Annual Conference of the Mutual Improvement Associations

cried unto the people such words of love, nor guaranteed and de- clared power within himself to save. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," is his call to

all the sons and daughters of men. The Latter-day Saints have answered the call, and thousands thereby have found rest and peace surpassing all understanding; and this notwithstanding the outward fiery ordeals, the turmoil and the strife, through which they have passed. They rest in the knowledge that no man could declare or teach such doctrine; it is

the truth of God. I thank our Father that I have come to a knowledge of this truth, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, in whom alone there is rest and salvation. As God lives, they are deceived who follow men and their philosophies; but happy are they who enter into the rest of the peaceable followers of Christ, obtaining a sufficient hope from this time henceforth until they shall rest with him in heaven. They depend completely upon the saving power of his Gospel, and are therefore at rest in all the tumult of mind and public agitation which beset their way. Joseph F. Smith.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS.

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the 5ih, 6th and 7th of June, the annual conference of the Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church was held in Salt Lake City. The first meeting was a conjoint session of the officers, held in the Assembly Hall, and was characterized by the reading of several strong papers, followed by a discussion, three subjects treated being, "Reverence for our Places of Worship," by Minnie J. Snow; "Responsibility of Officers," by Josiah E. Hickman, Utah stake; "Our Social Life," by Rose W. Bennett. After the discussion of "Reverence for Places of Wor- ship," the following resolution was unanimously passed:

Be it resolved by the officers of the Y. L. and Y. M. M. L A. in con- ference assembled: That we will exert every effort to persuade the members of our

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associations to join in developing in the hearts of the young people a sentiment of reverence for sacred places and sacred things; and to unite with us in refraining from talk, laughter, and all unseemly conduct in our worshiping assemblages; and in keeping all our places of worship clean, well ventilated and attractive.

The meeting was continued in the afternoon at the large tabernacle,where a numerous congregation gathered, the main features of the exercises being an address of welcome by Elder B. H. Roberts and an address on marriage by President Joseph F. Smith. In the evening, at 7:30, another large congregation assem- bled in the Tabernacle, the speakers being Bryant S. Hinckley, May Anderson, of the Primary Association, George A. Smith, Maud May Babcock, and others. The officers of the Young Men met in the Barratt Hall on Mon- day, at 10 o'clock a.m. and 2 p.m. There were two subjects presented at each meeting. In the forenoon, Preston D. Richards, of Granite stake, spoke on "Five Essentials for a Successful Superintendent," and Oliver Christiansen, of Juab, on "Five Essentials for a Success- ful President." The afternoon meeting was occupied by J. F. Holton, of Box Elder, on "How to Interest Non-Members of the Church in M. I. A. Work," and by George A. Smith, of Salt Lake, on "How to Secure Prompt and Regular Attendance." On Tuesday, at 10 o'clock, Joseph W. Musser, of Wasatch spoke on "Reasons Why Our Associations are Worthy of the Patronage of Parents," and David H. Morris, of St. George, on "How to Apply What We Learn." At the afternoon meeting of that day, George Q. Morris, of Salt Lake, spoke on "What Influence Has M. I. on the Morals of Our Young Men," and John A. Hendricksen, of Cache, on "Qualifications of Instructors." The subjects were well treated, and created great interest among the large number of officers present. Questions and discussion followed each subject. It will be noticed that the subjects were somewhat diflferent from those presented at the conferences heretofore held; the ma- chinery of the organization was not specially treated, but, rather, the ethics and practice. It is intended, and it was resolved by the

officers assembled, to present a manual of instruction on the ma-

chinery of the work of the associations, for the benefit of all the officers, in time for the opening meetings this fall. This manual

