--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 2 number: 2 published: 1898-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Editor’s Table: The Icarian Society; Book-Companions; Rebate on Subscriptions to the Stakes", *Improvement Era* 2, no. 2 (December 1898): 135–144.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera22unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera22unse start_page: 135 end_page: 144 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1898-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera22unse publication_year: 1898 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1898, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editor’s Table: The Icarian Society; Book-Companions; Rebate on Subscriptions to the Stakes EDITOR^S TABLE, Quite recently there appeared in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat an account of the closing up of the affairs and discharging the receiver of the New Icarian Community, and formally declaring the Community and all its affairs ended. The order was entered by Judge H. M. Lowner in the district court at Corning, Iowa. Mr. Bettannier, formerly a member of the community, was the receiver so discharged. The Globe-Democrat, in giving its account of the closing up of the affairs of this Community, speaks of it as "the most long-lived, i and undoubtedly the most nearly successful of all the experiments ever made in the western hemisphere with pure communism" and ; it refers to the founder of the society, Etienne Cabet, as a "scholar, historian, socialist and philanthropist, who two generations ago was stirring all France with his socialistic and communistic writings and who coiltributed much toward inciting the revolution of 1848, of which he was afterwards the historian." Our chief interest in the closing up of this Icarian Community's affairs, and its formally going out of existence lies in the fact that it is an institution which at one point of its history touched "Mor- monism." That is, soon after the Latter-Day Saints evacuated Nauvoo, the Icarian Society went there under M. Cabet, and purchased much of the property held by the saints and for a time tried the experiment of their system in that favored land. It failed, of ******* course, as it subsequently did at Cheltenham, in Missouri; and finally, as above stated, at Corning, Iowa. This attempt on the part of M. Cabet and his associates to found communistic societies here in America is but one out of many effortsmade by well-meaning philosophers and philanthropists to bring to pass the betterment of human affairs. They have seen and deplored the evils of our modern system of economics, and have sought with such wisdom as they were masters of to set humanity right. Of these, some have suggested co-operative methods in trade, in manufactures, in commerce, and other labor, with an equal distribution of profits, as not only securing the conservation of energy but also as a more equitable basis of economics than our present individual and competitive methods. Many attempts have been made to carry out these principles in practice, and for a time, in several instances, as in the case of the Icarian Society, partial success has been attained. In the end, however, human greed, weakness, or individual necessity, real or imagined, together with inability to make the system universal — a condition necessary to the system's success, according to the claims of its advocates —have proven too much for these attempts at co-operation, and the several enterprises have either drifted into the hands of a corporation, become the concerns of individuals, or else have been absolutely abandoned. Others seeing the failures of voluntary attempts to secure the benefits of the co-operative system,;have advocated the enlargement of the powers of the state to the extent of consigning to it the management of all industry; so far taking control of the individual as to compel him to work, according to his capacity, and remunerate him according to his wants. Others have gone even further than this, and proposed not only to make the individual a creature of the state, in relation to the matter of labor and wages, but to control him in all the relations of life, even invading the domestic relation to the extent of abolishing the marriage institution and all domestic government founded on paternal authority. These last two suggestions, with various amplifications, are classed as socialism and communism respectively. The former has many advocates in nearly all civilized countries, especially in Germany and France, where they wield a political influence of considerable potency. The latter, communism, since the abortive efforts of Robert Owen, in England, of St. Simon and Fourier, in France, and M. Cabet—the disciple of Fourier— at Nauvoo, may be considered as relegated to the graveyard of impracticable theories which from time to time have engaged the EDITOR'S TABLE. 