon the people. No person's standing as a mem-

ber in the Church, is jeopardized because he doesn't pay his tithing.
There are a good many of us who don't observe all the laws, and
it is a good thing that the Lord does not execute justice and judg-

ment upon a great many of us because of it.

"The expense of the general authorities and the maintenance
of the First Presidency are paid out of the revenues derived from
investments, and not out of the tithes of the Church. These invest-
ments, as a rule, consist of contributions of stocks of various kinds
to the Church on tithing, which have been held by the Church and ;

the dividends that we derive from these stocks and investments

are for the benefit of the people in every instance, for the Church
has never made an investment that had not for its object the bene-
fiting of the whole people, as far as possible, -fostering industries,
and the colonization of our country. It has been done for aiding
the settlers of our country, our state and adjoining states, as far
as possible, by assisting them with means, to help them lay the
foundations of prosperity for themselves.
"In addition to the amount paid out of the tithes to the poor,
$116,238,
"There has been collected and expended to the poor by the
Relief Society, $74,290
"By the bishops, from the fast offerings and other ward char-
ities and funds, $76,000,
"Making a total paid to the poor, for 1914, of $266,528.
It just occurs to me that we are talking to you on the Sabbath
day, and some people, perhaps may feel that it is somewhat out of
place for us to talk about money and temporalities, about tithing,
or the expenditure of means and the uses made of it, on the Sab-
bath day, but the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
Sabbath. God made or designated the Sabbath day for a day of
rest, a day of worship, a day of goodly deeds, and for humility and
penitence, and the worship of the Amighty in spirit and in truth.
"There has been collected for the war sufferers, which is being
expended under the direction of President Hyrum M. Smith, of the
European Mission, $33,000. This was done on one day, prac-
 : — :

EDITORS' TABLE 641

tically, a clay setapart for general contributions for the benefit of

the sufferers in consequence of the war. I have a list of the names
of all the stakes of Zion and the wards which contributed these
means, and it was all contributed and handled and sent to the

sufferers to be distributed equally and impartially, —

to Latter-day
Saints, mind you, first I want to tell you that, we will be honest
;

with you we feel that it is the first duty of Latter-day Saints to

;

take care of themselves, and of their poor; and then, if we can

extend it and as wide and as far as we can extend
to others,
charity assistance to others that are not members of the
and
Church, 'we feel that it is our duty to do it. But first to look after
the members of our own household. The man who will not pro-
vide for his own house, as one of old has said, is worse than an
infidel. So we make no apologies for saying that we have col-
lected these means for the suffering Latter-day Saints that are
afflicted because of the war, in Germany, in Austria, in Italy, in
Switzerland, Holland and in England and' anywhere else where
they are suffering in consequence of it. It cost the fund not one
penny, not even a postage stamp, for collection. May be you
would like to know that there were no paid agencies, no paid col-
;

lectors. No one received a nickel from the funds contributed for

the assistance of the afflicted and the suffering. It was done
through the channels of the holy priesthood, through the organiza-
tion of the Church, in the regular way, and it has cost nobody any-
thing. The First Presidency received the following cable message
from the President of the Swiss and German Mission

"Two thousand dollar relief fund thankfully received. Express

gratitude to God's people. Conditions satisfactory. Valentine, Pres-
ident Swiss and German Mission.

"We have received also a number of returns from President

Hyrum M. Smith, but in volume, and these returns have not been
condensed, so that they can be presented here."

Interesting Statistics and Advice

Among other statistical statements made by President Joseph
F. Smith at the April general conference, the following show the
birth and death rate, marriages, and other important items relating
to the Latter-day Saints. He made comments thereon as they
appear below
"Now, we have a few more statements that I desire to read :

Our records show that 73% of all the Latter-day Saint families,
I am
residing in all the stakes of Zion, own their own homes.
sorry that this figure is not as large as it has been in the past, bitt
we have become more numerous than we were when 95$ orf the
people of the Church owned their own little homes and owed noth
642 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ing to anybody for them. Let me inject here, once more, my
standing admonition to the Latter-day Saints. My brethren, see
to it that you do not put a mortgage upon the roof that covers
the heads of your wives and your children. Don't do it. Don't
plaster your farms with mortgages, because it is from your farms
that you reap your food, and the means to provide your raiment
and your other necessaries of life. Keep your possessions free
from debt. Get out of debt as fast as you can, and keep out of
debt, for that is the way in which the promise of God will be ful-
filled to the people of his Church that they shall become the
:

richest of all people in the world. But this will not happen while
you mortgage your homes and your farms, or run into debt beyond
your ability to meet your obligations, and thus, perhaps, your name
and credit be dishonored because you over-reached yourselves.
'Never reach farther than you can gather,' is a good motto.
"The birth rate of the Church, for the year 1914, is 39.5 to the
thousand.
"The death rate is 8.3 to the thousand. The marriage rate is
17 to the thousand.
"During the year there were 14,717 children blessed in the
Church.
"There are 1,316 elders and 115 women laboring, in the mis-
sions, as missionaries. Of the membership of the Church, residing
in the stakes of Zion, 319,000 were born in the United States.
"There has been a net increase in the membership of the
Church, in the stakes of Zion, from the year 1901 to the year 1914,
of 129,493 souls.
"There are now 739 organized wards, and 33 independent
branches. There are 68 organized stakes of Zion, and 21 missions.
During the year 1914, twenty-one new wards were organized and
two stakes of Zion. From each of the newly organized wards we
have received calls to assist to help build new meeting houses and
;

so the work goes on. I have read the figures of the hundreds of
thousands that we are appropriating for the assistance in the erec-
tion of meeting houses, tabernacles and amusement places for the
;

youth of Zion, to keep them under proper restraint and control.

"The work in the temples has been the largest on record.
There have been performed in the temples, during the past year,
—
166,909 baptisms for the dead, an indication that we are increas-
ing the membership of the Church very, very much faster, in the
spirit world than we are on earth. Endowments for the living
and the dead, 72,952. Altogether 326,264 ordinances have been
performed in the four temples. This is a very considerable in-
crease over any previous year.
"The ward teaching has been given considerable attention by
the stake and ward officers, with the result that in some of the
stakes of Zion the work has been so well developed that 96% of
 : :

EDITORS' TABLE 643

all the families in the stakes are visited by the ward teacher each
month."

The Spirit of Missionary Work

During- the 85th annual conference, in April, a number of the
speakers called attention to the change in the missionary personnel.
It is decided that a greater number of older members of the Church
shall be called as ministers abroad. To this end, a large number
of Seventies have been and are being called to the various mission
fields in the world. Whereas, it has been the recent custom to
have nearly all young men in the field, boys in some instances, it is
now decided desirable that at least two elderly people to one young
man shall be called to the work. In the closing remarks of Presi-
dent Joseph F. Smith, he also referred to this subject, and par-
ticularly dwelt upon the spirit of the missionary. He said
"I want to read a passage of the scripture which will apply
not only to the Seventies but to all the Saints

Wherefore, honest men, and wise men should be sought for dili-
gently, and good men and wise men, ye should observe to uphold;
otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all
evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which
proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God;
For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon
precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith;
And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake,
shall find again, even life eternal;
it
Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my
heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you
will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found
worthy;
For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me.

"I think that this passage of scripture opens to us a vast field

and subject for thought and reflection, for research, and careful
attention! I believe in all the words that have been
spoken by the
dispensation of the fulness of times
holy prophets concerning the
and the establishment of the kingdom of God in the earth. I be-

lieve it is good to seek knowledge out of the best

books, to learn
the histories of nations, to be able to comprehend the
purposes of
God with reference to the nations of the earth and I believe that;

one of the most important things, and perhaps more important

to

history of the world, is that we study and

us than studying the
gospel
become thoroughly acquainted with the principles of the
our hearts and souls, above all
that they mav' be 'established in
preach and
other things "to qualify us to go out into the world to
teach them We may know all about the philosophy of the ages
and the history of the nations of the earth; we
may study the
the information that
wisdom and knowledge of man, and get all
 :

644 IMPROVEMENT EKA

we can acquire in a lifetime of research and study, but all of it
put together will never qualify anyone to become a minister of the
gospel, unless he has the knowledge and spirit of the first principles
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
—
"Another thing one of the indispensable qualifications of the
elders who go out into the world to preach is humility, meekness,
and love unfeigned for the well-being and the salvation of the
human family, and the desire to establish peace and righteousness
in the earth among men. We
can not preach the gospel of Christ
without this spirit of humility, meekness, faith in God, and reliance
upon his promises and word to us. You may learn all the wisdom
of men, but that will not qualify you to do these things, like the
humble, guiding influence of the Spirit of God will. 'Pride goeth
before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.' It is nec-
essary for the elders who go out into the world to preach to study
the spirit of the gospel, which is the spirit of humility, the spirit of
meekness and of true devotion to whatever purpose you set your
hand or your mind to do. If it is to preach the gospel, we should
devote ourselves to the duties of that ministry, and we ought to
strive, with the utmost of our ability, to qualify ourselves to per-
form thai specific labor. And the way to do it is to live so that
the Spirit of God will have communion and be present with us to
direct us in every moment and hour of our ministry, night and
day."

Temperance and Prohibition

A the Priesthood meeting, on Monday evening at the April
i

conference, President Joseph F. Smith expressed himself in regard

to his stand upon the subject of temperance and prohibition. It
appears that some of the brethren who were present were doubtful
as to his position. Consequently, at the closing session of the gen-
eral conference, he expressed himself clearly upon this subject as
follows
—
"There is a disposition I feel almost indignant to refer to it
at all. hul I am led to believe that there is a feeling and a disposi-
tion on the part of some of our brethren to misconstrue my posi-
tion, my feeling, and my desire, with reference to the temperance
question: I thought I expressed myself here last night as plainly
as man could do it, and yet the very remarks that I made here last
evening, before the priesthood meeting, have been, I am told, so
misinterpreted and misconstrued that I am beset to know what I
meant, and as Brother Golden -said, 'I am going to tell you some-

thing.' I started out in this ministry in 1854, a boy fifteen years

of age. From that hour until now, I have never relented nor re-
laxed one moment, in my advocacy of abstinence from strong
drink, and my advocacy of temperance and prohibition, wherever
prohibition can be effected. I believe in it. I believe that the
 —

EDITORS' TABLE 645

time will come and that it is close by, when the people of this

state will have to join the procession of other states and adopt
in
a law of state-wide prohibition I believe the time will come when
;

they will be forced to do it, to keep in line with the other states
in the Union.
"I am delighted with the effort that is being put forth in Great
Britain,— the motherland and fatherland of many of the Latter-day
Saints, and one of the most fruitful nurseries of the Church,
where people have been let loose to indulge in drunkenness, to
wallow in the debasing evils of the 'public house,' the 'beer shop,'
and. to indulge in every species of licentiousness which leads to
degradation and poverty. Many of the mayors of the great bur-
roughs and cities are principal owners of the ale houses, and dis-
pensaries of intoxicating drinks. Now the authorities of that
great nation, the leaders of the people, are waking up to these
monstrous evils, and are setting to work with a will and a deter-
mination to establish temperance in that land. It will be the salva-
tion of our mother country, if they will only do it as Russia has
done it. I propose to continue to preach abstinence and to advo-
cate the cause of temperance; I not only believe in temperance, as
applied to the using of strong drinks, but I believe in temperance
in all things. I not only believe in and will advocate this, but
I will

also advocate and strive to the best of my ability to use _

every
opportunity or power within my reach for prohibition, in wisdom,
and not in unwisdom if I go to any extreme at all, in any matter,
;

T hope it will be in the cause of justice, truth,

temperance, right-
eousness and honestv of life and purpose. I may get extreme in
matters of that kind", but I may not be so extreme as some
people
are in questions of policy."

Gone to her Reward

F.
Sarah Ellen Richards Smith, wife of President Joseph
where she was
Smith, died, in Salt Lake City, March 22, 1915,
only about three
born \uo-ust 25 1850. She came into the world
late President
and a half years prior to the death of her father, the
of the I ropnet
Willard Richards, beloved and trusted companion
tragic hour of his martyrdom in
Toseph, who stood bv him in the
a teacher in
Carthage Illinois. Sister Smith was for many
years
ward, also in organizing and
the Relief Society of the Seventeenth
the Pioneers, and in recent years she
directing the Daughters of
took great interest in temple work, laboring
m the Salt Lake 1 em-
dead. She was married to President
ple in behalf of her kindred
and accompanied him on his third mis-
Smith on March 1, 1868,
of 1877. She was a faithful
sion to Great Britain in the spring
 —

646 IMPROVEMENT ERA

wife, a devoted mother, a valiant friend,and an inspiring teacher.
She was and a wise, careful and loving mother.
a cherished wife
Six children survive her, as follows Joseph R. Smith, Minerva
:

Smith Miller, Willard R., Franklin R., Jeanetta and Asenath

Smith, all of Salt Lake. Five are dead Mrs. Lenora Nelson,
:

Alice, Heber, Rhoda and Ellen Smith.

Sister Smith was extremely devoted to her home and chil-
dren, and all who knew her loved her modest and kindly ways and
her sweet spirit. The love and respect which she inspired in
people is shown in the following tribute paid to her some years
ago:
"Sarah Ellen Richards Smith was a beautiful, faithful and noble
girl, is a most beloved and cherished wife, a wise, careful, loving
mother, a genuine homemaker, and the mother of eleven children in
who"! no parents on earth are more blessed or more happy. For more
than forty-three years she has shed forth ever-increasing joy and hap-
piness upon the. life of her husband, her home and family; and her chil-
dren and children's children, to the latest time will joyfully call her
blessed."

The Era Story Contest

The winner in the March $25-prize story contest was Elsie
Chamberlain Carroll. The title of her story is "Jim's Oration."
It has a local western setting and application that will grip both
young and old. The judges were Elizabeth Cannon Porter, Hugo
B. Anderson, Thomas Hull and Edward H. Anderson. The
stories for May should be in hand by May 5. The winner for
April will be named in the June Era.

Messages from the Missions

[The Era solicits short, pertinent messages of important happen-

ings, and faith-promoting incidents in the experiences of the elders;
portraits of persons and places connected with such experiences, and
illustrating the text, will be acceptable, especially if the pictures are
—
out of the ordinary illustrations of action. Groups, with names
alone, can be used only to a very limited extent. Editors.]

MISSIONARIES WHO DIED IN THE HARNESS

Benjamin Everet Wilhelmsen contracted pneumonia while on a
mission in Louisville. Kentucky, and died on March 27, 1915. The
funeral was held on the 3rd of April in Salt Lake City in the Third
ward chapel. Elder Wilhelmsen made a good record as a missionary,
and his associates deeply regretted his death. When called on a mis-
sion a year ago, he was a third year student at the Latter-day Saints
University in excellent standing and with many friends.
 EDITORS' TABLE 647

Ernest M. Ernstsen, thirty-nine years old, died April 9, 1915, in

Racine, Wisconsin, where he was laboring as a missionary. He was
born in Aarhns, Denmark, January 23, 1876. The body was sent to the
home of his parents in Loa, Wayne county, for funeral services and
burial, and President Joseph Eckersley, of Wayne stake, accompanied
the body from Salt Lake to Loa. President German E. Ellsworth in
a letter to the First Presidency, paid an impressive tribute to his char-
acter and missionary labors. Elder Ernstsen was set apart March 8,
1914, to fill a mission in Norway, and was transferred last October to
the Northern States mission, being appointed to labor in the Wisconsin
conference. He was of a hopeful and cheerful disposition, with un-
doubting faith in the gospel, desiring to fill his mission to the last
moment. Soon after arriving in Scandinavia, he related a dream or an
impression, which he had to the effect that he would not finish his
mission in Scandinavia, and after landing in Wisconsin, he told some
of the elders that he still felt that he would not finish his mission there.

EXPECT A CHAPEL OF THEIR OWN

Elder Hugh A. Wright, president of the Rhode Island conference,

reports that in that part of the world people are rather indifferent
toward religion, despite the fact that the cities are full of churches.

forward to several
Notwithstanding that fact, the elders are looking attended a
spring. "Recently the elders of Providence
baptisms this sort,
the churches-one of the old-fashioned
revival service in one of
Testimonies were called for at the close of. the
-ratfie -bombastic.
elders received
meeting After many others had spoken, one of the
errSon to bear his testimony. As a result one of the members of
all the 'Mormons' leave the
he congregation present demanded that The act created
church The demand was complied with immediately. church the anti-
in the
sympathy in favor of the missionaries, and even
brought censure upon the perpetrator. An investigator
ChTSian deed
Fn New Haven has Offered us a
choice of five building lots for a spot
648 IMPROVEMENT ERA
to erect a church upon, and the Saints of New Haven are looking
forward to the time that they will have a chapel of their own. The
Era, like a true friend, arrives every month, with good instruction,
advice and encouragement, and is appreciated by the elders and the
Saints as well as by our friends. The Era is not only a friend, but
succeeds in making more friends. The elders laboring in this district
are: Standing, back row: Lancelott Bills, Riverton; D. Hutchinson
Eccles, Ogden; Janett McNeil, Logan; Alta Johnson, Richfield; Louise
Thomas, Lehi, Utah; Jesse M. Smith, Snowflake, Arizona; Her-
man Hatch, Hatch, Idaho; sitting: Ralph M. Aldous, Salt Lake City,
Utah; Hugh A. Wright, conference president, Rexburg, Idaho; Mar-
shal H. Flake, Snowflake, Arizona; Mission President Walter P. Mon-
son; Charles O. Jackson, Venice, Utah; W. N. Delaware, New Plaven,
Conn.; Jas. H. Parker, Murray, Utah; front row: Asael C. Tanner,
Clover, Utah; Arthur W. Fletcher, Magrath, Canada.

WAR SPIRIT RUNNNING HIGH IN PORTSMOUTH

Elder E. M. Greenwood, Elsinore, and Elder O. C. Anderson,

Annabella, write from Portsmouth, England, February 26: "We have
been laboring in Portsmouth, one of England's naval sea-ports, 85
miles south of London. The city has a population of about 250,000.
The war spirit is running high,
and perhaps per
seventy-five
cent of the men one meets on
the streets are in uniforms. The
parade grounds are full of sol-
diers from morning till night,
drilling for active service. Large
companies of soldiers march
through the streets accompanied
by the music of brass bands,
harps, bugles, and bagpipes, on
their way to the front. They
whistle and sing, and are ap-
parently happy in the thought
of .serving their king and
country. Many wounded sol-
diers and starving Belgians ar-
rive here, and the civilians are
doing all they can to relieve
their sufferings. We have a
little branch of over fifty souls,
and these scenes aid them in
fully realizing that the proph-
ecies of holy scripture are being
fulfilled. It causes them to be
more diligent in serving the
Lord. . We
have a thriving
branch, fine Sunday school
and Mutual, and the sacrament meetings are well attended.
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

A New Battle Cry for the Lesser Priesthood Quorums

The Priesthood Committee reported as follows at the April Con

ference:
Dear Brethren: The Committee on Priesthood outlines respect-
fully report and refer to two important items of progress inaugurated
during the past two years, and to a new slogan for the year to come.
First —The proper organization of Priests' quorums and classes
throughout the Church. This succeeded to such an extent that where
as, a few years ago there were in fact only a very small number of
Priests in the Church, and very few bishops presiding personally over
Priests quorums, now there are 8,830 Priests in the Church, over 6,000
of whom are attending their quorum meetings and classes. These
Priests, the choice young men of the community, are being instructed
and presided over by the bishops of the Church. The results arising
from such instruction by the bishops, and the contact of the young
men with the presiding authorities, of the Church, are themselves very
satisfying, and a great impetus to progress.
—
Second The second item is improvement made in ward teaching.
The work in this line was practically followed up by the Presiding
Bishopric, until there resulted a complete revolution in the matter of
ward teaching throughout the Church. The per cent of families
throughout the Church visited monthly by the teachers has grown
from a very small proportion to a very satisfactory proportion. In
some stakes little if any teaching was done; in others it was very indif-
ferently and unsystematically attempted. Through the efforts of the
committee, supplemented by the splendid work of the Bishopric, the
average per cent of families visited during each month of the year by
the ward teachers in the various stakes of Zion now totals forty-five, or
practically one-half of the families of the Church visited monthly by
the ward teachers. The results of these visits, the contact of the peo-
ple with the teachers, the number of men put into active service, and
the instructions given have awakened a great interest in the doctrines
of the Church, and in their practice among the Saints. Spiritual
growth has been promoted, and the spirit of the gospel has been fanned
into flame among many members of the Church.
The prosecution of this noble work should continue until there
shall be greater efficiency in every department, until practically every
family in the Church shall be visited by faithful teachers each month;
every bishop throughout the Church shall have a class of Priests un-
der his tutelage, and until every Priest in the Church shall be active in
his duties and brought in contact with the spirit of the gospel through
his presiding officer.
And let us here revert to the special labor of quorum officers. Up-
on them rests the responsibility in the first place to see that their mem-
bers continue in all good effort, faithfully to perform their duties.
And not only that, but their specific duty is to maintain the identity
and high standard of their quorum, and look to it that its record as a
quorum shall equal the good standing of its membership. The quorum
as an entity should be ambitious to do something worthy, and as a
quorum be alive to the opportunities to render practical help to the
650 IMPROVEMENT ERA
work of the Lord. What have you done as a quorum? That is a
question quite as pertinent as, What have you done as a member? The
officers are responsible for the proper answer.
We call the attention of stake and ward authorities generally to
another work that we desire to inaugurate among the Priesthood dur-
ing the coming year. It is class leadership, and more direct and spe-
cific supervision in the Teachers and Deacons' classes. Improvement
here may be more difficult than in ward teaching and Priests' organ-
ization. But it can be and should be made. It is one of the crying
needs of our quorums at the present time. Proper leadership and su-
pervision and a better teaching corps in the Priesthood quorums
throughout the Church should be our next slogan. Much difficulty is
being experienced by the bishops in obtaining the proper material for
instructors. There is also great chaos in methods of supervision.
We suggest that in every stake of Zion there be appointed a com-
mittee from the high council to take supervision of the training of
teachers for the Lesser Priesthood quorums; that this training be
given by specialists once each month. This should be done by com-
petent instructors, who should be filled with the spirit of the gospel,
and selected in the various stakes to instruct and prepare class instruc-
tors for the quorums.
The lessons which the quorums are studying should not, as is now
the case in most instances, be made the ends in themselves, but be
practically applied, so that the members of each quorum may take
active part in the work of the Church. The lesson in itself is of only
little use unless it is applied; an emotion is simply an excitement, and
is useless unless the sentiments of that emotion are put into active
work. Our present method of teaching is often merely intellectual. It
ends with knowledge, which in itself, of course, is good, but which,
without work, is vain as far as practical results go.
The task before us, then, is to provide practical instructors who
not only know how to teach the theories and doctrines of the gospel,
but who can show the members of the quorums how these theories
may be put into practice; how these doctrines may be made applicable
to their daily lives. Every instructor should be required to make as-
signments of work, so that each member shall have some weekly duty
to perform, in which the theories, and the doctrines which he has
learned shall be put into practice in his life. This means assignment
each week for some useful action, deed or work. It means that the
following week these assignments shall be reported in class, where free
discussion should follow, and the problems temporal and spiritual that
have been met shall be solved practically, and to the satisfaction of the
quorum members.
To inaugurate and direct in the details of this work, we have the mem-
bers of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, supplemented by efforts of
brethren who may be selected by them. These men are competent and anx-
ious to instruct the stake presidents and high councilors who, aided by such
men as they may select, are competent to put into practice the instruc-
tions of the Twelve. The bishops, with the instruction of the stake
presidency, and supervising high councilors, and with the help of such
men as they may select in every ward, are competent to teach instruc-
tors training them in detail how this work may be accomplished.
Then it will be the duty of the instructors in these various classes to
make assignments, to teach theories, and to hear such reports and in-
troduce such discussions as- shall make the members of the class com-
petent helpers and workers in the Church.
This is the work that should be made the battle cry for Lesser
Priesthood quorums for the year to come.
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 651

As far as the Higher Priesthood is concerned, competent men as a

rule are placed as leaders in these classes, hut in these quorums also
more practical and efficient work may be done, by which more ser-
vice, spiritual and temporal, shall be rendered to the people. The
Priesthood are the servants of the people, and it is their duty to render
the most efficient service in their power to the members of the Church.
When we shall have our present large number of 11,450 High Priests;
11,112 Seventies; 27,382 Elders; and 750 Bishops engaged in rendering
magnificent temporal and spiritual service to the people and to each
other, unitedly teaching not only the theories and doctrines of the
gospel, but the practical methods of putting these theories and doc-
trines into effect, we shall have service unequaled in the world. Their
efforts being aided by the Spirit of the Lord, no power can hinder his
blessings from resting upon those who are engaged in this marvelous
work among the Latter-day Saints.
Our suggestion, then, is better leadership through proper super-
vision and training of instructors, more efficient work in the classes, the
application of knowledge gained to service among the people, the as-
signment of weekly duties to the members, report weekly on such du-
ties, free discussion of conditions and problems with a view to render-
ing practical aid, spiritual and temporal.
Our prayer is, therefore, that the various authorities of the Church
named will take these thoughts into consideration and, with the aid
that will be rendered them by the general authorities of the Church,
execute this work unitedly so that the leadership and service of the
Priesthood shall become more efficient.
Rudger Clawson, Chairman.
David A. Smith, Secretary.

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

HOW SHALL WE MAKE OUR LESSONS INTERESTING?

There are two types of pleasant feelings; one naturally follows

pursues his
self-expression: For example, when a husband and father
comfortable
vocation with the thought in view of making home more
for his wife and children. The other type arises through
some of the
the eyes being
sense organs being stimulated. Such, for example, as
drunkard being
used on moving pictures or the sense of taste in the
but there
stimulated with his dram. They do not conflict necessarily,
interest.
must be pleasure through the first, in order to get legitimate being
The individual who gets pleasure only through sense organs Neither does
stimulated from without, cannot be said to have interest
excites organs for
he have interest if he only (through self-activity)
awakened in them. Interest is taken through the indi-
the pleasure
to accomplish.
vidual's striving to reach some ideal he desires
us turn to
With the above brief description of interest in mind, let
use in class work. To illustrate, sometime
ago a boy mcoogny
its
with his playmates, came into our class work
showed him to be a boy of earnest and honest turn offflfflMJ
™
Two or three visits
as his effort warranted
diligent in school, but was not as successful
The instructor
One time the lesson was on the Word of Wisdom the lesson by asking
understood the principle of interest, and began
get and understand yo ur
"Who of you desire to improve your ability to were raised, including the
lesson in school?" A number of hands
652 IMPROVEMENT ERA
visitor's. "Now I'll read to you a promise made by our Heavenly
Father, on condition of our doing certain things." The teacher then
read Doc. and Cov. 89:15-18, giving emphasis to verse 16. After some
few comments, some wanted to know what those conditions were.
Then the instructor read the other part of the Word of Wisdom, mak-
ing comment as he proceeded. The point that struck the visitor most
forcefully, as he afterwards related, was that pertaining to tea and
coftee. At the close of the class-work the instructor said: "Now, if
any of you are not keeping these teachings of wisdom, I am going to
ask you to observe them for a month and then we'll ask you to report."
In three weeks, our visitor related in substance the following: "I
went home and asked my parents to let me try to get along for a while
without the tea and coffee they had been giving me. They laughed
at me and said, 'Oh! you are going to be a "Mormon," are you?' I

said, T don't know that I am,' but let me try getting along without the
tea and coffee. Pretty soon, they said, 'All right.' Now, I'd like to
tell you boys that I am sleeping better and am not so nervous and can
study harder."
This incident illustrated how an instructor made the Word of
Wisdom interesting to boys. The points to be noted are, he learned
what the boys had ambitions in, in the sphere of the Word of Wisdom.
Then the boys became interested in listening to that revelation and
some of them sufficiently interested to put it into practice.
Similarly, the boy's ambition to "make the team" in basket-ball,
base-ball, and track-events can be used to acquire an interest in know-
ing and keeping the Word of Wisdom. It becomes an aid to him in
what he has to do.

Lesson 17

(Text: The Latter-day Prophet, Chapter XVI)

Problem: What course ought a Latter-day Saint to pursue in the

midst of persecution?
Preparatory to studying the chapter, discuss with the boys what
leads to quarrels and fights among them. Give them an opportunity to
express themselves as to what they think is right on these matters, also
concerning what they should do in persecution.
Study the chapter as suggested before.
What were the causes for the persecution? What do you think of
the justice of these causes? What was done? How did the brethren
feel towards their persecutors? What course did the Saints pursue
to get redress of grievances? Do you think the Saints took the right
course? Why? Compare with the teaching of our Savior to Peter
when he wanted to defend Jesus with the sword (Matt. 16:21-28). Tell
what the Saints did, as related in this chapter, which shows their course
towards their persecutors.

Lesson 18

(Chapter XVII)

Problem: Same as in Lesson 17.

Study the chapter.
What was done by the mob? What were the causes? What did
the Saints do? Were they justified? Why? Wha. did they do that
shows their love of peace? What course did the Saints pursue towards
their persecutors?
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 653

Lesson 19

(Chapter XVIII)

Problem: Same as Lessons 17 and 18.

Study the Chapter.
In what peaceable way did the Saints attempt to regain possession
of their homes? What was the governor's decision as to their rights
to their homes? In what did the Saints fail? Why would they not sell
their land? What sign did the Lord give to encourage them and cause
their enemies to fear? Compare Matt. 24:29. Compare the attitude of
Governor Dunklin and President Andrew Jackson towards the Saints
with Pilate's attitude towards our Savior (John 19:4-6). Compare the
Saints' course towards their persecutors with the course of our Savior
towards his. Read Doctrine and Covenants 101:81-92, Did the Saints
comply with those instructions? Show how? Of what great warfare
was the Missouri persecutions a continuation? The persecution of our
Savior on the earth? Answer the problem of the three last lessens. Of
what is the course the Saints took in Missouri an evidence?
Lesson 20

(Chapter XIX)
Problem: To be doing peaceful works while persecution brings
suffering, is an evidence of what?
Study the chapter.
What was the Prophet doing in and about Kirtland while the
Saints were being driven from their homes? Give instances which
show his bravery in trouble? What was the most important mission
the Prophet was to fill while he lived on the earth?
Answer the problem of the lesson.

General Annual M. I. A. Conference

The June Conference. The M. A. annual conference will be
I.

held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 11, 12, and 13. Following
is

the schedule of meetings:

he
Friday, June 11: First session—9:30 a. m.; 12:30 p. m. Joint. 1

first period (9-30—11) will be devoted to

consideration of joint prob-
given to
lems Assembly Hall. The second period 01—12:30) will be
demonstration work along social lines. Deseret Gymnasium. _

Music
Second Session— 2. p. m. Preliminary try-outs in contests.
section— Assembly Hall. Public speaking section— Bishop s
building.

Retold story section— 14th Ward Chapel. _

_

Friday Evening— Entertainment for visiting stake orncers _

Saturday, June 12: Separate meetings, 8 p. m.—

Grand finals in
contests. Assembly Hall. . .

Tabernacle.
Sundav Tune 13- 10 a. m.— Joint officers meeting.
m. and 7:30 p. m -General meetings. Tabernacle
The program
2 p.
in the Somi-Weekl)
Deseret Daily and
in detail will be published later
CW
limits will prevail.
The usual conference rates and time
 Mutual Work
Athletic and Scout Work
What Some Scouts are Doing
George A. Christensen, Scout master, Bear River City, tells an
interesting story of his scouts:
"We hold our meeting? regularly each Saturday night at 7:o'clock.
In the fall, before it became too cold, we took trips out into the
most natural territory that we have. We
have given skating trips,
camping trips, and have tried to make all of our theory practical. We
have organized a scout orchestra, and are trying to arrange to start
a brass band.
"Last Saturday all the boys turned out with teams, wagons,
shovels, and each a pair of willing hands, and hauled gravel, cinders,
and sand on all the sidewalks where they were muddy enough to
make it disagreeable. About twenty scouts and myself worked hard all
forenoon. The boys keep close watch on the poor, aged, and widows,
of our town, and always keep their wood sheds filled with good wood.
The work has taken such a root that many boys, almost every meet-
ing, are asking to be admitted as scouts. Our boys even take trips
through the town looking for something they can do for those in
need.
"Each meeting we open with prayer. This has taught many of
our boys to pray. Some could not pray when they joined the work,
but now they can do it very readily. We
then have a short preliminary
program of songs, speeches, etc., and then we have a report on 'good
turns.' (By the way, every scout gives from one up to five or six
each week.) We then take up some new topic or subject connected
with the scout work. After this has been illustrated, tested, tried,
etc., we feel that the boys are ready for a game, so we start one
going, in which all take part. We
then discuss the needs of our
community and our organization and other matters that might come
up, and then dismiss with prayer."

Known by Their Good Behavior

"We are very much encouraged in our work. Wenow have one
hundred per cent of boys of scout age enrolled, besides two over that
age. More than half are second class scouts, and some have applied
for first class tests. Our work is also being felt in the schools. One
principal told me that he could pick out boys engaged in scout work
—
by their marks and behavior." J. Karl Wood, Logan, Utah. March
10, 1915.

Vocations and Industries

To Ward Presidents and Vocation Counselors:

Through your Stake Superintendent or Vocation Supervisor, entry

blanks, rules and report blanks covering the M. I. A. Boys' Half-Acre
contests have been sent you. Upon receipt of these blanks, we suggest
that the following things be done immediately as the season has already
 MUTUAL WORK 655

arrived when the boys who are to be successful must begin their
work.
1. —
Read the rules over carefully so you will be familiar with their
contents and can explain them to the boys.
2. —
Make a careful canvass of the boys of your ward, and interest
as many as possible in this movement. Often you will find it ad-
vantageous to go to the boy's home, talk with his father, and have
the father designate the plot of ground that the boy may have. Get
the boy to go on the land with you, step it off with him, and offer
any suggestions that will be helpful in getting him started in the
work.
3. — Explain in detail the rules of the contest to each boy, and
show him how to keep a record, so he can fill out his report at the
end of the season. The report is simple, and any boy who keeps a
note book to record what he does will have no difficulty to render it
completely and accurately, as per our blank.
4. —
Before you leave the boy, have him fill out the entry blank,
and sign it, and after all the boys have been visited, send the entry
blanks promptly to us.
5.— Get up a local contest. Call on a few of the leading men of
the ward and interest them in offering prizes for the best records
made by the boys of your ward. The prizes offered need not be
expensive, but thev should be of a nature to please the boys.
6 —Enroll all the boys in vour ward in this contest, and if you arc
interested you can do much "to stimulate their efforts,
and most of
affairs
them will continue to the end. Take a live interest in their
Your personal influence will be a big
and visit them occasionally.
factor in their success, and the success of this
movement.
7_Let the boys feel the pleasure of the contest. whether Keep it from
they
being looked upon as a drudgery. Teach them
that
secure a prize or not they cannot lose _
t„. v, u\^
him
8 —Keep in touch with your stake supervisor
and through
f rt 1<r
,

Industries. Make good use of

with the Committee on Vocations and
his services in this work. Let him help you.
state and national
9 -Remember that your boys are eligible for the
You should get in touch with the county and state
championships.
k ad
'
h e
boys the value of money
rO-Th ifc oTtesrwill impress upon the and mdus ry
3 them "'"'"
habits «- thrift
of
u
^
----
and the worth time.
le Tt win
wilf teach
iccn.il iin-iii .-
a nd
,

science of cultivating the

something of the
Thev will learn

Scouts, will be one of the

«A Hike
features
article
ii„
to the Yellowstone," by
?he Time Era. witj.other
.

by John V. Bluth on "The Dee

/^^^l^X
Ogden
H ospitah rec< miy q

summer reading.
 Passing Events
Augusta Joyce Crocheron, a pioneer of Salt Lake Valley, died
Wednesday, March 17, 1915, in Salt Lake City. She was widely recog-
nized as a writer of poetry, and for many years was a well-known
worker in the Mutual Improvement Associations, and other organiza-
tions of the Church.
The Utah Panama-Pacific Exposition building was dedicated in
San Francisco, April 12. The state was represented by Lewis A. Mer-
rill, vice president of the Utah exposition commission, and D. S. Spen-
cer, the latter acting as chairman of the day. An appropriate program
was carried out, and the Utah Society of Northern California appeared
prominently in the program.
The eleventh session of the Utah State Legislature cost the state
for salaries of the senators, representatives and employes, and other
expenses, $35,000; for printing bills, $9,000; journals, governor's mes-
sage, etc., $10,000; binding, $1,000; miscellaneous expenses, $3,515.84,
making a total expense of $58,515.84. The session laws this year will
consist of one hundred and twenty-two chapters.

The Mexican Situation.In early April the national convention

met Provincial president Roque Gonzales Garza
in the national palace.
presided. The convention government authorized the payment of
$20,000 indemnity for the death of John B. McManus, the American
citizen recently killed in Mexico by Zapatista soldiers. Fighting
about Celaya occurred on April 14 between General Villa's forces and
Carranza's under General Obregon. The latter reported 5,000 dead
and 6,000 taken prisoners in this battle.
Prohibition in England. The British government is on the point
of following the Czar in the matter of prohibition. There has been
strong talk of promulgating a decree of absolute prohibition of all trade
in liquor throughout the United Kingdom, while the war continues.
Mr. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, according to the
telegrams, declared that drink was a greater and more deadly foe to
England than Germany is. Both King George and Earl Kitchener
favor complete prohibition, and have stopped the use of strong drink
in their households.

The United States submarine F-4, built in Seattle in 1912, was

accidentally submerged in the Honolulu harbor, March 25, and never
rose again to the surface. The crew consisted of twenty-five men, com-
manded by Alfred L. Ede, born in Nevada, 1887, a graduate of the
Naval Academy in 1909. Several attempts were made to raise the sub-
marine but up to this writing, the efforts have been futile. One of the
—
crew was a former resident of Salt Lake City Frank N. Herzog,
whose mother now resides here. The government has authorized the
expenditure of $20,000 to recover the submarine.

The Newhouse hotel, Salt Lake City, opened its doors on Satur-
day, March 27. Fully ten thousand people visited the hotel during the
day, and in the evening some twelve hundred people were entertained
at the opening dinner and ball. Two hundred and fifty guests rcg-
istered during the day. One of the events of the opening day was the
communication by long distance telephone to New York, and the enter-
tainment of several business men and officials by the proprietor,
 PASSING EVENTS 657

Somuel Newhouse, at a luncheon. Over the telephone could he heard

music in a New York office 2,600 miles away.

Byron Groo, a well-known newspaper man, and former state and

federal official, died April 13, 1915, in Salt Lake City. He was born in
Grahamsville, Sullivan, county, New York, August 11, 1849, being the
son of Isaac and Sarah E. Gillett Groo. The family came to Salt Lake
in 1854, and Byron was educated in the ward schools in which his father
taught. He enlisted as a private for the Black Hawk war when only
17 years of age, and gained the rank of lieutenant by gallant conduct.
He attended the University of Deseret, now Utah, and taught school
during the winters of 1866-7. He was later a deputy and territorial
marshal and city marshal. In 1873, he joined the staff of the Salt Lake
Herald, and three years later became its editor, filling that position
with noteworthy success until 1892, when he resigned. He was later
a member of the state board of land commissioners, being secretary for
seven years. He was director and secretary and treasurer of several
business institutions, and later became cashier of the Utah Commercial
and Savings Bank.
Margaret Burch Goff died in Springville, April 10, 1915. She was
the oldet person in Utah, at the date of her death, having been born
December 25, 1808, in Delaware. Her grandfather fought for the in-
dependence of the American colonies, in the Revolutionary War, and
her father fought in the War of 1812. She joined the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, in 1834. She came to Utah in 1850, and
lived in Provo for more than fifty years. Mrs. Goff was personally
acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, being only three years
younger than he, and thus enjoyed his acquaintance as a mature
woman. She often related incidents in connection with early Church
history. Her husband in Nauvoo was a personal friend of Joseph
Smith, and accompnaied the bodies of Joseph and his brother Hyrum
from Carthage to Nauvoo after the martyrdom. She was married four
times and was the mother of eleven children, only two of whom sur-
vive her.
Charles H. Wilcken, soldier, pioneer, and prominent citizen of Salt
Lake City, died April 9, 1915. He was born at Eckhorst, Holstein,
Germany, October 5, 1830. He served in the Prussian army during the
war with Denmark over the Schleswig-Holstein provinces. He was
decorated with the iron cross for bravery in battle, by Frederick Wil-
liam, the king of Prussia. Brother Wilcken was the trusted friend and
associate of Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Wood-
ruff and George Q. Cannon, and many other leaders of the Church.
He came to America in 1857, joined Johnston's army, just then pre-
paring to go against the "Mormons." On leaving the army, he cast
his lot with the people of Utah, being shortly thereafter baptized into
the Church. He continued to be a faithful and valiant member to the
day of his death. He was active in the building up of the common-
wealth, occupying many civil and ecclesiastical positions of honor and
trust, and died an upright, courageous, loyal and faithful Latter-day
Saint.

Charles S. Zane, first chief justice of the state of Utah, and many
years territorial judge before Utah became a state, died on March 29.
1915, at his home in Salt Lake City from a stroke of apoplexy. Judge
Zane was a well-known lawyer in Utah, and once belonged to the law-
firm of Lincoln, at Springfield. Illinois. When Lincoln was elected to
the presidency of the United States in 1860, Zane succeeded him in the
law firm. He was present at all the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Judge
Zane was born at Morristown, New Jersey, March 2, 1834. He entered
 658 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the McKendree college, in 1852, graduated in 1855, campaigned for
Lincoln and then became a member of the firm of Harndon &
in 1860,
Lincoln. In 1884, he was appointed chief justice of the Utah terri-
torial supreme court by President Chester A. Arthur, remaining in that
position until 1893, since which time he has practiced law in Utah.
When Utah was admitted to the Union as a state, he became chief
justice of the supreme court, but was defeated for re-election. He was
popular among members of the bar of Utah and his decisions are con-
sidered among the best delivered in the state.

Recent demands made of China by Japan are causing considerable

excitement and feeling in China, and some apprehension in other quar-
ters, especially in the United States. The Japanese garrisons have been
increased, and it is reported from Peking that there are now 150,000
Japanese troops in China. The Chinese commissioners have agreed to
a number of the Japanese demands, but hesitate to consent to those
that deal with the Japanese control of the Hanyang iron works, and
of several important mining properties. The present government led
by Count Okuma was chosen at a recent parliamentary election, and
he is pledged to a further increase in the Japanese army. The growing
anxiety of the American people over the situation was relieved some-
what on April 12 when the New York Independent published a message
from Count Okuma in which he says that the uneasiness and sus-
picion of the United States in connection with Japan's negotiations in
Peking are based on misunderstanding and misinformation. Japan is
not trying to secure a monopoly in China, nor to create a protectorate.

Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of the general staff of the United States
Army, brought with him to Salt Lake City, on March 25, the leaders in
the recent southern Utah uprising, —-Old Polk, Old Posey, Tse-ne-gat
find several other Piutes. While the Indians had successfully resisted
all attempts to take them by force, General Scott's persuasiveness
•
captured them." They came willingly to Salt Lake where they were
imprisoned. When General Scott parted with them he assured them
that they would be treated honorably. Tse-ne-gat was later taken to
Colorado where he will answer in the courts of that state on the
charge of murder of a Mexican sheepherder. The other Indians re-
mained for a few days in Salt Lake City, and left for Thompson's on
April 12,on their promising that they would go and behave them-
selves on the Ute mountain reservation. The released Indians were
Old Polk, Old Posey, Posey's boy Jack Ute, Jackrabbit Soldier, Noland
May, and John Hammonds. It would have cost $25,000 to get soldiers
enough into the wild encampment of the Indians, and it would have
taken at least two regiments, to subdue them. The persuasiveness and
kindness of General Scott made this expense unnecessary. While in
Salt Lake General Scott spoke at the L. D. S. U., at the University of
Utah, and visited the state capitol and the West Side high school. He
also visited the First Presidency who congratulated General Scott on
having effected a peaceable settlement of the Indian trouble, saying
that that had always been the policy of the Church in its dealings with
them. At the L. D. S. U., Professor Young on behalf of the students
expressed to General Scott the deep admiration he had inspired by the
masterly display of justice and love of peace he had given in inducing
the Indians in San Juan county to surrender. General Scott was
greatly impressed by the excellent showing made by the cadets of the
West Side high school, remarking particularly on their good training.
The Great War. The main activity during the past month in the
great war was in the Carpathians between the Russians, the Austrians
and Germans; and the bombardment of the Dardanelles by the allied
 PASSING EVENTS 659

fleet. Activities on the sea have continued and many of the ships of
the Allies have been destroyed by the Germans.
—
March 14. The German cruiser ''Dresden" was sunk near Juan
Fernandez island by the British ship "Glasgow" and the cruiser "Ora-
ma" and "Kent."
—
March 15. The Russians capture the eastern defenses at Przemysl.
The British government announces that no merchant vessel will be
allowed to proceed on her voyage to any German port unless given a
pass. No merchant vessel from any German port shall be allowed to
proceed on her way, and all her goods must be discharged in an allied
port.
—
March 17. The French battleship "Bouvet" and the British battle-
ships "Irresistible" and "'Ocean" were sunk by mines in the Darda-
Four British merchant vessels were sunk on the Dutch coast,
nelles.
—
and in the channel by German submarines "Leewarden," "Blonde,"
"Fingal," and "Glenartney."
—
March 19. The Russian squadron appears off the Bosphorus.
March 20.—The Dutch steamer "Zaanstrom" laden with eggs was
seized in the North Sea by the Germans and taken to Zeebrugge.
Scotch women register for army service. "Hanford" and "Blue
Jacket," British steamships, were torpedoed in the English Channel.
—
March 22. The Russians capture Przemysl. There is great re-
joicing at Petrograd. Many thousands of prisoners were taken.
—
March 25. The Kurds massacre Christians in Persia. The Dutch
steamer "Medea" was sunk by a German submarine off Beachy Head.
—
March 27. The British ship "Aquila" was sunk off Pembroke, and
the "Vosges" off the Cornish coast.
—
March 28. Ten more warships joined the allied fleet at the Dar-
danelles. The Okuma ministry wins Japanese elections. The Liver-
pool boat "Falaba" was sunk near St. George's channel and one hun-
dred lives lost. The British steamer "Eston" is sunk.
—
March 29. The Russian Black sea fleet bombarded the forts at the
entrance to the Bosphorus.
—
March 30. The Austrians lose eighteen thousand men in defending
the Carpathian passes.
—
March 31. The Germans repulse the Russians in Augustowo
forest and on the Vistula. The French steamer "Emma" was sunk by
a —
submarine in the British Channel 19 of her crew missing.
April 1.— The Russians gain the Beskid heights in the Carpathians
and take seven thousand prisoners. Three Tyne trawlers were sunk by
German submarines.
—
April 2. The American steamer "Sweetbriar" was sunk by a mine
in the North Sea. The British battleship "Lord Nelson" is reported
lost in the Dardanelles, and the allied fleets have suspended bombard-
ment. The Norwegian bark "Nor" was sunk; and the British ship
"Lockwood" was torpedoed.
—
April 4. The Russians report having taken between March 20 and
April 378 officers, 33,155 men, and 17 cannon and a hundred machne
3,
guns in the Carpathian mountains. The Glasgow steamer "Olevine'
and the Russian bark "Hermes" sunk off the Isle of Wight by German
submarine.
April 5.— The British steamer "Northlands' and the trawler
"Agantha," sunk off Beachy Head. .

April 7.— "Prinz Eitel Friederick," the German raider

sheltering
at Newport News can not escape, and internes for the
war with her
officers on parole.
April Prinz Wilhelm," the German converted cruiser
11— "Kron
which slid New York harbor August 3 last, after eight
out of the
months preying on commerce, enters Newport New, having destroyed
nine British, four French and one Norwegian ships, valued
with car-
goes at $70,000,000, and taken 960 prisoners.
 The General Board Y. L. M. I. A. has just published a "Hand Book for
the Beehive Girls,' an organization to be presided over by the regular Mutual
officers and whose purpose is to "perfect our womanhood, to hold the faith of
our fathers, and to develop it in our individual womanhood." The new and
handsome booklet contains the general plan, conditions of membership, awards,
duties of officers and members. It is a step in the right direction, and a credit
to the Board and its authors. We
advise every girl in the land to read it, and
to join the "ranks" of the "Beehive Girls."

A Book for Young

People. Little Sir Galahad is a new book just issued by
Small, Maynard & Co. story of a little crippled boy, a little abused girl,
It is a
a drunken man who is later reformed, a kind-hearted but unthinking millionaire
and his son who falls victim to intemperance but "comes back" through the fine
strength of his own will stimulated by the love of a noble girl. It is a sweet
story, told in a way that holds the interest throughout. Little Sir Galahad dem-
onstrates the triumph of faith throughout. The book is one of the few novels
nowadays that inculcates a living faith in God. It is one of the few books that
discountenances the use of tobacco and encourages temperance. The faith of
the crippled boy, throughout, is most healthful, the whole text having a ten-
dency towards the establishment of trust in God, and belief in what our people
term the Word of Wisdom. Phoebe Gray, the author, has succeeded in dress-
ing her characters with a "faithfulness to real life which is absolutely convinc-
ing, and which awakens the finest and deepest emotions of the human heart."
The book has likewise a "wholesome entertainment, blended skilfully with a
great moral lesson." Price $1.35, at the Deseret Sunday School Union Book
Store, Salt Lake City.

Improvement Era, May, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.

Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, ) i?j: tors Heber J. Grant, Business Manager

Edward H. Anderson, j
Moront Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Romantic Ruins Fo'itispiece
Work. A Song of Triumph Angel?. Morgan 565
Faith Nephi Jensen 567
Unbidden Guests. Prize Story Nephi Andersen 572
The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre II. IllnstratedHcrace G. Whitney 580
Anthon L. Skanchy— XIV-XVIII Dr. John A. Widtsoe 593
Does God Answer Prayer? Prof. L. F. Moench 599
The Secret of Successful Presiding J. H. Dean 605
Urim and Thummim Joel Ricks 611
A Cloud by Day. Illustrated Nicholas G. Smith 616
The Test. A Story R. S. Bean 621
Missionaries George D. Kirby 626
In Memoriam. A Poem Alfred Lambourne 631
The Psychology of the War Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 632
Editors' Table —
Conference Topics Prest. Joseph F. Smith. . . . 636
Priesthood Quorums' Table Report — Rudger Clawson 649
Mutual Work 654
Passing Events 656
 —

"SUCCESS WITH HENS"

"MAKING THE FARM PAY"
Are two books you need. Price $1 .00 each postpaid.
To Era Readers we'll sell the two of them for

$1.75 Postpaid
Deseret Sunday School Union Book Store
44 EAST ON SOUTH TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY

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—
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 ARTHUR MA NWA I* I N (>

HI
( )

IMPROVEMENT

Vol. XVIII JUNE, 1915 No. 8

OROAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, THE YOU NO MEN'S MUTUAL

MPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
PWBUBMSB MONTHLY BY TUB BBMBMAL BOABB AT BALT LAKE BtTT. VTAM
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The Panama — California Exposition

CAM
D/AlN niFP.O
L/lCiUVJ
Open January 1,
closes Dec. 31, 1915. Los Angeles
Round trip
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Excursion Rates in Effecl Daily

Tickets on Sale DAILY
Three Months Limit
to November 30th, 1915 —
Stop-overs Diverse Routes
Inclusive THREE DAILY FAST TRAINS
8:45 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 11:50 p.m.

Ask for Exposition Booklets

Ticket Office 10 East 3rd So.
Phones W. 3501-3502

$4.00 Rounl Trip

Rate will be in Lake and Los
effect via Salt LOS ANGELES
Angeles going, and returning via San Fran- to
cisco and Portland, or going via Portland SAN DIEGO
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geles and Salt Lake, or returning in either On Steamers
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Consult any O. S. L. Agent for rates, de- A.G.P.A., Salt Lake
scriptive literature, etc., or write,

D. E. BURLEY, Gen'l Passenger Agent, Visit Both Expositions

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 The Call of the Canyon

When the days are the hottest in all of the year,

And the dust and the glare of the summer is here
When even the breath of the night settles down
Like a palsy to deaden the pulse of the town,
Comes the call of the canyon to lure me away
Where the squirrel, the breeze, and the cataract play.

With the call of the canyon. come visions of rest

On the river's cool bank, where the angling is best,
Come dreams of the dreaming, when each tired head
First knew the repose of a fragrant pine bed,
First felt the soft zephyrs at play with his hair,
First saw how Aurora sifts light through the air.

With the call of the canyon my hunger returns,

That old school-time hunger that toil never earns
The hunger that flavors each morsel just right,
And comes without coaxing, noon, morning, and night.
The games 'round the bonfire, the story, and song,
With the call of the canyon come crowding along.

With the call of the canyon come' memories sweet

Of the dawning of love with its chapter complete
Of the timid response when my love was declared,
And her modest reserve in confessing she cared
How I loved in the canyon to stroll by her side,
To the deeps of the grove where the feather-ferns hide.

While the canyon is calling, I quicken my pace,

And clasp her again in a loving embrace
Still just as angelic, as modest, as fair,
And we plan a short rest from life's hurry and care
With our girls and our boys in a canyon retreat,
Where the gladness of nature our gladness will greet.
Annie D. Palmer
Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII JUNE, 1915 No. 8

Testimony
BY NEPHI TENSEN

In the fall of 1908, U. S. Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver de-

livered an eloquent political speech in the Salt Lake Theatre. By
way of illustrating the unwisdom of being too certain in our con-
clusions, he said in a half humorous way, "After studying the
evidences of Christianity for sometime, I decided that there were
only two certitudes in religion, life and death." What the Senator
p.afd partly in jest, unfortunately is the general conclusion of
modern Christians respecting certainty in religious beliefs.
Must we believe, with Dr. Benjamin Morse, of the University
of Liverpool, that "imagination" (faith) "carries science on from
discovery to discovery," that the "work of the imagination" is
"proven by the test of experiment;" but that "in the psychical
world there is no such touchstone of experiment?" Is there no
"touchstone of experiment" in the realm of the psychical and re-
ligious? Is faith a mere sentiment? Have all the soul's cries to
Omnipotence for help ended in the "echo of their wailing cry?"
What answer to these mighty questions did the Master of men
send down through the centuries? "Ask, and it shall be given
you seek, and ye shall find knock, and it shall be opened unto
; ;

you." "If any man will do the will of the Father, he shall know
of the doctrine."
Have Christians forgotten these promises, or must we believe
that the religion of Jesus is merely an ethic signboard marking
life's true way, but disassociated from superhuman power to plant
the roots of truth in the soul? Must we believe that he who re-
vealed to the race more vital truth than all who have gone before
or have come after him, did not leave with man the life and power
that make the seeds of truth germinate in the soul, and grow to
the full fruition of positive conviction and fearless certainty? What
was it that came to those who heard the Christ speak that made
664 IMPROVEMENT KRA
them say, "Did nol our hearts bum within us while he talked with
us hy the way?" Was it not the Eoly Ghost, the final "touchstone"
I

of truth, the only token hy which we can truthfully confess the

name of Christ ?
A theologian of note, some months ago, speaking of the war,
said, "It is the death of mystic Christianity. Let us will that it be
the birth of an ethic Christianity that men really practice." Let us
rather hope that it will be the birth of the "ethic Christianity"
which is all-powerful, because it comes to us in the language,
"Thus saith the Lord." Ethics alone has not and will not trans-
form a life. Ethics alone never saved a soul. Only a knowledge
of Christian ethics coupled with the positive conviction that the
words of Christ are the words of God will completely subdue the
selfish propensities of the human heart. Men may philosophize
all they will, but they never did and they never will coin a word
that will take hold of the soul and hold the soul like the word of
God, fused into man's spirit by the Spirit of God.
How can Edward Lewis say, (in the December, 1914, At-
lantic Monthly) "the Church is beginning to doubt the historicity
and reality of Jesus," and that "there is no whole-hearted attempt-
to follow him," without starting a storm of denunciation from the
pulpit ? Can it be that the truth spoken by a fourteen year old boy,
in 1820, is dawning upon the minds of the modern clergy; and they
are beginning to discover that they have only the husk of Christi-
anity, a "form of Godliness," without the life and power of the
Holy Ghost?
George A. Gordon, in the Atlantic Monthly, June, 1913, asks
in the words of Kant, humanity's universal question about religion,
"What can I know?" And then, as if to give the answer hopefully,
says, "Christians were not meant to rely solely upon the epic his-
tory of the Master, to go back two thousand years to find the
warrant for their faith." Mr. Gordon here unwittingly expresses
the "Mormon" view of the "warrant for faith." Undoubting faith
that did and does now reach out to God, and finds its present soul-
satisfying "warrant," is the very life and strength of "Mormon-
ism." The restored gospel, as one of its important proclamations
to the world, declares, that "Christians were not meant" to linger
always at the foot hills in the twilight of mere belief, but that it is
their right and duty to ascend by trusting, conquering faith to
the summit, where they can "walk in the light as God is in the
light." "Mormonism" has come to reannunciate the Master's
promise, "If any man will do the will of the Father, he shall know
of the doctrine."
The loss of the faith that made possible the realization of
Christ's promises of religious certainty, is one of the saddest
tragedies of all time. The dwindling away of the faith "once
delivered to the Saints," that really brought to the soul the im-
 TESTIMONY 665

press of the truth verifying the Holy Spirit, marked the end, in
the world, for a time, of soul-saving religion. The dying of this
faith was the dissolution of man's partnership with God. It was

the beginning of the night of the world's spiritual darkness, dur-

ing which no star of hope pierced the dense blackness. Colonel
Robert G. Ingersoll, a product of the faithless, hopeless and life-
less theology formulated of the sentiment and myth that survived
the loss of primitive Christianity, voiced in poetic sentences the
despair of his contemporaries, when he stood beside the open grave
of his brother and cried, "Life is a narrow vale between the cold
and barren peaks of two eternities. We cry aloud and the only
answer is the wail of our echoing cry. From the voiceless lips
of the unreplying dead there comes no word !" What is the
answer of modern Christianity to this "wailing cry" which has
"echoed" down through the centuries of doubt and darkness, since
faith dwindled to a mere insipid sentiment? Catch it as it comes
from those who stand within the "narrow circle of the pulpit:"
"We cannot know. We can only believe."
But listen to the answer that comes from the "Mormon"
pulpit: "The soul that cries aloud has, in the past, received, and
does now receive, its certain answer. The lips of the dead are not
'voiceless !' From the 'lips of the dead' there has come an answer
in the very time in which we live." Moroni, the history of whose
contemporaries was buried beneath the dust of centuries, in a
glorious, resurrected body, stood on this earth in the morning
of the nineteenth century and talked to a farmer's son, and be-
queathed to the doubting race the record written in gold, which is
one of the last and most soul-satisfying answers to the old and
yet ever new question, "If a man die, shall he live again?"
"I want to know," was the heart resolve that marked the be-
ginning of the mightiest religious movement of modern times.
Perfect faith in the word and promise of God made the resolution
realization. And tens of thousands of faithful souls who have
heard of Joseph Smith's first prayer, have trustingly looked up to
God, and then in their hearts have exclaimed, "I know that my Re-
deemer lives."
"Mormonism," through the examples of its modern triumphs"
of faith, has brought to its faithful devotees the "testimony of
Jesus," that makes man certain that there has come down to us
from a former age the veritable word of God from which man
may learn his divinely planned mission and destiny that living
;

prophets now speak the mandate of the Almighty in words that

make the soul glow with the gentle warmth breathed bv the Spirit
of God that the soul's sincere seeking after the Great All-Father
;

is not vain that faith gives wings to praver, and carries the soul's
;

fervent words and wishes to the ear of Beneficence; that through

the atoning blood of Christ the contrite, obedient soul may be made
666 IMPROVEMENT 1£RA

as white as snow and that death does not end all, but is the portal
;

to the life that will endure when the stars have ceased to shine
As a conclusion to these rambling paragraphs, which do not.
and were not intended to, follow the cold rules of logic, it might
not be unfitting to mention a recent instance of the manifestation
of the power of God, tending to establish the validity of the
ministry of the priesthood of the Church of Christ.
A boy, fifteen years of age, who lives in the neighborhood
of the writer, for several years had leakage of the heart. The
mother of the boy consulted five different doctors, in the hope
of finding some human skill that could restore her son to health.
But her seeking was all in vain. The last man of medical knowl-
edge and surgical skill consulted, admitted frankly that the boy
could not be healed. The mother was disconsolate. But the boy
had locked up securely in his heart a power, greater than that
possessed by all the doctors. He said to his mother, "Can't I be
healed through the prayers and administrations of the elders by
the power of God?"
"Of course, you can," said the faithful mother.
The writer happened to be one of the elders who administered
to this boy. The boy is now perfectly well and sound. young A
man who is investigating "Mormonism," to whom the writer re-
lated this story of healing, asked, at the conclusion of the story,
"How do vou know that the boy was healed by the power
of God?"
"Because," said I, "men of science said he could not be
healed, and he is now well."
May we of the younger generation of Latter-day Saints re-
member that the "testimony of Jesus," is the strongest shield
against the "fiery darts of the wicked;" and the only way, in this
world of doubts, discouragements and distracting cares, to the
"peace of God," which is more beautiful than the smile of spring-
time, and truer than the fatigue that closes the eyes in sleep.

My Father's Grave
The sun is floating in a pensive sky
A soft wind sweeps the field where sleep the dead ;

The falling leaves of autumn rustle by,

As my slow feet the hearse's roadway tread.

A sad but sweet broods o'er the scene,

spirit
As a higher world its holy atmosphere
if

Were shedding on these silent billows green,

Where those who live have buried those so dear.
Written for and read by the author at a meeting of the Cummings
Family Association, held April 13, 1915.
 MY FATHER'S GRAVE 667

A granite shaft a solemn shadow throws

Across a mound in an obscure space,
And thoughts of him whose ashes here repose,
Now draw me to his modest resting olace.
A brief inscription, carved upon the stone,
His name, with dates of birth and death, supplies ;

But on this" spot no signs of wealth are shown,

For he was poor, and with the poor he lies.

This is my father's grave; his kingly form.

Clothed in an angel's raiment, here was laid.
To feel no more of pain, or grief, or harm,
But just to rest, where none can make afraid.

My father's grave Beside it with bared head

!

bow, while deep emotion my heart swells,

I
And with communion sweet my soul is fed
From sources where my father dear now dwells.
Among those pioneers whose painful trail
First lined the desert's dreary, ashen face.
And penetrated to this mountain vale,
He held a brave and valiant leader's place.

The first rude homes that broke the desert's reign,

His brawn and skill were soon employed to build
His fellow exiles here took heart again,
And he like them with hope and faith was filled.
And now, upon the scene where thus he toiled,
A whose beauty is world famed
city stands ;

The desert drear, at which stout hearts recoiled,

Is now a picture rare, in mountains framed.

His 'labor hard no respite ever knew

Until old age his eye and strength impaired ;

To honor and to conscience he was true,

And with the poor his scanty store He shared.
With faithful care his children all were trained
In virtue's ways, and faith in God were taught
The politician's methods he disdained,
Nor could his vote or favor e'er be bought.
His friends were many, yet his sphere obscure
He did not wish to leave nor did he seek
;

To win the world's applause, nor yet secure

Its prizes vain, so tempting to the weak.
668 IMPROVEMENT ERA
My father as stand here by your grave,
! I

How like a come recollections bright

flood
Of loving counsel you so often gave,
To guide my footsteps in the path of right.
Ineed that counsel now, and my soul yearns
To hear again your kind, inspiring voiee ;

With such a longing often my heart burns ; ,

In such a blessing, how I would rejoice.

Issuch a blessing, then, beyond my reach ?

Has God forbidden youto speak to me?
May not the dead the living ever teach?
May not the living ever the dead see?
Where is the record of a law divine

That thwarts these hopes of human nature, lost?

That thus divides your sphere of life from mine.
And says the gulf shall never more be crossed ?
In all the scripture God has ever given
Thereno law intended to prevent
is

Our loved ones, gone before us up to heaven.

From visiting us here, when they are sent.

This is the faith I cherish, firm and sure

I do believe that, when I listen right,
Your voice speaks to me words of cheer,
And that your spirit o'er my path sheds light.
And if my selfishness I would subdue.
And stronger faith my sluggish soul would fire,
The vail that separates me now from you
Would vanish, and I'd have my heart's desire.
Your face I'd see, your voice so loved I'd hear
Wise counsel and reproof you'd 'gently give;
The future you'd unfold, and without fear
The words of life from you I would receive.
The fault is mine, then, if my longing still

Remains unsatisfied so let me wait ;

In patient effort with myself until

God's grace shall help me reach a higher state.

And if meet you I must leave this sphere

to
And follow whither you have gone before.
With faith and courage that shall know no fear.
J will approach that mystic, happy shore.
p. F. Cummings.
 Jim's Oration
The Improvement Era Prize Story, March Contest

BY ELSIE CHAMBERLAIN CARROLL

Jim Welker had not been to Mutual since his father's sensa-
tionalwithdrawal from the Church more than two months ago,
and he felt curious eyes turned upon him as he entered the door.
He had come tonight to please his mother, but he had not known
how much courage it would require to walk up that aisle be-
tween the rows of familiar faces, once his friends, but now, to his
imagination at least, only critical, curious spectators of the strug-
gle going on within his soul. All the seats near the door were
occupied, so he threw his head back in an attempt to assume an
attitude he was far from feeling, and tried not to see any one as he
marched toward the front. But by some strange power beyond
his control he found himself looking into the face of Lucy Hales,
and he had hoped above all that Lucy would not be there. She
was sitting by Dan Clinger who nudged her and whispered
something as Jim passed. Jim had seen it all from the corner
of his eye and he felt the blood rush to his temples. He had also
caught Lucy's smile as their eyes met, but he read in it only pity in-
stead of the old time comradeship. It was so like Lucy to give him
pity instead of the scorn everyone else would give. But even Lucy
could not be expected to have anything more than pity for the
son of an apostate. Such was the thought that fleeted through
Jim's tortured brain as he passed up the aisle and miserably took
his seat on an unoccupied bench near the front.
The president saw him and came forward with hand extended
in welcome, but somehow this unusual attention only made the boy
feel all the more like an alien. Soon Dick Savage and Karl
Denning came in and sat on the other end of the bench. Three
months ago the boys had all belonged to the same bunch, but now
Jim kept his head turned obstinately away and he felt, rather than
saw, that the other boys were talking about him.
Presently the meeting commenced. The opening song was,
"School Thy Feelings, O My Brother," and poor Jim felt that
the hymn had been chosen especially for his benefit. When the
members separated from class work, Jim marched quickly down

*This story won the $25 prize for March, in the Improvement Era
contest, ending lune, 1915.
670 IMPROVEMENT ERA
stairs and took his scat in the farthest corner of the room. The
class leader took his place before them.
"We must decide tonight, boys, who will represent the class
in the oratorical tryont for our ward. It comes off two weeks
from last Sunday evening. We
want four contestants. Come
now, let us have some volunteers." lie waited for a response.
Hut the hoys sat whispering and laughing a little, each one- urging
his neighbor to "go at it."
"Well, if you will not volunteer I shall have to appoint some
of you," the teacher said at last.

"We ask the following to represent the class

shall Harold
:

—
Hoover, Karl Denning, Dan Clinger" and his eye suddenly rested
—
on Jim "and James Welker." You will find a suggestive list of
subjects in the April Era and I shall be glad to be of assistance if
you need me. Are there any questions?"
Again Jim felt like every eye in the room was upon him. lie
was about to decline when Dan's hand shot up.
"Must the subjects all be on the gospel?" he asked as he
looked with open meaning at Jim. Some of the fellows near Dan
snickered, and Jim was conscious of angry resentment taking the
place of his bitterness and shame. He never had liked Dan
Clinger, and especially since that humiliating evening two months
before when his own father had openly, in ward conference, de-
nounced the Church. Jim felt that if he lived to be as old as
Methuselah that evening would always stand out as the most vivid
thing in his memory.
There had been the terrible, tragic moment when the son,
with the rest of the audience, had first realized what the man had
done. Then the tense, breathless silence, followed by a subdued,
though excited hum of whispered comments. Through it all Jim
had sat beside Lucy Hales. He at first had been only conscious of
shame and remorse for his father. Then a look into Lucy's
white, stricken face had suddenly made him realize that the sins of
the fathers rest also upon the children, and he felt that he himself
had suddenly been drawn from the circle of the Church by this
act of his father's, and made a miserable outcast. The meeting
had closed and he had walked out behind Lucy in a sort of daze.
Neither of them had spoken a word. It was Dan Clinger who
had called out, as they reached the sidewalk "An apostate's son
:

and a bishop's daughter." Jim's hand had clenched hard, but he

had kept back the hot retort that sprang to his lips. He remem-
bered that Lucy's hand had trembled on his arm and he had
thought that her humiliation must be even deeper than his own.
He had felt glad for the first time in his life that her home was so
near. A few more of those long, throbbing, silent seconds and
they stood a4 her gate.
 JIM'S ORATION 671

"Good night," he said in a voice that sounded strangely un-

familiar.
"Good Lucy had responded in a whisper that was a
night,"
little unsteady. had turned and started dowa the street.
He
"Oh, Jim !" Lucy had called, and there was a catch in her voice.
He had gone back to where she stood at the gate. The moonlight
shone on her face and revealed the tears glistening in her eyes.
She tried to speak but something seemed to choke her, so she
held out her hand. Jim thought he understood. She wanted
to tell him not to come any more. He took her hand and whis-
pered hoarsely, "Good bye, Lucy," and hurried away. The next
morning he had gone to his uncle's ranch up in Provo canyon and
had not been back until today.
And this, and the struggling hours he had spent in the mean-
time, came before him like a flashing panorama now. Suddenly,
out of his resentment against Dan's open antagonism came the
thought, "I'm as good as he is if my father is an apostate. I would
not stoop to as mean a thing as he is doing now," and Jim de-
cided that he would not decline. He would win over Dan Clinger,
or make a mighty effort in the attempt.
The class leader. had answered Dan's question a little sharply,
for he evidently saw its intent "Of course the subject does not
:

need to be on the gospel. Any good, moral, inspiring subject will

do." And he began on the regular work for the evening.
When the class work was over and the members reassembled
for dismissal, Jim found a seat near the door. Karl and Harold
came in behind him and tried to include him in a whispered dis-
cussion of good subjects for orations. He knew that they were
trying to let him know that they were still his friends and he felt
grateful, but he had built up such a wall in his imagination be-
tween himself and his old associates that he did not know how to
break through it now. He made a weak attempt to meet their ad-
vance but felt that he had failed and was almost as wretched as
when he first entered the meeting.
As soon
as the benediction was through he hurried out. Be-
fore he had gone a block he heard a crowd of boys behind him.
As they passed, Dan Clinger sang out, "Got your subject yet, Jim?
P>etter take, 'Honor Thy Father.' " The hurt of this taunt was
soothed a little with the thought that at any rate Dan was not
walking home with Lucy Hales as Jim had supposed.
When he reached home he found his mother waiting for him.
Her quick, loving eyes read his face. She knew something of the
struggle going on within the boy's soul, but she was afraid to
try to help him. She would not have him lose his natural respect
and love for the father who had always been his unquestioned ideal
until that night two months before, and yet she wanted above all
672 IMPROVEMENT ERA
that he should remain true to the faith which had led both his
grandfathers across a trackless plain.
"Well, son, did you have a good Mutual?" she asked pleas-
antly.
"O, it was all right." Then after a pause, "They want me to
give an oration in the tryout for our ward." Jim saw the light
that leaped into his mother's face and he was glad he had not
declined.
"I am very glad," she said quietly. "Did they assign you a
subject?"
"No," and Jim smiled grimly as he recalled Dan's taunting
suggestion. He would not tell his mother about that she had
;

enough to bear already.

dreadfully worried about you since father

—
"I'm so glad," she repeated again thoughtfully. "I've been
" She did not finish
the sentence. Her voice choked, but she brushed aside the tears
and went on calmly,
"You must not pass judgment upon father, James, no matter
how wrong we both know he is. You are too young to under-
stand just what influences and pressures were brought to bear
against him. He was not himself that night nor for a long time
before. I have good reasons to believe he is more sorry than we
can know now, for what he did, and my hope is in you, James, to
bring him back. No," she went on musingly, "father was not
himself. He was trying to be an imitation of someone else, and
now after what had happened he still lacks the courage to be
his true self and right the wrong impression he has given out.
We all suffer. for it, but we must try to have the courage to be
our true selves no matter what we suffer and what people may
think or say. That is why I'm so glad you went to meeting to-
night, and glad again that you are going to take part as you have
always done. You had to break the ice tonight. It was hard, I
know, but you have done nothing unworthy and should not
permit yourself to feel like an outcast, and I have hopes that
through you we can bring father back to the Church."
This was the first time Mrs. Welker had discussed their
trouble with her son and they both felt better for the confidence.
Soon they fell to discussing suitable subjects for the oration and
before Jim went to bed he had decided to take "The Habit of
Success" and with his mother's help he had gone through the
library hunting material. He made out a brief outline, then bade
his mother good night and went to his room, happier than he had
been for many days.
After he had gone to bed he lay thinking of his father as he
had done every night during the past weeks. He thought he knew
the influences to which his mother had referred. A brilliant mis-
sionary companion of his father's, a man high up in authority in
 JIM'S ORATION 673

the Church, had apostatized a short time before, and had written
a number of sensational magazine articles against the Church.
Jim had known how wrought up his father had been at the time,
for the apostate had always been looked upon as a sort of oracle
by Mr. Welker. Then had followed a long correspondence be-
tween the two men, and Jim could see it was as his mother had
said, father had tried to be an imitation of the other man and not
himself. The boy fell to thinking along this line. It did take
courage to be one's self in a little thing that came along every day.
He had lacked that courage himself and had been a miserable
coward since his father's mistake, afraid of the boys and of criti-
cism in general. A new resolve came to him. No matter what it
cost he would try to be his own natural best self in the future.
He would not shun the boys. He would even be friendly with
Lucy, though of course that was all he dared hope ever to be
now, for she was the bishop's daughter and they might well sup-
pose he would follow in the footsteps of his father. He would
have to prove himself, and maybe, as mother had said, they could
win father back. It was with thoughts like these that at last Jim
fell asleep.
More than a week had passed and Jim had his oration well
under way. He felt well satisfied with the result of his effort.
It was Friday afternoon and as Jim had no pressing work, he
took his speech and went on Temple Hill to practice it.
As he turned the corner of 6th East and 8th North he met
Dan Clinger.
"Hello, Jim. Got your oration?" Jim could not help notic-
ing the unusual friendliness in Dan's manner.
"Just about," he answered, looking at the manuscript in his
hand. "Have you?"
"No, I never can do anything until the last minute," and Dan
passed on, while Jim turned into the trail at the foot of the hill.
He went directly to the grove north and east of the campus.
Here he felt absolutely free and in no danger of being disturbed,
so began at once to practice. He went through it several times,
feeling more satisfied with each rehearsal. At last he put his paper
into his pocket and practiced it once more for good measure, then
started home, deciding to go through the fields east of the grove
and down past the old gravel bed where he had had so much fun
when a youngster.
As he jumped over the fence which separated the grove from
the first field, he was surprised to see Dan Clinger rise up out of the
tall grass along the head ditch. Dan looked confused, but called
out with his characteristic carelessness.
"You haven't seen my cow around her have you?" Then
before Jim could answer he continued, pointing at the place from
which he had just emerged.
674 IMPROVEMENT KRA
"The queerest little animal you ever saw just ran in a hole
right there. I was trying to dig him out but couldn't find him.
Wonder what it could he."
"There arc lots of gophers in these fields," Jim replied.
"O, that was no gopher," protested Dan, then added hastily,
"Well, I've got to find that cow. Johnny let her get away when
he was taking her to the pasture this morning," and he leaped a
knee and disappeared on the other side of the hill.
Jim walked on, somewhat irritated at the possibility of Dan's
hiving- heard him practicing.
Sunday afternoon Mr. Welkcr came home. His business
kept him away a good deal. Jim had not seen him since that
night two months ago, and he was filled with surprise and pity at
the man's haggard face. There was no doubt that his father was
suffering for the rash step he had taken. Each member of the
family was conscious of a painful constraint. The father was
unusually quiet while Mrs. Welker made a visible effort to keep
the tension clown and make the atmosphere of the home what it
had always been before.
When evening came and Jim was getting ready for joint
meeting, Mrs. Welker turned to her husband and said,
"James is in the oratorical contest tonight. Why don't you
go and hear him ?" Mr. Welker gave her one long, surprised
look, which made her add in confusion, "Or would you rather
>tay with the baby and let me go?"
"I've got to see Beesley," the man replied a little sullenly,
taking his hat and starting toward the door. He stopped and
turned to Jim.
"What is your subject?" he asked, his voice betraying the
emotion he was trying to conceal.
Jim told him, and he took another step toward the door, then
after a moment's hesitation he turned back and said,
"You had better go through it for your mother and me. It
will be good practice."
When Jim had finished he said simply, "That's pretty good.
I hope you win," and left the house.

"I wish you could go," the boy said to his mother, his heart
going out to her because he had seen her futile effort to get his
father to attend. His resolve to help her strengthened. He did
not know just how he could do it but he would try, and he breathed
silently" "O God. show me how to help bring father back." He
did not know how soon, or strangely that prayer was to be an-
swered.
He hurried to the meetinghouse. It was filled with people.
The Mutual contests had become very popular, and no doubt the
fact that Jim was to be one of the contestants had added not a
few to the numbers there. The other contestants were all pres-
 JIM'S ORATION 675

ent, and when Jim joined them Karl and Harold both looked up
with a greeting, but Dan sat poring over a book and pretended not
to see him.
"Well, I guess we are ready, boys," said the president, com-
ing from a consultation with the judges.
"James, the boys drew for places before you came in, and
you got last."
The meeting commenced. Harold Hoover was the first or-
ator. His subject was "Loyalty" and was handled in an inter-
esting way. Karl was the next. He had chosen, "What is Means
to Put Your Name on the Mutual Roll." His material was good,
but he lacked preparation. Next, Dan was called. He seemed
a little confused as he arose, but by the time he had reached the
stand he had regained his usual bold 'assurance. He announced
that his subject was "Success."
Jim looked up in surprise. He had understood that Dan's
subject was "The Value of Spare Moments." His surprise grew
as the orator went on with his introduction. It was almost word
for word like his own. Jim leaned forward in breathless excite-
ment while Dan proceeded in a clear, confident way, his dark,
handsome eyes looking over the audience with convincing earnest-
ness. Sentence after sentence came familiarly to Jim's ears, and
soon he "leaned back with a smothered groan, crushed with the
hitter realization that Dan had stolen his speech. This explained
his presence on Temple Hill that day. How could even Dan have
stooped to such a thing? Of course, he had felt confident that Jim
would not expose him and that he would win the contest with his
rival's own speech. Jim closed his eyes in utter misery. Then
suddenly came the thought that in less than ten minutes his own
name would be called. What could he do? Give the same
speech or make some excuse and remain out of the contest. The
latter seemed the only possiblity. And yet he rebelled at the
thought of giving up to this boy who was so openly his antagonist.
Nothing would suit Dan better than his withdrawal. If there were
.

only some way to win, even now. Of course he might explain, but
he recoiled from the thought. Besides, would they believe him
against Dan? He —was an apostate's son. O, the torture of the
seconds that seemed to press down upon him.
The audience was very still. Dan's speech was making a pro-
found impression. And poor Jim had wanted so much to win,
to redeem himself from his father's mistake. If only he could
take some other subject and win yet. The thought flashed wildly
through his brain. But his mind seemed like a blank. He thought
of inspiration. But with that thought came the memory of those
burning words of his father on that terrible night: "The gospel
Reaches us to be a lot of ignorant, blind fools when it has us con-
ceive of a God who is going to listen to the individual prayers of
676 IMPROVEMENT ERA
a hundred million people at the same time and minutely direct a
hundred million acts that are unimportant to anyone except the
petty individual who prays for such guidance." If only God
would hear and inspire him now, it would be a testimony against
his father's denial.
in his soul, "inspire me!
"O, God," he pleaded Put some-
thing in my mind Then he sat very still and waited.
to say !"

It came like a flash "The Courage to be One's Self." He

!

grew suddenly calm. His mind had never seemed so clear. He

remembered all those things he had thought of that night after his
mother had said those words. He began to formulate an outline,
an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. He glanced at the
clock. Three minutes remained. He would try. He might not
win, but God had answered his prayer and he would do the best
he could. He thought no more of Dan and his treachery. He for-
got the audience, and in those few remaining moments he centered
all the forces of his mind upon that one subject, "The Courage to
be One'sSelf."
Soon Dan took his seat and Jim's number was called. He took
his place experiencing a feeling he had never known before. It
was as if he had reached out to the Father in his weakness and
the Father had taken him by the hand to help him over this diffi-
culty, just as his earthly father had often, when he was a little fel-
low, taken his hand to help him over a hard place in the path.
Jim faced the audience. Nearly a thousand pairs of eyes were
raised expectantly to him. For one brief moment he was almost
overwhelmed with the thought that he was standing there without
preparation. Then he felt the reassurance of the Father's hand
again.
"The Courage to be One's Self," he announced and there was
not a waver in his voice.
"Every day we see examples of great courage. Sometimes
it is physical, more often it is moral courage. We hear stories
that thrill us with inspiration. It may be of the soldier who faces
the cannon's mouth for his country it may be of the fireman risk-
;

ing his life for his fellowmen or of the mother rushing into the
;

jaws of death to save her child. On every hand we find great cries
being met by men and women of matchless courage.
"We may not all be called upon to exhibit the courage re-
quired for some particular crisis, but we are in need, every day.
of a courage just as essential in the world, the -courage to be our
selves. Did you ever stop to consider how many lives are lived
in quotation marks?"
. The boy was growing more and more filled with his subject.
Unexpected analogies and illustrations crowded his mind. He saw
interest in the faces before him and this gave him added inspira-
tion.
 JIM'S ORATION 677

He told them how the lack of this courage was shown in the
matter of dress, in the way homes were furnished, and in the man-
ner of living in the homes. He said that many a girl had started
on the downward road simply because she lacked this courage to
be herself and sold her most priceless possession that she might
wear gowns and jewels like someone else. He said that many
wives sent their husbands to bankruptcy because they must live
and dress as some envied neighbor did, and that scores of boys
had been enticed into saloons and gambling halls because they
lacked this courage, while their fathers accepted bribes and grafts
because they wanted to make the same show that their friends
made, and lacked the courage to stand by their own manhood.
And so Jim continued without a pause or break, his face glowing,
his voice vibrating with earnest conviction. Dan Clinger was
listening in utter amazement.
The boy then gave inspiring examples of men and women
who had not lacked this courage, and so had given their very best
individual selves to the world. He drew from the lives of Tolstoi,
of the Pilgrim fathers, of Joseph Smith and of Christ. Then
he began a strong plea for each one to make the most of the indi-
viduality God had given him and not submerge its possibilities into
a weak imitation of some one else. A movement near the door
revealed the face of his father. For a second he wavered, then
went on with more strength than before. He reached a brilliant
climax, holding the audience spellbound. The eyes of his father
were upon him until the end and Jim felt a strange new bond be-
tween them.
When he was through there was a tense silence in the room
which reminded him of that other meeting. He went mechanically
to his seat. Suddenly he felt timid. He could not remember what
he had been saying and thought with humiliation that he must have
made a wretched spectacle of himself. After the first silence
there was a sound of whispered comments. He looked toward the
door, but his father was gone. The president asked the judges
to confer. Someone gave an instrumental piece, then the judges
came forward and there was silence again.
"The orations were exceptionally good," the chairman, com-
menced, "and we wish to commend them all. We are unanimous,
however, in awarding first place to the last orator." Jim seemed
more dazed than ever. Surelv he had not heard aright. But
Harold and Karl who were sitting on either side of him extended,
ungrudgingly, their congratulations. The president made a few
remarks and the meeting was dismissed.
In a moment Jim was surrounded by groups of his old friends.
A warm glow crept over him. The bishop pressed his hand and
gave him some pleasant words of encouragement. And Jim saw
Lucy standing behind her father waiting to speak to him. Her
678 IMPROVEMENT ERA
hand trembled as he took it, and he read something in her eyes he
had never hoped to see there again. It gave him courage to keep
hy her side as they were pushed along with the crowd toward the
door, and take her arm when they had reached the outer steps.
Jim felt a touch on his arm. He turned, and the electric light
revealed the remorseful face of Dan Ginger. "May I speak to
you just a moment, Jim?" Jim excused himself to Lucy and
stepped aside with Dan, who seized his hand and whispered brok-
enly,
——
"No one but you knows what a dog I've been. I I can't
—
ask you to forgive me, but it would kill mother if she knew."
"O, don't worry about that, Dan," said Jim filled with pity at
the other's remorse. "No one shall ever know from me."
"I can't thank you nor tell you how ashamed and sorry I am,
and I won't ask you even to believe I'm going to be a man until
I've proved it —but I'll do it." Jim pressed Dan's hand and hur-
ried back to Lucy.
"You were splendid," she said proudly, then when they had
reached her gate she invited him to come inside. "Maybe I can
tell you tonight the things I wanted so much to say the last time
you were here and could not," she said, with a slight pressure on
his arm, which revealed her sympathetic understanding.
When Jim left Lucy an hour later he did not think anything
could add to his happiness, but he was very much mistaken.
As he entered his own gate he was surprised to find his
father waiting for him there. Mr. Welker took his son's hand and
held it as they walked up the path in silence. When they reached
the porch the father said, "Tell me how you did it, son?"
"I prayed, father," Jim answered simply, looking into his
father's face.
"And you were not alone," the response came low and full of
feeling.
"Father?" There was mingled doubt and hope in the boy's
tone.
"Yes, son, I prayed with you, and both our prayers were
answered. Yours in the inspiration' that gave you your subject,
mine in its message which revealed myself to me. You were
right, my boy. We cannot successfully be an imitation of someone
else. Sometimes when we try, we see hell in a way we have not
expected. You've helped me find the courage to undo the wrong
I've done."
And the next Sunday in fast meeting, Jim sat proudly
thrilled as he listened to the most powerful testimony he had ever
—
heard from the lips of his father.
 A Utah Poet on the Grand Canyon

Jack Borlase is not entirely unknown to readers of the Era. He

has heretofore favored them with at least one characteristic poetic
contribution. The Literary Digest recently gave him this notice,
and published his poem which follows
"Out West, in a Utah village called Kanab, there is a man
named Jack Borlase, who edits The Kane County News. Occa-
sionally Editor Borlase forsakes prose for poetry. And it is real
poetry, lacking sometimes in polish, often roughly idiomatic, but
genuine in feeling and strong in expression. The poem below, in
spite of such colloquialisms as 'when I acted most infernal,' is a
thing of beauty and power."

The Message of the Grand Canon

BY JACK BORLASE

A purpose He had when He builded me,

When He covered me o'er with rock and tree,
And the purpose He had I will tell to thee;
For it seems that you do not know. .

The lynx and the lion, the lean coyote

And the mountain-sheep and the bearded goat
Have ever and e'er understood the whys
And the great wherefores of the painted skies
Where the waters of myst'ry flow;
But the "all-consuming" brain of a man
Is a bit too weak to fathom the plan.

Since the days when the Master came and said,

"Now be a mountain instead of a bed,
And grit your teeth while I cut your head
And your trunk and your tail clear through,"
I have often wept and I've often smiled

When I've thought of the poor fools, running wild;

And to tell the truth, there are moments still
When I weep my weep and I laugh my fill,
As I listen to some of you;
But the message I bring is a vital thing,
And a worthy song is the song I sing.
The old Piute and the Navajo,
Though their skins are bronze and their ways are slow,
Both listened to me in the long- ago
When I acted most infernal;
And above their failings, above their fears,
And beneath their smiles and beneath their tears,
Is the hope of a happy hunting-ground,
And the hope of a future to be found
Yea, faith in a life eternal.
And this is the message I bring to you,
Which is old as the hills and ever new.
 The Thomas D. Dee Hospital
BY JOHN V. BLUTH, FIRST COUNSELOR IN THE PRESIDENCY OF THE
NORTH WEBER STAKE

The Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital, at Ogden, Utah,

erected a little over four years ago, has now been acquired by the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through the presi-
dencies of the Weber, North Weber and Ogden stakes.
The hospital was erected by the widow and children of Judge
Thomas D. Dee, as a monument or memorial to his memory.
Ground for the building was broken July 19, 1910, and the struc-
ture was completed during that year and dedicated on December

THE DEE HOSPITAL, OGDEN

29, 1910. The Dee family had incorporated under the name of the
Thomas D. Dee Company, and this company donated $90,000 to-
wards the erection locally, funds amounting to $8,360 were con-
;

tributed, and additional money was borrowed to equip the insti-

stution according to the most modern and up-to-date requirements.
New and additional equipment has been added during the past four
years making the total cost about $125,000.
The Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital Association was in-
corporated with a board of twelve trustees, and to this associa-
tion the property was conveyed, and the board has had the insti-
tution in charge since that time. The institution has been prac-
tically self-sustaining, but the trustees found themselves unable
to liquidate the original indebtedness. After four years of effort,
those in charge felt that unless some arrangement could be made
 JUDGE AND MRS. THOMAS D. DEE
for the payment of this debt, and provisions made for the an-
nual deficit which always threatened the board when they sought
to keep the hospital abreast of the times, the necessity would arise
compelling them to close or convey it to some other organization.
At this time the presidencies of the Weber, North Weber and
Ogden stakes came to the rescue and, after consultation with the
First Presidency of the Church, made a proposition to take over the
hospital, clear off the indebtedness and continue the hospital for the
use of the public. The proposition was accepted by the Thomas D.
Dee Company, the only reservation made being that of the per-
petuation of the Thomas D. Dee Memorial. The articles of in-
corporation of the Hospital Association were amended to suit
the new arrangement, the board of trustees was reduced to seven,
the former board resigned, and the following board of trustees
was nominated by the Trustee-in-Trust, of the Church, and ap-
proved by the stake presidencies who had initiated the transfer
of the property Lewis W. Shurtliff, president of the Weber
:

stake James Wotherspoon, President of the North Weber stake

;

Thomas B. Evans, President of the Ogden stake Judge Henry H.

;

Rolapp, Dr. R. S. Joyce, Wm. H. Wattis and Mrs. Maud Dee

Porter. Of these, Judge Rolapp was elected president and Mrs.
Porter, a daughter of Judge Dee, Secretary-Treasurer, and on
April 1, 1915, the institution became a possession of the Church.
The number of patients treated at the hospital during the four
years since its opening to the public, shown in patient days, is as
follows
1911 12,999
1912 14,156
1913 17,256
1914 15,676
682 IMl'K< iVEMENT ERA

Judge Thomas 1). IA-e, whose thrift and business ability ac-
cumulated the fortune that .made it possible for his family to erect
such a useful and permanent memorial as the Dee Hospital, was
horn in Llanclly, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, November 10,
1844. His parents became converts to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, in 1856, in their native land and in 1860 the
;

entire family emigrated to Utah, and settled in Ogden, where

Judge Dee resided until his death, July 9, 1905. On April 10,
1871, he married Miss Annie Taylor, at Salt Lake City, Utah. Of
this union there were born two sons and six daughters, of which
seven are still living, their names being: Mrs. Richard B. Porter,
Mrs. A. A. Shaw, Mrs. F. E. Higginbotham, Mrs. Edith Dee
Mack, Mrs. George S. Barker, Mrs. Joseph F. Barker, and Law-
rence T. Dee.
Judge Dee early became identified with the business life and
the educational interests of Ogden city and Weber county, and for
nearly forty years was a great factor in the growth and develop-
ment of his home
city and county. He was one of Ogden's
men, and his whole business career was singularly
public-spirited
free from any blemish and consequent criticism. Personally, he
was a man of broad mind, liberal in his views and most loyal to
his friends. His family has closely followed him in his views as
shown by the manner in which they have sought to perpetuate his
memory. They are to be complimented on what they have accom-
plished. It is a source of congratulation that their laudable effort
has not been permitted to be in vain because of financial difficul-
ties, but that the hospital has been saved to the people, and the
Memorial perpetuated for all time.
OGDEN, UTAH

MRS. R. B. PORTER
Joseph Smith, a Prophet of the Lord

BY SAMUEL DITTY, OF THE IRISH CONFERENCE

Why is the world not all agreed,

That Joseph Smith of "Mormon" creed,
Was raised to gather Israel's seed,
And by the Lord appointed;
And that the records which he found,
So near the surface of the ground,
And like a sacred volume bound,
Were hid by God's anointed?
And if the Gospel be restored,
Why is the statement so ignored,
And ridicule upon him poured,
And false insinuation?
For if a man assert a claim,
And proves it true, then, they're to blame,
Who do injustice to his name
Without investigation.

He may have been a prophet, too.

For all they know, or ever knew,
And if he was, then it is true
That he had revelation.
If that be so, then tell me why
Men should abuse him and deny
That God has spoken from on high
To every tongue and nation?
He like a prophet was abused,
His doctrines were by men refused,
And oft before the bar •
accused,
But each time was acquitted;
And like the Christ whom men denied.
Though righteous yet was crucified,
So also he was slain, he died,
Yet this the world permitted.
Now did the Christian world not know
That Jesus said it would be so,
His prophets all must undergo
The vilest persecution?
This being what the world has willed,
Herein the Scriptures were fulfilled,
When wicked men God's Prophet killed,
By cowardly execution.

What folly, then, to think by crime

To end God's purpose and design,
For he has said in latter time
He will his judgments pour,
'Till murderers of the prophets all,
Trembling shall answer to his call,
And all who serve the "Beast" shall fall.
And fall to rise no more! Millennial Star.
 Where does the Sabbath Day Begin?
BY DR. GEORGE W. CROCKWELL

[Writing from Forest Dale, Utah, a reader of the Era submitted

the following question which was sent to the author for answer. In
replying, he says: "I have tried to make the explanation explicit, and
hope the reader will see the problem as clearly as I do."
An elder laboring as a missionary in the Western States Mission
writes: "I have just finished reading George W. Crockwell's article on
'The Sabbath Day,' in the February number of the Improvement Era.
I can say for it that it is the 'standby' the missionaries need on that
subject. I only hope it will be printed in pamphlet form for the use
of the missionaries in the near future." The question and the answer
—
follow. Editors.]

"In the February Era there is an article on the proper day to

observe the Sabbath. I have been in many places in my time, and I
never arose yet, on a Sabbath morning, no matter how early, but I
have discovered that other parts of the world has had Sunday long
hours before I awoke. It is a well known fact that if we travel around
the terrestrial ball in one direction, we will gain a day; and that it we
go in an opposite drection we will lose one. Now, there must be some
part of this globe where Saturday and Sunday are so closely connected
that a second of time only, will part tnem, and from that short space of
time the Sabbath day begins to evolve. Will you kindly inform me
and others, through the Era, in what part of the world the Sabbath day
begins, and the reason that particular spot was chosen?" B. B.

A day (twenty- four hours) is formed by one complete revo-

lution of the earth, and in this twenty-four hours every part of the
earth has had one complete day and, as our question has to do with
;

the Sabbath in both hemispheres, there has been the same Sabbath,
only occurring or starting at the hour of midnight, which is cal-
culated by the position of the earth in relation to the sun. As an
illustration, the hour of twelve o'clock, noon, is formed by the sun
being on the longitudinal meridian directly above us. If we go
east, we find noon before the west, but it is the same noon and
;

if we should go west and travel fifteen degrees an hour, we would

have a perpetual noon until we crossed the 180th meridian of
longitude, in the Pacific Ocean, when we would have noon of the
day after. Although there is no international date line, an irreg-
ular line is drawn somewhat arbitrarily on the map of the Pacific
Ocean at or near the 180th degree meridian of longitude where
navigators change their date, it being necessary to have a date
line somewhere on the earth's surface, since it is impossible that
the reckoning of days should go on unbroken round the earth with-
 WHERE DOES THE SABBATH DAY BEGIN? 685

out a starting point. The International Encyclopaedia says that

there are two important reasons for choosing the 180-degree me-
ridian of longitude
1. It lies midway in the Pacific Ocean, and thus, far away
from civilization.
2. It is exactly twelve hours from Greenwich.
I take it a better reason is the day begins in the east and
:

ends in the west; therefore, starting at twelve o'clock at night at

the 180th degree of longitude, the day for that point will end at
twelve o'clock the following night, or twenty-four hours later.
In answer to that portion of the question "Now, there must
:

be some part of this globe where Saturday and Sunday are so

closely connected that a second of time, only, will part them, and
from that short space of time the Sabbath day begins to evolve.
* * Will you kindly inform us in what part of the world the
Sabbath begins?"
From the foregoing, taking into consideration the fact that
the hour of the day or night is determined by the position of the
earth in relation to the sun, we deduce the following: One second
past twelve o'clock, midnight, Saturday night, wherever you may
be, the Sabbath begins, for that longitude or locality on the earth's
surface.
Two persons, starting from a given point to go around the
earth, having made the
circuit in twenty- four hours, will find two
days' difference in their calendar. Why?
When a man goes toward the east, he is traveling with, or in
the same direction as, the earth. He shortens the day four min-
utes for every degree of longitude he crosses, or one hour for every
fifteen degrees. There are three hundred and sixty degrees around
the earth, which, divided by fifteen, the number of degrees in an
hour, equals twenty-four hours or one day.
If he goes west, he reverses the operation, and makes one
more revolution than the earth does, therefore, loses one day in the
calendar.
I wish to give credit to the International Encyclopaedia, by
Dodd, Mead & Co., publishers, subject, "International Date Line."
PORTLAND, OREGON

In one of the large cities a street-car collided with a milk-cart

and sent can after can of milk splashing into the street. Soon a large
crowd gathered. A very short man coming up had to stand on tip-
toe to see past a stout woman in front of him.
"Goodness!" he exclaimed. "What an awful waste!"
The stout woman turned round and glared at the little man and
said, sternly: "Mind your own business!" Harper's Magazine.
 THE OLD GUARD.
Reading from left to right: David McKenzie, Phil Margetts (lower), John T. Caine,
Mrs. M. G. Clawson, H. B. Clawson. (Posed for the Christmas News of 1910.
All have since passed away.)

The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre"

BY HORACE G. WHITNEY, DRAMATIC EDITOR OF THE DESERET NEWS

In Four Parts —Part III

The second epoch in "The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre"

might be said to have ended with the death of President Brigham
Young, which occurred in 1877. After 1872, the house had en-
tered upon a new career. The old stock company began to disin-
tegrate. The railroad had entered Salt Lake, business opportu-
nities expanded, and many of the active men connected with the
drama, turned to other channels. Z. C. M. I. had been founded
with H. B. Clawson as its superintendent. John T. Caine went
into public life and was elected to various positions, which finally
culminated in his going to Congress. David McKenzie who, prob-
ably with most justice, can be called the dominating figure among
the home players of those days, retired from acting, but occasion-
ally took a hand in the management of the house.
Mr. McKenzie's later years were passed in the active ser-
vice of the Church. He was a clerk in the office of the First Pres-
idency, and was also president of the High Priests' Quorum of

*An address delivered before the Cleofan Society, January 27, 1915.
 THE STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 687

the old Salt Lake Stake, and later of the Pioneer Stake. He has
often shown me an interesting book in which he had compiled a
list of all the plays in which he ever appeared. He was also a
rare narrator of some of the "green room legends" of the Salt
Lake Theatre, and among others of his stories was one relating
to the first production of "The Lonely Man of the Ocean." He
told of the shipwreck scene in which he played the hero, and Nel-
lie Colebrook the heroine. All the crew had been stricken down
by yellow fever, the bodies of the sailors lay on deck, and he and
the heroine were about to give up in despair, when on the horizon
appeared a distant ship. The hero seized a match to fire a signal
gun, exclaiming to the heroine, "Dear one, thou shalt yet be
saved !" He applied the match to the cannon,, but a faint sizzle
was the only response. The cannon went on sputtering, the hero
kneeling in agony. The property man, Charles Millard, who had
loaded the cannon, stood in the wings, filled with equal anxiety.
Finally, seeing that the cannon
was not "going off," he whis-
pered to McKenzie, "Touch her
again." Again the sailor applied
the match, whereupon the in-
genious Millard fired a pistol in
the wings. It was only a crack,
but it sufficed, and McKenzie
shouted "Our signal is heard.
We are saved !" The curtain fell,
and no sooner was the view of
the audience shut out from the
actors than the yellow fever vic-
tims on deck began to sit up and
demand an explanation. Phil
Margetts, one of the stricken
sailors, was standing in front of
the cannon, when "bang" it
went off with a roar. The wad
struck him in the back, and laid
him flat, and re-bounding hit
JAMES M. HARDIE Bert Merrill in the hand, inflict-
A popular singer and actor of the '60s.
ing a wound whose effects he
felt for several days. The audi-
ence, mystified at the explosion, sent a committee behind the cur-
tain, to learn what the trouble was, and Mr. McKenzie himself
had to appear and explain the reasons for the belated signal.

Stock Company Scatters

Annie (Asenath) Adams, the heroine to McKenzie's heroes,
and with him immensely popular with the audiences of those days.
688 IMPROVEMENT ERA
married James H. Kiskadden, in 1869. Her daughter, Maude
Adams, was born November 11, 1872, and soon after her mother
took her to the coast. The two returned to Salt Lake several
times, as our narrative later will show, and it has often been
narrated as a part of the history of the American stage, how
Maude, at the age of nine months, was carried across the
stage of our theatre on a platter, as a substitute for another
infant suddenly incapacitated by a crying spell —
heY very first
appearance on any stage. J. M. Hardic, by this time a fine
romantic actor, went abroad to seek his fortune, and for
years was heard of starring in
this country and England. He
died some years ago, and is bur-
ied in Liverpool. Sara Alexan-
der also left the state to follow a
professional life. She is now liv-
ing in New York with her niece,
Lisle Leigh, a well-known ac-
tress. John C. Graham went into
the newspaper business and re-
moved to Provo, where he acted
occasionally, and died in 1906.
Nellie Colebrook appeared only
at rare intervals after 1874,
and died some years ago. John
Lindsay left and became a travel-
ing star in the west, re-visiting
the old playhouse at intervals
with his daughters. He wrote
his experiences in a book called
The Mormons and the The-
atre, which is full of interesting GEORGE M. OTTINGER
episodes. W. C. Dunbar, with The veteran fire chief as the King, in
John T. Caine and E. L. Sloan, "Hamlet."
founded the Salt Lake Herald, in
1870, and Dunbar, drollest of all our comedians, rarely appeared
on the stage thereafter. Margaret Clawson retired to care for her
rapidly growing family, and H. E. Bowring removed to Brigham
City and died there. Henry Maiben, a delightful comedian and
a rare Christian gentleman, only occasionally appeared, but once
or twice came out of his retirement to play with the Home Club,
in the '80s. Phil Margetts alone, of all the old players, remained
almost constantly in the harness till age and illness incapacitated
him. Long after his fellow players had retired, he formed vari-
ous companies to support him in "Our Boys," "The Lancashire
Lass," "The Charcoal Burner." "The Chimney Corner," and many
others. He appeared in the Home Dramatic Club's production of
 THE STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 689

"The Lights o' London," about 1887, and imparted all his old
vigor and humor to his role, that of Joe Jarvis when the fiftieth
;

anniversary of the Theatre was celebrated, in 1912, though he was

partially paralyzed, he was wheeled upon the stage, and from his
chair, he delivered a selection from Shakespeare with a readiness
and distinctness which told his mind was as clear as in his old his-
trionic days. He died in September, 1914, "the last of the Old
Guard."
The Old Guard

—
And speaking of the "Old Guard" I feel a personal pride in
having been instrumental in bringing together, a few years ago, the
five pioneer players known as "The Old Guard of the Drama in
Utah," Messrs. Clawson, Caine, McKenzie, Margetts, and Mrs.
Clawson, having them photographed in a group, and securing
their personal memoirs. I realized it could only be a short time

before all of them would receive the final call from the great man-
ager who arranges all our entrances and exits. Each has since
joined the "innumerable cara-
van." Their pictures will be
found in the Christmas News of
1910, accompanied by the follow-
ing notice
"Those familiar with the
history of the drama
Utah will
in
not need to be told the names of
the grand old quintet whose faces
look forth from this page, or the
distinguished part they played in
the early history of the state.
They are almost the sole links
that connect us with the days of
Nauvoo. Clawson, Caine, Mar-
McKenzie, and Margaret
getts,
Clawson What a pathway of
!

achievements they can look back

upon What a stupendous total
!

in the sum of general good is

piled up to their credit ! What a
debt did the pioneers of Utah, MRS. M. BOWRING
for whose pleasure they toiled,
As Lady Macbeth.
owe to them How many cares
!

they vanquished, how many smiles they started, how many tears
they wiped away, in the old days when the community was coming
!"
•up through the hard processes of formation
"A joyful occasion it was, as may be imagined, when the five
survivors of the old Deseret Dramatic Association (its official
690 IMI'R< >VEMENT ERA
title) came together a few weeks since at the request of the man-
agement of The Descrct News and posed before the camera for
the picture shown on this page. It was the first time they had met
in many years, and the greetings, the inquiries for each other's
health and welfare, the solicitude for 'dear old Phil,' who still
suffers from a paralytic stroke, and is helped in and out of the
—
carriage by members of his family all make up a delightful babel
of sounds. What a flood of reminiscences is let loose! Mrs.
Clawson, Mr. Margetts, and Da-
vid McKenzie, three survivors
of the once famous 'Under the
Gaslight' cast, salute each other
by their stage names. Who that
beheld them can ever forget them
—'Old Judas,' 'Byke' and
'Snorkey,' the one-armed sol-
dier whom the villains tried to
kill by tying him to the railroad
track ? Imagine the gentle-faced
Aunt Margaret of today in that
role or as Judy O'Trot ! Bishop
Clawson comes in a few minutes
late, and his old time managerial
associate, John T. Caine, aus-
terely informs him that he is
docked $2.00 for keeping the re-
hearsal waiting!
" 'Dear old John Graham
wouldn't he have liked to be
BERNARD SNOW
here?' ruminates his old associ-
of the early Social Hall and
ate and fellow-comedian, Phil
'

Theatre days.
Margetts. Graham, the Bermu-
das of that 'Under the Gaslight' cast how his image stands out
:

Lindsay, Hardie, Nellie Colebrook, Harry Bowring, W. C. Dun-

bar, Al Thorne, and a host of others whose names are now but a
memory, come in for some mention or other, as the skein of rec-
ollections is unwound, and very tender, very gentle, grow the tones
of the veterans, as the exchange of reminiscences goes around."

President Young's Interest

During all those years, President Brigham Young maintained

the active, personal and almost affectionate regard that he always
manifested for the threatre. In the middle and later seventies,
when increasing responsibilities and advancing years told upon his
energy, he attended the performances less frequently, but through
his agents he kept in the closest touch with its affairs. Some idea
 THE STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 691

of his interest in and connection with the house, and of the respect
and veneration with which the players regarded him, is obtained
from the following selections:
In his interesting recollections of the early drama in Utah,
contributed to the Christmas Nezvs some years ago, David Mc-
Kenzie says
"President Young was ardently devoted to theatrical enter-
tainments, especially those of an amusing character. He said to
the audience, on the opening night of the theatre: 'If I had my
way I would never have a tragedy played on these boards. There

"V. "
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CT^ScJI wrnKmrn
LEADING MEMBERS OF THE DESERET DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION
Standing (from left to right), David McKenzie, Phil Margetts, John S. Lindsay, James
a. Thompson. Seated Henry Maiben, Nellie Colebrook, Annie A. Adams.
: (This
group was taken by Savage & Ottinger, in the later '60s. The only active member
of the company missing is John C. Graham.)

isenough tragedy in every-day life, and we ought to have amuse-

ment when we come here He was equally interested in the art
!'

of dancing, but he deprecated waltzing.

"It was indispensable with him that all those entertainments
should be conducted under the terms of the strictest morality.
As early as 1854, he personally attended our rehearsals. He had
his private carriage convey the lady actresses to and from the
Social Hall on every occasion, so as to avoid the society that might
embarrass them after the performances. Those rehearsals and
dances were invariably opened with prayer. He sternly opposed
the habits of smoking and drinking, and he insisted that the play-
692 IMPROVEMENT ERA
house ought to be as sacred as the temple, and might be made so
by the proper conduct of those
who were engaged in them. He
used every laudable means to in-
culcate those views, but Presi-
dent Young was noautocrat and
his good counsels were not al-
ways enforced, although not al-
together unheeded. Yet I know
of several instances where im-
proper conduct on the part of
performers caused their instant
dismissal."
John T. Caine, in his speech,
Christmas night, 1862, said:
"For all the grandeur of
conception, magnificence of de-
sign, and beauty of execution,
which characterize everything
that surrounds us here tonight,
we are pre-eminently indebted to
him who is ever foremost in
every good work, the patron of JOHN C. or ah am
the fine arts, the friend of the
As Lord Ul" Kl, m '
Ame,ican
Cousin"'"°
industrious talent, and in the
fullest and broadest sense the
citizen of Utah."
.irst
President Young, in the
familiar arm-chair, in the body
of the house, sat and listened
to this encomium and we can
well imagine the applause which
followed.

Mrs. Adams' Reminiscences

Mrs. Annie Adams Kis-

kadden once said, in an article
contributed to the Christmas
Neivs, entitled "Green Room
Memories :"
"Our first nights in those
days were very interesting
JM?Il x/yu/0 events. Though the city was
small, we often played to audi-
MRS. A. A. ADAMS ences that filled every portion of
Mother of Maude Adams, in 186S. the house, and sometimes oar
 THE STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 693

plays ran a week. Our audiences

always included Church leaders,
with President Brigham Young
at the head the judges, the terri-
;

torial officials sent out from

Washington, and often the mili-
taryfrom Fort Douglas. The fig-
ure of President Young, seated
at the end of a bench in a large
arm-chair, is as clearly before me
while I write, as though it were
yesterday. He was a great critic
of the drama, and was very par-
ticular as to the class of plays
that the company presented. He
often dropped in on us at rehear-
sals, and frequently went over
the house from top to bottom to
see whether it was kept in or-
der."
Sara Alexander is quoted in
the Christmas News, a few years W. C. DUNBAR
Famous comedian, vocalist, and bagpipe
ago, as saying: performer; also one of the founders
"There is no other theatre of the Salt Lake Herald.

built in these days just as 'com-

fy' Lake Theatre,
as the old Salt
and no stock company was ever
quite so homelike and jolly as
that we belonged to, and as for
the stage, President Young knew
more about the needs of a large
stage than any manager now liv-
ing.''
Lambourne's Tribute

Alfred Lambourne, in his

Playhouse, tells of his first
meeting with President Brigham
Young as follows
"It was upon the Scene-
Painter's Gallery that the writer
first met Brigham Young. It
was of a late afternoon in au-
tumn the rehearsal for that
;

night's play was over, the Scene-

J. M. SIMMONS Painter's brush was moving rap-
Pioneer actor, as Alonzo in "Pizzaro. idly upon the broad spread of
694 IMPROVEMENT ERA
canvas before him, and he thought himself alone. Anon was
heard the sound of firm, yet almost inaudible footsteps upon the
gallery stairs. Then the maker appeared, and it was the Pres-
ident, the great 'Mormon' leader. Unheralded he had come
upon a tour of inspection. Brigham Young was famed for com-
pleteness he possessed a genius for details. Carefully the Pres-
;

ident examined each water tank, each barrel of salt. He ap-

MAUDE ADAMS IN GIRLHOOD DAYS— ABOUT 1890

peared to think that day, of the Playhouse's danger from fire.

He broke, with the end of his gold-headed cane, the thick crusts
that had formed over the tops of the barrels of salt. I watched

him shake his head and compress his lips there came a frown
;

upon his face. His orders for safety, one could see, had been
 THE STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 695

neglected, he did a labor which should have been remembered

and performed by others. No doubt someone would be repri-
manded. I have always believed that during the handshake that
came a few minutes later, the 'Moses of the West' 'sized me
up,' as we are wont to say, spiritually, mentally and physically,
with those steady, keen and searching eyes."
(to be concluded)

Anticipation
(Thoughts translated from hymn 208, Danish Hymn Book.)

Think, O my soul, when clouds are disappearing,

The gloomy mists of life are fled and gone,
What promised is sweetly nearing
rest for all
When Jesus shall forever be our sun.

When earthly riddles all are solved and straightened,

The anxious whys and wherefores are explained,
God's boundless grace each weary soul will lighten,
As concepts of his hidden ways are gained.
Think of the time when, with the clearest vision,
We'll see our Savior whom we here believed
And loved and worshiped. O
what fond transition,
When, blest and saved, by him we'll be received!

Our trembling feet his shepherd care has guided,

He blotted out our sins — how great his love!
To test our faith, our souls he often chided;
What joy when we shall meet him there above!
Think of departed ones, their joyous greeting,
When earthly strife and trials all are past;
The glorious morn that brings the blessed meeting,
Where peace and harmony forever last!

Think, further, when, in temple halls of glory,

With angels we shall praise our Lord supreme,
Converse with friends upon the gospel story,
And of this life, which vanished like a dream!
To those who, faithful, in this world are striving,
And through Christ's power have entered through "the door,"
These joys shall come —hope constantly reviving,
When freed and saved, they'll live forevermore!
SALEM, UTAH JOHN A. Ol.SEN.
 I
"
A JBraost of Ifjr Eattil*

Verses from the poem, "The Rose of Love."

tagft IiY ALFRED LAMBOURNE

In this Full time, this Hey-day of the Year,

My Soul, accordant with the Fairness wrought,

Now with the Queenly Roses owns the Sphere,

All Earth is Mine in Luxury of Thought.
v i

T see the Fair Ones where 'mid Northern Hills

The wild Cicada from the Vine is heard
That Beauty of the South my Vision fills,

Where Sings in Ecstasy the Mocking-bird.

That Isle so Verdant fair before me Lies —

Within the Soul old Melody awakes
That Dewy land where Form with Feature vies,

The Rose-like Beauties by Killarney's Lakes.

And Albion with Streams and Meadows bright

That Laugh and Smile beneath the Skies of
Gray,
Where Roses still are Rivals —Red and White
And English Maids are Fresh and Fair as they.
h

Where Grew the Roses of the Long Ago,

And where, Red-hearted, open now Love's Flowers,
I walk in Paths by many a gray Chateau,
And in quaint Gardens by old Castle towers.

Where o'er the River sound the Lorelei's notes,

And Moonlit rocks above the Waters rise,
And Hail, as yet the dying Echo floats,

The Maids of Rhineland with their Love-lit Eyes.

And in Castile I Mingle in the Throng
Where bright Sierras o'er fair Cities shine ;

Where Spain's old Towers hath Tagns mir-

rored long,
And Roses o'er the Moorish lattice twine.

Where Fountains in the Court of Lions play,

The Lovers of Grenada plead their Suits
And as of old the Roses drip with spray,
Where Moorish Damsels held their Silver lutes.

O those Bright scenes Imagination views,

Bohemia and where the Danube runs,

Where by his fire the Dark-browed Lover woos,

The wild-eyed Gypsy Maiden of the Suns.

And Mine, this Hour, those Scenes of Loveliness,

Where Sunny Naples looks across the Bay
'

Where Roses still the Sculptured Graces press,

And gentle wavelets Laugh in summer play. M)M

And now the Verdant glades and Ivied slopes,

Where Peneus its rest through Tempe seeks
Where once the rapt Hellene composed his tropes,
That Vale of Thessaly beloved of Greeks.

The sighing of low Summer winds I hear,

As swaying Roses edge the bending Corn,
See slender, pale, the Moonlit columns near,
The Minarets that grace the Golden Horn.

Alway the Tale that's told is Love's old Tale,

In lands where Roses fret the Cypress glooms,
Where Behat winds through Cashmir's sunny Vale,
In old Damascus where the Rose yet blooms.
 To Soothe the Savage Breast

How a Musician Conquered the Boys

BY JOHN HENRY EVANS

The young hoodlums of Red Horse Bend were out for a lark.
A lark isnot what it is generally supposed to be. Thus much
it is necessary to say for the benefit of those who do not live in
Red Horse Bend. But in this respect a lark is not peculiar.
Nothing in Boyville is what supposed to be. A lark resem-
it is
bles little that is in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, nor
yet, as we might be led to believe from the nature of the phrase,
in the waters underneath the earth. Only a boy can have a lark.
Whoever heard of a grown man or of a girl having a lark ? Not
even Jules Verne imagined such a thing. But how could a single
boy have a lark? Clearly the thing is impossible, like an intelli-
gent American jury. It takes more than one boy to have a lark,
and the more the better. And then, too, larks vary in size. The
hoodlums of Red Horse Bend were out for a big lark.
There were twenty of them. Now, twenty toughs can make
things a good deal livelier than, say, nineteen. Especially if they
live in Red Horse Bend and are out after larks. There was
young Sykes, for instance. He was eighteen. He had experi-
—
enced all the emotions of Larkdom from merely riding inno-
cently through the streets raising dust and cane and yelling like a
Comanche, to picking the heads off the farmers' laying hens
—
Sykes could always tell a laying hen with a Colt's six-shooter,
and riding his horse into the saloon at Mudville when the con-
stable was looking for him in his native haunts. That was one
extreme. At the other end of the line-up was he whom the
fellows called Snooks. He was called Snooks because the name
he went by in the family circle was Frank. Snooks was only
fourteen. He contented himself with gathering courage and en-
ergy from a crowd. Likewise he admired the spectacular per-
formances of his more daring chief and looked forward hopefully
to the time when he might imitate them in a small way. For
—
Sykes was unique like the man who could hit a bull's eye. And
then there were all the degrees between. Oly, who had been
— —
named Moroni, after a long time after the Book of Mormon
general, because his father had been called out by Brigham
—
Young to guard the mail route Oly could pass along the dusty
thoroughfares of Red Horse Bend with the celerity of greased
lightning, but he balked at exchanging carriage wheels and re-
moving wagon burs. In the case of Spickety, whose natural
 TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST 699

appellation was an unromantic John, the line was carefully drawn

at riding into the Mudville saloon. The other sixteen had equally
—
discriminating taste except when alone.
The toughs of Red Horse Bend always wound up their
night's escapades with an unannounced visit to Theodore Thun-
derbust. That was not his real name, either. But whoever went
by his true name in Boyville, whether he belonged to the elect or
not ? One reason they called him Thunderbust was that that was
'

not his name. And another reason lay in the fact that he was the
—
opposite of a thunderbust whatever that may be.
Aurelius Edersheim, for that was what he went by when his
name was presented before the ward as leader of the choir, was a
German, as one might easily, guess from his name. A thin, wiry
little man, his one distinguishing characteristic was a fringe of
reddish hair just below a huge bald spot. This border ornament he
always kept long. The truth is that at one time he wore a Pader-
ewski topnot, but the upper part had prematurely disappeared
burnt off, the boys declared. And if the whole truth must be
known, it was that fringe, joined with the color, that was poor
Edersheim's undoing. Moreover, he had a fiery temper, which,
in the presence of the toughs of the Bend, had exploded more
than ,once. The boys were always provoking another explosion
for that reason. On their periodical visits to him he would come
out, after a time,— it always took time to lead up to the explosion

— and with flourishings and gesticulations and more noise than

you would expect from so small a body, he danced about angrily
on the rickety old platform that served as a front porch to his
lumber shack. All of which was immensely amusing. If they
had finished their business early in the night, the Red Horse
Benders made their appearance at Thunderbust's about eleven
o'clock. But late or early, they were sure to appear.
Tonight they came early. Their other affairs hadn't turned
out as they had planned. —
Old Skeezics he had another name,
—
too had come out of the house with an army of dogs before the
fellows could so much as get a hand on a ripe watermelon. Then,
besides, old Spoopindyke — everybody was "old" in the Bend
had literally camped in his new buggy with a shotgun, loaded,
the boys knew, with the genuine article, for he had a reputation
which he tried to live up to. So they had to shy his premises.
And it was too late by this time to string wires across the board
sidewalk in the quarter of the town known as the Street. They
therefore turned to the old pasture. Theodore Thunderbust's
temperament and nerves could always be depended upon. Not
once in all the years had they been disappointed.
Their usual mode of announcing their approach was by the
ingenious device known as the tick-tack. —
One lad usually it was
Sykes, for the thing required art as well as courage —
walked
700 IMPROVKMKNT KRA
gingerly up to the front window, held to the glass a well-milled
spool,and pulled a yard or so of twine in jerks of various lengths.
The result was a sound which would have astonished the inventors
of the approved instruments for rending the air. This delicate
task performed, the perpetrator would retire to a safe distance.
Whereupon the band would strike up.
extremely doubtful whether there was ever^such a band.
It is
The music began with the tender and soothing strains of the
jews-harp, accompanied by a subdued thrumming on a small
tin lard-can. Three mouth-organs in as many different keys
came in at the proper moment. The lard-cans accompanying
these instruments were of the same make as the others, but larger.
A third variety of instrument consisted of seven trumpets, such
as Santa Claus throws down the chimney on Christmas night, and
four tin whistles. Here the accompaniment was three five-gallon
oil cans. The rest of the crowd of musicians employed them-
selves with a chorus in a species of language, composed, perhaps
I should say invented, for the occasion, and heard only in sere-
nades on the volcanic Theodore. Clearly this aggregation of
young men possessed a delicately trained ear and had withal a
sense of propriety that was truly touching!
They blew, they beat, they twanged, they sang till they were
out of wind. Then, in sheer exhaustion, they paused. There
was absolute silence for the space that it takes a Salt Lake City
street worker to move a shovelful of earth. The following whis-
pered colloquy occurred
"Aw, the guy ain't to home!"
"Course 'e is! Can't ye see the light?"
!"
"Shut up— he'll hear you
"Let's give 'im another He's applaudin'
!
silent for an apple-
core!"
And thereupon the selection was repeated with additional
flourishes —
all except the prelude on the window pane. That was
_

too risky, for there was no telling what might come of it.
No Theodore Thunderbust! What could be the matter?
They felt something akin to insult. They had never been cheated
here before! That he was at home there could be no lingering
doubt. May be he was meditating! He had been known to
meditate. They would better look sharp. Meantime, they kept
up their concert till they were almost' out of breath again. At
last the obstinate Aurelius came out!
The appearance of Edersheim was the signal for what is
—
known to musicians as a crescendo run only, the run was a
gallop on the level instead of uphill. Whether through lack of
breath or because thev had all got the same idea at the same time,
will never be known." At any rate, they presently
stopped short.
 TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST 701

staring at the slender figure before them as they had previously

stared at the door.
The amusing Thunderbust was not amusing any more. He
was not trying to be amusing. On the contrary, he wore what
—
was intended for a smile something wholly unprecedented in
him. Hedid not raise a hand, he did not raise a voice, in protest.
It was unbelievable.
"I blay you a tune !" he said, going into the house.
He came out again with a chair in one hand and a violin in
the other. And there, the moonlight shining full on his face, he
played in such a way as put the twenty hoodlums into a trance.
He had been first violinist, and then leader, in a famous Berlin
orchestra. He therefore knew how to play as the Western val-
leys had never heard. The notes rose and fell in the moonlit night
in a confusion of melody which the same tones could never have
produced in another setting. The very contrast from what the
boys expected would of itself have produced a silence, which the
strains of the sweetest of all instruments took advantage of to
steal upon their surprised spirits.
The single tune finished, the enchanted crowd clapped their
approval and demanded more. But the musician invited them
into the shanty.
The night was full of surprises. They looked questioningly
at one another. This was going some. Was the old blatherskite
going to lure them into his trap of a house and then set fire to it ?
"Come an !" he ordered brokenly.
But nobody would venture forth. They continued to stare
atone another. They challenged one another. They bawled one
another out. One would have thought who did not know the
innocence of Edersheim, that he was placing before them the
alternative of certain death.
At last the heroic figure of Sykes broke away from the gang.
Dropping his five-gallon oil can, he dashed ahead with mock indif-
ference, crying back to the others, "Come on, fellows!"
And they all filed into the small house with an air of defying
the Fates, as who should say, "If the house is to be blowed up,
!"
he'llbe blowed up, too
"How you vould like to play in de band?" Edersheim asked,
looking around on the crowd of apprehensive boys. "I teach
you."
There was a spontaneous show of twenty sets of white teeth.
"I mean it!" the little man went on. "You could learn.
You like music —no?"
evident thoughts of the instruments still outside, the
With
boys chorused a loud horse laugh.
But the choir leader persisted. "You could take the cornet
and you de trombone," he said, going through the list of band in-
702 IMPROVEMENT ERA
struments, pointing out flourishingly a boy each time, and making
with his hands the motions of playing each instrument as he
named it.
The only result of this piece of musical
dramatics was a
series of remarks from the boys, upshot of which was to show
.the
how this, that or the other fellow would look blowing this, that
or the other instrument, accompanied each time by vociferous jibes
and laughter.
"Ned would rather play the jewsharp," said one. "Do they
have jewsharps in a band?"
And another, "Sykes would blow himself through the
hole in one of them brass effects, wouldn't he?" He appealed to
the rest for confirmation.
Shot after shot after this fashion was fired, Aurelius laugh-
ing with the boys. He did not lose patience. He waited till all
the shots were sent to lodge where they might, and the ammunition
bag was empty. Then he ventured
"Sure I teach you anything
! Vat you say ?"
!

Helooked appealingly at Sykes. Sykes, in fact, looked the

leader. Besides, the musician may have observed that he had led
the boys into the house. There is really no essential difference
between humans and sheep on the inside. Aurelius Edersheim
—
knew this none better. So he addressed the gang leader. Sykes
thereupon made an elaborate show of reflection, was accordingly
laughted at, and therefore rebuked the offenders for doing so.
Presently he said
"All right, we join the band!"
This decision was noisily applauded.
"Good !" cried the little man, "dat's right — you vill like it

very much, I am sure."

"When shall we start the band?" one of the boys wanted to
know.
"Right avay — soon you get the instruments."
"Couldn't we use our some one broke out afresh.
old ones?"
With the least encouragementanother bombardment of
bucolic wit and humor would have occurred, but it was imme-
diately quelled by a stern, "You guys, shut up
!" from the leader.

The question of the instruments brought up the first real

difficulty of the evening, and with this first difficulty the boys set-
tled down to business at once as they had never done before.
Where was the money to come from ? That was a grave question.
Several plans were proposed. One of the boys suggested
that they pass round a subscription paper, as was done when the
Thompson house burned down. The musician proposed that a
series of ward entertainments be gotten up for the purpose for
which a small admission be charged. Skyes settled the matter, how-
 TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST 703

ever, when he said that every guy was to buy his own instrument
and that this band was not
to be beholden to anybody outside.
"I ain't got nothin' to raise money on !" three objected.
"Get somethin' !" was the answer.
It remained only for Edersheim now to ascertain how many
and what instruments were needed and how much they would
cost. Then the fellows went home, each one as he passed out
solemnly shaking hands over the matter with both Sykes and the
—
musician in token that "you haf vat you say ratify?" —
The boys found the matter of raising the money even easier
than they had expected. Every one was eager to help them. But
all aid the boys steadfastly refused to accept. They had given
their word to their chief. However, they found readier buyers
for their wares and more money than they could have obtained
otherwise. Sykes sold his horse. It was, he said, like getting
rid of his eye teeth. But he delivered the animal to its new owner
and received seventy-five dollars in his hand. Others also dis-
posed of their horses. Still others sold crops which they had
done extra work for and which they were expecting to sell for
quite different purposes. Three of the boys, as they themselves
had already confessed, had nothing of their own which they could
turn into money. But they worked at odd hours for their neigh-
bors in order to raise their share. Even then they had to be
helped by some of the other fellows who had been able to raise
more than their allotment. It was a joyous day when the instru-
ments were sent for with money that had been so hardly earned.
Never before had there been such a winter spent in Red
Horse Bend Skeezics had no more to tie his hounds purchased
!
—
for the occasion —
round his haystack, lest at any moment in the
night the earnings of a whole summer might go up to the sky in
smoke. Spoopindyke no more campecl in his buggy of an evening
or took it piecemeal into the kitchen in order to be sure he could
set his eyes on it in the morning. Aurelius Edersheim, when he
was not at choir practice or training the boys in the mysteries
of the wind instrument, could lie down to quiet slumbers with
absolute assurance that no disturbance would be likely to occur
more violent than his own snoring. Even the Mudville saloon,
which had no license either from the town council or the invisible
powers of the air to exist utterly free from molestation, went on
as quietly as if it had been an undertaking establishment in name
as well as in reality.
Instead, twenty young, wild men were wrestling with brass
things that would not accommodate themselves to their hands
with anything like the ease which bridle reins had been wont to
do. The long winter nights sped by for them in sweat and bulging
cheeks and tousled hair. It was incredibly hard, but the boys
stuck to their task with a perseverance worthy of young men who
704 IMPROVEMENT ERA
had done what they had. They made headway, of course,
but
slowly. They had to. For every practice night— and that was
every night when the meetinghouse was not otherwise
occupied
—the place was filled with interested spectators. There was so
little in Red Horse Bend to amuse the young
folks that this was a
scene of perpetual wonder and delight both to them and
to the
older ones. And the boys felt that under the eyes of so interested
and sympathetic a crowd they could not but do their best.
It was not till the next summer, however, that
Red Horse
Bend fully sensed the change that had come over the community
by reason of the work the choir leader had done for the boys, and
their full pride in the town. And the event that brought it to this
realizing sense was the Fourth of July celebration.
The celebration was held at Red Horse Bend. It would have
been held at any one of five other places but for the fact that Red
Horse Bend had a band. For the six communities joined in the
festivities. The band at once raised Red Horse Bend to the
greatest importance among the villages of Moon Valley. At the
celebration everything done paled into insignificance compared
with the Brass Band. What was the Declaration of Independ-
ence by comparison, to the reading of which no one paid the
slightest attention amid the crying of babies, the vociferous de-
mands of the lemonade man outside who wanted to be patronized.
Declaration or no Declaration, and the incessant chatter of Red
Horse Benders telling their neighbors of the virtues of a Brass
Band ? What was even the Fourth of July oration, that followed
and that would be printed in the Moon Valley Standard next Sat-
urday, delivered in shirtsleeves and all the furniture removed for
a distance of eight feet from the speaker so that his oratorical
powers might have free play? The address of the school master
in Red Horse Bend was different. It was about the band. For
that the crying babies were given their dinner whether they
needed it or not, the lemonade man was squelched by a special
messenger sent out there with that end in view, and the speech
took the place of the most extravagant eulogy any other Red
Horse Bender would be able to give the most eager listener.
The orator told of the boys' escapades before that fateful
night, of the inspiration that came so suddenly to the little choir
leader, of the way in which the young men had bought their own
instruments, and of how they had persevered in the task of mas-
tering their instruments. Aurelius wept like a child at the re-
cital of his own virtues —
virtues which even he, let alone the vil-
lage, little dreamed that he possessed but which, now they were
pointed out so eloquently, both he and they were sure he possessed
in abundance. Never had the little man been appreciated like
that before. As for the boys, the school master was equally fer-
vent and eloquent in praising them Music had transformed their
 TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST 705

lives. They had, by way of music, become interested in many

other things that never would have reached them othewise. He
ended with
"I propose three cheers for the Band, hip-hip —
!"

In which he was followed lustily by eight hundred voices,

—
including the babies who had momentarily abandoned their din-
ner for the purpose.

Clouds of Summer
Silken soft clouds,
That sail through the blue,
Turn your ear earthward,
I've a message for you.

Your flightis so noiseless

We scarcely would know
You float free above us,
So silent, so slow!

Oft I've watched you in awe,

As you drifted along;
Your passing a poem,
Your beauty, a song!
Our lives have been brightened
By your redolent red:
Beautified, and enriched,
O friends, overhead!

Our burdens were lightened

Because of your gold.
So dream not, O sailor,
Your story's untold.

Our souls have been whitened,

By striving to blend
In self with white purity,
Like thine, passing friend.

At times we were frightened

By your black or your gray;
'Twas but warning you gave us
To be humble alway.

Then think not, O rover,

Your lesson's untaught;
The world is far better,
And ye are not forgot.
So sail on forever,
Through heaven's deep blue,
For we will be happy,
With memories of you.
MIDWAY, UTAH GUY Coi.EMAN
 TROOP 3, M. I. A. SCOUTS, NINTH WARD, OGDEN, MARCH 24, 1915

A Hike to the Yellowstone

BY ROBERT E. WILSON, SCOUT MASTER

[Dr. John H. Taylor, M. I. A. Scout Commissioner, Salt Lake City,

Utah, has received the following interesting report of the doings of
Troop 3, Ninth Ward M. I. A. Scouts of Ogden. Other troops and
patrols will be interested in the narrative. Editors.]

Dear Brother Taylor: As per your request I take pleas-

ure in submitting a report of Scout work in the Ninth ward, Weber
stake, Ogderi, started in October, 1913, when Mutual commenced.
At our first meeting we had only five boys, and it appeared, as far
as the Junior class was concerned, that Mutual, would be a failure.
After giving the matter careful thought, we decided that Scout
work was our only salvation, and decided to put our best efforts
in that direction. Some of our friends told us it was impossible
to have a Junior class as there were not enough boys in the
ward, but through hard work, by Christmas we had forty boys
enrolled. By February, the number had grown to eighty-three, and
we now have ninety-three boys enrolled. Some of the boys, though
not members of the Church, are yet active both in Mutual and
Scout work. We
found it impossible to do justice to Mutual
and Scout work on the regular Mutual evening, and the boys de-
manded an extra evening for Scout work. Their request was
granted, and we had an average attendance of seventy-five active
 A HIKE TO THE YELLOWSTONE 707

boys. It was the Scout work that attracted them, but we made
them feel that in order to become good Scouts, the Mutual lessons
must be prepared; and, pleased to say, we had very few failures.
After Mutual was discontinued for the summer, the boys re-
quested that Scout meetings be kept up but, as a good many
;

boys left town, our attendance fell off somewhat, still the average
was fifty.
In January, 1914, a trip was proposed to the Yellowstone
National Park, with the understanding that the boys earn the
money themselves. The main object of the trip was to encourage
them to work, during the summer, and to save their money. I
must say the success was far beyond our expectations. Nearly
every boy found something to do, and instead of spending his earn-
ings foolishly, his money was put away. Boys who had never
worked or saved before were the most enthusiastic. It might be
well to tell you some of the work they did: Four boys contracted
with different people to cut and keep their lawns in shape. Two
boys agreed to dig a cellar. Several secured jobs as paper car-
riers. Others picked fruit, made fruit boxes, worked in the can-
ning factories, acted as delivery and messenger boys and two
;

carried" water for construction gangs. One boy, whose parents

are well-to-do, who had never worked before, took a job
scraping mortar from bricks taken from an old building. This
boy worked on main street eight hours a day and, although it was
;

a man's work, he stayed with it and won out. The only disagree-
able part was that a number of boys who worked hard could not
go, as the money was needed for supporting the family. Two
brothers in particular put in a garden and between selling vege-
tables and running errands, earned enough money for the trip
but, at this time their father was called on a mission, and the boys,
without complaint, turned the money over to him. Such actions
are commendable character builders. There were some boys, of
course, who took no interest in the matter, but out of eighty-three
boys, sixty worked all summer and saved their money. Only
twenty-five, however, took the trip through the park. The cost
to each boy was $32.50, besides an extra $6.20 for uniforms and
equipment. The entire amount of money the twenty-five boys
earned was $980.
Regarding our trip through the Park, it was most wonder-
ful, something never to be forgotten. We left Ogden, Saturday
morning August 16, and returned August 29. The trip on the
'train was very pleasant, the officials of the Oregon Short Line
Railroad Company making a special effort to have everything
comfortable. They furnished us with a private car, and an agent
to look after the boys' wants. As it was the first time many of the
boys were outside of Utah, not a thing was missed enroute. We
had a few hours' stop in St. Anthony, giving the boys a chance
708 .
IMPROVEMENT ERA
to see the wonderful Snake River. Arriving at Yellowstone, the
next morning, we had breakfast got our equipment together, and
hiked to our first camping place, about ten miles distant.
To tell what happened each day would he a story in itself.
Out of one hundred sixty-six miles we hiked one hundred six-
teen, taking in everything to be seen. We did not have a sick boy
during the entire trip. Every morning we were on the march
before the stage coaches had been over the road, and it was all
kinds of fun tracking the different wild animals. The road was
covered with tracks of all descriptions, such as bear, deer, elk, buf-
falo, coyotes, lynx, otter, fox, badgers, heavers, marten, mink,
muskrat and many varieties of rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks.
What made it more intensely interesting was the fact that at any
moment we might encounter some of the wild animals. One
morning, we ran across a bear. Some of the boys gave chase, but
the bear made one dash for the river and was on the other side,
before they realized what had happened. As we got farther into
the Park, the animals became more numerous, especially the bears.
Most of the boys kept an account of how many different animals
they saw, and one day we counted thirty seven bears alone.
To some of the boys the animals and birds were the most
interesting, while others enjoyed the wonders, the geysers and
different formations. Our Bishop, W. O. Ridges, and Stake
Scout Commissioner, Arthur Halverson, accompained us, as well
as Dr. T. G. Lind, the noted geologist. Dr. Lind was able to ex-
plain the different wonders, making it more interesting and in-
structive.
The boys conducted themselves as Scouts, and did not hesitate
to let peopleknow they were "Mormon" boys from Utah. They
made many friends in fact, some of the boys are still correspond-
;

ing with people whom they met. They did not forget the Scout
motto, "Be prepared." I will give one instance we were spend-
:

ing the afternoon at the Lake some of the boys were fishing,
;

some boating, while others were hunting bears that they might
take their pictures. While six of the boys were passing the
hotel, they noticed an elderly lady who seemed to be in distress, and
although there were several hundred people passing to and fro, the
boys were the first to notice her condition. They hurried to her
aid, and were just in time to catch her from falling. While two
of them supported her, one went for a chair, one ran for the hotel
nurse. Other people who had arrived on the scene offered her
whiskey. One of the boys objected, saying that it would do more
harm than good, that what she needed was aromatic spirits of
ammonia in the meantime, the nurse arrived and was quite in-
;

dignant when she saw they intended giving whiskey. She ad-
ministered aromatic spirits of ammonia. It seemed that the high
altitude had affected the old lady, and for awhile she was in a
 A HIKE TO THE YELLOWSTONE 709

serious condition. That evening her husband, who was a Civil

war veteran, having served with General Sherman, visited our
camp, and with tears in his eyes thanked the boys for what they
had done.
Another time a forest fire broke out and the soldiers called on
the Scouts to help fight it. Although they were very tired, having
traveled twenty-two miles, besides climbing to the top of Mount
Washburn, elevation 10,500 feet, every boy was eager to go, but as
luck would have it, a rain storm came up and their services were
not needed.
This summer, we are planning a trip to Bear Lake. Our in-
tentions are to take the train to Logan, and after "taking in"
Cache Valley, hike through Logan canyon to the Lake, then, after
spending a week there, return by way of Soda Springs and Gentile
Valley. The boys have already earned some money for the trip,
and through the kindness and help of the Curtis Publishing Com-
pany, Philadelphia, we hope by August to have enough money to
take fifty boys along. Through what this company calls the
"Troop Finance Plan," a troop of Scouts can easily earn enough
money to pay all expenses for a summer's camping trip. The
Curtis Publishing Company certainly are to be commended for the
work they are doing for the Scouts. They boost and help the
boys on every hand. They have already presented our troop with
a beautiful flag, besides giving prizes to three different boys the
;

first a year's subscription to Boys' Life, second, a scout ax, third,

a flash light. If any of the troops desire to investigate this plan,
a card addressed to the Curtis Publishing Company, Philadelphia,
will bring full information.
Some of our boys are working on a different proposition.
They are making
a house to house canvass for extracts and spices.
These goods are put up by the Ogden Pharmacal company,
which pays the boy a good percentage on all orders taken. When
a boy takes an order, he turns it over to some grocer, who in turn
delivers it to the partv giving the order. Some of the boys are
doing well in this work, and although there is little profit in it for
the company, they are doing all in their power to help the boys, for,
as the manager expressed it, he wants to see every Scout have a
bank account. Last December our boys sent $10 to the Belgian
Boy Scouts, from money earned in this way.
In closing, I wish to say that I consider Scouting one of the
greatest movements ever introduced among bovs. It reaches a class
to which nothing else appeals, so strongly. If the work is taken
up in the proper spirit, the boys will do their part, for they seem
anxious to be enlisted in a good cause. Those who take up the
work will never regret it, for the joy and satisfaction more than
repays them for their efforts,
OGDEN, UTAH
Pioneers and Pioneering in Southeastern
Utah
BY JOSEPH F. ANDERSON, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY 'AND SOCIAL
SCIENCE, MILLARD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

In Tzvo Parts —Part I

The recent spectacular uprising of the Indians in the region

of the "four corners," where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New
Mexico meet, has turned the eyes of the whole country to south-
eastern Utah. The newspapers and magazines of the country at
large have deluged
their readers with
strange tales of this
remote American fron-
tier. Even volumes of
fiction have made their
early appearance with
Tse-Ne-Gat and other
aboriginal renegades
as leading characters.
Often the press re-
ports and magazine
matter have failed to
do justice to the ster-
ling white inhabitants
of the San Juan coun-
try, and have attempt-
ed to show them in an
uncomplimentary light.
A review of the pio-
neering of that iso-
lated region, and a
JENS NIELSON look into the lives and
First bishop of Bluff, which position he held from Sep- conduct of its sturdy
tember 2, 1880, until his death, January 7, 1906. He will dissipate
was honored by all who knew him for his unswerv-
settlers
ing integrity, sound judgment, wise, just, impartial, any
impression that
strong and kind personality.
those people are a lot
of uncouth "cow punchers" who are responsible for the uprising
of the natives.
The idea of establishing a settlement somewhere near the
"four corners" originated with that master colonizer, Brigham
 PIONEERING IN SOUTHEASTERN UTAH 711

Young, and was publicly made known in 1878, at a "district or

stake conference, held at St. George. Shortly afterward eighteen
young men were called to form an exploring party to make a pre-
liminary trip into the then wild and almost unknown region. Most
of the members of the party were from Parowan and Cedar City.
In the list are many well known names. Captain Silas S. Smith
was made leader of the expedition and proved to be resourceful,
safe and brave. With him were his five sons, Silas, Jr., John A.,
Jesse, Stephen A., and Albert. Other members of the party were
James Adams, H. H. Harriman and family, George Hobbs, J. B.
Decker, Isaac Allan, Adelbert McGregor, Hanson Bayles, P. R.
Butt, Z. Decker, Nelson Dalley, John C. Dalton, Robert C. Bul-
lock, John C. Duncan, John T. Gower, Thomas Bladen, George
Perry, George Urie, Kumen Jones, H. J. Nielson, J. S. Davis and
family, John Butler and Hamilton Thornton. Most of these peo-
ple became subsequent pioneer
settlers at Bluff.
These seasoned men of the
desert did the work of ex-
ploration most thoroughly, but
it was an undertaking to daunt
the stoutest heart. Many hun-
dreds of miles of the roughest
country in the world were to
be traversed. For the most
part it was a trackless, unex-
plored wilderness of lofty
mesas, abysmal canyons, tor-
tuous arroyas, sheer cliffs,
scorching sands and barren,
rocky uplands, inhabited only
by wild animals and hostile
Indians. K. JONES
The party headed south-
The superintendent of schools for San
first
ward into Arizona, making Tuan county, and the present bishop of
side trips in all directions as Bluff. He was a young man with the
first colony, and has ever since been
they advanced, and making a active in religious and civic affairs. He
is proprietor of the Bluff Co-op. store.
great many preliminary loca-
tions for the proposed settlement After much difficulty in mak-
ing roads and crossing the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River
the travel-worn cavalcade reached the Moencoppie branch of the
Little Colorado, at a point where Tuba City now is. This was
made the base of operations for many side explorations. They
knew nothing of what kind of country lay before them or what
obstacles might be encountered.
With the bravery of men led by faith, and with the keen in-
terest felt at entering the unknown, they turned northeastward.
712 IMPROVEMENT ERA
They knew that they were in a country where they might travel
for days without the good fortune of encountering even a "pocket"
of stagnant, green water, in the rocks, to quench their burning
thirst and more than once extreme danger from scarcity of
;

water threatened them. Their animals, too, had to be fed, and

often the desert became distressingly niggardly of its grass of-
fering.
Finally, upon reaching the San Juan River, near the point
of its junction withMontezuma Creek, the little band found what

FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE AND CHURCH IN BLUFF, ERECTED 1880.

This building served as ward meetinghouse, amusement hall, and district school,
from 1880 until 1893. This picture was obtained just as the building was to be taken
down. The men are: (1) F. A. Hammond, San Juan stake president: (2) Platte D.
Lyman, first counselor, stake presidency; (3) Jens Nielson, bishop Bluff ward; (4)
Jamer. B. Decker, superintendent Sunday School, San Juan stake; (5) K. Jones, first
counselor to Bishop Nielson.

it thought to be the most favorable site for a settlement in the

great "San Juan Mission." It is the present site of Bluff, the

first settlement in southeastern Utah.
All but four or five of the explorers then made their way
back home, going by way of the Blue Mountains, passing "Little
Grand" (Now Moab), fording the Grand and the Green rivers,
threading Castle Valley and Sevier Valley, crossing to Beaver and
thence to their homes in Cedar City and Parowan, after many
months of wandering.
Quoting from notes on this period

In direct travel we made nine hundred miles, not counting side

trips or explorations from the camp on San Juan river. We had made
two hundred seventy-five miles of new road, maintained friendly and
pleasant relations with all Indians and white men met on the way.
Good order and discipline were maintained, and kind, pleasant and
friendly feelings prevailed. Religious devotions were observed, on
the Sabbath, and each evening, during the week, sacred or sentimental
music was engaged in, and the activities of the day were closed with
prayer.
 PIONEERING IN SOUTHEASTERN UTAH 713

The general move of the settlers of the "San Juan Mission"

began in the fall of 1879, when two hundred twenty-five people
with eighty-three wag-
ons, left central and
southern Utah for the
site of Bluff.All were
advised take with
to
them at least a year's
provisions of seeds,
food and implements,
prepared to start an
independent colony.
For it was known that
communication with
the outside world
within a year was not
probable. The advice
was good, but there
was a woeful miscal-
culation, as a shortage
of provisions develop-
ed before two months
had passed.
It took six months
of arduous travel for
these pilgrims to work
their way over the
rough country to their
FRANCIS A. HAMMOND destination. Even this
Born Nov. 21, 1822, Long Island, New York. Fol- was an almost incred-
lowed the sea until 1847, when he came from the ible feat, in view of
Sandwich Islands to San Francisco, where he joined
the Church by baptism, on the last day of the year. the roughness of the
Ha came to Utah, after digging gold on "Mormon"
Island, in September, 1848, and married Mary Jane country and the ob-
Dilworth, the first schoolteacher in Utah, the follow- stacles encountered.
ing Nov. 17. They went on a mission to the Sand-
wich Islands in 1851, returning in 1857. He spent An efficient organ-
the winter of 1858 in Echo Canyon, and in 1859
moved to Ogden, where he engaged in tanning leather. ization of the company
In 1865 he went on a second mission to the Sandwich enroute was main-
Islands. Later he was made presiding elder and bishop
of Huntsville, and for years was foremost in the de- tained. Silas S. Smith
velopment of Weber county. In 1884 he was called to
preside over the San Juan stake. He resided at Bluff was captain, or presi-
and Moab, and was president of the stake when, on dent, with Platte D.
Nov. 27, 1900, he died as the result of being thrown
from a vehicle at Bloomfield, New Mexico. No man Lyman as assistant
was ever more energetic and enthusiastic in Church
Charles Walton, clerk;
work, nor more faithful and true than Francis A.
Hammond. Jens Nielson, chaplain.
A captain was appointed over each ten wagons as follows: Jens
Nielson, Geo. W. Sevey, Benjamin Perkins, Henry Holyoak, Z. B.
Decker and Samuel Bryson.
The winter of their trek was a rigorous one. Many Utah set-
714 IMPROVEMENT KRA
remember the winter of 1879-80 as one of the most severe in
tiers
memory. Yet every member of the company survived in spite of
constant exposure in high altitudes.
The roughness of the country traversed required that a great
deal of road making be done, to make progress possible. The
work was hard, and the movement toward the destination was dis-
couragingly slow. With simple tools and no powder Tor blasting,
the tremendous obstacles nature had imposed against their travel
seemed almost unsurmountable. Finally a point was reached
where they could go no farther without the aid of powder and
better tools. A
council was held, and it was decided that Pres-
ident S. S. Smith should return to the settlements and solicit as-
sistance from the Territorial Legislature. He was successful in

(Right) PLATTE D. LYMAN, LATE PRESIDENT SAN JUAN STAKE

Born on Platte river, Nebraska, August 20, 1848, while the family were crossing
the plains on the way to Utah. First home in Salt Lake City, afterwards moved to
Farmington, then to Fillmore, Oak City, Bluff, Scipio, then returned to Bluff, his last
home. Married at 18, and immediately started on his first mission to England, later
filling two other missions to the same country; at the last one he served as president of
the European mission. A
strong, sweet, clean Christian gentleman; one of the ablest
defenders of the truth the "Mormon" Church has produced. The exploring instinct was
very strong in him, making him a first class pioneer.

(Left
1

) ALBERT R. LYMAN, First Counselor to President L.H. Redd, San Juan Stake
"A Chip off the old block," oldest son living of Platte D. Lyman; author of "Voice
of the Intangible," that splendid story in volumes 16 and 17 of the Era.

getting five hundred dollars from that source and also an equal
amount from the Church. He returned with blasting powder,
tools and much-needed provisions.
Before returning to the camp of his people, President S. S.
Smith had a full set of county officers appointed, so that when the
settlers reached their destination the limits of the new county of
San Juan were vaguely outlined, and its civic organization com-
 PIONEERING IN SOUTHEASTERN UTAH 715

pleted. James Lewis, from Kanab, was made county judge;

Charles E. Walton, county clerk L. H. Redd, assessor and col-
;

lector ; William Hutchings, sheriff, and Kumen Jones, superin-

tendent of schools.
The fisrt task of the settlers was to dig a canal to divert water
from the San Juan river to the farming land. One of the pioneers
writes that Sundays and rainy days were devoted to devising
means for an equitable distribution of the land, so that each head
of a family would have some land near the settlement. It soon
developed, however, that there was not enough good land near
Bluff to " go around." The river formed a boundary to the south
and the great bluffs formed an obstacle to expansion in other di-
rections. It is from these magnificent vari-colored bluffs that the
settlement got its name. It was decided to draw lots as the only
way out of the difficulty.
Thus began the settlement of the southeastern gateway of
the natural thoroughfare extending from Canada on the north to
Mexico on the south. It was the route followed by the Indians
who, in early days, trafficked in Mexican slaves and captives from
other tribes. It was the thoroughfare of desperate whites, out-
laws and all sorts of adventurers who often proved a great men-
ace to the little colony. The Lymans, the Redds, and others of
the early settlers, had many a thrilling adventure in dealing with
outlaws and renegade Indians. The year 1884 was one of the
most troublous from roving outlaws. It was in this year that the
notorious Eskridge outlaws spread so much terror. In pursuing
these desperadoes, some of the leading men at Bluff proved their
bravery and scoutcraft. Among them were L. H. Redd, Hyrum
Perkins, Joseph A. Lyman, Bishop Nielson and Platte D. Lyman.
The latter had his leg broken by a bullet fired by the outlaws.
Chief Posey was at that time an impetuous young man and
caused the settlers no end of trouble. At one time, by a ruse, he
evaded the officers who had him in charge and swam the San Juan
river with a bullet wound in his leg. Once free and with his peo-
ple he did all he could to incite an uprising among the Indians
against the settlers.
Of life in early Bluff, Bishop Kumen Jones, a member of the
first company, writes

"Looking back over those early clays, some of the inconveniences

and experiences passed through almost convince one that the early
settlers of the San Juan country had a taste of real pioneer life. Over
two years without any mail service, three hundred miles to the nearest
railroad, flour eight to ten dollars a hundred, the
country full of rene-
gade Indians, and not a few desperate whites. But through it all,
surely Providence had a watchcare over this little 'Mormon' colony,
for since Bluff was first settled there have been upwards of thirty
white men killed by these Indians, and only one of our number (A. M.
Barton) has lost his life at their hands. There have been scores of
716 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Indians die off and killed by one another, but there are some of them
leftyet— enough at least to be a good big healthy nuisance. But the
country is filling up with a good, progressive citizenship, and it is just
being discovered, the last few years, that San Juan county is the best
on the map."
(The author acknowledges indebtedness to Bishop Kumen Jones,
of Bluff, and J. M. Redd, of Monticello, for much of the, information
contained in these articles. Mr. Redd was a boy of fifteen with the
first settlers at Bluff. As a guide with the Utah Archaeological Expe-
dition of 1913, of which the author was a member, he made the camp
fires lively with tales of adventure in that wild region. — j. f. a.)

SCIIOOLHOUSE AT CLJFF.

Judge Not
"Judge not!" for what as verity appears
Is oft untrue and only doth bemean;
Leave not unguarded thine own soul, to scan
Another's eye to seek therein the beam.

"Judge not!" for with the measure thou shalt mete,

Shall it be given unto thee again;
With meagre scales can never be obtained
The weight entire of all the race of men.

"Judge not!" This wisdom spoken from the Mount,

Hath echoed and re-echoed thro' the years,
And yet withal mankind continues on,
Unmindful of the cost in blood and tears.

"Judge not!" e'en tho' thine horizon expand

Beyond the limits of the common sod;
"Judge not! Judge not!" lest thou in turn be judged,
For never yet hath failed the word of God.
Grace Ingles Frost.
 What has been Utah and Idaho's Loss?

BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

When Postmaster General Burleson issued his annual report

of the postoffice department for the year 1914, this most interesting
document set forth a peculiar system of frauds which has led
to the loss of many millions of dollars by the unsuspecting victims
of newspaper and circular advertisements.
To understand the swindling operations now carried out in
the United States, it should be said that our government has
passed stringent laws against the use of the United States mails by
promoters and operators of schemes intended to swindle the
American public.
Our department has in its employment an army of
postoffice
detectives and experts who are running down all kinds of swin-
dlers who make use of our mail service. As an example it may
be said that men advertise patent medicines warranted to cure
almost every known disease. These medicines are seized, tested
by experts, and found to have no medicinal value whatever. Those
who thus advertise such medicines are arrested, and upon con-
viction, severely punished. These swindlers, however, have
grown in their cunning, and it is not easy always to convict them,
and often it is impossible to catch them. Then there are land
schemes advertised that are wholly without merit, and intended to
deceive the public who buy stock in land corporations.
The postmaster general gives a list of the amount of money
actually obtained from the American public by these mail swin-
dlers during the last five years. Here is his table

1909-1910 $100,000,000
1911 77,000,000
1912 52,000,000
1913 54,000,000
1914 63,000,000

During these five years 2,861 of these swindlers have been

arrested. Those who have been convicted have defrauded the
American public during that time out of $351,000,000. If these
dishonest games were divided equally among these swindlers each
one would have received, as his share, $122,684. It will show

that such a business has been a very lucrative one. The list of
arrests and convictions, for these years, as given, are as follows
718 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Arrests. Convictions.
1910 520 Not stated
1911 497 184
1912 572 263
1913 510 304
1914 762 370

These schemes for swindling the public are stated to be ap-

proximately of about one hundred different kinds.
The remarkable thing is that the $351,000,000 of which the
American public has been defrauded is the amount which the
prosecutions have actually accounted for. As will be seen from
the tables given above, large numbers were not convicted out of
those arrested. Besides, there must have been large numbers
who were not even arrested.
Then again, there are schemes that are not exactly a swindle,
within the meaning of the law. To the unsuspecting public, how-
ever, many of these schemes are really a losing game. They may
have merit in them, just enough merit to keep their promoters
from prosecution, but not enough merit to bring in profit to the
investors. Perhaps never before in the history of all the world have
so many schemes been launched to swindle unsuspecting men and
women out of the small savings they have made from their years
of labor.
One witness giving an account of the methods by which a
certain swindling scheme was carried on, stated there were two
classes of victims that might be divided as "trout" and "suckers,"
according to the methods by which they were caught. The un-
suspecting trout took the whole bait at one bite and was easily
drawn in the suckers nibbled at the bait and all sorts of schemes
;

were resorted to, to get the sucker on the hook. Sometimes he

would nible by writing a letter asking for a little more information
than that contained in the circular. Sometimes in reply to these
letters the swindler would promptly return a box of medicine by
express C. O. D. The sucker not certain, perhaps a little afraid,
paid the express and the price of the medicine even when he did
not order it. The medicine was worthless, the swindler had his
money, and when he awoke to a realization of the fact that he
had been duped, as a rule, he charged up to experience the amount
he had paid for the worthless medicine and said nothing about it.
Only now and then did the sucker make any trouble for the swin-
dler, and in a few instances, very rare, the money was returned.
It would be interesting to know what of this enormous
sum of $351,000,000 accounted for has been the loss of the people
in the states of Utah and Idaho.
 Rocky Mountain Forests
BY J. II. PAUL, PROFESSOR OF NATURE STUDY, AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF UTAH

The planting of trees on Arbor Day has several great possi-

bilities. First there is the example which high officials of the
State and Nation thereby set to the people whose representatives
they are. They thereby signify the opinion which they accord to
the practice of agriculture and the especial favor which they feel
towards the economic value and the untold worth of trees.

WHAT GBOVES SIGNIFY

Trees are among the most significant of real things in nature.
They are interwoven with the history, the romance, the stories, and
the development of all past ages. They form a great part of our
present prosperity and enjoyment. They are indispensable to the
economic life of any highly civilized nation or people. They are
the center about which have revolved numerous great episodes of
the past. In the course of the earth's history, their sheltering ef-
fect has been the theme, often the inspiration of many of the
best things that exist in all of our rich literature. Their signifi-
cance as types of growth, expansion, reproduction, and of the
accumulation of wealth, had appealed almost uniformly to the
greater minds of our race. Today, here in the West, the appeal
made by the presence of trees is even more significant than that
which it has uniformly made to the peoples of other lands. Here
the desert nature of our country makes their presence doubly
welcome. With us the grove is a type of all that is most beauti-
ful, most refreshing, and most restful in the time of our summer's
heat. To the artist the forest affords the best, the worthiest, and
the most striking types of landscapes. To the stockman the grove
is the center of departure and return, a place for camping, a spot

particularly loved for the shelter and rest which it has afforded
him. To the farmer trees signify the grassy undergrowth that
makes good pastures and the shade to the flock or the herd at noon-
day. To the poet the grove is the place of sylvan retreats, of
whispering boughs, of talking leaves, and singing branches.

CONSERVATORS OF SOIL
To the student of nature, and especially to the geologist,
trees are the conservators, the defenders, and preservers of the
720 IMPROVEMENT ERA
soil. Theyare especially so on the great divides where the snow
lies deep. When
the snow banks begin to melt, the tree roots and
underbrush, their debris and the soil mold, entangle and delay
the trickling water. No longer does it come down all at once, but
sinks slowly into the ground, to find the slender channels on bed-
rock, whence, far lower down, it may issue as springs or be

A MEADOW IN THE MOUNTAINS, LOGAN CANYON, CACHE NATIONAL

. FOREST

absorbed at once by the rootlets of the trees, shrubs, grasses, and

flowers. The underground water clings around each soil
grain. In the form of capillary films or hydroscopic moisture, as
the books term it, it surrounds each particle. It does not evap-
orate but continually enriches the soil by the minerals which it
drinks in from each soil grain that it encircles, till it may be
finally taken from its fast embrace and absorbed by the roots of
plants —
the final destination of this moist fertility.

THE REAL LOSSES

Theloss of the timber on the mountain tops or along the

hillside, great as that loss is, is not the only or principal ruin.
The continued destruction of trees on mountains without replant-
ing really means national decline. The greatest loss, much greater
though more hidden from ordinary view, than the threatened
 ROCKY MOUNTAIN FORESTS. 721

timber famine, is the loss of groves as such, followed by the de-

struction of the shrubs, then of the grass and wild flowers, finally,
and worst of all, the loss of the soil itself. Every rain shower,
every melting of the snow bank after the forest is gone, increases
the soil wash, cutting a gully and finally stripping bare the slop-
ing sides of the hills. The soil is carried into the stream and by the
stream it is thrown upon the valleys below in the form of floods.
A flood is composed half of water and half of the rich soil-mold,
grains of sand, and gravel, in which the trees and shrubs had their
roots. For a time the stumps of cut trees still hold back the soil
and this condition often gives a chance for reforestation before
these roots have loosened their grip and before the buried arms
and fingers relax and waste away by decay, letting the soil slip
from their myriad fibres. This gives time, I say, to replant the
ancient forests. But if we wait too long and the soil is eroded
away to bed rock, then all hope of future planting is gone. Tens
of thousands of our hill sides are being devastated, — the price of
our wasteful destruction due to the removal of trees without any
replanting. The object of this statement of conditions that I have
seen in hundreds of places during the last eight years, as I have
traveled over crests of the higher divides of our mountain ranges

PLACES FOR OUTINGS OF BOY SCOUTS

This is a camp on McCloud river, Shasta National Forest; thou-
sands of such places abound in the mountains of Utah.
722 IMPROVEMENT ERA
in the West, is that wish simply to call the attention of the
I

people to the great and ever-increasing necessity for immediate

replanting and for more careful handling of the forests.

THE FOREST CROP

The due
forest produces a crop that should be harve'sted in
season, the any other crop from the soil. As soon as the
same as
trees have reached their maximum of growth, they should be cut
down carefully and systematically and put to use in saw mills
or on the farms and in mines. It is wrong to let them stand
after the crop is ripe. The forest crop is continually coming on,
and the process of selecting these that should be removed, either
because they are mature or because, as they grow larger they may
crowd one another, should be intelligently conducted under the
supervision of trained foresters.

A Storm at Night on the Desert

BY WILLIAM WERRETT, JR.

I sit The night is dark, save for sharp flashes of

alone.
lightning. The wind howls its song of loneliness, as if it, too,
is in conspiracy with some force to increase the misery of my
loneliness.
Now and again, the wind ceases, and the grave-like silence
is broken only by the solitary pattering of a few drops of rain
upon the roof. Just as I feel that my ears will break from the
melancholy silence that seems to weight them, just as I prepare
for an engulfment of I know not what, the heavens are torn asun-
der and nature continues her cannonading, all too close for mortal
comfort, as if to suggest the awful power she holds.
The winds abate, there is only an occasional flash of light, the
cannonading is so far removed as to be scarcely audible the rain ;

ceases, and all is quiet.

Out in the west a star appears, as if it were braver than its
sisters in emerging from its hiding place soon another, and an- ;

other; until all is bright, and each member of the firmament vies
to outshine its neighbor.
What
few moments ago was but a manifestation of power
a
and wrath, which seemed to threaten vengeance and showed na-
ture in her awful power has changed to a scene of beauty and
peace. And the stars smile down and seem to say, "Peace on
earth, good will toward men."
 An Adventure in a Storm

BY ANNIE G. LAURITZEN

It was middle of July, 1913, that my husband and three

in the
sons, Marion, Tommy
and John Reed, were repairing flumes up
Short Creek canyon, Arizona. Myself and three small children
Miriam, Joseph Dean, and Richard, started for a walk nearly two
miles up the canyon from our tents near the mouth of the canyon.
We wentto take the men some dinner.
On starting we noticed that a great, massive cloud was fast
scurrying from the distant Trumbo mountains to the great box
canyon of Maxwell, one mile north of the Arizona line. The
cliftsof this canyon are perpendicular, towering straight up in the
air for several hundred feet. How we gazed in fear and admira-
tion as we hurried past Maxwell ahead of this storm for Short ;

Creek was just north, and in order to pass over it before the
floods should begin to pour down through each ravine, eddy and
gully, we must onward While we were obliged to make rapid
!

strides towards our destination, yet we couldn't help turning

toward the storm (west of us) while we hurried to the canyon
north.
Oh, I shall never forget how that huge cloud, seemingly
about a mile square, came like a living thing, and savagely rested
her great black bulk across the square canyon, completely envelop-
ing it. Smaller clouds, white in appearance, like so many white
chicks, clustering under the wings of the black mother hen, were
angrily darting upward, as if through the black feathers of the
massive cloud's wings. They were now writhing and twisting
and seething, almost as if the hitherto innocent-looking chicks
suddenly had turned into so many white serpents, hissing, in
angry determination to see which could outdo the other in racing
and chasing, now high, now low.
Now we are past the canyon, and have reached the flumes
which occupy the length of nearly one mile, in the sand. We
hurriedly spread our dishes, called the men, and began our repast.
Scarcely had we begun to eat when crash, crash, crash, went the
lightning; roar, roar, roar, thundered the heavy artillery of the
sky, as it burst the clouds ! Down came sprinkles of rain, softly
at first, but intensifying at every moment, until we found ourselves
in drenching torrents.
"Let us get under that tree, on the north side of the wash,"
shouted my husband. No sooner said than each of us picked up
724 IMPROVEMENT ERA
one of the smaller children. We found ourselves running with
all our might across the Short Creek wash. The wind was blow-
ing the rain in our faces. I took a blanket I had brought along
and, tearing it into pieces, wrapped myself and the smaller chil-
dren to try to keep out the chilly rain. The three older boys,
instead of coming with us, were very anxious to see the flood
which we could now hear roaring at its source. We stood under
the tree only a moment, while the fierce streaks of lightning
flashed all around us, with the thunder roaring, making the very
earth tremble. Our clothing, blankets and all were soaked
through we were drenched to the very skin.
;

On gazing up the wash a few paces, to our utter dismay, we

beheld a flood come raging, and tearing down. We must cross
before it should reach us.
Again taking the children, as before, we started to run. Reed
lost a new pair of shoes. He never saw them again. We reached
the opposite bank just a moment before the flood touched where
our feet had passed. The skies were still belching forth rain,
wind, thunder and forked lightning. An emergency, heretofore
unlooked for, was now presenting itself in vociferous and tumultu-
ous rage before us as if determined to defeat our homeward
progress. Every crag, crevice and eddy, every ravine, wash and
gully, were furiously pouring forth the raging torrents of the
flood, to which was added the drenching rain overhead. The
little greyhound was barking and whining. The children were
screaming, and mama was praying with all her might. Deai
papa, as was his invariable habit, was studying how to get us home
before the Maxwell floods would reach our crossing, on their way
into Short Creek. This creek already contained a formidable
flood whose muddy, forbidding waters were rushing madly along
the east side of us, and the Maxwell waters soon would be coming
from the west to join them.
We reached the first ravine almost exhausted, having run
one-half mile in the drenching rain. The waters were then knee
deep. My husband stood in the middle of the stream, which was
one rod wide at this place, and I handed him one child after an-
other until all, not forgetting the small dog, had been safely landed
upon the opposite side of the flood.
Now we hurried towards the largest of the Maxwell washes,
hoping to reach there before the fiercest part of the flood. This
wash was several blocks farther to the south and, as we reached
;

it we saw, to our horror, that it was utterly impassable. Huge

rocks and trees were being hurled from side to side in the roaring,
seething, writhing flood, while the drenching rain and the chilling
winds threatened to destroy us.
What was to be done with those shivering children? We
stood mute, dumbfounded, confounded. Suddenly, as if by in-
 AN ADVENTURE IN A STORM 725

spiration, the thought struck me

—
"let us dig holes and bury the
children up to their necks in the warm, wet, soft sand." This we did
in very short order. Then, placing" their broad-brimmed, home-
made cloth hats over their heads for a shelter to keep the still
persistent rain from their heads and faces, they were made quite
comfortable, during the remaining hour or more that the flood last-
ed. Then papa, ever watching, thinking, planning, suddenly gave
a shout of joy "The flood is abating."
: We
gave three cheers
and one cheer more. Soon we were landed on the opposite shore.
We ran for our tents, still about one mile farther on. As soon as
we were there, I stripped the children, and put them to bed
Since that trip, "let's go a picnicking iri the rain" has never
been popular with us. We had no more than returned to our tents
when the three older boys came, drenched to the skin. That we felt
no bad effects must have been because we prayed and worked to-
gether.

M. I. A. JR. BOYS' CHORUS, TWENTIETH WARD, ENSIGN STAKE

Mrs. G. A. Alder, Conductor
Nearly all these boys were awarded M. I. A. pins for having
passed the first year's requirements in the three-year junior course in
attendance, conduct, and knowledge of the Junior Manual text. The
order in the class has been exceptionally good. On the 17th of April
the chorus gave a concert in the Twentieth ward in honor of Bishop
C. Clarence Neslen's birthday, which was pronounced an aristic and
social success.
 Constantinople
BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

What would the fall of Constantinople mean to Europe?

Europe is divided politically, nationally, racially, and it is divided
religiously. In Europe there are three great religious divisions
the Roman Catholics, the Greek Catholics, and the Protestants.
Among them there is considerable antagonism. The Catholics and
Protestants do not easily unite, and there is always friction between
the Greek and the Roman Catholic churches. The difference in
numbers among them is not very great. Rome is the heart of
the Catholic world. The Protestant churches have neither head
nor heart; and the Greek Catholic church has a heart but no
head. It « has not even a central point, although the greatest
stronghold of Greek Catholicism is in Russia.
Constantinople would be to the Greek world the new rallying
point. It would have about it a certain neutrality that would make
possible a unification of Greek Catholicism among the Russians,
among the Slavs and the Balkans, and among the Greeks. Nom-
inally today the head of the Greek church is the patriarch of
Constantinople. This patriarch has always been more or less
dominated by the Turks, and his influence over the Greek world
has never been very great. Russia leads politically among the
Greek Catholics. It is quite natural, therefore, that she should be
ambitious to be the head religiously of the Greek church. If she
wins her point her influence in Constantinople will be paramount,
and it is just likely that the relations of Greece and the Balkans
and Russia might be completely changed. I know scholars on the
subject of Greek unity will be very skeptical about such a state-
ment. They will point out the impossibilities of such a union, but
they may be mistaken. They were mistaken when they said that
political union in the Balkans was impossible because of the re-
ligious hatreds there within the Greek church itself. They
demonstrated to their own satisfaction the absurdity of such a
thing as a union between Greece and the Servians. All these
hatreds it is true have been strong but political necessities have
overcome them, and if Russia should offer liberal terms to the
weaker powers no one can say how tremendous her power may
become from a religious point of view over the entire Greek
Catholic church. I put the religious phase of the fall of Constanti-
nople first, because I think it most important. It was originally
the center of Greek Catholicism its great church of St. Sophia
;
 CONSTANTINOPLE 727

was the central shrine of the eastern church in the early centuries
after Constantine the Great. When Constantinople fell into the
hands of the Turks, the Church of St. Sophia became a Turkish
mosque. Next to the Mohammedans in Constantinople the Greek
Catholics are the most numerous.
A strong nation in possession of Constantinople might domi-
nate politically western Asia. Across from this great historic city
is an undeveloped empire — Asia Minor. The resources of this
vast country including the Valley of the Mesopotamia are beyond
the wildest dreams of man. We know in ancient times how
wonderful they were but since the country came under the
domination of the Turks the whole country has sunk into desola-
tion and ruin. In the midst of these ruins the unprogressive
Turk has settled down in indolence.
The question will here be asked, if the Allies succeed will they

take the whole Turkish empire, the Asiatic part as well as the
European? The probabilities are they will. In the first place if
Constantinople is taken and along with it such sea ports as
Smyrna and Beirut it is not unlikely that the Turks will become
so enraged that they will begin a general massacre of all Chris-
tians, and at any rate it may be safely said they will consider it a
sacred obligation to kill every Greek that can be found within the
empire; and the western part of Asia Minor, and especially the
seaport towns, have many thousands of Greeks in them.
The fall of Constantinople would be the greatest event of
the war. It would mean practically the surrender of the Turks,
as it would likely lead to a revolution against further participation
in a war that has not been at all to the liking of perhaps a majority
of the Mohammedans within the empire. With the Turks out of
commission through the fall of their city and a terrible revolu-
tion that would stop their further participation in the war, the
hundreds of thousands of soldiers now operating within the Turk-
ish empire would be set free to participate in the conflict with
Germany and Austria.
The third effect of the fall of Constantinople would be to
place an enlarged army with the Allies in Galicia where they could
co-operate with the Russians in overrunning Austria. Austria-
Hungary will have to be overcome, and its support to Germany
broken down, before the Allies can make much headway against
the German empire. Such a condition would permit an army to
attack the Germans from the south from the direction of Cracow.
This advantage in the fall of Constantinople would be further
promoted by the almost absolute certainty that the success of the
Allies against the Turks would bring both Italy and Greece into
the war.
Lastly, the fall of Constantinople would have an exhilarating
effect upon all Christendom. The fall of the Mohammedans in
728 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Europe, and the collapse of their empire, would be hailed with de-
light throughout the Christian world, not only in Europe, but in
America. There has been for centuries a deep-seated antagonism
toward the Turks not that as Mohammedans they are any worse
;

than the Mohammedans of India, but because they have been

the most aggressive and most successful in their wars against cer-
tain Christian nations of Europe. The fall of Constantinople
would, therefore, be the most picturesque climax in all the pres-
ent great European war.

