Priesthood Quorums’ Table: Seventies Annual Meeting; Duty of the Priesthood in Supporting the Official Organ; Priesthood Classes May Adjourn Separately; Concentration

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE.

Seventies' Annual Meeting.— The attention of presidents of Seventy is again called to the importance of observing "Seventies' day." In the July number of the Era for 1908, the following instructions regarding the matter appear under the heading of "Seventies' Council Table:"

It has been decided by the First Council that it would be well to make the first Sunday in November the occasion for a special quorum meeting at which there shall be a thorough consideration of all quorum matters. * * * Among the items of business that shall regularly be attended to shall be the formal presentation of the names of presidents, secretary, treasurer, class teach- ers and other members of the quorums appointed to special duties in the quo- rums, for acceptation and approval by vote of the quorum. By settling upon this first Sunday in November, for such a meeting and the transaction of such quorum business as it may be found necessary t© attend to, it will enable the secretaries of the quorums, in making their annual reports, which are expected to be in the hands of the general secretary by the 31st of December, to state the fact of the presidents being unanimously sustained or otherwise, in said report. The coun- cils of therespective quorums, therefore, will take notice of this arrangement and set apart the first Sunday in November for the work designated in the fore- going instructions.

In the Era for November, 1908, the following program is suggested for "Seventies' Day:"

1 Opening exercises. Prayer and singing. 2 An outline of the manner of the day's exercise by the senior president in attendance, and greeting. 3 Review of the past year's work. 4 Singing. 5 Report of the status of the quorum with reference to class work, quorum fin- ances, and reports of special work by members, foreign missions, ward labors and labors in auxiliary organizations. 6 Free and mutual expressions of appreciation between officers of the quorum and quorum members. 7 Presentation of the officers of the quorum and members as assigned to special duties. 8 Singing. 9 Review of incoming year's work and assignment of lessons. 10 Testimonies and closing exercises.

998 IMPROVEMENT ERA. This program, with such modifications as changed conditions may make nec- essary, is again suggested for the monthly quorum meetings of November next. The change of time in holding Seventies' meetings from Sunday morning to Monday evening will necessarily make a change in the time of holding this annual meeting. There need be no change, however, in the spirit of the occasion, nor in the general character of the meeting. The First Council again feel that the atten- tion of the Seventies should be called to this matter, and that arrangements should be made in the various quorums to make the annual meeting a notable event. The presidents of all the quorums are urged to carry out the instructions herein given; and to hold this meeting on the Monday night, or such other time in November as is set apart for regular quorum meetings. At this meeting let the presidents, and other officers be sustained, and all important matters affect- ing the general standing and welfare of the respective quorums be discussed. The aim should be to have a time of good fellowship and brotherly love, such as will bring joy into the souls of all who participate.

Duty of the Priesthood in Supporting the Official Organ.— The First Council of Seventy greatly appreciate the convenience and value of the Improve- ment Era as the official organ of the priesthood quorums of the Church. Through the columns of the Era items of instruction can be conveyed to all the quorums, questions can be answered, and the quorums and First Council be kept in close touch with each other. It is hoped that the Councils of the various quorums will also place a proper value upon this splendid medium of communication. Since the Improvement Era became the organ of the Seventies quite a number of short articles bearing upon the work of the quorums have appeared. Other contribu. tions containing decisions, counsels and instructions pertaining to the quorum and class work of the Seventy, will appear in the future. Many Seventies are not subscribers for the Era, and will receive no benefit from the items that may appear unless presidents of quorums take time and pains to bring to the attention of the members the instruction thus imparted. Presidents are recommended to have the paragraphs specially bearing upon the work of the Seventy, read in the various classes from month to month, that all may be made acquainted with the counsel given in this manner. All members of the priesthood should give substantial support to their official organ, because it stands for the upbuilding and improvement of the priesthood quorums. It will contain all important instructions pertaining to priesthood work that the presiding authorities and Priesthood Committee of the Church have to impart hereafter. Its pages teem with wholesome matter explanatory of the

work of the Lord, and on every page something will be found of a character to help in the proper education of men. Presidents of Seventy are asked to bring the value of the Era to the attention of all the members of the quorums, and extend every possible effort to obtain a substantial increase in the nnmber of Sevan- ties who subscribe for the magazine. The next number of the Era will be the first of volume thirteen. Now is a most opportune time to work for new sub" scribers. It is requested that subscriptions taken among the Seventies be sent in through the Mutual Improvement officers. This will help the Mutuals in obtaining

PRIES1H00D QUORUMS' TABLE. 999

five per cent of the Church population as subscribers as asked for from the Mutual Improvement Associations.