137 attention of philosophical minds with a bent for speculation in human affairs. But bad as our modern system of economics may be, with all its manifest absurdities in the waste of energy, the unfair- ness in the distribution of the products of industry, still mankind has, so far, preferred to endure its known evils and incongruities rather than to trust their fortunes to the proposed systems of the socialists and communists. It is a problem too difficult for human wisdom to solve—this setting the world right in respect of the matters above referred to. It is a world that has gone astray, it will be God who will set it right,— when it is righted; and he in his own good time and ******* way will reveal such truths and give to humanity such powers as will enable it to accomplish the needed reformation. An interesting incident occurred in the experience of the late same President John Taylor which is also connected with this Icarian Society. Among the many interesting people whom Elder Taylor met while on his mission to France in 1850-1, was M. Krolokoski. He was a disciple of M. Fourier, the distinguished French socialist, and a gentleman of some standing, being the editor of a paper published in Paris in support of Fourier's views. He was also an associate of M. Cabet, and knew all about the affairs of the Icarian Society at Nauvoo. At his request Elder Taylor explained to him the leading principles of the gospel. At the conclusion of that explanation the following conversation occurred: M. Krolokoski.— "Mr. Taylor, do you propose no other plan to for the ameliorate the condition of mankind than that of baptism remission of sins?" Elder Taylor.— "This is all I propose about the matter." I am M. Krolokoski.— "YIeW, I wish you every success ; but afraid you will not succeed." Elder Taylor.— "Monsieur Krolokoski, you sent Monsieur your leader Cabet to Nauvoo some time ago. He was considered Nauvoo, shortly —the most talented man you had. He went to Houses and lands could be obtained at after we had deserted it. and thousands of amere nominal sum. Rich farms were deserted, — us had left our houses and furniture in them, and almost everything calculated to promote the happiness of man was there. Never could ,a person go to a place under more happy circumstances. Besides all the advantages of having everything made ready to his hand, M. Cabet had a select company of colonists. — He and his company went to Nauvoo what is the result? I read in all your reports from there —published in your own paper here in Paris, a continued cry for help. The cry is 'Money, money!' 'We want money to help us carry out our designs.' While your colony in Nauvoo with all the advantages of our deserted fields and homes — that they only had to move into —have been dragging out a miserable existence, the Latter-day Saints, though stripped of their all and banished from civilized society into the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, to seek that protection among savages among the peau rouges as you call our Indians —which Christian civilization denied us — there our people have built houses, enclosed lands, cultivated gardens, built school houses and have organized a government and are prospering in all the blessings of civilized life. Not only this, but they have sent thousands and thousands of dollars over to Europe to assist the suffering poor to go to America, where they might find an asylum. " The society I represent, M. Krolokoski," continued Elder Taylor, "comes with the fear of God^the worship of the Great Eloheim; we offer the simple plan ordained of God, viz: repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Our people have not been seeking the influence of the world, nor the power of government, but they have obtained both; whilst you, with youi philosophy, independent of God, have been seeking to build up a system of communism and a government which is, according to your own accounts, the way to introduce the Millennial reign. Now, which is the best, our religion, or your philosophy?" BOOK-COMPANIONS. The old adage, "A man is known by the company he keeps," is so commonly used that it may be considered hackneyed; and — ; EDITOR'S TABLE. 139 therefore by writers of delicate tastes, and sticklers for the nice observance of rules of composition, would be avoided. But it so aptly expresses a great moral truth that we use it despite its being so commonly employed. Back of the truth expressed in the above adage isthe great principle expressed in another homely old saying, "Birds of a feather flock together." But to state the principle in more dignified diction: light seeketh light; intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; virtue delights in virtue, and seeks her own; and persons possessing intelligence and the qualities of refinement and virtue, by a law of their nature that is as eternal as the Gods, are drawn together by that natural affinity they possess. Then the converse of the last statement is true. Ignorance cleaveth unto ignorance; wickedness delights in wickedness; corruption seeketh corruption and revels in its baseness; and as the pure in heart rejoice in the companionship of those of like nature, so the corrupt, the vile, the wicked, take pleasure only in the association of those of like vicious natures as themselves. When you undertake to violate these truths by bringing together elements that have no aflftnity for each other, or persons that have no sympathies in common —say a wise man and a fool you learn at once how absolute the truth is that says, like cleaveth unto like. It may be relied upon, then, as a general truth, that a man is known by the company he keeps. Indeed, so generally is the maxim accepted as true, that people with a proper degree of self-respect are very cautious as to the company they keep, and are also particular as to the kind of companionship formed by their sons and daughters. All this is eminently proper. It is something that every parent who understands the force that associations have in forming the character of mankind, and who has a proper solicitude for