--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Alaycock, Philip S. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 2 number: 8 published: 1899-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Alaycock, Philip S., "A Young Men’s Association in Old Syria," *Improvement Era* 2, no. 8 (June 1899): 635–637.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera28unse 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: improvementera28unse start_page: 635 end_page: 637 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera28unse publication_year: 1899 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 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Young Men’s Association in Old Syria 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.