Our Work

OUR WORK. PRELIMINARY PROGRAMS. This subject is one of considerable importance, and one that is some- what new to the present generation of mutual improvement workers, with the exception of the trial of it made this year and during the season of 1902-3. It is first necessary to have brought before us the object of the organization of the Mutual Improvement Association. Roughly speaking, there were three purposes to be accomplished by this organ- ization. One of these is the development of religious faith, knowledge and action. The second is the securing of general culture outside of theological work. The third is the development of proper social inter- course and recreation. The first of these purposes has of late years been given very great prominence, indeed almost to the exclusion, one may say, of the other two. We have been giving our attention almost exclusively to the de- velopment of religious faith, knowledge and action. Now, this field is not the only field, by any means, that is covered by our association work. It is expected that as much as possible shall be done along the line of general culture, and that we shall study other than theological subjects. It is the purpose to enter upon this other part of our field by means of these preliminary programs. At the time of the organization of this association, debating and literary societies were springing up all over the Church. The young people were running wild almost in the direction of these things. They were getting almost beyond restraint in some of those particulars, and it was partly for the purpose of checking this tendency toward going outside of the Church for these things that the Mutual Improvement organizations were instituted. Although the writer was but a small boy at the time these things were brought into existence, he can remember very distinctly the attempt that was then made to make this general

390 IMPROVEMENT ERA. culture a very prominent feature; and we all remember, no doubt, that debating, under certain circumstances, was a part of the work. Essay writing was another part, and there were association papers, contribu- tions to which were furnished by the young men. There were other lit- erary selections, as well as musical selections — all in addition to the work that was done along theological lines. We remember, also, that when the first manual was published, something like thirteen years ago, that features other than theological work were introduced in it. It in- cluded scientific, historical and literary work, for the purpose of giving to the young men this broad culture. But of late years, we have confined ourselves — and I think wisely, because of the peculiar circumstances that confronted us — almost entirely to the theological part; and with what success, the revivifying of these associations bears testimony. We know that it has been a most successful movement that has been instituted and carried through during the last few years. But now we desire to depart from this exclusive work, and make our work a little more general, and begin again to occupy the field we practically abandoned a few years ago, viz., the field of general culture and social enjoyment. The general culture feature, and the religious feature, should be attended to in our weekly meetings. It is upon the subject of these programs, which are beginning to occupy this other field, that I desire to say a word. It is advisable and very necessary that some work be done along the line of general culture. These preliminary programs should consist, as I understand the in- tention of the Manual committee, of as much work as we can secure within the brief time allotted along these general lines. Literary work, for example; literary reading and working are both neglected very largely by the mass of our young people. There are not many of our young people that can read properly; that can take the great authors and fully appreciate their works; that can delve into the productions of the brightest minds in the world's literature, and understand and appre- ciate those productions to the fullest extent. The reason for this is that part of the education of the mass of the young people has not been developed as highly as we hope to see it developed in the future. We have devoted our time too exclusively to our theological work. We have been placed, it appears, under the necessity of doing this. We have looked upon ourselves as having a special mission, and we have a special mission, to reform the religious world and to give the truth to the world in place of the error that they have. And while we have been doing this, I believe we have neglected, to a certain extent, our reading. We are not so familiar with the leading authors of English and American litera-

OUR WORK. 391 ture, and the translations from the German and French, as we should he. It is the intention, therefore, of these preliminary programs to intro- duce gradually the works of these authors, in a fragmentary way, it is true; but a fragmentary introduction to the work will lead the mind toward the other writings which that author has produced. If we place before you a choice selection from some of Irving's works, you will be- come interested in Irving, and will want to find more of his writings. So with other American and English authors. By this introduction you will become interested in their work, and you will be prone to read further outside of the association meetings. Wot only so, but you will be filled, to a certain extent, with literary zeal yourselves, and those of you who have some talent in the direction of writing will be led to write, basing your style -very largely upon the style of those authors whom you read. By this reading and writing you will be able to secure a culture which is very necessary and profitable, and very enjoyable indeed. Essay writing is introduced, therefore, for the purpose of cultivating this skill in liter- ary work. Then in music. There may be a scarcity of musical talent in some associations; but there is always some musical talent to be found there, and that can be cultivated; and not only will those who have that talent thus bring it to the front and make it a source of profit and enjoyment, but others will be led to cultivate their talent. The singing of solos, duets, trios, quartets, etc, will be encouraged. The organization of a glee club, or quartet, or some other musical body of that kind, will be en- couraged. In some of the larger communities, perhaps, an orchestra can be made up of some of the young men. In some wards we find brass bands; let them be encouraged by our associations. In this way we will accomplish two objects: we will increase the musical talent, and we will give to the people who have not that talent the enjoyment and profit that naturally come from listening to good music. In other directions, also, our preliminary programs will serve a good purpose; but I emphasize these to show you the general tendency, and the other things can be thought of. You will be led into scientific re- search, into historical research, into an understanding of current histor- ical events, and into all those fields of research which will give to you a culture and a wider and broader knowledge than you have now. That is one purpose of these preliminary programs. Another purpose is, to bring into the associations those young men who perhaps will not be interested in theological work alone. Young men sometimes will come into our associations to listen to a varied program who will not come to listen to one subject alone. They can thus be taken off the devil's ground, as one