Our Work: The “Far East” Improvement Association

OUR WORK.

THE "FAR EAST" IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AN IMPROVE- MENT ASSOCIATION AT MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Manila, P. I., Sept. 20, 1898. The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of the "Far East" sends you greeting. The June number of your issue came to us two weeks ago, and found us just beginning our work. We received the Era with welcome, and return our thanks for the favor you have conferred by placing those valuable pages before us. In return we furnish a few notes treating on our organization, and the hopes we have for its usefulness. Before we left San Francisco, the advisability of an organization for our young men was suggested to the writer by Elder E. H. Nye, president of the California Mission; and also by Captain R. W. Young. While on our ocean voyage, and before we reached Honolulu, Captain Young called me to his state room, and, showing me a letter he had received from Apostle Young, written by direction of the Council of the Apostles, advising some kind of organization, he suggested that the matter of organizing a Mutual Improvement Association be taken up at once. Acting on his suggestion. Elders Willard Call and Jos. J. Holbrook and myself, all from Bountiful, began to discuss the subject with our companions in Battery A. All whom we approached, with one or two exceptions, seemed highly pleased with the idea, and gave their names as wishing to join when the organization should be formed. The number of names thus secured was thirty-seven.

OUR WORK. isa

No opportunity whatever offered for our meeting aboard the crowded vessel. When we landed at Camp Dewey, little better opportunity was afforded. The campaign before Manila began soon, taking a considerable part of our number to the front every day, and, though the time for a meeting was settled on two or three times, we were prevented from meeting. Our opportunity came with our first Sunday evening in Manila, August 22nd. "We were given ample quarters in the Cuartel Meisic, with a large vacant room to spare. In that room a few of us met (the number was not very great, mail having just arrived from home), and exchanged views on the subject of an organization. In compliance with the suggestion of Captain Young, which was approved by the Council of the Apostles, it was decided that our organization should be termed a Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, following in organization, and as nearly as possible in work, those organizations at home. A president was elected but further organization was postponed for one week to allow more to be present. The next Sunday our pleasure was again our misfortune. The recruits had just arrived and the opportunity which that afforded for the

war-scarred (not war-scared) veterans to tell the tales of pleasure,

work, and narrow escapes, proved more enticing than church, and the tent we had pitched for meeting purposes (Battery B was now occupying

our meeting room) was by no means full. Nothing daunted, we again of postponed the election of officers and proceeded with the discussion Acts, 1st chap., the lesson prepared for the evening. We had a very

interesting meeting, and, when we parted to meet the following Sunday evening, all felt that success was assured. During the week we talked men in both batteries, and the matter up among some of the influential much our tent packed. The at our next meeting we were gratified to see

short session was taken up in the election of officers, and in whole of our that connection some timely advice from Captain Young proved very valuable. Following is a list of officers as finally selected:

President, Geo. A. Seaman, Battery A, Bountiful, Utah.

First Counselor, Godfrey J. Bluth, Battery B, Ogden, Utah.

Second Counselor, Nephi W. Otteson, Battery B, Manti, Utah.

Secretary, Nelson Margetts, Battery A, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Treasurer, Barr W. Musser, Battery B, Salt Lake City, Utah. Librarian,' Stephen Bjarnson, Battery B, Spanish Fork, Utah. r Chas. R. Mabey, Battery A, Bountiful, Utah. Program ) Dr. H. A. Young, Battery A, Salt Lake City, Utah. Committee, Battery B, Salt Lake City, Utah. ( j^^^ q_ ^^ Musser

Godfrey J. Bluth leaves for home aboard the hospital ship on the 22nd inst. The committee met the evening following the election of officers, and in its deliberations, in which it was assisted by Captain Young, it was decided that at each meeting a subject from the "Acts of the Apostles" should be treated upon by some member of the association; and also that, as we might be able to secure lecturers, a secular subject of interest be given. Songs, recitations, etc., are to form an interesting diversion. Already we have had interesting talks from Sergeant D. H. Wells on "The Philippines," and Don Musser on "A Moslem Tradition." Corporal Geo. S. Backman, a student of Spanish, proffered his services as a teacher to the association if it wished to organize a Spanish class as an adjunct to the association. We accepted his generous offer and met last night for the first time. Following the example of our parent associations we have extended invitation and welcome to all, whether they are Latter-day Saints or not. They praise our liberal views that will admit them to membership, and already several have applied for membership. The Spanish class offers an inducement to them to join us. We expect to get in touch with Utah men in all the commands, and to that end a committee is to be appointed to look them up and invite them to join us. We have ample room now, as a large hall has been reserved for meeting purposes and as a library room. While we have many disadvantages to contend with, we hope by assiduous labor to do some good by diverting the minds of some from gaming and other idle practices, that are so apt to accompany the ease and laziness of barrack life, and shall seek to center them upon more holy things. Your Brother in the Gospel, Geo. a. Seaman, President of the Association. Battery A, Utah Volunteers.

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OFFICERS TO BE SET APART.

At a meeting of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A., held on the 9th of November, the following recommendation was passed: "This Board recommends that all ofiicers of Mutual Improvement