Mutual Work: Bear River Stake Superintendency

MUTUAL WORK. BEAR RIVER STAKE SUPERINTENDENCY. Under date of October 21, 1908, Secretary J. H. Archibald of Garland, Utah, advises this office of the organization of the superintendency of the New Bear River Stake Y. M. M. I. A. as follows: Franklin D. Welling, superintendent; Thomas E. Kjng, A. H. Archibald, counselors; and J. H. Archibald, secretary. The wards of the new stake are: Beaver, Bothwell, Deweyville, East Garland, Elwood, Fielding, Garland, Plymouth, Riverside, Thatcher. TO OUR FRIENDS AND SUBSCRIBERS. The annual adjustment of the books of the Improvement Era is now being made, and in the turmoil it may be possible that some orders be missed, and errors occur. We invite our friends to inform the office immediately of any failure to receive the magazine promptly. We also request the officers who canvass for subscribers to send in the names immediately that the orders may be promptly filled. Manuals may be obtained from the local officers, but are not sent to individual subscribers except upon request. Where the presidents have not yet canvassed the wards, this should be done immediately, so that the subscribers may not have to wait for the magazine. Some complaints have come in charging that no effort has been made in some wards to canvass for subscribers. We trust that our presidents, or those whom they have appointed to take charge of the work, will be loyal in this respect and make the canvass immediately. We hope to make our lists reach the desired 15,000. AROUND THE WORLD. Elder Andrew Jenson has just issued from the press, an illustrated book of 360 pages, containing a description of his journey around the world some years ago. There are 84 chapters with nearly 100 illustrations. The book is a lively description of nations, men and countries, as seen through the eyes of the author in his journey around the globe to obtain information concerning the records of the Church. It contains, therefore, important historical incidents relating to the Church organizations in the various parts of the world, as well as geographical

160 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and other descriptions which are calculated to enlighten and interest the general reader. The book is printed at the office of Bikuben, and is offered as a prize to subscribers who pay in advance for that publication. The book is printed in the Danish language. O GIVE ME BACK MY PROPHET DEAR. (male quartet or chorus.) Words by John Taylor. Tenderly, p Music by Evan Stephens. tJfxf==U=t|= 0 — Hn- — ■ — m — 4-# — H»— %-•£ — 0 — - V— v 1 M )/- O. give me back my Prophet dear, And Patri-arch, O Ye men of wisdom, tell me why— No guilt, no crime in It is because i hey strove to gain, Beyond the grave a It is because the priests of Baal Were desperate their E&S & 0- 9-&—0 ~ -A-=J— —f^—? -0—0- -«^Jt«=l L, .X-_« 1 L^p — y — y fiZ — g — J give them back, The Saints of Latter days to cheer, And lead them them were found — Their blood doth now so loudly cry,From prison heav'n of bliss, Because they made the gospel plain And led the craft to save, And when they saw it doomed to fall,They sent the ==^=?=^=r£- f H * V V #g^tt rit. EgE i=sp=:£s£; p ttff *JM ^ — in the gospel track! And lead them in the gospel walls and Carthage ground? From prison walls and Carthage Saints to righteousness, And led the Saints to righteous- Prophets to their grave, They sent the Prophets to their

MUTUAL WORK. 161 L#tt-s— & — e. mf a tempo. track! But O, they're gone from my embrace, From ground? Your tongues are mute, but pray attend, The ness; It is because God called them forth, And grave. Like scenes the ancient Prophets saw, Like rS-5j— # — #— •« — •* — r£f — •« — € r-i H iy-- 1 ^ , fe^rr-^+zir=c~Nlfe5£i^M earthly scenes their spirits fled, Two of the best of secret I will now relate, Why those whom God to led them by his own right hand, Christ's coming to prothese tbe ancient Prophets fell, And, till the resur- P Adam's race now lie entombed among the earth did lend, Have met the suffering martyrs' claim on earth, And gather Israel to their rection dawn, Prophet and Patriarch, faren?E?y=i§=!i dead, fate, land, well, ri / " dim. 'Now lie entombed among the dead. Have met the suff 'ring martyrs' fate. And gathered Israel to their land. Prophet and Patriarch, fare well. §©f3