Send Peace Again

O Twentieth Century! Thou so young,
Whose glorious advent late was sung,
Midst all the charms that could array
The world for progress and fair-play.
When peace to men was so endeared
A beauteous temple quick they reared
To Universal Peace, and earth
Seemed all to sense its deepest worth
Must we, while still thou'rt in thy teens
Rouse quickly from those peaceful scenes,
And pray to God to send again,
"Peace on earth, good will to men?"

O cruel monster, wicked War!

Thy craft that, like the eagles, soar
The upper strata of the air,
And kill and spy with awful glare;
Those stealthy craft that plow the main
'Neath fog and foam and hurricane,
And rise, and strike, and thrust below
The staunchest ships of every foe;
And all thy weapons, most refined
—
In dealing death, how they remind
That God we pray to send again,
"Peace on earth, good will to men."

Majestic Freedom! Rise — protest

When Civilization's mightiest, best,
In thy loved name, with carnage strew
The fairest lands man ever knew,
Who mock fair Peace, midst tyrants' sneers,
And deluge all in blood or tears;
Rebuke dire War, and justice claim;
Direct proud man, in Mercy's name,
To work for right, for peace, for God;
Hold brothers true, at home abroad, —
And pray the Lord to send again,
"Peace on earth, good will to men."
F. E. Barker.
 *v
£

'

t'te 3jp*

- -
r

OUR ROBIN

Outlines for Scout Workers

I. The Western Robin

BY MISS EUGENIA MORF AND DELBERT W. PARRATT

"In the sunshine and the rain
I hear the robin in the lane
Singing cheerily,
Cheer up, cheer up;
Cheerily, cheerily, cheer up."
1. From what name does the word, robin, come?
2. To what bird family does the robin belong? How can you tell?
Name one or two other birds of this family.
3. Note size, shape, and color. Contrast the male and female
robin in size and color. Why these differences?
4. The robin prefers to live in what' kind of places, highland or
lowland, open or wooded? Why there?
5. On what does this bird subsist? In what way is he suited to
procure this food?
6. Tell where the robin generally builds its nest and of what
the nest is made. Which bird chooses the nest site? Which bird
builds the nest?
7. Tell of the number, size, and color of the eggs. How many
broods are usually hatched in a season?
8._ Explain how the baby robins are fed, and suggest the amount
and kind of food they swallow.
9. Contrast the song of the male robin with that of the female.
Why the difference? During what season does the robin sing most ?
Why then?
730 IMPROVEMENT ERA
10.Name the enemies of this beautiful bird and its nest. Tell
how these are warded off.
11. Is the robin a desirable bird? Give two reasons for your
answer. In what manner is it protected by law?
12. Tell how to make and place a bird house suitable for this
friendly creature. Old boards or boxes are better than new ones for
bird houses. Why? Care should be exercised in painting such a
house. In what way and why? *

13. Where does the robin spend the winter?

HANDY MATERIAL
Robin is a pet name
for Robert. Strictly speaking our robin
is not a robin at all but a true thrush. This is readily shown by
the characteristic spots on the breasts of the young. Solitaires
and bluebirds also belong to the thrush family.
The robin measures some ten inches from tip of beak to tip of
tail and, as with most birds, the male is somewhat larger than the
female. His responsibility as defender of and protector to his
mate and her little ones necessitates strength and consequently
additional size.
The male has the crown and sides of the head black the rest
;

of the upper parts are slaty-olive, becoming black on the tail. The
chin and throat are white, the throat streaked with black. The
under parts are white and gray iris, dark brown bill, yellow,
; ;

dusky at the tip legs, dark horny. The female is duller in color
;

and the black feathers of her crown are edged with gray. Both
have the familiar red breast, but that of the male is somewhat
brighter than that of the female.
In bird society the female chooses her partner and as a result
the male is placed in competition with others of his sex for de-
sired attentions from the lady birds. To be successful in this,
he must outdo the others in personal appearance and in other
qualities so pleasing to the more fortunate females. The male
robin, therefore, showing the brightest colors, and singing the
prettiest song, stands the best chance of getting mated. For this
reason the male puts on his best colors and sings his winning
songs during the mating seasons.
The female, on the other hand, is placed in no such keen
competition and of course needs no brilliant colors or charming
song. Her business largely is to secrete herself while nesting, and
to aid in this she dresses in lighter and duller colors. The nearer
her colors blend with those surrounding her nest the more she is
protected from searching enemies.
The robin ranges from Mexico to Greenland, and in winter
is abundant in the Southern States. He is called a lowland bird
and prefers to live in well-wooded regions, but he is often found
in the woods of our higher mountains.
Insects amount to ninety-five per cent of the food of the
young, which consume nigh on their weight of insect food every
 OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 731

twenty-four hours. Adult birds add berries, wild fruit, farm

fruit, and cherries to their diet. It is said that if Russian mulber-
ries are planted, this fruit will divert the birdsfrom the cherries.
The long sharp bill of the robinwell suited for procuring the
is

insect food. Perhaps you have noticed the robin when hopping
over the lawn take a listening attitude, then suddenly dart his
long bill into the ground and procure the worm.
The apple tree is generally chosen for the nest, on account of
the forked limbs, but the robin obeys no law in the choice of a
nesting site, for the elm, and other trees are also chosen, and she
has even been known to build the nest upon old boards. The nest
takes three or four days to construct and is made of thick layers
of moss, straw, weeds, and roots, in which a cavity is rounded,
plastered with mud and lined with fine grasses. Often a rainy
day is selected for the work. The mother bird chooses the place
for the nest, but she often makes an unwise choice so far as safety
is concerned. Both male and female work in building the nest.
There are from four to six greenish blue eggs in the nest, and
two or three broods in a season. Eleven days sitting are required
to hatch the young.
As already mentioned, the male bird is the one that sings,
the female only chirps. For reasons just stated his prettiest song
is in the mating season. He sings mostly in the early morning,
in the evening, and also during and after a rain storm. He also
sings very often during the night. His song varies greatly, espe-
cially as to quality. "It has been described as a disconnected
warble in rather a narrow compass of voice and with slight varia-
tions." When in the cherry tree the song is muffled when around ;

the nest, the notes are low, but clear and distinct.
The good which the robin does in semi-arid regions by de-
stroying insects and the like is beyond estimation.
The city ordinance against fire arms, air guns, and flippers,
and the state law against the destruction of all insectivorous birds
should have the support of all.
Robins are often induced to build their nests in bird houses
or boxes. They prefer a box having a floor space of about six by
eight inches with the roof some eight inches above the floor. Both
ends should be left open and the box should be secured to a stout
limb from six to fifteen feet from the ground. Best results will
be had if the box is placed where the birds would ordinarily build
if left to their own selection. Avoid the mistake of expecting
the robins to immediately nest in a freshly painted box made of
new wood. The birds are wise enough to want some assurance
that the newly placed house is more than a temporary structure.
This want is, in a measure, satisfied if the box be made of old,
weathered boards with freshly sawed ends smeared with watery
mud. In case the box is painted, there is little likelihood that it
732 IMPROVEMENT ERA
will tenanted until the smell of paint has completely disap-
he:

peared. It is host not to paint the inside of the box at all. No

mistake is made by putting up the boxes some weeks before they
are to be used.
The robin's slight migration is due to the supply of food
rather than the severity of the climate. Where wild berries abound,
it will remain through the winter, though the ground may be cov-

ered with snow, and the mercury at freezing point. In case the
bird does migrate, it goes but a short distance south, and returns
to us in February, remaining here until late fall.

TO THE FIRST ROBIN

A welcome warm awaits thee,
Bright herald of the spring;
Thy voice of winning sweetness
Has still its merry ring.
The winter days are over
And buttercups and clover
Will gladden all the way
In which thy feet may stray,
Whilst thou singest, singest
Thy old familiar song,
As the seasons roll along,
Robin, Robin!
Thou hast tarried long and late,
A questioner of fate,
Feeling cautiously thy way,
In thy coming day by day.
Now take a crumb or two,
And cheer up anew;
The pastures, bleak and sere,
In beauty will appear;
And the roaring northern blast
Be a memory of the past.
Whilst thou singest, singest
Thy old familiar song,
As the seasons roll along,
Robin, Robin!
Oh, thou'lt be surpassing sweet,
With thy nimble little feet
Tripping lightly o'er the lawn
At the breaking of the dawn.
And, "Good-morning, summer's coming."
Not a harbinger of spring.
However sweetly he may sing,
Can sing as thou singest, singest
Thy old familiar song.
As the seasons roll along,
Robin, Robin! Henry Stevenson Washburn.
For additional material on the robin see Prof. J. H. Paul's
Out of Doors in The West; How the Robin Got Its Red Breast.
in Nature Myths; and stories by Cook, and The Western Robin,
bv Claude T. Barnes, published in Vol. 49, page 243, of the Juve-
nile Instructor.
 Editors' Table

Home Evening
To the Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and Parents in Zion:
Dear Brethren and Sisters: We
counsel the Latter-day
Saints to observe more closely the commandment of the Lord
given in the 68th section of the Doctrine and Covenants
"And inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any
again,
of her Stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand
the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God,
and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents;
"For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of
her Stakes which are organized;
"And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their
sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of hands,
"And they shall also teach their children to pray and to walk up-
rightly before the Lord."

The children of Zion should also observe more fully the com-
mandment of the Lord given to ancient Israel, and reiterated to
the Latter-day Saints "Honor thy father and thy mother that
: :

they days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God
giveth thee."
These revelations apply with great force to the Latter-day
Saints, and it is required of fathers and mothers in this Church
that these commandments shall be taught and applied in their
homes.
To this end we advise and urge the inauguration of a "Ho-- -

Evening" throughout the Church, at which time fathers and

mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home
and teach them the word of the Lord. They may thus learn more
fully the needs and requirements of their families at the same
;

time familiarizing themselves and their children more thoroughly

with the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This "Home
Evening" should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, in-
strumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific in-
struction on the principles of the Gospel, and on the ethical prob-
lems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to
parents, the home, the Church, society and the Nation. For the
smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games
may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may
be largely prepared in the home might be served.
Formality and stiffness should be studiously avoided, and all
the family should participate in the exercises.
These gatherings will furnish opportunities for mutual confi-
dence between parents and children, between brothers and sisters,
as well as give opportunity for words of warning, counsel and
734 [MPR( >VEMENT KRA
advice by parents to their boys and girls. They will provide op-
portunity for the boys and girls to honor father and mother, and
to show their appreciation of the blessings of home so that the
promise of the Lord to them may be literally fulfilled and their
lives be prolonged and made happy.
We request that the presidents of stakes and bishops through-
out the Church set aside at least one evening each mbnth for this
purpose and that upon such evenings no other Church duties shall
;

be required of the people.

We further request that all the officers of the auxiliary or-
ganizations throughout the Church support this movement and en-
courage the young people to remain at home that evening, and
use their energies in making it instructive, profitable and inter-
esting.
If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great bless-
ings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will in-
crease. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of
Tsrael, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences
and temptations which beset them.
Your brethren,
Joseph Smith,
F.
Anthon H. Lund,
Charles W. Penrose,
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 27, 1915. First PresideilCV.

Literary Theft

The editors of the Era greatly regretoccasionally

that
articles are sent to us for publication in the Era which
are not
original, though signed by the contributors as if they were their
own productions, and making it appear that they are their own
thoughts and words. A
number of these plagiarisms have been
discovered before publication and, of course, thrown out or prop-
erly credited. In all cases such thefts are the cause of great chagrin
to the editors, who, though looking out for them, have not always
been able to discover the authorship before they appear in the mag-
azine.
In cases where correspondents send articles that are not
all
original, the source of information should be given, and also
proper credit to the author or writer. Where quotations are used
in any article these should be properly designated by enclosing
them in quotation marks, and the author from whom, or the book
from which, they are taken should be named.
This applies also, of course, to thoughts and sentences chosen
from books and interwoven with original matter. These also
should be quoted or properly credited.
Elder J. Vernon Adams, writing recently from Tokyo, Japan,
 EDITORS' TABLE 735

calls attention to a short missionary letter which appeared in the

Era some time ago which the criticism last named applies. He
to
says that the letter itself "carries a good thought, but loses its
forcefulness when one realizes that the greater part of it including
different striking sentences are copied from six to eight different
pages of Marden's Pushing to the Front, 1911, enlarged edition."
He then calls attention to an article in the Seventies' Year Book,
1907, pages 166-167, in which the pernicious habit of plagiarism is
condemned, and the Seventies warned against it. It is there stated
by the author, B. H. Roberts
Let every speech, lecture, or discourse by a Seventy be an honest
one. Let it be his own, good, bad, or indifferent. A poor speech
that is one's own is more to one's credit than a good one stolen and
repeated as his * * *
Of all despicable characters in the literary world, the plagiarist
is regarded as the most contemptible, and yet there have not been
wanting among us in the ministry of the Church (due to their ignor-
ance of the ethics of literature, of course) those who have advocated
the appropriation of sermons and lectures prepared by others; and
have advocated the repetition of those stolen sermons in the preaching
of the gospel * * *
It is as bad as wearing stolen clothes. It is asking one to shine
not even by borrowed but by stolen light. It will result in mental
laziness. It is a confession of one's own inability to think for him-
self and work out from the mass of material that lies before him in
the revelations of God, the deductions and conclusions that make for
the establishment of faith and righteousness in the lives of others.
A few ideas hammered out on the anvil of one's own thought, even
though they be crudely and haltingly expressed, if they are one's
own, that is a better beginning and more hopeful than the most
glowing declaration of the sermon that has been stolen from another,
or plagiarized from some book or tract.

Elder Adams continues "I have quoted thus at length be-

:

cause it is just what I wish to say, and Brother Roberts' words

carry much more weight than any of my own could. * * *

Dishonest work can carry with it no compelling weight and it

can have no object. Fellow missionaries, it is wrong. We should
not plagiarise. Let us work out our own gospel of advancement
and self-improvement, for, as Marden says, 'The world is looking
"
for the man who can stand alone.'
Again we take this occasion to remind our young writers, and
also the young men and young women who enter into the literary
contests of the Mutual Improvement Associations, to be cautious
in this matter, and in all cases to give credit where credit is due.

One who can Entertain

"So you wish a speaker for your joint meeting?"

"That is what I came for. We would like a good one,— one
who can entertain the people. We have four associations that
736 IMPROVEMENT ERA
meet jointlyand we would like a first-class man who can enter-
tain the crowd."
This was a colloquy between a ward M. I. A. president and
the writer, some time ago.
Onanother occasion, reported recently, a member of the
General Board was invited to speak to an association. Asked
what subject would be acceptable, the answer was, "0« anything,
except religion and vocations."
Do these incidents imply that we have some organizations
whose members are more anxious to be amused than fed the
gospel bread of life, or taught truths pertaining to their temporal
welfare? Who would rather be entertained than made to think?
Who would rather lazily absorb something pre-digested than them-
selves digest through intellectual effort? Or who are tired of
religion,- — the biggest and grandest subject that can occupy the
minds of men?
If so, we are off on the wrong road, our every effort is vain,
we are not in the line of our duty. It must be remembered that
the main purpose of our organization is to impress the membership
with a testimony of the gospel, and its restoration in the latter
days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Our special mission is
to teach the divine nature of the great latter-day work. Our aim
is to create a testimony of God, and of the saving value of his laws

and moral government, in the hearts of the young people of Zion ;

to help them to know for themselves that this Church was estab-
lished through the revelations of God, and that the truths advocated
by the Latter-day Saints are the restored principles of the gospel
revealed and taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the
spiritual, moral and temporal salvation of men. All other work
and activities and studies that we engage in are merely means to
this great end. How, then, can the membership of an association
justify themselves in asking merely for entertainment? And how
can they consistently request that a speaker shall not discuss re-
ligion before them?

Messages from the Missions

Prospects Bright in Peoria

Jane Smith, Peoria, Illinois, January 10: "Elders and lady mis-
sionaries in the city of Peoria, 111., left to right, back row: G. W.
Clements. Clementsville, Idaho; Martha E. Bitter, Collinston, Utah:
Jane Smith, Mountain View, Alta, Canada; Mary M. Clark, Montpelier,
Idaho: M. H. Hill, Darby, Idaho: front row: A. W. Nelson, Hyrum;
J. L. Myers, Murray, Utah; R. D. Clark, conference president, Mont-
pelier: A. E. Empey, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
"We have a branch here consisting of some thirty-five members,
a thoroughly organized Sunday school and Relief Society in good
working order. Many people here are searching for the truth, and
we have many friends who are studying and investigating the gospel,
-:
that our prospects look very bright. As missionaries we appreciate,
d
and highly prize the Era, and look forward each month to its coming.
It contains many helpful and instructive articles, and is not only a
great help to us but to the Saints and our friends as well."

Three to Five Cottage Meetings Weekly

S. Lyman, London, England:
Fred "Elders laboring in the south
half of London: Leo Eager (branch president), Salt Lake City; Fred
S. Lyman, Grayson; J. Perry Egan, Salt Lake City; Clyde D. Hemsley,
Piano, Idaho.
"London is divided in about the center by the River Thames, and
the Church has a branch in both
north and south London. At
this time of international strife,
we are trying to advance the
cause of truth in this mighty
metropolis. We
are only glean-
ers following in the wake of the
harvester, yet we meet many
honest people and make friends
that we will never forget. The
war is having little effect upon
our work among the people.
We hold from three to .five well-attended cottage meetings weekly
in the homes of the Saints. Investigators attend these meetings
and lively discussions ensue. Our Relief Society of this branch
has the distinction of being the banner society in attendance
of the entire British mission. The members are not only assisting local
people, but each week they engage themselves in making clothes for
the needy soldiers at the front. Our Sunday School, organized last
month, bids fair to become the largest in the conference. have We
three classes, and an average attendance of about forty-five members."

Alarming the Local Clergy

Elder Joseph M. Christensen, Seattle, Washington, March 29:

"Under conference president J. M. Christensen, the elders of the
738 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Washington conference of the Northwestern stales mission have made
good progress. They have Sunday schools in Seattle, Tacoma, Olym-
pic and Centralia and regular services are held. The success of the
elders is alarming some of the local clergy to warn against the Lat-
u t day Saints from their pulpits, hut their crusade is bearing the
fruits of investigation. One minister said of us: 'The country is full
of their damnable literature.' Many Books of Mormon have been
sold in Everett and Biernerton. Cottage meetings have been quite-
successful among the navy boys, and the United States battleships
of the Pacific are carrying Books of Mormon in their libraries. In
the sale of our literature we have made much advancement over
former years. Baptisms for last month were seven. Among the
things to be mentioned is the successful work of the short term elders
whose former experience has added materially to our progress. The
recent visit of President Melvin J. Ballard at our branch conference

f r " _|
* - JI

ft
9 . i

had a great impetus for our work. Elders of the Seattle Branch:
Standing, left to right: Joseph A. Holiday, Spring Lake, Utah;
James A. Ransom, Cleaveland; May Preston, Weston, Idaho; Thomas
FT. Gleason, Pleasant Grove: Middle row, Robert T. Buttars,
Clarkston; L. Peery Higginbotham, Ogden; conference president
Joseph M. Christensen, Hinckley, Utah; A. M. Bird, Teton; Mary
Bird, Teton, Idaho; Archie C. West, Pleasant Grove; bottom row:
A. A. Johnson, Vernal; William R. Glade, Provo; and C. L. White,
Salt Lake City, Utah."

Free from Persecution

Elder Joseph O. Stone, Barnsly, Sheffield conference, England,
January 16: "We are practically free from persecution at present, as
 EDITORS' TABLE 739

the people are so absorbed in the war that the 'Mormon' elders are
almost lost sight of. In
fact, the greatest obsta-
cle that we have to meet
is indifference. During
the month of last Decem-
ber we baptized eleven
souls into the Church,
making a total of sixteen
in this branch who have
joined the Church during
1914. We are enjoying
our labors, and take this
opportunity to extend
our best wishes to our
co-laborers throughout the Lord's vineyard. Elders, left to right: Rich-
ard M. Johnson, Springville, Utah; Lars E. Larson, Burley, Idaho;
Milton B. Maughan, Wellsville; Joseph O. Stone, Provo, Utah.

Organizations Doing Good Work

A. T. Shurtleff, president of the Columbia, South Carolina Branch,
reports that the work in that conference is in a flourishing condition.
"A three-months' visit in the conference has just been completed and
everywhere great interest is manifested in the work the elders are
doing. There are two fully organized branches of the conference with
Sunday Schools, Mutual Improvement Associations, and Relief So-
cieties, doing a good work among Saints and friends."

A Good Opportunity for Work

Elder Dale S. Young, of the East Texas conference, Central
States mission, reports that Texas is an excellent place to do mis-
sionary work: "We are not hindered in our labors by cold winters
and rough roads. The winters are mild, and the roads are generally in
good condition. In the winter our work is mainly confined to the
country. We
find the people better prepared to receive the gospel
than ever before. They have thrown open to us their doors and
their churches and school houses to explain the gospel message in
which many of them are becoming deeply interested, often anxiously
awaiting our return. The elders laboring here are: John L. Gilbert,
'

Thomas Rigby, Wm. S. Grover S. Hansen, Jonathan F.

Merkley,
Blackburn, Leroy E. Clark, George B. Walker, President; David
Harris, Ray D. Garner, Dale S. Young, Leonard Abraham, Horace N.
Hunsaker, Elmo Howard, Leslie E. Roskelley."

Hundreds Listen to the Songs of Zion

Elder J. Ernest Adams, Rotterdam, Holland, April 14: "We have

a splendid choir of about fifty members, which has many opportunities
of singing the songs of Zion and anthems to the Saints and friends in
this branch. On Sunday evenings we have an average of about three
hundred Saints and friends to sing to. The meetings at Rotterdam
have never been so well attended as they are at present, notwithstand-
ing the loss of the elders leaving and the very unpleasant conditions
the war. has brought about. The work of the Lord is progressing very
rapidly here in Holland, and more especially here in Rotterdam.
We hope and pray that Holland may remain free from the war,
all
that the conflict may soon cease, and peace be established throughout
the world."
740 LMPRI IVEMENT ERA
The Hand of God in Passing Events

Elder Clyde F. Hansen, Halifax, England, March 29: "Those of

us who
arc still in the Leeds conference mission field are greatly en-
joying our work. We feel that our efforts are being crowned with
success, although more elders are needed. The war is not affecting
usvery much here except for the great rise in the cpst of living. In
this respect, however, the people in our conference are very fortunate
because most all of them are working over time on war munitions and
are receiving a good wage. I believe the Saints here appreciate the
gospel more now than ever they did before the war, because they ran
see very clearly the hand of the Lord in the passing events. I

are, however, a great many here who doubt the existence of a God.
because of the troublous times now enveloping this country and im-
plicating half the population of the world in war.

n y

1 -tj^l

y : * L . r
fink *7
•/Ji.

l -
1
± '" V ?

LEEDS CONFERENCE, HALIFAX, ENGLAND

_
"Elders left to right, back row: Virgil C. Hall, secretary of Hull conference;
\ erner O. Hewlett, Salt Lake City; Earl S. Harper and W. Hazel Hillyard, Smith-
field; Robert R. Cordner, Provo Bench; Joseph F. Worthen, Salt Lake City; John H.
Tlaslam, Wellsville; second row: E. F. Spencer, Randolph; W. Leslie Cocking, Win.
\\ Seare, Gus Dyer, Ralph Bishop. Elmer M. Savage, Salt Lake City: Alonzo H.
.

Peterson, Brigham City; Cyrene N. Bagley, Holliday, Utah; third row: Pres. Aubrey
O. Andelin of the Liverpool conference, Provo; Dr. G. H. Higgins, Bradford, Eng-
land; Pres. Leonard B. Nielsen of Leeds conference, Provo: Mission President Hyrum
M. Smith, Salt Lake City; J. M. Sjodahl, of Liverpool office, Salt Lake City; Clyde
V. Hansen, secretary of Leeds conference, Salt Lake City; Pres. Ray D. Nicholes, of
Hull conference; sitting: James H. Yickers, Nephi; S. Evan Francis, Lake Shore;
J. LeRoy Wright, Ogden: and Harold T. Pardoe, of Bountiful, Utah."

Teaching English and the Gospel

Amasa W. Clark, Tokyo, Japan, March 10. 1915: "Japan is a

country from whose missionaries the people in Zion hear very little.
"The Japan mission is one in which any elder can work just as
much as he desires, and he will find that the people among whom
he labors, as a rule, are willing to listen to what he has to tell them.
 EDITORS' TABLE 741

Few tracts are refused. It takes some time before a missionary

learns enough Japanese to tell the peo-
ple what he desires to tell. The new
missionaries are encouraged to begin
tracting as soon as possible, learning,
at first, sentences with which to tell
the people who he is, and what he lias
for them.
"For the first two years the mis-
sionary has quite a struggle with the
language, but with a great deal of
study, and an effort to use what
Japanese he learns, he is finally able to
reach such proficiency that he can
readily make speeches.
"We have many young men who
attend our English classes; some in
order to learn English, and others who
are really desirous of hearing the
teachings of the gospel. Among these
are many very intelligent young men.
"Our meetings here in Tokyo are quite well attended, and among
those who come to hear the gospel, are some very earnest investi-
gators. We
cannot expect to make converts here as quickly as in
other missions where the people practically know Christianity, in a
modified form. Although we are not converting many, we do not
feel in the least discouraged. We have to break through the Buddhist
teachings which for centuries have been rooting themselves in the
hearts of the Japanese people. The seeds we sow now will bear fruit
which will be gathered by elders of the future.
''There is one thing which greatly hinders the work in Japan, and
that is the scarcity of missionaries. Wehave only eleven missionaries
to preach the gospel to more than fifty-six millions of people. There
are three of us laboring here in Tokyo; the fourth largest city in the
world.
"We elders in Tokyo are happy in trying to do what little we
can to lead the Japanese people nearer to the road of life and salvation.
We are united in our work, and feel that with the help of the Lord
much good can be accomplished among the Japanese people.
"We extend a hearty greeting to all the Saints at home, especially
our friends and loved ones, and desire an interest in your faith and
prayers in our efforts in promulgating the word of God. The elders
are, left to right: J. Vernon Adams, Secretary of the Tokyo Sunday
school; Amasa W. Clark, Mission Secretary; and H. Grant Ivins,
Mission President."

A Catholic Sentiment
Elder J. Alma Janson, Leavenworth, Kansas, March 26: "We
have had the honor and pleasure of meeting and conversing with many
of our Civil war heroes who have related, to our enjoyment, many
of their thrilling experiences. One gentleman, eighty-three years of
age. who had served in the Civil war, had become closely associated
with the Mormon Batallion in their march to Mexico. He had noth-
ing but good to say of its members, complimenting them very highly
on their splendid discipline. Leavenworth has a population of over
nineteen thousand, two-thirds of whom are of Catholic faith, and who
seem pleased to distinguish the Latter-clay Saint missionaries as im-
postors."
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

BY PROF. P. JOSEPH JENSEN
KNOWLEDGE FOR A PURPOSE «

When Joseph Smith came to he known many

the testimony of
honest men were greatly impressed. The thought that the Lord had
spoken from heaven, and was willing to give knowledge to man on
the earth for his guidance, induced many to inquire of the Lord,
through the Latter-day Prophet. Among others who thus sought for
knowledge were John and Peter Whitmer, who each asked, "What can
I do that will be of most worth to me?" Such a desire illustrates the
acquiring of knowledge for a purpose.
So it is with every boy in the deacons' quorums. He is interested
in acquiring knowledge that will aid him to realize his desires. It is
likely that some do not have, as yet, the very exalted desire of the
Whitmers, but it can be acquired.
It should be the aim of the instructor to discover in the boys of
his quorum desires closest of kin to the religious principle he has to
make clear. Let the desire of the boy be the starting point, rather
than the principle to be taught. Enlighten his mind with pure knowl-
egde, through satisfying the discovered desire.
We ought not to assume that the desire to go on a mission ten
years from now, for example, is sufficiently strong to impel him to
study difficult subject matter now. What we must get hold of are
those interests which influence his actions today. And if they are not
the exact kind wanted, nevertheless, use and develop them into what
is approved.
Lesson 21

(Text: The Latter-day Prophet, Chapter XX)

Problem: What are the results of defiance and rebellion against
the purposes of the Lord?
What have you seen as a result of children rebelling against their
parents? Their teachers?
Study the Chapter.
What was the purpose of the organization of Zion's Camp?
With what miraculous events did the Lord encourage the united ef-
forts of the Camp? What punishment did he predict would befall
disunity and rebellion? In what ways did the mob and individuals of
the mob defy the purpose of the Camp? What resulted to individuals
of the mob in connection with their defiance of the purpose of the
Camp? What lesson does Mr. Campbell's defiance of the purposes
of the Lord teach?
Lesson 22
(Chapter XXI)
Problem: Sameas in lesson 21.
Review last lesson.
Study the chapter.
What lesson did the mob learn in trying to stop the purposes
of the Camp? What was Col. Sconce's conclusion? Howdid the
Lord punish the Camp because of rebellion in it? Read H. C. Kim-
ball's account of the punishment. See Life of H. C. Kimball, (Whitney,
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 743

pp. 72-76.) Compare these incidents with the great event of the Jews
taking the life of our Savior to stop his work. What does it mean
then to defy and rebel against the purposes of the Lord?

Lesson 23
(Chapter XXII)
Problem: What plan did the Lord adopt to make complete the
organization of his Church?
Name the several different quorums of the Priesthood. When did
the Prophet Joseph receive his first vision? How long after this event
did the organization of the Church take place? Study the chapter.
How was the first quorum of apostles chosen in our day? When?
The first quorum of seventy? When? Why was their organization
postponed so long? What is the purpose of each quorum?
Answer the problem. What lesson does this plan of the Lord
teach us?
Lesson 24
(Chapter XXIII)
Problem: How did Joseph Smith become an educated man?
Generally, how do men become educated? What is the highest
degree a student may obtain at a university? Study the chapter.
What opportunities did Joseph Smith, as a boy, have for learn-
ing? Name the heavenly beings who taught Joseph Smith. What
books did he translate? Of what books did he correct the translation?
What books, by means of revelation, did he write? Answer the
problem.
We must acknowledge that Joseph Smith had the rarest oppor-
tunity for education that any man in our day has had.

Ward Teaching
—
Ward Teaching. From a compilation of the reports in the Pre-
siding Bishop's Office it appears that during the three months ending
March 31, 1915, the following wards in the stakes named show that
100 per cent of the people were visited by the teachers:
Alberta: Leavitt, Taylor; Bear Lake: Lanark, Liberty; Bear River:
East Garland, Elwood, Penrose, Riverside, Tremonton; Beaver: Mil-
ford; Benson: Lewiston 3rd; Big Horn: Byron; Blackfoot: Riverside;
Box Elder Brigham 2nd, 3rd, Honeyville, Harper, Mantua, Park Valley,
:

Rosette, Perry; Davis: West Layton, West Point; Emery: Emery, Ferron
Ensign: 20th, 21st; Fremont: Sugar; Liberty: Liberty, 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th,
10th, 33rd, Emigration, Le Grande; Malad: Portage; Maricopa: Chand-
ler; Millard: Meadow; Morgan: Porterville, Richville; Nebo: Knights-
ville; North Sanpete: Milburn, Moroni, Spring City; North Weber:
Farr West; Ogden Eden, Huntsville, Liberty, Middleton, North Og-
:

den, 4th, 5th, 6th, Pleasant View; Oneida: all the wards; Panguitch :

Kingston; Pioneer: Brighton; St. George: Gunlock, Springdale; St.

Johns: Bluewater; St. Joseph: Central, Lebanon; Salt Lake: 14th, 22nd,
24th, 28th, Center, North Point ; Sevier Annabella, Sigurd
: ; Taylor :

Grassy Lake; Teton: Cache, Valview ; Utah: Lakeview, Springville

2nd, Timpanogas; Weber: Hooper, Kanesville, Ogden 5th, 12, Roy,
Uintah; Yellowstone: Olive Branch, Parker, Sarilda Branch, Twin
Groves; Young: Burnham, Redmesa.
This shows that out of the 739 wards in the Church, there were
110 that secured 100% in ward teaching, during the quarter, and that
35 stakes out of 67 contained wards where all the people were visiter1
by teachers each month.
 Mutual Work
M. I. A. Conference
«

The M. I. A. Annual Conference will be held in Salt Lake City on

Friday,Saturday and Sunday, June 11, 12 and 13. The following
program has been arranged:
Friday, June 11 First session, 9:30 to 12:30. The first period,
:

9:30 to 11, will be devoted to a consideration of joint problems:

1. Stake supervision.
2. Special activities.
3. Annual fall conventions.
The second period, 11 to 12:30, will be devoted to social work with
a demonstration in the Deseret Gymnasium.
At 1 p. m. a short special meeting of the superintendents, of the
Y. M. M. I. A., will be held, at which "Efficiency in Stake Work," will
be discussed.
Second session, 2 p. m. This time will be devoted to preliminary
try-outs in the contests:
Music section will be held in the Assembly Hall; public speaking
section, in the Bishop's Building, and the re-told story section, in the
14th ward chapel. On the evening of Friday there will be an enter-
tainment for the visiting stake officers, particulars of which will be
made known later.
Saturday, June 12: On this day separate meetings of the young
men, and young ladies will be held in the morning and afternoon. In
the evening of that day, beginning at 8 o'clock, grand finals in the
contest activities will be held in the Assembly Hall.
The Saturday morning meeting of the young men's officers will be
devoted to the discussion, from a number of standpoints, of the sub-
ject: "The Spirit of the Gospel in M. I. A. Work."
The afternoon will be devoted to business and a consideration of
the subjects of government and routine work in the organizations.
The Y. L. M. I. A. meetings on Saturday:
—
10 a. m. General Assembly, Assembly Hall: 1. Greeting; II. Roll
Call and Annual Report; III. The Junior Girl; IV. Bee-Hive Work.
11 a. m. — Department Meetings, Bishop's Building: Presidents
and Counselors, Secretaries and Treasurers, Music Directors, Journal
Agents, Class Leaders.
—
2 p. m. General Assembly, Assembly Hall: I. Guide Work 1915-

1916; II. Things Worth While; III. Spirituality in My Stake (five

minute talks by stake officers); IV. The Secret Force in M. I. A.
Work; V. Old Fashioned "Mormonism."
Sunday, June 13: The first session will be held at 10 o'clock a. m.
in the Tabernacle and will be joint. The subjects to be treated are:
1. "The Quitter," by Prof. E. S. Hinckley.
2. "Teaching the Gospel Through the M. I. A. Activities," Mary
E Connelly.
3. "The Hills in M. I. A. Work and How to Climb Them," Dr.
Harvey Fletcher, superintendent of the Utah stake.
The presentation of the medals to the winners in the final contest
will be made at this meeting.
Second session, 2 p. m., in the Tabernacle: The time of this
meeting will be occupied by The General Superintendency Y. M. M. I.
 MUTUAL WORK 745

A., President Martha H. Tingey, of the Y. L. M. I. A., and President

Louie B. Felt, of the Primary associations.
Third session, 7:30 p. m., in the Tabernacle: There will be two
speakers, one representing the Primary, and one the Young Men's and
Young Ladies' M. I. A. jointly. Elder Levi Edgar \onng has been
chosento represent the M. I. A. and he will talk to the question: "Will
the Children of Tomorrow Have Faith?"
The slogan for the M. I. A. conference, for 1915 is: "We Stand
for a Weekly Home Evening."
The music for the conference will be under the direction of the
music committees of the associations.

Athletic and Scout Work

Champions
of Eastern Oregon
The M. I. A. basketball team of Le Grande, Oregon, has carved
its way to championship, according to information furnished the Era
by G. Earl Stoddard, superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the Union
stake. The team is now the undisputed champion of East Oregon.
On Monday, February 15, the M. I. A. defeated the Echo Purple
Giants, giving that team its second defeat in five years in the state of
Oregon. One of the Le Grande newspapers describing the contest
says: "The contest was a bayonet charge and long-range-artillery
affair throughout, swinging from one to the other repeatedly. The

M. I. A. BASKET-BALL TEAM, LA GRANDE, OREGON

'Y' floor was given a sample of basketball that it will not likely see
again for some time, and the mad shrieks of plaudits that went up
when the final whistle sounded, and the M. I. A. players were three
points in the lead, demonstrated the volume of interest. * * *
Both teams used their defense with terrific weight, and though the
playing was more laborious than scientifically open, the Giants and
M. I. A. won commendation for the gentlemanly tactics displayed.
746 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Both sides were too busy playing basketball to deliberate foul
tactics that are adopted only by the novices." The La Grande
M. A. won by a total of 26 points against 23 for the Giants. The
I.
M. A. thus became the champions of eastern Oregon basketball, and
I.
at the same time won the La Grande city trophy, put up by the Red
Cross Drug Co., for the city basketball league. The personnel of the
—
team is: Botton row Coombs, Metcalf, Bean, captain; Rosenbaum,
Ainsworth; standing, Baum, Woods, Harvey, Larsen, 'manager and
coach; and Scofield. The team has been known as the'M. I. A. team
for the last five years The boys deserve special commendation for
their achievement, and for their faithful and untiring efforts to reach
the championship goal. They are fine specimens of physical develop-
ment, as well as moral rectitude.

'Pioneer Hike"
The M. I. A. Scout "Pioneer "Hike" over the old "Mormon" trail,
from Echo canyon to Salt Lake City, will be taken again this year.
It is intended to leave Echo canyon, July 21, and to arrive at Salt Lake
City on the morning of July 24, in time to take part in the pioneer
celebration. any are unable to take the three-day "hike," they may
If
make an overnight "hike," and camp with the main company at the foot
of Little Mountain, where it is expected there will be a large campfire
celebration on the night of the 23rd. If arrangements can be made, the
boys will take part in the erection by the State, of the Pioneer monu-
ments along the trail. Boys who have not passed the Tenderfoot test
will not be permitted to make the "hike." Details of arrangements may
be obtained from the M. I. A. Scout Commissioner, after June 1.

Encampments and Hikes

'No scout organization should permit the summer to pass without
holding an encampment; and, where possible, permanent places for
summer encampments should be chosen, so that improvements can
be made on them each year. Often places for camps can be obtained
by getting long-time leases from the government, at a very nominal
figure. Stakes in the vicinity of lakes and mountains that would make
good places for permanent camps, could unite and have inter-stake
encampments.
One of the main things in "hiking" and encampments is to have
a definite program, and require the scouts to carry it out per schedule.
Camps where boys are permitted to lie around with nothing special to
do, are unprofitable and should be avoided. For a scout program,
see page 177, new edition of the Hand Book for Boys; and pages 201,
228 and 239, Hand Book for Scout Masters.
Arrange your "hikes" so that they will fit in with the conditions
where you reside. Prepare far enough ahead, to enable the
boys to make proper arrangements with parents and employers
to leave their work at the most opportune time. Scout masters
should keep a record of time spent, the cost of supplies, menus of
each meal, and the programs carried out, as this information will be
required by the M. I. A. Scout Commissioner of the General Board at
the end of the season to enable him to give the required information
to other scouts and to the National Organization. Dr. John H.
Taylor, M. I. A. Scout Commissioner, will be pleased to render as-
sistance, personally, in making arrangements for "hikes" and en-
campments.
 HUNTSVILLE BASKETBALL TEAM
Winners of the Ogden stake M. I. A. League pennant. During six
weeks they played eleven games in which they lost only one. It is
the year that the Huntsville association has entered the stake
first
M. A. league in basketball. Names, back row, left to right: I. V.
I.
Jorgensen, David Sprague, Arthur Felt, Albert Wangsgaard; center,
Roger Peterson, Wilmer Jensen (coach), Leon Felt; front, Joseph
Smith.

Inter-Stake Scout Meet

On Thursday, March 18, at 8 p. m., the Granite stake scouts, under

the direction of the stake scout master, C. H. Spencer Jr., held an
inter-stake meet at the Forest Dale meetinghouse. Out of the eleven
wards of the stake, eight were represented by a patrol, making 64
scouts taking part in the different activities. All had passed the tender-
foot test. Over two hundred other scouts were present. Before the
contest work was taken up demonstration work was conducted by T.
George Wood, of the Waterloo ward, with one of his patrols. They
demonstrated the different phases of first-aid work, including bandage-
748 IMPROVKMKNT HRA
ing, different of carrying the injured, also life-saving and
methods
drill, Schafer's method of resuscitation of the drowned.
including
The semaphore signalling drill work was then exhitited which in-
cluded the alphabet by letters, and sending messages by squads. The
exhibition concluded with a demonstration of fire lighting with two
matches, and the making of fire without matches. The contest work
was as follows:
1st event. —
One boy from each troop was allowed one. minute to
give the significance of the badge.
—
2nd event. One patrol from each troop to give scout promise,
including sign and scout law.
3rd event. —
Relay knot-tying race. One patrol from each troop.

GRANITE STAKE SCOUT PATROLS

On mouth of Parley's Canyon
a "hike" to the

4th event.— Drill contest with staff under the direction of the
scout master or assistant.
—
6th event. While not in the contest, this consisted of all the
troops forming on the floor in square formation with an exhibition
of the hoisting of the flag, showing full mast, half mast, and concluded
by a flag salute by all the scouts. A United States flag was presented
to the winners of the event, —
the Sugar-Richards troop.
The method of judging was 50 points for first place, 40 points for
second place, 30 points for third place, 20 points for fourth place,
and ten points for fifth place. The meet was a very successful one
 MUTUAL WORK 749

and showed what can be done by stakes in the way of inter-stake

meets, if properly worked out.

Why the President Approves Boy Scout Work

In his address to members of the National Council and a group
of Boy Scouts at the White House on February 11" President Wood-
row Wilson said:
Gentlemen T am sincerely glad to have the pleasure of this visit
:

from you, and to have an opportunity to express my very sincere

interest not only in the organization of the Boy Scouts but in the
objects that that organization has. From all that I know of it, and
from all that I have been able to observe personally, it is an admirable
organization, devoted to the objects that I myself thoroughly believe
in.
There
is only one rule in the world, and it applies to all profes-
sions,and that is that you are expected to "make good." No excuses
are allowed in this school of life, and the only way to make good is
to keep faith. That is the reason I like the idea of the Boy Scouts
because of their secure notion of being responsible to society. They
are responsible to the people who live around them to help main- —
tain the standards of order and fidelity upon which the community
depends.
You are recruits in the ranks that we all stand in, and that is to
serve the country in some way that will tell, and that has nothing
particular to do with your own personal benefit. The man who de-
votes himself exclusively to the development of his own character will
succeed in nothing except to make of himself a prig. But if he de-
votes himself to helping other people his character will not only take
care of itself but it will grow to a very noble stature.
I have always maintained that, in the language of manufacture,
character is a by-product. If you set out to develop it because you
love it for yourself you will be an ass. If you disregard the conse-
quences to yourself in order to serve other people you will make a
noble gentleman, and that I believe is fundamental and sacred in an
organization of this sort.
I congratulate you for belonging to it and hope you will honor it
in every way by your conduct and allegiance.

Stake Work
Doings of the M. I. A. Australia
Raymond F. Kneale, president of the M.
I. A. of Melbourne,
Australia, reports that the Mutual Improvement Association of Rich-
mond, Melbourne, Victoria, of the Australian mission, has made rapid
strides of late and is a body of progressive workers. Meetings are
held every Thursday evening in which a good spirit is always manifest,
and along with it one great desire to advance. Special nights are
often given, breaking the ordinary routine of class work; debating
and literary work forming a great part of the M. I. A. endeavors, also
historical matter. "We have two classes, senior and junior, the former
lias just completed a thorough study of 'The Great Apostasy,' by
Elder Talmage, and is now pursuing 'The Restoration of the Gospel,'
by Widtsoe. The junior class study the Book of Mormon: The pre-
liminary programs and singing practices are carried out in ordinary
meetings, always. The association has an average attendance of 35
active, enrolled members, while many visitors often attend. Our cry is
 GROUP OF OFFICERS AND TEACHERS
Richmond branch, Melbourne, Australia.
Front row, left to right: Elsie Parker, Grace Bartlet, First
Counselor; Raymond F. Kneale, president; Phyllis Parker, Junior As-
sistant organist; Jessie C. Galloway, Second Counselor; Barbara
Anderson. Back row, Ella Milton, J. Kelley, Lewis P. Kneale, Elders
Carl Johnson, M. Leo Burgess, Robert P. McQuarrie, Conference
President; A. G. Burt Denton, S. Glen Merrill.

to rally round and assist in the great fight to overcome evil. It is by

developing our intelligence, overcoming evil, and keeping our bodies
fit, that victory will be assured. Our Mutual work is causing both
spiritual and temporal development and brings with it joy and hap-
piness and a realization of the limitless possibilities of man."

M. I. A. CLASS IN LEADERSHIP, BEAVER STAKE.

 Passing Events
Utah Day at the San Diego exposition will be July 17. It is ex-
pected that Governor Spry and the entire state commission will be
present at the opening ceremony, most of which will be held in the
Utah state building. The famous Ogden tabernacle choir will give
the first of a series of concerts that day, singing with a great outdoor
organ. Outside of the choral societies of California, the Ogden choir
will be the first large organization of the sort to appear at the exposi-
tion.

The Mexican situation was somewhat quiet during the past

month. General Villa was defeated by General Obregon at Celaya.
Obregon's army pursued Villa; but it was announced he was endeavor-
ing to establish immediate re-organization of his forces at Aguas
Calientes. General Huerta was in New York, April IS, and declared
himself guiltless of President Madero's death. He declared the revo-
lution of the Constitutionalists a failure, and said only a strong arm
could put an end to the anarchy now reigning in Mexico.

The opening of the Celilo canal, a part of a water-way which

gives an all water-way route from Lewiston, Idaho, to the Pacific
ocean, was celebrated, according to the news dispatches, May 3 to 8.
It has been ten years in construction and cost the government six
million dollars. The construction was begun in 1905. The canal has a
minimum depth of eight feet with ten passing basins and five locks.
It is estimated that boats will traverse the canal in three hours con-
necting with the Snake river and thence the Columbia to the Pacific
ocean.
Rufus B. Ensign, an Indian war veteran and Utah pioneer of
1847, died May 9, 1915, at his home in Salt Lake City. He was born
in Westfield, Massachusetts, December 28, 1832. His parents joined
the Church in about 1840, and arrived in Salt Lake valley in the
company of Daniel Spencer, September 20, 1847. Mr. Ensign par-
ticipated in the Walker Indian war, and later removed to Cedar
City, and was a freighter and Indian interpreter for many years. He
was well-informed on Utah history, honest and kind-hearted.
Caroline Rogers Daniels Smoot, a pioneer of 1850, prominent Re-
lief Society worker, and well-known worker in Logan and Salt Lake
temples, died March 14, 1915, in Salt Lake City. She was born in Dun-
kirk, New York, March 20, 1827, the daughter of David White Rogers,
a lineal descendant of John Rogers burned at the stake in England in
1554, one of the first martyrs to religion in England. Mrs. Smoot was
in Nauvoo when Joseph Smith and his brother were killed, and at-
tended their funeral, being seventeen years of age at that time. She
worked in the Logan and Manti temples, beginning in the year 1886,
and continued for seven years, working also in the Salt Lake temple
after its completion, being a regular temple worker until 1911, when
she discontinued because of advancing age and poor health.

great syphon across the valley at Jordan Narrows was tested

The
on April 24, when a number of officers of the company and prominent
citizens gathered to see the water transferred from the east side of
752 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the valley to the west side where it is to he applied to a large area of
land for irrigation purposes. The water is taken from lakes at the
liead of Provo river, Drought down the river, then taken, across the
high lands on the east and north of Utah county to the point of the
mountain, the entire distance from the lakes being about 100 miles. It
is then syphoned across the Jordan to be distributed through canals On
the west side of the Salt Lake valley. The perfection of this irriga-
tion project will mean the reclamation of a large area of arid land in
Salt Lake county.

William Howard Bancroft, genera! manager of the Oregon Short

Line and first vice-president of the Salt Lake Route, died in Salt
Lake City, April 22, 1915. Mr. Bancroft had served the Oregon Short
Line for twenty-one years as vice-president and general manager.
He retired November 1, 1914, still remaining with the company and
retaining the title he had carried, performing only such duties as
were assigned him by the chairman of the executive committee of
the Union Pacific. He was born October 20, 1840, at Newburg,
Ohio, and entered the railway service in April, 1856, as telegraph
operator, persistently working his way up and serving many rail-
road corporations until he became vice-president and general manager
of the Oregon Short Line. He was considered one of the best known
and ablest railroad characters in the West.

Church Chronology. An addition to this work has just been

prepared and issued. It contains the chronology of the Church from
1905 up to the close of the year, 1913. A feature is the addition of an in-
dex which covers the whole chronology from the beginning, in 1805, to
the close of the year, 1913. This is a very valuable reference work and
should be in every public and organization library in the Church.
Andrew Jenson, the author, has taken great pains to gather infor-
mation and historical facts that can be obtained in no other book
as handily as in the Church Chronology. The proceeds of the sale
of the book are devoted to the new Church administration building,
in which the Church Historian's office will be located. Officers of
the Church are urged to place as many copies as possible in the
homes and libraries of the Church.
Three volumes of "How-to-Do-It" books, published by the New
York Book Company, and written by J. S. Zerbe, M. E., in language
that everbody can understand, entitled "Electricity", "Carpentry"
and "Practical Mechanics," for boys, have been received. For keep-
ing the boys busy with tools and mechanical appliances and for
showing them how these may be used and constructed, no better
nor more practical texts have come to hand on these subjects. These
books are richly illustrated and especially adapted to the busy hour
tor scouts. The boys learn from the beginning the use of tools, and
the most advantageous way of handling them. The successive steps
in developing electricity are pointed out; and in carpentry it is' shown
how the real fundamentals of the trade may be acquired. Price,
60 cents per volume, subject to discount in lots.

GuyC. Wilson, for fifteen years president of the Juarez Stake

Academy, in Mexico, and late principal of the Granite seminary, was
appointed president of the Latter-day Saints University, April 23,
to succeed Colonel Willard Young whose resignation takes effect at
the close of the present school year. Osborne J. P. Widtsoe, principal
of the high school, it was expected would succeed Colonel
 PASSING EVENTS 753

Young, but he accepted an appointment recently as the head of the

English department of the University of Utah. It is expected that
under Mr. Wilson the office of the president and principal will be
combined, so that Mr. Wilson succeeds both Colonel Young and
Professor Widtsoe. He was born at Fairview, Sanpete county,
April 10, 1864, educated in the public schools, at the Brigham Young
Academy, and later the Brigham Young University at Provo, and has
spent his whole life time in educational work. He is a man of deep
spirituality as well as great firmness and kindliness.

"Religious Education in the Faxrjtf" by Henry F. Cope, Univer-

sity ofChicago Press, Chicago, Illinois 296 pages, 12 mo. cloth, $1.25
postage extra, weight one pound five ounces. This book is the twenty-
eighth volume in the constructive studies in religious education, issued
by the University Press. It is well adapted as an aid for teaching in
the home, and would be valuable among our people in such stakes and
wards as have adopted the Home Evening. Many excellent sugges-
tions applicable to this purpose are found in this volume. Among
other topics the text treats of "The Present Status of Family Life,"
"The Meaning of Religious Education in the Family," "The Home as
a School," "Stories and Reading," "Use of the Bible in the Home,"
"Family Worship," "Sunday in the Home," "The Needs of Youth,"
"Dealing with Moral Crises," "Personal Factors in Religious Educa-
tion." At the close of each chapter there are references for study and
reading, and topics for discussion. The chapter on "Jiunday in the
Home" contains an explanation of the meaning of the day, the ques-
tion of play, and the Sunday afternoon problem. One of the questions
suggested for discussion is, "Is there any essential relation between
the play of children and the wide-open Sunday of commercialized
amusement?" Another is, "What characteristics should distinguish
play on Sundays from other days?" Still another, "Is the resi problem
of Sunday in the family that of securing quiet, or of wisely directing
the action of the young?"

The Right Reverend Laurence Scanlan, bishop of the Salt Lake

diocese of the Roman Catholic church, died May 10, 1915, in Salt
Lake City. He was the pioneer pastor, priest and bishop of the
Catholic church in Utah having succeeded the Reverend P. Walsh
who was the first Catholic priest in Utah. Bishop Scanlan arrived
here, August 14, 1873, and was elevated to the bishopric of Salt Lake
in .1887. In 1891, with a nucleus of seventy thousand dollars, the
present Catholic cathedral, St. Mary Magdalene, an edifice costing
several hundred thousand dollars, was begun on his initiative. It
seats 1200 people. The Holy Cross hospital was started under his
direction amid humble beginnings, in 1875, but is now one of the
largest and best equipped institutions of its kind in this western
country. Bishop Scanlan was born about seventy-two years ago, his
native land being Ireland. In the estimation of his ecclesiastical as-
sociates he stood very high, and some six years ago, when the
cathedral was dedicated, Cardinal Gibbons came all the way from
Baltimore to be present on that occasion. The funeral services for
Bishop Scanlan was held in the cathedral Friday, the 14th of May,
and, according to the wish of Cardinal Gibbons, he was buried under
the altar, after elaborate ceremonies. President Smith in expressing
his regret at the death of Bishop Scanlan said: "I share in the public
sorrow for a man who has been so energetic and so conscientious in
accomplishing what he considered his life's mission."

Judge Charles S. Zane, whose death on March 24, 1915, at his

754 IMPROVEMENT ERA
home in Salt Lake City, was noticed in the May number of the "Era"
was born in Marsh River Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey,
March 2, 1831, and not 1834, as erroneously stated in the notice last
month with a number of other errors. His mother was a relative of
Benjamin Franklin. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of
1857, elected city attorney of Springfield in 1858, and re-elected in
1861-1865. He became the successor to Abraham Lincoln in the law
firm (if Lincoln and Herndon in the year of Lincoln's, inauguration,
and continued with Herndon until 1869, at which time- he joined the
law firm of Cullom, Zane and Marcy. The senior partner, Shelby
M. Cullom, was the famous author of the Cullom bill. With this firm
he remained until 1873, when he became judge of the circuit court
of Illinois, comprising two counties, which position he occupied for
six years, and was then re-elected, holding jurisdiction over six
counties. It was in this orifice that he was officiating when on July 2,
1884, he was appointed by President Chester A. Arthur, through the
influence of Senator Cullom, to be chief justice of Utah. Judge
Zane came to Utah on the 23rd day of August, 1884. He took the
oath of office on the first day of September following, and was as-
singed to the Third District court by Governor Eli H. Murray. He
officiated in this office until the end of his term, when, on July 9,
1888, he was succeeded by Hon. Elliot Sanford, of New York, who
was appointed by President Grover Cleveland. President Harrison
being inaugurated on March 4, 1889, Judge Sanford was superceded,
and Judge Zane was re-appointed on the 24th day of May, 1889,
taking the oath of office on the 3rd of June, and entering on his
second term the day following. "He remained as chief justice until
1893, since which time he practiced law in Utah to the end of his
days, except for one term as Chief Justice of the State of Utah. It
was provided in the state constitution that of the three judges
elected to the supreme court, of whom Judge Zane was one, that
the judge who drew the short term should be the Chief Justice.
Judge Zane drew the three-year term and thereby became the first
Chief Justice of the state of Utah, entering upon his duties on Janu-
ary 6, 1896. In his diary he wrote, "I was not sorry that I drew the
short term."

The Great War. — The defeat of the Russians in the Carpathians,

where it 3,500,000 men were engaged in the battle
was stated that
line; and renewal of activities in the west, in what will likely be
known as "The Second Battle of Ypres," in which asphyxiating gases
were a feature of the fighting; a renewal of the effort to force the
Dardanelles, and the submarine campaign of the Germans, which cul-
minated in the destruction of the great and popular British Cunard
liner "Lusitiania," were characteristics of the great war between April
12 and May 12.
—
April 12 Petrograd reported that Russian troops penetrated
twenty miles within the Hungarian borders.
—
April 16 German war correspondents estimated that 3,500,000 men
are engaged in battle in the Carpathians from eastern Galicia to north-
ern Hungary, and call this the greatest battle in the history of the
world.
—
April 18 Fierce engagements center about "Hill No. 60," south-
east of Ypres. The hill was captured on the 17th by the British.
—
April 20 The Russians evacuate Tarnow in Galicia.
April 21 —
The Austrians take twelve thousand Russians prisoners
at Yzsok pass. Thirty-five thousand British and French land at Enos,
to attack Constantinople.
 PASSING EVENTS 755

—
April 22 The Bombardment of the Dardanelles is resumed by the
Allied fleet. Paris announces that by the use of asphyxiating bombs
the Germans gain a mile and a half in the Ypres battle, which is
designated the "Second Battle of Ypres."
—
April 25 Fighting continues furiously about Ypres. Great Britain
suspends all shipping between the United Kingdom and Holland. The
British troops begin landing on the Gallipoli peninsula, after three
days of sharp engagements with the Turks.
April 26— The French cruiser "Leon Gambetta" was torpedoed and
sunk in the Ionian sea by Austrian submarine U-5, with a loss of over
550 men.
—
April 27 The Russian fleet bombards the Bosporus forts.
—
April 28 The British are able to consolidate their positions and
land stores on the Gallipoli peninsula.
—
April 29 The Germans advance from eastern Prussia seventy
miles into Russian territory. Fierce fighting is reported between the
Turks and British forces on the Gallipoli peninsula. The British car-
ried several lines of defense between Cape Helles and Kalid Bahr.
—
May 1 The American oil steamer "Gulflight" was torpedoed and
sunk off the Scilly islands. The crew claims that no warning was
—
given. The "Gulflight" is one of thirteen vessels, -five neutrals, four
belligerent steamships, and four trawlers, sunk in seventy-two hours
on May 1, 2, 3. The Austrians are concentrating on the Italian border.
—
May 2 Canadian losses in the second battle of Ypres are reported
to be six thousand. In this battle asphyxiating gases were freely
used by the Germans. The British sank two German torpedo boats in
the North sea, and the Germans sank nine British Trawlers.
May 4— War budgets introduced into the House of Commons
provided for a daily cost for Britain's military and naval expenses of
$10,500,000 a day.
—
May 6 The Danish steamer "Cathay" was torpedoed in the
North sea.
May 7 — The Cunard liner "Lusitania," leaving New York, May 1,
with 1917 people all told on board, was torpedoed by a German sub-
marine at 2 o'clock, without warning, and sunk in twenty minutes.
The great ship, valued at $10,000,000, was just west of Queenstown,
Ireland, about eight to ten miles when struck. The number of
passengers was 1250, and the total of people who lost their lives was
1152, a disaster surpassed only by the "Titanic" when 1503 were
drowned. The number of Americans on board was 179 of whom 114
perished, among them being many persons of prominence: Charles
Frohman, the theatrical producer; Charles Klein, dramatist, author,
of "The Music Master;" Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, capitalist; Justus
Miles Forman, novelist; Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Hubbard, of the
Roycroft shop. East Aurora, New York; and forty babies and over
eighty older children.
—
May 10 The British steamer "Queen Wilhelmina" was torpedoed
by a German submarine on the 8th. The Austrians report taking 70,000
Russians prisoners and capturing 70 guns in West Galicia.
—
May 11 Dispatches indicate that the Turks are massacring thou-
sands of Armenians in Van, Asiatic Turkey.
May 12— Germans were mobbed in London riots, as a result of
the "Lusitania" tragedy. There are strong indications that Italy will
enter the war with the Allies.
The British battleship "Goliath" was torpedoed in the Dardanelles.
Out of 700 on board 500 of the crew were lost. A British submarine
pierced the straits to the sea of Marmora, sinking two Turkish gun-
boats and a large transport.
 "We are always glad to receive the Era, It contains so many beautiful
thoughts that help us out in our efforts in explaining the gospel truths."
Dale S. Young, East Texas conference.
The Era Story Contest. Elsie Chamberlain Carroll won the first place-
in the "Era" April story contest, the title of her story being, "The Crucial
Test." The story deals with love and with two interesting phases of "Mor-
monism." It will please those who delight in a good story, as well as
those who think that too much weight is given in our writings 10 the practical
side of religion, and too little to the higher, spiritual phases of the gospel.
The judges were Mrs. Elizabeth Cannon Porter, Nephi Anderson, Prof.
John Henry Evans, Attorney Hugo B. Anderson and the associate editor of
the "Era."
The result of the May contest will be announced in the July number, and
stories for the June contest must be in hand by the 5th of the month.

Improvement Era, June, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.
Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, { gators

Heber J- Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, J
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Through the Gates of Stone Frontispiece
The Call of the Canyon. A Poem Annie D. Palmer
661
Testimony Nephi Jensen
663
My Father's Grave. A Poem B. F. Cummings 666
Jim's Oration. Prize Story Elsie Chamberlain Carroll. 669
A Utah Poet on the Grand Canyon Jack Borlase 679
The Thomas D. Dee Hospital. Illustrated John V. Bluth 680
Joseph Smith, a Prophet of the Lord. A PoemSamuel Ditty 683
Where does the Sabbath Day Begin? Dr. George W. CrockweU. 684
The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre III.
Illustrated Horace G. Whitney 686
A Dream of the Lands. A Poem Alfred Lambourne 696
To Soothe the Savage Breast. A Story John Henny Evans 698
Clouds of Summer. A Poem Guy Coleman 705
A Hike to the Yellowstone. Illustrated Robert E. Wilson 706
Pioneers and Pioneering in Southeastern
Utah — I. Illustrated Joseph F. Anderson 710
What has been Utah and Idaho's Loss?. Dr. Joseph M. Tanner.... 717
Rocky Mountain Forests. Illustrated Dr. J. H. Paul. 719
An Adventure in a Storm. Annie G. Lauritzen 723
Constantinople Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 726
Send Peace Again. A Poem F. E. Barker 728
Outlines for Scout Workers Eugenia Morf and Delbert
W. Parratt 729
Editors' Table — Home Evening First Presidency 733
Literary Theft 734
One ,who can Entertain 735
Messages from the Missions 736
Priesthood Quorums' Table 742
Mutual Work 744
Passing Events 751
 FOR THE SEASON OF 1915-1916
THE READING COURSE WILL BE CONJOINT
All of the books adopted will be here in time for the
June Conference
NOWGET THEM
Deseret Sunday School Union Book Store
44 EAST ON SOUTH TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY

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 To the Man or
Woman Who
Says:
"
"/ can't afford
a piano"
Is It Because You Really Can't, or, Because You WON'T?
Look at who have pianos. You're
your friends just as able to buy as they are — per-
haps yet they're getting theirs paid for while you're
better; THINKING about it.

And they're giving their homes and families what YOU OWE YOURS— MUSIC
andjjthe joy that only MUSIC
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GRANT HAMPTON,
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• EO. T. ODELL,
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S. G. WRIGHT. DIRECTORY
JOSEPH F. SMITH FRANCIS M. LYMAN
W. S. MCCORMICK THOS. R. CUTLER
GEO. T. ODELL WILLIAM SPRY
S. S. WRIGHT JAMES L. WRATHALL
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WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PLEASE MENTION THE IMPROVEMENT ERA

 IMPROVEMENT

Vol. XVIII JULY, 1915 No. 9

OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, THE YOU NO MEN'S MUTUAL

Oft CM IV
JiPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
PWBUBMKB MQMTMkY BY TKM mSHMHJU. BOARD AT BAIT LAKE OtTY. ttTAM
 |DC BOUZEK J

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BEFORE THE SMOKE TELEPHONE, XVasatch 351

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Excursion Rates in Effect Daily

Tickets on Sale DAILY
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Ticket Office 10 East 3rd So.
Phones W. 3501-3502

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geles and Salt Lake, or returning in either On Steamers
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WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PLEASE MENTION THE IMPROVEMENT ERA

 :

•*
a&ftv'f"'

Wf)t $toneerg
"The Great Salt Lake Valley was ultimately fixed upon as their halting
place and future home; and thither successive detachments of 'Mormons'
directed their steps. Whilst one party went overland to Upper California,
another party chartered the ship Brooklyn, at New York, and sailed around
lo the Pacific by Cape Horn. This party was amongst the earliest of the
arrivals in California and its members were exceptionally fortunate at the
'diggings' and massed large quantities of gold.
"But the great bulk of 'the Mormons' proceeded overland to the valley
of the Great Salt Lake; a remarkable pilgrimage which has not been
paralleled in the history of mankind since Moses led the Israelites from
—
Egypt. The distance to be traversed was enormous the perils of the ways
—
were great the whole circumstances were highly interesting and peculiar
and their zeal and courage were as remarkable as their faith."

The engraving, which is entitled "

'Mormon' Caravan Crossing the
Prairies," as well as the above quotation, was taken from the remarkable
work The Mormons, printed in London, in 1852. The author is un-
known, except that in the year, 1850, he was one of a committee of in-
quiry on the subject of "Labor and the Poor." In this work his atten-
tion was directed to the amount of emigration from the port of Liver-
pool, among it, that of the "Mormons." In the preface of his book
which is, according to his statement, non-partisan, he writes "It
:

presents the history of Joseph Smith, a great imposter, or a great

visionary,
— —
perhaps both but in either case, one of the most remarkable
persons who has appeared on the stage of the world, in modern times."
From Thomas L. Kane's famous speech before the Historical So-
ciety of Pennsylvania, given in The Mormons in full, we read
"The most striking feature, however, of the 'Mormon' emigration was
undoubtedly their formation of the Tabernacle Camps, and TemporaryStakes,
or Settlements, which renewed in the sleeping solitudes everywhere along
the road, the cheering signs of intelligent and hopeful life. * * *
"Their more interesting occupations, however, were those growing out
of their peculiar circumstances and position. The chiefs were seldom with-
out some curious affair on hand to settle with the restless Indians; while
the immense labor and responsibility of the conduct of their unwieldy
moving army and the commissariat of its hundreds of famishing poor also
devolved upon them. They had good men they called bishops, whose special
office it was to look up the cases of extreme suffering, and their relief
parties were out, night and day, to scour over every trail."
A QUIET NOOK ON THE FARM
Where the life-giving waters flow.
 —

Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII JULY, 1915 No. 9

The American Flag

BY FRANKLIN K. LANE, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

[A year ago. Franklin K. Lane, of California, Secretary of the

Interior in President Woodrow Wilson's cabinet, called the employees
ci his department together in Washington, and delivered the following
short address to them. It breathes the true American spirit, and solves
the question, "What lies at the root of our country's greatness?" The
little classic was printed in the Record as an extension of the remarks
of Hon. Frank Buchanan, of Illinois, in the House of Representatives,
Tuesday, June 16, 1914. As a Fourth of July oration, in our opinion, it
measures up to the best ever delivered. Editors.]

"This morning, as I passed into the Land Office, the flag

dropped me a most cordial salutation, and from its rippling folds
I heard it say: 'Good morning, Mr. Flag Maker.'
" 'I beg your pardon, Old Glory,' I said, 'you are mistaken. I
am not the President of the United States, nor the Vice President,
nor a Member of Congress, nor even a general in the Army. I am
only a Government clerk.'
" 'I greet you again, Mr. Flag Maker,' replied the gay voice,

'I know you well. You are the man who worked in the swelter
of yesterday straightening out the tangle of that farmer's home-
stead in Idaho.'
" 'No, I am not ;' I was forced to confess.
" 'Well, perhaps you are the one who discovered the mistake
in that Indian contract in Oklahoma.'
" 'No, wrong again ;' I said.
" 'Well, you helped to clear that patent for the hopeful in-
ventor in New York, or pushed the opening of that new ditch in
Colorado, or made that mine in Illinois more safe, or brought relief
to the old soldier in Wyoming. No matter whichever one of
;

these beneficent individuals you may happen to be, I give you

greeting, Mr. Flag Maker.'
 :

760 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"I was about to pass on, feeling that I was being mocked,
when the flag stopped me with these words
" 'You know, the world knows, that yesterday the President
spoke a word that made happier the future of 10,000,000 peons in
Mexico, but that act looms no larger on the flag than the struggle
which the boy in Georgia is making to win the corn-club prize
thissummer.'
" 'Yesterday the Congress spoke a word which will open the

door of Alaska, but a mother in Michigan worked from sunrise

until far into the night to give her boy an education. She, too, is
making the flag. Yesterday we made a new law to prevent finan-
cial panics;
yesterday, no doubt, a school teacher in Ohio taught
his first letters to a boy who will write a song that will give cheer
to the millions of our race. We are all making the flag.'
'
'But,' I said impatiently, 'these people were only working.'
"Then came a great shout about the flag.
'
'Let me tell you who I am. The work that we do is the
making of the real flag. I am not the flag, not at all. I am but
its shadow. I am whatever you make me, nothing more. I am
your belief in yourself. Your dream of what a people may be-
come. I live a changing life. A life of moods and passions, of
heartbreaks and tired muscles. Sometimes I am strong with pride,
when men do an honest work, fitting the rails together truly.
Sometimes I droop, for then purpose has gone from me, and,
cynically, I play the coward. Sometimes I am loud, garish, and
full of that ego that blasts judgment. But always I am all that
you hope to be and have the courage to try for. I am song and
fear, struggle and panic, and ennobling hope. I am the day's

work of the weakest man and the largest dream of the most daring.
I am the Constitution and the courts, statutes and statute makers,
soldier and dreadnaught, drayman and street sweep, cook, coun-
selor, and clerk. I am the battle of yesterday and the mistake of
tomorrow. I am the mystery of the men who do without knowing-
why. I am the clutch of an idea and the reasoned purpose of
resolution. I am no more than what you believe me to be and I
am all that you believe I can be. I am what you make me, noth-
ing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a
symbol of yourself, the pictured suggestion of that big thing which
makes this Nation. My stars and my stripes are your dreams and
your labors. They are bright with cheer, brilliant with courage,
firm with faith, because you have made them so out of your hearts,
for you are the makers of the flag, and it is well that you glory in
"
the making:.'
 —

The Achievement of Civilization

Recollections of East "Brigham Street"

BY ANNA K. HARDY

Come, Memory, and bring to view images of landmarks of

the Past.
Yes, I drew my first breath near the boundary line of Brigham
Street, and by its side have passed through the sweet and sad ex-
—
periences of a lifetime but that has no more to do with it than
the pure, clear air that used to waft down from the foothills of the
Wasatch mountains, grand old sentinels of its growth.
What is my first recollection of the street? It sloped irreg-
ularly from the north to the south sidewalk. The roadbed itself
closely followed the line of the upper walk, and the space between
that and the lower walk was filled with wild plants of the desert.
I stood beside the small ditch which carried water for culinary

and irrigation purposes, watching my brother and his friend

sharpening sticks to dig segoes that grew abundantly in the sage
brush. I shared the spoil, eating with satisfaction the sweet
bulbs, learning-, too, to distinguish between the poisonous and
edible variety —
the plant that yields our dainty State flower. The
—
road itself grew into my childish knowledge, just a crooked bed
of deep, fine dust, ground fine by the clumsy wheels of the quarry
wagons going back and forth to Red Butte for sandstone used in
foundations and buildings. The propelling power of these prim-
itive wagons was a yoke, or perhaps two, of strong, slow, patient
oxen, and the numerous grasshoppers and wild birds were startled
into action by the vigorous-lunged teamsters who alternately
shouted, "Gee, Bally ;" "Wo, haw, Buck !" And the gees and haws
were plainly marked on the dusty trail in sundry curves and wind-
ings that were bounded by sagebrush and dejected sunflowers with
bowed faces too heavy with grime to look up at their sun-god,
they just drooped forward towards the wheels of the advancing
Juggernaut of civilization.
This ribbon of dusty road extending from the. Eagle Gate to
the quarry on the east, was henceforth to furnish my "moving
pictures."
From the Eagle Gate eastward, on the north side of the street,
were only four human habitations. The "Bell House," at the
foot of A street. (Mr. Bell was a partner of Ralph Ramsey, the
carver, who made the historic Eagle that perched, even then, over
762 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the entrance to Canyon Road.) The other three houses, bleak-
looking, two-story buildings, belonged to John, Adam, and Joseph
Sharp and were fine residences at the time. Above these houses
to the mountains was a wilderness.
The old Kay corner, on the south side of the street, held a
neighboring two-roomed adobe house, the first of its kind east of
Eagle Gate. It was the style known as a "Salt Pile," meaning the
roof slanted one way. The circle of loved ones who bounded my
immediate horizon inhabited it.
Somewhere to the northeast was a land of mystery. I had
—
been there once when my grandma was buried, near the begin-
ning of our City cemetery. After that sorrowful little pilgrimage
to the hillside, I understood the meaning of the processions com-
posed of two or three wagons, the first one containing a plain
box wrapped in blankets or quilts. The mourners were probably
seated on boards laid across the wagon boxes. These evidences

MODERN BRIGHAM STREET. SALT LAKE CITY, LOOKING EAST

 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CIVILIZATION 763

of sorrow and loss inspired reverence and awe in my childish

heart, as I stood bare-footed, and bare-headed, with tears of sym-
pathy in my eyes. ( Rare feet in those days were a necessity for

children, and shoes on Sunday only a tribulation.)

One of the first walks I remember taking was with my
brother; he was seven, I about four years old. We
went to look
at a wonderful bird's nest he had located in a sage bush. The
young were hatched, and as the tiny feathered mother flew away
at our approach, we had a fine view of the birdlings that seemed
all mouth, wide open. That was only about one short block north
of Brigham Street. On our return we stood to watch a passing
wagon from the canyon, loaded with wood. Standing on the top

ONE OF THE OLD LANDMARKS

Lion House, Salt Lake City, 1915.

of the load was unwinking owl, dazed by the light, a jolty

a great,
trip, and its it was tied by a string to a log.
captivity, for Often
the loads that went by were surmounted by bunches of serviceberry
limbs in full fruit occasionally a bear skin, or part of a bear would
;

be seen. When the logs were unloaded, they not only furnished
firewood, but an excellent gum was extracted from the bark by
the busy fingers of the pioneer children. If gum had been offered
for sale, they knew nothing of the luxury of the possession of a
nickel for commercial purposes but their necessities made them
;

keenly appreciative of every good thing that came along.

A
freezing winter day brother, eight years old, sister, five,
:

toiling along the south side of the street. A primitive, clumsy,

heavy tub bound with bark-covered wooden hoops. This product
of a pioneer cooper, handicapped for material and tools, was
 7(A I.M PR< )VEMENT KRA

mounted on a home-made hand sled. Brother pulled on the rope,

sister pushed on the tub. Two blocks of uneven, icy surface;
every hump causing the precious water in the tub to distribute
itself in big splashes on the snow, while the little girl assistant shed
bitter tears over the aching fingers frozen to her woolen mittens.
Oftentimes the thirsty cows and oxen were driven eight or nine
long blocks to the Eagle Gate through which quite a large volume
of water was flowing. The tiny streams bordering the blocks had
turned to ice. Mothers at such times were kept busy melting-
snow.
And speaking of cows how many residents of this mag-
:

nificent, paved and parked boulevard date their residence on the

street to the days when the cows of those who lived on it played
quite as important a part in its kaleidoscope settings, as the sight-
seeing vehicles of today? My memory of Brigham Street runs to
the time when every family domiciled on its borders was the for-

PXF. 0~ -TTV p* T .A"E« OX tfODFPN imGHAM "T»EET. RA T/T T. KX K TTTV

 —

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CIVILIZATION 765

tunate possessor of a cow. And each morning these cows were

gathered, formed into herds and driven away for forage. Many
were taken to the foothills and "benches" and returned at sunset.
The most picturesque of the herdsmen was one Anderson. Whether
it was Anderson, his avocation, or the wonderful horn that he

carried over his shoulder that made him stand out as a noteworthy
character in my childhood on Brigham Street, I am unable to say,
but I retain a vivid recollection of the blasts of his horn that sig-
nalled some member of the family to let down the bars to the
Brigham Street lots so that the Bossies could join the herd that
went over Jordan to browse. How well I remember that some-
times the cows that pastured on the flats ate bitter-weed, willows,
or wild onions. These imparted remarkable flavors to the milk.
However, it tasted good to us children as we sat on the doorstep in
the twilight, dipping pieces of bread into tin cups full of it. At
the same time the music of a colony of frogs living in a pond
situated opposite to where the Brigham Street Pharmacy now

Photo b\< C. (!'. Carter.

EAGLE GATE AS IT WAS ERECTED IN 1859
FIRST BICYCLE IN UTAH, .MADE i5Y MR. SILVER, IN 1872

stands, afforded us amusement. Father, mother and baby frogs

vied with each other in producing a wonderful medley. But the
music that surprised us most issued from the Scotch bagpipes of
Brother W. C. Dunbar. On a certain notable holiday, I think
New Year's day, he came to serenade Bishop John Sharp, our
neighbor, and we young ones shared in those marvelous sounds
the "drone" especially giving indescribable pleasure. When the
playing began, girls and boys seemed to spring up on the street
numerous as blades of grass in Spring ( ?).
 :

766 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The United States soldiers, stationed at "Camp" Douglas, as
it was called at first, used Brigham and First South streets on their
promenades back and .forth from the fort to the heart of the city.
In the main, they seemed civil, but among them I saw the first and
only intoxicated men I ever saw as a little girl. The army ambu-
lances and supply wagons with their strong, well groomed mules
were objects of interest, as were, also, the fine parades of the men.
The irrigation ditches carrying pure mountain water, were
found around nearly all the blocks of the growing city of "Great
Salt Lake." These were especially admired and praised by the
"emigrants," or strangers, who came here. It was not long before
these creeks were bordered by shade trees, locusts, and the native
box elder predominating. The locust blossoms sweetened the
air for blocks around, while the deep shade of the box elder
was intensely welcome. Oh, the pity! that modern efforts to
beautify the streets caused the slaughter of hundreds of these
trees of noble growth.
To show the refinement and love of the beautiful of the early
home makers, there was scarcely a house destitute of a lovely,
old-fashioned flower garden. People exchanged seeds, bulbs, and
flowering bushes, and for this privilege would walk any distance.
Of course, the vegetable gardens were a necessity. Fruit trees
were planted in abundance, and from April to May the orchards all
over the city were abloom with the white of the cherry, apricot,
plum and pear trees, and loveliest of all, apple buds and blos-
soms. The peach trees were dressed in delicate pink, the native
currant bushes in yellow, and the fragrance equalled their beauty
of form and color.
Later came the welcome harvest. The fruit, especially the
peach crop, was gathered and dried on board platforms or roofs
when flat enough to hold them. The dried fruit was exchanged
with the few merchants for their commodities and many a dear,
old-time girl insured herself a pretty "Merino" dress, fine shoes,
or ribbons, by untiring labors in this direction. Enough of these
dried fruits were reserved for home consumption, and were soon
welcomed elsewhere as Utah exports.
The native Indians were dirty and degraded in appearance,
and their begging propensities could not be surpassed. We were
fascinated by their blanket attire, beaded moccasins, the sacks in
which they carried the biscuits and sundries of their collection.
They would solicit from a needle and thread to a house and lot,
if not interrupted by refusals. Everybody fed them, to conform
to the counsel of President Brigham Young. His wisdom said
"It is better to feed than to fight them." The papooses hung, face
outward, in little sacks or cases suspended over the shoulders of
the squaws. These were especially interesting. The men carried
bows, and arrows tipped with flint. They were followed by the
 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CIVILIZATION 767

young, white boys eager to "swap" anything to get possession of

one of these weapons.
At a later period, when Mr. Head was Government Indian
Agent, Brigham Street, on the south side for about a block and
a half, was occasionally alive with bucks, squaws, pappooses, ponies
and dogs. These gatherings of the Red men were to obtain their
government supplies.
In the beginning of the Street's history, the shifts of people
going back and forth were about equal in "caste." Many of these
workmen, "public hands" they were called, on their way to the

I'.RIGHAM STREET, 1915

Eagle Gate as it appears since the reconstruction, in 1891.

Temple Block, fathers, brothers and sons, might be seen hurrying

to their welcome toil on the Temple or Tabernacle. In their
hands were tin dinner pails, illumined by the rays of the morning
sun. At night they returned with the glitter of the now descend-
ing sun reflecting on the same receptacles. Probably meat, vege-
tables or fruit from the tithing office in a flour sack over their
shoulders. There were no deliveries then. These were the work-
ers, builders, carpenters, stone cutters, stone masons, the aristo- —
crats of labor. Today, before dawn, come milkmen later, paper ;

carriers, carmen, laborers, mechanics, clerks, teachers, school chil-

dren also, men nad women of comparative leisure; there are yet
;

some who walk. It is a wonderful daily panorama apart from

cars, automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles, and a motley variety of
vehicles.
Perhaps the most beautiful and inspiring sight of early times
was the processions of pioneer school children forming in line
768 mpr< jvkmknt era

about the head of State street to march to the "Bowery" or some

building on Temple Grounds for their Fourth of July celebra-
tions, or the Twenty- Fourth of July, Pioneer Day. These were
events of importance: the girls had new white dresses with red
and blue ribbons for hair and sash. The boys' wore white trous-
ers and blue waists. Some pioneer mothers took a part of a
flour sack that had been partially bleached for a background and
on it stitched the stars and stripes made of red and blue flannel,
that the little ones might carry their Country's flag in the pro-
cession. The elated children stood bareheaded in the glaring July
sun, scarcely feeling the heat, and men passed up and down the
ranks with tin dippers and buckets of water. We did not fear
microbes then, our lives were too simple, frugal and healthful.
The "Stars and Stripes" floated to the breeze. Banners bearing
mottoes, "God Bless Our Country," "In Union There is Strength,"
etc., were in evidence. Bands played patriotic airs and salutes

A PALATIAL RESIDENCE ON MODERN BRIGHAM STREET, SALT LAKE CITY

 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CIVILIZATION 769

of canon were fired, and within the Temple Grounds the National
hymns were sung. The Declaration of Independence was read,
also speeches of Daniel Webtser, Patrick Henry and other notable
Americans. Thus was loyalty instilled into the hearts of the
pioneer children.
Since that far distant time, presidents of our dear America,
Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, and many
other distinguished statesmen have honored Brig-ham Street with
their presence. When Theodore Roosevelt came, he led the troop
of shouting Rough Riders on a wild dash up the street. President
William H. Taft bowed in reverence tn the throng of school
children dressed in red, white and blue to represent a "Living
Flag."
For years, the Veteran Volunteer hire Brigade, Wasatch No.
2 was located near the corner of Fourth East and Brigham streets,
and many a time our hearts have throbbed at the sudden clanging
of the Bell. Tn that day, long before the advent of the tele-
phone and electric signal, through some mysterious means of com-
munication, the news of fire was brought to the ears of some fire-
man who hastened to ring the bell, that all whose duty it was to
respond might be informed. Without money or compensation these
men served the public, risking health and life racing madly ;

to their station, often dressing in their red shirts as they ran from
studio, shop, desk, bed, or wherever they happened to be.
One of the vivid recollections of the Veteran Fireman's or-
ganization getting into operation when the alarm of fire was

Till-; OLD EIOME OF DANIEL II. WELLS

The present Zicm's Savings Bank corner, looking east mi Brigham Street, in early day--.
 ! ;

770 I.M PR( >VEMENT ERA

sounded, is that of a faithful member of the Brigade, gardener for

the pioneer merchant, S. P. Teasdel. At the first sound of the old
fire bell he dropped his hoe or tools and mounted to the cupola of
the Teasdel home for a survey of the city, and location of the fire
or smoke. He then ran to the engine house nearby and reported
results. Then the men caught hold of the long rope to pull .their
precious hand engine to where they might save life and property.
All honor to their heroic service
The humble homes of long ago were scantily lighted begin- ;

ning with then "grease lights," tallow candles, kerosene

firelight,
afterward, gas light, and now the wonderful, brilliant electric
shine. Needless to say the street light evolved in the same way,

BRIGHAM STREET, 1915

Catholic Cathedral and First Presbyterian Church.

excepting, in the beginning God's glorious moon and stars sent

out their peaceful beams unaided by artificial means.
From my window I have seen infants taken in baby carriages
for an airing up and down the street have watched them play
;

marbles, ball, and indulge in the innocent pranks of youth: as, get-
ting up to the end of a long underground flume that crossed the
street, and shouting into it "Help! help!" Excited pedestrians
were running around the end of the opening, wondering how they
could release the imprisoned child whose pitiful cries distressed
them. The "juvenile court" then, if matters went too far, was
father's stern rebuke, or mother's correction in love, tears and
prayers.
TWatched these girls and boys going back and forth to
school, "going through the grades;" then, on their way to the
university or college. Today, they are passing by with chil-
 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CIVILIZATION 771

dren of their own. These men and women are numbered with
—
our most useful and substantial citizens college professors, doc-
tors, writers, business men. Their mischief, due to the exuberant
spirit of youth, with proper correction, doubtless taught them to
avoid sin or crime.
The wild birds and flowers, sage brush, sunflowers and In-
dians are things of the past on the old Street. As to transporta-
tion, oxen are never seen mules and horses are employed mostly
;

for drayage purposes. The first cars drawn by mules, gave place
to the electric. Old fashioned vehicles are nearly gone every ;

kind of modern automobile is skimming along. Jitney auto busses

in competition with electric traffic are dodging and scurrying
around just as the rabbits used to run in the sage brush big ;

Brigham Street is paved, parked and cleaned. About the only

natural, whole-souled pleasure the little children living on its
borders now get, is when the street flushers come along. The more
daring, doff shoes and stockings and wade. The timid ones stand
on the curb, screaming to the drivers "Turn it on !" They ache —
to get a sprinkle or two.
Brigham Street has taken on aristocratic, metropolitan airs.
I must tell you that the man for whom the street South Temple
has been nicknamed, Brigham Young, predicted to my father in
the early 50's that it would eventually be the fine residence street
of the city. Are his words fulfilled?
I am
waiting to see airships serving as public utilities. But
with the changes, modern conveniences, and evidences of
all
wealth, let me tell you, no truer, more industrious, self-sacrificing,
cheerful or God-fearing people will ever live on the dear old
Street than the pioneer fathers and mothers who faced the perils
of the wilderness to serve God according to the dictates of con-
science.

"What is the difference between life and love?" asked the senti-
mentalist.
"Just this," said the practical grouch; "life is one fool thing after
an other; and love is two fool things after each other!"

Mrs. Caswell, while you were in Venice did you see the Bridge
of Sighs?"
"Oh. yes; I saw what they called that. But, my land, I've seen
bridges ten times its size without ever going out of Pennsylvania!"
— Chicago Tribune.

"Why don't you go in?" asked one tramp of the other, as they
stood before the gate. "Dat dog's all right. Don't you see him
waggin' his tail."
"Sure I do," said the second tramp, "but lie's a-growling, too, and
I don't know which end to believe."
 Enchanted Park
BY WILL ROSE

Cochrane, the Forest Ranger, came to the park late that

night, and so delayed my dishwashing. By the time I had cleared
np and peeled the potatoes for breakfast most of the camp was
asleep. When I started to the cellar to hang- out the beef it
was so dark I conld hardly find my way. The breeze that had
been blowing all that spring day was now dead. The moonless
sky was black with sullen clouds. The dim candle in my cook-
shack and the dull red glow of the big fire-box down at the mill
were the only traces of light to be seen. Nowhere could I make
out the faintest outline of a tree, yet I could feel the gloomy
nearness of the big, yellow pines all about me. The strange si-
lence of that great forest oppressed me more than did the black-
ness of the night. I fancied the proud old giants were mourning
over their doom.
For tomorrow the mill would run. Everything had been
waiting on Cochrane. At daylight he would take his hatchet and
begin stamping the "U. S." on the trees to be cut. The choppsrs
would follow, and soon the loggers would be piling the bleeding
logs on the skidway. Already steam was up in the big boiler and
the great circular saw filed and set. To me this lumber-making
in Enchanted park was little less than murder. For the forest was
new and impressive to me, and Enchanted park was a strangely
beautiful place. Its great trees, ages old, were living beings to
me, whispering to each other of the strange happenings in Earth's
childhooT They seemed to hold themselves with all the sober
dignity of ancient priests. The first time I walked into their midst
I found myself baring my head as I would in a temple. That is
why a sawmill in Enchanted park was to me a desecration. But
of course I realized bitterly that I was a dreamer and fit only to
be a sawmill cook. Then, too, I reflected that the history of En-
chanted park had too much increased my sympathy for its trees.
Enchanted park is on the Kaibab plateau, wdiich is the front
dooryard of the Grand Canyon of Arizona. Timbered with yellow
pine, Douglas fir, spruce, balsam and aspen, this plateau is one
of the best deer ranges in the West, as well as a national play-
ground of surpassing beauty. In the higher parts are hollows so
densely wooded that a horseman cannot- force his wav through.
Mostly, however, the woods are open, affording delightful, flower-
strewn vistas. Then there are the parks. These are little valleys
 ENCHANTED PARK 773

containing" open meadows of timothy and wild clover, which give

way to a carpet of upland flowers billowing up the gentle slopes
to meet the circling forest.
These little bowls of enchantment, cupped like the palm of an
open hand, are scattered here and there all over the plateau. Of
them all, Enchanted park is the most desirable. Besides the magic
of its unearthly beauty, it holds the only really large spring on the
plateau. That is why the sawmill came there first to begin its
destruction.
The history of the park, as we know it, begins when the
Indians of the early days, coming on the plateau to hunt, found
Old Cap Davis in possession of their favorite camp ground. They
were in mortal terror of Davis because he had a glass eye which
never closed, day nor night. So instead of attempting to kill him,
they waited until he had gone to Kanab for supplies, and held an
all-night pow-wow in the park. This was to call down on the
intruder the vengeance of the evil spirits at their command.
At first Cap Davis laughed at the bad medicine of the red
men, but a steady run of bad luck finally frightened him away
from the park. It remained deserted by Indian and wdiite man
alike until Wild Jack Murray took possession. It seems certain
that Wild Jack was crazy. At least he was queer. He always
boasted of the spell that lay on his home, and he gave it the name
of Enchanted park. He snaked his house-logs over two ridges
from another hollow rather than offend his spirit friends by cut-
ting a tree in the park.
When Ralph Huntington went up to the park to buy Wild
Jack out and start a sawmill there, it is said that Wild Jack an-
swered not a word to the proposal, merely shading his eyes with
Ms hand while he stared the mill man out of countenance. When
Huntington's eyes finally fell before that insane leer, Wild Jack
broke into a maniacal laugh that sent the visitor shuddering on
his way.
"He amused the spirits, too," was Jack's boastful comment on
the incident, "mortal man will never cut timber in Enchanted
park," and again his crazy laugh rang out. But Wild Jack was
snowed in the park the following winter, and died all alone there
of pneumonia.
So Huntington came back in the summer and put up his mill
without hindrance. He, too, hauled his great, hewn mill timbers
from outside the park, not from fear of the spell, but because he
wanted Douglas fir and there was none in the park. Before his
mill could get going, however, a lawsuit put the owner out of
business. The mill lay until next season, when a Panguitch man
named Stevenson bought it. When he came to prepare for a run
he found that a fire in the pine needles had ruined his saw by
taking out the temper. Being superstitious, he quit at once.
774 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Then came Jim Carr, from Flagstaff, the following season,
with a new saw and a mill-crew of Mexicans. One day Carr
kicked a humble Greaser once too often, and died with a swift
knife in his back. Once more mill work was put off. Nothing
more was ever attempted until now Billy Powers had taken hold
for the Northern Arizona Lumber Company. It was Powers who
had hired me as cook.
Billy had heard all about the hoodoo, and boasted that he had
come out tobreak it. Healthy, cheerful, with a college education
and an iron he seemed the man to do it.
will, But he had to fight.
The first difficulty he met was getting a permit from the Forest
Service, for the Kaibab plateau is a National Forest. Some
mysterious tangle of red tape delayed action on his bid for
stumpage. But Billy went after the Forest Service personally and
through his senators, and nagged the local Forest Supervisor until
life was a misery to him.
Finally things began to move, and Powers smiled his satis-
faction, even crowing mildly over local backers of the hoodoo. I

think that he felt that the moment he could cut a tree in the park
the enchantment would be broken. He never forgave the local
supervisor for refusing to oblige him by marking a few trees
before authority came from Washington.
But at last the ranger had come with authority, and tomorrow
would begin the stamping- of two hundred thousand feet.
"Better get busy, you spirits," I mocked at them with bitter-
ness, as I stood a moment in the dark by the cellar.
As I started for my bunk, the sound of a distant halloo put
all else out of my mind. It sounded like someone lost. I stopped
to listen. Again it came, far away but distinct. Someone hunt-
ing the mill, I thought. Or was it an owl or night-bird? No: it
sounded the third time, so distinctly that I answered involuntarily.
At this, most of the hands awoke, and the dogs began to bark.
Cochrane's ugly brindle hound woke the echoes with a baying that
seemed to curdle my blood. I never did like hounds. A buzz of
questioning began.
"Listen !"
was all I said.
Again the cry sounded, miles away it seemed, but distinct in
the stillness. The human note was unmistakable. Three or four
yelled an answer.
"What the devil is the matter up there?" Powers called an-
grily from his bed in the mill.
"Somebody lost!" Joe Sampson answered. Powers opened
up the steam whistle and filled the park with its lonesome bellow.
Old Man Salton, camped up at the spring, fired his Winchester
three times, then kindled a blaze. The calling ceased and the
silence became tense with listening.
"Must be coming," someone muttered. But the calling began
 ENCHANTED PARK 775

again, weak, elusive, yet convincing to the listeners. Some human

was certainly out there lost. Most of the hands dressed hastily
and gathered in the dark to listen. Becoming chilly, we were
soon drifting up to the fire. Here we stood and waited for the
lost to appear, and speculated and argued for perhaps an hour.
All the time the Boss was blowing the whistle every ten minutes.
But the calling seemed to become fainter if anything. This sug-
gested the theory that a man was hurt out there, or pinned down
under a wagon or horse.
"I doubt it most dreadful," Old Man Salton said, "but I'm
goin' to see. Better come along if you like. Better to be fooled
in goin' than in stayin'."
Here Cochrane came into the circle. He was new to the
Service and new to forest life. Such men can no longer get ap-
pointments in the Forest Service. It seems he had spent all this
time searching hurriedly through the Forest Manual for directions
to follow in searching for the lost. He was now ready for action.
"That's the idea, Mr. Salton," he approved, "we'll organize a
posse for the search. I'm very much afraid that Supervisor Alton
is out there injured, as has been suggested. He intended being
here for the opening of the millwork. Mr. Powers has agreed to
keep the whistle going at intervals as long as the steam lasts. Mr.
Sampson, will you please remain and keep a large fire going? The
rest of us will place ourselves about thirty yards apart and advance
in line in the direction of the sound. I shall take the lead with my
bloodhound." Under Forest regulations, we were supposed to do
as he said in all such cases. So we marched on into the black
darkness under the direction of a man who had spent most of his
life running a street car.
As we went, we listened and called by turns. On account of
the trees and the darkness, we had trouble keeping a line. After
an eternity of this, say three hours, we had climbed out of the
park, and were dropping off the south rim into the steep hollows
and canyon heads that lead off in all directions but north. It was
here we had expected to find Avhoever was calling. We lost our
formation instead. The hollows divided us into groups of two
and three. I was with Salton and Kenner, the sawyer. We blun-
—
dered about helplessly for hours and hours years and years
seemed more like it. In the dark, time stops. I could swear that
we went all over the Kaibab plateau.. We were still plodding
about rihculously when dawn found us tired and bruised.
Feeling like fools, we straggled back to the mill. With the
•

daylight the forest became alive and gay. laughing at us for our
wild-goose chase. By that night all the hands had returned but;

Cochrane and his hound were still missing. Young Billy Powers
was the angriest man I ever saw. What he had to say about the
Forest Service and its ways, and about our of it- fool Rangers in
 ;

776 I MPROVEMENT ERA

particular, used up all the most powerfully wicked words in three
languages. If he could have found the "U. S." marking hatchet
he would have marked his trees himself, then chopped off Coch-
rane's head with it. At least, so he said. But he kept sane
enough not to cut a tree without the "U. S." on it.
The second day came and passed without Cochrane. Firing
shots and blowing the steam whistle did no good. So on the third
day Powers sent us out to search for the guardian of the forest and
his brindle hound. Tracking is so difficult over heavy sod and
pine needles that we were two days following Cochrane's trail.
He had been so certain that the hound would lead him straight to
the supposedly injured man we were hunting, that he had followed
the animal clear out of that part of the forest. We
found him
alone trying to follow an old Bar-Z bull to water. The hound
had left him to his fate. He was game, with all his greenness
we had to admit that. We
were another day getting him back to
the mill.
"The joke's on me, Mr. Powers," was his greeting to our boss,
"but we'll saw lumber tomorrow."
"The deuce we will !" the Boss snarled viciously, "go read
that notice."
Onthe wall of the cook-shack was a copy of President Roose-
velt'sproclamation newly posted, making of the Kaibab plateau a
National Park. Hunting and the cutting of timber were forbidden.
So the mill would never run, after all.
An executive order was afterwards issued allowing the cut-
ting of timber on certain areas of the Kaibab plateau, but En-
chanted park is still protected with all its primeval splendor intact.
Whether it is guarded by spirits or only the servants of a great
nation, is more than I can say.
KANAB, UTAH

A big home-grown, corn-fed girl may not be able to tango as

gracefully as her slender, hot-house sister, but she is there with bells
on when it comes to doing the kitchen scrub and the dust rag dip
—
and the broom stick balance and the cook stove canter. Gadson (Ala.)
Times News.

A representative in Congress from the West tells of an amusing

request which he received from one of his constituents. "Dear Gen-
eral," the letter said, "for a long time you have failed to send me any
bound volumes containing eulogies of dead members of the House.
If convenient, please remember me, in this respect, for there is nothing
that I enjoy more than reading obituaries of dead Congressmen."

Jack: "My mother paid nine dollars for this coat."

Jill: "My mother has a charge account. She never pays for any-
thing."
 War and Peace
i.

Editor Improvement Era,

Dear Brother No other series of school books in my
:

opinion ever compared favorably with the old "National" readers.

I will appreciate having you reproduce the following articles from

the Fourth Reader, in this series "Lad and His Neighbor," "Bat-
:

tlefields or Vulture Shambles," and "The Watcher on the Tower."

I should like also to see the following titles, from the same
source, in the Era to follow "True Freedom and How to Gain
:

It," "Challenge to America," "The Days that are Gone," "War."

I delight in all the articles in The Reader and among others
esteem the above selections very highly indeed. Just at this time
when a terrible war is raging in Europe, I believe all of your read-
ders will appreciate the appropriateness of reproducing these arti-
cles. I am sure they will be of great value to the youth of Israel
who are trying to follow the teachings of the Prince of Peace.
These articles express my sentiments far better than I could with
any language at my command, hence, I shall not write about peace
and war. I thank the Lord that in my boyhood the impressions
made upon my heart by the selections that I am sending you, gave
me a loathing and a horror of war which has never left me. Years
ago I wrote an article for the Era quoting from "Battlefields or
Vulture Shambles," and drawing a comparison between the lives
of George Goddard and Karl G. Mseser, and Napoleon Bonaparte,
suggesting that the latter was entitled to the appellation "the friend
of the vultures." I make no excuses in requesting you to repro-
duce these articles.
Sincerely your brother,
Herer J. Grant
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MAY, 1915

LAD AND UTS NEIGHBOR

I had, said William Lad. the apostle of peace, a fine field of

grain, growing upon an out-farm, at some distance from the
homestead. Whenever I rode by I saw my neighbor Pnlcifer's
sheep in the lot, destroying my hopes of a harvest. These sheep
were of the gaunt, long-legged kind, active as spaniels they would :

spring over the highest fence, and no partition wall could keep
them out.
I complained to Neighbor Pulcifer about them, sent him fre-
 ;

778 [MPRl >VEMENT E RA

quent messages, but all without avail. Perhaps they would be

kept out for a day or two; but the legs of his sheep were long,
and my grain more tempting than the adjoining pasture. I rode
—
by again the sheep were still there 1 became angry, and told :

my men to set the dogs on them and, if that would not do, I ;

would pay them, if they would shoot the sheep.

T rode away much agitated for I was not so much of a peace
;

man then as I am now, and

felt literally full of fight.
I All at
once, a light flashed in upon me. I asked myself, "Would it not

be well for you to try in your own conduct the peace principle
you are teaching to others?" I thought it all over, and settled
down in my mind as to the best course to be pursued. The next
day I rode over to see Neighbor Pulcifer. I found him chopping
wood at his door.
"Good morning, neighbor!" No answer. "Good morning!"
I repeated. He gave
a kind of grunt without looking up "I
came," continued I, "to see about the sheep." At this, he threw
down his ax and exclaimed, in an angry manner: "Now, aren't
you a pretty neighbor, to tell your men to kill my sheep ? I heard
!"
of it ; man, like you, to shoot a poor man's sheep
a rich
was wrong, neighbor," said I "but it won't do to let your
"I ;

sheep eat up all that grain so I came over to say that I would
;

take your sheep to my homestead pasture, and put them in with

mine and in the fall you shall take them again, and if any one is
;

missing, you may take your pick out of my whole flock."

Pulcifer looked confounded he did not know how to take me.
;

At he stammered out: "Now, Squire, are you in earnest?"

last
"Certainly I am," I answered "it is better for me to feed your
;

sheep in my pasture on grass, than to feed them here on grain and ;

I see the fence can't keep them out."

After a moment's silence, "The sheep shan't trouble you any
more," exclaimed Pulcifer. "I will fetter them all. But I'll let
you know that, when any man talks of shooting, I can shoot, too
and when they are kind and neighborly, I can be kind, too."
The sheep never again trespassed on my lot. "And, my
friends," he would continue, addressing the audience, "remember
that when you, talk of injuring your neighbors, they will talk of
injuring you. When nations threaten to fight, other nations will be
ready, too. Love will beget love a wish to be at peace will keep
;

you in peace. You can overcome evil with good. There is no

other way."

BATTLEFIELDS, OR VULTURES' SHAMBLES

As I was sitting within a hollow rock, and watching my

sheep that fed in the valley, I heard two vultures crying to each
other on the summit of the cliff. Both voices were earnest and
 WAR AND PEACE 77')

deliberate. My curiosity prevailed over my care of the Muck.

I climbed slowly and silently from crag' to crag concealed among
-
,

the shrubs, till I found a cavity where I might sit and listen with-
out suffering or giving disturbance.
I soon perceived that my labor would be well repaid, for an
old vulture was sitting on a naked prominence, with her young
about her, whom she was instructing in the arts of a vulture's
life, and preparing, by her last lecture, for their final dismission to

the mountains and the skies.

"My children," said the old vulture, "you will the less want
my instructions, because you have had my practice before your
eyes. You have seen me snatch from the farm the household
fowl; you have seen me seize the leveret in the bush, and the kid
in the pasture you know how to fix your talons, and how to bal-
;

ance your flight when you are laden with prey. But you re-
member the taste of more delicious food : I have often regaled

you with the flesh of man."

"Tell us," said the young vultures, "where man may be found,
and how he may be known. His flesh is surely the natural food
of a vulture ! Whyhave you never brought a man in your
talons to the nest?"
"He is too bulky," said the mother. "When we find a man,
we can only tear his flesh, and leave his bones upon the ground."
"Since man is so big," said the young ones, "how do you kill
him ? You are afraid of the wolf and of the bear. By what power
are vultures superior to man? Is man more defenseless than a
sheep?"
"We have not the strength of man," returned the mother,
"and the vulture would seldom feed upon his flesh, had not nature,
that devoted him to our nourishment, infused into him a strange
ferocity, which I have never observed in any other being that feeds
upon the earth. "Two herds of men," continued she, "will often
meet, and shake the earth with noise, and fill the air with fire. When
you hear noise, and see fire, with flashes along the ground, hasten
to the place with your swiftest wing, for men are surely destroy-
ing one another you will then find the ground smoking with
;

blood, and covered with carcasses, of which many are mangled, for
the convenience of the vulture."
"But when men have killed their prey," said a young vulture,
"why do they not eat it? When the wolf has killed a sheep, he
suffers not the vulture to touch it, till he is satisfied himself. Is
not man a kind of wolf?"
"Man," said the mother, "is the only beast who kills that
which he does not devour, and this quality makes him the greatest
benefactor to our species."
"If men kill our prey, and lay it in our way," said the young
one, "what need shall we have of laboring for ourselves?"
780 1MPROVEMKNT ERA
"Because man will, sometimes," replied the mother, "remain
for a long time quiet in his den. The old vultures will tell you
when you are to watch his motions. When you see men in great
numbers moving close together, like a flock of storks, you may
conclude that they are hunting, and that you will soon revel
in human blood."
"But still," said the young one, "I would gladly know the
reason of this mutual slaughter. I could neverkill what I could
not eat."
"My child," said the mother, "this is a question which
I cannot answer, though I am reckoned the most subtle bird of
the mountain.
"When I was young, I used frequently to visit the eyry of an
old vulture, who dwelt upon Carpathian rocks. He had made
many observations he knew the places that afforded prey round
;

his habitation, as far in every direction as the strongest wing can

fly, between the rising and setting of the summer sun and he had ;

fed year after year on the vitals of men.

"His opinion was, that men had only the appearance of animal
life,being really vegetables, with a power of motion and that ;

as the boughs of an oak are dashed together by the storm, that

swine may fatten on the falling acorns, so men are, by some
unaccountable power, driven one against another till they lose
their motion, that vultures may be fed.
"Others think they have observed something of contrivance
and policy among these caterers of ours and those that hover ;

more closely around them, pretend that there is in every herd one
that gives directions to the rest, and seems to be more eminently
delighted with carnage. What it is that entitles him to such pre-
eminence, we know not. He is seldom the biggest or the swift-
est but such are his eagerness and diligence in providing and pre-
;

paring food for us, that we think the leader of such human herds
is entitled to our warmest gratitude, and should be styled, The

Friend of the Vultures !"

Dr. Samuel Johnson

The Watcher on the Tower

"What dost thou see, lone watcher on the tower?
Is the day breaking? comes the wished-for-hour?
Tell us the signs, and stretch abroad thy hand,
If the bright morning dawns upon the land."

"The stars are clear above me, scarcely one

Has dimmed rays in reverence to the sun;
its
But yet I see on the horizon's verge,
Some fair, faint streaks, as if the light would surge.
 — —

WAR AND PEACE 781

"And that all,

is O
watcher on the tower?
Look forth again; it must be near the hour.
Dost thou not see the snowy mountain copes,
And the green woods beneath them on the slopes?"
"A mist envelopes them; I can not trace
Their outline; but the day comes on apace.
The clouds roll up in gold and amber flakes,
And all the stars grow dim.
1

The morning breaks."

"We thank thee, lonely watcher on the tower;

But look again; and tell us, hour by hour,
All thou beholdest; many of us die
Ere the day comes; oh, give them a reply!"

"I hope, but cannot tell. I hear a song,

Vivid as day itself, and clear and strong,
—
As of a lark young prophet of the noon
Pouring in sunlight his seraphic tune."

"What doth he say— O watcher on the tower?

Is he a prophet? Doth the dawning hour
Inspire his music? Is his chant sublime,
Filled with the glories of the future time?"

—
"He prophesies; his heart is full: his lay —
Tells of the brightness of a peaceful day
A day not cloudless, nor devoid of storm,
But sunny for the most, and clear and warm."

"We thank thee, watcher on the lonely tower,

For thou tellest. Sings he of an hour
all
When Error shall decay, and Truth grow strong,
And Right shall rule supreme, and vanquish Wrong?"
"He sings of brotherhood, and joy, and peace,
Of days when jealousies and hate shall cease;
When war shall die, and man's progressive mind
Soar as unfettered as its God designed."

"Well done! thou watcher on the lonely tower!

Is theday breaking? dawns the happy hour?
We —
pine to see it: tell us, yet again,
If the broad daylight breaks upon the plain?"

"It breaks —
it comes —
the misty shawdows fly:
A rosy radiance gleams upon the sky;
The mountain-tops reflect it calm and clear:
The plain is yet in shade, but day is near."
Charles Mackay
 " —

Father's Girl

BY HENRY NICOL ADAMSON

"It's themost provoking thing I have ever known," cried Mrs.

Carden as she walked up and down the corridor in restless im-
patience, with her eye on the front door all the time "and my
;

very last words to him this morning were, "Be sure you get home
early this evening so that we can start for the party in good time
in order to get home again in respectable hours."
"It begins at eight o'clock," said Helen mournfully.
"Here's the cab at the door," said Moira, as the taxi drew up
with a jerk; "shall I ask the man to call again later on?"
"Certainly not," replied her mother sharply, "why we should
have to pay for every second of the time we kept him waiting
—
your father must just take his chance for once in a way it's his
own fault entirely. Put on your cloaks, girls, and we'll be off."
"But it's June's evening out, and she went ten minutes ago,"
Moira reminded her hurriedly.
"Well, what if she did?"
"There wouldn't be any one here to attend to father, and he's
always tired when he's kept late at the office
—
"He'll find his dinner all ready, and if he'd done as I asked
him and come home early he'd have had it hot and comfortable
when we did; as things are I'm going out now, and so is Helen;
you can please yourself."
Moira didn't hesitate a second in making her alternative —
"I'll wait for father," she said, turning away from the tempta-
tion of the waiting cab, and the prospective party "I'm sure he'd
;

have come if he could, but something must have stopped him."

A minute later the front door shut with a bang, there was the
whirr-whirr of wheels going swiftly down the street, and Moira
found herself alone in the house, and in the words of scripture
"disquieted within." She had just given up one of the sweetest
— —
dreams of girlhood namely, her first dance something she had
been eagerly looking forward to for weeks past, to stay at home
and see that her father was warmed and fed, and his desires at-
tended to, as something deep down in the girl's nature told her
he deserved.
She loved dancing, but she loved her father more, and she
could not shut her eyes any longer to the fact that he was the least
considered member of the household. She had been dimly cog-
nizant of this almost all her life, but he had so cheerfully set aside
 " "

FATHER'S GIRL 783

his own comfort and tastes and convenience for those of his wife
and children, that they had grown into the habit of accepting the
position as the right and natural one, until gradually no one seemed
to consider him at all, except as the source from which money was
extracted, or as the means which stood between his family and the
troubles and storms of life.
"He's so unselfish that they don't seem to think he minds being
neglected," she mused to herself as she put his slippers by the fire,
and hung his house-coat over a chair to warm, "but he's quicker
than anyone else to notice and say 'thank you' for anything one
does for him. The worst of unselfish people is that living with
—
them sometimes makes others selfish I wonder whether there
was ever a time when mother was different about him I wonder
!

when they were both young before they were married if she'd have
noticed if he had a cough, or looked tired, or wasn't hungry like
this morning, when he didn't eat any breakfast? Here he is at
last — —
not so very late after all why, father," she began with a
—
smile as she opened the front door "I began to think
; " then
stopped suddenly as she found herself face to face with someone
she had never seen before, and her sentence ended with "I beg
—
your pardon —— I

"Youare Miss Carden?" inquired the stranger.

—
"Yes," she replied rather breathlessly, "is I thought it was
—
my father " '

"I have come from him with a message," continued the

stranger, looking into the girl's pretty face with a grave pity in
his eyes, which made her heart suddenly throb and contract with
fear of she knew not what. "Something has happened be oh — — !

—
he isn't dead? tell me," she gasped paling to the color of her
white dress.
"He is not dead," was the answer, "and is on his way home
—
now in fact, will be here almost immediately, but he met with an
accident this evening, and he is rather troubled about being late
for some engagement or other
—
" looking again at the slender
swaying figure in its becoming party gown.
"Oh, don't, don't," she cried in hurried pain, as she caught
the look and was filled with the loathing for such a hideous
frivolity as a dance, which comes to most people who suddenly
find themselves faced with mental or physical anguish, "that was
less than nothing —
all that matters is whether— whether he is hurt
—
badly or not —
and how long it will be before he is here
"All accidents are more or less serious," was. the guarded
reply, "especially to people over fifty years of age. Your father
had just left the office and was hurrying across the street to the
station when he was knocked down by a cab and for a short time
was unconscious. I am a doctor, and happened to be passing at
that moment, so was able to attend to his injuries at once. I
 " " — " — I

784 IMPROVEMENT ERA

wanted to take him to a hospital, but he seemed anxious to come
home, and so I brought him here myself in my car, which is wait-
ing at the turn of the street until I have broken the news to his
family. Is your mother
—
—
"She is out everyone is out except me," was the agonized
reply. "I will get the room ready while you bring him
— oh my — !

dear, dear father

"You must be Moira ?" said the doctor, pausing before he set
out on his sad errand.
"Yes, I am Moira," hurriedly, "but how did you know?
did he—"
"He said 'maybe everybody'll be out, but perhaps Moira'll
—
have waited for me she's 'father's girl.' If I were in your place,
Miss Moira, I'd rather have those few words said about me than
feel the crown of a king on my brow —
there'll come a day later
on when they'll prove of infinitely higher value."

"Into this room, please — it's quieter than the front one," di-
rected Moira to the men who carried the hand ambulance upstairs,
and Dr. Goodenough noticed with keenly approving eyes what
splendid use the girl had made of the short time he had given her
for the reception of the injured man. The gay dress and slippers
had given place to a plain serge and noiseless shoes, a fire burning
cheerily in the stove had evidently been transplanted bodily from
downstairs, half-a-dozen clean towels were in readiness on the
rack, hot water filled the basin, while Moira, though pale as marble
herself, was deft and quiet as a trained nurse, in all her move-
ments and words.
Her father evidently recognized her, in spite of his apparent
unconsciousness, for when she stooped down and kissed him his
eyelids lifted for the briefest possible time, and the faintest of
smiles flitted across the marble face as he muttered
"Father's girl—that's Moira."
"There he's fairly comfortable now," said the doctor after
!

his ministrations were ended for the time being, "and I'll look in
—
again later on in the meantime how can I best serve you, Miss
Moira— just tell me and I'll do it."
She flushed and hesitated before speaking, and he continued
"For instance, Ican't leave you here alone with anyone in the
serious condition of your father —
shall I send in outside help, or
telegraph for relatives to come and bear you company, or didn't —
I understand that there are other members of the family who are
out at some festivity which your father also hoped to go to ?
—
"If you would be so good as to break the news to my mother
and sister," she faltered, "I should always be grateful to you —
had no one to send just at first and thought that June, our servant,
 "" : "" —
" " " "" — — ;

FATHER'S GIRL 785

would be returning every moment, but you could go so quickly

in the car
—
"And return quickly, too," he added with a nod of the head
"that's all right —
yes I know it," as she mentioned the hall at
!

which the party was taking place, "it will be a half-hour run there
and back, with say five minutes in which to tell my errand. You'll
be all right for that time, and I'll bring them back myself it's —
ten now, so expect us soon after the half-hour."
Dr. Goodenough reached the Apollo hall just as the sets for
the cotillion were being formed, and when he went up to the
Gardens, Helen greeted him as a new admirer and would-be part-
ner, holding out her card and saying with a laugh
"Certainly, with pleasure, if you can find a free space on it, if
not you can have the first extra
—
"I didn't come to dance," he replied gravely, "my errand
isn't half so pleasant the fact is — —
—
"So sorry must go now, my partner is impatient," she inter-
rupted.
"Stop just a second," he cried, laying a detaining touch on
her arm. "I came to tell you that your father is not at all well
infact—"
"I know," she grinned back as she swung off on her partner's
—
arm, "he hates dances and any excuse is better than none see
— —
you later
He turned abruptly to her mother who was sitting on a green
velvet lounge seat in the corridor just outside the dancing room,
and said
"Your husband has met with an accident which prevented his
returning home this evening
—
"Well, it's his loss, not mine," she replied carelessly, "if he'd
known that there was a special room for old-fashioned whist, he'd
—
have been in time I'll guarantee I do think that Helen dances the
cotillion better than anyone else in the room," with sudden enthu-
siasm as she caught a view of her daughter in her partner's arms
appear for a second in the opening, "just watch her for a mo-
ment —
"Madam," he said in his sternest tones, "you evidently did not
realize what I came here to tell you— your husband has met with
an accident — I am a doctor— your daughter Moira is alone with
him the house counting the very moments you return
home —
in until

Mrs. Carden stared at the speaker, rose to her feet, and

turned quite pale
"Not really?" she gasped; "what shall I do? it isn't serious,
— —
is it? — I mean
"It
with you at once
is serious,
—and you must make your daughter return home
 " " "

786 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"She's dancing the cotillion— right in the centre of the room,"
helplessly, —
"how can I attract her attention do you really mean
that we must go at once ?"
If it hadn't been for the memory of Moira, most certainly
the doctor would have left that moment. Never, never had he felt
so disgusted or angry with anyone as he did with this exasperating,
pleasure-lover and her daughter, though he quite realized that
heartlessness had less to do with the delay than gross stupidity.
"I will wait five minutes," he replied, taking out his watch,
the hands of which pointed to half-past ten o'clock. "I told Moira
that we should have returned to her by this time. Your husband
is badly hurt, perhaps fatally; if his death doesn't mean anything

else to you than lessened income, surely that's more important

than a few items on a party program
—
—
"Oh!" with a terrified gasp, "I didn't understand he has
— —
never been ill in his life he is very strong he's the kind of man
who — who—
"Who goes on until he drops, then dies in the harness," fin-
ished the doctor grimly "don't you know that it's the creaking
;

hinge that lasts longest, and the silent one that collapses without
warning?"
Five minutes later they started on their homeward way, per-
turbed, anxious, and annoyed, asking aimless questions, without
waiting for the answers, and changing between a suspicion that
the summons originated in an unjustifiable attempt to spoil their
evening's amusement, and a lurking dread lest something really
had happened which would alter the whole course of their lives.
Helen wasn't actually cruel or heartless, but only a shallow,
vain girl devoted to trifling of any kind, and almost unable to
understand the sadder side of life. Mrs. Carden had promised
better in youth than age had fulfilled — once upon a time she had
been a bright, affectionate girl with a certain physical resemblance
to Moira, but without the deeper nature of her daughter. Her
virtues had, however, become gradually buried under a cloak of
selfishness, while her faults had assumed formidable proportions.
Now as the car bore her swiftly home, the good and evil that were
in her warred fiercely together.
"Whatever shall we do, mother, if he doesn't get better?"
whispered Helen in her ear, "we haven't enough money without
father's salary to live as we do, have we?"
"That we haven't," was the emphatic reply, "at least, unless
—
your father pretended to be poorer than he is only yesterday he
declared to me that he was really not so well off now as he was
at the time of our marriage ;
—
if that is true

—
"But it isn't it can't be," broke in Helen in shrill alarm, "men
always talk as if they were poor, when they have lots of money all
the time, don't they?"
 "

FATHERS GIRL 787

The car drew up at the gate and they alighted from it and
entered the house, going straight upstairs to the sick room to
assure themselves first that there was nothing really the matter
with "father," and that they had been unnecessarily alarmed.
The first glance at the still, white form on the bed sent their
hearts to their shoes —
Helen ran away crying, while Mrs. Carden
fell on her knees by the bedside and some of the cold ice of indif-
ference and selfishness melted from her heart in scalding tears as
she saw again the lover of her youth and the husband she had neg-
lected, lying senseless before her.
"Lionel," she whispered, "only get well again and Til be a
better wife to you, I will indeed —
we're young enough yet to have
—
many happy years together try to live, Lionel, for my sake."
"Miss Moira, you are a born nurse," the doctor was saying
outside in the corridor. "One wants the woman as well as the
machine for the perfect nurse, who like a genius must be born and
cannot be made."
"Oh," replied the girl with a shimmer of unshed tears in her
starry eyes, "love can make anyone into a good nurse I love my —
father dearly — —
dearly- and so nothing could be a trouble, but just
a pleasure that I could do for him —
I could not forget instructions,
—
— —
or be noisy, or or tired I am no nurse really, only
;

"Yes ! that's it," agreed the doctor, nodding his head in ap-
proval, "you've hit it first time, little girl —love that makes the
world go round, is also the first essential for a good nurse. Wc
get —
them sometimes not often by any means —but sometimes,
when they don't take it up just as a profession, but merely follow
the vocation God meant them for —
first find the good heart; add

to it the clear brain, education, and the steady hand, and you've
—
found your ideal nurse and I've found mine," he added in a low
tone as he turned away, "go back to him now, Moira I'll look in ;

early in the morning and — —

I should like you to sit with him

yourself tonight."
* * *.* * * * * * * *

It was a full week before Lionel Carden was out of danger,

and during that time the little household was shaken from the rut
into which it had fallen, into a different road altogether. Helen
had suddenly awakened to the knowledge of what a hideous loss

she would personally sustain if her father died. He had seemed

as firm a fixture as the house itself or the church standing opposite
— his purse had automatically supplied all wants since the day of
—
her birth. Food, shelter, clothing, education, amusements and
she had foolishly concluded that things would go on in the same
way for ever — or made the brilliant marriage
at least until she
which instinct (in other words, vanity) had always assured her
would certainly happen. Now she felt like a butterfly caught in
—
the first chill of winter if her father died she would suddenly
 — " — —

788 IMPROVEMENT ERA

find herself removed from the glow of sunshine to the dark cold
of the seamy side of life.
Nothing terrified her more than the complete change which
had come over her mother during those anxious days. Hitherto
sh had always been the petted darling, whose every whim must be
fulfilled, and if her father objected to any of them, her mother
speedily took up the cudgels on her behalf and reduced him to a
proper state of subjection. Now if she hazarded a desire for some
present or future privilege, she was sharply silenced with
"Do try and forget yourself for once in a way, Helen you
seem to have forgotten how ill your poor father is."
—
"But, mother," she insisted one morning when her father was
well on the road to recovery, and it seemed to her that her mother
was unusually dense at grasping the situation, "it's just now that
I want the new dress for Dr. Goodenough comes twice a day and
he's a nice fellow, you know — belongs to a first-rate family, keeps
his own car, has private means, and is regarded as quite one of
the coming men. Rose Anderson told me yesterday that everyone
—
was noticing how attentive he is and really seeing how unpro-
vided for we should be if anything did happen to father, and I
shall always feel uneasy after that accident, I think you ought to
do all in your power to help me to get well settled in life."
—
Mrs. Carden looked quite bewildered "But Helen," she pro-
tested, "I've never seen him pay you the least attention — he really
seems one of those enthusiasts one reads of sometimes, who fight
—
for a patient's life like a soldier does for his flag I'm sure your
father would have died except for Dr. Goodenough's unceasing
care, and — no money could ever repay him for it
—
"You're not as sharp as usual, mother mine," laughed Helen
complacently, "he really fell in love with me the first time he saw
— —
me at the party I saw it in his eyes and he's simply lived here
ever since. Doctors don't usually supply their patients' houses
with fruit and flowers and game, and father is almost well again
—
now, yet Dr. Goodenough comes just as often and I declare here !

he is coming in at the gate now, with father leaning on his arm

doesn't that speak more plainly than words?" archly as she hurried
to the door to meet them.
"That you, Helen?" called out Lionel Carden briskly as she
hove in sight, "where's your mother? I've some good news to tell
—
her first-rate news," with a chuckle.
Helen's heart fluttered with a wild hope. Could he have de-
clared his intention to her father in the real old-fashioned way.
"I'll go to the drawing-room and see if mother is there," she
replied, artfully throwing an inviting glance with her eyes to the
doctor to follow, but almost before she was out of sight Moira
came in from the back garden, her hands full of flowers and a glad
look in her eyes
 : —

FATHER'S GIRL 789

"How good of you to come back with him yourself; where

did you meet him?" she exclaimed, "he almost looks himself again
today, doesn't he? Why, where has he disappeared to just when
I was going to pin this buttonhole in his coat?"
"Pin it in mine instead," laughed the doctor suddenly putting
out his arms and drawing her close to his heart
"Moira, dearest, I waylaid your father purposely this morn-
—
ing and asked him to give me a life for a life yours for his, which
I think I saved, for he very nearly crossed the divide at one time.

He gave his consent at once, so if you'll be my dear little wife I

shall be the happiest man in the whole world. You do care for me
just a little, don't you, Moira?"
She nestled close in his arms and sighed in blissful content as
she replied
"With my whole heart and soul."

THE SEGO LILY

The State Flower of Utah
 The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre

BY HORACE G. WHITNEY, DRAMATIC EDITOR, "THE DESERET NEWS'

In Four Parts —Part IV

The third epoch (and last) in the history of our playhouse,
brings it down to our own times, or to a period within the mem-
—
ory of the present generation so it hardly possesses the interest
that attaches to the performances of the pioneers. And yet the
new period was one that saw the birth and development of a long
list of talented home players, many of whom have written their

names in high places on the scroll of fame. Maude Adams, first

borne across the stage as a babe in "The Lost Child," when she
was less than a year old (in 1873) appeared several times with
her mother and the local players up till the early eighties. In
1881, when she was nine, she sang between the acts of "Divorce,"
in which her mother was playing with the Home Dramatic Club,
and I had the pleasure of paying her $7.50 for each performance.
Ada Dwyer, Sallie Fisher, Viola Pratt, E. M. Royle (author of
"The Squaw Man"), Arthur Shepherd, Julia Dean and Emma
Lucy Gates are among some of the more luminous names of our
gifted' sons and daughters, to whom the Salt Lake Theatre has
been a stepping stone to broader fields of success in the outside
world.

Early Day Memories

The Home Dramatic Club perhaps deserves a mention by

itself, and if my brief narration of itscareer involves the frequent
use of the personal pronoun, I trust you will criticize the fates
that were responsible, not me.
There were certain pioneer families connected with the Salt
Lake Theatre from its inception, almost, as it were, with hooks of
steel. The Youngs, Wellses, Clawsons and Whitneys were some
of these. My father, Horace K. Whitney, one of the original
pioneer band of 1847, an associate of Brigham Young and H. B.
Clawson in Nauvoo, played the flute in the band there, and was a
member of the earliest musical and dramatic organization formed

*An address delivered before The Cleofan Society, Salt Lake City,
January 27, 1915.
 STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 791

in "the valley." He appeared in the cast of the first plays given

in the Social Hall in 1853, and was a member of Prof. Thomas'
orchestra the night the Salt Lake Theatre opened, in 1862 when ;

Prof. George Careless re-organized the orchestra, and put it upon

a salaried basis, several years later, he was one of those retained.
He alternated for some years between the stage and the orchestra
as his services were needed, usually playing old men's parts.
Among my earliest memories of my father are those of see-
ing him in our apple orchard, walking back and forth with a roll
of manuscript in his hands, committing his parts to memory, and
my brother, Bishop Whitney, and I learned to know those were
the periods when he must not be disturbed. He used often to
take us to the theatre, and I well remember my consternation
when I was informed that I had grown too tall to accompany him
through the stage door into the orchestra, and from there lifted
over the rail into a seat in the parquet. Occasionally I gained
admission into the third circle by carrying water from across the
streetup those interminable gallery stairs. Heber J. Grant, vice-
the
president of the theatre today, had a similar experience about
same time.
Frequently when my brother and I had performed some
un-
unparalleled acreage
usual service at home, such as spreading an
cellar full of
of peeled peaches on the roof, or "sprouting" a
money
fungus covered potatoes, we were rewarded with enough
Not infrequently, too, it happened
to buy a third circle ticket.
some of President Young's sons, our playmates, would
per-
that
President s private
suade "Brother Schofield," door-keeper of the
the section reserved for the Young fam-
entrance, to admit us into
ily How we reveled in those stage productions No boys in
!

the lands of enchantment, anc

fairy tales, permitted to gaze into
of magicians, ever drank in those sights with
behold the deeds
devoured and our ears
more avidity than that with which our eyes
achievements of the old Deseret stock
absorbed the wonderful
company.

"The Robbers of the Rockies."

youngster, wrote
In 1872 James A. McKnight, an ambitious
a play called "The Robbers of the Rocky Mountains." We were
and the Social Hall was secured. The Young
all promised a part,
stored in their father s
boys offered to obtain some old scenery
what now First Avenue, in the rear of
barn which stood on is

Bransford Apartments. They had only carried away a few

the
overseer informed them that their
sets, when President Young's
but seeing the consternation of the,youthful
father objected;
Thespians, the president sent for the
manager of the Sal Lake
boys have a play. They call it The
Theatre, and said, "These
792 IMPROVEMKNT ERA
Robbers of the Rocky Mountains.' I don't know much about the
mountains, but they certainly made a clean job of my old barn.
Give them a date at the Salt Lake Theatre." So the play was
brought out there on July 13, 1872, memorable as the first night
on which the house was illuminated by gas. I don't think the
date was memorable on any other account. The programs of the
event show that the Wellses, Clawsons, Youngs and Whitneys
were well represented in the cast.
From that, it was only a step to becoming supernumeraries
on the real stage, good-natured Manager Jimmy Harris (Presi-
dent Young's son-in-law) admitting several of the bigger boys to
the ranks. I was only fourteen, but I was tall for the age, and
I shall never forget the joy I experienced when my brother Orson
F., three years older, informed me we were going on as jurors in
"Article 47." Our pride knew no bounds when we appeared the
same night in the army of Macbeth, and by merely changing our
spears for battle axes, and doffing helmets in place of bonnets,
marched across the stage as the army of Macduff. Occasionally,
I believe, my brother was entrusted with some such lines as "My
lord, the carriage waits," or "Is your ladyship at home?" But
no such good fortune ever befell me.
One night of agony, during that period, I particularly re-
member. George D. Chaplin was playing "Pocahontas," in which
we all went on as Indians. I was late in arriving, and Harry
Horsley, then costumer and captain of supers, informed me that
though there was a costume for me, the supply of wigs had given
out. A trifle like that did not disconcert me, so, donning the red-
skin's suit, and begriming my face with red and yellow paint, I
joined the band. My hair was then of a pronounced sandy auburn,
with the auburn predominating, and when Mr. Chaplin saw me
he could not repress a roar. He did not ring down the curtain,
but when the act ended, he called Harry Horsley and said, "Harry,
there may have been blonde Indians in the time of Pocahontas,
but they are now extinct. Get that boy a wig, or send him home."
I think Mr. Horsley compromised by taking a blacking brush to

my hair, and I was allowed to finish the play, but I don't think I
was ever expected back again.
Bishop Whitney remained actively before the footlights in an
amateur capacity, and finally determined to adopt the stage as a
profession. A number of his associates tendered him a farewell
benefit in the Social Hall,and raised a goodly sum of money to
see him on his way. He was almost ready to pack his trunk,
when an envelope bearing the imprint of Box B, calling him to a
mission in Pennsylvania, changed all his plans and the current of
his life. Truly there is "a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-
hew them how we will."
 STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 793

Birth of the Home Dramatic Club

The stage next saw me when Prof. Careless produced "Pina-

fore," in 1878. Several of us boys were studying music with
him, and we joined the chorus, I assisting in the business manage-
ment. This was the first of the famous Gilbert & Sullivan works
produced here and it created a furore; it was repeated times
without number. It brought us all into such prominence that I
well remember my employer, W. S. McCornick, the banker, for
whom I was then bookkeeper, used to debate with my associate,
Frank Kimball, whether I was not wasting my talents on his
books. While he was in this frame of mind one day, there came
into the bank (which then stood on Main Street, near the site of
the Kearns building') a little, plainly-dressed lady who asked for
Mr. Whitney. She said her name
was Annie Adams. My heart
leaped as I recognized the stage
heroine of my youth, whom I had
worshiped from the third circle,
the leading lady of the old Des-
eret Dramatic Company. She
said she had lately returned from
San Francisco with her little
daughter Maude, and had
brought with her the manuscript
of a plav then all the rage in the
East, "The Two Orphans." She
had heard of our success in "Pin-
afore," and said she wished to
know whether it would be possi-
ble to get a cast of amateurs
from that company to support
her in the production. As the
B B YOUNG, EMMA WHITE AND J.
T. WHITE IN "H.M.S. PINAFORE" conversation took place under
First of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas the eye of Mr. McCornick, and
ever produced in Utah.
as his particular optic was never
noted for encouraging amusement themes in business hours, I had
to make a later appointment, which I did in conjunction with J. T.
White (the Doctor White of today, then badly stage and opera-
struck) and Tohn S. Barnes. "The Two Orphans" was cast for
Miss Adams' benefit, and the production came off in June, 1879.
Every member, except herself and W. T. Harris (who played
the old hag, Frochard) was an amateur, and the
main parts were
rendered by Orson F. Whitney, Laron A. Cummings,
Ffeber 1ST.
D. Spencer, T. White. Dellie Clawson, and Kittie
Wells, John J.
Heywood.
794 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The performance was an immense success, so much so that
during the following winter, plans were adopted for the organ-
ization of a permanent company under the name of the Home
Dramatic Club. There were eight original members O. F. :

Whitney, Heber M. Wells, John D. Spencer, L. A. Cummings,

Lottie Claridge and Dellie Clawson, with H. L. A. Culmer and
H. G. Whitney as managers.

Some Notable Plays

The first play was "The Romance of a Poor Young Man,"

and the date was April 1, 1880. David McKenzie coached the
players, giving the "business" he had learned from George Paunce-
fort sixteen years before. The new organization created a sen-
sation, and it followed rapidly with such plays as "Extremes,"
"Ours," "Rosedale," "Pique," and "The Banker's Daughter,"
Mr. McKenzie acting as instructor up to the production of the
latter. Then the company felt able to stand alone, and for four-
teen years, at regular intervals, producing three or four new plays
a year, they continued before the public. New members
of the club were admitted in Edith Clawson, Birdie Cum-
mings, and B. S. Young, who lent decided strength to the orig-
inal group. Ivy Green, Mrs. S. H. Clawson, Mrs. R. C. Easton,
Mrs. Henry Dinwoodey, Lyde Wells, Harry Taylor, Jno. E.
Evans, Harry Horsley, Nan Savage, Clara Clawson, Mrs. J. D.
Spencer, and Mrs. H. L. A. Culmer also appeared occasionally.
Bishop Whitney early retired from the company, as did L. A.
Cummings, and Heber M. Wells progressed from comedy roles
to those of leading man. Mr. Culmer also withdrew from the
management soon after the production of "The Banker's Daugh-
ter." '

The main successes of the Home Dramatic Club during

those fourteen years were, in addition to the plays named, "Sar-
atoga," "Our Boarding House," "The Money Spinner" (pro-
duced in the Walker Opera House when the Salt Lake Theatre
was unobtainable), "Confusion," "Storm Beaten," "Youth,"
"Lights o' London," "Green Lanes of England" (in which Orson
F. Whitney made his last appearance, in 1883), several revivals
of "The Two Orphans," "Divorce," "Diplomacy," "Shaughraun,"
"Held by the Enemy," "The Wages of Sin," "Hazel Kirke,"
"Called Back," "Storm Beaten," "The Silver King," and "Saints
and Sinners," besides many lesser successes. In producing
"Hazel Kirke" the company paid the veteran C. W. Couldock
five hundred dollars to cross the continent and play for a week
the famous role which he created in New York.
 THE HOME DRAMATIC CLUB— 1880-1894
The members of this once popular organization are: upper left hand corner, first
row reading from left to right, Heber M. Wells, Orson F. Whitney, John D. Spencer;
second row, Edith Clawson, Lottie Claridge, Birdie Cummings; third row, Laron A.
Cummings, Dellie Clawson; fourth row, B. S. Young, H. L. A. Culmer and H G.
Whitney Four members, Lottie Claridge (Mrs. B. S. Young), Birdie Cummings (Mrs.
II M Laron A. Cummings and H. L. A. Culmer, are now deceased.
Wells)
796 IMPROVEMENT ERA
A Tribute from Stoddart

The performance of the club was in "Saints and Sin-

last
ners," with H. Stoddart, that rare old actor who became still
J.
more famous in later years in "The Bonnie Briar Bush." He
also was paid five hundred dollars for a week's engagement, and
he left an ineffaceable impression. How
he viewed his association with the
"Mormon" players is feelingly told in
his book entitled "Recollections of a
Player," printed by the Century Com-
pany, in which he says :

"The opening of the next season was

with the production of a play in which I
was not cast, and in the meantime I re-
ceived a letter from Salt Lake, asking me
to go there and play for a week with an
amateur organization in "Saints and Sin-
ners." As the offer was a liberal one, and
Mr. Palmer consented, I went. "Saints
and Sinners" had always been a favorite
play in Salt Lake. Although it was quite
a long journey to take for a week's en-
gagement, I was amply repaid by the
warmth of my reception and the kindly
courtesy extended to me during my brief
stay. We had only two rehearsals, and it
really would have astonished many old
professionals to have seen the careful at- JAMES H. STODDART
tention, earnestness and ability displayed
by my 'Mormon' associates. The olay was excellently staged and
well performed. The parts of Lettie Fletcher and Hoggard were
acted by near relatives of Brigham Young, and Ralph Kingsley was
played by Mr. Heber Wells, the present governor of Utah, and in a
manner that would have been creditable to any experienced actor.
Mr. Whitney, of the Salt Lake Herald, was stage manager, business
man, and in fact general factotum of the enterprise. Mr. Palmer had
played his company for a great many years in Salt Lake while on its
way to the coast, and it has always been to me a source of pleasure to
visit the city. The company's visits had ever been anticipated and ar-
rangements for their stay made, so as to render it pleasant and agree-
able. Much was done for our amusement, including organ recitals at the
'Mormon' Temple [tabernacle], excursions to the lake, social recep-
tions, etc. Whenone contemplates what has been accomplished in
this city in creating as it were a garden out of a desert, founding and
building so beautiful a metropolis, bespeaking so much toil, thrift, and
indomitable perseverance,it must call for sincere admiration and com-

mand great respect. The week ended, I said good-bye to my Salt

Lake friends with much regret and returned to New York."

"Saints and Sinners," produced in October, 1894, was the

farewell rendition of the Home Club, for almost as soon as the
curtain descended the political campaign began, which took the
 STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 797

club's leading man, Heber M. Wells, into political life. The

Republican party ruined a good actor, merelyto get a governor,
for which I have never felt to forgive it. .

Salt Lake Opera Company

Another organization which might be said to have sprung

from the Home Dramatic Club was the Salt Lake Opera Com-
pany, which held the boards of the
Salt Lake Theatre from 1897 down
to two or three years ago. The
company was organized by the
lamented H. S. Goddard, W. E.
Weihe and John D. Spencer, with H.
G. Whitney as manager. Later
George D. Pyper entered the com-
pany, and Prof. J. J. McClellan suc-
ceeded Prof. Weihe as director. The
operas given were: "The Mascot,"
"Patience," "Chimes of Normandy,"
"Said Pasha," "The Queen's Lace
Handkerchief," "A Trip to Africa,"
"Madelaine," "The Mandarin," "Fa-
tinitza," "The Wedding Day," "The
Jolly Musketeers," "The Girl and the
Governor," and last but not least,

"Robin Hood."
to HEBER S. GODDARD
It would be a labor of love Baritone of the Salt Lake Opera
linger on the delightful renditions of Company.

this company, especially on the work

produced, H. S.
on one of the most brilliant singers Utah ever
only permit a passing reference. The
Goddard, but time will
singers this company brought to the front
were Louise Savage,
Lottie Levy, Edna Dwyer, Sallie Fisher,
Mabel Cooper Elsie
Clark, Luella Ferrin, Agatha Berkhoel Emma
Barrow Arvilla
singers who came
Lucy Gates and Hazel Taylor Peery. Other
H. S. Ensign,
into prominence during these performances were
Graham, Mrs.
Hu-h W
Dougall, Alex Campbell, Fred C.
Harry Sherman (present city commis-
Browning, Mabel Clark,
sioner), George Westervelt and
many others in smaller roles.

Other Home Opera Companies

the
Lake Opera Company and during
life

ment"
T

and
ono- before the Salt
o^eHonTe
in "Martha," "The
the
Dramatic Club the
Bohemian Girl" and
Careless and Krouse J
h Ch
J.
productions
f^^
^ £^
off °^^ienc?
Patience,
"
 WORLD-FAMOUS STARS WHO HAVE APPEARED AT THE SALT LAKE
THEATRE, IN THE LAST THIRTY-SIX YEARS
Upper row, reading from left to right: Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett, John
McCullough as Othello. Second row: Mary Anderson, Charlotte Cushman as Lady
Macbeth, Adelaide Nielson. Third row: Edwin Adams, Joseph Jefferson as Rip Van
Winkle, and Thos. W. Keene.
 STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 799

"The Mikado," "The Pirates of Penzance," "Iolanthe," "Fa-

tinitza" and "Priscilla" set high standards for the Salt Lake Opera
Company to climb to. In these productions the name of George
D. Pyper and John D. Spencer are always among the leaders,
while H. S. Goddard, Jennie Hawley, Mrs. Silva, Nettie Thatcher
(the original Patience), Louie Wells, J. T. White, Louise Mc-
Ewan and others had prominent parts.
An opera in which Nat M. Brigham, once United States
marshal for Utah, and B. B. Young, today a prominent Chris-
tian Science lecturer, took part, was "Mr. Sampson of Omaha,"
composed by Mme. Mazzucata Young.
Still another pioneer production was "The Sorcerer,"
brought out under Prof. Thomas and D. O. Calder, March 5,
1880, Miss Libbie Sheets (Mrs. Mathoni Pratt) having the
lead-

ing lady's role. Others who participated were Annie Midgley, W.

D. Owen, Henry Gardiner, Duncan McAllister, J.R. Morgan,
Liz-

zie Edmonds and Annie McKay. Of course the name of John

D Spencer appears in that cast as in most of the amateur pro-

ductions of those days. When I look back on the years that
have elapsed I marvel how he has escaped the ranks of the
patriarchs.
If the musical productions of the Salt
Lake Theatre are ever
themselves they will not be complete without a
chronicled by
was rendered here
mention of "The Messiah," the first time it
of Prof. Careless, in the Salt Lake
in 1875, under the direction
sensation of the day and its two performances
Theatre. It was the
drew over $2,000.
Some Immortal Names
players I have named^rep-
Of course, all must know that the
long that have occupied the
resent but a small portion of the
boards of the historic house. I might
list
read till ^g^nd
then
*e leaders how
the roll. The names of some
of
not exhaust
warm men^"« °"
arouse some
^^f^
ever, cannot
man y of my
fail to
listeners
^™£*^.^£^
^SSSTSnJ^^^^ of his cast. Booth
 ;;

800 IMPROVEMENT ERA

second, are among the famous presentations of the American
stage. J. H. Stoddart, who made his bow here in "Daniel
Rochat," and "The Lights of Lon-
don ;" Mme. Ristori, Tom Keene, Rob-
son &
Crane, Mary Anderson (one of
the few great actresses who retired
when her reputation was at its height,
and who is still living a retired life in
England) Mme. Janauschek, whose
;

Lady Macbeth and whose double roles

in Bleak House were her great parts
Lotta, the inimitable, Jean Clara Wal-
ters, Adelaide Nielson, the peerless
Julietand Rosalind of her day, Clara
Louise Kellogg and Annie Louise
Cary, Joe Jefferson, in "Rip Van Win-
kle" and" The Rivals;" Neil Warner,
Katherine Rogers, Amy Sherwin,
McKee Rankin, William J. Florence,
whose "Almighty Dollar," and John
T. Raymond, whose "Colonel Sellers"
were companion pictures in the gallery
of fame; Maude Adams, in her
EMMA ABBOTT list of creations with "The Little
long
"The Bohemian Girl."
Minister," her first starring venture,
and "What Every Woman Knows" and "Quality Street," her last
the Emma Abbott Opera Company, who gave us a long list of
rare performances on their annual visits until their tour was cut
short by the death of Miss Abbott, which took place in Salt Lake,
January 6, 1891 that rarest of baritones, Tagliapietra, was intro-
;

duced to Salt Lake by Miss Abbott George Rignold, the Lin-

;

gards, Alice Oates,Emilie Melville, the peerless Fanny Davenport,

The Carleton Opera Company, headed by W. T. Carleton, the
great baritone of the Hess company years before, and who first
introduced us to Jessie Bartlett Davis; Vivian, founder of the
B. P. O. E. Emma Juch, Agnes Booth, Denman Thompson,
;

Mrs. Bowers, Milton Nobles, Frank Mayo, the famous "Bos-

tonians," with the unforgetable Barnabee at their head Sarah ;

Bernhardt, Richard Mansfield, whose death left a gap that has

not yet been filled Frank Daniels, Sol Smith Russell, Sher-
;

idan, Rhea, the Kendalls, Willard, Grismer & Davis, Mrs. John
Drew, Joseph Haworth, Julia Marlowe (later Mrs. Sothern),
Clara Morris, Bandmann, Modjeska, James O'Neil, Clay Clem-
ent, Maurice Barrymore, his gifted wife, Georgia Drew Barry-
more, and their not less gifted daughter, Ethel Barrymore, Olga
Nethersole, Mrs. Langtry, Francis Wilson, Eleanor Robson, Viola
Allen, Annie Russell, Louis James, Frederick Warde, David
 STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 801

Warfield, Margaret Anglin, William Gillette— these are some

of the other luminous stars who have blazed across our theatrical
horizon.
Our theatre has also entertained the great dramatic stock
companies of the country, whose careers have filled so notable a
chapter in American history first, the Union Square, which intro-
:

duced us to Charles R. Thorne, Jr., Fanny Morant and Sara

Jewett Augustin Daly's Fifth Avenue Company, which brought
;

us Ada Rehan and John Drew and the Lyceum Company, which
;

gave such favorite friends as Henry Miller, W. J. Lemoyne, E.

M. Holland, Nelson Wheatcroft, Herbert Kelcey and Georgia
Cayvan, in their days as stock actors.
The visits of stars like Otis Skinner, Mrs. Fiske, Dustin
Farnum, Maxine Elliott, Nat Goodwin, Henry Miller, Forbes
Robertson, Chauncey Olcott and many others are events of cur-
rent history, too familiar to need describing, but they have all im-
parted a lustre to the reputation of the great old house, and they
in turn have always departed singing its praises.
During the later 70s and early '80s some of the old Deseret
Stock company, associated with visiting stars, gave a round of
productions. These were the days of J. W.. Carter, Carrie Car-
ter Coggswell, Vinson, J. Al. Sawtelle, Mark Wilton, Lizzie
Piatt (mother of Treasurer Campbell Brown of the Salt Lake
Theatre), M. Forster, W. C. Crosbie, E. B. Marden, Harry Tay-
lor and others. Mr. Marden married a bright little actress, Susie
Spencer, who was often seen in soubrette roles, such as the leads
in "The Hidden Hand" and "The Little Rebel." She was sister
of D. S. Spencer of Salt Lake, and died many years ago.
Harry
Emery, who married Katie Putnam, also graduated from the

Salt Lake stage about this period.

Banner Attractions

old palmy
The question is often asked, What attraction in the
before vaudeville and moving pic-
days of the Salt Lake Theatre,
depopulated the galleries, played to the largest
ture shows had
receipts? The answer is, Madam Gerster, in the
opera of Lucia,
The prices were $5.00 down to $1.00; boxes,
March
1

6,1884.
close to $b,UUU.UU.
$30 00 and $40.00, and the total receipts were
Mapelson was the manager another
;
great star who was not seen
Lake until she appeared at the Tabernacle some time later,
in Salt
famous Arditi conducted the
Adelina Patti, occupied a box. The
"Lucia." The company headed by Edwin Booth
performance of
average receipts ex-
and Lawrence Barrett, in May, 1889, had
ceeding $1800 per night. Close tc.them /^%Emm a Abbott

always used to be good for $1500 to $1800

whose early visits
ran
houses Maude Adams' "Little Minister" engagement also
802 IMPROVEMENT ERA
close to theBooth & Barrett figures. Fanny Davenport and "The
Bostonians," too, piled up some great box office records. The
longest uninterrupted flow of prosperity known, accompanied the
two weeks' engagement of Nance O'Neill, when she gave sev-
enteen performances, nearly every night to a crowded house.
Even our some box office figures in
local talent established
the '80s, which would make the managerial mouth water today.
"Rosedale," played by the Home Club, on a sweltering Twenty-
fourth day of July, drew a $1200 audience, and such old time fa-
vorites as "The Green Lanes of England," "Storm Beaten," "The
World" and "Youth" frequently passed the $1000 mark.

Owners of the Theatre.

A word regarding the ownership and management of the old

house may Up till the time of President Young's
be interesting.
death in 1877, the financial reports by the managers were made to
his office. The property was then in the name of a company
called The Salt Lake Theatre Corporation. It became involved
in litigation which followed his death, and for a long period the
keys of the house were in the hands of the United States marshal.
In 1879, the litigation was ended, and David McKenzie, in his
memoirs, published in the Christmas Nczvs, says President John
Taylor (who succeeded President Brigham Young), asked him to
call on United States Marshal Shaughnessy and get the keys. He
did so, and on handing them to President Taylor, was notified
he was to be an officer of a new corporation called the Salt Lake
Dramatic Association, of which John T. Caine was to be presi-
dent, H. B. Clawson, secretary, and David McKenzie, treasurer.
The management was to be in the hands of the three. This cor-
poration has lasted until the present day, though the stockholders
have frequently changed. Today, President Jos. F. Smith is pres-
ident, Heber J. Grant is vice-president, Heber M. Wells secretary,
and Elias A. Smith treasurer.
The house has witnessed many changes of management since
it opened, with Caine and Clawson in charge, in 1862. In 1872,
George Reynolds was manager for a brief period, under the di-
rection of the President's office. Succeeding him, came W. T.
( Jimmy) Harris, the president's son-in-law; Caine, Clawson &
Williams were managers for a short time, and John C. Graham,
Phil Margetts. and David McKenzie also occasionally held the
reins. The house was again involved in the courts at the time
the government escheated the Church property, and soon after
the settlement of this litigation, Charles S. Burton became man-
ager (1888), holding office for ten years, till 1898. George D.
Pyper was then appointed, and he has held the position ever since
— a term of seventeen years. He has lately associated with him
 STORY OF THE SALT LAKE THEATRE 803

John Cort, the eastern theatrical magnate, and today the man-
agement is in the hands of Cort &
Pyper.
Thepublic records show that the
Salt Lake Theatre corner was first
owned by Reynolds Cahoon, who sold
it to President Young, April 23, 1860.

July 29, 1873, President Young sold

the property to H. B. Clawson, John
T. Caine, Thomas Williams, Jos. A.
Young, LeGrand Young and John W.
Young, for $100,000, each an undi-
vided sixth. The same year, these
parties deeded the property to the Salt
Lake Theatre Corporation. In 1875,
that corporation, by H. B. Clawson,
president, deeded the property back to
President Young for $116,000 so it is
;

fair to presume that the cost of the

improvements was about $16,000. Af-
ter President Young's death, in 1878,
his executors, George Q. Cannon and
Brigham Young, Jr., conveyed the GEORGE D. PYPER
property to John Taylor, trustee-in- Present manager of the Salt Lake
Theatre, as he looked in his
trust, the consideration named being early operatic days.
$125,000. President Taylor sold the
property to John Sharp for $62,000 the same year. In 1879,
John Sharp conveyed it to the Salt Lake Dramatic Association,
the present corporation, for $74,500.
The house was but little changed from its opening in 1862
till 1873-4, when the sale to H. B. Clawson and others, referred

to above, was made, and some extensive improvements were car-

ried on. The present stage boxes were installed, chairs replaced
the old benches, the stage was rebuilt, and the present slant to-
wards the auditorium imparted to it. These changes were made
following designs obtained in New York by Spencer Clawson
for his father. He secured them from A. T. Stewart's architect,
and they were fashioned after the interior of Niblo's gardens.
The question often has been asked where so large a sum of
money came from in those early days as that required for the con-
struction of a building so ambitious as the Salt Lake Theatre.
It will doubtless interest "Uncle Sam" to know
that it was
through his army, that the first sum was realized. When John-
ston's army, which invaded Utah, went into
permanent quarters
at Camp Floyd, President Young entrusted H. B.^Clawson with
"bargain" sale,
$4000 to invest in army supplies at a government
which was conducted at Camp Floyd when the army was ordered
804 IMPROVEMENT ERA
back to take part in the Civil War. The bargains there ob-
tained were the beginning of the fortunes of many Utah men.
such as Walker Brothers. The supplies bought with the $4000
by Mr. Clawson were finally retailed for $40,000, which sum be-
came the nucleus of the building of the Salt Lake Theatre.
As to the Future
And what of the future of the grand old playhouse? Nearly
every Salt Laker, especially those of the older generation, must
confess to a pang whenever he hears it said that, before long, in
the march of progress and under the demands of business, it will
have come down, and make way for a more modern struc-
to
ture. That fate might have befallen it before this had it not
happened that the ownership fortunately reverted to the Church,
one of the few institutions that can afiford to place sentiment
tyefore business. We can only hope, with the many eminent
starswho have expressed their affection for the house, that the
day of its demolition may long be deferred. The most beautifu 1

tribute have ever heard paid to our theatre and to the spirit of
I

the pioneers who founded it, was that uttered by Forbes-Rob-

ertson last winter, on the night of his memorable farewell, when
he pleaded with Salt Lakers to cherish and preserve such a rare
treasure house of memories —
almost the last theatre of its kind
in America. Henry Miller, Daniel Frohman, Stoddart, Louis
James, Sothern, Warde, Gillette, Maude Adams and many oth-
ers have voiced the same sentiments. Many of them say they
best love to visit the old place in the day time, when its activities
are at rest, and sinking into one of its chairs, commune in silence
with the memories the' hush seems to invoke. "The walls have
ears," goes the old saying if these had tongues what a wealth
;

of reminiscence, of history, what stories of triumphs, ambitions,

of laughter and heart breaks, might not here be let loose Every !

thoughtful visitor to the place confesses to feeling an influence, an

undefinable impression unlike that imparted by any other build-
ing of its kind. Who
shall say ? Perhaps something of the spirit
of good, invoked upon the edifice in the prayers of the old pio-
neers may still linger within its walls to hallow them, and keep
alive the aims and hopes of its founders.

A merchant in a Wisconsin town who had a Swedish clerk sent

him out to do some collecting. When he returned from an unsuccess-
ful trip he reported:
"Yim Yonson say he vill pay ven he sells his hogs. Yim Olesen,
he pay ven he
vill sell him wheat, and Bill Pack say he vill pay in
Yanuary."
"Well," said the boss, "that's the first time Bill ever set a date
to pay. Did he really say he would pay in January?"
"Veil, I tank so," said the clerk. "He say it ban a — cold clay
ven you get that money. I tank that ban in Yanuary."
 QUIETUDE
Mountain Stream entering the Salt Lake Valley
A Beauty Spot on a
 The Crucial Test*
THE "IMPROVEMENT ERA" PRIZE STORY, APRIL CONTEST

BY ELSIE CHAMBERLAIN CARROLL

As Philip Pemberton emerged from the wretched tenement

which he had been visiting to gather data for a paper in his soci-
ology class, his attention was called to a group in the squalid alley,
a few rods away. There appeared to be some unusual excitement.
When he drew nearer, however, he heard oaths and cursing, and
decided it was one of the drunken brawls for which the district
was noted. He quickened his step, thinking to notify a police-
man. As he was brushing past the outside of the group, a child's
frightened scream pierced the air, followed by a quick protest
from a woman's voice. He stopped. That voice sounded strangely
out of keeping with the surroundings. It was full of anxious
alarm and entreaty.
"Stop him !O, for the love of humanity, will not some of you
stop him?"
But the crowd only jeered. A thick voice from the outside
called, "I thought that was what you was goin' ter do, Miss," and
there was a laugh.
"Yes," bullied another. "Less see you stop 'im. Ye've got
a purty face. Mebby if ye'll give old Dunk a kiss he'll let the
brat go." The crowd joined in the coarse, approving laugh, and
someone else called out,
"Hey, there Dunny, here's a purty -little Sunday school gal
wants to kiss ye."
"O, she does, does she? Wall, now the brat's got his
deservin's. I reckon I kin tend t' her." The words' were
punctuated with smothered hiccoughs. The spectators crowded
closer.
"Alright, honey, now fer that kiss."
"Don't you dare to touch me, sir!"
"Haw, haw. Listen, fellers. She dares ole Dunk t' kiss
'er."
There was a scream, and Pemberton, who had been elbowing
his way through the crowd, burst into the inner ring. He seized
the ruffian by the collar of his ragged coat and sent him sprawling
headlong to the ground.

*This story won the $25 prize for April, in the Improvement Era, six
months' contest, ending June, 1915.
 THE CRUCIAL TEST 807

"Stand back, you cowards !" he commanded the crowd and,

strangely enough, they obeyed. As a "cop" appeared, the crowd
scattered in all directions.
Pemberton found himself standing alone with the woman
he had befriended, his hand still resting protectingly upon her
arm. Not until then did he realize that he had seen the face
before.
"Why, Miss Benton !" he exclaimed. "How in the world
did you get in a place like this?"
"I came down to get material, for my paper, as I suppose you
did," she began, her voice unsteady with emotion.
"But did you not know you should never have come here
alone?"
"My cousin came with me, but he remembered that he was
neglecting an important engagement, so he left me here, and was
coming back for me. I had finished my work and stood in one of
those dreadful halls looking out on this alley, when I saw a
drunkard come reeling down the street. From a corner he dragged
a little boy and began to beat him. I couldn't stand that, and.

without thinking what I was doing, I rushed out to see if I

couldn't stop him. Before I was aware, we were surrounded and
——I think you know the rest. O, here is Dick." She turned her
agitated face in relief to the handsome young man who came
swinging down the alley toward them.
"O, Dick, I've had the most dreadful experience. Or would
—
have had, if it had not been for Mr. Pemberton. Excuse me this
is Mr. Darrel, my cousin, Mr. Pemberton ; Mr. Pemberton is a
member of our sociology class."
The men shook hands, and the girl, still trembling and very
pale, repeated her story to her cousin.
"Why, Margie I wouldn't have had such a thing happen for
anything in the world," the young man said in self condemnation.
"What an idiot I was to leave you in such a place, even for a
minute. Mr. Pemberton, we can't hope to thank you for what
vou have done."
"Please don't mention it," protested Philip. "I am very glad,
indeed, that I was here to render the little service."
"Well, I must get you home. You are as white and limp as
a rag. What will your father say to me?" Richard Darrel took
his cousin's arm. "We shall never forget this service. Mr. Pem-
berton and we hope to know you better. Call on me at my
rooms
whenever you have time," and he handed Philip a card.

"And you must let me thank you, when I can think a little
girl added
better how, and father will want to see you also," the
handing him another card.
"Your gratitude is unnecessary, but I shall be glad to see
pocket-book.
vou again," Philip replied, slipping the cards into his
808 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The next day Margaret Benton was not at school. Philip
wondered her experience the day before had made her ill. He
if
thought of calling at her home, but decided it would be pre-
sumptuous to force his acquaintance on the incident in the slums.
He did not want gratitude for a service any gentleman would have
rendered, and doubtless the invitations had been extended as a
matter of simple courtesy. However, as Miss Benton did not ap-
pear the next day Philip decided she must be ill and he was an-
noyed that he could not keep his thoughts from recurring to their
unusual meeting. He wondered if she were a school teacher like
himself brushing up in summer school along her line. She must
live in Chicago. He found himself wondering about her people
and her home in a way that was becoming provoking. On the
evening of the third day of her absence he took out her card
and walked to the trolly, taking the car that led in the vicinity of
the address.
When Michigan Avenue was called he got off and looked
around him. He was surprised to find himself in one of the
best residence parts of the city. He walked along the street look-
ing at the splendid homes set well back in beautifully kept grounds.
He must have been mistaken in the address. He took out the card
again and studied it by the light house just ahead of him. It stood
white and distinctive with its heavy pillars and wide verandas.
He was conscious of a vague feeling of disappointment. He had
pictured her a struggling school teacher, in a humble home per-
haps helping a poor father. He felt that he could not call at a
place like this. Why he was not only a poor student, struggling
through the university, but he was a despised "Mormon" as well.
He turned and began to walk down the street. There was a
step behind him and a friendly voice called out,
"Why, hello, Pemberton. What are you doing away out
here?" He turned to greet John Atkins his partner in the biology
laboratory.
"O, I was roaming around a little, taking in the sights."
just
"It's a fine old place,Chicago is, don't you think? I suppose
you find it quite different to the west. I have an old aunt living on
this avenue. She invites me up for supper occasionally and has
me listen to her gossip about her aristocratic neighbors. She
thinks old Chicago has all the people in the world who are worth
anything. By the way, did you notice that big white place we
passed just now. That's Samuel E. Benton's, the writer you
know. Aunt Henry seems to know all about him. She says he's
writing a new book now on 'Problems of the Slums.' "
Philip was silently thankful he had not thrust his presence
upon this distinguished man. His companion rattled on.
"The old man has a daughter, aunt says, who bids fair to be-
come as well known as her father. With all her wealth and
 THE CRUCIAL TEST 809

station,however, she perfectly simple and natural and helps her

is

father with his work. She is in school now reviewing up along her
line. Why maybe you have seen her. She ought to be in your
sociology class."
"Yes, I think I have seen her," Philip answered, but he admit-
ted nothing further. They soon reached the corner and Philip bade
his companion good night and ran to catch his car.
Somehow he could not get over his disappointment in finding
the brown-eyed girl he had befriended, in a class so different to
his own. He discovered that he had been hoping the acquaintance
started in the slums that day might grow into friendship, for
Margaret Benton had a personal appeal to him he had never felt
before. However, he took himself to task before he went to sleep
that night for allowing his mind to be disturbed by a woman he
had known scarcely a week, a woman so far above him in the
financial world, and moreover, a woman not of his own faith.
Assuring himself that he would think no more about her, he went
to sleep in his dreams however, he lived again, with peculiar
;

variations, that afternoon in the slums when he had rescued her.

The next day when he reached the door of the sociology class
room he found Margaret Benton waiting for him. She held out
her hand in easy friendliness, and said half in jest,
"I think you might have called when I've been sick from the
fright I got that day in the slums."
Philip's heart, in spite of all his resolves, rushed in an extra
beat as his hand touched her small, pink fingers.
"I'm sorry you have been ill and am very glad to see you
back," he assured her as they walked into the class room to-
gether.
"Since you have not accepted that general invitation I gave
you to come and see us, I'm going to give you a special one," the
girl continued with a fascinating frankness as they sat clown on
the front bench. "Father wants you to come and take dinner with
us tomorrow evening. Dick will be there, my cousin, you know.
We will expect you at six o'clock."
Just then the professor came in and the lecture commenced.
When the class was dismissed, Margaret warned Philip not to
forget, and left him wondering why he had not offered some
excuse.
The next evening the western boy approached the big white
house with considerable trepidation. Margaret, herself, met him
at the door and took him into the library to her father and cousin.
The old gentleman referred to the incident of the slums in a few
grateful words which in no way embarrassed Philip, then fell to
talking of other things and set the young man perfectly at his
ease. Philip was surprised that he could feel so in the presence
of this eminent man whose works he had often read and admired.
 ;

810 IMPROVEMENT ERA

He had never thought before that true greatness is always ac-
companied by simplicity.
Richard Darrel was extremely pleasant and the conversation
flowed smoothly from one topic to another until dinner was an-
nounced. Mr. Benton asked Philip to take Margaret in. Some-
how he felt that he had always known these people who, only the
night before had seemed to belong to a world he had never
entered. After all, he thought, we are all brothers and sisters
why should a few dollars or a little learning set barriers between
kindred souls.
The simple, but well prepared and served meal was eaten amid
interesting discussions on various subjects. When itwas over, the
host invited his guests to join him in a smoke.
"I never smoke," Philip admitted, and he was ashamed of the
embarrassment he felt in making the admission. He had always
been proud of the fact before.
"Very well, go into the drawing room and let my daughter
entertain you until we are through."
"You are from the West, aren't you Mr. Pemberton?"
Margaret asked when they were alone.
"Yes," Phil replied, then added with a laugh, "Am I so 'wild
and woolly' you can tell it by my looks?"
"O, no, indeed !But you western men always seem so clean—
—
—and strong and manly." She flushed, conscious that she really
had not intended to say it just that way. Philip's color also
heightened at this compliment so frank and unstudied from the lips
of this lovely girl.
"I thank you for myself and fellow westerners," he said.
"And I hope we may all prove your first generous opinion cor-
rect."
"Just where is your home?" was Margaret's next question, as
if she wanted to get the conversation on a little less personal foot-
ing.
"Idaho," Philip answered shortly. He realized that here was
his chance to introduce his real self. He should have added that
until three years before he had lived in Utah, that he was a
"Mormon" and that when he returned West after the Summer
semester he was to enter a "Mormon" college. He had intended
to say all this when the opportunity came, and to add that he was
proud of those facts. Long ago Philip had resolved to be a self
appointed missionary at all times. And here certainly was a
woman he might well be proud to convert. But somehow the
seconds passed and the words he had intended to say did not come
to him. The girl commenced talking of other things and soon her
father and cousin joined them. His opportunity had been neg-
lected and did not present itself again. Somehow all the rest of
the evening Philip felt as if he were wearing false colors. When
 THE CRUCIAL TEST 811

it was time for his departure and his new friends insisted so
warmly upon his coming again soon, he found himself wondering
if the invitation would be just as cordial if they knew he was a
"Mormon." The thought made him miserable as he rode toward
his rooming house.
He had a good deal to think about that night, but the thing
which claimed his attention most was the startling realization of
an indefinable something he had never felt before in his attitude
toward Margaret Benton. Again he told himself that the only sane
thing to do was to let their acquaintance stop just where it was
and not think of her any more. This latter condition he soon
found himself quite unable to control. It made no difference what
channel he turned his thoughts into, something she had said, or a
gesture of her hand or a gleam of her eye would creep between
him and his purpose.
At last he was forced to face the fact that he was in love.
The fact once admitted called for a solution of certain ob-
stacles.
Perhaps it was a little strange that her station did not appeal to
him as an insurmountable barrier. He was, as she had said, strong
and clean and manly. Those qualities, he felt, were more to a
woman like her than wealth and social position, things to be at-
tained with courage and persistence. He was young and the future
was all before him. The present was full of youth's faith and
courage. After studying the situation for a little time, the only
obstacle that Philip Pemberton could see that lay in the way of his
trying to win Margaret Benton was the fact that she did not
belong to his religion, and that she belonged to a class so hard to
reach with the gospel.
He decided that he must make a clean breast of it. He would
tell her who he was and ask for a chance
to make her under-

stand his views.

But when he saw her the next day and asked her to walk with
him on the campus, the task seemed too great. He was over-
whelmed with the certainty that she would scorn him if she knew,
and he could not bear the thought of losing his chance with
her.

A week went by in which he saw her every day. They were

working out their papers on the slums and were much
together
made him, could not find the
but still Phil, miserable as his silence
courage to speak.
Then one night a brilliant idea came to him. Why not
convert

her without her "knowledge or consent."

He lay awake for
illustrations he could use
hours thinking of bits of argument and
conversations, to develop his plan. He
changed the out-
in their
line for hispaper and brought in some "Mormon" doctrine in a

strong and convincing way.

plan worked admirably. Margaret would
From the first his
812 IMPROVEMENT ERA
sit and look him with her great serious eyes as he explained
at
some new would exclaim,
principle, then she
"How plain and beautiful that is. It seems strange we have
never heard it that way before."
One day "What a splendid the-
she remarked half jestingly,
ologian you would make Why you should organize a new creed.
!

Your doctrines are more convincing and satisfying than anything

I have ever heard."
"If I should, would you join it?" he asked quickly, trying to
keep his real earnestness from his voice. His heart skipped a beat
as he waited for her answer.
"I certainly would," she replied with a laugh, and Phil left
her with a happy thrill in his heart.
One by one, in this way, Phil had made her acquainted with
the principles of the gospel. He spent many evenings in her home.
Often her father and cousin joined in their discussions. Philip
was sometimes a little uneasy with the men, thinking that they
might have heard enough about "Mormonism" to discover him
and he was not ready yet.
The weeks passed by all too rapidly for the young man. The
summer semester would soon be over and he would return to take
a position in a Utah college. His love for Margaret Benton had
grown with their constant association, but never once had he per-
mitted himself to suggest his real feelings for her. Outwardly
they were good comrades, that was all. It would not be honorable,
he told himself, to try to win her until she knew. He was sure
that she liked him, and his own love gave him hope that he would
be able to win her.
The last week of school was over. Philip had planned to
leave Chicago the following Tuesday.. Some business for a
;

western friend would keep him busy Monday. He was in a state

of anxious excitement. He must reveal his secret to Margaret
and learn how his test was to be received. He was trying to decide
how he could best break the news to her when he learned that
Elder T from Utah was visiting for a few days in Chicago
and would speak to the branch of the Church Sunday evening.
Elder T was to Philip an ideal man and one of the most elo-
quent speakers in the Church. His problem solved itself. He
would take Margaret to church with him Sunday evening.
Margaret had invited him to take dinner with her Sunday
afternoon. Her father was present, but excused himself soon
afterwards as he had promised to read some of his manuscript to a
friend.
"How shall we spend the evening?" The girl asked when
they were alone.
"Why not go to church?" Phil suggested his heart beating
rapidly.
 THE CRUCIAL TEST 813

"O, I guess I'm a sort of heathen. I don't seem to care much

for church. It's the same old things always harped upon in the
same old way. I have a new book on an interesting economic
problem. I believe we would enjoy looking over that."
"No, let's got to church. I promise to take you where you
will hear something absolutely new from the pulpit." He tried not
to appear too eager.
"Well, if you promise that I'll risk it." She put on her
things and they left the house.
Phil forced himself to keep up a lively conversation. He did
—
not want her to ask questions not yet. They had a long ride and
when they left the car he led her to the unpretentious room in an
old G. A. R. house where the saints and elders were gathering.
His heart was in a tumult of mingled hope and fear. What if she
only spurned him when she found out his deception. The thought
sent a pang through his heart. He was just beginning to realize
how much she meant to him.
Several people nodded to him as he led his companion to a
seat in rear of the room.
"You have been here before?" Margaret asked.
"Yes, I come most every Sunday."
The services commenced, with congregational singing. The
hymn was "O, My Father." Phil furtively watched the face of the
girl beside him. Her eyes were bright and her lips slightly parted
with sudden interest.
He felt a warm glow in Surely she would under-
her heart.
stand —and believe. the form of a silent prayer.
The thought took
"O God, help her to understand and believe." He was conscious
that his whole life's happiness rested on the present hour. As they ^

sat down Margaret leaned toward him and whispered, "You are
right. I've heard something new already. That song! There's
something to think about in that."
After the prayer which followed. Elder T was introduced.
He announced that he had been requested by some of the saints
to speak upon pre-existence. He began his sermon with the
quo-
:"
tation from Wordsworth's "Ode to Immortality
"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The soul that rises with us, our life's star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar.
Not in entire forgetfulness,
Nor in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God who is our home."

Then he went on in his own masterful way developing his

theme He gave references from the Bible and finally pictured
the distinctly "Mormon" idea of the subject, on similar lines as
o-iven in Nephi Anderson's little story, Added Upon.
314 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Emphasizing this part of his sermon he read the beautiful
little poem from the pen of Ella Wheeler Wilcox, "A Girl's
:"
Faith
"Across the miles that stretch between,
Through days of gloom or glad sunlight,
There shines a face I have not seen
Which yet doth make my world more bright.
"He may be near, he may be far,
Or near or far I cannot see,
But faithful as the morning star
He yet will rise and come to me.
"What though lifeleads us different ways,
The world is round, and time is fleet,
A journey of a few brief days,
And face to face we two shall meet.

"Shall meet beneath God's arching skies,

While suns shall blaze, or stars shall gleam,
And looking in each other's eyes
Shall hold the past but as a dream.
"But round and perfect and complete,
Life like a star shall climb the height,
As we two press with willing feet
Together toward the Infinite."
Margaret Benton was leaning forward drinking in every
word as a thirsty flower drinks in the sunlight. To Phil her beau-
tiful face seemed transfigured with some deep emotion. He was
looking at her with his own love all undisguised in his eyes when
she lifted her gaze to him. That fleeting glance sent the man's
pulses throbbing with a joy for which he had not dared to hope.
He noted that the small hand lying in the girl's lap trembled.
He had a longing desire to cover it with his own strong, brown
hand, but the place forbade. The heavenly ecstasy of that moment
was not to last, however. Up to this time there had not been a
word in the sermon to designate the speaker's creed. These were
the words which now fell from his lips,
"Now and then, as we have seen, has a poet with prophetic
vision, stood up in the path of the world's progress and given
voice to this pre-existent truth but it remained for the Latter-
;

day Saints, the despised 'Mormons,' to proclaim it to the world."

