--- 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: 4 number: 3 published: 1901-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "The Meeting of the Centuries: A Symposium, Part II," *Improvement Era* 4, no. 3 (January 1901): 214–220.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0403unse 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: improvementera0403unse start_page: 214 end_page: 220 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1901-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0403unse publication_year: 1901 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 1901, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Meeting of the Centuries: A Symposium, Part II — THE MEETING OF THE CENTURIES. (Continued from page I'jS.) What Truth did for Lore. Ere Truth looked forth, e'en truest love was blind. — Truth spake then fell the bandage from Love's eyes; She taught dazed Eros how to see aright, And rightly fill his ministry below. Marriage, that builds life's bridge o'er death's dark gulf. Was failure deemed, its fate a mystery; Truth waved her wand —the darkness was dispelled. And lovers fond, who wed and wept in vain When death them parted, smiling through their tears, Saw written on hope's rainbow arch, "Success;" Saw Hymen's bridge, that only spans Time's wave To human vision, forward thrown, till lost Beyond the billows of Eternity. Orson F. Whitney. The Schools and Teachers of the New Century* The past century has witnessed many improvements in methods of teaching, in subject matter taught, and in the school buildings themselves; but present improved conditions only portend the greater possibilities of the opening century. Educators perceive that the marvelous physical world about us, in its wondrous pages of hill and dale and rock and sea and air and sky, contains subject matter better adapted for the study of modern youth than the thoughts received second-hand from the stale and musty books of past generations. They comprehend that the objective study of the matter-world about us, is the work that will continue to produce such material changes as will even surpass in greatness — THE MEETING OF THE CENTURIES. 215 the startling achievements of the hundred years now closing. Hence, the school programs of the future will be changed to emphasize the importance of the study of nature. The teachers of the future will be chosen with special reference to their fitness to teach right and truth in these lines. They should be original investigators, who recognize the Creator in the works of his creation, and not parrot- teachers of such untenable theories and sophistries as have often characterized the teachings of the past age, and are now extant in many of our They must scientific texts. believe that the indestructibility of matter and force but demonstrates the immortality of the soul; must lead the pupil from nature to a knowledge of nature's God. Wm. H. Jones. The Eldefs' Education* Among the highest orders of sublime and ennobling education, obtainable under terrestrial conditions,we place that elevating and divine tuition which the Elders of Israel receive, while travelling amongst the Gentiles as witnesses of Christ, faithful to his instractions.— Christian A. Madsen. Achievements of the Nineteenth Century. God is above any and all the works of man. Knowledge of the true and living God is above any knowledge of a purely secular character, that can be acquired. Hence the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its simplicity and purity is the most important event, not only of this century but also of any other since the one that witnessed the birth and earthly existence of our Lord and Savior. It is fitting that this restoration should be contemporaneous with the greatest industrial development the world has ever known. It is much to be doubted whether man is morally better in this age than in those that precede it; audit is generally conceded that he has neither physical strength nor courage greater than his forefathers. But his control of the elements, and his knowledge of the laws by which they are governed, have increased many fold more than in any corresponding period in the history of the world. Chief among the agencies that have contributed to the wonderful industrial growth are steam and electricity. Both were previously known as elements of power, but their application 216 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ^ and control were each unknown. Little by little, they have been harnessed and made to serve man, until now the simple pressure of a button, or the touch of a lever, frequently sets in motion machinery that does the work formerly performed by thousands of men. Into every sphere of civilized life have these agencies been introduced. Truly marvelous have been the changes wrought. News items now flash around our globe faster than the earth turns upon its axis. Seas are crossed, and continents traversed, in an ever-decreasing fraction of the time once required by the most skilled and fortunate navigators, and the most expeditious landsmen. Night is illuminated by a light rivalling the sun in brilliancy; and, as never before, earth, air and sea verify the promise made to man in Genesis, by contributing to his comfort, and acknowledging his dominion. The knowledge of chemistry has revolutionized methods of extracting from the elements things most useful ta man. The earth fills the measure of her creation. It remains only for man to live up to the standard required to fill his high destiny. — George M. Cannon. Look to the Future with Hopeful Hearts* The Nineteenth century! Wondrous age! Who among all the sons of men can grasp, in their fullness, the marvelous achievements of the past hundred years? The wildest imaginings of men who lived in former ages have been more than realized in the century now closing. The contrast between the tallow dip, and the electric light, tells, in part, the startling story of advancement. During the century, there has been a bounding forward, in almost every branch of human learning, as great as the difference between the oldfashioned candle and the dazzling brilliance of the electric light. One hundred years ago, the mode of travel was by ox team, lumbering coach, or uncertain sailing vessel. A journey of any length involved both hardship and peril. Now, with ease, comfort, and safety, journeys are made with marvelous speed, in the automobile, the Pullman, and the mighty ocean steamer. The thoughts of man are flashed from land to land, and circle the earth almost as soon as conceived. Peoples, on opposite sides of the globe, are THE MEETING OF THE CENTURIES. 