Mutual Work: Library and Reading Room; How to Interest Members

MUTUAL WORK. LIBRARY AND READING ROOM. The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of Box Elder Stake are the pioneers in the establishment of libraries. They have a successful library in Brigham City which has now about 2,000 volumes; there are besides twelve or fifteen of the best magazines, a number of the leading weekly and daily newspapers of the state, and many other periodicals of interest published in the country, to be found on their reading tables. The library of which a cut is here given, was built in 1898, under the direction of their Superintendent Oleen N. Stohl, President Minnie L. Snow, and the presidents of the four wards of the city and their associates. A great part of the cost was met by donation, the total of which was about $1,000. When the library was first opened, it contained about 300 volumes of books principally gathered from the Mutual Improvement Associations of the four wards. jfe. ■ „ .^. FREE LIBRARY. AND READING ROOM Erected and Maintained by the Mutual Improvement Associations of Brigham City.

402 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The present executive committee consists of the Superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the stake, president of the Young Ladies' Association, with Oluf Peterson and Minnie H. Jensen; Secretary, May M. Horsley, and Treasurer Oluf Peterson. The presidents of the Mutuals of the four wards form the directory. The library is open from two to nine p. m. every day of the week except Sunday and Tuesday. The hours on Sunday are from four to six p. m., and on Tuesday the library closes at six p. m, in order to allow the M. I. A. members to attend their meetings. The expenses for librarian, fuel, and sundries amount in the year to about $200, which amount is raised by concerts, theatrical entertainments and donations from the Mutuals. It is the testimony of all who understand the situation that the library and reading room of the Mutual Improvement Associations of Brigham City have been wonderful means towards the improvement of the young people of that city. Would such a place in your town be of value? Could it be established and supported? HOW TO INTEREST MEMBERS., Speaking on M. I. A. work Elder H. E. Iverson, of Bear River City, stated at the Box Elder Stake Convention that enthusiasm in the leader is the first requisite. The best class leaders should be chosen, men thoroughly informed along the line of our winter's work. Then suitable persons should be put in charge of the amusements, who will look more to the social welfare of the boys than to the financial emoluments resulting from the gathering. Seek first the welfare and love of the members and the necessary expense will be met. Insist on order, persevere in the right. Amusements should be of a high order and employ the greatest number; not so much always the best talent should be displayed. Each individual has an aptitude, has capacity along some line; find it and aid in its development. Educating the units comprising society will bring the millennium sooner than highly educating the few. The Savior taught the poor, the meek, the lowly, in fact, all who were teachable. Interest our boys, not by telling them to be good, but make the good attractive, and the evil abhorrent. Good will find a response in all hearts. In preliminary programs, good music, vocal or instrumental, attracts strongly. Glee clubs, both in junior and senior classes, are a possibility. Put good singers upon the street corners of any large city and see how quickly people will gather. Remember David, the harpist of old, his is a story with a melody, and always simply told. In working with young men, mingling with them in their amusements, and experiencing their joys and sorrows, arouses sympathetic feelings. Reasons for certain of their actions are seen and appreciated. We can know people as we exexperience similar conditions to theirs. To become God- like, we must meet and overcome as God has. Who knows better than the man who has smoked, how hard it is to resist a cigarette? Who can better advise than he who knows the hearts of his seekers; and how can you know, without meeting upon a basis of equality? If our young men feel us above them, they cannot give us their confidence.