Philip Pemberton knew that the crucial moment had come. In
an agony of hope and fear he breathed again, "O, God, help her to
understand and believe."
Margaret Benton straightened. For a moment a dazed ex-
pression crossed her face. She wondered if she had heard aright.
Her cheeks turned white and with surprise and inquiry in her
eyes she looked at the man beside her. For one second he wav-
ered, then with that prayer throbbing in his heart he met her
gaze, steady, unflinching and with a yearning plea in his eye.
 THE CRUCIAL TEST 815

She read the truth in his face. He saw her hands clutch
unsteadily for control, then she whispered in a cold, tense voice, "I
!"
wish to go home at once
Philip arose and followed her to the door. Outside he
stumbled blindly beside her, dumb with the feeling that all was
lost. He wanted to explain but words refused to come. They
reached the car in silence. It was crowded. He found a place for
her and stood near in utter misery as they were carried toward
her home. She sat silent and rigid without one glance in his
direction. Philip began to feel that he was indeed as black a
criminal as her manner suggested. He had been a coward. He
had deceived her. No wonder she despised him. He loathed
himself. He was not worthy of the religion he had been trying
to teach to her.
They reached Michigan Ave., and left the car. In silence
they approached her home. When they reached the veranda she
faced him.
"You, you are a 'Mormon'." The calm scorn in the voice
cut deep. But it roused in him a sense of pride and honor he
thought was dead. He no longer cowered beneath her gaze, but
stood erect with his head and shoulders back.
"Yes, Miss Benton, I am a 'Mormon,' and I am proud of it!"
He was going to proceed, but she cut him short.
"And you dared to come here, hiding who you were and teach
— —
me to " She stopped and a painful, crimson flush covered her
face. The words she would have said were apparent, and sent the
man's heart beating wildly. He started toward her with passion-
ate pleading words on spurned him back.
his lips, but she
"Don't touch me No!
I felt toward you an hour
matter how
ago, I despise you now. You are a coward as well as a
'Mor-
mon,' and I never want to see you again." She turned and would
have rushed into the house, but he sprang past her and stood
between her and the door.
—
"Margaret Miss Benton, you must hear me. Your past-
I'll admit
friendship and my own love give me the right to speak.
I should have told you at first who I was,
but would you have
listened to me then? You know that the unjust prejudice you
Be-
have shown tonight would have shut your door upon me.
would you you heard
cause I was sure mv religion appeal to if
so much to
it and most of all because I loved you and wanted
my creed without naming
have you believe, I tried to teach you
prayed that you might understand and be-
it I have hoped and
lieve Every day during the past weeks you have acknowledged
some part of 'Mormonism.' You have said the principles were
satisfying truths. Can they be less true because they are the
guide of a misjudged people? Won't you let
me talk it all over
with vou once more, now you know what I am ?
 "

816 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"No, no. You are a 'Mormon!' I despise you. Let me go
into the house."
"Margaret—"
"'Don't speak to me like that. Let me pass or I shall call my
father."
He
stepped back and she flew to the door.
"Good bye and God bless you," Philip whispered hoarsely.
For a second the girl hesitated on the threshold, then she closed
the door and rushed to her own room.
Slowly Philip walked down the path from Margaret's
splendid home. The future yawned before him like an ugly, empty
chasm.
The next morning Richard Darrel ran into his uncle's to
invite his cousin for a ride. Margaret had spent a sleepless night
and had not come down until after her father had left the house
on some business.
"Why, hello, Margie. What's the matter?" was her cousin's
greeting.
"Nothing," she answered with a forced smile.
"Nothing? Well, you look like seven funerals. Come Margie,
tellyour old pal. What is the trouble?"
"Did you know that Phil Pemberton is a 'Mormon?'" she
asked without more urging. The young man's expression and
long low whistle was quite what she had expected.
"O, come off, Margie. Someone must be twisted. Who told
you?"
"He told me himself."
"Well, the hound! What's he been skulking around here for?
Preaching his infamous dope to us I suppose, and trying to win
you on the side. The dog! I'll show him!" The young man
paced up and down the room giving vent to his outraged temper.
Suddenly he seized his hat and started for the door.
"Why, Dick, what are you going to do?" Margaret de-
manded, an unexplainable fear clutching her heart. During the
long hours of the night the girl had faced the future without the
strong, manly Westerner who had come so strangely into her life.
"I'm going to horsewhip him to begin with, confound his
—
"O, Dick, don't— don't do anything like that."
Richard Darrel turned a searching look upon his cousin's
face.
"Margaret, surely you are not in love with the whelp?" —
"Why, no, of course I'm not," lied the girl's lips, but her
burning cheeks and heaving chest told him the truth.
"Margaret, he may have two or three wives already in
Utah."
"Dick!" The girl protested with a little sob. "You know
he is not that kind."
 ;

THE CRUCIAL TEST 817

—
"Well, you said he was a 'Mormon' and " but he stopped,
touched into compassion at the girl's face. His manner suddenly
changed.
"Look here, Margaret, he's in love with you. That's been
easy to see since that day in the slums. Why don't you put him to
the test. Ask him to give up that bunch. I know a dozen fellows
who would give up all the religions in the world for you, if you
asked them to."
Just then Mr. Benton came in.
"What's the discussion?" he asked sensing something un-
usual in the atmosphere. "
"Our friend, Pemberton, has turned out to be a 'Mormon,'
Dick explained.
"What! A 'Mormon'?"
"Yes, a 'Mormon.' Who would have thought it?"
The old man sank into a chair.
"Well, well, and I suppose he has been preaching to us all
summer and we didn't know it. He had some unusual theories
some interesting theories! but a 'Mormon!' He's a decent sort
of fellow himself. It's too bad. I was really quite taken with

him. It's a shame for young men of his^ type to

remain blind,
simply because they were born that way." The old man's face
registered a sudden inspiration. "I think I'll have to open his
eyes for him the next time he comes."
"There will not be any next time. I. told him not to come
daughter, but
again," said Margaret. The old man looked at his
he failed to read what the younger man had
perceived.
should
"Well, now, that was hardly just, daughter. Everyone
until he taught to see dif-
be respected in his sincere views, is

Richard if you know where the young man is

staying
ferently.
I wish you would invite him up this evening."
As Philip approached the Benton home that evening
in re-

Darrel's telephone message, his mind was in

sponse to Richard
to meet an outraged
a tumult. He was trying to prepare himself
He was shown into the library where Mr. Benton waited
father.
As the old arose and offered
man his hand Phil felt an
alone.
immense relief. , _ T 1
I suppose I should
i i

"I just learned that you are a 'Mormon.

ignorance of the fact so
have you explain why you kept us in
I feel an uncommon
long, but we will not trouble to go into
that.
you are unjustly blinded by a
interest in you and realizing that
see if I cannot open your eyes for
false religion I should like to
of use fulness in the
you. Such men as you should find a place they
because, unfortunately,
world and not be lost to humanity
corrupt religion.
were born under the influence of a
The young man felt his blood rising, but with an effort he
kept his voice calm.
818 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"Excuse me, Mr. Benton, but I cannot remain and have you
talk so about my creed. I shall be pleased, however, to discuss
"
with you any phase of 'Mormonism.'
"Discuss it all. Tell, me what it is that holds a young, in-
telligent man to a thing like that?"
"Why, it is the thing itself. It is my certainty that 'Mor-
monism' is the true plan of salvation. Listen to the first articles
of our faith." He drew a little card from his pocket which he
handed to his companion, then he repeated slowly and earnestly
"
the 'Articles of Faith.'
"Is there anything corrupt in that, Mr. Benton? That is the
foundation upon which our religion is based. 'Mormonism' should
especially appeal to you, sir. It would solve your problems of the
slums. In Utah we have no paupers. It would solve your social
parasite problem. Our system of organization provides con-
genial work for all."
"But polygamy! What have you to say for that?" The
writer demanded, thinking to strike the fatal blow.
"You must realize that polygamy is a thing of the past in
our Church, but it served its purpose well, In our pioneer days it
was necessary for a rapid increase in population in order to
carry on the work of a driven people. Polygamy provided that,
and let me assure you, sir, there was nothing unholy in the prac-
tice. No people can hold a higher, more holy view of marriage
than do the Latter-day Saints. They marry for time and all eter-
nity. I'm sure that polygamy, as practiced by the 'Mormons'
would be a blessing and an uplift to humanity in many places in
the world today. O, sir, it is a false notion you have when you
think polygamy is another term for licentiousness. I wish I could
take you into the homes of the few remnants of that practice that
remain. You would find in those homes something you never felt
before. It is a love purified, by self-sacrifice and suffering."
Philip paused. His host was looking at him earnestly.
"I believe you mean what you say. But you 'must be wrong.
Surely if 'Mormonism' was all that you say the world would have
recognized its worth long ago and not branded it as a curse."
"Did the Jews recognize the worth of our Savior?" Philip
asked gravely and the other man was silent.
The door opened and a servant said that Mr. Benton was
wanted at the telephone. He returned with an evidence of relief
in his face.
"I'm sorry to have to cut this interesting discussion short,
Mr. Pemberton, but I am called suddenly away. I will send
Margaret in to argue with you. Philip saw that the father did not
understand the situation and he felt that he should protest, but
the desire to see the girl he loved once more was too strong.
Margaret was very pale as she entered. She extended her
 THE CRUCIAL TEST 819

hand without a word and he took it in silence. She came and sat
beside him. She tried to speak with her usual ease as she began,
''Come, Mr. Pemberton, we simply can't let you remain a
'Mormon.' Won't you let us rescue you? Think what you could
do in the world if only you would pull away from them. Father
could help you to a good position in a university, or in some im-
portant settlement work. Won't you think about it?" He under-
stood the deeper meaning back of her words. Her eyes burned
with it. She was so close that he caught the fragrance of her
hair. All the lure of the woman aided her. For a moment the
man felt dizzy. He had only to say one word and he might take
this woman in his arm, in his life. He closed his eyes to shut out
the temptation. He thrust his hands deep into his pockets and
waited for self-mastery. It came. He looked steadily into her
face. His voice sounded unnatural in his own ears.
"You cannot know, Miss Benton, how hard this moment is
for me. I would give up my life for you —
but not my religion.
There is no need of prolonging this interview so painful to us
both." He arose and reached for his hat. The girl sat like a
statue. He moved toward the door. She got to her feet and
tried to speak but the words would not come.
"Good bye, and God bless you," he repeated softly the words
he had uttered the night before, then he went slowly out and
down the marble steps. With bent head he walked toward the
gate. There was a quick swing of a door behind him and a hur-
ried step on the path.
—
"Wait O, Philip, come back." The call came in tremulous
catches.
turned. Margaret was standing like a beautiful phantom
He
in themoonlight, her hands extended. He took a step toward her
and stopped. Was this but a stronger temptation to draw, him
from the Church? He stood trembling, his breath coming short
and quick, but he did not move. A moment they stood so. The
great compelling mystery of life seemed throbbing about them,
then with a little cry the girl ran to him and he caught her in his
arms. After a long, silent second she looked up and sobbed,
"I thought— I— wanted— you to— give it up, but O, I don't.
There must be something in it to hold a man like that. I would
have despised you if you had given it up— for me. I don't just
understand it all yet, but I will, I will learn to say I'm a 'Mor-
mon' with a pride like yours."
Suddenly the ugly empty chasm, which had been yawning
lighted by
before Philip Pemberton, changed to a glorious path
Over him stole a great, calm peace, the conscious-
love and joy.
ness that he had stood the test— and won.
PROVO, UTAH
 PRESIDENT ANGUS MUNN CANNON
Born Liverpool, England, May 17, 1834; Died Salt Lake City, Utah, June 7, 1915.

For short sketch see "Passing Events"

 Big Considerations in the Great War
BY DR. TOSEPH M. TANNER

GERMANY S GREATEST LOSS IN THE WAR

Those who have followed the spread of Germanic industrial

life throughout the world know how wonderfully that nation
through its people was engaging itself in every avenue of busi-
ness, not only throughout Europe but throughout the western
continent. In France, thousands of industries were carried on
by Germans. Technical training and business habits made them
winning competitors with the Frenchmen in almost all the indus-
trial life of France. These German emigrants were making a
peaceful conquest of a commerce that was world-wide in its opera-
tions. They were gathering the choicest resources from all lands,
and bringing their fatherland into commercial relations with every
part of the globe. These Germans cultivated friendships. They
had been obliging in their methods of trade, extremely friendly in
social contact, and, withal, a most lovable people. In contrast
with them there has grown up in the center of Germany a military
oligarchy overbearing, contemptuous and offensively proud. Those
who have seen German life in its extremes realize how different
these two classes are. The military cast, however, has dissem-
inated, very widely, the idea that these peaceful merchantmen and
manufacturers in all parts of the world owed their protection and
prosperity to the military power of Germany which it was thought
was held in dread by all the other nations of the world. Naturally,
when the war broke out, all classes having been led to trust in
the military power rushed to its defense by every means available.
Germany's conquests in the commercial and manufacturing world
make her require the friendships of the nations more than any
other country in Europe. When the emperor said that the army
was his best friend he was mistaken. The army has broken
friendships that will not be regained within the next generation,
and it is just possible that these peaceful conquests of commerce
of the past thirty years may be lost to Germany for an entire
century. Germany will learn that she has greatly undervalued
the possession of friendship. It will be hard, in the future, for

these nations that have suffered so much to distinguish between

the German government and its individual subjects. Avenues of
German industry will be closed friendships will be severed, and
;

restric-
even though Germany should win, she will experience the
822 IMPROVEMENT ERA
tion that will come to her in all business life through the loss of
friendship.
The war may compromise.
close in a spirit of It may close
in a spirit of forgetfulness and forgiveness, but it is more likely
to close, for at least a generation, in a spirit of hatefulness and
revenge. Germany's loss of friendship, in my opinion, throughout
the civilized world has been a defeat more terrible than anything
she has suffered at arms. That empire may well change the
methods of its procedure, because, in the end, whatever the end
may be, she must win friendship if she is to be victorious in the
highest sense of the word.
This loss of friendship in national life is a lesson to every one
who reads the misfortunes in the loss of those sympathetic rela-
tions which formerly existed between her and other countries.
Friendship is a precious possession. It shapes powerfully the
lives of nations as it does the career of individuals. It is the old
story —
the abuse of power, for one of the first things that the in-
dividual loses in the unjust and excessive use of his power is the
loss of friendship.
While the war is on, Germany will hardly realize what sub-
stitution of enmity for the cordial relations that hitherto existed,
means to her. That substitution will some time, some day, dis-
tress the German empire and that, too, whether Germany shall
be victorious or be defeated, in the present struggle at arms.

"lusitania"

The
sinking of the Lusitania is more than an event in history.
It isthe end of an old, and the beginning of a new, era in interna-
tional law. According to the compact between the United States
and Prussia, the passengers were entitled to notification, search,
and the opportunity to spare their lives, before the vessel was
sunk.
The submarine is a new invention in warfare. It is so small
that it can make no pretention itself for the safety of passengers,
and as it operates within the enemies' waters chiefly," it performs its
mission of death in secrecy, and makes its escape as best it can.
As years go on, this event will, no doubt, cause a change in inter-
national law. For the present, however, the United States has a
right to insist that Germany keep her compact with this country.
A nation has a right to insist upon what is accorded to it by inter-
national law, and Germany should have been exceedingly careful
to keep the good-will of the people of this country.
Does a break, therefore, with Germany mean war? No.
How then could the United States punish Germany for an infrac-
tion of an international agreement? This country might very
easily say to Germany "We have fulfilled our agreement with
:
 BIG CONSIDERATIONS IN THE GREAT WAR 823

•you, in the maintenance of neutrality. We have given you the

benefits of the internment of your ships and their merchandise, in
our harbors. At a considerable expense to the United States, we
have kept a patrol in the ocean to see that English and French
ships of war were kept without the three-mile limits. In return
for this, you have killed our citizens and acted inhumanly towards
us. If you do not care to make reparation we shall be compelled
to withdraw our relations of neutrality with the German empire.
Your ambassador and consuls will, therefore, be returned their
passports, and be required to leave the country."
These are very simple words but they are full of meaning.
Immediately upon withdrawal of diplomatic relations, the rights of
•neutrality would be suspended. That suspension would act auto-
matically as a release of all German merchant ships, battleships,
men and merchandise from our harbors, and they would therefore
be at the mercy of the English and French men of war lying just
beyond the three-mile limit. And even England and France
would have a perfect right to say to this country "Now that you
:

have suspended the rights of neutrality to protect German ships

and men, you can no longer permit them to remain in your harbors
and keep your compact with England and France." That would
be a serious matter for Germany. It has been estimated that the
value of German capital in American harbors is over a half a
billion dollars. In comparison, the loss of the Lusitania would be
a mere bagatelle. All that England and the neutral nations have
lost through the German submarine would be small, indeed, com-
pared with what Germany would lose, if she lost her rights of
American neutrality in American ports.
Of course, the United States might go farther. It might

sever trade relations with Germany for a number of years, and

forbid that nation, for a given period of time, the use of the
Panama Canal. Such a course, on the part of this country, would
be one of the heaviest punishments that could be inflicted on Ger-
many.

Lines
Re dauntless, Soul, and look toward the Light-
O
Ne'er shall it fail thee;
Steadfast and_ bright, beyond the black Night,
Forever it shineth.
Tho' thou in thy anguish perceivest it not,
All the rough way is illumed by its ray.

O Heart, once so prayerful thro' all the long years,

Lift up thy voice, despite bitter tears,
For Infinite Mercy upon His far throne
In compassionate pity beholdeth His own. _

Then be glad of His love, and resignedly wait

Till at length the chastening rod
Break into blossom disclosing thy God. Maud Baggarley
 —

Snappy Sketches From Life

BY STUDENTS OF THE BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

[Too often high-school compositions are drawn from secondary im-

pressions —
that is to say, impressions gained from books or lectures. Espe-
cially is this likely to be the case where the teacher himself draws his
inspiration from the library. But secondary impressions usually turn out
third or fourth rank, in the student's re-telling; and the atmosphere, which
alone can make literature real and virile, often fades to the vaguest com-
mon-place The following short stories, furnished the Era by Prof. N. L.
Nelson, of the Brigham Young University, will further illustrate how that
difficult quality in literature, which, for want of a more exact term the Pro-
fessor calls life or tang, may be developed even in amateur work, when the
writer learns to trust what is within himself, instead of seeking what
others have said and felt as a basis for inspiration. Editors.]

The Wooden-Shoe Train*

It was a little town in Sanpete. The United Order had been
established for three years. In accordance with some very bad
economic reasoning, all the hay and other forage of the community
had been stacked within the same enclosure. Consequently, all
the live stock had to be housed nearby. On one side were long
rows of sheds for horses and mules on the opposite side, a mam-
;

moth corral for about seventy-five cows, with smaller pens for the
calves. Scattered about and roosting everywhere, or scratching
and cackling, as the varying mood would take them, were about
—
two thousand chickens. Picture the glory of it all by sight and
by sound!
But all this is merely the setting. My theme is the "Wooden-
shoe Train."
Just as the sun is going down a dozen small boys, each armed
with a stout stick, have turned loose two score calves, which gallop
with many a bellow to as many waiting cows. Next comes the
famous Train, entering at the little gate on the southwest corner of
the corral.
The Train is made up of perhaps fifteen maids and matrons
each carrying two milkpails their feet keeping time, ker-flop, ker-
;

flop, to a music very familiar to the peasantry of Holland and Den-

mark. For this was a community of Danes who, in this intensely
competitive and individualistic age, were honestly, but not very
wisely, trying to live the social system of the City of Enoch..

*This sketch was dictated to the class by the teacher as a suggestion

of the kind of work desired.
 SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE 825

From head to foot these good women were clad in home-spun,

home-knit, and home-chiseled goods for the last description refers
:

to the clogs they wore on their warmly-stockinged feet.

The boys aforesaid usually had a merry time getting the calves
back into their pens, and took occasion to play many a prank on
the members of the Wooden-shoe Train; receiving for reward
sometimes a box on the ear, but oftener a drink of milk warm
from the cow.
At length, the milking done, the Wooden-shoe Train again
falls into line; but the music of the return march is muffled as
befits the heavy loads carried in the milkpails.
Theprecious liquid is strained into a large vat, impartially
stirred so as to mix the rich with the lean, then ladled out to each
family in the community according to the number of mouths to
be fed.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

BY B. Y. BAIRD

Mr. Dodd was awakened in the middle of the night by his

wife's kicking the covers off, and screaming with all her might

that she had been bitten by a snake.

Crawling carefully out of bed, and rising suddenly to his feet,
Dodd found himself under the table, which, as it happened, had
been set for breakfast. The dishes went down with a crash, and
thus, for the moment, drowned the cries of his wife. No sooner
had he emerged from the wreck than a fresh outburst proclaimed
the fact that Mrs. Dodd had again been attacked by the venomous
intruder.
Terror striking at his heart, Dodd searched frantically for the
matches, while his wife, between shrieks and moans, declared
.

she knew she was going to die, for the wounds were already
swelling badly.
When at last he succeeded in getting a light, he beheld his
better half kneeling in the middle of the bed, holding her gathered
night-gown on the small of her back with one hand, and nursing
one heel with the other.
"Do hurry and take him !" she wailed. "I have him here.'
>

Advancingcautiously, Dodd unfolded the bundled-up portion

of his wife's gown but after careful examination no snake could
;

be found. Thinking the reptile had escaped, the mystified couple

were about to give up the search, when a badly-crushed wasp
fell to the floor.
This was too much for Mr. Dodd's sense of humor he sat on ;

the floor and laughed till the tears came. Mrs. Dodd could not
826 IMPROVEMENT ERA
see the joke, however, and hurriedly adjusting the covers, ordered
him to get inand keep still.
The Dodds had just moved out on their homestead, where
they had built out of rough boards a one-roomed cabin. The
weather being sultry, they had made the bed down on the floor
between the door and the window, in order to get the benefit of
any passing breeze. They had been asleep some hours when the
incident above referred to happened.
Quiet having been restored, they were beginning to doze off
again, when a yell that would have awakened the dead, burst from
Mr. Dodd. Throwing off the covers he leaped to his feet and
jumped around the room like one possessed.
As quickly as her laughter would permit, Mrs. Dodd made a
light, and saw her husband holding his night clothes away from
his body as far as he could, and rubbing a rapidly-swelling red
spot on his leg.
After Mrs. Dodd's mirth had somewhat subsided, they made
a thorough search of the bedding, and on one corner of a quilt
which had been airing on some bushes for a few days, they found
a nearly-completed wasp's nest, with half a dozen wasps hot and
ready for further business.
Having disposed of these enemies, they again retired. But the
rest of the night was about equally divided between nursing their
wounds and giving way, every few minutes to uncontrollable fits
of laughter.

A Mexican Bull Fight

BY LORIN JONES

"Where are they all going?" asked Rob, one Sunday as we

stood on a crowded corner in El Paso watching the excited people
clamor for seats in the already-filled Mexican street cars.
"Why," said I, "they are going to that big bull fight in
Juarez. You know Pablo, the new matador, is in the ring. They
say he surely is a dandy, and that he never has to make more than
one stab to get his bull."
"Well," finally broke in Rob, "I hate to see the horses gored
just as much as you do but I would like mighty well to see one
;

fight. And if you are g'oing with me, we'd better be moving, be-
cause here comes the next car."
A half hour later we found ourselves in a great crowd,
pushing with all our strength toward the grand stand. Hardly
had we seated ourselves, when a bugler came out upon a small
platform, high above the crowd, and with a loud blast summoned
all of the performers into the ring.
 ;

SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE 827

First came the matador and the fighters dressed in gaudy

colors ;then the horsemen and attendants and last of all, a
;

swarthy little fellow driving a scrubby pair of mules. After mak-

ing their many bows to the spectators, all of the performers ex-
cept the horesmen retired. These men rode poor, little, blind-
folded ponies which were so frightened that their riders could
hardly force them to move.
Immediately after the next bugle sounded, the gates were
opened and as the bull passed through, the gate-keeper thrust
;

deep into its neck two small spears. With the blood flowing
from its shoulders, the animal rushed into the arena bellowing like
a lion. First it ran madly around the ring trying to get at the
many spectators; finding that it could not reach them, it charged
its nearest enemy. The horseman was well prepared, however
and, inflicting a deep wound in the bull's shoulders, by means of
a long brad, he caused it to wheel short on its haunches and charge
its next opponent.
This fellow was not so well on guard; for the bull broke the
rider's brad and plunged its horn deep into the defenseless horse's
paunch. In his effort to escape the horse fell upon his cruel rider.
"Heavens," said Rob, "let's get out of here. I can't stand to
see the poor horses killed!"
"Don't get in a hurry," I replied. "This is the beginning of
the first act. The chances are, if we wait awhile, we may see one
of those greasers go to his happy hunting ground."
There was, however, no such luck for another horseman now
;

rode up and amid the cries of bravo bravo quickly enticed the
! !

bull out of the ring. With a club the brutal attendants forced the
wounded horse to drag himself out of the ring, where he was left
to die.
The bull was admitted the second time, and the so-called
sport now began in earnest. The maddened animal dashed at the
man with the red blanket, in the centre of the ring but instead ;

of striking him it struck the blanket. It now turned upon its

his
next tormentor, a swarthy little fellow with a long pole in
the and the poor
hand; but the man vaulted lightly into air,

beast's head splintered only the pole.

After being further tormented for some time, the bull became
sullen and would not fight. The impatient crowd
from the grand
stand now called out, "Kill him! Kill him!" and so the
matador
scene, and with one quick
with his long sword appeared on the
stroke dealt the death blow.
amid the
There were still five more bulls to be killed and so, ;

spectators to "bring in another," the

shouts of the blood-thirsty
and his scrubby little mules did their modest
little brown muleteer
part by dragging out the still struggling victim.
 Utah
We love fair Utah's smiling vales,
And snow-capped mountains high
That waft their soft, refreshing gales
Tocool the summer sky;
We love her rivers, brooks and lakes
Where trout dart to and fro;
Where flocks of wild fowl to the brakes
For rest and shelter go.

We love her landscapes, fresh and fair,

Bedecked with pretty flowers,
Where warbling birds of plumage rare
Enchant the wooded bowers:
We love to see our children sweet
Romp on her fields, at play;
They mind us of our joy complete,
When we were young as they,
O happy Utah, favored place,
More than lands below,
all
Reserved for us by heav'nly grace
Where we could thrive and grow;
While earthquakes and tornadoes dire
Their thousands oft destroy,
Immune from their terrific ire
We rest in peace and joy.

We sow and plant from year to year,

With surety of success,
While others sow and plant in fear
Of failure and distress;
And here men throw no dreadful bombs
Their fellowmen to scare,
Nor wreck our churches or our homes
And those assembled there.

With God and nature on our side

We need not fear nor frown;
With truth and virtue for our guide
We live life's troubles down.
Then let us thank God's saving grace
And kind, directing hand
That gave to us a home and place
In Utah's favored land.

And us thank the pioneers

let
Who paved the way that we
Their children might in later years
Such wondrous blessings see;
And that the Lord inspired their mind
To leave their native land
And all their earthly ties behind.
James Crystal
american fork, utah
 ;

Editors' Table

Masquerade Balls

A correspondent, in one of the cities in southern Utah, wishes

to know what attitude our people should take in regard to masque
balls. On the date he wrote it was the second Sunday that notice
of a masque ball had been given in their public meetings. The
ball was to be held in the local schoolhouse under the direction
of the principal of the public schools. The people of the sur-
rounding wards were also invited to come and participate. He
further writes "Hideous masks and costumes are on sale, at a
:

local store. The principal of the school stated, upon my objecting

to masque balls as not being sanctioned by our Church nor ap-
proved by the Latter-day Saints, that there is no harm in them.
He gives as a reason for this opinion that those who were masked
would be required to give their names and unmask on entering the
hall. He also stated that such balls were quite instructive."
Our correspondentthen asks as to the advisability of patron-
izing such affairs, and whether or not our correspondent is wrong
in his statement that the Latter-day Saints are opposed to masque
balls. In answer we may say, in a general way, that he is correct
that the Latter-day Saints are opposed to masque balls. We quote
from an editorial in the Era (Volume 13, page 564), by President
Joseph F. Smith, from which the reader may gather in what light
the authorities of the Church view the subject:
"The advice and counsel of the First Presidency, from the
beginning to the present time, has always been against masquerade
balls and masquerade gatherings of any kind. We
trust that this
counsel is generally understood and adhered to throughout the
Church.
"There are so many safer and more respectful amusements
that it doesn't seem reasonable that anyone should wish to en-
danger the morals of the young people by even suggesting a
masquerade. This particular kind of amusement, history tells us,
had its origin in the courts of kings, where moral degeneracy was
not uncommon. The mask enabled the vicious princes to hide
their corruption, while it gave license to evil
men and women to
commit licentiousness such as even the most wicked and vile
without the protection of
among them were ashamed to engage in

the mask. .

prevalent in
"This class of amusement became especially
830 IMPROVEMENT ERA
public entertainments in Italy, about the close of the middle ages.
It was introduced in England by Henry VIII, whose tyranny,
natural violence and evil practices are universally detested, but
which were fit consorts of the mask. Masquerades have con-
tinued, with more or less popularity, unto the present, and are now
common accompaniments to the carnival, where indulgence of the
sensual appetites is generally given full sway. The nearest
approach, however, to this species of entertainment which English
law and taste permit in this day, is fancy costumes, without the
facial mask. Undoubtedly, the reason for this is that from their
nature masked amusements, so-called, are peculiarly liable to
abuse.
"The mask is found in dens of infamy and vice it has its ;

home there. It is a means used by the harlot and procurer to

cover shame and to practice evil. Its use has no redeeming
feature. It is repulsive in every way. There is nothing clean nor
attractive about it.

"For these and other reasons, the masque ball has no place
among the amusements of the Latter-day Saints, where every
action must be open and above board, and where virtue, purity and
fidelity are prevailing characteristics."
Joseph F. Smith.

Sunday Baseball

Considering all that has been said and written, it is a little

strange that a brother in a northern Utah stake of Zion should
write the Era to know what "stand the Church takes concerning
Sunday baseball, and why?"
He adds that he knows of "Mutual officers who argue that
there is no harm in it. Many of the young people think it nothing
to attend ball games on Sunday, and say they see no harm in it,
because we must have time in life for some pleasure as well as
work."
Briefly, we answer the Church discountenances, discourages
:

and warns the young people against indulgence in all kinds of

work, games, excursions, feasts, amusements and strenuous pleas-
ures upon the Sabbath day.
Why? Because it is a day appointed by direct command of
God, unto the Saints and their children, to rest and to pay their
devotions unto the Most High. In other words, it is a day of rest,
which means a day of cessation or intermission of exertion
or labor, when the body and mind should be kept free from
weariness, disturbance and strenuous activity —
a day of peace
;

for the mind, body and spirit.

And further, as we are told, it is a day when people should
 : :

EDITORS' TABLE 831

pay their devotions to God, which means a day to express their

love and ardent affection for Him by acts of worship, song, prayer,
thanksgiving and praise.
It is a day when we are asked to offer a sacrifice to the Lord,
in righteousness. Sacrifice means giving a desirable thing in be-
half of a declared higher object —
base ball and other amusements,
for example, for a humble and penitent spirit.
A precious promise is given to those who will do this, and it is
worth testing. The Church teaches its membership that not a
promise of the Lord shall fail where the Saints do their part and
keep their covenants with Him. 'This promise is that, inasmuch
as the Saints will do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful
hearts and countenances, the fulness of the earth and the good
things which come of it are theirs. A promise which we take to
mean that refraining from work and pleasure on the Sabbath day
and devoting oneself to the proper worship of the Lord, shall in
no wise cause us to lose money nor health, nor suffer for lack of
a time for recreation.
Besides this promise, there is a very important reason given,
in the word of the Lord, why the Saints should not work, nor play
baseball upon the Sabbath day but rather should devote the day
;

to worship, devotion and righteous sacrifice. It is this :"That

thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world."
Keeping the Sabbath day holy is a shield against the vices and
sins of the world. And what father or son, what mother or
daughter, are there who do not need this simple but sure protection
to keep them and their loved ones from the world's besetting sins?
Now, "we must have some time for pleasure as well as work."
That is true, and for this good reason the M. I. A. are unanimous
for this slogan, in every ward of the Church, and we hope the
authorities and parents may see the need and wisdom of it
"We stand for a sacred Sabbath and a weekly half holiday."
Furthermore, here is another slogan that appeals to parents
and children, which the M. I. A. have adopted so that righteous
principles may be taught
"We stand for a weekly home evening."
Both these are Church movements and no stake or ward au-
thority will find anything but encouragement from the General
Authorities, in adopting them. Those who read the message from
the First Presidency in the June Era on "Home Evening," and
who attended the priesthood meeting at the last general confer-
ence and listened to the remarks of President Chas. W. Penrose
are thoroughly informed on how the Church authorities stand on
this matter.
It need only be saidconclusion that the Church is against
in
Sunday baseball, because is in direct opposition to the word of
it

the Lord, and has a tendency to drag the youth of Zion into the
 —

832 IMPROVEMENT ERA

wickedness of the world. Then, to encourage the observance of a
sacred Sabbath, a weekly half-holiday should be given the young
people, for needed recreation. An evening a week should be
,

devoted in the family to the teaching of the gospel and the enjoy-
ment of the pleasures of home life.

Official Announcement

Our attention having, been called to the different forms of

spe'ling the proper name Melchizedek (as, for example: Mel-
chisedek Melchizedec, Melchisedec, etc.), at our request Dr.
James E. Talmage made a critical investigation of the subject
with a view of learning the biblical and philological concensus
of authority and opinion concerning it. In harmony with Elder
Talmage's report, and expressing our own views, the Council of
the Presidency and Apostles has decided that the proper noun,
and the adjective as applied to the High Priesthood should be
spelled Melchizedek (as it appears in the Old Testament and the
Book of Mormon) in all publications of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith,
Anthon H. Lund,
Charles W. Penrose,
First Presidency.

Messages from the Missions

[The Era solicits short, pertinent messages of important happen-

ings^ and faith-promoting incidents in the experiences of the elders;
portraits of persons and places connected with such experiences, and
illustrating the text, will be acceptable, especially if the pictures are
—
out of the ordinary illustrations of action. Groups, with names alone,
can be used only to a very limited extent. Editors.]
Rendering Good Service
From left to right, in the group, 1 the order named, are
the pictures of Sisters
Clara Peterson, of
Wanship, Utah; Susie
Pitcher, of Cardston,
* i"*fl
Canada, and May
^m Branch, of Coalville,
fc#1
Utah. These lady mis-
sionaries work at At-
lanta, Ga. They are
rendering excellent ser-
itj vice in the branch or-
ganizations, and among
I
wmi...!,-.-
n
m/
che non-members they
ire diligent missiona-
ries.
 EDITORS' TABLE 833

Five Warriors

Elder Alvin D. White, Derby, England, May 24: "The elders labor-
ing in this part will never forget some of the events now happening
in the world. The accompanying photograph portrays vividly one of
the fruits of this strife between national powers. Elder Stephen Pas-
kett took this picture while we were out tracting in a rural district. It
—
represents five nationalities English, Irish, Scotch, Welch, and 'Mor-
mon.' Strange
fact, is it not,
that while na-
tions endeavor
to destroy
each other,
there are the
powers of
peace working
simultaneously.
Hence, the pic-
ture represents
destructive and
const ructive
agencies. These
soldiers had
been wounded
in the battle of
Neuve Chap-
elle. Happy
and contented are the soldiers of the cross m the admonition ot Jesus,
"Be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more
that they can do. Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to
cast into hell." So imbued with the spirit of war are most people
!ieie that little thought is given to our message. Still occasionally the

elders are sucessful in switching from war to religion and must be ore-
pared to talk on either."

Japan Conference

Amasa W
Clark, Tokyo, Japan: "The April conference of the
missionary
Japanese mission met April 7. Twelve elders and one lady
were present. The first session was devoted to testimony in which
all

the elders expressed their thankfulness for the

goodness of the Lord
gospel and their
to them, their testimonies of the truthfulness of the
desire to live nearer to its principles that they
might merit the Spirit
of the Lord so as to make the Japanese mission
one of the best in the
for the benefit
world. The elders who are able to read Japanese spoke
of the younger elders, on the literature now
being distributed so that
tracts, pamphlets and books
all might familiarize themselves with the
to be distributed in the mission. Others of the elders spoke upon
all questions were
gospel topics. Special meeting was held in which
There were other meetings in w lucl-.the
discussed and answered.
opportunities of expressing themselves upon the literature
elders had suggestions
in the mission, the needs of the mission, and to make any
that would in their opinion help, to
make. the work mor e success ful
to the needs of the
The elders were very free in their expressions as presiding elder, and
mission Each conference was reported by the
Missionaries that were
affairs look prosperous for the coming
vear.
Utah; Harold Kingsford,
pfesent a?e C Ralph Amott, Salt Lake City,
834 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Franklin, Idaho; Arthur Cutler, Salt Lake City; Mission Secretary
Amasa W. Clark, Rexburg, Idaho; Arthur F. Crowther, Provo; Ether
Spackman, Lewiston; Lloyd O. Ivie, Salina, Utah; George A. Turner,
Lago, Idaho; J. Vernon Adams, Logan; Mission President H. Grant
Ivins, Salt Lake City; Mary E. Stimpson, Joseph H. Stimpson, River-
dale; Edward J. Allen, Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reduced in Numbers

L. Albin Erickson, Malmo, Sweden, April 20: "Our corps of

elders has been reduced to only three in the Skane conference, on ac-
count of war conditions.
As the nations have put
on their armor of steel
so have we clothed our-
selves in the garment
of truth and are seeking
Tor the guidance of our
Master in our battles to
place the truth before
our fellowmen, and in
warning them of the
judgments to come to
those who do not re-
pent and obey the com-
mandments of God. We
are bearing our load
with joy, and are thank-
fid unto our heavenly
Father that he has per-
mitted us to continue
nere in his cause. Our
iime is taken up in trav-
eling among the Saints
in five branches in this
conference. In some of
the branches local el-
ders preside and are
succeeding admirably
in their meetings with
the Saints. Since our
fall conference, in No-
vember, up to the April conference, we distributed 14 496 tracts, and
sold 805 small books. Our meetings are well attended, and at con-
ference our little hall was taxed to its capacity. A splendid spirit pre-
vailed throughout, and the Spirit of the Lord indicated powerful tes-
timonies from the elders to the revealed truths restored to the earth
through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The names of the elders are:
Standing, left to right, Walter Petterson, visiting; Clans Persson, local
elder; L. Albin Erickson, conference secretary; sitting: conference
president John A. Carlson, and mission president Theodore Tobiason."

Conditions in West Australia

Wilford Bailey writes from Subiaco, West Australia, April

25: "There are many unemployed people in western Australia, owing
to the great drouth and the European war. The farmers are dis-
couraged owing to the poor season last year, in which thev lost the
 EDITORS' TABLE 835

greater portion of their crops. The government has assisted them in

obtaining seed and hay for this year, and an unusual amount of rain
has fallen, making the
prospects for this sea-
son's harvest very good.
We held the annual con-
ference of this branch
March 7. President Don
C. Rushton, of the Aus-
tralian mission, was in
attendance. This branch
of the mission is grow-
ing and gaining favor
among the people. The
elders' headquarters
have been changed to
120 Rokeby Road, Su-
biaco. West Australia.
Elders: Lester Facer,
Brio-ham City; Wilford Bailey, Nephi. who was sustained as confer-
conference pres-
ence president; front row: David P. Kimball, acting
ident, Thatcher, Arizona; Don C. Rushton,
mission president, bait
Lake' City; Delbert Chipman, American Fork, Utah.

New Meeting Hcuse in the Western States Mission

of the Western
A part of the elders of the San Luis conference
Alamosa, Colo., May 9, 1915: Back, row.
States Mission, taken at

Uyrum VNelso,
^^J^lKSiS^SdtS^^
conference president;
^ftL
Two of the
v!
missionary
836 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Elders Alvin F. Bergeson and Ernest Keele, were in the extreme
southern portion of New Mexico, and Elder Lewis Taylor was at
Durango. About two years ago Alamosa and north and the territory
east of the Rio Grande river was transferred from the San Luis stake
to the Western States mission, and we now have a thriving little
branch at Alamosa, of about one hundred twenty-five members. The
people, being anxious for a place to meet in, purchased a piece of
ground, and the Church appropriated sufficient funds for the erection
of a building which will soon be erected. Alamosa is a division point
of the D. & R. G. Railroad, and has quite extensive shops, a number
of our members being employed therein. Brother J. W. Dyer, local
comissary agent for the railroad company, is the presiding elder of the
branch."

Centered on the War

Leland H. Holman, clerk of the Belfast conference, Ireland, re-
ported that the elders are doing all they can to present the gospel to
the people. "We have but little opposition of late, as the minds of the
people are centered on the war, but we have a good attendance of in-
vestigators at our meetings, which is indeed encouraging to the elders
who labor here. Although we see but little results in immediate con-

verts to the Church, we know that the Lord will not let his servants
labor in vain. Elders, back row: Leland L. Holman, Stirling, Canada;
William G. Hoggan, Manti; Frank W. Munns, Garland; J. Leo Seeley.
Mt. Pleasant; sitting: Harold J. Bishop, Kaysville; Conference Pres-
ident Augustin L. Hanks, Clearfield; Hyrum M. Smith, president of
the European Mission; J. M. Sjodahl, Salt Lake City, and P. Leroy
Nelson, Spanish Fork, Utah."

Died in Australia

Elder Claire Lewis, a missionary in Sydney, Australia, died April

1915, according to a cable message sent by Don C.
22,
Rushton,
 EDITORS' TABLE 837

president ol the Australian mission, to the First Presidency. Death

followed an operation for appendicitis. The body was sent home on
the Sttan-.ship "Sonoma," May 8, and arrived in San Francisco on
May 26. Elder Lewis is the son of Edward Lewis and was born in
Logan, November 15, 1890. He was set apart for the Australian mis-
sion, September 24, 1914.

Nothing But Praise for Utah

Elder Willard R. Jensen, of Conterfield, Utah, writes from Con-

cord, New Hampshire: "Elder James Larson, Jr., of Thatcher, Ari-
zona and myself are the only two elders laboring in this state.
We meet many honest people who have invited us to their homes
to explain the principles of the gospel. The prejudice which people
have had towards the 'Mormons' is fast fading away, and they are
more hospitable to the elders than ever before. We often meet people
who have traveled throughout the west, and thy have nothing but
praise for Utah and her people."

Native Saints aid in Gospel Work

Elder Walter B. Hanks, conference president, Grover, Utah; and
Borgen A. Anderson, Hyrum, Utah, write from Groningen, Holland,
gospel, but
that they are meeting some opposition in preaching the
that some of the people are seeking after the truth,
being glad to
meet the elders to hear the message of the restored gospel. The
dif-

ferent branches in the Groningen conference are in fairly

good condi-
tion though there is considerable sickness. The members of the
spread
Church are endeavoring to do their duty and are aiding in the
of the gospel.

Opposition Makes Active

Robert Schmid, Burlington, Vermont: "We

have here
Elder
for our good.
just enough opposition to make us active, and it results
Matthias Hansen left us
We have a lovely little branch. President
March for his home and family in the
west The^Sain s and
in early
Elders laboring here , are
elders are well and rejoice in the gospel
Albert Brandlev, Stirling: Silas H. Bigelow, Cardston Canada Con
ference President, Robert Schmid, Georgetown; and David Ricks,
Clawson, Idaho."

A Hall Rented in Cincinnati

fine hall has been
Tohn L Lloyd, Cincinnati. Ohio, March 16: "A
the Ohio Conference, and
rented in Cincinnati, the headquarters of
East Kentucky.elders laboring
he Cincinnati elder; assisted by the
holding some profitable meetings. Elder Charles \
in Newport are
Cincinnati, has charge of the branch
Anderson, now in business in
greatly appreciated by all concerned.
and his labors are
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Deacon's Activities in Richmond

"Having read the Era what the deacons of other wards are
in
doing, I take pleasure in referring to the labors of the deacons of

fl H
£g, SmL. W Ail
% \
g_l ^ "'^
v^
%
•f
m

\ * i !
*^ j^.^:
»«.«.•

PRVmFHH ^* *^bf&
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 839

the Richmond ward, this past winter. We

studied 'Incidents from the
Lives of our Leaders.' Coming to the life of Apostle M. W. Merrill,
and reading how he helped to build up Richmond, we knew that there
were others who did much to build up the town, so we decided to in-
vestigate the lives of other pioneers. We set apart each Wednesday
night to visit a pioneer and listen to his life and what he endured for
the gospel's sake. One picture which I send represents the deacons
of the ward, and the other the boys having musical talent. These boys
and thirty-seven others, carry a strong testimony of the gospel, and
that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. We
are enjoying the work
very much. The music teacher is John Omensen who has succeeded
admirably in teaching the boys to play the different instruments. I
have labored with some of the boys in Mutual and Religion Class,
Sunday school, and in the deacons' quorum, beside sbeing with them
every Wednesday night. I have learned to love to associate with
them. There are about 60 in number. 'A little over fifty per cent
attend the meetings. We have learned much about the travels of the
Saints and their trips across the plains, and many things pertaining
to Church history. I bear my testimony to the truth of the gospel

and state that I am enjoying the priesthood work, and trying to do

—
what I can to interest the boys." M. A. Harrison.

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

BY P. JOSEPH JENSEN

GETTING THE BOYS READY TO THINK ABOUT THE L-ESSON

Sometime ago, a young, inexperienced teacher went before his

quorum to teach a lesson on faith. He had what he thought a well
prepared lesson. It was logically organized, and if his class had been
disposed to listen while the instructor talked, they might have been
benefited. He began by asking the question: What is faith? The
boys didn't seem to know; the instructor said, "Then I will tell you,"
and he quoted Paul's definition of faith. They had some little inter-
interest
est in learning by heart the definition; but after that, their
in the class work lagged.
After the class work was over, he spoke to an experienced teacher
about his failure. Said he, "I had worked hard and long to prepare
teacher
my lesson " After some little conversation the experienced minds ready
said "Your failure consists in not having gotten the boys'
for the thought you had to present. Their minds are
concerned about
things involve belief
things just as much as ours are. Many of those
and "faith Learn what they desire to have now, what they want to
get
become what assurance and evidence they have that they can best
which will
and become what they desire. Hitch on to the idea
but before giving them
help them to interpret what you have to give;
already m the boys
the lesson, enlarge the experience and the idea
possession."
the
much better teaching to get the pupils' minds ready for
It is
course we have to do
facts, than the facts ready for the pupil. Of
we. so to speak, forge mental
the atter, but by doing the former,
hooks on which to hang truths and facts. We buds we have chosen.
thus select good health-
ful limbs of trees on which to
graft the choice
point.
Any of the four following lessons illustrate the
840 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Lesson 25
(Chapter XXIV)
Problem: The
best place to get courage from.
What are some
of the things which discourage you most? Your
parents? What encourage you most? Study the chapter.
Why were the Saints in Clay County? Why
were they asked to
move from Clay County? What had they done there? How
was
Caldwell County formed? How
many succeeeding moves did the Saints
have to make before they reached Utah? Under what circumstances
was the hymn, "Come, Come, Ye Saints," composed? Read it. (Page
58 in the Hymn Book.) Where does it say the Saints got their
courage from? Why were all these movings discouraging? What
shows that they had courage? Where did they get it from? Then
where can you get courage?
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Lesson 26
(Chapter XXV, Verses 1-4)

Problem: Troubles that accompany trying to get rich quick.

Have you had any experiences in trying to get a lot of money at once?
Study the chapter.
What things encouraged speculation in America? How did the
Prophet plan to develop honest business? Why did they fail? What
resulted from its failure? Name some things in your locality through
which people are trying to get rich quick? What resulted in 1873,
in America, from speculation? Compare this idea with the parable of
the unjust steward, Luke 16:1-13, especially verses 10-13.
Answer the problem.

Lesson 27
(Chapter XXV, Verses 5-10)
Problem: The most important work of the Latter-day Saints.
What do you think is the most important of many kinds of
work you have to do? Bear in mind that this is not stated the only
work, but of the many kinds which is most important. All are im-
portant, some are more important than others, and still others are
most important. In order to help you, read Doctrine and Covenants,
section 7. What work of John did the Savior approve strongly? Also
Doctrine and Covenants 15. Study the chapter.
What was the work H. C. Kimball was called to do? Compare
the purpose of his work and getting rich quick? What were the results
in each case? Who opposed this work of the salvation of souls?
How did Satan succeed?
Answer' the problem.

Lesson 28

(Chapter XXXI, Verses 1-8)

Problem: What helps us most to be true friends? What are

some things that cause you to make enemies of people? What helps
you to make yourself a true friend? Study the chapter.
What made men turn against the Prophet? What influenced
others to remain true?
Answer the problem.
 Mutual Work
Stake Work
No Sunday Contests

At the meeting of the General Board held May 26, the question
of the propriety of holding contests on Sunday night was
discussed
and a resolution was adopted to the effect that, while contest num-
bers may be given on Sunday, actual contests must not be held on
Sunday, and any adjudications rendered on this day will not be
recognized. (See"Hand Book," page 91).

Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book
The new, revised and enlarged edition of the "Hand Book," was
ready for the June Conference. It contains 116 pages, with index, and
is brim full of such technical and detail information as no officer who
desires to succeed can do without in his work. Single copy 25c; one
dozen, to one address, $2.40, postpaid.

The June Conference

No conference ever held was more blessed with the Spirit of the
Lord, in all the divisions of our work, than that of 1915. Full proceed-
ings will appear in the July number of the Era, with portraits of the
contest winners, and some of the winning speeches, as well as remarks
by leading speakers. Ludwig S. Dale, national representative of the
Boy Scouts of America, attended, and addressed the officers of the M.
I. A. Scouts, on several occasions.

Vocations and Industries

Industrial Contests

To Stake Presidents and Vocation Supervisors: The General Board

has decided to award gold medals to winners in the M
J. A. Boys'
Industrial Contest. These prizes will perhaps be appreciated more
than money, because they can be kept for a life time as tokens of
achievements really worth while. We trust that you have created
a live interest in these contests, in your stake, and that you have the
work 'well organized. Please remember that June 10th was the
time to close the entries, and all entry blanks were to be sent promptly
to us at that time. Boys who have not entered now will not be
eligible to receive prizes at the close of the contest.
Will you immediately communicate with the Ward Vocation
Counselors, and ask them to forward to you at once the entry blanks
from the boys in their wards? You can probably see most of them
personally, or reach them by phone.
The committee would like a complete list of the names and ad-
dresses of the men who have charge of this contest work in the
dif
842 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ferent wards, and will appreciate it if you will send us a list of those
in your stake, when you send the entry blanks.
Committee on Vocations and Industries,
by roscoe w. eardley,
Secretary.
Athletic and Scout Work
Progress of Scout Work
The M. I. A. Scout work during the past year, has had a per-
manently steady growth. As the Mutual officers become more familiar
with the aim of the movement, they become thoroughly aroused to
the importance and necessity of having their boys receive the scout
training. Those who have taken up the work properly during the
past year are unanimous in their testimony as to the benefits of the
movement. In a few cases scout masters have imbibed the idea that
scout work meant basketball, wrestling, etc., and have spent most
of their time in these exercises. The result has, therefore, not been
satisfactory, and the boys have shown little advancement along scout
lines. Through the scout training the boys have done some very
efficient service, in live saving, helpfulness in the home, the ward, and
the stake, in kindness to animals and birds, in civic improvements, and
in many other ways that make for the development of true men.
On June first, our records showed the following: forty stakes and
one hundred and four wards have scout troops, leaving twenty-nine
stakes who have not yet given their boys the advantages of this train-
ing. Two thousand and forty-four scouts are registered as M. I. A.
Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America. Thirty-six stakes have deputy
stake scout commissioners, to look after the work in the stake. We
now have a number of First Class scouts, and some scouts who are
now taking out merit badges. The new revised and enlarged "Y. M.
M. I. A. Hand Book," now on sale, contains in detail the necessary
instructions to start and carry on this great work among the boys.

M. I. A. CLASS IN LEADERSHIP, ST. GEORGE, UTAH

 Passing Events
The Roosevelt-Barnes libel suit ended on May 22, the trial having
consumed five weeks. The jury was convinced by the evidence that
Mr. Roosevelt had not libeled Mr. Barnes.

The Liberty Bell will be exhibited in Salt Lake City on July 11,
next,and arrangements have been made to have all the school children
and arrangements have been made to have all the school children
view the bell, under the arrangements made.

S. V. Derrah, assistant general freight agent of the Denver and

Rio Grande railroad died June 4, 1915. He was one of the road's
most widely known and respected officials and stood high in the esti-
mation of railroad people as a man and gentleman.

The Home Benefit Society was organized June 14 with a capital

stock of $2,000,000 for home building purposes. Heber J. Grant, presi-
dent, with many prominent men, including President Joseph F. Smith,
John C. Cutler, C. W. Nibley, Francis M. Lyman, and H. G. Whitney,
as directors.

A peace pact has been entered into between Argentine, Brazil and
Chili, signed May 23, providing that these three nations for five years
shall submit to an inter-national committee of investigation and arbi-
tration^ any causes for difference that may arise. The spirit of the
treaty is much like the treaties that former Secretary Bryan negoti-
ated on the part of the United States with more than thirty nations.

D. W. Springer, secretary of the National Education Association,

has mailed the Era a volume of the proceedings of the National Edu-
cation Association for the St. Paul meeting, last July. The general
character of the topics treated as well as the method of presentation
are timely and commendable and of interest to all educators.

The corner stone of the new Richards ward chapel, of Granite

stake, was laid on Sunday, May 30. The chapel will seat three hundred
and sixty people, and a choir of seventy-five voices. The amusement
hall will measure forty-three and one-half by sixty-four feet. The
ceremony of laying the stone was performed by President Frank Y.
Taylor and the dedicatory prayer was offered by President Anthon
H. Lund.

A new non-partisan ministry, which is to direct the British gov-

ernment, was announced on May 25. Herbert H. Asquith remained as
prime minister and first lord of the treasury. The object of the resig-
nation of the former cabinet was to form a non-partisan ministry
which all the different parties of the British nation were to be repre-
sented. The movement was especially favored by the people, and ap-
parentyl has strengthened the British cause

James Jensen, formerly of the presidency of the Jordan stake,

and mayor of Sandy, died May 19, and his funeral was held May 24 at
Jordan. He was born in Stamp, Denmark, July 14, 1847, and came to
844 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Utah with the company of John Murdoch, September 12, 1861. He
was made bishop of Sandy in 1892, and was later chosen for the stake
presidency in which capacity he acted until the stake was re-organized
some months ago. He was a veteran of the Black Hawk war. He had
also served as constable, justice of the 'peace and postmaster of
Draper.

The Curlew stake was organized May 17, 1915. Jonathan C. Cutler
president, Joseph J. Larkin and Thomas W. Rowe counselors. Elders
Rudger Clawson and David O. McKay officiated in the organization
of the new stake. The superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. is Leon
Taggart, of Blackpine, Idaho. The stake is composed of a portion of
Oneida county, Idaho, and of Box Elder county, Utah. The wards
are Snowville, Park Valley and Rosette in Utah, and Stone, Holbrook,
Arbon, Mount View, and Blackpine, in Idaho, and the Canyon and
Juniper branches in Idaho.

Lassen peak, on the 23rd of May, again poured out a large erup-
tion of ink black smoke. One other volcano was in active eruption
in the United States during May, and one other in Alaska. The Lassen
peak carried ashes a distance of over two hundred miles. Several
million feet of standing timber has been destroyed by the volcanic
discharges. The floods and eruptions bear a close resemblance to
those of Mount Vesuvius. A dispatch from Redding, California, June
14, says that Lassen erupted that day for the one hundred and first
time, belching forth a pillar of smoke a mile skyward.

President Joseph F. Smith and Bishop C. W. Nibley and party

returned June 16 from their trip to the Hawaiian Islands and Oregon.
They left May 12, and announced to the Deseret News that their trip
was one of the most enjoyable they had ever taken. The plantations
of the Church as well as the branches of the Church in the islands
were visited, and the party attended many meetings during the fifteen
days they were on the islands. On June 5 they left Honolulu, arriving
in San Francisco June 11, proceeding immediately to Portland,
Ore-
gon. Here, on the 13th, President Smith dedicated the new chapel
which has just been completed there at an estimated cost of nearly
$10,000. The building is Spanish in architecture, the plans being
furnished by Pope & Burton. It is built of brick, concrete and steel,
and has a large Sunday school and social room in the basement.

Secretary William Jennings Bryan submitted his resignation to

President Woodrow Wilson on June 8, and it was accepted. The
resignation was accomplished with the utmost good feeling between
the Secretary of State and President Wilson, so the announcements
from Washington declare. The action resulted from differences of
opinion over the note sent to Germany, in which the United States
formally asked that country for "assurances that measures will be
adopted to safeguard neutral lives and ships on the high seas. The
resignation occurred because the secretary did not desire to embarrass
administration
the president by his opposition to the policy of the
in the present foreign situation which has arisen
between the United
a note
States and Germany. The secretary is said to have favored
which under no circumstances would involve the United States
in
sent
grave complications, whereas the note which was prepared to be
protection of Amer-
to Germany is emphatic in its insistence upon the
ican lives and American ships on the high seas. Robert W.
Lansing,
note
automatically became acting secretary of state, and signed the
 PASSING EVENTS 845

to Germany on the sinking of the "Lusitania" the text of which was

given out June 10.

A "Potato Study" poster has been issued by the Agricultural De-

partment of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad. It is one of the most
comprehensive potato studies that has yet been circulated. At the top
of the poster the eye rests on a large plate of potatoes, clean, healthy
and life-size. Below these are illustrations of potatoes afflicted with
those diseases which cause the greatest amount of trouble in potato
fields of the United States today; namely: common scab, Fusarium
wilt, and Rhizoctonia, accompanied by a description of the disease
carefully written in simple language, without the use of technical terms.
Farmers can readily understand these descriptions, and, by the aid of
the very clear pictures, determine whether the potatoes they are sav-
ing for seed have any of these troubles. The rotation of crops
is the surest plan to cleanse the soil of all crop disease germs.
Eight methods of control are given in the poster, as well as the
details of the corrosive sublimate treatment for seed potatoes,
which is believed to be the most thorough and effective remedy. The
Rio Grande Commissioner of Agriculture, in his endeavor to get this
"Potato Study" poster into every farm home, in the potato growing
districts served by this system, is doing a permanent and positive good
in the potato territory of the Rocky Mountain region.

Lewis A. Merrill, agricultural expert for the Salt Lake Route,

and for many years prominent member of the faculty of the Utah Agri-
cultural College, died June 1. 1915, following injuries received in
an
automobile accident on the night previous. Prof. Merrill was born
June 2 1874, at Richmond, Utah. He was educated in the
common
the Brigham Young College, and later in the Utah
Agri-
schools'
cultural College from which he graduated in 1895. He also studied
in Iowa State College and the Agricultural
College of Ohio, in 1898
and 1904 He was a teacher in the public schools, and in
April, isyy,
veterinary
was appointed assistant professor of agriculture and
science in the Utah Agricultural College. He served later in the
iyU5. 1 he
Utah experiment station and was agronomist from 1900 to
following two years he was professor of animal
husbandry at the
of the
Brigham Young University. In 1907-9 he was superintendent
Agricultural College. In
agricultural extension division of the Utah
1908 he was re-appointed agronomist of the
Utah experiment station
joint author of many experi-
in charge of arid farming, and became
his connection
ment station bulletins. Four years ago he severed agricultural expert of
with the Agricultural College, and became the
energies to the improvement of
the Salt Lake Route, devoting his
the lines of that railroad, being recognized as
arm conditions along Profess or Mernll
agricultural experts in the Wes t
one of the leading He
Salt Lake City.
was formerly bishop of the Thirty-first ward of
to Miss Effie Ensign with whom he
has three
was marked June 6 1895,
children.
companion, Dr. Morris
Dr David Ballantyne Anderson and Lake
his
George, near Bolton
Kush were drowned while canoeing, in had been an interne in the
New York Mav 27 1915. Dr. Anderson
eighteen months out
Ml Sinai Hospital New York City, for nearly two weeks' vaca-
had been granted a
of hi, term of thir y months, and
sailed up the Hudson to Albany on
the
tion He and his companion
P
and walking from there to
ardving at Lake George,
niJh't of 22nd.
BOlt e eX a
Jane Ballantyne An-
Dr/A nde r son was a son of Edward H. and
846 IMPROVEMENT ERA
derson, and was born in Ogden, January 30, 1887. He attended the
Madison grade school, beginning the day after he was eight years of
age, and graduated from the Webster school, Salt Lake City, on Jan-
uary 31, 1902. He then took a three years' course in the preparatory
school of the University of Utah, beginning that fall, at which time
also he decided to study medicine. Finishing his preparatory school
work in 1905, he became a stu-
dent in the
college for three
years. During one of these years
he assisted in medical work st
the Latter-day Saints Hospital,
staying there at night, thus help-
ing to earn his way through col-
lege. In 1908 he entered the
University of Chicago, studying
in the Medical College, and at
the same time taking regular
college work. He graduated
with the degree of B. S. in June,
1910. The following autumn he
entered by examination the
sophomore year of the medical
course in the Johns Hopkins
University. Here he studied
three years, graduating with
honor as M. D., in June, 1913,
being the second Utah student
to graduate from the medical
school of that great institution.
That summer he took charge of
the Mrs. Robert Garrett Chil-
dren's Hospital, at Mt. Airy,
near Baltimore. He also went
to New York and took exam-
inations as interne in Mt. Sinai
Hospital, and was one of the
DR. DAVID B. ANDERSON.
eight chosen from about ninety
applicants. During his vacation
in 1912, he went to California with the medical staff of the National
Guard of Utah.
In September, 1913, he passed the Utah state medical examina-
tion, and was employed by Dr. F. E. Straup for the remaining months
of that year, doing good service in his profession at Bingham. He
loved his work passionately and on one occasion stated: "I cannot
understand why all men are not doctors." On December 27, 1913, he
left for New York, entering upon his course in Mt. Sinai on the first
day of January, 1914, where his respectful and modest demeanor
gained the good-will and friendship of all, including many leading
physicians. The House Staff, of which he was a member, wrote to
his parents: "Not alone have you lost a dear, good and respectful
son, but we have lost a staunch, honorable and kindly friend. Pro-
fessionally, David possessed marked talent which he always exhibited
in a quiet, unassuming manner. * * * Wefeel that a great fu-
ture would have been in store for him." Some splendid tributes were
paid him at the memorial services held at the hospital synagogue on
June 4. Hundreds of friends attended.
Dr. Anderson loved nature, and from early boyhood spent his
summer vacations in the Wasatch or the Uintahs. Scarcely a spot
 PASSING EVENTS 847

rrom Nebo to Bear Lake, or from Timpanogas to Leidy Peak, and

where the Green River sweeps round the eastern Uintahs, that he
had not explored, camping in the woods and fishing in the lakes.
As avocations, he delighted in music and photography.
During his grade and University of Utah years he took active
part in ward affairs, in M. I. A., Sunday School, and Lesser Priesthood
quorum work. While studying in the University, he with his brother
passed three summers fencing and cultivating, as pioneers in that
district, with good success, a forty-acre farm on the Sand Ridge in
Weber county. He often wrote that the physical strength that came
to him in this work carried him in health through the strenuous years
of mental toil in his professional study. While unsuccessfully drag-
ging Lake George for his body, his brother Hugo wrote: "I shall
do all in my power, but if I cannot succeed, then you should take
consolation in the fact that he lies in as beautiful a spot as could be
—
found out in the nature he so dearly loved."
Always David rendered to his family and friends (and he had
friends in nearly every state in the Union) cheerful, helpful and lov-
ing service. Besides the geniality of his nature, he possessed a keen
sense of dry humor which, added to his general affability enabled
him to make friends of nearly all with whom he came in contact. His
hopes desires, plans, and ambitions were to come home to continue
the efficient service which his high scholastic attainments
had fully
equipped him to render to the people in the valleys and mountains
of

his beloved Utah. The characteristics of his nature were hard work,
perseverance, clean morals, cheerfulness and efficiency. His
was in-
deed a beautiful life.

Angus M. Cannon, many years president of the Sait Lake

for
Stake of Zion, before was divided, died in Forest Dale, Utah, at
it

6-40 on the most beautiful morning of June 7, 1915. He

passed almost
peacefully as the morning itself. For some time he had felt pre-
as
pared for death. On February 28, 1906, in company
^ylth his sister

Lambert, he started for England with intention of visiting

Mary Alice His
the Cannon family
the Isle of Man, the ancestral home of member o
George M. Cannon, Jr, was a
eighteen-year-old grandson, names
South Africa, on a mission. The of
the partyf and en route to
by subsequent gene-
many ancestors were gathered on this trip, andPresident Cannon up-
dead
Sogfcal researches and for these kindred This
the Salt Lake temple
on his return, immediately began work in
one month before his death
°abo hee diligently continued up to May 7.
and.his sons and grands on. hgj
fo°tVo usands, President Cannon
1

hls^ecEg years should be that of

S^onTTthYchief labor* of
redeeming in the House of the Lord those ancestors who had died
without hearing the restored Gospel of Jf.
us
^"% „
. cabrne, maker) un !
„ about
father
J,fthe "V.oyn-t afforded the
,

was then sen to MS r

three years of age. when he rnet t0
Isle of Man.. He hved withthe,
-for ««*»»^m when the gospel
,

his parents in Liverpool.

He was t'le'e *vit" i
John Tay-
was brought to their door by Elder
iayioi
<**>%*%*£&£ >„ Canada.

lor, in January, 184U.

tlder <<*
Cannon.
Leonora Cannon, and therefore sought
and his family, and taught them
the
her b
gospe A len ^£ £
hrot ier George
i
e r"
iDer^ o£ f the fami y , .

^P*^'?^^^^
SrSt^t:!'^
who were old enough were tl^e'father/George
six children.
848 IMPROVEMENT ERA
George Q., Mary Alice, Ann, Angus M., David H., and Leonora, set
sail with a large company of Saints for Nauvoo, via New Orleans.
This at the earnest insistence of the mother, and in spite of warning
dreams that she would not arrive safely in America. To all remon-
strances she turned a deaf ear, and said: "I desire to take our chil-
dren to the body of the Church, where they can enjoy the blessings
of liberty, in the land of America." Three days after sailing, this de-
voted mother took sick. Forty days out on this journey, growing
weaker, day by day, she died; and her sorrowing husband and her
little children watched her dear but lifeless form dropped into the
sea. After eight weeks, the father and children landed in New Or-
leans. Thence to Nauvoo, up the Mississippi River, where they met
and listened to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and lived there at the time
of his martyrdom. Later the father went to St. Louis to get employ-
ment at his trade, and there he died, August 17, 1844. Angus M. Can-
non was thus left motherless at eight, and fatherless when ten years
of age. Not being old enough to be baptized when his parents and
his older brother and sisters were baptized, and seeing Elder L. O.
Littlefield baptizing in the River at Nauvoo, he requested baptism;
was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church on the river
bank. With his guardian, Charles Lambert ''who had married his
older sister Mary Alice, at Nauvoo) he came to Utah in 1849, walking
almost the entiie distance. He acted as hunter, and was charged with
the duty of providing the game eaten by his relatives on the journey.
In Utah he met every call of the authorities with willing alacrity. With
George A. Smith's company he went to locate Parowan, Iron county,
in 1850, returning in 1851. He farmed, cut and hauled timber, joined
the Nauvoo Legion, and was apprenticed to the "Deseret News,"
where he learned the printing business under Willard Richards. On
September 4, 1854, he went on a mission to the East, under Elder John
Taylor, laboring in Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsyl
vania. In the latter state he baptized twenty-one persons in one
month. Returning to Salt Lake City, June 21, 1858, he established the
pottery business with Eardley Brothers. He was called on a mission
to "Utah's Dixie," in 1861, and helped locate St. George, of which
town for two years he served as Mayor. Being honorably released
from this mission seven years later, on account of ill-health, he re-
turned to Salt Lake, in 1868. He was in charge of lumber mills owned
by Daniel H. Wells in Big Cottonwood Canvon, and also conducted a
mule freight train of merchandise for Wm. S. Godbe, Salt Lake to
Montana; was business manager of the "Deseret News," of which his
brother, George Q., was editor; went on another two-year mission to
Pennsylvania, and returning, engaged in the wagon and implement
and coal business. He served eight years as county recorder of Salt
Lake County. In Church work, Elder Cannon had served in the vari-
ous orders of the priesthood, and was a Seventy when ordained a
High Priest, and chosen a member of the High Council of the Salt
Lake Stake, and counselor to Bishop Taylor of the Fourteenth Ward.
In April, 1876, he was selected by President Brigham Young as
President of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, and was sustained by the
people in that position for over twenty-eight years. His counselors
were David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor. Upon the death of the
former, Charles W. Penrose became second counselor. The stake has
since been divided into eleven stakes. The decisions rendered by
President Angus M. Cannon and his counselors were the most nu-
merous and probably the most important delivered by any stake pres-
idency in the Church; and, according to remarks of President Pen-
rose, at the funeral services, no decision made by them
was ever re-
versed, on appeal to the First Presidency.
 PASSING EVENTS 849

To retain membership in the Church, and to have her posterity

retain membership therein, Ann Quayle Cannon was willing to die
and be buried in the sea. Her son Angus, while not having the largest
family of her six children, leaves one hundred thirteen living decend-
ants, all members of that Church. While presiding over the Salt Lake
stake, President Angus M. Cannon, in an address in the Tabernacle,
once said:
"When I think how I was left a poor orphan boy; and of how
God has cared for me, and raised up friends to me, all through my
life; and of how he has set me to preside over this great stake, com-
prising as it does more souls than were members of the Church, at the
time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph, my
heart is full of grat-
itude to him for his matchless mercy and kindness unto me. My
hope
is that I may be worthy of his love, and that I may be true to the
end, and that my
children and my
children's children may never forge;
God and the glorious gospel that he has restored to the earth." (See
portrait, p. 820.)

The Great War. Main events of the great war during the month
of May June 12, was the retaking of Przemysl by the Austro-
13 to
Hungarian army, the entrance of Italy into the war with the Allies,
and the apparent success of the allied fleet in bombarding and passing
the Dardanelles.
May 14— The Austro-Hungarian army is before Przemysl and the
Russians retreated from Galacia.
—
May 15 Four American correspondents and one from Holland
and Switzerland on invitation inspect the allied sufferers from
asphixiating gases in a French hospital and report that these poison
men and give intense suffering to those who survive.
May 16—The end of the "first stage" of the struggle for the
heights of Atchi-Baba the first of the great barriers, is reported reached
by the allied land forces. The Turks lost heavily. The movement of
the Allies north of Arras on the 14, 15 and 16, is said to be the
greatest gain made in the west since the battle of the Marne. The
British House of Commons announced that 460,628 tons of British
shipping other than war ships has been sunk or captured by the Ger-
mans since the beginning of the war, and that the number of persons
of all nationalities lost with these sinkings is approximately 1,5^6. The
German tonnage sunk or captured by the British is reported as 314,46o
tons, a remarkable thing being that not one German nor
neutral subject
has been killed in connection with it.
May 17—The British financial secretary announces that the war-
status of the
cost to England equals $150 a second at the present
war. At Van, Asiatic Turkey, six thousand Armenians are
massacred
by Turks and Curds, according to the dispatches.
on
May 18—The struggle in the Dardanelles is extremely difficult, wall
the part of the Allies, in making any impression on the stone
defenses of the Turks. . ..

May 19— Italy takes military control its entire railway

under
The Austro-German forces in Galacia force the passage for
of
system
receives an order
the San river. The Bethlehem Steel Company
office, and a check for
eight thousand cannon from the British war
$16,500,000 from Lord Kitchener.
May 20— Copenhagen reports that twenty German submarines have
been lost since the beginning of the "war zone" blockade, February 18
a vote of
Mav 23— On the 20th the Italian chamber of deputies by
government in the event
six to one voted granting full powers to the
waf by the senate the following day by unani-
of war This ratified
naval mobilization
mous vote and on the 22nd a general military and
850 IMPROVEMENT ERA
was ordered, followed on the 23rd by a declaration of war on Austria
on which day the first engagement was reported as taking place in
Austrian Tyrol.
—
May 25 The British battleship "Triumph" is torpedoed and sunk
by a submarine off the Gallipoli peninsula. A coalition cabinet was
formed in Great Britain to meet the exigencies of the war. Balfour
took Churchill's place as first lord of the admirality. Holland sent
a note of protest to Germany on the sinking of the "Lusitania" in
which several Hollanders lost their lives. The note was closely
modeled after that of the United States.
—
May 26 The American steamship "Nebraska" flying the Amer-
ican flag was blown up off the Irish coast. The vessel was able to
reach port safely and there is no proof that it was the work of
a submarine. The Russians captured Ermnia and thus put a stop
to the Turkish massacres.
—
May 27 The British battleship "Majestic" was torpedoed and
sunk in the Dardanelles. It is the fifth British battleship sacrificed in
the attempt to force a way through the strait. The British submarine
"11" reached the arsenal at Constantinople, so it was reported, and
sunk on its way a Turkish ammunition ship. The Canadian-Pacific
railway steamer "Princess Irene" was blown up and destroyed at the
mouth of the Thames. Over four hundred and twenty-four lives
were lost. The cause of the explosion is unknown.
—
May 28 The German admiralty admits torpedoing the "Gulflight"
by submarine, but think it was mistaken for a British steamer.
—
May 30 Germany makes public a note in answer to President
Wilson's note concerning the "Falaba" and "Lusitania" offenses, hold-
ing that the "Falaba's" calling aid after the command to halt rendered
her liable to instant attack. War policy, and England's violation of
inter-nationai procedure, the Germans urge, compelled them to con-
sider the "Lusitania" as a hostile craft. With regard to the "Gulflight"
and the "Cushing," Germany regrets and promises indemnity.
—
May 31 Zeppelins raid London, killing four residents and causing
some fires. England has lost 139 merchant and fishing vessels by the
Germans, mainly through submarine attacks.
—
June 2 Przemysl is re-taken by the Austro-Germans after an
assault regarded to be unparallelled in violence.
—
June 4 A German submarine sunk the Russian cruiser "Amur"
near a Baltic port. German naval dirigibles attack the mouth of the
Humber, east coast of England.
—
June 5 Hostile airships dropped bombs on the east and southeast
coast of England with little damage.
—
June 6 King Constantine's health is failing. His condition is
critical.
June 7 — Reginald
J. Warniford, a Canadian sublieutenant in the
Royal navy, destroyed a Zeppelin from an aeroplane. With the
destruction of the Zeppelin twenty-eight men were killed. Bombs
were dropped from the aeroplane on the Zeppelin which fell a mass
of burning ruins near Ghent. Five people were killed by Zeppelin
bombs in the east coast of England.
—
June 10 The Austrians and Germans are experiencing uninter-
rupted usccesses in Galicia. Five British vessels of which four were
trawlers were sunk by German submarines. The total number of of-
ficers and men who have perished in the sinking of British naval
craft since the outbreak of the war is given out as 6,409. This does
not include the men who lost their lives on the mine-layer "Princess
Irene" and the British battleship "Bulwark" which were blown up^ in
Sheerness harbor. Germany announces that they have one million
men operating toward Lemberg towards Russian Galicia.
 — —

Sayings
Abeautiful life brings a beautiful deatb.
God has so arranged things in tin- nit that no one can sin-
cerely try to help others without helping himself.
The idea of being- good, of keeping life pure and of making
1
t "jfef'? '.? ffl 1 ncrti°.
Living a life that has in it beauty and usefulness is difficult,
but the rewards for such a life are rich and everlasting.
We should always strive every possible way to keep sweet
in spirit and avoid all manner of petty danger.
The example of Christ should be our example. If we follow
him we shall not fail in living a noble life. Milton F. Dalley,
Brooklin, New York.

"We greatly appreciate the Era which is quite widely read among our
people. They are always anxious to read the magazine; in fact, we have a
circulating library of them here in our branch. We
wish the Era the greatest
success." Clyde F. Hansen, Leeds Conference, Halifax, England.

"I wish to express my

appreciation of the Era and testify of the great
benefit I have derived from its pages during my missionary labors. I wish to

repeat the words of a non-'Mormon' friend: 'The best little magazine I have
seen.' May the Lord bless those who contribute to its making." A. T. Shurt- —
i.eff, President, Columbia, South Carolina.

LET US LEAD THE WORLD

Utah was the scene of one of the most glorious episodes in American his-
tory. Men and women, our fathers and mothers, came to this land because
here they could worship God and live their lives according- to the strong-
faith which was within them. Ideals, not love of wealth or luxury, impelled
them on. They conquered a land which appeared to the world at that time
as unconquerable as appear today the rocky mountain sides which surround
our valleys. We wisely cherish their memory. No future glory will ever
dim their wonderful achievement.
Our task, now, under the blessings of modern science and the enlightenment
of the arts, is to build upon these noble deeds of the past a history of prog-
ress which shall carry us to the world's front. We have a rich citizenship,
sons and daughters of the Pioneers, and the many other thousands who
came and are coming to the intermountain country to build homes.
To train our youth for conquest of our yet undeveloped West is the purpose
liberal in the
of the Utah Agricultural College. The courses are broad and
natural and physical sciences and in mathematics, English history, eco-
prepare
nomics, literature and languages. The courses are practical; they
men and women for useful and paying occupations. The different Schools
of the College are (1) Agriculture, (2) Agricultural
Engineering, (3) Home
(5) Mechanic Arts and (6) General
Science.
Economics, (4) Commerce,
ambitions; if you need
A letter is always welcome. Explain your hopes and
help, and thousands of our best do need help, the
College may be able to aid
you. Write for a catalogue. Address-

The President, Utah Agricultural College

Logan, Utah
 We
certainly enjoy reading the Era, and wish you continued success. The
Lord's work is growing on Samoa, though we are very few in numbers upon
this island (Savaii) wc are all happy and rejoice in our labors. The Era is a
factor for good amongst the white population here, and we all appreciate it
very much. Thanking you very much in behalf of the Savaii Conference, I re-
—
main, your brother, J. V. Nelson.

Ward Teaching. — By error of the Bishop"s office, in the ward teaching re-
port printed in the June number of the Era, Silver City was omitted from the
wards in Nebo stake, which had 100% of the families visited for the first quarter
cf 1915. We cheerfully make correction.
story contest for May resulted in the choice of "Wild Oats," by
The Era
Airs. H. Roylance, Eugene, Oregon, for first place.
L. The judges were Prof.
John Henry Evans, Nephi Anderson, and Elizabeth Cannon Porter. For June,
twenty-two stories were registered, and the winner will be named in the August
Era, and also, if possible, the story taking the first place out of the six winning
p-ize stories of the series, January to June.

Maud Baggarley, Salt Lake City: "The article in the May number called
'The Secret of Successful Presiding' is one of the best things I have ever read,
and I hope never to forget its teachings. I like very much the little story by
R. S. Bean called 'The Test,' which is unusually well written. I like the style
especially well. The Era is certainly a powerful and far-reaching influence
for good if it encourages and comforts and strengthens each and every one of
its readers as it does me. I often hear persons speak of some splendid article
in the Era, and say how much it has helped them."

Improvement Era, July, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.
Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, )
Editors
^eber J- Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, J
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Quiet Nook on the Farm Frontispiece
The Pioneers 757
The American Flag Franklin K. Lane 759
The Achievement of Civilization. Illustrated. . .Anna K. Hardy 761
Enchanted Park. A Story Will Rose 772
War and Peace Heber J. Grant 777
Father's Girl. A Story Henry Nichol Adamson 782
. . .

The Story of the Salt Lake Theatre— IV. Il-

lustrated Horace G. Whitney 790
Quietude. Illustration 805
The Crucial Test. Prize Story Elsie Chamberlain Carroll 806
Portrait of President Angus M. Cannon 820
Big Considerations in the Great War Dr. Joseph M. Tanner.... 821
Snappy Sketc es from Life B. V. Baird, Lorin Jones. . 824
Utah. A Poem James Crystal 828
Editors' Table— Masquerade Balls Prest. Joseph F. Smith 829
Sunday Baseball 830
Official Announcement First Presidency 832
Messages from the Missions 832
Priesthood Quorums' Table 838
Mutual Work 841
Passing Events 843
 —

FOR THE SEASON OF 1915-1916

THE READING COURSE WILL BE CONJOINT
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 Mr. Farmer:

Mr. Ranchman:
Get that piano NO W
and make your first
payment when you sell
your crops in the Fall.
We
know there are nanny farmers :iu<l ranchmen who have their money
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"Your note i« :is vooil :is the cash to ii.m," ami
we'll ship yon a liiauo and you can make > our first payment in the Kail.

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Among our most satisfied patrons are
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those ivho have purchased by mail
GENTLEMEN— Please send me FREE Postpaid
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WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PLEASE MENTION THE IMPROVEMENT ERA

IlIBJEBVIIVII
I

IMPROVEMENT
ERA
Vol. XVIII AUGUST, 1915 No. 10

THE YOUNQ MEN'S MUTUAL

ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS.SCHOOLS
UFROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
pnuattmB MOMTMLT BY THE 9KHKMAJ. BQAM* AT BAIT LAKE 1TV, VMM
 — .

Young Ladies' and Young Men's

Mutual Improvement Association
Reading Course for 1915-16

Gray— "LittleJUNIOR
Sir Galahad"
$1.35 By mail $1.45
Richmond — "Twenty-fourth of
June" $1.25 By mail $1.35
nature book will be selected
50c By mail 60c
later
Ardavan —"Lance of Kanana". .

75c Postpaid
SENIOR.
Roberts, B. H.
—
"Joseph Smith as
Prophet-Teacher" 75c Postpaid
BEFORE THE SMOKS
a
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—
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unnecessary delays in adjusting, mc
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The complete set, if called for $7.60

ment of losses every time. It's tr ou» By mail $8.10

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—
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HOME FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF UTAfc paid.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION Book

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The Panama — California Exposition

SAN L/lEL\j.\J
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 ;

AS SUNS OF AUGUST BURN

The suns of August scorch the yellow grain,

And pale, the hills are wrapped in whiten'd haze
Like islands float the groves above the plain,
From skies unclouded comes the lambent blaze
The roads are blinding in the floods of light,
The suns are followed with the burning moons,
Each day but dies to bring as rich a night,
And at the dawning night in languor swoons.
The far earth-rim that with the haze is cross'd,
This glowing landscape that is lying near,
One seems my life within the vanish' d past,
The other as the fervid moments here :

My soul to feast unto this present turns,

And love within my heart as August burns !

ALFRED LAMBOURNE.
 IB^i

, " l^frV **-&*" - £

^^ij--- -r>"2fr ''wv ?
'•

~> !
'• '

FAVORED UTAH, HOME, WE LOVE THEE,

"With thy lakes; and crystal rivers sleeping on the plain,
Or with everlasting music, plunging down the main."
 —

Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII AUGUST, 1915 No. 10

Gratitude

BY A MISSIONARY SON

TTlie following letter from a missionary in Europe was handed to

the Improvement Era by a friend of his parents. We
recommend that
the letter be read by all, and more particularly by young men and
young women. Children will do well to express their appreciation
while their parents are still alive, and not wait to laud -their virtues
after they have gone. Honor to parents is not only one of God's
first laws, but the hrst law with a promise. Editors.]

Dear Father and Mother: I recall with great pleasure

that the 8th of next month will be your wedding anniversary, and
that then you will have trodden life's pathway together for thirty-
three years. Your lives have undoubtedly become so completely
interwoven, as the result of living together for so many years,
that they now seem as one. You have become so used to living
for each other, and both for your children, that you have rarely
had time to think of yourselves, of your personal needs and de-
sires.
During your wedded life you have fulfilled God's most im-
portant commandment by bringing eight intelligent souls to this
world. Every one of these children is blessed with a sound mind
and body, a condition which is not the result of chance. I, of
course, credit these valuable gifts to the mercy of God, but they
are only possible because of your high regard and love for each
other. My whole being is filled with profoundest love, gratitude
and respect for you who have so nobly lived.
Many parents consider that they have done their whole duty
toward their children by feeding and clothing them, and by giving
them a place of shelter until they are old enough to take care of
themselves. But this was never true of you. You have always
considered the happiness and well-being of your children above
everything else. In your wisdom you have sometimes done things
X54 l.\ll'k< IVI'M I'.NT ER \

which were beyond our understanding as children and which we

were possibrj opposed to, bul later on, if not openly, we have
silently thanked you for every step you have taken. It has always
been your aim to make home attractive, and not merely a place
where we could eat, sleep and fight. Yon have reasoned with us
and shown ns the better way with the hope in your hearts that we
might act correctly for ourselves.
Home is really the clearest place on earth to me, and yon
have made it so. Your best efforts and means have been ex-
pended to make home a place of enjoyment, culture and love.
Why is it that so many neighbors' children come to our home to
play croquette, to play the piano or organ, or to listen to the
phonograph? Simply because you have made our home a para-
dise on earth. It is not because you are rich that we have such
a home. No you have made home what it is at the cost of great
;

sacrifices, through long, hard hours and years of toil. This was
your life, your joy, your all.

But was not enough. You considered it your duty to

this
see that your children were better fitted for the battles of life
than were you. That which has been good enough for you has
not been good enough for your children. You have bent all of
your energies to plant within the hearts of every one of us faith
and trust in the Lord, which to you must be the corner stone, the
foundation, of all our training, study and education. You have
made it possible for us to attend good schools, although you
have needed our help so badly at home, and although you have
seldom known where the means would come from. But you have
acted with your trust in God, knowing that the wish of your souls
would be granted. Doubtless you have often looked back and
marveled how it was all accomplished. We in our thoughtless-
ness have often held the idea that when we needed money all we
had to do was to go to father. Now I begin to see the struggle
that h'fe has been for you, but I suppose that I can never fully
realize what you have done for us, without having the same ex-
perience.
I speak of these things as if they were incidents of the past,

but I do not mean them as such. Those noble desires of your

dear hearts, those sacrifices and hours of toil are real today they
;

exist now. You are still struggling and fighting for your chil-
dren. Your chief desire still is that they may become well fitted
for life and its responsibilities and, above all, that they may be
;

God-fearing men and women. It is with pain that I often think

of the struggle I am causing you, right today. In addition to
taking care of those now at home and at school, you are under
the necessity of supplying me with money. But still you have
never murmured nor complained.
I cannot tell you of the feeling which fills me when I think
 ——

GRATITUDE 855

of what you are doing and have done. It is with fear and trem-
bling that I look upon the future, for it is so easy to mar the work
you have so gloriously begun. It is my deepest desire that we all
live lives that will bring joy and happiness to you. Far be it from
us to cause you unhappiness or sorrow. God stay us by.
May our heavenly Father lengthen your years, and may he
crown your days with joy and happiness. May your harvest be
rich and golden, and may you live to see your aims and ideals
realized.
Your Grateful Son.

Longing for Home

Unto me, through the open casement,
Floats an odor of faint perfume,
The breath of awakening blossoms,
Pervading my quiet room.

And below, down there in the garden,

Are great, bright-winged butterflies,
All sipping the wonderful nectar
That deep in each fairy heart lies.

Though the glorious benediction

Of nature is everywhere,
Yet my heart, withal, madly pulses,
It may not the wonderment share.

For ne'er doth the cadence of voices,

To me so beloved, so well known,
Beguile with that mystical gladness
That hallows the meaning of home.

Home! home! Through this world though we wander,

Our eyes turn with longing to you.
Home! home! where our childish petitions
Were lisped in faith, fervent and true.
Home! home! where a mother is waiting
To clasp you once more to her breast,
There to lie passive and peaceful,
Oh, haven of infinite rest!

Home! home! oh! it lines the feet upward,

For heaven, me thinks, would be lone,
Without the loved faces and voices
That gather around us at home.
Grace Ingles Frost.
 Rafting Over Green River

NY IDA STEWART PEAY

One spring, a few years ago, two young engineers, brothers,

took a government contract to survey the country known as
Brown's Park, in northeastern Utah. This part of the state ac-
quired considerable fame, under the nick-name of "Robber's
Roost," and is a wild, mountainous, unsettled region which for
dangerous, difficult traveling could hardly be surpassed.
These two engineers, with a party of twenty-two men, reached
the Green River when that turbulent stream was booming with
the flood waters of late spring. To facilitate the work, one of the
engineers took ten of the men, and half of the teams and wagons,
and began to work down the stream while the other engineer was
;

to complete all the measuring on the south side of the river.

Accordingly, the younger brother, Boss Jack, as he was famil-
iarly and affectionately called by his men, surveyed east about
twenty miles of the roughest country he had ever traversed; then,
having finished his work adjacent to the banks, and being near the
ferry, crossed with his men and outfit to the other side of Green
River. Surveying back along the north side of the stream, he
finally came to a point where he decided to make permanent camp,
intending to get into communication, if possible, with his brother,
whom he expected was somewhere in this vicinity on the other
side of the river.
By this time, the elder brother,who also answered to a pet
name —-Boss Boc — had
completed his assignment of labor, and
was ready to join his partner on the north of the Green, where, in
range after range of towering, precipitous mountains, lay the
greater part of their contract work.
After many trial bon-fires, and numerous hazardous trips
down the perpendicular ridges which formed the banks, the
brothers managed, at last, to locate each other. Anxious to reunite
their forces as quickly as possible, the two parties lined up at the
edge of the stream, on their respective sides, and began to try to
make plans to cross the foaming water.
The river at this point was about a quarter of a mile wide,
and a roaring torrent. However, by calling to the top of their
voices they were able to exchange a short conversation. Boss Boe,
on the south side of the stream, was the first to shout a question.
"What kind of a road to the ferry?" he veiled.
 RAFTING OVER GREEN RIVER 857

After the inquiry had been fairly screamed about one dozen
times the answer came back faintly,
—
"No road at all ridges, dugways and death-traps."
"How long will it take to make the trip to you?" next called
Boss Boe. Many times the question was lost in the roar of the
river but eventually it was, perhaps, partly heard, partly guessed,
for the reply, also yelled by many voices, finally reached them,
"Seven days."
The engineer on the south side of the stream made some rapid
calculations. He figured that it would take him about two days
to build a raft and float himself, party and outfit across the stream,
and surely it could not be much more dangerous than the circuitous
route around the ridge-ribbed banks to the ferry. Besides, to raft
over would save him five days of time and two hundred fifty
dollars in money —
his party's expenses being fifty dollars per day.
"Why not build a raft and raft over?" he suddenly asked
his men.
"Just the thing," they responded, enthusiastically. They were
nearly all boys between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one and
seemed ready and anxious for the novel experience. In the space
of a few minutes Boss Boe had shouted again across the booming
water.
"I'll raft over," he called, and the word came back,
"We'll help all we can."
So the two parties, only half realizing what a perilous task
they were undertaking, began to prepare. The party on the south
side of the river, headed by Boss Boe, set to work, first of all, to
construct a raft. None of them were versed in ship- or boat-craft,
but thev were scouts, and determined to be willing and resource-
ful. Many large logs, which had drifted down the river and been
washed ashore, were scattered along the bank. These, of course,
had been water soaked, but, having dried out, the young engineer
thought they would serve his purpose well enough. They were,
therefore, hurriedly collected and nailed together and, also, se-
curely bound by half-inch ropes. The raft when finished was
twelve feet square, with two layers of logs, the top layer being-
laid cross-ways of those on the bottom. Eleven oars or, more
correctly speaking, paddles, were next roughly hewn from the
fallen trees, so that every man in the party could help steer the
craft.
Now the new structure was launched by its proud and excited
builders upon the big river, being quickly and safely tied to near-bv
trees by great ropes
to hold it in place until it was loaded.
As
the building of the big boat had taken until dark the
hazardous trip across was scheduled for the following day. When
morning came the young engineer and his men were out early
Before the sun was an hour high they had their craft loaded, everv-
 —

858 l.\ll'K< >VKM I \l ERA

thing being soundly lashed and bound to the logs in case the water
for any uhforseen reason should sweep the deck.
When all was in readiness, the horses, about ten in number,
were driven into the water that they might be compelled to swim
across first. Before they had gone a dozen yards the ground
slipped from under their feet and they began to swim. They moved
along easily enough until they struck the current towards the mid-
dle of the stream this proved to be so terribly swift that the horses
;

were quickly in a panic. The leaders whirled and started back.

Instantly, the engineer and his men began to throw rocks and shout
at them threateningly. The frightened beasts turned about but
becoming bewildered began to mill. When horses begin to mill
it is usually considered a fatal procedure. It certainly chilled the
ardor of the young scouts to see their dumb friends swimming
desperately around and around in a hopeless circle. But, now, the
other engineer, who was waiting on the north bank with his party,
ready to do anything necessary to help in the venture, brought a
bunch of horses to the edge of the stream as a bait. The horses
on shore who were expected to lure their companions over seemed
to realize their mission, for suddenly a fine mare, mate to the
leader in the water, raised her head high and neighed plaintively.
Then as if in compliance to her call the horse in the water made a
last might} effort, lunged into the middle of the current, was swept
-

quickly downward but persistently pressed forward and soon, with

the whole band close at his heels, reached the opposite shore.
This little incident gave the venturesome young men some
idea of the force of that boiling stream but, considering they had
—
gone too far to turn back, especially since they were now without
horses — they stripped off their clothes, to be prepared for any
accident, strapped them to the raft, and cut the ropes.
As the log-craft swung into the dark, muddy, seething, flood-
waters of the Green River, eleven solemn-faced boys, none of —
them were much more than boys even including the engineer
seized their oars and began to paddle for dear life.
Before the ropes were cut, it had seemed like it might not be
such a great task for eleven men to row that tiny craft the quarter
of a mile across the stream, but, now, that they were being pushed
and swayed by the occasional eddies that swerved from the great
central current, they all began to wonder ominously what the next
few minutes would bring to them. Before launching, the banks
for some distance had been reconnoitered and the spot they had
just left selected because it was fully a mile above the rapids.
This thought was now in the minds of all. for though they rowed
vigorously the little craft sagged slowly but surelv down the
stream. The young scouts redoubled their efforts, but when they
ncared the great river's middle current, thev were transfixed with
 !

RAFTING OVER GREEN RIVER 859

awe and horror as they got a close view of that head-long", rushing,
roaring central torrent.
Suddenly they were caught in its mighty grasp ! In a flash
the small craft shot down stream as if it had been a mere chip.
Every boy paled to the lips, every paddle dipped desperately, if
vainly, into the swollen waters, every heart was moaning.
"And the rapids not a mile below us!"
In that awful, fear-enthralling moment the engineer, who had
undertaken this feat, became the pilot. With marvelous calm he
looked around at his men. He knew something was wrong,
though every man was rowing with all his power. Great beads of
sweat stood out on every brow. In an instant the pilot took in the
situation. There were four men among the crew who could not
—
swim. And those who could swim- what chance would they have
against that ruthless current? It was inevitable they were panic
stricken every man was rowing not with but against his neighbor
;

The little raft was actually spinning' around, first one corner then
another was dipping deeply into the angry, undulating water, the
cargo was rapidly becoming soaked. Loudly, sternly Boss Boe
spoke to his men calling their attention to the difficulty, and soon
they were all stroking together again, frenziedly, it is true, but
more hopefully. With their efforts united they managed to steer
the craft into the middle of the river, but still they were being
borne down, down, down to what seemed certain destruction.
The other engineer, Boss Jack, and his party, on the opposite
shore, were waiting and watching with bated breath. In Boss
Jack's party were also eleven men and these were scattered along
;

the bank for a considerable distance. Each man was stripped of

his clothes, to be prepared for any possible emergency, and each
held two or three long, heavy inch-ropes ready to throw out to the
rafters to help them land. When Boss Jack saw the raft swing
into the current, and in spite of the strenuous paddling of its eleven
steerers, start head-long down the stream towards the rapids, he
was almost beside himself. Catching a mule, lie jumped upon its
back and whipped the beast on to the run dashing down the bank,
;

until even with the racing raft, he urged the animal far out into
the water and threw a rope. The frightened rafters missed the
rope, and as the other end of it was held by the men on shore it
flipped quickly back and wrapped around the mule and rider just
as they, having gone beyond their depth, suddenly dropped out of
sight. A moan of horror escaped those on the raft, and those on
shore, as they saw the younger engineer, tangled up in the rope
with the mule, go to the bottom. There was a tense moment, then
the brave young transit-man, fighting like a trojan, rose to the
surface and, extricating himself from the rope in some miraculous
way, struck out determinedly and with all haste for the shore. In
another minute the mule was following. As soon as Boss lack
860 I M PR( )Vl M ENT ERA

touched foot to solid earth, withoul wasting a thought on his own

narrow escape, he rushed frantically on down the stream.
The other men on shore had been running energetically after
the hurrying raft constantly throwing out ropes, but thus far every
rope had been missed. When Boss Jack was even with the rafters,
he threw again and this time some fellow caught the rope. A loud
hurrah went up from twenty-two throats, but the rejoicing was of
short duration. Quicker than one could wink the lad who had
seized the rope was >anked off into the water, so swift was the
river's raging current. The hoy in the water happened to he one
of the four who could not swim; he floundered and gasped, then
began to sink.
"Hang on commanded the men on land, and as
to the rope!"
the young man did so with commendable tenacity, he was quickly
pulled to shore by eager, trembling hands.
Another rope was now thrown out by those who were racing
wildly on down the bank. Again it was caught. This time as
before, the man catching itwas jerked instantly into the stream,
and was hauled to safety.
he, too, In this way ten men were
rescued from the madly hurrying raft, and only the engineer, Boss
Roe. remained.
By this time the old drift logs were water-soaked again, and
the ill-fated craft was slowly but surely sinking. The lone transit-
man was standing knee-deep in water. The breathless runners on
the bank now threw a rope to him which he succeeded in grasping,
hut he, too, was plunged into the boiling river. As the raft was
dangerously near the rapids, those on shore were relieved and re-
joiced to have him in the water and began to pull him in as they
had the others, but to their amazement and to the dismay of the
younger brother, he let loose of the rope and swam back to the
raft. To the shouts of the men and especially to the pleadings of
his partner, Boss Boe called,
"Fifteen hundred dollars worth of property on this raft.
Throw me another rope !"
"Can't you see the rapids are only a hundred yards below
you ?" cried Boss Jack, running into the edge of the water to throw
a rope.
Boss Boe looked down the stream and nodded grimly as he
deliberately stooped and braced himself between some piles on the
raft, so the next rope he caught would not pull him off. He lifted
his head in time to grab the rope his brother had just thrown.
There was a breathless silence as the engineer was jerked roughly
forward hut suddenly a wild shout of "bravo" rent the air, as he
;

raised himself up, every muscle tense with the strain, as by the
force of a desperate purpose he hung on to the rope and stuck
to the raft.
As he quickly tied the rope to his sinking craft a dozen men
 : ! —

RAFTING OVER GREEN RIVER 861

hurried to wrap the other end of it around a giant tree on the land.
But alas, just as soon as the rope was taut, though it was half as
big around as a man's wrist, it snapped in two like a twine string
and the runaway raft went madly on.
For a brief second horror stupefied the men on shore. Boss
Boe's younger brother was fairly paralyzed ; but, rallying his
stunned senses, he seized another rope and ran into the water im-
ploring wildly as he threw it,
"Get off that raft, this instant ! You're in the edge of the
rapids. No man can swim them. We'd tear you to pieces on the
rocks if we tried to pull you out. Let the stuff go! Jump !" he
shouted. "For the love of heaven, save your life!"
"Jump! Save your life!" yelled all the men on shore, as they
stumbled and pitched onward to keep up with the raft.
Suddenly every man stopped running. Boss Jack halted one
tick of the clock, in the edge of the water, then straightened him-
self out and began to swim towards the current and his brother.
The raft had struck the first rock in the rapids
Just as it did so, the man who wouldn't "give up the ship"
caught the last rope thrown him. With the command to jump
ringing in his ears and the craft jarring against the rock, he braced
himself as before, and with a superhuman effort held his place on
the raft while he hung on to the rope and fastened it. Then rais-
ing a determined face he shouted
"Keep the ropes coming!"
The water-soaked, sinking raft was now displacing about
three hundred forty feet of water and was traveling at the rate of
ten feet per second. It struck the rock —which was far below the
surface of the stream — with such force that it slid upon it, where,
for some unaccountable reason, it caught and hung a moment or
two, dipping deeply first one way then the other with the lashing
of the thwarted current. During this brief interval, the plucky
pilot caught and tied eleven ropes which were hastily secured to
big pines by the men on the shore.
By this time, helped over the center current by the ropes, the
younger engineer had reached the raft and, clamoring on to it,
raised up beside the gritty sailor. The eyes of twenty men on
shore suddenly moistened as they saw him gratefully grasp the
hand of his beloved partner brother.
To be sure they were not out of danger, for any moment the
treacherous current might sweep the raft from the rock and snap
the ropes, but they felt a momentary safety. Falling swiftly to
work the brothers unloosed from the improvised boat the most
valuable of their possessions and started by means of the ropes for
the north bank. The men of the party, divining their purpose,
struck out, also by the ropes, to help. In a shorter space of time
than one could credit, the raft was unloaded.
802 IM PR< >VEMENT ERA

Just as the last man was safe on shore, the current hurled the
soaked logs from the security of the rock, and every one turned
toward the river intent upon seeing what straining powers the
ropes would exert. Kor a few seconds they held, then as a mighty
central current sucked and tugged venomously, they snapped one
by one like so many threads, and the abandoned craft went reeling
and thudding cumbrously down through the tearing, foaming,
writhing rapids.
A young scouts
sigh of relief escaped the pale lips of these
who were much wiser now than
they were a few hours before. Of
course, the blisters, from heels to chin, on every mother's son of
them, whose naked bodies had been exposed to the water and sun
for eight unmerciful hours, have nothing to do with the rafting
over Green River, even if they did keep the incident fresh in the
minds of those boys for many days to come.
PROVO, UTAH

When Ends the Reign of Thor?

When ends the reign of Thor,

Deity of demon war?
Not till the cup of Meribah be drained,
E'en to the dregs of its last bitter drop,
Will aught e'er stay
The crimson flood whose hellish maelstrom-whirl
Would fain sweep from the earth, the race away.

When
ends the reign of Thor,
Deity of demon war?
When in the mind of man no longer lives
The greed for gain, a lust for mundane pow'r,
(The genius of strife)
Xo more will belch the curse of cannon forth,
Nor clash of sabers crossed be longer rife.

Then ends the reign of Thor,

Deity of demon war!
For aye, will be their swords to plowshares turned,
And Peace, upon the dais of the world,
Weld close and strong
The bands of universal brotherhood,
And Right prevail where long hath triumphed Wrong.

So will end the reign of Thor,

Deity of demon war,
Whom, as in days of yore,
Nations bend knee before.
Grace Ingles Frost
 : ;

The Lord's Prayer

BY BERTHA ECCLES WRIGHT, OF THE WEBER STAKE, UTAH

The belief in the universal Fatherhood of God has been

called the world-wide creed. If this be so, prayer is the world-
wide form of worship. For there never has been found a race or
tribe that did not believe in some god, or did not, in some way,
pray. The heathens pray, bowing to gods of wood and stone.
The children of the desert worshiped the sun and the stars, and
unto them offered prayers. The
children of the faithful have ever
been marked by their belief and
power in prayer. This was true
from the time when Abel stood
by the first offering and, con-
fessing his sins, besought divine
mercy from the long years of
;

Enoch's and Noah's lives, made

blessed by their prayerful habit
from the ancient days of the Pa-
triarch Abraham who builded an
altar unto Jehovah, in each new
home and from
; the deep, heart-
felt prayers of Moses for the
children of Israel.
The great periods of the peo-
ple of God have ever been times
of prayerful devotion, and eras
of prayerful men. Then why
should we not have a model
prayer? A
pattern, so to speak? MRS. BERTHA ECCLES WRIGHT
And who best fitted to give that
prayer but Christ, our example in all things good and grand ? So,
many years ago, in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his
disciples this prayer

"Our Father, which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy

kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us
this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For
thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen."

*This oration took first place in the grand finals of the Senior
speaking contest, M. I. A. conference, June, 1915.
864 I M PR< >VE M I- NT ERA

Where could we find a prayer more beautiful, yet so plain

and simple, and so complete? A prayer of so few words, yet
covering all the needs of men? One that made its influence
felt long ago on Judea's hills, and passed right on down through

the years and centuries of trials and tribulations, of joys and of

happiness ?
the words, "Our Father."
Take Not, "your father," nor
"my father," but "Our Father." Unselfishness expressed in the
very beginning. Then, Father: something so tangible, so close
to our every-day life. A
word that brings us more in kinship
with God Almighty, and makes us feel we are his children. He
is our Father.

"Which art in heaven" distinguishes between our earthly

father and the Father of our spirits.
"Hallowed be thy name." A
phrase that reveres, honors
and glorifies God. We
all think, or should think, much of the
name given us by our mortal fathers, and we try to honor it,
and live to be a credit to it. And yet how few of us realize the
importance of glorifying the name of our God. the Giver of all,
and living a life of credit to him. How many take the name of
our Ford in vain, using it lightly and often times in such a way
that it would cause us to burn with anger, were it so used of our
earthly father.
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in
heaven." Will it not be glorious to have our earth as heaven ?
Or as we to be, his kingdom here, and all done as he
believe it

wills it? Nono hatred, nor contention; but peace, joy and
vice,
happiness, and that divine love for all humanity that Christ alone
displayed.
"Give us this day our daily bread." Here we have other
beautiful truths. One, that we may go to the Father for more
than spiritual blessings. Go to him for all that is necessary for
our temporal welfare. And here, again, it is not for me alone
or for you, but for all. Neither is it for one to have his wants
supplied through the sufferings of others.
Next we have, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors." Here we ask for pardon for forgiveness for our trans-
;

gressions and imperfections. But only in the degree that we for-

give. Do we ever stop to consider how little we forgive? And
that our forgiveness from the Father need be no more, for
Christ said, "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses. If ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Then, "Lead [or leave] ns not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil." Man has ever had temptations; even Christ, the
Son of God, had his. And so in his sfreat understanding,', he
 ! ——

THE LORD'S PRAYER 865

asked that we might be given the wisdom and courage to face it

and overcome it.

Last, the beautiful words of praise, adoration and acknowl-

edgment "For thine
: is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen."
Is this not a prayer to be remembered ? Do you wonder
that it has lived these many, many years, and that its wondrous
influence has been the guide and strength to so many lives? Lives
such as Luther, the poor miner's boy who sang in Germany's
olden streets for money with which to buy his books, which later
brought the countless blessings of the Reformation. He drew
from this prayer his life's best strength. John Knox, reared
amidst Scotland's heather, so learned the blessings of this prayer,
that even his sentence to the galley ships could not cause him to.
give it up. Scotland's lads and lassies learned its power and
sweetness from his lips, and so Scotland became free. Gustavus
Adolphus made it a companion of his daily thoughts upon the
battle-field, as he waged the war for Norway's and Sweden's
freedom. And our own Washington and Lincoln drew comfort
from it, in America's darkest hours.
Many are they that received power from this prayer, this
our Savior's prayer. Good then, good now, good forever, for

"Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air;
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer."

Ode to Earth.

O sun-kissed vales and lofty hills

Among thy rocks and whisp'ring rills
I love to bide and ramble.

Thy hidden wealth, thy treasured trove,

May tempt the covetous there to rove
And filthy lucre gamble.
Suffice for me to sense thy worth
In greater gifts, O Mother Earth.
The teeming life of wood and fen,
The home of cricket, fox and wren
The sylvan glade, the purling brook,
Speak wondrous words from Nature's book.
Such marvels doth my eyes behold —
Beshrew the thought of craving gold !

Give praise to Providence above

For scented field and leafy grove.
E. H. Lund
 ;

Will the Golden Age of Peace Ever Come?

BY JOHN F. MILLER, OF POCATELLO STAKE, IDAHO

In the days when man fought against .man, city against city
and ruler against ruler when the air was continually shaken by
;

the clamor of war and the rumors of war, then it was that the
war-wearied ones best loved to sit at the feet of the poets and
hear of that time when there should be peace over all the world
when men should tend their flocks and reap their harvests, un-
afraid, and youth watch the silver moon rise over the sweet smell-
ing orchards ; when the ear
would not be afrighted by the
screaming fife and groaning
drum when the song of the
;

nightingale would make pleas-

ant the night, and the hum of
the busy bee make restful the
golden noon.
Peace always speaks of
gladness, rest, abundance and
safety. War always bespeaks
hardship,waste, sorrow and
death. But the fabled Golden
Age of Peace has only been a
poet's dream.
Will the dream come true ?
Man lives by his dreams.
His thoughts are all that en-
dure. When the work which
he erects today in wood and
stone has fallen to decay, the
dreams of Columbus, Fulton.
lOIIN F. MILLER
Stephenson and Edison will
stillbe bright and glorious. Through all the infinite ages past,
man has kept himself alive, not by his strength, but by the dawn
of what we call mind. In eating, drinking and fighting, man is
common brother to the brutes. In physical strength they surpass
him. By thought alone he has come thus far, and by thought
alone he will continue to progress still farther.
Alan has but one predominant passion, the will to live. From

*This oration took first place in the grand finals of Advanced

Senior nublic speaking contest, M. T. A. ronferen.ce, June, 1915.
 WILL THE GULDEN AGE OF PEACE EVER COME? 86

thisis born his two vital ideals — freedom and peace. He crave
freedom that he may live his life in his own way, and develop hi
individuality after hisown desire. Freedom is part of the instinc
to live. He craves peace that he might enjoy life, and drear
those dreams which sooner or later he makes come true. Peac
is also part of the instinct to live. In the past centuries he ha
never failed in the accomplishment of the ideals which were vit;
and necessary to him which were part of his instinct to live an
; ;

peace is surely the basic instinct of life. Therefore, I believe the

universal peace will come, as surely as the heart continues il
action in the breast of man.
Peace is the pervading hope of the human soul. It is in ever
philosophy, in all poetry and religion. The heaven of the Amei
ican savage, of the fierce Viking, of the poetic Greek, of the imag
inative Mohammedan —
every heaven born out of the longings c
man's heart is an abode of peace. He that thinks man has nc
struggled very far on the road to his ideal knows very little c
human history. Whether one turn to Asia, Africa, Europe, c
even to our own beloved America, he can find within the period c
history that time when every stranger was an enemy, when ever
country was held by numerous feudal chiefs engaged in constat
warfare, when every city was a walled fortification, and ever
province was hostile to its neighbor.
Picture that day, and this Then property was insecure an
!

trade stagnant. were swept out of existence, the inhal

Cities
itants massacred or sold as slaves, and their goods confiscate*
You will see without argument that not only has there been
steady, tremendous insistence on peace, but that the greater a(
vancement of mankind has been due to the greater peace of tl
world.
Why cannot the nations of the earth advance to still great*
peace ?

by combat between private individuals has falk

If the trial
into disuse because of its folly, why cannot the trial by combat b

tween nations be abandoned, because of its greater folly? The:

is no dispute settled by war but what could better be settled 1:

peaceful means. The old theory of right triumphing by trial

erroneous. Might is not always right.
The law forbids the strong to trample on the weak, with
the nation. What a precious blessing law is! But why, in tl
name of justice and reason, should the law not forbid the stror
from wronging the weak, outside of the nation! If there we
world-wide law as there is now national law, if each natic
elected representatives, according to its population, to an inte
national legislature, as our states elect representatives to the n
tional legislature, and if these representatives had authority
regulate "the affairs of the various nations, according to law ai
868 I MI'Kf tVKMKXT KRA

Order, the clash of resounding anus, and the sighs of untold thou-
sands, would not be coming to our ears from across the mighty
deep, at this hour.
he trouble with our present system is this:
I A nation, like
an individual, becomes agitated over a proposition. Under pres-
ent conditions, it is a law unto itself. There is no general law
In canst- it to stop for a moment and coolly consider matters. Pas-
sion takes the place of thought, and revenge crowds out reason.
So in a moment of hot anger some act is committed which finally
ends in destruction, suffering, and the death of the flower and
youth of the nation, lost on the battle-field.
Only a short year ago there was almost world-wide peace.
Prosperity, progress, and plenty were everywhere felt. The sages
and philosophers were contemplating means whereby man could
better his condition. Treaties were being arranged, through which
peace could be assured. Inventions were never before so fre-
quent. The shuttle of industry was singing its song of joy and
gladness to a happy world. Mankind was fast becoming Godlike
in his love of peace.
In far-off Austria a disordered brain conceived a murderous
plan which the hand put into action. A trigger presses, a steel
missile speeds on its way, carrying the death billet to an unsus-
pecting soul. Because of no general law, the killing of an Austrian
Prince by a Servian subject, precipitates the death of hundreds
and thousands of the very best men in the various nations of
Europe. In a few short hours, happy, peace-loving, God-like
mankind is transformed into a writhing, struggling, beast-like
horde. The plow is forgotten, and the reaper left idle. The
artist no longer pursues his course, nor the tradesman his way.
The croon of the shuttle is lost in the groan of the wounded and
dying, and the buzz of industry is drowned in the wail of the
widow and orphan.
Oh is man so deprived of reason that he must revert to
!

brute force in order to settle his differences? Has he forgotten

that mind is superior to muscle? Has he fallen completely from
his ideal?
No!
True, the clouds of war hang dark and low, and its thunder
rumbles loud; but remember that the darkest hour is always just
before the dawn, and after this hideous night of despair will come
the bright and beautiful dawn of peace.
In conclusion let me briefly repeat the reasons why I believe
it will come:
First, man's predominant passion is to live, and peace is es-
sential unto life.
Secondly, peace is the pervading hope of the human soul.
Thirdly, man has advanced from a time when every stranerer
 WILL THE GOLDEN AGE OF PEACE EVER COME? 869

was an enemy, to the present, when there is national peace and

safety.
Fourthly, there is no reason why general laws should not be
made, thereby insuring world-wide peace.
And, lastly, the present great war shows most clearly trrt
universal law and order is requisite to the best good of man.
The peace of the nations means the uplift of the masses; it
means that burdens and shackles will fall from those who are
weary and oppressed it means that the human hives, undisturbed,
;

will hum with industry, investigation and a wholly new inspira-

;

tion will be given to the life of man. New dreams will arise
within him. There will be other and greater poets, other and
greater heroes, and a higher uplift toward the true Godhood in
man. Nation will join hand with nation, until the world will be
encircled by the nations, each finding what is best in each, until
there will be such an acceleration of human progress that no
imagination can picture the glorious outcome.
With the countless ages yet before him with his race fairly;

begun ;with the leaden fetters of war and destruction shaken from
his feet with all the world mingling in amity and striving in
;

peaceful rivalry with all the powers of nature subdued to his

;

bidding; and palaces, like visions of heaven, and fields, like fairy-
land, arising under his touch, man will be indeed a God, and life
to all men beautiful.

M. I. A. SCOUTS HIKING OX MAPLE FLAT, NEAR PROVO, UTAH

 —

Pioneers and Pioneering in Southeastern

Utah
BY JOSEPH I'. ANDERSON, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND SOCIAL
SCIENCE, MILLARD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

In Two Parts — Part Two.

In the whole West there is probably not a population stand-
ing unique, in so many respects, as does that of the San Juan
country. It is the largest county in the State, but the most
sparsely settled. It is the most isolated community in the state
Bluff being one hundred forty-seven miles from the railroad sta-
tion at Thompson's Spring's. But notwithstanding her isolation,
she boasts being the wealthiest county per capita, in Utah, or, for
that matter, in the whole West. Never have the civil authorities
of San Juan county made any provision for paupers, for none
have ever been present. No people are more ready to give help
where help is needed, but the official hand of charity has never
had to be extended to the strictly indigent. The saloon, which
almost always has followed close in the wake of the first settler,
has never been seen in San Juan. But the absence of the saloon
seems not to have hindered in the least the splendid prosperity,
the sober industry, the building of high ideals, and the growth of
virile manhood and virtuous womanhood manifestly present in
that far-off corner of Utah. Even such a thing as a licensed
pharmacist, doing business in that county, is a thing unheard of.
Nor has the matter of health ever been such a problem as to in-
duce a physician to hang out his shingle in any of her towns. Not
even a lawyer has ever settled in that territory to help the people
settle their differences. San Juan has never boasted a newspaper
with which to tell the rest of the world of her struggles and her
triumphs. There is no such organ to voice her greatness and tell
of her vast timber lands, her hundreds of thousands of acres of
dry-farm lands, her stock ranges, her carnotite deposits, and her
oil fields. Yet we find in those remote towns, modern homes, with
bath rooms and water works, well kept yards and gardens, up-to-
date public buildings, and a refinement and educational atmos-
phere that would do credit to those closer to the so-called civilized
centers. One of the first houses built at Bluff was a combined
meetinghouse and schoolhouse. The records at the Brigham
Young University show that 'duff sends a greater percentage of
I

its population to that institution than does any other community.

These things and others to be mentioned attest the calibre

 UNRECLAIMED DRY-FARM LANDS IN SAN JUAN COUNTY
These are covered with a thrifty growth of native vegetation. The scene in the
Foreground illustrates the method of travel used by the pioneers in breaking the old
"Mormon" trail.

and ideals of the men who, in the face of untold difficulties, laid
the foundation of that growing empire. Such names as Lyman,
Redd, Jones, Nielson, Hammond, Perkins and Smith will forever,
in San Juan parlance, stand for backbone as well as wishbone.
Two of the stubborn problems with which these sturdy set-
tlers had to do from the beginning were the greatly superior num-
bers of wild, nomadic Indians with which they were perpetually
surrounded, and the constant tide of transients and outlaws. Bluff
lay in the path of the latter, in the old thoroughfare leading all the
way from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south.
The people of San Juan have many a thrilling storv to tell
of encounters with desperate whites and renegade Indians. Many
a time have the men from the little towns of Bluff, Grayson, now
called Blanding, and Monticello been called in pursuit of fugitive
outlaws into the roughest parts of one of the roughest countries in
the world. The whole West owes a debt of gratitude to the sterling-
border scouts who have rendered inestimable service in the inter-
est of law and safety.
Mention will be made of one of the numerous services thus
rendered, as an illustration of the dangers encountered. A
band of notorious outlaws was being pursued from Bluff bv Lem.
H. Redd, Hyrum Perkins, Jos. A. Lyman, Bishop Nielson and
Platte D. Lyman. The outlaws had led these men on a hazardous
chase of several days through the bad lands along the San Juan
river. The pursuit was interspersed with gunfights, until finally
a bullet shattered the bone of Lyman's leg. In spite of the excru-
ciating pain and the danger of his condition, so many miles from
home or any civilized habitation, he urged that the pursuit be con-
tinued to a successful issue. Outlaws passing in that direction
soon came to learn that the men of the San Juan were among the
most formidable with whom they had to measure arms. After
the settlement of the "San Juan Mission" but few of the des-
c\72 M PROVEMENT ERA
peradoes who went that way ever passed them by. The colonists
most valiantly the mission for which Brigham Young sent
filled
them there, namely, to keep the southern savage tribes in check,
and to intercept outlaw bands
fleeing from the scenes of
their depredations in the set-
tlements to the north. With
his usual keen insight into
human nature, Brigham
Young selected just the men
who have proved themselves
equal to the situation.
Perhaps the greatest
problem of all has been that
of maintaining peace with the
Indians of the south, and pre-
venting them from moving
against the unprotected set-
tlements to the north. That
peerless colonizer, Brigham
Young, gave this characteris-
tic, safe and sane advice in

dealing with the Indian prob-

lem. He advocated that it is
better to feed and clothe the
Indians than to fight them.
He promised the prospective
settlers that if the details of
his advice were followed,
their lives would not be jeop-
Photo by Frazier, Utah Arch. Exfcd.
ardized by the Indians. In
GIANT CONIFERS ON THE ELK
MOUNTAINS, SAN JUAN COUNTY fulfilment of this promise, the
Vast areas of excellent timber easily ac- people of Bluff point to the
cessible are awaiting the coming of the rail-
road to transfer the lumber. fact that only one of their
number (Amasa M. Barton)
has been killed by the Indians since the settlement of Bluff, while
nearly forty other whites have lost their lives in the neighborhood
of Bluff at the hands of the Indians.
Often it became necessary for the settlers to deal somewhat
harshly with some of the most troublesome of the Indians. In
early days, Mancos Jim caused a great deal of trouble for the set-
tlers, but he promised, a few years ago, to be a "good Indian,"
and he has kept his promise. These Indians may usually be de-
pended upon to keep promises made in good faith.
Sub Chief Posey has always been a notorious character. He
is well aware of this, and will even speak of himself as a "bad

Indian." Those who know him were not surprised to hear of his
 PIONEERS AND PIONEERING IN SOUTHERN UTAH 873

participation in last winter's trouble, in connection with the arrest

of Tse-Ne-Gat. The writer once had an impromptu arg ument
with Posey, on the question of
the harmlessness of the cam-
era, to the person whose pic-
ture is taken. He insisted that
the camera is "bad medicine,"
and declared in a rage born of
righteous indignation that he
would smash the writer and
his camera too, if an attempt
were made to photograph
him, or any of the forty
braves with him. He is a
man of energy and iron nerve. AUTOMOBILING IN SOUTHEASTERN
UTAH
The story is told of how he The auto has invaded that rough country,
but it depends upon the horse to help it
and his brother, Scotty, were over some of the difficult places.
held in custody by the settlers
on the charge of raiding the
cattle ranges. By a clever
ruse, Posey broke away from
his captors and made a dash
for the San Juan river. Be-
fore reaching the river, how-
ever, he received a bullet
wound in his leg, but he was
on his feet again in an instant.
Plunging into the San Juan
river, he swam to the opposite
shore where he was received
by members of his tribe.
Old Poke has not been
regarded as an especially bad
character until his spectacular
defiance of the posse which
attempted to arrest his son,
Tse-ne-Gat, last winter.
That which gives splen-
did promise of being the most
potent factor in bringing San
Photo by Brooks, Utah Arch. Exped. Juan into the front ranks in
LEMUEL H. REDD. PRESIDENT OF wealth, production and popu-
SAN JUAN STAKE lation is dry-farming. Only
President Redd for many years has been
a prominent figure in San Juan recent years has it
affairs. within
been discovered that San Juan and Grand counties comprise one
of the best dry-farming sections in the arid West. Reports of
recent yields on such farms are little short of amazing. The
Nielson Brothers raised 4,700 bushels of good wheat from one
 Photo by Rynearson, Utah Arch. Exped.
GRAIN BINS OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS, SAN JUAN COUNTY
These storage bins were built near the cliff homes and were used by the ancient
inhabitants of San Juan county for storing grain and other food supplies raised by
them. The doors were sealed with flat stones. The man in the center is J. M. Redd of
Monticello, a pioneer of San Juan and guide to the Utah Archaeological Expedition.

hundred acres of new land last year, without irrigation. A yield

of upwards of fifty bushels to the acre on old land is not uncom-
mon. Alfalfa and other crops are thriving on the dry-farm lands.
The writer saw heavy stands of alfalfa hay in the Grayson and
Monticello districts that had been started and perpetuated with-
out irrigation. Alfalfa seed is
a more certaincrop on the
dry-farms than on the irri-
gated farms, and promises to
be the source of abundant rev-
enue.
It is estimated that there
are around the town of Mon-
ticello alone over a million
acres of excellent dry-farm
Photo by the Author. lands, with an annual precipi-
COURTHOUSE ROCK, NEAR MOAB tation of from seventeen to
This was so called because it became the
place where cowboys tried and hanged cat- twenty-two inches. The aver-
tle "hustlers." The civil courts have now age yield of wheat in this sec-
made such a tribunal obsolete.
tion last vear was thirty-five
bushels to the acre. With improved methods these yields are being-
increased. The people are buying and reading Dr. John A.
Widtsoe's book, Dry-Farming, and the influence of this great
book on the economic evolution of the arid west is thus spreading
into a country which, a few years ago, was considered good for
nothing but a cattle range.
The town of Grayson came into existence only eight years
 PIONEERS AND PIONEERING IN SOUTHERN UTAH X/S

ago, but the inducements to dry-farmers are such that the popu-
lation has now almost reached
the one thousand mark. The
real value of the vast San Juan
country is becoming more and

more apparent. The La Sal

ranch, which sold a few years
ago for seventy-five thousand
dollars, changed hands recent-
ly for a quarter of a million
dollars.
Evidently, then, the pio-
neers of the "San Juan Mis-
sion" pioneered a country
which is better than they
knew. The problem of trans-
portation will no doubt be
solved by the coming of rail-
roads eager to tap the vast la-
tent resources of that wonder-
land. The extensive timber-
lands alone are sufficient to
turn the eyes of railroad men
seriously in that direction.
The commandment to
subdue the earth has been
vigorously obeyed by the pio-
neers and settlers of San Juan. Photo by Stockman, Utah Arch. Ex[>cd.
They have been uncompro- DIFFICULT TRAVEL
mising in their conquest of the Members of the expedition making their

desert. They have been equal- way over some of San Juan's rough terri-
tory in the neighborhood of the great na-
ly uncompromising in their tural bridges. Top to bottom: G. A. Ry
nearson, Jos. F. Anderson, and Attorney J.
devotion to their religion— in H. Stockman.
high ideals, clean living, and
standards of conduct. The sentiment against the use of tobacco
and whisky is so strong and well known that commercial trav-
elers making those towns say they "ditch" their cigars before
entering the San Juan country. The perpetuation of this repu-
tation for morality and sturdy character will be one of the best
monuments that the coming generation can build to the mem-
ory of the illustrious pioneers of the "San Juan Mission."
FILLMORE, UTAH
 : " — ;

Wild Oats*
The "Improvement Era" Prize Story, May Contest.

BY MRS. L. H. ROYLANCE

"Hey, George
—
The young carpenter straightened up from the pile of- lumber
where he had been selecting a plank, and looked about.
The "walker," standing on the grade above him, watching
the men building forms for the culverts, stepped closer to the
edge
"Doc Dayton is going to town, today you'd better go along
;

we're not rushed just now. But return by Monday; the three
small culverts will be ready then."
"All right," answered George, gratefully. "How soon will
he be here?"
"He just left Camp Two. It's about an hour's drive; that'll
—
give you plenty of time and, say" as he tossed him a dollar
;

"just bring me back a few magazines."

"You might mail these, too," said old Joe, the blacksmith,
standing in his little bowery shop, as he fished out three grimy
letters from his overalls pockets. "You'll probably beat the stage
in, by a couple of days," he added.
"Going to town, George?" said the timekeeper, who had
just stepped up. "Come over to the commissary there are some ;

checks to send in, and I want some ledgers and files, and say, —
will you speak to Hix, at the warehouse, about that last shipment
of flour?"
The cook came in with a five dollar bill. "Bring up some
—
good 'eats'," he said "oranges, candy, you know !"
George stood by the powder house waiting, when Doctor
Dayton drove up.
"Don't forget the files," called the timekeeper.
"Take care of yourself, George," said the "walker."
"He's just a green kid. I hate to see him go to town and
make a fool of himself, but nothing a man could say would make
any difference," he thought, as he climbed back up on the grade.
"Your first trip out, since you came on the job, last June,
isn't it?" questioned the doctor, as they drove round Demi-John
Rock, which stands at the turn in the road where the camp is
lost to view.

""This story won the $25 prize for May, in the Improvement Era
six months' contest, ending June, 1915.
 "

WILD OATS 877

"Yes," answered George "I'm going in for a 'time.' I mean

;

to have it, too," with the boastfulness of youth.

The doctor did not answer. He seemed absorbed in the land-
scape, such as he conld see of it, which was not much, for the
road was at this point little more than a trail through the giant
fir forests of Oregon. The dense growth of underbrush and
vines covered the very trunks of the trees, and the noisy rush of
a squirrel, or the hurried flight of a bird, as they came to a sud-
den turn in the road, bespoke the primitiveness of the place.
"A 'time' !" The doctor spoke slowly. "You mean hotels,
restaurants
—
"Clean clothes, and a bath, a fat cigar, and drinks," sup-
plied George, a bit swaggeringly. He had never smoked a cigar,
nor did he know the taste of one liquor from another. However,
several months in a railroad camp, hearing the vain-gloriou;
boasts of the men, had made him curious. He, too, wanted to
have yarns to spin, yarns of fascinating, big drunks, questionable
dances.
"Women?" interrogated the doctor.
George's face crimsoned. The doctor apparently was look-
—
ing straight ahead he probably considered the question only a
natural one, a man to man question.
George suddenly important; he wasn't a kid any more,
felt
back in a country town, in his native state. He was a man, in a
man's world, the proud possessor of two hundred dollars, hard-
—
earned money. Back home there was a girl but a fellow is only
young once.
—
"Probably it's part of the game," he answered, coolly.
They rode on again, in silence, the ribbon of road through
the trees, unbroken except for an occasional cleared patch, where
some sturdy homesteader had grubbed out stumps in pioneer days.
His descendants, less ambitious, derived from it now a meager
existence in fact, there were cases where the farms were smaller
;

now than they had been twenty years ago. The forests were
growing in on them again. The road was rough, corduroyed in
many stretches, and the light rig rattled noisily.
At Camp Seven they stopped for dinner, fed and watered the
horses, and were off again. The doctor was quiet, but George
knew he was considered eccentric, so he did not intrude. At two
they reached Home's camp.
"There," said the doctor, as they entered on a smooth stretch
of road, "I've been waiting for this five miles —
how old do you
think I am?"abruptly.
George looked up, he had always considered the doctor an
old man; his hair was snow white, and his face heavily lined, al-
though he had a perfect physique, and a clear, pleasant voice.
"About sixty-five," he said, appraisingly.
878 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"I'll be fifty in May." The doctor spoke musingly, then
turned abruptly.
"Want to hear a story?"
"Why, yes," replied George, a trifle embarrassed. "The doc-
tor certainly is a queer old duck," he added mentally.
Doctor Dayton drew out his watch. "We've plenty of time,"
he said, as he let the horses slow up:
"Thirty years ago, I was like you, young, strong, clean men-
tally, morally, physically. I was an only child, and had every

advantage and disadvantage of the sons of the well-to-do.

At twenty-one I left college, good-looking, idle, plenty of
money. The wrong crowd got me. In a few months, I was go-
ing the pace. Riotous living, tobacco, wines, women. I salved

my conscience with the old excuse, the one that has served men
and will serve them to the end of time, 'Youth must have its fling.'
'Every man has to sow his wild oats.' As for the women, I de-
luded myself, as men will, with the thought, 'Such places exist;
there'll always be such women. Whether I go or stay away, is a
matter of small moment.' To ray father's entreaties, I turned a
deaf ear. At worst I was injuring no one but myself, I argued.
Father shook his head, but said no more. In those days, George,
men did not talk to their sons, nor women to their daughters.
They believed that ignorance was innocence. It is not so now —
people are beginning to spread the sunlight of understanding. It
is lighting up the secret places. The danger-signal is kept clear
and bright. Boys and girls no longer need to step unwittingly
into the pit of sin.
"At the end of a couple of years, I drew a sudden halt. The
truth was brought home to me. I had broken nature's immutable
laws. She demanded a physical penalty. For a while, I strug-
gled along alone then, as a last extremity, appealed to my father.
;

He put me in charge of a specialist. At the end of a year, I was

considered cured. Don't deceive yourself, boy." The old doctor
spoke kindly. "When you break the greatest law of nature, she
—
demands a lifetime penalty aye, more than that, for the sins of
the fathers are visited upon the children."
"Your mother?" asked George.
"I don't think she ever knew. She grieved because I smoked
and drank. The rest, I think, was kept from her. Father died,
shortly afterward a year later, mother followed him.
; Then I
drifted west, working with some civil engineers.
We set up camp among your people, down near the Col-
orado line. It was there that I met Mary, the dearest, sweetest
girl in all the world. That was a happy summer. The calm,
quiet life among the rural people, the pleasant courtship, I en-
joyed. There were times when we strolled down the shady lane
to her home and she confided, in her sweet, trusting way, some
;
 : ;

WILD OATS 879

little incident of her girlhood, so that I felt tempted to tell her

all, but the fear of losing her was too great, and I could not bring
myself to shatter her faith in me. Sin has a way of becoming
heinous, in the presence of innocence. I won, favor with her peo-
ple. I wasn't of her religion, and I think they'd much rather she

had not married me but she returned my love, and they didn't in-
;

terfere, so in the fall she became my bride."

Visions of the girl, back home, flashed into George's mind ;

he, too, had made plans — sweet plans that had somehow lost their
glamor, in this alien atmosphere.
"We bought a little farm," continued the doctor, "a couple of
miles from the village, where we could see the broad sweep of the
country, and the little lake that nestled at the foot of the opposite
mountains." In the old doctor's eyes was a reminiscent light. He
—
was seeing it all again the little cabin, the girl bride, the farm,
all the beautiful surrounding country. "The little village lay at
the left, hidden by the grassy knolls. It was almost as if we two
were alone in the world, just she and I," he went on, his voice
low and tender. "The next two years stand out, George, as the
happiest I have ever known. I had not dreamed that life could
be so perfect, and then, when the promise of a child came to share
our joy, my cup was running over. Sometimes the past, those
few brief, wild years, came vividly to me. I wanted to tell her,
but something, her very innnocence perhaps, kept me silent. I've
wished, since that, I had told her. She'd have forgiven me. She
did forgive, unasked, when she had far more to forgive. How
we made our plans ! Oh, I'll never forget the glad light in her
eyes, as she did each day the homely tasks necessary for the com-
ing of the little stranger. It happened in June. I had waited in
agony all during the hours of her suffering,agony the more poign-
ant, because I was helpless to ease one pang. She seemed so lit-
tle, so frail
; in those hours I could gladly have foregone all the
joys of parenthood, to hav^ saved her this. When I intimated as
much, she hushed me quickly: 'No, no, Horace.' And in her eyes
was that soft light that God puts into the eyes of women when
he crowns them with motherhood. I had watched the nurse, and
the doctor sitting by, apparently heedless, then when I felt I
could bear no more, had gone out into the yard to wait. An hour
dragged by, then another, and another. The waiting seemed
endless. The sound of a sudden sharp scream set me trembling
another interminable half hour, then the old doctor stepped out of
the cabin and came over to the log where I sat
" 'Horace,' he said, 'it's a boy.'
"A sudden joy thrilled me. I was a father, the father of a man
child. In there, in that cabin, was a boy, mine —
hers and mine.
I stood up, seized my hat, and waved it in a glad hurrah ; then I
—
went into the cabin. Mary smiled a weary smile, but oh, so
 — :

880 I M PR( IVEM ENT ERA

glad. My heart sang a-- I kissed her. Truly it was a wonderful

world.
"1 looked at the
little mite not much to see,' I thought, its
;

little wrinkly face crowned with a coating of fuzz which 1

red,
supposed would some day he hair. hit it was ours that was
J —
enough. The next day Mary didn't seem so well; the morning
of the third day, she was very ill. I went for the doctor. 1

rememher still the ride down the valley. I didn't seem to sense
how ill she was. I couldn't believe that she would be taken. So
many babes were born into the world, some every day, and the
mother almost always lived, I comforted myself. But something
else troubled me I had been in the kitchen, that morning, when
;

the nurse gave the boy his bath. She had looked at him strangely,
then at me, as if she wished to tell me something; but instead, she
only shook her head. What could it mean, I wondered, but didn't
like jto ask. The doctor came back with me. When he had looked
at Mary, the nurse called him. He took the baby to the window
and examined it closely. His face grew grave. He said nothing.
I think he meant to keep it from Mary, but mothers seem to di-

vine some things."

'Oh, I know, I know. I noticed it yesterday," she said, her
'

voice quivering with agony.

"Half dazed, I stumbled out of the cabin. What was it?
What had happened? The old doctor followed me out. For a
moment he did not speak then he looked me straight in the eye
;

'Young man, the boy is blind.'

" 'My heavens,' I said!

"That was twenty years ago, George," he went on, quietly,

"but it is as plain to me as if it were yesterday. I can see it all.
The little cabin on the hillside, in the sunlight, the few acres of
tender grain, the creek and the trees at the left, the blue hills in
the distance the old doctor grim and stern, standing there look-
;

ing at me A
terrible weakness overpowered me.
! I sank to the
log. The world seemed dark it was almost as if the blindness
;

of the little babe, in there, had cast a shadow on the face of

nature.
—
Tt is' I looked at the doctor helplessly, a sickening fear at
'

my heart
'Wild oats,' he said, tersely, as he turned on his heel and
'

walked into the cabin.

"I thought, then, he was brutal. I have learned since that

doctors must sometimes cut deep to effect a permanent cure.

Then, too, in the light of my own experience, the terrible things
that doctors see and know boy, I do not wonder that some of
;

them lose entirely their faith in humanity. I sat there a long time.
What I suffered God alone understands. Then I went into the
cabin, and knelt by Mary's bedside. She reached out her hand.
 !

WILD OATS 881

and let it rest lovingly on my head — she did not speak, but 1

understood." The doctor paused. "It takes a brave woman to

forgive the man who strikes her through her child
"That afternoon we sent for her mother. In her kind, old
eves was nothing but pity for me. Your people are like that.
They accept what comes heroically perhaps they know that God
;

is mericful, that sometime, somewhere, all will be right again.

—
That night, I talked to her father I told him all, not one of the
sordid details of those two years did I hide. Nor did I try to
excuse myself. He was not harsh in fact, where I expected re-
;

proaches I received only kindness. 'My boy,' he said, 'it is the

—
way of the world the double standard But we, this little hand-
!

ful of people in the mountains, have a clearer vision. are We

trying to teach our sons that there can be but one standard. We
want the men who claim our daughters to be as pure as are our
girls'."
Into George's mind flashed the past. How many times he
had heard it. Almost those very words, at church, back home.
A year ago it had seemed all right, but here in the camps the — —
hot blood rushed into his cheeks, as his own remark made in an-
swer to a taunt that the shovel engineer (known as the raciest
raconteur in camp) had flung, came back to him: 'Yes, of course,
they're fifty years behind the times, your rural people are.' And _

this was how men, real men, manly men, looked at the simple
principles of his people, as something beautiful, something to be
marveled at.
"It remained for Mary, unwittingly," continued the doctor,
"to give the hardest blow. It was the day she died" the doctor's —
lips twitched. "She asked for me, and when I sat down by the
bedside, she took my hand. She was very near the borderland
then. She looked so frail and unearthly, lying there among the
pillows 'Horace, I'm going to die. I think it's better that way.
:

You've been very good to me. I love you so. I couldn't live
without you.' Then I understood that I would have to lose her,
if not in death, in life, reared as she had been,
among your pure-
minded people, she could not be a wife, and not a potential
mother. To pass the curse to another child would be unthinkable.
She was right it was better that way. She died that night.
;
Her
folks took the baby it only lived four
;
months. They lie side by
near the town where she was born. I go
side in the cemetery,
there every year, just for a day. Some of her people still live
in the old place they're; glad to see me when I come, but I never
stay long. I want to get back to work."
"You became a doctor?" _

I sold the farm and studied medicine;

it
"Shortly after.
seemed the only way I could reach boys to talk to them—
to warn
I don't often tell my
them against the fate that had been mine.
882 IMPROVEMENT ERA
story. It hurts too much, but when sec a clean young man,
I

like you, just getting ready to step over the brink, I have to tell
it. It's part of the penalty, maybe," he concluded sadly, "maybe,

when I've paid enough, they'll give them both to me over there."
He drew in at the little store, at Lowell, where the boy must
take the train.
"Goodbye, George," he said, slowly, "remember there is one
way, and only one, to avoid reaping the harvest of 'wild oats,' and
that is: don't sow them."
"Goodbye, doctor; thank you. I'll not forget," he said,
squaring his shoulders and looking straight into the doctor's eyes.
Four days later, George piled off the stage, at camp, loaded
with bundles. He carried them over to the commissary, chatted
awhile with the timekeeper, then walked out over the work.
—
"Hello!" the "walker" drew rein "Back again?
— Well,
we're ready for you," eyeing him appraisingly.
"Trip didn't seem to hurt him any," he thought. "Glad of
it; he's a nice kid."
"There's George. Hello, there, sonny. Have your 'time'?"
questioned the shovel engineer, banteringly.
"Yep," shortly.
"Young blood youth will have its fling," he chuckled, as he
;

climbed up onto the little Model 20. But he could not know
that to him and George a "time" had come to have a vastly differ-
ent meaning.
And the girl, back home! When the job was finished he'd
—
go back to her a man, clean as the boy that bade her goodbye,
in their sunny southern village.

EUGENE, OREGON

Pansies

Gems blushed with morning dew;

Robed in most gorgeous hue;
Thoughts of the pure and true;
Emblems of beauty.
Be thou my thoughts tonight;
Teach me to brave the right:
Guide all my steps aright,
To do life's duty.
O. F. Ursenbach.
 : —

^
1

GREAT SALT LAKE CITY

An English conception of Salt Lake City,
artist's

Utah. The sketch was printed in The Mormons, pub-

lished in London, in 1852, and was drawn from verbal
descriptions of the city, the valley, the Wasatch moun-
tains, and the majestic Cottonwood peaks

"O ye mountains high, where the clear blue sky

Arches over the vales of the free,
flow,
Where the pure breezes blow, and the clear streamlets
How I've longed to your bosom to flee.
O Zion! dear Zion! land of the free,
Now my own mountain home, unto thee I have come
All my fond hopes are centered in thee."—
Hymn, 317.
 BOB WHITE.

Outlines for Scout Workers

BY DELBERT W. PARRATT, B. S.

II. BOB WHITE

"I see you on the zig-zag rails,

You cheery fellow!
little
While purple leaves are whirling down,
And scarlet, brown, and yellow.
I hear you when the air is full
Of snow-down of the thistle;
All in your speckled jacket trim,
'Bob White! Bob White!' you whistle."

1. Why is the Bob White so named?

2. To what family does it belong? Distinguish it from other
birds of this family.
3. Note size, shape, and color.
4. Contrast male and female in size and in color, and explain why
these differences.
5. Contrast the song of the male Bob White with that of the fe-
 OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 885

male. Why the difference? When does it sing mostly? Why then?
What ismeant by the "covey call?"
6. Upon what does this bird live and how is it adapted to get its
food?
7. What are the enemies of the Bob White and how does it pro-
tect itself from these?
8. Explain the manner in which Bob Whites group themselves
while sleeping. Why this way?
9. Tell of the speed and height at which this bird flies. During
which season does it fly most? Why then?
10. Where and how is the nest usually made? Why there?
11. Tell of the color and number of eggs. How many broods are
usually hatched in a season?
12. Where does the Bob White spend its winters?
13. Should the quail be protected? Why? Contrast the open sea-
son in our state for quails with that for ducks. Why the difference?

HANDY MATERIAL
" 'I own the country here about,' said Bob White;
'At early morn I gayly shout, 'I'm Bob White!'
From stubble field and stake-rail fence
You hear me call, without offense,
•I'm Bob White! Bob White!'
"'Sometimes I think I'll ne'er more say, 'Bob White;'
It often gives me quite away, does Bob White;
And mate and I, and our young brood,
When —wandering through the wood,
separate
Are killed by sportsmen invite I

By my clear voice — Bob White! Bob White!

Still, don't you find I'm out of sight "
While I am saying, Bob White, Bob White?'
— C. C. M.

bird under consideration is so named because his call is

The
suggestive of "Bob White." He is one of the gallinacious birds,
as are also the pine hen, grouse, sage hen, partridge, and Cali-
fornia quail. These all prefer walking to flying and ordinarily
fly only when in danger. Strictly speaking, the Bob White is an
eastern bird and consequently not a native of our state. He has
been introduced into Utah and thrives here in a manner pleasing
to lovers of this beautiful and interesting creature.
Our most
common quail is the California Valley partridge, a name suggestive
of
of the fact that the vast regions of our locality were once a part
Alta or Upper California.
The Bob White is about ten inches long and of a dumpy ap-
pearance. His back is brownish red, tinged with gray and
mottled
with dusky spots. His chin, throat, forehead and lines through
eyes and along the sides of his neck are white. There is a
black
band across the top of his head. On the head of the female bird,

brownish red replaces the white. brown

Her smaller size and leafy
coloring make her very inconspicuous when on the nest.

As with most other birds, the female Bob White exercises the
 !

886 IMPROVEMENT ERA

right of deciding who her mate shall be. She is not placed in
competition with others of her sex to win the attentions of any
particular male. This striving for recognition is left to the males
and in the struggle the fellow with the prettiest feathers and most
attractive call out-classes his less fortunate rivals.
And during the mating season the jealous rivals often engage
in lively fights to determine which shall "keep company" with a
certain female and in these the larger bird, of course, stands the
better chance of winning out. The larger bird therefore is the one
to get mated and to have his kind reproduced in the next genera-
tion. This process of fighting, mating, and reproducing has been
going on for a long time until now the males have come to be
somewhat larger than the females.
The male bird's loud clear song of "Bob White" is thought to
resemble "more wet" and is regarded in some localities as an omen
of rainy weather. However, it is a cheery song, making rain
seem desirable. After the pair of Bob Whites is mated, the song
is used by the male to call his companion in case she is hid from

view or is straying too far from his side.

The nest, which is made of grass, is hid in the bushes, often
near a fence. There is always a well defined, though crooked
trail to the nest. Nests are often placed near foot paths ap-
parently for protection by man against other enemies.
There are from ten to eighteen pure white, rather sharply
pointed eggs. The points are turned downward in the neatly
packed nest. As a rule one brood is raised in a season, the so
called second brood coming only when the first is destroyed. The
young birds can run about as soon as hatched. They are difficult
to raise from the eggs, chiefly on account of the impossibility of
obtaining the insects on which the young feed. Both male and
female take turns in keeping the eggs warm during nesting period,
the female, of course, serving the major portion of time.
Quail are hunted by men and boys in the autumn. Many
perish from cold and hunger, or from being imprisoned under the
snow during severe winters. Foxes and coyotes prey upon these
birds, and snakes upon their eggs. In order to baffle and be-
wilder their enemies, quail, in common with other wild chickens,
rest on the ground in the form of a circle, heads outward, so that
each can fly off in a straight line, if alarmed, without interfering
with the others. The flight is low and rapid with numerous quick
flappings of the wings. After being dispersed the Bob Whites are
called together by the "covey call" of Whir-r-rl-ee ! Whir-rl-ee
Whir-r-rl-ee the sweetest, softest, tenderest call one would care
!

to hear. As a rule, quail do not find it necessary to fly much except

during the hunting season.
Half the food of this quail consists of weed seeds, almost a
fourth of grain, and about a tenth of wild fruits. Although thus
 OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 887

eating grain, the bird gets most of it from stubble. Fifteen per
cent of the Bob White's food is composed of insects, including
several of the most serious pests of agriculture. It feeds freely
upon Colorado potato bugs and chinch bugs it devours also cu- ;

cumber beetles, clover leaf weevils, cottonboll weevils, cutworms,

and Rocky Mountain locusts.
Bob White stays with us all winter. Many farmers, who love
this bird, feed whole flocks when the snow is deep and food scarce.
Besides his usefulness to farmers, the quail, in other countries,
proves himself a source of comfort. The Chinese quail, in the
East Indies, is used as a fighting bird and also for warming his
owner's hands in winter.

Who's whistling so cheerfully down in the clover,

When the meadows are wet with the sweet morning dew?
He's piping and calling, this ardent young lover,
And telling his tale the whole morning through,
What is it he says in the early sunlight?
"Bob White! Bob White!
Bob— Bob White!"
At noon when the day dog in wrath has descended,
With his swift golden arrows, on grain-field and hill;
And the birds of the morning their love-songs have ended,
Then deep in the wood, and down bv the rill
I hear a shrill whistle, so cheerful and brisrht:
"Wheat ripe? Bob White!
—
Not not auitel"

When shadows of evening are lengthening slowly,

Ere the night dews lie damp on the meadows again;
As light breezes sweep o'er the soft grass so lowly,
What is it he says? I hear the refrain,
While in the thick verdure he's hid from my sight:
"Good night! Bob White!
—
Good good night."
—EFFIE L. HALLETT

References: Encyclopedia; Geographical Magazine, May, 1914;

June, 1913; Song, Bob White, Songs in Season; Story, How the Quail
became a Sniye, Holbrook Nature Myths; Utah State Fish and Game
Lows.

A distinguished member of the National Geographic Society, on

his way down-town one day when the polar controversy was at its
height, passed some little colored boys who were playing with two
very pretty kittens. Pausing, he asked the leader of the party if he
had named the kittens.
"Oh, yes," was his reply, "I calls 'em Tawm and Jerry."
"Why not call them Cook and Peary?"
" Deed, boss," was the quick rejoinder, "dese yere ain't polecat*."
 : :

M. I. A. Conference

First Day, June 11, 1915

The General Annual Conference of the Young Men's and

Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations was held in
Salt Lake City, June 11, 12 and 13, 1915. Many important
items for officers were considered at the first session, on Friday
morning, June 11. The meeting was held at 9:30, in the Assem-
bly Hall, and was a joint officers' meeting. Elder Heber J.
Grant presided. The congregation sang, "Come, Come, Ye
Saints," and prayer was offered by Elder Junius F. Wells, after
which the Granite stake Girls' Chorus, under the direction of
Marion Cannon, sang.
STAKE SUPERVISION
Sister Clarissa A. Beesley spoke upon stake supervision,
strongly urging the stakes to organize their boards of the
best material to be found, as the wards look to the stake board
members to lead out and properly direct the work. She also
called attention to the necessity of stake boards keeping in touch
constantly with the ward officers, by personal visit where possible,
or by correspondence, where the wards are scattered. Important
also is the need of co-operation between the young men and young
ladies, for a great deal of the work now being taken up is joint
work and cannot be handled successfully unless both organiza-
tions co-operate.
CONTEST ACTIVITIES
Elder Oscar A. Kirkham spoke upon special activities and
contest work. He named the following events which are to be
taken up at the general June conference of 1916
In order to make clear to the officers what will be done in
contest work at the M. I. A. Annual June Conference, and to aid
them in the selection and preparation of this work, the following
activities have been outlined by the General Boards. While other
events may be used in wards and stakes for contest purposes, the
three following are the only events outlined by the General Boards
to be taken up, first in the ward, then in the stake district, the
stake, the Church district, and in the grand finals

I. Senior Public Speaking — 10 minutes.

Open to all Seniors.
Points of Judgment:
 M. T. A. CONFERENCE 889

1. —
The idea 20 per cent.
2. The development —50
per cent.
a. Introduction.
(1) Simple, direct, earnest, suggestive of material to
follow.
b. Body.
(1) Develop theme, which should be persuasive
rather than merely matter-of-fact.
c. Summary.
(1) General conclusion taken from the body of ad-
dress.
d. Original.
(1) No long quotations should be given.
(2) Sincerity.
3. Delivery — 30 per cent.

II. Male Quartet.

Open to all members of Y. M. M. I. A.
Selection to be made.
Points of Judgment:
1. Interpretation as per musical markings and text — 15 per cent.
2. Expression and phrasing 15 per cent. —
3. —
Tone quality 15 per cent.
—
4. Blending and balance -10 per cent.
5. Reading (nroducing proper notes) 10 per cent. —
6. —
Tempo 10 per cent.
7. Pitch —
10 per cent.
8. Enunciation and pronunciation 10 per cent. —
9. —
Attack and release 5 per cent.

III. Ladies' Quartet.

Open to all members of Y. L. M. I. A.
Selection to be made.
Points of Judgment: (Same as for male quartet.)

Church Districts (See Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book, second

edition, p. 92). In order to obviate the over-crowding of time
at the general Church finals in June, the stakes of the Church
have been grouped in seventeen districts for try-outs.
Stake superintendents and presidents of Y. M. M. I. A. and
Y. L. M. I. A. of the stakes starred will take the initiative in ar-
ranging for the finals in their districts, including dates and place
of meetings, etc., following the same general plan given for the
grand finals. In the holding of Church district meets, any vari-
ance from the general plan should be agreed upon by the super-
intendents and presidents of the different stakes, and a copy
placed in the hands of all the contestants in that district.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

See pages 90-91, in thesecond edition of the Y. M. M. I. A.

Hand Book. These rules will govern the contest
and regulations
work of 1915-16. We give here only the four new rules. These
are also found with the others in the Hand Book:
890 IMPROVEMENT ERA
1. Contests, that is, try-outs or exercises calling for adjudication,
must not be held on Sundays. Adjudications made on Sundays will
not be recognized.
2. In order to become eligible for contest work a member must
have been in attendance at regular class meetings at least five times
prior to April 1.
3. In group work in wards, individuals doing the best work may
be re-grouped to meet those of other wards. This rule applies to
wards only.
4. All stake officers are barred from participating in contests, in-
cluding stake pennant contest.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES STAKE PENNANT

We
suggest that a stake pennant be given for the ward scor-
ing the greatest number of points in proportion to its enrollment,
for participation in special activities as per the following score
card:

1. —
Mixed Double Quartet 10 points initial group appearance, 3
points for each additional appearance, 10 points for complete rendition
of "Daughter of Jairus."
2. —
Boys' Chorus (six or more members) 10 points initial group
appearance, 3 points for each additional appearance.
3.
Chorus).
Girls' Chorus (six or more members) —
(Score same as Boys'

4. Male Quartet — 5 points initial group appearance, 2 points each

additional appearance.
5. Ladies' Quartet— (Score same as Male Quartet).
6. — Extemporaneous Public Speaking—3 points
Advanced Seniors
for appearance.
initial
Senior Public Speaking— 3 points for
7. appearance.
initial
Retold Story (open to
8. — 3 points for
all) appearance.
initial
Drama — 15 points for
9. group appearance.
initial
Note. — These appearances, scoring for points in the above events
must be made in M. A. gatherings.
I.
Reading Course — 2 points for reading of each book of this
10.
year's reading course, making a possible score of 16 points for each
individual.
NOTES
The following list of subjects are for Advanced Senior Ex-
temporaneous Public Speaking:
"Faith," "Repentance," "Baptism," "Gift of the Holy Ghost,"
"Tithing," "Word of Wisdom," "America the Promised Land," "The
Second Coming of Christ," "Modern Revelation," "Divine Authority,"
"Resurrection," "Prayer," "The Sabbath Day," "The Mission of the
M. I. A."
suggested that stakes make a selection for ward use from
It is
the above subjects. These subjects have been suggested with the
thought that every Latter-day Saint should be able to speak intel-
ligently, for at least ten minutes, on anv one of them.
It is suggested that the mixed double quartet develop the
festival idea, using The Daughter of Jairus, a sacred cantata by
John Stainer, published by Schirmer, New York price 60c. This ;
 :

M. T. A. CONFERENCE 891

may be obtained through any music dealer. This work to be de-

veloped through preliminary programs, special activity nights,
finally culminating in all ward mixed double quartets uniting and
giving the production, on M. I. A. Day, under the direction of
the stake musical directors of the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A.
A pennant will be given at the Grand Finals, held at the June
Conference of 1916, to the stake scoring the greatest number of
points in proportion to its enrollment, as per the foregoing score
card for stake use. Stakes entering for this Church pennant must
report to the General Secretary, Moroni Snow, not later than May
25, 1916.
THE READING COURSE
Elder B. S. Hinckley of the Young Men's Board spoke upon
the Reading Course. The General Boards present for 1915-16
one joint M. I. A. Reading Course, instead of two separate
courses as heretofore. The eight books in the list have been se-
lected with care, and it is believed will be read with great profit
and enjoyment by our young people. They have been divided into
two groups, and both Seniors and Juniors are encouraged to read
the entire list. Five additional good books are also suggested, for
the use of those who may desire to read more than the regular
course

Senior List :

—
The Prophet-Teacher B. H. Roberts.
A Study of Greatness in Men Larned. —
—
The Play-House Alfred Lambourne.
—
A Daughter of the North Nephi Anderson.
Junior List:
Little Sir —
Galahad Gray.
—
Twenty-fourth of June Grace Richmond.
—
Lance of Kanana Abd El Ardavan.
A nature book will be selected later.
Additional Books:
Cities of the Sun— Elizabeth Cannon Porter.

p e ter— F. Hopkinson Smith.

The Rosary— Florence L. Barclay.
Mother Carey's Chickens--Wiggins.
in the Y. M. M. A.
Problems of Boyhood, for teachers
1.

classes.

other things, Brother Hinckley said:

"Our organi-
Among to promote
and systematic endeavor
zation is making an earnest
taking advantage of the great
the reading of good books.
It is

reading to educate and elevate the entire community.

agency of
892 IMPROVEMENT ERA
It requires no argument to convince you that the reading habit is
the key that unlocks the treasure-house of the world's knowledge.
It is the source of more happiness, more information and more
inspiration than any other habit. I am bold to say that without
books, civilization would perish from the earth. I am reminded
of a statement contained in one of our sacred books. You will
remember when Nephi with his brothers went for the plates, he
was very much in doubt as to whether, in order to secure the
plates, he would be justified in destroying their keeper. The
Spirit of the Lord whispered to him and said :"It is better that
one man should die than that a whole nation should perish in un-
belief."
It is said inA Study of Greatness in Men that the invention
of the printing press was the greatest invention ever made, if
measured by its effects upon civilization. We can do no young
man or young lady greater service than to lead them into the com-
panionship of sages and seers, put them in touch with the great-
est and best spirits of the world. I remember reading in the Era
a statement which I also heard a good man tell personally. He
said about thirty years ago, when he was keeping a little book
store down on Main street, a young fellow with a strong face
sauntered into his shop, and the book man said to him : "Have
you ever read this book?" He said, "No." "Well," said the
keeper of the shop, "I wish you would take it and read it, and tell
me what you think of it." And the young man did read it. It
touched his heart and stirred his soul. He was transformed from
an indifferent sort of ruffian to a scholar and a thinker, and he
stands today better than most men. I heard Elder Roberts say
—
on one occasion that the same man (James Dwyer peace to his
memory) was the man who induced him to read the Book of Mor-
mon, and I feel in my heart that B. H. Roberts has given us more
original work on the Book of Mormon than any other man living.
We ask for officers to do two things. First, read these
books. If you will devote ten minutes a day from now until the
first of October, you can read them all. Let this fire be kindled
in your own heart, then you will kindle it in the hearts of others.
Second, select as supervisors men and women who not only
love books but who have a knowledge of them, and who will be
active in this work. Our counsel is this, that in every stake there
shall be two supervisors, one young lady and one young man.
There shall also be supervisors of the reading course in the wards,
one for the young ladies and one for the young men. It is the
business of the stake supervisors to see that all the wards have
their supervisors, and that they work. Whether these books are
read depends very largely on the supervisors, whose first qualifi-
cation is love for the work.
 :

M. I. A. CONFERENCE 893

I remind you of a story, printed for a long time on an

envelope. This is the substance of it, the words of Dr. Channing

"God be thanked for books. They give us the spiritual com-

panionship of the good and great of all ages. No matter how poor
I am, no matter though the prosperous of my own day will not enter
my humble dwelling; if the sacred writings will cross my threshold
and take up their abode under my roof; if Milton will sing of Para-
dise, and Shakespeare reveal to me the world of imagination and
the workings of the human heart; if Franklin will honor my home
with his practical wisdom, I shall not pine for the want of intellectual
companionship, and may be a well-read man, though denied the best
society in the place where I live."

FALL CONVENTIONS

Sister Emma
Goddard, of the Young Ladies' Board, spoke
on fall The method of conducting the 1915 conven-
conventions.
tions will be somewhat changed from that of previous years. The
General Board members will present the subjects and direct the
discussion. Important lines of M. I. A. activity, and detail work
of the organizations will be considered. Stake and local officers
are expected to be prepared to take part in the discussion. Pro-
vision will be made for local representatives to carry on the pro-
gram, in the event that no member of the General Boards is pres-
ent.
Since, to a great extent, stake officers will be relieved from
presenting special subjects at the convention, it is urged that they
devote their efforts to the securing of the 100 per cent attendance.
In a stake of ten wards there should be present twenty presidents,
forty counselors, twenty secretaries, etc.
The convention program will provide for one joint officers'
meeting, one separate officers' meeting, one public meeting, and
one sociable. Complete outline of work will be given in the con-
vention circular for 1915, soon to be distributed to stake officers.
The congregation sang, "O Ye Mountains High," and the ben-
eduction was pronounced by Sister Rose W. Bennett.

DEMONSTRATIONS OF SOCIAL WORK

The congregation adjourned to the Deseret Gymnasium,

where from 11 a. m. to 12:30 p. m., a demonstration of social
work was given, including two divisions. The first was a "Home
Evening," by the Granite stake, showing how this evening in a
conducted. The program included instrumental
family should be
music, songs, story telling, recitation, conversation
and the serv-
explanations of when prayer should
ing of refreshments, with
and how the evening should be generally conducted,
be offered,
894 IMPROVEMENT ERA
by Vice-Chairman Thomas Hull of the Social Committee. This
demonstration was under the direction of Superintendent Charles
H. Norberg, of the Y. M. M. I. A., and President May Green of
the Y. L. M. I. A. of the Granite stake. The demonstration of
the ward dance showed how it should not be conducted, and how
it should be conducted, the lines of demarcation being very clearly

drawn, and was given by the Pioneer stake, under the supervision
of Superintendent Datus Hammond and President Sasie Heath,
who had selected young people from different wards of the stake
to make the demonstration.

SPECIAL SUPERINTENDENTS' MEETING

Aspecial meeting of stake superintendents and officers of

the Y. M. M. I. A. was held at 1 p. m., in the assembly room of
the Bishop's building. A
general discussion of the subject, "Effi-
ciency in Stake Work" was taken up, the subject being introduced
by Elder John F. Bowman, who called attention to the necessity
of a complete organization, to systematic and energetic work, and
to appointing persons to work in departments to which they are
best adapted. A
general discussion followed, in which methods
of gettitng the right man in the right place, and weeding out un-
interested officers were taken up. The use of the Hand Book
was emphasized. Every officer should have this guide.

TRY-OUTS IN CONTEST WORK

On Friday afternoon at 2 p. m., preliminary try-outs in the
three divisions of contest work were held. The music section,
under the supervision of Oscar A. Kirkham and Mabel Cooper,
met in the Assembly Hall the Public Speaking section, under the
;

supervision of Preston D. Richards and Emily C. Adams, in the

assembly room of the Bishop's building; and the Re-told Story
section, under the direction of Nicholas G. Morgan and Edith R.
Lovesy, in the Fourteenth ward chapel.
The following were representatives at the preliminary try-
outs:
MIXED DOUBLE QUARTETS

District No. 4, Bingham Stake, Idaho Falls, G. W. Charlesworth,

conductor; District No. 10, Utah stake, Provo, Utah, C, W. Reid,
conductor; District No. 7, Oneida Stake, Preston, Idaho, Margaret
Merrill, conductor; District No. 8, Ogden Stake, Ogden, Utah, Mrs.
W. C. Parker, conductor; District No. 9, Pioneer stake, Salt Lake
City, William Cook, conductor; District No. 12, Parowan stake, Ce-
dar City, Sadie Thornley, conductor; District No. 17, Deseret stake,
Hinckley, Utah, Mrs. C. A. Broaddus conductor.
The quartets from District No. 4, Idaho Falls, and District No. 10,
Provo, were chosen to compete in the grand finals.
 Hpr jfl Ka ^B
«.

J&, 8&

ft 4 •
su -1
" 1
WWHH
^F
',2& V

WINNERS OF THE MIXED DOUBLE QUARTET

District No. 4, Bingham stake, Idaho Falls. Personnel: G. W. Charlesworth, con-
ductor; Joseph Morley, C. E. Dinwoodey, J. E. Pike, Mrs. Reuel Packard, Mrs. Leroy
Farr, Miss Lucile Pike, Miss Zula Boomer, Alvin Beesley, accompanist.

ladies' quartet
The winners in the Ladies' Quartet, in the above mentioned dis-
trictswere: First place won by District No. 12, Parowan stake, Cedar
City, under the direction of Mrs. Sadie Thornley. The quartet was
composed of the following: Flora Urie, Pearl Urie, Zelma Jones, and
Mrs. Zazel Granger. The second place was won by District No. 7,
Oneida stake, Preston, Idaho, Margaret Merrill, conductor. The fol-
lowing composed the quartet: Margaret Merrill, Lucile Rogers, Hattie
Peterson and Agnes Nuffer.
MALE QUARTET

WINNERS OF THE MALE QUARTET

Taken from the personnels of the two Mixed Double Quartets contesting at the
Grand Finals. They are Clinton Luke, Gordon Reese, Warren Allred, Albert J South-
wick, and C. W. Reid, conductor. This quartet is from District No. 10, Utah
Stake,
Provo, Utah.
896 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The winners of first place in the Male Quartet were from District
No. 10, stake, Provo. The conductor was C. W. Reid. Personnel
Utah
of the quartet, Clinton Luke, Gordon Reese, Warren Allred and Albert
J. Southwick. The second place was tied by District No. 4, Bingham
Stake, Idaho Palls, G. W. Charlesworth, conductor, with Joseph Mor-
ley, C. E. Dinwoodey, J. E. Pike and G. W. Charlesworth composing
the quartet; and District No. 12, Parowan stake, Cedar City, Sadie
Thornlcy, conductor, and Gordon Matheson, Lehi Jones, Randall
Jones, and Robert S. Gardner, making up the quartet.

BOYS CHORUS

District No. 17, Deseret stake, Hinckley, Utah, Mrs. C. A. Broad

dus, conductor; District No. 12, Parowan stake, Parowan, Utah, L. J.
Adams, conductor; District No. 7, Hyrum stake, Mendon, Utah, C. C.
Watkins, conductor; District No. 8, Ogden, Utah, Mrs. Saville, con-
ductor; District No. 11, Sevier stake, Richfield, Utah, S. H. Chidester,

WINNERS IN THE BOYS' CHORUS

District No. 12, Parowan stake, Parowan, Utah. Personnel: L. J. Adams, con-
ductor; Clifford Benson, Alfred Morris, Lucius Benson, Glen Clark, Edward Dalton,
Clifton Halterman, Albert Marsden, Rex Ward, and Charles Wood. "

conductor; South Sanpete stake, Manti, Utah, Lars Peterson, con-

ductor.
""The choruses from District No. 17, Hinckley, Utah, and District
No. 12, Parowan, Utah, were chosen to compete in the grand finals.

GIRLS' CHORUS
District No. 10, Utah stake, Timpanogos, C. W. Reid, conductor;
District No. 9, Ensign stake, Eighteenth ward, Edna Edwards, con-
ductor; District No. 4, Teton stake, Driggs, Idaho, James Driggs, con-
ductor; District No. 7, Oneida stake, Preston, Idaho, Margaret Mer-
rill, conductor; District No. 8, Ogden stake, Ogden, Utah, Beatrice
Brewer, conductor; District No. 11, Sevier stake, Richfield, Utah,
Eleanor Heppler, conductor; District No. 12, Parowan stake, Cedar
 M. I. A. CONFERENCE 897

City, Utah, G. W. Foster, conductor; District Mo. 17, Deseret stake,

Hinckley, Utah, Mrs. C. A. Broaddus, conductor.
The choruses from District No. 10, Timpano^os ward, Utah stake,

WINNERS OF THE GIRLS' CHORUS

Utah Stake, Timpanogos ward. Personnel: Emma Peck, Diantha
District No. 10,
Patten, Temple Evans, Lorna Booth, Ethel Hills, Lapriel Gappmeyer, Minnie Farley,
Sylvia Draper, Bessie Cook. C. W. Reid, conductor.

and District No. 9, Eighteenth ward, Ensign stake, were chosen to

compete in the grand finals.

SENIOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

John No. 4, Yellowstone stake, St. Anthony,

F. Miller, District
Idaho, "Will the Golden of Peace Ever Come?"
Age
Samuel Clawson, District No. 9, Ensign stake, Eighteenth ward,
Salt Lake City, "Choosing a Vocation."
Florella Love, District No. 1, Taylor stake, Raymond, Canada,
"The Gospel of Love."
Pearl Christensen, District 'No. 11, Richfield, Utah, "Our Birth-
right."
Edwin Baird, District No. 10, Provo, Utah, "Margins.
Moroni W. Smith, District No. 12, Parowan, Utah, "Service."
Harvey Taylor, District No. 8, Ogden, Utah, "The Unused Dy-
namo." _ _ , , ,

.Urs. R. D. Holt, District No. 7, Oneida stake, Preston, Idaho,

"Trust and Believe in God."
Henry Maxfield, District No. 3, Union stake, Cove, Oregon, I he
Builder and His Dream." . .

John F. Miller, of District No. 4, and Samuel Clawson of District

No. 9, were chosen to compete in the grand finals, and John F. Miller
was given first place.

ADVANCED SENIOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

Mrs. Gertrude Smith, District No. 10, Wasatch stake, Heber City,

Utah, "Woman's Work."

898 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Bertha Eccles Wright, District No. 8, Weber stake, Ogden, Utah,
"The Lord's Prayer."
Newell K. Young, District No. 9, North Davis stake, Kaysville,
Utah. "A Man Sent of God."
Georgia Hoagland Forsythe, District No. 12, Parowan stake, New-
castle, Utah, "Woman and Vocational Training."
Mrs. Edward P. Horsfall, District No. 4, Pocatello stake, Poca-
tello, Idaho, "Christianity in the Balance."
J. B. Bearnson, District No. 7, Cache stake, Logan, Utah, "Speak
Ye the Truth."
Mrs. Bertha Eccles Wright of District No. 8, and Newell K.
Young of District No. 9, were chosen to compete in the grand finals,
and Mrs. Wright was given first place.

JUNIOR RE-TOLD STORY

Grace Valentine, District No.8, Box Elder stake, Brigham City,
Utah.
Leatha Anderson, District No. 7, Benson stake, Lewsiton, Utah.
Marion Burton, District No. 12, Parowan stake, Parowan, Utah.
Sadie Stubler, District No. 10, Alpine stake, American Fork, Utah.
Reva Riddle, District No. 11, South Sanpete stake, Manti, Utah.
Lyle Cropper, District No. 17, Deseret stake, Hinckley, Utah.
Fannie Harris, District No. 4, Fremont stake, Salem, Idaho.
Donnett Shumway, District No. 15, Snowflake stake, Snowflake,
Arizona.
Florence Cramer, District No. 5, Cassia stake, Marion, Idaho.
Mattie Schofield, District No. 3, Union stake, La Grande, Oregon.
Helen Root, District No. 6, Bannock stake, Soda Springs, Idaho.

MISS LEATHA ANDERSON

District No. 7, Lewiston, Utah, winner in
the Junior Re-told Story. Miss Anderson is
L.teen years of age.
 M. I. A. CONFERENCE 899

Julius Madsen, District No. 9, Liberty stake, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Grace Valentine of District No. 8, whose story was "The Other
Wise Man," and Miss Leatha Anderson, of District No. 7, who re-told
the story of "Laddie," were chosen to compete in the grand finals, and
Leatha Anderson was given first place.

JUDGES
In the preliminary try-outs in the music section the judges
were: Miss Nora Gleason, Edw. P. Kimball and Joseph J.
Daynes, Sr. in the public-speaking section, Ardella Bitner Tibby,
;

Frank Nebeker and Charles H. Hart; in the junior re-told story

section, Miss Angie Holbrook, Alfred Reese, and Nicholas G.
Morgan.
In the grand finals, held on Saturday evening, June 12, in the
Assembly Hall, Prof. A. H. Peabody adjudicated in the musical
numbers; Adam Bennion, Margaret Caldwell and John Henry
Evans judged the re-told story contests; and Adam Bennion,
Mary Connelly and Carl Badger judged the public speaking.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
At eight o'clock on Friday evening, the General Boards of
the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. tendered to the visiting officers of
the M. I. A. free admission to the grand concert in the Salt
Lake
Tabernacle, given under the auspices of the Commercial Club for
the benefit of the Ogden Tabernacle Choir, to aid
them in their
trip to the Panama Exposition. Leading musicians also took part
with the choir, including Emma
Lucy Gates, John J. McClellan,
Roumania Hyde, and Horace Ensign.

A SAMPLE OF CONTEST ACTIVITY

 : — —

900 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The Deseret
stake is a sample of the splendid activity the
M. A. contest work has aroused throughout the Church, and in
I.

which at least fifteen thousand young people participated during

the past season. The above picture represents the contingent
that came to Salt Lake City to represent the Deseret stake in the
final try-outs. There is the mixed double quartet at the back, the
junior girls' chorus in the center, and the boy scout chorus in
front, and with them the chaperones and accompanist and the
leader, all of Hinckley, Utah. Mrs. C. A. Broaddus, of Hincklev.
who was the efficient instructor in the singing, is the wife of Dr.
C. A. Broaddus. Mrs. M. E. Damron is the Deseret stake chor-
ister. The names of the young people and their associates are as
follows
StellaWn>ht, Hugh Hilton, Richard Terry, Ruby Stout, Golden Webb, Eugene
Hilton, Utah Terry, Virgil Hilton, Blyne Moody, Manton Moody, Grace Robinson,
F.lfic! Virtor Terry, Leatha Wright, Asahel Wright, Dr. and Mrs. C. A.
T?i c hards,

Rroaddus. Edna Home, Frances Stout, Clara Stewart, Rena Reeve, Fontella Cahoon,
Clement Hilton, Leroy Cahoon, Aaron Home, Eureka Robinson, Marion Slaughter,
,

P.oy Hilton, Carrie Langston, Norma Damron, accompanist; Rose Terry, absent.

Judge Not

Who art thou to judge thy brother?

Full of wisdom though thou art —
His failure dire, his meek endeavor,
Thou who knowest not his heart
Couldst thou but unroll before thee
All his bare life's sterile scroll,
Perchance the shame thy judgment meted,
Wouldst return to thine own soul!

Couldst thou know the efforts fruitless

Through long, aching, barren years,
Perhaps unto him thou wouldst render
Balm of pity —healing tears.
If thou. God-like,should seek for motives,
Shouldst search for good, shouldst pray for grace,
Thou thysp f p^pi-lr ?* s+pnH transfigured,
1 1

And couldst help him find his place.

Then judge thou not self-righteous judgment

For all flesh is weak and frail
And when men clasp hands as brothers,
Not one man shall faint nor fail!
Maud Baggart.ey
 !

