M. I. A. at Smelter

974 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ance with the law to be recipients of the greatest efficiency. So in the divine economy, the individual must be in harmony with light and truth, and know the principles with which he is concerned and the entire machinery and its workings to accomplish the greatest good. When you know what to do and what is expected of you, you should immediately find the leaks and weak places, and replace the weakened and decayed timber, that you may not only keep up the efficiency, but that you may prevent the balance of your material from demoralization and degeneracy. Brethren, you are the standard bearers, and we look to you to lead our boys to victory. Avoid the slough of bigotry and human inventions. Be patient, affectionate and considerate, but do not become wiser and holier than the scriptures. Teach, by keeping sacred the principles of righteousness, and lead by gentleness and persuasion into the light of eternal truth, that our sons may discover and abide the divine and inalienable way. Prepare yourselves thoroughly, and do it now, that when the associations open, you will not be compelled to rush to the commissary for food and ammunition, only to find your store-house empty and vour arms rusted. The mustering, drilling, marshaling and disciplining must precede the battle, that every man may know his duty, be at his post, take the signal from his superior, and march to the front conquering problems so vital to mutual improvement. In conclusion, "plan your work and work your plan." M. I. A. AT SMELTER. Parley H. Little, writing from Smelter, Nevada, August 28, gives an account of the Mutual Improvement Association in that district: "Smelter is located fourteen miles north of Ely, Nevada, and consists of a concentrating mill, a smelting plant, and the people engaged in their construction and operation, and of course houses and other business establishments necessary to protect the people and supply them with their daily wants. There are no farms nor gardens, and the place is nearly barren of trees. It is a smelter town, and the company owns all the buildings. The population is transient, each day seeing some leave and some eome. One may find representatives from almost every state in the Union, and some also from foreign countries. Utah, being a near neighbor, has a share among them. The town is twenty-two months old, and some of us have been here eighteen months. We greatly miss the M. LA. and Sunday School, and other Church organizations, after coming here, since the nearest ward branch is about fifty miles away. Last winter a few of us met and held a testimony meeting on the first Sunday of every month, and a Mutual every Tuesday, taking a regular course of study. The subject chosen was "The External Evidences of the truth of the Book of Mormon," M. I. A. Manual 1903-4. Our lessons are generally very well prepared and very interesting. We have completed this Manual and have taken several lessons on "The Internal Evidences of the Book of Mormon," and in connection with it are reading aloud the first Manual of the series. Not having other Church work to do, we are able to cover the work very

MUTUAL WORK. 975 thoroughly. One evening each week is devoted to singing practice, and we have improved in that line very much. Minutes have been kept of all the meetings, which, if serving no other purpose will be interesting to the members in the future . Though we have done no very aggressive missionary work, yet we have opportunity now and then of dropping a word or two in explanation of the gospel, or in correcting wrong impressions of the Latter-day Saints [and the work they are engaged in. Being away from home, we have learned better how to appreciate the meetings, and what the Gospel means to us as well as a thorough understanding of the Book of Mormon. We would gladlv receive any advice or counsel that would be for our benefit in our future work . There have been in all fortyfive different persons who have attended our meetings. Meetings convene at the homes of the different members. The home shown in this picture is the one in which the first M. I. A. meeting was held. The names of the members as shown are as follows: top row, from left to right, Walter Healy, Daniel Davidson, John Lauritzen, Joseph McConkey; second row, from left to right: Lila Folsom, Nellie Cartwright, Jennie Davidson. Parley Little, Lizzie Little, Elizabeth Crawford; third row, from left to right: Robert J. Crawford, Edgar Healy, J. G. Wimmer, F. G. Finlayson; not present were John Cartwright and Elsie Webber." The example of this Nevada association is worthy of emulation by all of the Saints wherever they may be found, on the ranches or in the mining camps of the West, and we trust that it will be an inspiration to others to form Mutual Improvement Associations of the kind here mentioned. This office will