will give the individual instructions to officers on the routine of their work, including the opening preparations, conduct of classes, general management of the associations, the Era, the Im- provement fund, the conventions to be held in September, and other instructions pertaining to the business routine of the associations. The labors of the organizations, as far as presented, were very gratifying, both in a spiritual and financial sense. The Improvement fund was the largest this season of any [in the history of the associations, and Presideat Smith took occasion to caution the young men, on this account, not to slacken their efforts in the collection of the fund. There are 28,000 mem- bers of the asociations, and 10,000 of these had paid the annual amount required. He stated that it was a good plan to have means on hand, and that we should make every effort to collect the required amount from every member. The surplus now on hand, and which we would have in a few years, might be profitably used for many purposes, among which he mentioned the building of homes for the associations, in the largest cities of the State, such as Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, and Logan, in which the organization could receive its members, have a library and reading room, gym- nasium, art gallery, and any other arrangement for the convenience and benefit of the members. This could not be done now, but it might be held in view, and we should, therefore, not lag in the col- lection of the fund, but be more energetic in getting all the mem- bers to pay, so that thesepurposes, in time, might be accom- plished. At one of the meetings, a number of the stake superin- tendents reported on the efficacy of the local missionary work. Wherever the local priesthood had given the scheme enthusiastic support, much good had resulted; and it appeared to be the con- sensus of opinion that local missionary work should be vigorously continued. The death of Sister Helen W. Woodruff, wife of Apostle Abra- ham 0. Woodruff, in Mexico, on the last day of the conference, caused deep feelings of regret among all present, especially in view of the active part which she took in the exercises and the banquet of the officers last season. A committee was appointed, which formulated an address of condolence to Elder Woodruffs

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which was unanimously adopted by the assembled officers, and reads as follows:

Abraham 0. Woodruff: Dear Brother— Having learned, with deep regret, of the death of your wife, Helen W. Woodruff, in the City of Mexico, June 7, 1904, we, your associates and the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A., in confer- ence assembled, unitedly join in expressing to you our sincere sympathy in the bereavement which takes from you a loving companion and wife, from your children a devoted mother, from us a friend- and energetic worker. We express to you and to your children the sympathy of our hearts in the irreparable loss which you and they and all of us have sustained, and pray God to console and comfort you by the presence and power of his Holy Spirit.

Taken altogether, the conference was a pronounced success in many ways, and will be a great impetus in the cause of Mutual

Improvement for the coming season. Many of the papers which were presented, as well as the remarks which were made, were of an interesting character, and will be printed, from time to time, in the pages of the Era, for the benefit of the officers who were not present, and for the reading public generally. The reception of the general boards, given to the officers of the association at the palatial home of Sister Elizabeth C. McCune, on Tuesday evening, was one of the richest treats of the confer- ence, and was a success in every way.

A TALK TO GRADUATES.

During the month just past there have been many hundreds of young men and young women graduated from the eighth grade of the public schools, besides many from the high schools, from the colleges and the universities. Superintendent of Schools A. C. Nel- son informs us that there are seven hundred more graduates this year than last,from the eighth grade. The Improvement Era joins in con- gratulating them upon the completion of their courses of study, and upon the attainment of the progress for which they have been laboring.

Two points, in passing, we desire to impress upon graduates who may read these lines. First, see that you retain fresh in memory the knowledge received, by applying it, as far as possible, Second, gather additional truths as you go in your daily lives. on. Itbecoming more and more necessary that young men is

and young women who go out into the world should equip them- selves with a solid foundation of knowledge, with a good training. As they leave the home, where they have had the care of their parents and guardians, they will discover that it is a precious quali- fication to have a good education. Business competition in these days almost compels a man to be well trained before he can suc- ceed in any calling. If he is not well educated, he has entered into the walks of life very poorly equipped to compete with his fellows. He who has the most knowledge and the best business and moral training will succeed, while the man who lacks these qualifications will be in great danger of being brushed aside by the more competent. Hence the need you have of useful knowledge. Another need for it is that training broadens the mind, and it may be made your servant in the formation of a good character. Moreover, if it has been good to pass through the discipline so far, and to accumulate the knowledge which you now possess, it is better that you continue further on. Not only should you carefully apply the knowledge which you now have, but you should determine to gain more. It should be your hope and ambition to finish the course of the high school. You need this addition to your knowledge, that you may broaden your capacities. You will find, as the days of responsibility come, that incom- pleteness is a handicap always. The boy or the girl who has not thoroughly prepared himself or herself for the opportunities that are surely coming to them, at least once in their lifetimes, will feel sorry in days to come. Opportunities do not wait. It is the boy

and the girl who are prepared to grasp them and to take advantage of them that will succeed. You can do no better than to get ready to make profit of Opportunity when she comes. It is safe to say that no person of good character, honest, industrious, and willing, who has thoroughly prepared himself, has ever been known to fail in obtaining a chance to seize Opportunity. He has