Snappy Sketches From Life

BY STUDENTS OF THE BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

II
Satisfaction, or Money Refunded

BY FRANCIS SMITH

Thesmallest pig sometimes squeals the loudest. How forci-

bly this thought was impressed upon me in a recent incident con-
nected with Mr. Tightwad's first, last, and only contribution to a
charity fund
Mrs. O'Hooligan's husband had died recently, leaving her
nothing in the world but a family of eight ever-hungry Irish boys
and girls, a mortgage on her home, and the memory of Tim's love
for a "dhrop o' the crature."
For some time people had discussed means of helping the
unfortunate woman but nothing came of it until the chairman
;

of the Good Fellows Lodge suggested that each member be

re-

quired to visit the citizens for contributions. The resolution was

carried and the work was soon under way.
Two weeks later the report showed a total of fifteen hundred
dollars. The secretary, having been appointed to take the money
to Mrs. O'Hooligan, walked over to the shack
which the O'Hooh-
gans called home.
"Come in," called Mrs. O'Hooligan, cheerfully, m response
to his knock. "Oh, it's Mr. Graham, I— er—thought— have a
she continued, wiping the dripping soap-suds
from her
chair,"
chair with the
arms with her apron, and dusting a dilapidated^
same garment. "It's a purty warm day, isn't it?"
proffered
"Yes it is," agreed the secretary, ignoring the
"Mrs. O'Hooligan, the Good Fellows Lodge has
been
chair
aware of your circumstances for some time ;
and we took up a lit-

of fifteen hundred dollars, which we hope you will

tle collection
"
be able to use." .
, .

"Fifteen hundred dollars! Oh, Mr.

Graham, it s so good of
got a letter from some
you but I can't take it, because I just
that Tim's uncle has died an left us
lawyers in Chicago, sayin'
five thousand dollars." . . _
certainly is fine, Mrs.
"Five thousand dollars! Well, that
Take good care of it,
O'Hooligan, I am heartily glad to hear it.
 :

902 IMPROVEMENT ERA

and you won't have to wash any more," responded the secretary,
as he started back to the lodge.
The next question was what to do with the money. It would
take a long time to refund it to the contributors. The committee
finally decided to give it to the public library for some much-
needed books.
A notice was published in the newspaper, stating the decision
of the committee. The contributors were told that if anyone had
an objection to the arrangement, his money would be refunded.
No one called for a refund except Mr. Tightwad, who said
he had never used the public library, and never intended to do so,
that books only made educated fools out of people; and that,
therefore, he wanted his money back.
"Very well," said the chairman. "What is the amount of
Jonah Tightwad's contribution, Mr. Graham?"
The secretary turned over a few leaves, ran his fingers down
the page, paused, smiled, and replied
"fen cents."

The Greenhorn

BY WM. H. SNELL

"Come, old boy, jog along or it's goin' to be dark before we

git to the Flyin' W."
The speaker was a man about twenty-five years of age. His
ungainly form, with slouch sombrero, long, red hair, scattering,
stubby beard of two weeks' growth, blue denims shirt, chapless
legs, and low-heeled, cowhide boots, reminded one of some over-
grown boy from the farm.
His horse was rail^r heavily built for the office he was filling,
and the horseman's seat was one of the old-fashioned stock saddles
that had seen better days. The bridle was minus a throat latch
and one of the reins was of green cowhide.
"I guess the Flying W
outfit will get one of the biggest sur-
prises that's happened to it fer some time," chuckled the rider.
"And the boys at the Pitchfork are going to be rather short of cash,
too, this month, or I don't look like old man Dickson's clodhop-
per."
He wasnot aware of two horsemen approaching from the rear,
until one of the horses sneezed. Then turning round and giving
way to a look of surprise and admiration, he waited for the riders
to speak. The splendid outfits of the cowboys from the Flying
stood out in contrast with his own makeshift and their trim-built
W
;

ponies seemed rather impatient when their speed was reduced to

that of the jaded old horse they had overtaken.
 SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE. 903

"Hello, pardner," spoke up the older of the two men. "Have

ye seen any of the Flying W
steers over on the Stinkin' water this
fall?"
"I don't know
nothin' 'bout Flying W
cows. I live up on
Sage Creek. Besides, I'm goin' up to the Pitchfork to git a job, if
I can, breakin' bronchos. They say Buck Moore is workin' up
there, and he's the best twister in the hull country. Bet yer life,
I'm goin' to git a job helping him, if I can."
"So you're a broncho twister, are ye? Well, my name's, Ben-
ton. I'm foreman of the Flying W, and this is Shorty Bates. Jest
call, me Benton for short, and Bates ye can call Shorty, becuz he's

so ding-busted long," and the hills echoed with the hearty laughter
of the two riders.
"Wall, Dad he didn't want me to take ter twistin' but I ;

'lowed as how with what I know already, I could soon become a

professionalist, and go down to the State fair an' maybe win a
prize. Finally Dad jest give me this here outfit and said I could go
try it fer a while."
The two men had passed several knowing glances while this
conversation had been taking place. Finally Benton, who was
always on hand for a rare bit of sport for the boys at the ranch,
said,
"You'd better stop over with us a few days, and help Shorty
break some fresh ones. And, as long as it's twistin' ye want, ye
can sorter git yer hand in before sidin' up to old Buck. By the
way, what's yer handle when yer home? Say, yer not Moore
yerself are ye, ha ha ha They say he's got red hair and square
! ! !

jaws, but then he's some older than you."

"My name's Sandy Dickson. I'm purty anxious to git up to
the Pitchfork; but if I can help ye out a couple of days, I'll stop
over, pervidin' there's enough in it."
The was almost at the Flying
trio W headquarters, and
rather than lose their fun, Benton said,
give ye five dollars a day, Sandy, if you'll help us. We're
"I'll
pretty blamed hard up fer help. What do ye say?"
Sandy seemed to study deeply for a few moments, then an-
swered,
'I guess I'll take ye up, as it's about
night, and I can t git to

the Pitchfork today."

As the party rode up to the bunk-house, Benton exclaimed,
"Boys, shake with Sandy Dickson. He's goin' to ride fer us
a couple o' days. I'll tell ye we're mighty
lucky to hop on to him."
The boys were all "on" in a twinkling; and after the horses
had been turned out and supper was over, they returned to the
bunk-house to spend the evening in playing poker and telling
yarns.
 ;

904 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The next morning Benton said to the wrangler,
"Bill, run in old Hickory this morning."
Old Hickory was an outlaw. He had thrown every man who
had had pluck enough to tackle him. Nowadays he was brought
forth only when Benton happened on to some "greenhorn."
After a breakfast of dough-gods, syrup, beef, and black cof-
fee, the boys sauntered down to the corral to cheer up a bit be-
fore saddling their horses.
"Well, Sandy," drawled Benton as he knocked the ashes out
of his pipe by tapping it on the heel of his boot, "ye can jest throw
yer traps on to that little bay first. He'll jolt yer breakfast down
then ye can side up to the big sorrel that stands over by the fence."
Sandy slid over the fence rather clumsily with his rope,
which was large and limber, and after several trials succeeded in
catching two head of horses at once. The boys were splitting their
sides to see Sandy's maneuvers. There was a snort, a kick, a
plunge and Sandy was jerked head-long, losing all hold of the
rope. The outcome of it was, that the boys caught the little bay
and helped Sandy saddle him.
As Sandy did not have any spurs, Bill tossed him a pair say-
in <y

"Put these diggers on, and show us how twistin's done. We

know ye can do it."
Sandy took them and after a number of trials succeeded in
getting them adjusted correctly. Meanwhile, the little bay was
jumping and plunging in a way that might easily scare a green-
horn finally, however, under the management of strong hands, he
;

was brought to a standstill, but with his legs braced as though his
next move would be upward.
"I don't believe I'd better tackle him," said Sandy. "He might
put me down."
—
"Oh, you can ride him, old hand you can ride him," came
from several of the men at once, who thought they were going to
lose their fun after all.

Sandy was finallypersuaded to mount, which he did very

awkwardly. He soon had in his hands all the loose leather he
could find, and it looked as if the first move of the horse would
give him a free trip to the sun. Much of the little bay's ginger,
however, had been taken out of him during the process of sad-
dling; and so after a few crow hops, he began to sulk. Sandy
did not lose his grip of the saddle horn until after the horse had
ceased hopping. A
broad grin crossed his face as he said rather
boastingly,
"Guess I kin ride 'em. Jest bring on yer old sorrel and I'll
nx him, too."
Although the boys had been disappointed thus far, they knew
 SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE. 905

that old Hickory would play his part in the game. The outlaw
seemed to know what was coming, and was saddled with little
trouble.
"I say," whispered Shorty, ''let's hobble his stirrups so he
won't get caught when old Hickory shakes 'im."
"You fellers want to bet I can't ride that old plug?" queried
Sandy from the fence, where he had been enjoying the situation.
"I know I kin ride him, if Benton will let me wear them feather-
legs of hisn."
The chaps in question were made of the best angora goat
skin, and had cost the foreman thirty dollars, a few days ago.
"I'll tell you what we'll do, Sandy," said Benton. "You can
take my chaps and quirt, and there's a company rig already on the
old sorrel and if you can rid 'im, you can keep the hull blamed
;

outfit, old Hickory to boot."

"Jest take 'em off, then, and I'll show ye how he'll take me to
the Pitchfork tonight."
Sandy suddenly stepped up to the horse with an open knife
and cut the buckskin thong that Shorty had used to hobble the
stirrups and before any one could speak, he had placed one hand
;

on the pommel and bounded into the saddle.

Old Hickory twisted and turned, swapped ends, plunged,
—
and kicked but Sandy was riding straight up transformed in a
;

way that made every cowboy open his eyes in amazement.

When the old horse could not unseat his rider any other way,
he tried his never-before-failing trick, that of coming over back-
ward. But when he hit the ground Sandy was not there. Before
the outlaw was fully upon his feet, Sandy was again in the
saddle.
Old Hickory tried the same stunt again, but the loaded end of
a quirt came down between his ears and he stumbled to his
knees.
Slowly he arose again, determined, it seemed, with one final effort

to rid himself of this human sticking-plaster.

The boys had never seen anything like it and although;

they
knew now that they had been taken in at their own game, they
could not help admiring this strange adventurer.
Afew minutes more of desperate lunging, and the sorrel
straightenend the crook in his back and galloped off. Sandy rode
off a quarter of a mile, wheeled his
conquered steed, and pulled up
before his astonished admirers. Throwing one leg over the horn
of the saddle he said, .

I 11 just jog on to the

"If you fellows will cinch old Star,
think Dickson will need the old horse to plow with,
Pitchfork I
and pocket some other
and I am anxious to get back to the ranch
depended on the outcome of this fracas. And by the
stakes that
 ! —

906 IMPROVEMENT ERA

way," he added with a wink, "when you come up the river, call
in. Buck's cabin is always open to his friends."

A Sheepherder's Soliloquy

BY LEROY J. ROBERTSON

"Indeed, it has actually happened ; for there on the outside

hangs the fresh lion skin, while downa bald-mountain
in the gully
lion startles the little lambs and mothers no more.
terrifies their
And who, pray, was the Moses of these wandering, bleating
Israelites? This morning heard somebody say it was I; but to-
night finds the good somebody far away, while the honorable I
is left to converse with a dog.
"Well, Spot, let's be sociable and spend the evening oh, say, —
at tangoing. You see this tent? It is an admirable ball-room.
—
The candle reflects its walls strikingly especially the dirt and
grease-goblins And the cricket musicians outside are very pro-
!

ficient indeed. We have everything but the lady, and perhaps

"What? Stretching and yawning? What is it you are say-
ing —''ewe' ?

are hundreds of them out there who

"The very thing; there
would no doubt be glad of a chance to show off their fancy steps.
My, but you are a wise dog. And then there's that old lion's
mate, Spot. She certainly put in an appearance last night. I
wonder how her lord and master's pelt looked to the blonde?
However, if she wishes to try the new steps, she can for all of
me — I mean with me — after a bullet has made her a third eye
socket
jove, Spot, the gun is down under that red pine down
"By ;

there whe-e we found the young lamb sucked of its blood You !

know I gave you the rest of the innocent thing for your dinner,
and then walked away, not thinking about the rifle. That was
what made me forget. If you had gone without that one big meal,
perhaps it would have been better for both of us tonight, don't
you think?"

********
"Poor old Spot, sound asleep. That's what happens to other
mortals on a full stomach. Dreaming, no doubt, of by-gone dog
days!

"All still as death. Even the merry tinkles of the little round
sheep bells have been drowned in the quietude of the darkness.
The cricket orchestra has hopped into Nature's covers, and its
chirp is lulled into silence by the soft sailing of clouds. Now a
 ! —
;

SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE. 907

gust of air moans softly, for the pine needles have pricked it
again all is restful in the calm bliss of night.
"Old boy, I'm going to bed. Somehow, something keeps
pounding at my heart. Could there be any reason for being
afraid ? Oh, no, I'm not afraid but still it feels as if I were. I ;

********
haven't got the gun, so there is no need of worrying about acci-
dentally shooting myself; but I wish I did have it, so I could
just the same. Spot, I'm going to bed."

"Awake again. Did I not hear something?

"'Flap! flap!'
"Am dreaming? Is it the old lion's tail whacking against
I
the tent ? Listen Is something prowling outside ? Spot
!

"You growl, old boy better get your eyes open. ;

" 'Flap flap flap !'— what is that ?

! !

"Oh, if we had our thirty-two here, Spot, we wouldn't be

acting this way tonight. All those shells lving in that box. and
every one useless. Why, they're not all rifle shells !
There is a

******* And now

box for a revolver— for Tom's automatic. I remember,
he left it under the pillow Good here ! ! it is ! The joke, Spot,

will turn I think presently.

"Our must be pretty near. Still, the sheep are all lv-
visitor
waiting for a
ing quiet. Perhaps she is down in the oak brush,
before morn-
chance to surprise them and get her thirst quenched
ing. I know it was she, for no other creature could-—
!'
*
'
'Flap flap flap
! O-oo o-oo o-oo
! ! ! !

owl flying off into the no-

"The joke's on us, Spot Only an !

where of darkness!"

Obar that farmers are

Watermelons are getting so plenty around ;

hogs. We had several this week.-Obar (New

feeding them to the
Mexico) Progress.
give you twopence, not because
f think you
The Lady "Well, I'll

^^VTra^; ^T^r;:^;^ yermake

yours {?"-From "The Sketch.
ft sixpence, an'

thoroughly enjoy el

"Moike!"
"What is it, Pat?"
"Shposin' Oi was to have a fitr"

"Yis."
"And vez bad a pint of whiskey?"

kneel down and put the bottle to me lips?"

"Would vez
"Oi would not."
"Yez wouldn't?" _
nmcker bv
tare ouickct shtandin' up in
"No. Oi could brine: vez to ver
it meself "-London
Ttt-btts.
front of vez and dhrinkin'
 Testimony— The Little White Slaver

BY HEBER J. GRANT

I earnestly hope that the time I may occupy may be for our
mutual benefit. I would not willingly say anything to detract in
the least from the splendid things we have heard, from the start
of this conference until the present time. The Lord has .indeed
been good to us in all of our meetings, and I have rejoiced in hav-
ing representatives shake hands with me and say, "this has been
the best mutual conference that we have ever had." From my
early manhood I have heard this remark made time and time
again with reference to our general conferences, and I am always
grateful, whenever I hear it, because it brings to me the convic-
tion that the inspiration of the Lord has been present at our con-
ferences, and that the word of God, through his servants and
handmaidens, has found an echo in the hearts of those present so
that they have in very deed been fed the bread of life.
While it was a surprise to our dear Aunt Emmeline B. Wells
to speak here tonight, the moment she came into the meeting,
I am sure that more than one of us felt that she was entitled

to say something upon this occasion. As she has told us, there
are few remaining who were personally acquainted with the
Prophet Joseph Smith, and to me there is nothing that I more
appreciate than the testimonies borne by Aunt Em
and others
who were acquainted with the Prophet Joseph, who knew him,
listened to his testimony from his own lips, and who did not have
to take it second-handed.
I am grateful for the knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is
the Christ, the Savior of the world, and that Joseph Smith is his
prophet and that we possess, in very deed, the plan of life and
;

salvation. It is always a source of joy and satisfaction, however,

notwithstanding the revelations of the Holy Spirit to me of the
divinity of this work and of the mission of the Prophet, to hear
the testimony of men and women whom I have known all my life
to be honest, pure and upright, bearing testimony of their own
individual acquaintance and knowledge of the life and labors of
the Prophet Joseph.
I cannot remember when I did not know Sister Wells. My
mother was the president of the Thirteenth Ward Relief Soci-

*From the closing- address of President Heber J. Grant, M. I. A.

conference, June 13, 1915.
 TESTIMONY— THE LITTLE WHITE SLAVER 909

etv for over thirty years and Aunt

: Km
was associated with her
as one of the officers of that association until she was promoted to
be one of the general officers. The testimony she has borne to you
tonight, that when Sidney Rigdon was trying to be appointed
1

guardian for the Church, or, to mit it in plain English, trying to

steal the whole Church, that God saw fit to manifest to the people
who was to be the successor of Joseph Smith, by causing Brigham
Young to speak with the voice, power, and inspiration of Joseph,
and to be transformed, in the eves of those who saw him, to look
like the Proohet. I have heard mv own dear mother bear this tes-
timony, time and time again. I have heard it from the lins of men
and women, than whom no more honest, virtuous, uorieht peoole
ever drew the breath of life. While we do not know bv actual
experience that testimonies regarding the divinitv of this work,
have been given to us bv those who were blessed with the
inspiration of Almighty Cod. vet thev are strengthening to our
faith. They cause jov and satisfaction, and are ever sweet to our
ears.
Testimonies like that borne to us here tonight bv Aunt Em
are in verv deed the bread of life to the young Latter-dav Saints,
who have not an absolute knowledge for themselves. To them ^

testimonies of this kind are calculated to insnire within them a

desire to seek for light, for an individual knowledge, or testimony
for themselves, regarding the divinitv of this great latter-dav
work. And I have no doubt whatever, that all who seek will
find.
So far as the faith of the voung Latter-dav Saints are con-
cerned, my belief that, in proportion to the numbers of voung
it is

men and women in the Church who are living up to the three
great principles referred to here todav bv Elder Junius F. Wells:
namely, prayer to God, observance of the Word of Wisdom,
and
the word of God in the holy Scriotures. that there
the studying of
is more adherence to these doctrines
todav among the Latter-day
Saints than there was, pro rata, forty years ago when these asso-
ciations were organized. People not of our faith may believe
that the youth of Zion can be converted from the faith of their
mothers, but I exoect them to be disanoomted.
fathers and their
Some of our young people will fall bv the wayside, but in my
roll round, many who
heart I have a firmbelief that, as the years
and indifferent todav. who. because of a little learn-
are careless
places, may aoparentlv have
ing secured in colleges and other
the providences of the Lord will return to the
drifted awav, in
fold Why? Because there has been implanted in the hearts ot
the 'young men and the young women of this Church love of
God and 'love of virtue; and with virtue as the foundation upon
expect these boys and these girls to come
back
which to build, I
to us.
910 IMPROVEMENT ERA
As I listened to the splendid though brief address of Mr.
Dale, today, and heard of the work being accomplished by
-

the boy scouts, and of how he said he stood up in his graduation

class and told how he expected to solve the problems of the world,
T naturally reflected that there are many of our young people who
are in that condition. Like him, however, they afterwards learn
that they are to solve problems within themselves, and to discover,
as he had the follies and the failures, and to see things correctly,
within himself. I remember reading of an aged professor say-
ing to his class, "There are none of us perfect, not even the
youngest." I believe that with a firm foundation of virtue, love of
God, and a prayerful desire to do right, such as is implanted in
the hearts of the children of Zion, sooner or later those who may
have drifted away will return also that there are today a greater
;

number, in proportion to the population, who are faithful, diligent,

and are serving God, than there has ever before been in the
Church. As a whole, fewer things that we are commanded
to let alone, are being partaken of by the Latter-dav Saints than
ever before and I believe that the time is coming when those who
;

do not obey, in verv deed, the Word of Wisdom, will not stand as
leaders among this people, local, or in the stakes, or as the
general authorities. So far as I know, all of the general authori-
ties of the Church are observers of the Word of Wisdom.
It is a source of disappointment to me that I have not been
able to announce to the delegates representing the young men,
from all parts of the country where we have organized stakes of
Zion, to call at the Era office at the close of this conference and
accept, with the compliments of the General Board, a copy of a
little pamphlet, which I hold in my hand, entitled, The Case
Against the Little White Slaver. I was authorized to wire Mr.
Henrv Ford for a thousand copies to be given to our delegates,
but the books have not arrived. They may arrive today. If so,
we will be pleased to have delegates call at the Era office tomor-
row, and secure this pamphlet. The book is an attack— I don't
—
know that I need to use the word "attack" it is a statement of
facts against the cigarette. The president of the Grpqf \merican
Tobacco Company challenged Mr. Ford for having gotten out
an interview against the cigarette, and he wrote a long letter, a
year ago, demanding that a retraction be made, and the retraction
containssome of the facts that condemn the cigarette from A to Z.
It has a statement and a photograph of the great inventor,
Thomas A. Edison, who announces that he does not emplov any
person who smokes cigarettes. This is a day of efficiency. Manv
of the greatest manufacturing institutions in the United States,
and many of the great railroads will not, under anv circumstance 5 ,

employ a bov or a man who uses cigarettes. Mr. Hill, who stands
at the head of the tobacco trust, says, among other things, that
 TESTIMONY—THE LITTLE WHiTE SLAVER 911

one of the reasons why we ought to believe that cigarettes are all
right is that there has been a wonderful increase in the number
made. But that only shows that men are using more of the arti-
cles that are detrimental to their bodily health. He says the in-
crease in cigarette smoking in the United States, in recent years,
is shown by figures. In 1900, two billion six hundred thousand
cigarettes were made in this country; and in 1913, fifteen billion
eight hundred million cigarettes were made, an increase of seven
hundred per cent. So far as we are concerned as Latter-day
Saints, I believe there has been no such increase among us.
Mr. Ford's secretary defends the interview given out by
—
Henry Ford against the cigarette because he is the man who
gave it out. I think he has succeeded admirably in defending Mr.
Ford's position. In his reply to Mr. Hill he alludes to the fact
that one of the magistrates in New York, where Mr. Hill resides,
declares that ninety-nine per cent of the boys between the ages of
ten and seventeen years who come before him chargd with crime
have their fingers disfigured by cigarette stain. Mr. Edison, in
his statement, announces that the effect upon the brain is to de-
stroy its activity and power; that there is a poison in the paper
that works against the brain of man.
A gentleman, for thirty years engaged in teaching shorthand,
says: "I have yet to discover among the thousands of young
men whom I have in my classes, a single instance where a young
man who became a slave to the cigarette habit, during my years of
experience, who has been able to develop into more than a third
or fourth rate stenographer. The effects of the cigarette habit ap-
pears to be such that it is utterly impossible for those addicted to
it to become first-class stenographers,
although in many cases I
have known such young men to struggle heroically to fit them-
selves to do high grade stenographic work."
Prof. Fred J. Pack, of the University of Utah, has compiled
a great many statistics upon this subject. Of sixty-two colleges
and universities making tests, it is shown that of a total of two
hundred ten men tested for positions on the athletic teams, of the
non-smokers 65.8 per cent were successful; of the smokers, only
33.3 per cent were successful.
journeys he
Dr. Pack has announced that in the geological
has taken with the boys over the mountains, no boy who is a ci-

reached the top of the mountain with the boy

garette smoker ever
when the
who left this thing alone. On more than one occasion,
effort, it would be the boy who was
test was a long and steady
addicted to the cigarette habit who
failed.

In the Literary Digest of last June, it

was said that for ntty
Harvard University, no man who had used to-
long years in the
bacco had ever graduated at the head
of his class.
_

Truly the Lord inspired Joseph Smith,

when he said that to-
 : : : : "

912 IMPROVEMENT ERA

bacco was not good for man, but was an herb for sick cattle.
The Strength of Being Clean,by David Starr Jordan, is a vin-
dication of the inspiration of the Lord to Joseph Smith, in giving
to the world this revelation called the Word of Wisdom.
Mr. H. Wiley, chief of the Federal Bureau of Chemistry, at
Washington, says
"I commend Mr. Ford in this thing, and all people who join in the
efforts to curtail or restrict, obliterate or destroy, the pernicious habit
of cigarette smoking. The use of cigarettes is very injurious to the
heart and nerves of all who smoke them, especially boys of tender
years, or women who smoke because they think the practice is smart.
The effect may not be so great upon people of mature years, but in
any cases, no matter how old a man or woman is, smoking cigarettes
is harmful, and strikes a direct blow at the most vital organ of the
body. It weakens the heart's action, the engine of the physical frame
of man. Destroy the engine, and what good is an automobile or any
other piece of machinery? Destroy the heart, and what good is the
balance of the machinery? For this reason, it is difficult for the ci-
garette adict to engage in athletics. He finds he is easily winded,
and is lacking in endurance, and soon loses all ambition to engage
in sports, or, in fact, in any useful occupation, associating with others
of his kind, and soon ends up in the pool room, reform school or pen-
itentiary. It is estimated that 96 per cent of our youthful criminals
are cigarette adicts. The boy with a weakened heart is more apt to
succumb to typhoid fever or other acute disease. The cigarette in-
jures the boy morally. He is almost as difficult to impress as the
cocaine fiend. Mike Donovan, who for thirty years has been the ath-
letic director of the New York Athletic Club, >says: 'Any boy who
smokes can never hope to succeed in any line of endeavor, as smok-
ing weakens the heart and lungs and ruins the stomach, and affects
the entire nervous system. If a boy or young man expects to amount
to anything in athletics, he must let smoking and all kinds of liquor
alone. They are rank poison to his athletic ambition.'

Mr. Hall, in his letter to Mr. Ford, says

"There is nothing injurious in the paper with which cigarettes are
made."

Mr. Patterson, of Georgia, replies

"Several years ago I stepped into a grocery story and asked to

buy apackage of cigarette papers such as were given away at that
time with Durham smoking tobacco. I took two small bottles. In
one of these bottles I placed fifteen of these cigarette papers, and in
the other an equal thickness of tissue paper. I found that a few drops
from the bottle containing the cigarette papers would kill a mouse
quicker than you could say Jack Robinson, while a teaspoonful from
the other bottle would simply cause another mouse to fight in self-
defense."

Others have tried the experiment with the same results. Mr.
Mack, a name familiar to all baseball people, says

"Itmy candid opinion that boys of the age of ten to fifteen,

is
who have contracted the habit of smoking cigarettes, do not as a rule
amount to anything. They are enfeebled in every way for any kind
 TESTIMONY— THE LITTLE WHITE SLAVER 913

of work where brains are needed. No boy or man can expect to suc-
ceed in this world to a high position who contracts the use of cigar-
ettes."

Dr. John A. Widtsoe has also shown how the scientific world
has proved the truth of the claim that Joseph Smith was inspired
in his teachings of the Word of Wisdom. I rejoice when I read

books commending and upholding the doctrines of God that have

come to us through his inspired servants.
It has fallen to my lot, although I only ran across this little
pamphlet, The Case Against the Little White Slaver, a few weeks
ago, to distribute three hundred copies of it, and I expect to dis-
tribute more.
The gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy, peace, happiness,
contentment, and an abiding faith that we shall meet our Re-
deemer.
May God help us, as young men and young women, to be
loyal to it, to be true to the faith of our fathers. O how I re-
joice when I hear that beautiful hymn of the pioneers,

"And should we die before our journey's through,

Happy day! all is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow too;
With the just we shall dwell."

I regret that the people sat down this morning,

after singing

three verses of the hymn. I never want to hear that hymn

in any
verse, expressing that sublime
public gathering without that last
if they
prayer, faith, and integrity that our fathers had, that even
died, all was well! May we, the youth of Israel, be worthy of
observing
such fathers and mothers by discarding all evil and by
and other laws of God, is my prayer,
the Word of Wisdom, all

and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Lesson for the Day

president in Indiana,
George Ade says that when a certain college chapel at the begin-
a clemyman was addressing the students in the

b
^&lTiZ^y£™tlk tha. trouble ^.--Lipplnc...',.
 — —

After the Struggle— What?

When the war is o'er, and Tommy
Returns with glory wrote
On his weather-beaten features
And his stained and faded coat,
Will we hail him as a hero?
Tell how gallantly he fought?
Consider, please, one moment
After the struggle —What?
Perhaps we'll have a banquet,
And speeches, songs and cheers;
Perhaps we'll grasp his brawny hand,
And share his good wife's tears;
But when the glamor's oyer,
And Tommy calls for aid,
Will we throw him out the life-line,
The help for which he prayed?
If he wears his ragged khaki,
And hobbles on a crutch,
Will we meet him as a brother,
And welcome him as such?
Or should he ask for pennies,
Will we pass him proudly by,
With eyes too hard for pity,
With ears that quench his cry?
Or, if he's lost his sturdy arm
In Freedom's holy cause,
Will we put him on the pay-roll?
Or scratch our heads and pause?
Then say: "My man, I'm really sorry,
I really pity you;
But we have no place for cripples,
And —well—your story isn't new."

And will we turn and grimly smile

And gloat o'er fortune sweet,
While he, forlorn and helpless, turns
Into the cold, cold street?
When the struggle's o'er will we deck him
With bars and medals bright?
Will we write his name on the Honor Roll
And sing of his gallant fight?

Fool World! What use are medals

To victims of hellish lead?
Fine words and martial music
Make mighty sodden bread.
When the war is o'er, and Tommy
Returns to a bitter lot,
As Christians, answer this question:
After the struggle —What?
Frank C. Steele
RAYMOND, ALTA., CANADA
The Galician Retreat— Greece and the War
BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

The Great Military Drive

The greatest operation or drive in war that the world has

ever witnessed has recently been enacted in one of the provinces
of Austria known as Galicia. The combined armies of the Ger-
mans and Austrians in a struggle fierce beyond all description
drove the Russians step by step out of this Polish province and
undid the work of the Russian army so brilliantly accomplished
over a period of more than six months. What is the meaning of
this drive?

First, it demonstrates the overwhelming superiority of the

German munitions of war.
Second, That armies cannot fight as they have formerly done
to any advantage, at great distances from the base of their sup-
plies that a compact army in a compact country is the army most
;

likely to win out.

Third, that the Austrians themselves are no match, single-
handed, for the Russians.
No country in the present war has such numerous difhc-" " :

to overcome as Russia, from the Russian sup-

fact that the base of
plies is so far from the recent scenes of her engagements. Russia
needs more ammunition and better artillery. All that will come
to her. If the drive is continued until Russia is forced back more
into the interior of her country, she may be in a position that will
make it impossible even for the allied armies of Germany and
Austria to withstand her. In the present war, the most interest-
ing thing is to be found in the fact that it is the unexpected that
we may always be looking for. Think of it the modern rifle —
put out of date by the Maxim gun that can send a hundred
messengers of death while the most up-to-date rifle is sending out
a single bullet. These new rapid-fire guns are reduced in size
and weight to meet the needs of infantry on their march, as they
are said to be little heavier than the modern rifle. If the rifle
must go, with it must go a large part of infantry tactics, and the
nations are now awaiting a new era in the military powers of the
world. The present tactics of the great war are transforming the
916 IMPROVEMENT ERA
old methods of fighting into something entirely new, something
that military men hardly dreamed of.

The Greeks and the War

The recent course of diplomacy in Greece has been one of
the most readable chapters in the stirring events of Europe. The
question is often asked, Will Greece enter the war? The
decision of that country, in the matter of casting its lot with the
warring factions of Europe, has really rested with one of the most
—
remarkable women in Europe Queen Sophia, sister of the Ger-
man emperor, and the granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She
has succeeded in staying the hand of Venezelos, the most dis-
tinguished statesman of Greece today, a statesman who stands
well in comparison with the great men of that continent. She is
the wife of King Constantine, whose father's tragic death at
Salonika put him on the throne. He had never been popular in
Greece, and at one time was banished. He was without any fi-
nancial support, and was on the eve of joining the Russian army
when Venezelos, the great Greek patriot, recalled him to Greece
and re-established him in his rights to the throne, and his place in
the Greek army. During the recent Balkan war, the prince distin-
guished himself for gallantry, and the willingness of the Greek
people to reconcile themselves to his rule has made his life and
that of his wife more agreeable to them at Athens. During the
hours of his misfortune there was a separation between him and
Sophia, and she seems, in her marriage to him, to have had more
consideration for the exalted rank he occupied than for the com-
panionship of a man who in most things, if not all, was her
inferior.
When the recent European war broke out, the majority of
the Greeks were in favor of the Allies. Venezelos planned to put
an army in the field at the time that the siege of the Dardanelles
began. For the declaration of war, it was necessary for King
Constantine to sign the order. His hand, however, was staved,
notwithstanding the clamor in Athens for it. Behind him there
—
was a restraining influence which he could not brook the influ-
—
ence of a strong-minded, dominating personality Queen Sophia.
She was always ready to take issue not only on great questions,
but with great personages. She quarreled with her brother, the
emperor, and for years they were not on speaking terms. She
was the controlling factor in the social life of the ruling dynasty
at Athens. One need not wonder at the remarkable persistency
and ability of that woman when it is recalled that she is the
daughter of the empress dowager of Germany, and the grand-
daughter of one of the most remarkable women of England,
Queen Victoria. Her mother, in the days of Bismarck, when his
 THE GREEKS AND THE WAR 917

star was in the ascendency, was often said to be his greatest rival
in the exercise of the diplomatic functions belonging to the Ger-
man empire.
Recently, conditions have changed in Greece. Venezelos ap-
pealed to the people in an election to contest the wish of the elec-
torate as to whether Greece should go to war. The great premier
was successful. That has put the queen beneath the shadow of
pronounced public expression. At the same time, the announce-
ment comes to us that the king has just undergone an operation
that endangers his life. Chances of recovery are against him, and
even should he recover, it is said that he will not be in a condition
to reassume the duties and responsibilities of a king, that it will
be necessary to appoint his son George, regent, at Athens. George
was trained in the military regime of Potsdam. He belonged to
the youthful military aristocracy of Berlin. In spite of this fact,
he is not friendly to his uncle, the emperor. He is pro-Russian
and pro-English in his views, as well as in his diplomacy. He is,
therefore, in direct antagonism with his mother, and these two
strong characters are now in hostile attitude toward each other.
With them, the king of Greece does not count. The king is dom-
inated by his wife, and opposed by his son. In the
midst of all
domestic contention and rivalry, no wonder the world is curi-
this
ous about Greece.

CUFF DWELLINGS IN RUINS

 Would Prohibition be a Financial Loss
or Gain?

BY GEORGE GARDNER

The only argument that has been given against prohibition

is a financial one, and that has been considered from the stand-
point of the liquor interests.
Liquor causes crime that costs the United States $300,000,000
annually; and we pay for it with our taxes each year, to say
nothing of the annoyance this crime has been to society. It has
thrown upon us more than two million paupers that we have to
feed, clothe and warm. Ellwood, in his Sociology and Modem
Social Problems, estimates the annual cost of crime in the United
States to be $600,000,000. He estimates that intemperance fig-
ures as the cause in about fifty per cent of the cases. Other inves-
tigations have found intemperance to be the cause of eighty per
cent of the crime. The work of this committee, however, did not
seem to be so complete as the work Ellwood based his conclusions
upon. And still, other committees have placed the estimate a lit-
tle lower than Ellwood.

But as the data was gathered in 1900, and the cost of crime
has been increasing, the cost due to drink would be over $300,-
000,000 rather than under. Ellwood also estimates that we have
ten million paupers in the United States, and gives intemperance
as the cause of twenty-five per cent* of the poverty. He also
cites the report of the Massachusetts Bureau of Labor, which
gives thirty-nine per cent as the cause and another report of a
;

committee of fifty that found intemperance to be directly, and in-

directly the cause of forty-one per cent of pauperism. Two mil-
lion would be a very conservative estimate of the people we care
for, because of liquor.

There is also a great economic loss owing to the inefficiency

of workmen due to drink. This fact is not disputed, and the em-
ployer is quite willing to advance a temperate man faster than he
is one who drinks.

The cost of liquor for the United States, in 1914, was $1,127,-
734,395. f This is an enormous amount of money. It is more

*Warner, in his "American Charities," gives the same estimate.

f'The World Encyclopedia and Almanac," by the Press Pub. Co-
lor 1915, page 250.
 f

WOULD PROHIBITION BE FINANCIAL LOSS OR GAIN? 919

than the value of the wheat* crop for that year, and more than
the value of the cotton. What a quantity of flour that money
-

would have bought ! If put in fifty-pound sacks and twelve of

them placed side by side, that wide string of sacks would reach
round the great earth. That flour would bread the nation and
give each of our ninety-eight million people four hundred forty-
six loaves.
Our seven great western mining states, Utah, Montana, Ari-
zona, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Idaho, produce gold, sil-
ver, copper, lead and zinc each one of these minerals run into
;

the millions of dollars each year. At Bingham alone there is a

great mountain of copper. Steam shovels took enough from this
mountain, in 1913, to load four wagons side by side and make
a string of wagons reaching from New York to San Francisco.
But all of this copper, together with the lead, gold, zinc, and
silver, would not pay for the cost of liquor used in that year. Nor
would all of the mineral products of the United States, though
they reached $882,980,1 56.
We
are now celebrating the completion of the Panama canal
It is considered the greatest job in the world, and has required
years of labor, $375,000,000 in gold, and some of the best though^
of the American people. In one year the liquor cost of the United
States was three times the cost of the greatest job in the world.
Surely this vast amount of money can be put in more pro-
ductive fields than to produce two million paupers. Surely there
can be better returns for that money than a criminal class, that
causes us to pay $300,000,000 for partial safety. Surely there are
other markets for the grains used in making whisky, when it is
becoming so scarce that many countries are forbidding its being
fed to stock. Surely there are other fields for investment when
thirty-eight million acres of the finest wheat land. in the world,
almost equal to the present wheat acreage of the United States,
lies within a radius of three hundred miles of Salt Lake; lying-
idle, waiting for development.
LOGAN, UTAH

*"WorId Encyclopedia and Almanac," 1915, somewhat preliminary

as the quantity or price of wheat can not be accurately
given at this
date. The price Las varied unusually. .

fFrom a statement prepared by the United States Geological

Survey.
 -

What Boy Scouts Must Know and Be*

BY LUDVIG DALE, NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF
AMERICA

Ladies and Gentlemen : I stood one morning, not very

long ago, watching some common, ordinary logs floating down a

river. I could not help but think how much like the life of those
logs is your life and mine. The tree is small it grows up, is soon
;

found big enough, is cut down. It goes into the river, goes to
the sawmill there they make the most of the timber. They put
;

the timber away to be seasoned then it goes out to build a house.

;

I have said to boys, time, time and again, it is very much with you
as with the log. Boys, now you are growing, growing, and some
day you will have to go into the river of life, and there you, like
the logs, will have to be in the big jamb occasionally, playing foot-
ball, base ball, the game of business, and it takes mother, teacher,
friend, God, to straighten you out. And then you go to the saw
mill, to a school, ifyou please, and there the teachers try to make
the most of the log. I have also told these boys, boys that have
knots, that the more knots there are in the timber, the better it is
for kindling wood. Do you know you have to cut out the knots,
and do you also know, boys, that some day, when you are through
with the mill, or school, you are going out as green timber.
How well I can remember the day I stood on a platform as
the valedictorian of a high school, and I told the waiting world
how it should be run and I meant it, too. I had not only dis-
;

covered what was wrong with the world I had already found the
;

remedy. I discovered, however, in a short time, that the world

was not particularly concerned about either me or my remedy, or
what was wrong with it. I asked the world, what in the world
was wrong any way. I got no reply, and then I asked mvself.
what is wrong with me? and I found lots of replies. You see T
was green timber. I had to be seasoned, by knocks, by disap-
poointments, by disillusions, and then I could go out and help to
build the structure we call society. The scout is nothing more
and nothing less than the timber to help the boys make the mo^
of the logs, the timber to help them to see the knots there are
<*~
in their disposition, of disloyalty, of disobedience, of "I
care." If they don't cut out those knots, they cannot hooe tn

build the right kind of a structure that the world is looking

for.

What must the boy scout know and be? Here are
'
^—
*A talk in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, on Sunday, 2 p. m., June 13,
1915, at the M. I. A. Conference.
 : : ; :

WHAT BOY SCOUTS MUST KNOW 921

the requirements for a first-class scout. First, you know the boy
may become a scout when he is between twelve and eighteen. He
must be able to swim fifty yards, take a "hike" of fourteen miles
alone, describe what he saw on the way, make a map of the trip.
He must know the stars, the trees, the animals of his neighbor-
hood, the city or district in which he lives. He must know how
to signal, using the semiphore code or the Morse telegraphic co rle.
He must know what to do in cases of emergency. If a person is
taken out of the water, and is apparently drowned, he must know
what to do, and how it should be done. Last year, one hundred
sixty-six lives in this country were saved by boy scouts who did
not lose their heads, but lived up to their boy scout training, "be
prepared." They must teach each another boy to become a scout.
They must have two dollars in the savings bank. Thev must
show the credit, and how they earned the money, the idea being to
teach them the difference between what they are getting and whit
they are keeping.
The boy scout must prove that he has lived up to the scout
law, which is

"To be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,

obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent."
of
And, ladies and gentlemen, I have stood before a quarter
a million of boys in this world, all through Norway,
Sweden,
Russia, Finland, everywhere in this country; and you know
thev
and they take up. and
have the same pledge, the same promise ;
it

not a fine thing for your boy and for

I will ask you to say if it is

my bov, and for the boys of the citizens of this great republic
"On my honor, I will do mv best
"1. To do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the
scout law;
"2 To help other people at all times
awake, and
"3. To keen myself physically strong, mentally
morally straight." rp1
There
You say, amighty fine program. Do the boys like it?
million in twentv-sev-i
are 3S0 000 of them in this country, three »
city and village in
countries. There are boy scouts in every
.

years The bovs want ,1.

country, and it has all been done in five
is called a trow
They meet on Friday evenings usually in what
are twenty-four
meetitng, in charge of the scout
to thirty bovs under his charge^
master. There
He must be a man
clean, good man, and that £e
ofaW
interested in bovs, proven to be a fV
knows how to deal with bovs. Thev learn various thine
the coun ry and study m
Saturdays thev take their hikes out in I

the open, and they meet together once in a while kindly com m
Tt is no-
^Now mind you, looking
scouting is

at a
different
few
from athletics,
in the arena. There is one
ten thousand people
922 IMPROVEMENT ERA
standard. It isevery healthful, normal boy living up to that one
standard. It is not a question of one fellow beating the other
fellow, and that he is not as efficient as you are. It is your duty
to your brother scout to say, "Come along, and I will show you."
Do you know that over here in the city of Philadelphia, the
boy has only to show his badge as a first-class scout, and he is
admitted in all civic lines. And then they become civic scouts.
Do you know that in Michigan, last year, the boy scouts put out
four hundred forty-seven forest fires, saving nearly a million and
a half dollars worth of property? Then the humanitarian sid^ •

Only a short time ago, a newspaper in Kansas City said "Will:

some one come forward and offer some skin to save a poor littl"
colored lass who has been burned nearly to death ?" The fi rc ^
morning, a troup of boys was on hand, and not one of them would
give his name to the newspapers. Do you know that in Kansas
City four thousand homes were inspected to find out whether thev
had all complied with the board of health reouirements, and in an-
other place fortv-seven boys were inspected, and they answered.
"Why, if you will give us permission, we will clean up your homes
for you. We would like to see them clean."
Can you see what there will be when these boys shall have
become citizens? Men who will be humane, interested, efficient,
willing and able to help the brother across the way. I stood on^
evening in the citv of Stockholm, Sweden, before a gathering al-
most as large as this. There were one thousand boy scouts there,
and I heard a talk by a little bov fifteen years of age. While I
saw the American flag unfurled from the ceiling, and I exulted in
that star-spangled banner, that boy was saving, "Let us forget
that we are Swedes, let us know only that we are bov scouts; all
praying to live the best kind of lives, for our God, for our coun-
try, and for our fellows."
And now I am going to ask you what would have hapoened,
"- 1
if fifty years ago there had been boy scouts? I could see F^*
1
?

boy scouts, and English boy scouts sending a message to their

brother boy scouts in Germanv how we regret that you, broth^
;

bov scouts, should be at enmity, because we have learned to be

imbued with sentiments of patriotism and good feeling, and we
hope that the war will soon be over, never again to come, because
of the boy scouts. These are the kind of principles the boy
scouts are learning.
The boy scout is simplv an attempt to translate the desires
and the ideals and the ambitions of the average, normal bov into
controlled action, to show him what to do. and keep him so busv
that he hasn't the time to "don't." There is the only scheme tW
will help the boys. It will mean not only clean minds, cle--
hearts, efficient hands; it will mean a better city, a better st-t-.
and a better nation.
 Editors' Table

About Our Conference

The Era devotes considerable space in this number to the

Annual M. I. A. Conference. Attention is called to the winning
public speeches published in this number, together with the pro-
ceedings of the conference of Friday, containing the principal bus-
iness, particularly an account of the literary and musical activities,
joint work of the associations, and the closing speech by Presi-
dent Grant.
Officers will do well to scan carefully the instructions relat-
ing to contest work for the coming season. In numbers to follow,
vital instructions on the spirit of the Gospel in M. I. A. work,
the faith of the youth of the Latter-day Saints, given at separate
meetings on Saturday, and in the general meetings of Sunday,
will be published. The conference was among the best ever
held by the M. I. A. An interesting feature was the presence
of National Scout Comissioner Ludvig S. Dale, who spoke on
three or four occasions to Scout officials, to officers of the M. I.
A., and to the general public.
Demonstrations of "Home Evening" and the ward dance by
the Social Committee was a very pleasant and instructive feature.
A special meeting of superintendents, while not as well attended
as it should have been, was one of the important features of the
conference. A number of leading speakers gave valuable instruc-
tions to the officers.
President Grant's remarks, on Sunday evening, printed in
this number, call attention to the faith and testimony of the
young people, the evils of tobacco, and the distribution of a thou-
sand copies of the Little White Slaver, an anti-cigarette pamphlet
published by Mr. Ford, which the General Board has authorized
distributed free.
There are several features of the annual report of the Gen-
eral Secretary which are of special value to officers and workers.
The increase in membership is commendable, and yet, a number
of the stakes are very slow to respond to the request of the Gen-
eral Board for a 12 per cent enrollment in the organizations. This
should become a slogan for active and persistent work for stakes
that are behind the general average, for the coming season. If

there were to be active effort in all the stakes in the matter of mem-
bership for 1916, there should be at least an increase of ten thou-
sand, making fifty thousand young men as active workers in our
924 IMPROVEMENT ERA
organizations. More attention should be paid to the requirements
in the courses of the junior classes, and to the reading course
books.
Stake officers will notice that while $22,143 were collected
for local expenditures in the associations, only $3,463 were con-
tributed to the general fund for the expenses of the General
Board, which was nearly $2,000 less than the actual expenses of
the Board this year. We trust that the new method of collecting
the Fund, as suggested in the new edition of the Hand Book,
pages 111 and 112, and presented at the conference, will enable
the officers to contribute their full quota for the year 1916, at
the opening of the season, so that the Board may continue the
splendid work of the Field Secretary and the Scout Commissioner.
The general statistical report of the Young Men's Mutual
Improvement Associations, prepared from stake reports by Sec-
retary Moroni Snow, for the year ending April 30, 1915, shows
a commendable increase in nearly every department of the associ-
ation, including membership. It appears from the report that
there were 704 associations, with 611 having senior and junior
classes. The permanent enrollment is 40,090, which is the highest
in the history of the organization, and an increase of 5,686 over
1914. There are 19,574 active senior, and 12,422 junior members
enrolled, an increase of 2,588 senior, 1,681 junior, or a total of
4,269. There were 998 members away from home attending
and 784 on missions, which latter is a decrease of 150 as
school,
compared with 1914; this is doubtless owing to the Great War.
The average attendance in the associations was 18,082, an in-
crease of 2,210.
A larger number of meetings than heretofore were held.
These included officers' and regular weekly, joint officers', and
monthly meetings, conferences and conventions, making a total of
30,290, an increase of 3,258.
In special activities the report shows that there were 1,241
public lectures, 219 public debates, 585 public contests, 256 public
concerts, 639 dramatic entertainments, and 683 athletic meets,
with 285 scout contests and demonstrations, making a grand total
of special activities and meets of 3,908, an increase of 341. There
were 461 scout patrols, as against 277 for last year. There was a
slight decrease in the number of public contests, and in athletic
meets, otherwise in all these special activities there was an in-
crease, and it is estimated that at least 15,000 people took part in
the various activities, aside from the scout work.
The division of class work and reading course shows that
there were in the junior classes 1,391 who passed the first year's
course, and 1,200 who passed the second year's course. There
were 2,017 reading course books in the libraries, and a total of
 EDITORS' TABLE 925

9,733 books; 2,042 members read one or more of the reading

course books.
In the financial department $22,143.49 were collected, and
$18,457.25 disbursed, leaving a balance on hand in the local asso-
ciations of $3,686.24. This did not include the General Fund,
but was the amount collected and disbursed in the local associa-
tions. Only $3,463.79 was collected on the General Fund, a de-
crease of $311.14 over 1914, and $1,940.00 less than the actual
expense of the General Board.
Six stakes, Beaver, Duchesne, Panguitch, San Juan, Summit
and Union, failed to report for the year, and the totals of the year
previous, except in finances, were used in the compilation of the
figures given above. There were seventeen stakes that obtained
5 per cent or more of the Church population as subscribers for the
Improvement Era, and ten stakes that obtained more than 4
per cent.
Cassia, Fremont, Pioneer, Uintah and Woodruff forwarded
to the General Secretary 100 per cent of the General Fund. Sev-
enteen stakes have more than 12 per cent (the mark set by the
Gneral Board for all the stakes) of their entire population en-
rolled in the Mutual Improvement Associations. The highest ac-
tive enrollment wasin Alberta stake, with 16.8 per cent, fol-
lowed by Bear River, with 16.7 per cent, and Young with 16.6.
The lowest stake was Panguitch, with an enrollment of 3.9 per
cent, followed by Beaver, with 4.3 per cent,
Weber 5.6, Ogden
5.7, St. Joseph 6.3, Parowan 6.4, Salt Lake 6.5, and South San-
pete 6.9. Eighteen stakes have 12 per cent enrollment and over;
and fifteen have between 10 and 11 per cent enrollment. The
Church average is 8.4 per cent.
On the whole, Mutual work is onward and upward. With
the young ladies, who are increasing in numbers
and good works
than the young men, we shall soon have an
even more rapidly
army of one hundred thousand young men and women
full ot

gospel, true to the faith, ready to render service

the spirit of the
salvation of the
unto the spiritual, intellectual and temporal
youth of Zion.

A Tribute to Utah.
City during four
The Liberty Bell was exhibited in Salt Lake
that 100,000 peo-
hours on Sunday, July 11, 1915. It is estimated
paid homage to the famous revolu-
ple in Salt Lake City alone
morning hour after arrival at eleven o clock
tionary relic. The
its
of whom marched
was devoted to the children, many thousands
glance at the historic relic. The Sunday
bv the Bell taking a opportunity.
children the
Schools were adjourned to give the
 : :

926 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The were gaily decorated for this patriotic occasion, and
streets
there was a great parade. It was said by the Philadelphia com-
mittee, who had the Bell in charge, that no such reception, so far
on the way to San Francisco, had been given to them and the
Bell since they left Philadelphia. The local committee in charge
had everything well in hand, and among the items of entertain-
ment was an organ recital in the Tabernacle, especially permit-
ted by the Presidency of the Church.
In Ogden, also, and in other Utah cities, the Bell and its ac-
companying contingent were given an ovation. On its way north
a member of the Philadelphia Councilmanic committee said to
D. S. Spencer, Assistant General Passenger Agent of the Oregon
Short Line, according to a news report
"The farther west we come with the historic bell, the more
patriotism and more enthusiasm we find. Today's reception in
Utah surpassed any ever accorded the relic. It was a tribute such
as was never expected by us. We
never will forget what Utah
did** Somewhere I have seen a picture of 'Utah's best crop.' I
saw the crop itself today, 30,000 strong in one city, Salt Lake I
;

believe I have seen 100,000 children in Utah today. Utah ought

to be proud of its children they are among the brightest looking
;

children I have ever seen."

To another member of the Utah party the Philadelphia coun-
cilman said:
"Philadelphia is known as the 'City of Brotherly Love.' After
seeing the children of Utah today, I would like to change the
motto of Utah, whatever it may be, to 'The State of Motherly and
Fatherly Love.' "

A Simple Story, With Two Great Lessons

Alice Moran, of Oxford, Idaho, writes the Era of an early

experience in England, which taught her two important lessons
"Years ago, when I was a girl living in England, I passed a pic-
ture shop. Something attracted my attention and caused me to
stop and look in the window. It was a picture. On it was a long
row of houses. It had been snowing very hard, and snow was
thick upon the ground. Before each door of the houses was a
little boy or a girl with a broom trying to brush the snow each
from his own doorstep. Oh, how happy they looked, all laughing
and' trying to work so hard I have often thought of the words
!

that were under the picture 'If each before his own door swept,
:

the village would be clean.'

"And while I have thought of those words, they have often
taught and shown me a lesson, too. I have frequently said to
myself 'Yes if I would only look at all my own faults and fail-
: ;
 : —

EDITORS' TABLE 927

ings, and not be so keen and sharp to examine my neighbors',

what a better woman I would be and if all did so, how much
;

!'
more would we love one another
"As I have thought of that picture, I have also drawn an-
other lesson from it What better men and women we would be,
:

if we would only try with the help and strength of our Father in

heaven, to love each other more, and try to work for him."

Why not Saloon-Keepers' Liability?

The Times-Review of North Chicago, 111., has the story in a

nutshell

Anthony Moran, who lived near here and who had beaten his wife
at their home outside the city limits of North Chicago on Twenty-sec-
ond Street, on a Friday night in February, was arrested, indicted by
the grand jury, tried, and convicted of assault with intent to kill, al-
though he sticks to the statement that he "did not know what he was
doing." He was sentenced to the penitentiary for fourteen years.

The month before, Mrs. Moran had written a pathetic letter

to her husband's employer. Anthony was spending his money on
drink when the family had to have coal and food. The company
tried to get the saloons to stop his liquor, and, failing, held his
wages for her. Then the husband beat her up. Why isn't the
saloon liable for this? Here's a woman half killed, a family
broken up, a man in jail for fourteen years, and all for a little
money in the till, another remittance to the distiller. How long
must the rest of us pay the damages for this dirty business?
Collier's Weekly.

Messages from the Missions

CONDITIONS IN HOLLAND

Elder Walter B. Hanks, Leeuwarden, Holland: "On the 9th of

May we held a conference here and were blessed greatly with the
Spirit of the Lord. Every speaker was led by the Spirit and spoke
with power. The attendance, owing to conditions, was not as large
as it might have been. There is much prejudice, and we cannot get
the people out to hear us so that this prejudice may be broken. The
conditions here, owing to the European war, are something awful.
In a great many places the food supply is short, the spring is very
backward, and many are dying from the want of food and clothing and
protection from the weather, as it is very cold at this time of the year.
There seems to be no letting up in the shedding of blood; men seem
928 IMPROVEMENT ERA
to be wild as it were and wish to destroy all mankind. O, if the
people would only listen to our message of peace and accept the same
we might all live in peace, for the gospel means peace. May God
soften the hearts of the nations, that they may cease from their wick-
edness and accept the gospel of Christ. I wish that every person in
the world could hear my testimony. It has become so strong that
I feel that I could give my life for its establishment."

SALE FOR THE NEEDY POOR

R. H. Toolson and R. B. Dunford of the Rochdale branch of the

Manchester conference call attention to a sale of work recently held
for the purpose of gathering into the storehouse means to assist the
needy poor. "To President E. P. Dalton and her corps of faithful and
energetic workers is due the unique success of the endeavor. The
sale continued for three days— 18th, 19th and 20th of March and was
opened by Sister Ida B. Smith who is the president of the Relief
Societies of the European mission. During the three days' sale a
large variety of articles were disposed of which brought in a good sum.
The purpose of the Relief Society was explained. A lunch room was

also providedwhere delicacies were served and a concert room where

entertainment was provided. President White of the Manchester
conference and Elders Samuel Nichols and Oscar J. Bennion acted as
chairmen. The people are: Standing, R. H. Toolson, Alice Marcroft,
Thomas Pullen, Annie Dalton, Lillie Jones, R. B. Dunford, Chrissie
Barnes, Jennie Hotte; seated: C. A. White, Nellie Pannall, E. P.
Dalton, Ida B. Smith, James Davis, Doris Marcroft."

THE CITY IN DARKNESS

Elder Clarence E. Bramwell, Gateshead, England, June 8: "Our
efforts to further the cause of truth are quite successful here, though
the war conditions are rather serious. We are allaying prejudice and
 EDITORS' TABLE 929

adding many valuable friends, who treat us royally. Some converts

are made. We often bring on pleasant conversations through con-
sideration of present conditions. The 'Mormon' missionaries who last
tried to set forth the gospel in Newcastle were mobbed and ill-treated,
and some told us that if we attempted to hold meetings here we also
would receive bad treatment. We
held a very successful meeting, how-
ever, on April 25, in the Big Market, in the central part of town.A large
crowd gathered and listened attentively. Several men came up at the
close of the meeting who desired to hear us explain our doctrine
further. We
talked with them until about eleven o'clock, and then gave
them our address and asked them to call on us. Since that time we
have held several open air meetings, at the same place, with good
success. Owing to the fact that the great Ellswick, Armstrong &
Whitworth works, where battleships, firearms, and ammunition are
manufactured, are located here, we are in darkness. The windows of
the dwelling houses even have to be dark. This is done for fear of
German air raids. In consequence of the air raid on April 21, thou-
sands of men in the above mentioned works stood for four house in
darkness, as it was believed that the enemy's aircraft was headed for
these works, but the pilot lost his way, owing to the city being in
complete darkness. We
are handicapped on account of the shortage
of missionaries, but considering our numbers we have favorable
re-

sults. Elders laboring here are: John M. Rothlisberger, Eagar, Ariz.;

Willis Thomas, Blackfoot, Idaho; Clarence E. Bramwell, Ogden,
J.
Utah."
CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND

as many of the readers of the Era are relatives and

"Inasmuch
in this conference, I thought this would be
of
friend? of the elders
interest for a small space in your magazine. The elders from left to

ELDERS LABORING IN THE LONDON CONFERENCE

riffht back row are: I. S. Campbell, M. W. Hendricks, H. S. Pyne,

g
L. B? Merrill! F. S. Lyman, R. V. Barnes, J. P. Egan, L. Eagar,
Jr ,
 —

930 IMPROVEMENT ERA

L. L. Jackson Middle row, C. F. Powell, L. A. Southwick, J. A.
Maynes, conference president; Selina J. Maynes, E. M. Greenwood,
R. H. Jones. Bottom row, J. V. Olsen, C. D. Hemsley, Dorothy
Maynes, R. P. Stratford and H. J. Layton.
"Allow me, as a representative of this conference, to congratulate
the staff upon the splendid May number of the Era. It gets better
each time, and as one of the brethren expressed it, 'It always fills
the bill.' One article of special note, is that of 'Successful Presiding'
and has done an untold amount of good among the Saints. Three
special cases that I know of individuals giving up tea drinking because
of that wonderful illustration and lesson found in same. It did for
some of them what our sermons have failed to do for months and
years. We
as elders are proud to circulate this publication among
the people. Our work goes on nicely, with but few hitches on ac-
count of the war. England has declined in many ways since the out-
break of war, yet there are many golden opportunities for the willing
servant of God to establish truth in the hearts of the humble in
spirit. One only need reflect a moment to call to mind many proph-
ecies that were uttered hundreds of years ago, and open his
eyes to find them being fulfilled on all sides. We, therefore, realize
to a certain extent the importance of our mission and the need of
striving daily to bear testimony unto all whom
we come in contact,
pleading earnestly and manfully to establish in their hearts that which
we are so proud of, 'Mormonism.' May the Lord bless you and your
co-workers in your untiring efforts of righteousness." Laurence A.
Southwick.
new faculty home
Walter T. Patrick, L. D. S. Maori Agricultural College, Hastings,
New Zealand, writes that during the past summer Elders Hintze,

Smith, Fairbourne, Wilkinson and Patrick were engaged with a num-

ber of other elders in building a new faculty home at the L. D. S.
Maori Agricultural College. The group shows the largest number of
elders from Salt Lake City that have ever assembled in the New
 EDITORS' TABLE 931

Zealand mission at one time. These elders are doing splendid work
and their faithful labors are doing much to build up this mission.
Top row, left to right: Walter T. Patrick, George Ford Fairbourne,
C. Tregeagle, C. A. Hancock; second row: Walter Smith, Sister and
A. R. W. Hintze and daughter, Douglas Romney; front row: Arthur
Wilkinson, Mathew Cowley.

ELDERS OF THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE

Back row, left to right: D. M. Marble, Deweyville, Utah; C. A.

Jensen, Cardston, Canada; Forris A. Weeks, Vernal, Utah; Archie Q.
Hale, Oakley, Idaho; Erwin D. Bailey, Salt Lake City; W. G. McMul-
lin, Leeds; Wayne M. Atwood, Salt Lake City, Utah; middle row:
Sister Alice J. Laws, Tremonton; Evan L. Aiken, Spring City, Utah;

Edward Brown, Globe, Arizona; Sister Ellsworth, President German

E. Ellsworth; Guy B. Rose, conference -resident, Logan, Utah; Sister
Elizabeth Berg, Davenport, Iowa; front row: F. G. Slough, Vernal;
P. L. Cloward, Salem, Utah; George W. Hox, Chicago, 111.; J. Leonard
Love and George L. Woodbury, Salt Lake City, Utah.
RAIN, WIND AND EARTHQUAKE

Elder John A. Nelson, Jr.,president of the Samoan mission,

writes under date of May 6: "The prospects were never more bright
for the growth of the Lord's work in the Samoan mission. Although
rain, wind and earthquake have caused the lose of life and much
hand
property during the last few months, we must acknowledge the
of the Lord in it all. The island of Manu'a
was entirely laid desolate
gover-
during the first part of January. The enclosed letter from the
be remembered
nor of American Samoa refers to this calamity. It will
very much adverse to the teach-
that the people of Manu'a have been
932 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ings of the Latter-day Saint missionaries having driven them from the
island time and time again. They made a covenant with their dying
king, many years ago, that no more than one church would ever be
'permitted on the island. A few honest souls, however, have desired
to join the true Church of Christ but have refrained because of this
oath. It is suggested now that most of the people come to this island,
Tutuila, to avoid starvation. If such be the case the oath undoubtedly
will be broken and the people will be free to choose aright." The
governor's letter follows:

"Office of the Governor, American Samoa,

"Pago Pago, May 10th, 1915.
—
"My Dear Mr. Titzenor The Princeton returned from Manu'a
:

Friday night with the report that conditions in Manu'a are very dis-
couraging. Worms have completely destroyed the new taro planted
on which we counted to restore the people of Manu'a to a self-sup-
porting basis. As over one-third of the money that the government

Elders left to right: John A. Nelson, President of the Samoan

Mission, Cardston, Canada; Joseph V. Nelson, Conference clerk, Salt
Lake City, Utah; Clarence J. Sharp, Preston, Idaho; Joseph A. Ran-
som, Cleveland, Idaho; Clyde M. Ferrin, Salt Lake City, Utah; Tan-
ner L. Brown, Cardston, Canada; and J. Garfield Bastow, President
of the Savaii Conference, Logan, Utah.

gave me for the relief of the people of Manu'a has been expended
during the four months we have been feeding them, I am confronted
with a serious problem.
"Even if the new taro crop, which is being planted, should mature
without further trouble with the worms, I will not be able to care for
 EDITORS' TABLE 933

them during the time necessary for the maturity of this crop. It has
been suggested to me
that a large portion of the people of Manu'a
be brought to this island, and leave in Manu'a only enough people to
clear the grounds, plant and take care of the new taro crop.
"If this plan is adopted, I will be glad to have your co-operation
and assistance in taking care of the people of Manu'a whom it may be
necessary to bring here.
"Very sincerely yours,
"J. M. POYER,
"Governor.
"Elder-in-Charge, L. D. S. Mission, Pago Pago."

ELDERS OF THE TUTUILA CONFERENCE

Right to left, standing: Mission President J. A. Nelson; Warren

L. Smith, Canada; Grover Peterson, Lyman, Idaho; Conference Pres-
ident, F. E. Titensor, Cove; Horace B. Brown, Ogden, Utah; A. L.
Archibald, Canada; sitting, Cinda Smedley, C. W. Smedley, Syracuse,

Canada; in front„ H
Utah; Willard L. Smith, Sister Jennie L. Smith,
O. Anderson, Koosharem and Joseph A.
Ransom, Cleveland, Idaho,
baby of Brother and Sister Smith.

"utah's best advertisement"

The Lawrence Sloan, son of Thomas W.Sloan

picture represents
the
of Salt Lake and Allen S. Tmgey, son of Bishop Tingey of
City,
It was Elder
Seventeenth Ward, who are laboring in New
York ;

Sloan, who, some weeks ago, with

another companion Elder Parkin
the
son, called at Mt. Sinai Hospital, to see Dr. David B Anderson.
The latter wrote of the call as follows, under date of April tt.
934 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"I told you, I believe, that I had received some pamphlets from
the Bureau of Information about Utah and the 'Mormons,' in response
to a written request, for
the benefit of a Dr.
Bruckheimer, who has
become interested in the
West. I got the pamph-
lets about a week ago.
Day before yesterday two
young fellows came to
the hospital here and in-
quired for me. I went
down and they gave me
their cards. They were
a Mr. Sloan from Salt
Lake City, and a Mr.
Parkinson from Frank-
lin, Idaho,— 'Mormon'
missionaries. They said
that my name had been
sent to them by the
Bureau of Information
as an inquirer about
Utah, and that they would gladly tell me anything they could about
Utah and its people. I told them, yes, I was very much interested in
Utah and its people, but I didn't think there was anything they could
tell me either about the place or the people; because, besides hav-
ing read much upon the subject, I had been born and reared in Utah!
You should have seen their looks of surprise when I told them! They
were good looking chaps, very well dressed, with an address that
bespoke honesty and fearlessness. Elder Sloan left me a photo album
of views in and about Salt Lake, the equal of which I have never be-
fore seen. I have been showing it to everybody in the hospital. I
invited the boys to come back to talk with me again at their leisure.
Such chaps as they are the best advertisements Utah can have. As
Elbert Hubbard says, in a news clipping I am enclosing, 'By their
fruits ye shall know them."
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

BY P. JOSEPH JENSEN

CLEAR THINKING

The other day I observed a boy reciting what he had read. He

was relying wholly on his memory. Now and then, he would glance
at his book to recall the links in the chain of the history. The boy
was burdening himself by trying to store up the account he had read.
He had not thought, he had only tried to remember.
Lessons 29-32 offer a very good opportunity to get the boys to
think clearly. For example, the Church, like the home, has its busi-
ness obligations. Help the boys to see that clearly. Haw has the
Lord provided for the meeting of those obligations? Again, the
government of the United States and the several states guarantee cer-
tain rights which the boys and their parents enjoy. Among them
are the rights to our homes and to live in them; of having our lives
protected; to worship the Lord as we choose, provided other peo-
ple's rights are not interfered with. In the light of these laws, what
are some Missourians guilty of?

Lesson 29

(Last paragraph of Chapter XXVI)

Problem: How the Church meets its business obligations.
About what does it cost to keep each one of you for a year? In
clothing? In food? For housing? For school? Who
pays those
bills? How much time do your parents devote to earn the family's
living?
Name ten or for which the Church has to pay money.
more things
Why would the Church, Far West, in the year 1838, have extra
at
heavy expense? How did the Lord tell the Prophet to raise the money
for meeting the expenses of the Church?
Study the chapter, and also section 119 in the Doctrine and
Covenants. What were the Saints who gathered to the land of Zion
to do with their property? What promises were founded on the
keep-
ing of this law? To what other places was this law to be applied?
Answer the problem.
What are you doing to observe this law?

Lesson 30

(Chapter XXVII)

Problem: What unlawful acts did some people of Missouri do

to the Saints?
text book.
Study the following quotation, and chapter 27 in the
Tell where the quotation is taken from:
936 IMPROVEMENT ERA
—
"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
What is it stated in the quotation that provided the twelve men
• I right to vote?
What was the course pursued to deprive them of that right?
What is the work of a justice of the peace? What did Adam
Black do that stirred up trouble? What is the duty of the governor of
a state? What did Governor Boggs do to restore peace? What was
the result of the governor's action? What is a mob? What did the
mob do?
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Lesson 31

(Chapter XXVIII)
Problem: Same as in Lesson 30.
mob respectively did as
Review what the justices, governor, and
stated in the last lesson.
What ought the legislators, ministers, soldiers generals and gov-
ernor to have done? What, in the quotation of the former lesson,
indicates that they ought to preserve order? What did they do?
Study the chapter.
Is it lawful to defend one's property, life and rights? Give evi-
dence.
State what' this chapter records that answers the problem of the
lesson.

Lesson 32

(Chapter XXIX)
Problem: Same as Lesson 30.
Review the main points of Lessons 30 and 31.
Study chapter 29.
What unexpected enemies did the Saints have to deal with now?
Why was it unlawful to try the prophet by court-martial? What
rights indicated in the quotation of Lesson 30 were the Saints de-
prived of? What power made the Prophet's rebuke so effective with
the guard?
Tell in a general way what rights our government guarantees its
people. State several specific things in which the people of Missouri
disregarded that guarantee.

Ward Teaching
It is often said that ward teaching, during the summer, and especially
in country wards, cannot be effectively accomplished. The follow-
ing report of President Joseph R. Shepherd of ward teaching in the
Bear Lake stake of Zion, for the month of June, 1915, shows the con-
trary, almost' to perfection. The date of the monthly meeting was
June 20. Note the number of teachers who attended that meeting:
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 937

Number
Number Number Per cent Number teachers
WARD families families af families ward attending
in ward visited visited teachers report
meetings
Bennington 51 51 100 12 6
Bern 27 27 100 10 5
Bloomington 106 106 100 30 15
Dingle 79 79 100 27 11
Fish Haven 42 42 100 12 8
Garden City 71 55 7/ 24 8
Geneva 28 28 100 12 10
Georgetown 99 99 100 30 21
Laketown 51 51 100 18 13
Lanark 31 31 100 12 5
Liberty 44 44 100 24 17
Montpelier 1st 164 164 100 53 18
Montpelier 2nd 158 158 100 39 19
Nounan 37 35 98 10 9
Ovid 44 44 100 14 6
Paris 1st 110 110 100 37 13
Paris 2nd 117 117 100 35 15
Raymond 28 21 75 8 7
Round Valley 12 12 100 4 3
St. Charles 123 123 100 44 28
Sharon 28 28 100 10 5
Wardboro 37 37 100 14 7
Totals and Percentage.... 1,487 1,462 98 479 249

Fred J. Price,
Stake Clerk.

THREE GENERATIONS
 Mutual Work
Athletic and Scout Work
Life Scout

Among our scout officials who have

earned merit badges is Assistant Scout
Master Frank J. Kirby, of Troop No. 1,

Sugar City, Idaho. During the past win-

ter Brother Kirby has been doing very
efficient work with his boys. He is now a
life scout, which means that he has passed
in first aid physical development, per-
sonal health, life saving, and pioneering.
Besides these he has taken out seventeen
other merit badges.

Merit Badge Requirements

We appreciate the efforts which a number of our scout officials

are making in passing through the First Class test, as well as the
merit-badge work. We realize that these efforts are a big help to the
scout master in developing this work among his boys. We would
suggest, however, that these merit-badge requirements are provided
principally for the boys. Where scout officials receive merit badges
they should not be worn conspicuously, or to any great extent, be-
cause in many instances it will have a tendency to discourage the
younger boys from working for these badges, feeling that such things
are too advanced for them. A merit-badge certificate would perhaps
be recognition sufficient for the scout official. The National Organ-
ization, in permitting others than the boy scouts to take out these
badges does so primarily for the purpose of giving some inducement
for the scout officials to prepare themselves to help the boys to
become efficient in scout activities.

Stake Work
Enunciation!

Some wag, thinking of the M. I. A. contest requirements in public

speaking, music and story-telling, has submitted the following to the
Era as he says, "without rates." He evidently considers that there
is still great need of "enunciation" as a point of judgment in our

contests. He titles his contribution thus. "Whut Langwidge Iz

Zis?"
 MUTUAL WORK. 939

'"Lo, Bill."
'"Lo, Steve."
"Where yuh goin'?"
"Home."
I'Whuffor?"
"T' eat supper."
"Cummmin' t' Muchool t'night?"
"Uh-huh."
"Goin' int' th' public speakin' contest agin?"
"Uh-huh."
"Did'n' win out th' las' time, diclja?"
"Huh-uh."
"Whazzamatter ?",
"Aw, those judges said my enunciashun wuzzn't up t' standard.
"Aw, they're crazy, Bill."
'"Swut I think, too. Well, s'long, Steve."
"S'long, Bill."

Elders of the Liverpool Conference, British Mission, Jan. 1, 1915:

Back row, left to right: George H. Cook, Milo, Ben F. Hulme, Bloom-
ington, Idaho; Clifford Gerrard, Taylorsville (Nottingham conference),
Harold S. Lambert, Kamas, William C. Whvte, Holliday, Clarence J.
Woods, Provo, J, Earl Bent, Salt Lake City, Lester C. Pocock, Tooele,
J. Ensign Riggs, Kanab, Raymond S. Knight, Salt Lake City, Alfred J.

I f t f '-
f I
1 *fc

Theurer, Providence, Utah. Second row: Vern C. Woolley, Grantsville,

C. LeRoy Madsen, Salt Lake City (conference clerk), Oscar J. Hendry,
Wellsville, Aubrey O. Andelin, Provo, Utah (outgoing conference pres-
ident); Niels J. Anderson, Cardston, Alberta, Canada; Lafayette Giles,
Heber City. Front row: Walter J. Cannon, St. George, Seymour E.
Christensen, Ephraim, Utah; Cleveland Curtis, Thatcher, Arizona; A.
Hulme Nebeker, Logan (incoming conference president); Thomas Pe-
terson, Preston, Idaho.
 Passing Events
A violent wind and rain storm extended from Nebraska to Ohio,
on the morning of the 8th of July. There was a destruction of prop-
—
erty amounting to over a million dollars, and many lives lost thirty-
two persons being killed in Cincinnati.
The manufacturers cf the Ford automobile announced, on the 18th
of June, that they had perfected a farm tractor that will sell for less
than $200. This tractor will reduce the cost of farm production from
one-third to one-half. It is announced that the construction of these
tractors will begin at once in factories which are intended to turn out
a million every year. They can be hitched to any vehicle and be
driven like horses.
Robert Lansing, Watertown, New York, was appointed, June 23,
by Prest. Wilson, to succeed Mr. Bryan as Secretary of State. Mr.
Lansing succeeded John Bassett Moore as counselor in the department,
in March, 1914, and was acting secretary after the resignation of Mr.
Bryan. He is fifty-one years of age, a graduate of Amherst college,
and a lawyer by profession. His writings on international law have
attracted wide attention.
Ray S. Sheets, brother of Bishop Edwin S. Sheets of this city,
and a young man of about twenty-seven years, died in Laporte, Indi-
ana, June 24. Bishop Sheets went east for the body, and the funeral
services were held June 30 in the Eighth ward chapel, Salt Lake City.
Bishop O. F. Hunter presided, and Horace S. Ensign and a male quar-
tet sang. The speakers were Bishoo Sheets, Harrison Sperry, Judge
Le Grande Young and Bishop O. F. Hunter.
An earthquake in the Imperial Valley, Lower California, June 24,
created havoc in a number of towns, and damaged buildings which
represented a property loss of one million five hundred thousand dol-
lars. Eight people were reported killed and twenty injured. The great
southern California irrigation system, strange to say, escaped serious
damage. The many earthquake shocks are attributed to disturbances
at Black Butte, an extinct volcano at the head of Volcano lake, in
southern California, which was greatly disturbed.
Settlement of claims for American cotton on the steamships "De-
cido" and "Livonia," which were seized several months ago by the
British government while in transit to Germany, has been made at the
rate of 10 cents a pound, so it was announced on the 11th of June by
the British government. These are the first settlements out of many
cases pending. Others will be settled as soon as the ownership can
be definitely determined. There were twenty-six cargoes of two hun-
dred thousand bales in all, detained in March and April.

General Victoriano Huerta was arrested on June 27 at Neuman,

New Mexico, near El Paso, charged with violating the neutrality laws
by planning in this country a military movement in Mexico. General
Pascuel Orozco was also arrested, but both were released on bonds,
and Orozco later escaped. It is said they were about to cross the Rio
Grand river where General Salazar was to join them and that from
Cuidad Juarez they were to move southward. Their hearing was to
be held in the Federal court at El Paso, July 12. The governor of
Chihuahua asked the United States for the extradition of Huerta, July
2 on a charge of implication in the murder of President Madero.
 ,

PASSING EVENTS 941

General Porfirio Diaz, for about thirty-five years dictator and mas-
ter of Mexico, and its resigned ex-president, died in Paris, July 2,
1915. He resigned in favor of De la Barra, May 25, 1911, owing to the
revolution of Francisco I. Madero, Jr., and secretly left the capital for
Europe. He lived in Paris and other European cities in virtual exile
since then, a silent witness to the plague of revolution and bloodshed
which has followed for over four years in the land he so long peace-
fully ruled. He was born of Spanish parents with an infusion of In-
dian blood, in 1830. After conquering, in 1867, the factions then as
now existing, he was elected president in 1877, and re-elected eight
terms, the last beieng in July, 1910.
Prohibition scored a victory in Utah, at the special election on the
29th of June. Every formerly "dry" city in the state of Utah
where
t>

special liquor elections were held, elected to remain "dry,"

withone
exception where the vote was a tie. This exception was Gunnison,
Sanpete county, where the "drys" and the "wets" received 163 votes
each The cities that remain "dry" are Provo, Logan, Smithfield.
Richmond, and Marysvale. Farmington also went "dry" by a vote_ of
147 to 50 Milford, in Beaver county, came within eight of going
"dry " where the "dry" wote was 201 and the "wet" 209, which is
con-
sidered a big victory for the "drys." It is now the only place in
Beaver county where the saloon may exist. Logan surprised even
the most hopeful of the prohibition partv who anticipated
a majority
the figures swelled
of 400, but when the vote was counted found that
to more than 1,000.
The note of President Wilson to Mexico, in which the warring
government,
factions were requested to get together and establish a
personal
was replied to by both Carranza and Villa by letter and by
representatives to Washington. Each indicated that there
was a pos-
sibility of an agreement between the
warring factions, though Villa
interfere in the
took the ground that the United States has no right to
internal affairs of Mexico. It was later learned,
however, that Car-
States^ govern-
ranza refused to consider the proposals of the United^
ment concerning a settlement of the chaotic situation in Mexico. On
and it was re-
Tune 18 four of Carranza's cabinet members resigned,
ported that Carranza thought it best to retire to
Vera Cruz to the
fortress of San Juan de Ulma. President Wilson s plan is for the
selection of some Mexican, on whom the
parties can agree, to act as
steo aside when this
provisional president, and Carranza has agreed to
that General Gon-
can be done. On the 23rd of June it was reported
zales at the head of Carrnaza's army,
was about to occupy Mexico
the revolt of
Citv Some trouble resulted in Sonora on account of being in peril,
Yakui Indians, and the American settlers in Sonora
the
"Chattanooga" and "Raleigh," battleships were dis-
the "Colorado,"
patched to Guymas with a landing force of 1400
men «"der orders
Maytorena's trooos were i,n b *° re PLe."
to land in case General f the
the Indians. Admiral Howard is in
command of the squadron,
armed. Mexico is
Americans inthe Yaqui Valley are said to be well
facing a general famine.
man who used tp meet people in
Gerald C. Anderson, the young
Era, and in his kindly, cour-
the business office of the Improvement
their wants will be forever missed fron, h l

eous manTer attend to

Los Angeles June 21. 1915 Gerald as
accustomed table. He died in
942 IMPROVEMENT ERA
went back to the Era office. Gerald C. Anderson was Nephi
the son of
Anderson and Asenath Tillotson. He was born Ogden, Utah,
in
—
June 18, .1890 and around that date cluster some of the most im-
portant events of his life. He was baptized on his eighth birthday by
his father, in Brigham, Utah,
where the family had moved.
There he attended the public
schools, and was a student in
Box Elder'sfirst high school.
He was ordained a teacher in
the Priesthood, November 22,
1905, by Elder C. Elias Jensen.
On the removal of the family
to Salt Lake City, in 1906, he
entered the L. D. S. High School
where his father was teaching;
but owing to a severe attack of
heart trouble and rheumatism,
which affected him ever after, he
had to discontinue his schooling.
He was ordained an elder, June
17, 1910, by his father. On June
18, 1913, he married Ethel L.
Symons, daughter of Charles
W. Symons, in the Salt Lake
Temple. Gerald frequently said
that he could manage to
if die
on June 18, that date would be
well fixed with his earthly ca-
reer. That date came with pe-
culiar feelings to his wife and
father, who were attending him GERALD C. ANDERSON
during his last illness; but he
keptup his fight for life three days more. Gerald held no important
public positions, he made no big mark in the world. He had to hus-
bandhis little bodily strength, so he could not accept some of the
positions of trust offered him. For nearly ten years, it was a fight
for life with him, and he made the struggle bravely, and always with
a cheerful spirit, and with faith in God. Many times during that
period was he near death's door, but he was never afraid. Though
not a profound student of books, yet he had a clear knowledge of the
truth, and he seemed to know intuitively, the big fundamentals of the
gospel as depicted in his father's "Added Upon." As a boy, and as a
young man, he was clean and pure. He was not ignorant of the world's
sins, but innocent of them. No one ever heard him tell "smutty"
stories, and he had no pleasure in listening to them. A few hours be-
fore he died, the attendant physician, seeking for something that
would act as_ a stimulant, asked him if he liked lager beer. "I don't
know," he said, "I have never tasted it." He leaves a daughter, Helen,
—
fourteen months old, and a wife a sweet, brave woman who has the
big, comprehensive view of life, and who knows that this world is
but a prelude to. the eternal worlds, where her husband, freed from his
earthly handicap, is planning and working for their eternal kingdom
of glory.

—
The Great War. The great war continues in each of the zones
with uninterrupted activity. The participation of Italv created active
operations in the south, where it appears, the soldiers of Italy won con-
 —

PASSING EVENTS 943

siderable ground, although on the 8th of July they were reDorted to

have lost seriously in one of the great actions. The Russians con-
tinued to be driven back in Galicia, Field Marshal August von Mack-
ensen, a lieutenant of Hindenberg's, being credited in the official Ger-
man reports with the masterful leadership of the great Austro-German
armies which relieved Hungary and swept the Russians nearly com-
pletely out of eastern Galicia and back into their own territory. An
airship raid in the North sea by the British was a failure. A United
States firm in early July received an order for 150 swift boats to be
used in the North Sea, and in the war zone, for the destruction of Ger-
man submarines. These boats will be able to sail fifty miles an hour.
The effort of the Allies to force the Dardanelles continued without
apparent great headway, and with great loss of life and property. The
blockade by sea which restricts the commerce of the world and con-
demns millions to hunger, still continues.
—
June 9. The United States replied to Germany's note of May 30,
maintaining that the sinking of passenger ships by German submarines
without warning violates the principles of humanity and all law. The
note plainly asked for assurances that measures will be adopted to
safeguard American lives and ships. Premier Asquith announced that
the casualties in the British armies, on the continent and on the Medi-
terranean, from the beginning of the war to the end of May, totaled
50,342 killed, 153,980 wounded, and 53,747 missing.
—
June 11. Italian troops completed the occupation of Gradisca,
north of Monfalcone. The German armies under General von Mack-
ensen renewed their offensive movements in Galicia and took Russian
possessions along a front of forty-three miles.
—
June 15. The British House of Commons voted a billion, two
hundred fifty million dollars for war expenditures, and Premier
Asquith stated that the war is now costing Great Britain fifteen mil-
lion dollars a day. The war appropriations, up to this one, a^qregate
—
four billion, three hundred and ten million dollars. The second night
raid on the northeast coast of England was made by a German zeppe-
lin, —
and sixteen persons were killed by bombs. French aviators
dropped bombs in Karlsrhue, Germany, in retaliation.
—
June 16. The Austrians are reported to have captured 122,400
Russians, many cannon and machine guns, between June 1 and 15.
At Souchez and other points north of Arras, the French carried some
German trenches, by the use of nearly three hundred thousand shells,
by artillery.
—
June 17. The Italian submarine "Medusa" was torpedoed and
sunk by an Austrian submarine.
T une 18. —
The Austro-German drive in Galicia has penetrated Rus-
sian territory at Tarnograde. The Russians issued a statement re-
garding their withdrawal in Galicia, maintaining that it was before
superior numbers. Between May 29 and June 15, they state that the
Austro-German losses were more than one hundred and twenty thou-
—
sand men. The Allies claim to possess ten square miles of the Galli-
poli peninsula.— King Constantine of Greece is reported recovering
his health.
June —
19. The French report further advances north of Arras and
the British in Belgium pressed forward for short gains at various
points. — The kaiser is reported to have assumed personal direction of
ihe Galician campaign.
—
June 20. The Italians in the Trieste region captured the heights
of Plava, and the French in a drive toward Souchez gained three-
fifths of a mile.
—
June 21. The French claim the most brilliant victory for the
 —

944 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Allies since spring fighting began, in their winning of "The Laba-
rynth," a complicated series of trenches north of Neuville-St. Vaast,
held heretofore with unshakable persistence by the Germans. The —
British House of Commons voted a new war loan of five billions to
—
cover possible deficits in the year. The Cunard liner "Cameronia" at-
tempts to ram a German submarine.
—
June 22. The French report gains in Alsace and Lorraine. Dun- —
—
kirk is shelled by long range guns. The Austro-German army in
Gaiicia enters Lemburg, after a severe battle.
June 23. —The Allies capture Sondernach, a point of desperate
contention in Alsace. This establishes a new line of advance toward
the Rhine.
June —The British cruiser "Rockburg" was injured by a tor-
24.
pedo. —The British note on the blockade was received at Washington.
announced from France that the total apporpriations for the war
It is
from the beginning up to date is four billion eight hundred million
dollars.
—
June 25. It. is announced that the British losses during the last
—
two months have averaged two thousand a day. The Italians continue
to bombard Malbogette.
—
June 26. The German Socialists publish an appeal for peace and
"Vorwarts," the official organ of the social Democrats, was suspended
for publishing the article advocating the opening of peace negotiations.
—
June 27. The Germans made an attack north of Warsaw, and it
was announced that Italy is about to enter war with Turkey.
—
June 28. The "Armenian," with a loss of eleven Americans, was
torpedoed and sunk off Cornwall, by a German submarine. The ves-
sel, flying a British flag, was warned, offered resistance, and was sunk.
It had a cargo of 1,422 mules from Newport News, U. S., to France.
—
June 29. The Teutonic allies captured Tamaszow, in Russian Po-
land.
June 30. —Recentfighting in the Dardanelles has resulted in an
—
advance by the Allies. The "Scottish Monarch," a British steamer,
was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.
July 1.—The German forces reach Krasnick in the southern dis-
trict of Russian Poland. —
July 2. Three British steamers, "Ingle-
moor," "Caucasian" and "Wellbury," were sunk by a German sub-
marine; also the British schooner "L. C. Tower."
—
July 3. The Belgian steamship "boguonat" and the British
steamship "Gadsley" were torpedoed and sunk by German submarines.
—
July 5. Jane Addams, Chairman of the International Congress of
Women for Peace, arrived in New York. She says the people of
Europe are ready for peace, but they have no choice but to go on.
The Norwegian bark "Fiery Cross," with six Americans aboard, was
sunk off Scilly Islands.
T uly 6. —
Notwithstanding the German drive in Gaiicia, Petrograd
reports no apprehension for Warsaw, which bids fair to be protected.
— The losses of the Allies in Arras are reported from Berlin to be
fearful.
July 7.—The Italian armored cruiser "Amain" was torpedoed and
sunk by an Austrian submarine.
July
8. —The government at Washington took over the. Sayville,
L. I., wireless station, the only direct means, privately operated, of
direct communication between Germanv and the United States. It
will now be operated by naval forces.
—
July 10. The German reply to the latest American communica-
tion realting to submarine warfare was made public, and the official
text sent to Washington.
 Elder Mathew F. Noall, Bristol, England, May 18: "We find the Era a
potent factor for extending good and it's monthly visits are awaited with a
great deal of interest."

Elder John A. Nelson, Jr., president of the Samoan mission, writes: "Of
all the papers and magazines received in the mission field the Improvement Era
is usually the first one read by the elders. Its pages are clean, inspiring and
—
educational just the kind for missionaries."

The story contest winners for June could not be made known in this
number, owing to the difficulty of obtaining readers on account of so many
being away on vacations. The result will be made known to the writers as
soon as ascertained, and will be printed in the September Era.

Earl S. Paul, Apia, Samoa, June 4: "We certainly enjoy reading the Era.
It has so many good articles in it, inspiring to all who read them. It is
surely the missionaries' friend, and we welcome it each month as we would a
friend. We
are thankful to you for the efforts made in publishing such a
good magazine."

C. W. Smedley, clerk of the Tutuilla conference, Samoa, writes: "The

elders and sisters look forward to receiving and reading the Era. There is so
much good instruction along the lines of the gospel, so much of science and
education and other interesting reading, that the elders look upon it as a
source of general information. We
pray for the blessings of the Lord on
those who have the duty of preparing it for the readers."

LET US LEAD THE WORLD

Utah was the scene of one of the most glorious episodes in American his-
tory. Men and women, our fathers and mothers, came to this land
because
here they could worship God and live their lives according to the
strong
impelled
faith which was within them. Ideals, not love of wealth or luxury,
them on. They conquered a land which appeared to the world at that time
as unconquerable as appear today the rocky mountain sides
which surround
our valleys. We wisely cherish their memory. No future glory will
ever
dim their wonderful achievement.
enlightenment
Our task, now. under the blessings of modern science and the
of the arts is to build upon these noble deeds of
the past a history of prog-
ress which' shall carry us to the world's front. We
have a rich citizenship,
thousands who
sons and daughters of the Pioneers, and the many other
came and are coming to the intermountain country to build homes.
is the purpose
To train our youth for conquest of our yet undeveloped West
Agricultural College. The courses are broad and liberal in the
of the Utah
sciences and in mathematics, English history, eco-
natural and physical
and languages. The courses are practical; they prepare
nomics, literature
different Schools
men and women for useful and paying occupations. The Home
(D Agriculture, (2) Agricultural Engineering, (3)
of the College are
Economics, (4)Commerce, (5) Mechanic Arts and (6) General Science.
A letter is always welcome. Explain your hopes and
help, and thousands of our best do
ambitions; *
need help, the College may
ne
^
able to aid
be ^
you. Write for a catalogue. Address-

The President, Utah Agricultural College

Logan, Utah
 .

Elder J.Garfield Bastow, conferenc c president of the Savaii conference, Apia,

Samoa, June 5: "Within the last few months we have started a new school
of forty pupils, and hope to start another in a new village in the future. The
Lord is thus opening up the way for the truth to be proclaimed. The elders
and many of the white traders are very much interested in the good clean
reading that the Era contains."

Improvement Era, August, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.
Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, )
Editors
Heber J- Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, J
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Favored Utah, Home, We Love Thee Frontispiece
As Suns of August Burn. A Poem Alfred Lambcurne 851
Gratitude A Missionary Son 853
Longing for Home. A Poem Grace Ingles Frost 855
Rafting Over Green River Ida Stewart Peay 856
When Ends the Reign of Thor? A Poem Grace Ingles Frost 862
The Lord's Prayer Bertha Eccles Wright 863
Ode to Earth. A Poem E. H. Lund 865
Will the Golden Age of Peace Ever Come?. John F. Miller
. 866
M. I. A. Scouts Hiking on Maple Flat 869
Pioneers and Pioneering in Southeastern Utah, fw * ^WW
Illustrated Joseph F. Andersen 870
Wild Oats. Prize Story Mrs. L. H. Roylance 876
Pansies. A Poem O. F. Ursenbach 8S2
Great Salt Lake City 883
Outlines for Scout Workers Delbert W. Parratt, B. S. 884 .

M. I. A. Conference. First Day 888

Judge Not. A Poem Maud Baggarley 900
—
Snappy Sketches from Life Satisfaction, or JPW i

Money Refunded Francis Smith 901

The Greenhorn Wm. H. Snell 902
A Sheepherder's Soliloquy Lercy J. Robertson 906
—
Testimony The Little White Slaver Heber J. Grant 908
After the Struggle— What? Frank C. Steele 914
—
The Galician Retreat Greece and the War... Joseph M. Tanner 915
Would Prohibition be a Financial Loss or
Gain ? George Gardner 9 § i

What Boy Scouts Must Know and Do Ludvig Dale 920

—
Editors' Table About Our Conference 923
A Tribute to Utah 925
A Simple Story, With Two Great Lessons 926
Why Not Saloon-Keepers' Liability 927
Messages from the Missions 927
—
Priesthood Quorums' Table Suggestive Out-
lines for the Deacons P. Joseph Jensen 935
Ward Teaching Fred J. Price 936
— —
Mutual Work Life Scout Merit Badge Re-
—
quirements Enunciation 938
Passing Events 940
 —
D? BOUZEKi
E N6RW1NG CSO l
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WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PLEASE MENTION THE IMPROVEMENT ERA

M HUM!
)

Vol. XVIII SEPTEMBER, 1915 1

No. 11

OF THE PRIESTHOOD CefORUMS. THE YOUNO MEN'S MUTUAL

• KG AN
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JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
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 —
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44
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The Panama — California Exposition

SAN
OZ-\l> niFP.O
UlILX^KJ
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closes Dec. 31, 1915.

The Panama-Pacific International Ex-

P o.ition SAN FRANCISCO $35 TO SAN DIEGO
Opens February 30, close December 4, 1915 And Return Direct.
Tickets on sale Daily.
Excursion Rates in EfTecl Daily Limit 3 months.

to November 30th, 1915 i$35 TO LOS ANGELES

Or SAN FRANCISCO.
Inclusive Tickets on sale Daily.
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Return via PORTLAND.
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Or so at the Beaches
Rate will be in effect via Salt Lake and Los LongBeach, Venice, Catalina.
Angeles going, and returning via San Fran- Then see f he Expositions.
cisco and Portland, or going via Portland
and San Francisco, returning via Los An-
THREE DAILY FAST DRAINS
Leave Salt Lake City 8:45 A.M.,
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case via San Francisco or Ogden.
Ticket Office 10 East Third South.
Consult any O. S. L. Agent for rates, de. Phones 3501-2.
soriptive literature, etc., or write, GO
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Salt Lake City, Utah EXPOSITIONS
WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PUtASR MENTION THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
 UTAH BUILDING.

PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION.

Among the state buildings at the Panama-Pacific International
Exposition, at San Francisco, the western states are represented by
California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Aside from her state building, in which her educational exhibit is
displayed, and in which there is a moving-picture hall where indus-
trial and scenic features of the state are represented, Idaho, among
the others, has done herself proud in exhibits in the various palaces.
In the Utah building is a panoramic, working model of the
famous Utah Copper mine, Bingham, showing actual processes of ore
removal with miniature steam shovels, engines and cars in operation.
The entire second floor of the south wing is occupied by the model
of a typical Utah coal mine, showing exterior and underground work-
ings and geological formations. The main floor is mostly occupied by
officers' and reception rooms. Paintings and statuary of Utah artists
and sculptors decorate the rooms. There is also a modest but inter-
esting display of relics of pre-historic cliff-dwellers of southern Utah,
loaned by the University of Utah. In most of the palaces of the Expo-
sition, Utah is lost, but in the education palace she is well represented.
A prominently displayed sentiment quoted from Brigham Young, to
the Board of Regents of the University of Utah, in 1850, attracts atten-
tion to the booth: "Education is the power to think clearly, the power
to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life."
The most conspicuous feature of the exterior of the great Exposi-
tion, facing the main entrance, is the "Tower of Jewels," shown in
our frontispiece. It is surmounted by a single column bearing four
sculptured atlases supporting a sphere seventeen feet in diameter. Its
principal architectural features are the Roman arch and the successive
tiers of Corinthian and Doric columns. Its height, according to offi-
cial figures, is 435 feet, equal to a thirty-seven story building of stand-
ard construction; base, 125 feet square; height of arch, 120 feet; width
of arch, 60 feet. The material used in its construction included 1,400
tons of steel, and more than a million feet of lumber. In the night
illumination, it is a magnificent sight. "The colonnades of its various
stages are suffused by a glowing red light from within," and outwardly
many searchlights from all directions are centered upon it, making
it a veritable tower of white, with not a single light to be seen. As
outward ornaments, the tower has 120,000 vari-colored, glass jewels
called "novagems," cut in Austria, each having a tiny mirror at its
back. These glitter brilliantly in the night illumination, and in the
rays of the sun by day.
 THE TOWER OF JEWELS BY NIGHT
Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco, California.
 :

Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII SEPTEMBER, 1915 No. 11

The Philosophical Basis of "Mor monism"'

BY ELDER JAMES E. TALMAGE, OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE

Permit me to explain that the term "Mormon" with its sev-

eral derivatives, is no part of the name of the Church with which
it is usually associated. It was first applied to the Church as a
convenient nick-name, and had reference to an early publication,
"The Book of Mormon" but the appellative is now so generally
;

current that Church and people answer readily to its call. The
proper designation of the so-called "Mormon" Church is The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The philosophy of
its religious system is largely expressed in its name.
The philosophical foundation of "Mormonism" is constructed
upon the following outline of facts and premises

1. The eternal existence of a living personal God; and the pre-

existence and eternal duration of mankind as His literal offspring.
2. The placing of man upon the earth as an embodied spirit to
undergo the experiences of an intermediate probation.
3. The transgression and fall of the first parents of the race, by
which man became mortal, or in other words was doomed to suffer a
separation of spirit and body through death.
4. The absolute need of a Redeemer empowered to overcome
death and thereby provide for a reunion of the spirits and bodies of
mankind through a material resurrection from death to immortality.
5. The providing of a definite plan of salvation, by obedience to
which man may obtain remission of his sins, and be enabled to ad-
vance by effort and righteous achievement throughout eternity.
6. The establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ in the "merid-
ian of time", by the personal ministry and atoning death of the fore-
ordained Redeemer and Savior of mankind, and the proclamation of
His saving Gospel through the ministry of the Holy Priesthood dur-
ing the apostolic period and for a season thereafter.

*An address delivered by invitation before the Congress of Re-

ligious Philosophies, held in connection with the Panama-Pacific Inter-
national Exposition, San Francisco, California, July 29, 1915.
 ;

948 IMPROVEMENT ERA

7. The general "falling away" from the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
by which the world degenerated into a state of apostasy, and the Holy
Priesthood ceased to be operative in the organizations of sects and
churches designed and effected by the authority of man.
8. The restoration of the Gospel in the current age, and the re-
establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ by the bestowal of the
Holy Priesthood through Divine revelation.
9. The appointed mission of the restored Church of Jesus Christ
to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof amongst
all nations, in preparation for the near advent of our Savior Jesus
Christ, who shall reign on earth as Lord and King.

1. As its principal cornerstone "Mormonism" affirms the

existence of the true and the living God the Supreme Being, in
;

whose image and likeness man has been created in the flesh.
We hold it to be reasonable, scriptural, and true, that man's
period of earth-life is but one stage in the general plan of the
soul's progression and that birth is no more the beginning than
;

is death the close of individual existence. God created all things

spiritually before they were created temporally upon the earth
and the spirits of all men lived as intelligent beings, endowed with
the capacity of choice and the rights of free agency, before they
were born in flesh. They were the spirit children of God. It
was their Divine Father's purpose to provide a means by which
they could be trained and developed, with opportunity to meet,
combat, and overcome evil, and thus gain strength, power and
skill, as means of yet further development through the eternities
of the endless future. For this purpose was the earth created,
whereon, as on other worlds, spirits might take upon themselves
bodies, living in probation as candidates for a higher and more
glorious future.
These unembodied spirits were of varied qualifications, some
of them noble and great, fit for leadership and emprise of the
highest order, others suited rather to be followers, but all capaci-
tated to advance in righteous achievement if they would.
No one professing a belief in Christianity can consistently
accept the Holy Scriptures as genuine and deny the preexistence
of the Christ, or doubt that before the birth of the Holy One as
Mary's Babe in Bethlehem of Judea, He had lived with the Father
as an unembodied spirit, the Firstborn of the Father's children.
So lived or live the hosts of spirits who have taken or yet shall
take bodies of flesh and bones. Christ, while a man among men,
—
repeatedly affirmed the fact of His antemortal life that He came
forth from the Father, and would return to the Father on the com-
pletion of His mission in mortality.
John the Revelator was shown in vision some of the scenes
that had occurred in the world of unembodied spirits even before
the beginning of human history. He saw the spirits that rebelled
against God, under the leadership of Lucifer, a son of the morn-
 THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 949

ing, laterknown as Satan, the dragon and he witnessed the strug-

;

gle between those rebellious hosts and the army of loyal and obe-
dient spirits who fought under the banner of Michael the arch-
angel. We
read "And there was war in heaven Michael and
: ;

his angels fought, and the devil fought, and his angels." The vic-
tory was with Michael and his hosts, who by their allegiance and
valor made good their title as victors in their "first estate", re-
ferred to by Jude, while Satan and his defeated followers, who
"kept not their first estate", were cast out upon the earth and be-
came the devil and his angels, forever denied the privileges of
mortal existence with its possibilities of eternal advancement.
The cause of the great antemortal "war in heaven" was the
rebellion of Lucifer following the rejection of his plan whereby
it was proposed that mankind be saved from the dangers and sins

of their future mortality, not through the merit of struggle and

endeavor against evil, but by compulsion. Satan sought to de-
stroy the free agency of man and in the primeval council of the
;

angels and the Gods he was discredited while the offer of the
;

Well Beloved Son, Jehovah, afterward Jesus the Christ, to insure

the free agency of man in the mortal state, and to give Himself
a sacrifice and propitiation for the sins of the race, was accepted,
and was made the basis of the plan of salvation.
The spirits who kept their first estate were to be advanced
to the second, or mortal estate, to be further tested and proved,
withal, and to demonstrate whether they would observe and keep
the commandments which the Lord their God should give them,
with the assurance and promise that all who fill the measure of
their second estate, "shall have glory added upon their heads for-
ever and ever."

2. The advancement God from their

of the spirit-children of
first to their second estate was inaugurated by the creation of
man upon the earth, whereby the individual spirit was clothed in
a body of flesh and bones, consisting of the elements of earth, or
as stated in Genesis, made of the dust of the earth. With the
ways and means by which this creation was wrought we are not
especially concerned at this point. The spirit of the first man,
Adam, was tabernacled in a body of earthly material and his ;

remembrance of an earlier existence and of his former place

amongst the unembodied was suspended, so that a thick veil of
forgetfulness fell between his earth-life and his past. Man and
woman thus became tenants of earth, and received from their
Creator power and dominion over all inferior creations.
They were given commandment and law, with freedom of ac-
tion and agency of choice. In a measure, they were left to them-
selves to choose the good or the evil, to be obedient or disobedient
to the laws governing their second estate, or embodied condition.
 —

950 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Experiences unknown in the preexistent state crowded upon the
first parents of the race in their changed condition and new en-
vironment and they were subjected to test and trial. Such was
;

the purpose of their existence on earth. To them as also to their

— —
unnumbered posterity the entire race of mankind this present
life is a connecting link, an intermediate and probationary state,
uniting the eternity of the past with that of the future. We, the
human family, literally the sons and daughters of divine Parents,
the spiritual progeny of God our Eternal Father, and of our God
Mother, are away from home for a season, studying and working
as pupils duly matriculated in the University of Mortality, hon-
orable graduation from which great institution means an exalted
and enlarged sphere of activity and endeavor beyond.

3. Prominent among the commandments given to the par-

ents of the race in Eden was that forbidding their eating of food
unsuited to their condition. The natural and inevitable result of
disobedience in this particular was set before them as a penalty
that, should they incorporate into their bodies the foreign sub-
stances of earth contained in the food against which they were sol-
emnly cautioned, they would surely die. True, they could not
fail by violation of this restriction to gain experience and knowl-
edge and the forbidden food is expressively designated as the
;

fruit "of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

They disobeyed the commandment of God, and thus was
brought about the Fall of Man. The bodies of both woman and
man, which when created were perfect in form and function, now
became degenerate, liable to the physical ailments and weaknesses
to which flesh has ever since been heir, and subjects for eventual
dissolution or death.
The arch-tempter through whose sophistries, half-truths, and
infamous falsehoods Eve had been beguiled, was none other than
Satan, or Lucifer, that rebellious and fallen "son of the morning",
whose proposal involving the destruction of man's liberty had
been rejected in the council of the heavens, and who had been
"cast out into the earth", he and all his angels as unembodied
spirits, never to be tabernacled in bodies of their own. As an act
of diabolic reprisal following his rejection, his defeat by Michael
and the heavenly hosts, and his ignominious expulsion from
heaven, Satan planned to destroy the bodies in which the faithful
spirits —
those who had kept their first estate — would be born ;

and his beguilement of Eve was but an early stage of that in-
fernal scheme.
Death has come to be the universal heritage it may claim its
;

victim in infancy or youth, in the period of life's prime, or its

summons may be deferred until the snows of age have gathered
upon the hoary head it may befall as the result of accident or
;
 ;

THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 951

disease, by violence, or as we say, through natural causes but ;

come must, as Satan well knows and in this knowledge is his

it ;

present though but temporary triumph. But the purposes of

God, as they ever have been and ever shall be, are infinitely su-
perior to the deepest designs of men or devils and the Satanic
;

machinations to make death inevitable, perpetual and supreme

were provided against even before the first man had been created
in the flesh, The atonement to be wrought by Jesus the Christ
was ordained to overcome death and to provide a means of ran-
som from the power of Satan.

4. From what has been said it is evident that "Mormonism"

accepts the scriptural account of the creation of man and that of
the Fall. We
hold that the Fall was a process of physical de-
generacy, whereby the body of man lost its power to withstand
malady and death, and that with sin death entered into the world.
We hold that the Fall was foreseen of God, and that it was by
Divine wisdom turned to account as the means by which His em-
bodied children would be subjected to the foreappointed test and
trial through which the way to advancement, otherwise impossi
ble, would be opened to them.
Let not be assumed, however, that the fact of God's fore-
it

knowledge as to what zvould be under any given conditions, is a

determining cause that such must be. Omnipotent though He be.
He permits much that is contrary to His will. We
cannot believe
that vice and crime, injustice, intolerance, and unrighteous dom-
ination of the weak by the strong, the oppression of the poor by
the rich, exist by the will and determination of God. It is not

His design or wish that even one soul be lost on the contrary it
;

was and is His work and glory "to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man." So also, it is not God's purpose to inter-
fere with, far less to annul, the free agency of His children, even
though those children prostitute their Divine birthright of free-
dom to the accomplishment of evil, and the condemnation of their
souls.
Beforeman was created in the flesh the Eternal Father fore-
saw that in the school of life some of His children would suc-
ceed and others fail some would be faithful and others false
;

some would elect to tread the path of righteousness while others

would follow the road to destruction. He further foresaw that
death would enter the world, and that the possession of bodies by
His children would be of but brief individual duration. He saw
that His commandments would be disobeyed and His law vio-
lated and that men, shut out from His presence and left to them-
;

selves,would sink rather than rise, would retrograde rather than

advance, and would be lost to the heavens. It was necessary that
a means of redemption be provided, whereby erring man might
 :

952 IMPROVEMENT ERA

make amends, and by compliance with established law achieve
salvation and eventual exaltation in the eternal worlds. The power
of death to be overcome, so that, though men would of neces-
was
sity die, they would live anew, their spirits clothed with immor-
talized bodies over which death could not again prevail.
While recognizing the transgression of Adam as an event by
which the race has been brought under the penalty of death, we
hold that none but Adam shall be held accountable for his disobe-
dience. True, the penalty incident to that transgression is oper-
ative upon all flesh, and upon the earth and all the elements there-
of but in the great reckoning, which men call the judgment, the
;

environment and determining conditions under which each soul

has lived, the handicap in the race of mortal strife and endeavor
will be taken into due account. "Wherefore, as by one man sin
entered into the world, and death by sin and so death passed
;

upon all men, for that all have sinned * * * Therefore as

:

by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemna-

tion even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon
;

all men unto justification of life." (Romans 5:12, 18.)

We affirm that man stands in absolute need of a Redeemer,
for by self-effort alone he is utterly incapable of lifting himself
from the lower to a higher plane. Even as lifeless mineral particles
can be incorporated into the tissues of plants only as the plant
reaches down into the lower world and through its own life pro-
cesses raises the mineral to its own plane, or as vegetable sub-
stance may be woven into the body of the animal only as the
animal by the exercise of its own vital functions assimilates the
vegetable, so man may be lifted from his fallen earthly state char-
acterized by human weaknesses, bodily frailties, and a persistent
tendencv to sink into the quagmire of sin, only as a power above
that ofhumanity reaches down and helps him to rise. We affirm
as afundamental principle of Christian philosophy the Atonement
wrought by Jesus Christ; and we accept in its literal simplicity
the scriptural doctrine thereof. Through the Atonement the
bonds of death are broken, and a way provided for the annul-
is
ment of the effects of individual sin. We hold that Jesus Christ
was the one and only Being fitted to become the Savior and Re-
deemer of the world, for the following reasons
(1) He is the only sinless man who has ever walked the
earth.
(2) He is the Only Begotten of the Eternal Father in the
flesh, and therefore the only Being born to earth possessing in
their fulness the attributes and powers of both Godhood and man-
hood.
(3) He is the One who had been chosen in the primeval

council of the Gods and foreordained to this service.

No other man has lived without sin and therefore wholly free
 THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 953

from the dominion of Satan. Jesus Christ was the one Being to
whom death, the natural wage of sin, was not due. Christ's sin-
lessness rendered Him eligible as the subject of the atoning sac-
rificewhereby propitiation could be made for the sins of all men.
No other man has possessed the power to hold death in abey-
ance, and to die only as he willed so to do. We accept in their
literalness and simplicity the scriptural declarations to the effect
that Jesus Christ possessed within Himself power over death.
"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the
Son to have life in himself" we read (John 5:26) and again: ;

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life

that may take it
I again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay
it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power
to take it again." (John 10:17, 18.)
This unique attribute was the natural heritage of Jesus the
Christ, He being in His embodied state the Son of a mortal
mother and of an immortal Sire. No mortal man was His father.
From Mary He inherited the attributes of a mortal being, includ-
ing the capacity to die from His immortal Father He derived
;

the power to live in the flesh indefinitely, immune to death except

as He submitted voluntarily thereto. No other being has been
born to earth with such investiture of preappointment and fore-
ordination to lay down his life as a propitiatory atonement for
the race. Prominent among the teachings of Jesus Christ in the
course of His earthly ministry was the reiterated avowal that He
had come down from heaven not to do His own will but the will
of Him by whom He was sent.
The atonement accomplished by the Savior was a vicarious
service for mankind, all of whom had become estranged from
God through sin and through that sacrifice of propitiation, a
;

way has been opened for reconciliation whereby man may be

brought again into communion with God, and be made able to
live and advance as a resurrected being in the eternal worlds.
This fundamental conception is strikingly expressed in our Eng-
lish word atonement, which, as its syllables indicate is at-one-
ment, "denoting reconciliation, or the bringing into agreement of
those who had been estranged."
As already indicated the effect of the atonement is two-
fold:
( 1 ) The universal redemption of the human race from death,
which was invoked by the transgression of our first earthly par-
ents and ;

(2) Salvation, whereby relief is offered from the effects of

individual sin.
The victory over death was inaugurated by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ, who had been crucified and slain. He was the
first to rise from death to immortality and is therefore rightly
 ;:

954 IMPROVEMENT ERA

them that slept" (1 Cor. 15:20) "the
called "the firstfruits of ;

firstborn from the dead" (Col. 1 :18) "the first begotten of the
;

dead" (Rev. 1:5). Instances of the raising of the dead to life

are of record as antedating the death and resurrection of Christ
but such were cases of restoration to mortal existence and that
;

the subjects of such miraculous reanimation had to die again is

certain.
Immediately following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many
of the righteous dead were resurrected, and appeared in their ma-
terial bodies of tangible flesh and-bones. The Holy Bible affirms
such instances on the eastern hemisphere, and the Book of Mor-
mon records analogous occurrences in the western world. The res-
urrection of the dead is to be universal, extending alike to all who
have tabernacled in flesh upon the earth, irrespective of their
state, whether of righteousness or of sin ; but all shall be called
from the state of death in order, according to their condition. So
taught the Master, when He said, following His avouchment that
the Gospel should be preached even to those already dead: "Mar-
vel not at this for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in
:

the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth they that
;

have done good, unto the resurrection of life and they that have
;

done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28,29.)

As part of a Divine revelation given in modern times we read
"They who have done good in the resurrection of the just and ;

they who have done evil in the resurrection of the unjust." (Doc-
trine and Covenants 76:17.)
resurrection of all who have lived and died on
The assured
earth a foundation stone in the structure of "Mormon" philos-
is

ophy. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec-
tion on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be
:

priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand
years." (Rev. 20:6.)

5. In addition to the inestimable boon of redemption from

death and the grave, the Atonement effected by Jesus Christ is
universally operative in bringing a measure of salvation —
what
—
may be called general salvation to the entire posterity of Adam.
in that all men are thereby exonerated from the direct effects of
the Fall in so far as such effects have been the cause of evil in
their lives. Man is individually answerable for his own transgres-
sions alone, —
the sins for which he, as a free agent, capacitated
and empowered to choose for himself, commits culpably and on
his own account or volition.
As an essential corollary of this fundamental principle, it fol-
lows that all children who die before they reach the age of ac-
countability are not alone redeemed from death through resur-
rection to an endless life, with spirits and bodies inseparably
 )

THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MOPMONISM" 955

united, but also from any possible effect of inherited tendency to

sin. be admitted, without disputation, I take it, that chil-
It will
dren are born heirs to the inescapable birthright of heredity. Ten-
dencies either good or evil, blessings and curses are transmitted
from generation to generation. While heredity is to be regarded
as tendency or capability only, and not as assurance and absolute
predestination, nevertheless all children are born subject to the
algebraic sum of the traits and tendencies of their ancestors, com-
bined with their own specific and personal characteristics by which
they were distinguished while yet unembodied spirits. From this
heritage of sinward tendency all children are redeemed through
the Atonement of Christ; and justly so, for the debt came to them
as a legacy and is paid for them. They require no baptismal
cleansing nor other ordinance of admittance into the kingdom of
God, for being incapable of repentance, and not having attained
unto the condition of accountability, they are innocent in the
sight of God, and will be counted among the redeemed and the
sanctified.
But there is a special or individual effect of the Atonement,
by which every soul that has lived in the flesh to the age and con-
dition of responsibility and accountability may place himself with-
in the reach of Divine mercy and obtain absolution for personal
sin by compliance with the laws and ordinances of the Gospel as
prescribed and decreed by the Author of this plan of salvation.
The indispensable conditions of individual salvation are : ( 1

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that is, acceptance of His Gospel
;

and allegiance to His commandments, and to Him as the one and

only Savior of men. (2) Repentance, embracing genuine contri-
tion for the sins of the past and a resolute turning away therefrom
with a determination to avoid, by all possible effort, future sin.
(3) Baptism by immersion in water, for the remission of sins the ;

ordinance to be administered by one having the authority of the

Priesthood, that is to say the right and commission to thus offi-
ciate in the name of Deity. (4) The higher baptism of the Spirit
or bestowal of the Holy Ghost by the authorized imposition of
—
hands by one holding the requisite authority that of the higher
or Melchizedek Priesthood. To insure the salvation to which
compliance with these fundamental principles of the Gospel of
Christ makes the repentant believer eligible, a life of continued
resistance to sin and observance of the laws of righteousness is
requisite.
Wehold that salvation from sin is obtainable only through
obedience, and that while the door to the kingdom of God has
been opened by the sacrificial death and by the resurrection of our
Lord the Christ, no man may enter there except by his personal
and voluntary application expressed in terms of obedience to the
prescribed laws and ordinances of the Gospel. Christ "became the
956 IMPROVEMENT ERA
author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him" (Heb. 5 :9).
And further: God "will render to every man according to his
deeds To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for
;

glory and honour and immortality, eternal life But unto them
:

that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey un-
righteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish,
upon every soul of man that doeth evil, * * * * For there
is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:6-11.)
"Mormon" philosophy holds that salvation, thus made acces-
sible to all through faith and works, implies no uniformity of
condition as to future happiness and glory, any more than does
condemnation of the soul mean the same state of disappointment,
remorse and misery to all who incur that dread but natural pen-
alty. We reject the unscriptural dogma that for resurrected souls
—
there are but two places or states of eternal existence heaven
—
and hell to the one or the other of which each shall be assigned
according to the record of his deeds, whether good or bad, and
however narrow the margin may appear on the balance sheet of
his mortal life. "In my Father's house are many mansions," said
the embodied Christ to His apostles, and "if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John
14:1-4.)
The life we
are to experience hereafter will be in righteous
strictness the result of the lifewe lead in this world and as here
;

men exhibit infinite gradations of faithful adherence to the truth,

and of servility to sin, so in the world beyond the grave shall
gradations exist. Salvation grades into exaltation, and every soul
shall find place and condition as befits him. "Mormonism" af-
firms, on the basis of direct revelation from God, that graded
degrees of glory are prepared for the souls of men, and that these
comprise in decreasing order the Celestial, the Terrestrial, and
the Telestial kingdoms of glory, within each of which are orders
—
or grades innumerable. These several glories Celestial, Terres-
trial, and Telestial —
are comparable to the sun,, the moon and the
stars, in their beauty, worth, and splendor. Such a condition was
revealed to an apostle of olden time : "There are also celestial
bodies, and bodies terrestrial but the glory of the celestial is one,
:

and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory

of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of
the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So
also is the resurrection of the dead." (1 Cor. 15:40-42.) Thus
is it provided in the economy of God, that to progression there is

no end.
As a necessary consequence, man may advance by effort and
by obedience to higher and yet higher laws as he may learn them
through the eternities to come, until he attains the rank and status
of Godship. "Mormonism" is so bold as to declare that such is
 :

THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 957

the possible destiny of the human soul. And why not? Is this
possibility unreasonable? Would not the contrary be opposed to
what we recognize as natural law ? Man is of the lineage of the
Gods. He is the spirit offspring of the Eternal One, and by the
inviolable law that living beings perpetuate after their kind, the
children of God may become like unto their Parents in kind if not
in degree. The human soul is a God in embryo; even as the
crawling caterpillar or the corpse-like chrysalis embodies the po-
tential possibilities of the matured and glorified imago. We assert
that there was more than figurative simile, and instead thereof the
assured possibility of actual attainment in the Master's words
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven
is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).

The fact of man's eternal progression in nowise indicates a

state of eventual equality on however exalted a plane nor does it ;

imply that the progressive soul must in the eternal eons overtake
those once far ahead of him in achievement. Advancement is
not a characteristic of inferior status alone indeed, the increment
;

of progress may be vastly greater in the higher spheres of activity.

This conception leads to the inevitable deduction that God Him-
self, Elohim, the Very Eternal Father, is a progressive Being,
eternally advancing from one perfection to another, possessed as
He is of that distinguishing attribute, which shall be the endow-
ment of all who attain celestial exaltation —the power of eternal
increase.

6. "Mormonism" incorporates as an essential part of its

philosophy the scriptural account of the earthlv birth, life, minis-
try, and death of Jesus Christ and affirms the fulfilment of proph-
;

ecy in all the events of the Savior's earthlv existence and works.
The time of His birth has been made a dividing line in the his-
torv of the ages it was veritably the "meridian of time". Early
;

in His ministry on earth He declared, and throughout His subse-

quent vears repeatedly declared, that He had come in pursu-
—
ance of foreordained plan and purpose not to do His own will
but that of the Father who sent Him.
From the days of Moses down to the advent of Christ the
people of Israel, who constituted the only nation professing to
know and worship the true and the living God —"Jehovah
wor-
shipers" as they were distinctively called —had under the law
lived
of carnal commandments comprised in the Mosaic code. To
Israel the law and the prophets were the scriptures of life, how-
ever much the people may have departed therefrom through tra-
ditional alterations and misconstruction. Christ came not to de-
stroy the Law — for it was He who gave the Law amidst the—
—
awful glory of Sinai but to fulfil and supersede the Law by the
Gospel. Aside from the transcendent work of atonement, Jesus
958 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Christ taught the principles of the Gospel, and laid down in
plainness the laws and ordinances essential to the salvation of
mankind. He made clear the fact that the Law of Moses had been
given as a preparation for the Gospel which He gave to Israel.
He chose men for the work of the ministry in a special sense
;

He chose twelve, whom He ordained and called Apostles. To

them he committed power and authority not alone to preach and
teach, to heal the sick, rebuke and cast out demons, but to build
up the Church as a divinely established institution. These men
were assured that through the Holy Ghost even after the Lord's
ascension they would be kept in communion and communication
with Christ and the Father and that upon the foundation of such
;

close relationship, viz., direct revelation from God to man, would

the Church of Jesus Christ be reared. That the apostles realized
the actuality of their authority, and that of the responsibility
resting upon them by virtue of their ordination to the Holy
Priesthood, is evidenced by their prompt action following the As-
cension, in filling the vacancy existing in the body as a conse-
quence of Iscariot's apostasy and suicide, and in other administra-
tive acts.
When the Holy Ghost was given unto the Twelve, at the
memorable time of Pentecost, the gifts, graces and powers of the
Holy Priesthood were manifested through those men as never
had been before and the proof of their wondrous investiture of
;

actual power and inherent authority continued throughout their

lives. The apostles carried the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every
known nation, establishing churchcommunities or branches of the
Church wherever possible. For each of these branches, the re-
quisite officers were chosen and ordained, such as high priests,
elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons while for more
;

general supervision evangelists and pastors were commissioned

with the powers of priesthood. So zealous and efficient were the
apostles in their particular ministry, that the Gospel -of salvation
was known to Jew and Gentile. Paul, writing approximately
thirty years after the Ascension, declared that then the Gospel had
been "preached to every creature under heaven" (Col. 1:23),
which assertion we may reasonably construe as meaning that the
Gospel message had been proclaimed so widely that all who
desired might learn of it.
The purpose of establishing the several graded offices of
authority in the Church, and of installing therein men duly or-
dained to the requisite order of priesthood, has been impressively
stated as "for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the min-
istry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12). So
necessary were the several offices to the proper administration of
the affairs of the Church, that they were aptly compared to the
several organs of a perfect human body (see 1 Cor. 12), all essen-
 :

THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 959

tialto a fulness of efficiency, and no one justified in saying to the

other "I have no need of thee."

7. The apostolic ministry continued in the Primitive Church

for about sixty years after the death of Christ, or nearly to the end
of the century of the Christian era. For some time there-
first
after the Church existed as a unified body, officered by men duly
invested by ordination in the authority of the Holy Priesthood ;

though, even during the lifetime of some of the apostles, the

leaven of apostasy and disintegration had been working. Indeed,
hardly had the Gospel seed been sown when the enemy of all
righteousness had started assiduously to sow tares in the field ;

and so closely intimate was the growth of the two that any forc-
ible attempt to extirpate the tares would have imperiled the
wheat. The evidences of spiritual decline were observed with
anguish by the apostles who, however, recognized the ful-
filment of earlier prophecy in the declension, and added their
own inspired testimony to the effect that even a greater falling
away was impending.
The apostasy progressed rapidly, in consequence of a co-oo-
eration of disrupting forces without and within the Church. The
dreadful persecution to which the earlv Christians were subjected,
particularly from the reign of Nero to that of Diocletian, both
inclusive, drove great numbers of Christians to renounce their
allegiance to Christianity, thus causing a widespread apostasy
from the Church. But far more destructive was the contagion of
evil that spread within the body, manifesting its effects mainly in
the following developments
(\) The corrupting of the simple principles of the Gospel of
Christ bv admixture with the so-called philosophical systems of
the times.
(2) Unauthorized additions to the rites of the Church, and
the introduction of vital changes in essential ordinances.
(3) Unauthorized changes in Church organization and gov
ernment.
The result of the degeneracy so produced was to bring about
an actual apostasy of the entire Church.
Tn the earlv part of the fourth centurv, Constantine cast about
the Church the mantle of state recognition and governmental pro-
tection. Thou eh unbnntized and therefore no member of the
Church, he proclaimed himself the head of the Church of Christ,
and distributed at his pleasure the titles of office in the Holv
Priesthood. Churchlv dignity was more soueht after than mili-
tary distinction or honors of state. A bishop was more esteemed
than a eeneral, and an archbishop than a prince. Soon the Church
laid claim to temporal power, and in the course of the centuries
became the supreme potentate over all earthly governments.
 — :

960 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Revolt was inevitable, and early in the sixteenth century the
Reformation was begun. One notable effect of this epoch-making
movement was the establishment of the Church of England as an
immediate result of a disagreement between Henry VIII and the
Tope. By Act of Parliament the king was proclaimed the supreme
head of the Church within his realm. The Church as an organiza-
tion, whether Papal or Protestant, had become an institution of
men. Of the Holy Priesthood, to which men were of old called
of God and ordained thereto by those having authority through
prior ordination, no longer existed among men. The name but
not the authority of priesthood and priestly office remained. Bish-
ops, priests, and deacons — so-called —
were made or unmade at the
will of kings. The awful fact of the universal apostasy, and the
absence of Divine authority from the earth was observed and
frankly admitted by many earnest and conscientious theologians.
The Church of England, in her "Homily on Perils of Idolatry"
officially affirmed the state of general degeneracy as follows
''So that laity and clergy, learned and unlearned, all ages, sects,
and degrees of men, women, and children of whole Christendom
—
an horrible and most dreadful thing to think have been at once
drowned in abominable idolatry of all other vices most detested
;

cf God, and most demnable to man and that by the space of eight
;

hundred years and more." The Book of Homilies dates from

about the middle of the sixteenth century, and in it is thus officially
set forth, that the so-called Church and in fact the entire religious
world had been utterly apostate for eight centuries or more prior
to the establishment of the Church of England.
The apostasy had been divinely predicted its actuality is at-
;

tested by a reasonable interpretation of history.

8. From the time of the Reformation, sects and churches

have multiplied apace. On every side has been heard the cry,
"Lo, here is Christ", or, "Lo, there". As the present speaker has
written elsewhere : There are churches named from the circum-
stances of their origin —
as the Church of England others after
;

theirfamous founders or promoters —

as Lutheran, Calvinist,
Wesleyan some are known by peculiarities of doctrine or plan
;

of administration —
as Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congre-
v

gationalist but down to the third decade of the nineteenth cen-

;

tury there was no church on earth affirming name or title as the

Church of Jesus Christ. The only organization called a church
existing at that time and venturing to assert claim to authority
by succession was the Catholic Church, which for centuries had
been aoostate, and wholly bereft of divine authority or recogni-
tion. If the 'Mother Church' be without a valid priesthood, and
devoid of spiritual power, how can her offspring derive from her
the rio-ht to officiate in the things of God? Who would dare to
 — ; :

THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 961

affirm that man can originate a priesthood which God is bound to

honor and acknowledge? Granted that men may and do create
among themselves societies, associations, sects, and even 'churches'
if they choose so to designate their religious organizations
granted that they may prescribe rules, formulate laws, and devise
plans of operation, discipline, and government, and that all such
laws, rules, and schemes of administration are binding upon those
—
who assume membership granted all these rights and powers
whence can such human institutions derive the authority of the
Holy Priesthood, without which there can be no Church of
Christ?
But the world was not to be forever bereft of the Church of
Jesus Christ, nor of the authority of the Holy Priesthood. As
surely as had been predicted the birth of the Messiah, and the
great falling away from the Church of His founding, was the res-
toration of the Gospel foretold as a characteristic feature of the
last days, the dispensation of the fulness of times. John, apost1~
and revelator, saw in vision the foreappointed reopening of the
windows of heaven in the last days, and thus affirmed "And I :

saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlast-
ing gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with
a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of
;

his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and
earth, and the sea, ani the fountains of water." (Rev. 14:6,7.)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded
—
upon the literal fulfilment of this prediction, for prophecy it was,
though worded as a record of what the prophet and revelator saw,
— an event of a then future but now past time.
"Mormonism" as a religious system would be incomplete, in-
consistent, and consequently without philosophical basis, but for
its solemn avouchment that the Gospel has been restored to earth

and that the Church of Jesus Christ has been reestablished among
men. The Church todav affirms to the world, that in 1820, there
was manifested to Joseph Smith a theophany such as never before
had been vouchsafed to man. He was but a youth at the time, liv-
ing with his parents in the State of New York. Being confused
and nuzzled by the "war of words and tumult of opinions" by
which the many contending sects were divided, and realizing that
not all could be right, he acted upon the admonition of James
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given him"

(James 1 :5.)

In answer to the young man's earnest prayer as to which, if

anv, of the discordant sects of the day was the Church of Christ,
as he Folemnlv avows, both the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus
Christ appeared to him in visible form, as distinct and glorified
 — ;

962 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Personages and the One, pointing- to the Other, said
; : "This is
my Beloved Son. Hear Him." The Son of God, Jesus Christ,
directed the young man to ally himself with none of the sects o~
churches of the day, for all of them were wrong and their creeps
were an abomination in His sight, in that they drew near to Him
with their lips while their hearts were far from Him, and because
they taught for doctrines the commandments of men, having a
form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Thus wi^
broken, by the voices of Eternal Beings, the long silence that had
lain between the heavens and the earth incident to the apostasy
of mankind. In 1820 there stood upon this globe one person who
knew beyond doubt or peradventure, that the "orthodox" concep-
tion of Deity as an incorporeal essence devoid of definite shape and
tangible substance, was utterly false. Joseph Smith knew that
both the Eternal Father and His glorified Son, Jesus Christ, were
in form and stature like unto perfect men and that in their phys-
;

ical image and likeness mankind had been created in the flesh. He
knew further that Father and Son were individual Personages,
a fact abundantly averred by the Lord Jesus during His life on
earth, but which had been obscured by the sophistries of men.
Somewhat more than three years after the glorious appearing
of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith, the young revelator
was visited by a heavenly personage, who revealed to him the
place where lay the ancient record which since has been trans-
lated through the gift and power of God and published to the
world as the Book of Mormon. This volume contains a history
of a division of the House of Israel, which had been led to the
western continent centuries before the time of Christ. It is the an-
cient scripture of the western continent, as the Holy Bible is the
record of the dealings of God with His people on the eastern hemi-
sphere. The Book of Mormon contains the Gospel of Christ in
its fulness as given to the ancient inhabitants of this continent
and in its restoration through the personal ministry of an angel
sent from the presence of God, was fulfilled in part the vision-
prophecy of John the Revelator of old.
The Holy Priesthood, having been lost to mankind through
the universal apostasy, could be made again operative and valid
only by a restoration or rebestowal from the heavens.
We affirm that the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, including
the Levitical order, was conferred upon Joseph Smith and his
companion in the ministry, Oliver Cowdery, through personal
ordination under the hands of John, known of old as the Baptist,
who appeared to the two men as a resurrected being, and trans-
mitted to them the authority by which he had ministered while in
mortality. That order of Priesthood —the Aaronic —
as John th"
Baptist declared, holds the kevs of the Gospel of repentance and
of baptism for the remission of sins.
 THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF "MORMONISM" 963

We affirm that the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was

conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by ordination
under the hands of those who, in the ancient apostolic period,
held the keys of the Holy Apostleship, viz., Peter, James and John
Under the authority so bestowed, the Church of Jesus Chris,
has been reestablished upon the earth. To distinguish it from the
Church as it existed in ancient apostolic days it has been named,
and this also through direct revelation, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.
As an institution among men, as a body-corporate, it dates
from April 6, 1830, on which day the Church was legally organ-
ized at Fayette, Seneca county, New York, under the laws of the
State. Only six persons figured as actual participants in the for-
mal procedure of organization and incorporation, that number be-
ing the minimum required by law in such an undertaking.
Whatever may be the opinions of individuals, or the consen-
sus of belief respecting the genuineness and validity of the claims
set forth by the restored Church as to the source of the Priesthood
it professes to hold, none can reasonably prefer the charge of in-

congruity or inconsistency on scriptural grounds. It is axiomatic

to say that no man can give or transmit an authority he does not
himself possess. The authority of the Priesthood of Aaron was
restored to earth by the being who held the keys of that power
in the earlier dispensation— John the Baptist. The Holy Apos-
tleship, comprising all the powers inherent in the Priesthood after
the order of Melchizedek, was restored by those who held the
presidency of that Priesthood prior to the apostasy, viz., Peter,
James, and John.
We further affirm, that in 1836 there appeared to Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Temple at Kirtland, Ohio, other
ancient prophets, each of whom authoritatively bestowed upon
the two mortal prophets, seers, and revelators, the keys of the
power by which he had ministered in the long past dispensation
in which he had officiated. Thus came Moses and committed to
the modern prophets the keys of the gathering of Israel after
their long dispersion. Elias came, and gave the authority that
had been operative in the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham.
Elijah followed, in literal fulfilment of Malachi's portentous
prediction, and committed the authority of vicarious labor for the
dead by which the hearts of the departed fathers shall be turned
toward their yet living descendants, and the hearts of the children
be turned toward the fathers, which labor, as affirmed by Mala-
chi, was a necessary antecedent to the dawn of the great and
dreadful day of the Lord, as otherwise the earth would be smitten
with a curse at His coming.

9. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, claim-

 —

964 IMPROVEMENT ERA

ing to be all that its name expresses or logically implies, holds that
its world today is to officiate in the author-
special mission in the
ity of the Holy Priesthood by proclaiming the Gospel and admin-
istering in the ordinances thereof amongst all nations, and this in
preparation for the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
soon appear and assume His rightful place as King of kings and
Lord of lords.
Besides its missionary labor among the living, the Church,
true to the commission laid upon it by Elijah, is continuously en-
gaged in vicarious service for the dead, administering the ordin-
ances of salvation to the living in behalf of their departed pro-
genitors. Largely for this purpose the Church constructs Tem-
ples, and maintains therein the requisite ministry in behalf of the
dead.
In the carrying out of the work committed to it, the Church
is tolerant of all sects and parties, claiming for itself no right or

privilege which it would deny to individuals or other organiza-

tions. It affirms itself to be The Church of old established anew.
Its message to the world is that of peace and goodwill —
the mes-
sage to come and partake of the blessings incident to the new and
everlasting covenant between God and His children. Its warn-
ing voice is heard in all lands and climes: Repent ye! Repent!
for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Such in scant outline is the philosophical basis of "Mormon-

ism."

The Sunken Isle

No voice upleaps in a vibrant note

To cleave the hush of the brooding glooms;
Only a muffled whisper's rote
Ebbs and flows in the dead-still rooms.
Nor sound, nor light, nor motion rives
The iron links of the isle-chained lives.

Oh, brave young mariners, sailing bold

With the main all blue, and the sun a-smile
Steer wide thy ships from the yawning hold
Of the deep, dim caves of the sunken isle!
For few come out of their depths to bring
A crowning chord when the victors sing.
Gird up thy ships with the strong white steel
Of a Purity from its gales immune:
No sunken caverns may draw the keel
Of a bark with the currents of Truth attune.
Their strength shall hold though the Hell-winds blow,
And thy boats sail safe from the Isles of Woe!
Josephine Spencer
 THE MAGPIE

Outlines for Scout Workers

BY MRS. LUCY G. SMITH AND D. W. PARRATT

///. The Magpie

"Among the Romans not a bird
Without a prophecy was found;
Fortunes of empires often hung
On the magician magpie's tongue."
1. Why is the magpie so named?
2. To what family does it belong? What other birds belong to
this family and what way does the magpie differ from these?
in
There are two kinds of magpies in western America. What are
they? Where found? Which is ours?
3. Note size, shape, and color.
4. Contrast male and female in size and in color and explain
these differences.
5. Upon what does the magpie live? In what way does the bill

indicate this?
6. Describe the flight of the magpie
... . . ,

in relation to height, speed,

,

and lines. .

7. What animals are its enemies and how does it protect itselt

against them?
8 Is the nest large or is it small? How made When built?
How does it differ from the nests of the other birds thus far studied?
9. How many eggs make a setting? What is their color and how
are they marked? How many broods in one season?
966 IMPROVEMENT ERA
10. Describe the call of the magpie and tell of what use the call
is to the bird.
11.Give one reason why this bird should be protected and one
why should not be protected.
it

12. Where does it spend the winter? The summer?

13. It is sometimes suggested that a slit be cut in a captured mag-
pie's tongue. For what purpose? When is the best time to so train
the bird? Why then?

HANDY MATERIAL

"Mag" was
originally Maggie, and the name, therefore, given
to this birdwas Maggie Pie. In the course of time only the first
syllable was used, and later that was joined to the surname, so
that now the bird is known as simply "magpie" without even the
capital M
in "mag." It is also interesting to note that "pie" is
derived from the Latin pica, meaning mimic, and was applied to
the bird under consideration because of its propensity to imitate
simple sounds repeatedly made in its presence.
The magpies belong to the crow family, as do also the rooks,
ravens, and jack-daws. These latter birds are practically all
black, while the magpie has vivid white markings principally
on the wings and under side of the body. There are two species
of magpies in our country, the black-billed and the yellow-
billed. The former is the one common to our regions the latter ;

is found only in California.

The magpie is from eighteen to twenty inches in length and

has a rather slender body. Its wings are short and small, but
very stout. Its head, back, upper breast, and the larger part
of its wings are black, while the upper part of its wings and the
lower breast are white. The tail is the magpie's greatest orna-
ment. It is longer than the bird's body and is beautifully colored
with green and purple and, when used to steer "Maggie's" un-
certain flight, opens into a perfectly shaped fan.
The magpie's eyes are black, its hearing very acute, and its
nostrils and bill are covered almost half way down with reversed
feathers or bristles.
Like most other birds, the male magpie is larger and more
highly colored than is the female'; however, these differences are
not so pronounced as in the case of other birds thus far studied.
The female reserves the right of choosing her mate. To win her
coveted attentions, the males groom in their best and most attrac-
tive feathers and to reduce competition the jealous rivals strive to
drive each other from the field. The fellow having the most
charming manners, beautiful feathers, and who puts up the best
fight is the one who succeeds in winning "the fair lady." Bright
colors and additional size are, therefore, advantageous to the male
birds.
 OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 967

The magpie a carrion feeder by preference but an insect

is

feeder by necessity. He also eats greei. leaves, wild fruit and

berries, and young birds and eggs. The bill is strong and sharp,
capable of tearing flesh, breaking the hardest snail-shells, or car-
rying off eggs.
"In the sparsely settled districts of the West, where dead
sheep are poisoned as bait for coyotes, the magpies are becom-
ing quite scarce from their habit of eating carrion of any kind."
The coyote, ever ready to destroy almost any sort of bird, is a
perpetual enemy of the magpie. The discovered approach of
a coyote or other enemy is signaled by one of the birds evidently
doing sentinel duty. A
characteristic cry from him is all that is
needed to put the whole flock to flight. Snakes, too, are num-
bered among the magpie's enemies. These steal their way into
the bird's nest and destroy eggs and young. To guard against
coyotes, snakes, and other ground enemies, the magpie builds its
nest on slender limbs some distance above the ground. The nest
is so constructed as to ward off hawks, owls, and other enemies of

the air.
The nest is large, and looks like a huge bundle of sticks
loosely put together, notwithstanding the fact that the magpie is'
really a master builder. The nest consists of a layer of sticks, then
a layer of clay binding them together, then sticks and clay, and
so on for several layers. In these he forms a deep, cup-like hol-
low of thinner twigs and soft, rootlets and lines it with grass and
wool. This can be reached only through an opening just large
enough to admit the bird. The entrance on the outside is fenced
with sharp thorns. Over all is a dome of interlacing sticks, not
to keep out the rain, but to protect the nest from larger birds
which may wish to steal the eggs or take possession of the nest.
Although the nest will last for years, the magpie seldom ever uses
it more than one season.
for
Aclump of small canyon trees seems to be the magpie's fa-
vorite place for building. The nest is usually from ten to twenty
feet above the ground, just where the branches are thickest.
There are from three to seven eggs, pale green or light gray
in color, evenly speckled with brown. There are two broods in
one season.
The flight of themagpie is short, uncertain, wavering, but
moderately rapid, and never at any great height.
The magpie's chatter of short, quick notes is hard, non-
musical and incessant.
During March, April and May, the magpie steals eggs and
nestlings. He will even come into the poultry
yard and eat hen's
eggs. But during the remainder of the year, he does no harm,
but much good, eating insects. He is wonderfully keen witted,
cheery, and adds much of interest and beauty to the landscape.
 ; — ———
! ! ; ;

968 IMPROVEMENT ERA

He usually spends both winter and summer here, but often in
summer he goes far up into the arctic regions.
If taken before he is two years old, he can be taught to talk,
but does not need to have his tongue slit. He often talks more
clearly than a parrot and seems to love the words he has picked
up, for he will practice them until he can say them with a degree
of perfection. And furthermore, he manifests marked delight if a
forgotten word happens to be again spoken in his presence.
—
References "Bird Life and Bird Lore," R. Bosworth Smith; "The
Romance of Bird Life," John Lea; "The Magpie's Lesson," Aldine
Reader II; "Juvenile Instructor," March, 1914.

Good-Bye, Old Booze

Good-bye, old Booze, it's time for us to part

For you are greedy, and have no heart.
vain,
I willadmit the blame's not yours, old Booze
For I was free and had a right to choose
I thought it game to lose.

Recall the day when you and I first met,

When I was but a kid ? You can't forget.
I told you I would try once, old Smell,
To win a bet, if not a soul would tell
You whispered, "More." well O—
And then, when
did proudly join the "gang"
I
That and "chewed the rag," and sang,
lined the bar,
You bragged, you boasted, strutted forth and said
That you would be on earth when we were dead —
You spoke the truth well said :

And you remember — can't forget —old Sin,

When you first put my
head to win
it in
Success by chance, "Play on and on," you cried,
Till all was lost, and poverty, my bride ;

Deceitful wretch, you lied !

Though you've been known to vanquish, oft, a pain,

I'll sacrifice the belly for the brain
And even if you make us think we're "smart,"
You can't bring love into the human heart
So you and I must part.
KANAB, UTAH JACK BORLASE.
 :

Man Sent of God*

BY NEWEL K. YOUNG, NORTH DAVIS STAKE

Jesus went down from Nazareth to Jerusalem with Joseph

and Mary to attend the Passover. After the feast the parents
started home with their kindred and neighbors. At the close of
the first day's journey, they found the boy missing; alarmed and
sorrowing they returned, and after three days of anxious, fearful
searching they found their twelve-year-old son in the temple talk-
ing with the priests and teach-
ers there. His mother gently
but firmly reproved him say-
ing, "Son, why hast thou thus
dealt with us? Behold thy
father and I sought thee sor-
rowing." Note his reply,
"Wist ye not that I must be
about my Father's business?"
This wonderful answer
clearly reveals that he was
deeply imbued with the pur-
pose of his earthly mission,
Already his soul was awak-
ened to the divine responsibil-
ity of protection for others, a
responsibility that is the very

essence of manhood. Even

then he felt that he was his
brother's keeper.
These significant words,
spoken by a mere child, give NEWEL K. YOUNG
us a true index to the mean-
ing of Luke's short account of the boyhood of the Son of God
"And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with
God and man." The earnestness and high purpose born of the
noble conviction that he was sent into the world to do his Father's
business were the life of the enthusiasm and inspiration which
led him onward and upward to the highest destiny.
Every child should feel that he is a child of promise. Only

*This oration won second place in the Advanced Senior contest,

M. I. A. conference, June, 1915.
 ;

970 IMPROVEMENT ERA

so can he grow to the full measure of his manhood, and do his
full part of the Father's business. The Father's work in this
world lags and is slow in the doing because his sons do not all
-

feel that they are sent to do his will.

Once the boy's heart is fired with the testimony that God
called and sent him here to do the Father's bidding, he will begin
to rise to the high place in manhood's realm to which his divine
sonship entitles him and thus will he do his part of God's work.
;

This will plant his feet firmly in the path of duty it will save
;

him in the hour of temptation, and hearten him during the night-
time of discouragement it will guide him through the darkness
;

of doubt, and keep him humble in the day of his prosperity and
victory thus leading him in the way of life until he attains the
;

strength of the clean and pure.

We see that to be sent leads at once to accountability to the
sender, God, for work of life entrusted. How this humbles and
steadies one until his soul is imbued through and through with
true reverence, the very fear of God, which fear is the seed that
bears a harvest of faithfulness, an unyielding devotion to duty.
The conviction of "divine calling" is no less a power to sus-
tain the man in the work, the struggles, and the sorrows of man-
hood, than it is to inspire the boy. In John's graphic account of
—
the "Last Supper" Christ gives us his real prayer the outpour-
ing of his great heart for the cause for which he had lived, and
for which he was about to die. It may fittingly be called his ded-
ication of that cause and of the men into whose hands he was com-
mitting his life's work. At the beginning and close of this event-
ful prayer he mentions the source and authority of his mortal
mission.
Then, again, note that wonderful scene in the "garden,"
where Jesus had gone with his few chosen friends after this last
supper and prayer, to the most vital struggle of the ages the —
struggle upon which depended the redemption and salvation of
the world. During the bloody sweat of such suffering as no other
has ever borne, he turned to the Father, who sent him on his
earth-mission, as the unfailing source of his help, as much as the
judge of his work, and found comfort and strength to endure
and go on by uniting his purpose with the eternal purpose of that
Father. Thus in very deed becoming a full partner in co-opera-
tion with God for the salvation of man. How fully he became
our Keeper, our Friend, our Savior What else does his noble
!

prayer, "Thy will be done," then and there, mean but this manly,
yes, Godly recognition of the righteous authority of the One who
sent him. Thus only could he be in the fullest measure the Son
thus only may we inherit the fulness of our Sonship.
In the life of our Prophet Joseph, in the marked influence
that the noble conviction that he was sent of God had upon his
 MAN SENT OF GOD 971

whole life, we have an example that closely parallels that of the

Master. Itshaped the hopes and ideals of his boyhood, guided
him in the way of truth, chastened him to purity in youth, and
determined his devotions and godliness in manhood.
This sense of being sent into the world, divinely called to
one's life-work, has not been confined to prophets or religious
leaders alone. Washington bore suggestive witness that he
must render accountability for his leadership to a higher power
than man. He went to God for help in his stupendous task, and
felt responsible to him for its successful accomplishment.
A living faith that he was destined to do great things was
made part of Lincoln's every day life in his childhood and the ;

marks of this influence are seen throughout his remarkable

career. In the hardest and darkest hours of the rebellion, he
went to God for the strength and wisdom needed to save the
Union.
During twenty years of close association, as friend and
teacher, with our boys and girls just budding into manhood and
womanhood, I have often listened to their hopeful, stirring words
^f Hfe that came from hearts beating strong with the feeling that
they were sent here each to do his special work. They were all
imbued with the thought that God sent them to do some good,
big work. Yes, I believe this feeling is an instinct planted of
God, deeply rooted in life, even one of the abiding sources of
life and character.
The oeasant and the king, the unlettered son of toil and
the scholar, the youth and the tried man of many vears, the
true man suffering defeat and failure, and the man of achieve-
ment, all bear witness to the mightv influence of the feeling- of
being divinely called. In 1913. before Columbia University,
Pres. Henry Churchill Kins: spoke these words "Still, so far
:

as I can see, the essential fact of accountability forever abides.

I can not resist the sense of calling, of divine vocation so in-
volved. These plain facts of my nature themselves make me
feel that in some high sense I am sent into the world."
I feel this sense of divine calling vou feel it all who have
; ;

attained, in anv high degree their manhood feel it; everywhere

and always, all who have been dominated by the deep conviction
that thev are partners with God in the accomplishment of his
great plans, feel it.
We are a blessed people in that we are not left to the wit-
ness of our God-given instincts and abiding impulses, nor the
evidence of reason alone, for we have had revealed to us, ^

through our own prophet, in certaintv, that we are so sent into

the world of God as messengers of salvation.
Just now, when all the world is shadowed by a deep sorrow,
and most people everywhere are disturbed and shaken in their
 —

972 IMPROVEMENT ERA

lives by the terrible world-war, can any son of "Mormondom,"
bearing the priesthood, escape the call of God to stand firm and
unafraid before the world as a messenger of peace and truth
and justice? patiently and faithfully to await and help on the
"Salvation of Our God" for all people?
May we attain true fellowship with the Master, in the power
to help every youth to feel with every fiber of his being that
God sent him into the world to serve and share in the work ot
salvation. God bless us to stand in strength, like one of old, and
«ay, "As God lives, and as we live, we will not return unto our
Father, until we have done the work for which we were sent."
KAYSVILLE, UTAH

To My Successor
Here is a toast I want to drink to a fellow I'll never know —
To the fellow who's going to take my place when it's time for me to go.
I've wondered what kind of a chap he'll be and I've wished I could
take his hand,
Jr.st to whisper, "I wish you well, old man," in a way that he'd under-
stand.
I'd like to give him the cheering word that I've longed at times to hear;
I'd like to give him the warm hand clasp when never a friend seems
near.
I've learned my knowledge by sheer hard work, and I wish I could
pass it on
To the fellow who'll come to take my place some day when I am gone.

Will he see all the sad mistakes I've made and not all the battles lost?
Will he ever guess of the tears they caused or the heartaches which
they cost?
Will he gaze through the failures and fruitless toil to the underlying
plan,
And catch a glimpse of the real intent and the heart of the vanquished
man?
I dare to hope he may pause some day as he toils as I have wrought,
And gain some strength for his weary task from the battles which I
have fought,
But I've only the task itself to leave with the cares for him to face,
And never a cheering word may speak to the fellow who'll take my
place.

Then here's to your health, old chap; I drink as a bridegroom to his

bride;
I leave an unfinished task to you, but God knows how I tried.
I've dreamed my dreams as all men do, but never a one came true,
And my prayer today is that all the dreams may be realized by you,
—
And we'll meet some day in the great unknown out in the realms of
space;
You'll know my clasp as I take your hand and gaze in your tired face.
Then all your failures will be success, in the light of the new found
dawn,
So I'm drinking your health, old man, who'll take my place when I'm
gone! —
Lake Worth Herald Tom Cordry. —
 The True Note

BY NEPHI JENSEN

Two of the professors who had received notification of the

termination of their employment at the University of Utah were
walking together in the corridors of one of the University build-
ings. As they walked, they came near an unimportant professor.
When they came within hearing distance of this Utah man of
learning, one of the two, with imported airs and prejudices, began
to discuss the qualifications of men to fill the vacancies at the Uni-
versity, all with the very apparent intent that the local man should
derive educational benefit from the discussion. One of the two
said, "What is needed here is men of sanity. These people
here are too serious about religion." Were it not for the too ap-
parent spirit of prejudice and flippancy, in this short characteriza-
tion of the Latter-day Saints, one might be provoked to exercise
himself a little in polemics. But the sober second thought sug-
gests the unwisdom of formulating arguments with which to de-
molish so inconsequential a thing as a man of straw.
Without becoming controversial, we might be permitted to
pleasantly remark that it is possible that Professor thinks
the "Mormons" are "too serious about religion," because he only
knows of religion of the kind that has not enough of reality in it
to be "serious" about.
But polemics aside, this professor's criticism is an expression
of the spirit of the age. Frivolous buffoonery is the curse of the
present. If we look at a newspaper, the first thing that attracts
our attention is insipid comedy caricatured. If we go to the the-
ater, we hear the multitude in hilarity laughing their approval of a
painted, fickle, feminine buffoon. If we pick up a book, we are
likely to find in it the author's strained and serious efforts to write
without sense and to be as frivolous as a clown. Not long ago
the social consciousness was at the other extreme. Then men
saw only the doleful in art, read only the doleful in books, and
heard only the doleful on the stage and in the pulpit. Humanity's
pendulum has swung from the extreme of unnatural seriousness
to the other extreme of empty, meaningless gaiety. The age is
abnormal. It is frivolous about the serious, and serious about the
frivolous. The great problem of the present is to find the true
note in literature, art and religion.
We
shall not find this true note in the doleful serious, nor in
974 IMPROVEMENT ERA
empty "which today is and tomorrow is not." Where
frivolity,
shall we seek Let us go first to nature for a lesson. Nature
it?
is true. What does she teach? Let us look at God's expression
of the beautiful in the indiscernable blending of light and shadow,
as the sun sinks in the West. We are pleased, but we do not in-
dulge in loud laughter. We do not giggle. Listen to the song of
the bird. Again we are pleased. What is our impression? If
we express it in words we are likely to repeat the old familiar
phrase, "That bird sings as if its heart would break." One note
in the song of a bird holds the deep secret which has baffled the
philosophers from Aristotle to Bergson. Why does the bird's
song which is both sad and glad, please us? Whoever truly an-
swers this question will give the divine plan and purpose of ex-
istence.
Robert G. Ingersoll bitterly railed against nature and God be-
cause in every age cruelty's harsh oppression has left sorrow in
its trail across the centuries. But in a saner mood, the great
agnostic caught a glimpse of the truth and said, "Great music is
always sad, because it tells us of the perfect." There is also glad-
ness in great music. When we become great enough to perfectly
blend in the human tone the glad with the sad, we shall hear the
true note in music. There will linger in that note a strain of sad-
ness to help us to know we are glad. It is the constant conscious-
ness that we are choosing the beautiful, where we could choose
the ugly, that makes life pleasurable.
An old prophet of the American continent, in the homely
phrase, "All things must needs be a compound in one," gives
divine sanction for the truth of the words, "Even in the vase of
joy we find some tears." This Book of Mormon phrase holds the
riddle which has baffled the efforts of the philosophers in all ages
to find the real nature of existence. The failure of Mrs. Eddy to
learn the deep, profound truth, bound up in these plain words,
gave rise to Christian Science, whose bedrock fallacy is the notion
that perfection for mortals is a settled, fixed state instead of a
state of "adversity" upon whose "golden rounds" of calamities
we ascend, and ever ascend, in the ceaseless joy of increasing ex-
perience, knowdedge and glory.
The truth lies deeper than art. Indeed, if we could maintain
child-like naturalness there would be no place for art. Henri
Bergson, the most noted living philosopher, in his "Essay on the
Comic," reaches this conclusion: "If we could enter into imme-
diate communion with things and with ourselves, probably art
would be-useless, for then our souls would continually vibrate in
perfect accord with nature." The truest art is the most perfect,
merely human expression of the true and beautiful. Religion is
the absolutely perfect expression of the true and beautiful, by the
joint act of God and man. If the teacher of religion fails to im-
 !

THE TRUE NOTE 975

press us, it is because the truth he expresses is not a part of him

by reason of his own soul's verification of it, or else he expresses
his truth with more or less intensity than he feels it.
The devout Latter-day Saint pays his best compliment to the
preacher by saying, "Your sermon had the true ring." What does
he mean ? Simply that the speaker was in tune with the truth
expressed, and expressed it with the same intensity that he feels
it. It is because many Christian ministers have not "the testi-
mony of Jesus," and have not experienced the truth they essay
to teach, that they resort to the use of unnatural tones and grim-
aces to feign sanctimoniousness. The human voice is a more
wonderful instrument than the delicately constructed machine
that transmits the wireless message. The voice transmutes the
whole truth which the soul holds into sound vibrations that carry
the speaker's full message, whether of light or life, to souls tuned
to receive it. Because of this unfailing faithfulness of the human
voice, it carries to our souls deep confirmation of the greatest
truth known, when some "prophet of the soul," who has, through
the eyes of faith, seen the warm countenance of Beneficence,
says, just as he feels and knows it, "I know that my Redeemer
lives."
Yes, we must look deeper than art for the truth about the
apparent paradox of existences. How could he who was Truth
say, "My burden is easy?" The philosopher cannot tell. We
must turn to God's revelations for the answer. The Bible invites
us to "anoint" ourselves with the "oil of gladness," and the Doc-
trine and Covenants strongly disapproves of loud laughter.
What
is the conclusion? The true, sane, spiritual mood is somewhere
between mourning and hilarity. The doleful note running through
as the
the theology of the dark ages is as abnormal and unnatural
meaningless flippancv that now speaks to us from the stage,

art, and literature. True religion is true to the truest nature. It

makes us feel that "life is real, life is earnest," and it also makes
us feel that life is earnest, life is mirth. True religion mingles
the
seriousness of solid, enduring reality with gladness, to make
joy
everlasting. The proof of the false is that it does not endure.
The test of the true is that it is eternal. The pleasure that ends
in remorse is born of error. The joy that lasts, and becomes ever
and ever fuller, springs from the fountain of truth in which the
a few
divine Alchemist has blended, in some inscrutable way,
tears with innocent mirth to make a "compound in one."
The way of the world and vanity is through pleasure to
joy. The ways
despair. The way of God is through sacrifice to
ways of God are peace. Look at Europe
of man are mocking the
;

What is the matter with her ? She has passed through three de-
cades of empty, giddy gaiety and now her social
;
pendulum has
extreme, and she is now madly tearing down
swung to the other
 !

976 IMPROVEMENT ERA

the monuments erected by the greatness and genius of the past,
and drenching half the world with the blood of human kind.
And thus the whole dark, sad history of sin can be written in one
short line First, selfish pleasure
: then, hopeless, mad despair.
;

The inspiration of the Bible is eternally established in the fact that

declares the truth which every soul some time, in some way,
it

learns to be true
—"The wages of sin is death
!"

The oscillation of the soul between hope and hopelessness is

despair. The poise of the soul in the orbit of truth is The

peace.
"straight way" is as true and steady as the
star. The "broad way"
is swift and giddy, and leads as swiftly to the remorse whose sting
is "sharper than the serpent's tooth." The gay without the seri-
ous will not stay. The failure of man to understand that "sacri-
fice brings forth the blessings of heaven," has made the history of
humanity, the story of woe's dark tragedy. From the crushed
grapes of our holy sorrows is distilled the joy in which no deceit-
ful vanity lurks.
As the solemn concsiousness that this world was receding
came over Sir Walter Scott, he turned to a friend and said, "Read
to me." "From what book," asked the faithful attendant "There
is only one Book," was the great novelist's response. It can be
said with equal truth, there is only one life, the life of the per-
fect One. He walked all the long way through life wedded to
truth. And yet we say he was the Man of Sorrows. Can it be
that the Master of the issues of life and death did not know the
way to joy? What about his "yoke that was easy," his truth that
made men free, and his "water" that makes men thirst no more ?
Ah, yes, he knew joy. He found it in the cup which the human
in him fain would remove from his lips But he was more divine
!

than human, and so he drank of the bitter cup. are more hu- We
man than divine, therefore we frequently push aside the serious
reality which the cup of obedience holds, and grasp frantically for
the seeming gaiety of careless ease and vanity; and find in our
hand only the ease that turns instantly to despair, and in the
depths of our souls, hear truth's pathetic verdict, "You failed
You failed!"
Again we ask the question, which is old and also new, what
is the true course for the soul, continually mocked and tormented,
as it restlessly flees from remorse to fleeting, selfish pleasure and
finds only greater remorse ? The name of it is one of the plainest
and homeliest words in all the languages of the race. It is often
on the lips of prophets, but too seldom in the hearts of any of us.
It sounded warning to the ante-diluvians before their destruc-
tion its shrill, piercing note rang through the wilderness when
;

the Baptist made "straight the way" for the Prince of Peace and ;

it was one of the first words spoken by the Son of God, in his

earthly ministry. It is "Repentance."

 THE TRUE NOTE 977

The the truest, and the greatest personality of

strongest,
modern times, when he wanted deeply
to impress upon the minds
of those who worked with him for the establishment of the king-
dom of salvation and peace, admonished them to teach "nothing
but faith and repentance to this generation." We could ask for
no stronger confirmation of the divinity of the calling of Joseph
Smith than that found in the fact that he so plainly and specific-
ally emphasized these two forces, which through the atonement of
Christ, have in the past, do now, and ever will break the galling
shackles of sin, and lead the soul to peace and joy. Faith and re-
pentance ! How
plain these two words seem. And yet there is
locked up in them a wealth and depth of philosophy which only
eternity can fully reveal. Faith, the first, and ever first, is the
very mouth of the soul through which the soul receives its nour-
ishing life, the Spirit of Truth. Repentance, second but never
to be laid aside, is the daily dying within of evil to give life to
the holy motive that unfailingly leads from sin. Let the trans-
gressor go where he will, live as long as he will, he never will
find the haven of rest until, in his heart, he says with holy ardor,
!"
and go to my Father
"I will arise
The Prophet Isaiah knew the path that leads straight be-
tween the pleasure that mockingly darts away, just as we com-
mence to enjoy, and the soul's remorse when it hears its own sad
verdict, "I failed." He knew that the straight way is paved with
the gold of truth, and that those who walk in it have in their souls
the "stainless peace" that smiles from the distant star, because the
star is held in rest by the strong arms of unchanging law. He
voiced God's call to the race of every age and every clime when
he invited man to offer to God the sacrifice of a "broken heart and
a contrite spirit." This is not a call to dolefulness. It is not an
invitation to moan and weep. It is an invitation to let into our
lives thesoul-mellowing light of the Spirit of Truth, that despair
may take the wings of hope, and arise from its dungeon. It is
not a call to walk dejectedly, but an invitation to walk upward
in the glad consciousness of overcoming and being continually
ennobled.
Israel's exodus from Egyptian bondage typifies the soul's
deliverance from sin. So, too, the eating of the flesh of the lamb,
with the bitter herbs an dunleavened bread, or bread hastily pre-
pared, on the eve before Israel's departure from Egypt, typifies
the contriteness of spirit, which is the true and continuing mood
of all those who are ever and ever being delivered from evil. The
paschal ceremony dramatizes the true contrition that mingles a
little of the sadness of regret for the past failures with
the glad-
ness of triumph. The sadness of regret holds us from turning
back, the hope of overcoming bears us ever upward. The united
and blended two, serious regret and buoyant joy, hold the soul
 ! ;

978 IMPROVEMENT ERA

in the rhythmic gladness of the life that does not mockingly alter-
nate between gaiety and despair, but is ever and ever becoming
fuller and fuller, truer and truer
God's call to contriteness of spirit is not an injunction to mo-
mentarily take on the soul's true normal mood it is a call to walk
;

all the long way, through life, in the majestic, unoffending, un-
despairing poise and beauty of humility. Pride is unnatural. It
is dishonesty. It is deceit. Contriteness of spirit is candor, truth
and oneness with God. "I will dwell in the high and holy place
with him also that is of humble heart and contrite spirit." To be
bound to God by the chains of truth is poise and peace.
It is the mellow soil, moistened by the dew and warmed by
the sunlight, that breaks the husk of the seed and lets out its life
to grow towards the light. And it is the soul, mellowed to contri-
tion by the tears of Godly regret and warmed by the "Light of
Christ," that germinates the seeds of truth and makes them grow
to the full fruition of Christian character. The hard, dry soil is
sterile, and the cold, hard soul is dead "Of all acts," says Car-
!

lyle, "is not for man, repentance the most divine? The deadliest
sin, I say, were that same supercilious consciousness of no sin
that is death the heart so conscious is divorced from sincerity,
;

humility, and fact; is dead; it is 'pure' as dead dry sand is pure."

But in contriteness of spirit, the soul "thirsts for the righteous-
ness" which fills life with all the light and joy it knows.
The apostle Paul, was both prophet and philosopher. He
knew that the holy sorrow which we sanctify to our purification
is transmuted into the "oil of gladness." He invites us to follow
him through the repentance born of "Godly sorrow," to the life so
true and pure that it needs not "to be repented of." "Godly sor-
how" for sin, is the soul's only honest attitude to evil. Even the
Gods weep because man, through the deceitfulness of error, and
oft times through selfish perverseness, fails to find truth's pleasant
repose. Moreover, the apostle says, "The sorrow of the world
worketh death." If we were to see in these words what Paul
saw, we would see in the soul of an unbelieving, "erring one,"
selfish remorse desperately and hopelessly struggling to adjust
the soul with the economy of things, without honestly, truly, and
courageously turning from error to the true and good for the
Godly love of truth.
"The sorrow of the world" says, "I have been indiscreet. I
am out of joint with society. I am sad." It goes no farther, for
"it is dead."
But "Godly sorrow" says, "I have offended God. I have in-
sulted the fair majesty of truth. For God's sake, I regret my mis-
deed. For truth's sake, I am sorry. I am tired of the husks of
sin.
Then the "spirit of truth" lets in the light of hope, and "God-
 THE TRUE NOTE 979

ly sorrow," in honest sincerity, exclaims, "I still love God;

its
truth to me is majesty and nobility. I will arise and go to
still

my father." This "Godly sorrow" turns to joy because it is true.

All things that are true and beautiful turn to joy. The "sorrow
of the world" commences in despair and ends with despair.
"Repentance is a gift of God." The regret of the soul for
misdeeds is only turned into "Godly sorrow" by the Spirit of
God. Not until the light of hope, which the atonement of Christ
holds, comes into the soul, is dead despair made alive in "Godly
sorrow" that "worketh repentance unto salvation." Man cannot
save himself! He cannot mend the shattered human will. God
alone can do that. When man's despair is kissed by the hope in
the atonement of Jesus Christ, God's will is welded to the human
will, and by the joint act of God and man, salvation is wrought
out. This is the only way.
The very morning I wrote this paragraph, my little three-
year-old boy broke my glasses. True to the soul's instinct that,
for every wrong there must be reparation, he came to me, looked
up appealingly, and said, "Daddy, I broke your glasses. Do you
like me ?" In my anger I said rather sharply, "No, daddy doesn't
like you." Then, even the child's remorse turned to stubbornness.
He puckered his little lip and looked defiance at me. He was
belligerent. He stepped out, picked up a rock, came in and de-
fiantly said, "The baby will hit you you don't like the baby."
;

After a moment, I put my arm gently about him, and said ten-
derly, "Daddy does like the baby." Instantly the little tears
came to his eyes, and then he smiled to me through his tears, the
truth of the almost incomprehensible doctrine of the atonement,
the doctrine against which skeptics, from the time of Christ, have
hurled the epithets molded of their misunderstanding. It was
not until the child was assured of forgiveness that his little spirit
mellowed into oneness with me.
One aspect of the atonement is simply this. Salvation means
emancipation from the shackles of sin.
The soul's own dead despair cannot lift it from the dungeon.
Through and by the hope the atonement offers, man's sorrow is
transmuted into "Godly sorrow," and in that "Godly sorrow" the
strength of God is given to man and the sin-bound soul is set free.
Is the doctrine true? Experience says, yes. And "The test of
truth," says Emerson, "is that it finds a response in the soul."
In contriteness of spirit there is wisdom. What were wis-
dom but knowledge steadied by the brain's consciousness of its
fallibility and limitations. The swift haste of the giddy gay is
.imprudence; the earnest seeking of the humble for right and
truth is wisdom. And were it not for offendmg the professor I
would add: Humility is wisdom, and wisdom is "sanity." If you
take out of the life of Lincoln the sublime humility that mingles
980 IMPROVEMENT ERA
prudence with grace, in his speeches and state papers, the mem-
ory of the great and tender-hearted Emancipator would be lost
in oblivion, the treasure house of all things that are not worth
while. "A haughty spirit goeth before a fall ;" the humble, in
faith, hold securely the "iron rod" of revealed truth and go not
astray.
Contriteness of spirit is life. Light is life. The sunbeam
which of a morning steals through the checkered bars of the
prison makes the spirits of the inmates awaken into life. So
when we contritely open our souls, and let in the "Light of
Christ," we receive renewed life. "The Light of Christ" in us, is
Christ with us. "I will dwell with him also that is of a humble
and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the contrite ones." It
was no unreasoned preference that impelled Christ to say that the
publican, who cried to God for mercy, is justified, rather than the
self-righteous Pharisee. The biologist tells us that physical life
is energy's ceaseless adjustment of matter, so that there will be a

"continuous rhythmic surging onward." So repentance is the

soul's ceaseless consciousness of its need of adjusting itself to an
ever better and truer life, that makes the soul continually "surge
onward," in the rhythmic, daily dying of evil to make place for
the ever-living and ever-increasing good. The Pharisee knew
no need of "adjusting" himself with truth and God. Hence, he
was dead. Stagnation is death. The Publican, through faith in
God, could see the deathly turpitude and malignity of his sin. This
faith within him turned into that "thirst for righteousness" which
makes the soul ever live in the joy of eternally being filled and fed
with light and truth.
Contriteness of spirit is glory. The glad, ceaseless, "rhyth-
mic surging onward" of the soul, in which the evil of ever-de-
creasing magnitude is "dying daily," and the good of ever-
increasing magnitude is being "revived" and strengthened, as the
soul ever and ever gathers into its urn eternity's limitless wealth
—
of goodness, beauty and truth this is glory. There is no other
worth the name.
What then is the conclusion of the whole matter? The
homely sentence "All things must needs be a compound in one,"
:

holds the deepest philosophy of any sentence in the language.

"Even in the voice of joy there are some tears." Under the bur-
den graciously born is the abode of ease. In the depths of hu-
mility are the heights of glory. The contrite in heart hear the
true note in the ceaseless melody of the universe. They walk
in rhythmic gladness along truth's straight way of peace, up to
God.
 PRESIDENT CHARLES F. MIDDLETON
Born, Washington county, 111.,
February 24 ^«4;
Middleton
dW Ogden
liap^ ea
Uuh A^J.
1915; son of William and Mary H. ^1^ ived blessings
years of age, he was confirmed
from each succeeding P"«dent of
by he
the
Prophet
^ch
Joseph
He camen
relig ous civil,
^^ to «JU h ,g 50 settling in
m -
ssionary t0
Ogden, where he was a beloved leader states a
Salmon river, and to the eastern
later
uns
^ or
^ h
,n
^ presidencies,
police judge; cap-
from 1877 until. his death; ^^Jff^^^o^d of Education, and Weber Acad-

^^^t^™£^«&^»
good.
steel, faithful and ever doing

,
 Choosing a Vocation^
BY SAMUEL CLAWSON, OF THE ENSIGN STAKE

An absorbing problem that forever faces a boy is his future.