Priesthood Classes May Adjourn Separately .—At a meeting of the general priesthood committee of the Church held in the office of th« Presiding Bishopric on Wednesday afternoon, September 1, 1909, the question of all the priesthood classes being brought together at the same hour for closing exercises every Monday night was discussed. In some instances the members of quorums and classes of the Melchizedek priesthood have felt that the time given them for the discussion of lessons has been too short, thereby preventing the brethren from obtaining the full benefit from the lessons that could be derived from a fuller dis- cussion. It was thought that members of the lesser priesthood will in most cases be ready to adjourn tbeir classes at an earlier hour than members of some of high- er priesthood quorums. After discussing the question freely, it was the unani- mous decision of the committee that the classes of the Melchizedek priesthood should be allowed to determine each class for themselves whether they should reassemble for closing exercises, or adjourn their meetings from their several rooms. In some wards the accommodations are not very good, and the adjourn- ing of class exercises at different hours, might create considerable noise, and be less advantageous than all coming together for dismissal. When it is practi- cable for classes to adjourn separately without creating undue confusion, there will be no objection on the part of the priesthood committee to such a system being adopted. This privilege is not to be interpreted as a recommendation for long meet- ings. Short, spiritual meetings will always prove more interesting and profitable than meetings that are carried on beyond a reasonable time. The suggestion herein made, is for the purpose of giving to experienced men, and the boys who also belong to the priesthood quorums, an hour for dismissal from class exercises that will be satisfactory to all alike.

When all the quorums in any ward favor a reassembling for closing exercises, such conclusion will in no way conflict with the spirit of the foregoing.

Concentration. — One of the first requisites to success in business is to con- — "Concentration centrate one's forces. Robert Hoe had a business precept is

the first condition of progress," which he gave as a necessary practice for a busi- ness to grow. He added also another formula for growth— "intelligence,tools and infinite pains," and then went on to say that "Ideas make a business." Now this applies also to executive work in religious affairs: a ward will make little progress towards religious growth, without intensifying effort, by getting rid of useless action and routine, thus concentrating power to a purpose. This applies

in the same way in our quorum work, and especially in the practical part. Even in our meetings there will be little valuable growth without "concentration, intel-

ligence and infinite pains." Let routine business be done quickly, well, and to the point— one thing at a time. Knowing beforehand what to do tends to intelligent action. There should be no hesitancy, delay or doubt in the mind of the presid- ing officer. In th6 hands of the members should be the tools, the books needed

1000 IMPROVEMENT ERA. for the work ; but the work should not all be done in the class. It is here that the information obtained by infinite pains during the week through prayer and much study, should be considered and concentrated into active intelligence, to become a condition of progress for the whole membership. Here ideas should be brought out — ideas that make the character, the man and the Saint. Concentration, tools and infinite pains result in ideas, intelligence and growth, which in turn develop character, manhood and ether necessary conditions of not only temporal but eternal progress.

O'ER ALL GOD BEARETH SWAY.

(For the Improvement Era.)

Deep care and strife and tests of life Come with passing years; And oft the smile we nurse awhile Too soon is lost in tears.

Oft trials strong feast well and long Upon the heart's frail crest, Till sun-light kissed, like mountain mists, Depart they from the breast.

Yet who could think to always drink From fountains crystal clear! Or ever stray in sunny May And see no clouds appear!

Ne'er yet did float, so well-steered boat, Adown life's surging tide, That ne'er has struck no ill-turned luck, No breaker fierce and wild.

Remember this, the sweetest bliss That oft the heart can know, Sometimes lies hid 'neath sorrow's lid, Or coverlets of woe.

Then well we must have faith and trust In God who guides the way, Each day and hour, are in his power, O'er all he beareth sway. Sarah E. Mitton.