--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Rich, Ben E. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 4 number: 7 published: 1901-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Ben E. Rich, "Training and Equipment of Missionaries," *Improvement Era* 4, no. 7 (May 1901): 517–522.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0407unse 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: improvementera0407unse start_page: 517 end_page: 522 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1901-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0407unse 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. --- # Training and Equipment of Missionaries TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT OF MISSION- ARIES. BY ELDER BEN E. RICH, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN STATES MISSION. In presenting my views and ideas relative to the deportment of missionaries, I am conscious of this fact, that they may not thoroughly harmonize with the sentiments and belief of others; however, be this as it may, I am willing to set forth my judgment in the matter, at the risk of criticism and adverse theories, leav- ing it to the discretion of each individual to decide for himself. Suffice it to say, that what I may here indite is in full accord with the honest convictions of my soul, and, to my judgment and under- standing, the best calculated for the advancement of righteous- ness, and the conversion of the children of men. It has been truly remarked that "Manners make the man." The word of the Lord through his ancient servant Samuel, "Be strong, and quit yourselves like men" bespeaks the true senti- ment which I desire to impress upon the minds of the youth of Zion. This choice admonition was also reiterated by the "Great Apostle to the Gentiles," for in writing to the Saints at Corinth, he says, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." Now the question naturally enough arises, what consti- tutes a true man? What qualifications are necessary? What shall be his course in life, his daily conduct, conversation and manners? I think that we shall find an answer to these queries in the follow- ing, known as "The Portrait of a True Gentleman." The sketch that I refer to was found in that quaint historic town of Gloucester, 518 IMPROVEMENT ERA. England, hung over a marble mantel piece, in the tapestried sitting room of an old manor house, and is as follows: "The true gentleman is God's servant, the world's master and his own man; virtue is his business, study his recreation, contentment his rest, and happiness his reward; God is his Father, Jesus Christ his Savior, the Saints his brethren, and all that need him his friends; devotion is his chaplain, chastity his chamberlain, sobriety his butler, temperance his cook, Providence his steward, charity his treasurer, piety his mistress of the house, and discretion his porter to let in or out as most fit." I have taken the liberty of quoting this in full for the benefit of the youth, for briefly, and yet beautifully, it defines the essential characteristics of a genuine, true gentleman. Let me ask, could we conscientiously portray, as an apt illus- tration of a true gentleman, one who lacked politeness, amiability, cleanliness and discretion? No! since these are some of the vital essentials, the presence of which manifest the distinguishing fea- tures of a true gentleman. Politeness is the very essence of true gentility, the sum of chaste behavior. Above all other men, let God's servant rank in refinement, courtesy and well-bred manners, for he has the gift of the Holy Ghost as an additional sanctifying grace, to aid him to master every situation, enter all grades of society, and mingle with all classes of people —being everywhere adequate to the occasion, equal to the existing conditions and sur- rounding circumstances. If the conservative people of this and other enlightened lands are to hear the Gospel of Jesus in its ful- ness, they must be approached in a conservative way, by conserva- tive men. It is self-evident, and beyond controversy, that if an elder would be successful, he must be equal to the task assigned; whether it be to associate with noblemen or peasants, with aristo- crats, or the poor laboring classes. Let him learn to adapt him- self to the conditions he may meet, for he will find all classes of people, with varied degrees of intelligence and understanding; therefore, it holds him in hand to so prepare himself as to be in readiness for the emergency, that he might escape the humiliation and embarrassment which the unprepared must suffer. We have been dealing thus far with the manners the general — deportment, and have said but little about the dress and appear- ance. Of course, as heretofore stated, it is the manners which TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT OF MISSIONARIES. 519 make the real man, and not the dress, and yet the clothes give the real man a becoming appearance. But whether he wears an old hat, a shabby coat, ragged breeches, or worn out shoes, with Burns I would say, "A man's a man for a' that." People often judge the inner quality by the appearance of the rind. If we would gain their attention, until we have delivered the message of salvation which we bear, and which we are sent forth to proclaim, then it becomes absolutely necessary that we present a neat, tidy, cleanly appear- ance. I have often thus remarked to the elders, among whom I have labored for the last thirty months, "Brethren, if, perchance, you find no place of shelter when the shades of eve are falling, and you are forced to sleep in these lonely woods, hungry and foot-sore, with mother earth for your couch, and only the cold, blue canopy of heaven as a covering, do so cheerfully, for you remember the hymn, 'Our foes have rejoiced when our sorrows they've seen,' and we don't want to give them any cause to rejoice on this wise; but, on the other hand, meet them with a smile of contentedness and appar- ent joy! When you awake in the morning, if, perchance, you suc- ceed in going to sleep, see to it that before you 'Hit the big road' you have carefully removed every