Probably the biggest question mark of boyhood is, "What shall I
be when I'm a man?" Rather early in youth he has to forsake
his fond hopes of becoming a pirate or a highway robber. After
the wreck of these air castles he confronts the problem in a new
light. He faces now the neces-
sity of choosing his vocation
once and for all. And inas-
much as it involves his future
success or failure, his happi-
ness and his usefulness in so-
ciety, it should be to him a se-
rious question. He should
give careful thought to its
consideration.
But perhaps the parents
of a boy have chosen his voca-
tion for him and he, like a
dutiful son, has acceded to
their wishes. To that boy I
have nothing to say. Perhaps
like a great number
of others
he is drifting with the winds
and tide of circumstances into
his vocation. To them also I
have nothing to say. But to
SAMUEL CLAWSON the boy who has the freedom
of choice, the strength of mind
and the earnestness of purpose to determine seriously for himself
what his life's work shall be, I have a message. And if I succeed
in being of any help to that boy my desire will be realized.
The deciding factor with many boys is the money considera-
tion. The seeming promise of a large income in a vocation is the
great inducement to a boy, for boys, like all of us, are human.
But even aside from that defense, we must recognize the fact
that the comforts of this world were made for man's enjoyment.
With society at present, the greater part of these comforts is rep-
*This oration won second place in the Senior M. I. A. public
speaking contest, June, 1915.
 CHOOSING A VOCATION 983

resented by a large income. And if a man seek to gain these

satisfactions he is surely justified in so doing, provided, he shall

give value received and tread no fellow creature in the dust. We

can then hold him guilty of no moral wrong.
Shall we say then that the question of income should be the
primary consideration in choosing a vocation? No, indeed not.
—
At the summit of every vocation law, teaching, business, jour-
—
nalism, engineering stand out prominently in every community
a handful of men who are highly skilled and large-salaried in pro-
portion. One of these men could not undertake the vocation of
another and succeed equally well in it. Lower down in these
same vocations are large numbers who are inferior in skill and
ill-paid in consequence. In this class, unlike the others, there is a
constant movement of men from one vocation to another. The
man who fails as a teacher experiments with law, and the man
who fails in both law and teaching enters into a business project.
With these men society pays for efficiency and skill and for noth-
ing else. Do not be deceived into supposing that the law or med-
icine are roads to greater wealth and success than teaching or
journalism it is not so. The sooner that a boy can have engraved
;

deeply on his mind the truth that society pays for the quality of
the work done, regardless of the kind of vocation, the greater will
be his ultimate success.
There should be but one consideration in choosing a voca-
tion. It is fundamental, it is simple, it is natural. I am con-

vinced that is the way God intended us to find our places in soci-
ety. One should choose the vocation that best fits his type of
character. Isn't this the way that we presage the future of our
companions ? When we see a quiet, hard-working, young fellow,
who cares little for social functions but who is fond of nature and
takes delight in working in his garden, we immediately say,
"What an excellent farmer he would make!" When we see a
boy with a striking personality, who is a clear thinker and a fear-
less speaker in public, we say at once, "There's our future court
lawyer or legislator." The sympathetic boy about whom the chil-
dren delight to gather is the coming teacher, in our eyes. These
boys seem to have been born to their work. At least during youth
they have apparently grown to fit these vocations.
But these conclusions are the result of observation. How can
a boy judge for himself what vocation his character will best
suit? This is not an insurmountable difficulty. Remember, char-
acter expresses itself in natural inclinations and desires. Every
boy has some useful kind of work which he performs, not be-
cause duty demands it or because a reward will be forthcoming,
but just because he enjoys doing that kind of work. This repre-
sents his inclination, this is the expression of his character
voca-
tionally. I know a young man who is reasonably successful
with
984 IMPROVEMENT ERA
his books and who, therefore, persuades himself that his greatest
success will be in the school room. Yet the moment his school
work is finished he dons an old pair of overalls and absorbs him-
self for hours in tinkering with an automobile or bicycle. He is
not required to do this. Thus, you see, his natural inclination
makes of him a mechanic. Tom Jones works his way through
school by reporting for a newspaper. But his lessons receive half
the attention they should and his newspaper twice the attention
necessary to earn his money. With reluctance he leaves his re-
porting for his books and with alacrity he forsakes his studies to
write up a piece of news. He is a journalist by nature. Let this
be your motto the boy's hobby is the man's vocation.
:

But suppose a boy be unskilful in his hobby? is he then to

make it his vocation ? Yes, even in that case a boy should make
his favorite pastime his vocation. The presence of that very in-
clination indicates a latent ability. And his interest in the work
will lend the necessary impetus to his endeavor that will develop
the faculty. Do you know, O. Henry worked for seven years
before he was able to write a story that an editor would publish ?
So long was he excluded from print that his friends pronounced
him a failure as an author. And yet he developed an ability to
write that made him America's greatest short story writer. Genius
has but two qualities, a whole-souled inclination for a certain
work and unflagging energy in doing that work.
But let me add a caution. Be sure that the inclination is the
most natural expression of your character. Do not be deceived
by some idle fancy. This mistake was made by a young man of
our community. He imagined himself arguing cases of national
interest before the Supreme Court of the United States with such
unanswerable logic that the public were amazed at his intellect.
So fascinating were those pictures that he persuaded himself that
his inclination was for the practice of law. But after he had
hopelessly tangled his brains with technical details and broken
his fighting spirit with several severe defeats, his interest in law
left him and he drifted into other vocations. In contrast with this,
another young man of our community early acquired an aptitude
for playing an old organ. His long-suffering relatives were soon
compelled to relegate him and his ancient organ to the barn. In
spite of derision he continued to play that old instrument, without
danger now to anybody's health. His was not an idle fancy, for
out of his boyish inclination he developed excellent musical ability.
This man is our own Evan Stephens. He has been for years con-
ductor of the world's most famous choir, and has commanded the
admiration not only of the people of this intermountain region,
but of the nation at large.
And now, boys, I ask you to consider this matter carefullv,
for yours alone is the ultimate decision. Remember that on your
 CHOOSING A VOCATION 985

selection of a vocationmay depend in great measure not only your

own happiness and success but also the happiness and comfort of
those who will look to you for support. You may never be able
to estimate the consequences of a wrong choice. When you con-
sider this, bear in mind that every vocation offers a good chance
for wealth and that your income will depend largely on the de-
gree of your efficiency. For this reason do not make wealth a
vital consideration. Choose, rather, the vocation that will best
develop your strongest natural tendencies, and that will expand
your character into its fulness of power. Then will you have
found the road that leads to that great goal of vocational endeavor
— success.

Yellow Clover Blossoms

Little yellow clover blossom,
Shining on your stem,
I would know, from you, your secret,
Prize it as a gem.
Busy bees around you flutter
Sipping nature's sweet,
Feeding thousands with your nectar,
Making life complete.
Tell me, little clover blossom,
In your language clear,
How you gather all your sweetness,
Breathing love and cheer?
You must surely hold communion
With the courts above,
Quaffing wisdom from that fountain,
Flowing out with love.
Spake the little clover blossom,
Told her story true,
Told of love and joyous service
'Neath the sky so blue.
Said, if man would learn her secret
And in truth be free,
He must drink from nature's fountain
In humility.
God no fear nor favor,
Said, with
(Love and law are one)
Naught but joy and choicest blessings
Where done.
his will is

They who will may

gather sweetness
And through life, forsooth,
They who will may hold communion
With the God of truth.
M. A. Stewart.
MESA, ARIZONA
 Nathan, Come Home!
BY F. E. BARKER

"Nathan, come home !" These were the words of President

Brigham Young, received in a brief letter by his nephew in
?bout the year 1850. They were words indited with all the wis-
dom of a philosopher and the inspiration of a prophet. Obedience
to them might have resulted to a promising young man in a life of
honor, happiness and perchance of immortal fame and unfading
glory. But mark the lesson.
It was in a Hospital for Old Men, in the city of Parra-
matta, about 20 miles inland from Sidney, New South Wales,
Australia, on the 24th day of July, 1899, these words were
rehearsed, in pathetic sadness, by Nathan Young to two or
three "Mormon" elders, for whom he had sent, after learning
that they were in that vicinity. Nathan Young was then appar-
ently a broken down old man, 72 years of age, and having
the appearance of being in the last lingering weeks of a wasted
life. He was a nephew, he said, of President Brigham Young,
the latter having married a Miss Angell, sister of architect
Truman O. Angell, and a sister also of Nathan's own mother.
Nathan had been baptized when 16 years of age in the Mississippi
River by Brigham Young, and was in Nauvoo at the time of
the martyrdom of the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
He started westward with his people in the great Exodus, and
became a member of the "Mormon" Battalion. After the long
march of that heroic band, he re-enlisted, in California, in
July, 1848 and after eight months further service for his
;

country, he was mustered out in the midst of the gold excitement

of those days. He went to the gold fields, and accumulated a
considerable sum of money.
It was then that he wrote to President Young: "Uncle,
what shall I do?" The answer also was brief as it was fraught
—
with prophetic wisdom "Nathan, come home!"
But Nathan loitered, and soon his money slipped through
his fingers. He caught the gold fever of Australia, then coming
to its height, and hastened to that far off land. When the
writer saw him there, nearly fifty years afterward, he appeared
to be the veriest wreck of his former self, dissipated, disappointed,
and probably in the last ligering stages of disease. Good for-
tune had failed to attend him in that land his life had been a
;

varied and a hard one, full of trials and vicissitudes. He shed

 NATHAN, COME HOME 987

he contemplated what he had lost, com-

bitter tears, indeed, as
pared with what had been achieved by his people as recounted
by us.
Among other things, he gave vent to such thoughts as
these: "Yes if I had followed Uncle Brigham's counsel, no
;

doubt I would have lived and prospered with my people my ;

hopes would have been anchored, and I would have been happy.
Instead, I have lived a life of dissipation a wandering celi-
bate, and have become an object of charity. I have reaped my

harvest, and it means to me the depths, yea the very dregs of

disappointment and failure. Had I obeyed that short message,
I would have been one with my people, married one of the fair
daughters of Zion, and would have had a posterity to bear my
name in honorable remembrance to future generations, and the
name of Nathan Young would not, perchance, have been destined
to be lost from the earth. —
But now I am alone no children,
no home, and until I heard of you I felt I had no people, no
dear ones on earth."
As we talked to him, tears of joy filled his eyes at the
thought of having been brought back into communication with
his people. Then I said : "Yes, brother, it has been a great
disappointment to you, indeed, during a very long period, and
now your Uncle Brigham has gone to the other side but yet you
;

may picture, in your mind's eye, that he is still calling, beckoning

from the realms of immortality, 'Nathan, come home!' But,
said I, there is another call first, if you wish to heed it. There
is a cousin of yours, Brigham Young, yet living, an apostle
of Jesus Christ, teaching a gospel truth that if you will you
may yet come and partake, and you may weld links that will
give you a life of eternal increase and immortality, even in
the world to come. Brigham Young says now to you, 'Nathan,
come home!' As the president of the Australian Mission, I
will write him, and let him tell you himself."
Then the old man's hopes seemed to return with great buoy-
ancy, and he rejoiced beyond description as we blessed him, as the
servants of the Lord, and promised to remember him in our
prayers. In a few weeks, his health had, in a degree, returned,
and I befriended him by preparing application and proofs for a
pension, which afterward resulted in his getting a neat sum from
the American government. In due time loving words came
from his own sister, Rachael Frazer, of Wanship, Utah; and
from his cousin Brigham, in Salt Lake City, came the message
again "Nathan, come home."
:

In course of time, he was sent to Zion with emigrating

Saints, and rejoiced with his relatives and his beloved people,
and his bones were there laid to rest, by the tender hands of
his loved ones, after he had reached an advanced old age.
 — —

988 IMPROVEMENT ERA

But all through his life, from the days of his early man-
hood, there rang through the ears of Nathan Young that mes-
sage, so searching and full of meaning
—
"Nathan, come home !"

Nathan, when youthful, was loyal and true,

And in ranks of true patriots stood,
And he marched 'neath the flag: the red, white and blue,
In the cause of the just and the good.
But temptation was strong that allured him to roam,
—
When a message from Brigham called "Nathan, come home!"
The glint of fair fortune and gold in their gleam
Beckoned hard to his young heart to spurn
That voice of the Seer, and he followed his dream
Ere homeward again he would turn.
—
But it burned in his heart "O Nathan, don't roam!"
—
'Twas the voice of the Prophet "Now, Nathan, come home!"

As he wandered afar 'neath the Cross of the South,

And fortune ne'er came to his hand,
Though his feet oft were blistered, and thirst-parched his mouth,
While vainly he searched through the land,
There would come to his soul, like the wind in its moan,
—
"Uncle Brigham has called you O Nathan, come home!"

His heart oft was faint in that land far away,

Where the seeds of his ruin were sown,

******
For sad was the gloom, the awful dismay,
To think of that message, and own
That unheeded it came ere he wandered alone,

But a
—
When his loved one, the Prophet, called "Nathan,

message from Brigham there came once again,

When Nathan was aged and infirm,
come home!"

And his heart, being softened, he gladdened that then

There was help and he homeward could turn;
And he roused, and accepted that call o'er the foam
From Brigham, the younger— "Now, Nathan, come home!"
He came forth to Zion his loved ones he met,
And accomplished his mission before
He was bidden beyond by those words, ringing yet,
E'en that message repeated once more
"O Nathan, now come, on the earth cease to roam"
—
'Twas Brigham, the Prophet, called "Nathan, come home!"

SALT LAKE CITY

UTAH BUILDING, PANAMA-CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION, SAN DIEGO
The Panama-California Exposition, at San Diego, is located on a
1,400-acre park of rolling hills. Situated in the midst of the city, the
park will continue a public ground, and the trees and flowers and a
number of the buildings will fortunately remain permanent. The west
approach is by a great reinforced concrete viaduct of the "cantilever
uni type," a masterpiece of engineering which bridges the cabrillo
canyon. It is 1,010 feet long, and rises from a stream and lily pond
130 feet below. From its parapets one gets an idea of the marvelous
planting of trees and flowers of all kinds which constitutes one of the
most important features of the exposition. Pepper, palm, and euca-
lyptus jungles and groves, a tea plantation, and the varied agriculture
of the great southwest, grow in rich profusion. Spanish style of archi-
tecture dominates— everything is Spanish colonial— Indian, Mexican
and Mission types have here received a new birth.

A VIEW OF THE
viJiw ur xxx PANAMA-CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION FAIR GROUNDS,
san DIEGO
 —

The Solid and Enduring Satisfactions

of Life

BY DR. E. J. MAC EWAN, PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH, KALAMAZOO

COLLEGE, MICHIGAN

[The principal speaker to the June 8, 1915, graduating class of

the State Agricultural College of Utah, on the occasion of the twenty-
fifth anniversary of the opening of the college for service, was Dr. E. J.
MacEwan, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. His address is a strong appeal
to the youth of our land to seek the solid satisfactions of life. What
to do to obtain these, and what to avoid, are clearly set forth in the
address. Editors.]

Friends and Members of the Graduating Class:

When, four years ago, you entered upon your college career,
you began a search for the sources of the solid and enduring sat-
isfactions of life. —
These are still your objective not the gratifi-
cations of this hour, or of tomorrow, but those satisfactions which
will last and increase. Of these the one indispensable, the basis
of all others, is physical health. The educated young person ought
to be a clean, wholesome, vigorous animal. This is the foundation
for everything else. Upon this is built everything in this world
of domestic joy and professional success, everything of a useful
and honorable career. This being clean, vigorous animals, full of
vitality, involves much more than you are likely to suppose. It
imolies not condescending to the common barbaric vices. It in-
volves avoiding gluttony, drunkenness, sensuality and unclean-
ness of every kind. It involves having a body, a fit habitation for
God Almighty. It is a splendid, thing for youth to have animal
spirits —a finely descriptive phrase. It is a healthy thing to enjoy
each day of college life and of after life, sports and active sportive
bodily exercise. Athletics and calisthenics have always been as-
sociated with the achievements of mind in every successful civil-
ization. Vigor of body assists mental accomplishment. But play
must be an incidental in a satisfactory life.
Next, to make sure of durable satisfactions in life, you ought
to develop a faculty of strong mental grip, a wholesome talent for
hard intellectual exertion. You aimed at intellectual power and
purpose. In all the occupations — learned,
commercial,
scientific,
industrial —
large mental enjoyments should come to the educated
man or woman. The great distinction between you who have had
opportunity for prolonged education and the larger class lacking
 ENDURING SATISFACTIONS OF LIFE 991

this opportunity is that you will live largely by the exercise of in-
tellectual powers, and therefore get greater enjoyment from life
than those who live largely by the exercise of bodily power. You
ought, therefore, to have obtained here trained capacity for men-
tal labor, rapid, intense, sustained, the power of keen observation,
just influence, and unfailing foresight. Mr. Wilson has said that
college graduates of this country have no right to a distinctive
place in any community unless they can show it by intellectual
achievement; and that if a college is a place for distinction at all,
it must be distinguished by the conquest of the mind. So firmly
does Mr. Wilson believe in the intellectual side of college life that
he has said if the Angel Gabriel should apply for admission to
Princeton, and fail to pass a rigid entrance examination, he would
be told to go about his business and not waste his time in that col-
lege. He indicated another side when he said that if Satan should
apply, bringing a dozen extra credits from the most famous sec-
ondary school in America, all rated A, he, for other reasons,
—
would not be admitted and not encouraged to go about his
business.
But there is something beyond vigorous phvsical health and
acquired power of intellectual labor. The objective of all worthy
higher education is intelligent, wholesome, earnest manhood and
womanhood the means to this objective, the use of all phases of
:

college life —
class-room exercise, library, laboratory, including
the farm and the shop, social life and the various organized stu-
dent actitvities and along with these intimate relations with in-
;

structors of large ability, unquestionable equipment, lofty charac-

ter, and strong and sympathetic personality. Is not this sound ed-
ucational theory?
Higher education should help in the formation of right ideals,
not only of thinking, but of doing and living. It must not only
train the mind to think, but the imagination to see and create, the
heart to feel and desire, and the will to determine to have, to be,
and to do that which is noblest and best. Never in the history
of America has the college had more need than today to hold
clearlv before itself the great intellectual and spiritual purpose of
its work, —
to stimulate, to awaken, to quicken, to feel never has
;

the nation had more need of the help of educational institutions.

We are a country of wonderful material advancement and wealth,
butwe cannot remain truly great without spiritual development.
No people can succeed permanently without high aims and ideals.
Peach must exceed grasp. It is the business of college men and
women, consciously to strive to develop the reach.
Your State is the gem of the Rockies. As rich as California
in gold, and as Colorado in silver and lead, it excels them in its
great, gleaming beds of precious stones. The cattle on a thou-
sand hills are yours. Billowy herds of sheep surge on the moun-
 ;

992 IMPROVEMENT ERA

tain sides. Viewed from the foot-hills, rich, well-tilled fields
checker the broad valleys with green and gold, and are dotted with
neat and delightful farm hamlets. So fertile and diversified is
your soil and so varied the climate that the cereals and roots of
the temperate zone flourish in some parts while the fruits and
other productions of a warmer clime abound in others. Miners'
cabins cluster in gulches and canyons. Every source of industry
that goes to the making of a great, independent commonwealth is
here, and is being rapidly and thoroughly developed. A gener-
ous government is placing in your hands vast means, supple-
mented by the appropriations of a far-sighted legislature, to per-
fect your agriculture and allied industries, to conserve your ma-
terial resources, and to render your homes sanitary, convenient,
attractive and even luxurious. You have been trained here,
young gentlemen and ladies, to do your part in this material de-
velopment, and you will do it well. And here is a source of solid
enduring satisfaction in life.
But you have a still higher work to do, if along with this you
would still further secure solid, enduring satisfaction.
Many of the old forces for good that furnished past genera-
tions a present helo in time of trouble have ceased to be operative
or are fast losing their efficiencv. We
are no longer a Bible-reading
people the church and the Sunday school are losing their hold
;

family life is fast becoming less intimate and watchful respect ;

for law and authority is decreasing, while forces for evil are
steadily multiplying. The moving picture shows, in spite of the
censors, and the vaudevilles, cheap and commonplace, if not
vulgar, the trashy magazine, the scandalous reports and the vul-
gar comic Sunday supplement of the newspaper are but a few of
the agencies at work, which have already helped to bring about a
cheapening of ideals, a lowering of standards, a blunting of the
finer sensibilities and distinctions, ominiously perceptible in the
American people, both adult and youth.
The lust for material, commercial and political power blinds
""en to their public duties and most solid personal satisfactions.
There is too much passion for gain, and pessimism toward national
institutions. If we
are to avoid the paralyzing curse of class and
caste and secure we must remember that equal-
social satisfaction
ity, personal liberty, and all our free institutions are the offspring
of religion, and so hold fast to the moral, the ethical, the religious,
in our search for the solid and enduring satisfactions in life.
Don't be afraid of religion. It's a good companion. Religion
is just the art of living — —
and nothing else, living with head, and
heart, and hand with eye, ear, palate, with conscience and rever-
;

ence. It .is the life of the whole man. Living less than this is not
religion living more is impossible.
: Religion is reverence for
God, and loyalty to God, regard for the rights and feelings of fel-
 ENDURING SATISFACTIONS OF LIFE 993

low men. It is doing justly, loving mercy, having pity for the sin-
ful and compassion for the unfortunate. It is walking humbly
with God, and doing unto others as you would that they should
do unto you.
The chief end of education is the making of men and women,
— the process of developing a power within which enables the
human being to dominate the instincts and habits of the animal,
and direct his life by the light of reason. Man is a part of the ma-
terial world but he belongs also to the world of mind and spirit.
;

Education should give him the power of intellectual freedom, and

make him sensible of the duties and worthy of the privileges of a
person in the midst of a universe of things. College education
should transform the school-boy and school-girl into the man air'
woman of the world, into personalities who can move more freely
and familiarly in the midst of the world's activities, who can speak
its language, who are conversant with its thought and manners,

who can interpret its life. It should develop not only power but
spiritual responsibility for the use of that power. It should fit the
student to take his place, to do his work, to play his part in the
great community of his fellows. It should be a training under-
gone for the sake of learning and for the benefit of the State as
well as for the individual.
Your peculiar education should fit you for citizenship and
public leadership, as well as equip you for a trade. It should
develop spiritual responsibility for the service of humanity and a
broad preparation for living, as well as for the quest of a liveli-
hood. Your vocational education and technical training are abso-
lutely essential, but so is that part of your education which fits
you to respond intelligently and with free connection to the voca-
tion of being men and women.
You have had some training in the humanities and in science ;

in the —
humanities, in some of the great world-languages and
literature, history and philosophy, —because they are the con-
servators of those great human forces which make for the ad-
vancement of knowledge and the civilization of the world; be-
cause they develop both capability and resource because they give
;

you a knowledge of man as he has been, and as he is, and of the

intellectual and moral world because they put you in possession
;

of the race experience, so that in your own minds you hold the
treasures, not only of the world in which you live, but of the
world of the past, with Its art, its customs, its manners, its morals,
its and its achievements.
institutions
But your training has been especially in the sciences, because
they give you indispensable knowledge of the multitudinous phe-
nomena of the external world, because they are liberal and liberal-
izing studies, because their pursuit is a training in habits of pre-
cision, of accurate observation, of closely articulated reasoning, of
 :

994 IMPROVEMENT ERA

devices for experimentation and of appreciation of the valid
ground of proof and because
; in their application lies the perfect-
ing of those interests, industries, and occupations which your
all
college was founded to foster. You have not neglected economics,
and political and social science.
You have been trained in the facile and accurate expression
of knowledge. You have learned that the ability to put thought
into adequate and accurate expression essentially characterizes a
free spirit in the world of mind. To see, to think, to feel, and
then to remain dumb is intolerable bondage. Every educated
person should certainly understand his own tongue, and have
some appreciation of its power and beauty, and of the glory of its
literature. The college graduate should not only be able to speak
his vernacular, but speak it as to the manner born, and not as a
barbarian. He alone can give vitality to knowledge who has
acquired the power of communicating it to others with grace, sim-
plicity and convincingness. In our use of this varied knowledge
and this accumulated power and its application to the problems of
material prosperity, individual and public, you have a source of
solid and enduring satisfaction.
There is, however, something beyond this acquired power of
strenuous intellectual labor applied to material prosperity. Shake-
speare says

"The purest treasure mortal times afford

Is spotless reputation."

This spotless treasure is won by living with honor. There

are things an honorable man does not do. He never wrongs or
degrades a woman. He never cheats or oppresses the weaker
power. He never betrays a friend or truth. He is honest, sincere,
candid, generous —
generous not only with his money, but in his
judgments of men and women, and of nature and the prospects
of mankind. Generosity is a beautiful attribute. He obeys the
great command, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God and thy
neighbor as thyself." What is the tribunal which declares at last,
"This is an honorable man"? You have been looking for this
favorable judgment from your elders —
parents, instructors, elder
students, and very likely you have had it. But these are not the
ultimate tribunal. That will be your contemporaries and the
younger generation: and their judgment will be formidable and
unavoidable. —
Live in fear of that tribunal not in abject fear,
for independence is an indispensable quality in an honorable
person. An admirable phrase in our Declaration of Independ-
ence is "a decent respect for the opinions of mankind." Cherish
a decent respect for the opinions of your contemporaries, for
much of your usefulness and influence will depend upon it; but
let it not interfere with your personal declaration of independence.
 ENDURING SATISFACTIONS OF LIFE 995

Look forward to the important crises of your lives, which may be

much nearer than you suppose. Perpare for the judgment of the
ultimate human tribunal. Young men, live as if next week you
were to marry the purest woman on earth. Young women, live
as if next month you were going to be queens Has your educa-
tion prepared for you the solid enduring satisfaction of this kind
of life?
Yourtraining has developed your intelligence, strengthened
your your taste, advanced your efficiency and en-
faculties, refined
larged your purposes. Has it increased your self-respect, strength-
ened your moral faculties, refined your moral sensibilities, and
enlarged your sympathies ? It has helped you toward becom-
ing independent, self-supporting men and women. Has it helped
to develop in you that lofty manhood and womanhood which is
the very core of patriotic citizenship, and the firm foundation of
solid, enduring satisfaction in life?
A bright, strong, well-trained mind, stocked with the treas-
ures of knowledge, but not animated with high ideals, not stead-
fast with a fixed moral purpose, is a sad and sorry spectacle. All
education is supposed to lift men above the common, baser crimes.
Petty theft, burglary, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, licentious-
ness are impossible to any one with the least pretension to schol-
arship. But mere intellectual education has not always lifted men
above forgery, bribery, perjury, counterfeiting, and gigantic
fraud and peculation. Two well educated young men in my home
city have just been convicted of grand larceny and embezzlement,
occasioning a failure of $3,500,000; and their father, a graduate
of the State University, is indicted for the same offense and will
be convicted by the same evidence. A former treasurer of the
State of Michigan is serving a long term in the state prison for
appropriating to his own use several hundred thousand dollars
from state funds. A former president of the National Education
Association is still in the penitentiary of Illinois for fraud, for-
gery and embezzlement. A former president of the United States,
whose acquaintance I made on this College Hill, A.B., A.M.,
LL.D., Harvard, made the public declaration when nominated for
a second term, that he would in no circumstances be a candidate*
for a third term, but his intellectual education did not keep him
from changing his mind when there was again a contest for the
great prize. His peculiar interpretation of that famous declara-
tion, it cannot be doubted, has failed to give him or his political
party a great measure of solid, enduring satisfaction.
Those acquainted with the administration by educated gentle-
J
r-en, of the federal appropriations for agricultural colleges a~
experiment stations, will recall that many ugly rumors of the di-
version of these funds to personal or other not altogether patriotic
uses have been verified by remorseless investigation.
 996 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Enlightened intellect must be domniated by great-souled, holy

enthusiasm for righteousness, before it can give the solid, endur-
ing satisfaction of life. Intellectual education may quicken and
stimulate the mental powers, but it cannot strongly touch those
inner motives of the soul which impel toward righteous conduct,
and individual or national justice.
Cultivation of the intellect alone, then, will not fully answer
the purposes of a wise education. Crimes of the higher passions,
of reflection, as self aggrandizement in wealth, in place, in polit-
ical, or national prominence under the pretense of patriotism, are
not at all uncommon among the highly educated who have given
the intellectual full sway to the neglect of the moral. Symmetry
of character, balance, is what is needed. The moral or religious
faculties may be so developed as to make of the student a fanatic
or religious monstrosity but the ethical, the moral, the religious,
;

is the supreme faculty and to have slighted this in the process of

;

your education would have yielded a more distorted result than to

have built up only the ethical.
Man shall not live by bread alone, yet bread is important.
Man must live before he can live well. It is essential that men
make a living —sometimes. The importance depends somewhat
on their fitness to live at all.Cultivated brain has a commercial
value. Young people are quick to see this and are flocking to the
colleges. This pecuniary value of scholarship can hardly be over-
estimated. But do not forget how easily this key to the treasury
vaults of earth may be made to unlock the treasures of heaven.
Culture should be no mere cart-horse. There is one universal
mind, common to all men. Every man has an inlet to this, and
to all of it. He who' is once admitted to the right of reason and
to the reason of right is made a freeman of the whole estate.
What Plato has thought, this man may think. What has befallen
any man this man may understand. What a prophet or a saint
has felt, this man may feel. Whoever has access to this universal
mind is a party to all that is done or can be done, to all that has
been enjoyed or can be enjoyed, i. e., to all the solid, endurable
satisfactions of life.
Your college education should introduce you to this universal
mind. —
Whatever your career farmer, housewife, teacher, en-
gineer, merchant, manufacturer, lawyer, doctor, banker, editor,
you should be ashamed if, in spite of all the dirt and din of the
world, you do not lead intellectual lives. And familiarity with th^
intellectual does strongly tend to purify and elevate men spir-
itually. Goodness is a citizen of the rational world, some resident
in which will lead toward moral cultivation. Learning has
a price-
less value beyond its power to coin wealth. Many a man first
fully appreciates this truth when unmeasured success in business
 :

ENDURING SATISFACTIONS OF LIFE 997

reveals to him his unmeasured failure in the business of living.

Wealth a great good. Its pursuit is honorable and commend-
is

able. It underlies all the high, persuasive culture of the world.

But he who trains his mind to make it a tool, who sharpens his
wits as he would file a saw, who goes to college as he would go
to the market to bring back a load of goods to sell, must be in-
spired with a higher ideal of learning before he is worthy to be
called a gentleman, with the "complete and generous education
which fits a man to perform justly, skilfully and magnanimously
all the office, both public and private, of peace and war."
President Wilson recently gave Phi Beta Kappa members
about this advice
Young Ladies and Gentlemen Why did you come to col- —
lege ? Not that for yourself alone your eyes might be lifted to a
larger horizon that other men less instructed have not been priv-
ileged to see but you also wanted to lift the eyes of these to this
;

broader horizon. The professed purpose of your ancestors in the

conquest of this America was to see to it that every foot of the
continent should be the home of a free self-governed people who
should have no government not resting on the consent of the
governed no institution not for the common good that every
; ;

citizen of whatever race or class should have equality under the

law, and equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. You cannot set limit to such knightly adventurers.
Their day is gone but their spirits stalk the land carrying inspira-
;

tion wherever they go, and everywhere reminding men of the

fine lineage of those seeking justice and civic righteousness.
How
many of you will devote yourselves to like adventure ? How many
of you will volunteer to carry spiritual messages of liberty and
equality and justice, as well as worldly messages of intelligence
and honest industry to the world? How many of you will forego,
for the service of your fellow mortals, everything but your alle-
giance to truth and right and freedom and justice? We live but
once in this world, and we live without distinction if we do not
live the life of sacrifice. We die but once, and we die without
distinction, if we are unwilling to die the death of sacrifice. Do
you covet honor ? You will never win it by serving yourself. Do
you covet distinction? You will never win it except as the ser-
halls why
vant of mankind. Do not forget as you leave these
not merely to prepare
you have been here. You have been here
You have been here in order to
yourselves to make a living.
greater vision,
enable the world to live more amply, to live with
to live with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.
You have
world-en-
been here that you may enrich the world, and in this
richment you will find the richest solid, enduring satisfactions of
life.
 ;

Shooting the Apolima Passage

BY J. V. NELSON

Apolima, a mile and a half long and three-quarters of a mile

wide, is an island rising sheer out of the sea to the height of prob-
ably one thousand feet. It is no more nor less than the crater of
an ancient volcano, and some idea of its shape might be obtained
by placing the hands together as if to catch something. It is only
on one side that a landing can be effected, as there is just one
narrow passage through which a boat can enter, and "shooting the
Apolima pasage" is a sensation never to be forgotten.
In bad weather, it is impossible in fine weather, it is a feat.
;

If you are wise you will not attempt it without a picked crew.
There is scarce a white who has dared to pilot a boat through the
passage. A false move of the steersman means the loss of the
boat, and a very unpleasant experience to its occupants. Some-
times the natives wait for hours for the right wave to come in
at last the wave they are looking for rolls in, and along with it
you go. A false move now means catastrophy. Every eye is
alert, every movement is conducted with the greatest precision.
You are swept onwards towards the mouth of the passage, and
you enter it shivering, as you feel certain that nothing can pre-
vent you from being dashed to pieces on the rocks, on which you
feel you are being shot as from the mouth of a cannon, so swift
goes the boat. But suddenly, just as all hope has departed, and
the deafening noise of the sea, beating upon the rocks, sounds
loudest in your ears, and your eyes are almost blinded from the
spray, the pilot does his work. The boat takes a rapid turn
lurches, rights itself, and you shoot over into the stillest of
lagoons. You are in calm waters, a quiet and beautiful lagoon,
therefore you heave a sigh of relief as the danger is past. Almost
before you know it, you are being assisted out of the boat by the
Apolima natives.
There are not many natives here, but those who have made it
their home, live in a delightful place a small valley surrounded
;

by high walls of rock forming as picturesque a scene as can be

imagined.
As you waited your opportunity to enter the passage, so you
must bide your time for going out and if the element of risk is
;

not so great, it is hardly less exciting. Once you have "Shot the
Apolima Passage," you are glad enough when you have left it
far behind you, and it is seldom that one wishes to repeat the
experience.
APIA, SAMOA
 PicturesquelReminiscences

BY SHIRLEY PENROSE JONES

Man, if he willed, could learn wonderful things from the

Books of Time by observing the physical changes that occur
in the face of nature, and then the utter failure of Time to remove
the traces of important events that are associated with the places
physically changed. We gaze, delighted, at a mountain whose
rugged face is scarred and mutilated and not easily recognized,
because here, it may chance, a great deed was done, although the
present appearance of the place may by no means be suitable for
idealistic reminiscence. And so it is with men. Though their lives
may hold something we disdain, yet if in those lives they per-
formed some worthy act, that is later held up to counterbalance
the other.
And we have numerous examples of the clemency of Time.
One at least is that of our most romantic and charming river. Its
beauties are marvelous, and it is enchanting to review the long
list of its associations, connecting it closely and tenderly with

sacred incidents of our national life. We might truly designate

it our "National River." No other can be so heroically portrayed
as this. We have mightier, and some may be more beautiful, but
no other river combines within it all virtues to make it such a par-
agon as this. The Potomac is the river of Washington, of Mar-
shall, of Lee, and many other of our eminent Americans have
received their inspirations from it. We have no cause to hesitate
because of its associations with the famed Confederate, General
Lee, for he was a great American and a worthy foe. Time has
proved his error, but has not impugned his motives.
A brief word-picture will enable us to better know the Poto-
mac, though words are imperfect instruments with which to
paint it. The most pleasing and satisfactory way for us to be-
come better informed of its charm is to take an evening boat from
Washington.
As the day is pondering over its well-performed tasks, and is
preparing to retire, we leave Washington and are immediately
transported into a different world. The cool, soft river breezes
caress and soothe, like a magic fairy, our tired nerves, put on edge
by the fierce heat of the city. Slowly and majestically our boat
glides from its moorings, and, halting momentarily mid-stream
before pointing her nose southward, gives us a wonderful pros-
pect until earth and sky meet in the distant world of blue beyond.
1000 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The glowing band, stretches off into space. The red
river, a
reflection of the sun makes a pathway from earth to heaven and
the countless little sunbeams dance and trip along this way with
joyous irresponsibility. The water ripples and sparkles and on
both sides of the river the entire journey are willows and trees
of the deepest foliage. It looks like a band of silver bordered by
green velvet. The ride becomes more beautiful as we go along.
Little bays and branches of the river, or rather big indentations
in the shore, give an appearance of largeness to the general view
and make the panorama one of unsurpassed delight. Words can-
not express the calm contentment that broods over all nature.
Smoothly we glide over placid waters whose cool depths open and
let us pass. The willows along the shore come timidly down to
the water's edge and drink refreshingly, or else slope gently up-
ward and merge in the rolling farm lands and fields beyond.
The river is fortified with modern guns and equipment, be-

GREAT FALLS, POTOMAC RIVER, NEAR WASHINGTON, D. C.

cause it communicates directly from the ocean to the capital of the

nation and makes a desirable approach for hostile vessels.
The sun hangs suspended a moment, shining with fierce
color, then lightly rests himself upon the distant horizon. The
rippling water dances and capers, and moving lightly to the
shore loses itself in the tiny eddies formed. Beyond the fringe
of the underbrush, the rolling fields and hills of Virginia, with
here and there a white painted farmhouse, are the images of
peace and contentment. On the opposite shore are the equally
pleasant farmlands of Maryland.
Slowly the sun goes down. The twilight solitude enfolds the
earth, and we are soon transported miles away from human inter-
 WASHINGTON, D. C, FROM ARLINGTON
course. The deepening shadows softly fall. The gurgle and
murmur of the water against our boat are faintly heard. The wild
fowl's cry comes weirdly across the wide expanse. In fancy we
leave the present age. The woods hold strange images which
soon take form. We see the peaceful farmlands replaced by dense
forests. The river no longer treasures modern steamboats on
her bosom. She is undisturbed save for one long, narrow canoe
lying under the branches of an overhanging tree. Our interest
becomes breathless and our vision grows keener. We see gleam-
ing eyes peering from out the darkness. A
silent line of somber
forms glides noiselessly over the turf. Dusky bodies painted in
hideous colors and crowned by heads of coarse raven hair stalk
stealthily along. Strange fear arises in our minds. The whis-
pering voices of the evening foretell a tragedy. Suddenly a sound,
unearthly as the cry of unchained demons, rends the solitude.
In a little clearing stands a tiny house of logs. Smoke curls
upward from the chimney. The pioneer's wife inside is busy with
the evening meal. The man is resting from his day of toil, at
peace with all, for he is building in the wilderness a heritage for
his posterity. He hears the awful sound. His face grows pale,
and fear clutches at his heart. Hastily he bars the rude door, and
his terrified wife awaits with him in silence the savage onslaught.
Some days later a party of trappers come upon the scene a ;

smoldering mass of ruins. It is the mute testimony of the con-

queror conquered. Thus is told the story of the pioneers, the
sturdy race that fought the wild and tamed the earth that progress
might come forth, and paved a way for the more timid who
should follow. We see the march of events lead on until suddenly
we arouse ourselves to find a luminous southern moon shining
down upon us. To those whose skepticism flaunts the power of
1002 IMPROVEMENT ERA
this majesticstream to visualize the past, we say, behold and be
convinced The mystery of the woods falls upon all.
!

The splendor of the moon intensifies the beauty of our ride.

No more romantic sight can human eyes behold than moonlight
on the Potomac. So many stirring scenes of history have been
enacted along its banks that we are prone to allow ourselves once
more the pleasure of oblivion from the present.
On the Virginia side, some twenty miles from Washington, is
Mount Vernon, dear to all Americans. Its broad, rolling lawns
slope gently upward to the wide veranda, extending along the
front of the old colonial mansion. The house is already familiar
to us from the many pictures of it we have seen. A thrill of
delight acquaints us with the pleasure we experience in viewing
the home of our illustrious patriot. Almost directly across the
river is Marshall Hall, home of the great chief justice. The gen-
eral aspect of the country is sublime, inspiring. One can readily
understand how dear were these stately homes to their equally
stately owners. Nothing more satisfying can be enjoyed than
the vista opened up before us in this river paradise.
Our boat is now headed back to Washington. Too swiftly
we glide along, passing Fort Washington on the way. The grim
walls suggest war and tumult entirely out of harmony in the at-
mosphere of peace. But we can readily recall that once the coun-
try round about was discordant with vast throngs of men seeking
the blood of their brothers, and that sounds of strife and carnage
filled the air, driving happiness away and filling men's hearts with
fierce hatred never meant to be displayed or felt.
Now the lights of Alexandria twinkle on our left. This is,
perhaps, the second oldest citv in our country, and once was fa-
mous as a shipping port. Here are streets paved with cobble
stones placed in position by Hessian soldiers taken prisoners in the
War for Independence. On a quiet street, set back among the
stately trees, stands a white church where Washington, and later
Lee, were accustomed to receive spiritual encouragement.
Soon the lights of Washington appear. The great dome of
the Capitol dominates the citv, and in the foreground the needle-
like Washington monument pierces the sky. But, before reaching
Washington, we pass Arlington on our left. Here the National
Cemetery has been dedicated and here lie buried the victims of the
Maine. The picturesque home of Lee dominates the place and is
built on an ascent overlooking the cemetery.
There are few places in the world, and fewer river valleys,
where so many homes of illustrious men and so many scenes of
historic prominence are situated, as in the Valley of the Potomac.
We leave our boat with a sigh, but with a feeling of gratitude that
Time has so generously dealt with our National River.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
 : : !

The Undertow*
The Improvement Era Prize Story, June Contest

BY RUTH MOENCH BELL

"Yes, but what's it worth to him? I knew Cameron when a

dollar didn't look as big as a mill-wheel. And what's he gained?
"One son's a surgeon. Some say the best in the state. You
ought to hear him boast of his $10,000 practice. That's all very
well. But Cameron used to hope for better things from his boy.
He used to hope that some day Harry would be so big and skilful
and sympathetic that he wouldn't measure his success in terms of
dollars and cents."
Outside the curtained booth of the cafe, Mrs. Cameron, an
unwilling listener to her family foibles, hesitated. She had
dropped in for a shopping rest, and a cup of tea. The voice, in
suppressed earnestness, reached her easily. Before she could
decide whether to leave, with her tea untouched, the voice reached
her again
"There's his wife. Jean used to be the sweetest little soulful
creature a man might hope to find. She gave an eight hundred
dollar banquet and ball last week. The biggest social event of
the season. What's the result? Some other woman will have
to outclass her. And then some man will land in the penitentiary
or asylum trying to pay the bill."
Mrs. Cameron tried to move, but her limbs lacked the power.
And the man's voice went on
"Look at his youngest boy, Will, Jr. His father took him m
as a business partner, last year, meaning some day to
turn th-
whole works over to him. What's he doing? He's at Kav's
age
every afternoon, dancing. A grown man, in this day and
of the world, when, turn any direction you may, there's a man's
—
work to be done dancing in the afternoon
"And Cameron himself looks haggard and worn, as if he
couldn't take time to eat or sleep."
of
There was a sound of shuffling chairs as if the occupants
were getting ready to leave the cafe. The
the curtained booth
sound broke the spell that was over her. Mrs. Cameron
hastily
began fumbling for change. With a
caught up her check and
weight her limbs that had held her unwittingly at
nightmare in

in the Improvement Era

*This story won the $25 prize for June,
six months' contest, ended in June, 1915.
1004 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the table a listener to her husband's disparager — with a feeling
that the men must surely emerge from the booth before she could
pay her bill, Mrs. Cameron finally reached the street.
Still under the spell of the nightmare that encompassed he r .

Mrs. Cameron hastened home. Too dazed to think or feel, she

went through the episode of dinner. She wanted to go to her
rooms and think it out. She dared not go to her home and face it.
Unconsciously she studied her husband's face for the worn, hag-
gard look another had found there. It was true, cruelly true, the
look was there settled, intensified. Why had another been first to
note it?
"Oh, mother, listen to this new record." Will, Jr., burst into
the reverie. He always set the victrola in motion a few times be-
fore disappearing for the night. "It's one of Dufaure's latest suc-
cesses. It's an old thing but its a dream when Dufaure sings it."
The first bars of the prelude brought Mrs. Cameron sharob-
—
back to the present then plunged her remorselessly into the oast.
She caught her breath. She almost sobbed as the full, rich tone«
of the famous baritone thrilled into her heart. It was the sono- of
their courting days. She had not yet got over the wonder that
Will Cameron had chosen her as his "Maggie."
She hadn't heard the song for years. When was it they
ceased singing it?

"And now we are growing old, Maggie,

And the trials of life nearly done."
She dared not look at her husband's greying temples. She
longed to draw his tired head to her bosom and weep. That
was to have been their closing chapter. Hand to hand, heart to
heart, they were to have closed their days — one in every thought
—
and feeling nearer and nearer to each other as they drew nearer
their heavenly home.
Heavenly home ! How long since heaven had seemed a real-
ity? How had thev strayed so wide of their earlv path? They
must find their way back. She glanced at her husband. Was he
also stirred and torn by the dear memories ?
Cameron's brows were knitted in irritation. "I wish you'd
shut off that wretched noise, William," he jerked out. "What you
people find in music beats me. I'd as soon sit through a two-
hour sermon."
When was it that music suddenly became a bore, and a ser-
mon something to be endured?
Will, Jr., shut off" the victrola and started to swing himself
out of ear-shot of the "grouch" that his trained senses told him
was coming.
"I saw Lyle Emery todav," Mr. Cameron went on. "I be-
lieve she still cares for our self-sufficient young prig."
 THE UNDERTOW 1005

Will,Jr., dropped into a chair.

"Harry's the leading surgeon in this state," she defended,
proudly.
"I'd rather my son were a man," Cameron responded curtly.
He reached for his cane and started wearily out.
"You're not going back to the office, tonight, surely," Mrs.
Cameron protested. Anxiety deepened her misgivings.
"I'm tired, Jean; I'm so tired I can't rest out of the office.
I'm going back to look over some papers."
Mrs. Cameron laid a hand on his shoulder, tenderly.
"I left a check for you on your dressing table," was his weary
response.
Mrs. Cameron winced as though a lash had been laid to fresh
bruises. So that, in his thought, was all he meant to her He had !

not been aware of the new yearning that was creeping over her.
Mrs. Cameron sank into a chair. The headlines on the paper
her husband had dropped stared up at her.
"Caught in the Undertow."
"That is it," she thought to herself. "That is it !" 'Caught
in the undertow.' We were swimming out into the current of
wealth, and the undertow, self-seeking, has caught us, and is
dragging our souls down."
How long she sat pondering, she did not realize, but pres-
ently there were suppressed voices on the pavement, the shuffling
of many feet, a ring of the bell, the sound of the maid openin
door, then a scream from the girl, and Mrs. Cameron was staring
at her husband's inert form.
"He isn't dead," one of the men assured her. "He got out
of his car while it was still in motion. He was flung violently
onto his head."
"Phone for Harry," Will, Jr. commanded as he put his ear
to his father's heart.
"He's operating on an emergency case at the hospital," the
man explained from the telephone.
"Get Dr. Canton right over, then," Will urged, impatiently.
How small he looked, and pale, lying there. And how white
his hair was growing. Something smote at the boy's heart as he
realized for the first time that his father was getting along in
—
years nearing the inevitable silence.
"I think he'll pull through all right," Dr. Canton observed
some time later. "He's in bad condition all over. I was telling
Harry so yesterday. He's been working too steadily."
It was toward midnight that Cameron opened his eyes, and
apparently rational, though with his mind far in the past, he ex-
claimed.
"How quiet and restful it is here when it storms !" Harry
was at his side in an instant.
 : '

1006 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"Only one room and yet how peaceful," the sick man contin-
ued.
"He is delirious," Harry explained to his mother.
"No, it isn't delirium," she sobbed. "Listen."
"You're a wonderful mother, Jean," the voice went on, "your
boys will be splendid men, reared so close to their mother's heart.
You'll keep alive the finer things in them."
Cameron groped for his wife's hand among the covers. W 1
""~

he found it he went on.

"I love to watch Harry's face as you read him those tales of
chivalry —of King Arthur and his knights. And is it big Will or
little Will who enjoys most your songs with the guitar. Up here
in the wilds, with nothing to interfere, you seem to find time to
make the three of us happy. A
boy never forgets such a mother.
What was that you read from Tennyson last night?
" 'And though he slip and fall he shall not blind his soul with
clay' — —
with clay with clay," the voice trailed off into silence.
Will shifted uneasily as his father's eyes closed.
"He's thinking about those years up in the mountains," he
exclaimed in an awed whisper. Mrs. Cameron did not reply.
Something gripped her throat so that she could not speak.
"You won't always be out here in the wilds, little woman,
—
among the pines and the quaking asps the quaking asps," he re-
peated, forgetfully. "There is timber enough on our claim, and
water power. I'll have a lumber mill. You shall have every lux-
ury, little woman — every luxury."
Again there was a silence which no one could break. After
—
a while the sick man wandered on his mind still in the past.
"We'll make a physician of Harry. The day he graduates
I'll give him Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush. It will be worth

while to give the world a physician like old Doctor MacLure.

We'll be proud of our boy, Jean."
Suddenly the old man, his face white and drawn, started up
in bed exclaiming vehemently
"You can't afford to marry? You can't climb up in your
profession and keep a wife and family? Then stay down down —
among the humble."
"Father, father," Harry soothed, "you mustn't excite your-
self."
"Can't you give him something?" Will begged.
"I don't dare," Harry exclaimed.
"Two hundred dollars," Cameron muttered, contemptuously,
"two hundred dollars. Did you look at his shabby overcoat?
Two hundred dollars for his wife's life. An operation that will
take an hour and a half of your valuable time. You'll make a few
five-minute visits and the fee ? One-third of all that man can earn
in a year, if good luck awaits him. What does it cost, Harry?
 THE UNDERTOW 1007

What does it cost to look a man in the face and with unflinching"
conscience tell him your fee? 'Dignity of the profession!' T won-
der how much old Doctor MacLure wondered about 'upholding
the dignity of the profession' —
Doctor MacLure and Old Jess
!"

Harry's face was tense with emotion.

"Get mother out of here," he whispered, under his breath to
Will, "and send for Canton. I'm afraid it's worse than we
thought."
"It looks as if we'll have to operate," Harry remarked to
Canton, some time later. "There seems to be some pressure
on the brain that keeps his mind in the past."
"I don't agree," Canton replied, after the examination.
"Sometimes in these cases of nervous exhaustion a patient mum-
bles in his delirium, the things that have made the deepest
fur-

deepest."

speak or
*****
rows in his brain, the thoughts and feelings that have bit in the

For weeks the

move
sick
— too weary
man lay in exhaustion
to notice.

"I found this on father's desk at the office. Will, Jr.

tated, then
hesi-

handed the book to his mother. "It was open and one
line was marked," he added, with a choking
remembrance of that
—too weary to

line "I didn't know father read Browning."

With a sob Mrs. Cameron caught up the volume and fled
to her room. She dropped on her knees by the couch. It had
now. But
been long since she had prayed, and no words came
petition, throbbed in her heart: "Give us one more
a voiceless
chance, O
God, one more chance."
"Browning!" the thoughts wandered on in her brain.
"We
long winter evenings
used to read Browning together in those
in the mountains with the pines and
the quaking asps There
alone
herself,
was much that we didn't understand," she admitted to
"but once in a while something warmed
our hearts and braced
us striving. Over and over he used to repeat
our souls and kept
that stanza:

his back but marched breast

forward,
"One who never turned
Hnnbted clouds would break,
TvJpvpr ,

Never dreamed'though right were worsted,

wrong would triumph.
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better,
Sleep to wake."

better. Let this sleep not

"Give us the chance, Father, to fight her
awakens only beyond His soul was alive
be the sleep that Brown
have gone back to
thoughts plunged on, "or he would not He
sleeping, swathed in luxuries.
in- It was my soul that was
hurt-by contrast
was trying and I did not know. The music
 : —

1008 IMPROVEMENT ERA

with the past. Sermons do not bore the man who seeks them
alone in his office."
—
She pressed the volume in anguish her fingers still between
the leaves his eyes had last looked upon.
"I can't read it," she moaned to herself, "not if it is the last
not until I know whether it is to be the last."
knocked softly on the door.
Will, Jr.
"There was something else I wanted to talk with you about,
mother. I found these plans among father's papers. I talked
them over with the directors last night. They say they're feasible,
only it will cut down our income considerably. You know, Dad
appears to be worrying considerably about things whenever he
grows delirious, and Harry says if we can fix up everything that's
tormenting him, and let him know the first minute he becomes
rational, we may be able to —
to pull him through." Will choked
on the words, but braced himself again and went on. "He's a big
man, father is, the men said so last night. I suppose all this talk
about wealth and monopoly has worried him, and he's worked out
a plan to put the mills on the profit-sharing basis.
" 'I want every man in my employ to have a little leisure to
think and read, and a little means to travel and have music and
books in his home.'
"That's part of the address he'd written to read to the board."
"We'll cut expenses down as far as is necessary, Will," Mrs.
Cameron said at once. "Your father's plans must go through.
Why didn't he tell me?"
"I suppose he thought your heart was set on these luxuries.
I know I've spent a lot for nonsense, and worse than nonsense.
Then I'll tell them to go ahead at once!"
It was two weeks later in the quiet room that Cameron
opened his eyes with the clear light of reason in them. What he
saw must have warmed his heart, for he exclaimed almost jov-
fully
"Harry."
Two figures turned from the window and drew near him.
"We want your father," the great surgeon said,
blessing,
simply. "And Lyle
has a plan I think you'll like, a sort of grad-
uated scale of fees, dependent upon a man's income. We'll charge
the rich fellows enough to 'uphold the dignity of the profession.'"
The old man smiled happily, and laid his hand on the girl's
head as they knelt beside him.
"Will, Jr. is down at the mills working like a young cyclone,"
Harry continued quietly, as if nothing of great moment were im-
plied by his remarks.
"He says that profit-sharing plan of yours is working out like
a charm. Now I think you better rest for a few minutes. Lyle
 THE UNDERTOW 1009

and I shall go and find mother. She's as enthusiastic over this

new plan as Will is."
Mr. Cameron closed his eyes to keep back the tears. And
his son and the daughter-to-be left the room.
Mrs. Cameron came in with her fingers between the leaves
of the book her husband had been reading the night of his acci-
dent. She kissed him quietly, then sank down at his side.
"I've been tracing my way back to the old days, and the old
ways, dear," she breathed happily. "I found the key in this beau-
tiful volume." She held up the exquisitely-made volume of
Browning's Saul.
"It is the line you marked, 'Ere. error had bent the broad
brow from the daily communion.' That was it, dear, 'the daily
communion' with God. When we missed that, we let go the hand
that guides— the hand that would have kept us.. up, despite the
undertow."
LOGAN, UTAH

A Good Record in Baptisms

Boyd C. Lindsay and E. Ray Miller,

Owingsville, Kentucky, August 9: "Some
time ago, we made a trip through two
of the blue grass counties, meeting with
excellent success. Recently, President
Lindsay, in company with Elder George
H. Bowler, re-visited the same commu-
nities. In forty-two "days we held sixty-
six meetings, baptized twenty-two peo-
ple. We traveled without purse and scrip
and were very hospitably received.
Twenty-two baptisms with an average of
eleven meetings a week, for six weeks,
is a good record, and we returned to
headquarters with gratitude in our hearts
for these blessings."
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 :

Editors' Table

Official Announcement

Within the month of September, 1915, there will be issued

from The Deseret Nezus press a book entitled Jesus the Christ,
written by Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve.
This important work has been prepared by appointment, and is

to be published by the Church. The field of treatment indicated

is

on the title-page as "A study of the Messiah and his mission, ac-
cording to Holy Scriptures both ancient and modern."
The book is more than a "Life of Christ" in the ordinary ac-
ceptation of that title, as it not only treats at length the narrative
of our Lord's life and ministry in the flesh, together with his death,
resurrection, and ascension, but deals also with his antemortal
existence and Godship, and with his ministry in the resurrected
state, both of old and in the current dispensation. The sacred
subject of our Savior's life and mission is presented as it is ac-
cepted and proclaimed by the Church that bears his Holy Name.
We desire that the work, "Jesus the Christ" be read and
studied by the Latter-day Saints, in their families, and in the
organizations that are devoted wholly or in part to theological
study. We
commend it especially for use in our Church schools,
as also for the advanced theological classes in Sunday schools and
priesthood quorums, for the instruction of our missionaries, and
for general reading.
Smith,
Joseph F.
Anthon
H. Lund,
Charles W. Penrose,
First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. 13, 1915.

Early Days in the West

We cull from a very interesting letter, dated May 19, 1915,

r

addressed to President Joseph F. Smith, by the venerable J. M.

Studebaker, of the Studebaker corporation of South Bend, Indi-
ana, Mr. Studebaker, among other things, says of the war
"I can assure you that I would feel very much better today
if this war never had occurred. The war has created a great
slump in business throughout our whole country. It was unnec-
 :

1012 IMPROVEMENT ERA

essary and uncalled for, and I can only wonder, what is the har-
vest to be? God and he alone can tell."
Mr. Studebaker becomes reminiscent, and writes
"Receiving a letter from the president of the great 'Mor-
mon' Church naturally reminds me of my life when I was a boy
of nineteen, crossing the plains in the first Studebaker wagon.
After a weary trip, as we appeared at the head of Emigration
canyon, I saw a view that I shall never forget. The train stopped
and everybody looked down
into that beautiful valley and
.ipon the adobe houses in what
is now known as Salt Lake
City. The memory of that is
still fresh in my mind. Our
company was made up strict-
ly toconvoy horses which *ve
were taking across to Califor-
nia for breeding purposes. I
remember how anxious Pres-
identBrigham Young was to
buy some of our horses, and if
my memoryserves me right,
MR.J. M. STUDEBAKER President Wells, then marshal
of the city, was also eager to
buy some, but the owners refused to sell them. We
had run
short of provisions and we stayed near what is today known -as
Hot Springs for about a week or ten days recruiting our stock.
"Through President Brigham Young we received a full
supply of goods for the balance of our trip, and when, in later
years, I visited Salt Lake it was always a pleasure to call on Mr.
Young and talk business. In those days a man who had been to
Salt Lake and had come back to the States, as they called it at
that time, was kept pretty busy answering questions, in reference
to the country and its customs. I am gratified to know that the
Church and the people of the 'Mormon' religion are prospering
and growing.
"I will soon be eighty-two years old, and I can assure you that
if I take any long trip west, I will take great pleasure in calling

on you at Salt Lake. If you ever come east, it will be a pleasure

to have you drop off at our factory that we may show you the
scope and growth of our enterprise."

An Important Message

In this number of the Era is printed the address of Dr.

''

James E. Talmage on the "Philosophical Basis of 'Mormonism.'

 ;

EDITORS' TABLE 1013

The address was delivered on invitation before the World's Con-

gress of Religious Philosophies, at the Panama-Pacific Inter-
national Exposition, at San Francisco, California, July 29.
It is a masterpiece of clear statements on the foundation facts
relating to the religious belief and practice of the Latter-day
Saints the existence of a personal God, whose offspring we are
:

our pre-existence and eternal duration man's mission on earth

;

the transgression and fall the need of a Redeemer to overcome

;

death and to provide for the resurrection from death to immortal-

ity; the plan of salvation through which this must be done; the
establishment of the Church of Christ; the falling away from the
gospel principles, or the apostasy; the restoration in the current
age and the reestablishment of the Church and the mission of
;

the restored Church to preach the gospel and administer in the

ordinances thereof, preparatory to the reign of Christ on earth
as Lord of lords and King of kings.
We advise every young man to read this address. It presents
to him clear ideas upon a subject that to us is the big thing in life
\ —old though it be. Here we have it presented in authentic form,
in easily read type. Do not say, it is an old story printed over and
—
over again, and so just give it a glance and thrust it aside. Take
it, topic by topic, and thoughtfully consider it. You will like your
religion better when you finish.
The great congregation in the Civic Auditorium, containing
world famous workers in religious and social service from all parts
of the earth, attentively listened to its delivery, and were greatly
impressed with it. It is the message which we are under obliga-
tions to deliver to the world of mankind —
a philosophy that should
be as familiar to every Latter-day Saint in text and act as the
Lord's prayer.
At the Columbian Fair in Chicago, in 1893, Elder B. H.
Roberts was chosen to represent the Latter-day Saints at the Parli-
ament of Religions held in Columbus Hall, September 11 to 27,
that year. He found it next to impossible to get a hearing. The
"Mormons" were practically excluded. So strong was the dog-
matic prejudice of the leaders of the old orthodox faiths which—
were then looking to the solving of the conflict between those
faiths and the seeming menace of material science, —
that the
"Mormons" were denied a hearing. This, notwithstanding their
religious message bore the stamp of practical service to mankind,
combined with a strong spirituality so inherent in the true gospel
of Jesus Christ. His paper is found in Vol. II, Improvement
Era, pp. 584, 673, 750, 831, 893.
Not so at San Francisco where the promoters and managers
of the Congress invited the "Mormons" to deliver their message,
and courteously gave their chosen representative a prominent
the program the first
place among those who were to take part in
1014 IMPROVEMENT ERA
day. They were pleased to recognize "Mormonism," so called, as
one of the great and vital religious movements of the world.
If the Congress at Chicago, twenty-two years ago, treated
dogma most and ; that at St. Louis, eleven years ago, dwelt largely
on learning, it is a fact which most will admit that "in San Fran-
cisco the keynote is service." One writer has said, "the Philos-
ophy of 'doing good' triumphs over the philosophy of 'being
good' or 'being wise.' It is the new and aggressive philosophy of
the twentieth century."
The Latter-day Saints believe in scientific truth, in learning,
in service, hence, the leaders of this Congress made no mistake
in giving them a courteous hearing.
It is a privilege and duty of the youth of our community to
so establish the faith of their fathers in their own hearts that they
shall be a light to the world, in gospel doctrine, in scientific and
spiritual truth, in learning, and in the philosophy and practice
of religion and service. In this way they shall grow strong and
pure and great, and the message of salvation which they have
inherited, as the sons and daughters of Zion, shall be perpetuated
among all nations, tongues and peoples forever. Cast it not aside,
therefore, as unworthy of serious and studious consideration, or
as of little interest.

The Ogden Tabernacle Choir

The excellent Ogden Tabernacle Choir, in its July visit to the

Pacific coast, under the direction of Professor Joseph Ballantyne,
was enthusiastically received in all the leading cities, particularly
in San Diego before the great exposition organ. This grand out-
of-door organ, the largest of its kind in the world, was presented
to the city of San Diego by John D. and Adolph B. Spreckles. The
choir's work was greatly enjoyed and appreciated, as testified to by
the inhabitants as well as by the thousands of visitors who heard its
renditions. Miss Emma
Lucy Gates, the Utah prima donna, re-
ceived here as elsewhere all along the journey an ovation. The
choir, its soloists, and
proficient director, with John J. Mc-
its
Clellan, the noted organist,were similarly appreciated. In the
San Diego Fair grounds fifteen thousand people listened intently
to the music and song as they floated out over the open-air audi-
torium into the chief avenues of the marvelous exposition. The
enthusiasm was great. In Los Angeles the choir and soloists ap-
peared on several occasions and we're well received. In San Fran-
was assisted in their several suc-
cisco, at Festival Hall, the choir
cessful concerts by the Exposition orchestra of eighty performers
directed by Richard Hageman, the third conductor of the Metro-
 EDITORS' TABLE 1015

politan Opera House in New York City. On Saturday afternoon,

July 24, on the occasion of their last appearance, Festival Hall
was packed with thousands of appreciative listeners. Here also
the choir was assisted by Miss Gates who made a decided impres-
sion. The people of California, as well as the press, were enthusi-
astic in their praises of the choir, its leader, the organist and
the special soloists. The choir and all concerned are entitled to
Utah's hearty congratulation for their able representation of our
Bee-hive State.

Genealogical S:ciety Convention

Early in the year, the California Genealogical Society sent out

invitations to the geneaogical and patriotic societies of the country
to meet in San Francisco during the time of the Exposition in an
International Congress of Genealogy. When the Genealogical
Society of Utah received this invitation, it accepted it, and immedi-
ately appointed committees to work it up. The result was that on
July 22, a "Utah Genealogical Special" of fourteen cars containing
about two hundred fifty people, left Salt Lake City for San Fran-
cisco. The greater number of the party, with the Salt Lake High
School Cadets and Ogden Tabernacle Choir, took part in the
celebration of LTtah Day, at the Utah Building, on July 24. On
July 27, the Utah Society held three sessions in the Civic Audi-
torium, which, though not on the grounds, is one of the permanent
Exposition buildings. The exercises were devoted to papers on
historical subjects, and a demonstration of class work in genealogy,
as conducted by the society. Presidents Joseph F. Smith,
Anthon
H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, and Joseph F. Smith, Jr., Nephi
Anderson, Susa Young Gates, Elizabeth C. McCune, and Emma
Lucy Gates took part in the exercises. The sessions of the Inter-
national Congress of Genealogy were held in the same room
on
July 28, 29, and 30. There were representatives from many so-

cieties in the United States, and some from Europe.

Some very
excellent papers were read, and a permanent organization was ef-
fected which, it is hoped, will be the beginning of important
and
far-reaching results. The Utah Society, because of its numbers,
and the active and intelligent part its delegates took in these meet-
and courteous recognition in the sesssions of the
ings, received full
Congress. After the meetings the members of the party visited
to San
the Exposition, and then proceeded to Los Angeles then ;

At Los Angeles the party sep-

Diego where they visited the Fair.
arated but the main body returned to San Francisco and home by
way of the Southern Pacific, in the special train. By resolution
a federation of the Genealogical Societies was formed
under the
title of International Genealogical Federation. The official pro-
1016 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ceedings of the Congress, by resolution, will be published in the
October number of The Utah Genealogical and Historical Mag-
azine.

Messages from the Missions

Ready for Tracting

Elder Horace O. Hall, York, England; July 30: "Myself and

Myrl Lewis had a very pleasant visit from some of the elders of the
Newcastle conference. We visited some of the ancient places in and
surrounding York, one of the oldest cities in the isle. We are all happy

and enjoying our labors in the service of the Lord. The picture
shows the elders with their bicycles, modern way of tracting in the
country, a great conrtast to the methods used in early missionary
work. Elders left to right: John G. Hancock, Ogden; Horace O. Hall,
Victor E. Israelson, Hyrum; Floyd C. Jensen, Huntsville; Myrl Lewis,
Marion, Utah; Leonard O. Ockey, Cardston, Canada.

Grateful for Peace

Elder John C. Preston, Chattanooga, Tenn., June 18: "We are

grateful for the blessings of peace that we are enjoying in these parts
and for the privilege given us to preach the gospel truths among the
southern people. We are looked upon as true Bible believers. We are
not allowed to preach on the streets in this city so we hold cottage
meetings almost every evening in the week, thus adding continually
new friends to our list. The southern people here are very hospitable
and the majority are religiously inclined. Thev are a God-fearing
people. In our tracting we always take Pooks of Mormon and smaller
 EDITORS' TABLE 1017

books and try to sell them, in which we have good success. We are
united and enjoying our labors and extend our best wishes to our co-
laborers throughout all the missions."

"Mormonism" Has Friends and Champions.

Elder Irvin L. Warnick, Freeport, North Illinois conference,

June 8. "During a five weeks' country trip, covering 250 miles
through northern Illinois, these elders distributed forty-five Books of
Mormon, 419 Bible commentaries, and 24,731 tracts and pam-
phlets. They traveled without purse or scrip; and although the
stormy weather was uncomfortable, the Lord prepared the way so
that friends administered to their wants. They traversed much of the
territory where prejudice caused the Saints so much trouble seventy-
five years ago. Today a different spirit exists. 'Mormonism' has not
only friends, but ardent champions, among a, once indifferent popula-

tion Elders left to right, standing: Harold W. Nielsen, Hyrum,

Asa E.
Utah; U A Hudson, Cardston, Canada; M. Hatch Rigby,
Empey, Idaho
ct A,'
Falls; sitting, EM Chnstensen,
Conference President
A H.
Shelley, Idaho^
I. L. W arnica,
nn Salt Lake City;
SylveSer, E^sinore; and F. W. Wayman, Centerville,
Monroe, H. C
Utah."

Steady Growth in Numbers

Elder Wa R. Stoddard, I-^^^^ft^fteJSJt

this branch and
J^S
"We are enjoying our labors in
Saints and missionaries can see the fruits ot oiJ d
efforts of the
growth of both member ^and mends ^o ^
ors by the steady i

We have an ideal circulate for^the

,

XVtowards QUr peopl Th-

better if * b
ing those who read to have a
book has been the means of causing some
^
to embrace the gospel
and
thev

having gained a testimony as

street meetings each
week.
to rts
Many peupic J« c asking further
1018 IMPROVEMENT ERA
questions of us and explanations of our teachings. Our Sunday meet-
ings are very well attended and we are greatly blessed by the Spirit
of the Lord."

More Interested in War than Religion

Elder Charles S. Schofield, Brisbane, Australia, July 7:

"The people here are more interested in war than in religion, and
we are turned from many doors without even having one of our free
tracts accepted. We have recently distributed hand bills at the Sun-
day evening meetings. On these were advertisements for the follow-
ing Sunday, giving the subject upon which we would speak at the
Latter-day Saints Church, Gibbons St. This has attracted the atten-
tion of a few people, and so aided us in presenting the gospel to quite
a number."

A Sunday School in Germany

Friedrich Radichel, Berlin-Steglitz, Germany, sends the following
picture taken on the 6th of June, representing the Sunday School of
the Berlin branch, Germany.

The and teachers of the Berlin branch Sunday School,

officers
L. D. S., left to right: Marta Kuster, organist; Linna Junius
top row,
and Hertha Noack, teachers Primary department; Max Bonk and
Minna Kitz, teachers Intermediate department; Clemens Wolf, par-
ents' department teacher; Johannes Kuster, first assistant; Wilhelm
Zumpe, superintendent and branch president; Adolph Reich, second
assistant; Marta Schulze, secretary; Friedrick Radichel, teacher The-
ological department, organist and chorister; Anna Hoffmann, secre-
tary.
 BERLIN, GERMANY, BRANCH SUNDAY SCHOOL

4i **
+ w
?
1
^ * f <v
s
1
:
ij
a

*».<* *> * % * K, . ^Bfc... "'M

ft 4*

rz

/
...^w*« Jm g^^m£-, " '

Headquarters in New Zealand

The following are the elders of the Hauraki conference, New
Zealand, left to right standing: W. J. Olpin, Nephi, Utah; S. S. Decker,
conference president of the Maori work, Taylor, Arizona; Glenn J.
Thurman, Provo; Van F. McBride, Tooele, Utah; W. L. Adams,
Bunkerville, Nevada; sitting: Matthew Cowley, Salt Lake City, Utah;
C. B. Stewart, Thatcher, Arizona; John A. Jensen, Redmond; F. J.
Foulger, conference president of Enrooean work, Ogden; W. L.
1020 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Knight, Ogden, Utah. Thames is the headquarters of European jwork,
and is the second largest European branch in the mission.

Branches and Sunday Schools Organized

Elder Sarbach, Chattanooga, Tenn., July 28:
J. J. "The elders
here are laboring in places where a few years ago elders of the
Church were mobbed. Very much interest is now shown and the
elders are accorded excellent treatment. Several branches have been
organized recently and also many Sunday Schools."
Scarcity of Missionaries in Sweden
Mission Secretary Walter A. Peterson, Stockholm, Sweden, July
20: "All the missionaries laboring in the Swedish nation were present
at a conference in Stockholm, July 3 and 4. Here they reported their
labors for the past six months, showing satisfactory work considering
the conditions under which they are compelled to labor. Ministers in
various parts of the island have shown some opposition to which the
elders paid little attention. The war is not affecting us very much,
except that the cost of living is considerably higher now than before
the war. A scarcity of missionaries, however, greatly hinders the
work in Sweden. Among the six millions of people of this country we
have only fifteen missionaries to preach the gospel. We rejoice that
we have been promised more laborers, Missionaries, native and from
Zion, laboring in Sweden, left to right, back row:

John F. Dahlman, Orebro, Sweden; Emil A. Neilson, Afton, Wyo.; Edith Land-
berg, Gefle, Sweden; Emil Hendrickson, Jonkoping, Sweden; Carl J. Sanders, Stock-
holm Sweden; Erb M. Tohnson, Tooele, Utah; middle row: Peter Swenson, Twin
Falls Idaho; Walter A. Peterson, mission secretary, Salt Lake City; Johan H.
Hqlm-
bait Lake City;
quist Malmo, Sweden; John A. Carlson, Skane conference president,
Claus Persson, Malmo, Sweden; Nephi Nordgran, Goteborg conference president,
Lanzen.
Monroe, Utah; Albin Erickson, Mink Creek, Idaho; front row sitting: Carl J. lians
Stockholm, Sweden; Even Svenson, editor mission paper, Satt Lake Ciyt; President J.

President of the Scandinavian mission, Salt Lake City; Mission

Christiansen,
conference president,
Theodore Tobiason, Salt Lake City; Erik W. Larson, Stockholm Thatcher, Idaho.
Ogden, Utah; and Nils A. Janson, Sundvall conference president,

A Faithful Native Worker Dead

"Finau Meleseini, daughter of Iki and Levaitai Iupou and a
faith-

ful member of the Church, died at Vavau, Tonga Islands, June 18 1915.

She was born March 19, 1904, and was beloved by elders and Saints,
 EDITORS' TABLE 1021

owing to her splendid character, and talent in performing her duties

as a member of the Church. She joined the Relief Society when only
ten years of age, was secretary of the Primary Association in her tenth
year, and never found absent from her duties. She was a faithful
attendant at Sunday School, Relief Society and Primary, and the les-
son taught by her life is, "Time is too precious for any one to be idle."
She was very kind to the missionaries and a leader among her school
mates and all she did was done with energy and good will. She spoke
English well and had kind words for all. She was sick only eight
days but she bore her severe illness with soldier-like fortitude. Her.
life was an example to all and, though only eleven years of age, her
character was of the kind that will merit eternal^ life through Jesus
Christ and she will have part in the first resurrection."

Conference in Maine

Elder G. Humphries, president of the Maine Conference, July 27:

"The Maine conference meetings were successful. Large numbers of
interested people were in attendance at each session, some being from
Augusta. We had with us Elder George Albert Smith of the Quorum
of Twelve Apostles, and President Monson, of the Eastern
States
Mission, both of whom explained the principles of the gospel. The
Spirit of the Lord was manifested in the meeting and in the
testi-

monies of the elders and lady missionaries. Little Janet Burk, age
for ten months,
five whose parents have been members of the Church
been
repeated from memory the Articles of Faith. The elders have
successful in making many friends in Augusta this
summer, five ot
places have
whom came to conference. Lewiston, Concord, and other the confer-
been successfully visited by the elders. At the close of
on the Z4tn, at
ence the elders went to meet with many other elders,
the Joseph Smith farm, Sharon, Vermont, from
which place they will

fields of labor. Elders from left.to right.standing.

go to their various Fred WaH, W. H.
Thomas Allen, W. R. Burke, Portland, Maine;Phelps O. V. Ander
Tovce David Shelley, H. H. Rawlings, Gertrude
Joseph Robinson James Lassen,
on Alice Rasmussen, W. R. Jensen ^
Elder George Albert Smith,
sitting: G. A. Adams, Geraint Humphreys,
retiring conference president,
President W. P. Monson, M. G. Kuhre,
Lorenzo Standifird, succeeding President Kuhre.
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

by p. joseph jensen

Lesson 33

(Chapter XXX)
Problem: What were the conditions that caused the Saints to
leave Missouri?
Before studying this lesson review the last nine paragraphs of
chapter 13. Why did the Saints locate in Missouri? Why was it good
for making homes? How would that naturally make them feel about
leaving? In how many counties did they live in Missouri? See map
p. 160. Why did they live in so many? In what kind of financial
circumstances were the Saints for leaving Missouri?
What order had the Governor of Missouri made concerning the
Saints leaving? See bottom of page 145. What was done at Haun's
Mill to carry out the order?
Study the chapter.
How did the Missouri legislature treat the Saints' petition? (The
vote was 37 to 48). Where was the first Presidency while the Saints
were moving?
What office and qualifications did Brigham Young possess that
fitted him
to be a leader?
What' financial plan did he carry out to aid the Saints to move?
In which did Brigham Young have greater interest, money or the
Saints?
Was his judgment sound?
Contrast the feelings of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, con-
cerning their imprisonment. Relate what Sister Amanda Smith also
what Brothers Kimball and Ripley were doing in this very trying time
of moving.
Why do you think they could do these things?
In what season of the year did they move?
How far did they have to travel? See map p. 160.
Answer the problem of the lesson?
Lesson 34

(Chapter XXXI, First four paragraphs)

Problem: How does the justice of the Lord correct the injustice
of man?
Why were the Prophet and his brethren in Liberty jail?
How long were they there?
What attempts had been made to take their lives?
Study the assignment: For whom are prisons made?
For what kind of actions are people lawfully imprisoned?
 ^
PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 1023

Were the Prophet and brethren lawfully imprisoned in Liberty

jail?
What course did they pursue to make their escape?
How did they finally make it?
Compare this imprisonment with that (1) of Alma and Amulek,
Alma 14; and (2) Peter, Acts 5:17-29. Compare the escape of the dif-
ferent parties. Did the laws of the land justify the imprisonment
of these men? Why?
Did the officers of the law deal justly with them?
To whom did they go for justice?
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Lesson 35

(Chapter XXXI, Last three paragraphs)

Problem: How shall we act when our interests and safety ap-
parently conflict with the commandments of the Lord?
Study the assignment.
Why was it a difficult thing to accomplish this commandment of
the to the Twelve Apostles?
Lord
does their journey to Far West show their trust in the Lord?
How
Compare the keeping of this commandment by Brigham Young
and others, with the event of Nephi and brothers getting the plates
from Laban? (I Nephi 3 and 4.) , • ,

Show here that faith without works would be dead, in these

cases.
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Increasing Attendance at Sacrament Meetings

Sanpete
President Adolph Merz, and associates, of the North
sacra-
stake have adopted a plan for increasing the attendance at
ment meetings. The effects of the plan have so far been most
gratify-
the special work was
ing the attendance having almost doubled since
wards were
commenced about a month ago, on July 30. The twelve special mis-
upon for twenty-nine special missionaries. These
called
sionaries were the most capable men of the stake who preach the
gospel by example as well as by precept. To
accompany these mis-
and musicians were called— young people
sionaries, twenty-four singers
of the various auxiliary organizations.
The hearty response by these
this four-month s mis-
missionaries, singers and musicians, to perform
was an inspiration and a source of great satisfaction to the presi-
sion
Saints at the last quarterly
dency. Their names were presented to the
™& r conference and unanimously sustained. The appointments are
and enthusiasm, although at times some trav la
riled with regularity
stance of from fifty to sixty miles. Everv
visited every Sabbath afternoon,
warf «n
except on Fas Day, by J. a ditterent £
The
companv (/missionaries and singers. presidency.
a
™™°™Z
i

His subject £ is tne *£fc?

o-iven subject suggested by the stake
ward, and so arranged that the second speaker s dis-
same in everv is
arranged in such a
rn^Ae with the first. The itinerary is
correlates
1024 IMPROVEMENT ERA
sacrament meeting in the ward during the month. A compilation of
this report is presented to the high council each month at the
monthly stake priesthood meeting. This report is received with great
interest by the brethren, and stimulates ward activities in support of
this movement. Prior to the beginning of this work the bishops held
a special meeting with the officers of every organization in their re-
spective wards, enlisted their support in the proper observance of the
Sabbath day, by their own example and by using their influence to
encourage others to attend meetings.

"Active" and "Inactive" Members

Tn answer to a question from one of the presidency of a stake
the Presiding Bishop's Office has given the following answer as to what
constitutes "active" members of the Church: "The interpretation of
'active' and 'inactive' is largely one which should be settled in each
community. We are satisfied that with a discussion of this matter by
the presidencv and high council of the stake, some satisfactory con-
clusion will be arrived at as how to apply 'active' and 'inactive' to
members of the Church. It does not appeal to us that a man who pays
tithing, attends sacrament meetings, and holds the priesthood, is for
that' reason 'active.' It would be very much better to apply the word
'active' to some labor or duty under the direction of the stake presi-
dency, or the bishopric of the ward, or to an active worker in one of
the auxiliary organizations. That is the intent and spirit of the in-
'"
quiry concerning 'activities.

Weekly Priesthood Meetings

It appears from the reports at the Presiding Bishop's Office that
the weekly priesthood meetings for the six months ending June 30,
in 1913 showed 16% of the priesthood in attendance; in 1914, 17%; in
1915, 18%. The increase in the percentage of attendance at sacrament
meetings shows as follows: 14.5, in 1913; 16.5, inl914, and 17%, in 1915.

Ward Teaching
In the various wards of Zion this great work is increasing in
efficiency and in scope. It appears from the summary of stake re-
ports for the six months ending June 30, that the number of families in
the stakes of Zion who were visited in June, 1913, was 21,825; June.
1914. 30,022; June, 1915, 42,437, showing a commendable increase in
the activities of ward teaching. The percent of families visited for
the three years was respectivelv. 42, 51 and 63. When we consider that
the increase of families from 1913 to 1915 in the Church was 14,939 the
growth of the work is really remarkable.
In Liberty stake President Hugh J. Cannon, and associates, are as-
sisted in priesthood work by high council committees. Three high
councilors look after the elders' quorums. The attendance is called to
their attention each week, and they suggest ways and means by which
the ward presidencies of the elders' quorums can best increase the
number. Tn this manner also the high council committee for the Les-
ser Priesthood assist the bishops in looking after the attendance in
the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood. A supervisor for each ward
is appointed by the presidency of the high priests' quorum whose
special duty is to look after the attendance of the high priests in the
wards. On the fourth Sunday of each month a stake union meeting
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 1025

is held, when attendance of the priesthood is taken up by the bishops

and high council committee with the respective departments. A weekly
report card is furnished by the ward clerk to each ward, which shows
the number of the priesthood in the ward, and the number present,
also the attendance by actual count at sacrament service. This card
—
includes all the officers of the priesthood high priest, seventy, elder,
teacher, priest and deacon. The bishops are fully converted to weekly
priesthoor meetings and support the stake presidency to a unit.

The Oneida stake, under President Joseph S. Geddes, continued

its splendid standing in ward teaching. For the month of June every
one of the twenty-one wards in the stake reported 100% of the families
visited. There were 1,571 families visited, with an attendance of 239
teachers at the meeting on the third Sunday of June; and for July,
1,593 families, every one of which was visited in the twenty-one wards.
There was an attendance at the teachers' meeting of 215. The stake
and ward authorities are congratulated upon this excellent showing.
There were 480 teachers in the stake, in June, and 504 in July, who did
this work.

In the Bear Lake stake the authorities feel very much encouraged
with the improvement made in ward teaching. President J. R. Shep-
herd writes that wherever regular and faithful ward teaching is done,
the good results are reflected in all departments of the Church or-
ganization. Teaching, however, must be persistently followed and
checked up each month, or it will fall down. At the beginning some
felt that we were rather extreme in checking up this matter so closely,
but now so many of our wards have reached the 100% mark that they,
with us, think the effort is worth while. Our report for the month
just ended, in nineteen wards of the stake reached 100%, and the
average percent of all families visited in the stake for June was 98.

Bishop Peter Borup, of Eureka,is complimented upon his splendid

work in particularly in view of the difficulties he has

ward teaching,
to encounter in a mining district. His report for the six months
ending
June 30 shows that' every family was visited, with the exception of
the month of March, when three families were missed. The bishop
is

himself active, makes many visits that are never recorded. The bishop
himself, as well as the teachers, work night shifts, half the time, so
that it is impossible to visit certain families all the time. One of
the teachers, Joseph A. Gagon, is doing missionary work among
the
non-members, and during the past five months he visited one hundred
and eighty families distributing tracts and books. Taking all
things
well as
into consideration ward teaching in Eureka is being done as
among the best in the Church, and the ward is certainly entitled to a
place among the foremost.

Rational Theology

Classes desiring copies of the present year's text book

may obtain
it promptly by sending their orders to the Improvement Era, £2. Bish-
The book of permanent use, and
op's Building, Salt Lake City. is

will do honor to any library, send for it today.

 Mutual Work
Pioneer Trail "Hike"
The fourth trip of M. I. A. scouts over the Pioneer Trail was made

PARADE AT HENEFER, JULY 21, 1915

July 21-24, 1915. This account of it is given the Era, by H. C. Morten-

sen who was the scribe:
Through the courtesy of the Oregon Short Line and Union
Pacific Railroad companies, the scouts who crossed Pioneer Trail, in
1915, were given free transportation from Salt Lake City to Henefer,

BEE HIVE GIRLS, HENEFER, UTAH, JULY 21, 1915

 MUTUAL WORK 1027

CLAYTON'S RANCH, EAST CANYON, JULY 22, 1915

leaving at 7:20 a. m., July 21, in charge of Dr. John H. Taylor, M. I. A.

Scout Commissioner, and the following staff: Oscar A. Kirkham, C.
S. Gardner, A. J. Wood, T. Geo. Wood, H. C. Mortensen, L. G.
Hardy, of Provo; C. S. Spencer, Jr., Prof J. H. Paul and Julian Clawson.
The "hike" was conducted under Scout ruels, each day's activities
being outlined by order of the Scout Commissioner, with the general
order governing the camp as follows:
General Order:
"Stake organization will be recognized in marching. Granite
stake, under Miller; Cottonwood, under Cornwall; Salt Lake, under
Beesley; Pioneer, under Gardner; North Weber, under Draper.
"The following general appointments are made: Spencer, D. S. C,
adjutant, in charge of march and line-up; Wood, S. M., commissary, in

PIONEER TRAIL—THE GROVE AT MOUNTAIN DELL, JULY 23, 1915

1028 IMPROVEMENT ERA

OBSERVATION POINT, BIG MOUNTAIN, JULY 23, 1915

charge of camping and eating arrangements; Hardy, D. S. C, sanitation

officer, in charge of health conditions and camp sanitation; Mortensen,
scribe; Kirkham, in charge of camp fires and entertainment; Corn-
wall, singing, and yell master.
"Strict obedience to orders and scout discipline must be followed.
All officers must be saluted when addressed. Permission to leave
camp or to swim must be obtained from the Commissioner."
By order of Dr. John H. Taylor, Commissioner.
The company arrived at Henefer at 10:20 a. m., and were met by
Bishop Stevens, the Henefer band, Bee-hive Girls, and a large number
of people who escorted them to the meetinghouse where a patriotic
program, commemorating the 68th anniversary of the day the Pioneers
passed over the grounds of the city, was given. In addition to the

PIONEER TRAIL— SUMMIT LITTLE MOUNTAIN, JULY 24, 1915

 MUTUAL WORK 1029

program Dr. John H. Taylor and Oscar A. Kirkham made short talks,
and the scouts indulged in some lively yells. After the meeting the
visitors were taken to the public square where a bounteous and tooth-
some lunch was served by the Bee-hive Girls. After a brief rest
cheers were given for the girls, the band and Henefer, and the real
"hike" began.
The weather was ideal. The East Canyon reservoir was reached
about 4 p. m. Here the boys all enjoyed a swim. After this delight-
ful refreshment, the "hike" was resumed, everybody feeling so fresh
that the appointed place for the first night's camp was passed by and
four miles more added to the first day's march. Camp was made at
Clayton's Ranch.
July 22. Reveille was sounded at 7 a. m. After breakfast, camp
inspection, assembly, and prayer, the march was resumed and camp was
made at the mouth of Little Emigration canyon. The balance of the
day was spent in swimming, fishing, games, and in nature study. In
the evening, around the huge bonfire, songs, stories and speeches made
a profitableand pleasant entertainment.
July 23rd, Reveille sounded at 5:30 a. m. After breakfast and
"

camp duties, a pleasant hike of about two hours brought the company
to the top of Big Mountain where the first view of the valley was
obtained. A short halt was made, while extracts from the diary of
Orson Pratt, covering this part of his trip, in 1847, were read, and the
conditions of the road and country at that time explained. Camp
Grant, in Mountan Dell, was reached about 4:30 p. m.
In the evening the camp was joined by Wm. A. Morton, Geo. J.
Cannon, James N. Lambert, and Prof. J. H. Paul, also by two patrols
from the Waterloo troop of scouts.
After supper a great bonfire was made and Prof. Paul gave the
boys a lesson on flowers, after which addresses were made by
George
J Cannon, James N. Lambert
and Wm. A. Morton. Impromptu songs
and
by the scouts, stories and yells, all greatly enjoyed by scouts
visitors, concluded the program.
July 24 Reveille at 5 a. m. After light breakfast, the company
left camp at 7, and proceeded over Little
Mountain, meeting the Emi-
gration car at 8 o'clock, and reaching the city in time for the parade.

JOINING THE PARADE, SALT LAKE CITY, JULY 24, 1915

1030 IMPROVEMENT ERA
After the parade all the scouts enjoyed a swim at the Deseret
Gymnasium.
The scouts and members of the staff all returned well and happy,
delighted with the experiences of the trip. An interesting feature of
the trip was the visit of Gov. Stuart of Virginia, with the boys while
enroute to Ogden. He complimented them on their fine appearance,
and encouraged them in the great work of scoutcraft.
The outing was not only a pleasant summer trip in the hills, but
a means of awakening pleasant memories of the pioneers in the hearts
of the happy participants. It was a journey to be remembered in their
lives.
Total Scouts and Scout Masters 106
Staff 1(

Total 116

List of Scouts

Cottonwood Stake, Winder Ward, Claud C. Cornwall, Stake Scout-

master:
Gustave Larsen, Dewey Olson, Rider Hansen, Reed North, Lowell
Palmquist, Rulon Casper, Albert Stevenson, Joseph Peterson, Lester
Home, Douglas Cornwall, Elliott Cooley, Vimal Casper.
North Weber Stake, Ogden Third Ward, Jesse H. Draper, Scout-
master:
Frank Horspool, Harry West, Demont Herrick, Leonard Hill, Fred
Williams, Alvin Sorensen, Alvin Hill, Eugene Wiggins, Clarence
Chandler, Fred Feile, George H. Draper, teamster.
Salt Lake Stake, Twenty-eighth ward, F. A. Beesley, Scoutmaster;
Mathew Haslam, Patrol Leader; Lester Lauman, Assistant Patrol
Leader:
Everon Bath, Douglas Kingdom, Glen Hackwell, Clarence Frost,
Senter Haslam, Elmer Karren, and Harry Davis of the Nineteenth
ward.
Twenty-fourth Ward. Alan Wood, Patrol Leader; Lewis Wallace,
Assistant Patrol Leader:
Chester Barley, Walter Arnold, Ezra Wigren, Charles (Rich,
Elmo Garbett, James Garbett, Teague Sorensen.
Granite Stake, Wilford Ward, Ralph Peterson, Assistant Scout-
master:
Dean Peterson, Milton Fisher, Clyde Anderson, Virgil Saville,
Clarence Lemons, Francis Anderson.
Parley's Ward, Lawrence Clements, Scoutmaster:
Clarence Clements, Lester Dyer, Frank Thomson, Henry Taylor,
Clifford Thomson.
Forest Dale Ward, Clarence Miller, Assistant Scoutmaster:
Walter Tohr, Otto Buchner, Claud Heiner, Arthur Linebach,
William Bullough, Elias Cannon, Lester Parr, Forest King, Selbin
Cunningham, Toy Sparr, Edgar Summerhays.
Waterloo Ward, over-night "hike," T. Geo. Wood, Scoutmaster;
Scouts in charge of Frank Hardy, Head Patrol Leader:
Fred Clark, Axel Johnson, Adolph Dietz, Stellen Thedell, Elden
Sanders, Kenneth Mauss, Virgil Field, John Veth, Harold McFarlane,
Glenn Steffenson, Wilford Savage, Bruno Demke, Burt Crowton, Folk
Thedell, Richard Best, Gordon Buckle.
Salt Lake Stake, Daniel H. Magdiel, Stake Scoutmaster, Nine-
teenth Ward:
 MUTUAL WORK 1031

Ivin Jensen, Fifteenth Ward.

Joseph Goser, Franklin Backman, Karl Sunstrum, Warn Lowry,
Kenneth Brandley, Spencer Backman.
Pioneer Stake, Charles S. Gardiner, Temp. Scoutmaster, Twenty-
sixth Ward:
Carl Barg, Harold Weed, Frank Jones, George Sudbury.
Seventh Ward:
Earl Gushman, Claude Lambert, Raymond Margetts, Frank Irvine.
Liberty Stake, Le Grande Ward:
David Smith.

Manual Lessons and Schedule of Meetings

The titles of the manual lessons for 1915-16 are given below, also
a suggestive schedule of meetings to be held during the season, both
for associations which meet on Tuesday nights and for associations
which meet on Sunday nights. The superintendents should so arrange
their affairs that the lessons may be given in all the associations on
a uniform night.
There will be three classes this year in the associations the sub- —
junor class, providing for members 12 to 13 years of age; the junior
class, providing for members 14 to 17, and the senior classes for other
members, with the privilege also of special senior work under certain
conditions in associations which so desire. (See revised edition of the
Hand Book, page 32, and for an explanation of the other classes, pages
29 to 32.)

Senior Class Lesson Headings

Lesson title of the Senior Manual, "Conditions of Success."

I. Health, VIII. Special Training,

II. Self-control, IX. Margins,
III. Self-control, continued, X. Religion,
IV. Self-control as a Propel- XL Marriage,
ling Power, XII. Optimism,
V. Deliberation, .XIII. Public Virtue,
VI. Dependability, XIV. Care and Order Habit
VII. Word of Honor, XV. Recreation.

Junior Class Lesson Headings

Tittle of Manual, "Developm ent of Character." Ill Lessons

Success.
I. The Need of Will and VIII. Order,
Work, IX. Punctuality,
II. Loyalty, X. Politeness,
III. Something for Nothing, XL Language,
IV. Perseverance, XII. Cheerfulness,
V. Honesty, XIII. Self-control,
VI. Money, XIV. Benevolence,
VII. Company, XV. Justice.

Sub-Junior Class Lesson Headings

Boy problems, stories, scout work. Teacher's text book, "Prob-

lems of Boyhood." (See "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book," pp. 74 to 78,
also "Scout Promise" and "Scout Law," pp. 53, 54.)
1032 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Schedule of Meetings for 1915-16
TUESDAY NIGHTS
October 12, Lesson I.
October 19, Lesson II.
October 26, Special Activity Evening. Three ten-minute addresses,
Seniors. Three ten-minute stories, Music, ladies' quartet.

November 2, Lesson III.

November 9, Lesson IV.
November 16, Lesson V.
November Optional.
23,
November Special Activity Evening.
30, Three ten-minute addres-
ses, Seniors. Three ten-minute extemporaneous addresses Ad. —
vanced Seniors. Double Mixed quartet, Boys' Chorus.
December 7, Lesson VI.
December 14, Lesson VII.
December 21, Lesson VIII.
December 28, Special Activity Evening, Drama.

January 4, Lesson IX.

January 11, Lesson X.
January 18, Lesson XL
January 25, Special Activity Evening, Three ten-minute addressess,
Seniors, Three ten-minute stories, Male Quartet, Girls' Chorus.

February 1, Lesson XII.

February 8, Lesson XIII.
February 15, Lesson XIV.
February 22, Model M. I. A. Dance.

March 1, Lesson XV.

March 8, Lesson Review.
March 15, Lesson Review.
March 22, Closing Meeting.
March 29, Closing Joint Meeting, Two public addresses, Two ex-
temporaneous talks, Two stories, Male Quartet, Ladies' Quartet,
Mixed Double Quartet, Boys' Chorus, Girls' Chorus.
For Associations Meeting Sunday Nights
October 10, Joint meeting, January 2, Joint Meeting,
October 17, Lesson I. January 9, Lesson IX.
October 24, Lesson II. January 16,Lesson X.
October 31, Optional. January 23, Lesson XL
January 30, Optional.
November 7, Joint Meeting,
November 14, Lesson III. February 6, Joint Meeting,
November 21, Lesson IV. February 13, Lesson XII.
November 28, Ltsson V. February 20, Lesson XIII.
February 27, Lesson XIV.
December 5, Joint Meeting,
March 6, Joint Meeting,
December 12, Lesson VI. March 13, Lesson XV.
December 19, Lesson VII. March 20, Lesson Review.
December 26, Lesson VIII. March 27, Lesson Review.
Notes: See "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book," page 112, paragraphs
1 to 7.
Associations meeting on Sunday evening should present their
special activities at meetings held on week evenings.
An opening joint sociable should be held prior to October 12.
 MUTUAL WORK 1033

For Contest Work and Special Activities, see "Y. M. M. I. A.

Hand Book," revised edition, pp. 87, 92, to 101.

Contest Work and Special Activities for 1916

See convention circular pages 8 to 11.

See Improvement Era, pages 888-91, August, 1915, and "Young
Woman's Journal," August, 1915, pages 517-19.
"The Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book"
Superintendents and presidents of associations are directed to the
"Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book," the new revised edition. You will find
it indispensable in your work. It gives definite information about all
the subjects to be treated at the fall conventions.
It explains to the officers how to proceed in the opening meetings
of the associations, and how to order and distribute the manuals.
It informs the officers on the important changes in the method of
collecting the M. I. A. Fund, and tells what should be done before the
associations begin in October.
It tells how to conduct the M. I. A. Activities and gives the rules
and regulations governing the contests.
It names the books of the Reading Course, the aims, methods, in-
centives, and organization necessary to success in this department of
our work.
It tells you all about how to organize and carry on the M. I. A.
Scout work, and gives the examination questions, and complete out-
lines for Scout lessons.
It details the plan of M. I. A. work in stakes and wards, and
gives
the suggestive order of business for joint or separate ward meetings.
It is full of other facts which a live officer must know to
success-
fully carry on Mutual Improveemnt work. Don't worry. The "Y. M.
MIA Hand riook" solves all Mutual problems, and points the way
mail, or one dozen to
to success. Buy one. Price 25c, single copy by
one address $2.40, postpaid. Order now and have the book in the
hands of the your conventions. It is absolutely nec-
officers before
essary to the success of their work.

Reading Course Scores

It is suggested that a stake

pennant be given to the ward scoring
the greatest number of points in
proportion to its enrollment, for par-
stakes, as set forth in the con-
ticipation in different activities in the
vention circular. For the reading course,
two points for each book
desired to read the books
«Td is suggested. Some of the stakesofhave the "Hand Book," it was de-
in kouds* and after the publication
a group, desires to listen
Sdfd that where an association, or class in and.a credit of one point
to the readTng a book this may be done,
the entire book read A care-
c?f

may be given to each member who hears

each reading. A.person
Suecofd should be kept of the attendance at
 Passing Events

A new rebellion in Haiti broke out on August 5, and on August

6 American naval forces took possession of the office of Port au
Prince. One Haitian was killed.
A flood in Erie, Pa., on August 3, caused great property damage
and two thousand persons lost their homes in the disaster. Twenty-
five lives were lost. The flood was caused by a cloud burst.
Harry K. Thaw, the young millionaire who murdered Architect
Stanford White some nine years ago, was adjudged sane by a jury in
New York on July 14, ending a nine-years' controversy in the courts.
The Japanese cabinet, headed by Count Okuma, resigned July 30,
inconsequence of well-substantiated charges of corruption and bribery
made against Count Oura. The emperor on the 9th authorized Premier
Okuma to withdraw his resignation and form a new cabinet.
The Panama Canal was used on July 16 for the first time by
United States battle ships. On that day the "Missouri," ''Ohio," and
"Wisconsin" passed through on their way to the Exposition at San
Francisco where three or four battle ships are already gathered.

Crops in the United States, according to government estimates

given for 1915, will be very large. The wheat crop will be worth
more than a billion dollars and the corn crop will be valued at two
billion. There will be a record crop of rye, white and sweet potatoes,
and tobacco. The potato crop promises to exceed any former record
by 103,000,000 bushels. Three billion bushels of corn, one and a half
billion of oats, and a billion bushels of wheat, are in prospect, for the
year.

The American Bar Association opened its thirty-eighth annual

convention at ten o'clock August 17, in SaltLake City, with more than
1,200 members in attendance. The meeting was held in the Assembly
Hall. Governor Spry and United States Senator George Sutherland
welcomed the bar and bench to Salt Lake City. Among the visiting mem-
bers are noted men from all parts of the United States, including Sen-
ator J. Hamilton Lewis of Illinois, and Ex-president William Howard
Taft, who arrived in Salt Lake City on the 18th, and was heartily
welcomed. Hon. Elihu Root was chosen president of the association.
The wireless station at Sayville, Long Island, was taken over
by the government of the United States on July 9, and is now being
operated by officers of the United States navy. The reason for
taking it is that though nominally American it is chiefly owned by
German electrical companies, and was virtually controlled by the
German government and run by German military officers. Our gov-
ernment, therefore, held that the station violated the povisions of
of belligerent wire-
the Hague convention against the establishment
less stations on the soil of neutral nations.

A new railroad is about completed between Larissa and Saloniki.

It has been
about seventy miles, which opened for traffic in August.
 PASSING EVENTS 1035

completed by Greece through the northern mountains, and connects

them with the great roads that penetrate the rest of Europe. The
government has been enabled to do this since the Balkans drove the
Turks out of Macedonia. The traveler can now go by rail from Paris
to Athens in sixty hours, and mail between England and India can
go in one day less than it has ever gone before. It is reported that
America supplied the locomotive engines and the rails.

Galveston, Texas, was struck on the 16th by a tropical storm and

tidal wave, the wind increasing to a velocity in the afternoon of be-
tween sixty and seventy-five miles an hour. Thousands of people left
Galveston, fearing a repetition of the catastrophe of 1900. The damage
to property is estimated at fifteen milllion dollars. During part of
the time the city was under five feet of water. The storm also passed
over Houston and other coast cities. The death list will exceed one
hundred, and outside of the Galveston losses there will be another
loss of at least fifteen million dollars, the total being estimated at over
thirty million dollars. The water mains in Galveston were broken,
and on the 18th fires were raging uncontrolled in consequence. Four
of our missionaries laboring in Galveston reached Houston safely
on the 20th.

losses in the great war, about the first of August, the end
The
of the year of the war, in both men and money were enormous,
first
according to a table compiled from official statistics and reckoned by
the Red Cross and other relief organizations. The "New York Inde-
pendent" learns that the grand total of killed in the ten nations that
were in the war during the year amounted to 2,408,000; the wounded
5,155.000; prisoners and missing 1,802,000; making a grand total of
9,365.000. The Allies out of this number lost 1,503,000 in killed;
3,355,000 wounded, and 1,302,000 in prisoners and missing, making a
total of 6,160,000, or nearly twice as many as Germany and her allies
lost. The greatest loss in killed and wounded was in Russia where
800,000 were killed and 2,000,000 wounded.

In Mexico the condition of affairs changed once more on the 31st

of July when General Gonzales, the Carranza leader, re-occupied the
city without much opposition. Food and supplies were very scarce.
It was announced on August 2nd, in Washington, that the
ambas-
sadors of Brazil, Argentine and Chili, and the three senior ministers
from South and Central America, those from Bolivia, Uruguay, and
Guatemala, had been invited to confer with Secretary Lansing with a
view to uniting on a plan to restore order in Mexico. The meeting
was held for this purpose on August 5th, on which occasion Secre-
in
tary Lansing laid before the diplomats the suggestions for action
Mexico prepared by President Wilson. The plan is to recognize a
provisional government, and to forbid the exportation of arms to
any
faction opposing it.

The Portneuf stake was organized at Downey, Idaho, on the and oc-
casion of the Pocatello quarterly conference held on
August 14
15 The stake was divided along a line running east and west between
with Swan
McCammon and Onyx. The southern part of the old stake and
Lake formerly of Oneida stake, forms the new stake of Portneut,
the northern part remains in Pocatello. The
wards in the Portneut
stake are Cambridge, Downey, Garden Creek, Grant
Lava Lava Hot
Springs Marsh Center, McCammon. Virginia, Woodland, Arimo
and
The remaining wards in Pocatello stake are Inkom,
Swan Lake
1036 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Pocatello 1st and 2nd, Tyhee, American Falls, Neeley, Rockland,
Meadow and Crystal branch. George T. Hyde was made president
of thePortneuf stake, with William W. Henderson and Swen F.
Johnson counselors, and Guy Gittings superintendent of the Y. M.
M. I. A. The presidency of the Pocatello stake is as follows: Wil-
liam A. Hyde, Noah S. Pond and Finn H. Berg. The superintendent
of the Y. M. M. I. A. is J. Wyley Sessions. President Francis M.
Lyman and Elder James E. Talmage of the Council of the Twelve
attended to all matters connected with the change, representing the
First Presidency.

The "Eastland" carrying Western Electric employees and their

friends on an excursion, capsized at her dock in the Chicago river,
on July 24th, with 2,480 people on board, hundreds of whom were
caught in her hold or between decks and drowned. Approximately
twelve hundred people were dead or missing. It is one of the world's
greatest excursion boat tragedies. An investigation was held, and the
captain and several of the officers owning the boat were indicted and
held answerable for the disaster. At' the Exposition in San Francisco,
Illinois Day was to be celebrated by the governor, militia and Illinois
people, on the 24th, but upon hearing of the disaster the governor and
a number of the leading men with him chartered a train and went to
Chicago immediately. The flag was placed at half-mast on the Illinois
building, and the celebration postponed.

Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, who paid Salt Lake City a visit

in July, visited western Canada on his return, and we are informed
by Frank C. Steele, of Raymond, that his sojourn in the great Canadian
prairie land, "though regretably brief, was sufficiently extended for the
Colonel to capture and hold the Canadian heart." At Moose Jaw a young
private, a big, strapping six-footer, chanced near the Colonel's car. "Jump-
ing out, Teddy grasped the fellow's hand and shook it warmly, shouting
something like this into the ear of the pleased but bewildered soldier:
'I like the looks of you Canadian chaps. You will make mighty fine
soldiers.' That was enough. Like lightning, the incident stirred the
fertile imagination of the scribes and editors, great and small, who
wove all sorts of stories around it." People came from all directions
to meet the trains as the Colonel passed over the country. "He de-
livered many short, encouraging speeches from his car, and the home-
steaders, cow-boys, and storekeepers, not to mention their good wives
and children, applauded and were pleased." Mr. Steele remarks that
somewhere "between Moose Jaw and Swift Current a pack of steers
recently imported from Texas actually smiled, in recognition of Teddy,
through the car window."

Lewis S. Hills, veteran banker and financier, and for many years
president of the Deseret National Bank, died July 21, 1915. He was
born March 8, 1836, in South Amhurst, Mass., and was educated in
the public schools and in the high school of Springfielo, Mass. In
1862 he came to Utah settling first at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he
clerked in the land office. He and William H. Hooper and Horace S.
Eldredge started a private bank in Salt Lake City, under the name
of Hooper, Eldredge & Company with a
capital of $40,000. In 1872
the Deseret
the firm was incorporated under the national bank act as
occupied
National Bank, and he became cashier, which position he
institution which posi-
until 1892 when he was made president of the
tion he held until May 1, 1911, when he retired.
He was a very quiet
man In his business ability people had great confidence, as a man
 —

PASSING EVENTS 1037

upon whose word men could readily rely. He was fond of home, and
thought very much of his family.

—
The Great War. July 9. General Louis Botha commanding the
British colonial troops in South Africa receives the surrender of the
forces in German southwest Africa.
—
July 12. The German cruiser "Koenigsburg" which had sought
refuge on the eastern coast of Africa since last September, has been
totally destroyed by the British.
—
July 13. The German attack in the Argonne forest results in a
gain of the French of a half a mile over a front of three miles.
It is announced that the British A 2 /%
loan has brought new sub-
l

scriptions of nearly three thousand millions.

—
July 14. The British House of Lords adopted the registration bill
previously passed by the House of Commons under which all able-
bodied men will be registered and classified, undoubtedly a preliminary
—
step to conscription. During June forty-two merchant ships were
—
sunk by German submarines. Mr. Bonar Law, the British secretary
fci the colonies estimates that 450,000 square miles of German colonial
possessions have been occupied by the Allies.
—
July 15. Germany announces the occupation of the strongly
fortified city of Prasznysz, in northern Poland, —A
miners' strike ties
up the great coal industry of Wales. This strike was amicably settled
—
on the 20th. It was announced that the Austro-Hungarian government
had sent a note to Washington protesting against the shipment of
munitions of war into the enemy's country as not in consonance with
our neutrality.
—
July 16. Germany begins a new offensive against Russia with
Warsaw as a probable objective, Field Marshal von Hindenberg com-
manding the German armies from the north, and Field Marshal von
Mackensen those from the south.
—
July 17. The Italian crusier "Guiseppe Garibaldi" was sunk by
an Austrian submarine.
—
July 19. British official figures relating to British interception of
American cotton for German or neutral North Sea ports show that
since March 11, sixty vessels have been retained and cargoes of twenty-
five valued at $3,500,000 have been purchased by arrangements with
American shippers.
—
July 20. The German advance on Warsaw from the north, west
and south, reaches within twenty to twenty-five miles of the city.
July 21— Germans invest Ivangorod, and have taken sixty thou-
sand Russian prisoners since July 12 when the drive on Warsaw
began.
—
July 22. General Ian Hamilton reports steady though slow pro-
gress by the Allies on the Gallipoli peninsula.
—
July 23. The Germans storm the fortresses of Rozan and Pultusk
on the Narew river.
July —The sinking of a French and British steamer and four
24. a
British trawlers marks the resumption of German submarine activity.
July —The American tramp freight steamer
25. "Leelanaw" was
sunk by a German submarine off the Orkney
islands the crew escap-
ing. The vessel carried contraband cargo of flax from Archangel,
Russia, to Belfast, Ireland.— There was a clean sweep in the Russian
war office of the men responsible for the present shortage of_ ammu-
—
ntion in Russia. Berlin announces that the Germans have in hand
over 1,500,000 Russian prisoners.
July 27.— English official statements to July 18 announce the Brit-
ish naval losss as 9,106, and the total military casultities as 301,891.
1038 IMPROVEMENT ERA
—
July 28. Berlin announces that up to July 25, 229 British vessels
have been sunk by German submarines, also thirty other hostile ships
and twenty-seven neutral vessels, carrying contraband. Six neutral
craft were torpedoed by mistake.
—
July 29. The German advance upon Warsaw was resumed after
having been checked by the Russians on the 28th.
—
July 30. The Germans and Austrians capture Lublin. The Rus-
sian government announces the evacuation of Warsaw.
—
July 31. The Pope issued a letter to all belligerents urging peace.
Holland provides for a great increase in her army.
—
August 1. The Czar re-affirms his pledge of autonomy for Poland.
—
August 4. Warsaw was evacuated by the Russians, on account
of the lack of ammunition. The bridges over the Vistula river were
blown up. The Bavarian troops, under Prince Leopold, were the first
to break through the forts of the outer and inner lines of the city's
defenses. The next step will be the German emperor's triumphant
entry into the Polish capital, soon to be followed by the announcement
of a united and semi-autonomous Poland — embracing not only the
territory wrested from the Russians but the Austrian crown land of
Galicia.
—
August 7. A report from London declares that Sweden may
—
throw in her lot with Germany and Austria. A report from Berlin
says that the troops were welcomed to undamaged Warsaw as liber-
ators.
August 8.— The Turkish battleship "Barbaressa," of 9,900 tons dis-
placement, formerly the German warship "Frederick Wilhelm" was
sunk by a submarine of the allied powers. A majority of the 600 of-
ficers and men were saved.
—
August 12. The Baltic flank of the German armies are reported
as having attained the banks of the river Dvina, near Riga, with Petro
grad less than three hundred miles away in a direct line. The Ger-
mans announce that Germany must cut her way through to Constanti-
nople; and the Balkan situation is beginning to look serious.
—
August 16. In a note to Austria, the United States firmly but
politely declines to accede to the request of the Vienna government
that the export of arms to the Allies be stopped.
—
August 17. The British transport "Royal Edward" was torpedoed
and sunk by a German submarine. There were' 1,350 troops on board
and 220 other persons, only 600 of whom were saved.
—
August 18. The Germans capture Kvona, one of the crucial points
in the Russian defensive in the north; and the road to the Vilna, War-
saw and Petrograd railway is now open to the troops of Emperor
William.
—
August 19. A German submarine sank the ocean liner "Arabic,"
carrying some 480 passengers and crew. Eight people were drowned,
including two Americans. The ship carried between ten and fifteen
million dollars of American securities. Among the list of American
survivors is A. Hulme Nebeker, of Logan, Utah, who was returning
from a two-years' mission in Liverpool, where he had acted as confer-
ence president.
August 20.-—A German submarine sank the Bristol liner, "New
York City," and a number of other smaller vessels; it was reported.
 Agree with Teachings, But Will Not Join the Church

Elder James M. Adamson, Sunderland, England, May 26: "We

have only about one-half of the usual number of elders in this confer-
ence. We are in need of more missionaries. So far, however, we have
had to close none of the branches in this conference. We feel not to
complain for the condition which has resulted from the great war. We
have met recently in tracting a number of people who agree with the
teachings of our Church, and who have practices and beliefs in their
own churches which are unscriptural and who admit that our teach-
ings are in conformity with Holy Scripture. Some others agree with
all our teachings, but still will not join the Church. A soldier of the
king, on a few days' leave of absence, called on us last evening and
related some of his experiences in preaching the gospel among the
soldiers. Many of them are Latter-day Saints as far as belief is con-
cerned, but they do not seem to know it. The soldier is not a mem-
ber of the Church."

Ranks Depleted Owing to the War

Elder Mathew F. Noall, Bristol, England, May 18: "Our ranks
here are greatly depleted in numbers because of the present war, but
we are firmly resolved to bear the armor of the Lord until the last.
Strengthened by mutual fellowship and a common cause, feelings of
anxiousness for personal safety have vanished. The national situation
in so far as it is applicable is being used to show the lack in the world
of the true brotherhood of man as taught in the gospel^of Christ.
Nothing but sympathy goes out to those required to suffer."

LET US LEAD THE WORLD

Utah was the scene of one of the most glorious episodes in American his-
tory. Men and women, our fathers and mothers, came to this
land because
the strong
here they could worship God and live their lives according to
faith which was within them. Ideals, not love of wealth or
luxury, impelled
time
them on. They conquered a land which appeared to the world at that
as unconquerable as appear today the rocky mountain sides
which surround
will ever
our valleys. We wisely cherish their memory. No future glory
dim their wonderful achievement.
enlightenment
Our task, now under the blessings of modern science and the
of the arts is 'to build upon these noble deeds of the
past a history of prog-
ress which shall carry us to the world's front. We
have a rich citizenship,
thousands who
sons and daughters of the Pioneers, and the many other
came and are coming to the intermountain country to build homes.
is the purpose
To train our youth for conquest of our yet undeveloped West
of the Utah Agricultural College. The courses
are broad and liberal in the
English history, eco-
natural and physical sciences and in mathematics,
practical; they prepare
nomics, literature and languages. The courses are
different Schools
men and women for useful and paying occupations. The
of the College are (1) Agriculture, (2)
Agricultural Engineering, (3) Home
Economics, (4) Commerce, Mechanic Arts and (6) General Science.
(5)
hopes a ambitionS U ne e
letter is always welcome. Explain your
i j
A
help, and thousands of our best do need
"^
help, the College
^
;°
may hbe; able to aaid ^
you. Write for a catalogue. Address-

The President, Utah Agricultural College

Logan, Utah
 "The Solid and Enduring Satisfactions of Life." What are they? Are
you interested in them? Take time to read and enjoy Dr. E. J. McEwan's talk
toyoung people in this number of the Era.
The story which won first place, in the Era story contest for June, was
"The Undertow," by Ruth M. Bell, of Logan. The story appears in this num-
ber. be decided later which of the six winning stories is considered the
It will
winner for the gold pin. The judges for June were: James H. Anderson,
Mary Connelly, Thomas Hull, Harold Goff, and the associate editor.
From the catalogue of the Fleet School, Highland Lake, Flat Rock, North
Carolina: "Since the use of tobacco is injurious to bodily health and detri-
mental to proper mental development in growing boys, its use in any form
by pupils while under the school care and authority is forbidden. The use
of intoxicants in any form, or gambling, will result in immediate dismissal."
William C. Harper, Battle Creek, Michigan, August 7: "The Era is in
every phase constructive. I desire specially to mention the article by Mrs.
L. H. Roylance, 'Wild Oats.' Study life in a great institution of relief to the
dying, and you will see twenty to thirty cases daily which prove a sequel, and
that the 'Wages of sin is death.' See sin lay waste the heart, the soul, the
body of young and old to the third and fourth, and ninth generations, and the
war of Europe becomes a toy, in the hand of nature, by comparison."

Improvement Era, September, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.

Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, ) Heber J- Grant Business Manager

»
Editors
Edward H. Anderson, j
Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Tower of Jewels by Night Frontispiece
The Panama-Pacific Exposition. Illustrated 945
The Philosophical Basis of "Mormonism" Dr. James E. Talmage 947
The Sunken Isle. A Poem Josephine Spencer 964
Outline for Scout Workers. Illustrated Luoy G. Smith and D. W.
Parratt 965
Good-Bye, Old Booze. A Poem Jack Borlase 968
Man Sent of God Newel K. Young 969
To My Successor. A Poem Tom Cordry 972
The True Note Nephi Jensen 973
President Charles F. Middleton. Portrait 981
Choosing a Vocation Samuel Clawson 982
Yellow Clover Blossoms. A Poem M. A. Stewart 985
Nathan, Come Home! F. E. Barker 986
Utah Building and Panama-California Exposi-
tion Grounds, San Diego 989
The Solid and Enduring Satisfactions of Life. .Dr. E. J. MacEwan 990
Shooting the Apolima Passage J. V. Nelson
998
Picturesque Reminiscences. Illustrated Shirley Penrose Jones 999
The Undertow. Prize Story Ruth Moench Bell IOOj
View of the Panama-Pacific International Ex-
position JJJJf
Editors' Table— Official Announcement First Presidency 1U11
Early Days in the West J. M. Studebaker 1011
An Important Message - • • 1012
The Ogden Tabernacle Choir J014
Genealogical Society Contention • 1015
Messages from the Missions J016
Priesthood Quorums' Table 022
J
Mutual Work 1026
Passing Events !
1032
 i
D¥ BOUZEK ,

BOTH PHONBI 111

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"The Mormon Young Ladies' and Young Men's

Mutual Improvement Association
Point of Reading Course for 1915-16

View" Gray— "Little

JUNIOR
Sir Galahad"
$1.35 By mail $1.45
BY PROF. N. L. NELSON Richmond — "Twenty-fourth of
June" $1.25 By mail $1.35
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Ardavan —"Lance of Kanana"...
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original thinking, on four vital
—
Roberts, B. H. "Joseph Smith as
a Prophet-Teacher" 75c Postpaid
themes, viz., "The Ministers and Lambourne, Alfred "The Play-
—
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the Mormons," "The Human Side
Anderson, Nephi "Daughter of
—
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THE MANUALS
One manual for class study and general reading is sent free
to each subscriber of the Era, and the subscriber has his choice of
senior or junior. Both treat on the subject of success.

1. The Conditions of Success. The arrangement of the

senior manual is a little different from former manuals. The
questions and problems are scattered through the lessons so that
they may be discussed along with the subject matter to which they
relate.

The senior manual contains a very interesting fourteen-page

symposium on the question, "What is Success?" answered by
more than seventy different persons, among them the Presidency
of the Church, some members of the Twelve and of the First
Council of Seventy, a number of leading people of national repu-
tation such as Lyman Abbott, David Starr Jordan, George W.
Goethals, A. E. Winship, Reed Smoot, Samuel Gompers, Rear-
Admiral Robert E. Peary, Booker T. Washington, and others, to-
gether with educators, financiers, professional men and members
of the General Board and superintendents of Y. M. M. I. A.
President Joseph F. Smith says of Success

"A certain ancient worthy was eminently successful as a shep-

herd, a soldier, a great leader and a king, but in his human weakness
he wrecked his honor and lost his throne and his kingly glory.
"Another more ancient worthy who resolutely resisted a like temp-
tation to sin, at the cost of humiliation and imprisonment became
greater and even mightier than any king. One made a sorrowful fail-

ure, the other a supreme success.

"A great author once said: 'God will estimate success one day.'
He will render the final decision upon all men as to their success or
failure. Men may succeed as kings or rulers, as statesmen or crafts-
men, but they succeed not in gaining eternal life, they certainly will
if
"
not be successful in obtaining 'The Greatest Gift of God.' Joseph
F. Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.

The manual is specially fitted for class, Home Evening, and

for general study purposes.

2. Lessons on Success. The junior manual, contains over

a hundred pages, and as many stories, on the development of char-
acter, the third in the series. The lessons are largely developed
by stories bearing on the points sought to be impressed. Prob-
lems and questions are given at intervals throughout the book.
This manual is specially suitable for Home Evening exercises, and
for general reading, besides being the special text in the junior
classes of the Y. M. M. I. A.
 SPECIAL FEATURES FOR VOLUME 19

RELIGIOUS ARTICLES
Aside from the leading- articles on doctrine and religion that
will appear monthly as heretofore, we hope to introduce during
the new year short, pertinent papers, dealing with religious topics,
doctrinal and theological, and especially subjects which will com-
prehend that subtle religious power that touches the emotions
and lies at the basis of all worthy action. Religious faith and
sentiment have always been at the foundation of great deeds and
achievements in the past. We
believe this to be so now. These
short sketches are intended to exalt religion and sentiment, and
will be prepared in a readable and attractive manner by the best
writers obtainable. We
especially invite short and pointed papers
in this line.

STORIES
The Improvement Era will purchase the best stories, accord-
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for sixmonths beginning January 5 and ending June 5, 1916. The
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each month and prices ranging from $25 to $5 will be paid for
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Stories already on hand will appear each month during the
new volume. Among these are :

1. The Jed Stories.

By Ida Stewart Peay. These are four stories of achievement,
dealing with a wild and lawless Jim Ware, a sheep herder who was
tamed by school and a school miss, and how he then made his way
through college over difficulties, and on. Each of the stories is com-
plete in itself: (11 "The School Over the Tater Hole", (2) Jed's
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Fair Lady." The four together make a complete story of progress and
conquest in the face of difficulties, and under adverse environment.
Both boys and girls will enjoy these stories. Of course, there is the
old sweet sentiment, like a thread of gold, running clean through the
series.
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By Elsie Chamberlain Carroll. The author deals with a most im-
portant subject. Many writers have tackled the drink problem, but few
have attacked the moral problem as openly as the author does in this
strong story. The central idea, the moral and the character study
rank high. It will appeal strongly to mothers of young men, and to
young men who leave their homes for the first time to try life in the
city. There is a girl in it, of course, and one who breaks her lover's
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enough of yourself to keep yourself sacred for the great purpose of
life, how can you expect so much of another?"
3. Many anecdotes, incidents, and narratives of attractive interest
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the best socal conditions.
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS
From time to time, in the Priesthood Quorums' department,
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MUTUAL WORK
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IMPROVEMENT ERA
Organ of the Priesthood Quorums, the Young Men's Mutual
Improvement Associations and the Schools of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

VOLUME EIGHTEEN

Published by the

General Board Y. M. M. I. A.

"What you young people want, is a magazine that will make a book to be
bound and kept, with something in it worth keeping." Pres. John Taylor.

Edited by Joseph F. Smith and Edward H. Anderson

Heber J. Grant, Manager, Moroni Snow, Assistant Manager
1915
be ©lory of €S®d Is XwiteHteeiracc
 IMPROVEMENT ERA, VOLUME XVIII
INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
PAGE PAGE
Achievement of Civilization, "Jesus the Christ" 1102
The 761 Let the Guilty Beware 544
Adventure in a Storm 723 Literary Theft 734
Alcohol: Its Effects on the Hu- Man Behind the Czar, The. . . 358
man Body 221 Masquerade Balls 829
American Flag, The 759 "Mormonism" — Historically,
Beautiful Maderia 493 Doctrinally, Prophetically 2'>2
Big Considerations in the Great Motherhood 166
War .••;:•• 821 Notable Missionary Tour, A. 260
Bishops in the Primitive Announcement
Official 101 I

Church, The . 1097

.
._
Ogden Tabernacle Choir .... 1014
Blasphemy, The Sin of 473 One who can Entertain 735
Bov and the Farm, The 255 Original Story Contest
Breaking of Law, The An In- — 263, 455, 546, 646
stance 97 Our Battle — To Conquer
Bringing the Farmer to School 380 Evil 160
Canada at War 529 Priesthood Quorums and
Choosing a Vocation 982 other Statistics 546
Cloud by Day, A 616 Secret of Success, The 1106
Cluff William Wallace 1073 Simple Story, A 926
Conditions of Success, Some. .. 23 Spelling of Melchizedek 832
Constantinople 726 Spirit of Missionary Work.. 643
Country Cross Roads, The 8 Statistics 641
Divine Standard, A 1062 Story Contest, The
Dee Hospital, The 680 263, 455, 546, 646
Development of Modern Bac- Sunday Baseball .••.•;•• 83 °
teriologv 307 Temperance and Prohibition 644
Does God Answer Prayer?.. 51, 599 Thankfulness for Peace 638
Tithing, The 638
EDITORS' TABLE Tribute to Utah 925
About our Conference 923 Walk in the Light 357
An Important Message 1012 Wheat Prices 547
Book Teachers
for 547 Why not Saloon-Keepers'
Boys Half Acre and Indus- Liability? 927
Contests
trial 453 Evolution Arguments Analyzed 25
Bovs with Office of Deacon.. 452 Evolution Hypothesis and the
Brigham Young and the Poor Geological Record 127
Logger 264 Evolution not Supported by
Christ the King 162 Embryology 247, 295
Close of Volume Eighteen. 1104 Faith . 567
Condition of the Church 636 Fiji, a Word from 1077
Donation to War Sufferers.. 454 Galician Retreat, The 915
Drunkenness in Russia 163 Genealogical Societv Conven-
Duty of Officers 636 tion 1015
Dutv of Parents 636 God's Kingdom 150
Early Days in the West 1011 Government Investigation of
Enrollment in Auxiliary Or- the "Mormon" Question 56
ganizations 548 Gratitude 853
Gone to Her Reward. 645 Greece and the War 915
Happy New Year, A 260 Hand of God in Events on
Home Evening 733 Earth 285
 .

IV INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
PAGE
Hebrew Idioms and Analogies ILLUSTRATIONS (Cont'd)
in the Book of Mormon 136 Blizzard 211
Hike to the Yellowstone, A... 706 Cummings, B. F 388
Home Evening 733 Cummings, Professor, meet-
ing Navajos 117
ILLUSTRATIONS Dalton, Howard 259
Abbott, Emma 800 Davenport, E. L 590
Adam-Ondi-Ahman 1061 Deacons in Richmond 838
Adams, Mrs. A. A 692 Dee Hospital 680
Adams, Maude 694 Dee, Thomas and Mrs 681
Agricultural Advisor 292 Deseret Dramatic Associa-
Alexander, Tava 590 tion 691
Anderson, Dr. David B 846 Deseret Paper Mill, Ruins.. 566
Anderson, Gerald C 942 Devil's Gate and Old Fort.. 212
Anderson, Miss Letha 898 Difficult Travel 875
Antwerp, Scene in 185 Dry Farm Lands, San Juan
Autumn Leaves are Falling. 1096 County 871
Automobiling in Southeast- Eagle Gate 765, 767
ern Utah 873 Easter 472
Bates, John A 1092 Effective Shot, An 108
Basketball Team, Huntsville 747 ELDERS OF
Basketball Team, LeGrande. 745 Aalborg,Denmark 269
Beauty in Every Part of the Amsterdam 551
Farm 289 Atlanta (Ladies) 832
Beehive Girls at Henefer. .1026
. . Auckland, New Zealand..
Belgian Refugees 55 361, 363
Berlin Sunday School. .... .1019 Australia 171
Big Mountain Observation Barnsley, England 739
Point .1028 Berlin 1018
Big Mountain Summit 319 Belfast Conference 836
Big Trees of California 218 Bradford, England ....73, 361
BlackHills 322 Burnley, England 459
Bluff School House ....712, 716 Council Bluffs 267
Bob White 884 Derby, England 833
Bowring, Henry 512 Doncaster, England 170
Bowring, Mrs. M 689 Eastern States (Ladies) 457 . .

Boys' Chorus 725 East Pennsylvania 549

Boys' Chorus, Winners 896 Edinburgh 551
Boy Scouts, Ogden 706 Freeport, 111 1017
Brigham Street ....762, 767, 770 Gateshead, England 929
Bromley Stage Station 317 Gothenborg, Sweden 168
Bullock Sledge, Maderia.... 496 Halifax, England 740
Caine, John T 510 Hauraki Conference, N. Z..1019
Canadian Volunteers 530 Hobart, Tasmania 364
Cannon, Angus Munn 820 Hvde Branch, Manchester,
Carnegie Library, Suva, Fiji. 1078 England 268
Christiania Mission House. . Jacksonville, Fla. (Ladies) 267
419, 420 Leicester, England 1108
Clawson, Hiram B 510 London Conference .456, 737
. .

Clayton's Ranch 1027 Liverpool 939

Cleaning the Dishes 532 Maine Conference . . . .458, 102
Cliff Dwellings in Ruins 917 Malmo. Sweden 834
Cluff, William Wallace 1073 Melbourne. Australia (M.
Copenhagen Mission House. 500 T. A. Officers) 750
Cottonwood Canyon 662 Michigan Conference 931
Couldock. C. W 589 Minnesota 338
Courthouse Rock 874 Montana 166
Crossing the South Pass in a Natches, Miss 362
 ..

INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
PAGE
ILLUSTRATIONS (Cont'd) ILLUSTRATIONS (Cont'd)
Nebraska Conference 447 .... Harvester of Life and Death 102
New York 934 Hawaiian Girl 535
Nottingham 362 1 layne, Julia Dean 586
Ohio Conference 22 Home Dramatic Club ..793, 795
Owingsville, Ky 1009 Hill Cumorah, The 1040
Pennsylvania 364, 549 Home of the Navajo 112
Peoria, 111 737 Hughes, Colonel Samuel.... 533
Portsmouth, England 648 . . Huntsville Meeting House.. 177
Rhode Island Conference 647 . Indian Camp at Ash Hollow 213
Rochdale, England 928 Indians of the Plains. ... 110, 216
Rotterdam, Holland 459 Indian Squaws 214
Samoa 932 Intensive Farming 290
San Luis Conference 835 Interurban Trollies 290
Seattle 738 Irwin, Selden 583
Skone, Sweden 167 Jones, K 711
Subiac, Australia 835 Jungfrau, Sunset on 157
Swedish Nation 1020 Kirby Frank J 938
Tokyo, Japan 741 Late Summer 1

Tutuila 933 Little Feramorz 215

Vavan, Samoa 170 Little Mountain Summit 1028
Virginia 550 Locating an Experimental
Wasteras, Sweden 266 Farm 288
York ._ 1016 Luneville, France 186
Yorkshire, England 268 Lyman, Albert' R 714
Famous Stars at Salt Lake Lyman, Platte D 714
Theatre 798 Lyne, Thos. A 511
Farmers and Housewives. . . Magpie, The 965
380, 381 Main Street, Salt Lake City. 316
Farm Scenes 291, 293 Male Quartet, Winners 895
Farm Women 383 Maori Agricultural College
Favored Utah 852 266, 534. 930
Fijian, A Type of 1079 Maori Girl 535
Floods at Morelos 376, 377 Margetts. Phil 512
Free Day Nursery 382 Middleton. Charles F 981
French, Field Marshel Sir Miller. John F 866
John 93 Miniature Irrigation Farm. 385 .

French Battlefield, Scene on 183 Missionary Certificate of An-

Funchel, Maderia 493, 494 thon L. Skanchy 238
Games. M. I. A 233 Mixed Double Quartet Win-
Giant Conifers 872 ners 895
Girls' Chorus, Winners 897 Models by John A. Bates... 1095
Goddard, Heber S 797 Modern Palace, A 764, 768
Good Horses 294 Moreland Ball Team 592
Great Falls, Potamac River. 100H Morelos Flood Scenes. . .376, 377
Graham, Jno. C 692 Mormon Fort, Flagstaff,
Grain Bins of Cliff Dwellers 874 Ariz 625
Granite Boy Scouts 748 Mountain Dell Home 318
Grant, Jedediah M 284 Mountain Meadow, Logan
Great Salt Lake City 883 Canyon 720
Grave at Mountain Dell 1027 Mount Timpanogos 69
Gunnison Island 234 M. I. A. Games 233
Hammond, Francis A 713 Natives of Madeira 499
Hanks, Ephriam K 96, 215 Natural Scenery, at Hone-
Hanks, Harriett Decker and Norway
fos, 154
four generations 107 Nauvoo and the Mississippi
Hanks, Walter E 321 River 104
Hardie, James M 687 Nauvoo, a Scene in 194
 INDEX TO SUBJECTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS (Cont'd) ILLUSTRATIONS (Cont'd)

Nauvoo Temple 190 Sample of Contest Activity.. 899
Nauvoo Temple Ruins 193 Scenery in Navajo Land.... 115
Navajo and His Horse 113 Scenes on the Way 1115
Navajo Blanket 303 Schiller, Marie 591
Navajo Brave 116 Scouts at a Football Game.. 516
Navajo Children Carrying Scout Parade Salt Lake City. 1029
Water 118 SCOUTS:
Navajo Hogan 305 American Fork 70
Navajo Leather Artist 114 Granite Stake 748
Navajo Traders 302 Provo 869
Nielson, Jens 710 Sugar City 72, 90
NORMAL CLASSES: Sego Lilly, The 789
Beaver Stake 750 Simmons, j. M 693
Cardston 179 Sixth Ward Meeting House,
Cassia Stake 259 Logan 504, 505
Castle Dale 178 Skanchy, Anthon 1 121
L. D. S. University 315 Sledge and Cog Wheel
Provo 559 Train, Madeira 498
Rexburg 179 Sledge from the Mountain,
St. George 842 Madeira 497
St. Johns, Arizona 479 Snow, Bernard 690
St. Joseph, Arizona 539 Solomon Islanders, The 398
Snowfiake 306 Stake Officers, Pioneer 176
Vernal 71 Stockholm Mission House
Old Land Mark, An
763 594, 595, 596
Ottinger, Geo. M 688 Stock Judging 384
Ox Carro, Madeira 495 Stoddard, James H 796
Ox Team, An 323 Studebaker, J. M„ 1012
Panama-California Ex.. .989, 1101 Suva Harbor, A Glimpse of. 1077
Panama-Pacific Internat. Ex. Table Mountain 619, 620
945,1010 —
Tower of Jewels Panama-
Parade at Henefer 1026 Pacific Exposition 946
Pauncefort, Geo 584 The Old Guard 686
Pioneers, The 757 Three Generations 937
Places for Outings 721 Through the Gates of Stone 662
Porter, Mrs. R. B 682 Utah Building Panama-Cal-
Pyper, Geo. D 803 ifornia Exposition 989
Quiet Nook, A 758 Utah Building Panama-Pa-
Ouietude 805 cific Exposition 945
Readv to Start 1100 Utah Indians 324
Redd, Lemuel H 873 Utah Navajo Expedition 301, 304
Reid, Thisbee 320 View of Panama-California
Robin 729 Exposition 989
Romantic Ruins 566 Villa and Corothers 188
Royal Highlanders Detrain- Villers —
Aux-Veut's Remains 184
ing 531 , Vocation Supervisor 67
Ruins of Library of Louvain 143 War Cause 400
Rural Place, The 2 Washington, D. C, from
Rural School 289 Arlington 1001
Ruskin, John 394, 397 Wells, Dan'l H. Home 769
Salt Lake City in the '60's.. 209 Western, Lucile 591
Salt Lake Citv Looking AYestern Contingent Cana-
West 210 dian Volunteers 530
Salt Lake Theatre 509 Wetherill, Mrs. and Navajo
Salt Lake Valley in 1847.. 106 Wards 117
Samoan Girl 537 Widtsoe, John A 378
Samoan Women . . . 399 Winning through Play 483
 INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
PAGE
ILLUSTRATIONS (Cont'd) MUTUAL WORK (Cont'd)
Wright, Bertha Eccles 863 M. I. A. Conference 744, 888
Young, Brigham, Model of.. 1094 M. I. A. Contests 558
Young, Newel K 968 M. I. A. Day 466
Inspiration, An 1090 New Year Greeting 367
Jesus of Nazareth 152 Organization and Member-
Joy 229 ship 463
Just a Moment 506 Pioneer Hike 746, 1026
Kindergarten and Its Educa- Reading Course 278, 372
tional Value, The 345 Reading Course Readers.... 178
King of Western Scouts, A... Reading Course Scores 1033
103, 210, 316 Reports and Final Meetings 556
Lesson for the Day 913 Schedule of Meetings, 1915-
Life in a Tree Trunk 218 16 1032
Life Message of John Ruskin, —
Scout Fees New order for. 180
The "
394 Scout Lessons for Juniors.. 89
Lord's Prayer, The 863 Stake Work
Lost Chord, The 1087 367, 462, 555, 749, 841, 938, 1113
Making Farm Life More At- Sunday Contests 841
tractive 288 Training for Leadership.... 68
Man Sent of God 969 Vocational Convention 557
Marriage 507 Vocations and Industries. . . .

Messages from the Missions.. 368,464, 555,654, 841

166. 265, 360, 456, Vocation Counselors 278
548, 630, 646, 736. 832, 927, 1016 Vocation Lectures 369
M. I. A. Conference 888 Why the President Approves
Middleton, Charles F 980 Boy Scout Work 749
Missionaries 626 Winding up tne Season's
Modern Industrial Achieve- Work, Instructions for. 277
. . .

ments 46 "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book". 1033

Nathan, Come Home 987
MUTUAL WORK Nauvoo in 1846 191
Athletics and Scout Work. . .
Nauvoo Temple Ruins 189
....371, 654, 745. 842, 938, 1114 Navajo Indian, The 112
Boys' Half Acre Contest 175 Navajo Marriage Customs.... 301
Bovs' Half Acre and Garden New Agricultural Empire, A.. 48
Contests 557 New Map of Europe 445
Cash Prizes 555 New Year at Gunnfson Island. 234
Check Up 175 New York's Great Canal 46
Citv Boys' Contest 277 Ogden Tabernacle Choir 1014
Civic Improvement 176 Origin of the Brown South Pa-
Class Study 370, 464, 1113 cific Islander 398, 534
Encampments and Hikes... 746 Outlines for Scout Workers...
—
Fund General 175 729, 884, 965
—
Fund New Regulations for Ownership of Land 1065
Collecting 276
Games 177 PASSING EVENTS
General Conference 653 Administration Building, Uni-
General Fund 175, 276 versity of Utah 181
Hand Book 841 Allison, Mrs. Bessie Dean... 1116
Hike to Yellowstone 655 American Bar Assn 1034
Hints for Boys' Choruses... 274 Anderson, Dr. David B 845
How to Canvass for Era... 180 Anderson, Gerald C 941
Improvement Fund 175 Andrus, James 279
Interstake Scout Meet 747 Anglo-French Commission . . 1116
June Conference 556, 841 Apple Crop 560
List of Pioneer Trail Scouts. 103D Bancroft, W. II 752
Manual Lessons, 1916 1031 Banking System of U. S.,
Vlll INDEX TO SUBJECTS.

PASSING EVENTS (Cont'd) PASSING EVENTS (Cont'd)

Bell, Alex. Graham 468 Hyde, Mrs. Eliz. H. B 279
Black, Geo. A 279 Increase in Freight Rates... 373
Blakeley, G. B 561 1ndian Outbreak 562
Boy Scouts 468 Inscription Stone Canadian
British Non-Partisan Min- Temple 181
istry 843 Jacobs, Zebulon 181
Bryan, Wm. J 844 Japanese Cabinet 1034
Cannon, Angus Munn 847 Japan's demands on China.. 658
Cannon, May Wilcken 467 Jensen, James 843
Chapel at Independence 280 Knight Sugar Co 373
Church Chronology 752 Lansing, Robt 940
Congress 279, 560 Lassen Peak 844
Crocheron, Augusta Joyce. 656 . . L. D. S. Relief Work in Eng-
Crops in United States 1034 land 182
Crosby, Fanny 467 Liberty Bell 843
Crosby, Jesse W 561 Losses in the Great War .... 1035
Curlew Stake 844 Marshall, Judge John A 1116
Dam on the Jordan 181 Merrill, Lewis A 845
Derrah, S. V 843 Mexican Situation ...92, 188,
Diaz, Gen. Porfireo 941 281, 467, 563, 656, 751, 1035, 1116
Dickson, Bp. Albert Douglas 189 Mormon Colonists to Mex-
Direct Prohibition Bill 468 ico, Return of 92
Duchesne High School 560 M. I. A. Dinner 374
Dwyer, James 374 National Prohibition 373
Earthquake in Imperial Val- Newhouse Hotel 656
ley, California 940 Nibley, C. W 844
Earthquake in Italy 373 Note to Mexico 941
Earthquake in Samoa 467 Opening of the Celilo Canal. 751
"Eastland" Calamity 1036 Panama Canal 1034
Eccles, Stewart 279 Panama-Pacific Exposition.. 562
Education in Utah 468 Peace Pact, A 843
Elections in Utah 187 Peirce, EliHarvey 467
Ensign. Rufus B 751 Philadelphia Athletics 181
European War Portneuf Stake 1035
93, 183. 281. 375. 471, Potato Crop, Utah 181
564. 658, 754, 849, 942, 1037, 1117 Potato Study, A 845
Erie Flood 1034 Prize Essay 467
Fife, Col. W. N 280 Prohibition in England 656
Ford Automobiles 940 Prohibition in United States. 469
Forsythe, James M 562 Prohibition in Utah 941
Fruit Crop of Utah 560 Railroad between Larissa and
Fuller, Frank 561 Saloniki 1034
Galveston Flood 1035 Religious Education in the
Ghent. The Citv of 189 Family 753
Goff, Hyrum 280 Richards Ward Chapel 843
Goff,Margaret Burch 657 Roosevelt-Barnes Suit 843
Gold Shipment from Eng- Roosevelt in Utah and Can-
land 1116 ada 1036
Groo, Byron 657 San Diego Exposition 373
Hayti Rebellion 1034 Sayville Wireless 1034
Hicken, Patriarch Thomas.. 560 Scanlan, Rt. Rev. Laurence.. 753
Hills, Lewis S 1036 Scott, Gen. Hugh L 658
Hinckley, Edwin S 467 Settlement of Cotton Claims. 940
Home Benefit Society 843 Sheets. Rav S 940
"How to do it" Books 752 Shurtliff, Mrs. Emily M 560
Huerta, Gen. Victoriana 940 Smith, Joseph 279
The New 189 Smith, Pres. Joseph F 844
 .

INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
PAGE
PASSING EVENTS (Cont'd) POETRY (Cont'd)
Smoot, Caroline R. D 751 Growth 499
Sonora Colonies, Mexico.... 376 iland on My Shoulder, A . . . . 635
Spalding, Rt. Rev. F. S 182 Harvest Fields 1089
Springer, D. W 843 Have Courage Today 33
State Debating League 560 In Memoriam 631
State Fair, Utah 181 In the Canyon 1079
State Prohibition Convention 92 Joseph Smith, a Prophet of
Submarine, The 469 the Lord 683
Submarine F-4 656, 1116 Judge Not 716
Sugar Beet Payments 189 King of the Kodak Brigade,
Syphon at Jordan Narrows.. 751 The 527
Terry, Joshua 562 Lamb of God, The 148
Thaw, Harry K 1034 Late Summer 1

Thomas, Richard Kendall... 561 Life's Meaning 433

Utah Bird Day 563 Lines 823
Utah Day 751 Lines on the Death of a
Utah Educational Association 280 Young Mother 524
Utah Legislature ...373, 561, 656 Longing for Home855
Utah Panama-Pacific Exposi- Man at the Helm, The 159
tion Bldg 656 Maxims and Wise Sayings.. 416
Utah Products Week 182 Memorial Day 634
Violent Wind and Rain Storm 940 Message of the Grand Canon 679
Virginia Prohibition 92 Money Grubber, The 579
War Revenue Bill 181 Mountain Thunderstorm, A. . Ill
Wilchen, Chas. H 657 Music 24
Wilson, Guy C 752 My Babe 246
Woman's Suffrage Resolution 373 My Father's Grave 666
Yellowstone Park Tourists. .1116 My Prayer 393
Young, Wilford 560 Myself, To 233
Zane, Chas. S 657, 753 New Year, The 230
Panama-California Exposition. 989 Nineteen-Fifteen 356
Panama-Pacific International Ode to Earth 865
Exposition 945, 1010 Page, The 254
Philosophical Basis of "Mor- Pansies 882
monism" 947 Point of View, The 387
Picturesque Reminiscences . 999
. . Prophet Joseph Smith's Birth 242
Pioneers, The 757 Race, A 220
Pioneers and Pioneering in Routine 554
Southeastern Utah 710, 870 Self and Rum 7
Send Peace Again 728
POETRY The
Ship of Zion. 481
After the Struggle— What?. 914 Somewhere Today 571
Aliens 95 Star of Bethlehem, The 158
Anticipation 695 Sunken Isle, The 964
As Summer Wanes 1076 Sympathy 1052
As Suns of August Burn. . .. 851 Thou Shalt Worship the
Autumn 151 Lord thy God 492
Brothers 604 Toiler, The 401
Call of the Canyon, The.... 661 To Myself 233
Chastity 325 To My Successor 972
Christmas Bells 154 To Nature 331
Clouds of Summer 705 Utah . 828
Dream of the Lands, A 696 Viewpoint, The 50
Easter 471 Walk the Path that Jesus
Easter Sonnet, An 540 Trod 1067
Father's Sweetheart 349 Walking with God 1049
Goodbye, Old Booze 968 Wanted 1064
 [NDEX TO SUBJECTS.
PAGE
POETRY (Cont'd) Snappy Sketches from Life. 824, 901
Watcher on the Tower, The. 780 Solid and Enduring Satisfac-
Way of Sin, The 156 tions of Life, The 990
When Ends the Reign of
Thor 862 STORIES
When Shall War Cease?... 283 Batching it in Provo 1085
Winter 377 Case of Mistaken Identity, A 825
Wise Old Man, A 344 Crucial Test, The 806
Work 565 Day at the Cullen Apart-
Yellow Clover Blossoms... 985 ments, A 1081
Power of Prayer to Promote Enchanted Park 772
Peace, The 84 Father's Girl 782
Prayer and Worship 480 Girl Who Came Back, The.. 425
Prayer for Peace, A 82 G r eenhorn, The 902
Home Field, The 195
PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' Jim's Oration 669
TABLE Joe's Coyote 1053
Active and Inactive Mem- Junior Sub, A 517
bers 1024 McCloskey and the Cable... 484
Attendance at Priesthood Mexican Bull Fight, A 826
Meetings 273 Miser, The 332
Battle Cry for Lesser Priest- Rafting Over Green River.. 856
hood Quorums 649 Righteous Woman's Recom-
Deacons' Outlines pense 11, 144
270, 365.460, 552, Satisfaction or Money Re-
651, 742, 839, 935, 1022, 1112 funded 901
Gospel Themes 172 Sheepherder's Soliloquy .... 906
Increasing Attendance at Sigh of the Weary, The 1050
Sacrament Meetings 1023 Test. The v. . 621
Instructions to Ward Teach- To Soothe the Savage Breast 698
ers 173 Unbidden Guests 572
Priesthood Meetings Weekly. 1024 Undertow, The 1003
Report of Committee on Wild Oats 876
Outlines 649 Wooden Shoe Train, The... 824
Rational Theology 1025 Storm at Night on the Desert,
Teachers' Quorums Outlines 553 A 722
Ward Teaching.. ..743, 936, 1024 Story of the Crystal, The 3
Ward Teaching and Class St'orv of the Salt Lake Theatre,
Efficiency 34 The 509, 580, 686, 790
Problems of the War, Some.. 353 Sunset on the Jungfrau 157
Prophet's Last Letters, The.. 388 Teacher, The 135
Promise of Life, The 1072 Teaching in the Home 434
Psychology of the War 632 Temptation of Christ, The 1041
Reflections from the War Testimony 663
Zone 1074 Testimony The Little White —
Reversal, A — An
Allegory.... 155 Slaver 908
Review of Church Conditions.. 74 Thoughts on the Origin of Life 402
Rocky Mountain Forests 719 Told about Alfred Lambourne. 526
Sabbath Day, The 339 Tree Sap in Winter Time 350
Secret of Successful Presiding, True Note, The 973
The 605 Two Moving Word Pictures.. 243
Shape of Tree Trunks and Urim and Thummim 611
Branches 448 Value of True Education 63
Shooting the Apolima Passage 998 Von Hindenberg, General 541
Skanchy, Arthon L War and Peace 777
119, 236. 326, 417, 500, 593 Ward Teaching and Class Effi-
—
Smith, Joseph F. An Appre- ciencv 34
ciation 38 Western Robin, The 729
 INDEX TO SUBJFXTS. xi

PAGE PAGE
What Boy Scouts Must Know Will the Golden Age of Peace
and Be 920 Ever Come ? 866
What has been Utah ami Ida- Wisconsin Storm, A Typical. .. 1068
ho's Loss? 717 Word of Wisdom and Science,
Where does the Sabbath Day The 1099
Begin 684 Would Prohibition be a Finan-
Why Turkey was Drawn into cial Loss or Gain? 918
the War 253 Your Dog is True 1059

INDEX TO AUTHORS
PAGE PAGE
Adams, John Q 398, 534 Grant, Jedediah M 285
Adamson, Henry Nicol. . . .230, 782 Greaves, J. E 307
Alder, Lydia D 154, 157 Haddock, Lon J 379
Allen, Louis L 480 Halls, William 1062
Anderson, Edw. H Hardy, Anna K 761
526, 945, 989, 1010 Harris, Dr. F. S 23, 288
Anderson, J. F....112, 301, 710, 870 Hewlett, Frank J 493
Anderson, Nephi 195, 572 Hickman, J. E 1041
Baggarley, Maud 158, 604, 900 Hogensen, Prof. J. C 152, 243
Baird, B. Y 825 Hoggan, Leila Marler 11, 144
Ball, J. B 416 Huff, Lee 1053
Barker, F. E Ina 151
242, 325, 728, 986 Jenson, Nephi. .. .231, 567, 663, 973
Barney, Elizabeth G 1067 Jensen, P. Joseph 1022,1112
Bean, R. G 621 Jensen, J. M 1099
Beeley, Arthur L 56 Jones, Lorin 826
Bell Ruth Moench 1003 Jones, Shirley Penrose 999
Bluth, John V 680 Kimball, Solomon F. 103, 209 316
W
. .

Booth, J. 473 Kelly, T. R 1087

Borlase, Jack 679, 968 Kirby, Geo. D 626
Brimhall, Geo. H 233, 492 Lambourne, Alfred
Brockbank, Thos. W 136 1,8, 135. 234, 283,
Carroll Elsie C. .. 159, 332, 669, 806 394, 471, 631, 696, 851, 1040, 1061
Clawson, Samuel 982 Lane Franklin K 759
Coleman, Guy 331, 401, 705 Lanman, Chas 191
Cordry, Tom 972 Larsen, Louis W 155, 230, 387
Cox, A. Ira 349 Lauritzen, Annie G 723
Crockwell, Dr. Geo. W 339, 684 Lund, Anthon H 84, 1011
James
Crystal, 828 Lund, E. H 865, 1068
Cummings, B. F 388, 668 MacEwan, Dr. E. J 990
Dale, Harrison C 191 Mackay, Chas 780
Dale, Ludvig 920 Merrill. H. R 528
Dalley, Milton F 506 Miller, Jno. F 866
Dean, J. H 605 Mitton, Sarah E 33
Ditty, Samuel 683 Moench, Louis F 51, 599
Dusenberry, Mrs. Ida 345 Morf, Eugenia 729
Evans, John Henry 517, 698 Morgan, Angela 565
Felt, Chas. B : 434 Morrill, Alice 1052
Frost, Grace Ingles Nelson, John A., Jr 1077
Nelson, J. V. ..'.
51. 95, 156, 254. 433, 998
499, 571, 579, 716, 855, 862, 1064 Nelson, N. L 824
G. A 38 Newton, John 1049
J.
Gardner, Geo 918 Nibley, Preston 1065
General Priesthood Committee 34 O'Donnell, Charles L 1089
Grant. Heber J 355, 777, 908 Olsen, John A 507, 695
 INDEX TO AUTHORS.
PAGE
Osmond, Alfred 481 Spencer, Josephine ....... .484, 964
Pack, Fred J 97 Steele, Frank C 529, 914
Palmer, Annie D 661 Stewart, M. A 7, 985
Parker, Aubrey 24, 246 Strebor, Dolores 1079
Parkinson, Dr. W. B 221 Sutherland, Howard 1072
Parratt, D. W Talmage, Dr. James E 3, 947
218, 350, 448, 729, 884, 965 Tanner, Dr. Joseph M..46, 253,
Paul, J. H 719 353, 445, 541, 632, 717, 726, 821, 915
Pearson, Sarah E. H 524 Taylor, Lee R 1085
Peay, Ida Stewart 856 Ursenbach, O. F 377, 540, 882
Penrose, Chas. W 82, 1011 Vol, E 632
Pinkerton, Minerva 393 Walker, Amee 1081
Porter, Elizabeth Cannon 425 Webb, Robt. C
Ramsayer, A. A 1097 25, 127, 247, 295, 402
Ricks, Joel 611 Werrett, Wm. Jr 722
Robertson, Leroy J 906 Whitney, Horace G
Rose, Will 772, 1050 ..509, 580, 686, 790
Roylance, Mrs. L. H 634, 876 Whitney, Orson F 148
Scollard, Clinton 1076 Widtsoe, John A
Sjodahl, J. M 1074 236, 326, 415, 500, 593
Smith, Edith E : 63 Wilson, Robt. E 706
Smith, Francis 901 Woodruff, Dr. J. Lloyd 1090
Smith, Pres. Jos. F.74, 160, 829, 1011 Wright, Bertha Eccles 863
Smith, Lucy G 965 Young, Aretta 355
Smith, Nicholas G 616 Young, Newel K 969
Snell, Wm. H 902 Zenor-Robertson, Grace 150

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 "The morning breaks, the shadows flee."

"Perhaps worthy of a special notice in the

picture is the immense old willow shown on the

left hand. This is certainly a very aged tree,

and a land-mark. It must have been noticed

time and again by the boy who was to become
so famous. The house in which Joseph Smith
lived would be to our back as we look upon the

hill from the point of the picture. As a youth

perhaps Joseph made many a short cut across

the meadow shown in the foreground; first

springing over the old stone wall, the ruins of

which are shown close by ; or, if he pursued the

road between the stone wall and the fence in the

middle distance, then he may have rested, as

undoubtedly he did, in the shadow of the old

tree itself, and drank, mayhap, of the little

stream that wanders by. On every hand are

objects of interest in connection with, and rem-

iniscent of, the founder of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints." — A. L.

J
 ;

Improvement Era
Vol. XVIII OCTOBER, 1915 No. 12.

The Temptation of Christ

BY J. E. HICKMAN", A. M.

The coming of the Savior into the world was earth's proudest
legacy. His was made with the cattle his death couch
first pallet ;

was in the sepulchre of the rich. Though his early life is shrouded
with the silence of unwritten history, yet the ages guard jealously
his name. Were that once to fade from memory man would lose
the only name by which salvation is secured. Though his life
rings with vibrant interest from cry to cry —
from the first breath
—
to the final groan- yet two events stand out as pivotal points on
which man's chances of redemption rest. They are the Tempta-
tion and the Crucifixion. Should the Christ have turned aside
through temptation or weakness in the hour of torture and death,
what would have been the fate of man whose redemption rested
in his hands?
It isthe purpose of this theme to discuss the Temptation of
our Savior, beside which all other temptations pale into insignifi-
cance. When I am tested, the fate of one is held in the balance
on the fate of the Messiah rested the fate of worlds. The arrest
or death of the private soldier in the ranks means the lessening
of the battle forces by but one but when the commander-in-chief
;

lies prostrate in the enemy's camp, consternation and defeat seize

his disconsolate and fleeing soldiers fear meets them in their aim-
;

less flight, clutching at them like the phantom hand of a spectre,

chilling them to the bone and sowing their power to the winds.
Such is the chill that pierces us when we contemplate the possi-
bility of failure by the Captain of our Salvation.
The scriptures say that when Jesus was baptized he was led
up of the Spirit, or "driven," as Mark says, into the wilderness to
be tempted of the devil. We
shall perhaps never know the full
meaning of that simple statement. Like all who have received the
endowment of the Holy Ghost, he became the storm center of
 ; a

1042 IMPROVEMENT ERA

temptation by the opposing power; for when men are endowed
with the Holy Spirit they at once become the greatest menace to
Lucifer's kingdom, or the choicest prizes if captured.
Tradition fixes the scene of the Temptation on a mountain
south of Jericho. It rises from the livid plain, sterile and forbid-
—
ding naked and arid like a mountain of malediction. From this
height Jesus could view the waters of the dead sea which typified
the fallen world. What must have been his feelings when he viewed
the land which had been, and was yet to be, the theater of the
world's greatest tragedies! There alone he walked amidst the
beasts of quarantina, whose howls made the night hideous and
completed the desolation about him. At his approach, they for-
got their hunger their ferocity, like a dissolving view, mellowed
;

into half fear and half passivity. They read a wordless meaning
in his presence; Lucifer could not fill them with rage, for it was
—
not given him to tempt them, the human heart alone is his battle
ground. Well might their sentient souls have felt a bewilderment,
for on that mountain the forces of heaven and hell were turning
their gaze because the two brothers were there their powers and
;

their followers were being weighed in the balance. The one, half
deadened through mortality, struggling for the mastery of the
universe, trembled before his mission the other, proud and sullen,
;

with folded arms, waited his time. He knew his line of action
his plans were crystallized, tested, tried, and triumphant upon
whomsoever he had laid them.
It is said that after Jesus had fasted forty days he was
an hungered. How keen the pangs of starvation we shall never
know. He must have been at the point of famishing or the great-
est test was not yet made. The hour had come to strike. Every
spirit throughout the limitless empires was intense with fear and
—
hope. The two brothers were about to meet the one starving
and trembling, was at his weakest point, proving himself to be
worthy of being the Savior of the world the other, Lucifer, the
;

star of the morning, though defeated in heaven, was now at the

height of his glory; the prince of earth, with all nations at his
feet. The Temptation is at hand. Lucifer, fearing yet eager,
has long prepared and waited for this event. It was a moment
when the forces of battle were halted while a duel was to be
fought between the generals of eternity. To even dimly conceive
the awfulness of the scene, one must marshal his powers of
imag-
ination.
What hope hadLucifer that he could defeat the Messiah.''
was is the realm of temptation—
his only hope, for mortality
It
sphere where the past is wiped from the soul's tablets the future
;

vague and man must act now through the great impulse of his
is

primeval career, aided or repelled, with the impulses from the two
worlds. The Shiloh could not hope to be as powerful on
unseen
 THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST 1043

earth with limited power and intelligence— limited as compared

to his limitless vision while championing his cause in heaven. Even
then, Satan, son of the morning, withstood Jehovah and Elohim,
drawing away one-third of the hosts of heaven. What might not
be his success in a hand-to-hand conflict with Jehovah now con-
fined in mortality? Lucifer had reason for hope. Had he not
deceived our first parents, sent most of their children out into an
empty world, hating God had he not once plunged all the human
;

race, except eight souls, into deadening sin until God cleansed the
earth with the deluge? Even then Lucifer toyed with the sur-
vivors in the hour of temptation. We see Noah lying drunk with
the wine of his own vineyard, and we see Ham festering with
sensual morbidity. Should the tempter not have been assured,
since the past numbered untold victims of his power? The patri-
archs of the twelve tribes of Israel were brought low thron^' 1
temptation. Moses was shut out of the Promised Land because
nride had swept him from his feet. We hear David crying for
forgiveness we see Solomon following the allurements of vanity
; ;

we hear Lehi complaining against his God. These were God's

prophets, leaders of Israel, and men after his own heart.
With such assurances, Lucifer met with bold determination
the Messiah. If Lucifer could lead his brother captive, then the
victory of heaven and earth were vouchsafed unto him. If he
failed, then all was lost, for the Prince of Peace would eventually
wrench from the devil his last hold upon man. He keenly realized
that and prepared to test Immanuel with the most alluring tempta-
tions the world had ever known. The mission was so vital that
he conducted the temptation himself.
The myriad phases by which we might be tempted may be
divided into three the temptations of the flesh (the physical) the
: ;

temptations of pride; and finally, the temptation of power, do-

minion, opulence, glory. These were in turn presented before
the Lamb of God. "The scriptures say that Jesus was tempted of
the devil. "Temptation can imply nothing less than the possibil-
ity of a fall."Why this temptation if it was not a struggle with
an element of doubt, with an almost illimitable stress and strain
of human-god endurance? The greater the mind the
greater the
temptation offered. Remember that trials, mastered, mean added
power of resistance; thev are the installed engines from the
power-house of the soul. If the temptation prevails, it is a literal
calm
dynamiting of the soul's flimsy shacks, erected in the dead
of life's untroubled days.
The scriptures have stripped the tragic temptation of every
allurements were
element of its awfulness and grandeur. What
God, command that
brought to b«-ar upon. "If thou be the Son of
with the unwritten. But
these stones be made bread," are veiled
this is assured, that the temptation must have been couched in the
1044 IMPROVEMENT ERA
most subtle allurements that thought and persuasion could com-
mand. Otherwise the temptation would have been a mockery
rather than an alluring seduction. Mark you, this serial tempta-
tion meant everything- to countless millions. If there is to be had
a more feasible way of presenting this first temptation it must be
had. If there is a more hidden subtleness which would touch the
tempted, it must be presented. So we may be assured that the
temptation was vastly more diplomatic than the formal utterance
of those words. Temptations are the keenest when the soul is
thirsting for the thing presented. When the possible power is
within our grasp; fire this longing with the presence of the
tempter, with real or pretended love, either must be clothed with
the garb of sincerity, and the temptation is almost invincible.
Remember our Savior was at the point of starvation remem-
;

ber he possessed the power to turn. stones to bread remember, too,

;

the brother longing to wrest the Messianic power from Jehovah,

appeared upon the scene to personally conduct the temptation.
The diplomacy of the moment brought the hush of unspeakable
interest, but no sooner had the temptation come than it was swept
back with, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This was
the physical temptation. The longing for food at the hour of star-
vation is the greatest physical test known. So terrific is it that
men will gnaw the putrid flesh from the bones of their fellow
men. In the hour of starvation mothers have been known to kill
and eat their own children. But though he had the power, Christ
could not be tempted to turn stones into bread to satisfy his hun-
ger. The hour for him to eat had not come, and to have used his
Messianic power in this moment of temptation meant defeat.
The first temptation is now passed. What must have been
the subdued excitement as eternities gazed on in silence. What
must have been Lucifer's feelings when he was checkmated and
stung by the quotation of the law which, in his ambition to rule,
he had trampled under his feet. The temptation was flung back
as the roaring billows are hurled from the adamantine cliffs but ;

though the cliff resists the wave, every molecule in it vibrates,

and a mighty tremor sweeps through it from summit to base.
Temptation and fall, through the appetites and passions, count
their millions. The temptation of drink and deadly opiates dashes
out the possibility of hope and progress from millions of every
generation through bowing to the first and lowest of all allure-
;

ments, our anpetites, the penitentiaries and asylums are filled

with the victims of the devil's power. They flood the earth also
—
with blighted offspring cripples, idiots, epileptics, and insane.
Tic who falls through the first temptation has little chance to be
greatlv tempted by the higher. It is through physical temptation
that our youth arc imprisoned — —
blighted and are found with
 —

THE TEMPTATION OE CHRIST 1045

those who wail and gnash their teeth. Greatness is seldom caught
and held in the grip of physical temptation through the resistance
;

of the appetites greatness is made possible.

Tt is written that after the first temptation was over, Tesus
was taken and placed on the pinnacle of the temple. Just how
this was accomplished is not plain. Whether Jesus was met there
by the tempter while he was viewing the great city of Jerusalem
and the country from afar, or whether Lucifer carried him there
in triumph to show the Messiah his vast power, is still a matter of
doubt. But be it as it may, the most subtle way known was taken
advantage of. Again came, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thy-
self down." The scripture leaves us with but the cold, formal ut-
terance. What converse and what alluring, tempting utter-
ances were made which might stir the heart to comply with the
request, we are not told. This temptation must, if possible, be
more cunning and subtle than the first. The tempter must put
forth deeper reasons and more telling arguments. Did Lucifer
urge that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah and, if so he wished
;

to be sure of it and, if certain, he would herald Jesus' advent into

;

the world and also worship him? Was it after the most diplo-
matic argument and burning impress that he suggested and urged
the Nazarene to test his Messiahshio by casting himself down
from the pinnacle? For if he be the Son of God, it was written
and Jesus could net doubt the certainty of the scriptures that —
God's angels should bear him up lest at any time he should dash
his foot against a stone. What was the personal attitude of the
tempter? Did he stand with outstretched hands appealing to the
Savior's pride while Lucifer's countenance fairly beamed with an-
ticipation ? Shall Christ now reveal his power to test his assur-
ances from angels or spiritual endowments? Shall he prove to
the tempter, who is appearing as an angel of light, that trulv he
is the Immanuel ? Or shall he withhold the demonstration of his
power: and, bv so doing, seemingly show cowardice and doubt"
Should his pride be stung bv jeer and taunt as he looked down to
the stonv street far below?
Swift as the northern lights came the reply :
written
"Tt is

again. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thv God." When
the test
was over, was the Nazarene exhausted with the temptation, and did
he lean heavily upon the pinnacle as Moses lay helpless upon the
tumbled crags of stones on Sinai's heights? I can see him stati
»-

ing with dignity facing the enemy of the race,

calm and unmoved.
Satan proved himself a scriptorian, but each time the Christ
defeated him with quotations from the law-book
(Deuteronomv,
8-6: 6:16V The second temptation is also futile the — temptation
'which had ensnared prophets, kings and nations.
then-
^-~ the dawn of history we read of nations smiling
m
was wounded: nations risking all to
life's because pride
blood
 :

1046 IMPROVKMKNT ERA

—
wipe out an insult. It is said that pride goeth before a fall aye,
more, it makes possible the fall. Pride spurs men on to live be-
yond their means; they suffer hunger, bodily affliction, to satisfy
pride. Sons and daughters plunge their parents into helpless debt
through the false pride of dress. Many a youth has walked into
the blighting habit of tobacco, drink, and other vices because he
could not endure the jeers of companions. Pride drags the mighty
from their pedestals of honor even when the temptations of the
body have been trampled under their feet. The Messiah swept all
aside and stung the destroyer of nations by hurling back at him
the very laws he himself had broken. Pride had dragged Lucifer
from the realms of Gods to the plane of the damned. He hid not
only not lived by every word that had proceeded from the mouth
of God, but he had asked for Elohim's glory.
When the second temptation was tested and lost, I can con-
ceive Lucifer's hosts half starting with clenched hands and bated
breath. What means this alarm? Do they see defeat ahead
Shall their king be bound and their kingdoms torn from them ?
Shall the tests of the centuries fail? There is one more left, and
but one. It has never been offered to any of earth's children and
shall never be offered again. This temptation shall not, must not
fail. Tt must now be offered, for all other allurements fell power-
less and lay broken and dead at the feet of the Savior. As must
have been agreed upon centuries before, that if everything else
failed, the entire earth and her conquered kingdoms should be of-
fered to the carpenter's son should he bow in reverence to Lucifer
— the prince of the earth. In this crucial moment swords should
be sheathed hell's forces should be withdrawn and the conquests
;

of a?ons were to be offered for one sentence of homage from the

lowly Nazarene. Lucifer was desperate, the smouldering hatred
and the memories of the fatal religio-political war of heaven
stirred him to fevered tension. Though the father of lies, he must
—
for once be truthful —
no trickery can be risked for the Messianic
intelligence would pierce the very shadow of deception and the
temptation would be gone. Por once, he must be the proclaimer
of truth.
What think you ? Was this tragedy enacted in a corner
were the unseen worlds ignorant of this scene? No; Lucifer's
kingdom was being weighed in the balance. He had dragged mil-
lions into degradation and idolatrous worship who were once val-
iant in the heavens for God's cause. He had even led, with silken
cords. God's chosen Tsrael from Jehovah's laws. The very eternal
God. had come to earth to disnel the darkness that covered the
earth and lead his neople back to him. The test is now on shall
;

he, like mam- of his faithful followers, weaken at the hour when
his vision is blurred and reason confused in the maelstrom of con-
flicting emotions and lurid temptations? Could the primeval in-
 THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST 1047

habitants rest secure and indifferent to the results? Though we

may have been morally sure of the results, yet we were none the
less interested in the conflict. The Gods left their thrones, arch-
angels quit their posts of duty, while we gazed on in hushed
amazement. Lucifer's hosts stood banked in the heavens, tier up-
on tier, hoping yet fearing, silent, trembling. In the midst of this
awful hush the Messiah is swept to the top of an exceeding high
mountain and, in a moment of time, he is shown, in panoramic
;

view, the entire earth and her kingdoms of glory. These are of-
fered to Jesus if he will fall down and worship Satan.
Were these Lucifer's to give? If not, what was intended to
be the greatest temptation which was ever known to the human
race, would be a cheap deception with no power behind it. But
sad as it may appear, the kingdoms of this earth had all, through
conquests, become the kingdoms of the devil. This Christ ac-
knowledged on various occasions. He came because Lucifer had
conquered the world which was to be Christ's and his followers.
He therefore entered mortality to redeem the inhabitants and lead
them back to Elohim, to their former loves and covenants.
This great vision of proffered kingdoms, without conquest,
"flashed before the Messiah as in a mirror under the dazzling
light of temptation." Did Lucifer pale at the thought of offering
all of his conquests? Yet, to be rejected would be a defeat as
fatal as his defeat in heaven.
Stand with me in fancy's realm and picture the scene anew ;

the two brothers are face to face, the one holding the kingdoms
of the earth as his own the other come to redeem them from their
;

enslaved condition. Lucifer not only claimed the earth and her
inhabitants, but he held them in the bondage of ignorance and su-
The Roman and Greek empires knew not God they
1

perstition. ;

worshiped springs, groves, and fancied gods, and their crimes

were surpassed only by their false worship. The Egyptians wor-
shiped the sun, cats, crocodiles, the bull, and the Nile the Chinese ;

had their pantheistic gods, and Confucius taught that it was well
to respect them but not allow them to become too familiar with
the people. The savage tribes in the north, south, east and west
were helplessly bound in ignorance and superstition. The Hebrew
race had gone astray so low had they fallen that in three short
;

years they were to crucify the God of the universe. The once
choice Nephite nation was steeped in murder and kindred crime-,
with a hatred of the prophets and the Scriptures. All nations were
at Lucifer's feet save here and there scattered
individuals who
called upon God for light and protection. As he showed the
Nazarene "all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,"
the devil said "All this power will I give unto thee and the Eflorv
:

of them for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever

I will
:

I o-i Ve it." Mark you. in all the temptations proposed, Jesus does
 ;

1048 IMPROVEMENT ERA

not deny the truthfulness of the devil's utterances. I believe he

spoke the truth, asked no impossible thing-, offered that which was
his, all of which the Christ virtually admitted by not denying
them but on each occasion gave his reasons for not accepting
;

them.
Picture, if you can, the prince of this world offering all for
worship a God weighs the proffered gift to accept it would mean
; ;

debasement; to prostitute himself at the feet of him who wi* ** *

out of heaven for rebellion, would be ignominious. As Lucifer
left the kingdom from on high he swore an oath that chilled the
eternitities. He said, "I will ascend into the heavens, I will exalt
my throne above the stars of God I will sit also upon the mount
:

of the congregation in the sides of the north: * * * I will be

-

like the Most High."

I say to accept the earth and her fallen kingdoms as prof-
fered meant the bowing to compromise to reject, meant his cru-
;

cifixion and the drenching of the earth by the blood of millions of

his followers. I can conceive the terrible moment as Lucifer not
only offered all but threatened (as he did Moses on Sinai) that if
Jesus rejected he should be followed through Gethsemane to Cal-
vary's cross. The prince of this earth threatened to put to death
—
every lip that confessed the Christ torture his followers and
sweep the earth with fire and sword until his last devotees should
bite the earth. Well might John say that it was given Lucifer to
make war with the Saints and overcome them, and that power
was given him over all kindreds, tongues, and nations. How ter-
rible that hour of temptation we shall never know. It was not so
much for self that Jesus was concerned, but to think of the agony
of his pure and childlike followers was awful. Could he feel that
moment what he was yet to suffer in the Garden of Agony as
bloody sweat should pour from his face? Whatever may have
been the scene and whatever may have been the cost at his rejec-
tion of this luring temptation he, as though grappling thunder
bolts, dashed to earth everything that asked for compromise, and
in calm, God-like majesty, said: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it
is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt

thou serve." It was done heaven was victorious and the lower
;

kingdom defeated. As Lucifer withdrew, angels from the throne

of God rushed upon the scene and worshiped the Lamb, carrying
possibly blessings and praises from Elohim.
I see Lucifer crushed and half dazed, gazing upon the terror
and confusion of his own hosts. I fancy him raising his. hands de-
manding, in thunderous tones, peace telling his followers that all
;

is not lost that thev will follow him with torture they will drag
: ;

him to Golgotha they will hound his diciples to violent deaths

:

hunt them to the deserts and give them the choice between death
and the renunciation of the name of the Christ. I hear the cry of
 THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST 1049

revenge; Iconceive their commotion and disconsolation turning

to exultant joy at the death of our Savior. I hear the Savior from
without the darkness of this continent saying "Woe, woe, unto :

the inhabitants of this earth. The devil laugheth and his angels
rejoiceth at the destruction of the fair sons and daughters of
God." Though part of this scene lies in the imagination, yet sub-
sequent history gives it the stamp of reality.
What artist can paint the majesty and intensity of the Christ's
temptation The entire energy and force of an opposing kingdom
!

was focussed upon one God-like being, and he arose from it all
without the blush of shame or the cry of humiliation. Yet, says
Hebrews (4:15), "he was in all points tempted as we are yet
without sin." The greater the mind the greater the scope of
temptation and as Jesus' mind was infinitely greater than ours so
;

likewise was his temptation. The greater one's mission, the

deeper the trial. Without number the weak are garnered through
the allurements of the flesh. Some would only need to be taken
to the door of the temple and they would fall prostrate before the
tempter. Yet no temptation will be allowed which is beyond the
power of endurance, should one will to resist. The winds are
tempered to the shorn lamb and the mountain pines are strength-
ened for the storm's fury. The Redeemer, knowing our weak-
nesses, cried, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest." Jesus not only did not fall, but
each time the tempter came he taught a higher doctrine. Like a
Teneriffe he rose above the storm of surging temptation, though
there was no friend to steady him no one to bar the tempter by
;

words of cheer, yet he gave the race a peerless example of courage

and resistance. He conquered sin, death and the grave. Well
might he say, "I have trodden the wine press alone."

Walking with God

"By faith in Christ I walk with God,

With Heaven, my journey's end, in view;
Supported by his staff and rod,
My road is safe and pleasant, too.

"I travel through a desert wide,

Where many round me blindly stray;
But he vouchsafes to be my guide,.
And will not let me miss my way.

"Though snares and dangers throng my path,

And earth and hell my course withstand,
I triumph over all by faith,
Guarded by his almighty hand."
John Newton
 "The Sigh of the Weary"
BY WILL ROSE

Salt Lake City, Utah, May 26, 1915.