the welfare of his offspring, will carefully look after. But while parents, as a rule, are careful in the selection of ordinary associates for their sons and daughters, there is a class of companions they allow them to select at their own sweet pleasure they are often met by accident, and some of them of the most vicious natures. They are capable of poisoning the very wellsprings of life, and making moral shipwreck of careers which, but for these unhappy associations, might have been useful to their fellow-men, and a crown of glory to their parents. And yet parent& and guardians neglect to use any influence in relation to the selection of these companions alluded to, although they will have a wonderful influence^either for good or evil — in forming the charac- ter of those which nature or law has placed under their watchcare. The companions we refer to are books. Books are nothing but companions, and as a man is known by the companions he consorts with, so also may he be known by the books which he reads; and though these companions may be regarded as silent ones on you have but to look at them and they speak; first thought, still their influence for weal or woe will be found as potent as the influence of our ordinary associations in life, and should be selected with just as much care. Yet how neglectful — criminally neglectful —are parents in the selection of books for their children! 4: :(: sjc H< ^ Nc ^ An old Spanish proverb says, "falsehood travels with a hundred legs; the truth with but one." In like manner it would appear that all evil is more readily presented to poor humanity, to tempt it and lead it astray, than good is to influence it in seeking all that is purest, noblest and best in life. But a few years ago the only cheap literature thrown off by the press was that usually known as "yellow-backed," which consisted for the most part of hair-raising, blood-curdling Indian stories or sea tales, which ordinarily produced a species of insanity in the minds of the constant readers of this "dime-novel" trash. The boys all wanted to be Indian scouts and trappers, with long Kentucky rifles, slouched hats, fringed buckskin breeches and hunting shirt of the same material, drawn together at the waist with a wide belt bristling with shooting irons and bowie knives; and their feet incased in neatly fitting moccasins, etc., etc. They had no relish whatever for following the plow or harrow in the spring time, or gathering the harvest in the autumn, or attending to the studies of the school room in the winter. Their brains were fired with visions of life on the plains; their hearts were throbbing with intense desire to hunt down the wily savages of the forest and prairie, or track to his retreat the villainous renegade who had spirited away some beautiful maiden, and arrive just in time to rescue her from a fate worse than death, etc., etc., just as "Wild Bill," "Buflfalo Bill," "Ned Buntline," "Big Mouthed Jim" and EDITOR'S TABLE. 141 scores of others had done, according to the tales of the novels. This bosh they read unnerved them for any of the natural and useful pursuits of life. They fed on the feverish trash, and wasted the precious period of youth — that youth in which go much might have been done in the way of preparation for the realities of life. Equally destructive to the noble sentiments of the heart and mind is the driveling love tale published in the sensational storypapers that are spread out on the stationer's counter to attract the eye of the unwary. But the poet Cowper has so aptly expressed the mischievous effects of this kind of literature on the mind of the maiden, that we quote it here for the consideration of our readers: "Ye writers of what none with safety reads, Footing in the dance that fancy leads; Ye novelists who mar what ye would mend, Sniveling and driveling folly without end; Whose corresponding misses fill the ream With sentimental frippery and dream. Caught in a delicate, soft, silken net By some lewd Earl or rake-hell Baronet — Ye pimps, who, under virtue's fair pretense Steal to the closet of young innocence; And teach her unexperienced yet and green To scribble as you scribbled at fifteen; Who, kindling a combustion of desire With some cold moral think to quench the fire: Though all your engineering proves in vain The dribbling stream ne'er puts it out again. 0, that a man had power, and could command, Far, far away, these flesh flies from the land; Who fasten without mercy on the fair. And suck and leave a craving maggot there; Howe'er disguised the inflammatory tale. And covered with a fine spun specious veil, ****** Such writers and such readers owe the gust And relish of their pleasure all to lust." We have quoted the Spanish proverb about a lie traveling -with a hundred legs, and the truth with but one; but for all that the truth not unfrequently overtakes the lie, and puts it to open shame. And in like manner the trashy, worthless literature that the press flooded the country with in its first triumphs of producing cheap reading matter, is being overtaken; the press is giving the productions of the foremost minds in the republic of letters to readers, and at rates that are as cheap as the dime novel has been or is now. The triumphs of the steam printing press, owing to the improvement of the machinery, and the manner of its manipulation, place the works of the masters — historians, philosophers, statesmen, poets and writers of the best classes of fiction within the reach of all. There is no family, however