217 now as familiar with each other's doings, as they were in neighboring counties at the opening of the century. Conditions, religiously, were as dismal, one hundred years ago, as in every other direction: no voice from heaven, no inspired man to point out the path leading back to God. Now, the darkness has been dispelled, the revelation of the Almighty is again enjoyed; the promises, made anciently by holy prophets, concerning the glory of the latter days, are beginning to come to pass. In the top of the mountains God is performing "a marvelous work." The year 1800 opened without a man upon the earth holding divine authority; 1900 closes with an army of inspired men authorized to speak and act in the name of the Lord. It is the decree of God, oft repeated, that in this dispensation his work should be cut short. In the remarkable changes that have been wrought, since God spoke to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who cannot discern the finger of the Lord, and the inspiration of his Spirit in filling the minds of men with greater wisdom than they have heretofore possessed? Who so blind that they cannot see this mighty advancement paving the way for God's messengers to go with "speed swiftly" to all nations crying, "repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"? The young men of Israel, who have inspired leaders to counsel them, who are surrounded with great educational advantages, who have the remarkable history of The Church and the world from which to draw lessons, all tending to prepare them for the work to which God has called them, should look into the coming century with hopeful hearts, and with the knowledge that they will play an important part in the future history of The Church, and of the world. Careful preparation for grave responsibilities should be made. The glorious future demands it.—Jos. W. McMurrin. A Lesson from the Events of this Century. If the marvelous events that make up the history of the Nineteenth century are thoughtfully considered, they convey one grand lesson: that God is the Supreme Ruler of the nations of the world, and that he is shaping the fate ofmankind with the end in view of establishing the kingdom over which shall rule in infinite 218 IMPROVEMENT ERA. power the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What the royal psalmist, thousands of years ago, chanted in the sweet rhythm of Hebrew poetry: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession," was never more clearly shown to be the purpose of God with regard to His beloved Son, than in the wonderful chapter of history that closes this century. It is shown in the opening up of the remotest parts of the world to civilization and commerce — in the union of India's millions with the British empire, the tearing down of the Chinese wall, the interpretation of the mysteries of the pyramids and sphinx of Egypt, the penetration of the darkest continent, the civilization of Australia, and the unification and strengthening of the United States into the greatest power on earth. It is shown in the triumphs of the sciences, by which distances have been annihilated and all the grand divisions of the world have been brought together as so many rooms in one great mansion. It is xiemonstrated in the wars that have been waged, and the revolutions that have convulsed the nations, all tending to the emancipation of mankind from the grasp of political and religious tyranny. It is, above all, demonstrated by the fact that in this century, after a long interval, God again has spoken ^through His servants and proclaimed the near advent of the Redeemer. When we carefully consider the effects of the French revolutions and the wars that grew out of them, upon the nations of Europe, or the war for union that was fought in this country, or the marvels of steam and electricity, the advance of knowledge, and the restoration of the Church of Christ in its pristine purity, we can but exclaim: "What has the Lord wrought!" For all this is the hand of the Almighty as plainly discernible in history, as are his power, wisdom, and love seen in the universe which forms but the brilliant frame by which history is surrounded. And this lesson is much needed. Orthodox theology, itself blind, is vainly striving to lead philosopy out of the darkness in which it is groping. Man is at a loss, as to the most practical THE MEETING OF THE CENTURIES. 219 keeper?" still forms the basis of worldly ethics. Hence contempt for divine authority, God's laws and judgments; hence pride, class distinction, oppressive competition and strife, with its opposite currents of bitterness and anarchy. But in the midst of all this, the testimony of the Nineteenth century is that God still rules, and that the time is approaching when all social inequalities shall be evened out, and truth and justice rule supreme. Everything is being prepared for this. Jubilant may, therefore, be our requiem at the grave of this century: "All hail the power of Jesus' name Let angels prostrate fall, Bring forth the royal diadem And crown him Lord of all." — M. Sjodahl. J. The WoAd is Gfowingf Better. The universe goes not backward. Every tick of the clock of time marks an advance toward general betterment. The pendulum swings to the left as well as to the right, but the hands move onward only. The outgoing century leaves to the incoming one, more light, more love, more liberty, more wealth, more wisdom and more work, than that' bequeathed by all the others. The increase of good has always, in the sum total, been greater than the growth of evil. Divinity, Nature & Co., are not -carrying on a losing business, their gains have been more than the losses from the beginning. As every day, car loads of freight speed westward while the earth rolls steadily eastward, so may individuals be getting worse while the world is getting better. — G. H. Brimhall. Out of Hatfe — 220 IMPROVEMENT ERA. man is taught to know the true and living God, and partake of his truth. Light comes into the earth, and the whole world starts on a career of progress never equalled before in its history. Inventions crowd upon each other, and man advances in every line of useful art and science, until he has become almost Godlike in his power to do. Earth, air, fire and water, and the thousand things therein, are made servants of his will, and ministers to his comfort and progress. Liberty's tree bears precious fruit which is carried to many lands. But with it all, alas! as the century draws to its close, crime runs riot, and sin is rampant, and man forgets God, who has given him the glorious fruits of liberty and light; and the heavens are red with blood, as the sun sets on the century. And thus men are preparing for the great and awful events of the coming century. The Nineteenth was a marvel, but the Twentieth century shall far exceed it, in its importance to man. In it shall come the preparation, in judgments and calamities, for the coming of the Son of Man in glory and power. Wondrous prophecies shall be fulfilled, and out of chaos' shall come order; out of anarchy, peace; and out of hatred and war, shall come the reign of universal love and brotherly union, when He shall reign whose right it is to rule, and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. Thomas Hull.