Dear Father and Mother —
You will find your mortgage
:

to the trust company, also the abstract of the farm, enclosed with
this letter. I am not sending them back for correction this time,
but because I have decided not to borrow the money, after all.
Ever since you gave up your opposition to my project and con-
sented to mortgage the old place, I have been feeling more and
more ashamed of my victory. But I would not admit this to my-
self until last night.
As you already know, I was very bitter over what I called
your old- fogy fear of progress. I thought you ought to jump at
the chance I offered, to make us all rich. I hope you will both
forgive the things I wrote in that frame of mind. For now I see
the project, or rather your part in it, in an entirely new light. I
still believe we could make a little fortune out of peaches if we

had the money to handle the market. The more I study the mat-
ter the stronger is my faith in my original plan. The completion
of the new State highway, allowing the use of motor-trucks, puts
the early peach market at our mercy for you know as well as I do
;

that our peaches ripen at least two weeks earlier than any others
in the Rocky Mountains. So I still say we have a sure thing if
we only had the money to equip ourselves properly.
But something has made it impossible for me to go on with
this deal, and I want to tell you what that something is.
When the mail brought the mortgage last night I was so
eager and impatient to get things going that I couldn't wait until
morning to see Manager Kean of the trust company. So I called
him up and he invited me out to his home. Cousin Hal took me
out in his car. Mr. Kean lives in one of the best residence dis-
tricts of the city, but his home was not at all what I had expected
in one of his wealth. Where I had looked for magnificence, there
was only comfort and simplicity. I felt every bit as much at home
there as I would out on the farm. Mr. Kean showed me as much
courtesy and friendly interest there in his home as he had dis-
played in his office.
It was a pleasant evening after the heat of that summer day,
especially up there so far away from the swelter of the business
section of town. The family were sitting out in a sort of little
pergola by the side of the house. After I had gone over the ab-
 :

"THE SIGH OF THE WEARY" 1051

stract with him and settled the terms of the loan, my host snapped
off the lights and we sat and talked the evening away in the
shadow of the climbing roses.
Mr. Kean asked so much about your early struggles in clear-
ing and fencing the farm and getting the water on it that I won-
dered at first if he had further doubts of its loan value. But after
awhile he began to talk of his own father, telling in a slow, mus-
ing way of their early struggles in Kimball valley. I had not
thought of him as the son of a pioneer.
Somehow, in the peace of that pleasant retreat his rambling
recollections, told with such surprising bursts of feeling, gave
those old days a new and beautiful dignity. I saw you and what
you have done for the world as I had never seen you before.
Across the way a group of young people were about a piano sing-
ing, mostlv the old songs like "Annie Laurie," "Belle Mahone,"
"Tenting Tonight," and "Home, Sweet Home." These seemed
to fit in so well with my host's conversation that it is hard to re-
member which was song and which story. I suppose I must have
become drowsy under the spell of the voices, when suddenly I
woke to the fact that Kean had ceased talking to listen to the
singers.
"Let us pause in life's pleasures * * *" I could swear
there were tears in the banker's eyes. And when those clear,
young voices took up the chorus " 'Tis the song, the sigh of the
:

weary * * *" I could see you, father, with your bent back
and and vou, mother, with your beautiful, careworn
tired shuffle,
face and drooping shoulders and when the voices pleaded
;

"Many days you have lingered around our cabin door," all the
long, dreary, heartbreaking years of your lives rose up to accuse
me.
"Hard times, hard times, come again no more," the singers
beseeched ; and I realized in that moment how your harrowed
souls must echo that appeal. There came to me the recollection
of the big banquet with which the settlers celebrated the finishing
of our monster dam. I was too small then to do more than listen
and eat. But I haven't forgotten that when you all arose from
your feasting and laughter and started to sing "Hard Times,"
vou broke down like homesick children and couldn't go on for
tears. I couldn't understand the sobbing of the women then, but
I do now. You felt it too deeply. Realization of the long, bitter
fight choked the words in your throats. I see now that this driv-

ing fear of famine, this desperate battle with want have darkened
too many years of your lives to be ever entirely dispelled. I un-
derstand now why you clung to the old home so frantically. I
see now why you cherish all those little, old-time economies that
have always seemed so needless in these days of plenty. As th«
singers ceased I saw through tears of shame and humility what a
 ; —

1052 IMPROVEMENT KRA

sacrifice it was for your stiffened fingers to sign that cruel mort-
gage. Forgive me, father, forgive me, mother, for what I came so
nearly doing. Why, now that I see it all, I could no more throw
the blight of that mortgage over your lives than I could shoot you
down in your chairs. But I must tell you the rest. For a long
while we sat there in silence. The singers had scattered to
their homes. The last cars for the night were droning their way
to the city's edge. Still we sat and thought, each his own thoughts.
Finally Cousin Hal's machine on the street roused me.
Kean," I said, "I've changed my mind about that loan.
"Air.
I can't take it. It wouldn't be fair to the old folks."
"My boy," he answered, "I'm glad to hear you say it. I was
afraid you were risking all they had, and I wanted to object bvi :

I realized that I could only offend you to no purpose. Thank God,

you had the sense to understand. I am a banker now, and make
much of my money out of loans, but I wish all the boys in the state
could learn this same lesson of respect for their fathers' hard-
earned means. Don't worry about your project. If the education
your father has worked so hard to give you is worth that work,
you will win out without financial crutches. Come and talk with
me again. It has been a wonderful evening for both of us and ;

whatever you do," he ended, gripping my hand warmly, "be kind

to those splendid parents of yours."
I hope I can, father and mother ; that is now my sincerest
wish. May God bless you both and help me to be more worthy
of your self-effacing love. Home soon.
Your boy, Joe.

Sympathy

Though patriots all, with full hearts, warm and true,

Hearts throbbing with love for the Red, White and Blue
Speak softly today, and ring the bells low,
And let the procession march quiet and slow
Hushed is the trumpet's blare, silent the cheers.

As with heart sobs of nations we mingle our tears.

Muffled the drum-beat, let quiet prevail
While in birth-pangs of agony nations travail,
In birth-pangs of sorrow that yet shall bring forth
New Freedom to bless and enlighten the earth.
Alice Morrill.
WHITE ROCKS, UTAH
 : : —

Joe's Coyote
A Thrilling Animal Story for Boys

BY LEE HUFF

[This story arouses sympathy for "the under dog," and awakens
admiration for his persistence and grit. It was written by a young
man who evidently possesses both of these admirable qualities in his
own make-up. His college teacher writes that he has kept himself in
school three years, by his own work, besides assisting his brother.
The persistent win. The laughter and jeers of friends at their fail-
ures are but incentives to greater, more persistent effort. Editors.]

A light frost fell, and with it came the coyotes. Joe had
never seen a coyote and his interest was aroused. A lazy, white
moon swung over the horizon, quenching the campfire's glow, and
flooding the plain with a ghostly glory. From far away in the
east came a melancholy ki-yi, and Joe rose up and listened.
Suddenly, from nowhere, appeared the first coyote a splen- —
did specimen, with yellow-black flanks and a flaunting, feathery
tail. He took a clump of sagebrush at a bound, lit on his haunches,

pointed his nose to the sky's high dome, and let loose one quiv-
ering, ghoulish wail.
As has been said, the dog was interested. Something more
—
came to him now he was stricken dumb. Here was an arrogant
stranger, sitting — —
without invitation upon Joe's own prairie, dis-
turbing the peace in a hateful, alien tongue. The serene cheek of
it!
—
a devil-lipped ghost-imp, yapping at Joe's moon !

The eyes of the dog swept pathetically the circle of lounging

cow-men, until they rested upon his master, and then seemed to
enquire as plain as words
"Fer Pat's sake, Mr. Mott, what is it?"
A camp humorist kindlv supplied the information
"That thing out there, Joe, is a hell-warbler. Sick 'em, good
boy."
Joe took the suggestion without hesitation. A noiseless,
brown streak extended itself out toward the serenader but Mr. ;

Coyote saw it coming, ended his song with a crisp crescendo, and
departed in an easy, shambling lope. The dog was too much inter-
ested to hear the coarse ripple of amusement following his exit,
or to see his master stir a sleeper with his foot and remark, with
a widening grin :

"Come, git up, Vern, 'n' see the spo't. My dawg's a linkin'
after a kiyote."
 —

1054 IMPROVEMENT ERA

more perfect stage could not have been desired the moon
A :

for footlights Tongue, a Mexican mongrel, and nineteen cow-

;

men for audience a coyote for comedian, and Joe, of course, for
;

the star actor.

The chase went south for half a mile, doubled itself, and
passed the camp again the maneuver being repeated three sep-
;

arate times, apparently for the amusement of the watchers. It was

a close chase, too, or seemed to be ; for seldom was the collie's
black nose more than a yard behind his victim's flaunting tail the
;

coyote, however, looking back for rods at a time.

Never before had the wolf-hound breed cropped out so
strongly. Joe ran low his muscles ached and burned, his eyes
;

bulged out, and he whimpered with savage desire yet try as he

;

would, he failed to reduce the lead, while the beast in front reeled
off the distances without changing once his shambling lope.
But now Joe gained. He moaned aloud with joy. His blood
was up, and he went for his enemy in crazy, heart-breaking leaps.
Three times he snapped, and bit nothing but his own dry tongue.
And then something happened. The coyote, tiring of the game
for he had evidently been playing with Joe — took his foot in his
hand and faded away, just as a wood-chuck leaves a weasel.
Joe sat down and thought about it. Nothing short of a pis-
tol ball could travel like that little yellow dot on the horizon.
There was something wrong about the whole affair, but just what
it was the half-cur, quarter collie, quarter wolf-hound could not

figure out. Possibly the cow-men could enlighten him, or at least

offer sympathy. With this false hope at heart, he trotted slowly
back, his hot breath coming in labored gasps, his stump tail sag-
ging badly.
Joe's reception, however, was very different from that he
had imagined. Instead of pats and courteous explanation, the
cow-boys greeted him with a roar of vulgar laughter, and taunts
which stung him to the quick.
That dogs are sensitive to ridicule is a fact too well known
to admit of argument but collies perhaps are the most humanly
;

sensitive of all. And this is where Joe's collie breed cropped out
to stay. He was stunned at first. He couldn't take it in but;

when the taunts continued, the dog's already heated blood began
to boil. He was ready to fight for his last torn shred of pride
and pride dies hard.
He crouched ominiously beside the campfire, his rough hair
bristling along his spine, his ugly nose distorted by a still uglier
wrinkle. And so it was when Ches Wright, the camp humorist,
laughed louder than the rest, and pointed a derisive finger at the
fallen hero, the cur side of the dog came out, and Joe forgot to
be a gentleman.
A rawhide boot is a tough proposition at any time; but Joe
 :

JOE'S COYOTE 1055

through it, through the trousers beneath and into the flesh and
bit
sinew, till his strong teeth met. With a bellow of rage and pain,
the humorist pulled out and reached for his Winchester. He was
a quick man, too, but John Mott was a fraction quicker. His hand
flew out and disturbed the aim, and the bullet went whining out
across the desert, impairing the market value of an innocent long-
horn.
"Drop it!" commanded Mott, then added, by way of pacify-
ing argument: "Ef you had made a screamin' ass of yoself, as
Joe has, and we'd laffed at you, burn me if you wouldn't want to
cut our throats."
This was logic all right, but Ches failed to see it. He was a
little like the clog
—
part yellow himself. His fingers tingled on
the trigger of the smoking gun, while he argued his death-claim
with a quivering chin.
—
"The cur he's chawed a piece outer me laig."
Mott answered promptly and heartlessly
"Well, charge the so' place up to profit an' loss, 'n' run 'n' tell
yo' ma, or I'll bloody you nose."
Ches's nose had been bloodied once before, and memory lin-
gered so he dropped the discussion in a Christian spirit, wrapped
;

his leg up with a whisky-soaked rag, and strove to forget the

incident.
So much for the man's wound. The dog had received a se-
verer one — deeper and more pitiless. A bull's eye had been made
of his vanity, and only death or the coyote's blood could soothe
the pain away.
Next morning he tried to persuade himself that it had all
been a dream but Ches limped, and a dog's heart doesn't ache so
;

fiercely because of dreams. The day dragged on and on, but

icached a close at last. A
purple twilight came sneaking over the
West, deeper, then darker, till once more the lazy moon arose,
—
and again the campfire paled a lonely, flickering blotch on a vast
prairie. And then
a silence fell —
God's silence, which even a —
whisper mars, like a curse on a woman's lips.
From out the east a faint yap! yap! rose and sang again. Joe
heard it, and strove to give no sign but his hair would rise, and
;

his lips roll back from his yellow fangs. Silence again, more
holy than before then another ghost-beast leaped the sagebrush,
;

squatted and profaned the night with a nerve-searching, driveling

howl.
"Hi. Joe !" said a merry-hearted gentleman, "there's yer
frien' callin' of you run along, son, 'n' play with him."
;

The suggestion was received with much laughter, and the

dog arose and went; not toward the cause of his degradation, but
—
deep into the silent cattle herd, where his soul if dogs have souls
=
— was emptied of all emotions, save hate and shame alone.
1056 IMPROVEMENT ERA
nights which followed were, to Joe, a living death. With
The
fateful punctuality the "hell-warbler" jumped the sagebrush and
nightly began his haunting serenade. He seemed to jeer at Joe,
and drove the dog to the verge of madness. He called to him by
names unbearable, and dared him to a chase. Joe did try it once
more, on the sly, just to prove to himself the utter absurdity of it.
Thereafter he resorted to strategy and laid for his enemy, but
without avail.
These tactics seemed to amuse the cow-men vastly. Each sad
failure, though wormwood to Joe, was a new delight to them.
Somehow thev fancied the words fun and brutality to be synony-
mous and instead of calling for the dog's parlor tricks, of which
;

Joe had a varied repertoire, they took to tormenting him past all
endurance.
Indeed, if the truth must be confessed, Joe had no heart for

f-irks. Even the ace and deuce-spot seemed to have lost their
charm. The dog grew thin and hollow-eyed, moaning and bat-
tling in his sleep, when false dreams gave his enemy into his jaws.
The warbler next took to calling in the day-time, and bring-
ing his friends and family with him. He would glide into camp,
when the men were out, and steal something, then slink away un-
harmed, pursued onlv by the raw profanity of the cook and a
badly-aimed pistol-ball.
Joe loathed the intruder, but was ashamed of his own ineffi-
ciency. No longer did he wait now for the cow-men's nightly
jests. At the first faint ki-yi he would rise from the camp-fire
and slink into outer darkness, to hide his face from the sight of
—
man. Joe's cup of woe was full almost, but not quite for an-;

other sorrow awaited him his master went away without taking
:

leave.
John Mott rode off in the night on a hurry call to the Book
mountains, while the dog was stalking his hateful enemy many
miles from camp. Of course, there may have been a trail, and Joe
was quite capable of following it but a heavy rain was falling,
;

which is bad for trails and when a man in the West simply goes
;

—
away well, none but fools, or sheriffs follow after.
And now Joe was alone indeed. For a time even the coyote
was forgotten in a profound grief for the one square man who
had offered pats, low-spoken words, and a sympathetic eye.
Shame and bitterness for a dog are hard to bear; but grief for a
loved, one, whisked perhaps into the Great Unknown, is a pang
undreamed of by man. Tt rends him, while his dog heart slowly
breaks, and he too slips awav to the dog's happv hunting ground
— —
wh^ knows? and licks a^ain a master's spirit-hand.
Taking advantage of Joe's dejection, the Mexican dog was
of late laosing into arrogance. Joe thrashed him soundly, but
got no pleasure out of it thus proving to himself that his case
;
 —

JOE'S COYOTE 1057

was bad indeed. Then he wandered away on the prairie alone

—
and made a find. It wasn't much in itself a calf-skin tobacco-
—
pouch but it had belonged to John Mott. Joe nosed it eagerly,
and hope came trickling back to him. And now the collie stock
cropped out again, assisted by the strain of the cur. Joe noted
the distant camp, drew an imaginary line between it and his
find, and knew that his master's broncho had traveled north.
This was enough. The ugly ears lay back, and the long
limbs stretched themselves into a swinging stride. Straight as
an arrow toward the pole-star sped the faithful creature, while his
heart beat high with a bounding, hungering joy. Somewhere
ahead of him his master waited and behind him lay the camp, the
jeering cow-men, and a gang of mad coyotes yapping at the stars.
—
Then suddenly Joe stopped so suddenly that he slid. For a
long, long time he sat motionless upon his haunches at last he
;

arose, looked northward with one wistful glance, then trotted back
to camp, depositing the calf-skin tobacco pouch on his master's
bunk.
Now such fidelity in a human might be called heroic in a cur
;

it has no name. Joe's miseries settled down on him again for ;

there again was a brazen warbler, defiantly near the camp. But
things cannot remain black forever, and even a dog's grief comes
to an end. Joe celebrated his change of heart, by giving Tonque
another thrashing, and this time he enjoyed it to the very marrow ;

also, he ate a square meal, and began to study the habits of

coyotes from a scientific point of view.
"Say, Joe," said Frisco Jim, with a greasy smile, "why don't
you put some salt on yo' cousin's tail ?"
Joe passed up the jest or implied insult without apparent no-
tice, for now he had "other fish to fry." To be explicit, he went
out nightly and lay down among the long-horns, hoping the fumes
of their smoking bodies might disguise his scent. Then, if Mr.
Coyote chanced to wander carelessly among the cattle, as he did
at times, then— perhaps !

—
And the "warbler" did come only to laugh, however, as
one who derides a tenderfoot and shortly after he "bored a hole"
;

in the wind with Joe dropping disgracefully behind.

This was disappointing, at least from the dog's side of it but
;

Joe's next encounter proved to be of greater interest to all con-

cerned, and these were many. Joe made a wide detour, assaulted
the enemy in his rear, and got him pocketed in a bunch of sleeping
cattle. This was rather well done. The coyote's only roa to 1

hope lay directly across the backs of several hundred steers a ;

perilous path, at best, for the beasts rose up in unexpected places,

thus causing the race track to become lumpy and uncertain.
Long-horns are peaceful creatures, as a rule but think, my
;

friend! If you yourself were wakened suddenly from dreams of

 a
;

1058 IMPROVEMENT ERA

cuds and luscious grass by a charging coyote and a whimpering,
foaming dog, perhaps you would look at things from a bovine
point of view. At any rate, the cattle made progress difficult and
uncertain, and once the race was all but run. A big steer tossed
the coyote fifteen or twenty feet but another one tossed Joe at
;

the same instant, so honors were even, so to speak.

And now, indeed, the tumult was on. The terror-stricken
cattle, fleeing from they knew not what, surged backward bel-
lowing; then in frenzy rushed round and round in a swiftly con-
verging circle, tightening into a sort of whirlpool knot, and
known technically upon the plains as a "cattle mill." In daylight
a "mill" is dreaded. At night —
well, ask the cow-men.
"Wake up, boys!" screamed Ranger Ed, as he ran for his
horse that was staked near camp. "Joe's millin' the meat fer to
!"
ketch his ki-yote
Now, whether or not it was Joe's design, is a matter beyond
the ken of man but this we know ere sweet tranquility was re-
; :

stored again, the cow-punchers had expended their uttermost

—
supply of plainsmen's three P's, which is to say powder, perspi-
ration, and profanity. Yet peace and order did arrive at last and ;

when it came, a little brown dot was yapping on the far horizon,
while Joe sneaked panting into camp, defeated again but hope-
ful. The gods had almost smiled upon him, yet with the cow-men
he was less popular than before.
—
Twice more the cow-dog failed failed by a narrow margin,
though, and the days slipped away one by one. Each day was a
brooding time for the memories of wrong and ridicule, a time of
yearning for the loved-one far away in the north. Each night the
coyote took the sagebrush at a flying leap, and stabbed the still-
ness with his hideous, ghoulish cry.
One day —
Joe lay thinking hard. Suddenly he cocked his
ears, took a short stroll on the prairie and came back satisfied
then he waited many days for chance and a cold, propitious wind.
It came — —
an icy whistler tearing out from the east till the bron-
chos backed their tails against it, while the men blasphemed and
built a bigger fire. At twilight Joe stole out beside a certain
clump of sage-brush, scratching till he made a hole. In this he
squatted, his black nose pointing dead toward the blast, the seven
senses of his three breeds alert for trouble.
Again came night, but without the lazy moon. Again came
silence, save for the moaning of the wind the wind ; and one other
wail —afaint yap yap that dribbled from out the east. A horrid
! !

note, was, a very caricature of sound yet was it music now to the
it ;

ears of the waiting dog Nearer it came,, and nearer still no

! ;

longer an echo down the wind, but a full, deep-throated challenge,

mingled with the nattering of velvet feet It came, a rush —
 ! — —
!! ;

JOE'S COYOTE 1059

—
swish the shadow of a ghost-beast sailing over the sagebrush in
a beautiful, unsuspicious leap.
It was in fact a perfect leap, high, graceful, and full of deep
design but it had its disadvantages. In midair the coyote saw his
;

fate beneath him, and tried to turn.

lit upon his back.
—
He did turn partially and
In an instant Joe was all over him.
Oh the bliss and sublime brutality of that battle in the dark
none save Joe alone will ever know. But, oh, the glory of it
The feel of a scuffling enemy beneath one's paws, when teeth
meet teeth through flesh and bone, to lock with a rasping click
The savage joy of a foeman fighting back at last, instead of run-
ning, frothing, tearing in a coward's fury of despair! Then the
peace which passeth understanding, when the vicious, cowardly
brute lies dead
Joe closed his eyes and rested. His throat-grip was still upon
his prey, a grip which relaxed not once till he had dragged the
coyote's body across the plain, and laid it beside the camp-fire,
bloody, limp, and still.
"He's got 'im, at last," roared the tent humorist, and the
camp woke up and cheered. In their night clothes they formed
a circle about the victor and his victim. They applauded the grim
hero but the dog backed away and snarled. He hadn't asked
;

—
applause. He wanted justice justice for a dog.
The cow-men looked and marveled. A dozen hands reached
—
out to pat the ugly head for human beasts can honor courage,
even in a lesser beast but the cur remembered many things. The
;

black nose wrinkled wickedly the coarse brown hair rankled

;

along his spine he barked one curse of anger and contempt

;

then turned and left the camp. In vain they whistled after him
in vain they shouted and called his name. Their voices were lost
in the rush of icy wind. The dog was gone.
Not once did Joe look back. He settled down into a tireless,
swinging trot— measured, monotonous, but having for its goal a
loved one waiting somewhere in the trackless north. His soul was
satisfied his dog heart beat with the peaceful pride of one who
;

has wiped away a stain. There was blood upon his coat the —
—
blood of an enemy and Joe could look his master in the face.

Your Dog is True

The sympathy of your dog is unfailing and unobtrusive. If

you are sad, so is he if you are merry, no one is so willing to leap
;

and laugh with you as he. To your dog, you are never poor,
never old whether you are rich or poor, he does not care. If all
;

other friends forsake you, he is true. Farm Journal.

 "The spot where Adam had dwelt and where, ac-
cording to Daniel the Prophet, the Ancient of Days
shall sit."

"The approach from Gallatin, Spring Hill, as

Adam-Ondi-Ahman is locally called, is through

a very attractive portion of Missouri. The

Grand River moving southeastward to join the

'Mad Waters' traverses alternately in its devi-

ous course meadow lands, strips of woods, and

hilly country. Here we see the stream flash-

ing brightly in the sunlight, as it ripples or

falls over ledges of lime or sandstone, into

which it has deeply cut; and there sleeping

darkly in the shadow of primitive trees. Here

the ground, covered with corn, slopes away
with gentle undulations from its banks, and

there again, we see the gray rocks, which over-

hang the water, appear like square-laid ma-
sonry. Intermingled oaks, elms, walnuts- and

hickories give a leafy richness to each sylvan

glade or extended landscape. Superficially, at

least, the land surrounding 'the spot where

Adam dwelt' is still beautiful." —A. L.
 A Divine Standard

BY WILLIAM HALLS

The strifeand contention among men, and the difference in

their conceptions of right and wrong, good and evil, truth and
error, show the necessity of a standard to which all important
questions could be submitted and determined. It must be of divine
appointment, and therefore infallible.
If the Christian churches had such a standard to which their
doctrines, ordinances, ceremonies and discipline could be submit-
ted and tested, and such rulings accepted, there would be but one
Church united in one body. Jesus prayed that his disciples might
be one as he and his Father are one. Such a Church cannot exist
in the absence of such a standard.
The Lord called Moses, and through him gave to Israel a
divine standard and all the commandments, statutes and ordin-
;

ances came through that channel. As long as they were obedient,

they had peace and protection, but they were inclined to rebellion
and Moses warned them of their danger, and foretold what would
follow disobedience. When Jesus came, he found the Jews in
darkness and error, division, strife and contention, they having
departed from the law given through Moses. Jesus established
his Church with apostles and prophets, and sent them to preach
the gospel in all the world.
There is but one Savior, one gospel, one divine standard.
But when the apostles were gone, the standard was gone and ;

Jews and Gentiles, left without divine guidance, wandered in

darkness and error till our Father and Jesus Christ, his Son, de-
scended from heaven and called Joseph Smith, through him
opened a new dispensation, restored the divine standard, and all
the doctrines, ordinances and ceremonies both for the salvation of
the living and the redemption of the dead. The ordinations and
orders of the Priesthood, and the discipline and order of govern-
ment were all given to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, through that divine standard.
By this authority elders were sent into the states to preach
the gospel, to call men to repentance, and also to warn them of
judgments to come. Soon after the Church was organized this
warning was given :"And even now let him that goeth to the
east teach them that shall be converted to flee to the west, and that
in consequence of that which is coming on the earth." "And after
your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people."
 ;

A DIVINE STANDARD 1063

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the coming of the Civil

War, and all the members of the Church were counseled to move
west, till finally they reached the Rocky Mountains, not by acci-
dent but by design. During that war, they were in peace and
safety while the blood of thousands was being shed. For more
than half a century hundreds of elders having divine authority
have been preaching the gospel to the nations, especially in
Europe, calling them to repentance and warning them of judg-
ments to come, and those who received their message and gath-
ered to the mountains are now in safety while war is raging in
their native lands. xAs the words of Moses have been fulfilled in
the scattering of Israel, and the words of Jesus, in the dispersion
of Judah, so will the words of Joseph Smith be fulfilled in the sal-
vation of those who receive the gospel, and the destruction of
those who reject it.
The same principle that applies to the religious world is also
true of the political world. Before universal peace can prevail,
there must be a universal standard under which all nations will
unite, and the United States of America may serve as an exam-
ple. If every state in the Union were an independent nation, each
must maintain an army and if any one were invaded by a for-
;

eign power, it must defend itself alone. But all being united un-
der a federal constitution, if a state were invaded the general
government with all the states of the Union would come to its
aid. In like manner, to insure peace to the nations, there must be
a world's congress in which every nation is represented, by which
all disputes will be settled. All nations must disarm and the gen-
eral government maintain an army and navy sufficient to enforce
the decrees of the congress, to protect the weak and restrain the
strong. While human nature remains unchanged, and carnal de-
sires persist, men must be controlled by law. If the regard for
law is weak, it must be supplemented by the fear of punishment
but when respect for law is strong, there is little fear of punish-
ment. Under such a government, every nation may, if desired,
retain its identity, having its rights and limits defined. As all
official acts of the government would be issued in one language,
all nations would study and speak that language, which would be
one means of uniting the people.
Preliminary to such a condition, the rulers, nobles, proud and
haughty, must be humbled. War, famine, and pestilence will re-
duce strong nations till "all hands are weak, all hearts are faint,
and shaken are the powers that be and the great to great exclaim,
;

'Alas, are you as weak as we?' And the answer comes on the
" Then, and not till then.
blast, 'Our glory's gone, our day is past.'
will men be willing to unite under a common standard that insures
and the pursuit of happiness."
"life, liberty
In the evils that come upon the world, the Saints will hardly
 ;;

1064- IMPROVEMENT ERA

escape as far as they partake of the sins of Babylon, they will
;

receive of her plagues. This nation, though it will not be brought

into bondage to other nations, is likely to have trouble at home.
There are many evils in this land that call for sincere repentance
there is a disregard, a lack of reverence, for the sacred scriptures,
for the Christian Sabbath, for the marriage covenant. Children
disobey their parents, and are without natural affection. Intem-
perance and sexual vice are sapping the physical, moral, and spir-
itual lives of hundreds of thousands of the young men, and tens
of thousands of the fair daughters of our land. There is discon-
tent among the masses secret combinations are being formed
;

pride, vanity, extravagance, and a reckless pursuit of pleasure,

are bankrupting too many among all classes. With such a sow-
ing, what will the harvest be?
Still, the Lord is watching over his vineyard the wheat is
;

being gathered into the granary and when many of the wicked
are destroyed, and few men left, and the earth is filled with
mourning, "The sun of righteousness will arise, with healing in
his wings," and "The Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting
Father, the Prince of Peace," will say to the troubled waters,
"Peace, be still." The widow and the fatherless will be comforted,
and the earth will rest a thousand years, under the divine standard
of the King Immanuel.
MA NCOS, COLORADO

Wanted
" 'Wanted. —
Boy babies.' This is the cry of the statesmen of
—
Europe." News item.

"Wanted. — Boy babies!" And wherefore, wherefore?

To cast to the tortures of Moloch once more,
To feed the grim demon, insatiable war?

"Wanted. —
Boy babies!" Must women e'er bear
The anguish of travail that man may ensnare
Her most priceless gift in accursed warfare?
—
"Wanted. Boy babies!" Oh, where are the ones
She bore and she nourished, her sons, cherished sons?
—
Crushed in your Juggernaut march Oh, her sons!

"Wanted. —
Boy babies!" Then cease from your strife,
Ye statesmen; oh, think of the mother, the wife!
Never have ye agonized to give life.

"Wanted. —
Boy babies!" Ye ask it again,
When she gave you her best, and her best ye have slain?
Oh, have ye no mercy? Have ye no shame?
Grace Ingles Frost
 Ownership of Land

BY PRESTON NIBLEY

It is to be hoped that the Latter-day Saints will always main-

tain their reputation as an agricultural people. Agriculture is
the rock on which, up to the present time, they have built their ma-
terial prosperity and that they have built well, few will gainsay.
;

We are wont to tell with great pride to the tourist who visits our
city and state, that seventy-five per cent of the "Mormon" people
own their farms and homes. This is the general average. In cer-
tain localities the percentage runs much higher. For example,
the Bannock stake reports ninety-three per cent Big Horn,
;

ninety-six; Hyrum, ninety-two; Malad, ninety-three; Moapa,

ninety; Panguitch, ninety-four; Snowflake, ninety-two. Such
averages are very phenomenal, and bespeak a solidarity of which
those stake members might well be proud.
The wisdom of our great and splendid leader, Brigham
Young, was manifest on every side, but nowhere, I think, did he
manifest it more than when he sent the people out, far and wide,
to take up land. The Great Basin was their home, where there
had never been a farm. That old trapper, Jim Bridger, who
had lived in this vicinity almost twenty-five years prior to the
coming of the "Mormons," and who .was about their sole source
of practical information, met them on the way out, and gave them
a discouraging report. "Bridger considered it imprudent to bring
a large population into the Great Basin until it was ascertained
that grain could be raised," reports President Young. (Bancroft's
History of Utah, page 257.)
But grain was raised, and more and more people came to
raise it. Though the country was wild and new, these emigrants
were not kept clustered about Salt Lake City. It was the wish
and intention of their leaders that they should go at once into the
adjoining vallevs, reclaim the land and build up self-supporting
they
communities. I think it is to their everlasting praise that
chains of valleys, a few here and a
scattered throughout these
few there, founding what now are prosperous cities and
counties.

Tt took brave men and brave women to do

this. And what a pity
some of the sons of these pioneers cooped up
it is today to see
wishing they had land, and yet
-Aith little jobs, in our larger cities,
endure a small fraction of what their fathers
afraid to go out and
Such as these form a weak link in our chain
ot
endured to get it !
1066 IMPROVEMENT ERA
growth. They must be encouraged, and mayhap requested, to go
out into the growing farming communities, where there is so
much opportunity to establish themselves as permanent and inde-
pendent citizens.
Those pioneers of the first years of Utah had the right mettle
in them. Here they were amidst unfamiliar surroundings, un-
learned in the art of subduing the soil in an arid climate, menaced
by wild animals and savage tribes, with the poorest of farming
equipment and practically no seed in fact, with everything unfa-
;

vorable and nothing favorable yet my history of Utah does not

;

tell me that they remained on city lots in Salt Lake City trying to

earn a living out of odd jobs. Far from that. Let the history speak
for itself. In the fall of 1847 a pioneer, Thomas Grover, left the
struggling community in Salt Lake City and moved north twelve
miles to Centerville Creek, founding the first white settlement
north of Salt Lake City. In June, 1848, James Brown, one of the
"Mormon" battalion, bought an old Spanish grant at the junction
of the Ogden and Weber rivers. Others of the brethren from
Salt Lake City followed him to this fertile spot, and in August,
1850, President Young and his counselors laid out a city, called
Ogden, after the name of the river. In 1848, Isaac Morley and
two hundred others settled in the southern part of Sanpete Valley.
In the spring of 1849, about thirty families settled along the
Provo river, near Utah lake, and from this beginning we have
the present city of Provo. Early in 1850, President Young learned
that water was plentiful, as were wood and pasture land, on a
site south and west of Salt Lake, in Tooele valley, and he recom-
mended a settlement there. This place is now Tooele City, called
after the "tules" found growing in that neighborhood. In De-
cember, 1850, Apostle George A. Smith led a party of one hun-
dred seventy-five people out of Salt Lake City in search of a place
for settlement. After traveling about two hundred and fifty miles
south, they located a town on the present site of Parowan, in Iron
County. In the spring of 1851, Simon Carter founded a small
settlement on Box Elder Creek, north of Ogden. Here, two years
later, the town of Brigham City was laid out under the direction
of Lorenzo Snow. In March, 1851, there were five hundred vol-
unteers in answer to a call for people to go to Southern California
and form a settlement there.
I believe I have quoted enough, though these instances might
be multiplied many times, to show that our "Mormon" parents
and grandparents were indeed brave and fearless and independ-
ent. I have no doubt that they all would far rather have re-
mained in Salt Lake valley where there was greater protection
from the Indians, a country better developed agriculturally, and
a constant association with their leaders. But they did not remain.
At the suggestion and encouragement of their leaders they went
 ;

OWNERSHIP OF LAND 1067

into the surrounding valleys, far and wide, got something

for
themselves, and became strong and independent citizens.
What greater doctrine economically, could Brigham Young,
and those about him, have preached to the people than owner-
ship of land? To own .some soil, to get a living from it, and have
a home on it. It seems to me to be the very foundation of all
prosperity, religious and otherwise.
The bishops of the wards, in Salt Lake City, complain that
they have a vast moving population, people here today and gone
tomorrow, people, many of whom are willing and capable enough,
but who cannot be counted on for much, as they are nomadic,
roving. Ah, that is the chief fault with your people who have
never exerted themselves to own a home, a farm Your land-
!

owning citizen, is not a nomad or a rover. He can be found at all

times and be counted on for his full share of duty to the commu-
nity.
He a full-fledged man, a fixed, permanent part of both the
is

Church and the State. He is rooted to the soil, and, like the plants
that grow upon it, will yield useful fruit. He is worth a hundred
of your rovers, your nomads, who can never be found when
needed, and usually are in need themselves.
It seems to me a most necessary thing that the members of
the Church continue to encourage, as in the early days, the own-
ership of land. There is such a vast acreage in the West yet
to be reclaimed, that even the free land, the homestead land, will
not be exhausted for many years. But we will not find it by set-
tling down to little jobs in our larger cities. We
have got to go
out and pioneer, and endure, even as our fathers and forefathers
endured. The same longing for independence, and a life of useful-
ness, must be in us that was in them, if we are to succeed as well as
they did, and carry on the great work they have left us.

Walk the Path that Jesus Trod

Be in earnest, Saints of God;

Walk the path that Jesus trod.
Yield to naught but truth and right
Never weary in the fight.
If the battle should be long,
Trust in God he'll make you strong,
;

And conquerors be
you'll surely
In time and through Eternity.
Elizabeth G. Barney.
 A Typical Wisconsin Storm

BY E. H. LUND

Many years ago, before coming west with my parents, I lived

in the Badger State, in a certain flourishing little city noted for its
lumbering industry, on the banks of the Father of Waters. Storms
in that section are of frequent occurrence and often of a very vio-
lent character, though, as a rule, of short duration. It may be of
interest to relate an experience which a boy friend and myself
passed through on one occasion, just prior to the closing of the
school season, when we were waylaid by one of those terrific
outbursts of the upper elements.
We were school-mates, and had been discussing our mutual
prospects of passing successfully the coming examination-test,
which would mean the end of our common-school days. The
thought of quitting school suggested to my chum that we go on
a little hike together, and this we decided to do. So, early one
—
Saturday morning as there was no session of school, we started
out, with the intention of passing through a certain forest, which
we hoped to reach by midday. The air was crisp and exhilarating
the blood tingled in our veins and we were full of life and energy.
The weather was inexpressibly fine. The patch of wooded land
referred to, though not of large extent, was rather compact in
growth, with here and there open spaces, sylvan glades and pretty
little nooks, which oft attracted the swains and their lassies from
the surrounding farming communities. There were bits of clear-
ing and natural amphitheatres within the edges of the woods,
which were well adapted to the requirements of picnicking par-
ties and other social festivities.
We had been on the road some two hours, and the sun was
already high in the heavens. As the day advanced it became ex-
ceedingly bright and very warm, approaching sultriness. The
only cloud in sight was an innocent appearing, fleecy, wind-
streaked affair hanging low over the far western horizon. We
had slipped off our coats on account of the heat, carrying them
on our arms.
The surrounding landscape formed an attractive and beauti-
ful picture to gaze upon, with its orderly and well-kept farms and
nestling homesteads ;the fields of growing grains and other
earth products the symmetrically-arranged apple orchards and
;

ornamental trees and shrubbery, all testifying to thrift and indus-

try backed by intelligent management.
 —

A TYPICAL WISCONSIN STORM 1069

Despite the beauties of nature, enhanced by the handiwork

of man, which met our appreciative view everywhere, and which,
under more favorable conditions, with the air less torrid in its
temperature, would have enchained our prolonged attention, we
nevertheless sought to hasten our laggard steps, while beads of
perspiration rolled down our faces. Though we were not cal-
loused to the interesting sights and beauty spots along the way
which led us through winding stretches of partly shaded lanes
and over gurgling brooks and trickling streams, spanned by rus-
—
tic bridges we were at the same time most uncomfortably aware
of the excessive heat, and looked forward to the pleasure, in con-
trast, we would sense on entering the grateful shade in the cool
depths of the leafy forest, the fringed edge of which we saw in
the near distance. So, mopping away at our faces, we forged
ahead.
There also seemed to be a heavy pressure on the air about
us, the sultriness becoming more pronounced; and we now ob-
served that, while the heat continued oppressive, the sun's bright
light grew less intense, and we noted a slight haziness in the
heavens. The exceeding brightness of the orb of day himself had
altered to such an extent that we were able to gaze upon his face
without injury to the visual nerve, and he assumed the appearance
of a great, round, ruddy disk, with its edges well defined. We
both noted and remarked upon these things and also the fact was
;

borne in upon our consciousness that there had come a gradual

and final cessation of the merry notes from the feathered song-
sters, which had hitherto greeted, us upon all sides, from bush,
and tree, and fen. There was now but an occasional faint "te-
wheet," as though in protest and fear of an unnamed, impending
terror, which had put a quietus on their exuberant spirits. The
heretofore incessant chatter. of small voices of insects and other
life along the way had entirely ceased.
Though we were but inexperienced youths, we could not fail
in reading aright the meaning of these portentous signs. As we
hurried along, my companion suggested that it looked very much
as if we were about to be visited by one of those great wind-and-
rain storms, of sudden development, for which this part of the
country was noted, and as it is today, at times causing great devas-
tation and damage to property and sometimes loss of life, the lat-
ter is especially the case among cattle and lesser livestock caught
unprotected in open pens or in the meadows, death ensuing from
exposure to the tempest, drowning in the raging floods, or killing
outright in the fearful electrical discharges, as I have witnessed
in a number of instances. Thus we were given a more pressing
reason for making all speed to gain the shelter of some of the
larger trees within the wooded area.
Ere manv minutes had elapsed we reached the forest, and
 —

1070 IMPROVEMENT ERA

made our way along a well-worn path into the darker recesses.
I[ere we selected a tree of massive girth, thickly boughed and of
the ever-green variety, the sloping far-reaching branches of which
'

readily sheds water. Beneath the wide-spreading limbs of this

monarch of the woods, we made our stand, and awaited the com-
ing storm, at that moment little realizing how serious and fraught
with peril our position was soon to become. The trees were
closely set, so that their boughs as a rule interlaced, permitting
little light from overhead to come through. The gloom about us
became deeper, though it was not actually dark there were, how-
;

ever, lighter patches here and there, which relieved the situation
somewhat.
Neither my companion nor myself possessed a watch, but
judging from the position of the sun just before we had entered
the outer edge of the forest, we knew it must now be some time
after the noon hour, probably about one or two o'clock. We
had penetrated into the woody depths quite a distance and no
longer felt the heat in fact, we had stopped but a few moments
;

here, before we began to feel a decided change in that regard.

The air here was cool and, whereas it had heretofore seemed to
hang heavy and stationary, there was now a very perceptible
movement in the upper branches of the trees. Soon the air be-
came still cooler, and, as we had previously perspired profusely in
the heat of the sun, under the now altered conditions we felt the
chilly touch of our moist clothing, and we were glad to don our
coats.
The stirring in the heights above grew more noticeable, and
we were also made aware of a gentle breeze about us this gradu-
;

ally, and then more quickly increased in force, till soon we felt the
gusts of a cold, moist wind upon us. Overhead the sky, which
less than an hour ago was rosy-hued, had become overcast and
—
murky, and in the immediate west as we were able to descry
through the clefts between the wind-tossed tops of the trees
heavy storm clouds were fast gathering. Old Boreas also seemed
to be assembling his forces for even huge trees, granddads of
;

the forest, including the one under which we were huddled,

were swaying and creaking and groaning under the lashing fury
of the now angry blast.
The glades and forest aisles became darkened. Then the
blinding lightning flashed, and flashed again followed by roar
;

upon roar of thunder, causing the very ground under our feet to
tremble. To our alert ears came the awful sounds of splitting
and rending of trunks and the crash of falling trees. For so sud-
denly were we in the midst of and surrounded by the raging ele-
ments !The warring clashes of the forces of nature above the
forest must have been something terrific, for despite the thick
growth of monster trees, the tremendous high winds forced their
 A TYPICAL WISCONSIN STORM 1071

penetrating tongues like whip-thongs down through them to the

lower levels, and the now descending rain was blown in sheets
hither and thither in the open spaces. Great boughs and lesser
branches were torn from mother trunks and flung to earth. The
shrieking gale above us held high carnival with the horizontally-
swept rain. Anon the lightning flashes momentarily lit up the
old forest with their fierce glare, while we clung ever closer to
—
the friendly though somewhat doubtful and precarious —
shelter
of our old tree.
And how it thundered! 'Twas like the roar of an hundred
cannon firedabove our heads, mingled with the sharp rattle of
musketry, each seeking to outdo the other in their deafening re-
ports; rlie exceeding great din, together with the intermittent
noises caused by the shattering of weaker trees, and the dashing
to earth of severed limbs, the howling of the wind, the beating
of the torrential downpour, a creaking and a groaning on every
side, all contributing to a fearful, awe-inspiring conglomeration
of sound of such vast volume as would strike terror to the heart of
the bravest, and caused our very souls to quake with fear. It
would have tested the nerves of the best of us today, to say noth-
ing of two youngsters, like ourselves. With bated breath, our
backs pressed to the rough bark, we held tight to each other, fear-
ing we might become separated, each gleaning some degree of
comfort and encouragement from the knowledge of the other's
presence. And how the rain poured down A veritable deluge.
!

It was as if the sluice-boxes of heaven had been opened or that

;

the heavy-weighted clouds had burst in impatience to relieve their

tension. The foliage above us no longer protected us. Streams
of water came down the trunk of our tree we were soon soaked
;

through from heads to feet. Miniature rivers and lakes were all
about us, while the low-worn pathway had been transformed to
a turbulent stream.
However, like most storms of sudden rising and fearsome
character, this one did not last long. I doubt if much more than
an hour had elapsed from the time we first felt its chilly touch till
its force had entirely ceased, and peace and quiet again reigned.

The mighty fury of the elements was spent. The wind died down,
the heavy downpour gave way and dwindled to a gentle patter,
and passed away altogether.
finally
Overhead the terrifying aspect had changed the heavy, an-
;

gry, black mass of storm-clouds had already broken apart, and

lanes of lighter coloring could be seen. Soon the silver linings
here and there were in evidence. Within another quarter-hour the
bright and welcome sunlight came filtering— aslant from the
—
west down 'twixt the branches of the trees, many of which had
been sorely torn and riven by the raging storm others had been
;

whipped to earth, and now lay prone or hung caught in the arms
 :

1072 IMPROVEMENT ERA

of their more fortunate Ere long the forest and the
fellows.
whole country-side was bathed golden glow shed by Old
in the
Sol, whose life-giving wramth and light had been denied us for
a short season.
The world about us was again in action, teeming with life
on every side. As we picked our way along the debris-strewn,
watery path, there was a rustling and a scurrying here and there
in the underbrush, the cheery chirp of the cricket greeted us, as
also the now swelling chorus of chatter and song of the warblers
overhead, and even the mournful note of a distant loon came to
our ears. The lesser inhabitants of the forest and field seemed
to vie with each other in the effort to adequately express, in their
own way, their grateful appreciation of the return of the warm
sunshine. The face of all nature had thrown off its frowning
mood and resumed a smiling countenance.
In aftertimes, when my mind has reverted to our little adven-
ture in the woods of Wisconsin, I have been impressed as I am —
at this day —
with the insignificance of man, notwithstanding all
his boasted strength and knowledge. He becomes puny in the
presence of the mighty forces of nature, and with the thought,
my reverence and gratitude increase daily for the benign mercies
of an overruling Providence, who permitted us to live through
that hour of uncertainty and peril, when, in the midst of what
seemed imminent destruction, with the terror of death upon us,
we were preserved unscathed. Truly, in the words of the poet
"He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm."
In this connection a portion of the eighth Psalm of David
comes to my mind, as follows "When I consider thy heavens,
:

the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou
hast ordained what is man, that thou art mindful of him, and
;

the son of man that thou visitest him?"

From The Promise

'
of Life," by Howard Sutherland

"We must all die. Let us go courageously. Our dust shall be wel-
comed by all that has ever lived; by all that has ever loved; but the
spirit, the true self, can no more be imprisoned beneath the soil, than
can the fragrance of the violet or the rose. Those fragrances, along
with the souls of us, shall continue in eternal ascension; and we who
have endeavored and enjoyed, shall endeavor and enjoy forever.

"The setting sun, a purple sea, a shaft of golden light

That strikes the and, to me, hints dawn-burst after night.
hill tops,
Fear, not, my Soul, the gray of death, the still uncharted main,
The Light shall find thee, and the breath of God be thine again."
 WILLIAM WALLACE CLUFF
Born March 8, 1832, in Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio, Died August 21, 1915,
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Elder Cluff was the fourth son of David and Elizabeth Hall Guff, who had a
family of twelve sons and one daughter. Driven from Kirtland, Ohio, the family
located in Nauvoo, in 1840. They were expelled from that place in the exodus of
1846. William was baptized in 1843, in the Mississippi River, by Elder Peter Shurtz.
After the exodus crossed the plains in 1850, arriving in Salt Lake valley in October,
settling in Provo. He served in the Walker Indian war in 1853, and in 1854 was called
on a four years' mission to the Sandwich Islands. Returning, he was sent to Scandina-
via in 1860, where he traveled for three years. In October, 1863, he married Ann
Wnipple. They have a family of five sons and three daughters. In 1864, he went on
a second mission to the Sandwich Islands, with a number of leading elders of the
Church, to investigate certain charges preferred by native elders against Walter M.
Gibson. While on this mission, he 'saved Lorenzo Snow from drowning.^ In 1865,
Elder Cluff was called, by President Young, to preside over the settlements in Morgan,
Summit and "Wasatch counties, and he located at Coalville. In 1870-71 he filled a sec-
ond mission to Scandinavia, presiding over the mission. He was elected twice, between
1865-85, as delegate to the territorial constitutional convention; and he served as a
member of the territorial legislature for six terms, acting as president of the council
during his last term. When the Summit stake of Zion was organized, July 9, 1877, he
was made president, filled that position with honor for twenty-four years, until 1901,
wnen he was honorably released. In November, 1900, he went with President George
Q. Cannon on a special mission to the Sandwich Islands, to participate in the celebra-
tion of the semi-centennial jubilee to commemorate the arrival, in Honolulu, of the first
Latter-day Saint missionaries, December 12, 1850. A faithful missionary, a valiant de-
fender of the faith, a worker always, a man who did great good among his fellow men,
Elder Cluff went to his rest assured of the reward of a well-spent life.
 : :

Reflections from the War Zone 5

BY J. M. SJODAHL, EDITOR MILLENNIAL STAR

The announcement of the fall of Warsaw, although not un-

expected, came to the British people as a message of a great
calamity. The masterly retreat of the Russians to their new line
of defense is admired and regarded as almost a victory, but it is
also felt that the central empires have achieved a triumph of
which they were not deemed capable at this time one year after —
the outbreak of the war, when, according to expert calculations,
they ought to be exhausted, both physically and financially. It is
felt that the support of the Russians is weakened considerably. On
all hands the question is asked, What is likely to happen now that
Warsaw is fallen?
Nobody here ventures a prediction as to that, but all agree
that the initiative is now with Germany and Austria. They may
continue the eastward movement; they may strike at Servia, or
Italy or they may make another effort to capture Paris, and then
;

turn their attention solely to Great Britain. That the political

effects of the victory will be far-reaching no one doubts. The
Germans will be inspired to greater efforts. Some neutral powers
may abandon their policy of waiting. And there is a bare possi-
bility that Russia may be induced to conclude a separate peace. I

do not believe she will do so, unless forced to it, but it would be
folly to ignore that possibility just now.
Still, there is no doubt here of the final outcome. The confi-
dence is as great as ever that the Allies will win. Mr. Lloyd-
George, speaking at the National Eisteddfod, on Aug. 5, expressed
the confidence of the nation, when he said

"The eastern sky is dark and lowering. The stars have been
clouded over. Still, I regard the stormy horizon with anxiety but not
with dread. Today I can see the color of a new hope beginning to
nnpurple the sky. The enemy in their victorious march know not
what they are doing. Let them beware, for they are unshackling
Russia. With their monster artillery they are merely shattering the
base that fettered the strength of Russia."

This is both eloquent and cryptic. But the note of confidence

it contains finds a response in every British heart.
A reflection or two may be suggested by this war

Excerpts from a letter to President Joseph F. Smith, dated

Liverpool Aug. 7, 1915.
 REFLECTIONS FROM THE WAR ZONE 1075

(1) Armaments do not make for peace. We

have heard
for years that a country that wants peace must be prepared for
war. There never was a greater fallacy.
(2) England's citizen soldiers have proved themselves the
equals in every respect of the continental conscripts, after only a
few months of training. That proves how unnecessary are the
annual enormous expenditures on standing armies.
(3) The insanity of trying to settle international differences
by means of war becomes more apparent as the struggle con-
tinues. Blood is flowing like water in the various battle fields.
Men are being crippled for life. Some are going insane. How
many suicides are committed will never be known. National in-
debtedness is growing at the rate of millions of dollars a day.
When the day comes that the combatants are exhausted and can
draw no more blood from each other, then these conditions will
confront them. How much better if nations would do like indi-
viduals, and take their quarrels to a competent court! Is there
any salvation from poverty and from oppression other than the
dethronement of militarism? Is not civilization itself in danger
of destruction when the imps of war hold carnival on the high-
ways of nations? Has not the Church of the Prince of Peace a
special message, a special mission, to a world perishing in rivers
of blood?
It may be of some interest to know that in this war, as in
some former conflicts, soldiers claim to receive visits from the
other side. In a dispatch from Petrograd to the France de De-
main, it is stated that many Russian sentinels declare that they
have seen General Skobeleff in a white uniform riding on a white
horse. Skobeleff was an ardent pan-Slavist. He was adored by
his soldiers, who regarded him as invulnerable. He died in 1881,
and tradition says that he predicted this war. And now Russian
soldiers claim to have seen him on the battlefield and they are
;

fully convinced this appearance portends a crisis in the history of

the Russian nation. The English, too, have a story about the
presence of a mysterious rider, at the battle of Meno, who caused
the Germans to turn back in the middle of a successful advance.
The British soldiers sav it was St. George. Some of the French
believe that it was St. Michael others, Joan de Arc. All of which
;

o-oes to showthat the belief in communication between this world

and that behind the veil is as strong in our age of electrical won-
ders as it was when Constantine saw the cross in the skv. But if
they believe that Joan de Arc, or St. Michael, or St. George, or
General Skobeleff can appear to mortals, why should they refuse
to believe that Moroni, John the Baptist,
Peter, James and John,
and our Lord himself appeared to the prophet Joseph and qualified
him to warn the world that calamities were to be poured out upon
the nations?
1076 IMPROVEMENT ERA
We are glad that the United States is spared from actual
participation in this struggle and yet, if our country, by throwing
;

her moral influence and financial and military resources in the

balances for right and justice, could shorten the terrible slaughter
and help to establish a firmer basis for world peace, we would
glady hasten the day of her advent in the arena. For this is a
struggle between right and wrong, tyranny and liberty, Michael
and the dragon.
Pardon me for troubling you with these observations and
impressions. I feel well in my missionary labors, but the mis-
sionary ranks are thinning out, and the work is necessarily im-
peded. We are still the objects of vilification of anti-"Mormon"
street speakers in Liverpool, and newspaper attacks in some
places. The latest story is that "Mormon" elders are sending
young men to the continent to fight the British as German soldiers.
Some papers are fair enough to give the elders a chance to present
their side, but that is not the rule.
I had the privilege of visiting Hyde, near Manchester, and
Leicester, and, in company with President Hyrum M. Smith, bear
my testimony to large audiences. The attention paid to what was
said, and the interest manifested, make it clear that a great work
can still be done in England for the enlightenment of the people on
spiritual truths.

As Summer Wanes

The chalked rose and lily-tower

Have had their brief and fragrant hour;
No more within the poppy-urn
The drowsy orient embers burn;
Denser the dews the dawns distill;
In loitering wise the rillets flow,
And plaintively behind the hill
The dying flutes of Summer blow.

The thrush is pensive, day-long broods

Within the cloister of the woods,
And only with the twilight flings
Upon the air her rapturings;
The cricket chirrs; the locust chides,
High-hidden on some drooping spray;
And like a barque down amber tides
In dreams the Summer drifts away.
—
Clinton Scollard in The Independent.
 A Word from Fiji

BY JOHN A. NELSON, JUNIOR, PRESIDENT OF THE S.AMOAN MISSION

Forty-eight hours sailing, at twelve knots an h )..., in a north-

westerly direction from Samoa will bring one to Suva, the capital
of Fiji. No boats go direct to Tonga from Samoa, which neces-
sitates my coming to Fiji, where I wait three weeks for a boat to
Tonga. I have thus spent six weeks in these islands.
Five years and a half ago, when the writer stopped in Suva,
the town appeared quite crude and old-fashioned today it appar-
;

ently is an up-to-date little city with hustle and bustle on every

side, with large buildings of all descriptions being built in the
business sections, and all seem to be busy. There are five large

A GLIMPSE OF SUVA HARBOR

hotels in the town with many boarding and rooming houses. A

beautiful two-story stone Carnegie Library decorates the beach
side of the road. There the weary sea-voyager finds rest for his
eyes and mind, as he sits in an easy chair reading a volume taken
from the spotless book-case.
One verv noticeable feature of Suva is the good roads found
throughout the city limits. The sidewalks are cemented along
the main streets, and the roads are excellent for the automobile
and motor-cycle. It is amusing to watch the carriages and auto-
1078 IMPROVEMENT ERA
mobiles turning the corners of the short, narrow streets on the
hill-side.
The Fijian Islands are just as picturesque and well vegetated
as any others found in the Pacific. At this time of the year (July
29) the days and nights are cool, and one is reminded very much
of the climate of the Hawaiian Islands. The gardens are in full
bloom, not botanical gardens, or gardens to please the eye alone,
but real good vegetable gardens, the kind every American gar-

CARNEGIE LIBRARY, SUVA, FIJI

dener is accustomed to cultivating. In these are found nearly

every variety of vegetable grown in cooler countries. For instance,
the carrot, beet, turnip, radish, watermelon, potato, squash, etc.,
all thrive very well and a beautiful garden is seen growing on
every spare plot of ground. The little natives from India are ap-
parently the gardeners, and the all-round workmen of the islands.
While talking of the advancement the white man is making on
Fijian territory, we must not forget the savage-looking Fijian
who has practically been driven to other haunts from those he
once enjoyed in the now city limits of Suva. The Fijian has been
looked upon as a cannibal of the darkest hue, and rightly he has
been criticized but today he is as quiet and harmless as any of
;

the Polynesian tribes.

During the last two weeks I have made a special effort to learn
as much as posisble of his character and habits, and I find them
to be very much like those of the Samoan and Tongan. This,
probably, is due to long years of intercourse with the two brown
Islanders. The Tongan is highly respected in Fiji, and in days
gone by, many islands of the Fijian group have been ceded to
 A WORD FROM FIJI 1079

Tongan chiefs. The Samoan seems to have less to do with his

black neighbor.
The Fijian has a very dignified bearing, and his form is usu-
ally very symmetrical and straight. His black, partly-curly hair
stands up like a thick, well-trimmed hedge about his head and
neck. He, like the other islanders
of the South-seas, dresses in a cloth
hanging from the waist, and a shirt.
One seldom sees him without this uni-
form on, unless the sun is unusually
hot, and then he lays aside his shirt.
Christianity was brought to Fiji as
far back as 1835, by the Methodists,
just five years after it was introduced
to the Samoans, by the London Mis-
sionary Society, in 1830. Since that
time the Fijians have gradually been
improving, until now they are a fairly
well-read people, comparing well with
their island friends. No doubt the first
missionaries underwent some very try-
ing times, as it would be impossible to
Christianize immediately the savage
heathen. The natives inform me that
in those days when a chief died his
wife, or wives, were strangled to death A TYPE OF FIJIAN
and eaten by other chiefs.
At the present time the total population of the Fijian group
is 137,248. Of these, 87,096 are Fijians 3,691 Europeans 2,376
; ;

half-casts 40,286 natives from India 305 Chinese, and 3,494

; ;

natives of the South Seas, with a few other foreigners mixed in

with them.
When the time is ripe to preach the gospel to the inhabitants
of these islands, I am sure many will accept it, as there are many
God-fearing people here.
SUVA, FIJI

In the Canyon
A smooth expanse far-stretching
In to a gentle sloped hill,
Whose low brow melts and merges
Where horizon dews distill;
My gaze o'er the surface lingers,
While alone with tight-clasped fingers
And heart held cramped in thrall of pain,
I sit by the window, lonely,
And I see not the smooth scene only,
I know the slope to be a broken plain.
 ——

1080 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Out midway there's a canyon,
'Tween here and yonder line,
Where sky so blue, soft-clouded,
And the earth's dark hills combine.
And now while my gaze skims over
The expanse of grass and clover,
My my heart, are buried deep
thoughts,
Adown in that canyon. .There where
Even more than Chautauquan peace rare
Once reigned. Down there where perfumed zephyrs sweep.

Down there a dear home nestled,

A home happy, full of love.
Down there hearts beat in jrv-throbs,
Ah, down there 'twas love, all love.
Two hearts down there in the canyon
'Twas mine and my heart's companion,
Ah, he so brave, so strong, so true!
No care ever came to sadden,
All the world seemed combined to gladden
—
Those days dear days, bright days, that were so few.

We worked, we planned together,

Ah, the rainbow hues that gleamed
In our life's web fantastic,
We would weave it as we dreamed.
Our lives' fondest hopes and ideals,
The ambitions one's whole soul feels,
Were stirred; we worked to make them true.
The labor was only started
When our lives — his and mine —
were parted,
And wrecked each hope, each plan, each aim we knew.

Just when ourhearts beat highest,

When our love was at full tide,
A call came for my Darling —
Came and took him from my side.
I thought that he couldn't leave me,
And so break my heart and grieve me;
I held him fast, my own, my own!
But called, he obeyed and left me,
Of my soul's very life then bereft me.
O —
God, Thou called he answered I'm alone! —
That's why down in the canyon
There is now a home no more.
The house still stands, but empty;
Our Home-Spirit waits ashore
Where he across the Great Stream
is,
Of Bright hopes gleam,
Eternity.
For some day There, we'll have our home.
Meanwhile I must wait so lonely —
The hours, pregnant with memories only,
While the scene spreads o'er the canyon like a dome.
Dolores Strebor
redmesa, col.
 " :

Snappy Sketches From Life

A Day at the Cullen Apartments

BY MISS AMEE WALKER, STUDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

!"
"Good-by, mamadear
Two little arms reached above broad shoulders, and pink lips
pressed dry,firm ones. Then turning, eight-year-old Elsie
skipped down the walk, while Mrs. Jones, arms akimbo, stood
watching her until she passed around the corner. Presently a
caller broke in upon her reveries
"I should like to speak with the landlady of the Cullen apart-
ments."
"I amshe." Egotistically the corpulent form turned in the
doorway. "Will you be seated?"
"I am Mr. Donivan. I represent the American School of
Home Economics. I have something in which I am sure you will
be interested. The perplexing question that confronts house-
wives regarding the keeping of food in this warm weather, has
come to an end. The problem of ice supply is a thing of the past.
Whereas, heretofore, the refrigerator has been a constant worry
to the commissary, now we have a most efficient method which
is also a labor-saving device economical financially and still is
; ;

very much more satisfactory. Madam," said the agent, his voice
approaching a climax, "I have here, in miniature, an iceless re-
frigerator."
The peroration was lost, for Mrs. Jones' elephantine figure
was moving toward the door in answer to a gentle ring.
"Oh, Mrs. Jones !" piped a lady-like voice through a bundle
of pins which the owner proceeded deliberately to take out of the
corner of her mouth and stick one at a time into a cushion at the
slender girdle. "Have you any blue thread like this sample? T
can't do a stitch more until I get some."
The good-natured landlady went into an adjoining room and
presently returned with the desired article.
"Oh, that's perfectly dear of you, Mrs. Jones."
"Oh, you're entirely welcome, Miss Redd," answered the land-
lady, in a matter-of-fact way.
"As I was saying," continued Mr. Donivan, tapping his pencil
on the arm of the chair, "the iceless refrigerator is economic from
more than one view-point.
—
 " !

1082 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"Mrs. Jones! Mrs. Jones!" rang out a voice hysterically
through the adjoining hallway.
Without a word the landlady of the Cullen apartments went
out with all the speed available from her distressing avoirdupois.
"Mrs. Jones, I wish you'd carry out the rules !" wailed Mrs.
—
Burgess. "Here's me Jakie and Mikie they niver have a bit o'
fun. Kids can't play a minute in peace. If they run in the left
court, Mr. Brown says, 'I can't read Darwin and Spencer while a
herd of howlin' genera are fighting for the survival of the fittest.'
If they go to right court, Miss Drew comes out on the veranda
and calls, 'Boys Boys ! Don't you know you are not allowed in
!

!'
this court
"T'other night I told her to go in 'er room, and when I needed
some one to help me train me byes, I'd call her. And then Miss
Dew, she told Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Potter told me, that she'd
slap my Jakie's ears fer him the first chance she got when his ma
wasn't lookin'.
"Mrs. Jones, there's jest two things to be done, Miss Dew has
got to get out, or else me and me byes are going to leave your
rooms empty."
A talk about vacating rooms always struck a tender chord
in Mrs. Jones' mechanism, and her voice became gentle.
"I'm busy with a caller just now, but I'll see about this matter
later on."
Wiping the perspiration from her forehead with her apron,
she turned again to Mr. Donivan.
. "Hm, hem," clearing his throat of its idleness, "regarding this
— —
new invention hm its merits are based on the fact that when
the tank is kept filled with water, the cooling virtues come in the
rapid evap
—
Aloud ring caused Mr. Donivan to stop abruptly. Mrs.
Jones picked up the 'phone and called out tersely:
"Hello! Yes. Oh, yes, I did, hubby dear! Yes, I 'phoned
for four gallons of brown paint and six packages of light buff
—
calcimine wasn't that right ? I don't know they said they'd
;

send it out yesterday afternoon. Oh, not any more busy than
usual. —
Yes, I'll prepare a luncheon and let's go to Peninsula
Park. All right. Good-by."
If there was one thing that gave Sir Donivan discomfort, it
was to be interrupted in arguments for things that lay next to his
—
heart whether iceless chest or what not. Collecting his thoughts,
he strove to bring things to a focus.
"Now, madam, I have three sizes of refrigerators. Which
can I leave with you?"
Mrs. Jones seemed to be somewhat interested.
"I like this small one with the three shelves," and she picked
—
up the cube of butter, but it collapsed
 : :

SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE. 1083

"Mrs. Jones !" Looking up they saw an Irish nose pointed

in the samedirection as a pair of size nines, width E.
"I have just received a shipment of books. Will you please
tell me where I can dispose of the boxes in which they came?"
"We put everything like that in the furnace. You can take
itdown there, Mr. Brown."
As Mr. Brown descended the narrow stairway to unpack his
new arrivals, he met Miss Redd with a traveling bag in hand.
"Oh, are you leaving town, Miss Redd?"
"Whydon't you ask when I'm coming back?" coquetishly
responded the little seamstress.
"I take it for granted that it will not be long."
"It will be as long as this beastly hot weather lasts," and
laughing she ran down the steps.
As Brown opened his boxes of books he felt the color scheme
slightly —
changing life seemed to have a more bluish tinge than
before. He had planned such an enjoyable evening with Miss
—
Redd that is, if she was not going to be otherwise engaged. Then
seating himself near the open window with the latest novel and
a large palm-leaf fan, he decided that ladies in books were much
— —
more easily understood and -just about as fascinating though
reallv not quite.
Mr. Donivan in the waiting room below began to feel an
iciness coming over his business, in spite of the fact that his
—
physical being was melting rapidly with the extreme heat when
another voice called out, as its owner entered.
"Mrs. Jones, I left mv kev at the shop. Have you a skeleton?"
"Please be seated, Miss Dew, and I'll look."
Once more the iceless man was left in the air. Sitting on
the eds:e of a chair. Miss Dew gave a glance of inquiry at the
doleful countenance which immediatelv took on a look of interest
as the wearer seemed to be deciding whether or not he should re-
tell his story. Presentlv he began
"Are you interested in keeping up a home?"
Miss Dew had been waiting thirty-three years and therefore
concluded to be amiable, as was her wont on all similar occasions.
Before one o'clock Mr. Donivan had succeeded in installing
one of his refrigerators in the apartment of the demonstrator of
the o-rocerv deoartment of "Old. Workman and King." He also
had Miss Dew's signature as to the inestimable value and service-
ableness of the iceless refrigerator.

On returning from school that afternoon little Elsie found a

note on the table
"Mother has gone to the nark with father. You and Annie
Roonev mav play tea partv and we'll soon be home.'
Elsie, in searching the house for Annie Rooney or some
other
 — ,

1084 IMPROVEMENT ERA

of her numerous dolls, noticed the over-filled furnace, the door
fairly gaping with unburnt trash. The temptation was too
strong. Getting a match she set fire to the paper, and after trying
in vain to close the door, wandered up stairs.
A half hour later, Mr. Brown (still gloomy) found he could
no longer be interested in his book heroine. Wiping his forehead
repeatedly with his handkerchief he sat back with hazy thoughts
of the tragedy of a man suffocated in his room. Going down
stairs he found Mrs. Burgess and children, panting in the lower
hall.
"Dreadfully warm, isn't it? You boys look like you both
had a fever," and he thrust his long neck further out of his collar,
by way of making a better air shaft.
He had not noticed Miss Redd, who, returning from her de-
livery of Mrs. Benson's gown, had gone in search of a cooler
place, and was sitting in her room tatting to take her mind off her
discomfort.
Suddenly a shrill scream was heard. "The house is a fire!"
Rushing into the dining room they beheld thin wisps of smoke
coming out of the open registers along with a merciless blast of
hot air.
Mr. Brown suddenly found himself the only available hero
material in the apartments. He first assisted Miss Dew toward
the door, but dropped her unceremoniously on hearing Miss
Redd's terrified voice upstairs. A few seconds later she fainted
oh delightful sensation !
—
in his arms. And he brought her limp
and lifeless down the stairs.
Mike and Jake had rushed off to give the alarm .and now the
whole population of the Cullen apartments and its vicinity were
walking to and fro in the streets expecting the flames to burst
from the windows at any moment. "Fire! fire!" shouted every-
body, and the street was fast filling with spectators. Mrs. and Mr.
Jones returned from the park.
"Oh, my child, my Elsie !" shrieked the fat landlady, bursting
in the door.
Uostairs and down she ran while others, taking courage, fol-
lowed her. Frantically through the house they went until, in the
garret play room, they found "Goldie Locks" fast asleep.
There being apparently no increase in the smoke and hot air,
they went next in search of the trouble, and on reaching the base-
ment found the furnace still burning but with only an occasional
puff of smoke from the open door.
Mr. Brown and Miss Redd it was noticed walked very close
together, in spite of the heat. The fire, false alarm though it had
been, had forever merged these colors into one. The only one
to whom the perception of this fact brought sadness was Miss
Dew. Returning disconsolately to her apartment she found the
 SNAPPY SKETCHES FROM LIFE. 108 5

eggs in the iceless refrigerator almost

hard enough to serve, and
the butter— well it had run away in the excitement.
ppnvn TTTATI
PROVO, UTAH

"Batching it" in Provo

BY LEE R. TAYLOR, A STUDENT OF PROF. N. L. NELSON, BRIGHAM

YOUNG UNIVERSITY

"Three more days before Christmas vacation," yawned Bob

Hazel, as he lay sprawled out on the bed. "If I could take
a Rip
Van ^sleep until Thursday morning I might stay her out."
"Don't blame you a bit. I'd start for home tonight, if I
could get rates," added his room mate.
Three months seemed interminable for Bob and Will to be
away from home. Batching it had probably intensified their
homesickness.
Fall work had made the boys a month late for school. Room-
ing places in Provo having been in great demand that year, they
considered themselves very fortunate in having secured a place
only three blocks from the University.
The L-shaped house which they occupied sat well back from
the only entrance on the east, and served as part of the fence on
the south side of the block. Except for a high aperture which
had probably been used for a window at one time, the adobe wall
on the street side had no openings.
Only the large room on the east, which formed the stem of
the L, was in a usable condition. The other room was minus
window-panes and a door-panel, and had also the ugly hole facing
the street but it came in handy for storage purposes.
;

This pigeon hole was found especially convenient for the

baker to drop in his three loaves each dav. Several times he had
craned his neck to see if there was a receptacle below but his ;

curiosity had never been gratified. He intended to satisfy himself

on this point but the boys were never at home when he called.
The milkman had complained about the inconvenience of
having to go around by the gate, so a board was arranged just
below the pigeon hole on the inside, and in this the bovs placed a
small milk pan each morning. Thereafter about ten o'clock every
day the giraffe-like milkman stretched himself to his greatest per-
pendicularity in an effort to locate with his long arm the strainer
which was to receive the cmart of milk.
When the long-wished-for Thursdav arrived, so uncontrolla-
ble were the emotions of the boys, so eager were thev for a taste
of mother's cooking, that thev made for the depot as if in a panic.
The bachelor quarters they left behind baffle description. Dirty
 ! ! —

1086 IMPROVEMENT ERA

dishes were left on the table, old clothes kicked into corners, chairs
were upset, and the rickety stove seemed to be bursting with
a^hes and clinkers.
But what matter? The only way time can torture a lusty
youth or anyone else for that matter is through memory. At nine
o'clock Robert and Will were hurrying off. And as to the trouble-
some faculty, trust a pair of freshmen, released for Christmas
vacation, to find ways and means of stimulating their forgetteries.
—
Eighteen days later alas for the inexorableness of retribu-
tion the same two boys, jaded with eleven vacation dances, and
!

six socials, came slowly up the street, carrying four large grips.
As they approached their den, memory was beginning to assert
herself at its threshold. Both paused overcome with the disgust
a spirit is said to feel on contemplating the necessity of going back
into its mortal body. "My! but I'd rather be whipped than
go in !" blurted Bob. "No wonder," soothed Will, "it was your
turn to wash dishes, and you cut it tight. I see the table now
the potato jackets, that mush pot, that plate of bacon grease,
that—"
"Oh, switch off Think of the stove, the floor, the bed
! It
!

was your turn to straighten up !" retorted Bob.

"Well, what can't be chucked, has got to be did," concluded
Will whose age had given him the office of senior, and with this
sentiment they went in.
The weather being below zero, the first thing to be done was
to start a fire. By a common impulse both moved toward the store
room for kindlings. As they opened the door, they gave way in
chorus to another common —
impulse a prolonged whistle.
"Whew!— we
forgot!"
There on the floor before them was a pyramid made up of
fifty-four loaves of bread, walled up by the congealed mortar of
eighteen quarts of milk
Needless to add that the baker did not call again for some
time nor that bread and milk, bread-pudding, bread and milk
;

toast, milk and bread —

heaven save the mark figured daily in the
!

new year's menu for a fortnight, and was present nightly in the
boys' dreams
PROVO, UTAH
 The Lost Chord
A Fancy Suggested by the Cry of King David, and a
Tribute to the Mem-
ory of My Pioneer Mother

BY T. R. KELLY

In the wonderful symphony of Life, whose harmony

floats in
soft and gentle cadences across the years of childhood and rises
and swells into the beautiful melodies of joy and hope. and glad-
ness through the glorious days of youth, there are strains of in-
effable sweetness which, like some old forgotten air, floats through
the chambers of our inner consciousness but which, try as we will,
we cannot sing nor play again— chords of tenderness and beauty
that we cannot recall.
The lost chord of childhood How our fingers grope over
!

the keys of forgotten years vainly trying to find some echo of

that marvelous harmony of childhood's days. How we strive to
touch again those magic tones which were of such heavenly sweet-
ness.
How we strain our ears to catch a whisper of the music whose
sound has grown thinner, clearer, more ethereal, until it has all
but vanished in the immensity of the past.
But all in vain. For those sacred memories, with the mystery
and elusiveness of the days when the world was young, have been
locked in the secret chambers of our hearts there to lie, deeply
hidden from human eyes, until, touched by the all-effacing finger
of Time, they have become a part of the eternity of past things.
And yet, at times there comes to us a fleeting vision of the
days around which our memory clings and which carries us across
the barren waste of years and gives us a glimpse of that happy
—
time gives us one touch of that harmony which has gone forever.
Then when we see the old home or the little Mother or the
dear companions, and live again those hours of happiness supreme,
we cry with David of old, "O that one would give me to drink
of the water of the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate."
Pathetic almost beyond description is this cry of the King
who, having attained to the highest pinnacle of fame and power
and greatness, finds it all shattered and broken and lying in dust
and fragments at his feet. He does not long for the return of
res"al glorv, but his thoughts turn to the humble shepherd-home
of his childhood. He sees the hills and valleys and trees and
flowers of his native village and his soul yearns for a drink of
the water from the well beside the gate.
 :

1088 IMPROVEMENT ERA

One of the first, perhaps the very first, things I can remember
of my childhood home and my dear Mother, is the little prayer
she taught* us, my brother and I, and which we would always
sing before going to sleep in the tiny attic of the little house
where I was born. The music so quaint and simple, and as I
recall it, so soft and tender, has gone from my memory, but the
words remain clear and bright, shining through the mists of years,
imdimir.ed and steadfast as the stars

"Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me,

Bless thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be thou near me
Watch me till the morning light.
"All day long thy hand has led me
And I thank thee for thy care,
Thou hast clothed and warmed and fed me,
Listen to my evening prayer."

"Good night, my precious lambs," she would softly whisper

as she tucked the coarse quilts closely about us, night, my
"Good
little men, sleep sound till morning." And then did not matter
it

if the wind whistled through the cracks in the wall or if the snow

lifted in through the broken roof, we slept secure in the knowledge

that Mother was near and so nothing could harm us.
With the first faint streak of light which came dimly through
the single pane of glass that served as a window, we bounded
out of bed, and it was always a mystery to us how the little
trousers and stockings, so torn and dirty after a day of terrific
battles with an army of savage mullen stalks or marvelous feats
of engineering in building a road along the face of a high bank
near the house, it was always a mystery how they could have be-
come so clean and how the holes had all disappeared.
We did not know that far into the night, with the light of
only a single candle, or more often only the blaze of the logs in
the rough fireplace, she had toiled and mended and prayed for
us all.
We what sacrifices she had made, what priva-
did not realize
tions she had endured, what anxiety she had suffered that we
mieht be "warmed and clothed and fed." It was onlv when, years
afterward, we saw the worn and wrinkled face still and calm and
beautiful in that last sweet rest saw the bent and toil-worn hands
:

lving in peaceful stillness across the breast that had been our
refuse and our sanctuarv in those other days, it was onlv then
that we knew what she had done for us —
how intensely she had
loved us.
But best of all, the sweetest note of all. in that lost chord of
childhood was the time when, at the end of a dav of work and
worry and care, our Mother would sit with us in the gathering
 THE LOST CHORD 1089

twilight and show us wonderful pictures in the ever changing

forms of the clouds in the western sky. Or she would tell us
about the fairies who lived in the cleft of the rock high on the
side of the mountain across the canyon from our little cabin.
How during the long summer day they would lie safely hid-
den from prowling mice or inquisitive squirrels how their friend.
;

Mr Ground Owl, would sit on the high rock above their door—
we could see the door and the high rock so plainly and watch —
the shadow as it slowly climbed the slope of the hill, and when it
had reached the door of the Fairy House he would sound his
plaintive note, then out would come the fairies, tumbling over
each other, crowding, leaping, dancing, hurrying to get the first
look at the beautiful moon which was slowly climbing over the
crest of the eastern mountain.
Then we would watch the stars as, one by one, they came
into view, and our Mother would tell us the wonderful story of
Orion, the hunter of the seven sisters, the Pleiades, of the Great
Bear in the northern sky, and the Milky Way which shone so
brightly from the depths of our dark canyon.
We watched the moon climb to the top of the mountain that
was the home of the Pine Woman, we listened to the drowsy cry
of the night birds from the old maple grove, the faint, murmuring
song of the mountain brook that came gently to our sleepy senses,
and with our heads resting on the lap of our watchful, loving
Mother, the cares and hurts and pleasures of the day were for-
gotten and we slept.
"O that one would give me to drink of the water of the well
of Bethlehem that is by the gate."

Harvest Fields

I walked today through a clover-meadow, mown

And sweet with dying bloom,
Treading under my feet a glory fit to grace
A king's way, or his tomb:
Acres of loveliness laid low and dying
Of numberless lives, only the winds sighing.
And I thought, as who does not, of other fields,

Flowered with unnumbered dead,

Wondering how those kings, the flowers of grass,
Hold up a regal head,
Plan of closer cutting, redder harvest-making,
All the world sighing and its heart breaking.
Charles L. O'Donnell, in the New York Sun.
 An Inspiration
To the Memory of John A. Bates

BY DR. J. LLOYD WOODRUFF

"Why fear death? It is life's most beautiful adventure."— Froh-

man, who went down with the "Lusitania."
The infinite is round us, and we swung
Midway between eternity, that space of countless years,
While yet the Master's presence grew,
spirit in the
Amid the Eden of its primal birth and infant days,
And that unending round, those aeons immortal, when
The soul, no longer bound in clanking chains of Time,
Shall stand once more before that selfsame Master's face;
But glorified and strong by earthly hours spent
Wherein it learned of pain, and sorrowing wept,
And bowed by ills beyond its mortal strength to bear, attained to Pity;
Of rhythmic form and sound, of wondrous lights and shades
A symphony unmarred that traced within it Beauty:
Of near ones dearer far than life or wealth or power,
And Love, a flaming torch, flashed out athwart the soul,
Lighting the path that finds the all within.
Came face to fact with sin, its high resolves and strength o'ercome,
Crushed in the dust its haughty pride, broken its wayward will.
But from this mound of ashes wet with tears it comprehended Mercy.
Beheld the stately gleam of midnight's starry arch,
Round sun and sun's majestic march, briarht worlds unnumbered,
And realized as by no other lesson taught,
That order is the law that rules the works of God.
Bowed down by mortal stress and care
It cried aloud for help and pristine strength;
And Faith amid the chaos of the soul was born,
Lips moved in prayer, and reverent hearts
In wondering awe gave thanks to God.
And having grasped and tried to make its own,
Love, Mercv, Pity, Faith, Order, Beauty and the power of Prayer,
Clad in its faults and sin, its victories and enduring hopes,
But glorified by all its mortal life had been and meant,
Before the throne of God, the spirit, chained by the bands of earth no
more,
Stands, and with wide and seeing eyes
Looks through a glass no longer darkly out on life ;
^

But, as the lightning cleaves the blackness of the night,

Grasps the full meaning of the things that were,
Of all that is and all that is to be:
And worshiping falls at the Master's feet in voiceless thanks
That while on earth its eyes had mercifully been dimmed,
Else had it ne'er had strength its measured race to run
Amid the vales where knowledge must be found,
Shut out from all the beauty and the hope that heaven holds.
Whv then should death be shunned, why met with trembling fear?
He is no tyrant dread, with malice unrestrained,
 AN INSPIRATION 1091

Who robs us of our dearest jewel, Life;

Nay, but a friend, a wise baccalaureate bard
Who chants the great commencement of the soul
Hands our degree and opens wide the doors that bar
The way to heights we long have striven to attain
'Twere but a sorry scheme of things and vain
If when we close our eyes life's lamp no
longer burns-
If, when the grave enfolds our earthly,
senseless clay,
"Finis" is sculptured by the moving hand of Time,
And we no more forever may become
A part of that for which we felt we were.
If this be true, what sees and feels and loves?
What thrills within us as we watch the infant dawn?
What works and strives and will not be denied?
What reverent bows at Nature's mystic shrine?
What laughs aloud for very joy of life?
What overcomes the stress of earthly fear?
What weeps for joy at music's melting strain?
The That which makes us each a separate star?
No; as we live today and move and are,
Think you tomorrow shall no longer shine?
Though we be ashes, triumphant from the dust
The spirit soars to realms untouched by Time.

That life is but a continuation, our birth but a door leading

out of the spiritual into the temporal, and death but a swinging
portal leading back into the realms of primal being, is one of the
difficult truths of existence to grasp. Particularly the latter else
;

why has death such universal terror for the children of men? If
we knew definitely that death was but a dark passage into eternity,
would it not be more welcome? Would we not rejoice with the
honored one departed rather than bid him God speed with sorrow-
ing and tears ? Yet, in a true philosophy of life, this knowledge
of a spiritual pre-existence and a continuation of being after death
must be the corner stone. Mortal mind unaided can not fully
grasp the meaning of this, and only by inspired guidance has it
been possible for the human heart to comprehend even a part of
its significance; still, scientific reasoning rightly applied carries us

far along the pathway of this truth. For when carefully analyzed
the facts on which a conclusion must be based point more strongly
to a pre-existent state than otherwise.
In carrying on any investigation one or more basic facts must
be admitted, or taken for granted, and in our search for the true
genesis of man we have the incontrovertible evidence of life itself
as a starting point. Therefore, taking life, with all its manifold
variations,and working back, we come at length to a point where
we must admit one of two things, either it began spontaneously,
an evolution of something from nothing, or it is a continuation of
pre-existent life. In a vain endeavor to disprove the latter theory,
many splendid intellects have spent years of time in thought and
research, and life down to its most primitive vegetable cell has
1092 IMPROVEMENT ERA
been investigated. But no scientific proof has as yet been pro-
duced that bears out the theory in any way that that cell, in the
beginning, evolved itself out of nothing, that that life, feeble, al-
most unrecognizable as such though it be, is the child of spon-
taneous generation. This being true, there is only one solution
left: we are confronted by the condition life, it did not generate
itself, therefore it must have been brought and planted here from
some other sphere, or state, or planet. This much being granted,
that life in its lowliest manifestation, at least, must have been
transferred from some other place, is it then such a difficult thing
to believe, even though difficult of definite scientific demonstration,
that life in its highest form —
man, did not also exist in some pre-
mortal sphere of action and came here to continue its development
along broader lines?
Look around you. Whence come the gifts and graces which
inspired men and women possess? Surely not from the earthly
experiences which have been vouchsafed them. As you listen to
the vibrant chords of some splendid anthem, ringing through
vaulted architraves, has your
inmost soul not felt it was but
an echo of more wondrous
music still, which the spirit of
the musician, remembering,
worked out in earthly form?
And is this not equally true of
the greatest and noblest in
sculpture, painting, literature?
but as we see or read or hear
a something wells up within
testifying to the immortality
of the inspiration behind the
outward form.
A child is born; what is
it? Physically a mass of cel-
lular units, the result of the
union of positive and negative
bodies. These, multiplying, dif-
ferentiating, specializing, grow
finally into the image in mini-
JOHN A. BATES
ature of its creators. This we
know, it can be studied step by step, cell by cell, with microscope
and scalpel. The whole process from conception to birth is un-
—
derstood, each cycle analyzed and tabulated nothing mysterious
—
or unknown nothing except one little link. The link that makes
the chain complete and binds together all and holds it there as
one. The that which animates it and makes all the rest possible,
the that which we call life, this we do not comprehend. No
 AN INSPIRATION 1093

microscope so powerful it lays the secret bare, no scale so delicate

that its weight can be recorded, no chemistry so subtle or pro-
found that with crucible, reagent, or flame, it spells the riddle
for us.
It comes, we know not how nor whence, and with it comes
a
something even more wonderful, more mysterious than life itself
— the individual. If we can not explain life what are we to say of
this incomprehensible manifestation of it? From where does it
spring with all its intimate personal traits, powers, weaknesses?
How are we to explain it, where turn for an analogy ? Surely not
to nature, for neither among the fauna nor flora of earth do we
find anything that even approaches man in his versatility, his adapt-
ability, his powers of advancing from one stage of development to
a higher, or his weakness in falling into bottomless sloughs of
infamy, beyond power of description. A rose is a rose, some more
beautiful than others, some more prolific, others breathing a
fragrance unsurpassed; but all roses, with no thought or aspira-
tion of being other than they are. The same may be said of fish,
fowl and beast, each in his separate estate is- what he is without
either desire or power to change or better it. While we may say,
as of the rose, all men are men, here the analogy ceases, for all
men are different in a fundamentally different way than one rose
differs from another, one fish from its fellows, one eagle from the
rest of its kind. And heredity, environment, training, all com-
bined can not take from the individual his personality, mold John
into the entity known as William. Would a whole life's labor
change an Edison into a Michael Angelo? Would a thousand
years of toil transmute a Caruso into an Edison, or make an Abra-
ham Lincoln out of Beethoven ? No, each is what he is, as far as
the corner stone of his being is concerned, not because of any
conscious willing, and not because of any possible training, but
because of that for which he strove and to which he attained in
the spirit world, before he reached the stage of development
where the necessity for a body became imperative for further pro-
gression and each put into tangible form here much of that upon
:

which he had thought and labored there. Understand me, train-

ing, self-development and control, brought out and glorified the
gifts within, but had nothing to do with the placing of those gifts
there.
And this but brings me to the subject of my sketch. He
is surely but one more example to demonstrate that for which I
contend, that the spark of fire, called life, is but a ray of light shin-
ing within that burned with even greater radiance before it topk
upon it mortal form. The gifts so lavishly bestowed upon him
came not from an earthly source, nor from any effort put forth
by him here. They were his by right, because of that which he
1094 IMPROVEMENT ERA
had achieved before his feet turned to earth in the upward path
of his development.
To all intents and purposes he was a mere child, only sev-
enteen, and in the beauty and purity of his life he retained much
of the loveliness of an unspoiled child. But with this innocence
was combined a strength of character, a resolute courage, and an
enduring faith, such as is sel-
dom seen in even older and
wiser ones. For some time be-
fore his death, about three
years, he knew that the sword
of Damocles hung over him,
that in very truth his life hung
by a thread. Yet his cheerful,
happy spirit was not over-
shadowed by this knowledge,
and even when bowed by suf-
fering, which was often the
case, no complaining word or
petulant outburst against a
fate so seemingly unkind ever
marred the sweet serenity of
his soul. I may add that it
was during this time of almost
constant suffering that the
spirit of his genius found defi-
nite expression.
It may truly be said that
he was one of the Lord's
BATES MODEL OF BRIGHAM YOUNG
chosen ones. From earliest
childhood he had ever loved the beautiful, particularly things
beautiful, because of purity of line. But it was in his fifteenth
year that the power within began to manifest itself in tangible
form. During his last year in the grades he began to mold and
the results, so much better than the usual run of eighth grade
work, attracted instant attention, and some special effort was ap-
plied to its development. The next fall he entered high school
?nd every aid and encouragement possible was given him.
The work was often interrupted by ill-health and all the time
he was under medical supervision strict rules, covering all his
;

activities, being followed. Where one might have expected re-

bellion, or at least complaint, for all of the activities of a keen,
life-loving boy were interdicted, there was only a cheerful acquies-
cence to the inevitable. And here we find an index to his charac-
ter: there were no excuses for not playing ball, running, jumping
or taking part in the usual sports of boyhood. He just did not
do them, yet thereby lost none of the interest in the life of the boy
friends around him. As I look back upon it, I marvel how he
 AN INSPIRATION 1095

managed it so well. Physically, he appeared to be a vigorous,

healthy, growing boy, with ruddy cheeks and sparkling eyes the ;

dangerous heart lesion, unheralded by any outward sign, worked

its deadly will within. The type one would place as a leader in
athletics, he put this all behind him with smiling lips, and did with
his might, yes beyond his might, what he could do.
And what he could do was an inspiration in itself. He had
no training to all intents, the modeling in the eighth grade, one
year in high school, where he carried on most of the studies of
the year, and part of the following year in high school, was all
the time devoted to his art. This was not continuous, as sickness
often compelled him to lay the work aside. That he achieved not-
able results can not be denied; after his first year in high school,
he took two first prizes at the state fair in the student division ;

but his actual achievements are only the faintest foreshadowings

of the promise he gave, had he but been spared to bring it to full
fruition.
The Indian heads he himself composed without models.
Those of President Brigham Young and President Wilson were

MODELS BY JOHN A. BATES

worked out from photographs. President Wilson thought so

highly of his own that he wrote a personal letter of encourage-
ment to the young sculptor. The bust was taken from life and
the Venus de Milo from a model. This was his last
work. While
putting the finishing touches on it and preparing the
mold he con-
tracted the illness which terminated fatally.
1096 IMPROVEMENT ERA
His life was replete with heroic endeavor he made much of
;

small opportunities and little of great obstacles; he smiled at in-

firmity and plucked unscathed the rose of achievement, amid the
thorns of adverse circumstances.
Young man, when you feel you can do no more, when the
forces of defeat surge around you, think of John Bates, remember
what he did and how he did it; pray for like determination and
courage, and there will be little you righteously desire in life that
vou cannot attain.

AUTUMN LEAVES ARE FALLING

 ;

The Bishops in the Primitive Church

BY A. A. RAMSEYER

The English word bishop is derived from the Greek word

Episkopos, which means an overseer, a superintendent. This
shows at once that the calling of a bishop is entirely different
from that of an apostle, which in Greek means one that is sent
forth, viz., to testify of Christ and preach the gospel. In these
latter days, the Lord considered the office of a bishop of such im-
portance that Edward Partridge was chosen and appointed as the
first bishop of the Church, as early as February, 1831, four years
before the quorum of Twelve apostles was organized. Do not
forget, however, that Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and David
Whitmer were apostles, even before the Church was organized,
for they are called such in section 18 (v. 9), given in June, 1829
(see also sections 21 and 27) therefore, the apostleship did pre-
;

cede the bishopric in the modern as well as in the primitive

Church of Jesus Christ.
It would be very interesting to know whether Christ chose
bishops as well as apostles during his earthly career. If he did,
the New Testament gives us no information on this subject; but
Chrysostom informs us that James, the Lord's brother, who was
the first bishop of Jerusalem, and consequently the first bishop
in the primitive Church, was made bishop by Christ himself
while Jerome says that the apostles ordained him immediately after
the Lord's crucifixion. The author of the Apostolic Constitution
says that James was made bishop both by Christ and his apostles.
This may have happened between the crucifixion and the ascen-
sion of our Lord. But all ancient ecclesiastical writers agree on
this fact, that James, the Lord's brother, was the first bishop of
Jerusalem.
This fact, proven by the unanimous testimony of numerous
ancient writers, and the fact that the New Testament mentions
that there were bishops during the life and ministry of the apos-
tles, evidently ordained by the latter (for the apostles were first
ordained), shows the folly of those who presumptuously claim
for the bishops the same authority as the apostles possessed.
When Judas' place among the Twelve became vacant, another
disciple^ Matthias, was chosen, ordained and added to the eleven
apostles, to fill the quorum of the Twelve Matthias was not or-
;

dained a bishop he was ordained an apostle "and he was num-

; ;

bered with the eleven apostles" (Acts 1 :26).

 ;
;

1098 IMPROVEMENT ERA

About 63 A. D., James, the Lord's brother, was martyred by
the Jews according to Eusebius, and the author of the apostol-
;

ical constitutions, the apostles and the disciples met together and
selected Simeon, son of Cleopas, our Savior's cousin, as James'
successor in the bishopric of Jerusalem. He must have remained
in this office at least until 70 A. D., the year of the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Romans. If Peter had selected a bishop to suc-
ceed him, at the head of the Church, he certainly would have
chosen James' successor, a kin of the Lord. Remember, too, that
Peter was martyred, A. D. 67, three years before the destruction
of Jerusalem. Remember, too, that Peter never showed any
sign of being an autocrat, in the first general council of the
Church held at Jerusalem, A. D. 49, Peter did not give his judg-
ment alone, but heard all who had anything to say, and they
concurred in his decision, vis., not to lay any unnecessary burden
upon the gentiles.
Roman Catholics claim Peter as the first bishop of Rome,
having before been the first bishop of Antioch a paltry honor ;

for the man whose privilege it was to preside over the whole
Church in his office of chief of the apostles Who would care to
!

exchange that exalted office for a minor one ? Besides, the Church
was not then broken up into sections, provinces and cities, but
was yet a whole body it was the bride of Christ Peter was a
; ;

far more important personage than the bishop of Rome or of

Antioch, or of any other city. Further, our Catholic friends are
in a very sad plight about the succession of Peter, as they have
no less than three different lists of the first bishops of Rome
Eusebius quotes them as follows Linus, then Anacletus, third
:

Clemens, fourth Evaristus. Anastasius' list reads: 1. Linus;

2. Cletus 3. Clemens
; 4. Anacletus
; 5. Evarestus.
; According to
the Liberian Catalogues the bishops were: 1. Linus; 2. Clemens;
3. Cletus; 4. Anacletus; 5. Evarestus. So that the chain of suc-
cession is of unequal strength, the first links being exceedingly
weak.
This difference in the succession of the bishops of Rome has
been explained in this manner: "That Linus and Anacletus died
whilst St. Peter lived, and that Clemens was ordained their
successor by St. Peter also. So that we have two or three persons,
by this account, ordained successively bishops of Rome by the
hands of the apostles."* If this is true, it takes away another
big prop from under the scaffolding put up to support the claims
ofRome.
The strongest argument against the claims of the bishops of
Rome is this Peter, James and John were the chief apostles
:

*Bingham, "Antiquities of the Christian Church," Book II, chap.

I. This is an excellent work, full of precious information about the

Primitive Church..
 : : ;

BISHOPS IN THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH 1099

those taken into the confidence of our Lord; those whom Paul
called pillars (Gal. 2:9) these three presided over the Church,
;

Peter being the chief. James, the son of Zebedee, was martyred
about 43 A. D. Peter, A. D. 67 his death left one of the three
; ;

pillars, viz., John, who was still living A. D. 96, when, after the
death of the emperor Domitian, he returned to Ephesus. To
John, the beloved apostle, belonged the honor to preside over the
Church of Christ, after the death of Peter, and not to an ob-
scure, minor officer of the Church, the bishop of Rome.

The Word of Wisdom and Science

BY J. M. JENSEN,, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

In 1833, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith "A

Word of Wisjdom" for "the temporal salvation of all Saints in
the last days.' The following passages are quoted therefrom
"That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among
you, behold it is not good, neither mete in the site of your Father,
only in assembling yourselves together to offer up .your sacraments
before him."
"And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the wash-
ing of your bodies." ,

It will be noted that no exception is made in favor of drink-

ing strong drink as a heart stimulant or otherwise in case of
illness. Skeptics sometimes assert that Revelation has never
given a scientific truth to the world, but this is an illustration of
Revelation antedating science by many years. Here is the latest
scientific thought on the matter, quoted from Volume I, Practical
Medical Series, 1915, edited by Frank Billings, M. S., M. D.,
Head of Medical Department and Dean of Faculty of Rush Med-
ical College, and J. H. Salisbury, A. M., M. D., Professor of
Medicine of Illinois Post Graduate Medical School
"Alcohol is no longer considered a heart tonic, and has well nigh
lost its right to a place in a sane pharmacopeia. Just as pneumonia
in the alcoholic is in the great majority of instances a fatal process,
so the use of alcohol in the treatment of penumonia constitutes a
paradox of effort that is difficult to understand on any other ground
than one of ignorance. Alcohol is a heart muscle poison and a blood
vessel vasomotor paralyzant [blood vessel paralyzer]. Both of these
forces we wish to preserve and not destroy. Therefore, after many
hundreds of years, filled with object demonstrations so plain that they
stare us in the face, we are reluctantly beginning to cease teaching
OUR patients well nigh incurable drug habits under the guise of
beneficial treatment."
It is more than 82 years since God's revelation was given
science has therefore been somewhat of a laggard in this matter.
PROVO, UTAH
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 VIEWS OF THE PANAMA-CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION, SAN DIEGO
Top: The great organ, in the extreme right, as seen from the Tower. Here the
Ogden Tabernacle Choir sang. Center: The Lily Pond. Bottom: The Lagoon of
Flowers.
 Editors' Table

'Jesus the Christ"

This book, by Dr. James E. Talmage, is not only a new book,

but a new Church work, in that it brings together and presents,
for the first time, in orderly and connected sequence the holy
scriptures of all ages and peoples relating to the Savior and Re-
deemer of mankind.
The title page is expressive and impressive Jesus the Christ,
:

A Study of the Messiah and His Mission according to Holy Scrip-

tures both Ancient and Modern. Among the distinguishing char-
acteristics of the work — characteristics that make it in truth
unique, is the application of modern revelation — of the scriptures
peculiar to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times — to the in-
terpretation of the Messiah's mission.
Manv important and indeed valuable works dealing with the
Life of Christ have issued from the pens of learned theologians,
and countless commentaries on particular incidents or phases of
the great subject have been published but all such productions
;

have been based on human interpretation of the holy writ of

ancient times. The work now before us turns the light of later
revelation, and this, as the author incisively affirms, like "a power-
ful and well-directed beam, illumines many dark passages of
ancient construction."
The work may be said to be a treatment of Jesus the Christ
and His appointed mission in the eternities past and throughout
the eternities to come, as made known by Himself in sacred writ
and authoritative revelation. The author thus cogently expresses
his conception of the appropriateness of his work:

"It is particularly congruous and appropriate that the Church of

—
Tesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the only Church that affirms au-
thority based on specific revelation and commission to use the Lord's
—
Holy Name as a distinctive designation should set forth her doctrines
concerning the Messiah and His mission."

Practically all notable works heretofore published on the Life

of Christ begin with a consideration of the birth of Mary's Babe in
Bethlehem of Judea, or at most precede this treatment with a
summary of the social and political conditions of the world in
general, and of the Jewish people in particular, at the time of the
great event. The author of Jesus the Christ brings prominently
to the front the antemortal existence of the Firstborn among the
sons of God, and makes plain, on the basis of scriptural proof,
 EDITORS' TABLE 1103

that the then future Savior and Redeemer of mankind

was chosen
and ordained to His great msision before the earth was made
ready
as a habitation of the human race.
It is further demonstrated that in His antemortal or
pre-ex-
istent state, the Firstborn among the begotten spirit
children of
God the Eternal Father— the Being who was named in the heav-
ens and afterward known as a Man among men, Jesus Christ
was the Word of Power through whom the Father directed the
work of creation and that Jesus Christ, therefore, is rightly des-
;

ignated the Creator.

Before taking upon Himself a body of flesh He was with the
Father, and inferior to the Father alone in station, power, and
authority, in matters relating to the world and its prospective fam-
ily or race of mankind.
As definitely affirmed and conclusively proved, Jesus Christ
was the God who gave commandment to the antediluvians, from
Adam to Noah; the God who made covenant with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob the God who revealed Himself to Moses the
; ;

God of Israel as a united nation; the God of the divided king-

doms of Judah and Israel, and the God to whom were offered the
countless sacrifices on Israelitish altars in short, the great I Am
—
;

-Jehovah Himself.
A comprehensive analysis of the prophecies and predictions
relating to the earthly birth of the Savior, from the revelations
given to Adam down to the annunciation of the angel Gabriel to
the Virgin of Nazareth, is followed by the narrative of the Savior's
life and ministry in the flesh. This part of the work from the
birth to the crucifixion occupies twenty-eight of the forty-two
chapters comprised within the book. This section may with pro-
priety be called, "The Life of Christ." In it the wondrous story
is told with the impressive conciseness so characteristic of the

writings of Dr. Talmage, who employs, here as in all his writings,

eloquently descriptive yet impressively simple language.
From the visualized word pictures of the "Babe of Bethle-
hem," and the "Boy of Nazareth," the reader is led on to a con-
sideration of the Savior's ministry, from His baptism at the hands
of John, down to the last triumphant utterance from the cross.
Every parable, every miracle specifically recorded, every doc-
trinal principle, and every important lesson taught by Jesus Christ
while in the flesh, are cited and analyzed.
Between the accounts of our Lord's crucifixion and His bod-
ily resurrection from the dead, appears a chapter peculiar to this
work, entitled, "In the Realm of Disembodied Spirits," in which
the ministry of the Christ among the dead is explained, in the
place to which it belongs, according to chronological sequence.
Following the ascension from Olivet comes a splendid sum-
mary of the most important features of the "Apostolic Ministry,"
 :

1104 IMPROVEMENT ERA

with prominence given to the manifestations of the resurrected
and glorified Christ during that period.
The ministry of the Lord Jesus on the western hemisphere is
given due attention and this topic is followed by a short but in-
;

tensive chapter on "The Long Night of Apostasy," as a prepara-

tion for the treatment of the glorious events of modern times.
What the author designates as "the greatest theophany of the
—
ages" the personal appearing of God the Eternal Father and His
—
Son Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith is comprehensively set forth ;

and the restoration of the priesthood to earth, together with the

establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ, is described and on
scriptural evidence affirmed.
The assured nearness of the Lord's second advent, the millen-
nial reign of Christ on earth, and the celestial consummation of
the Savior's mission, in the final vanquishment of Satan and death,
constitute the closing section of the work.
As readers of the Era are already aware, the First Presi-
dency of the Church issued an official announcement of this work
before it had left the press. As explained therein the author un-
dertook the work under appointment from the general authorities
of the Church, and the book is published by the Church. The
book is commended by the First Presidency as follows
"We desire that the work, Jesus the Christ, be read and studied by
the Latter-day Saints, in their families, and in the organizations that
are devoted wholly or in part to theological study. We commend it
especially for use in our Church schools, as also for the advanced the-
ological classes in Sunday Schools and priesthood quorums, for the
instruction of our missionaries, and for general reading."

The book is of superior quality, printed in large-sized type,

on good paper, and is bound in half leather, a well-made home
production throughout.
Except the introduction, each chapter is followed by a series
of notes for the use of students, and abundant footnotes through-
out the volume greatly extend its usefulness by the ease with which
readers may find the scriptures bearing on the several topics dis-
cussed. The table of contents is extensive and presents in analyt-
ical form the body of subject matter.
The unusually large and well arranged index will be much
appreciated by students. But aside from these aids to study, the
text in the eight hundred or more pages of the book itself is pre-
sented as a continuous story of entrancing interest, from the first
page to the last.

The Close of Volume Eighteen

Weexpress our appreciation to our many M. I. A. and lit-

erarv friends, and to our subscribers, who have made it possible
 EDITORS' TABLE 1105

to present to the reading public such a valuable volume of the Era

as that which ends with this number. The co-operation of the
Priesthood quorums and Church schools with the officers of the
Y. M. M. I. A. and with the members of the Church in general
have made possible what we have done. Without the blessings of
the Lord and the co-operation and aid of these institutions, or-
ganizations, and people, it could not have been accomplished. We
are greatful for divine assistance, and extend to our friends our
sincere thanks and gratitude. We solicit their assistance for vol-
ume 19, beginning in November, and can assure our subscribers
that every effort will be put forth by the editors and the manage-
ment to keep up the high standard of the magazine, and to make
improvements and betterments wherever possible.
Volume 19 will be made as valuable in all its departments, di-
visions and contents as the best talent obtainable can make it. The
Priesthood quorums will receive especial attention, as well as the
activities of the priesthood in the wards and stakes of Zion. Presi-
dent Smith remains as editor in chief of the Era, and will con-
tinue to contribute to its columns from time to time.
One new feature which we hope to introduce during the new
year will be the publication of short, pertinent papers, dealing with
religious topics, doctrinal and theological, and especially subjects
which will comprehend that subtle religious power that touches
the emotions and lies at the basis of all worthy action. Many peo-
ple are beginning to partake of a spirit so prevalent throughout
the land, which absorbs the materialistic rather than the inspiring
emotional. In the necessary scramble for material advancement
and is a dearth of faith and sentiment
intellectual progress there
such as have always been at the foundation of great deeds and
achievements in the past. These short sketches are intended to
exalt religion and sentiment, and will be prepared in a readable
and attractive manner by the best writers obtainable. espe- We
cially invite short and pointed papers in this line— good samples
are found in this number in "The Temptation of Christ," and
'The Lost Chord."
Our late story contest brought out much talent among the
story writers, and for the coming volume from January to June,
the Era one story each month of the best that
will provide at least
can be obtained, our purpose being to delight as well as instruct
those who are fond of good home stories, and to encourage local
writers. Good stories will appear each month, the year round.
In the department of Mutual Improvement work the various
committees laboring on the General Board will present, from
month to month, instructions and presentations of methods and
facts intended to help the officers of our
organization in their
work and to make their arduous duties a pleasure. Contributions
1106 IMPROVEMENT ERA
from successful stake M. I. A. workers will appear, showing how
Mutual work can be made to "go."
The Church schools will be represented by the best literature
that can be obtained from the leading writers engaged in teaching.
We promise our readers the full worth of good reading for
their money, even as in "the past.
Either the senior or the junior manual is given as a premium.
The former treats "Conditions of Success," and the latter con-
tains fifteen "Lessons on Success." They are both worthy a place
in every home, and aside from serving as texts for teachers, are
especially suitable for Home Evening study and for general read-
ing and instruction.
We are grateful for the blessings of the past, and pray that
the Lord may aid the work now and in the future. We ask that
our brethren and sisters will co-operate with us in making the Era
a means of pleasure and profit to the people and to our axiliary
organizations. To this end we invite the co-operation and aid of
all who are interested in first-class literature. Our aim is the ad-
vancement of the work of the Lord, the welfare of the youth of
Zion, and the building up of the Church of Christ upon the earth.

The Secret of Success

Attention called to a letter appearing in this number of

is

the Era under the title, "The Sigh of the Weary." In it young
men will find pertinent thought for serious reflection. It is the
decision of a son who had asked and reluctantly received the con-
sent of his parents to mortgage their home to invest the proceeds
in certain speculation.
There is much leaning upon others in this world, and some
young men in our community are no exceptions. They often bear
very heavily upon father and mother. They look to them to meet
their expenses which are often out of all reason. They depend
upon father for their schooling, and their start in business. These
items of expense appear to be of little importance to them, but in
reality they are often the cause of great anxiety, care, toil and
effort upon the part of the parents. To a youth there is nothing
more helpful in the building of his character than being independ-
ent, than the feeling that he is making his own way, treading his
own path, overcoming his own difficulties, making things go on
his own account.
Both the senior and the junior manuals this season treat upon
success, —
the former, on conditions of success and the latter, in
;

story form, on the meaning of success and the character traits

necessary in achieving it.
In the senior manual for this year there is a symposium
 : ;;

EDITORS' TABLE 1107

from leading Churchmen, educators, scientists, and successful

men of the world, answering the question, "What is Success?" Fn
the fourteen pages of matter there are answers from the Presi-
dency of the Church, a number of the apostles, and the first Coun-
cil of Seventy, State and Church educators, business men, super-

intendents of the Y. M. M. I. A., and prominent professional men-

Among national characters who have kindly contributed may be
mentioned David Starr Jordan, of the Leland Stanford Univer-
sity Colonel George W. Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal
;

Rear-Admiral Robert E. Peary, the discoverer of the North Pole

A. E. Winship, editor of the Journal of Education; Ella Wheeler
Wilcox, poet and author A. A. Michelson Samuel Gompers, the
; ;

labor leader; "Billy" Sunday, the evangelist; Cyrus E. Dallin, the

sculptor Dr. Lyman Abbott, editor of the Outlook, and others.
;

The remarkable thing is that in nearly all the answers this one
—
great thought is emphasized it is not success unless he who
has made the achievement has rendered and does render service
not only to himself but to others. We take the privilege of quot-
ing two sentiments

"In reply to your letter of the 14th instant, success to me means

the achievement of something of benefit to others as well as to the
individual. And it should be recognized that even if success is not at-
tained, the result of the effort to attain it is important— to deserve suc-
cess is second in importance only to achieving it."— George W. Goethals,
Builder of the Panama Canal.
"To your question, What is success? I reply in the words of Jesus,
'Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.' Success
consists in rendering service to the world. The way for any individual
to be great is to render the best service which he, with his
tempera-
ment, education, and position, can render to the community and the
—
age in which he lives." Lyman Abbott, Editor of "The Outlook."
what we wish to impress upon our young readers. The
That is

son, in "The Sigh of the Weary," rendered a service to his

parents
which was quite as great in a negative sense as if he had accom-
plished some object positively. To succeed one must be independ-
ent as far as one can, make one's own way, and give
service to

others rather than crave help from them. In this way we suc-
ceed in this course we gain happiness and contentment, and feel
;

free.
The youth of Zion may receive great comfort and strength
settlers of this
for their tasks in the story of the lives of the early
Here were men and women who fought their own
community.
battles, who made their own way, looked for no easy positions and
places.' no favors ; but who, with strong strokes of muscle and
faith and toil, cleared each his personal
road to sue-
thought, in
cess
This is one of the lessons we shall learn from the Manuals,
 —

1108 IMPROVEMENT ERA

from the symposium of leading men, and from the letter to which
reference is made Be not a leaner but a doer and a lifter. Be
:

not one unto whom service must be rendered, or who expects and
isalways looking for a lift, but rather be a man determined to
render active, loving service. Herein lies true success.

Messages from the Missions

[Important messages breathing the spirit of the gospel, faith-pro-
moting, extraordinary, or unusual, are solicited from the elders. Be
brief and to the point and send pictures of action. Editors.]

Healed through the Power of the Lord

Elders Joseph A. Mortensen and Gustav Drechsel, Macon,
Georgia, September 3: "There are about forty members of the Church
here and several investigators. We hold several cottage meetings each
week, Sunday School every Sunday, and evening services. During
the short time we have been here we have disposed of four books of
Mormon and one hundred and twenty-five other books such as "The
Voice of Warning,' 'Mr. Durrant,' 'Brief History of the Church,' 'Rays
of Living Light,' etc., in addition to many tracts. Recently the elders
were called in to administer to a person who was very ill. After the
administration the pain and sickness left, and he has been bearing
testimony that he was healed through the power of the Lord, through
obedience to the ordinance of administration, taught by the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A large number of friends were
present at a funeral we held here, August 24, over a member of the
Church who died. They came to learn the way that the peculiar 'Mor-
mons' taught the resurrection, and many left with a better idea con-
cerning 'Mormonism' than they had heretofore had."
Learning to Appreciate One's Parents
Elder H. Leroy Frisby, Leicester, England, August 24: "We have
thirteen elders in the conference at the present time, but ere long our

number will be greatly reduced by the brethren returning home. Elders

inthe portrait, left to right: Samuel C. Gerrard, Charles J. Smith, H.
Leroy Frisby, Ernest E. Greenwood (conference president), George
 EDITORS' TABLE 1109

S. Balhf. Street preaching has been one of the most important

tures of our work this summer. fea-
Many are very prejudiced towards
the 'Mormons' and often refuse
eyer, determined to get the true
to accept our tracts We are TJw
side of 'Mormonism' before the peo-
ple, and open-air meetings have proved to be of great value to
this work. Words cannot express the joy and satisfaction thatus we in

feel after one of these meetings. It is then that we are most grate-
ful to our Heavenly Father for the light
of the gospel and
good and noble parents that bless us. It is then that we feel for the
doing at least a little towards delivering the great, dear,
we are
gospel mes-
sage. If there is a place on earth that will make a young
man appre-
ciate his parents, and what they have done for him, it
is in the mis-
sion field. Not only have they clothed and fed us, but they
have in-
stilled within us a sense of duty and right, and have
taught us the
sweet gospel message of salvation."
Change of Presidency in Japan
On the 24th of July, 1915, Elder H. Grant Ivins, of Salt Lake City,
who for two and a half years acted as president of the Japanese mis'
sion, (his separation from home was close on to five years) sailed
from Yokohama bound
for Zion. His work
here has been unex-
celled. During the two
years that he labored
as an ordinary mission-
ary, he gained the love
of the elders and Saints
to such an extent that
in their minds there
was only one candidate
for president, Elder
Ivins. During the two
and a half years that
he labored as presi-
dent, he gained the
love and respect of
those under him, and
the missionaries and
Left: Retiring President H. Grant Ivins; the Saints came -to him
right: Incoming President Joseph H. for both spiritual and
Stimpson personal advice. He set
before all people with
whom he came contact such an example of manhood that it brought
in
the best that was in them to the surface. His whole heart and soul
was in his work, and before he sailed away from fair Nippon, he
had not only made numerous friends, translated the "Articles of
Faith" by Talmage, into Japanese but had gained such high esteem
from the natives that his name will always be held dear, as a remem-
brance of the highest manhood.
Elder Joseph H. Stimpson, of Ogden, who succeeded President
Ivins as president of the mission is a man whose whole life has been
spent in the work of the Lord. Previous to Elder Stimpson being
called to the Presidency he had already filled a five and a half years
mission in Japan, during which time he had gained an excellent knowl-
edge of the language. President Stimpson will be a great boost to
the Japan mission. He shoulders his new duty with a perfect knowl-
edge of the needs and requirements that he must face. He has gained
 no IMPROVEMENT ERA
V d 8 tC the dderS and Saints aml Clltei"s
dut.es isS
S,Sj2 with *l.*
-
their faith
*™^ fand
3l
! ' »Pon his
prayers. J. Vernon Adams, Tokyo, Japan.

Aged Twin Brothers Baptized

Elder Paul B. Talmage, Philadelphia, Pa., August
serv.ce was held at Towanda, Pa.,
27: "Baptismal
July 17, at which four membe s
were added to the Church. Pres-
dent Arrington, of the East
Pennsylvania conference, and
Elders E. W. Stucki, Simpson
Roper and Paul B. Talmage
were present. This is the sec-
ond baptismal service held at
summer. All are
this place, this
greatly encouraged with the re-
sults of the work done in that
vicinity. There were several in-
vestigators at the service, and
many are at nearly all our meet-
ings held there. The Saints
hope to own their own meeting-
house in Towanda before long.
I enclose the picture of twin
brothers who were baptized, and
who are in their seventy-third
year. Brother Delanson Fenner
(on the right) has had the eld-
ers live with him for twenty
years, whenever they have been
in Towanda. His wife has been
a member for sixteen years, but
he has waited until his brother,
Orlando Fenner (on the left),
was ready to join also."

Died in the Service of the Lord.

Elder Albert Lester Wilkes, of Salt Lake City, died August 28,
1915, in a hospital in Honolulu, of blood poisoning, according to a
cablegram from President S. E. Woolley to the First Presidency.
Elder Wilkes is the son of Albert Wilkes, manager of the Utah Photo
Materials Company, Salt Lake City. Elder Wilkes left for his Ha-
waiian mission on May 7, 1913. He was born in this city May 14,
1894, and was educated in the city schools. He was a bright and prom-
ising young man, and had enjoyed excellent health while on his mis-
sion, until the sickness which took him away. He had written reg-
ularly every week to his parents, giving an account of his health and
his labors, and the last letter was received just a week before they re-
ceived word of his death. His funeral was held in the Ensign ward
chapel Sunday, September 12.

First Chinaman Baptized

J. Leonard Davis, secretary of the Tahitian mission, writes, June
24: "The Tahiti headquarters are located 3.600 miles southwest of San
Francisco the center of the Pacific. It is the beauty spot of the
in
South sea. The
climate is ideal at all seasons of the year. All mis
sionaries here stand at the head of the different branches and confer-
 —

ences and have to rely to a great extent upon their own judgment as
to the wants of the people in the islands over which they preside.
Hence when they leave this field they have developed qualities fitting
them for any position required of them in the Church at home. At
our last conference, which was not as well attended as usual owing to
the war in Europe, two native brethren were advanced in the Priest-
hood, and we baptized the first Chinaman in this mission. Great inter-
est in the work was taken by both old and young. The people closed
with their usual feast, consisting of twenty pigs baked whole in their
native ovens, two barrels of flour baked into bread with native poi and
fish. Until lately we have had only few friends in Papeete, but since
tracting the town systematically, both among the natives and French
people, we have found many new friends and are finding more every
day. We have sold a number of Books of Mormon and loaned others
to those who expressed a desire to read the book. Elders of Papeete
and Hikueru branches, standing: Otto Stocks, Lewiston, Utah; J.
Leonard Davis, Blackfoot, Idaho; S. Albert Shaw, North Ogden; sit-
ting. President Ernest C, Rossiter and wife, Salt Lake City. Elders
Ervin Pearson and William Orton, laboring in Takaroa conference,
were unable to be present.

Why a Mission is Good for Women

Sister Edna Crowther, doing missionary work in East Pennsyl-
vania conference, writes: "I believe the missionary movement among
the women will be of untold value, causing the young women to re-

devolve upon them, bv becoming spiritual aias xo uieir nusu«u Ua

glorious
and giving an incentive to their children to understand the
future toward
gospel and live in sympathv with the great work of the
the preparation of this continent for the coming of
our Lord and Mas-
Why should not our magazines whichmissionrepresent the women do
ter.
field and show tne
something to encourage our women in the
It is clear
work that is being accomplished by women missionaries? magazines #

to me that they should have a missionary

section in their
mis some^fa.th-
[The Era will be glad to hear from the ladies; give
the blessings 01
promoting incidents; or unusual experiences, showing
the Lord in your efforts. Editors.]
 Priesthood Quorums' Table
Suggestive Outlines for Deacons
by p. joseph jensen

Lesson 36.
(Chapter XXXII; first six paragraphs.)
Problem: Name some of the testimonies showing the gift of
healing to exist in our Church?
Relate two or three incidents of healing that you know of.
Study the assignment.
What conditions brought on the sickness among the Saints? How
could those conditions be improved? Who saw the gift of healing
manifested through the Prophet? How quickly were many made
well? Relate two or three incidents of healing performed by our
Savior when he lived on the earth. Compare also with the gift of
healing among the Former-day Saints. See Acts 5:12-16.
Answer the problem of the lesson.
Lesson 37.
(Chapter XXXII, paragraphs 7-11. See also paragraph 9 of chap-
ter XXXIII.)
Problem: What should we who have the gospel and the Priest-
hood do for others?
State three or four things which made it possible for you to become
a member of the Church. What made it possible for you to have the
priesthood conferred on you? What reward did they receive who
taught you the gospel and conferred on you the priesthood? Why
are the gospel and the priesthood among your greatest gifts?
Study the assignment.
Under what circumstances were the Twelve called on missions?
(See last paragraph, p. In what circumstances financially was
161.)
the Church at this time? Why? What were the apostles paid for
carrying the gospel to England? How far did they have to go? Com-
pare the time it took them to go then and the time it requires now.
Relate some of the sacrifices the Twelve made to take the gospel to
England. Taking the missionary work of the Twelve in the lesson as
an example, answer the problem.
Lesson 38.
(Chapter XXXIII.)
Problem: How should men who have authority given them
use it?
Tell how a governor of a state gets his office. Also how a presi-
dent of the United States is chosen. What oath of office does each
take? How do bishops and presidents of stakes get their authority?
How did the presidency of your quorum get their office and authority?
Study the lesson.
For what rights of the "Mormons" did the Prophet make claims
before the President of the United States? What answers did Presi-
dent Van Buren make to the Prophet's claims? What answers do
you think he should have made? Why? What reasons did the
president give for his answers?
Why did the governor of Missouri try to re-arrest the Prophet
and some of his brethren? Show whv the attempt was unjust. For
what kind of men was the charter of Nanvoo made? Because of the
troubles which the "Mormons" had had, what kind of a charter would
you think they might make?
 Mutual Work
Stake Work
Three Important Items.
For the monthly stake meeting in October three big points stand
out that should have attention under item five in the order of business
(p. 8, "Hand Book") "new instructions." They are: "Organization
and Membership" (H. B., pp. 19-26); the opening entertainment when
the Fund is to be raised ("H. B.," 111-112); and the canvass for the
Era, the method for which is set forth in detail in the "Hand Book" on
pages 109-111. Let us get through with this work right, and wc have
a good start for the year.

M. I. A. in Australia
Raymond Kneale, president of the Y. M. M. I. A., Melbourne,
Australia, reports the M. I. A. work still progressing in those quar-
ters. The mission quarters have been moved to a large place on the
main thoroughfare where they have a comfortable hall. "Our work is
very interesting. The average attendance is forty to forty-one. A
few weeks back we had a special night and had an attendance of sixty-
four, a great encouragement. The great war affects everybody, and
Australia, being a part of the British empire, is very loyal and is mak-
ing great endeavors to assist the mother country. Our soldiers are
proving themselves worthy of their names at the Dardanelles. Great
recruiting campaigns are being held. It takes the spirit of the gospel
to refrain a young man from going abroad in defense of freedom. I

pray that the Lord will hasten on the time when peace and righteous-
ness shall again be established. My heart is in the great latter-day
work."
Class Study
The Teacher
"Class study, being the most important work in our organization,
is the thread by which we hold the interest of young men, and is our
—
leading activity." Handbook, p. 26.
The heart of the weekly meeting is the class work. Success or
failure of the meeting rests largely with the class leader or teacher.
Teaching an art that must be learned. One who desires to teach
is
in the public schools of this state must have had four years of
high
school work, and then two years of special normal instruction and
training and yet, many Mutual class leaders attempt to perform
then-

work with little or no preparation. In such cases, the cause of class

failure is no secret. ,

Three things the teacher should be: 1. The teacher should be

The teacher should be punctual. 3. Ine
regular in attendance. 2.

teacher should be prepared. .

,
.
fl

The first two requirements are self-evident. _

Let us consider briefly
the third. A teacher's preparation should consist of:
thorough knowledge of the text. No one can teach
that
(1) A a class as
which he himself does not know. A teacher cannot deceive
to his preparedness. Nothing demoralizes a class more than an exh.hi-
tio'n of the teacher's ignorance of the lesson. •„„„:„ ,i,,>
(2)A careful planning of the lesson. (See suggestions in th<
in its con-
"Hand Book" page 26. Every Manual lesson is planned
which every.principle and
smictlon, having one central thought toward
given in the lesson, tends. In agreement with the lesson
illustration,
1114 IMPROVEMENT ERA
plan, the teacher should also have an aim, and plan the development
of the subject in hand to the aim in view. Knowledge of a subject or
zeal in its presentation will not take the place of careful, intelligent
planning. The general end in every lesson is the acquirement of
knowledge and the development of power. Knowledge is given only
by causing the proper activities of the learners' mind. It cannot be
transmitted from one mind to another as water is poured from one
vessel to another. The power developed should be of the mind, mental
power, spiritual power, power to feel for, and will to work for the
right.
(3) An acquaintance or knowledge of his class will aid the teacher
in planning his lesson; a knowledge of the individuals of his class will
—
help him in the conducting of his recitation whom to encourage by
skillful questions and whom to restrain from taking up too much time.
As to methods of teaching, three may be considered:
(1) When the teacher does it all: This is the lecture method, used
largely in institutions of higher learning. It is successful only when
the lecturer is an expert in his line and subject. It should be used with
care in Mutual work.
(2) When the class does it all. The value of this method de-
pends on the kind of people engaged in the discussion. If the mem-
bers of the class are students of a high order, some unity may be pre-
served; but usually when the class is left without a guiding hand, the
end in view is scattered to the four winds, and there is much useless
talk.
(3) When the class and teacher divide the work. This is the
best general method. The teacher, having in mind the end to be
reached, never loses sight of it, but with skill directs the discussion
along the lines of natural development to the end in view.
If possible the whole lesson should receive some treatment at each
recitation. It is not possible to exhaust the subject in all its sub-
divisions in one or two lessons, but a briefer treatment of the lesson
as a whole will leave a stronger and better impression than a more
extended discussion of a few of its parts.

Athletic and Scout Work

A Ride Down Timpanogos Glacier
A very unique report was received by Commissioner Taylor from
Charles De Graffe, stake scout master of the Wasatch stake. The
several M. I. A. scout troops in that stake went on a "hike" to Mt...
Timpanogos. The report was sent in on two pieces of birch bark.
One sheet of bark was written upon with ink, and the other had been
written with a sharp instrument. There-were thirty-seven scouts who
went on this trip with the stake scout master and with E. P. Clift and
Lester Greenwood, as ward scout masters. Brother De Graffe, in his
letter, says: "A more pleasant and big-hearted company it has never
before been my pleasure to be out with> God speed the scout work,
and raise up men of character and ambition to help the boys along."
One of the exciting incidents of the trip was the sensational ride by
the boys on their staves down the Timpanogos glacier.

A "Hike" to Bear Lake

The River Heights ward M. I. A. Scouts, of the Cache stake,

started on their annual "hike" on the 9th of August. On the day be-
fore thev left, they pitched their camp with all their equipment, pro-
visions, etc., in the ward meetinghouse lot, where the parents and
members of the ward were invited to come to assure themselves that
the boys were going to be well taken care of during this trip. There
 —

MUTUAL WORK 1115

were fifteen in the company. The "hike" was made in

four days to the
east side of Bear Lake, by way of Franklin, Paris and
Montpelier to
Hot Springs. Each two boys had a tent of their own, and did their
own cooking, and became experts at it. The whole hike covered about
one hundred seven miles. Regular camp exercises were carried out,
with flag salute, prayer by each boy in his turn, and a detailed program
during the day. The return home was made by way of Blacksmith's
Fork canyon. Scout Master J. Karl Wood, who had the boys in

S Vi

u
4*

SCENES ON THE WAY

Top: Boating on Bear Lake; "Aunt Jennie," and "Pusher," the raft; the boat was an
old cast-away, rigged up by the Boys; the raft was built by them. Are boats of this
class safe? Our motto must be "Safety First." Editors.
Bottom: Camp Snoozer, Laketown, Utah, where the River Heights troop No. 1
camped. A beautiful location on the south end of Bear Lake, in a large cottonwood
grove, and on the best beach of the lake.

charge, with Karl A. Kowallis of the Scout council, state that the "ex-
perience one gains on these trips is worth all the trouble and effort,
and is of lasting benefit to the boys." The boys are already beginning
to plan for their trip next year. The people on the route were very
kind to them and provided for all their needs freely. They had gen-
erous hearts for the boys. The mess wagon which the boys took
—
along was made up of pieces donated by the boys one the gears, an-
other the box, the harness, the horses, etc.
 Passing Events
Submarine F-4, sunk at the Honolulu harbor, last March, was
raised by pontoons on August 29 and brought to dry dock. num- A
ber of the twenty-two sailors who went down with the ill-fated vessel
were recovered, and their bodies buried in the cemetery in Honolulu.
A joint Anglo-French financial commission of six members de-
puted by Great Britain and France to adjust the foreign exchange
system in the United States, reached New York on the 10th of Sep-
tember. They will establish an exchange in the United States. It is
reported that the Allies desire to borrow, in the United States, one
thousand million dollars, on their bonds.
The Oregon Short Line reports that thirty thousand tourists
entered the Yellowstone National Park through the western
entrance, from June 15 to September 1, this year, and that the total
number of people visiting the park between those dates was 40,000, an
excess of 25,000 over any former season. This does not include those
who entered privately in automobiles or other conveyances.
Gold shipments from England continued during September to
On the 29th of August, twenty millions
arrive in the United States.
in British gold reached New York together with thirty-five millions
in American Later nearly one hundred and fifty mil-
securities.
lions of gold arrived in New York, and it was announced at the time
tbat the American bankers were at a loss to know what to do with the
accumulated gold.
The Mexican situation continued in its usual chaotic state during
the month. On the 31st of August General Oroszco was shot by a
posse of Texans following a raid on a ranch house on the Rio
Grande, 150 miles east of El Paso. United States troops were ordered
to the border to prevent uprisings. A
number of marauding bands of
Mexicans in various districts on the border were reported to carrying
on pillaging expeditions.
Judge John A. Marshall, United States district judge for Utah,
since February 4, 1896, resigned early in September, without giving
any reason for his resignation which was accepted by the department
of justice at Washington. Judge Marshall was born September 5,
1854, in Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar and came to Salt
Lake City in 1878. He was probate judge of Salt Lake county in
1888-89, and a member of the state legislature in 1892. He received
the appointment of district judge from President Grover Cleveland,
in 1896.
Mrs. Bessie Dean Allison, wife of William Allison, former super-
intendent of the Ogden city schools, died in Ogden September 2, 1915.
She was born at Morgan, Utah, October 15, 1867, and later removed
to Salt Lake. She was a member of the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir,
for years and went to the World's Fair, with it in 1893. She has
been a member of the Ogden Tabernacle choir ever since its re-
organization. She went as a soloist to the Lewis &
Clark exposition
at Portland, to the Irrigation Congress at Sacramento, and also ac-
companied the Ogden Tabernacle choir on its trip last July, to the
Exposition on the coast. She was one of Utah's noted singers.

Mutual Contest Music. To those who have had trouble in getting

contest music it will be pleasant to learn that the Daynes-Beebe Music
 PASSING EVENTS 1117

Company, Salt Lake City, now have on hand a good supply of the
M. I. A. music contest numbers:
"From By-gone Days" (ladies' quartet) by George L. Osgood,
6c per copy postpaid.
"The Passing Days" (male quartet or chorus) by Parks, 10c
per copy postpaid.
A large supply is on hand so that all may be accommodated.
The Great War. The Germans Continued their drive against the
Russians in Poland, and some activities were begun by them in the
Argonne district in France. The efforts of the French and English
allies were continued. On the sea a large
to pierce the Dardanelles
number of ships were blown up by submarines. The relations between
the United States and Germany became very strained, but were
finally eased upon the promise of Germany not to torpedo any ships
carrying American passengers without due warning. The difficulty of
the Germans in living up to this promise, however, appears to have
threatened new diplomatic ruptures between this country and Germany,
during the latter part of September.
—
August 20. Novogeorgievsk, the great Russion fortress at the
confluence of the Narew and Vistula, was taken by the Germans who
secured 85,000 Russians captives, 700 cannon, and much miscellaneous
material of value.
—
August 21. Italy declares war on Turkey, asserting Turkish
—
attempts to stir open insurrections in Lybia. Great Britain declares
—
cotton to be absolute contraband. Mrs. E. H. Harriman who owns
the controlling interest in the McKeen Motor Company. Omaha,
Nebraska, compelled the cancellation of a two years' contract for
—
shrapnel. The fortress of Brest-Litovsk on the east bank of the Bug
river, a chief stronghold of the Russians, was taken by storm by Gen-
eral von Mackensen's army. A large number of prisoners were taken.
—
August 24. Sweden protests to Germany against the shelling of a
Swedish steamship, "Cuxhaven," carrying no contraband. The Rus- —
sian government suspends the Jewish pale which gives the Jews per-
mission to reside anywhere in the empire except in Petrograd and
Moscow and cities under the jurisdiction of the war ministry or im-
perial court. This is done pending the examination of the whole
question.
August 25.— The first heavy snowfall occurred in the Alps, hinder-
ing —
war activities. Gustav Klopsch, an employee of the Carnegie
institute was arrested as a German spy in Washington. Photographs
of defenses along the Atlantic coast were said to be found in his pos-
session.
—
August 26. The Russian war office stated that the Russian retreat
has been conducted exactly in accordance with official plans. Two
million more men have been called to the flag.
August — French
27. aviators bombarded the railroad station at
—
Mullheim, Baden. Several submarines were destroyed by British war
ships at Zeebrugge, Belgium.
—
August 28. Lipsk, twenty miles west of Grodno is captured by
the Germans. The Russians are retreating rapidly in Galicia along a
125-mile front. Ten thousand prisoners have been taken by the Ger-
mans.
August 29.— Fierce fighting was reported in the Riga neighbor-
hood. Berlin reports that the British forces in the Dardanelles have
incurred heavy losses during the past two days on the Turkish posi-
tions.
August 30.— Galata bridge was shelled by submarines in the mer-
cantile section of Constantinople causing a great panic.
 ——

1118 IMPROVEMENT ERA

—
August 31. The Italians report success in the Strino valley.
Germany sends Roumania an ultimatum demanding an immediate pass-
age through that country for Teutonic munitions for Constantinople.
The British federal inspectors at Falmouth discovered that James
Archibald, an American war correspondent, was transporting official
dispatches from Germans in the U. S. to the German government.
— The British report their losses in shipping from submarine and
other hostile attacks as sixty-eight steamers with a tonnage of 178,713,
—
with nine sailing vessels. The Belgium Relief Commission in London
reports 2,750,000 persons in Belgium without resources for a liveli-
hood. The harvest reserved for civilians is insufficient for less than
half this number.— Alfons Pegoud, a French aviator, who demonstrated
in 1914, that an airship may be flown upside down, and who first
looped the loop in a flying machine, was killed in action.
—
September 1. Martial law was abandoned in France outside of
—
the military zone. Since May 2, 1,100,000 Russians have been taken
prisoners by the Germans, according to official report from Berlin, and
the Russians have lost in the same time 300,000 men through casual-
ties. —Count von Bernstorff announces to Secretary Lansing that Ger-
many would sink no more liners without warning.
—
September 3. Field Marshal von Hindenburg captured Grodno,
the last of the strong Russian fortresses to hold out.
September 4. —The German army engaged in a battle for the pos-
session of the Russion port of Riga and captured Friedrichstadt, tak-
—
ing thirty-seven officers and 3,325 men prisoners. The Allan line
steamer "Hesperian" was sunk, presumably by a German submarine,
150 miles off Queenstown, with 350 passengers and a crew of 300
bound for Montreal from Liverpool. Most were saved.
—
September 5. The British steamer "Cymbeline," 4,405 tons gross,
370 feet long, plying between the United States and England was
sunk. Six members of the crew were killed and six injured.
—
September 6. A German torpedo boat destroyer was sunk in the
sea of Marmora by an allied submarine.
—
September 7. The Russian port of Riga on the Baltic was cap-
tured by the Germans, causing panic in Petrograd.
—
September 9. The Germans attack the French lines in the Ar-
gonne region capturing the French positions over a front of two
—
kilometers. Twenty persons were killed and eighty-six injured in a
German airship raid over the eastern counties of England and the Lon-
—
don district. Ambassador Penfield at Vienna was instructed to inform
the Austro-Hungarian government that Dr. Constantine Dumba is no
longer acceptable as an envoy to the United States, and to ask for his
recall. Mr. Dumba is the Austro-Hungarian ambassador at Waash-
ington who employed an American citizen named Archibald, traveling
under an American passport, to carry plans to his government to in-
stigate strikes in American manufacturing plants engaged in the muni-
tions of war.
—
September 10. Heavy fighting is reported in the Vosgos region
in which the Germans are making use of apshyxiating shells and flam-
ing liquids, according to dispatches from Paris.
—
September 11. Petrograd announces a victory in southern Galicia
in —
which Russians captured five thousand Germans. Uninterrupted
artillery fire continues along the entire French front in Argonne.
The French steamer, "Ville de Mostaganem" was sunk by gun fire
from a German submarine.— The British steamship "Cornubia," 736
tons, was sunk. — Dr. Henry Van Dyke, American minister at The
Hague, stopped James F. Archibald at Rotterdam, and took up his
passports and ordered him to report at the state department.
 Little Sir Galahad
By Phoebe Gray
"THE BOOK WITH A BLESSING"
A book that captivates whole families by
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Fathers and mothers are putting it in the
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are reading it aloud to the younger children.
Clergymen are preaching from it and about
—
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for good!

Charmingly Illustrated by F. Liley Young

$1.35 Net; $1.45 Postpaid
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 2

HnEjp^M^MiiMsil

Organ of the Priesthood Quorums, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Asso-
ciationsand the Schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1 Published Monthly by the General Board at Salt Lake City, Utah

 —

"Jesus The Christ"

The publication of this new
work by the Deseret News; com-
prising over 800 pages, from the
pen of
DR. JAMES E. TALMAGE
lias been officially announced by
the First Presidency
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Schools, as also for the advanced
theological classes In Sunday
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for the instruction of our mis-
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ing."
The work deals with the Mes-
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Sympathy Is Grateful past, v present,
and future times,
as attested by modern as well as
When you're sorrowing. But it doesn't ancient Scriptures.
pay An insurance policy is full
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—
The Panama California Exposition
SAN L/IEAjW
J/-V1"N niFP.n Open January
closes Dec. 31, 1915.
1,
OCTOBER
The Panama-Pacific International Ex- is Farmer's Month
portion SAN FRANCISCO AT THE
Opens February 20, close December 4, 1915
Panama-Pacific Exposition
Excursion Rates in Effedt Daily Exhibits of Special Interest to those
engaged in Agriculture, Stock Raising
to November 30th, 1915 and Dairying, will be features.

Inclusive

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via the SALT LAKE ROUTE

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 TO THEE
Love's silver star is burning in the west.
The fervent summer eve is passing slow;
From eastern purple o'er the mountain's crest,
Jove's golden planet looks on earth below.

The circling curlews make their plaintive sounds.

The winds among the water- rushes sigh,
Thy lover's thoughts pursue their'endless rounds,
And in his heart is that which cannot die.
And once you walked this path, and at my side.

When all my thought in new-born hope was thine;

The twilight lay, thus, o'er the landscape wide,

And thy love-glances pledged thy life as mine:

Ah, now the golden summer time is dead,
Yet I do love, as ere its hours were sped !

-ALFRED LAMBOURNE.
IN THE HEART OF THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.
Improvement Era
Vol. XIX , NOVEMBER, 1915 No. 1.

A Notable Feature of the World's Congress of

Religious Philosophies

BY JAMES E. TALMAGE, OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE

In connection with the great Panama-Pacific International

Exposition, for which the year of our Lord 1915 will be ever
memorable in history, a Congress of Religious Philosophies as-
sembled in San Francisco on July 29, 30, and 31. Three sessions
were held daily. The program had been prearranged and officially
published; and the proceedings appointed for each of the three
days were distinctive. In the printed announcements the first
day was designated Christian Day, the second, Hindu Day, and the
third, Oriental Day.
The cosmopolitan character of the gathering and the impelling
purpose of the movement leading up to the calling of the Congress
are indicated in the following inscription, which appeared on the
title-page of the official program:
"The cause of equity, tolerance and peace is better^ served by
bringing together in an amicable spirit those differing^ in thought,
than by aggregating those differing merely in nationality."
The liberal intent of the organizers, in inviting to the platform
the representatives of any religious system claiming to possess a
distinctive philosophical foundation, is demonstrated by the fol-
lowing extracts from the program:

Oriental Day: Mohammedanism Philosophically Considered; Sufi

Philosophy; The Underlying Principles of the Bahai Faith; Taoist
Philosophy; Confucian Philosophy; The Philosophy of Shinto; The
Fundamentals of Buddhist Philosophy; Modern Psychical Research
and its Inferences; Theosophy as a Religion.
Hindu Day: The Philosophy of the Vedas; The Universality of
Hinduism; The Vedic Conception of the Soul; The Philosophy of the
Brahmo-Somaj; The Philosophy of Zoroastrianism; The Philosophy of
Yoga; Philosophical Aspects of the Sikh Religion.
4 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Christian Day: Catholicism as understood by the Orthodox Eastern
Church; "Mormonism" and its Underlying Philosophy; The Philosophy
of Roman Catholicism; and The Philosophy of Protestant Christianity.

It will be readily observed that in contrast with the many and

diverse religious systems of the Orient, to each of which a hearing
was granted, the churches recognized as having a right to be heard
on Christian Day are significantly few. Indeed, on the program
for that day but two of the sessions were devoted to addresses
dealing with the philosophies of Christian churches proper; the
evening meeting was given over to non-Christian and anti-
Christian speakers as witness these topics The Philosophy of
:

Judaism; and, (save the mark!) The Philosophy of Atheism!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was invited
to send a delegate to the Congress, and the present writer was
honored in being appointed as such by the presiding authorities of
the Church. He was received and treated throughout with the
greatest possible courtesy and respectful consideration, both in the
open sessions of the Congress, and in personal association with
officialsand fellow delegates at all times. His address was pub-
lished in theSeptember Era under the caption, "The Philosophical
Basis of 'Mormonism' ". All the addresses are to be published
in a volume of Transactions of the Congress.
The narrow limitations of the program for the morning and
afternoon sessions of Christian Day will find ready explanation in
the minds of all unbiased and capable students of Christianity as a
system of religion expressed or embodied in churchly organiza-
tions. Be it remembered that the assembly in San Francisco was
convened as a Congress of Religious Philosophies, not as a conven-
tion of churches, nor a parliament of religions. The treatment ex-
pected in each address was the philosophical foundation upon
which the respective system is grounded. The cardinal doctrines
of the several religions were to be explained and justified on the
basis of reason and consistency, by lecture, nor advocated and
preached by sermon.
It is a notable fact, though, as stated, one not difficult to
explain, that in preparing the program for this the latest and in
many respects the most important of all cosmopolitan assemblies
of representative religionists, only three religious organizations or
churches had place in theofficially appointed proceedings on Chris-
tian Day, and these three were the churches embodying Catholic-
ism, Protestantism, and "Mormonism".
True, both the Roman and the Greek churches were recog-
nized as exponents of Catholicism, and this because of the fact
that the schism by which the Church of Rome was sundered and
the Greek Catholic Church established is dignified by age, dating
back to the fourth centurv and each of the rival churches has
;
 WORLD'S CONGRESS OF RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHIES 5

persisted in its averment of sound, philosophical, and scriptural

reasons for its segregated status. Disappointment was evident in
the assembly when announcement was made that the Vicar-Gen-
eral of New York, who had been accredited to the Congress as the
representative of the Roman Catholic church, was not present but ;

the hope was expressed that his paper on "The Philosophy of

Roman Catholicism" will appear in the forthcoming volume,
Translations of the Congress of Religious Philosophies.
The paper presented by the representative of Greek Catholi-
cism, who was announced as an Archimandrite of the Orthodox
Eastern Church, was a cause of surprize. Instead of asserting a
positive basis in support of his church, the speaker undertook to
demonstrate the essential unity of Greek and Roman Catholicism,
and advocated the return of the Greek faction to the Roman fold
with the Pope as shepherd of the reunited flock.
The address on "The Philosophy of Protestant Christianity"
was devoid of any averment of philosophical support for Protestant
churches, as being severally or all together the Church established
by Jesus Christ, or as possessing through succesion or otherwise
the authority and power of the Holy Priesthood and comprized
;

a discussion of the desirability of church unity, and the demolish-

ing of the barriers which divide the many Christian sects of the
day.
"Mormonism", so-called, was the only religious system that
affirmed a positive, unequivocal, and independent philosophical
basis for its doctrines. In making this statement, the writer has
in mind the subject and not his presentation thereof; he therefore
disavows even the most shadowy conception of personal distinc-
tion. Any program calling for a presentation of Christian philos-
ophy today would be wofully incomplete were "Mormonism" ex-
cluded therefrom. To this fact the organizers of the recent Con-
gress were duly attentive.
But, should one ask, why, in such a gathering of representa-
tives of Christian churches, no' place was provided for Presbyterian,
Methodist, Congregationalist, Lutheran, or other representation
of organized societies professing Christian adherence, the answer
would be that all these organizations, however worthy their pur-
pose, however devoted their ministers and members, are, by their
own acknowledgement as supported by the history of their re-
spective origin and growth, sects rather than churches, not one of
which affirms possession of the Holy Priesthood, without which
there can be no Church of Jesus Christ.
Possession of authority, through divine bestowal, to minister
in the name of God, is the essential and indispensable character-
istic of the Church of Christ. Churchly organizations that venture
not even a semblance of claim to this bestowal, are without rational
basis of profession as The Church of Jesus Christ.
 — ;

6 [MPROVEMEN1 ERA

Judged by this standard of claim alone, entirely apart from the

question of evidence or proof as to the validity of the claim, and
restricting the designation "church" to such organizations as assert
possession of such divine authority, there are on the earth today
but two churches —
the Roman Catholic Church and The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Speak, Lord, for Thy Servant Heareth

Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,

And heareth but to obey
Be this the prayer that shall rule my life
Till I rest for the judgment day.
Lord, speak through thy chosen prophet
The message I wait to hear,
Or speak by thy Spirit's prompting
And make thy purpose clear.
Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,
And dark though the way may be,
And all unknown the journey
Thy wisdom has planned for mc ;

Though often my feet grow weary,

Though sometimes my* strength be spent.
Yet speak to me, gracious Master,
Unfolding thy wise intent.
Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,
And of my earthly store
Would render to thee thy measure
Pressed full and running o'er
Whatever of mine, kind Master,
May be thy kingdom's need,
It is thine if thou speak, for surely
Should my faith have outgrown my greed.

Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,

And what thou would have me do
If it need the power of my busy brain,
Or the labors my hands pursue ;

I lemy calling the work of a lifetime.

Or the task of a passing day.
Yet speak, for thy servant heareth.
And heareth but to obey.
provo, utah Annie D. Palmes
 Brotherhood*

BY JOSEPH QUINNEY, JR.

The coming- of Jesus Christ breathed a new life into this vast
world. His advent was heralded by a new star and songs of
peace by the angels of heaven. It was the fulfiling of a promise
that "The Redeemer of the Race" should come. His advent re-
vealed a new system of thought and living that did away with and
eliminated the old established Mosaic Law
—
"A tooth for a tooth,
and an eye for an eye." The universe has received a new light,
a new life and a new way.
Thinking, doing, feeling may be termed the fundamentals of
that most wonderful life. They may indeed be termed the very
qualities whose presence or absence make for a successful or an
unsuccessful life, as the case may be, because the predominating
power in any line of work is the force which puts into operation
thought, action and feeling. Men and women who have attained
to heights of achievement in their lives have thought well and
clearly, and have then acted out these thoughts with a feeling that
has been distinctive, positive, effective and convincing.
Conforming to any law requires a degree of human intelli-
gence, before the law is comprehended or understood, and in the
analysis of the law these three elements are the dominating forces.
This fact was well understood by the Master. In social life,
then as now, one finds a wonderful field in which to operate, and
apply the law that governs right and justice. The class distinction
which is usually found in social organizations is often very detri-
mental to the progress of the race, and as a consequence there is an
inequality among individuals. This inequality is the breeder of
strife, discontent and crime. In such organizations, love, brother-
hood and fraternity have been replaced by frivolity, light-minded-
ness and material pleasures. Those of the supposed superior class
subsist and live on the so called inferior class who are constantly
contributing to the support and maintenance of the fashionable
ones. We must remember that human feeling is the same in all,
although in some there is a greater development of this feeling than
in others. Those who have thought better, done better, and con-
formed their lives more closely to the higher ideal, are better able
to dominate the lives of others, whether in high or lowly stations

*A Christmas sermon delivered at the Utah Agricultural College,

Dec. 15, 1914.
8 IMPROVEMENT ERA
of life. With this kind of society the world with its civilizations
would grow better and higher, in fact, this is the only kind of
society that will bring the race to the standards of the Christ. High
and splendid thought comes only through high and splendid
morals. In some of the high types of social life in the world
today they aim at one thing only, and that one thing is to effect
a standard that has in it the Christ-like qualities of love and
brotherhood. In this they adopt and aim to carry out rules, and
conform to the laws of purity, both phyiscal and moral, and they
emphasize the sanitation of the mind fully as much, if not more,
than that of the body. This, of course, makes them a power, a
force, and a strength in the land. They embody in their code of
faith, ethical, and moral principles which have in them the life-
saving power of God. They teach, practice and feel the principles
of honesty, sincerity, reverence, love, brotherhood, fraternity,
loyalty and many other things that have been dedicated to the up-
lift of man. These are they who radiate power and a wholesome
influence, who think, feel and give. Benjamin Franklin headed
an organization called the "Junta Club." The message of this
organization was brotherhood, not the brotherhood of selfishness,
of greed and seclusion, but the brotherhood that sends a spark of
love into our being, inspires our souls, and sends us marching
triumphantly on to God. The membership consisted of men who
pledged their lives to thebetterment of humanity. The splendid,
truths lived and taught by this organization stand out as rays of
light to all the social world, and act as some of the standards for
the great message of Christ the Lord. Some of the truths are
as follows:

1. "Have you met with anything in the author you last read
remarkable or suitable to be communicated particularly in history,
morality, poetry, physics, mechanical arts, or other arts of knowledge?"
2. "Do you know a fellow citizen who has lately done a worthy
action, deserving praise and imitation, or has lately committed an
error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?"
3. "Do you think of anything at present in which we may be
serviceable to mankind, to their country, to their friends, or to them-
selves?"
4. "Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town to your knowl-
edge? What have you observed or learned of his character or merits?"

Others, many others could be cited which have a direct bear-

ing on the perfection of life. Those that have been quoted tend to
convev the splendid power, force, and strength men and women
have who embody them in their lives, and it is here that Christ and
his religion as a force must have its beginning. The world todav
is offering systems, organizations, creeds denominations and so-

cieties all having: in them some element of salvation. Some are

 BROTHERHOOD o

strong in their advocacy of doctrinal <»r theological thought-

many of these are unbalanced.
"They have solved," so Henry Ward Beecher says, "the
universe. They have not only got it. but they have formulated
it." They seem to know God and his ways by the theological route.
They fasten themselves to doctrine alone, leaving out some of the
life-saving things that arc very essential in making Christ and his
religion a force in the world. There are also some who reach, so
they think, eternity by singing hallelujahs, songs and hymns, whose
emotion is their religion. This is the force that moves them on to
God. There are thousands upon thousands who show their devo-
tion and worship in just the way indicated, and are accomplishing
some good in the world to be sure. True, this kind of religion
produces a feeling without much thinking or doing. This kind of
worship is not the kind however that makes the Christ the power
he should be in the world. There are some societies and churches
who concentrate their energies and all upon mere devotional exer-
cises and expect from it salvation. They have in their systems of
worship formulated prayers, and printed services. They arc,
at least some of them, honest and good. "When one looks into
the interior life of these churches," so it is said, "he will find
their charities, their sense of responsibility to the weak and poor,
and to the ignorant, are perpetually acting as an inward fire, and
developing intelligences not common to other forms of worship."
But to establish the fact that Christ and his religion is the power
that controls or should control, and will eventually control the
universe, one must think, act upon and feel the force of his teach-
ings. To establish a brotherhood that has in it the elements of
salvation, both temporal and spiritual, there must be a combination
of forces in the social and religious systems of the world that have
for their foundation undciiled love. Right here it appears to me
that it resolves itself to individual effort which means ultimately,
family and community development. In dealing with the indi-
vidual as the medium through which religion or brotherhood can
have its social and economic value, we of course must find leader-
ship, —
strong feelings of loyalty and faith- a love for these two
essentials, because these two qualities produce confidence in our
fellow men. The individual must be disciplined in loyalty and
faith before there can grow out of him such strength as will in-
fluence the family or the community, and so the social value of
religion or brotherhood is brought on by a process of applying such
principles as harmonize with moral and ethical laws. It is said,
"The world belongs by a law of nature to the disciplined and pro-
ductive races, and not to those who devote themselves to graceful
consumption, and eminent leisure."
In other words, there is but little if any value in the one who
consumes, and does not give anything in return. The many inter-
Hi IMPROVEMENT ERA
pretations that have been placed upon that scripture which says,
"Who is my neighbor?" has brought us to a conclusion that in a
perfect brotherhood, all men to whom we can contribute good
must of necessity be our neighbor. The value of unity can only
he appreciated and understood by a unity of effort. Some sixty
years ago Denmark was having a terrific struggle in producing
enough breadstuff for her own use. in fact, her wheat crop at that
time was hardly marketable, her people numbering 2,775,000, were
discouraged, but the individual efforts of one man brought into
the lives of these Danes the great principle of co-operation, lie
organized societies, and taught them the material principles of
brotherhood and unit}'. Through the efforts of this bishop in
combining good ethics with his church, there was brought about
the phenomenal growth that his country has made during the last
half century. Today, Denmark has out of her 2,775,000 people,
918,000 who are engaged in farming and dairying, 16,000 who are
gardening, 16,000 who are in the forestry, 34,000 in the fishery
business, 675,000 engaged in the industrial pursuits, and 114,000
who are professional men and women, 85% of these people own
their own farms, and own more wealth per capita than any other
nation in the world. These people furnish England alone with
92,500,000 dollars' worth of butter and eggs and bacon a year.
I have given this as an illustration of the direction of splendid
ethics into social, and religious life, again demonstrating the fact
that to establish a brotherhood among men, there must me think-
ing, doing, and feeling in an individual way.
The unfolding of God's truth has always been marked by an
advance in the progress and civilization of the world. There have
been a few always who have launched a new thought that has
startled mankind, and in almost every instance where a new
thought has been launched upon an unbelieving world, this thought
or truth has been rejected, and many new thoughts or truths have
been crushed because of so much opposition, and it has required
the combined forces of both moral and physical courage to restore
these truths so that the human race could be brought closer to-
gether in the bonds of brotherhood and love, and to understand
more perfectly God's great power and force.
There has always been and ever will be an agency through
which the Great Master will operate and develop his truth, and
these agencies whether they be men or women will have the full
approval of all classes of society whose members are susceptible
to truth, but they must be susceptible before society can effect a
brotherhood that will be influential and strong. "Truth will pre-
vail'' is a fact so thoroughly demonstrated that there can be no
question about its coming to light sometime, even after it has been
partly developed, and seemingly crushed, never again to rise, but
after years of seeming oblivion it raises majestically to the pedestal
 BROTHERHOOD II

where it belongs, and proclaims to the world its light, its power,
and its strength. With each truth conies a manifestation of God's
splendid power, a new revelation, if yon please, to the civilizations
of the world. How good and how splendid it is to be in the
presence of great men and women who possess qualities of truth,
who are big in spirit, who are sonl-inspiring, and whose very lives
are the embodiments of truth. In different periods of the world's
history some splendid man or woman has been nsed in different
vocations to unfold the revealed wisdom and truth, and it has re-
quired at times a force of character, moral and physical courage,
and strong convictions to have mankind see and understand this
wisdom, and the philosophy of these truths each generation of
;

people have had its skeptical, perverse and unbelieving. These have
ever been ready to oppose any and everything that has had the
stamp of divinity upon it, but thanks to God, on the other hand,
there have always been a few possessing the courage to take up
the right, and by concerted effort they have been able to bring
about reforms that have added blessings to the race. The brother-
hood of man in its full sense of meaning would revolutionize the
religious, the social, the political, and the business world, because
it means the commencement of an individual reform, a family re-

form, and a community reformation. Individually it would mean

a full control of one's self, harmonizing with all the laws of bet-
terment and the development of a perfect love and self-control.
When an individual can control and bring himself under a proper
condition of mind and soul, he can then handle and control others.
We may have good institutions of government in the land, but
if the community, the family and the individual, disregard the prin-

ciples of that government, its principles serve but little good in the
establishment of peace and order. So, in commemorating this
festive season, we are brought face to face with this mighty prob-
lem of individual service, we are reminded of the star that indicated
the pathway of the Three Wise Men, that led them to the place
of the Christ Child. We see them wrapped in bonds of love and
brotherhood offering splendid and costly gifts as tokens of
love and confidence — to Him who had come to bring peace. This
realization had been premeditated and thought out, it was the
most wonderful thing that had ever come into their lives, they had
seen the Christ, they had blessed him with their worship and
costly gifts they had opened their hearts to an unselfishness that
;

gave them courage, and the assurance of a perfect peace. Here is

the suggestion of the divine mission of the Holy One, what it
means, and what it is doing. We know that gladness filled the Wise
Men's hearts. We know they gave their gifts as tokens of love,
but do we know what Christ did for the Wise Men, and the entire
human race? Do we know that his advent connected the genera-
tions of men since the world began with the Gospel Chain of eter-
 U IMPROVEMENT ERA
nal life? And do we know that his system provided for a perfect
lifeby means of an individual work? Peace and brotherhood was
his message and brotherhood is peace, and is the result of indi-
;

vidual service and a service that brings into one's soul the feeling
;

of brotherhood is the peace that builds a perfect life, and when a

perfect life operates, it infuses the life-giving spark that forces into
action every element of the tenderest feeling of love. Again, let
us repeat that this great life has supplied the civilizations together
with all the Christian churches of the world with truths that
have been the basis of social reform, religious movement, and
peace standards. A very careful analysis of the condensed state-
ment of Jesus Christ, "Love the Lord thy God with all thy soul,
mind and strength, and thy neighbor as thyself," is ample for
the conclusion that brotherhood is an individual work, and in ar-
riving at his standard of peace, it can only be developed through
the mind and soul of man.
The matter wrong is and always has been un-
of right and
derstood by the individual. His attitude very often determines his
influence in the community. If the spirit of brotherhood is the
predominating force, it is because of an inward development of
the soul. In other words, it is the perfecting of peace through the
application of high thought, and it must be understood that the
principles that govern brotherhood are comprehended only as far
as the precepts of the principles are exemplified in the life of the
individual. Yes, the great message of the Christ was brotherhood,
it was a harmonization of the material and the spiritual. It was a
reaching out and up for the souls of men, it was a fellowship of
God, and indeed a brotherhood of man. Again, I say, what affects
the individual, affects also the family, the community and the na-
tion. The individual that understands the law is he who has lived
the law, and can understand more thoroughly the message of the
Christ. We have referred to the pleasure of being in the presence
of great men and women. We
will find in the majority of cases
that they have been influenced in their thoughts and actions by the
Great Master. I quote here a thought that came to my notice,
and which bears out the fact above stated, "The greatest thought
ever spoken by human lips, the brightest gems of tongue or pen can
beautify and enrich that garden of your soul, and through you
shine in thousands of other lives, and fill the world with joy. The
great thing is not how can I get riches, nor how I can get health
and happiness or fame or pleasure, nor even character and peace,
but how can I give these things ? Give to others health and char-
acter and hope and joy? Reflect the highest good to the greatest
number, help to redeem the world?" The question was asked a
year ago, "What would Christ do if he were to come again?"
Conditions in human life are almost the same in different periods
of the world's historv. It is not that we have lost the uniform
 BROTHERHOOD 13

standard of measurement for- things moral, but it is because we

have neglected to apply the law that governs the standard of meas-
urement for things moral. It is not that we have lost the con-
science of the Nazarene, and the ethics he established, but it is
because of neglect in the development of that consciousness which
could cause us to apply his ethics. Should he come again he
would undoubtedly bring with him the same feelings of brother-
hood and peace. He would apply the force of his teachings
through his divine presence, and teach that to know brotherhood
is an individual practice of the laws that govern it. He would
labor to have mankind understand how they could stand the test
of the written law by applying the law. He would have us work
out more perfectly his condensed words so as to bring into our
lives a greater and more splendid truth —
the development of which
would give us the assurance of eternal life, bring us to a point
where the relationship of God and man could and would be under-
stood. He would teach us to know God, in whose image we are
created. He would impress upon us that this life is one of love
inspired by the love of service and because of this it would mean
;

the development of the mind and hand and heart. It would be

giving to society a full measure of service for value received. This,
of course, would mean an organization of our forces so that we
could deal successfully with men, and be saviors to some one.
Using the words of Mr. Knox, then, "It would mean to be gen
erous, to give of our substance and ourselves, to make men better,
to reach out and up and all about, towards the development of
great souls and the redemption of men." His advent would mean
a universal peace, and a perfect brotherhood of man, a system of
reform, if you please, that would tend to establish a perfect law.
the application of which would bring us back into the presence of
God, and crown us with eternal life and immortality.
LOGAN, UTAH

Poetry for the Way Up

"When next you step out of the elevator, see how this fits the
trip :

"For a moment it has borne Roses, stars, and tin; slime

Youth and A.ge, Love and Crime, Of Baseness, all unseen,
Hearts "i" bli>s. hearts forlorn: Have packed it to the doors
I: taken toll of Time
lias \s streaked past the floor-
it

With each potential i\wi\ With the prince and the pauper,
That the Fates have decreed: The shop girl and the queen.
"There are five more stanzas
William Rose Henet wrote it
as
in tin' New York Evening Sun, but
one seems to have caught
this
the eternal romance of a transient incident of ever) day. This is
what poetry can do for us once in a while." - Colliers.
 —

The School Over the "Tater Hole"

THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF FOUR JED STORIES, EACH COMPLETE

IN ITSELF

L!V IDA STEWART PEAY

There never was a town that needed the Christmas Spirit as

badly as did Blackgulch. What with Fanny Meyer's pessimism
she being-, yon might say, the most prominent female —
and Jed

— —
Ware's lawlessness Jed being in turn the most conspicuous male
there was no one in town to lead out in creating and diffusing
the spirit of Christian charity. Criticism and back-biting were
Fanny's methods for uplifting the community while Jed's hand
;

was against everybody for pure devilment. This year an added

damper was put on the Christmas spirit and the festivities as well,
because the school teacher, who usually carried on the holiday
exercises, had been ignominiously put into the "tater hole." It
lacked a week of the great day, when the mis-used pedagogue had
shaken the dust of the village from his feet and left, as he ex-
cusably termed it, for civilization.
Not much hope was placed in what a new teacher could do
in so short a time. One had been secured, however, and she was
now resting in her room while Fanny Meyer, the town's only
boarding-house keeper, w as cooking the supper. Fanny, tall, spare,
r

sharp-featured and altogether uncompromising, threw the white

cloth over the table with a swish of displeasure.
"I tell you, Pa, you've made a mess of it again. Imagine
hirin' a mere wafer to handle that unruly gang!" Mrs. Meyer
was not a woman of few words, but she stopped now to look her
full disgust at the offending "trustee." Sidney Meyer, silent-
faced and secretive, smiled a quiet little smile as he mumbled
defensively, "I thought 'a change was as good as a rest.' Any-
how don't you think you're rushing matters to be formin' an
opinion 'fore you've had a square look at her?"
"Ho!" scornfully, "I'm not like you men, I don't have to
know anybody forever to get an idea of their character. I know
this girl ain't got no force, and I knew what kind of a jelly-fish
that last teacher was the minute I laid eyes on him."
"Wr ouldn't wonder if your expressing that judgment so free
hadn't something to do with getting him in the 'tater hole.' " mused
Sidney.
"Pooh !" denied Fanny, "lack of back bone put him there, and
 THE SCIlooi. OVER THE "TATER HOLE" 15

—perhaps Jed Ware's reckless deviltry. Now Jed will have a

free hand forsure, and he'll go to the bad post haste, and hcin' a
natural leader he'll take the risin' generation of the whole gulch
with him, fool girls and all, for they're soft over him already,
young as he is, and spite of his meanness. I was in hopes after
this last experience you'd have gumption enough to find a two
hundred pounder who could take them ruffins three at a time and
chuck 'em out of the door. I don't expect this little colorless
wiffet to last over night, let alone till Christmas."
Almost before the words were out of Fanny's mouth, the door
opened softly and the new teacher entered. Meyer and his wife
exchanged glances, fearful that Fanny had been overheard, but
the young lady's beaming countenance reassured them. Fanny
looked a trifle less stern, set out an easy chair, and bade Miss
Bleeson "make herself to home." The new school-mistress did
her bidding at once, and with charming grace. She warmed
her pretty hands before the blaze in the wide fire-place and rocked
easily back and forth in the old cushioned rocker. She praised
Fanny's biscuits and apple-pie, at supper, and talked entertain-
ingly of her trip over the mountains. It is not a joy ride in win-
ter, but she related many funny experiences, and made favorable
—
comments about everything even having a good word for Black-
gulch, the night-mare of all that weird region. After supper she
helped Fanny with the dishes, and later in the rosy glow of the
crackling flames she had the old "trustee" and his wife leaning
forward in their chairs listening, with lightened faces, to her
happy chatter, and airing, with relish, their own ancient adven-
tures. Sidney began to smile a quiet little smile of satisfaction,
while Fanny was forgetting her habitual animosity. Suddenly her
role returned to her consciousness with overwhelming responsi-
bility.
"J suppose you don't know why we had to have a new teacher
in the middle of the winter, do you?" she broke in upon the
pleasantry.
"Why, no, T don't believe T do," owned Miss Bleeson, sweetly.
"Well," flounced Fanny, coming completely to herself, "the
last we had was put in the 'tater hole' by unruly scholars."
teacher
Old Sidney began to hem and haw painfully.
"The 'tater hole'!" cried Miss Bleeson in utter amazement.
"O, I'm afraid you don't sense what kind of a job you've
come up against," lamented Fanny, shaking her head gravely.
"Perhaps not." admitted the young lady,— and it was evident
she was a very young lady indeed
—
"but what about the 'tater
hole'! whatever do you mean?"
"The 'tater hole,' " declared the towns woman firmly, though
old Sidney's cough was growing desperate, "is the cellar under the
16 I.M PROVEMENT ERA
school house. There's a trap door to it and the teachers that the
scholars don't like are put down there."
Miss Bleeson shivered appropriately. "Are there toads down
there?" she asked comically.
"I don't know, perhaps you'll find out — for yourself," Fanny
jested severely, with an unpleasant grin. Old Sidney doubled up
his fists, unconsciously, while an amused smile curved the rosy
month of the new teacher.
"I don't think we'll need worry," she murmured, glancing
reassuringly at Sidney's clenched hands.
"We'll see!" warned Mrs. Meyer, but Miss Bleeson's smile
broadened into a little laugh as she marveled,
"A 'tater hole!' Well, I never! That is certainly something
new. Why, who put him there?" she looked up enquiringly at
Fanny.
"Jed Ware," snapped her informant, "and I tell you, Jed is
some fighter and smart-elic he's a bad, bad boy, you can bet. Him
;

and Abe Black and Hebe Carter make it mighty hot for our
teachers." Then, remaining deaf and blind to old Sidney's loud
coughs and winks of disapproval, she related many harrowing
tales about these boys and former teachers. When she ended,
—
Miss Bleeson really looked quite impressed and sober especially
since Sidney's antics had ceased —
and, before retiring, she gave
Fanny the satisfaction of hearing her say solemnly, "I know I
shall dream of 'Jed' and the 'tater hole!' "
Next morning the "trustee's" wife watched Miss Bleeson
start out blithely for the school over the "tater hole." With sorry
misgivings she called to her from the door, "Now, be strict, just
let them know from the first minute that you're boss."
Nodding a laughing acquiescence the new school "marm"
tripped merrily on. The town rowdies, including Jed, Hebe and
Abe, were at school early and watched from the windows the
young lady approach.
"She's just a kid," sneered Hebe, "not a day more'n seven-
teen."
"What shall we do to be receivin' her proper? We might
have the trap door raised invitin' like," suggested Abe.
"O, let her get in," decided Jed. "Soon's she's here we'll
think of somethin' teachers alius sets me to thinkin'."
;

" 'Course that's what they're fur," blurted Hebe snickering

at his own cleverness. The big girls joined the boys at the win-
dow, exchanged glances with Jed whenever possible and let him
know they would applaud anything he thought worth starting.
Only the youngest pupils were in their places when Miss Bleeson
entered. She fluttered in like the mountain zephyr old Sidney
thought of, and the school was as still as an empty church while
she removed her heavy furs, uncovered her fluffy yellow hair and
 THE SCHCN )I. i
>VI-.U THE "TATER IK >LE" 17

smiled, both with her blue eyes and rosy mouth, a kindly smile
of greeting. From the first moment of her entrance she had the
attention of the school as completely as if she were the leading
lady in a gripping melodrama. For the matter of that, she was
something of an actress and her simple but smart, tasty costume
was as wonderful to Blackgulch as a Paris creation would be to
an up-to-date town.
After getting the school work under way, that is, partly, the
new mistress had a get-acquainted hour. With her pretty, in-
formal manners she shook hands with everybody, learned their
names and made them talk to her. When she approached Jed
Ware, and a faint odor of wild roses reached the big dare-devil,
he was as frightened as a girl in the dark. At first he dropped
his eyes and mumbled his answers, but Miss Bleeson soon put
him at his ease. Before he realized what he was doing he had
lifted his head high as he usually carried it, flung back his great
shock of black hair with a characteristic movement, returned her
straight look with his deep, unfathomable eyes, and had even burst
out into his hearty infectious laugh. He began to feel so pleasant
and contented that a shadow fell over him when she passed on to
Hebe and Abe. Indeed, for the rest of the day, Miss Bleeson
could scarcely raise her eyes without encountering Jed's tense,
eager, wondering gaze.
During that first day one very small boy in the baby class got
the courage to voice the anxiety of all the little folks in the gulch.
"Teacher/' he said timidly, "aint they goin' to be no Christ-
mas this year? Ma says they aint cause
—
" there was a slight
shuffle of feet, the faces of the rowdies began to burn, then one
of the big girls pulled the little would-be tale bearer roughly back
into his seat. Miss Bleeson immediately came to the rescue.
"Why, we're going to have the finest Christmas celebration
this year you ever heard tell of," she promised enthusiastically.
"We're goin' to have a program, and every one in school has to
take part" — —
some dull eyes began to brighten "we'll have a great
—
big Christmas tree that is, if some of these young men will be
—
so kind, " here she glanced enquiringly at the rascals of "tater
hole" fame.
"You can count on me," responded the notorious Jed, eagerlv.
"An' me." added Abe.
"Me too," echoed Hebe grinning.
"Oh. thank you all." smiled Miss Bleeson, "and tomorrow
I'll bring sugar and we'll make some choice candies right here
.m this old. big stove — T know how to make the best in the land.
I have a little material, too. that we can use t<> make Christmas
hags, and we can prepare a little surprise for every one in town :

then we'll end our fun with a jolly dance. Won't that be fine?"
She began to clap her hands, and the school joined in with a
 18 l.\l PRI VI, mi;
>
\T l-.k \

hearty applause. At this point she told some wonderful stories

about the Christ love and the happiness that came with the Christ-
mas spirit. Soon every heart in the room awoke to a new feeling,
and a new hope. At the close of school she said a simple prayer
in behalf of her new friends. Its sincere appeal touched uncouth
Jed, he dropped his eyes while a thrill of reverence passed through
him for the first time in his life.
When Jed and Hebe and Abe were outside starting for home,
Hebe heaved a sigh indicative of all their feelings.
"She r'minds me of— of— angels," he blurted out with his
foolish grin.
"She r'minds me of — of— well, fairies, I guess," ruminated
Abe.
^Then Jed took up the thread of their thought, musing dream-
ily, —
"She r'minds me of of— mountain breezes, an' singin' birds,
an' laughin' brooks, an' wild flowers, an' blue skies, an'
summer
time way off in some lovely spot where I—" he broke off abruptly
coloring, but his friends were thinking their own thoughts.
"Well, I hain't got no heart fur deviltry," grumbled Hebe.
"Couldn't put that little sweetie in the 'tater hole'," mourned
Abe.
"Oh, you — threw his pals a look of withering scorn,
" Jed
"you blubbering he growled, adding fiercely, "we're all a set
rats,"
of crazy ignorant, blasted fools. I'm clean 'shamed of mvself.
^
I'm goin' to clear out that girl, nor you fellers nor anybody in
:

T.lackgulqh will ever see me again."

"You're just like me, only different," said Abe dryly, "I know
I'm a dunce, but all the kings' horses and all the kings' men can't
get me away from Blackgulch now. I ain't 'shamed to show my
hand unconditional."
"Sumpthin' similar here," snickered Hebe. "She's a gal I'd
like to hang 'round."
"Oh, you raw, infernal sap-heads You you " led's dis-
gust was too deep for words.
!

"I'm hittin' the trail, adios," he

— —
spoke angrily and swung blindly and rapidly away. As the big
fellow hurried along he became more and more determined to
carry out his wild impulse to flee. To his newly awakened con-
sciousness it seemed a sensible purpose. But being so full of new
thoughts and new strivings, he failed to give his" entire mind to
what he was doing that is why, perhaps, his wretched plan ended
;

in disaster before noon the following day.

