--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 13 number: 5 published: 1910-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Tribute of Respect," *Improvement Era* 13, no. 5 (March 1910): 473–474.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera135unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera135unse start_page: 473 end_page: 474 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1910-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera135unse publication_year: 1910 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1910, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Tribute of Respect MUTUAL WORK. 473 Let the discussion close with the debate, and not be carried on later, nor on the outside. In regard to the judges, let it be remembered that their decisions are only the opinions of three out of the many who have listened, and that their decisions do not necessarily settle the merits of the question, — only the points of that debate in their opinion. Suggestions for questions for debate on historical, biographical, political, economical, educational, literary, artistic, scientific, ethical, and miscellaneous subjects will appear in this department from time to time. Two subjects from each of these divisions follow: Resolved, that Greece has contributed more to the civilization of the world than Rome. Resolved, that the Declaration of Independence wi.l be regarded in the future as a more important document than the Emancipation Proclama- tion. Resolved, that Franklin should be regarded as the greatest Ameri- can. Resolved, that Webster's 7th of March speech was worthy of him. Resolved, that the existence of parties is necessary in free government. Resolved, that the government should own and operate the railroads. Resolved, that strikes are a benefit, on the whole, to the laboring class. Resolved, that the government should establish postal savings banks. Resolved, that high schools should be a part of the common school sys- tem. Resolved, that a collegiate education would make a man a better farmer. Resolved, that the madness of Hamlet was altogether feigned. Resolved, that the prevalence of fiction in modern literature has been, on the whole, a good rather than an evil. Resolved, that art and science are antagonistic. Resolved, that photography has done more to popular- ize art than engraving. Resolved, that the atomic theory finds in science sufficient confirmation to establish its validity. Resolved, that genius is hereditary. Resolved, that it is never right to deceive. Re- solved, that it is better to be rich than poor. Resolved, that intemper- ance has been a greater curse to mankind than slavery. Officers please note: to avoid possible difficulty, you are requested to use for debate only such topics as are from time to time suggested by the committee; and if you have other topics that you wish to debate, these should first be submitted to the committee for approval. Tribute of Respect. The following resolutions of respect to the memory of Elders Hela- man Pratt and John C. Harper, were recently passed by the Y. L. and Y. M M. I. A. of the Juarez Stake of Zion: Whereas, our Father in heaven hath, in his omniscient providence, called home, within the brief span of five burdened days, two men who 474 IMPRO VEMENT ERA have stood for all that is noble and best in both the Mutual Improvement cause, as well as for the Church of Christ in this far-away Mexican land and, Whereas, Elder Helaman Pratt has acted from its inception, as a very father, guide and friend to every department of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association in these colonies; and, Whereas, Elder -Harper has opened wide the portals of his home to all who sought help or "comfort within its spacious walls, both friend and stranger, giving to the interests under his wife's care whatever of assistance and hospitality was necessary to their full development, and this, too, without money and without price; now, therefore, Be it resolved: That we, the officers and members of the Y. L. and Y. M. M. I. A. of Juarez Stake of Zion, do join in this expression of our love and esteem for these brethren, our heartfelt loss in their death; and above all do we unite in an earnest prayer for the stricken wives who have been thus bereaved. We realize that words are feeble to express the affectionate tribute which we desire to pay. Yet even so, we tenderly offer these weak words on the altar of our respect, our love and our deep sympathy. May the Father, who has led us to this prom- ised land, which has been sowed in our sorrows and watered with our tears, comfort our beloved associate officers, and all the members of these two families, with the blessed realization that these two noble brethren have entered upon a more beautiful mission, have been called to occupy a more exalted position. We have rejoiced in sweet association with these our friends, both those who have gone beyond, and those who linger here. May the hallowed influence of these two consecrated examples linger upon our own lives like a benediction of peace, love and faith everlasting. Committee: Nancy E. Durfie, Anna I. Wilson, Mina W. Bowman, Susa Young Gates. Col. Juarez, January 10, 1910. A customer was trading in one of the great stores of Salt Lake, whose proprietors are mostly Latter-day Saints. The over-important clerk waiting upon him was heard to use the name of Deity in vain in some trifling remark made to a fellow clerk. "Young man," said the costumer in rebuke "such language is both unbecoming and inappropri- ate in this store!" But is it ever anywhere becoming and appropriate?