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A Young Men’s Association in Old Syria

Improvement Era, vol. 2, no. 8, June 1899, pp. 635 to 637

Alaycock, Philip S.

OUR WORK. 635

already well paid for the effort we set forth in putting up the building and placing the books there we have been successful in getting. We have more than doubled the number of books owned by all the small libraries in the city since opening this library.

officers' meetings.

We have held our Stake Officers' meetings each week since our Stake Conference was held in December of last year. Prior to that we met conjointly with the officers of the city Associations. I am pleased to report that the attendance at our officers' meetings has been good. The brethren who are acting as my associate officers in the cause of Mutual Improvement in this Stake are heart and soul in the work. Excepting the Park Valley and Snowville Associations, we have avaraged at least three visits to all the Associations in the Stake during the season. We have labored with considerable success to have our ward officers hold

their regular officers' meetings. We certainly feel that too much stress can not be laid on the importance of holding regular Stake and ward officers' meetings in connection with our Mutual Improvement work.

Conjoint meetings have been held each month by all the Associations. We hope to keep them going during the summer season. Well, Brother Hull, I trust you will pardon me for writing such a lengthy letter. Hoping all is well with you, I remain, yours very truly, Oleen N. Stohl, Superintendent.

A YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION IN OLD SYRIA.

In No. 11 of the Era of last year we had the unexpected pleasure of announcing the organization of a Young Men's Improvement Association in the far off Philippines. It now gives us pleasure to announce the existence of an organization at Aintab, in old Syria, an account of which organization and report of its work will be found in the annexed communication to the General Secretary from Elder Philip S. Maycock. It will be seen that gradually we are girding the earth with a line of these

636 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Associations, and it requires no prophet to foresee that the time will come when the gaps existing between the Associations on this line will be filled up and everywhere the work of improvement under the auspices of our Associations will be going on among all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, and peoples. God speed the day. The following is Elder Maycock's letter and report:

AiNTAB, Syria, March 8, 1899. Elder Thomas Hull, General Secretary Y. M. M, I. A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Brother: The following report is from the first of January of this year to the first of March. Perhaps it is not the report you want, but as I do not know when the year to be reported begins or ends, I can give no other account. In April of last year a sort of Young Men's Association was begun. There was no definite organization, however, and no regular program. In this form the work continued until the close of last year. Then, as you see by the accompanying report, a regular organization was effected, and a definite course of subjects mapped out. For many reasons it is infpossible for us to follow the Manual in conducting our meetings here. We have therefore arranged a course of lessons according to the Articles of Faith. In every meeting three subjects are spoken upon, and afterwards questions are asked and answered on the matters discussed. Then I give a twenty or twenty-five minutes' lecture on the life of the Prophet Joseph. This item is according to the instruction of Brother Hintze. These lectures I have reported under "Public Lectures." We have interesting meetings, and so far the members are very zealous. Should a report of another kind be necessary to you, I shall be pleased to submit any such that I can. With sincere regards, I am Your brother in the cause, Philip S. Maycock.

Annual report of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association

OUR WORK. 637

of Aintab Branch, Syria, for the Mutual Improvement year beginning April, 1898, and ending March, 1899.

MEMBERSHIP.

Number of members enrolled 26 Average attendance 19 Number in Branch between ages of 14 and 45 not enrolled.. 6

MEETINGS.

Number of officers' meetings held 9 Number of regular weekly meetings held 9 Public lectures 9 Total number of meetings held 27

FINANCE.

Cash received 45c. Cash disbursed 16c. Balance on hand 24c.

Avedis Kullaksizian, President, Gevock Uzunian, First Counselor, Moses Hindooan, Second Counselor, Avedis Kastian, Secretary, Zadik Aposhian, Treasurer.