Meanwhile Miss Bleeson returned to her boarding place to
give Fanny Meyer the surprise of her life.
"Oh. the dearest school." she chatted to the Meyers that
it's

evening, as she wanned her white hands before the cozy fire. "I
just love everyone of them already. The school's so small it's
like a family circle in a big. old-fashioned living room, and I've
the
 THE SCH< M iL l IVER THE "TATER ll> >LE" 19

sweetest little crowd in the lower classes. Tonight, when school

was out, one tiny tot stole up desk and, smoothing my hand,
to my
whispered, 'You're the goodest teacher —
you're the goodest
teacher ever wuz !' It touched me so just picked her up and
I

kissed her. Then all the little ones cd^al up hungry and wistful
•»yed, and I hugged them all."
Fanny could hardly believe her ears hut she wanted to know
at once whether or not led was present.

"Jed. let me see," Miss I'.leeson reflected, "he's the great big
fellow with jet black hair, midnight eye-, and handsome, strong,
brown face?"
Fanny would not have descrihed Jed that way, hut she
nodded.
"Oh. he was lovely to me — awfully
bewildered over his les-
sons, but' he'll come out put his mind to books
all right. If he'll

—and I know he will— he's going to make an unusually bright

man. He's had a hard, rough life I imagine."
"Maybe," grunted Fanny, "but folks living around him have
had a harder one."
"Very likely," owned the teacher, "but I judge the worst side
of his character has been developed.
"There's no doubt of that," sneered Mrs. Meyer.
"Anyway, from the first impressions. I think there's the mak-
ing of 'a man among men' in Jed Ware."
"If he doesn't turn out a devil among devils," scoffed the town
critic. ,

"It's just possible," admitted Amy Bleeson, he s at the cross-

roads now."
dream of the exactness of her prediction Next
Little did she !

lay. when she returned home from school, Fanny Meyer was ex-
ultant. The old "trustee" seemed preoccupied and sober.
never
"Well Ted was at the cross-roads, all right, but he
turned out of the course he's been headed for."
Fanny triumphed.
always said Jed ud
"I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I
ro to the dogs."
"What's the matter?" Miss Bleeson begged to he told at once,
as Ted had not been at school.

"No. T 'low he couldn't gel there, lie's in jail!" Fanny dis-

closed with evident relish.

'in jail!" cried Miss Bleeson aghast.
'•Yes and it's not the first time Jed's
been arrested." the
narrated, "hut before it has been for harmless row-
towns-woman
town is that he took
dyism this time it's serious. The talk about
his head to run aw;i\ land only knows what for so, not
it' into

>-,
r -i U " a horse of his own,
nor a second shirt to Ins hack, for that
of old Bates, without his leave, and
matter he borrowed a horse
20 IMPROVEMENT ERA
lit out. Of course, he got caught. Now, if Bates prosecutes he
will land in prison him right."
and 'twill serve
"Oh, dreadful, dreadful!" mourned the new teacher, shaking
her head sorrowfully. —
"Such a young boy the making of such
a fine, strong man ! ——
But a who is this Bates ?" she asked
quickly, a look of determination coming into her eyes.
"An old man Jed's been working for and boarding with," put
in Sidney thoughtfully. "He lives up at the end of this street."
The teacher had only just removed her furs and wraps but
she put them on again instantly and explaining that she had a little
duty to perform, hurriedly left the house. Rushing along to the
end of the street, she found the log house of old Bunker Bates, and
after a long interview with the hard-faced old man, secured a
promise from him which relieved her considerably, then she went
to see Jed. The poor boy was taken entirely unawares. He was
sitting before an old, rough table, his head bowed over one arm.
At the sound made by the entrance of the teacher, he slowly raised
his head. Alas, this was something upon which he had not reck-
oned !Instantly shame and confusion dyed his face a dull red,
horror filled the depths of his midnight eyes he sat as if petrified.
;

Miss Bleeson put out her hand. "I'm sorry to find you in
trouble, Jed," she said ever so kindly. "Tell me about it." Jed
managed to take the proffered hand awkwardly it brought on the :

fright he had felt when she approached him at school he trembled ;

violently.
"Tell me, Jed," urged the visitor softly, and he felt a slight
pressure from her small fingers.
"Oh ——— I I Jed could not speak a word, he just hid his
" but
face in his arm on
the table and cried like a child. The school-
mistress, that loved everybody, was so touched to witness the big
fellow's misery, that she put her arm around his shoulder like
he was only a little boy, and cried with him. That was the first
caress, homeless, motherless, sisterless Jed had ever received, and
though he understood its gentle, sympathetic intent, it thrilled him
to his finger tips. moment it seemed he grew into a man.
In that
Miss Bleeson sat down beside him and talked encouragingly.
She told him she knew it was lack of friends and loving direction
that had brought him to this place. She expressed her faith in his
future, and suggested ways by which he could secure an education.
Jed's eyes never left her face as she talked. He watched the warm
color come and go under her soft, transparent skin he noted even- ;

curve of the rosy mouth, the droop of the eyelids, and the rich
gold of the hair that waved back from her fair forehead he drank ;

in every word that she uttered, even realizing the refinement of her
hnguage. Suddenly the distance between himself and this lovely
-irl seemed so great he sighed audibly.
 ;

THE St IK )( )l. < IVER THE "T \ I IK IK )l I i" 2\

"What's the matter?" asked Miss Bleeson gently.

"( )li — — was
T
just thinkin'." said Jed startled into reveal-
in- his thoughts, "I— — was just wondering — a—do you think
I
if
H a went
feller school and studied night and day for
to few a
years — do you think he could associate with — a — people you?" like
"led." she answered earnestly, "if you'll make a new start
and work as hard as I think you can, and if you'll keep as clean
as you are now, you will he far ahead of many boys I know."
"Oh, if you'll only show me the trail, I'll foller it, if T wade
through thorns to my chin," cried the young man his face alight.
"I hadn't never done any real wrong till now. When you come,
I just saw what I was I ——
couldn't stand to see you again and
— —
now that I that I well, anyway, I thought I'd clear out go to —
the devil and nobody 'ud care."
"Well, you see, somebody cared, Jed," smiled Miss Bleeson.
"1 cared, and you must come back to school."
"I can't now, I
—
" began Jed with a frightened, dismayed
look seeming for the first time to really sense his position.
"I have, practically, obtained your release," interrupted the
girl. "You will be out of here in time for the Christmas festivities,
you must come and get the Christmas spirit, and keep it all the
rest of your lfe."
—
"Oh, how oh, you are too good," breathed Jed, looking his
gratitude and nnworthiness.
"Not if you come up to my expectations," the teacher assured
him. She rose to go. Jed took her hand again, tremblingly, rev-
erently,
"Thank you, I'll make good or die tryin' " he promised sol-
emnly.
There never was anything in Blackgulch equal to the Christ-
mas celebration given by Miss Bleeson. Everybody came out
there was a fine program, a Christmas tree and a dance. It was
not so much what was going on, though that was far more enter-
taining than usual, it was the spirit of kindness prevailing that
made the evening memorable. There was no mistaking the gen-
uine love and good will in the little teacher's graciousness the ;

people recognized it, and returned it full measure. Besides, they

began to 'love one another,' thus the Christmas spirit swelled in
every breast in Blackgulch. Even Fanny Meyer made an ad-
mission.
"Say. Pa," she whispered during the dance, "I guess you did
alright when vou hired the little wafer. I reckon she's doing
more to tame Blackgulch than a half a dozen two-hundred-pound-
crs could have done with force beats all though I never would— —
have believed it."
Miss Blesson was the life of the affair, to be sure. After the
program she flitted around among the people, wishing everybody a
 :

IM PR( >VEM I- XI ER \

Merry Christmas. She danced with the big boys, the little boys,
the "trustees," and .k<l. Yes, Jed was there, holding his head
high and making the fun as he always did, but the observing ones
noticed the strange, subtle humility that marked a change in him.
There were sonic whisperings at first, hut it was soon evident Miss
Bleeson had so completely forgiven him that she would never think
of it again, so they followed her lead. When the party came to an
end. Hebe and Abe and fed were hovering around the school-
mistress each anxious to "see her home." Miss Bleeson laughingly
declared herself to be in somewhat of a predicament. Old Sidney
happening along, suggested, with his quiet smile, that the boys
draw lots for her company. They playfully agreed, and Sidney
was chosen to prepare the cuts, which he did while the crowd
lingered near making merry. Grinning Hebe drew first, then
out-spoken Abe took a turn, but Fate had reserved the winning
cut for Jed Ware. So Jed and Amy Bleeson started out together,
Hebe and Abe good-naturedly helping them down the first gully.
When Jed was taking leave of the teacher at Fanny's door,
he looked down at her, his eyes were very dark and deep and
tense, "Do you think," he asked hesitatingly, "do you believe that
when I have studied hard and been away to school that I will be
fit company for — —
for a girl like you?"
Miss Bleeson laughed, "O, you big Jed!" she murmured, but
there was a little catch in her voice, her eyes were very soft and
moist, she held out both her hands. Jed took them for one brief
moment. *

"Do you know who will be the next teacher over the 'tater
hole'?" he said.
"Yes," answered Miss Bleeson. "Jed Ware."

How Success Comes

The man who sticks has this lesson learned

—
Success doesn't come by chance it's earned
By pounding away: for good hard knocks
Will make stepping stones of the stumbling blocks.

The man who quits has a brain and hand

As good as the next but he lacks the sand
;

That would make him stick, with a courage stout,

To whatever he tackles, and fight it out.
— Selected.
 —

Male Female
MALLARD DUCK

Outlines for Scout Workers

BY DELBERT \V. PARR ATT. A. M.

THE MALLARD DUCK

"No duck is bad when appetite waits on digestion." Shakespeare.

i. r>y what other two names is the mallard known?

2. Wild ducks are generally divided into three classes. What are
they and why so called? To which class does the mallard belong?
3. Note size, shape, and color of the mallard. Contrast size and
color of male and female and explain why these differences.
4. Contrast shape of mallard's body with that of hen. Which
is boat-shaped? Give two reasons for this.
5. Note difference in feet of duck and chicken. Why this dif-
ference? Also difference in legs. Why this?
6. Contrast the duck's bill with that of the chicken, in shape,
size, and "teeth." Why these differences? Of what use are the teeth?"
7. On what does the mallard subsist, and how is it adapted to
procure its food? When does it feed? Why then?
8. Of what is its nest made? Where built? Why there? Does it
nest in our valley? If so, in what part?
9. About how many eggs to the setting? Of what color and
size are they? What are the principal enemies of the eggs and how
are the enemies warded off?
24 IMPRl >Vl MEN I EF \

10. The mallard is a swift, tireless flyer. What i- there about

his bodj to indicate this? Under what condition does he fly high?
Why? Fly low? Win What is the best weather for duck hunt
Whs
11. The duck nils itself. How and why?
12. The tame duck comes from the mallard. In what interesting
particular are they alike even today?
13. What is meant hy the duck malady, and what is being done

t" help the duck in this connection?

14. Should we protect the wild ducks' Why? Mow is this being
tl< net What is mean! l>y the duck season?

BANDY MATERIAL
"1 have given yon roe and reindeer,
I have given you brant and beaver,
1 tiled the marshes full of wild-fowl,
Pilled the river full of fishes."
— Longfellow.
Ducks are divided into three classes sea ducks, river ducks, —
and fish ducks. There are about one hundred species of sea
ducks. They are found in large flocks, in open places, on large
lakes, bays, etc. They do not, as a rule, "tip up" when feeding,
but dive deep for their food, which consists mainly of animal mat-
ter, but not including fish. These ducks have the hind toe bordered
with a rounded membrane or lobelike web. They are generally
day feeders. With the exception of the canvas-back, sea ducks
are not good for food.
The river clucks (fifty species) include most of our river
and pond ducks. They do nut dive for their food, only "tip up."
They feed in shallow places on animal and vegetable matter, such
as roots, seeds, snails, and insects. The hind toe has no lobe.
The fish ducks are narrow billed. They have lobed toe, and
dive for food which consists mostly of fish. There are only three
species in North America, none of which is good for food.
The mallard, also known as Wild Duck and Greenhead, is
one of the river clucks. It is twenty-three inches long and has a
brilliantly colored head, chestnut breast, with white ring around
lower part of neck. The belly and sides are nearly white, barred
with fine, wavy lines of black and white. The back is brown with
some black. The female is mottle, buffy, and brownish black.
The male is larger and brighter in color, larger to protect the fe-
male, and brighter in color to attract the female in mating season.
Indeed the differences between male and female in color and
size are so pronounced that one, not acquainted with the birds,
would scarcely take them to belong to the same family group. The
strong characteristics of the male have given the name by which
both he and the female are known. The word, mallard, comes
from tualc and ard, male referring to the sex and arcl to the degree
of the sex. The mallard, therefore, is a male with strong sex
 OUTLINES Mik SCO! I WORKERS 25

qualities. The suffix ard, as here used, has the same significance
as in coward, drunkard, and laggard —
that of abundance or excess.
Mallards mate much earlier than do any of the other birds
thus far studied. Their season for pairing is during the late
autumn and winter months. Since the showy colors and mark-
ings of the male are primarily to attract the female, it follows the
striking features of the male are most pronounced at this time.
Tn fact, during the summer months his coloring is nigh on as
somber as that of the female and in this regard, from laying
season to late fall, the two can scarcely be told apart. This dull,
gray-brown, sombre coloring so blends with the mallard's natural
surroundings that it affords a most excellent protection. By
squatting among reeds and grasses and remaining perfectly still,
the cluck is scarcely observed by searching enemies. Of course,
to the nesting female this non-attractive color is of special value in
this regard.
The mallard's body, being boat shaped, is adapted for swift
flying as well as floating.
The large breast muscles indicate a strong flyer. On clear
days very high, while on cloudy days it flies low. Hunters
it flies

take advantage of this fact in hunting ducks.

The nest is built of grass, leaves, and down from the duck's
breast. It is built along the banks of streams, and often on an
isolated island in mid-stream. The mallard lays from six to
twelve eggs of light blue or greenish gray, in size about that of
a small hen's e^. Whenever the sitting duck leaves her nest
she is particular in seeing that all the eggs are completely covered
with the down of which the nest is so abundantly provided.
The duck has an oil gland located on its back near the tail,
from which it gets oil to moisten its feathers.

Our domestic duck was originally a mallard. They both,

even now, have the same call for their young.
Our wild ducks, of late years, have been troubled with a
serious malady, from which many have died. The game com-
missioner has been investigating this trouble, but has been unable
to find its cause. It is thought that the disease may have been

caused by the emptying of the sewerage into Jordan River.

Section twenty-five of the fish and game law of our state pro-
vides for the protection of our wild ducks and specifies the sea-
son for hunting them. The section reads as follows:

Sec. 25. Ducks, Geese. Etc. Tt shall be unlawful for any person
wound, sliont at or have in his possession or to rob or
to take, kill,
destroy any nest, egg, or young of, any wild duck. goose, or snipe
This provision shall not prohibit the killing of not more than
twelve geese or twenty-five of all the birds mentioned in this Section,
in any one day, during the season allowed therefor, which shall com-
mence on the first day of October of each year and close on the
 :

26 IMPROVEMENT ERA
thirty-first day of December following, in all counties of the State,
except that the season shall close on the fifteenth day of March in
Washington, Kane, San Juan, Grand and Uintah Counties. In San-
pete, Beaver, Emery, Garfield, Wasatch, Iron, Millard and Juab
Counties there shall be a further open season each year which shall
begin on the fifteenth day of February- and close on the fifteenth day
of March following. In Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Box Elder, Utah
and Cache Counties there shall be a further open season during
the year nineteen hundred thirteen, only, which shall commence on
the fifteenth day of February and close on the fifteenth day
of March. But it shall be uillawful to take, kill, wound or
shoot any of said birds between six forty-five o'clock, p. m.,
and six-thirty o'clock a. m., the day following, during September
or October; or between six o'clock p. m., and six forty-five o'clock
a. m., on the day following, in November; or between five thirty-five
o'clock p. m., and seven o'clock a. m., on the day following in De-
cember; or between six forty-five o'clock, p. m. and six-thirty o'clock
a. m., on the day following, during all other portions of the open
season. Every person who shall violate any of the provisions of this
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and failure by the party in
possession to give satisfactory explanation shall be deemed prima
facie evidence of guilt.

References: Apgar's Birds of the United States; Students'

Reference Work, Vol. IT; Juvenile Instructor, October, 1914.

Governor Blease on Smoking

In a late address before the State Legislature, and recom-

mending that a law be passed to prohibit smoking in dining halls
and restaurants where women are present, Governor Blease of
South Carolina is reported to have said

"Those of you who are as old as I am will recall the time in South
Carolina when if a gentleman smoked a pipe or cigar while walking
along on the street by the side of a lady, he was not regarded as well
reared, and such a thing as smoking while riding in a buggy with a
young lady would not have been tolerated. But today we have not
only seen these things, but we have gone .a great deal further, and
too far. I regret exceedingly to know that people in South Carolina
(1 will not say gentlemen, nor will I say true men) sit in our public
dining rooms, restaurants and cafes and smoke cigars and foul little
cigarettes, and whiff and puff and blow the smoke out through their
nostrils, and this smoke is carried either by the natural breezes or the
current of an electric fan into the eyes, mouths and nostrils of refined
women.
"It makes me ashamed of my state. Tf I were in one of those
places with a lady and should sec a man light a cigarette or cigar I
would quietly ask him please not to smoke."

This applies to Utah and Tdaho as well.

 —

Free and Useful Education

BY E. G. PETERSON, DIRECTOR EXTENSION DIVISION, UTAH AGRI-

CULTURAL COLLEGE

[This article appropriate at this time of the year, when college

is
and other school work has just hegun. The author maintains that
"this is the time for all to scrutinize closely those human institutions
which have been so long in the making, and which the great war,
with its attendant reorganization, and our general tendency, toward
radical, if not reckless re-adjustment, may seriously jeopardize. The
public school system of America is of such power for good that only
the most careful consideration would justify us in radically modifying
or readjusting it. The end should be carefully considered from the
beginning, before any such action is taken." -Editors.]

Thepublic school system of America may well be called the

most powerful institution in the commonwealth, because the main
business of a democracy is education. The public schools have
again begun the year's work without visible celebration. To be
sure the event is an important one in the excited minds of the
youth, even at college age, who have failed yet fully to grasp the
tremendous necessity of mental training under especially modern
conditions of business enterprise. Yet the people in general have
come to accept the yearly opening of our colleges, high schools
and grades, as a matter of fact and, possibly, as the years pass, to
ascribe less and less significance to the event.
The public school system of America now includes three
great units the grammar grades, the high schools and the colleges.
:

As a powerful supplement to these there exist, in the richer centers,

various privately endowed institutions which have come to exer-
cise an enormous influence in the fields which are not so im-
mediately practical as those covered by the public school system.
The rich, endowed institutions are coming to be the largest con-
tributors in pure science and in the standardizing of our learning.
They are not impelled by a practical minded constituency to
orient their work with respect to immediate needs they thus fill an
;

important place in American education, which would without them

tend to become too immediately concerned with only the problems
at hand. Another large group of institutions are those of an ec-
clesiastical nature, where are trained the religious leaders in the
various denominations. These institutions are frequently most
powerful agencies, as in our own state, in the carrying forward of
educational ideals. Both the endowed institutions and the church
 ! !

28 IMPROVEMENT ERA
schools may be elementary, intermediate or advanced, or a combi-
nation of these.
It should be, and probably is, a prime consideration, with
Americans, to husband and jealously guard their public schools.
The blessing of free education has not come in a day it has
-

taken many thousands of years to develop to its present state of

sympathetic connection with the needs of the people. Since the
day when all learning was confined within the walls of monasteries,
and similar carefully guarded sanctuaries, countless brave and hard-
working men and women have toiled and suffered to produce our
present standards and ideals. Consider, in America, the wonder-
ful potentiality of the system. Avery large percentage of the
youth of America attend the grammar schools. Here, where the
soul of our democracy resides, the young are taught idealism
They drink, without restraint, of the fine traditions of mankind and
hear of the noble deeds of history. They feel, under the most
perfect conditions of freedom and lack of prejudice, probably
vaguely btit nevertheless indelibly, the breath of civilization. As
they go higher they see the fine thread which connects all the
world and all time in a pathetic and wonderful story of conquest
against evil. They read the noblest that has been written they ;

begin to dream great dreams their souls charge valiantly the

;

great summits of the unknown they feel keenly the drama of life
;

and they wish ardently to play a noble part

To be sure this idealism and nobility of thought which the
school gives them, if it gives them anything, must be adjusted in
high school and college, if the young man or woman goes on, or
in practical life if he enters the work of the world immediately, as
ninety-five of every hundred do. The growing mind sees the
necessity of common work and must somehow fit himself into the
world as it is. He therefore must begin to plan in a very ordinary
and matter-of-fact way for his job in a world of men who work
long hours and care most for what he is able to do to increase the
output. But he does not forget the idealism of his early days,
he thinks of it as he goes from work, he confides it to those he
holds most high in his mind. Even the seemingly hard-souled
man who rules the factory or farm, or business house or other
human institution where he works, when the day is done, dreams
again of his ideals, of a world as it should be, not as it is. What
a freshening of the spirit; what a bulwark is this to a nation or
state in time of stress that their citizens are dreamers, after work-
ing hours!
Bless the public school and the tiny souls who teach the nation
its A B C's and its three R's, and say first the wonderful things
about truth, virtue, honor, patriotism, sacrifice and reverence.
We are free men and women, but we should realize that such
institutions as our elementary schools, high schools and colleges
 FREE AND USEFUL EDI CATION 29

are sacred in that the blood and thought of men over countless
ages have been given that we may be so blessed. We should guard
them carefully, always insisting that they live up to the faith
which we give to them. They must not falter in their teaching
of truth, they must not become the home of henchmen snobbery
;

of mind or social disposition must never again find place in them.

They must live close to the people, feeding the souls of the men
and women, who come and go, with the finest thought of the race.
They must not look down upon those about them they must live
;

the life and breathe the aspiration of the men and women who
toil. They must not talk of classes and think that one is greater
than another, except by his service to others. While they should
teach men and women to dream by showing them what the world's
best children have done, they should prepare them for productive
occupation. They should make them creative citizens, primarily
men and women who become skilled instruments in the production
of food, the manufacture of food and machines, the adjusters and
administrators of business enterprise, reclaimers of waste places,
and women trained in the nurturing of families. All this is the
privilege of the school. And to the teacher is given the great
privilege of awakening to new life great mentalities, nurtured by
clean and powerful blood strains, which the injustice of the ages
has held down in ignorance and sometimes unwholesomeness.
While our schools and colleges have become free so that all
may enter, they must become practical so that all will wish to
enter. They teach now the common, fundamental things and are
developing a new type of citizen who thinks less of the frills of
our civilization and more of the few simple, underlying things
which make civilization possible. In the new civilization there are
—
two figures which loom large the farmer and the housewife. For-
gotten through all the ages these two figures have come down the
least defiled, the guardians always of purity, the defenders always
of righteousness. They have come to a place of great honor.
Today we have crowned them with the crown of our most sacred
consideration. They comprise the majority of our citizenship, they
build our churches and schools. Cities are possible only because
they feed from them.
Is the time not ripe when the best which our civilization af-
fords should be laid at their feet? Should we not rather hasten
to shape our schools and our colleges to their needs ? Let us no
longer falsely decorate our lives with things that do not count
in the last analysis. Let us openly and in straight-forwardness
build our civilization upon the soil.
LOGAN. UTAH
 —

Man Sent of God

ii

BY NEWEL K. YOUNG

"God's plan is an eternal plan. What is inwrought there abides. Noth-

ing conceivable can give such abiding worth to a man's life as that he
should have identified his aims with the eternal purposes of God." Henry
Churchill King.

In a former paper we have shown that the feeling and con-

viction that one is sent into the world of God is an abiding source

of inspiration and strength throughout life. We saw, too, that

while it is instinctive, we have had revealed to us through our
modern prophet that we are so sent. We noticed, briefly, the
effects of this feeling and conviction on the lives of Jesus, the
Prophet Joseph, and our two greatest national heroes in American
history. Then we gave the testimony of the great modern scholars,
a college president, and sought the witness of our own souls we ;

found this feeling to be universal also.

We purpose now to cite other examples, to find the basis or
ground work of this instinct or feeling; and to call attention to the
opportunity and responsibility of those who are charged with the
training of the young to cultivate this feeling until it blooms into
the fruitful flower of an eternal conviction.
We will find it both interesting and instructive to review the
lives of the following men, to see the suggestive witness of how
great a part the belief that they were sent into the world by God
to do each his own work has played in the making of their
lives.
Nephi, Samuel, King David, Moroni (both of them), Daniel,
Livingston, Jacob Riis, Henry Churchill King, President Joseph
F. Smith, and Elder Heber J. Grant. Each reader may add to
the list a host of others.
Nor will it be less interesting to trace the effects of this
feeling in our own lives.
The revelation that man is sent into the world to do the
Father's business is grounded or rooted in the great basic, fun-
damental truth of the literal Fatherhood of God and the common
sonship of man, culminating in the brotherhood of Christ. From
this doctrine of the common Fatherhood of God spring all the
"mighty hopes that make us men." This great truth, that man is
 ;

MAN SENT OF GOD 31

God's offspring, his child, charges life with meaning and rich
worth now and here, and secures in certainty his future, after
death.
This well understood by those of us who accept as the sure
is
word of God
the Holy scriptures, but for those who in the too
common spirit of the day question our purely religious sources, I
will give the witness of some of the scholars of our own time, at
just this point.
Dr. Gordon says, "Life is a great training-school of which
the earth is only the primary department. Christ is the first fruits,
the example, after which little by little our Father is patterning
all his children."

While Prof. Wm. Adams Brown speaks thus, "It was because
he [Jesus] realized as no one before him had ever realized, what
divine Fatherhood might mean for a human life, and because he
entered so completely into the experience of sonship. It was, in
a word, because he showed us once and for all what man at his
best may be, and so made belief in his ultimate destruction for
ever impossible. * :|:
He gives such dignity to human
:;:

nature that its endless continuance seems natural and worthy.

He discloses to us all capacities within ourselves which justify
our instinctive hope and the new experience of sonship into which
;

he leads, gives us the pledge of endless life in the Father's house."

The witness of President Henry Churchill King that I
wish to give reads thus, "Nothing can give such meaning to life
as to know that one has a part, a real part, his own unique part, the
part of a son of God, to play in life, that he has his own individual
flavor that no other soul can exactly reproduce. He has the joy
of a divine calling, of a divinely given individuality, and the joy
of giving this in those personal relations in which he is placed."
My own testimony is that no other thought or conviction has
given me such joy and comfort and inspiration as the assurance
that God is my Father. It has enriched and glorified life for me,
even in the midst of pain, and poverty and sorrow. It enlarges
and enriches every relation of life, and makes holy and enduring
all the loves and affections of the heart.
I have watched the effects of the faith that God is our Father,

on the lives of scores of our young people from the very time that
it first entered their hearts, and have noted their growth in beauty

and strength and Godliness under its influence.

If God is our Father, then he has called us to do his work
and when we make the dominant motive of our lives the doing of
"Father's will," it is no abject submission, no giving up of life,
but is rather the glorious sharing of a joyful partnership of son
—
and Father, and leads one into the fulness of life rich, enduring,
eternal life.

In noting the influence upon the Savior's life of the belief

 :;

32 I M PRi >VI-.M ENT EF \

that he was sent to do his Father's business, we should call atten-

tion to the part his mother played during his boyhood the rich, —
awful, critical years of youth. "His mother kept all these say-
ings in her heart." All the sayings that told of the mission of
her boy, that pointed to him as a Child of promise, were treasured
in her heart. Ah can we not in memory and appreciation of our
!

own mothers' part in the making of our manhood, get some in-
sight here into the part played by this the greatest of all women,
divinely chosen to bear and rear the Son of God, in the nurture
and making of this Man who became our Christ?
I believe this humble, pure, loving woman did exert a great
influence in making their village home in Nazareth a fit place in
which to rear the Christ-child. The biographer Luke has said,
''The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom
and the grace of God was upon him."
I hold that for a child's father and mother to have treasured

in their hearts the feeling that their child is sent into the world to
help to do the Father's business is a rich heritage to which every
child is entitled. This feeling should be cultivated until the
parents' and the child's lives are aglow with it. All their relations
with each other, their words and acts, their attitude toward life
always and everywhere, should be enriched and glorified by this
feeling.
Consider just here the part Hannah took in Samuel's life
the influence of the mothers ofHelaman's sons the encourage- ;

ment-given our boy-prophet, Joseph, by his mother, and perhaps

of equal or greater importance the sympathetic support of his
father and the wonderful influence of Lincoln's mother upon his
:

whole life. Then let us never forget the remarkable testimonies

that President Joseph F. Smith and Elder Heber J. Grant bear
of the mighty influence their mothers had upon their lives. Very
early their godly mothers had instilled into their hearts the faith
that they were to work as God's servants among his people.
Only by giving such inspiration as is suggested in the last
two paragraphs may parent or teacher or friend give the help that
is needed by our boys and girls if they are to fulfil the promises

of the Lord to and for them. Only so can we turn their faces to
the stars, and plant their feet firmly in the way of life. Thus may
they come into a fulness of the richest possible service of their
loved ones and their fellows, thereby realizing the supreme joy
of life here, and eternal lives hereafter.
KAYSVILLE, UTAH
 — —

On what Day was Jesus Christ Crucified?

BY ELDER F. M. DARTER

[By request from a number of people who arc interested in the

discussion of this topic, this article is printed for the benefit of
students. In the Improvement Era, Vol. 3, page 89, there is a paper
by C. F. Watkins, on the same subject; and the reader is also referred
to a discussion on "How Long was Christ in the Tomb?" by Rev.
T. H. Cleland, D. D., first printed, many years ago, in the "Courier
Journal," and reprinted in the "Millennial Star," January 31. 1887.
Most of us are content to take for granted the statement of the scrip-
tures, that the Savior was "three days and three nights in the heart of
the earth," and to go on with work seemingly of more importance than
discussing the disputed question of how this could be, and how the
four gospels may be harmonized touching the point at issue which —
point, however, has been made frequently "the sport of infidel satire
and ridicule." Editors.]

The world as a whole accepts Friday (commonly called "Good

Friday") as the day of the Crucifixion. If this be true, then, in that
event, Christ's own words have failed to come true. However, to
this I cannot agree rather, I am led to say, "let his words remain
;

true (as indeed they are), though the opinions of all men be in
!"
error
we have more than sufficient evidence from the
I rejoice that
New Testament writings to prove that the sign which Jesus Christ
gave to the scribes and Pharisees viz., that he was the Christ
;

did come true, as recorded in Matt. 12:38-40, both inclusive:

"Thencertain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, say-

ing, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
"But he answered, and said unto them, An evil and adulterous
generation seeketh after a sign;
"And there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet
Jonah; for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's
belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the
heart of the earth."

The question then arises, did Jesus Christ give the world a
true sign that we might know if he be the true Christ? The
answer is that he surely did. There are three things in this sign to
which I desire to call your attention :

First: The and Pharisees were endeavoring to dis-

scribes
prove Jesus Christ's own words, that they might have reason for
rejecting him but the Savior, being fully aware of the motive
;

which prompted them to question him, answered them in such a

 :

34 LMPRI >VEMENT ERA

manner that they were unable to find fault with him. Therefore,
we must accept this sign as being true.
Second: The time allotted for his hody to lie in the tomb
was three days and three nights — no more and no less.
Third: No portion of time (72 hours) was to be spent
on the cross, as Jesus plainly stated — "In the heart of the earth."
this

We also find the three days and three nights mentioned in the
Book of Jonah 1:11:
"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.
And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."

We also have a reference to the time recorded in the Book

of Mormon, III Nephi, 8:20, 23:

"And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the
face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not
fallen could feel the vapor of darkness;
"And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days,
and there was no light seen."

Also, in Book of Mormon, III Nephi, 10:9:

"And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away.
"And it was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off
the face of the land."

Also in Mark 8:31:

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer
many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests,
and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."

This is sufficient to prove that his body was to remain in the

grave three days and three nights.
The second subject which I wish to take up is

WHEN WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED?

Matt. 26:1-5 inclusive:

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings,
he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the Passover,
and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.
"Then assembled together the chief priests and the scribes, and
the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was
called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty,
and kill him.
"But they said. Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar
among the people."

From the above reference, we learn that the Lord's Passover

was nigh at hand, and that the Scribes and the Pharisees were de-
termined to kill him.
Matt. 26:17-20, inclusive:
 : :

ON WHAT DAY WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED? 35

"Now the first day of the least of unleavened bread, the disciples
came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for
thee to eat the passover?
"And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him,
The Master saith. My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy
house with my disciples.
"And the disciples didas Jesus had appointed them; and they
made ready the passover.
"Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve."

It is probable that the above question was asked an hour or

so before the first day of unleavened bread actually begun, which
began at 6 p. m. Wednesday, which was the beginning of the
Lord's passover, being the 14th day of the 1st month (Nisan.) The
exact hour of the Lord's passover was midnight, being the hour
that the destroying angel passed over Egypt, and it is at this sup-
per that the paschal lamb is roasted by fire and eaten with un-
leavened bread.
And the remainder of this chapter states that Christ tells the
twelve that one of them would betray him he also at the same ;

time gave them the Lord's Supper; Luke 22:15, refers to the
same:
"And he said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this
passover with you before I suffer."

From the two above-mentioned references, we have Christ's

own words to the twelve, stating that he would eat the passover
with them he also makes the statement at this supper table
;

"With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you."

This settles the question as to Christ eating the passover with the
twelve before he suffered.
After this supper was over, they sang a hymn, and Jesus re-
tired to the Mount of Olives, and it was there, on that same night,
that he was betrayed by Judas (verses 26-46). He was carried
before the high priest's house in the dark of the night, and before
the Sanhedrin, or Council at daybreak; (see Luke 22:66) and,
from the council to Pilate. You will note that the Jews made quick
work of the trial, for they were determined to crucify him before
the Sabbath began, which was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and
which began at 6 o'clock p. m., Wednesday, on this occasion, as
the day closed at 6 p. m., in that age. The Roman power has
changed the limits of our day from 6 p. m. to midnight, as it now
exists. This brings up the question :

When was the Lord's Passover? and What is the Feast

of Unleavened BreadI? Do They Come on the Same Day?
These are important questions which must be answered.
We have in Leviticus, 23 :5, 6
"In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's
Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is (he Feast of
36 IM PR( >VEMENT KRA
Unleavened Bread unto the Lord: Seven days ye must eat unleavened
bread."

And, Luke 22:7, 8:

"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must
be killed.
"And he sent Peter and John, saying — Go and prepare us the
Passover, that we may eat."

Thus we see that on the day of the Lord's Passover, the

paschal lamb is killed and eaten. This is not a day on which no
work is performed, but is a preparation day for the following- day,
which is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, on which day no work is
performed, but which is rather a day of holy convocation. And
the records tell us that Christ was crucified on the Preparation
Day, and that the next day was a Sabbath Day, not a common —
Sabbath day that comes fifty-two times a year, but a High Sab-
bath.

Luke 23:52-54: "This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body
of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it
in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was
laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on."
John 19:31: "The Jews, therefore, because it was the Prepara-
tion, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sab-
bath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that
their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away."

The revised version makes no change in John 19:31. Mark

15:25:

"And it was the third hour, and they crucified him."

Matt. 27; 45: "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over
all the land until the ninth hour." (See Matt. 27:33-53.)
Mark 15:34-37: "And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud
voice, saying * * * My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me? * * * And Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up the
ghost."

Fromthe above five references, we learn that the day of the

Crucifixion was on the Preparation Day, which was Wednesday,
as we shall prove later also, that the hour of the Crucifixion was
;

9 :00 o'clock in the morning, and that he died at 3 :00 p. m. the

same day. The last three hours that the Savior hung on the cross
there was darkness over all the land. Matt. 27:45.
Wehave followed the events down to 3 :00 p. m. Wednesday,
which leads us up to the hour that the Savior gave up the ghost.
Now, the disciples, not knowing which was the best course to
pursue, it required time for them to decide upon their plans and
to put them into effect. Their time was also limited, as only three
hours remained in that day, which was the Preparation Day also ;

the Lord's passover, being the 14th day of the 1st month (Nisan).
 —

ON WHAT DAY WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED? 37

We find the record of events which followed the hour of his

death in Mark 15:42, 43:

"And now whenthe even was come, because it was the Prepara-
tion, that the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an
is,

honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God,

came and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus."
Luke 23:52-54: "This man went unto Pilate, and begged the
body of Jesus.
"And he took it down and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a
sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was
laid.
"And that day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew on."

We know that the disciples could not have returned to Jeru-

salem from Golgotha (Calvary), which was on the outskirts of
Jerusalem, and obtained permission from Pilate to take the body
down. Pilate first had to ascertain if he was dead they also had
;

to get linen in which to wrap his body; also, probably water with
which to wash the blood from the body, as well as find a tomb in
which to bury him. All this could not be accomplished in less than
three hours. Therefore, the time of burial was right at 6 :00 p. m.,
which was the close of the day (Wednesday) and the beginning
of Thursday, which was a Sabbath day. Now, you may say, The
Sabbath must be on a Saturday. However, this is in error, for
"Sabbath" means rest, and the Jews had several feast and rest days
which they called Sabbath days.
The day following the Preparation Day (or day of Cruci-
fixion) is called a Sabbath day by Mark —
IS :42, Luke 23 :54 also ;

John 19:31. This Sabbath day could not be a Saturday, because

the sign of three days and three nights that his body would be in
the heart of the earth must come in between the hour of burial and
hour of resurrection. We have already proven that his body
could not have been put in the tomb before 6:00 p. m., Wednesday,
which closed the twenty-four hour day. Therefore, the 72 hours
—
began at this time viz., the end of Wednesday and beginning of
Thursday. This gives us the end of Saturday, or beginning of
Sunday; but one minute past 6:00 p. m., Saturday would be Sun-
day, the hour of Resurrection.
Before taking up the question of the Hour of Resurrection, T
wish to call your attention to the fact that Israel had more than one
Sabbath, and that the greater part of them fell on a certain day of
the month, and not on a certain day of the week.
I have already called your attention to the day on which the
Passover occurred, as recorded in Lev. 23:5, 6, being the 14th day
of the 1st month, and that the Feast of Unleavened Bread came
on the 15th day of the same month, which is a Sabbath day. Also.
Mark, Luke and John tell us that the day following the day of
Crucifixion or Preparation was a Sabbath day.
 : : :

38 [MPROVEM ENT ERA

Lev. 23:24 says: "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, in —
the 7th month, in the first clay of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath,
a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation."

Still another Sabbath is recorded in Lev. 23 :27, 32

"Also, on the 10th day of the 7th month there shall be a day of
atonement; it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall
afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord."

And the 32nd verse says: "It shall be unto you a Sabbath rest."

Also, Lev. 23:24 says: "The fifteenth day of this seventh month
shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord."
Thus, in this case, there are only five days between the 10th
day of the seventh month and the 15th day of the seventh month.
And, in the same chapter, verse 38 reads
"Besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, and besides your gifts, and be-
sides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings, which ye
give unto the Lord."

Youwill note that the word "Sabbath" is recorded as plural

in the above 38th verse.
I have now given you sufficient proof that Thursday could
be a Sabbath Day, which it was on this occasion, being the Feast
of the Unleavened Bread, being the 15th day of the first month,
and that Jesus had eaten the Lord's Passover with his disciples
on the night of the 14th day of the first month. You will bear in
mind that the 12 hours of darkness came before the 12 hours of
daylight, as 6 p. m. closed the 24-hour day. This appears to
be the same order as was set in the beginning of this world's time.
Gen. 1 :5 says "And God called the light day, and the dark he
:

called night, and the evening and the morning were the first day."
I can also prove that there were three full days Thursday, —
—
Friday and Saturday between the day of the Crucifixion and the
Day of Resurrection, by using both the revised and King James'
versions of the New Testament.

—
Mark 16:1 (revised version)
Mary Magdalene, and Mary,
says: "And when the Sabbath zvas
the mother of James, and Salome,
past,
bought spices, that they might come and anoint him."
From this we Mary returned from the sepulchre
learn that
Wednesday about 6 m. and rested Thursday, the Feast of Un-
p.
leaven Bread, a Sabbath day, and bought spices on Friday. The
same meaning is expressed in King James' version, Mark 16:1 :

"And when the Sabbath zvas past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the
mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they
might come and anoint him."
The same story is here told, thai is, that she did not buy
spices until the Sabbath was past. Luke 23:56, takes the events
up at this point, and goes on
 —

ON WHAT DAY WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED? 39

"And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and

rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment."
This Sabbath day was Saturday.
As we in this age often have two holidays in one week, so did
the Jews have two holy Sabbath days in one week,
as on this oc-
casion, the first being Thursday, the Feast of the
Unleavened
Bread, and the second being Saturday, the regular weekly Sabbath
day.

Matt. 28:1, "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn

2:
toward the day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other
first
Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake;
for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and
rolled
back the stone from the door, and sat upon it."

This is an account of Mary's first visit to the sepulchre. The

Revised Version tells us :
"late on the Sabbath."
Matt. 28:5-10 tells of the events of Mary's third visit to the
sepulchre, but on her first visit she learns nothing as to where the
Lord's body had been taken. The first visit is also verified by
John 20:1, 2:
"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when
itwas yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the
sepulchre. Then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the
other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said unto them; They have
taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we knozv not where they
have laid him."

Thus yousee that Mary did not learn that the Lord had been
resurrected nor did she see any angels on that visit.
;

John 20:3-10 tells us of the return of Mary with Peter

and John to the sepulchre, but they found nothing, nor did they
learn anything in regard to where the Lord's body had been
taken, this being Mary's second visit. The 9th and 10th verses
say:
"For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again
from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own
homes."
Verses 11-19 tells of Mary seeing the two angels at the
sepulchre, also of her seeing the Lord; but John does not tell us
if Mary remained at the sepulchre until morning. (Which she
did not). However, Mark and Luke, in giving their description
of the Resurrection, mention the last visit of Mary, which would
be the third, for they say she came at the rising of the sun. Mark
16: 1, 2: "And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet
spices that they might come and anoint him." Second verse:
"And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they
came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."
 :

40 IMPR< >VEMENT KRA

The first verse tells of Mary's resting on Thursday, the feast

of Unleavened Bread, and then buying spices on Friday, and the
second verse of the last or third visit, which was at sunrise Sun-
day morning. Luke 24:1, 2, 3:
"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had
prepared, and certain others with them.
"And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre."
"And they entered it and found not the body of the Lord Jesus;
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold,
two men stood by them in shining garments."

And the following verses of the above chapter tell of the con-
versation that she had with the angels, and meeting the Lord a
—
few minutes later this being the first information that Mary had
received.
Luke 24 9 :

"And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto
the eleven, and to all the rest."

The 12th verse says:

"Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping
down, he beheld th" linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed,
wondering in himself at that which was come to pass."

Now, was the second visit of Peter, for upon Peter's

this
first visit, Mary had
told him and John that she had found the
sepulchre open, and that they knew not where the Lord's body
had been laid. And Peter returned home the second time but he ;

had Mary's testimony that she had :>een the angels, and that she
had seen the Resurrected Lord that he, as well as the angels, had
;

instructed her on her sunrise visit Sundav morning to "Go tell

my disciples to meet me in Galilee." (See Matt. 28:8-10).
While Mary did not meet the Lord until sunrise Sunday, yet
she was an eye witness to the fact that the Lord's body had been
out of the tomb from the end of the Sabbath (Saturday) to the
beginning of Sunday.
I have already called your attention to the fact that the Lord

gave up the ghost at 3 :00 p. m. and could not have been buried
before 6:00 p. m., which closed the 24-hour day; therefore, this is
almost sufficient proof that the Lord was resurrected at the close
of Saturday and beginning of Sunday it was on Sunday ; the —
first hour.

Matt. 2S; "Tn the end of the Sabbath, as it began In dawn

1:
toward the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
fust of tlie
to see the sepulchre." Or "late on lie Sabbath" as given in the Re
I

vised Version.

"In the end of the Sabbath" does not mean twelve hours into
 :

ON WHAT DAY WAS C'lRIST CRUCIFIED? 41

the next day. It was on this visit that they found the tomb open.
(Saturday night the beginning of Sunday).
Mark 16:9, also speaks of him rising early, "Now when Jesus was
risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Mag-
dalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."

I have now given you evidence that the whole propo-

sufficient
sition may be summed up few words
in a
First. —That Christ ate the Passover Supper with the twelve.
This is also admitted by Dr. James E. Talmage in his "First Year
Outlines for the Sunday School Work."
—
Second. There were hasty proceedings during the night
after the paschal meal. This is also verified by Dr. James E.
Talmage in his above-mentioned Sunday School Outlines.
Christ being crucified at 9:00 a. m., died at 3:00 p. m.,
Wednesday; was buried at about 6:00 p. m., and his body re-
mained in the grave all of Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and
—
was resurrected on the very beginning of Sunday, vis., between
6:00 and 8:00 p. m. (Sunday beginning at 6:00 p. m.), but
was not seen by Mary until sunrise, on Sunday morning. Thus
have the scriptures been fulfilled to the letter.
My great difficulty in preparing this little article is that no
one writer of the New Testament has given us a complete chain
of history, each one giving a link here and a link there, but by
placing each link of the four writers we have practically a com-
plete chain.
Now you will bear in mind, that so far I have confined myself
to the Jewish month and week, but I have called their fourth day
of the week Wednesday, the seventh Saturday, and the first day
Sunday, which we know to be correct.
Inasmuch as historians have failed to agree as to the year of
the birth and crucifixion of our Lord, I will not undertake to dis-
cuss this question in this article, however, I will say that we have
good historical records to connect up the day of the week, month
and year of the crucifixion as above given, being Wednesday,
Nisan 14th, A. D., 33.
The Encyclopedia Britanica, under Day of the Jewish month
Nisan, states that the Passover came on Nisan 14th. The same
authority states that the early Christian tiaditions are unanimous
on this point. Also James Hastings, M. A., D. D., states in his
Dictionary of the Bible, under title, Jesus Christ, that the date of
crucifixion was on Nisan l^th, it also being the day of the Pass-
over, and that the Feast of Unleavened Bread was on the 15th to
21st inclusive. He mentions the fact (in his Dictionary of the Bible,
Vol. 1, page 411, under "Chronology of the N. T.") that historians
have failed to agree on the year of crucifixion he therefore fur-
;

nishes us a true table showing on what day of the week Nisan

 :

42 IMPROVEMENT ERA
14th came, for the years 28 to 33 inclusive, taken from the sub-
joined table c. f. Salmon, Introduction to N. T., Appendix to
Lecture XV. Mas Latrie, Trcsor dc Chronologic, page 94, as
follows
A. D. 28 Saturday March 27
A. D. 29 Friday April 15
A. D. 30 Tuesday April 4
A. D. 31 Saturday March 24
A. D. 32 Saturday April 12
A. D. 33 Wednesday April 1

as per present Christian calendar. Therefore, knowing the day

of the week, day of the month, and between what limit of years
the crucifixion is known to have taken place, with this calendar
before us, the question of the year solves itself, being Wednesday,
Nisan 14th, A. D. 33.
James Hastings in the above referred to Vol. 1, page 412 and
413, quotes several early writers who give A. D. 33 as the date
of the crucifixion. We also have in Haydn's Dictionary of Dates,
24th edition, under "Crucifixion of Jesus Christ," quotation of
A. D. 33 from Usher. We are told by Murdock in his translations
of Dr. Moshcim's Institutes, that "The birth of Christ was made
an era from which to reckon dates," and we are told in the Book
of Moses, 5 :57 that the Lord's birth was to come in the meridian
of time "For they would not harken unto his voice, nor believe
:

on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should

come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the
foundation of the world." Therefore, the birth of Christ would
come on the beginning of year One then from Salmon's table,
;

as shown by James Hastings, we have his age at the crucifixion

as 33 years old.
We are told in the Book of Mormon, III Nephi 2 :8, that they,
the Nephites, began their time at the sign of the birth of Christ,
which was two days connected together by continual light. Also
that the sign of crucifixion took place on the 34th year, 4th day
of the 1st month, which gives us his age at the time of crucifixion
as 33 years and 4 days, which checks with Salmon's table, and is
also the unanimous traditional report as to his age at date of
the crucifixion.
We have also in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 20, that
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized
April 6th, 1830, it being 1830 years since the coming of our
Lord in the flesh. B. H. Roberts accepts this authority as being
better than any other to be had. Joseph Smith also accepts this
date as being 1830 years from the birth of Christ, and says that the
crucifixion took place on the same day 33 years latter. (Recorded
in Church History). William Smith's Dictionary of the Bible,
under "Jesus Christ" states that the 14th day of Nisan came on
April 6, on this occasion.
 — —

ON WHAT DAY WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED? 43

From the above references the crucifixion was on Wednesday,

Nisan 14th, A. D. 33, and very probably April.
We have proven "Good Friday" false, not only as far as the
day of the week is concerned, but the day varies as much as 33
days as to the year for, the rule says Good Friday is the first
; —
Friday preceding Easter Sunday Easter Sunday is the first Sun-
;

day after the first full moon after the 21st of March. This gives
us March 21 as the first limit and April 26 as above the latest
limit.
The above subject was first treated by the delineator in chart
form, with the prime object in view to prove to the theological
class of Long Beach that Jesus has proved himself the Christ in
every instance. This little piece of history and truth, the writer be-
lieves, is indeed worth while .for every believer in Jesus Christ
to know. I have spent many ^months in verifying each step that

has been taken, and if the article be sufficient to prove the above
statements to your mind, all the reward I ask is that you pass it to
someone else.
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

The Miracle of Day

I rode through the fields at dawn with my Friend,
Asthe world in slumber lay,
To see from a bluff at the river's bend
The Miracle of the day.
Silent we sat in solemn awe.
Watching the great sun rise,
When clear and sweet from a nearby haw
A meadowlark sang to the skies.
The air was a-throb with his thrilliner lay,
"It's here! It's here! The beautiful day!"
The daisy smiled as a waking child
At the
kiss of the risen sun,
And the m'ountains laved in the sunlight wave
'Round the circling horizon.
The Zephyr tripped from its mystic crypt,
A-dancing joyously,
And the song of the Knight Invisible
Was magic-read to me,
"Man seeth not God's mysterious way.
But he liveth, and giveth each beautiful day."
The river's song as it rushed along
On its journey to the sea,
Was a sermon clear that all things here
In a chosen place must be.
With a glow in my breast I gazed in the west
At the melting Morning Star,
Keeping its course in the vast, calm skies,
Where million miracles are,
And I seemed to see God smile at me
Through miracles near and far.
GEORGE, UTAH Ethel Jarvis
ST.
 —

A "Mormon" Captain in the British Army

BY F. C. STEELE

Ordinarily, promotion in the British army is very slow, but this

rule has certainly been broken in the case of Captain Hyde W. Taylor,
of Magrath, Alberta, who is now in Canterbury, England, with the
famous Hussars, a cavalry regiment. Captain Taylor is a "Mormon"
boy, born and reared in the West, and his rapid rise in the ranks
is due largely to the broad, generous, comprehensive view he takes
of things.
Entering the Canadian militia, three years ago, his abilities were
soon recognized by his superior officers. He developed a remarkable
insight' into military affairs, and
showed a tact and initiative so
essential to the make-up of a
successful officer. His promo-
tion was rapid and when the war
broke out last August Taylor
held the rank of lieutenant.
When the call for volunteers
came he promptly enlisted and
was entrusted with a portion of
the recruiting work. The 13th
Canadian Mounted Rifles were
organized shortly after. Lieut.
Taylor was given command of a
company, a commission he held
during the training at Cardston
and later at Sarcee Camp, near
the city of Calgary.
One day last summer a call
came for a detachment from the
13th. for overseas service. Col.
Kemmis chose Lieut. Taylor tc
take [this important command.
He was
elevated shortly after
to the rank of Captain. When
the troops left the C. P. R. depot
CAPT. HYDE W. TAYLOR. for their long journey over land
and sea, there were many wet eyes among Capf. 'lavlor's company.
And there were tears— big tears— in the Captain's eyes as he shook
their hands, perhaps for the last time. Bearded veterans, men who
went through the Boer War, were loath to lose this boyish, clean,
pleasant, efficient officer. They wanted to follow him in the charge
because he had won their confidence.
In this commission, as in all others, Capt. Taylor proved himself
equal to the occasion. Although young in military experience, he
landed his charge safely in England, receiving the warm congratula-
tions of his higher officers.
In England he was ordered to Canterbury, where he became at-
tached to the cavalry division of the Imperial Army. He is still there
awaiting orders to proceed with his regiment to the front.
Recently, Capt. Taylor had the proud distinction of attending a
banquet held in London in honor of Premier Borden, of Canada, who
was then on an official mission in Europe.
Capt. Taylor is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hyrum W. Taylor, and
is a grandson of President John Taylor. From both parents he in-
herits a faculty for leadership. —
The Siddoways his mother's family
have been soldiers and sailors for generations back. He is thus
sustaining the traditions of his family.
RAYMOND, TANATIA
 Incompetence

BY F. W. COPE

Sitting- on a pleasant hillside, one day, enjoying the sunshine

of an autumn morning, with thoughts barely employed, my atten-
tion was attracted to a monster steam shovel digging its iron jaws,
armored with mighty teeth of steel, into the face of the bank of
earth and rock. Each bite of this monstrous jaw left its imprint on
the perpendicular wall which, at every few strokes, fell in ava-
lanches of dust and earth.
This mighty engine, creeping slowly on and on, soon had
leveled the hill, and the work of ages performed by the forces of
nature, with the aid of wind, water and the vast upheavals of
internal exertion, disappeared. In its place was a level expanse
I ground upon which will soon appear lawns, trees, and flowers,
to delight the eyes of thousands of God's children.
Standing near the steam shovel, diligently employed, was a
mere man, attacking with his whole might, with the aid of a hand
shovel, this same bank. His movements were more rapid, his
shovel was loaded and emptied more frequently, but the results
were so pitiful in comparison that I was struck with his extreme
impotence. Where each bite of the machine tore great holes in
the bank, and each load was sufficient to fill a car, the load taken
up by the human machine, after leaving his shovel, was often dis-
sipated by the breeze and hardly reached the bottom of the hill.
A lifetime of physical effort could scarcely accomplish the results
of a few days' labor by the mighty monster using the latent forces
of steam.
So it is in all the activities of man, when physical strength is
matched against the properly controlled forces of nature. So it is
in comparison of the bow and arrow, used in the hunt and in war-
fare by primitive man and the savage and the Herculean engines
;

of modern warfare employed in the present European war, the

greatest in all the world's history. This applies also in the human
Egyptian development and the modern
effort resulting in the early :

methods of transportation and propulsion. Viewing physical man.

how puny, how impotent he is.

When God setour Father Adam in the Garden of Eden he

gave him dominion over all the beasts of the field, the fowls of the
air, the fishes of the sea, and bade him name them and prevail
over them. Was this right given through his physical power over
them? Relieve a man of all intelligence, except sufficient to search
46 I
M I'KOVEMENT ERA

out an existence, or such power as is given to the lower order of

animals, and a very few decades would see his extinction.
Before man was given dominion over the life-forms of this
earth, he was endowed with powers of majesty his mind. —
Through the development of the mind, man has been able to put
to use the forces of nature and make them subject to his will.
Watt's curiosity over the actions of the steam in the kettle,
and subsequent research, resulted in a multitude of steam-propelled
mechanisms.
Franklin's experiment with the key, the kite, and the light-
ning, added upon by the achievements of Edison and many others,
gave us the myriad electrical devices now known to man, and con-
trolled by him.
Westinghouse's application of the principle of compressed
air is another great power.
So we could continue through the innumerable inventions of
man, and find convincing proof that man is endowed with the
majesty and right to exercise dominion not only over the animals,
fowls, and fishes, but over every force of nature.
Were we to make comparison between the steam shovel ana
the tool used by hand, and man's physical endowments, with his
mental possibilities, even the comparison of the shovel would be
idle.
Man, in his physical self alone, is impotent even to gain that
which will sustain life ; endowed with the kingship of the mind he
is able to subdue all things, and rise to the highest pinnacle of
achievement, approaching the accomplishments of the Creator.
It is for us individually to choose our stations in life, and to
determine our standing here and in the life to come, whether they
shall be impotent or competent, whether we shall do our work
by physical force, or by the unconquerable power of mind.
FOREST DALE, UTAH

^99^^ 1*
WW~ M, » : ,i

1F
THE M. I. A.SPECIAL NORMAL CLASS
Fielding Academy, Paris, Idaho,
1914-15
 Keeping One's Life in Tune
A friend of the Eka submits the following philosophy:

Pianos have to be kept in tune. Every now and then the tuner
conies and goes over all the strings, keying them up, so that there will
be no discords when the instrument is played. Our lives have a great
many more strings than a piano, and much more easily get out of tune.
Then they begin to make discords, and the music is spoiled. need We
to watch them carefully to keep the strings always up to concert
pitch.
One way in which a piano is put out of tune is by use. The con-
stant striking of the strings stretches them, and they need to be keyed
up from time to time. Life's common experiences have an exhausting
effect. We
have our daily struggles, temptations, burdens, cares,
duties, and at the close of the day we are tired, and the music our life
makes is naturally not as sweet as it was in the morning.
Another way which
a piano is put out of tune is by disuse.
in If
it is kept closed,
strings will lose their tune.
its It is the same with
our lives. They keep in tune best when they are fully occupied. It is
a law of nature that a power not used, wastes —
at length dies out.
This is true of all our faculties. Musicians can maintain their skill
only by constant practice. A great pianist said that if he missed his
hours at his instrument for three days, the public would know it; if
for two days, his friends would be aware of it; and that if he failed
in his practice even for one day, he himself would be conscious of it.
we would keep our life in tune, we must not allow its power to lie
If
unused. We make the sweetest music when we are living at our best.
An idle man is never truly happy, nor is he the best maker of happi-
ness for others. We learn to love more by loving. We get joyous by
rejoicing. If we cease to be kind, even for a few days, it shows in
the tone of our life, as others know us. If for only a day we fail in
showing kindness, our hand will lose something of its skill in life's
sweet ministry.
A piano is put out of tune also by misuse. A skilful musician
may spend hours in playing without affecting the tone of any of the
strings, while inexperienced and unskilful playing jangles the chords
and makes the instrument incapable of producing sweet musical
effects. Many people so misuse and abuse their life that they destroy
itspower to give out sweetness.
The bringing of the powers of our own life into tune is really the
great problem of all spiritual culture. While the audience is waiting
for the concert to begin, they hear a strange clangor back of the
scenes. The instruments are being brought into acc6rd. At first
they are far apart, hut in a little time they are all in perfect harmony.
Then the music begins. Each human life is a whole orchestra by itself.
But it is not in tune, and therefore, before we can begin sweet music,
all of its many chords must be brought .into h:armony. This is the
work of spiritual culture.- It is achieved only by the submission of
the whole" life to God.
 Do You Believe in Lady Missionaries?

among the people on this

Qir'te a division of opinion prevails
question. Those who have paid attention to the portraits in the
"Messages from the Missions," printed monthly in the Era, will
have noticed a liberal sprinkling of sisters among the various
groups of missionaries. It is evidently true that the employment
of sisters in the mission field is becoming more common as the
months go by. Why is this the case ? Do you believe in sending
out young women to labor in the mission field ? Or should mis-
sion work be done solely by the Priesthood?
Sister Edna Crowther, who is at present laboring in Phila-
delphia, has called the attention of the editors of the Era to the
question, and asks permission to give her ideas on why lady
missionaries are called. We believe our readers will be interested
in her presentation. Without taking a stand either for or against
the ide?, at this time, we are pleased to present her views:
"I think both the Era and the Liahona have enough mis-
sionnews from the elders, and that the lady missionaries should
have part of the women's magazines, because there should be
system and order in all things. As yet I have never heard nor
read anything on why the Church has lady missionaries. It is a
question which many people are thinking about, some believe in
them, some do not. Therefore, light should be given to the body
of the Church in general so, if I may, I beg to contribute to the
;

Era some ideas on this subject which please print for the cause
of truth and the uplift of humanity. My object is to accomplish
govxl.
"Woman's work, from the beginning of history among civ-
ilized people,
heart, so to speak.
—
has always been with the gentle things of life at the
She always has and always will have a posi-
tion to fill separate and distinct from man. Men cannot do
women's work any more than women can do men's work. Every
attempt to change places is a flat failure.
"One important and growing question of our so-called 'Mor-
mon' Church today is 'what can young women do as missionaries?'
It is a very broad question with two sides —
missionaries at home
and missionaries abroad. I will discuss missionaries abroad.
"It is the elders' duty to preach the gospel, cry repentance to
even- creature, baptize, lay on hands for the gift of the Holy
Ghost, bind on earth that which shall be bound in heaven, and
to organize. The sisters', or lady missionaries' duty is to enter
homes, declare our glorious message of peace and good will and
 DO YOU BELIEVE IN LADY MISSIONARIES? 49

manifest the fruits of the Spirit which are, as the Apostle Paul
said: 'love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith.' We are to visit the sick, comfort the weary, cheer the
sad and to those who have some truth add more to it. Break
;

down the high wall of prejudice by tact and love. We make our-
selves servants to our fellow beings, and in so doing become
servants of God.
"Every missionary who does his or her full duty realizes that
God is love, because all that He has done for us has been for
love, and all we ever did or ever will do that could be worth while
is through love. Love is the core of life everything hinges on
;

love. Every disasterthe result of the lack of love somewhere.

is
It is only by love that we will ever become as God. Love char-
acterizes a missionary without it, and an eye single to the glory
;

of God, little can be accomplished.

"When a lady missionary rings a bell, or knocks at a door,
she must do so with a prayer on her lips that the Spirit of God
will rest upon both her and the one who opens the door that they
may feel as sisters, with a oneness in the cause of truth, for ninety-
eight out of one hundred doors are opened by women. We
must
go with a soul burdened with desire to bless and uplift all whom
we meet, and by the love and truth of God make every man and
woman who is seeking for truth our brother or sister. If we
meet some who are not seeking truth, we may, by the direction
of the Holy Spirit, to whom we are all entitled, strike a chord in
them that will vibrate in harmony with our plan of a better life.
Every good is truth and all truth is of God.
"For one I have found many honest souls who are seeking
truth, several have told me that I was sent to them in answer to
a long, oft-repeated prayer. One instance I will relate. It is of
a dear soul who
joined the Church in Norway. She afterwards
came to America, but her circumstances prevented her having
anything to do with our Church or its people for thirty-one years,
during which time she held fast to the faith, taught it quietly to
her children, constantly praying that the way would be opened
up that she could again be united with God's chosen people. Her
prayers were answered, and her only son left, has joined the
Church with her. She is now one of the happiest women I know.
"Ladies are invited into manv homes where men would be
refused. They work quietly and joyfully at the heart of things,
promote fundamental growth of the fruits of our glorious restored
gospel in the homes. They do not. nor can they, take the place
of elders, but work in harmony with them, by doing those small
things that only women can do. They tear down the barriers of
prejudice and stimulate spiritual life and unity wherever they go.
Ts this not reason enough why the Church should have lady mis-
sionaries?"
 Vocations and Industries

BY CLAUDE RICHARDS, OF THE GENERAL BOARD Y. M. M. I. A.

What Shall I Do?

That the cry of M. I. A. Vocation Counselors and Supervisors,
is
everywhere. The question is answered in the following outline, which
is submitted to them for careful study and consideration:

A. Ward Vocation Counselor

1. Dedicate a definite portion of your time to this work, and make
your program. For example:
a. Sunday. On this day I will study my subject, plan my work,
and do what I can to let others know of this great move-
ment, and solicit their favor and co-operation.
b. One certain night each week I will spend with the boys in
helping to shape their careers.
2. Follow General Board Committee.
a. Letters and instructions.
b. Articles and publications.
c Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book.
3. Read Carefully.
a. Magazine articles.
b. Best Vocational books.
Refer to Handbook, p. 37, for Committee's recommendations.
4. Learn also by experience.
a. Direct contact with men and boys.
b. See the vocations in action. Make a special study of the voca-
tions that may be followed in our own communities.
c. Use pencil and paper to record your observations and thoughts.
d. Correspond and converse with others in this line of work.
5. Attend Meetings.
a. Regular Association meetings.
b. Stake Vocational meetings.
c. Vocational Lectures, etc.
6. Application to the Boy.
a. Make a list of the boys in your Ward from twelve to twenty.
b. Provide for your own use a 5-cent notebook for each boy. In
it write all the observations and items of information con-
cerning each boy that may assist you to render expert voca-
tional guidance.
—
—
Study each boy from the start his likes
—
and dislikes his weak and strong points his tendencies
and aptitudes. Write the results. In time you will get to-
gether a history and write up that will be invaluable. Refer
to Parson's "How to Choose a Vocation," chapter 4, and
reference to vocations and efficiency, chapter 6 for ques-
tions to ask the boy.
c. As a direct and effective introduction of our Vocational work
to the boy, take these preliminary steps:
1. Secure letter No. 1 from the General Board Committee.
2. Make a canvass in accordance with that letter. Visit every
boy. Ask him if he has chosen his Vocation. Report each
boy's answer to the General Board Committee. Place this
 VOCATIONS AND INDUSTRIES 51

and any other information you may acquire upon your first
visit in your notebook. Regard all information as con-
fidential.
3. Copies of two letters will then be sent to you. One of
these is for the boy who has chosen his vocation, and the
other is for the boy who has not chosen his vocation. De-
liver these letters personally to the boys. At each visit
stimulate the desire for specializing and record items in
your notebook.
d. Keep clearly in mind the main outline of our work, namely:
1. The necessity of Specializing.
2. Howto prepare for Specializing.
3. Conditions leading to Success.
4. How to choose a Vocation.
5. The Vocations of today.
6. Avocations of Men.
Prepare to take each step in this outline with the boy, either indi-
vidually or collectively. Both ways may be used to advantage. In
d' aling with Item "4," so far as the application of the item to each
boy is concerned, individual work only should be done when it comes
to ihe point of applying the information concerning the individual boy
1 1 the formula for choosing a vocation.

It is likely that the General Board Committee will furnish you with
further advice as to how to take these steps and the exact details of
tl e ground to be covered.

e. Explain our work and secure the active support and co-oper-
ation of
1. Parents.
2. Bishopric.
3. Seventies and Elders.
4. School Teachers.
f. Use every available opportunity to deliver your message.
1. Meetings.
a. Parents' Class.
b. Bishop's Meeting.
c. M. I. A.
d. Priesthood Meetings.
2. In the home.
3. On the street and in other places.
B. Stake Vocational Supervisor

1. Get the Spirit of the Movement and keep it.

a. By spending a part of Sunday and at least one certain night
every week at this work.
b. By following General Board Committee.
1. Letters and Instructions.
2. Articles and Publications.
3. Y. M. M. I. A. Handbook.
c. By reading.
1. Magazine articles.
2. Best Vocational books. (See list, p. 37, Handbook.)
d. Uearn also by experience.
1. Direct contact with men and boys.
2. See the Vocations in action, making a close study of the
vocations that may be followed in your own localities.
3. Use pencil and paper to record your thoughts and observa-
tions.
 — —

52 IMPROVEMENT ERA
4. Correspond and converse with others in this line of work.
5. Attend Y. M. M. I. A. Meetings.
2. See that the best Counselor is selected in each Ward. We have
access to the Seventies. The Presidentof the Ward Associa-
tion should act temporarily until the Ward Counselor is se-
lected.
3. Hold monthly Stake Meetings for all Ward Counselors.
a. Select a permanent Secretary for these meetings.
b. Follow a definite order of business. We recommend
1. Singing and prayer at opening and closing, unless your
meeting is a part of the Stake Priesthood Meeting.
2. Minutes.
3. Reports.
4. Instructions.
a. From General Board Committee.
b. Local.
5. Special order.
Select a subject (some phase of our work, an article, a book
review, etc.) for each meeting. Appoint a speaker for
extended preparation. Encourage general preparation
and discussion.
6. Problems and Suggestions.
7. Miscellaneous.
4. Field Work.
a. Visit and check up each ward at least four times each year;
once at the beginning, again at the middle; later at close of
Mutual and finally during the summer for contest and other
summer work. Vocational work should extend throughout
the summer.
b. Keep an accurate record of each ward and all features of your
work.Notes are valuable.
c. At times, for your own good and experience, get in actual con-
tact with the boy.
d. Keep in close touch with
1. Every Ward President.
2. Superintendency of Y. M. M. I. A.
3. Presidency of the Stake.
4. Bishops' Meetings at Stake House.
5. Parents and others.

HOMEWARD BOUND FROM THE "HIKE"

 "Safety First"
Dangerous Practices about the Home,with Preventive Suggestions

BY CHARLES T. RICHARDSON, "FIRST AID TO INJURED," GARFIELD

SMELTING CO.

After a very careful study and observance of many of the

common practices and methods about the home, I have become
thoroughly convinced that by exercising a little more care, and
by being more cautious, a great many of the common household
accidents can certainly be avoided.
The amount of pain and suffering which is brought into
many homes through the carelessness, and momentary thought-
lessness, of some member of the family, is often very appalling,
for in many instances it could have certainly been avoided and
even prevented.
To Parents : If you resort to dangerous practices about
your home, your children are very likely to do things in the same
way, the younger children not realizing the danger while your
;

older children will do so because they have not been cautioned, or

told of the danger. They are very apt to follow your methods.
Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that parents teach their
children the necessity of being careful to avoid dangerous prac-
tices about the home and its surroundings. Let parents do so by
setting an example before their children in their own daily lives.
I wish to point out to you a few of the common household
practices that are very dangerous, also to suggest a few appliances
that are absolutely necessary about your home, to help you in
the prevention of accidents.
While the large corporations are systematically studying the
causes of accidents to their employees, and are doing all that
lies within their power to prevent similar accidents in the future,
by installing safety devices, protecting dangerous places, and by
changing their operating methods wherever necessary to protect
their employees from suffering and disability and often death, so
can we also apply these same ideas in our daily work about the
home. By so doing, we can keep happiness therein, and not have
our happiness marred by painful accidents which may occur be-
cause of our neglect.
My work, as an emergency nurse and first aid to the in-
jured, has convinced me that this "safety first" movement is just
as necessary as having a first aid man about the works to give first
54 IMPROVEMENT ERA
aid treatment to the men after they are injured. In conjunction
with this work at one of the large ore smelting works in this state
I have been called with the doctor to attend several household

accidents. This has caused me to investigate more thoroughly,

and to realize that these preventive measures are just as essential
in the home as elsewhere.
Several months ago, I attended a very sad case with the
doctor. A woman had been severely burned while attempting
to pour kerosene into the stove to hasten a few coals that were
still alight. Not wishing to take time to clean the grate and relay
the kindling, coal, etc., she poured on the kerosene, with the dis-
astrous result of an explosion which burned her clothes, hair, and
the whole of her body, except the breast and back. This lady
died in the hospital two days later, bringing great sorrow into
her family.
How often this common yet dangerous household practice
has brought sorrow and destruction into many homes in the
past! Yet, think of how many people still resort to the dangers
of thoughtlessly saturating kindling with kerosene and some-
times gasoline, before lighting the fire with a match. But what
is yet worse, they will often pour the inflammable oil into the

grates where there are live coals Past results should be enough
!

to convince any person of the clangers of this common practice.

Do not wait until death, or a serious accident happens, before you
discontinue this dangerous practice, but discontinue it at once, or
some day it may be too late.
Matches are often left within reach of children, who love
to strike them at every opportunity, often setting fire to their
clothing, occasionally resulting in death, or the destruction of
home, —sometimes both. Keep
the matches out of their reach.
They should be kept non-combustible container. Leave no
in a
matches lying around the house, for they may ignite, especially
when placed near a stove or lamp, or, something may drop on
them. They often ignite from the slightest friction when left
where they can easily be moved about. Matches should not be
carried loose in the pockets. Always use a metal match case.
Great care must be exercised when putting your clothes in the
wardrobe or closet in seeing that no matches are left in the
pockets.
Do not go into dark rooms or closets with an unprotected
light, nor by striking matches to see your way. Your closets are
always dark, and stored with inflammable material which may
ignite, much against your will. Preferably, use a small, electric
flash-light, or an electric light extension, with ample cord length
to give you access to all the dark corners. The globe should also
be protected with a wire casing provided for this purpose, to
prevent the globe from being placed on some highlv inflammable
 ! ;

'SAFETY FIRST" 55

material or from getting knocked against any

hard object which
is likely to break it. All homes wherein there is electricity
should
be provided with such an extension light which
may be fastened
m any light socket about the house, and which will prevent many
serious accidents and conflagrations. Never go into a clothes
closet with a kerosene lamp in your hand. It is safter to have
some one to hold the lamp for you. However, it is better to
use
an electric flash-light and be safe.
Another common practice often proving disastrous, is hang-
ing clothes around the stove to dry, especially during
the winter
months. They will dry in a warm room, but keep them away
from the stove. Of course, it will take longer for them to dry
but think how much safer it is. It may be the means of saving
your home
Again, let me warn you against the improper handling of
kerosene and gasoline. Oftentimes a housewife will have a can
of gasoline standing on the table while she is cleaning and press-
ing clothes. Keep the gasoline can away from the iron or a light,
for the evaporation from the gasoline may ignite by "the
heat or flame, thus producing spontaneous combustion. Do not
pour the gasoline into an unprotected container such as a cup.
pan or saucer, as you may accidentally drop a match into it or
ignite it in some way, especially when you have heat near it.
Do not forget to keep it away from the stove or open flames
while you are doing this work, for gaseous vapors are driven off
which may ignite from excessive heat at any time, even though
the flame does not come in contact with the container or its con-
tents. You cannot be too careful at any time, in handling these
inflammable oils. Then again, those who smoke should be careful
where cigarette or pipe contents are thiown, for many fires have
been caused by such carelessness.
House-cleaning time is not without its dangers. Is your
home' equipped with a substantial stepladder or stool for you to
stand on while cleaning the walls, hanging pictures, putting up
curtains, and adjusting the window shades, or while you are doing
any other kind of similar work about the house?
Often housewives place boxes, or pile books and magazines
on chairs, tables or stools, thus dangerously attempting to clean
windows, or reach the top of the cupboard. Let your husband
get you a good stepladder or bench to stand on instead. Above
all never stand on a revolving piano stool nor even on the new
stationary piano seat, for neither is that made to stand on.
Never stand on the back of a chair in reaching for anything.
The chair may tip, or slip backwards with you. Worse, never place
a board across the backs of two chairs to make a platform to stand
on. However, that is very often done. Chairs make very dan-
gerous trestles and should be eliminated for such purposes. How-
56 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ever, you may use some chairs by standing on the seat, provided
it be solid. Even that does not eliminate the possibility of injury,
for smoothly-polished hardwood chairs are very slippery. Cane-
bottom chairs may be somewhat worn and break with you. Do not
attempt to stand on a chair on a polished hardwood floor.
During house-cleaning times, and even in the daily work
about the home, unsafe makeshifts are too often resorted to for
the lack of proper equipment to make your work safe. However,
house-cleaning must be done, for "cleanliness is next to God-
liness," but "Safety" will prolong your life and happiness, also
help you to avoid unnecessary injury and suffering.
Window-cleaning has its dangers. People often stand on
the window ledge and hold on with one hand while using the mop
with the other hand. You cannot hang in that position very
long. Your arm becomes tired. You may lose your balance and
fall backards. Even while cleaning windows outside, this haz-
ardous practice is often resorted to. Another common custom is
to reach out from the inside of the house, sitting on the window
ledge, holding onto the casing on the outside of the window, with
your feet hanging inside of the room. I know of a case where a
lady lost her hold, falling backward to the ground from the front
window of her home, striking the ground and breaking her neck.
These windows can be reached from the ground or the
floor with a stepladder or a small bench. If the ground is some-
what uneven, it would be a good idea to have somebody steady the
ladder for you. Use a mop with an extension handle to clean
the outside of upstairs windows, or windows that cannot be
safely reached without a ladder.
Small children should be kept outside of the kitchen during
cooking hours, or even while you are washing dishes and never
;

allow your baby around you on wash days. If you are alone, how
much better it is to get some young girl to mind your baby for
you, for the safety of many children is often overlooked and even
neglected, I dare not say intentionally, for no parent wishes to
wilfully injure his child. Yet their safety is often thoughtlessly
and carelessly overlooked in your not giving enough attention to
the safety of your children or yourself, but with only the idea in
your mind of getting certain work done.
However, small children are always a source of great anxiety,
especially to the mother. They put a great many cares upon her
shoulders, and it is very trying to the mother, while attempting
to look after the babies, to do her work at the same time. In
spite of what you may do for them, they will very often injure
themselves, much against your will and careful arrangements.
Therefore, it is necessary to be more than ever on the alert for
their safety.
Children are constantly grasping at the mother's clothing,
 "SAFETY FIRST" 57

while she is working for this reason I have suggested that they
;

be kept out of the kitchen and away from mother on wash days.
Often you do not know that they are clinging to you, thus causing
you to fall, or to spill hot water, or to upset the hot food which you
may be carrying. Many children have been seriously burned from
just such causes.
Stairways should be blocked so that you can rest assured that
your small children will not climb the stairs, only to fall down
them. Keep the cellar doors closed, and preferably locked. f 1

you have cellar steps that are unprotected, you should protect
them at once. Always bear in mind that stairways are very dan-
gerous, if they are not kept in good condition. How often we
see cellar doors and steps that are very much neglected, causing
many of the grown people to fall and injure themselves.
Are your wells properly guarded? An open curb well is a
death trap which should positively be eliminated and replaced with
a suitable pump.
Are there any large or small creeks near your home that are
unprotected?
All foot boards and logs are very dangerous things to cross
a stream on. Discard these at once, replacing them with solid,
substantial bridges or walks properly guarded with hand railings
and toe-boards nailed on the side to prevent any one from falling
into the stream if he should accidentally fall while crossing the
bridge, even though it be over a small stream. How
often people
lav an old board or a log across streams as permanent crossings.
They take many chances every time they do so. Many grown
people, as well as the aged, crippled, and even small children, have
fallen off such dangerous places and been drowned. Many people
have fallen from bridges because there was no railing provided.
All porches not equipped with proper railings are dangerous.
Children often play on the porches and may fall off. Grown peo-
ple often fall from unguarded porches.
Again, therein comes the necessity of teaching your children
safety ideas, and to be careful. -Those same teachings will be in-
stilled into the minds of many of the children, and remain with
them throughtout their lives, thus saving them from resorting to
many of the dangerous practices later in life.
All drugs and medicines used in the home should be kept in
a well-protected place provided for that purpose only, and
kept
not left about the house or kept on shelves. All of
locked safely,
these bottles and packages should be plainly labeled and
properly
directioned. Never rely on your memory as to what is in a
bottle.

If it is unlabeled, and' should any doubt

arise as to what it is.
cleanse
throw it away. If you wish to save the bottle, thoroughly
and boil it in scalding water at least half an hour. Loose corks
 :

58 IMPROVED ENT ERA

from bottles should he immediately destroyed. Your children
are very apt to get hold of these loose corks. Invariably they will
put them in their mouths, and if one of these corks should happen
to come from a bottle containing poison, very disastrous results
may follow. Older people should never place corks in their
mouhts, for the reasons just mentioned.
Remember distinctly that you should never go to the medi-
cine cabinet, or even administer medicine, in the dark you may
;

get the wrong bottle and take a poison by mistake Always read
!

the directions carefully before administering medicine, and be

sure that you have the right bottle. You cannot be too careful in
this respect. Carbolic acid is often taken by mistake for alcohol,
and poisonous antiseptic tablets mistaken for common cathartic
and headache tablets.
While visiting with a family, at one time, I happened to notice
their two-year-old child coming out of the house with a bottle of
poisonous bichloride of mercury antiseptic tablets in its hand. I
immediately took the bottle away from the child, calling the fath-
er's attention to what the child had. The bottle was labeled poison,
so that any grown person, in reading the label, would readily know
it was dangerous, but the child, being too young, did not know.

Therein comes the necessity of your safely locking all medicines

away from the reach of children, which I explained to the parents
of this particular child.
Parents should be very careful what they give the smaller
children to play with. They are apt to swallow small articles,
often choking to death. Never give a child your purse to play with
without having previously removed all small coins.
The education of the public in general towards carefulness is
very essential aid in the elimination of accidents both at home
and in public places or conveyances. Too often many accidents
are due to our improper methods, aided by our contributory neg-
ligence or thoughtlessness. Accidents are generally unforeseen,
and often happen when least thought of, or expected, yet we may
often avoid, and many times prevent, these needless accidents by
necessary precautions.
I submit for your consideration accounts of various household
accidents taken from the newspapers
—
Garfield, Utah. One year old babe left alone for few minutes one
evening by father and mother. Pulled off table cover, upsetting the
lamp. Babe and house destroyed by fire.
—
Garfield, Utah. Woman left a bottle of carbolic acid on the table.
A neighbor's child wandered in, drank the acid and died next day.
Salt Lake City, Utah. — Girl five years old was painfully injured
by dropping an ax, with which she was playing, nearly severing one of
her fingers. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment.
—
Twin Falls, Tdaho. Boy two and a half years old had a very nar-
row escape from death by hanging. While playing in a swing and
twisting the ropes the child in some manner got the rope twisted about
 :

"SAFETY FIRST" 59

his neck, strangling him. A physician was called and the boy was
saved.
Salt Lake City, Utah. —
Mother twenty-one years old was severely
burned about the face, hands and body by an explosion of kerosene,
while attempting to start a fire in a stove. Some live coals in the grate
caused the explosion. She died in the hospital two days later.
Salt Lake City, Utah. —
Girl three years old died from burns re-
ceived by getting too near a cook stove. Her clothing caught fire,
burning her so severely that she died five hours later.
Illinois. —A
family was moving into a rented house. While at-
tempting to move
the piano with a lighted lamp on top, the lamp
was tipped over, causing a fire in the room, destroying some of the
furniture.
Salt Lake City, Utah. —
A mother fell down an embankment in
front of her home and died the next day from the injuries sustained.
Note: The lawn in front of the house extends to a concrete wall
at the street. There was no fence nor railing provided.
Salt Lake City, Utah. —
Mother aged 60 fell from the veranda of
her home, sustaining a compound fracture of her right arm.
Note: There was no railing around the veranda.
—
Missouri. A mother sent her five-year-old boy to get some kind-
ling. The little fellow exceeded her instructions by placing the wood
by the stove and starting the fire. He saturated the wood with gaso-
line. An explosion resulted when he applied the match. This sudden
blaze would probably have been enough to have severely burned him,
but in the meantime he had left the gasoline can remaining on the top
of the stove. A terrific explosion followed. He was so severely
burned that he died within a few hours, and the mother was pain-
fully burned while attempting to rescue the child.
—
Eureka, Utah.- A fire which started in the bedroom of a home of
one of the residents, through carelessness in the use of matches by
their children, almost completely ruined their home and furniture.

The following statistical report from the state of Indiana for

the year 1913 is very interesting, yet very appalling when noting
the amount of needless and careless fires and accidents that are
enumerated therein

917 fires caused by sparks from chimneys and flues

562 " " " carelessness with matches
762 " " " defective flues and chimneys
496 " '
" " overheated stoves and furnaces
325 " " " spontaneous combustions (rubbish in basements
and closets)
367 " " " improper handling of gasoline
194 " " " defective electric wiring
117 " " " smokers' carelessness
139 " " " kerosene lamp explosions
400 " " " bonfires, burning rubbish and gas jets placed
too near wood.

Four hundred people were burned to death in Illinois during

the year 1913. The majority of these fatalities was due to the
erossest form of carelessness :
60 IMPROVEMENT ERA
65 people burned to death by careless handling of kerosene and gaso-
line
" "
55 " " " clothes igniting from bonfires
" "
40 " " " starting fires with kerosene
"
40 " " " playing with matches
"
"
45 " " " clothing catching fire from stoves and
"
grates
" " " " from carelessness smoking in bed
9
" " " " " stove polish explosions
5
" " " " " sparks from the crackers
5
GARFIELD, UTAH »

Helping the Stranger

As we travel through the city,-

And through
land that's strange and new,
We have learned to doubt the stranger,
Those we trust are very few;
And we wonder why we're greeted
With a half-suspecting smile,
Never thinking that within us
We
are doubting all the while.
Stop and think wherein the fault lies,
Ere you censure those you meet;
When it's needed, help the stranger;
And as you greet him, he will greet.
Yet'tis hard when we have trusted,
And been wronged by friends thought true,
To establish faith and justice
In someone we never knew.
Menare born with equal footing,
Judge not the many by the few;
Some have failed to get the training
That to all mankind is due.
Then, lift up the weak and fallen,
Help them see the better side.
They, perhaps, have found no friendship,
None in whom they could confide;
Oft we're far from friends and kindred,
And we feel that no one cares;
And 'tis then we need some friendship,
Just a smile may help the snares.
There's a Power can help us,
When the world has ceased to care;
Then, let us help the ones that need it,
And our paths will not seem bare.
choteau, okla.
Effie Haskins
 The Lesson Taught by a Healing

BY GEORGE F. RICHARDS, OF THE QUORUM OF TWELVE APOSTLES

"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteous-

ness, is —
accepted with him." Acts 10:35.

I relate the following experience to show that want of age

is no bar to the obtaining of favor with the Lord and the exercise
of the powers of the priesthood.
When I was fifteen years of age I was permitted to receive
the ordination of an elder and my endowments in the Endowment
House, in Salt Lake City. When I was seventeen, my mother had
a very serious and extended sickness. One Sunday when she was
groaning with pain, we invited the bishop and several other
brethren to come to our home after the ward meeting, and they
and members of our family present kneeled, prayer was offered,
and then the ordinance was performed of anointing with oil and
sealing the anointning and praying for my mother.
She had frequently been administered to before, and had re-
ceived blessing therefrom, but on this occasion she seemed to get
no relief, and in the midst of her distress and suffering, soon
after the brethren had left us, she asked me to lay on hands and
pray for her. In the midst of my tears for my mother's sufferings
and the task of performing an administration such as I had never
yet done, I retired to another room, and wept and prayed. When
I had become composed, I returned to the sick room, and in a
few humble, simple words I performed that sacred ordinance as
best I knew how. I had the saitsfaction of witnessing the power

of the Lord therein, for my mother ceased her groaning, and

received relief from her suffering while my hands were yet on
her head.
I make humble acknowledgment of the mercy and goodness
of the Lord, as shown forth on that occasion. I have always

since felt that the fact that my mother did not get the relief we
hoped for, from the administration of the bishop and other
brethren, was not because there was anything wrong with any
one of them, or that the Lord did not want to honor the priesthood
in them but the blessing was reserved to be given in answer to
;

the prayer and administration of a boy, who had been honored

to bear the priesthood, to teach that boy the lesson that that priest-
hood in the boy is just as sacred and potent as in the man, when
that bov lives as he should, and exercises it in righteousness.
 \^p#^ >
|
A "^
y \

VERNAL M. I. A. SCOUTS
Top: signaling; center: rendering aid to a scout who was hurt;
first
bottom-, their position in the face of the cliff in the cave.
 Tht\M. I. A. Scouts of Vernal, Utah

Under Deputy Scont Commissioner J. Ver-

direction of Stake
non Smith, and Scout Masters Lyman Thompson and Zelph
Calder, twenty-four registered scouts participated in a week's en-
campment in Brush Creek canyon, in August. Teams carried the
equipment, but the boys "hiked'' all the way. Every moment of
the six days was occupied by scout activities —
trailing, signaling,
exploring, cliff scaling, swimming, stalking wild animals, athletic
contests, etc. The boys responded readily to all regulations of
camp discipline—reveille at 6 a. m., and taps at 9 p. m. Ten
Tenderfoot scouts passed the required examination admitting them
to Second Class standing, during the encampment. The daily
good turn was not forgotten, and one of these included the re-
pair of a bad wash-out of the county road. By means of staves
and ropes, the boys climbed to a cave, fifty feet up the face of
a cliff, and had their pictures taken. At sunrise, each day, the flag
was raised and saluted. In the evening the boys gathered around
the big campfire where stories and songs were enjoyed for an
hour, and just before "turning in," they circled around the dying
embers with bowed heads and joined in evening prayer.

FIRST TROOP SMITHFIELD, UTAH, M. I. A. SCOUTS — SIGNALING

 —

How A to Enjoy Life

BY DR. CHARLES L. OLSEN

There are many different views as to how and when one

should give way to sense enjoyments, rather than to those spring-
ing from the faculties of the soul. And why the difference in
views? Because of difference in minds. Some people are prone
to consider any pleasure traceable to the senses as being sinful
and essentially degrading. Such views must be left out of con-
sideration.
All thoughtful people agree that it is both right and proper
to "enjoy" life, to feast upon the beauties of creation as perceived
through the natural senses. But how and when ? This strenuous
life of ours and the modern, exacting mode of living often pre-
clude the very thought of relaxation more than is absolutely de-
manded by nature for regaining muscular strength and nervous
tone. A great many of the toilers in this human hive never think
of anything beyond such compensation. Yet they should for of
;

all men the toilers are in greatest need of recreation.

Many really intend spending, before they die, part of their
time in recreation. But they sing, and they sing "There is time
:

enough for that," and so the self-promised enjoyment is postponed

from time to time. Naturally, men differ as to the most oppor-
tune period for recreation. Some aim to "enjoy life," say when
they are fifty years of age. Some parents look longingly forward
to the time when their children shall have grown up, and fancy
that they shall then have an opportunity to fully enjoy existence.
Others, again, put the matter off until their conditions in general
shall be more favorable —
some time, when they shall be better off
financially ; the farm is paid for, perhaps, or when all debts
when
are liquidated, and the mortgages are lifted; when the youngest
child has graduated from college; when an exceptionally hard
ordeal is over, or an unpleasant experience is past. Under those
conditions, one might just as well, now as later on, give up all
hope of ever experiencing recreative pleasure, because diversions
so long planned for are seldom realized. Untoward conditions
privation, sickness, accidents —
are likely at any time to overtake
us. The grains of sand in one's hour-glass may even run out
much sooner than anticipated.
Right' now, today, is the time to enjoy life, for tomorrow
never comes. Parents, particularly, need this reminder. The
youth of today need not be reminded, for they are certainly taking
 ! ;

II()W TO ENJOY LIFE 65

their share of enjoyment— full measure, pressed down and run-

ning over. But you, father or mother, go visit that old sister of
yours, whom you have not seen for so many years and who
; is so
anxiously waiting for you. Go and see her now before she dies,
when you will be compelled to attend her funeral— for decency's
sake. Perhaps you are waiting for your son to finish school, so
that he can do the work at home, while you take a trip visiting
the brother you played with fifty years ago. He is ageing even-
;
—
day so are you, you would better go now
You over-worked mother, who so early this morning arose,
and by this time has done the family washing. This you did
while those almost grown-up daughters of yours were at school,
or in "Gym," or taking their music lessons. Now that the horse
is hitched up and your husband, or your thoughtful son
Johnny,
insists upon your taking a ride, don't say "Oh, no I have not
: ;

the time for such a luxury; I must now start in and iron these
clothes they are already dry, you see.
; Then I must hurry and
get supper, for when the girls come home they have so man)
lessons to get." Rather say: "Yes, thank you; you're right. I
will ;I have made up my mind to have some enjoyment, to take
some little pleasure, every day of my life." Put your coat on,
and tie a veil over your hat. Stop for no primping. Get in the
buggy or auto and take the ride. View the beautiful landscape
enjoy the marvelous panorama of nature; fill your lungs with
pure, life-giving oxygen relax for once
; —
loosen the tension.
Learn to appreciate and take advantage of your common
opportunities. Few can afford the luxury of enjoyments bought
with dollars and cents. Such enjoyment, anyway, is more im-
aginary than real. Mansions, servants in livery to bow and
scrape, the costliest equipages, Mediterranean cruises, or circum-
—
navigating the globe, in short, any and all contrivances and in-
ventions signally fail in their purpose, because a kind and impar-
tial Father has so ordained it, that his children cannot obtain real
enjoyment by such means.
The firmament above, with its countless orbs the earth in all
;

its splendor, with her teeming millions; the majestic mountains

and their lofty peaks the vast expanse of the mighty ocean, with
;

its foaming billows and surging tide —all are, to be sure, grand
beyond compare, and are inspiring in their nature. They bear
— —
mute though not by any means silent evidence of the unlimited
power and indescribable greatness of the Majesty on high. But
witnessing such unfathomable grandeur in nature may not con-
stitute enjoyment to many mortals ; for it may be far and away
beyond their conceptions. It may be too grand for puny man.
True enjovment is found in appreciating as well the little things
of life.
 — !

66 IMPROVEMENT ERA
So, let us enjoy the small, every-day pleasures; for these are
within the reach of all. We
should train our mental faculties not
only to understand and find pleasure in the grander objects of
nature, but so that we can find enjoyment and relaxation from
our daily grind in the more simple surroundings, like the scent of
flowers rolling on the lawn sitting under the shady tree gazing
; ; ;

at the twinkling stars in a walk, or a ride

; a friendly call, or in ;

visiting a neighbor, and in the innocent prattle, frolic, and play

of children.
You wearied mother don't say, "I shall be so glad when my
;

child is grown up, for he gives me no end of work." Try rather

to enjoy his simple ideas while he is young; rejoice in his tender-
ness, and strive to look for his lovable traits be glad that you have ;

him as a child. These remembrances will be a comfort to you

when his childhood years are gone. Ah the tender mother heart !

How it is filled with love, and what real enjoyment the mother
finds in gazing upon the little mite of humanity, her baby boy:

"My baby boy upon the pillow lies,

Wonder forever old, forever new;
And as I gaze, he opens wide bis eyes,
Like violets kissed by dew.

"They seek my face with love and rapture filled;

That look of tenderness how well T know
The same his father wore, whose life death stilled
Only a year ago.

"Ah! will his boy be like him when he grows

To be a main, afar from home's caress?
Will he be nobler, braver, when he knows
His father's worthiness?

"His work is not begun; may he decide

On one true Guide to lead him through life's days;
Oh, may he stand the test when souls are tried.
And follow virtue's ways.
"And dread the hour when manhood calls:
yet I
He be as now my little child.
will not
So sruarded by his dear home's hallowed walls
Where love and mother smiled.

"B: i
t now, while he is mine and only mine,
I'll fold him closely in warm arms of love,
And feel the joy the world, ere I resign.
Can never rob me of."

And that is right: "feel the joy" — revel in the enjoyment of

your little one, today; tomorrow may be too late.
Let us remember that fate has favored only few with wealth,
and those who are thus favored tell us that the quiet, simple
 HOW TO ENJOY LIFE 67

pleasures within the reach of us all are the best.

Therefore, let
us appreciate the simple enjoyments we may find
in our way. Let
the rays of the sun warm our hearts and gladden
our souls, and
bring- blessings to us and our surroundings.
You hard-working father and faithful provider, don't put off
that long-since well-earned vacation. Don't wait until you have
lived and struggled the required number of dreary,
long winters
to be reckoned ripe enough in years to have the honor of being
"taken along" on an Old Folks' outing; don't wait, I say, for this
excursion, until your years of manly intelligence are all
passed,
when, like a boy you sit down in the grass, laughing at your own
childish jests, and allow yourself to be crowned like a
court-fool
with wreaths of flowers, and to be otherwise "decorated"—to
the
amusement of children and the merriment of the young and giddy.
Get some real, though innocent, enjoyment out of your life,
now, while it means something to you, and is of some value, both
to yourself and to those with whom you live. For surely [Ecc.
12], "The years draw nigh, when "thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them [one gets old], * * * when the keepers of
the house [the head of the household] shall tremble [with in-
firmity], and the strong men shall bow themselves [i. e., men, who
used to be strong and straight shall be bent over with age], and
the grinders cease because they are few [of the teeth, but few are
left, and those few cease to 'grind; or to masticate the food prop-
erly], and those that look out of the windows be darkened [vision,
— 'looking' through the orbits of the eyes as one would through
windows,— grows dim] ;
* * * also when they shall be afraid
—
of that which is high, [one's agility is lacking one dare not trust
himself to take a high step], and fears shall be in the way [self-
confidence is gone], * * and desire shall fail [one no longer cares
for anything in particular] because man goeth to his long home
:

[he dies], and the mourners go about the streets" [i. e., the be-
reaved and others who attend the funeral, go "to their several
places of abode"].
And that is the end of earth life. See?
MURRAY, UTAH

Wireless telephone communication across the continent was ac-

complished for the first time, September 29, when the human
voice was successfully transmitted from the naval plant at Arlington,
Virginia, to Mare Island, California, 2,500 miles away. Communica-
tion from New York to California and from New York to the Panama
Canal was also established. "The problem of trans-oceanic communica-
tion has been solved; also the baffling problem— a perfect connection
between the telephone wire and the wireless ether," making it pos-
sible eventually to connect every telephone with an air line for any-
where.
 Three Points in the War

BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

The Drive to Constantinople

The Germans have made two celebrated drives the one to—
Paris, that was Marne, the other on the
lost in the Battle of the
eastern front, which drove the Russians out of Poland. Was the
Russian drive a failure? In so far as it annexed territory, no;
but in so far as it accomplished what the Germans had in mind,
yes. They hoped to make their battles with the Russians decisive
by the capture of the Russian army, if not the whole, in such a
considerable part as to permanently weaken the forces of the
Czar. Germany must get out of her present confines. That great
military nation is somewhat like a caged lion. It has bent the bars
and twisted them in a frightful manner, but will it escape? Its
escape into France seemingly has been abandoned. The French
army remains intact. Its attack on Russia is postponed, and it
looks as if the postponement were indefinite.
The third great drive is in the direction of Constantinople.
If Germany can cross the Balkan mountains, move down over the
plains of Macedonia into Constantinople, it has only to cross the
Bosphorus to reach the terminal of its great Asiatic highway, the
Bagdad railroad. Thence it can transport troops across Asia
Minor down the rivers Tigris and Euphrates to the very gates of
India. It can further turn off at Damascus and use the Mecca
railroad to get its troops near Egypt. This move is distinctly one
against England, and the English will now be put upon their met-
tle. France has suffered a German drive; Russia has suffered a
German drive. It is now England's turn.
While it is most part against Eng-
distinctly a drive for the
land, it is also a menace though in a lesser degree.
to Italy, even
One can hardly doubt that, as this movement menaces Great
Britain, the empire will resort to conscription. England will need
at least an additional million troops. One wonders if the new
drive will really wake up England.
What is of more importance in this drive to Germany than
itsadvantages of England, is the fact that it will open one of the
richest colonial empires the world has ever known since the settle-
ment of the early colonists in America. Asia Minor has in abund-
ance all those natural resources of which Germany stands so
 THREE POINTS IN THE WAR 69

greatly in need. For Asia Minor, the Germans could well afford
to surrender every advantage that they have gained elsewhere, and
once their armies are settled in that region, German protectorate
over the country will be permanent, and its exploitation of Asia
Minor will begin in full force.

The Greek Attitude

That the Greek people by a large majority favor the Allies

in the present war, their vote at a recent election in that country
conclusively proves. Venezuelos, so strongly in favor of the
Allies, when compelled to resign by the attitude of King Con-
stantine, was returned to power when he appealed to the country,
by a very substantial majority, and people are now wondering why
—
Greece stands aloof, why Venezuelos has been compelled again
to resign his position, and why his majority in the Greek parlia-
ment is not so large as when he first returned to power.
During the second Balkan war Greece entered into an alliance
with Serbia, as against Bulgaria, and is under treaty obligations
to join Serbia in case Bulgaria attacks that country. But a new
condition has arisen. Bulgaria is a secondary consideration. Ger-
many and Austria are the paramount interests involved. That
change of phase, however, though used as an explanation by many
Greeks, does not change the determination of the war party in
that country to support Serbia if Bulgaria throws her armies in
favor of the Germans. A few deputies may have left Venezuelos
by that interpretation of their treaty. That, however, which has
done most to weaken Venezuelos in the Greek parliament has been
his advocacy to the king of certain concessions of territory in
Macedonia to the Bulgars, and he is even willing to go so far as
to surrender the ports of Kavala, on the Aegean sea to the Bul-
gars. There is a radical element that heretofore has supported
Venezuelos that has emphatically declared that it would not yield
to the concession of a single foot of land to the Bulgarian gov-
ernment. Such concessions, however, were not merely asked for
by the Bulgars, but the entente powers have asked Greece to make
them, and in return have promised, in case of their victory, to give
Greece the southeastern part of Asia Minor, a strip of country
containing about a million Greeks. (Statistics in the Turkish em-
pire are made up of estimates called guesses.) The change in the
Greek parliament in its attitude toward Venezuelos, by a long way
the ablest man in Greece, does not mean that the Greeks them-
selves are not still in favor of the Allies. The king is on the side
of the Germans. He is influenced largely by one of the shrewdest
women in Europe, Queen Sophia, the sister of Emperor William.
The Greeks may take time for another election. If the situation
becomes serious before there is time for another election, one of
70 IMPROVEMENT ERA
two things will happen — the king will yield, or there will be a rev-
olution.

The Germans Far-Seeing

When the governments of the Balkan countries were organ-

ized, the Germans manifested an ardent desire, if not determina-
tion, to put German princes on the thrones. The Balkan nations
had formed in a large measure constitutional monarchies based
upon the patterns of England and France. England, with its
constitutional monarchy, really did not have much apprehension
about the power of the king. England believed that the will of
the people would prevail. Circumstances have demonstrated Eng-
land's mistake. The people of Bulgaria today are at heart alto-
gether in favor of Russia and England, and it is believed that they
would bring a revolution before they would fight against their old-
time friends. King Ferdinand himself a German, and the mili-
tary leaders pro-German, notwithstanding the fact that they are
in the minority, are, after all, guiding the affairs of state in Bul-
garia. If they can carry on a war on the side of the Germans,
without a revolution, there can be little doubt which way the Bul-
—
gars will go. Will they risk a revolution? that is the question.
The king and the prime minister Radosslavoff are wealthy
men. The king, it is said, is a millionaire, and has his wealth in-
vested in Austria, chiefly. He has been threatened with confisca-
tion of his wealth if he joins the Allies, or does anything un-
friendly to the Germans. His prime minister is in a similar con-
dition.
German influence, in a lesser degree, in the royal family is now
shown Roumania, and in Greece. No doubt, after this, the allied
in
powers when it becomes necessary to make kings, and to establish
royal houses, will see to it that the Germans do not get a monopoly
of royalty — they minimize efficiency in case of war.

Much fruit went to waste in Utah and other states, this fall, be-
cause the expense of marketing amounted to more than the fruit was
worth. An exchange says that' a single pile of peaches grown in
Guthrie, Oklahoma, contained four thousand bushels, and was left to
rot. Oklahoma grew three thousand carloads of peaches this year.
Millions of dollars' worth of fruit has perished on the farms of this
country, and yet it is said that peaches in New York sold all sum-
mer and fall for from two to five cents a piece. Even in Salt Lake,
on Market Row, peaches sold from two to 'five cents a pound while
hundreds of bushels were rotting in orchards only a few miles away.
There something radically wrong in the distribution of farm pro-
is
ducts. Acres of fruit trees are being torn up in Utah owing to the dis-
couragement of the farmers in finding markets for the fruit.
 Editors' Table

General View of Church Conditions*

BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH

Blessings Enjoyed by the Saints

I am delighted and most thankful for the

privilege I enjoy
of being with you to attend our 86th semi-annual general
confer-
ence of the Church. I am thankful, also, to see the very large
number of our brethren and sisters who are assembled here this
morning, and I sincerely hope that throughout our conference ses-
sions the Spirit of the Lord may pervade our meetings and in-
fluence those who shall speak to us; and bless everything that
may be done for the upbuilding of Zion and for the continuance
of the work of the Lord.
I feel today, as I have always felt at the opening of our con-
ferences, that the Church was never in a better condition spirit-
ually or temporally, since its organization, than it is today. I be-
lieve that the people have never been more united nor come nearer
seeing eye to eye on doctrine and policy and principle than they
now do. I cannot recall the time when the Church, or the mem-
bers of the Church, were more prosperous temporally than they are
now. The earth has been blessed of the Lord. It has been made
fruitful to those who have toiled upon it and tilled it; the people
have reaped a bounteous harvest this season, the elements have
been propitious, and all things seem to have conduced to the well-
being, happiness and prosperity of the people throughout the
length and breadth of the land. There is no great reason for won-
derment that under these circumstances the adversary is active on
the other side, and that his satanic majesty is still alive; he is not
dead, nor is he conquered, but to a very large extent his power
is curtailed. He cannot now inflict upon us the trouble and in-
jury that he once did; neither can the agencies do so whom he
employs in the work of opposition to the truth. I believe that
from year to year this increase in the power of truth, and decrease
in the power of evil, will grow in greater proportion, both as to
the prosperity and happiness of the people of God, and also as
to the curtailment of the power of their enemies, until the power

*Qpening remarks at the Semi-Annual Conference of the Church.

October 3, 1915.
 :

72 IMPROVEMENT ERA
of God shall prevail throughout the land and the power of the
;

adversary will wane, and truth will triumph and righteousness will
reign.
I feel very thankful for the general good health that prevails

throughout the land, among all the people. It is true the great
reaper, Death, has gathered some of the aged, the weak and infirm
from among us, but our number has continued to increase from
month to month and from year to year. I pray that the blessings
of the Lord may abundantly rest upon his people, and upon all the
people of our land. We live in the midst of our great country,
and our interests continue unabated in the welfare and pros-
perity of all the people of our land, from ocean to ocean, and from
the north to the south not only toward our own people but our
;

desire and our prayers are that all the people of the earth may be
blessed of God, that they may so conform to his will and so unite
themselves together in good works and upright purposes that
they may be worthy of his favor and blessing'.
We earnestly plead and hope and pray that the spirit of peace
may come upon the warring nations of the earth, that they may
cease their strife one against another and learn the peaceable
things of the kingdom of God. We would that it were possible
for our elders and messengers of truth to penetrate every land and
nation upon the earth, and carry to them the olive branch of
peace, the principles of life, and the opening of the door of salva-
tion to all the inhabitants of the world.

Grozvth of the Church

I have a few items to be mentioned at this meeting and I

will read them

Since our last conference we have organized four new stakes.
Curlew, North Davis, Portneuf and Raft River, are the names
which have been given to these four newly organized stakes of
Zion. Of course, these new organizations are off-shoots of older
organized stakes. The people are increasing, spreading out, and
settling upon the land. Therefore, it becomes necessary, to in-
sure the proper teaching and organization of our young as well
as the old, that new stakes should be organized to give opportunity
for the people to enjoy the benefits and privileges of Church or-
ganization.
There have been organized twelve new wards, and five
branches not connected with any wards. We have a number of
branch organizations which are a part of wards, and are looked
after and presided over by the bishops of the wards, a presiding
elder being appointed over the branch but in this mention thev
;

are independent branches, and are rapidly growing into sufficient

numbers and strength soon to be organized into wards.
 EDITORS* TABLE 73

There are now seventy-two organized stakes of Zion with 764

wards and thirty-eight branches, which are not connected with any
ward, making a total of 803 wards and branches.
During the past six months there have been changes made in
the presidency of the Tahitian Mission, Ernest C. Rossiter suc-
ceeding Franklin J. Fullmer; and in the Japan Mission, Joseph H.
Stimpson succeeding Heber Grant Ivins.
During the current year eighty wards have been assisted in
erecting ward meetinghouses, amusement halls, or to pay for in-
debtedness incurred on such buildings already erected and we are
;

continually receiving applications for assistance in the erection

of new meetinghouses in the newly organized wards. Weare
continually contributing, out of the funds of the tithing so far
as we have it at our command, to fill the promises that we have
made to the various wards of the Church who are erecting their
houses. We give to them from month to month, or from time
to time, as they demand, and as they raise their proportion, that
which we have promised to them. Wehave a large amount on
our records which has been promised, and which is gradually
being drawn upon.

Church Schools and Education

I am happy to say, so far as the records show, that the tithing

funds of the Church have been a little over the average of 1914.
So far throughout this year (1915), the tithing funds have been
a little in advance of those of the previous year. This is certainly
very necessary, as the work is growing, the demands upon the
Church are increasing, our schools are enlarging, and needing
more and more assistance we have already appropriated a very
;

large sum of the yearly tithing to maintain our various Church

schools. These schools need no praise from me on this occasion.
Those who are associated with them or live within the stakes
where they are conducted have come to realize what a great
benefit they are to the youth of Zion. and we hope that they will
continue to be conducted in the spirit of the gosped of Jesus
Christ. The object, I may say almost the only purpose, for the.
maintenance of Church schools is that true religion and undefiled
before God the Father, may be inculcated in the minds and hearts
enable
of our children while they are getting an education, to
the heart, the soul and the spirit of our children to develop
with
proper teaching, in connection with the secular training that they
receive in schools.
I hope that I may be pardoned for giving
expression to my
real conviction with reference to the question of education in the
State of Utah. The government of the State has provided for
the general
the common schools up to the eighth grade, and meets
74 IMPROVEMENT ERA
expenses of these schools. The treasury of this state has pro-
vided for one of the best universities that can he found in any
state in the Union; thoroughly equipped for the highest education
in the land. The State Legislature has also provided, out of
the State treasury, for an agricultural college, a most worthy and
efficient institution of instruction and training for the youth of the
people of the state. In addition to these, we are having forced upon
the people high schools throughout every part of the land. I be-
lieve that we are running education mad. I believe that we are
taxing the people more for education than they should be taxed.
This is my sentiment. And especially is it my sentiment when
the fact is known that all these burdens are placed upon the tax
payers of the state to teach the learning or education of this
world. God is not in it. Religion is excluded from it. The Bible
is excluded from it. And those who desire to have their children
receive the advantages of moral and religious education are ex-
cluded from all these state organizations, and if we will have our
children properly taught in principles of righteousness, morality
and religion, we have to establish Church schools or institutions of
education of our own, and thus the burdens of taxation are in-
creased upon the people. We have to do it in order that our
children may have the advantages of moral training in their youth.
I know that I shall be criticized by professional "lovers of edu-

cation," for expressing my idea in relation to this matter.

Care of the Worthy Poor

We are striving to the best of our ability to provide for the

poor ; is, for God's poor.
that You know there are several kinds
of poor, and we want to provide out of the funds of the tithing and
of the offerings of the Saints as far as we possibly can, for the
honest and the worthy poor, and not for the drunken poor or for
those who bring poverty, and distress upon themselves by "riot-
ous living," extravagance, folly and sin. They should be put to
work by some means or power, and kept at work until they learn
to abstain from that which is vicious, and they will observe and
do that which is essential to life and to the well-being of man-
kind. I am not prepared to give you exact figures with reference
to our fast offering fund, but it would be safe to say in view of past
references to this matter, that if the Latter-day Saints would care-
fully, (I will not say honestly, because I do not believe they intend
to be dishonest about it,) and thoughtfully observe the rule or
law of fasting one day in each month, and give for the benefit
of the poor just what it would cost them to maintain themselves
and their families with food on that one day, we would have suf-
ficient funds in the Church to feed all our poor without taking a
dollar of tithing to do it. When it comes to the fact that the fast
 EDITORS' TABLE 75

offering represents perhaps about three or four cents- per head per
year, it does not figure out to be a very inexhaustive fund, and
does not, of course, meet the necessities of the really worthy poor.

Teaching in the Home

I am glad to say that the policy to do ward teaching that
has
been urged upon the bishops and upon the bishops' counselors, and
teachers is being carried out to a greater extent than heretofore.
It is advised that the bishops and their counselors themselves, by
the aid of the teachers called to their assistance in their wards,
shall visit every family within their ward, advise with them, and
look after their temporal and their spiritual well-being. Not long
ago I happened to be at the home of one of my children when the
teachers came in. We called the family together and submitted
ourselves to the duties of the teachers. The head teacher began
by saying that he had been sent there by the bishop of the ward
to inquire into the condition of the members of the family. He
was instructed to inquire of them if they held family prayer, morn-
ing and evening, if they asked the blessing upon their food, at
each meal. He was required by the bishop to inquire as to whether
they kept the word of wisdom, as to whether they attended to their
Sabbath meetings and honored the Sabbath day, as to whether
those who were of age to attend the various other organizations of
the Church, such as the Relief Society, the Young Men's and
Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sunday
Schools, the Primary Associations, and the Religion Class, did so,
and if they sustained in their hearts their bishop and his counselors
and were united in feeling and sentiment with them, and if they
were in harmony in their feelings and sentiment with the presi-
dency of their stake. And as to whether they sustained, by their
faith and prayers, the presiding authorities of the Church, the
Presidency of the Church and the Twelve Apostles, the Patri-
arch, the Presidents of Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric.
If they could pray for them in faith and in good feeling, and were
in harmony with them. If they believed and observed the law of
tithing, and were at peace with their neighbors, etc. Then lie
asked that the head of the family should arise and open his heart
to the teachers and tell them just what he had to say in relation to
all these inquiries and requirements that were made of the teacher
by the bishop. I admired it. I thought it was just the right thing
to do, and I approved of it, and so pronounced my approval of
the thoroughness, the simplicity, and the honesty of the teacher
to inquire into all these things. I was very happy indeed, to

see and hear the young man of the house get up and say that
the family were endeavoring, to the best of their ability and
knowledge, to comply with every requirement that was made of
76 IMPROVEMENT ERA
them as members of the Church in that ward, as required by the
bishop. Then I took the liberty to say to the teachers that I was
pleased with their mission and with the performance of their
duty, and to assure them that from the training and instruction
that my children had had from their birth up, I felt quite sure
that they would be found, wherever they were, complying with all
the requirements that were there made. Namely: the keeping of
the word of wisdom, eschewing the use of intoxicating drinks, the
use of tobacco, of strong and hot drinks, etc. The word of wis-
dom comprises all these things. Do you have your prayers ? Do
you remember God, the giver of all the good you get and have
in the world ? Do you acknowledge his hand in all things, and do
you render the gratitude and thankfulness of your souls to the
Giver of every good and perfect gift? These are the questions
that we should put to the inhabitants and the home-makers in
Zion, to the family organizations in the Church. Is the husband
and the father conducting himself in such a way as to be worthy
of the affection and confidence of his whole family? Is his con-
duct and his dealings with them such as will secure to him their
unstinted love and approval, Are the father and the mother living
peacefully together, without strife or contention? Do the chil-
dren live harmoniously and peacefully together in their homes, and
are they taught to be peaceful and gentle with their neighbors'
children? All these things should be taught by the teachers in
the various wards, and by the bishops, visiting every house as far
as possible, confirming the labors of the teachers in this work
of love for the benefit of the inhabitants of Zion.
My brethren and sisters, these are some of the little things,
perhaps. Some people would consider them trivial and of no im-
portance, but I say there isn't anything that I know of in a man's
life that is more essential to his happiness, and to the happiness
of those with whom he is associated, than these little amenities by
which he shows his love and respect for others and he is respected
and loved, and his presence is cherished, by those with whom he
associates. The father comes home, and the children are glad to
see him the mother welcomes him with all the affection of the
;

true wife and mother, for he is good and true, he does all in his
power to provide a home for them, to make them comfortable
and to add to their happiness and well being, also to provide for
their education and their proper training and instruction. The
whole family is united, and the children grow up to honor their
parents and say: "My father and mother were honest. They set
me the example of their lives. They taught me what was good,
and they practiced it. They set the example to me, as well as
taught me the precept of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I love
them for it. I will always love them for it." When they shall
go beyond, the children will carry with them forever a blessing
 ;;

EDITORS' TABLE 77

for their parents. But the man who is rough, harsh, unkind and
thoughtless, the man who spends his time away from his home
and his children, when he should be with them, or who is absent for
pleasures of his own, or for associations that are not congenial to
the family, what influence for good can he have with his children?
Will they not follow in his footsteps ? Will they not emulate his
example ? Will they not grow up to be even less observant of that
which is required by the Lord of his children than the parents
were, because of the example set before them?

Personal Duty and Power of Presidency

Now, my brethren and sisters, my business, my duty, is to

preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen from
the dead and sitting enthroned in power, glory and majesty on the
right hand of his Father, our God. That is my business and my
duty, and I love to do that more than anything else in the world.
I would deplore and dread the thought that I am neglecting my

duty towards those whom I love more than my own life. I can't
afford it. must do the best I can, the best I know how, for those
I
whom God has entrusted to my care. I must also do my duty to-
ward the people of God to whom he has willed that I should be a
humble minister and teacher of the gospel. It is my duty to set an
example, to plead with the people to live their religion. I ought to
pay my fast offering regularly, right along, as I pay my tithing
when the end of the month comes I go and pay my tithing. Why ?
So that I won't neglect it nor forget it, and that is one of the
things that the good teacher taught us the other evening at our
—
home the payment of tithing. Are we honest with the Lord?
Do we remember him with the first fruits of our increase? If I
were as punctual in observing my fast, and as careful to do all I
should do for it, and a little more than would be really. required of
me, as I try to be in paying my tithing, I believe I would feel
better over it, but sometimes I am a hundred, or a thousand miles
away from my ward on the fast day, and then I can't quite do it
but the family at home can attend to their part of the duty when
I am away. It is my duty as the head of my family to set the
example before all the members of my household.
I have the right to bless. I hold the keys of the Melchizedek

Priesthood and of the office and power of patriarch. It is my

right to bless; for all the keys and authority and power pertain-
ing to the government of the Church and to the Melchizedek and
Aaronic Priesthood are centered in the presiding officers of the
Church. There is no business, nor office, within the Church that
the President of the Church may not fill, and may not do, if it is
necessary, or if it is required of him to do it. He holds the office
of patriarch; he holds the office of high priest and of apostle, of
78 IMPROVEMENT ERA
seventy, of elder, of bishop, and of priest, teacher and deacon in
the Church all these belong to the presidency of the Church
;

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they can officiate in any

and when occasion requires.
in all of these callings
God bless you. May
peace abide and abound in Israel, from
the north to the south, and from the east to the west; and may
the favor and mercy of God be extended unto all the nations of
the world to their restoration to peace and unity and good will, I
humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Why a Temple ivas Built in Canada

I am remindedof one or two other items that I intended to
mention. As you all know, we have been authorized and have
undertaken, to build a temple in Alberta, Canada, and we have
already expended very large sums of money upon that building.
It is in course of erection and is progressing rapidly. The corner
stone was laid only a week or so ago. The walls are being put
up and it is nearing or will be nearing, soon, its completion, and
readiness for the ordinances of the house of God. Wetook it
—
there why? Perhaps just one instance that was brought to our
minds yesterday, or the day before, may illustrate. A young man,
who has filled a good mission and returned home, living away
off in the northern part of British Columbia, still clinging to the
faith and wearing the harness of his ministry, doing all that he
can for the benefit of mankind, desires to get married and to
be married right. He lives hundreds and hundreds of miles
away from a temple he has been on a mission for years and has
;

exhausted all his means, he returns home almost penniless, and

has found some good girl who is willing to enter life with him
on the ground floor, and he says to us "What can I do ? I want
:

to begin a home for myself, it is according to the law of nature

and of God, but I haven't the means to go to the temple. Will
it be right for me to be married here, and then when I get the

means sufficient to go to a temple, go and be sealed for time and

for all eternity?"
Well, what can you do under circumstances of that kind ?
All we could do was to say to him "Go to the nearest bishop or
:

elder of the Church that you can find, and with our permission
and approval ask him to unite you in marriage for time, and as
soon as you are able to reach a temple, where you can go to the
altar and be united by the power of God, and not of man, for
time and for all eternity, go and get your union sealed by the
power of God that will unite you for eternity as well as for time,
and will bring your children unto you under the bond of the new
and everlasting covenant, as heirs of God and joint heirs with
Jesus Christ." What else could we say to him? Nothing else,
 EDITORS TABLE1

79

so we said it ; but by and by we will have a temple up there, and

those who
are in these circumstances will not be compelled to
waste all their substance in travel to come to a temple here. We
were in hopes, not many years ago, of being' able to build another
temple near the borders of the United States, in Mexico but that ;

nation's unfortunate people, oppressed by rulers ambitious for

power at the cost of the lives of their fellowmen, have driven out
or expelled practically our people from their land.

A New Temple Authorised to be Built in Hawaii

Now, away off in the Pacific Ocean are various groups of
islands, from the Sandwich Islands down to Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga,
and New Zealand. On them are thousands of good people, dark-
skinned but of the blood of Israel. When you carry the gospel
to them they receive it with open hearts. They need the same
privileges' that we do, and that we enjoy, but these are out of their
power. They are poor, and they can't gather means to come up
here to be endowed, and sealed for time and eternity, for their
living and their dead, and to be baptized for their dead. What
shall we do with them? Heretofore, we have suffered the con-
ditions that exist there, and have adopted the best measures that
we knew how, always looking to the better and fuller requirements
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now, I say to my brethren and sisters this morning that we
have come to the conclusion that it would be a good thing to build
a temple that shall be dedicated to the ordinances of the house
of

God, down upon one of the Sandwich Islands, so that the good
people of those islands may reach the blessing of the House of
God within their own borders, and that the people from New
Zealand, if they do not become strong enough to require a house
to be built, there also, by and by, can come to Laie,
where they
can get their blessings and return home and live in peace, having
fulfilled all the requirements of the gospel the
same as we have
the privilege of doing here.
It is moved that we build a temple at
Laie Oahu, Territory
of Hawaii. All who are in favor of it, will please manifest it by
raising the right hand. [All hands raised. 1 Contrary minded
by the same sign. I do not see a contrary vote.

I want you to understand that the

Hawaiian mission, and the
<rood Latter-day Saints of that mission, with what help the Church
can give, will be able to build their temple.
They are a tithe-
plantation in a condition to help us.
paving people, and the is

We have a gathering place there where we bring the people to-

in schools and under the
gether and teach them the best we can.
organizations of the Church. tell you that
various auxiliary
1

we (Brother Smoot, Bishop Nibley and 1) witnessed there some

 ;

80 IMPROVEMENT ERA
of the most perfect and thorough Sunday School work on the part
of the children of the Latter-day Saints that we had ever seen.
God bless you. Amen.

"History of the Mormon Church"

Few people realize what difficulties are encountered by writers

of history, and still fewer, what hours, days, months and years of

patient labor are required to ferret out the essential items for
record. Only those who have had such work to do can thoroughly
realize what it is to gather the scattered material, formulate it,
weigh it, and make it available for historical use. A work has just
been completed by Elder B. H. Roberts, assistant historian of the
Church, which is a most distinguished achievement of this class.
Some years ago, July, 1909, the first chapter of The History of the
Mormon Church appeared in the Americana, published in New
York bv the Historical Society, David I. Nelke, president. Each
succeeding number of the Americana, up to June, 1915, which
number has just come to hand, seventy-two in all, has contained a
division of the great work. The large, printed pages number
2.745, with about 500 words to the page, making an average of
about forty pages to the number, a total of about 1.300,000 words
during the six years.
Aside from the text, the history is richly annotated, there
being over four thousand references and notes. Every important
statement is sustained by a citation, or a reference to the original
source of information. In fact, it may be truthfully said that all
important historical facts may be found in the original sources by
following the references in this history. It may readily be con-
ceived, therefore, that this great historical contribution to our
Church literature represents not only a valuable work, but enor-
mous toil and long sustained effort on the part of the author.
When we remember, in addition, that Elder Roberts has edited
and published, in the meantime, two volumes of a six-volume
series under the title The History of the Church, composed of a
journal history of Joseph Smith the prophet, from the inception
of the great Latter-day work to his martyrdom in Carthage.
Illinois, in 1844'. the excessive tension under which he has labored
may to some extent be imagined. Within the same period, too.
the author has published the second volume of Defense of the
Faith and the Saints, which was printed in 1912, and is a book of
550 pages. In addition, also, in 1910-11-12, he wrote three year-
books for the Seventies, being a heavy study course in theology
and beside numerous spirited articles and published discourses.
5
;

The History of the Mormon Church without doubt repre-

 :

EDITORS' TABLE 81

sents Elder Roberts' greatest literary achievement. This may be

truly said, notwithstanding there is no dissertation in our religious
writings which in any way equals, in conception of thought and
originality of argument, his treatise upon the Book of Mormon.
In The History of the Mormon Church
every subject has re-
ceived conscientious treatment and thorough consideration and
analysis. When we consider in addition that the history has
been carried through nearly three thousand pages of a series that
•will make six volumes, the undertaking may well be considered a
marvel of achievement as well as a valuable contribution to Church
literature.
During the publication, in the Americana, the Dcseret News
occasionally noted the progress of the work, and alluded fre-
quently to the quality of fairness in the text and the breadth of
treatment of the subject by the author. Here is a quotation from
an editorial January 2, 1915 :

"The honest historian may not properly omit incidents which his
—
readers and himself may feel would be better forgotten it is his duty
to record that which transpires, not merely that which pleases his
fanc} or subserves his purposes. That Mr. Roberts accepts this con-
r

ception has been many times demonstrated in the course of this his-
tory: and his censure like his praise, is bestowed with such bold im-
partiality that the unprejudiced reader is forced to applaud him for
his desire to be fair. His work will therefore go far toward correcting
misapprehensions which man}' authors seem desirous to perpetuate."

On the 15th of March the News again commented on a

period of the history of the Church covering chapters 111 to 114,
in which it was stated

"Elder Roberts has spared no pains in delving deeply into all

reliable sources of -information, and his conclusions are set down with
vigor and yet with fairness. The farther he carries his narrative the
more is the reader impressed with his fitness for the task he has
undertaken. His work reflects great credit upon him: it is a most
valuable contribution to the history of the Great West."

Onthe 7th of August, this year, in reviewing chapters 1K>

to 120, inclusive, theNews stated, regarding the period covered
by those chapters and relating to the time often referred to as
"the raid:"
"It is not a pleasant epoch to contemplate, and not an easy one
to describe, but its significance and consequences are so far-reaching
that it deserves full explanation and perpetuation on the printed
page.
Elder Roberts has performed the task with excellent fidelity, his sense
of fairness impelling him to seek information from all sources, whether
friendly or hostile, and the result being that in his conclusions he
has nothing extenuated nor aught set down in malice. Copious foot
notes and references give the authorities from which the main narra
tive has been compiled and derived: and these are so exhaustive that
the 'History' will itself be considered an authority for all time to come."
82 IMPROVEMENT ERA
On the whole, the work shows careful consideration of the
text in every page. It is quite profusely illustrated with fine steel
engravings of prominent characters and places notable in the
Church and made prominent in the historical narrative. It is
understood that these illustrations alone have cost about $21,000.
The manner in which the history came to be published by the
American Historical Society is very interesting. In 1898 one
Theodore Schroeder wrote an article on the origin of the Book
of Mormon for the Historical Magazine the predecessor of Amer-
icana, which appeared in four issues of that publication. These
articles were reproduced in the Salt Lake Tribune. Elder B. Ii.
Roberts asked the privilege of answering Mr. Schroeder who, by-
the-by, supported the Spanieling origin of the Book of Mormon.
The editor of the Tribune, who at that time was Colonel Nelson,
thereupon referred him to the Historical Magazine, suggesting
that its publishers would perhaps be pleased to accept a paper in
answer to Mr. Schroeder. Elder Roberts took the matter up
with the president of the Historical Society, Mr. Nelke, who gave
a guarded answer that they would publish an article in reply to
Mr. Schroeder, in the event of its being of sufficient polemical
value, and up to the standard of the magazine in literary quality.
This is exactly where Elder Roberts came to the front and an-
swered the requirement. The article was written and published
in four issues of the Historical Magazine. It was then that the
publishers stated to the author that they would be willing to pub-
lish a history of the Church in detail if Elder Roberts would pre-
pare it. They were informed that such a history of the "Mormon"
Church would perhaps be a larger undertaking than they were
aware of. In answer the publishers replied that they were will-
ing to undertake the work, and that they would either enlarge
their magazine or would change it from a monthly magazine to a
bi-monthly to make room for the undertaking. Under these
arrangements the publication of The History of the Mormon
Church was begun, but its length has largely exceeded the
expectations of both the author and the publishers. Mr. Nelke,
let it be said to his credit, has persistently shown commendable
zeal for the work, notwithstanding objections were raised against
the publication on the part of some of the members of the His-
torical Society and others in high educational places.
It isexpected that the history will in time be published in book
form. will make a set of about six volumes of between 500
It
and 600 pages to the volume. The author is at present engaged
in thoroughly revising the work, and checking it up with a view
to publication in book form. While the annals of our history,
as a Church, are well recorded in detail, they are widely scattered
in papers, records, documents and manuscripts, and one may well
 — — :

EDITORS' TABLE 83

imagine, therefore, the toil and patience necessary to hunt out

the facts from these original sources, condense them, and place
them in form suitable for the reading public. The author is con-
gratulated upon having achieved this purpose.
The history closes with these significant sentences
"The controversies of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, then,
that have relationship to this first great period of the Church's exist-
—
ence the period in which the dominant note has been a struggle for
—
existence are ended. The victory is won for the Church. The
prophecy of Joseph Smith that the Saints would survive the period of
their persecutions, and that there were men then listening to his
words who would live to see the Saints become a mighty people in
—
the midst of the Rocky Mountains is now an accomplished fact.
"It remains for the Church of the Latter-day Saints to enter upon
the second period of her development with perfect confidence that
her existence is assured; and that henceforth she has the two groat
things of her high mission to accomplish, viz., (I) to teach the truths
which God has committed to her by a reopening of the heavens and
a renewal of revelations to an established Church, to an organized
priesthood, thence to be proclaimed to every nation and kindred and
tongue and people; and (2) to perfect the lives of those who shall
accept the truths so revealed to her, and thus assist in preparing men
and the world for the personal coming and reign of the Christ on
the earth.
"He which testified these things [The Christ] saith, 'Surely T
come quickly.'
"And we who write them respond in our heart
"'Even so, come, Lord Jesus!'"

Thoughts in Brief

"The basis of all human pursuit is character, a lack of char-

acter means loss and peril and death." Colliers.

In the probation room of the county court house at Santa

Ana, Orange county. California, there is a sign which reads:
"Blessed is the boy with a strict boss, and a hard task, for he
shall

from the fellow with a soft snap."

learn many things that are kept

Writers for publication may well take to heart the statement

of a wise and busy Englishman, Walter Bagehot, who is said to
whole craft
have once stated in eleven words what is meant by the
of letters. He said : "The secret of style is to write like a human
being."
Owing world-wide fame and achievements of Luther
to the
Burbank 'his opinion on the use of stimulants is worth while.
It is a complete vindication of
the Word of Wisdom. We
quote what he says, as it has come to the Era m a number of

exchanges :

"I never use tobacco and alcohol in any form, and rarely coffee
 .

84 IMPROVEMENT ERA
or tea. l.can prove to you most conclusively that even the mild use
of stimulants is incompatible with work requiring accurate attention
and definite concentration.
"To assist me in my work of budding work that is as accurate —
—
and exacting as watchmaking I have a force of twenty men. I have
to discharge men from this force if incompetent. Some time ago my
foreman asked me if I took pains to inquire into the personal habits
of my men. On being answered in the negative, he surprised me by
saying that the men I found unable to do the delicate work of budding
invariably turned out to be smokers or drinkers. These men, while
able to do the rough work of farming, call budding and other delicate
work 'puttering,' and have to give it up owing to an inability to con-
centrate their nerve force. Even men who smoke one cigar a day
cannot be trusted with some of my most delicate work.
"Cigarettes are even more damaging than cigars, and their use
by young boys is little short of criminal, and will produce in them
the same results that sand placed in a watch will produce destruction. —
"Several of my young acquaintances are in their graves who gave
promise of making happy and useful citizens, and there is no question
whatever that cigarettes alone were the cause of their destruction. No
boy living would commence the use of cigarettes if he knew what a
useless, soulless, worthless thing they would make of him."

Messages from the Missions

The Priesthood in Halifax Branch

Elder Earl S. Harper, Halifax, England, sends this photo of thir-
teen out of the sixteen local brethren holding the priesthood in that
branch of the Leeds conference. Three others are on duty for their
king and country. "The photo was taken just before Brother Scofield,
sitting in the center, the oldest member of the priesthood, emigrated

1 Jp4- £ 'f^
j
y%
?? K
A3
i| k i
If 4
f*
*• f. * IF,
** "mm W**m
lAi
K*J V T
Ni' :? if %
FT1
1
jlTiaml.i &
9
i
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i
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i
ty * *

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 EDITORS' TABLE 85

to Zion with his family. Elder John J. Haslam, of Wellsville, Utah,

is at the right, and Elder Earl S. Harper, Smithfield, is
at Brother
Scofield's left. There is a branch of eighty -two members and aboul
twenty investigators, in Halifax. Wefeel to let the photo speak for
the activity of the Halifax branch."

Wood Work in the Maori College

Elder R. C. Allred of the

Maori Agricultural College, New-
Zealand, sent the enclosed pho-
tograph of Tauaiti Royal, and a
chair of his own workmanship,
which demonstrates the excel-
lent work being done at that
college. "The chair was donated
by the school to the war fund
and sold at auction in Hastings,
by the war fund committee, for
eighteen pounds, or $86.40. The
purchaser was Takar Ihaia. The
native students of the school are
doing exceptionally well in their
work this year."

A Visit to Society Islands.

Elder J. Ervin Pearson, branch president of Takaroa, Society Isl-

ands, July 30: "Ernest C. Rossiter, the new president of the Tahitian
mission, made his first visit to the Society Islands, leaving headquar-
ters at Papeete, July 10. Arriving at Apataki, some two hundred miles
out of Papeete, he met several of the Saints from Takaroa who had
come there for supplies. They told him that they were very anxious
to meet him, and offered to take him there. He changed his course,
and after sailing two days in the little craft they arrived. After the
news of his arrival spread, some two or three hundred people came
running out of their houses to meet him, and greeted him very warmly.
He was taken to the home of Brother Mapuhi, which is always open to
the elders. On the day following, which was Sunday, there were
—
large meetitngs held regular Priesthood meeting at eight, and at nine
o'clock the morning preaching meetitng, at which President Ros-
siter spoken in French. His language was translated by -Brother
Mapuhi, a very able and faithful man in the gospel. He spoke on the
comparisons between the people of the Book of Mormon and those of
the South Sea islands. Sunday school was held at the ten o'clock, at
which the order and marching were very commendable. At three
o'clock the general sacrament meeting was held. In these islands
snow-white pulp of the old cocoanut, which forms in the nut after it
commences to sprout, is used in the service for bread, and the water
from the young cocoanut is the symbol of the blood of Christ, in the
administration of the sacrament. The Saints are to be commended
for

Iheir strict observance of this sacred ordinance. At seven o clock a

86 IMPROVEMENT ERA
># w--' - -_

meetting for the young folks was held. This meeting is on the order
of our Mutual Improvement Associations at home. They first sing
the songs of Zion, and then give a lesson on Church history. Presi-
dent Rossiter said he had never seen a Mutual meeting conducted in a

A GROUP OF SOCIETY ISLAND SAINTS

more interesting manner. During the week Relief Socity and Pri-
mary mettings are held. These conditions are not only true of the
Takaroa branch, but of all the branches throughout the entire group.
All the elders are enjoying good health."

A Thriving Branch with a Good Meetinghouse

Elders Winfield Hurst, Woodville, Idaho, and P. Eugene Johan-

sen, Castle Dale, Utah, of Gaffney, South Carolina, August 23: "The
people here as a whole are very friendly towards our cause, and we
have a host of friends who are willing to entertain us and to hear the
gospel truths explained. Conditions have greatly changed here in the
past twelve years. Up to 1903,
the elders were not allowed to
stay here at all. Now we have
a thriving branch, fully organ-
ized, and about one hundred
members, with prospects of sev-
eral joining our cause in the
near future. We
have a good
meetinghouse, which was erect-
ed about two years ago. The
majority of the business men in
the town assisted us in building
it. Older members tell of the
many oersecutions they were
subjected to, for accepting the
living gospel, during the time when the people were so bitterly op-
 EDITORS' TABLE 87

posed to 'Mormonism.' Some were driven from their homes in the

country by mobs, and were compelled to come to the city where they
have assisted greatly in establishing the work of the Lord. Others
had their houses and all their possessions burned, but the persecu-
tions tended to spread the gospel rather than to bring it to naught.
We feel that the Lord has greatly blessed us in the past, and that the
cause is thriving in this district, and are glad and thankful to be bear-
ers of his saving message."

The Auckland "Messenger"

Elder Roderick Miller, Auckland, New Zealand, sends the en-
closed photo of the editing staff of the Auckland "Messenger:" Left
to right: J. M. Rex, Spanish Fork; W. R. Beckstead, Provo, Utah;
R. L. Shumway, Taylor, Arizona, editor of "Tekaere;" Roderick

Miller, Shelley, Idaho, editor of the "Messenger;" Thomas Grimshaw.

Beaver, Utah, retiring editor of the "Messenger." "The 'Messenger'
and 'Takaere' are enjoying great success, and our mission papers are
reaching the homes of many of the people in New Zealand, being the
means of carrying the gospel over the land. We recently added an
Australian section to our paper, and are receiving some encouraging
reports of the missionary work in our sister island. Thus a wider
held has been opened up, and as a consequence our mission paper is
growing."
A Correction

In the September number of the Era, Elder G. Humphries was

erroneously credited with being president of the Maine conference,
in an introduction to a message. In the message itself, however, M.
Kuhre the retiring president, and Lorenzo Standirird, successor,
G.
were correctly named for these positions.
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

by p. joseph jensen

Lesson 38
(Chapter XXXIV) '

Problem: What kind of work was nearest to the heart of the

Prophet Joseph Smith?
Name the different kinds of work yon do. What do you like to
do most? What kind of work do you think would be of most worth
to you? This does not mean that you are not to engage in other
kinds of work, but of the many kinds of work you may do, which
will be of the most worth to you?
Study the lesson.
What kind of treatment do you think would be most commonly
given a sheriff under circumstances like those in which the Prophet
was put? What did the Prophet do for the sheriff? What did the
judge and attorneys do for the Prophet? What did he counsel the
Indians to do? What was he instrumental in doing for dead ances-
tors? What did he have the Relief Society organized for?
Answer the problem. Compare your answer with what the Lord
said would be of most worth to John Whitmer. See Doc. and Cov. 15.
What work is of most worth to us?
Lesson 39.
(Chapter XXXV)
Problem: What kind of conduct, or work, seemed to be close to
the heart of Joseph Smith's enemies?
Re-read paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of chapter XVIII, page 78. Who
was opposed to the Lord's work? Read Moses 5:29-33 (Pearl of
Great Price). Who advised the first murder? What does Satan try
to do with the Lord's servants?
Study Chapter XXXV and paragraphs 8-20, Chapter XXXVI.
Why did the Spirit of the Lord withdraw from John C. Bennett?
What then did he try to do to the Prophet? Whose influence
prompted Bennett? Name other men who made attempts on the
life of the Prophet. Contrast his treatment of his enemies with their
treatment of him. Who befriended the Prophet? Tell what our
Savior said would be the reward to those who are helpful to his
servants. Answer the problem of the lesson. If we do not seek to
keep with us the Spirit of the Lord, what influence may prompt us
to do evil?

Lesson 40
(Chapter XXXVI, First Six Verses)

Problem: How shall we know whether Joseph Smith was a

Prophet?
Tell what you think is necessary to prove a man is a prophet.
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 89

On one occasion some men of ancient Israel went to

Moses and said
We have heard men in some of our gatherings
prophecying, how
shall we know whether they are true?" Moses answered "If the pre-
dictions come to pass, then are the prophecies true."
Study the lesson and the prophecy on war (Doc. and Cov.
p 304)
What was the prophecy of Mr. Miller? What prophecy or statement
did Joseph Smith make concerning Mr. Miller's prophecy?
Which
was fulfilled? What prophecy did Joseph the Prophet make concern-
ing the coming of Jesus? Tell whether it was fulfilled.
What
prophecy did he make concerning Porter Rockwell's safe return from
his captors? Tell whether it was fulfilled. (See "Church History,"
Period I, Vol. 5, p. 305.) When was the prophecy on the Civil war
made? How long before the war began? What event caused the
Prophet to repeat it in 1843? What was the prophecy? Tell how it
was fulfilled. What predictions did the Prophet make concerning
Stephen A. Douglas? How was it fulfilled?
By what other means may we have faith that Joseph Smith was a
Prophet?
Answer the problem of the lesson. How may we strengthen our
testimonies on whether Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord?

A Notable Example
The Presiding Bishop's Office notes that President Joseph R.
Shepherd, of the Bear Lake stake, reports that "on a recent visit to
Laketown ward in Bear Lake stake he attended the teachers' monthly
report meeting. Every family in the ward had been visited, every
teacher was present at the report meeting, and also every district was
reported by printed slips." The example is a good one.

Can Any Other Ward Compare?

The Bishop of Penrose ward, Bear River stake, called at the
Presiding Bishop's Office recently to attend to some business, and
during the conversation he incidentally reported that the Penrose
ward had been organized five years. During that time, the ward
teachers had visited every family for every month for five years.
That is. they have had a 100% record every month for five years.
1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915. Is there any other ward in the Church
with a similar record?

Lists for Canvassers

The lists of subscribers for 18 have been sent to the stake

volume
superintendents who have forwarded themto the ward officers who
are instructed to deliver them to the canvassers for the Improvement
Er\ All premium manuals will be mailed directly from this office to
the subscribers this year. The manuals are on hand and will be
forwarded immediately on receipt of subscription lists. Subscription
blanks will be gladly furnished to any of the canvassers
who are re-
possibilities nr
quired to fill out the blanks carefully so as to eliminate
error Agents should make a thorough canvass of each ward in the
doing
Church giving every one an opportunity to subscribe. Besides
merit to war
good foreign missionary work, the Era is of sufficient
rant its being supported by every family in
the Church.
 Mutual Work

Stake Work
Opportunities in the M. I. A.
1. The Mutual Improvement Association teaches the principles of
the gospel in their practical application. It aims first of all to instill
faith in God and a testimony of the truth of his great latter-day work.
2. It directs the social life of the young people of the Church
by
providing wholesome amusement and recreation.
3. It provides opportunity for development in musical and literary
lines, story-telling, public speaking, boys' and girls' choruses, drama,
contest work, and social activities.
4. It presents each year a course of carefully selected books for
home reading.
5. It publishes two magazines, the Improvement Era, and the
Young Woman's Journal.
6. It presents special lines of work —
the Boy Scout and the Bee
Hive Girl movements.
7. It aims to direct young men in choosing their life's work.
8. It uplifts and dignifies the home, and teaches the Latter-day
Saint woman to appreciate her position as home-maker.
The courses of study for the present year are:

Y. M. M. I. A.
Senior classes — "Conditions of Success."
Junior classes
—"Lessons on Success."

Y. L. M. I. A.
Senior classes —"The Latter-day Saint Home."
Junior classes
—"Stepping Stones to Faith."

Live Topics for Officers

At the Bishop's Building, October 4, 1915, at 4:15 p. m., a general

meeting of the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. was held. There were
thirteen members of the General Board present, and thirty-nine stakes
were represented by sixty-eight representatives. The following short
program was carried out, after singing and prayer:
"Correspondence," by Dr. George H. Brimhall; "Monthly Reports
of Stakes to the General Board," B. S. Hinckley; "Publicity," Edward
H. Anderson; "Department Work in Stake and Ward Officers' Meet-
ings," Oscar A. Kirkham; "The Great Essential in M. I. A. Work,"
President Heber J. Grant.
Here are some points given in the talk on Correspondence. Dr.
—
Brimhall treated his subject in four divisions the sociological, the
psychological, the economical and the theological aspects. Under
the sociological division, Dr. Brimhall quoted one of the most perfect
gentlemen in our midst, of high rank in the Church, and one of our
apostles who said: "A gentleman answers his letters." It is as much
out of place not to answer a letter as it is not to answer a verbal com-
munication. Imagine if you can someone calling to you, and he
 MUTUAL WORK 91

knows you hear but you simply disdain to reply, what will happen.
You may not disdain, but you simply go off talking, and attending to
your business, and treat him with careless contempt. It is uncivil and
cruel to keep a correspondent on the anxious seat.
The psychological aspect: The neglected letter makes one ashamed
to meet the writer. Indifference to the just claims of the absent culti-
vates moral cowardice. It is often said: "I know that my letter can
be turned down more easily than I can." Well, it shouldn't be, if
your cause is just; and so we cultivate a sort of moral cowardice by
the unjust treatment of the absent. Attention to the claims of the
absent cultivates kindness, and his respect, as well as the respect of
others. You let a boy neglect answering the letters to his mother,
and he will not love her with the tenderness that he will if he writes
to her, keeps up a warm correspondence with her. Indifference .

towards an object has a tendency to breed contempt for the object.

The economic side: Carelessness in correspondence cuts down a
man's courage. Carefulness in correspondence creates and keeps up
confidence. A neglected letter costs more time in thinking
about it,
prompt
and energy in worrying about it, than it would take to write ten
answers I think this true with any courteous
man: he cant help
answer.
but worry about a letter that he has neglected to
The theological aspect: Do as you would be done by Do thy by
others as you would have others do by you.
"Thou shalt love
neighbor as thyseelf." There is a good deal of sacnlegiousness in our
neglect of correspondence.
Here are five safety suggestions:
Have a place for answered, and also
one for unanswered,
(1)

in the order of your business

meetings —ward
^T^'Haveheadings
unanswered correspondence. Let the secretary
call
stake, etc., called
iOT
correspondence of an official nature receive collective
%) Let all
letters of the
to say, let the president read the

-s OS
consideration That is

«E%**^r^^A"£
^
SSeS?
e
offi "navLg'it refd a fd
S e
m|de a matter of conside ratio,,
"of the

S^tS^lSt t J^5K £?££ n^it^ miter of

COUn mailing Never

(4J- Let all correspondence be proof-read befor. :

^*>" %* "^
sleep for cooling
that print has a better
memory
^^^Xr^:™tZLAo write what one might

" 0t the -pennten^nt

£? £ XSSZSfa the general secretary
ward presidents you are
that JP^^
of the stake or the
would be considered an affront
the way J contemptu-
of
hut it
these men are sometimes
C
relereared, ft u c ^ .^
^^ ar?to^thc ^ets a^hTthird
S one is dishonesty.

B S. Hinckley stated that there

would
^M^^^ g
92 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Following are questions for October, which should be answered no
later thanNovember 1. Other questions will follow each month:
1. State how you have divided your work and its responsibilities
among the stake officers.
Report the number of stake officers and the subjects con-
2.
sidered at the last stake officers' meeting.
3. What is your plan for securing an enrollment of 12% in the
wards of your stake?
4. How
many of your wards have a receipt for 100% Fund?
5.^
_
What plan was most successful in your stake in securing sub-
scriptions for the Era?

Elder Edward H. Anderson treated Publicity, showing the need

of advertising our activities. He named as mediums, newspapers,
bulletins in halls, leaflets, public gatherings, attractive announcements
in Sunday School and ward meetings, and special M. T. A. papers.
He advised proper courtesy to stake and ward authorities so that they
might become public advocates of our activities. He suggested that
the various topics for special consideration each month be advertised,
and suggested for the opening meeting the following notice:

FREE FOR THE ASKING

How to succeed! There is a theme for you. The Y. M. M. I. A.
of ward,
ready to tell you how; the association
is
will give you fifteen lessons on "Conditions of Success" during the
winter course. The privilege is open to every earnest worker. Warm,
well-lighted rooms, comfortable surroundings, and competent class
—
teachers will delight you while you learn and all is free. Problems
and interesting discussions will be assigned giving you opportunity to
learn how to express your thoughts in public.
Senior classes for all over seventeen, and junior classes for young
men between fourteen and seventeen, sub-junior classes for boys from
twelve to thirteen. For the latter there will be stories, and lessons in
scout work. For the junior classes lessons on success are in story
form. All members are entitled to take part in the special work and
contests, debating, singing, drama, story-telling, and social activities.
Come and join us. President will tell you how.

Oscar A. Kirkham treated Department Work in Stake and Ward

Officers' Meetings. Department meetings should be held whenever
possible. The work may be classed under four headings as follows:
CI) The ward presidencies and their counselors, ward secretaries
and treasurers. This department to be supervised by the stake super-
intendency, stake secretary and treasurer.
(2) The Senior class leaders and the vocation counselors, with
the stake class-study man and the vocation supervisor in charge of
this department.
(3) The Junior class leaders and the Scout^ masters, with the
stake junior-class man and the stake scout commissioner in charge.
The musical directors and those who have charge of the im-
(4)
portant work of preliminary programs, with the stake musical director
and stake board member in charge of the programs, to supervise this
department.
"You tan get more efficient work this way and fit your ward
officers for their work more certainly than by touching a lot pf scat-
tering generalities. Discuss definite problems. To make a success
you must have a definite time for opening and closing. Have one big
theme for each month, and have your stake officers prepared to work
 MUTUAL WORK 93

out the ways and means, and suggest to ward officers how to handle
the problems. Remember you are measured, not on how carefully
you assigned the work, but on what really is accomplished in the
duties you are asked to perform. Plunge in, don't stick your toe in
like a backward bather, or you'll get cold feet. Get in and work and
you'll feel fine."

Elder Heber J. Grant stated that the one great object of the or-
ganization of the Mutuals was to make Latter-day Saints, and that the
great essential in M. I. A. work was the spirit of the gospel. All the
activities are a mere means to an end, which end is the making of
Latter-day Saints. We
must have a love of the work in our hearts
as we cannot give to others what we do not possess. In order to
inspire we must be inspired.

A Model Opening
From the "Bit and Spur," volume 3, number 1, a bulletin which is
the organ of the 31st ward M. I. A., Salt Lake City, we gather that
this ward has followed strictly the plan of the General Board for the
opening of their association. During the week beginning Sunday,
October 10, they had three big events marking the opening of the
season's M. I. A. activities, outlined in brief as follows:
Joint evening, Sunday, October 10, with special musical program:
Selection, "Night Song," by the ward choir; vocal duet, "The Savior
Liveth," Mrs. Enid Orlob and Mrs. Bessie Newman; soprano solo,
"Come Unto Me," Miss Mildred Knight; violin solo, "Swan Song,"
Bert Garner; "God is Our Refuge," by the ward choir. During the
evening an address was delivered by Elder Oscar A. Kirkham, M. I.
A. Field Secretary, in which the outlines for events two and three were
given. The house was crowded.
On Tuesday, October 12, the association had its opening session.
There were present all the class leaders for both the young men and
the ladies, and the first lesson .was properly given in each particular
class. A sentiment at the close of the program read: "The members
are loyal; the mutual is royal; in the Thirty-first ward on Tuesday.
Join the M. I. A. and be connected with a success."
Event number three was a grand opening ball given at the amuse-
ment hall on Friday, October 15, beginning promptly at 8:30 p. m.
Slogan, "Be there, on time, everybody. It's the first— let's make it the
best of the season. The affair which everybody attends. It sets the
—
pace. The time when you feel the exhilaration of youth and the
'joy of living' in the 31st ward. The place where you meetyour friends
and enojy the association of the girls and boys worth while.
What you get: Credit for the M. I. A. Fund, a membership button
of the 31st ward M. I. A., and the 'time' of your life. The amusement
for the occasion.
hall will be renovated, retinted and specially decorated
Admission, 25 cents." More than enough for the annual fund of the
association was raised at this opening ball, and the prospect
for a
successful season is excellent, in all departments.
 Passing Events

Albert Goodwill Spalding, one of the pioneers of American base

ball died in San Diego, California, September 9.
Anthony Comstock, for more than forty years an active crusader
against vice, died September 21, 1915, in Summit, New jersey, age
seventy-one years.
John D. Long, former governor of Massachusetts, and secretary
of thenavy under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt died at Hing-
ham, Massachusetts, August 28, 1915.
Dr. Dumba, the Austrian ambassador to the United States went
to
Europe under safe-conduct October 5. Word came from Vienna that
the Austro-Hungarian government by reason of the request from
the
United States had formally recalled him.
The Panama Canal has had a slide which is likely to prevent ships
from passing the canal until January one. More than a hundred
ships
with great cargoes will either pass round the horn or have
their
cargoes sent by rail across the Isthmus.
The G. A. R. forty-ninth annual encampment was held in Wash-
ington, D. C, during the week of September 27. President Wilson
reviewed the parade on the 29th in which were thousands of the sur-
vivors of the grand review held in May, 1865.

John T. Olsen, for thirteen years engineer of the Salt Lake Temple,
died September 15, 1915, in Salt Lake City. He came here fifty years'
ago from New York where he lived seventeen years after leaving his
native land, Norway.
John H. Brinton, 63 years of age, died at Holliday, Utah, Septem-
ber 12, 1915. He was born in Big Cottonwood, April 8, 1852, being
the son of the first bishop of that district, David B. Brinton and Har-
riet Dilworth Brinton.
The Anglo-French financial commission succeeded in borrow-
joint
ing five hundred million dollars in the United States. The loan is
made on 5% short term bonds issued by the two European Govern-
ments, and underwritten by a syndicate of the largest American bank-
ing institutions as guarantors.
John A. Egbert, bishop of West Jordan for more than twenty
years, was struck by an Orem line train at Gardner's Station and was
instantly killed. He was born in Hancock County, Illinois, March
and
28, 1842, came to Utah in 1849. He was an active worker in both
Church and business affairs and was widely and favorably known
among the people.

The UtahState Fair, of 1915, was more largely attended than any
other ever held in the state. The value of the exhibits was greater,
and the exhibits were more artistic than ever before. The total value
of the livestock exhibit is said to have approximated $700,000. The
mineral as well as the fruit and manufacturing displays were admir-
able.
 PASSING EVENTS 95

John A. Maynes, president of the London conference, died in Lon-

don of pleurisy, October 13, 1915. He was born 55 years ago
in Hull
England, and came to Salt Lake City in 1890. lie had been away
from home twenty-six months, on a mission. His predecessor, Stewart
Eccles, died about a year ago in England, and his brother also died
while on a mission some years ago.
The Arrow Rock Dam, canyon near Boise, Idaho is the
built in a
highest structure of its kind world. The concrete wall rises 351
in the
feet from bed rock— is 67 feet higher than the Roosevelt
dam in Ari-
zona, and 23 feet higher than the Shoshone dam in Wyoming.
Its
curved crest is 1060 feet long, its masonry resting on an acre°of bed
rock. The project cost five million dollars. The purpose is to
con-
serve irrigation water for 250,000 acres of desert land.

Vilhjalmar Steffansson, head of the Canadian Arctic expedition;

sent a message, September 17, announcing his safe return to Banks-
land after a journey over the ice with three companions. He had not
been heard from for a year and a half. He had discovered land hitherto
uncharted near 78 degrees north latitude, and 117 degrees west longi-
tude. He will remain another year to learn the extent of this Arctic
land which many men of science believe is the edge of a continent
in the polar sea.

The Great War. During the middle and latter part of September
great activity continued in the west, in which the French made some
headway at Arras and along the heights of the Meuse and on the right
banks of the Aisne-Marne canal, also northwest of Reims. In the east,
General von Hindenburg continued his eastward march of about one
hundred miles, since the fall of Brest-Litovsk on August 25. The war
in the Gallipoli peninsula continued, and the German minister an-
nounced, on the 16th of September, that a great German army is on
the way to Turkey. The Russians claim a number of victories in east-
ern Galicia, and the Germans began their attack upon the Serbians.
Vilna was evacuated on the 19th. Several Zeppelin raids were made
during September on London, a raid on the 14th of October killing
fifty-five and injuring one hundred and fourteen.
—
September 16. The Russian Duma was prorogued until the mid-
dle of November, arousing much feeling among the people.
September 21 The British chancellor of the exchequer an-
nounced that Great Britain's debt, at the end of the fiscal year would
be eleven billion dollars, and he proposes to add forty per cent to the
income —
tax. Berlin announces that submarine commanders are given
strict instructions to give all liners the benefit of the doubt where
the intentions are uncertain, and to permit the ships to escape rather
than run the risk of error.
—
September 28. The British took exceptionally strong German
lines of trenches at Loos, and on the day before the Allies advanced
south of Lille. The losses of the Germans were forty thousand dead
and wounded with nearly an equal number of prisoners taken.
—
September 29. At Lens and Champagne the Allies estimated that
the German losses are placed at one hundred and twenty thousand
men.— The third German loan was closed— two billion, seven hundred
and fifty million were subscribed which is a half billion
more than
was subscribed for the second loan.— Reports have reached Washing-
ton that about five hundred thousand Armenians have been
slaughtered
by the Turks and Kurds, or lost their lives as a result of the recent
Turkish deportation order.
 The Pan-American conferees who had previously been called to con-
sider the Mexican situation with the United States government announced
early in September that the leader of the strongest Mexican faction will be
recognized. Villa then made active efforts to show that Venustiano Carranza
governed only a small part of the Mexican territory. Then followed several
conflicts between the United States soldiers and the Mexicans. On October
9th the Pan-American conferees proposed recognition of Carranza to their
respective governments, the United States representatives having agreed.
Carranza was overjoyed by such a final recognition which he has been laboring
for so long, while General Villa departed with forces for Casas Grandes after
voicing his defiance of the action and threatening a veritable war of extermina-
tion. General Carranza later took a trip through the northern part of Mexico
accompanied by Geneal Obregon. The "Mormons" in the Casas Grandes
district were again threatened with extermination, and some of them made
their way to El Paso.

Improvement Era, November, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.

Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, )
Editors
Heber J. Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, \ Moroni Snow, Assistant

In the Heart of the Yellowstone National Park Frontispiece

To Thee. A Poem Alfred Lambourne 1

A Notable Feature of the World's Congress of

Religious Philosophies Dr. James E. Talmage 3
Speak, Lord, for Thy Servant Heareth.
A Poem Annie D. Palmer 6
Brotherhood Joseph Quinney, Jr 7 , . .

Poetry for the Way Up 13

The School Over the "Tater Hole." A Story. Ida Stewart Peay 14
How Success Comes. A Poem 22
Outlines for Scout Workers. Illustrated Delbert W. Parratt, A. M... 23
Governor Blease on Smoking 26
Free and Useful Education E. G. Peterson 27
Man Sent of God— II Newel K. Young 30
On what Day was Jesus Christ Crucified? . F. M. Darter 33
The Miracle of Day. A Poem Ethel Jarvis 43
A "Mormon" Captain in the British Army F. C. Steele 44
Incompetence F. W. Cope 45
Keeping One's Life in Tune 47
Do You Believe in Lady Missionaries? Edna Crowther 48
Vocations and Industries Claude Richards 50
"Safety First" Charles T. Richardson 53
Helping the Stranger. A Poem Erne Haskins 60
The Lesson Taught by a Healing George F. Richards 61
M. I. A. Scouts at Vernal, Utah. Illustrated : 62
How to Enjoy Life Dr. Charles L. Olsen 64
Three Points in the War Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 68
—
Editors' Table General View of Church Con-
ditions President Joseph F. Smith ... 71
"History of the 'Mormon' Church" 80
Thoughts in Brief 83
Messages from the Missions 84
Priesthood Quorums' Table 88
Mutual Work 90
Passing Events 94
 Little Sir Galahad
By Phoebe Gray
"THE BOOK WITH A BLESSING"
A book that captivates whole families by
its joyous humor, its tender appeal, its dra-
matic and gripping situations and its won-
derful, inspiring spiritual quality. No one
can meet Charlie Thomas the "Little Sir
Galahad" of the story) and fail to love him,
to live with him, to be uplifted and helped
by knowing him.
Fathers and mothers are putting it in the
hands of growing boys and girls to read and
are reading it aloud to the younger children,
The M. I. A. General Boards have adopted

it on the Reading Course.

Charmingly Illustrated by F. Liley Young
$1.35 Net; $1.45 Postpaid
Published by Small, Maynard & Company, Boston

Descret Sunday School Union Book Store

44 EAST ON SOUTH TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY
The story "Little Sir Galahad" will appear as a serial in
fciji^ ^
1

"The Juvenile Instructor" beginning in the October number.

(dip Subscribe now. The Juvenile Instructor, $1.00 per year.

BOTH PHONES 351

Jos, Wm. Taylor

Utah*s Leading Undertaker
and Licensed Embalmer.
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 You never lack
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tainment if you have ,f

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in your home.
There's no limit to good times for both old and young, if you have a Colum-
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GRAFONOLAS are one price tKe nation over.

When you buy a Grafonola of us -on have the satisfying assurance that
you're getting the lov> est price anyone could get, any place in the United
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Send for our catalog. Make your selection. We
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Machine
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 ru vl
'
y vi'
IISimi

^ Organ of the Priesthood Quorums, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Asso
ft*
ciations and the Schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sainti

JJj Published Monthly by the General Board at Salt Lake City, Utah
 —

"Jesus The Christ"

The publication of this new
work by the Deseret News; com-
prising' over 800 pages, from the
pen of
DR. JAMES E. TALMAGE
has been officially announced by
the First Presidency of the
Church, who say: "We commend
it especially for use In our Church
Schools, as also for the advanced
theological classes in Sunday
Schools and Priesthood Quorums,
for the instruction of our mis-
sionaries, and for general read-
ing."
The work deals with the Mes-
siah and His Mission throughout
Sympathy Is Grateful past, present, and future times,
as attested by modern as well as
When you're sorrowing. But it doesn't ancient Scriptures.
pay bills. An insurance policy is full and mission
It presents the life
of the Savior of mankind from
of the right sort of sympathy when the "Mormon" point of view.
your property is destroyed. And no Of superior quality as to paper,
one should neglect to secure protection type, and binding.
against such a contingency. give We In half leather, fl.60.
you the maximum of insurance at min- Send In your orders now
imum of cost. Let us quote you rates.
Deseret News Book Store
Home Fire Insurance Go. of Utah THE LEADING BOOK CONCERN
6 MAIN ST.
Salt Lake City, Utah, 22 Main Street.
"Keep Money at Home.'*

—
The Panama California Exposition
^AN niFP.O
U^-Yl^l
Open
L/1ILOW closesJanuary
Dec. 31, 1915.
1,
GOING
The Panama-Pacific International Ex- to the Expositions?
position SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco closes Dec. 4
Opens February SO, olose December 4, 1915
Tickets on sale Daily to
Nov. 30th. Limit Dec. 31st.
Excursion Rates in Effeft Daily
Everybody should see the
to November 30th, 1915 Expositions.
Inclusive GO SEE WHAT THE
WORLD IS DOING

Rate will be In effect via Salt Lake and Los

Angeles going, and returning via San Fran-
cisco and Portland, or going via Portland
For Information, Rates, Train
and San Francisco, returning via Los An-
Schedule*, apply
geles and Salt Lake, or returning In either
ease via San Francisco or Ogden. CITY TICKET OFFICE.
10 East Third South St.
Phones Wasatch 3501-2.
Consult any O. S. L. Agent for rates, de.
J. H. MANDERFIELD, A.G.P.A.
•orlptlve literature, etc., or write,
Salt Lake City
D. S. BTJBLKY, Gen'l Passenger Agent, Tickets are good going or
Salt Lake City, Utah returning
Via L.OS ANGELES
WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PLEASE MENTION TUB IMPROVEMENT ERA
 LAKE LILLIAN, WASATCH MOUNTAINS

There is a wonderful entrance into the high and secret

valley of the Wasatch, in which lies Lake Lillian. It was
carved through the solid granite and quartzite by the ice
waves of a glacier in the long ago. Smoothly polished and
ground are the mighty edges, but now, from their crevices,
spring forth a multitude of mountain flowers. Above the en-
trance, as above the lake, rises a vast, natural sun-dial. A jut

of quartzite of one thousand feet in height, is its gnomon, and

its shadow circles upon the stilly waters of the lake and the
lower mountain slopes, and measures the hours, the days, the
years, of the passing centuries. This gnomon dominates the
scenery of the lake, and to its great bulk that of the dome of

St. Peters is but as a toy.

ALFRED LAMBOURNE.
AMONG THE WASATCH SUMMITS
The Path of a Glacier
 Improvement Era
Vol. XIX '
DECEMBER, 1915 No. 2

The Birth of Jesus

The birth and mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are
divine. Some would pay homage to him only as the greatest of
men and philosophers. But
no ancient and serious error, but
it is

a truth, to know him as the Son of the Living God.

He is in very truth what he himself declared himself
to be,
and what the writers of the New Testament, and his immediate
followers testified he is.

Men and women who know his birth and mission to be di-
vine, prove their faith by their works. They strive to keep his
commandments. They carry his message of salvation to the na-
tions abroad that sit in darkness they rescue
those who are
;
in
danger of perishing in sin, at home and, with enthusiastic ;
zeal,
promote that spiritual growth in the lives of people which has
made the true followers of Christ, in very deed and in all
respects,
unique and superior.
And so, on this returning day, celebrated as the day of his
birth,we proclaim the glad message that the coming of Jesus
Christ into the world was by far the greatest event in
the history
of the human race that he is greater,
; infinitely greater, than the
greatest of men ever born upon the earth, and that he is the
Only Begotten Son of God. He is the Savior of our
race, the
Captain of our salvation, and our Hope of eternal life.
Only by
faith in his divine birth and mission, and
through his gospel plan
rightly understood and practiced, may all men in
all the nations of
the earth find peace and salvation.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ," says St. Matthew, "was on

 :

100 IMPROVEMENT ERA

this wise: "When as his mother Mary was espoused to
Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of
the I loly Ghost.
"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing
td make her a public example, was minded to put her away
privily.
"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of
the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son
of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which ;

is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.
:

"Now
all this was clone, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying:
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a
son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being inter-
preted is, God with us.
"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the
Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife
"And knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn
son and he called his name Jesus."
:

St. Luke continues the story, "And it came to pass in those

days, that there went out a decree from Csesar Augustus, that all

the world should be taxed.

"(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was gover-
nor of Syria.)
"And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee,out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-
lehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David;)
;

"To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child.
"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
"And she brought forth her firstborn s,on, and wrapped him
in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was ;

no room for them in the inn.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
"And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore ;

afraid.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring ;

you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.
"And this shall be a sign unto yon ;
 : ;

THE BIRTH OF JESUS 1U1

"Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying

in a manger.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
toward men.
"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from
them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now
go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us.
"And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph,
and the babe lying in a manger.
"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
saying which was told them concerning this child.
"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds."

The Christmas Chimes

"The Christmas chimes are pealing high

Beneath the solemn Christmas sky,
And blowing winds their notes prolong
Like echoes from an angel's song
'Good-will and peace, peace and good-will,'
Ring out the carols glad and gay,
Telling the heavenly message still,

That Christ the Child was born today.

"In lowly hut and palace hall,

Peasant and king keep festival,

And childhood wears a fairer guise.

And tenderer shine all mothers' eyes
The aged man forgets his years.
The mirthful heart is doubly gay,
The sad are cheated of their tears,
For Christ the Lord was born today."
Saratt Chauncey Woor.sF.v
 The Trapper's Christmas

THE STORY OF TWO CHRISTMAS DAYS, ONE BEFORE AND THE OTHER
AFTER THE PIONEERS ARRIVED IN UTAH

RY JOSEPH HICKMAN

It was the summer of 184— and the annual meeting- of trappers,

traders, and Indians was in full swing at the Green river ren-
dezvous. Around the trader's cabin had sprung up during the
past week a city of smoking tepees and wigwams, the
vivacious
inhabitants of which, gathered here and there in small
groups,
carried on their crude traffic in furs, trinkets and whiskey.
And'
from day to day the commotion grew, until one who beheld the
performance afterward described it thus "What a commingling
:

of hell, earth and bedlam was there! On the soft tinctured

mountain air rang n hellish harmony the united sound of whoop-
i

ing savages, baying wolf-dogs, howling half-breeds, cracking

rifles and carbines, with the sacre and fichtre
of the Frenchman,
and the more awful curses of the Englishman. These dying down
at intervals there was the milder, but not more exalted, refrain
of
hiccoughing traders and licentious love makers. All were free
to eat, drink, and kill ad libitum, each guarding his own head.
Thus there was no end of trafficking, gambling, horse-racing, danc-
ing, courting, and fighting."*
''Mountain Sheep," the most powerful Indian chief of the
Rockies, was there. With him came many of his tribe bent on
securing powder, knives, trinkets, and the deadly "fire-water."
Among those who came were many dusky maidens, young and
giddy, urged on to mating with white men by their unscrupulous
kinsmen, who were sure to receive, on such occasions, a danger-
ous quantity of whiskey and many gaudy trinkets. The "Lamb,"
said to be the chief's own daughter, but showing in her features
white characteristics, was there on the occasion we are recording.
Her connection with the great chief, together with her quiet de-
meanor, so unlike her dusky sisters, soon made her the object
of more than one eventful courting. And not until, at least, one
trapper had bit the dust did the famous young F carry away

*See Bancroft's History of the Northwest.

 THE TRAPPER'S CHRISTMAS 103

the prize to his tepee, where her people soon gathered and did
not leave until they had eaten and drunk the most of his earnings
of many years.
But there was nothing unusual in such occurrences. Such
events were common features at every rendezvous. Always, there
was a favorite squaw, for possession of whom the trappers quar-
relled, fought and died. Being no more than a common occur-
rence, there is little doubt that this story would never have been
told, but for the fact that F and his family later became resi-
dents of Utah, where many of their children now live. Among
these children are men who have served the state as law-makers,
teachers and in other responsible positions. Of their children, the
grandchildren of F and the "Lamb," several have been gradu-
ated from college, others are merchants and ranchers. Not one,
so far as is known, has ever been convicted of any sort of crime.
And all are justly proud of the romantic tale of the strange love
and adventure of their grandparents.
The "Lamb" and F departed from the rendezvous soon
after the savage mob fell into the drunken stupor, the joy of which
they craved above all other things earthly. As he belonged to the
daring class known as "free-trappers," the pair went their own
way and soon sought out some promising streams in the Uintahs
where they were confident of securing the desired furs during the
winter. At a convenient spot they erected a cabin and in it lived
unmolested for two years. During this time they saw few other
humans, except at the rendezvous, which they attended together.
F was now a "squaw-man" and as such was left unmolested
by the other trappers. Then, too, a big-eyed, gooing being had
come screaming his way into the world and the cottage, and his
presence seemed to link the strange mating still stronger.
The third winter came, and with it the hard luck and suffer-
ing that have made it the subject of chapters in histories of the
fur trade. This year one may find recorded under such direful
headings as, "The Last of the Rendezvous," "The Disastrous
Winter," "Decline of the Fur Trade," and others more woeful.
None of the large fur companies made expenses, while here and
there a free trapper was fortunate in being located on some well
stocked stream. These laid in a good supply of furs during the
autumn and' early winter, only to have their cabins raided later
and the entire stock carried away by other trappers, who. finding
it impossible to catch beaver, had turned to stealing from those
who had done so. F was among those to lose their furs in
this manner, though, as we shall see, it was years before he knew
how it all happened.
was Christmas day of the year that F
It lost his furs.
He and the "Lamb" had planned to go up-stream and bring back
104 IMPROVEMENT ERA
the furs which they expected to find in the traps which had been
set several days previous. Little Jim, now nearly two years old,
must of course go along, Indian fashion, snugly wrapped, bask-
eted, and tied securely on the side of his mother's pony. The
father, after the usual custom, left as soon as he had made his
horse ready, which on this occasion was several hours before the
mother and child were ready to follow him.
Just as the mother was about to mount, the thieves dashed
down the hillside and up the canyon. It seemed that they came from
every direction, which undoubtedly they had come. The "Lamb"
was knocked senseless and the coveted furs soon packed on the
horses, including the one on which the child had been tied and was
at the time probably fast asleep. In their haste the thieves did not
notice the basket, or it might have been that they thought it a
waste of time to stop long enough to untie it. At any rate the
child was carried along.
Indian blood runs with strength and vigor in male and female
alike. Thanks to it, the "Lamb" soon found strength enough to
rise, and consciousness enough to know what had happened. Her
resolve was quickly made and as quickly she began its execution.

II

Tired and hungered, yet with cheerful satisfaction, F-

came down the slope to his cabin at dusk of that eventful Christ-
mas day. Every trap had held some sort of fur among which
he numbered that of a silver fox for which he had long sought,
not so much for its value as for the fact that the "Lamb" had
often wished that she might have one with which to line the
outside of the basket in which little Jim was swung from the over-
head logs of the cabin. So he was filled with satisfaction.
Of course he had missed the "Lamb's" company. He had
expected her to overtake him early in the day, for at each trap
he must spend considerable time taking out the fur, and reset-
ting. But he had seen not a sign of her. Yet he felt no con-
cern in fact it was with a degree of satisfaction that he recalled
;

this. To him it meant that she had startled some game on the
early part of her journey, been successful in bagging it, and re-
turned to the cabin to take care of it as was her willing duty.
Not once did it occur to him that she might have met with some
accident, for well he knew that she could take care of herself in
those woods even better than he. Nor did he once allow himself
to think that she had not started to follow, for she was ever beside
him when opportunity and duty permitted. This condition was
due, most likely, to the kindness with which he treated her, and on
thiskindness he prided himself.
 —

.THE TRAPPER'S CHRISTMAS 105

But as he neared the cabin the usual friendly yelping of the

woman's dog did not greet him. This was a boding of evil. With
the first concern that he had
during the entire day he spurred
felt
his tired pony He drew
near the cabin and strained his
to a trot.
eyes for the usual light that shone through the cracks in the
'

creaking door. Not a glimmer could he detect. He hastily dis-

mounted and burst into the room even in the darkness he could
;

feel its emptiness. He

struck a light and the first blazing of the
pine-knot revealed to him the empty, disorderly room.
He fell in a lump on the nearest stump that had served as a
chair. Then in quick succession there flashed across his mind the
stories he had heard of run-away squaws. There was one who had
left the house locked and, inside, the young ones, five or six of
them. There they had remained several days before the trapper
had returned to find them half starved and frozen. Another story,
rife in the wilds at the time, was a squaw who had married a well-
to-do trapper at the suggestion of her father, with whom she had
plotted to murder the white man at the first most favorable op-
portunity. And she had carried out her part of the plot, and the
other Indians had carried away the dead man's treasures. All
these and many others F recalled in a moment, and quickly
concluded that his squaw had but acted accordingly. '

To be sure he had known these stories before he had taken the

"Lamb" into his cabin. But he had had his own theories of why
they had come about. "The poor devils," he would usually say
upon hearing such a story, "who would blame them? If a man
treats his squaw like a brute he must expect her to act as one.
When I take a squaw, I'll treat her white." So he had. And now
she had left him.
Impulsively he sprang to his feet and rushed outside to his
pony. He would follow her and bring back with her his furs,
then she would know what it was to be treated like other squaws.
Outside the cold canyon breeze struck him briskly in the face
and the shock seemed to bring him to his senses. What would be
the use of following? She was undoubtedly assisted by her tribes-
—
men and to follow would mean sure death, long before he would
be able to reach striking distance. The moon emerged from the
mass of pines on the hillside and with its assistance he was able
to discern many strange horse tracks in the snow. This was evi-
dence enough, the plot had been premeditated, and the "Lamb"
had given the signal that he was away, possibly before he had gone
a mile up the canyon that morning.
He
hobbled the pony and went dumbly back into the cabin.
hard for us who have been reared in a town to understand
It is

the actions of men of F 's type.