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always been able to find a place to apply his learning and talents. On the other hand, many men, and women too for that matter, who have not prepared themselves, either through failure to grasp the need of it when they had the chance, or from financial inability, have often missed splendid opportunities because they were not prepared; they could not fill the requirements. It is better for a young man to wait a few days or years

longer, and make thorough preparation, lay a broad, strong foun- dation, than to rush into the business world to take upon him- self responsibilities too early. Obligations and trusts will come in due time. Let him go slowly and surely. It is a sad thing to

see a young man who is really incapable take upon himself too early the strict requirements of business life. It is a joy to meet a young old man, but it is distressing to meet an old young man. Do not be too anxious to enter into life's vocations and to take up- on you arduous tasks, without due preparation. Rather seek to apply what knowledge you have, as you go on, and determine that you will obtain more, that you will attend the high school, and that you will not fail, if opportunity offers, to attend the university. Remember, also, that knowledge is of little use unless it is applied. You can easily tell what the interest on one hundred dollars, for one year, at six per cent is. That is theory; but of what value is that knowledge to you unless you can put the facts into practice? Get the hundred dollars and place it where it will bring you the six per cent. You have certain theories as to character: Thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not lie; thou shalt not bear false witness. Go put them into practice. Let your theories, by applying them to practice, bear the fruits of a noble character. The trouble with people generally is not that they have too much education, but that too little of it is applied by those who have it. We have an abundance of theories, but only too little practice. It is your duty now to use the spare moments of your vaca- tion in the most profitable way, to economize your time, and see to it that as few as possible of the precious moments of your

youth are wasted in the pursuit of things having little or no value. Do not consider yourselves closed to learning new truths. Progress is eternal, and the knowledge that you have obtained in

school is but a small beginning. Let your graduation be a real commencement, and not a closing. You go out into the world today prepared only to learn more, and you will poorly satisfy your friends and teachers, much less your own souls, if you fail in that continued progress, which it is decreed shall be the heritage of the intelligence within you, through all the days of time, and the endless eons of eternity. You must make your field broader, and you must develop more skill, and greater ability to grasp the meaning of life and to deal with its commonplace and cold afliairs. How? By commenc- ing now on a new and higher course. It is true that you stand well. You have been encouraged by your teachers, and you have accomplished things of which they and your parents are proud, and that are an inspiration to other boys and girls; but it behooves you still to remember that you are only beginners, that you have much yet to learn, both in and out ol school. When you have gathered as much knowledge as possible in the institutions of learning, there still remains the experiences of life to perfect your characters, as it was intended they should be enlarged and perfected when you were permitted by the Lord to come upon the earth. Above all, do not forget your religion; fight hard, but be merciful, honest and just.

GOVERNOR HARDING. In this number the Era presents the portrait of Governor Harding whose biography, and especially his connection with the local militia, has heretofore appeared in these columns. The Era has now succeeded in preserving a complete list of portraits of the governors of Utah.

RADIUM. Through the kindness of Dr. James E. Talmage, the Era is enabled to present in this number an exceedingly attractive and comprehensive article on radium, the new and wonderful discovery in which the world of science is just now so intensely interested.

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The history of this element is given, and the reader is made fam- iliar with its nature, as far as known. The experiments mentioned

by Dr. Talmage are especially interesting, and his own experience added makes his paper of special value to our readers who, we are certain, will greatly appreciate this distinguished treat. To give room for this paper, and other articles, and at the same time pre- sent a variety of matter and the usual departments, sixteen pages extra are added to this number of the Era

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