speck of dirt from your cloth- ing, brushed your shoes, and so arranged your toilet that you are presentable as gentlemen. Whittle you a tooth-pick, lift up your heads, and smack your lips as if you had just eaten a bon ton meal, or dined at Delmonico's." For quite a number of years, it has been the established rule of the Southern States Mission to have a uniform dress among its elders, and we believe that it is best and proper to continue on in the good course. Our elders should appear neatly dressed, for we are not ashamed of the Gospel, and the attire bears testimony of our identity as "Mormon" elders. Of course, an elder could preach with power in an uncouth raiment, but would his words, with a certain class of people, have the same weight and beariDg they might otherwise have, were he clothed as a minister of the word? It is not so much what an elder can do, as what he should do Quit yourselves like men, is the divine fiat, the heavenly decree- How? might be asked with propriety. By being true, worthy gentle- — men such as the sketch given heretofore defines them. Men of 520 IMPROVEMENT ERA. honor, of polish, and refinement! I would prefer the word re- finement, rather than that of polish, for there are polished rogues, and educated scoundrels. While our elders are sent forth as ver- itable "fishers and hunters," still their is a vast difference between the mission field and the range. Shaps, leggins and booted spurs, may be articles of necessity on the prairie, but hardly requisite in the mission field. Wrist-straps, buck-skin watch-chains, and leather hat-strings for the proper adjustment of the head-gear, may each have their required sphere when rounding up the cattle on the plains, but are entirely out of place in the vineyard of the Lord, because they are not needed, and are certainly neither ornamental nor useful. Blue overall, "jumpers," slouch-hats and hob-nailed brogans, are just the things for the farm, or work shop, but rep- resentatives of the Lord Jesus, who brush up against the aristoc- racy of the nation, and mingle with the sons of men, should be clothed in more suitable apparel. Let the manners govern the arrangement of the dress, and if the manners are such as become gentlemen, then the garment will not fail to reach the standard required. Manners are in the man, but the neatness and cleanliness of the suit bespeak to a great measure, the true characteristic qualities of the person. Set the soul right, and these other essentials will follow as the night the day. A thorough training or equipment for active missionary work will include the developement of every phase of man, socially, morally, physically, and intellectually, and if it fails to do so, then, to some extent, it is incomplete and insufficient. Some of our young men would find it very embarrassing, in a first-class hotel, to know just how to order their meals. The colored waiter would hand them a bill of fare, and as they sat silently scanning this per- plexing menu, puzzling their bewildered brains as to what it all meant, he would stand back a pace, show his white teeth, and grin in derision at their ignorance. This inconvenience and trying ordeal, may be overcome, if proper steps are taken at home. Let a young man enter a parlor or sitting room, and no matter how polite a bow he can make, if he tilts his chair on the back legs, his presence and company become at once repulsive to the cultured lady or gentleman. The four legs of a chair were made and placed TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT OF MISSIONARIES. 521 in that chair for the purpose of its support, and all are necessary and should be kept in use. It would look just as becoming for a man to stand on only one foot, with the other dangling in the air, as for the front legs of a chair to be raised from the floor. We should diligently strive to make ourselves agreeable, interesting company in any society. We have every privilege to do 30, and it seems to me we are woefully neglectful, if we do not avail ourselves of the many opportunities at hand for development and progress. Is there any just reason why we should not be the peers in any branch of social development? It seems to me, there is none! On the railroad train, or on the streets, in the public assemblies or the social gathering, at the table or in the parlor, let us be polite, con- sider the happiness and comfort of others, and do nothing to their annoyance or displeasure! In our deportment, we should be broad-minded and courteous. Broad-minded, because we stand upon the broadest foundation ever laid, of which Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone. Courteous, because we should be kindly affectioned to each other, and exhibit a loving, civil behavior, one towards another, for the very exercise of this virtue is happifying; and if it fails to benefit others, it will return to enrich the heart of the bestower. Young men who have a genteel mien, and polite behavior, are in demand everywhere, not only in the mission field, but in other walks, and vocations of life. In Evanston, Illinois, a medal is pre- sented every year to the cabman who is most courteous, and a starry diadem awaits the faithful servant of the Lord, who has blest others by his politeness and civility. To the youth of Zion, I would say: Have your minds bright with Gospel facts, well trained, and stored with useful information. Be genial, affable, kind and loving. These Christ-like traits will win for you true, worthy friends, and assist in gaining for you the everlasting blessings of eternity. Strive to make your homes places of sweet culture, ventilated with an atmosphere of pure, unfeigned, Christian love. Cultivate the spiritual, educate the mental, and keep pure and spotless the temporal. Keep your hands clean, your hearts free from guile, and sin; and your thoughts pure and holy continually. Let holiness be your motto; the Spirit, your guide; and the glory of God, your mission 522 IMPROVEMENT ERA. on the earth. The words of the Apostle Peter present a fitting conclusion to my rather crude and imperfect sketches, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." (Peter 3: 8.)