162 IMPROVEMENT ERA. PP ,g^Jz=:p=yz:=:jn=J: — - — w — c=^zzzg:=c^zz2=:j3 O, give me back my Prophet dear. \ c — C^ * , 1 c__, L^—C— 33 WARD AND GYMNASIUM HALL. On account of numerous inquiries sent me from the country districts of Utah, and the general interest being taken by the Church, from Canada to Mexico, in adopting a course in physical education or athletics, in connection with the regular M. I. A. work, I take this opportunity of using the M. I. A. organ as a means of reaching the M. I. A. workers of the entire Church. When gymnasium or amusement hall is spoken of it readily associates itself with a large amount of money to be expended, and thinking it impossible to raise sufficient funds, the scheme falls through. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind but that the people now are converted to the harmonious development of the body and mind, and taking it for granted that you are converted to the idea, I shall undertake to show you that a crude though decidedly attractive room may be equipped where basket ball, hand ball and gymnastic work, can be given in every ward, at a comparatively small cost. As basket ball is the great sst of all indoor games in the country, and especially in the state of Utah, I shall describe in brief how (for the annual fee of $5 each for twentyfive men) a well equipped game room can be maintained. First the room must be secured, I do not count this, nor the lighting or heating as equipment. The room should be as large as possible, especially should the ceiling be high. The rules specify that the basket ball court shall not be larger than thirty-five by seventy feet, (35x70) but does not say it shall not be smaller, in fact, all basket ball court3 in the state at present are smaller. The windows must be screened, or strips of hard wood placed six inches apart to prevent the ball from breaking the glass. The lights must be protected by wire netting, usually a wire waste basket is of sufficient strength to protect the lights. The room thus provided, the next is the court. The diagram of the courts is simple, and is illustrated in all rule books for basket ball. Two basket ball goals made of iron, the rims being made of the same size steel as a tooth of a hay rake, eighteen inches in diameter, are used; and, in fact, an old hay rake tooth will do nicely where the regular goals cannot be secured. One ring is placed at each end of the court, fastened to a solid back board four by six feet (4x6); the rings or goals are fastened on the back board one foot from the bottom on the back, and project six inches outward. Said goals are placed ten feet above the floor, and iron braces supporting the goal are placed in such a manner as not to interfere with the balls being thrown in the goal when directly under it. Nets for the goals may be made from mason's twine or small window-cord rope

MUTUAL WORK. 163 The goals and nets being up, the floor marked off, (according to rule book), the ball is the next consideration. The ball is an inflated rubber bladder with a leather covering. It shall not be more than thirty-two inches nor less than thirty inches in circumference, and shall weigh not more than twenty-one ounces, nor less than eighteen ounces. The ball is blown up tightly by means of a bicycle or air pump, laced up, and is ready for use. We now have the floor, the goals and the ball provided for; the next is the man. The basket ball equipment consists of rubber-soled shoes, (high tops preferred) long stockings, knee pants, jock straup, and a onequarter sleeve jersey. The basket ball played in this state, and most all others, is played under the Spalding rules, and as the only house in Utah carrying Spalding goods is the Western Arms and Sporting Goods Company, all balls to be official must come from them. They are located at No. 115 So Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah, and the price of a Spalding official No. M. Ball is $6. The nets and goals combined are also carried by them, and cost $3.75 per pair. If you can go a step further, and use the room for light gymnasium work as well as basket ball, a few Indian clubs and dumb bells may be had at about thirty cents per pair. The one pound club is preferable, and the "Chautauqua" club carried by the Naragansett Machine Company, of Providence, Rhode Island, is the best. Twenty-five pairs of each may be delivered to you at an approximate cost of forty cents per pair. A pair of flying rings, one of the most attractive features of a gymnasium, may also be had at an approximate cost of $10. Thus it will be seen that a room for a gymnasium may be fitted up with a basket ball court, twenty-five pairs of Indian clubs, twenty-five pairs of dumb bells, and a pair of flying rings at an approximate cost of $50. to $75. The room may also be used for hand ball, indoor base ball, class drills and for social features. The above articles are among the most attractive pieces in a gymnasium and are the least expensive; vaulting horses, parallel bars, horizontal bars, buck horses and spring boards are very expensive, and although very desirable, are not necessary, and especially for a ward amusement hall and gymnasium. A shower bath, especially in cities where water systems are installed, is an excellent thing to provide, as aside from the hygienic value of a bath, after exercise, it is a great preventive of colds after a vigorons hour or so in the gymnasium. Prof. E. J. Milne, Physical Director, University of Utah. SUGGESTIVE PRELIMINARY PROGRAMS. 13. Conversation — 1. What is it? 2. How cultivated? a. Observation of surroundings; b. Books; c. Association with superiors; 3. Topics, a. Of mutual interest; b. Of an elevating character. 4. Examples. Hymn, "Lord we ask Thee ere we part."

