Our Work: The Era as a Text-Book

ERA AS A TEXT-BOOK.

In order to bring the exercises of the Improvement Associations and the contents of the Improvement Era more closely together, that they may become more directly co-operative and inter-dependent, the General Board offers the following suggestions to presidents and officers of the

associations: The manual work, as heretofore, should constitute the chief part of the weekly program. In addition, however, there is frequently time left for miscellaneous exercises; and it is suggested and urged that where such is the case, (and it would be well for each association to have some time remaining, at the close of the regular manual exercises,) that a lesson be provided from the Era for each program, both of the weekly meetings and monthly conjoint sessions. For example, let the officers

carefully read the last current number of the Era and then select, say four articles, to be considered during the coming month, appointing some member to make a report of the substance of each article, or, if it be short, perhaps read it, as a part of the regular program. We have in mind several articles, in the October number, for instance, that could be treated in this way with much profit. As examples of these Dr. Brimhall's article on "Continuity in Character;" Dr. Young's article on the "Evils of Drink and Tobacco," and two articles in "Our Work" de- partment on "Writing as a Means of Improvement;" and "Just a Hint or Two," by Elder Naisbitt. Other articles, also, might be named from this same number that would prove interesting if studied and thus presented. It is also suggested that the officers occasionally put to the whole asso- ciation some question that can be answered by reference to the Era, as for example, in the October number. What is the plain duty of every young man as to his course regarding evil? page 946. Who was William Wilberforce? page 935; Relate the anecdote illustrating the power of

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environment over us. Page 932. What leading lesson in the article, "A Message to Garcia?" These hints on program-making are worthy of adoption by the pre- siding officers, and we will be pleased to hear from those who shall put them into effect, as to their results and practicability. As a further example, the following articles and questions are named for November study: "First Mission to the Lamanites," "The Original Book of Mormon Manuscript," "The Zionist Movement" and the article on Joseph Smith by Edgar Young. Questions like these may be asked: What was the testimony received by Dr. Maeser, after baptism? What leading thought do you get from the article, "The Returned Elder?" Relate an incident showing an Elder's influence? Page 32.

PRINTED INVITATIONS TO ATTEND THE FIRST MEETING.

Among the many changes made in Stake officers recently, the change in Weber Stake is to be numbered. This occurred on Sunday, May 21, last, at which time Elder B. H. Roberts and other members of the General Board visited the Stake and attended the conference held in the Ogden Tabernacle. Superintendent Angus T. Wright, his coun- selors, Thos A. Shreeve and H. H. Thomas, and other officers of the Board, after years of faithful service in the improvement cause, were honorably released. The following officers were then presented and sustained: John L. Herrick, superintendent; John V. Bluth and Heber Scow- croft, counselors; T. Y. Stanford, recording secretary; J. W. F. Volker, corresponding secretary; Parley T. Wright, treasurer; Wm. E. Newman, M. H. Thomas, Geo. W. Baker, J. W. West, J. F. Snedaker, J. R. Beus, W. G. Cragun, aids. At a subsequent conference Elder Willard Scow- croft was added to the board as chorister. The new board began its labors this fall by instituting an active campaign in behalf of mutual improvement. Among the new ideas ad- vanced was that of printing a circular letter, at the expense of the Stake Board, and supplying the president of each association with enough copies to send one to every member of the ward who should be a mem-

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ber of the association. The presidency of each association addressed these letters and filled in the blank left for the date of commencing the season's work. After being signed by the president and secretary, these letters were delivered to the members of the ward who were, or who should be, enrolled as members of the association. The idea, we think, is a good one, and we print the circular below for the benefit of others who may desire to adopt this plan of inviting their members to attend the opening meeting each year.

.Utah, Oct. 1, 1899.

