The Improvement Fund

The Improvement Fund.—By reference to the minutes of the last annual conference, held in July, it will be seen that by a resolution unani

mously adopted the conference renewed its acceptance and endorsement of the "Fifty Cent Fund," hereafter to be called the "Improvement Fund;" that is, the donation of fifty cents per annum by each member for the purpose of meeting the necessary expenses of Mutual Improvement work. That ten per cent of the amount collected be deducted by the local associations for expenses, and fifteen per cent be deducted by the stake superintendencies for their expenses; and that the third week in November of each year be set apart and known as "collection week" for the fund, and that after the collections are in and the deductions made as aforesaid, the balance be forwarded to the treasurer of the general organization, Wm. S. Burton, not later than the first day of January succeeding collection week. The attention of presidents and treasurers of associations is called to this action of the general conference that they may be reminded that its decision is binding upon all the associations, and that all officers may seek diligently to carry it into effect. It is expected that all officers of associations will in this, as in every other good work, set the example by being the first to pay the amount decided upon, fifty cents per year, and then call upon all the members to do the same. Collection week begins on the fourteenth of November and ends on the twentieth, and a strong effort should be made to collect this fund at the appointed time, and then let the subject be dismissed for a year. It should not be allowed to drag through the meetings of the entire season's work. Let the presidents of associations be in earnest in looking after this fund and they will be successful in collecting it. The fifty cents per annum required of members of the associations is not to be regarded as an initiation fee, but a free-will offering to the cause of Mutual Improvement. We desire to see the doors of the associations remain as they are, open to all young men who desire to enter; but the work has now arrived at that point in its progress where it requires this means to carry out its purposes, and our brethren interested in its growth and success should be 'willing, and we believe they are willing, to give their material support to the cause. Presidents, see to it that every member of your associations, during collection week, has the opportunity to give his fifty cents to this Improvement Fund. Appeal to the business and manly sense of our young brethren who make up the membership of our associations, and we feel sure they will respond cheerfully to this necessary call made upon them.