164 IMPROVEMENT ERA. 14. Gossip— 1. Prevalence of. 2. Effects: a. On self ; b. On others. Poem, "The arrow and the song"— Longfellow (This is also set to music). Hymns, Psalmody Nos. 214, 217. Sowing. 15. The charm of story telling— 1. Desirability. 2. How to acquire: a. Fund of stories; b. Fitness in applying them. 3. Advantage. Poem, "The day is done" — Longfellow (also set to music). Note.— The old ballads are suitable for this evening. Among the fine ones are the following, some of which will be found in most any collection of old songs: "Once in the purple twilight," "Believe me, if all those endearing young charms," "Silver threads among the gold," "Ben Bolt, " "I cannot sing the old songs," "Flee as a bird," "Shells of the ocean," "Then you'll remember me," "My pretty Jane," "Annie Laurie" "The bridge." Among the pretty poems is the "Song'' by Longfellow, beginning "Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest." Also, he has many legends of interest. The "Old ballads" to be found in the Editorial and Guide Departments of the July Number of Vol. 15, Young Woman's Journal, show something of the charm of story telling. 16. Selfishness — 1. The root of all evil. 2. Examples of selfishness. 3. Examples of unselfishness. Hymns, Psalmody No. 34; "Scatter seeds of kindness." 17. Prayer — 1, The only way to reach God. 2. When to pray. 3. How to pray: a. Supplication; b. Thanksgiving. Hymns, Psalmody Nos. 207, 77, 8, 6, 365. 18. Individual inspiration — 1. How to get it; a. By prayer; b. Right living; c. Recognizing its promptings. 2. How to use it: a. In spiritual things; b. in temporal things. Hymns, "Bound in unbelief's degrading thrall?" "Let the Holy Spirit guide you," ' 'Improve the shining moments." DEATH OF JAMES P. OLSON. James P. Olson, formerly of Brigham City, died on the 7th day of November, 1908, from the results of a fall from a load of wood, while he was coming down Willow Creek canyon, near Burley, Idaho. Elder Olson was a man of splendid character, open and aggressive, true to principle, energetic in Church work, and faithful to the gospel. His labors in the Y. M. M. I. A. in Brigham City, and Box Elder stake, as well as in a general way and for the Era, are especially remembered, and the energy and enthusiasm with which he took hold of the work was characteristic of him in all the departments of life. His body was buried in the cemetery at Brigham city on the 13th of November. He was born in Denmark, of Swedish parents, August 1, 1870, and emigrated with his parents to New Zealand in 1875, where he joined the Church together with his father and one brother. In 1883, the father came to Utah, and he and his brother followed in 1885. He was second counselor in the Burley association at his death, and the officers of the associations, by John W. Gardner and Maggie G. Pulsipher passed a touching tribute of respect to his memory.