humble its circumstances, but may have in its possession now the works of master minds in the various departments of literature. Books, then, being so cheap that all parents can at least furnish their children with a small collection, it is more binding upon the parents to see to it that these book-companions, these silent yet powerful associates, are of the best quality, and they ought to be just as cautious in their selection as they would be in selecting the society in which they prefer their children to move. Another thing should be considered in this matter of selecting book-companions for the young. In society you cannot expect the young to relish always the grave conversation of old philosophers and scientists as they struggle with their weighty hypotheses. They may listen to their expositions of various subjects both with pleasure and profit, but after a season they will want a change. They will want more lively associates, and lighter things to think about. Well, it is so in reading. You cannot expect the young to always pore over the stately pages of Gibbon; discuss political questions with Macaulay; or religious ones with Adam Clark or the first Christian fathers; or delve into the intricacies of the law with Blackstone or Greenleaf ; or of philosophy with Newton, Bacon, or Spencer. The young will want to break away from such authors at times, and listen to the pleasant tales of Washington Irving; hear the half weird legends of Scotland as sung or related by Scott; or wander out in the spring time, summer or autumn with Thompson, or read the adventure of Tam O'Shanter with Burns, or laugh with Dickens at the dilemmas EDITORS TABLE. 143 of the unfortunate Mr. Pickwick, or follow the meanderings of Nicholas Nickleby. They may want to do all this, but only let the parent see to it they have a Scott, Burns, Thompson, Dickens, Cowper, a Milton or a Shakespeare for companions, and you give to them some of the noblest associates, who will appeal to all that is noblest, purest and most god-like in their own natures com- — panions that will call into play the noblest sympathies of their hearts until virtuous sentiments will become living, active principles within them. REBATE ON SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE STAKES. At the meeting of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. held on the 19th of October, a resolution was adopted providing that to every stake where the subscriptions to Volume II. of the Era should reach five per cent, of the Latter-day Saint population a sum equal to twenty-five cents for every fully paid-up subscription taken within the stake, should be presented to the Stake Board to be devoted by them to Mutual Improvement purposes. This action will give one more demonstration that the Era is. not a private enterprise, conducted in the interests of any man or corporation of men, but solely in the interests of the great cause of Mutual Improvement; and indicates the intention of the General Board to devote any profits that may arise from the publication of the magazine to Mutual Improvement purposes. We call attention ta this fact in order that the officers of associations, more or less time in furthering the interests of called to devote the Era, may know that they are working for the general cause and not for the advantage of private individuals. The General Board decided that the above percentage should apply to stakes which last year succeeded in securing the percentage of the population named on their subscription list; and accordingly a sum of money has been forwarded to the following stakes: Alberta, Canada; Kanab, Utah; Juarez, Mexico; Morgan, Utah; San Juan, Utah; St. George, Utah, and St. Johns, Arizona, each of which met the conditions above described. The money sent to Alberta Stake was returned to the General Board with 'the statement that the superintendency of Alberta Stake had decided "to contribute the same to the General Board for the purpose of supplying the missionaries with Volume II. of the Era;" but the Stake Superintendencies are at liberty to make such use of the rebate to their stakes as they may see proper, so long as it is devoted to Mutual Improvement interests in some one or other of its branches; such as meeting the necessary expenses of the Stake Boards, or aiding the Mutual Improvement Associations within the respective wards of their stakes. In this matter Stake Superintendencies are at liberty to use their own judgment, the limit being only that the money be carefully used for the general cause of Mutual Improvement. It is both hoped and believed that this arrangement will cause the officers of the associations to work with renewed zeal for the wide circulation of our magazine, which is calculated to accomplish so much good among the youth of the Church of Christ. NOTES. It is not enough that, in following his occupation, the worker incidentally helps the world along; what is required is that he desires to do it, plans to do it, and finds a large part of his reward in the consciousness of having done it. Mental differences are legion. No two minds run in the same channels, or think exactly each other's thoughts. Truth is many-sided, and multitudes of men and women stand still viewing continually but one of her phases. Did they but move around her, changing their respective attitudes, they would appreciate one another far better. Aged people have a claim on the young, a claim for delicate consideration, for tender care, for unfailing reverence. Each new genera-