—
They had lived, with the
<

savages so long that they had taken on much of savage customs

106 IMPROVEMENT ERA
and modes of thought. When a wrong was done them, nothing
could occupy their minds vengeance was had. From the day
until
they received an injury to the day il was avenged, it became their
sole business to carry out the plans to obtain their reward in the
shape of suffering on the part of the enemy.
We civilized men act differently. If the object of our wrath
is at hand on the moment we receive knowledge of the wrong, he

may suffer by our temporary madness. But after this has passed,
we arc content to "let the law take its course." The immediate
effects are the strongest on us, often driving us to insanity. The
opposite is true of the savage and the woodsman. He utters a few
blood-curdling oaths, including one, life-binding, for revenge, and
then he begins to coolly plan and premeditate as logically as one of
us would do on a piece of business that is to come up the next
day.
So it was with F and after the customary cursing he
,

gathered the few remaining odds and ends of furs and witb
them constructed a sort of bed in which he was soon sleeping as
quietly as if tbe day had ended as it should have done. On
tbe morrow be arose and went about his usual duties up and down
tbe stream to his traps, and so on from day to day throughout
the rest of the winter.
In the early spring an agent of the American Fur Company
passed by and bought up his supply of furs. There was to be no
—
rendezvous that summer, so few and poor had been the furs
secured by most of the trappers during the past winter. This was
bad news to F for he had hoped to secure his revenge at this
annual clearing-house of frontier troubles. For at the rendezvous
were always many of the "Mountain Sheep's" tribe, on one or
more of whom he would wreak his vengeance. It mattered little
to him who these might be, for according to Indian ethics any
member of a tribe may be made to answer for the wrongs in-
flicted by the tribe as a whole or any other member.
If there was to be no rendezvous, but one course lay open:
he must seek out the tribe and on their own ground satisfy his
cravings, though, which was likely, it. should cost him his life.
Five hundred miles away was the tribe at that moment, hunt-
ing the buffalo along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Traveling is slow under the conditions of caution and pre-
caution that trappers must move. Consequently the summer had
passed into early autumn when he had reached his destination.
Here was only disappointment for him, for the tribe had gone
West by a northern trail, several weeks before, and thus he had
passed them. This he learned from some trappers who had de-
rided to visit some old haunts that winter, and, on account of
the lateness of the season, he was induced to remain with them.
 THE TRAPPER'S CHRISTMAS 107

But with the first signs of spring he pressed on to the West

on the trail of his foes.
This was the summer of 1849, and at Foil Bridger he learned
of the great "Mormon" migration which had taken place during
the past summer and the summer previous. He learned of the
wonderful change these people were working on the Great Salt
Lake desert, and was told that they had stated their intention of
seeing that all who lived within their jurisdiction should obey the
laws of the great United States of America, and that all wanton
killing, robbing and other outlawry must cease. But even this
news did not for a minute deter him from his course which led
him on and on to vengeance.
Several days out from the fort he met a band of trappers,
members of which told him of the Sheep's tribe being close at
hand. But to them he gave not the slightest reason for making
the inquiry. His blood flowed in happy anticipation at last his
;

reward was about to be realized. Thus gloating on the imagined

outcome of his adventure, he sat at the evening's camp-fire with-
out uttering a single word, though, one after another, the other
trappers told stories of daring encounter and hair-breadth escapes.
Far into the night did this recounting continue, yet F sat
as still as a statue.
Atlast the subject turned to the goodness and badness of
—
squaw-wives, were they to be trusted, beaten, or bullied? and
other such questions, —
dear to the heart and purse of a trapper.
Thus the stream of conversation ran into the channel through
which rolled the turbulent thoughts of our hero. But so wild
and frothy were they that the inflow caused little effect that
could be seen on the surface. Beneath, undoubtedly, there was an
inperceptible swelling, like is unseen, but known to occur, in the
body of a great stream, when a brook empties into it.
Many were the facts brought forth on the subject some ;

maintaining that females of the red race were even more fickle
than those of the white. Others, mostly the young men, fresh
from civilized love disappointments, stoutly set forth, that the
white maidens were not only the more fickle, but likewise the
more cruel and heartless.
"Listen," broke in a strong young fellow, bearing the stamp
of recent arrival, "tell me where in your book of white heroines
you can read of one to equal the story T heard down at Fort
Bridger. A
young squaw, the wife of a trapper, lost her child.
had it stolen from her hut somewhere up in the Uintahs. For two
years she has followed its trail leading from her cabin door, where
the thieves led off her pony laden with furs they had pilfered,
beneath which, half smothered, lay the kid in its basket. For five
hundred miles she followed it through these mountains, finally ar-
 —

108 IMPROVEMENT ERA

riving at Green river two days behind a train of "Mormons" to
wh mii t had been given. Barely stopping for the next
lie child
train that passed that way she begged permission to walk along-
side the oxen until she should reach the city and there find the
child. Of course the "Mormons" shared with her their crude
comforts, for they believe that the Indians are some of God's own
people, and am inclined to think they are right, on this one
I

< i
unit at least."
Here was the outlet of the turbulent thoughts of our hero,
as the rolling waters of a large stream become quiet upon flowing
into a lake, so his thoughts, for the moment were peaceful,
the circumstances and description fit his lost "Lamb" and her
child exactly. Then like the strong wind that often sweeps over
the lake's surface, his placid thoughts were rolled into billows by
the blind wind of suspicion, telling him that these men were in
league with the "Sheep's" tribe, and the story had been told
for the purpose of leading him off the trail and away from his
revenge which was so close.
With the early morning he was on the way to the camp of the
"Sheep's" tribe, and by noon he rode boldly down among the
tepees. Friends hailed him from this side and that side, but he
looked neither to right nor to left until he had reached the tent
of the Chief. A
brief space of conversation soon convinced him
that he was wrong in believing that his squaw had run away
at the suggestion and knowledge of her kinsmen. For he knew
Indian nature and that they would not hesitate to boast of their
thievery now that they had him at their mercy.
There was but one hope left, it was the "Lamb" who had gone
with the "Mormons." He quickly decided to follow and, should
he find her there, he would be ready to forget the loss of his furs
in the deep satisfaction he would feel in knowing that by treating
her "white" she had remained true to his trust. It would take
we?ks of travel and it was already late in November, but he knew
every hill and hollow from where he stood to the very shore of
the briny lake. He would go at once.

Ill

Again it was Christmas eve. F stood on the brink of

the Great Salt Lake Valley. Since leaving the tribe of the
"Mountain Sheep" he had suffered untold hardships and passed
through thrilling experiences. Some day, perhaps, some of his
grandchildren who have often heard the story of that trip from
liis own lips, will tell it in detail, and when that time comes one

of the most interesting books on western experiences will be writ-

ten. Rut now we leave it to the reader's imagination.
 THE TRAPPER'S CHRISTMAS 109

He had stood in the same spot several years before and now
he marveled at the change that had been wrought. Smoke was
curling from the tops of hundreds of cabins and comfortable cot-
tages and there was much in the scene that carried him back to the
days of his youth in the hills of New England. Thus he pondered
as he rested, for he was yet several hours' walk from the nearest
habitation, his pony, long since, having failed in strength to carry
his master.
He plodded on, and in his mind came the occasional doubting
that he would find here the object of his search. Failing to find
her, he was sure of one thing; where so many whites lived there
was sure to be a public house with a good supply of "strychnine
whiskey." This would take him back to the exciting days at the
rendezvous and in this condition, surrounded by the hellish mob
that he knew in those days, he would drink, fight and happily
die.
It was when he led his tired pony down the
fully nine o'clock
broad streets, looking from side to side and listening closely for
the familiar sound that would lead him to the public house.
And at last he didhear loud and merry laughter issuing from a
building of unusual size, evidently a public house. But how
different from what he had expected He drew near and listened
!

closely. He could detect the voices of children and women, yes,

and of strong men. This was not what one would have found at
the rendezvous. He stopped before the building. The door stood
ajar, inside as a tree decorated, and a Santa Claus taking off the
last of the Christmas gifts. Then all became suddenly quiet an ;

organ began to play, and then the whole body sang, "Praise God
from Whom all Blessings Flow."
He uncovered and bowed his head, then stood as one trans-
fixed, as the congregation of men. women and children passed out
and down the street past him. Something held him to the spot,
he afterward said, until most the people had gone by, then he
raised his head. A shawled figure leading a little child by the
hand stopped by him. A quick frontier greeting which is easier
imagined than described passed between them. Then the shawled
figure led the boy and the man down the street following the
crowd, symbolic so it seems, of the fact that she was to be led by
these people and in turn lead him in their footsteps to a righteous
life and happiness, such as the pair enjoyed until the day of their
death, so say their children who told me the story as T have tried
to repeat it.

LOGAN, UTAH
 Patriotism— Instinctive and Intelligent

BY MOSES F. COWLEY

Patriotism may be defined as a love for one's country that

gives an unreserved and zealous support to her institutions and
interests. In relation to the history of the development of civili-
zation, as characterized by wars and struggles, this word has a
most profound significance. The forms of patriotism may be
classed as two kinds instinctive and intelligent.
: Both contain one
fundamental element in common, which is self-sacrifice, with an
unqualified devotion to the cause of the many but other charac-
;

teristics make a marked distinction between them.

Instinctive patriotism is that patriotism impelled by the emo-
tions of man, regardless of his better judgment. These emotions
may be love, fear, hatred, ambition, or a desire for aggrandizement,
each or all of which may appear on the surface in the form of
love and loyalty for one's country. It comes by pure instinct
alone. Hence, the object of this kind of patriotism may be right
or wrong, as it sees only the cause of the party possessed by it.
One zealous patriot has expressed it in these words, "Our Coun-
try! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be
in the right, but right or wrong, our country."
As one of the underlying causes of the gigantic war now-
waging in Europe, I suggest this misdirected patriotism. In the
seventeenth century, Louis XIV, of France, vigorously prosecuted
a policy of establishing a greater and more glorious country, dis-
regarding the rights of his neighbors. This policy reached its
climax in the career of Napoleon Bonaparte. He declared, "What
the French want is glory and the satisfaction of their vanity."
Was uphold him in his burning
this kind of patriotism lacking to
ambition? Let the hundreds of thousands of dead who pas-
sionately gave their lives for his cause answer this question in
awful silence.
Germany, also, has lived by the same national idea, which
obtained a powerful inception under Frederick the Great, in the
eighteenth century. Expressive of our treatment of this phase
of the subject, he proclaimed after one of his victories, "Happy
are they who, having secured their own advantage, can look tran-
quilly upon the embarrassment of others."

Winning address at the Utah Agricultural College for medal given

bv the Sons <>f the Amenoan Revolution.
 : ! ;

PATRIOTISM INSTINCTIVE AND INTELLIGENT 111

The history of England, Russia and Austria is similar, each

nation being' imbued, more or less, with the idea that God is shap-
ing her political and commercial destiny, that each one must live
and triumph, incurring, if need be, the death of her national neigh-
bors. What a reflection upon an all-wise, all-merciful and just
Deity! Thus the present theatre of war presents to our view the
result of the workings of this kind of patriotism. Its contempla-
tion horrifies and awes our senses with intense solemnity. What
the end of the world would be, should this kind of patriotism be
the impelling force, one dare not think
Rather let us devote our thoughts to that patriotism I have
termed intelligent. This patriotism represents the word in its
truest sense, involving also man's emotions, but guarded and di-
rected by a keen intellect and controlled by his underlying better
self. It means unqualified and true devotion to one's country,
only when his country is incessantly struggling for the triumph
of principle. Indeed, it recognizes and supports only the funda-
mental and basic principles that allow equally to all mankind the
right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is the
only patriotism that shall invariably endure to reach a praise-
worthy goal in the course of human events.
America represents this patriotism, the first great victory of
which was the Revolutionary war. That war was a trying battle
for principles. Those principles for freedom and righteousness
may be summed up in the word virtue, for which the Father of our
Country unrestrictedly dedicated his life. In the words of Phillip
Freneau
"O, Washington, thrice glorious name.
What due rewards can man decree?
Empires are far beneath thy aim.
And sceptres have no charms for thee
Virtue alone has your regard,
And she must be your great reward."

The spirit of the Revolutionary war was not a passionate and

an unwise antagonism against the mother country, but rather the
sacrifice of everything to realize the enjoyment of those principle3
that are deep-rooted in the soul of true character. I desire to

mention a person who, to the casual thinker, performed a shame-

ful mission and died an inglorious death but to him who in-
:

terprets correctly the motives that actuate brave and honest hearts,
he represents grandly the spirit of that age. Tn his last words,
uttered amidst circumstances that would tax the strongest soul to
the core, Nathan Hale voiced the spirit of intelligent patriotism in
its truest form: "I regret only that 1 have but one life to lose
for my country." And why? Because his country was testing
the power of principle, and she must win.
112 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"There are no points of the compass on the chart of true
patriotism," says Robert Winthrop. "It is altruistic and philan-
thropic, allowing- no discrimination between peoples. It draws the
line of demarkation only between right and wrong'."
After nearly a century of advancement, we were again con-
fronted with a grave situation which threatened to rend our na-
tional heart in twain. How fortune blessed us with a powerful
and calm man who successfully championed these fundamental
principles of human happiness is an epoch of history indelibly
stamped upon the mind of every American child. However, it
may not be amiss to relate an incident which portrays strikingly
the broad, comprehensive, and untainted patriotism of Abraham
Lincoln. It occurred at the close of the Civil war. The return
of the boys in blue was being reviewed in front of the National
Capitol, by President Lincoln, and thousands who rejoiced in the
victory of the North. Old Glory waved proudly in all her beauty.
Suddenly there appeared in an upper window of the White House
little Tad Lincoln waving enthusiastically an old Confederate

flag. What an apparently unfitting thing ! Lincoln's gaze rested

upon the sight. He was deeply touched. Immediately he smiled
meaningly and waved a gesture of approval. Cheer upon cheer
arose from the multitude. Thus the great man, actuated by
nature's reconciling inspiration of love had caused a pronounced
revelation of this altruistic patriotism which knows no bounds.
Today we are called upon to express ourselves as to the stand
our nation should take in view of the delicate problems that de-
mand careful and wise action. What shall be our attitude ? Real-
izing the position our country has ever maintained, we have no
alternative. Having been endowed with a heritage which is the
fruit of over a century of national growth, we cannot afford to
fail in pursuing a course impelled and controlled by an intelligent
patriotism for principle, a course that will inevitably lead to a
destiny that, when the eternal scroll of history shall be unfolded,
will distinguish us as being a nation among nations, the leader and
the greatest power of the world, in bringing all nations into con-
formity with the plan of the Infinite.
Individual patriotism is essential to united patriotism. LT nited
patriotism is essential to power. Let every individual who claims
true American citizenship dedicate himself to a whole-souled de-
votion for these fundamental and basic principles as the guiding
force of his civil life. Do this and we are secure in leaving the
ultimate outcome to the providence of a just God.
LOGAN. UTAH
 The Beautiful

BY NEPHI JENSEN

Truth, goodness and beauty are the great trinity of eternal

realities. Deep, lasting love for this trinity, coupled with large
capacity to express that love, is greatness.
If we write an interrogation point after "truth," we have the
question before which the profoundest thinkers of all ages have
stood baffled. Why do we say some things are beautiful? is a
question almost as difficult to fully answer.
Why is the blending of colors on the petals of a flower that
defies human skill at imitation, pleasing? If we really find the
answer to this question, we shall find it in the word infinite. The
blending of the flower is so varied and so exquisitely
tints in the
dainty that we cannot count the number of tints nor tell where
one begins and another ends. The Maker of the flower wrote his
name in its heart. What God does is true, and the true is beau-
tiful.
Goodness is the soul's expression of the true. If the expres-
sion is finished, beautiful.
it is Truth is the test of reality, beauty
is the proof of completeness.
Truth is the soul of poetry beauty is the body. Truth is the
;

solid foundation of the law that holds the stars in their orbits ;

beauty is the poetry that speaks from the fire-shot heavens. Truth
is the balance-wheel of the soul beauty is the grandeur of the
;

actions of the soul that walks in majestic poise, hand in hand

with truth.
The chords of the soul were originally tuned true to truth.
It is for this reason that every note, whether in song, poem, or
eloquence, pleases us. It harks back to the soul's native hearth-

stone and stirs in the heart the gladness of primeval recollections.

;

The child taken from its mother in infancy, after a few years
becomes so completely estranged from her, that neither her wooing
words nor winsome smiles can revive in it recollections of former
associations, but the instant the mother sings some lullaby as of
yore, the mirth of the other days appears in the child's eyes, and
its arms are outstretched for the mother's embrace.
What the
mother's lullaby is to this child, the note of truth is to the soul.
No matter whether it speaks to us from the poet's words woven
of truth and beauty the prophet's lips, touched by the finger of
;

God, or from nature's thousand tongues; in some mysterious way.

114 IMPROVEMENT ERA
it brings to us a vague remembrance of the olden days when we
were nurtured at truth's hearthstone, and walked and talked with
God.
Beauty is the mark God places upon his work to indicate
that it is completed. Symmetric forms are lovely because they
fill the eye with the sense of completeness. But real beauty is
deeper than form. It is more than graceful lines. It is always
associated with the human. At lunch one day with a doctor, our
conversation turned to artists. The medical man said: "I don't
understand artists. When at Chicago studying, I met
a noted
painter who would
leave the majestic buildings of the business
section and go out to some dilapidated hovel and spend days paint-
ing an old, grizzly man. I asked him why he didn't paint the
Marshal Field building, and the artist said, 'Nature is reality, and
reality is the only thing worth painting.' The "old grizzly man"
'

is a subject for the brush because, as the negro says, "He is

fit

just is and not any isser."

what he Only in human actions do
we find the perfectly beautiful. The soul that is held in sublime
poise by truth's strong arms, and expresses, in looks and actions,
naturally and completely, the truth that reigns within, is the most
beautiful object we see on this side of immortality.
One test of the beautiful is that it is delightsome. But that
is not the only proof. Comedy pleases for a while, but comedy
is never beautiful. Whether it appears in words, song, or act, the
comic in some way is a distortion of the natural. The artificial
breaking of the harmony in music, at intervals, is comedy but ;

only the perfect harmony in song is beautiful.

Fitness is a test of the beautiful. We are all pleased with
things that are in proper proportion. Too many, or the wrong
adjectives may obscure the truth expressed in the word they
qualify. If they do. the ornamentation is overdone. The adage,
"Art for art's sake," should read "Art for beauty's sake." And
beauty should always be the servant of truth. A truth too elabor-
ately adorned loses much of its force, because we are apt to think
of its form rather than of its fact. When form, color, or act,
speaks louder than the spirit within, it is imperfect. Perfection
is fit blending of grace with rugged reality.
the
Completeness is a mark of things that are pleasing. Defects
are always distasteful. If defects appear in personal features they
excite pity; if they appear in some expression of art, they excite
laughter. But we neither laugh nor weep in the presence of the
truly beautiful. Our impression is deeper than mirth, and not
quite SO sad as tears. Because the beautiful is true in its com-
pleteness, it imparts the joy which blends the seriousness of reality
with mirthful pleasantness.
Tt is the mission of art to express the beautiful, and
yet the
 Ill E BEAUTIFUL LIS

beautiful is deeper and truer than art. Indeed, it is because we

depart from the truth of nature that art has a place in human
activities. If we always maintained childlike naturalness, truth
and beauty would reign in our souls, and our actions would be the
natural expression of what is within. Art is the studied effort to
express perfection in form, color, tone, word, and act. Nature is
the spontaneous expression of truth. For this reason nature is
always beautiful. The slightest wave of a child's hand is graceful,
because it is natural, spontaneous expression of its true emotion.
Art never succeeds unless it disguises itself. No matter what we
witness, song, speech or act, we are not pleased if the performer
gives us the impression that he is striving to capture our approval.
We are only pleased when the performer expresses the truth that
is in him with the exact intensity he feels it. Rev. Reynolds
Holes' conclusion about raising flowers, that to "succeed with
roses one must have roses in his heart." is profoundly true of
every effort at the expression of the beautiful. The highest aim
of art is artlessness. Artificiality always detracts from grace.
Nature is true. The truest in nature truly expressed, whether in
color, form, or word, is delightsome. The false is always ugly.
Tt is abnormal. Truth is the native atmosphere of the soul. As
long as the soul lives, moves and has its being in its native at-
mosphere, its ways are ways of grace.
Those who are "touched to tears in the presence of flowers"
have fine taste. The lack of love for flowers is evidence of
coarseness and want of culture. The love of the beautiful is close
to the love of truth and the love of truth is the certain badge of
;

greatness. They only live completely who see in the heart of the
flower what the artist sees, hear in the song of the bird what the
singer hears, find in rhythmic words what the poet finds, and
feel in the word of God what the prophets feel.
Beauty is not confined to any age. The prattling babe, whose
dimple is a dint made by the touch of love, and whose cry is so
is not laughter, is
true that you have to listen twice to be sure it
God's living, breathing expression of the true and beautiful.
When twenty-five springs and autumns have passed over the child,
with her
and she bends graciously over her darling, and mingles
which holds her soul in ''stainless peace."
smiles the holy love
as fair a subject for the artist's brush as can be found in
she is

all the realms of living

things. And then, at last, when seventy
winters have come and gone and she who. through lung years of
heart life's unmeasured
devotion and service, has gathered into her
and she stands at the sunset of life.
wealth of beaiitv and truth.—
o-olden light of eternity's dawn mingling with her silvery
with the
hair we ^eek invain for words enough of meaning to draw
full

her picture and exclaim.

at last "She is the beauty of holiness/
 !! ; ; :

116 IMPROVEMENT ERA

It is but trite to say that a healthy brain must have a healthy
body. It is profoundly true that our bodies never can be more
healthy and beautiful than our spirits. Every muddy thought
puts mud in the blood. Every vicious emotion puts a scar on the
cheek of beauty. Purity is beauty. It is the only cosmetic.
Beauty is more than skin deep. In some inscrutable way every
vicious or ugly act or emotion places its hideous impress upon the
cheek, and looks through the eye. Nature is not mocked. Go
where you will, live as long as you will, the only beauty that will
smile from your lips, and shine from your eyes, will be the beauty
that is reflected from the heart's fountain of purity. "Beauty is
the mark God sets upon virtue."
FOREST DALE, UTAH

A Temple in Hawaii

Sound forth your strains of gladness, ye islands of the sea,

And lift your hearts in praises, O Saints of Hawaii
The Lord hath heard your pleadings, your long-sought day is here
When to the great Jehovah a temple you shall rear.

A temple, a temple, in Hawaii

Foreshadowing the splendors and glories yet to be.

The spirit of Elijah shall rest upon its walls

A choice, beloved Remnant, within its sacred halls,
Receive the promised blessings their father Lehi saw
The Lord would surely give them when they obeyed his law.

Samuel, the Lamanite, forecast this blessed day

Nephi and Moroni, and the faithful passed away,
Who lived, believed, and perished on this your glorious land.
Unite with you in praises for God's all-guiding hand.

A temple, a temple, in Hawaii

Foreshadowing the splendors and glories yet to be.
Ruth M. Fox.
 The Gift

BY ELSIE CHAMBERLAIN CARROLL

There had been an unusual excitement in the Bates home all

day, for Jack was to leave in the morning for college. This would
be the first break in the home circle and every member of the fam-
ily felt a twinge of that homesickness which will come on the eve
of the departure of a loved one. It was early twilight now, and
all the preparations for the journey were completed. The mother
and Jack had just finished packing the heavy trunk which now
stood locked and corded in the hall ready for the early call of
the drayman. The two were in the house alone. Mr. Bates had
not come from the office yet. The girls had gone on an errand
and the younger boys were at a meeting of the Boy Scouts.
Jack drew his mother's rocker up before the fire, for the early
September day was chilly, and seated himself on a footstool beside
her. The thought of the coming separation clutched at both of
their hearts and retarded the usual flow of speech. The mother
reached out and stroked the wavy, brown hair while she studied
the strong young profile in the firelight. The boy took his moth-
er's free hand and held it close in both of his. He was thinking
how much he had depended on that hand to lead him in the past,
and now he was going beyond its reach. They sat thus for sev-
eral seconds. The mother was the first to speak.
"There is one thing more that I want to say to you, my boy,"
then she paused. It was not an easy subject to broach. She had
tried to do it several times before. Now she breathed a silent
prayer that she might be able to say what was in her heart in a
way that her boy would understand and remember. Her fingers
continued to fondle the brown hair, and her eyes, full of yearning,
tender mother-love, rested upon her first-born, now ready to fly
from the home nest. Jack looked up and smiled re-assuringly.
"What is it, mother?"
"You will find things so different in the city," she began. "You
willmeet temptations that do not exist here. We have talked of
most of them, and I feel sure you will have strength to resist."
She paused a moment, then went on, choosing her words care-
fully.

"I have tried to teach you, Jack, that your being is a gift
from your Heavenly Father and that you owe it to him to take
care of your body and your soul and keep them pure like he gave
them to you. Your father and I have helped to guide you in the
 !

118 IMPROVEMENT ERA

past. But you are a man now, and have a right to your own judg-
ment. I wonder if you realize the great powers and possibilities

which come to you with your manhood? If rightly used these

powers will bring yon success and happiness; if abused, they will
bring you destruction and misery. One of these powers is at-
tended with special danger which as yet you have not realized.
That is why I cannot let you go away without warning you about
the temptations you may meet to abuse it. It is the God-given
power to reproduce wonderful beings like yourself and it must be
guarded as the most sacred part of your being if you would gain
from it the blessings intended it should bring.
You will find, I am afraid, a heart-sickening attitude toward
this power. You will find it abused, perhaps, by men in whom
you have placed your confidence. It is the curse of our age, this
double standard. I beg of you, my boy, for the sake of your fu-
ture, do not be influenced by any one or any circumstance, into
regarding this power as anything less than a sacred gift from
God. Some day you will choose a companion, a mother to the
souls you will bring into existence. Keep your body and soul pure
that you may give to her the same priceless gift you demand of
her. In the sight of God there can be but one standard the —
standard of absolute purity for both man and woman.
"Eigtheen years ago, Jack, I gladly went down to the gates
of death to give you life. Since that hour through all the years
of service and sacrifice it is a mother's lot to give to her children, I
have rejoiced in you as a blessing from God. If you would con-
tinue to make me rejoice, my boy, you will, for the sake of your
own future, remember what I am telling you now."
Jack Bates looked up into his mother's face. All at once in
that instant, the great, beautiful meaning of motherhood, with its
pain and sacrifice and yearning love, came to him, and seemed to
shine in a halo about the dear face of his own mother. A
rever-
ence for womanhood he had never known before sprang up in his
breast. He bowed his forehead upon the toil-roughened hand he
held in a new devotion. It was a supreme moment for them both.
There was no need of words, the silence was full. A
memory
which was to prove a restraining hand in times of future weak-
ness was being etched on a boy's soul. O, that every boy had such
etchings in his time of need
Just then the girls, Florence and Elizabeth, came singing
up the path. Mrs. Bates leaned forward and kissed her son's
forehead. She felt a long, trembling pressure from the hands that
held her own, as Jack arose and turned on the lights.
moment later the father came in and the mother and daugh-
A
ters prepared the evening meal. Soon the noisy, active scouts ap-
peared and the family gathered around the table.
The thought that this was the last time they would all sit at
 ! :

THE GIFT 119

the table together for a long time cast a gloom that each tried to
dispel. The father recalled a few more bits of advice for his son.
The girls told him how they would miss him in their good times
the coming winter, and his younger brothers lamented the fact
that they could not go to college where a fellow could study just
what he, pleased instead of being held down in the grades and
made to do long division and write compositions. The mother said
little, but the calm smile that glowed on her face gave more than
its usual cheer.
A gay whistle was heard coming up the path, followed by a
knock on the door.
"It's Dick," said Jack, pushing back his chair and going to
the door.
Dick Harrison was going to college with Jack. They had
been chums all their lives, and Dick almost seemed like one of the
family. He came in radiating his usual good humor. Mrs.
Bates invited him to sit up to the table with them.
"Gee, I'd like to, Mother Bates" (Dick had no mother of his
own), but honest I can't stop a minute. I haven't started to pack
my trunk yet. I just came to see if Jack had told Tuttle to call
for my things, too."
"Yes, everything's all fixed. He'll be around about six-thirty,
but sit down and eat a few bites."
"No, I can't, take one of your mother's cinnamon
but I will
buns. No telling when Be sure
we'll taste things like that again.
and put a few extra of these in Jack's lunch for me, Mrs. Bates,"
he laughed as he helped himself from the plate on the table.
Jack's mother smilingly agreed not to forget. Her heart al-
ways had a warm place for this motherless friend of her boy's and
it was unusually tender tonight.

Dick bade each member of the family good-bye. When he

came to Mrs. Bates she put her arms about his neck and said
"You must be a good boy, Dick, and write to us often."
"I'll try to be good," Dick laughed, "and I'll sure write.
You'll have to get the letters I would have written to my own
mother," he added, and there was a little choke in the gay voice.
Mrs. Bates wiped a mist from her eyes. Dear, thoughtless,
lovable Dick. He needed a real mother now as never before, but

*******
who can take the place of a real mother when it comes to etching
the pictures on his soul which are to draw him back from the
doors of life's temptations

was Friday afternoon a couple of months after Jack Bates

It
and Dick Harrison had left their country homes for college. The
heavy grind of the first semester's work was on. It was a great
change from the physically active life they had been used to on
the farm, and often they felt a pressing need for relaxation.
120 IMPROVEMENT ERA
"Gee !" exclaimed Dick, as he entered the room they occu-
pied together and threw his books on the table. "I'd give ten dol-
lars if I could forget my math and Latin for a few solid hours.
This eternal digging gets on a fellow's nerves."
"Well, I should say," agreed Jack, yawning and stretching
as he shoved his trigonometry from him and leaned back in his
chair. "Wouldn't a good old 'hoe-down' in Riverton go bully
tonight after all the exams they've been boring us with for a
week?"
,
"Well, you just bet would. I believe I've almost forgotten
it
how to have a good time. It almost makes me homesick to think
of the jolly times they're having in old Riverton."
Just then the supper bell rang and they went into the dining
room.
"Hello, Bates! How's the grind, Harrison?" greeted Wood-
man, a junior who, besides others of the college men, lived at the
Top Notch boarding house. He had treated them civilly always,
but with the condescension usually doled out to freshmen by their
upper classmen. The country boys both very naturally envied
him and gladly accepted the mere crums of comardeship which so
far he had deigned to bestow upon them. He always sat opposite
them a\ the table, but he usually had a newspaper or a foot-ball
schedule before him or else argued athletic problems with Palmer,
a sophomore, who sat a little way down the line.
Tonight he seemed unusually approachable and both of our
friends felt their spirits rising as he continued an amiable conver-
sation during the entire meal. They discussed professors, ath-
letics and athletes and when they arose from the table Woodman
remarked casually:
"Good to have a Friday night occasionally, isn't it, to throw
off the harness and forget the grind." Both boys assented and
started for their room.
"By the way, fellows, what are you going to do tonight?"
Woodman asked, as they ascended the stairs together.
"Oh, we hadn't thought of anything in particular," Dick re-
plied, a little lamely. He wouldn't have this brilliant upper class-
man know how really unsophisticated they were in the usual Fri-
day night diversions. They had spent their weekends, up to date,
in catching up in back work, writing home, and taking in an oc-
casional picture show.
"Good," exclaimed their new patron. "Come and take in th->
town with some of the rest of us. We always do Friday nights.
There's nothing like it to forget yourself for a while. Usually
Benner, Hawkins, Gurdey and myself make up our little crowd,
but Benner and Hawkins are in Madison tonight helping to ar-
range the intercollegiate football schedule, so Gurdey and I will
 :

THE GIFT 121

whistle for you about eight o'clock," and Woodman disappeared

into his room.
"Well, what do you know about that !" exclaimed Dick with
a vigorous slap on Jack's shoulder, as they entered their own
room.
"I can't think what's come over him to want to take us green
freshies under his wing," said Jack, puzzled.
"Why, he told us we were going second best, didn't he? But
we should worry about that. It's something to be recognized by
a junior or a senior at all. They're the fellows that run the earth
around here. Oh, I tell you we'll get on now. This is our begin-
ning. I wouldn't be surprised if we had a chance at one of the

teams before spring. A few of these fellows like Woodman have

the whole thing in their hands."
A few minutes before eight there was a tap at the boys' door
and Woodman called out, "Ready?" Jack and Dick joined him
in the hall.
"Do you fellows know Gurdey? This is Bates and Harrison,
two good neighbors of mine."
Gurdey, the good-looking senior, whom the boys had both
openly admired since the second day of school, when he had been
pointed out to them as one of the men of the college, shook hands
cordially and they all walked down the street together.
"What first?" asked Woodman, when they reached the center
of town.
"I understand there's a good show on at the Bijou," laughed
Gurdey.
"That might be a good place to begin." A few moments later
Gurdey himself bought four tickets and they entered the gallery
just as the curtain was rising on a chorus of under-dressed and
over-painted girls. The dancing, the singing and the questionable
jokes were applauded as heartily by Jack and Dick as by their
companions, but they both felt a secret sense of guilt which they
hardly understood and Jack was consciously glad that his mother
did not know just where he was.
When they were on the street again, Dick, feeling that he and
Jack should do their part, suggested a drink of beer in a nearby
drug store.
"Next?" asked Gurdey, when they were out again, and
Woodman said
"What do you say if we go down to C street and pick us up
some pretty little girls. Then we can go to the cabaret some place
and have something to eat and drink and dance if we want to."
"Sure thing." laughed Gurdey. "Wood's always kern for
that part of the program."
"No keener than yourself," retorted Woodman. "Benner
122 IMPROVEMENT ERA
told me you were Dove Cot last week. I do use a little dis-
at the
cretion as to where go."
I

"Well, I'll agree with you that is a little too tough a place to
risk. But I'd try anything once. It's all in life, you know."
Soon they were in a part of the city entirely new to our coun-
try friends. It was marked by the frequency of saloons, the con-
fused sounds of ragtime music coming from many directions at
the same time, and the groups of gaudily-dressed, giggling girls.
"What do you fellows say if we try the Gelding House to-
night?" asked Woodman, looking over his shoulder.
"Doesn't matter to us," answered Dick. "You fellows lead
and we'll follow."
The underlying meaning of it all was by this time apparent
even to Jack. At first he wondered if he could be dreaming.
Surely fellows like Woodman and Gurdey were of the right sort.
He walked along in a sort of daze. Dick was also silent, but their
companions kept up a lively conversation.
"Keep your eyes open, fellows," Woodman called back, reck-
lessly, "and catch onto the first pretty little peach you see. Here
comes mine. now. Hello, sweetheart," he called out, familiarly,
and to Jack's surprise the girl stopped and smiled as she an-
swered "Hello."
"What do you say if we spend the evening down at the Geld-
ing," Woodman continued.
"I'm with you," and they walked off together.
"Well, he's a selfish cad to take the only one in sight,"
growled Gurdey "But here come some more and here's the
Gelding. Three, one apiece, catch on fellows." Gurdey stepped
forward and touched one of the girls on the shoulder.
"Engaged?" he asked.
Jack felt dizzy. They were at the door of the cabaret. The
room was ablaze with light, there was luring music, and dancing
and tables surrounded with bare-shouldered women and reckless
men.
"Come on, fellows, here's your girls," called Gurdey as he
passed on with the one he had chosen.
Strangely in that instant, the luring picture before Jack was
blotted out for a moment, by another. He saw himself sitting at
his mother's feet before the open fire in the old home. Her hand
was on his head and her dear voice was saving, "For the sake
of your future, my bov, keep yourself pure." He stretched out his
hand and clutched Dick's arm.
"For God's sake, don't go in there," he whispered hoarsely.
"O
what's the matter with you ? Don't be a sissy. Come on."
and Dick took the hand of the girl beside him and went in.
Jack felt a touch on his arm. A pair of brazen eyes were
 "

THE GIFT 12.?

raised to his, and two red lips were near his face. There
was a
whiff of perfume also mixed in the memory he retained.
—
"If you'd rather, we can go to some other place or to my
room," a subtle voice sounded in his ear and he felt a pressure on
his arm.
He Then he wheeled about and walked rapidly
shuddered.
away. A
mocking laugh followed him. The boy quickened his

*******
steps and never paused until he was in his own room. He. sank
upon his knees beside his bed and half sobbing cried out:
"O Mother! Mother!"
"Oh, keep your sermons to yourself," said Dick, hotly. Tt
was Saturday morning and Jack was trying to show his friend
what a terrible step he had taken last night.
"I guess if fellows like Woodman and Gurdey —
and I saw a
lot more of them there —can go to places like that it won't hurt
me. Why you should have heard them hoot you for your old-
fashioned prudishness, as they called it. They say you'll come
through all right, though. It's a part of the age."
Jack's face flushed.
"It may be a vice of the age, but I thank God I didn't yield
last night. Look here, Dick, you know as well as I do that it's not
right. Some day you'll marry. What would the kind of a girl
you would want for a wife think of it?"
"Well, in the first place I'm not on the marry road just now.
There's plenty of time to reform before that. In the second place
the girl wouldn't need to know it. You know where ignorance is
bliss and so forth."
"Would you call that fair play? Suppose she had done
—
"Oh, come off, Jack. That argument is as old-fashioned as
you are. It won't hold. Women may not exactly like it. but
they have to put up with it, so have learned to regard it sensibly.
See how popular Woodman and his bunch are with the swellest
girls in school. Really it isn't a thing that matters as we have
been taught to think it does. Can't you see that you are behind
the times, Jack boy?"

*******
"I don't care. I know that I'm right. And some day I'll
bet that you'll find nut it matters, too," Jack persisted doggedly
as he picked up his cap and left the room.

"I sav, lack, did you see that new beauty sitting by Grace
Holding in chapel this morning?" The question was from Dick.
Tie and Tack were seniors now, and the final term was just com-
mencing.
lack admitted that he had, though he did not confess thai
Dick's query had sent his heart beating at an uncomfortable rate.
"Well, do vou know, old man. I fell in all over the minute T
124 IMPROVEMENT ERA
saw her." Jack might have acknowledged that this described his
own plight, but againhe kept silent.
"I never saw such eyes, and hair, and well —
something else
that a fellow can't just describe. A
sort of feeling that she is
genuine clear through." Jack recognized this as the quality
which had first attracted him.
"She's entered school," Dick rattled on. "And she's a
senior. She's Grace Golding's cousin and her name is Marian
Thome. She had nearly finished at Radcliffe when her folks
moved out here for the health of some member of the family.
She's been out a year, but is coming in now to finish up."
"Well, you've found out a good deal in one day," observed
Jack.
"And intend to find out a good deal more. I tell you, old
I
man, I'm clear crazy over her. It's a good thing I'm a privileged
senior for I can feel it in my bones that from now on the subjects
in the curriculum will be minor ones to me. I wonder if she plays
tennis. I believe I'll see if I can't hunt Grace up. I can't wait
for an introduction," and Dick left Jack wondering what had so
suddenly depressed him.
That was the beginning. From that day, Dick Harrison
wooed Marian Thorne with open persistence, and Jack looked on,
loving her in silent misery.
Spring came and commencement was almost over. It had
been a strenuous, happy, exciting week for the seniors. Most of
them were deciding on their future work. Dick had two splendid
propositions awaiting his decision. One was a professorship in
his alma mater, the other was a commission from a big newspaper
syndicate to the war zone.
Jack, much to the disgust of his friend, had succumbed to the
entreaties of a persistent school board and accepted the principal-
ship of a struggling high school not far from their country home.
"Have you decided which way your Ves' is going?" asked
Jack, on the last dav of commencement week.
"No, but it will be decided for me tonight," Dick answered,
seriously. "Marian has held me off all these months. Though I
try to make myself sure that she cares I can't feel absolutelv cer-
tain. She's promised to see me tonight alone. She usually in-
sists on two or three of vou other cads around. She'll have to
answer me. If it's yes, I'll stay here if it's no, I'll leave tonight
;

for Europe, and I won't care if I never come back."

Jack listened with a pain in his heart that Dick never sus-
pected.
"Well. T have an appointment with Prexy. I had nearlv for-

gotten," Dirk resumed, suddenly. "When do vou leave?" he

asked.
"In the morning. I'm nearly packed."
 : :

THE GIFT 125

"Wish you'd give up your sentimental plan about that con-

founded high school, Jack, and get into something worth while."
But Jack shook his head.
"Well, I must be off. I may go right from Prexy's to see
Marian. Wish me luck, old man," and Dick held out his hand.
"Sure," said Jack, with an effort at sincerity, trying to keep
back the lump that threatened to choke him.
"She's worth a better man than you are, though, and hope 1

you'll try to make up to her all you can." Jack was as much sur-
prised at these words as was Dick, who wheeled upon him, de-
manding:
"Well, I didn't know I was a criminal. What do you mean?"
"You're above the average, Dick," Jack said, flushing. "No
one appreciates that more than I do. You have splendid quali-
but," he faltered. "I wish
ties, — when know that you're going
I
to offer yourself to her — oh, I'd give — anything— — you had if al-
—
ways been straight."
Dick studied the face of his friend for a moment, then burst
out angrily
"Why,I believe you're in love with her, yourself."
Jack opened his lips to deny the fact but his heart would not
let the untruth pass. He was silent. Dick's face grew dark.
—
"You're jealous you big coward, and now at the last min-
ute you want to rob me of her. But you shall not do it. It is not
you she loves, and she has sense enough, I'm sure, to not be in-
fluenced by such nonsense, even if you do tell her."
Jack's face turned white at the insinuation and his hands
clenched. He was about to speak, but Dick burst out again
"So this is the fellow I thought was my best friend. By gad,
I'd like to
—" He choked off the sentence and grabbing his hat
left the room.
Poor Jack sat stunned. What had possessed him to say such
a thing to Dick, calling up a subject which had been tabooed be-
tween them for four years. Perhaps Dick was right, after all, and
he was nothing but a goody-good, a coward, and now mad with
jealousy because someone else was going to carry away the one
girl in the world who symbolized womanly perfection to him.
He sat looking from the window in utter misery when his
landlady tapped on his door and handed him a telegram.
It was from home. His mother was seriously ill.
Jack snatched up a time-table. Then he crushed the cloth-
ing he had not already packed into his trunk, flew down the stairs,
gave some hurried directions to the landlady, and was on his way
to catch a homeward train which left in twenty minutes.
* * * • * * * *

"I cannot answer until I know you better." The words were
spoken in a low, tremulous voice, and Marian Thome's grey eyes
126 IMPROVEMENT ERA
met the earnest blue ones which had helped to plead Dick's cause.
"Know me better! Why, Marian, haven't we been together
nearly every day for five months. Haven't we compared views
on every subject under the sun? We have about the same re-
ligious and philosophic views; we like the same sort of amuse-
ment, and I'm more than willing to change in any way you want
me to. Come, dear, I must have my answer. I've told you about
the two openings I have. My decision rests upon yours. I thought
we were pretty well acquainted. What is it you don't know about
me r

The girl hesitated, and her eyes sought the floor, while two
red spots began to burn on her cheeks. Her position was harder
than she had been able to imagine.
"Won't you tell me, Marian?" Dick pleaded, reaching for her
hand.
"I will if I can," she answered, withdrawing her hand. "But
it is very hard and you may not understand."
"Go on, I'll try."
—
"You you have met my — sister," she began, falteringly,
"and poor little Phyllis."
"Yes," Dick answered gently, and the picture of a frail wreck
of a woman and a beautiful, blind child came before him.
"You would
scarcely believe," the girl went on, "that five
years ago Alicewas as young and full of life and happiness and
hope as I am now, and a great deal more beautiful."
"No one in the world could be more beutiful," the listening
lover protested.
"I've no doubt that Fred told Alice that many times as well
as all the other sweet, wonderful things you have told me to-
night. No picture could be brighter than the one he painted of
their future. He was handsome and young and wealthy and flat-
tered of the world. We
all regarded him as a splendid match for
Alice. They were married and went away for their honeymoon.
I don't think anyone could be happier than they were when we

bade them goodbye. They went to Europe and were gone for
five months." The girl's voice suddenly choked with emotion, and
she paused for control. When she continued it was in a low
voice, tense with feeling.
"When they returned, Alice was like a ghost of her former self,
and the happiness had gone from both of their faces. Alice grew
worse and worse and Fred more wretchedly despondent. In a
year little was born. Her eyes were affected. The doctors
Phyllis
said there was only one chance in a thousand to save her sight.
Alice was an invalid for life, and Fred heart-broken because he
knew better than anyone else that he was the cause of this wreck
of their happiness. When the doctors told him the babv would
never see — he — committed suicide."
 :

THE GIFT 127

Marian paused again. Her eyes were still on the floor and
the two red spots burned on her cheeks. She seemed to be wait-
ing for Dick to speak, but something choked him.
"I think I need not tell you what was the cause of that trag-
edy, but 1 vowed then that I would not give my love to any man
until I was absolutely sure that he held to the same standard that
I do. There can be no double standard. I have kept my soul and
body pure as a priceless gift for my husband. He must bring the
same precious gift to me. It has been hard to say these things,
but there is no other way to make the future safe."
She had not looked at him and she went on, little knowing
that each word was a dagger in his heart.
"I have liked you, Dick, but I could not give my love until
Iwas sure.
eyes
— — —
Did you bring my gift to me?" She lifted her
and held out both hands. But at the sight of his haggard,
pain-drawn face, a little cry escaped her lips and her hands
dropped.
"Oh," she breathed, brokenly, "I didn't know before how
much I hoped."
The man sank his head into his hands with a groan. His
frame trembled. They sat so in silence for a time. The girl's face
grew calm, but he was the first to speak.
"Oh, Marian, must this wreck our happiness? Since I saw
you my life has been irreproachable. If I had always known you
I would have been all that you ask, but before, I did not know it

mattered. Can you not forgive the past when you know the fu-
ture will be all that you ask?"
"If you did not think enough of yourself to keep yourself sa-
cred for the great purpose of life, how can you expect so much
of another? Besides, you bring your gift to me broken, and ex-
pect mine unmarred in return." Her tone told him that his cause
had perished. He staggered to his feet. She held out her hand
and said kindly
"I shall always be your friend, Dick, and I hope that now you
know it does matter, you will still keep your life 'irreproachable'."
He could not answer her. Stunned and disappointed, he left
the house. Once outside he sought a telegraph office and wired his
acceptance to the newspaper syndicate. A few hours later, as
the train was carrying him swiftly toward New York, he thought
it all over, and could but acknowledge the justice of his punish-

ment. His thoughts turned to Jack's words, and he made two re-
solves one that he would write to Jack as soon as he reached his
;

*******
destination, the other that as soon as he was in a position finan-
cially to do so, he would dedicate his life to a campaign against the
evil which had wrecked his happiness.

Tack had spent the summer on the coast with his mother. She
128 IMPROVEMENT ERA
was now almost as well as ever, and he was bringing her home.
They had stopped oft' for a few hours in Stratton for Jack to meet

the school board of the Strattton high school. His school would
open in two weeks.
Making his mother comfortable Jack went out to
in a hotel,
find the president of the school board. A
maid at the door of the
president's house informed him that Mr. Harper had gone to a
lecture in the Young People's Christian Association Hall, «just
around the corner of the next block. She said it was about time
for the meeting to be out and invited Jack to wait. He was anxious
to become acquainted with the town, so decided to walk over to
the building.
He entered the vestibule leading into the main hall and stood
waiting. A
woman's voice came to him from the rostrum. It was
a sweet, low voice and sounded strangely familiar. Instinctively
Jack entered the hall and stood before a pillar. He started as he
recognized the figure, standing before that spell-bound audience,
as Marian Thorne. He leaned against the pillar for support.
What did it mean ? He had supposed that she and Dick were
married and all summer he had been trying to forget the pain in
his heart. She was dressed simply in black, and she had never
seemed so beautiful to Jack as she did now, her face lighted with
emotion, her slender form bent slightly forward and her hands
extended toward her audience. It was some time before Jack
could focus his mind onto what she was saying. She was con-
cluding her lecture.
"Keep yourselves pure, my girls. More jealously than you
would guard a casket of priceless jewels, guard your own virtue.
Keep that most precious of all jewels, as a sacred gift for your
husband on your wedding day, and demand the same matchless
gift of the man with whom you kneel at the altar, into whose keep-
ing you place your future happiness." She stopped and disap-
peared from the rostrum. There was a hush in the big room and
then people began to move toward the doors. Jack Bates still
stood against the pillar. He was aroused by a voice calling his
name. Mr. Harper stood before him with extended hand.
"Glad to see you, Mr. Bates. I received you letter and beg
your pardon for keeping you waiting after the time of our ap-
pointment, but we had a splendid lecture which I didn't like to
miss."
Jack found his voice.
"Can you tell me where Miss Thorne the lady who lectured is
staying?"
"She came in with Reverend Jackson and his wife. They live
in the third house south, across the street. Shall we go now and
talk over those school matters ?"
"Please excuse me for a half hour, Mr. Harper. I must see
 — :

THE GIFT 129

Miss Thorne. She is an old school-mate of mine," and Jack Bates

leftthe school board president wondering at the strange behavior
of the young man they had been so eager to secure.

Jack was met door of the parsonage by the minister

at the
himself, who showed himinto the drawing room. Marian came
forward with both hands extended and an unmistakable welcome
in her eyes. They began talking of mutual friends at college.
Soon the minister excused himself and left them alone. A con-
straint fell between. After a pause, Jack went to the window
where Marian was sitting. She did not look at him. He studied
her face for a moment and an overwhelming longing to claim this
girl he had loved so long swept over him.
"Marian," he breathed softly, touching her hand, his eyes
were full of the words he could not speak. She turned and looked
at him for a long second, then said in a low tone
"In a letter Dick has told me all about you. I did not know
you cared. I was going to spend my life on the lecture platform
— — —
but but, " she did not complete the sentence. Jack took both
her hands, a glad light springing into his face.
"Come, let us go to my mother. It is to her that I owe the
strength with which I kept my gift for you."

The Year's Crown

Again the promise of the gracious dawn

Of earth's east-risen Day-star Ringing clear,
!

"Peace and Good-will to men," heaven'.^ chime, we hear.

And selfish souls to kindlier deeds are born,
While lives of want and care are less forlorn.
In green-girt home many from far and near
Will gather now, and Names to memory dear
—
Invoke by fire-side glow without, the Storm.
"The lowly Babe within a manger lay."
A carol swells upon the wind-swept town.
The joy of earth's Child-hearted mingles meet
-
In love and mirth that Birthday Morn to greet :

The sacred light of Christmas shines to crown

The Year, like Charlemagne crowned on Christmas Day.
LONDON, ENGLAND
Florence L. LancasteB
 Italy and Japan in the War

UY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

ITALY

People arc often asking if Italy has really accomplished any-

thing in the present war. Italy has adopted a strategy wholly
different from that of Russia, though it must not he understood
that Russia's rapid plunge into Austria and Germany, at the outset
of the war, was not, under the peculiar conditions of those times,
the very best thing to do. It gave the English and the French a
chance to entrench themselves and hold the positions against the
future German drive. Russia accomplished that purpose, and
was driven hack later by the great drive through Galicia and
Russian Poland. The situation was so grave in western Europe
that the Russians had no time to fortify themselves as they went.
In the case of Italy, hasty action was not demanded, so Italy has
prepared herself to hold every foot of ground that she wins. Her
position, at present, (October) in the Trentino is regarded as im-
pregnable. That had first to be secured.
Her next move was the great Corso plateau and with Gorizia.
Recent dispatches announce that the plauteau of Corso is almost
entirely in the hands of Italians, and that Gorizia's fall is immi-
nent. When that military work has been accomplished, the
Italians will immediately put themselves on the defensive there
and make it cost the Austrians at least three men for every one
in an attempt to move them. It is only a little more than twenty
miles from Gorizia down to Trieste, and with the Corso plateau
in the hands of the Italians, the fall of Trieste is certain.
Italy's offensive movement could not, in the nature of things,
be over the Alpine mountains of Trent. The cost to her in men
would be too great. She could not make her advance very well
along northwest of Gorizia. because that district of country was
not favorable for an offensive movement. These two war "fronts
had to be captured and fortified by the Italians before they could
begin their offensive movement by way of Trieste over the'leveler
country along the coast of Dalmatia. The Italian campaign,
therefore, may be said to have been conducted in such a manner
as to eliminate the success of an Austro-German drive such as
that from which the Russians suffered. The Italian front is a
very short one, but it is also an extremely difficult one, more
 ITALY AND JAPAN IX THE WAR 131

difficult than the front of any other nation now at war with Ger-
many and Austria.
If the Italians now are in a position to take an offensive
movement eastward across Dalmatia, they may threaten the \u-
trians and Germans in the rear, in the effort of these central
powers to make a drive across the Balkans. A million Italian
soldiers along the Dalmatian front would require at least two
million soldiers of the enemy to maintain the basis of their supply.
The most wonderful tactics of the great war. the greatesl
generalship and the war's greatest problems, really await their
solution in the present so-called Austro-German drive across the
Balkan mountains, on to the plains of Macedonia, and thence inl i

Asia Minor which is really, after all, the greatest plum of the war.

JAPAN

Will Japanese soldiers fight in Europe? At the beginning of

the war, Japan took part in running down the German vessels that
were preying upon the commerce of the Allies. They wrested from
(iermany Kiaochau and with it the German influence in the great
province of Chatong. These conflicts with Germany were easily
understood, because they had directly to do with vital Japanese
interests. There was a further question about which there has
been frequent speculation, and that is the willingness of the Jap-
anese and the consent of the Europeans to have that oriental
power place its soldiers along side those of the Allies in the battle
lines of Europe.
It has seemed all along to the writer that the inevitable result
of the Japanese recent international arrangement would lead to
her participation in the European struggle on land. Whatever
may be said about the great European war on the grounds of
individual and state freedom, it is in a large measure, after all,
a war of conquest, and Japan has her price. What is it?
It is a price in the first instance that Russia must pay. Money
indemnities cannot in the very nature of things be at all adequate
for the victorious parties. Indemnities must come through ter-
ritorial aggrandizement. Japan would be very glad to have
Russia move back from the city of Harbin in Manchuria to the
northern shores of the Amoor river. Japan would like conces
sions in Vladivostock and perhaps the exclusive control of that
port, though Russian Siberia and Russian claims in Mongolia
make that port equally a necessity to Russia.
If Russia must cede these large interests in eastern \-ia. there
must be in return a large compensation elsewhere as an induce-
ment. That means that France and England would have to re-
imburse Russia at Constantinople and in Asia Minor. So. indi-
 — —

132 IMPROVEMENT ERA

rectly England and France would have to surrender some of the
good things they have in anticipation, to Russia, in order to justify
Russia in letting Japan have what she wants. It is a very large
mathematical problem, and to save disputations after the war, it
has to be worked out in detail, and it is a fairly good guess, when
we venture the belief, that for some time the allied diplomats and
those of Japan have had their slates and pencils and sponges
occupied in hunting the answers to scores of problems to which
the Japanese demands will naturally give rise.
Heretofore the four allied powers have believed in their
ability to cope with the situation, but behind that belief was a de-
termination of the Allies that they would win even if Japan had
to be called in. And it really looks today (October) as if Japan
was in a good position to demand and receive her price. It's a
big one, but really Japan has the goods to deliver. She has two
million of perhaps the best fighting men in the world, well offi-
cered, well equipped, that she is able to put on the fighting line
within six months' time.

God Reigns Above

The deep-pealing thunder, that jars on the lattice;

The ligthning enwrapping the earth like a shroud;
The fierce breath of nature, that moans at the casement;
The heavy, black clouds that o'ercast the blue sky;
The sunlight, just peping above the brown hilltops;
The cataract, leaping in wide sheets of spray;
The fluttering of leaves in the breeze of the morning;
The dashing of waves on the sea's sandy shore,
All tell me that God reigns above in the heavens,
And governs the world he has shaped with his power.
The mild-tempered zephyrs, that cool my hot forehead,
The dewdrops that gleam on the roses at morn,
The tread of the fawn, from her couch in the thicket,
The hoot of the owl, from the turrets dull gloom,
The moonlight that glides o'er the earth like a spectre,
The stars sinking back in their orbits from view,
The day following night, and the march of the seasons,
The seas and the fountains, all fixed in their course,
All tell me that God reigns above in the heavens,
And governs the world he has shaped with his power.
LOGAN, UTAH
Sarah E. Mitton
 —

Human Nature Not Explained by Evolution

BY ROBERT C. WEBB

[This article is a continuation of a series of contributions by the

same author, which appeared in Volumes XVII and XVIII of the Era.
The earlier writings have dealt more particularly with the develop-
ment of organisms, and the bearing of the doctrine of "Evolution"
thereon; the present article treats the subject of the varied traits and
tendencies of man as summarized under the title "Human Nature,"
and considers the origin and source thereof. While each article is
complete in itself, students are advised to study the entire series.
Further contributions on allied topics will follow. Editors.]

In dealing with human nature, the evolution philosophy

starts, of course, with the assumption that man, like all other
living things, is a product of the alleged process, in which the
primeval, "indefinite homogeneous," protoplasmic moneron event-
uates into progressively more and more complex manifestations
of some original activity of a chemical, electrical or analogous
description. Hence, as is confidently assumed, the traits and
characteristics of the human animal, as seen in present life or in
history, are only so many indications of "developmental stages,"
rather than the proper attributes of living organisms, manifesting
within various limiting environments. Thus, in affairs moral and
mental, as well as in those physical, our modern "philosophers"
profess to find the evidences of a "continuous progressive change"
in human history, attributing the failures of past and present the —
—
outworkings of man's ignorance or wickedness to his "imperfect
development" and his organic or functional incompleteness. The
view seems to be that, in the words of Emerson, evil or sin, as
we term it, is only "good in the making," and that the inevitable
result for the race must be mental and moral perfection (com-
pleteness), just as "a snake's egg hatched takes scale and fang,"
as a bird's egg, "through nature's alchemy," forms feathers, beak
and wings, or as a man, on arriving at maturity properly and —
—
normally, although not invariably will "put away childish things."
This fatuous and really hopeless form of "optimism" flatly contra-
dicts all that may be certainly demonstrated in the premises. The
notion that the characteristic manifestations of man's sin, ignor-
ance and general inefficiency as a biological factor are only, and
properly speaking, so many evidences of mediate stages in the
—
development of quite contrary qualities precisely as the uncouth
grub or caterpillar is a mediate stage in the production of the
134 IMPROVEMENT ERA
graceful or gorgeous —
moth or butterfly is nearly the grossest and
most unscientific blunder imaginable, unless, indeed, such scourges
as marasmus, infant paralysis, scarlet fever and diphtheria, which
will, unfortunately, occasionally afflict the young, are to be classed
with "growing pains" and the common "maladies of childhood."
In the effort to form a really scientific judgment — one which
is in accord with all evident facts — we may consider every animal
or vegetable organism as a machine calculated for the achieve-
ment of some definite, even if undiscovered, functions in the
natural order. For example, a paleontologist, having discovered
the fossil remnants of some creature possessing bony structures
suggesting wings, inevitably concludes that, in life, it must have
exercised the power of flight, so far, at least, as its other anatomi-
cal proportions could permit. Indeed, the scientist holds as a
—
fundamental principle in judgment quite apart also from any
—
"philosophical" theory whatsoever that the presence of any
anatomical feature indicates a definite corresponding utility, unless
environing influence has compelled such modification as tends to
render organs and functions ineffective or rudimentary. Nor
have scientific theorists ever favored the idea that rudimentary and
defective organs may be "prophetic" of some future exercise of
function, rather than "reminiscent" of its exercise in the past. If
an organ is not used for the discharge of its proper logical func-
tion, the conclusion has always held that the creature's environ-
ment is to blame, in beginning and continuing the habit of disuse,
or the cultivation of some other function at its expense. Thus
the ostrich's great power as a runner, with the consequent im-
mense development of his leg bones and muscles, might be held
to have contributed directly to the disuse of his wings for any
form of self-propulsion, and their ultimate atrophy. Further per-
sistence in such lines has been accounted full explanation for such
birds as Dinornis and Apteryx, whose wings, utterly absent, have,
apparently, disappeared.
By consideration of his anatomical features the human animal
may be seen to possess very many elements of resemblance to tail-
less apes, or "Primates," also to several of the tailed Quadrumana.
He differs from all such animals, however, in several notable par-
ticulars, conspicuously in the fact that he is constructed to walk
erect, has but one pair of prehensile hands, instead of two pair,
and is equipped with a brain, which, as it seems, in size, con-
formation and functioning alike, differentiates him definitely from
all other creatures in nature. In addition to its greater size,
power, and complexity, the human brain seems to be capable of
certain orders of function, which are, apparently, absent in other
animals. 1 lunian mental operations are characterized by a certain
"flexibility" or "versatility," by which an impulse, originated in some
 HUMAN NATURE NOT EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION 135

definite sense experience, may follow any of several possible

di-
verse paths into action or ideation, instead of one or two, merely,
as in other animals. Coupled with this fact, there may be held
to
be, also, a larger range of activity within which conscious thinking
seems able to modify the fundamental and "unconscious" activi-
ties of the brain. But, because in man, as in other animals, the
essential processes of thought or mentation are properly uncon-
scious, precisely as are those of digestion, assimilation, etc., and
because, in usual and normal operation, apparently, an idea or
concept does not emerge into the "conscious mind," except in its
—
mature or completed form no matter how much it may have
—
been "cogitated" consciously in the meantime it seems possible
to hold that the commonly-followed habit, be it "acquired," or not,
of attempting to make the brain function consciously, during the
essential process of deriving a concept or forming a conclusion,
must be, in very many cases, a real order of interference. Such
"interference," if so it is correct to term it, certainly involves a
wider range of differences in ideas and concepts than is war-
ranted by the facts dealt with, particularly those involved in the
consideration of the essential conditions of life, and seems to fur-
nish some explanation for the "superficiality" and "illogicality,"
so conspicuous in human thought, past and present. Indeed, as
study of the subject may reveal, we have to deal, in the historv of
—
thought, not so much with what people really think with what
their opinions and convictions really amount to, when carefully
related to the findings of other capable minds —
but rather with
what people seem to "think that they think." This is true, be-
cause, as seems reasonable to claim, the brain functions according
to certain laws, just as do the other organs of the body, which are
involved in its structure, and that the results produced, when
sufficiently analyzed, differ less in their import and implications,
than in the number of facts available to the organ of thought.
Man differs, also, from virtually every other animal in nature,
as has been indicated by Mr. Darwin, and other investigators, in
the apparent total absence of "special instincts." He comes into
the world with no informed tendency to build his home in some
definite fashion, characteristic of his species, as do most birds and
some mammals, and seems to possess no innate ability to discrim-
inate healthful from unhealthful foods, nor yet to so conduct his
individual behavior as to subserve his own best interests and
safety, as is done, apparently, by all other animals in the state of
nature. As a general definition, we may say that instinct is an
automatic, coordinate, usually "unconscious," knowledge of the
proper functioning of the organism, or parts of it, which can so
direct functional activities, general or particular, as to retain
them within limits normal to the organism concerned. Being, in
 136 IMPROVEMENT ERA
some way, constituted by the coordination or structure of the or-
ganism, it determines the character and range of its activities in a
manner comparable to that by which the essential characters of
the various material substances in nature are expressed in their
chemical or physical properties. If, therefore, any phase of in-
stinctive operation in an organism is so modified that its "au-
thority" is neutralized, to any extent, it seems evident that the
result must be such distortion of function, as must involve some
of the lines of behavior that are abnormal or harmful.
— —
A certain prominent scientist was it not Dawson? has re-
marked that "man is the only animal that is out of harmony with
the laws of his own being." This alleged fact may be explained,
in part at least, by the elements noted above, or it may
indicate
another set of considerations. However, without attempting to
determine, a priori, precisely what are the laws of being thus, sup-
posedly, disregarded, it seems in place to call attention to the
historic absence of the mentally or physically perfect man. Nor
need we understand by this expression any order of exalted or
deific "superman." The perfect man is merely the normal man,
as it is reasonable to assume, existed in the contemplation
of the
great Designer of Creation in other words, a creature capable of
:

exercising his several functions normally and to the end of main-

taining his type, and using all structures involved in his organism
for their proper purposes, without disuse or misuse.
We may
understand all this better by a figure. Thus, an engineer, in ex-
amining some new, or unfamiliar, machine, to determine its prob-
able use or purpose, logically assumes that each separate
com-
ponent or device embodied in the total structure has its definite
function,- and, that it is not included for mere ornament or
mystifi-
cation. Such elements, therefore, would play an important part
in the formation of his judgment on the machine
in question, and
he would, undoubtedly, interpret the failure of any of them
to work
as an indication that the total machine is "out of
order." Consid-
ering the total man, mental and physical, in the light
of this
analogy, the conclusion is inevitable that he, also, is,
somehow,
"out of order." Such assumption might be held as explanation
of
the failure of the "normal man" to appear in history.
Without considering any of the so-called "vestigal" or rudi-
mentary structures found in the human body—the vermiform ap-
pendix, pituitary bodies, etc., as mentioned by numerous
anato-
mists—it is in place to call attention to the large number of mus-
cles that have little or no use in the average of
individuals; the
high percentage of organic or functional defects among the
people
affected by so-called "civilized" conditions, particularly the
numer-
ous distressing shortcomings of "character" and general tenden-
cies in conduct, physical or mental, and, most evident,
the familiar
 HUMAN NATURE NOT EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION 137

"stasis" —as —
we may term it of the brain functions, which con-
stitutes the ignorance and sodden stupidity of so large a number
of human beings. All such things are definitely abnormal and
defective, as must be apparent when we compare the powers and
capacities of one set of individuals with others. Thus, certain
savages possess a keen scent, like dogs, and other animals, or are
capable of the greatest endurance of hardship and suffering that
puts to shame the some of the rest of us. There is
inabilities of
no good reason why that all of these, and some others, should not
be the common possessions of humanity, together with normal
intelligence and reasonable "morality." But the facts are far
different, no matter what the explanation. This contention may
be further illustrated by a slight digression. By general consent,
in the speaking of English, we describe certain differing phases
of conduct as "brutal," "bestial," and "animal," intending, in these
words, to designate actions that are definitely antithetical to all
that is properly to be called "human." It is impossible, neverthe-
less, to deny that no brute can be "brutal," in the sense implied in
human "brutality ;" that no beast in nature manifests the lines of
behavior, or misbehavior, popularly idealized in the adjective
"bestial ;" while the word "animal," used to describe human ten-
dency, involves high injustice to our "dumb contemporaries," with
only a very gentle and indulgent rebuke to the condemned failings
in mankind. Nor are these differences merely verbal.
The conditions outlined above render necessary the extensive
training and cultivation of the young, known as education in the
broadest sense. If considered as indicating the impartation of in-
formation on the numerous special subjects, which have been de-
veloped and elaborated by human effort throughout time, education
is, of course, necessary and indispensable, as not otherwise, in the

present world, at least, could such knowledge be imparted. In

—
another aspect, however, education considered as a deliberately-
—
exercised influence of some order must also provide to compen-
sate the actual — —
and apparently inherent defects of all growing
minds. Without it, at least, we find usually, not only lack of in-
formation in the branches of knowledge usually imparted to the
young, but also inability to use mental powers except within a very
narrow range of expression. We all understand the sort of limi-
tations usually expected in a person who is, in a real and repre-
sentative sense "ignorant." Thus, although every normal human
being comes into "the world with a definitely-recognizable human
brain, he must be trained to use it, except in the simplest and most
commonplace concerns of life, quite as if it were some artificial
machine of unfamiliar and complicated construction, in order to
avoid errors and practical defects impossible to the mental pro-
cesses of anv normal "lower animal" in the state of nature. Every
138 IMPROVEMENT ERA
human individual predetermined by instinct and environment
is

alike to become a or 'factor in a social order of some de-

member
scription yet, unless trained in tribal rules and cults
;
—
if no better

influence is available —
and very often, even when so trained, he is
liable to develop and exercise only the simplest of the ethical vir-
tues, or to become a "rogue," a parasite, or other description of so-
cial absurdity. Considered sociologically, man of the "primitive"
type, as might be argued, is the one most readily to be kept within
the control of rules and customs, properly to be classed as "moral"
and "lawful," but, even with him, as seems to be the case in gener-
al, the highest reach of "virtue" is submission to authority more or

less absolute, and corresponds to no impulse original in himself,

unless his respect for a compelling power be rated a "virtue."
Thus, while the average individual submits willingly to such "au-
thority" as can make a show of real 'force —
and how else can we
derive an explanation for man's submission to the numerous sys-
tems of oppression and tyranny, with which history abounds his —
"obedience" seems to extend no further than the "authority" seems
to reach, and fails entirely when the authority claiming his al-
legiance shows qualities other than the power to compel and to
punish. Thus, even with man's ready submission to evident force,
there has always been a very real conflict between the individual
and the mass of individuals, known as society. For this reason
laws and standards of righteousness have always been promul-
gated by society, or by its federal heads or masters, in order to
restrain the activities of individuals within the limits considered
safe and proper. Sometimes such laws and standards have been
just and reasonable; very often they have been unjust, oppressive
and unreasonable in general, they have proved exceedingly inef-
;

fective in promoting co-operation between the individual and the

mass. All this may be due to the fact that laws and ordinances
in history have never embodied really "scientific methods" of deal-
ing with the human organism and its involved tendencies, but it
follows, quite as probably, on the fact that man in the mass has
seldom, if ever, been better than any individual belonging to the
mass. Just as the traditional "chain is no stronger than its weakest
link," so also no human society seems to have proved itself better
than its greatest rogue or wiser than its basest imbecile since, ;

like the chain, human a composite of individual factors,

society is

whose defects must be of general, rather than of merely local

significance. In other words, the weak points are "danger points,"
which reduce the "breaking strength" of the total, and limit its
endurance.
At this point, it may be, we can clearly discern the fact that
the phenomena to be observed in the life of human social organ-
isms present startling contrasts to the mass-activities of any of the
 HUMAN NATURE NOT EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION 139

"lower animals" in the state of nature. In these latter connections

the rule the realization of good practical harmony and reasonable
is

efficiency in maintaining- the interests of individuals; as well as

those of the mass. We
may conclude, therefore, that there is to
be seen in human societies an element strikingly suggestive of de-
parture from nature's standards in some notable particulars. This
"unnatural" element has been explained as evidence of some pro-
cess in human history, by which the "animal is sloughed off" and
the "human is perfected," and of a stage in the grand development,
through which, eventually, "spiritual capacities will be perfected."
The strongest reason why this may not be accepted as an explana-
tion of the conditions is that in none of the manifestations of the

evidently "unnatural" condition of human nature is there to be

found a rational warrant for evil and inefficient consequences in hu-
man associations, or in human individuals. Turning to nature for
our analogies, we find that every creature s.eems perfectly adapted
to function profitably and efficiently in its proper environment, and
that, at no stage in its growth, does any one of them manifest dis-
harmonious traits, comparable to those found with man. The larva
of the frog, toad, or salamander, for example, is a perfectly-
equipped water-dweller, and its perfect adaptation to its temporary
environment is reduced in no particular, because of the fact that
it is evidently destined to an air-breathing amphibian maturity.

Even in the case of such "intermediate types" as the lancelet, or

—
amphioxus, and the ascidian representatives, as stated, of the
general tendencies in invertebrates to develop the physical charac-
teristics of vertebrates —
do we discover any variation from the ap-
parently universal rule of nature that each species is perfect in
its proper life-environment, and functions precisely as if its type

were the ultimate reach and permanent achievement of the natural

energy, whatever its description or methods of working, that has
produced it. fact that neither of these creatures shows any
The
"physical instability," nor any tendency to vary from its properly
"intermediate" characteristics and approximate, occasionally and
sporadically, in eccentric individuals, more nearly true "verte-
brate" or "invertebrate" structures, is typical of all natural "in-
termediate forms" found in the classification of organisms^
Because, however, the human animal has always manifested
traits and characteristics contrary to this rule of nature, and
con-
trary to the laws of his own being— if, indeed, these are to be
deduced from the facts indicated by his structure and capabilities,
as is the case with other organisms— also, contrary to his own
all
inevitable that
best interests and happiness, the conclusion seems
condition of mal-functioning indicates, precisely, a
his historic
lapse of some description, either from his proper and
normal en-
vironment, or from a condition of ability to function normally and
140 IMPROVEMENT ERA
harmoniously in any environment at all. When, indeed, we con-
sider what a splendid animal the human might be, and could be, if
all the elements of his physical structure, now largely disused and
neglected, and all the mental powers and capacities —
occasionally
developed, but usually merely latent and potential could have —
their proper use and expression, the conclusion that the "low-
efficiency" results, achieved by him, in historic experience, indicate
merely functional (and total) disuse and misuse seems the only
consistently scientific and rational verdict in the premises. In
other words, the characteristic functioning of the human organ-
—
ism considered as a mechanism actuated by vital, mental or
spiritual energies, and adapted, apparently, to the achievement of
results that never appear —
is entirely abnormal and defective, and

any attempt to explain it otherwise can achieve an appearance of

"conclusiveness" only by neglecting a large proportion of the
relevant facts. This is the very thing done by "evolutionists."
The foremost consideration in dealing with the situation under
discussion is the fact known as "evil" or "sin." Whatever may
be the real nature and sufficient description of this fact, its prime
characteristic is irrationality. Whatever may have been its real
origin in time — if such origin it had apart from man —
its char-

acteristic is a definite tendency toward conditions strongly sug-

gestive of analogy to pathological and degenerative developments
of physical and mental disease, such as are properly cognized by
pathologists. While, as is highly probable, the facts connected
with "evil," as we term it, are very imperfectly understood, and
while, in its commoner manifestations, it appears rather as a gener-
al and inevitable "anti-social tendency" in the individual —
render-
ing him, in varying degrees, unfitted for association with his fellows
— the fact remains that the higher and ultimate developments, as
expressed in the great crimes of history, can be described as noth-
ing other than abnormal, insane, and at variance with all that
could properly be attributed to "natural causes" of any variety.
From the standpoint of motives, therefore, the terms, "normal" and
"abnormal," are more nearly descriptive, in a scientific sense,
rather than the more general and indefinite terms, "good" and
"evil." Thus, the evident sanction of "good behavior" lies in the
fact that it is normal to the human individual and society, as in-
dicating the things demanded for their well-being and permanence ;

while, apart from all religious significance, the sufficient condemna-

tion of all "evil behavior" lies in the fact that it is contrary to the
well-being and continuation of both, leading inevitably to degenera-
tion and dissolution.
Most writers of the "evolution school," with characteristic
contempt for fact and logic, have argued that the "moral law," so-
called, —
by this expression we are to understand the formal state-
 —

HUMAN NATURE NOT EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION 141

rnent of the lines of conduct consistent with proper and essential

righteousness ("normality")— is not, as Kant held, involved in the
structure of the mind, or "reason," and the inevitable expression
of its essential principles in words, but a thing of
extraneous de-
velopment, a mere codification of historic customs and conventions.
This contention is only one of the numerous errors, championed
by otherwise intelligent people, for the mere purpose of upholding
an hypothesis (and "philosophy") that is impotent to explain the
facts of human life. The evidence to the contrary is to be found
in the fact that the fundamental principles of the moral law are
evidently involved and necessary forms in the normal expression of
the "practical reason" lines of conduct instinctively suggested to
the will of the really normal (rationally-minded) man, and con-
sistent, precisely, with his best interests, both individual and social.
Because man is a social being, instinctively or automatically
—
probably, also, inevitably associating himself with gangs, clans,
tribes, nations, of his fellows, he seems to be mentally and morally
"shaped and squared" to take his proper place in any such struc-
tures, and, on the whole, inclines or intends to do and refrain
from doing, in accord with the principles on which society is also
constituted. For example, he
inclines to refrain from murder, the
killing of his ownkind, within his clan limits, at least, because
and quite apart from other, or "higher" considerations — the kill-
ing of one individual by another is inconsistent with the instinct
of association, with all that it involves, and with the very existence
of the social order, with its protective and other advantages to him-
self and his offspring, and to the perpetuation of its natural guar-
antees of safety and comfort. The act is, in so far, abnormal and
irrational, therefore, and he inclines so strongly to refrain from its
commission that we hear of the traditional horror and qualms of
the murderer, originated, doubtless, in his conviction that, in
murdering, he has really violenced himself and his own instincts.
The individual inclines to refrain, normally, from theft, since the
enjoyment of possessions sufficient to his natural needs is a neces-
sity, and the act of stealing is inconsistent with the maintenance of
a social order that, normally and in all righteousness, should guar-
antee him in his "certain inalienable rights of life, * * *

and the pursuit of happiness." Whatever he may incline to do to

members of other communities, or, indeed, to members of his own,
—
when public morality has so far degenerated and the trouble is
that it usually does degenerate — as to allow society to forget or
neglect its protective function in the matter of safe-guarding its
members from exploitation and spoliation, is a matter related
entirely to what he considers his own self-interesl in the prem-
ises. So with the other lines of conduct demanded by the moral
law: they are mere practical corollaries of the instinctive discern-
142 IMPROVEMENT ERA
ment of the requirements of social order, and of the individual's
relation to it; ultimately, also, of the wisest and most sufficient
self-interest.
Indeed, all laws and principles of the moral code are, in the
last analysis, neither more nor less than statements of the fun-
damental working principles of human society. Thus, the "Golden
Rule," so called, is a very olden rule, the ultimate principle in-
volved in all associations of individuals. Confucius summed its
requirements in the one word, "reciprocity," and every reflecting
mind must recognize its perfection, as "theory," at least, no
matter how much habit and stupidity have constrained him to
neglect it in practice. And this follows because of the fact, which
instinct clearly indicates, that "we are all members one of an-
other." For these reasons, the moral law and "true religion and
undefiled" demand nothing of anyone but that which he is de-
signed, normally and ultimately, to perform. That this is the
correct understanding of the matter, whether the term moral law,
be considered a consciously-observed code of rules and prin-
ciples, or the unconsciously and instinctively followed laws, in-
—
volved in the structure of the being "written on the inward
parts" —and necessary to the achievement of every good end
whatsoever, even to the continuance of life itself, is evident in
the fact, as indicated by several writers, that the "lower animals"
in the state of nature observe the principles of individual and
social righteousness and justice, quite as fully as the average of
mankind, and much more regularly.
Although the subject of "animal morality" is not perfectly
understood or developed, the known facts on the behavior of wild
animals are sufficient to enable us to mark vivid contrasts with
the morals of humanity. To be sure, as must be said, in order
to forestall probable misapprehensions, it cannot be pretended that
nature displays any promising approximations lo the ancient
prophet-poet's anticipations of a condition in which "the wolf shall
dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid."
All that belongs in a world very different from the present
one. Nevertheless, among individuals of the same species, "tribe"
or community of animals, we find an "instinctive" adherence to
the principles of sound morals and mutual rights, which are,
simply speaking, "worthy of all acceptation." The particular acts
and lines of conduct notable in animals differ according to the
species, structure and habits in all cases but the rule is that,
;

above and beyond such manifestations, lie the same principles

of "righteousness" that mankind have always been urged to ob-
serve. This fact justifies the belief that such principles inhere
in the constitution of the universe, and that their authority is
ultimate.
 HUMAN NATURE NOT EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION 143

Among the higher animals the impulse toward association

of individuals seems to be based largely upon considerations of
self-interest, and, unlike human associations, leads directly to the
safe-guarding of such interest. Although the law of struggle
and the "survival of the fittest"— which is to say, the strongest,
—
swiftest or craftiest may hold in nature, the struggle is between
alien races, and not between groups or individuals of the same
species or community. In no case, among the higher animals
at least, do we find that individual craft and power is exercised
for the suppression and subordination of other individuals of the
—
same species unless we except the practices of ants, bees, etc., by
which certain individuals are systematically deprived of their
power of reproduction, for the benefit of the community. Such
acts, however, are effective far more evidently for the good of the
species, its continuance, etc., than for the benefit, convenience,

etc., of the "queens," as the community mothers are called. Still,

although the law of selfishness holds among animals, and each one
is interested, primarily, in his own nourishment and preservation,

this rule of behavior is tempered by a reasonable limit: no animal

will eat more than he needs, and none of them will store up more
than he needs, nor do we find that any of them exercises such
superior strength, skill, etc., as he may possess, to accumulate
hoards of useless possessions, to the disadvantage of his fellows.
The detestable phase of parasitism, which, in a very real sense, preys
upon its own kind, profiting at the expense of the wants and mis-
fortunes of its fellows, and growing' great on their life and labors,
is reserved for man, a creature "made in the image of God," as

we are told. Furthermore, as authorities seem to suggest, com-

bats, between individuals of the same species among animals, are,
in general, not fatal — more especially is this true, as alleged,
among the more formidable brutes — and none of them will prac-
tice cannibalism, unless under the aggravated conditions of star-
vation.
Wild dogs of various species usually associate in packs. If
in any pack there are individuals who are swifter, keener, or craft-
ier than the others, their talents are exercised for the benefit of all.
and all thrive in consequence. The great cats, being the most
formidable of all mammals, and the best fitted to protect and
provide for themselves, are the least social, living usually as iso-
lated pairs, and only occasionally hunting in numbers. Many
of the herbivores, animals less able in defense against beasts of
prev, are often found in extensive hordes or droves, evidently lie-
cause of the advantages in defense, protection of the young, etc.
Among the more intelligent of the gregarious brutes, such as
elephants, high standards of ethical virtue seem to lie observed, as
may be seenin the assistance given a wounded elephant by sev-
 —

144 IMPROVEMENT ERA

eral of his comrades, or in the rescue of one fallen into a pit.
Many observers claim that wild animals recognize the "law of
property," to the extent, at least,' of respecting the metes and
bounds of the "ranges," preempted by fellow-individuals or packs,
of the same species, and in refraining from robbing their caches of
food, or invading their homes or burrows. The rule does not
work, of course, between animals of alien species, but, as it would
seem, is ensured by some highly-effective imperative between in-
dividuals belonging to the same natural group. Thus, while birds
of one species will often try to oust representatives of another
from a desirable nesting-place, we find no reliable evidence to the
contrary of the contention that such brigandage is always prac-
ticed upon aliens.
(to be continued)

Satisfy Yourself

It is not what people say about you — it's what you are that
counts. The one person in all this world whom you should aim
to satisfy is yourself. You alone know yourself. Other people
know your outward appearance, your actions, your deeds. You,
and you alone, know your motives, your ambitions, your thoughts.
Are you satisfied with yourself? It is your own fault if you
are not. Are you satisfied that you are doing the best you can
in your work, that you are making the most of your time? Are
you confident that your conduct toward your family, your friends,
your neighbors, your employer, can not be improved?
Look yourself straight in the face this morning, in your mind's
looking-glass. Ask yourself whether it is what people say about
you or what you are that hurts. Analyze your own conduct in all
matters.
Put yourself in the other fellow's place and try to see your
actions through his eyes. Imagine that you are your employer
instead of yourself. Answer honestly whether, if he knew as much
about yourself, he would discharge you or would raise your wages.
If you do this conscientiously there are many things you will do
differently.
Remember this, too. Other people's opinion of you is based
on your opinion of yourself. Are you self-respecting? Other
people will respect you. Are you truthful? The world will believe
yon. Are you honest? Everyone will trust you.
Hut weigh yourself frequently. Weigh yourself carefully.
Be certain that your own opinion of yourself is justified. Be
satisfied with vourself. American Magazine.
 :

The Man with a Scar

BY JOSEPH W. FOX

The threshing crew sat in the grateful shade of the water

tank with the full satisfaction of a well placed dinner, awaiting
the termination of the noon hour, when the long-drawn shriek of
the whistle would send them back to the ever swirling, choking
cloud of dust and chaff, and the wearisome thump, thump, of the
separator.
The new man, a stranger, transient, old in the experience of
the road, but young in years, came out of the cook-shack and
joined the crew, whose freshly washed faces contrasted oddly with
their clothes and hair and hats of the same unvarying, uncertain,
dusty color.
"My name is Gleason, Jack Gleason," said the new man, by

way of introduction, and paused. "Have a shot in the arm ?" he

smilingly invited, producing a large flask of amber liquid, in full
confidence that, in a dry county in Idaho, such a treat would not go
unappreciated.
The young boss shook his head and passed it to the sack buck
who passed it to the grizzled old separator man he glanced at ;

the rest of the crew and, meeting no assent, short circuited it to

the owner, not a drop missing.
There was an awkward pause, then the stranger said bitterly
"So you 'Mormons' are too clannish to drink with me. It's not
cheap stuff, either; cost me three bucks, and I brought it from
Evanston. I'm just as white a man as any of you, and I'm willing
to prove it to any one that doesn't think so." His challenge un-
accepted, with no explanations, he turned to the boss "Get my :

money for me tonight."

"Hold on, not so fast," said the engineer, a man of middle
age. and prepossessing countenance, had it not been for a livid
scar that ran from his left ear down the entire side of his face,
leaving it hairless and hard, like a terrible birthmark. When
angry or excited the scar would suddenly pale to a waxy white-
ness, with sudden flashes of red.
The stranger turned questioningly.
"Sit down, and I'll tell you a few things."
He complied.
"In the first place." said the engineer, "it is against the laws
of this county to have intoxicating liquor in your possession, or
146 IMPROVEMENT ERA
to offer to sell, or to give it to others. In the second place, I am a
deputy sheriff,and sworn to uphold the law, and, in the third
place," laying a kindly hand on the young man's knee, who was
rather agitated at the unexpected statement of the other, "I want
to tell you a story."
The crew sat up to strict attention as he began: "It is just
eight years ago since I was engineer for a big threshing outfit in
Oregon, carrying a cook-shack and seventeen men. We had had
a good season, and a good run, with but little rain. Of course,
the boss was well pleased, and to show it he gave us an afternoon
off, and brought up a keg of beer, and some bottled brandy and
rye, as a treat for the men. By midnight there was not a sober
man in the crew, and when we went to move in the morning, I
backed the engine over a pig pen, killing a litter of pigs and
breaking the water glass, which I had a deuce of a time to plug
up. We moved and set, but my head was rather bad, so I hit the
bottled stuff pretty hard, and felt better. We pulled the water
tank close to the engine and went in to dinner. After dinner,
eight of the crew lay down in the shade of the water tank, and
the remainder in the shade of the stack. I filled the lubricators,

and looking at my gauge saw that I had forty-odd pounds of

steam, not being able to tell much about the water the glass being
broken, I tried the gauge cocks. No water.
"I went over to the water tank to ask the tank man if he had
put in the water, as I had asked him to when he came back with
the full tank, but found him dead drunk and incoherent, so I de-
cided to give him the benefit of the doubt, as I knew the boss
would be 'sore' if I drew the fire and delayed the outfit for two or
three hours. So I pulled the whistle cord twice and the men in
the shade of the tank sat up and cursed everything individually
and collectively. Then I turned on the injector, but it didn't
work very well but it suddenly picked up and began to work
;

faster than I had ever seen it. If I had not been half drunk I
would have known instantly what was the matter, and shut it off,
but by the time a suspicion had entered my head and I had
glanced at the gauge, it was too late. I remember that it showed
one hundred and seventy-eight pounds. I remember shouting a
warning and jumping off the foot-rest to run, but stumbled and
fell just as the engine boiler let go. How or why I got out of it
with my life, and nothing but this scar, is something I do not
know. After the terrible concussion, however, I got up dazed
but sober. I could not see a thing for dust, and took but three

or four steps before I ran into the water tank wheel. It was
tipped up on its side. I called, and a man on the far side of the

stack answered, 'What in is the matter?'

"The dust settled, and I saw that the water from the ,tank
 a

THE MAN WITH A SCAR 147

had run out and made a big pool around it; but I saw something
else that I shall remember with horror when everything else shall
have faded — something that booze and I were responsible for—
sight that wakes me up in the stillness of the night to punish me,
and that compels me to turn down a drink on every occasion. 1

saw eight fine young men dead in the mud and bloody water in
the pool under the water tank."
For the space of ten counts there was silence, and no one
looked at the engineer in his sorrow, or at the stranger who
should make apology for hasty words to the sheriff, who otherwise
would have a disagreeable duty to perform.
An accurately thrown bottle broke the silence with a sudden
crash, asit struck the hub of the toll wagon wheel.

"I don't blame you a bit," said the stranger softly.

"All right," said the boss snapping shut a watch, and forty
seconds later the dust again commenced to rise above the hum-
ming, flashing cylinder teeth, as the first bundle of grain slowly
approached them, and suddenly disappeared.
MURRAY, UTAH

A BEAUTY SPOT AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION

ancient
The Palace of Fine Arts, from a distance, appeared like an
vegetation sprung up in the course of centuries
ruin overgrown with
feet
The building is 1,100 feet long, and the rotunda to the right, 16oThere
high A Corinthian colonnade followed the line of the building.
on the islands
were weeping willows, and groups of evergreen shrubs
violets, calla lilies
and inlets of the lagoon. Thousands ot periwinkles,
costly *tatuarj in
and calla bulbs, to say nothing of the marvdous ami
display of fine a.t from
the-surrounding grounds, and the unparalleled
a 1 parts of the world, in the building,
made this structure one of the
remarkable artistic achievements of the wonderful Exposition.
most
 Jed's "Schoolin"'
THE SECOND OF A SERIES OF FOUR JED STORIES, EACH COMPLETE
IN ITSELF

BY IDA STEWART PEAY

I.
Three sheep-herders sat upon a log before a rousing camp-
fire first chill evening in September.
the
"Well, fellers, I'm goin' to leave you," announced big, dark-
eyed Jed solemnly, looking long and fixedly into the flaring flames.
"Goin' to leave us!" exclaimed the other two in surprise,
"Honest?"
"Honest Injun."
For a moment Jed's two partners sat in dumb astonishment.
Finally they cried together with one thought "Where you goin' :

to?"
"Up north," said Jed, briefly, still gazing intently at the fire
pictures.
"Well, up north where to and what fur?" chorused the other
two impatiently.
"I'm goin' to go to school," Jed's voice had a fateful ring that
left his hearers quite convinced.
"Well, I'll be dog-goned !" swore blunt Abe. "Goin' in fur
!"
schoolin'
"So that's the card you've had up your sleeve all summer,
is it? Well!" marveled Hebe.
"I knew there was somethin' on your mind," declared Abe.
"That's why yon been reading your eyes out and wouldn't
play a game," accused Hebe.
"That's why you been hangin' on to your 'dough,' wouldn't
even spend a copper for a sociable cigarette," slurred Abe good-
naturedly.
"Then, I guess he promised the 'little teacher' he'd not tech
the weed no more," snickered Hebe.
"Oh, no," Jed hastened to deny, "she didn't know I'd ever
used it."
"Did she tell you to read all them books?" asked the unre-
served Abe.
"She did," admitted the young man. "She said if I'd read
all these through, this summer, I'd be ready for the big school
this fall."
 JED'S "SCHOOLlN* 149

"Did she ? well And how did she think you'd get the monev
!

to go there ? propounded Abe.

"Did she think you was livin' off the interest of your
monev
last winter, when you had to soak your
pocket knife fur a dance-
ticket?" chuckled Hebe.
"Does she know you ain't got no wheres to lay your head
'cept under a sage brush, and no pa nor ma but me and Hebe?"
quizzed Abe.
"And can't earn more'n thirty dollars a month to save vour
hide?" added Hebe.
"No, and before she knows all that any better than she can
guess it, it's goin' to change some," declared Jed warmly, his black-
eyes turning to the camp-fire's sudden flare. "When she told me
I was ready for the big school up north this fall I just said,
'all right, I'll be there the very first day,' and now I'm goin' to

get there. Do you think I'm goin' to herd sheep all my life for
thirty dollars a month, when a slip of a girl, younger'n me, and
little enough to go in my pocket, can pick up eighty-five, pullin'

the reigns on a couple of dozen chumps like us ? No, by gingoes !"

and Jed threw back the thick black hair from his bronzed forehead
with the old familiar movement of independence and daring.
"That's a whoopin' good talk, but does the 'big gush' like
that pay fur schoolin', and books, an' board, stage an' railroad
fares an' cetry?" enquired Abe dryly.
"I don't know yet," owned Jed, "but I'm goin' to see. Tell
you later."
"By-the-way, give my love to the 'little teacher,' " breezed
Hebe, with a meaning grin. "Happen to know she lives in the
same town that school's in you're goin' to."
"Yes," Jed agreed thoughtfully, "but I won't see her, she's
coming back here to get you and Abe and Sally Brown ready for
the trip next year."
"Did she say that?" both young men enquired soberly, won-
deringly.
"You bet she did," Jed assured them.
"Bless her heart," murmured Abe.
"Amen," grinned Hebe, "I sure ain't objectin'. I'd make
a nifty professor, I reckon." There was a short silence. Each
boy was no doubt thinking of the little blue-eyed school mistress
who had come into their town the last winter and startled them all
one
out of their blissful, ignorant complacency, and set at least
of them upon a new quest for something better.
"Then you'll be a lorn figerup there, fur sure," mused Hebe
at the end of his reverie.
brought him, also, back to Jed s con-
Abe's rumination finally
ISO IMPROVEMENT ERA
templated venture. "I don't reckon you'll have much money to
start on," he speculated, his mind on the details as usual.
"Hum When I've bought me enough decent clothes to
!

stand up in, and paid Brenker Bates for that dead horse, I'll have
a little old lonesome twenty dollars left," confessed the would-be
scholar.
Hebe and Abe burst out laughing.
"Goin' to travel without purse or scrip?" joked Hebe. Jed
laughed his big hearty laugh with them. But as quick as the
outburst of mirth came a sobering thought to the true-blue
partners.
"Jed, you're clean crazy," cried Hebe.
"Twenty dollars won't pay your fare there," vowed Abe
earnestly.
"I'm goin' to get a tie pass," exclaimed Jed.
"What, walk three hundred miles?" shouted Hebe incred-
ulously.
"That's the only way," drawled the big sheep-herder, blink-
ing his dark eyes unconcernedly at the now flickering camp-fire.
"Goin' to work your grub like a tramp?" Hebe jested dis-
spiritedly.
"Something like."
"Say," burst out Abe, with a happy thought, "I'll bet you a
primer agin' a deck o' cards that you'll never see the inside of
that school. Away this side of there you'll be jugged for a
vagrant." Jed laughingly took the bet and the two shook hands.
"I'll write you the day I win," promised Jed.
"And if I win?" questioned Abe.
"Why, I'll mail you a deck of cards from the jail," he laughed.
The three partners talked until far into the night, Hebe and
Abe using every argument at their command to dissuade their
comrade from such a fool-hardy exploit ; but the big herder re-
mained adamant.
II.

The next week the boys went over to town to see their old
friend off. All the rising generation of Blackgulch came out to
bid the boy good-by, for, reckless, lawless, dare-devil though he
had been, there was not a young heart between the peaks that
Of young ladies had never owned
did not love Jed. course, the
to so strong a feeling, but, as
—
Fanny Meyer often said "actions
speak louder than words."
With his new clothes in a bundle on his back and a twenty-
dollar gold-piece in his pocket the big sheep-herder struck out
for the unknown world. Hebe and Abe followed him to the brow
of thefirst hill. After the last warm hand-shakes and good-bys
were over, practical Abe lamented, "I'd have to see the trail a
 JED'S "SCHOOLIN"' 151

ways ahead
little if 'twas me. I don't see how you're ?oin' to
doit!"
"I don't either," Jed laughed his infectious laugh, "all I know
is that I'm goin' to." And away he went with his head high,
like he always carried it, and his hopes —
in the clouds.
He swung his greatweight along easily, gracefully; there
was power and independence in his movements; there was pride,
assurance and the love of life in his deep dark eyes, and there was
a dauntless, daring stir within his newly striving soul that made
him as buoyant and light-hearted as the very atmosphere around
him.
The first day, strong with the vigor of his determination and
the spring of his manhood, he walked a great distance. He was
filled with joy, the success of his plans seemed almost realized.
Deep down in his heart Jed knew there were many details he had
not worked out, but he refused to contend with them until they
came into view. He had seen the first step and had taken it, so
he laid himself down in the edge of a field when night fell and
slept the sleep of the just. Next morning he arose stiff and hun-
gry. To be sure he was hungry, the light lunch he had brought
with him had been finished yesterday noon. He did not think of
food, however, any length of time, but, taking a wash in a sociable-
brook, set out again upon the highway. A dozen times that day
he made up his" mind to ask for work and a lunch at the next
farm house, but somehow the day wore away and he had not
done Another night's rest refreshed him, and the dawn of
so.
the third day found him out on the road again. That day he
asked at every house he passed or could sight for work. He
asked very humbly and earnestly for work, but though he
felt

tracks he could not bring himself

hungry enough to drop in his
, to say he would take his pay in victuals.
That was "{pttin §[
was still only a boy— he could
t h e boy— for in spite of his size, he

not ask for food. Even if he offered to work for it, to mention
like a certain class of men whom Jed
had
grub seemed too much
that he wished to_ work for
always abhorred. If he had hinted
would have fed him, but he just askect
food no doubt some one
persistent y, refused
for work, so he was constantly, he thought
supplied with farm hands and
Everybody seemed to be well
disconnectedly a sentence about the
laborers Jed remembered
must be some mistake
laborers being few, but he thought there
no one wanted he. least hand s
the laborers were many, and
it was uncom-
turn
"
The third day passed somehow, though
lagging feet into a way-
monly long, and Jed finally dragged his bieak he
a tall rambling bush for a wind
side cornel selecting m«to-
had gone beyond
dropped heavily down beside it. He
Sleep was impossible.
o-er he was ravenous-he was
starving.
 "

152 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Try as he would, he could not think of anything but pork and
beans, steaming pork and beans, bread and butter, bacon and eggs.
Ah, for a supper over the camp-fire with the boys ! How
was it
that he had never sensed the joy of those tasty, savory, cozy
suppers with good old Hebe and Abe. This was very different
from what he had planned. He had not expected to starve.
Anyway, he was thankful the boys could not know. The thought
of turning back presented itself, but stiffening with an effort he
laughed the foolish notion to flight.
"I told her I would 'make good' or die tryin', I'm not dead
yet, not by a long ways."
At last he fell into a troubled sleep. All night long he strug-
gled with strange and awful adversaries. Morning dawned at
last and Jed stumbled back upon the road. Never will he forget
that dreadful day. His hunger was now a cruel night-mare, his
limbs were almost too weary to carry him and his head throbbed
painfully. His pride was shaken, and he made a bee line for the
first farm house in view. He was not afraid to ask for food now,
he would not only ask, he would simply beg just for a crust. As
he neared the place an ominous silence chilled his blood. The
house proved to be deserted. The poor boy was heart sick. He
thought of breaking in and rifling the pantry, but it might not be
stocked and besides, he felt too tired to try the trick. He forced
;

his dragging limbs back to the road. Clouds gathered, a drizzling

rain fell. Finally a wind arose bearing the keen breath of fall, its
chill crept over the spent traveler. Somehow he moved along,
but his gait was so slow that it was late afternoon before he
reached a small settlement. He made his way straight to the first
cottage and knocked weakly upon the door. It was opened by a
kindly-faced woman.
"Thank God," Jed murmured reverently, under his breath,
aloud he hastened to say like any other tramp : "Could I do some
work for a bit to eat ?"
More blood rushed into his already burning cheeks at the
words, but he humbly followed the woman to the wood-pile. When
she started back to the house, Jed picked up the ax —
swung it
twice, then let it fall as he sank with a whispered moan to the log.
At that moment the house-wife turned and approached cautiously.
"Are you sick?" she asked kindly but suspiciously.
"No," the big sheep-herder answered, helplessly, "I'm I'm
— —
hungry. If I could have a little to eat first
The lady looked at him searchingly. Jed shivered, he felt
like a beggar, the words choked him and he dropped his face into
his hands. Hearing the lady's footsteps die away, he told himself
if she did not return with food he would break down and cry.
Unmanlv tears moistened his eyes, his head bent lower and lower,
 JED'S "SCHOOLIN"' 153

and he stopped caring or thinking. Presently a voice

startled him.
"Here, wake up and eat something, then you'll feel "
better
The dozing tramp raised his head slowly. Lo, beside him
was a cup of milk and a plate of bread and butter. He seized the
cup and drank with avidity, he fairly pounced upon the bread
and
butter. In less time than it takes to tell it he had devoured the
frugal but wholesome repast to the last crumb. Arising he tried
again to swing the ax, but it was no use, he dropped down more
tired than before. The house-wife, who had gone away, came out
now carrying a comforter.
"You need not try to chop any more," she said kindly, "I'll
take the will for the deed! You look like you have a fever. Here,
take this quilt and go lie down in the straw shed. If it turns out
that you have some disease," she added thinking aloud, "I can burn
the quilt and the straw."
Jed took the quilt mechanically and, muttering his thanks,
sought the shed. Rolling himself into the acceptable comforter,
he squeezed himself snugly against a protecting stack and was
soon asleep. There he lay sleeping a troubled sleep, dreaming
weird, distressing dreams and moaning and tossing for three days.
The good house-wife and her husband brought him food and
medicine and at last he began to get back his strength. Towards
afternoon of the fourth day he felt almost like himself again, and
was impatient to be on his way, but he first had a duty to perform.
He must repay, at least in part, the kind people who had cared
for him during this trying illness. Of course, he intended to re-
turn when he became a well-to-do professor and reward them hand-
somely, but for the present he would put in a good day's work.
The following day he, therefore, spent in the harvest field, though
the good farmer, who was now informed of Jed's plans, remon-
strated, urging him to hurry along. That he would be five days
late was gall and wormwood to Jed, but to receive favors unre-
quited was worse. The next day, however, after expressing his
sincere gratitude to his friends, and thankfully accepting a gen-
erous lunch, he tramped on.
He set out bravely enough, but the way still seemed long.
About ten o'clock he was overtaken by the farmer he had just left,
who said he had business in a settlement some forty miles distant.
Of course Jed must ride with him. The boy always doubted the
man had business in that town, but the big lift enabled Jed to
reach his destination one day earlier than he had expected. Thurs-
day evening he crept into a barn on the outskirts of the largest
town he had ever seen, where he slept peacefully until morning.

III.

Friday, September 21, was a fine, sunny day, Jed found a

154 IMPROVEMENT ERA
stream in a meadow, where he bathed; and, throwing away his
tramp rags, donned the clean clothes he had carried all the way in
a bundle. With head high once more he started into town in
—
search of the big school The Brigham Young Academy. He
made no inquiry. Following the country road west for about a
half a mile he came upon a broad street upon which he noticed
several people with books, hurrying south. There was only one
school in Provo to Jed, they must be on the way there. The boy
joined in the struggling procession.
When the big sheep-herder arrived at the old warehouse,
which was then the home of the school, every one in sight had
passed him. Pulsating with the joy of his achievement, he
ascended the stairs alone. Not knowing which way to go, he
stopped in the first hall staring around in wonder and bewilder-
ment.
Three or four young girls come running up the stairs chatter-
ing noisily ; when they
espied Jed they looked at him hard, pursed
up their lips as though to keep from laughing, and all dodged
pell-mell into a door on their left— the ladies' cloak-room — and in
—
a moment the new student distinctly heard one say -"did you
'get on' to those high-heeled boots!" Then they all burst into
hilarious snickering. Then another voice whispered, "and the
flannel shirt," this being followed by another uproarious but
smothered outburst of giggles.
Two spots of fire began to burn in Jed's brown cheeks, his
black eyes gleamed dangerously, whirling quickly, he shot down
—
the stairs he was on his way back to the sheep herd. Out in the
little, dark, rough, wood entrance he stopped suddenly and had a

brief but bitter fight with himself. The fire of ridicule tried his
proud heart to the core, but the strength of his purpose turned
him back.
"I'm not goin' to give up my schoolin' for them little up-
starts," he cried at last, with a snap of his square jaw, followed
by a twinkle in his dark eyes as he added, "I'll stay and make them
sorry for pokin' fun at their betters."
The big herder had a saving sense of humor, and with his
eye on the future he managed to smile bravely as he once more
climbed the stairs. Walking quietly along the thin frame parti-
tion, which divided the hall from the ladies' cloak room, he dis-
covered the girls were still there.
"You don't need to feel so smart," he overheard again, "if
he's like some of those fellows from down south, he'll be out of
the woods first thing von know, and teaching such laggards as
we are. Anyway I think he's about the handsomest young man
I ever saw."

led was only human and this defense soothed him a good
 ;

JED'S "SCHOOLIN"' 155

deal. He threw np his head in the old way and, falling' in with a
crowd of boys who had just ascended the stairs, he followed them
into a large room that, plainly, occupied all of the west end of
the long building. A
young lad with light hair was playing a
march at the little low organ in the northwest corner of the room
and here also sat the Academy Choir.
Many there may be who still remember the morning Jed
walked into the Intermediate Department in his high-heeled boots,
flannel shirt, and coarse, ill-fitting clothes —
if anything could be

ill-fitting on his splendid form. Everybody gave him a second

glance, not alone because of his cow-boy attire, but more, indeed,
because of the attraction in his strong, brown face, his uncommon
wealth of black hair, the interest and curiosity sparkling in his
alert, dark eyes, and the proud, erect carriage of head.
All those entering were keeping step to the stirring music.
and Jed dropped into the first vacant seat. In front of him on the
rostrum long row of teachers. It was evident that the noble-
sat a
looking man behind a desk in the center of the platform was the
head of the school. He seemed rather tall and very lean; his
the deep set
hair, short mustache and beard, were quite grey,
and his square face, in which
magnetic eyes were gray also, fine,

gentleness and strength, was without color. After

was combined
had been offered, the
the choir had sung twice, and a prayer
President arose to speak. He began in a low voice A mixture
of humility and dignity, the like of which Jed had never seen in
love, gentleness
any person, sat upon his broad, intelligent brow ;

though presently
and great kindness beamed in his deep-set eyes,
warmed to his subject, there was now and then a gleam
as he
purpose and power.
from them, which Jed recognized as the fire of
He was speaking about keeping one's word.
will meet you at a certain
"If I have given my word that I
stirring force, striking the
hour, in the morning," he said with
hand and speaking with a fascinating,
table with his long thin
me. If my breakfast is
foreign accent, "you can depend upon
can eat some other time, now is the
not ready, I go without it. I
only time I can keep my word."
a man of his woid. He was
Jed made a vow to himself to be
teacher that moment and forever
charmed he loved the wonderful
;

now it thunders out that

stilled, yet
"^Though the dear voice is
heart today; and in the hearts
unimpeachable moral code in Jed's
voice and teaching.
oaTlno doubt, who sat under the magic ofover
his
the sheep-herder
were
After the devotional exercises
partitioned ofl from the library
found Ws way to the tiny room
which was the president's office heart heal
great man. Jed s heart-beats
Before the quiet gaze of this
156 IMPROVEMENT ERA
quickened ,it seemed as if the deep-set eyes could see right
through him, so when Brother Maeser— as the eminent educator
—
always called himself began to ask questions, the country boy
thought it useless to make any reservations.
"A year ago," Jed was soon telling, "I was herding sheep,
—
never reckoned to do anything else 'cept a little deviltry. Then
a girl came down our way to teach school and somehow I began
to want to know something, to get some schoolin'. I hadn't no
folks, nor means, but, when the 'little teacher' said I'd made such
good progress that I was ready for this here Academy, I told my-
self I'd get here or die a tryin'."
Brother Maeser listened attentively while Jed told, also, of
his summer's work, his wages, his lone twenty-dollar gold-piece
and his tramp northward.
"Now I'm here I don't know what I'm goin' to do," the herder
ended. "I only know I'm not goin' back till I get my schoolin'."
Then the great teacher leaped from his chair, seized both of
Jed's hands and wrung them fervently, a tender emotion moisten-
ing his deep-set, grey eyes.
"You're the kind of boy we're looking for," he assured the
dazed sheep-herder, "welcome to the Brigham Young Academy."
Jed was so overcome by the warmth and kindliness of this
reception that the tears sprang to his eyes to cover this confusion,
;

he fished the guarded twenty-dollar gold-piece (that he had saved

for this moment and almost starved rather than break) from the
depths of his pocket and laid it on the nearby desk.
"Thank you then I'd like to enter now," he murmured, "if
;

this is enough money to start me on."

The beloved president picked up the money and handed it

back to Jed.
"Put it back in your pocket, my boy," he said in the soft
gentle tones he was capable of, when his heart was touched, "put
it back in your pocket. Use it for anything you need most," he
admonished, looking the herder over solemnly. "You can do
work here at the school for your tuition, and I think I can find you
some books. You are intending to work some place for your
board, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir," said Jed.
"Yes, yes," mused the head of the school meditatively. Reach-
ing for a pen and paper he sat down and wrote two notes. "Here."
he cried joyously when he had finished them, "here is a recom-
mend and here the names of four men who keep stock and culti-
;

vate farms. Go, find nut where they live, see if any of them need
you, and report to me at two o'clock."
Jed took the notes and mumbling his thanks departed. It

was still earlv and he determined to use his wits and his legs for
 : "

JED'S "SCHOOLIN* 157

all they were worth.He was not above asking directions, now.
Three men were
visited without success, but the fourth, when
found, declared Jed was just the kind of a helper he had
been
wanting a long time. A
bargain was soon made, and was Jed
shown to a small room
where he was told to bring his
upstairs
belongings as soon as he wished. At the word "belongings" the
herder smiled a quiet smile. However, when he was invited to
dinner he sobered, he was very, very hungry. Would there be
time to eat? He decided there would not, for there was some-
thing he wanted worse than food. He hastened away. It was
1:15 o'clock when he reached the business section of the city.
Hastily reading the signs, he presently selected a big store, dis-
appeared within its doors and remained there thirty minutes.
When he emerged he was hardly to be recognized as the sheep-
herder. He was minus his cherished twenty-dollar gold-piece,
—
but was clothed in a new outfit suit, shoes, hat, light shirt, collar
and tie, all quite correct, according to Provo standards, in cut and
color. In his arms was a bundle that he thought with a smile
would serve as his "belongings."
At one minute to two, Jed knocked on the President's office
door. Brother Maeser admitted him. A
broad smile lighted up
his benign countenance, and twinkled in his kind eyes.
"You are prompt, my boy," he commended. Then looking
Jed over in some surprise, he patted him on the shoulder, murmur-
ing in a soft, tender, fatherly voice that warmed the sheep-herder's
heart, "you have done all right, my boy, you have done all right.
And now tell me what you found out ?"
He seemed as delighted as Jed when he learned a boarding
place had been secured.
"Now, we will get you started," he said in a business-like
tone. Producing a slip of paper .he winked slyly as he asked Jed
to promise he would never "drink tea, coffee, whisky or use to-
bacco." The boy grinned as he solemnly agreed. Then the great
man himself took the new student around, introduced him to the
teachers, and installed him in his classes.
That night, in his little room, Jed wrote a brief note to Hebe
and Abe

—
"Dear Fellers I made a poor tramp which got me four days late.
But I'm here all right now, not in jail for vagrancy, but really started
in the big school. Abe, you can keep that 'primer' to help you get ready
for this Academy. The trail is not so bad you fellers must follow. Yes,
I'll be here next year to meet you, and I'll be here the
next, and the next.
Fact is, this is just the beginning of my schoolin'.
"Your old pal, Jed."
 POINT LOMA, CALIFORNIA, AND FESTIVAL HALL
Top: The most southwesterly point in the United States, San
Diego bay, and entrance to harbor. Center: The U. S. wireless
radio station, Point Loma, California. Bottom: Festival Hall, Pan-
ama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco. Here the Ogden Tabernacle
Choir sang with great success on several occasions in July, 1915.
 —

Outlines for Scout Workers

BY MISS CORA MORETON AND D. W. PARRATT

V. THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

The blackbirds make the maple ring
With social chatter and jubilee;
The red-winged flutes his "O-ka-lee." E^merson.

1. Why blackbirds so-called?

are By what other three names
is the red-winged blackbird also known? Name another kind of black-
bird common to our rgion.
2. To which family do these birds belong? What other birds
thus far stadied, belong to this family?
3. Note size, color, markings, and shape of the red-winged black-
bird.
4. Contrast the males and females in size and color and explain
why the difference.
5. Which is the better songster, the male or the female? Why?
During which season does it sing the most? then? Why
6. Where and of what do they build nests? there? Why
7. Tell of the color, number, and markings of eggs. How many
settings are usually laid in a season?
8. On what does the blackbird subsist and how is it adapted to
procure its food?
9. Do they go in pairs or in flocks? What advantage is there
in this?
10. Mention some natural enemies of this bird and tell how it
protects itself against them.
11. When on the ground does it walk or hop? Name another
bird which does this.
12. In what kind of places, uplands or swamps, does the black-
bird roost? .
 ;

160 IMPROVEMENT ERA

13. In relationship to other birds, is the blackbird a good neigh-
bor? Why?
14. Where do our blackbirds winter?
Should they be protected?
15. Why? What does our state law-
provide on this point?
HANDY MATERIAL
A splendid young blackbird built in a tree;
A spruce little fellow as ever could be;
His bill was so yellow, his feathers so black,
So long was his tail, and so glossy his back,
That good Mrs. B., who sat hatching her eggs,
And only just left them to stretch her poor legs,
And pick for a minute the worm she preferred,
Thought there never was seen such a beautiful bird.
D. M. Mulock

The red-wing belongs to the blackbird family. Other mem-

bers of this family are meadow-lark, bobolink, cowbird, orioles,
and Brewer's blackbird. The predominant colors of all these are
black and yellow. The red-winged blackbird is so named from
the beautiful red on the wings of the male birds. This partic-
ular blackbird is also known as the swamp blackbird, the red-
winged oriole, and the red-winged starling. It is common through-
out North America, while the yellow headed blackbird, so often
seen in our localities, is confined almost wholly to Weistern
North America.
The length of the red-winged blackbird varies from seven
and one-half to nine and one-half inches. The male is coal black
except the shoulders which are bright scarlet edged with light
huff. The female has her upper parts dull buff and black, streaked
the under parts streaked blackish and white the throat tinged
;

with dull orange buff; and the shoulders sometimes tinged with
pinkish red.
The male is larger and more attractive than the female. His
feathers are glossy and the bright red on his wings stands out con-
spicuously against the pure black surrounding it. He is plumed in
his best in the early spring during mating season. His attractive
gown and winning "O-ka-lee" serve to induce the female to choose
him as her favored companion. The fellow with the most hand-
some clothes and charming voice stands the best chance of secur-
ing coveted attentions from the females. The female does the
choosing of her companion and therefore has not the need for at-
tractive colors and winning songs. Her chief concern is sitting
and caring for her young and, in this, dull colors are a decided ad-
vantage her against ever present enemies.
in protecting
The
male's notes are liquid in quality, suggestive of the sweet,
moist retreats where the blackbird nests. He ascends the scale
and seems to say "con-quer-ee" or "o-ka-lee." He very often
sings while on the wing.
 OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 161

The
eggs, from three to five in number, are very pale green-
ish blue or pearly white, with either blotches or scrawls of dark
purplish brown, faint cloudy blotches of dull purple brown, and
spots of black. Some few have no distinct markings. There are
usually two settings, one in May and the other late in June or
early in July. The nests ordinarily are built in rushes or reeds
out in swamps away from the reach of coyotes, snakes, and the
like.
Nearly seven-eighths of the red-wing's food is made up of
weed seeds or insects injurious to agriculture. His feet are strong
for ground feeding and his long, conical bill adapts him for in-
sectivorous diet.
The blackbirds go in great flocks, thus protecting themselves
from bird enemies. It is interesting to note that the males and
the females commonly go in separate flocks.
Though the blackbirds spend the greater part of the day
in fields and meadows, they always return to the swamps at
evening to roost.
They are very sociable birds and may be seen enjoying the
company of other kinds of birds, and are willing to associate with
any bird with whom they can "scrape an acquaintance."
The migration of our red-wings is for but a short distance.
Many of them never go out of our state, and often they go no
farther than Utah Valley.
For the splendid services rendered, all blackbirds should
receive the best of protection at our hands. The state laws re-
garding insectivorous birds, nature-study clubs, boy scouts, and
especially the splendid work in many schools and religious or-
ganizations, all contribute to the neede'd preservation of our beau-
tiful feathered friend.

THE BLACKBIRD
O blackbird! sing me something well;
While the neighbors shoot thee round,
all
I keep smooth plats of fruitful ground,
Where thou may'st warble, eat, and dwell.
The espaliers and the standards all
Arethine; the range of lawn and park
The unnetted blackhearts ripen dark,
All thine, against the garden wall.

Yet, tho' I spared thee all the spring,

Thy sole delight is, sitting still.
With that cold dagger of thy bill
To fret the summer jenneting.

A golden bill! the silver tongue,

Cold February loved, is dry;
Plenty corrupts the melody
That made thee famous once, when young;
 — — —

162 IMPROVEMENT ERA

And the sultry garden squares,
in
Nowthy flute notes are changed to coarse,
I hear thee not at all, or hoarse

As when a liawker hawks his wares.

Take warning! he that will not sing

While yon sun prospers in the blue,
Shall sing for want, ere leaves are new,
Caught in the frozen palms of Spring.
Alfred Tennyson.

Pajarito

["The Pajarito (little-bird) mountain, which is boldly outlined

just west of Colonia Dublan," says the author,
"is said by the Mex-
icans to be the shelter of the birds. Whether or not the Mexican
belief concerning it is literally true, it is a fact
that in the evening,
s birds both ^eat and small, may be seen flying away
V,r „, '
to the
West. ]

See in the west yon far purple mountain,

Clearly outlined in the sun's lingering light,
Spreading her wings as to shelter her fledglings,
Proudly secure in her distance and height.
There in cliffs and the rocks overhanging,
Close in the hold of her heart, snug and warm,
Thousands of birdlings each year find a shelter,
Building their nests from danger and harm.

Soon as the morn, with golden-tipped arrows,

Pierces the mist that envelopes the sky,
Each birdie stirs in its nest and grows restless,
Eager to spread out its wings and to fly.
Out from the shelter of cranny and crevice,
Out from the cliff-mother bosom they spring;
Filling the air with a silvery cadence,
Cleaving the sky with a gladsome wing.

Over the valley, far over and downward,

Down where the fields lay melow and white,
Down 'mongst the grasses and sweet-scented clover,
Choosing at end of their flight.
will the
Back they all the gathering twilight,
fly in
Winging their way to the old mountain nest;
Wounded and sore and with wings bruised and aching;
Back to the far Pajarito and rest.

In myheart Pajarito, all stirring and restless,

My like so many birdlings cling.
thoughts
In the sweet, balmy morn they spring from my bosom,
Mounting the sky with an eager wing.
Tenderly, then, I will watch where they wander,
Snug and apart I will keep the old nest;
For I know that at eve they will come winging homeward,
Weary and bruised on my heart to rest.
Viva Huish Ray.
 :

Prohibition

BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER

_
Prohibition is really intrenching itself in many states of the
Union, and is reasonably certain to be adopted by the people of
Utah. A note of warning, at this time, therefore, may not be
altogether out of place. Political parties are not now gathering
their forces for conquest. The people are therefore politically
sober-minded and free to deliberate on a question that is of far
greater importance to them than the political advantages of their
party. One of the greatest enemies of prohibition is politics. Where
it is made a party question, the party hoping to derive advantages

from it, as a plank in its platforms, does everything to make it

successful. The party that has been compelled, for whatever
reason, to take the opposite view does everything to make its en-
forcement a failure. What is still more serious, where prohibition
is a party question —
one party poisons the minds of all its adher-
ents, and especially the younger generation, against the principle
of prohibition. If the people of this state could submit the ques-
tion of the sale and importation of liquor as a referendum for the
people to decide upon, separate and apart from other matters, they
would get a truer sentiment and a more solid support for that for
which they are now contending so earnestly, as a rule, throughout
the state. In some of the eastern states at regular elections there
is on the ballot the words ''Prohibition Yes" and "Prohibition
:

No." If the majority of the people decide in favor of prohibition,

whichever party comes into office carries out the will of the people
as expressed at the polls.
If, when our political parties meet, they would by resolution
agree to submit the question of prohibition as a referendum to
the vote of the people, and leave it there without making it a party
question, or claiming advantages at the polls as the highest and
best champions of prohibition, many difficulties that now lie in
the way of the enforcement of that principle would be easily over-
come. As a rule, among the number that seek the abolition of the
—
saloon there are three classes the radicals, the moderates and the
so-called indifferents. As a separate question the latter two
classes would be perfectly willing to have prohibition, but many,
if not a majority of them, would refuse to surrender political ad-
vantages to a party against which their prejudices run high, in
order to support prohibition. Experience in many eastern cities
has shown the wisdom of this course, and it is to be hoped that
the people of Utah, in the interests of sobriety and improved
morals, will see the wisdom of avoiding every movement which
tends to make prohibition a partisan issue in any way.
 - — I —— . — — —— — I

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Music by H. LeRoy Frisby

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 —— — | |

O MAKE ME THINE FOREVER 165

Duet, Soprano and Alto.

ppppiliipiitepp
sa-cred Head, what glo ry, What bliss till now was

— I L *
, i=i g c :

-& -0-

Thine! Yet though despised and go ry.

: -I 1
— i j 1 — :q 1

— 1 — c^|_ — I

joy to call Thee mine. The joy can ne'er be

szzd^tett
«*=«

b— #^ -W
—air— -d- £3- q=F3
—
w-
-
P- * 9-
—g~ -#r- :S:
-i

spo - ken, A - bove all joys be - side When through Thy

_E2_L
*£*+-a-P-l—P-=- —*-|— — *— *-l 1-# ^ I- m *-|—h* 1

-r-i it i=t=t=

— d~ z*-« —— « F«-
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pr~fe• *

bod-y bro - ken, In safe - ty I a - bide,

E^j^m^mM^ ^m
 — — r

166 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Soprano and Alto.

=-3 f-2v * — i
3-

m.p. What language shall I bor - row; To thank Thee,dearest

Tenor and Bass.
-0- -m± -0- -*- k*- & -0
** W—
w — i

v- +=— tt==tz=t:
'-w- P- -p-
f-
—

H *— *-
^=1:

Friend — For this thy dy-ing sorrow, And pit - y with-out

Oft
•-:pS^-
Z£=t=&=±*=* =*=£= :-t=fc=E-t=z:

end? What language shall I bor - row, To thank Thee, dearest

Friend, For this Thy dv - ing sorrow. Thy pi - ty without

-ffiTV .p >?
e
. . . p. .
m m _ _

-0— s H»- —
rHr—' i T—
— &-
r-j—
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—
•— :E==fbE:
-#±— p- p-
\— c It-F
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end? mZL G make me thine for

S> #— s-
rr __e 1* —1>— — , "&-^ 1
r ^J

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 — f — —

O MAKE ME THINE FOREVER 167

r-t— &-
=f
* - j_ _} 1 IJ L — ^1 —• ^ L #i ^

ev - er, and should I faint-ing be, Lord, let

te=t=t
-I r#i P , r-=V a 1 —r
,-#4 *

? t—

n j—, j. r 1 r-±^£ d

nev-er, nev - er Out live my love for Thee.

J
-<s

tF -B> m—

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i m^E^mm^mi
make me Thine for - ev - er, And should I faint-ing be, Lord,

-U-

r
z=
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,_ p^—l-
gig—
^ 1
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I
let me nev-er, nev-er Out-live my love for Thee.

r r r—rrp -t»- -P-

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-.
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^g—L-U—t=z±z
r-

32=4= i
 :

Some Suggestions on Success

BY D.C. STEPHENSON

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, on one occasion, that we

should seek wisdom out of the best books and, having a few
;

moments to spare, I am taking the privilege of copying a few

rules that Edward W. Bok, editor of the Ladies' Home Journal,
gives as a concise set for the success of the country lad in the city.
To me they send forth a wealth of wisdom and encouragement to
any one, whether in the country or in the city

"Be sure to get into a business you like.

"Devote yourself to it.
"Be honest in everything; don't blink at honesty —look it straight
in the face.
"Be thorough. Do everything as if it were the only thing you
were ever going to do, and your life reputation must be made upon
the result.
"Employ caution; think out a thing before entering upon it.
"Sleep eight hours every night; do this despite everything; rather
lese a chance than lose an hour of sleep.
"Do everything that means keeping in good health.
"Avoid liquors of all kinds.
"Be deferential to women, always, never forgetting that your
mother is a woman.
—
"Shun discussions on two points religion and politics.
"Cultivate the society of good women; a good woman is always a
man's best friend: first and last, choose the truest among them; marry
her, and have your own home.
"And whatever else you may forget of your early days; remember
that there are obligations which bind your thoughts and affections to
those from whom you sprang. Success will never come to a son who
either forgets his parents, or looks askance at them, because in a
measure he has outgrown their ways, he being of the city, and they
of the country. Closely knitted into every success, is the only com-
mandment of all the ten to which is attached a promise: 'Honor thy
"
father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land.'

To these we may profitably attach a few rules from the pen

of the ex-minister of the United States to Austria, John M. Fran-
cis, on the subject of Economy:

1. "Get the best education opportunity may offer and diligent

study secure. Conquer the rudiments; learn to spell well, to write
intelligently: learn grammar, the rules and logic of your language;
study geography with patient care, and arithmetic for business equip-
ment.
2. "Learn early to practice rigid economy; waste not at all; keep
 SOME SUGGESTIONS ON SUCCESS 169

your accounts with careful accuracy. Shun bad company; work to

become self-sustaining and independent.
3. "Take a proper and cool-minded interest in public affairs.
Read good books, and read to learn and remember.
4. "Make up your mind that life is a struggle, and success re-
wards those who are real workers. This is a stimulant for work.
5. "Learn as you may from the experience of others; do not feel
obliged to learn everything from your own. In other words, listen
to the advice of the wise and the good, so their opinions and instruc-
tions may prove to you a power of help in time of need.
6. "Never be impatient or fickle-minded. Work for a purpose;
—
press forward never get discouraged. Be prudent; avoid debt except
as necessity requires temporary credit. And be prepared at all hazards
to meet its obligations as promised. And now, as the first and last
rule, form the habit; make it a law of life always to be polite and
just, and in business employment and activities strictly regardful of
Economy."

These rules are found in a book entitled, A Practical Book

for Practical People.

L. D. S. Choir in Rotterdam
Elder J.Adams, Rotterdam, Holland: "The Rotterdam choir
E.
consists of about fifty members, all natives of Holland. Their cus-
toms and habits are somewhat different from those of the Americans,
but after having lived and worked with them for one year and a
half

people. There are many

I have become very much attached to the

isfaction and peace."

 Our Children's Best ^Inheritance.

BY JOSEPH B. HAWKLEY

At an old folks' party, many elderly men and women enjoyed

a day on the old grounds, talking over the joys and difficulties of
school, as it was in their days.

Promptly the talk drifted to the dead and gone parents, and
what they had saved for their children. There were many pros-
perous farmers and business men in the group, as well as suc-
cessful women, so the young people wanted to know what had
made them successful.
One man spoke at once of the sound physical health his
mother had laid up for her boys and girls, and he declared that
this had been his best asset all his life. His mother had been
delicate herself, having been brought up by an aunt who had time
for all household duties and economies, but little time to look
after her own children, or her orphan niece. So the brave mother
resolved that her children should not be handicapped as she
had been. They were taught to breathe the free open air, to ride,
to work, to swim, to observe diligently the laws of health, and to
keep their bodies sound and healthy. Where other men went
down on account of ill-health and where other women faded into
early graves, he and his brothers and sisters stood firm, and suc-
ceeded.
Then a woman
said that, in addition to sound health, her
mother had always upon good table manners. They were
insisted
poor, but the wise mother always said that nobody knew what
position her boys and girls might be called upon to fill later in
life. So they were required to take a rigid training in politeness,
particularly at the table. The mother wisely said that the table
was the test, and anyone who could pass an examination there
could succeed in other branches.
Of course, religion, sound morals, and honesty, were all
taken for granted, and it was of the other or lesser things of life
that they spoke. No one could truly succeed without high ideals,
but there are many other factors in success. Good manners, good
health, good temper, and ability to make the best of a bad happen-
ing are powerful factors in success. Cheerfulness, a hopeful out-
look on life, and a real desire to please, were all mentioned as de-
sirable heritages to leave their children and the successful man
;
 OUR CHILDREN'S BEST INHERITANCE 171

and women united in saying that their parents had saved up such
things for them.
To the young people, the odd part about the conversation was
that money was never once mentioned as a stepping stone to suc-
cess. Education, good morals, religion, honesty, and many other
virtues and possessions, were lauded to the skies, but never once
did any man or woman say anything about money. This seemed
very strange to the young people, about ready to go out into life,
and they could not keep the wonder out of their eyes and voices.
Thenthe most successful man of all said that the best and finest
inheritances young people could carry from the old homestead
were never bought with money, though money, of course, is a
great aid in getting an education, and in providing good food
and clothing for the body.
The conclusion of the whole matter was that any one could
earn money, after attaining the years of maturity, but the other
things were the result of home training.
So, if successful men and women are right, it is within the
power of the humblest parents to send their sons and daughters
out into the world, rich in the real values of life. Why, then,
fret and worry and give up many joys to gather money for them ?
Money is all right, if they are trained to use it wisely but if not,
;

it is a curse, as many people can testify. If any parents are dis-

couraged about financial matters, let them remember that, without
money and without price, they can store up an inheritance for their
girls and boys that kings might envy.
POCATELLO, IDAHO

Objection has often been made against residents of the United

States calling themselves Americans. It is not egotism so much
as it is the lack of a proper word by which to designate ourselves
that has led citizens of this country to usurp the term "American"
which has aroused the resentment of other nationalities on this
hemisphere. The New York Independent points out that, "Es-
peranto provides us the needed word, 'Usona,' formed from the
initials of United States of North America. As a derivitive 'Uso-
nian' does not sound badly, and might be justified by the analogy
'Canadian' and 'Panamanian.' The Independent then suggests
that if our professors of English would undertake such construc-
tive work as the formation and introduction of these needed words,
instead of devoting themselves to the detection of the typograph-
ical errors of the 'First Folio,' and the influence of opium on
Coleridge, the language would cease to be an impediment to
progress." The British nation, it is pointed out, needs new words
also to apply to the inhabitants of the British Isles, the United
Kingdom, and its dominions beyond the seas.
 Editors' Table

A Lesson tothe Prophet Joseph

The law of recompense demands that men shall work for what
they get. One gets little or nothing without the asking, and one
can only ask when he is willing and desires. Nothing comes
without effort, is an old saying and largely it is true, at least as
;

far as blessings are concerned. Evil, of course, is always present.

But as Latter-day Saints we are looking for the good "if there
:

is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy,

we seek after these things." You will notice the word seek which
implies work, endeavor, inquiry.
And this is the thought with which we should be impressed.
To strive for the things we desire and love and to love and desire
;

the things worth striving for. Speaking of that which pertains to

— —
our inner lives the spiritual that can only come to us provided
we are willing to search and have an inward preparedness and
desire for it in our souls. To obtain this, let us will to act by
asking the Lord to grant it, and it will come, for faith is a gift
of God.
When we once possess this longing, this desire, then our duty
is still further action. In this we are sure of results, for "ask,
and it shall be given you seek, and ye shall find knock, and it
; ;

shall be opened unto you ;" was not uttered in vain by our Savior.
But it all implies effort. Without work and willingness to search
we shall fail to possess a knowledge of the spiritual things of the
kingdom.
When the Prophet Joseph Smith, whose birth we celebrate
once more, was in darkness and doubt about one of the vital
—
things of life what to do in the midst of the tumult of religious
—
opinion and extreme difficulties, he was directed in this line of
thought by the chance reading of the words of one of the fol-
lowers of Jesus Christ : "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and
;

it shall be given him."

His faith led him to action. He concluded that he must

either remain in darkness and confusion or else do as James had
directed, ask of God. His strong desire to know led him to
action and he asked as directed, for the first time, for in all his
;

anxieties and difficulties, he had never before made the attempt,

observed the simple injunction, to pray vocally to his Heavenly
 EDITORS' TABLE 173

Father. Now he acted, and the answer was not delayed it came ;

immediately. He received the light which resulted not only in

satisfaction, knowledge and rest to himself, but gradually in the
establishment of God's "marvelous work and a wonder," in the
earth.
The experience was a lesson to him that was never forgotten.
His subsequent career is proof that he remembered this lesson so
received and so strongly impressed upon his soul: if you lack
wisdom ask of God and receive. He saw clearly that no light
would come, if on his part no effort to find it were made. Hence,
ever after, he put forth strong exertion to overcome evil by the
"assisting grace of the Savior," though acknowledging himself
ever liable to "deviate from that perfect path in which all men are
commanded to walk."
There perhaps no truth, certainly no vital principle, con-
is

tained in the teachings which he afterwards received, that did not

come to him because of his asking. The wonderful revelations in
the Doctrine and Covenants, containing the underlying principles
of the great truths upon which the Latter-day work of the Lord
is founded, were revealed by his asking, and come to us as a

legacy of the Prophet's faith and work.

The Lord is no respecter of persons, and to all who are will-
ing to seek in prayer, with preparation, and work, having a desire
in their hearts for spiritual light and understanding, he will grant
abundantly without reproach. But no light will come to the un-
willing, for they will not ask. The promise that they shall receive
is made only to those who ask and that they shall find, only to
;

those who seek.

Our duty, then, if we would enjoy spiritual gifts, is made
clear. It is borne in upon us not only by the teachings and ex-
ample of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and by his servant
James, but it is verified in the life and labors of the prophet Joseph
Smith "Ask, and it shall be given you seek, and ye shall find
: ; ;

knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Joseph F. Smith.

With Thankful Hearts

What have we to be thankful for?

For and for life with its splendid opportunities in
health,
this glorious land; and for our hope of eternal life, with friends
and loved ones.
For work to do; for blessed arc they who have found their
life's work.
For the privilege of association, play, and rest with our
 ;

174 IMPROVEMENT ERA

families, and loved ones for their love of us and for
friends ; ;

their choice hands that clasp our own in confidence and faith.
For living in this day when the gospel of Jesus Christ is
restored in simplicity and plainness to guide our lives to happi-
ness and for having hearts amenable to its teachings.
;

For the Church of Christ, with its prophets, apostles and of-
ficers, to counsel, direct and advise as the inspiration of the Lord
directs and for our faith and confidence in them, and in the
;

ultimate triumph of the righteous purposes of God.

For the privilege of associating with the Saints in our or-
ganizations and gatherings —religious, educational and social.
For the desires implanted in our hearts to love righteousness
and truth, to extend justice, and obey the commandments of Jesus
our Lord; and for parents, families, friends, and neighbors filled
with like desires.
For our glorious nation and state, where we enjoy peace,
law and order. For wise men who strive to make our land safe,
peaceful, clean and prosperous, and who sacrifice for the public
good rather than reach out for personal gain who promote the
;

advancement, welfare and honor of our common country.

For our peaceful homes in the valleys of the mountains
for our temples of worship, where we may converse with God
and our palaces of learning where our children may grow in
wisdom and virtue.
For the mountains, with their changing moods the sunshine
;

and storm, the moonlit nights, the clear streams, the fruitful
fields, the birds, the trees, the flowers, and all the marvels of
nature about our mountain homes.
If these are not enough, let us go out with God into the
solitude of the high mountain, with the everlasting hills, the vales,
the lakeand plains stretching out before us and viewing these, our
;

souls shall befilled, our hearts shall fairly swell with thanksgiv-
ing and praise for the countless tender mercies of our Father.

A Disavowal

It may be well to remind our readers that the Era is not re-
sponsible for the individual views or opinions expressed by con-
tributors to its columns.
In the November issue an article was published under the
caption, "On What Day was Jesus Christ Crucified ?" Wedo not
endorse the inferences drawn by the writer in the article named;
but, on the contrary, we consider his views to be in opposition to
the teachings of the Church, as also at variance with the well
attested and generally accepted views of Christian denominations.
 EDITORS' TABLE 175

The crucified Christ emerged from the tomb, an immortal, resur-

rected Being, on the third day, reckoning from the time of His
death, so that His body had lain in the tomb one entire day and
parts of two other days. The ordinary Hebrew expression for
such period of time was "three days."
Joseph F. Smith.

Stories Wanted

The Improvement Era solicits authors to submit stories

to the editors of the Era on or before the 5th of January,
and each succeeding month thereafter until the 5th of June. Dur-
ing each of these months three of the stories submitted will be
selected by competent judges for publication in the Era. The
Era will pay for the one considered the best $25 for the second
;

best, $12.50 ;and the third best, $5. The length of the stories
should be on an average between three and five thousand words.
The contest is open to all who may desire to enter. All manu-
scripts not selected will be returned. In case there are no stories
submitted each month that are considered available, the Era re-
serves the right to reject them all.

Thoughts in Brief

Many a man can testify to the truth of this statement, especially

men who have the invention working their way:
Son: "Vitch is de greatest inventchun, Fader, de ottermobile
oder de fonnygraft?"
Fader: "Id is a question, min sohn, Heinrich. Ford tind Mr.
Fddyson iss bote great men; aber dot feller vot inventioned interest
vas no slouch."
An exchange prints the following dog story as an illustration of
the fact that different things need different treatment:
"The attitude of some people toward progress reminds us of the
point of view of a dog of our acquaintance. He was a sheep dog.
and had acquired the habit of running toward flocks of sheep, up to-
ward the front of the group, and steering them in the direction he
wanted them to go. The automobile came in, and he acquired the
same habit of attacking the automobile in front. The consequence
was he did not last very long."

Messages from the Missions

"O Ye Mountains High," in Tasmania

Hobart, Tas-
Pioneer Day was celebrated at mission headquarters,
mania, according to an account recently sent the Era by Sister Louisa
176 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Dyer, secretary. The president of the Mutual Improvement Associa-
tion, C. D. Turner, opened the social by singing, "O Ye Mountains
High." Prayer was offered by Omni Porter. The exercises consisted
of remarks by Glenn Merrill, duets, recitations, current topics and
readings, following which there were games. Supper was then served,
and the entertainment closed by singing, and by prayer by Elder Ivin
Chard.

Success Arouses Antagonism.

"In the city of Bicknell, Indiana, the population of which is

about 9,000, we have a membership of thirty-five, sixteen of whom
have been added since August 10 last.
"We have found this city an excellent field of labor. Many are
coming to a knowledge of the truth, being baptized and showing after-
ward by their lives that they are true disciples of the Lord.
"Last Sunday, October 17, we held a baptismal service, and ini-
tiated nine into the Church. The Saints rent a hall in which we hold
—
meetings on Sundays Sunday school in the morning and two
preaching services afternoon. Ministers of the local churches have
become so much aroused over the progress of the work here, that
they are preparing to openly oppose us by having anti-'Mormon'
lectures held in their churches, the first one being tomorrow evening
in the Baptist church. As missionaries, we are indeed grateful for
the glorious opportunity which we have of representing the work of
the Lord in the earth. We are thankful for our kind and loving par-
ents who have reared us in the fear and admonition of our Father
in heaven." —The Missionaries of Bicknell, per Octave W. Ursenbach.

*
£2
9 L
Y^
f ig^.

fi
^
jf V
W
Hki

f ^fjfiL

Bicknell, Indiana. Elders and lady missionaries of the South In-

diana conference. First row, left to right: Wm. Ray Stoddard, J. L.
Pgterson, Geo. W. Denning, Octave W. Ursenbach. Front row:
Sisters Delia Peterson, Laverne Larsen.
Elders Denning and Stoddard labor in Robison, Indiana, and
the others at Bicknell, Indiana.
 EDITORS' TABLE 177

Traveled without Purse or Scrip

? en J ami n H Knudsen, Scranton, Pa., October 20: "Elder

Eld r
t .
Lester ^
Ogden ,
-

and myself made a trip to Susquehanna,

Book of Mormon was translated, and took a picture of thewhere the
grave of
an infant son of Joseph and Emma Smith. The elders
are: Lester
Ogden, Richfield, Utah,
left; and Benjamin H.
Knudsen, Provo, Utah,
right. The feeling in
that neighborhood has
been very bitter, and
little missionary work
has been done there for
many years past. Ours
was the second street
meeting held in Sus-
quenhanna for seven-
teen years". We trav-
eled without purse or
scrip and, while some
of the people were bit-
ter, we were well pro-
vided for. We have
friends there now who
will welcome an elder
any time. One family
provided for us from
Friday until Monday
morning, and we were
granted the privilege of
explaining our mission
to many of the people
there. We were re-
minded of what Christ
said: 'A prophet is not
without honor, but in
his own country, and
among his own and in his own house.' The people must realize
kin,
that the fruits of 'Mormonism' are good. Part of the house and the
room where the Book of Mormon was translated are still in good con-
dition. We are making new friends continually."

A Heated Discussion.

Elder Stephen W.
Paskett, Nottingham, England, Oct. 14, 1915:
"The earliest historicmention of Nottingham refers to the place under
the British name, Tigguocobauc, which means, 'the house of caves."
Today the word Nottingham has been modified by Norman influence,
from the names, 'Snothryngham,' 'Snottingaham,' 'Snottingham.'
The ending, 'ham,' is akin to the word home, and is of Anglo-Saxon
origin. It tells us of a family or people that came to this part to
make for themselves a home. It is likely that the leader of this peo-
ple, or family, was named Snott, thus with the possessive "ing," the
whole word means, 'the house of Snott.' And as they were, no doubt,
cave dwellers, the two names, Tigguocobauc _and_ Nottingham, have
the same meaning. Many of the caves are still viewed with interest
by visitors to Nottingham. We also have, in our district, other places
 —

178 IMPROVEMENT ERA

of historical interest, such as Lincoln cathedral, with parts of the old
Roman wallwhich surrounded the city, still standing. Hardwick
Hall, where Mary,
Queen of Scots, was im-
prisoned for some time,
the rooms are still kept
as they were supposed 4 -, * <
to be left by her. Then,
within nice cycling dis-
tance of Nottingham,
we can visit the Major
™. *
Oak, in Sherwood For-
under which Robin
est,
Hood and his men used
to meet
for council.
Tmi
The above picture, No. 1, shows, left to right, Elders J. E. Neville,
John M. Mills, C. J. Smith, S. H. Paskett, and President E. E. Green-
wood, standing beneath this great tree. Its age is 1400 years; it is
21 yards in circumference at base, and its trunk, being hollow, will
admit seventeen average persons. Such places as above mentioned
are very interesting to
the traveling elders,
and we always enjoy a
day's outing, mixed
with our missionary
work. Picture No. 2
shows more of the real
work of the missionary.
It shows a meeting in
which a heated discus-
sion took place between
Elder Gilbert Taysom,
(on cycle) of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Elder Holmes of the Reorgan-
ite Church. We have met Mr. Holmes many times, but with the same
result. He seems satisfied to hold with his doctrines and denounces
the 'Brighamites' or 'Salt Lake Mormons,' as we are known by them.
Tn this way, he escapes any persecution, by making the distinction.
We are happy in striving to show unto the people o.l the world the
true way of salvation. We have had fine success in reaching the
homes of strangers, and getting our books and tracts before the peo-
ple, especially since the war broke out. People begin to think that
the day of judgment, which the Bible so often speaks of, is really upon
them, and those who have not hardened their hearts against Goo
have been brought to think more of the teachings of Christ."

A Word from the Battle Front

As indicating the feeling among people in England who have
become acquainted with our elders in the mission field, the following
extracts from a letter addressed to Elder Albert Swift of this city,
from a non-member of the Church who had become acquainted with
him in England while he was there recently on a mission, will prove
interesting. The letter was written by Stanley Fuller, on a leave of
absence from the front, who refers to the sinking of the steamship
"Arabic," and the rescue of one whose name was familiar to him
Elder A. H. Nebeker. He says his mind dwells on his acquaintances
made during England's peace days, though now his country is in tur-
moil and rigid machine-like preparations for human destruction. Then
 d

EDITORS' TABLE 179

Y^^ ^
t0 C beaUty ° f Christ s trile «*"
'

stanYoman TnTJn WC S ' arch %

E^Pe's cities for hands clean
of human
ot miman blood h« far away in seclus on,
blood., but
ive one people peculiar and
under eternal orincinles
zealous of good works How favS e
that city of endurance none can
fully estimate. I attempt to express
myself in a medium so inadequate-words.
What comes to
P C ;"'" ts mo st beautiful expression-Utah. With her
m Tow
;.
itan population,
cosmopol-
she alone knows the practical peace which
,

passes un-
derstanding, a conception unknown to us who are
now watching wait-
ing and prepared for what our country feels
to be a destructive men-
£
ce"
.
m
B ut how "ch better if peace could have been secured
by more rational means than the destroying of so much
,

God-created
lite which is being hurried bv scientific,
artificial means into the pres-
ence of God who has decreed that all men should be brothers. * * *
Your_ people, in old times reviled, scoffed at and maimed, maintain in
practical life the will of God concerning man's relations. How hon-
ored you all. must be to enjoy the favor. Should you not, far away
from murder, possess a life truly godly, and always be conscious of
God's special providence so^ abundantly bestowed upon your Church?
Lasting joy must be your inheritance. Europe is sustaining a huge
strain upon the moral and spritual growth of her peoples. * * *
While I have sat at the wheel of my transport, it has often occurred
to me_ that yours is the only 'organized body' that today can be said
to be in any sense devotionally united in the true meaning. As I have
known your people, they even now shine as the stars of the morning,
far away from the gory roadside. T picture your ward meetinghouses,
and your people worshiping and living sweetly unconscious of eastern
murder and rapine. * * * The blood of your prophet has not been
shed in vain. Truth has brought peace, and good will prevails in the
family of God, so long misunderstood. Babel is in the East, heaven
smiles with holy benediction upon Utah and its faithful in the West.
God bless you, and would that I might in -eace participate in your
life. Since the war began, I have been a unit in this army. I have
lost a few toes from my left foot, but am still able to assist in mili-
tary work, and expect to go back to France with the motor transport,
at some day yet to be fixed. The doctors seem undecided as to
whether I can keep fit again for a second duration of journeys between
base and fire line. Nerves are all that are required and these cannot
be artificially acquired. Send me a newspaper, now and then, so that
my mind may brood over the friends I have met and respected in your
Church, also any little pamphlet. With deepest respect and admira-
tion for your people, which memory increases, yours fraternally,
Stanley Fuller."

What Systematic Tracting is Doing

President John H. Larson, Waterloo, Iowa: "The work in the va-
rious parts of this conference appears very favorable. All the elders
are working faithfully and with diligence, and their efforts are moving
many of the people to buy our books in order to give our religion a
more thorough investigation. Successful and systematic tracting has
created a large circle of earnest gospel friends. Now we have more
calls than the elders are able to fill."
 Priesthood Quorums' Table

Suggestive Outlines for the Deacons

by p. joseph jensen

Lesson 41

(Chapter XXXVII)
Problem: Today while the great war in Europe is going on, there
are many people trying to make plans for getting and preserving
peace. What plan do you think, (which if all men would accept,)
would make men strongest lovers of peace? Tell why you think so?
Study the chapter.
When at Liberty, what was the Prophet Joseph Smith striving
hard to get the Saints to understand and live? How
would the gosepl
help them to enjoy peace? Quote the angel's message to the shep-
herds, stating what Christ would bring to those who loved him. When
was our Civil war? What was the main cause of it? What plan did
the Prophet propose that our nation might have peace? long How
before the war did he propose it? By contrast, what kind of a spirit
actuated the men who left the Church? Who
prompted their actions?
What officer in our Church is blessed to foresee events, so that if wc
heed him we may escape much trouble?
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Lesson 42

(Chapetr XXXVIII)
Problem: When a person accepts an office, what ought he to be
willing to do to perform the duties therein?
Study the chapter.
What office had Joseph Smith been called to, and had he accepted
in the Church? In the city of Nauvoo? What was the Expositor
writing? What did the city council decide concerning it? What was
a mob beginning to do? What did the Prophet as Mayor of Nauvoo
say and do to defend the city? Who
was it the mob wanted to get
rid of? Howdid the Prophet feel about his own life? When anyone
even suggested that he acted cowardly, when leaving to find a place of
peace, what did he do? What did he know was coming to him?
With the life of Joseph Smith as an example,, answer the problem
of the lesson.

Lesson 43

(Chapter XXXIX)
Problem: The same as in Lesson 42, except that Lesson 42 is by
contrast.
Study the chapter.
 PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 181

What was the office Mr. Ford held? What was the nature of his
oath of office? How many times did he promise protection to the
Prophet and his associates? Whose influence made Governor Ford
break his promise? What is the duty of a justice of the peace? Name
the justices before whom Joseph Smith was taken. What kind of a
trial did each conduct? Contrast the courses of Governor Ford and
Joseph Smith in the performing of their duties of office. What do
you think of officials like Governor Ford?
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Lesson 44

(Chapter XL)
Problem: What is the strongest kind of a testimony a person can
give that his teachings are true? What heavenly beings did Joseph
Smith testify to having seen? Give some instances where you think
his life and teachings have testified that our Heavenly Father lives.
Now that the Prophet was brought to face death, what was he willing
to give as a testimony of what he had seen, taught, and lived for?
Study the chapter.
Tell what Elders Dan Jones, Willard Richards, John Taylor, and
Hyrum Smith did to testify of their love and loyalty to our great
Latter-day Prophet.
Answer the problem of the lesson.

Constant Improvement

It appears from the bulletin issued by the Presiding Bishopric, and

compiled from the reports of the stake presidents for the nine months
ending September 30, 1915, that there is in nearly all the stakes of
Zion an increase in the payment of tithes, based on the corresponding
period of 1914. This also applies to the number of tithe-payers. In
the matter of ward teaching there is commendable increase in the
average percentage of families visited each month, by the ward
teachers; Oneida stake stands out with 100% visits, Ogden and
Box
Elder 99%, and others ranging from 94% to as low as 18%. The
per-
also
centage of .attendance at sacrament and priesthood meetings
shows an increase.

"Jesus the Christ'

E. Talmage's book, Jesus the Christ, has

been adopted
Dr Tames
for 1916. It will be used for all the
by the Committee on Class Study, For
Melchizedek priesthood quorums, and likely also for the Priests.
a review of the book see Improvement Era, October, lyis.
 Mutual Work

M. I. A. Day and Contest Work

Stake Pennant Contest Report Sheet

The following suggestive blank for scoring has been prepared by

the Committee for reporting to Stake officers. It is given in answer
to many requests:
Please credit the ward M. I. A. with
points in the State Pennant Contest as follows for the month of

iDate of Meetings

1. Mixed Double Quartette

2. Boys Chorus
3. Girls Chorus
4. Male Quartette
5. Ladies Quartette
6. Advanced Seniors, Extemp. Public Speaking.
7. Senior Public Speaking
8. Retold Story
9. Drama
10. Reading Course
Totals

Remarks :

.President.
Joint active enrollment for month.

Note: See 1915 Convention Circular, August Era, and Journal, for
method of scoring. *.•''•*.'•
in
Note: Report on the back of this sheet, the personnel, the activity
which they scored, and the date of scoring.
These appearances must be made in M. I. A. gatherings.

Answers to Questions on bpecial Activity Work.

the
1. There will be no scoring for additional appearances in

drama. __j__ •

be new in order
, . ,

In group work all members of the group must

,

2
appearance. When only parts of groups are new
to scor as an initial
•

the scoring will count as additional appearances.

.

All additional appearances of musical

groups should, a tar as
3
possible, be made with new selections. Old numbers, however, may
be repeated and score as additional appearances.
 MUTUAL WORK 183

4. All initial appearances are counted on the

individual and not
on the event—that is to say. the first appearance of
an individual in
an event is his initial appearance. He may choose
a subject or a
story which has been handled previously. In group work,
group
the 6 y
isthe individual.
5 All wards should keep lists of stories and
story-tellers
speeches and speakers, musical selections and personnel of each
group'
drama and cast, names of books and members reading each one, to-
gether with the date the scoring was made. These names should be
handed in to the secretary.
6. Points will be reckoned in proportion to the annual active en-
rollment, not by the monthly active enrollment, or monthly attend-
ance.
7. Only the books of this year's reading course may be used to
score for stake pennant.
8. Groups reading these books in private homes may score for
pennant.

Stake Work
Questions for December
The Stake Work Committee has prepared the following questions
for stake superintendents to enable them to check up the ward officers
in their stakes, on the topics mentioned. These questions should be
asked of the ward officers, and at the monthly meting of stake and
ward officers should be checked up, so that the stake officers will have
a knowledge of the condition of the associations in their stake:
1. State your best method of promoting individual efficiency in
class work?
2. What did you do in your senior and junior class leader de-
partments at your last monthly officers' meeting?
3. What program is being used in your stake for the sub-junior
class? (See p. 29, "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book.'])
4. What check have you made on the distribution of manuals in
your wards, and what suggestions have you made for their proper use?
5. What definite steps have you taken in promoting contest work,
including stake pennant, leading up to M. I. A. Day?
6. Have you completed the raising of the Fund and the canvass
for the Era?

Athletics and Scout Work

A Great Demonstration
On 9, a contest and demonstration in
Saturday afternoon, October
scout activities was held at Wandamere by the M. I. A. Scouts of the
Pioneer, Salt Lake, Ensign, Liberty, Granite, and Jordan stakes. The
events as carried out were: Tent raising, stretcher carrying of in-
jured, first aid bandaging, relay knot tying, freak race, fire lighting
and water boiling.
The first place was won by the 31st ward troop of the Liberty
stake, with a percentage of .975, John D. Bowers, scout master; second
place by Waterloo ward, Granite stake, L. G. Wood, scout master,
with a record of .950. Waterloo won in the semaphore signaling con-
test time 5.42; 31st ward, second, and Farmers' third.
The message
sent was: "To President Wilson and Bride-elect: Congratulations and
"
best wishes. Y. M. M. T. A. Boy Scouts
184 IMPROVEMENT ERA
The contest was arranged by the Salt Lake Scoutmasters' Asso-
ciation, and much credit is due C. H. Spencer, Jr., and associate officers
for their efficient work. After the contest the boys built their camp-
fires and cooked their suppers. Later a bonfire rally was held. Stories,
talks, songs, and scout "stunts," made up the program.

Top — Semaphore Signal Contest

Center— Stretcher Carrying Contest
Lower — Tent-raising Contest, Oct. 9
 MUTUAL WORK 185

Out on a "Hike"
The Rexburg and Sugar City, Idaho, M. I. A. Boy Scouts took an
outing in August, leaving Rexburg at 5 a. m. They walked twelve
miles by noon, and then rode twelve miles, going into camp at 4:30
p. m. They remained away three days, enjoying every minute of the
time. There were fifty in the company, and they were directed by
Frank J.Kirby, scout master, and J. L. Ballif, stake deputy scout com-
missioner. The cut at the top shows the boys at seven o'clock stop-
ping for breakfast on the first morning. The central cut shows them
in Pincock's spring, twenty-five miles away from home, enjoying a
bath. The bottom cut shows the scouts of Rexburg and Sugar City
in a group.

REXBURG AND SUGAR CITY SCOUTS

186 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Joint Work
Roll Call.

For the sake of uniformity, and in order to save time in the read-
ing of minutes in local associations, the joint committee of the General
Boards recommends the following:
That minutes shall be read before the joint assembly immediately
after the second hymn; the secretaries of the Y. M. M. I. A. and Y. L.
M. I. A. reading them alternately, the one not reading furnishing to
the other information as to class work.

Class Study

Be Practical in Applying Main Thought.

Attention has been called to the need^ of remaining with the main
topic of each lesson given in the manuals in order that the class might
finish the lesson and get the best good out of it and not waste the
time in unprofitable discussion. There is a tendency to emphasize
certain minor points or to remain with one sub-topic too long, to en-
able the class to cover the main practical points of the lesson. This
should not be, but the teacher should so prepare the lesson, and lead
in its presentation, that all the topics may be covered, and the main,
practical points impressed upon the members of the class during the
evening.

Friends Among the

Soldiers.
Elders Merrill and
Ricks, Montreal, P. Q.,
Canada, October '15,
1915: "Because of the
refusal of the mayor of
Montreal to give us
permission, we have
been denied the privi-
lege of tracting and
holding open-air meet-
ings here. This, how-
ever, has not retarded
the progress of the
work, as we are very
successful in getting
gospel conversations
with people whom we
meet from dav to day.
We are especiallv for-
tunate in making
friends among the sol-
diers who are in train-
ing here. The enclosed
photograph shows the
elders with recruiting
assent Hughes, a mem-
ber of the famous
'Black Watch.'"
 Passing Events

Women suffrage in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,

and New Jersey was defeated by overwhelming majorities in the elec-
tions on October 19. Elections were held in ten states. Woman suf-
frage obtains in twelve states.

Interurban day, at Logan, was celebrated Wednesday, October 27,

on the occasion of the closing of the gap between Logan and Ogden
putting into. effect an interurban railroad system, from Springville to
Logan. Appropriate ceremonies were held and leading citizens of
Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake, Provo, and other cities of the state, were
present, including Governor William Spry.

The Liberty Bell was loaded on a special train at the Panama-

Pacific Exposition, November 11, and started on its return trip to its
home in Philadelphia. It arrived in San Francisco on the 16th of
July, and was on exhibition at the Pennsylvania building every day.
The last day of the bell at the Exposition was spent in the archway of
the Tower of Jewels, and it was banked with masses of flowers which
had been showered upon it at the farewell exercises the day previous.
The Jewish colony at Clarion, Utah, has disbanded. All of the
contracts with the merrrbers were cancelled November 5, by the
State Board of Land Commissioners, and the land upon which they
were settled will revert to the benefit of the state university and
other institutions for which it was originally intended. The land is
situated in Sevier and Sanpete counties, and embraces six thousand
acres. The colonization project is now in the hands of a receiver, and
there is talk of establishing the colony in southern Davis county west
of St. Joseph.

Thomas Alva Edison, the great inventor, passed through Ogden,

October spending an hour there in the business district on his
18,
way over the Southern Pacific to San Francisco. He displayed his
abiding interest in the west by asking concerning the general business
conditions in Utah. Mr. Edison was made chairman of the Naval
Board, Sept. 12, which is composed of men selected by the eleven
leading engineering scientific societies of the United States. It is
composed of twenty-three eminent men of science who will contribute
their inventive genius to the upbuilding of the navy.

The corner stone of the Cardston, Canada, temple, was laid on

the 19th of September, 1915. Nearly two thousand persons were
present and Elder David O. McKay of the Council of the Twelve of-
ficiated as the representative of the First Presidency. A box of
articles of historical interest to future generations^ was placed in the
corner stone, and was deposited by the two presidents of stakes in
the stone. Elder David O. McKay with a silver trowel, made ex-
pressly for the purpose, leveled the mortar, and declared the corner
stone of the seventh temple to be built in this dispensation by the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the first beyond
the boundaries of the United States, duly laid in honor of God our
Eternal Father.
188 IMPROVEMENT ERA
Tillman D. Johnson, of Ogden, was appointed United States
district judge for Utah by President Wilson on November 3, to fill
the vacany caused by the resignation of John A. Marshall. The posi-
tion draws a salary of six thousand a year, and the appointment is
made for life, or during good behavior. Judge Johnson was born
January '8, 1858, in Tennessee. He was admitted to the Utah bar in
1890, having come west in 1886, and engaged in the practice of law
in Ogden from 1890. In 1911, he formed a partnership with his son
Wade M. Johnson. He was a member of the Utah legislature, in
1899, and Democratic candidate for Congress, in 1912. He qualified on
November 22.

A Utah bedof mineral potash is called attention to in the report

of Secretary Lane, of the Department of the Interior, who announces
the production in Utah of the first commercial mineral potash in the
United States. The potash is found in a vein of a mineral known
as alunite. It is said that the vein found is ten feet wide, and has
been traced for 3,500 feet. Two hundred tons of alunite have been
put through a mill, and two tons of 99% pure potash have been
produced with nearly a hundred thousand gallons still in solution,
containing large quantities of potash salts' not' yet evaporated. Secre-
tary Lane believes that the discovery of alunite, known to exist in
large quantities in Utah, Nevada, Colorado, California and Arizona,
assures the country of adequate quantities of native potash for agri-
cultural purposes and for the manufacture of explosives. It will be
interesting to note that our imports of potassium salts from Germany,
in 1913, amounted to fifteen million dollars.

The bodty of Elder John A. Maynes, president of the London con-

ference, who died October 14, at Hull, England, arrived in Salt Lake
City on November 5. It was accompanied bv Mrs. Maynes and
daughter Dorothy, and Elders Knight and William Bruce. Presi-
dent Maynes died while visiting his birthplace, at Hull, and was in the
best of health until three days before his death. Funeral services
were held on Sunday, November 7, in the Twentieth 'ward chapel and
Bishop C. C. Neslen presided. Among the speakers were George
Shorten, W. D. Owen, E. J. Watts, William Bruce and others. The
principal address was delivered by President Joseph F. Smith who
spoke of the missionary work accomplished by Elder Maynes and
commented upon the tributes paid him by preceding speakers on his
character and efficiency in the cause of Christ. President Anthon
H. Lund and Bishop C. C. Neslen also spoke briefly. The service was
one of the most numerously attended of any funeral service ever held
in the Ensign stake.

Booker T. Washington, the foremost teacher and leader of the

negro race, and principal of the Tuskegee Industrial and Normal In-
stitute, Alabama, died November 14, at his home in Tuskegee. He was
born in slavery near Halesford, Virginia, in 1857 or 1858. After the
emancipation he moved to West Virginia. He entered Hampton and
worked his way through an academic course, graduating in 1876. He
later became a teacher in that school, remaining there until 1881, when
he organized the industrial school for negroes at Tuskegee, to which he
devoted the remainder of his life. His institute started in a rented
shanty. Today it owns over 3.500 acres of land, in Alabama, has
nearly a hundred buildings, and is valued at half a million dollars.
Thousands of negroes have received their start in his institute. Dr.
Washington received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from
Harvard, in 1896, and Doctor of Laws, in 1901, from the Dartmouth
 PASSING EVENTS 189

college. For the Senior Y. M. M. I. A. Mammal for 1915-16, he

kindly contributed a short article on, "What is Success?" this being
among one of the last that he wrote. He visited Utah not long ago
and spoke before the L. D. S. U. and other institutions in the state.
Mrs. Zina Smith Greenwell, wife of Ambrose Greenwell and
daughter of President Joseph F. Smith, and Edna L. Smith, died in
Salt Lake City, October 25. Mrs. Greenwell was born in Salt Lake
City, October 11, 1890, and was married on the 12th of December,
1910, to Ambrose Greenwell,
by whom she had one daugh-
ter, Helen, age three years.
Mrs. Greenwell received her
education in the public
schools and in the Latter-day
Saints University. After her
graduation she was employed
in the Presiding Bishop's Of-
fice as stenographer and type-
writer in which line she was
an expert. She resided in the
Seventeenth ward up to the
time of her marriage, and in
all her girlhood and youth
was actively engaged in re-
ligious work, principally as a
teacher in Sunday school.
When she located with her
husband in the Waterloo
ward, she continued this same
activity; and while her hus-
band was on a mission in the
Southern States, from which
he recently returned, Mrs.
Greenwell spent her time as
recording stenographer in the
Salt Lake Temple, perform-
ing her duties there at the
time she was stricken with
her fatal illness. She was a
woman of deep spirituality, a
bright intellect, and a lovable nature, being capable and efficient in
all her work. She was an accomplished pianist, fond of music, a re-
fined and lovable woman.
The Mexican situation continues unsettled, though it was some-
what quieter middle part of November. On' the 25th of October,
in the
it was stated that Private E. Moore was shot by a bandit near Browns-
ville, Texas, and that he was the eleventh American soldier killed in
skirmishes with Mexican bandits and raiders. The troops of Carranza
were permitted passage over the Southern Pacific across American
territory from Eagle Pass, Texas, to Douglas, Arizona. Reinforcements
of United States troops arrived at Douglas and Naco, Texas,
on the
29th. Major General Funston has complete charge of the situation
on the border, and is empowered to call more troops as he may need.
On the 30th, three thousand United States troops entrenched within
a few feet of the Mexican border, prepared to
interfere should the
into Amer-
attack by Villa on Agua Prieta, Sonora, involve shooting
Many of the officers and soldiers of Villa are reported
ican territory
190 IMPROVEMENT ERA
deserting for Carranza's camps. On Nov. 3 Villa's attack on Agua
Prieta failed as he lacked supplies, lie withdrew to Naco.
1
Edith Cavell, an English nurse, was shot, October 12, at Brus-
sells, by a German firing squad, the military court having sentenced
her to death on a charge of aiding British and French soldiers and
Belgian young men to escape from Belgium and join the allied
armies. She was arrested on August 5. She admitted the charge,
and when asked by the president of the court if she wished to petition
the Kaiser for pardon, she refused to take advantage of the oppor-
tunity, and died stating that she had no hatred or bitterness toward
anyone. Her execution aroused outbursts of indignation, not only in
England, but in Holland and the United States as well, and recruiting
in England jumped to ten thousand because of the news.

Arthur T. Wells, son of John and Amelia Wells of Salt Lake

City, and a conductor on the Emigration Canyon railroad, was acci-
dentally killed at noon, October 15, 1915, at a station near the site of
the old Wagner brewery. Arthur T. Wells was born in Salt Lake
City, April 6, 1895, and graduated from the public schools, completed
a course in the L. D. S. U., and later attended the Utah Agricultural
College, at Logan. He had worked for the railroad some time, but
intended leaving shortly to manage a ranch in Arizona! His funeral
was held in the Ensign ward chapel on Sunday, Oct. 17. Bishop David
R. Lyon officiated. The speakers were Arthur
Winter, President Charles W. Penrose, Joseph
S. Wells, of the (presidency of the Ensign
stake, who labored as a missionary in Not-
tingham at the time the Wells family embraced
the gospel, Le Grande Young, president of the
Emigration canyon railroad, Orson F. Whit-
ney of the Council of the Twelve, and Bishop
Charles W. Nibley. The speakers referred to
Brother Wells' splendid physical development,
his sterling character, and the respect and af-
fection he had always shown towards his par-
ents, his brothers and sisters. He
was look-
ing forward to filling a mission to the native
land of his parents. His father, John Wells,
has been the chief clerk of the Presiding
Bishop's Office for many years, and the speak-
ers paid a glowing tribute of esteem and re-
spect to Brother Wells and his family. The grave was dedicated by
Elder David A. Smith of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church.
The war continued, with Serbia as the principal battlefield
great
since the Austro-German army invaded that country on October 7,
in an attempt to open a route to Constantinople to aid the Turks.
The German Field Marshall Von Mackensen is in command of about
four hundred thousand troops, and succeeded, October 26th, in mak-
ing communication with Turkish officers at Constantinople. About the
middle of November the Serbian army was reported in serious diffi-
culty, and was likely to be completely defeated. It was generally con-
ceded that the British and French drive at the Dardanelles was a
failure. Lord Winston Spencer Churchill who has received con-
siderable criticism, and resigned from the British admiralty, as former
firstlord, said on the 15th, in defense of the expedition: "If any
operation in the history of the world were worth carrying through
with sustained fury and utter disregard of life, the operations at the
Dardanelles were worth it."
 PASSING EVENTS 191

October 11. —The Bulgarian armies cross the border into Serbia
at several points east of Nish, and Bulgaria entered the war as an ally
of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey.
—
October 19. Italy declared war on Bulgaria.
—
October 20. Great Britain offered Cyprus to Greece for aid in
the war, and on the 22nd Greece refused to join the Allies. Cyprus
isabout the size of Porto Rico, or nearly one-third as large as Belgium,
and was ceded by Turkey to England in 1878, as a reward for defend-
ing her against Russia, but was not formally annexed until the present
war.
October 30. —The British publish the names and tonnage of twenty
steamships sunk in the Baltic by'the British, between October 11 and
23.
October31. —
It is reported that in the territories swept by the
German invasion of Russia, one million five hundred thousand Russian
Jews are homeless and starving.
—
November 2. The Germans take the new Serbian capitol
Tchatchak. Premier Asquith explains the war situation to Parliament.
—
November 6. The Bulgars take the ancient Roman city of Nish,
the capitol of Serbia, the birthplace of Constantine the Great. The
possession of Nish gives the Bulgarians and the Austro-German troops
an open route to Sofia and Constantinople.

JamesMurray Adamson, late superintendent of the Y. M.

M. A. of Boise stake, Idaho, was killed October 29 in a tragedy
I.
at Carey, Idaho. He was shot by his brother-in-law, a Mr. Cameron,
who also killed Adamson's father and mother, his sister Isabel
Adamson Cameron, and her babe, and then himself.
James Murray Adamson was born at Heber City, Utah, June 30,
1887, being the fourth child of a family of six. He was educated in
Park City, Utah; Carey, Idaho,
and at the Latter-day Saints
University in Salt Lake City.
Besides his business course he
studied music and became a
talented musician on the cello,
clarinet, cornet and piano. In
June, 1913, he left for a mission
to Great Britain laboring in the
Newcastle conference, being
honorably released from his mis-
sion and sailing from Liverpool
July 9, 1915, on the steamship
"Scandinavian." For the last
ten months of his mission he
acted as clerk of the conference.
On August 1, 1915, at a confer-
ence held in Boise, Idaho, he
was called to be superintendent
of the Y. M. M. I. A. and had
enterened upon his work with a
determination to make a success
of it. He was chorister of the
'Carey ward and was hard at
work at the time of the tragedy
preparing the ward choir for the
dedication of the new meeting-
liouse.
 Benjamin Ward, Norwich, England: "The missionaries are always glad
and anxious to receive and read the contents 'of the Era. It tends to develop
us along gospel lines and in the way of salvation, and to prepare us to 'meet
the great things in life."

Elders Merrill and Ricks write from Montreal, P. Q., Canada: "The
Era is appreciated very much by us, for through its beautiful stories many are
giving an ear to gospel messages who otherwise could not be reached. We
wish you continued success."

H. Leroy Frisby, Leicester, England, September 21, 1915: "The Im-

provement Era is appreciated here. As soon as we have read the magazines
we lend them to the Saints, and so they are continually in circulation among
the Saints and friends of this branch. All are anxious to get hold of an Era
which they have not read."

Improvement Era, December, 1915

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.
Address, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah

Joseph F. Smith, \
Editors
Heber J. Grant, Business Manager
Edward H. Anderson, f Moroni Snow, Assistant

Among the Wasatch Summits Frontispiece

Lake Lillian, Wasatch Mountains Alfred Lambourne 97
The' Birth of Jesus 99
The Christmas Chimes. A Poem Sarah C. Woolsey 101
The Trapper's Christmas Joseph Hickman 102
—
Patriotism Instructive and Intelligent Moses F. Cowley 110
The Beautiful Nephi Jensen 113
A Temple in Hawaii. A Poem Ruth M. Fox 116
The Gift. A Story Elsie Chamberlain Carroll. 117
The Year's Crown. A Poem Florence L. Lancaster 129
Italy and Japan in the War Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 130
God Reigns Above. A Poem Sarah E. Mitton 132
Human Nature Not Explained by Evolution. .Robert C. Webb 133
Satisfy Yourself 144
The Man with a Scar Joseph W. Fox 145
Jed's "Schoolin' " A
Story Ida Stewart Peay 148
Outlines for Scout Workers Cora Moreton and D. W.
Parratt 159
Pajarito. A Poem Viva Huish Ray 162
Prohibition Dr. Joseph M. Tanner 163
O Make Me Thine Forever, Vocal Quartet H. LeRoy Frisbry 164
Some Suggestions on Success D. C. Stephenson 168
Our Children's Best Inheritance Joseph B. Hawkley 170
Editors' Table —A Lesson to the Prophet
Joseph Prest. Joseph F. Smith 172
With Thankful Hearts 173
A Disavowal Prest. Joseph F. Smith 174
Stories Wanted 175
Thoughts in Brief 175
Messages from the Missions 176
Priesthood Quorums' Table 180
Mutual Work 182
Passing Events 187
 , .

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Rolf in the Woods 50 .60
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Molly and 1 1.25 1.32
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Why the Chimes Rang. . .50

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