--- 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: 14 number: 12 published: 1911-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Passing Events," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 12 (October 1911): 1121–1126.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera14012unse 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: improvementera14012unse start_page: 1121 end_page: 1126 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera14012unse publication_year: 1911 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 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events Priesthood Quorums' Table. Seventies' Annual Day.— The attention of the presidents and members of the various quorums of the Seventy throughout the Church is again called to the importance of properly observing the seventies' "Annual Day." In 1908 it was decided by the First Council that the first general meeting in November of each year should be for the transaction of important quorum business, and be also a day of good fellowship and fraternity. Presidents, by consulting the "Priesthood Quorums' Table" for October, 1909, can see the sort of program there suggested, and can refresh their memories as to the interest of the First Council in estab- lishing such a day. All presidents are requested to make suitable arrangements for the successful observance of the day at the first quorum meeting held this month. A complete canvas should be made of the entire membership of every quorum, and each member be invited and urged to arrange his private affairs, so as to be present on the date of the meeting. If there is a full attendance there can be no reason why the day should not be a most enjoyable and notable event with all the quorums. Special attention is called to the importance of having the quorum presidents, secretaries, class leaders, and other officers of the quorum presented for the vote of the members. It is the desire of the presiding brethren that there be no failure in any of the quorums in attending to this very necessary business. Let there be loyalty enough on the part of the members to the priesthood and quorums to which they belong, to make the annual day one of success, and of genuine love and brotherhood among all seventies. Seventies' Fifth Year Book. — It has been decided by the First Council that the fifth Year Book shall be devoted to the consideration of the Holy Spirit. The taking up of this subject naturally following the two previous topics, viz., "The Doctrine of Deity," and "The Atone- ment." The fourth Year Book was issued in March of the present year, 1120 IMPROVEMENT ERA. notwithstanding the fact that the work was about three months late in reaching the hands of those for whom it was prepared, it has been discovered that a good many quorums had not completed the third Year Book, even at that time Some of these quorums continued on with the third Year Book until May or June, and then in some instances adjourned for the hot months and have not commenced on the fourth Year Book yet. This condition, coupled with the importance of the subject of "The Atonement," caused the First council to feel that the issuance of another Year Book this year would prevent many quorums from giving proper consideration to the great subject now claiming their attention. To prevent hurried and unsatisfactory work, it was decided not to issue the fifth Year Book until September, 1912. A few of the quorums are well along in the lessons of the fourth Year Book; those that are will be somewhat disappointed to learn that a new line of work will not be offered at the close of the year. It is the judgment of the First Council that the quorums that are best prepared to take up a new line of study can with profit review some of the lessons of the present year, those particularly that have been gone over hurriedly, and also divide future lessons where it can be done with advantage, and introduce other sub- jects of interest that may be suggested growing out of the present line of work, that will provide an abundance of good material for the con- sideration of the members of quorums during the time that will pass before the issuance of the fifth Year Book. Councils of quorums are therefore urged to take cognizance of the situation and make such arrangement of matter for study as shall insure the maintenance of interest in lesson work until the next Year Book is placed in their hands. Courses of Study, — The General Priesthood Committee, at its meet- ing September 19, decided that courses of study for the Priesthood quo- rums, for 1912, should be taken up January 1, 1912. The text-books will be ready for distribution in early December of the present year. Until the first of next year, the quorums should continue the courses begun last January. The subjects for the new year are: High Priests, "Principles of the Gospel;" Seventies, "The Atonement;" Elders, "Ar- ticles of Faith Applied;'' Priests, "The Priesthood;" Teachers, "The Apostolic Age;" and Deacons "The Latter-day Prophet," based on the "History