Dear Brother: As the time is approaching for us to begin our season's work of the Mutual Improvement, we desire to call your attention to some things of importance in relation thereto. Our first meeting will beheld on at p. m. sharp, in our meeting house. As the study of the new manual, which is entitled, "The Dispensa- tion of the Fullness of Times," is a very interesting one, and also instruc- tive, it will be to your individual benefit to attend every meeting if pos-

sible, commencing with the first, and we are certain that at the close of the season you will feel that the time spent in attending to these meet- ings and studies, will have paid you immensely, as it takes up history and other studies, which will increase your intellectual qualities and strengthen your spiritual life. We want to make this season one of the best ever known, and as it will be to your personal benefit to take hold of this matter with zeal and energy, we have no doubt but what you will give us your assistance and attend the first meeting, as we will have a program arranged and studies will commence at that time. We also call your attention to the Improvement Era, which is pub- lished monthly for the benefit of the young men of Zion. It is. very in-

structive and interesting, and we desire you to subscribe or renew your subscription to this magazine. The subscription price is $2.00 per annum in advance, including copy of the manual, which makes the subscription for the Bra $1.75 per annum. We sincerely hope and trust that you will help us in this matter and assist in making the meetings for the coming season as interesting as possible, so that all our young people will feel encouraged in the cause in which we are engaged.

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Please do not forget the date of our first meeting, as we certainly expect you to be there. Manuals can be procured from the undersigned.

Your Brethren,

President.

Secretary.

The general night of meeting in the Weber Stake is Tuesday, and the third Sunday evening of each month is given over to conjoint meet- ings with the Y. L. M. I. A. A uniform meeting night has been of great value to the associations of this Stake.

THE MISSIONARIES, THEIR PREPARATION AND LABOR.

At the last annual conference of the Y. M. M. I. A., it was inti- mated that possibly some change in the system of the missionary branch of our labors would be inaugurated. After some discussion, the details of the new movement were left with the General Board who de- cided to call some fifty Mutual Improvement Missionaries for 1899-1900, instead of a greater number, as heretofore. It was also decided that

instead of laboring entirely with the membership, their special work would be with the stake and ward officers. They were to be direct repre- sentatives of the General Board, while the local missionary work was to be performed by ward officers or their delegated representatives. The missionary committee of the General Board, composed of Elders J. Golden Kimball, Frank Y. Taylor and Thomas Hull, were charged with the details of calling and instructing the missionaries. The following brethren, out of those who were called, responded: Alexander Campbell, Cardston, Alberta Stake, Canada; Alfred Kearl, Laketown, Utah, Bear Lake Stake, Idaho; Robert Andrus, Leorin, Bingham Stake, Idaho; Nels Madsen, Brigham City, Box Elder Stake, Utah; Jos.

Richardson, Smithfield, Cache Stake, Utah; Willard Baxter, Mount Ster-

ling, Cache Stake, Utah; Brigham H. Telford, Lewiston, Cache Stake, Utah; Moses Smith, Marion, Cassia Stake, Idaho; Alonzo G. Sedgwick,

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Bountiful, Davis Stake, Utah; Harley P. Randall, Centerville, Davis Stake, Utah; John S. Curtis, Orangeville, Emery Stake, Utah; John Hinck- ley, Rexburg, Fremont Stake, Idaho; W. I. Norton, Nephi, Juab Stake,

Utah; Dennison E, Harris, Colonia Juarez, Juarez Stake, Mexico; Wallace Bunting, Kanab, Kanab Stake, Utah; Don C. Babbitt, Mesa, Maricopa, Stake, Arizona; Thomas R. Condie, Croyden, Morgan Stake, Utah; James Callan, Dayton, Oneida Stake, Idaho; John M. Bunker, Bunkerville, Nev- ada, Saint George Stake, Utah; J. S. Gibbons, Saint Johns, Saint Johns Stake, Arizona; Thomas E. Williams, Lay ton, Saint Joseph Stake, Arizona; Harry W. Matthews, Taylorsville, Salt Lake Stake, Utah; George M, White, Miller, Salt Lake Stake, Utah; D. J. Rogers, Bluff, San Juan Stake, Utah; Stephen A, Smith, Manassa, San Luis Stake, Colorado; George Dutson, Aurora, Sevier Stake, Utah; John Mur- ray, Holbrook, Snowflake Stake, Arizona; Lorton Cranney, Cotton- wood, Star Valley Stake, Wyoming; Arthur Maxwell, Peoa, Summit Stake, Utah; Joseph P. Sharp, Vernon, Tooele Stake, Utah; George A. Slaugh, Vernal, Uintah Stake, Utah; Francis Kirkman, Lehi, Utah Stake, Utah; N. Parley Jensen, Spanish Fork, Utah Stake, Utah; R. Lovell Mendenhall, Mapleton, Utah Stake, Utah; Joseph Moulton, Heber City, Wasatch Stake, Utah; Seth Taft, Thurber, Wayne Stake, Utah; R. T. Rhees, View, Weber Stake, Utah; D. C. Walker, Eden, Weber Stake, Utah; John'H. Glenn, Woodruff, Woodruff Stake, Utah. In order to prepare them for their mission, meetings were arranged for by the missionary committee, to be held in the Social Hall, Salt Lake City, at which the following program was carried out:

Thursday, October 12, 1899. 10 a. m. Introductions, etc. 2 p. m. Outline of Missionary Work for the Season of 1899-1900; and general instructions. (a) Representatives of General Board, (b) Work with associations and stake and ward officers, (c) How this season's work differs from that of previous seasons. Missionary Committee and Elder B. F. Grant. 7:30 p. m. The Manual, (a) What this manual is. Elder Willard Done. (b) Its object and plan, (c) How to use it. Elder Edward H. Anderson. Questions and answers , By Missionaries. Friday, October 13. 10 a. m. Improvement Era and general improvement fund. Elders Francis M. Lyman and Heber J. Grant.

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2 p. m. 1. Local missionary work, (a) "Ward officers ^to direct it. (b) Call missionaries in wards to labor with dilatory members and non-members, (c) How? Elders J. Golden Kimball and Frank Y. Taylor. 2. Secretaries' work, (a) Rolls, (b) Records, (c) Kind of men for secretaries. Elder Thomas Hull. 7:30 p. m. Questions and answers.

Saturday, October 14. 10 a. m. Duties of stake superintendents and ward presidents. Elders John Henry Smith, Frank Y. Taylor and Thomas Hull.

2 p. m. Questions and answers. 7:30 p. m. Model Association.

Sunday, October 15. The missionaries will visit the Sabbath Schools and Tabernacle and ward meetings. Monday, October 16. 10 a. m. Address By President Lorenzo Snow. 2 p. and 7:30 p. m. Methods, (a) How to entertain the members

of associations, (b) How to enthuse the members of associa- tions. Elder George M. Cannon. (c) How to get young men to work, (d) How to get older members to work. Elder Abraham 0. Woodruff, (e) Ward amusements, outside influences, libraries, etc. Elder Frank Y. Taylor. Questions and answers.

Tuesday, October 17, Final Instructions.

1. First things to do on entering stake and ward, (a) Call on super- intendent of M. I. A. (b) Call on president of stake, (c) Call on president of association, (d) Call on bishop of ward.

2. How to approach officers, (a) Superintendent of M. I. A. (b) Pres- ident of stake, (c) President of M. L A. (d) Bishop of ward. (What bishops should do with newly converted young men.) President Joseph F. Smith and Apostle Francis M. Lyman,

8. Preaching, (a) When, (b) What, (c) How. Elder J. Golden Kimball.
9. Deportment and appearance. Elder J. Golden Kimball.

The missionaries will go out into the various stakes of Zion and meet with the local officers and associations, in turn instructing them upon these same points. The meetings resulted in decided success. The

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Spirit of God and of the work were manifest. They go out to the stakes prepared to instruct and enthuse the officers in the important work before them. There should be good results from their labors. We trust that the stake and ward officers of the associations, conjointly with the local authorities of the Church, under whose directing and ecouraging care the associations are placed, will co-operate with the missionaries, and push the work with vim, under the blessings of God, to sure and com- plete success.

EVERY PROGRESSIVE PRESIDENT SHOULD ANSWER, YES.

These are important days for Mutual Improvement Association work. Is your association completely organized? Do you succeed in getting a good attendance? Are all your members supplied with manuals? Do the officers meet weekly to prepare the lesson, and to arrange details for the regular meeting? Are you trying to comply with the rules on page 5, in the manual? Do you meet promptly on time and close on time? Is your

meeting-place warm, light, clean and cheerful? Do you have a local system of missionaries whose duty it is to visit delinquent members each week? Do you think of your work constantly, and so create enthusiasm and interest? Do the members prepare their lessons at home? Have you and all your officers subscribed for the Era, and each obtained one other subscriber? Have you planned for the collection of the Improve- ment Fund?