of the Prophet Joseph," by George Q. Cannon. Passing Events. David M. Evans, a resident of Salt Lake City since 1852, died August 20. He was born in Liverpool July 20, 1821, coming to Amer- ica as a "Mormon" convert in the early 40's. He came to Utah in one of the famous hand-cart companies. It is le?s than a year since he retired from active work at his business as carpenter. Four children, forty-six grandchildren, and fifty great grandchildren survive him. Congress at the extra session passed the Congressional Re- apportionment Bill, fixing the future House membership at 433 instead of the present 391. It provides for increased representation according to population, without reducing the membership from any state. This gives Utah one more member. Before adjournment on Tuesday, 22nd August, Congress also passad the Campaign Publicity Bill, requiring the publication of all campaign contributions and expenses before elections. A bill admitting Arizona and New Mexico was passed and signed by President Taft, so that these states will now enter the Union under cer- tain conditions. Among the big results of the extra session was the passing of the Canadian Reciprocity Bill. Peter Madsen, Utah's veteran fisherman, died at his home in Provo, August 20. He was born in Stensdal, Veile, Denmark, April 26, 1824, and became a soldier at the age of twenty-two, in the Danish army, serving in the war between Denmark and Germany, in 1848. He joined the Church in 1853, and came to Utah, October 5 of that year, settling first in Sanpete. He soon thereafter moved to the shores of Utah Lake, west of Provo, and became a pioneer fisherman of Utah fol- lowing the business all his life. In the hard times of 1855-6 he fed thousands of people by the fish he took from Utah Lake. He was an acknowledged authority on Utah fish, whom Dr. David Starr Jordan described as the best informed man in our state on the fish question. He filled a mission to Denmark in 1869-70, and became the first bishop of 1122 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Lake View ward, in 1877, serving for fifteen years. In 1887 he filled a mission to Hawaii, and was president of the organization of Scandinavian Saints in Provo many years. He leaves twenty-six children, ninety-six grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. Joseph Parry, founder of the asphaltum industry in this part of the country, and father of irrigation on the Salmon river, Idaho, in 1855, as well as a leading Church worker in Weber county for many years, died in Ogden, August 6. He was born in Newmarket, Flintshire, North Wales, April 4, 1825. He joined the Church at the age of 21, and emi- grated to America, arriving at New Orleans in 1849. Penniless, he worked his wav to Salt Lake City, joining Captain Morgan's company at Kanesville, Iowa, and arrived here in 1852. He was a pioneer of Ogden, in which city he built the first adobe house. He organized the first settlement in Idaho, building Fort Limhi, which afterward became a government post, when sent to Idaho as a missionary among the Indians. He served Ogden City as alderman in 1857. In 1870 he went to Wales on a mission from which he returned in 1876, when he was ordained a high priest, becoming later prominent in that quorum in Weber county, and was many years a high councilor of the Weber stake. He was the father of twenty-three children, fourteen of whom survive him, forty-nine grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. President Frank J. Hewlett, of the South African mission, sends the Era a program of entertainment in aid of the Liverpool Sea- men's Orphanage, and the Canadian Seamen's Charities held on board the royal mail steamer, Virginia, Wednesday, August 9, from which it appears that J. W. Summerhays, Frank J. Hewlett and Georgius Cannon took part in singing and recitations. From 1869 to January, 1911, 7,409 children received funds of this institution, and at present there are 1,057 children on the books. A large number of these orphan children hare lost their fathers by perils of the sea in crossing the Atlantic, conveying passengers and cargo to and from America. Those who take part in these programs and who patronize them show a fitting tribute of gratitude to the Almighty hand who brings the ship in safety to her journey's end, by thus helping to support the children who are left fatherless by the necessities of the seaman's life. One would scarcely believe that in thirty-nine years following the establishment of this orphanage, no less than 151,366 seamen died in English ships abroad, of whom 98,650 were drowned. This does not include those who died in the United Kingdom. Surely the missionaries of the Latter-day Saints who cross the ocean can find good use for their talents in PASSING EVENTS. 1123 supporting this noble cause, and it is a fit beginning to their mission of love. Joseph Ballantyne, director of the Ogden Tabernacle Choir, writes from Hannover, Germany, enclosing a photograph taken in Meis- sen, of the birthplace of Dr. Karl G. Maeser. The people shown are himself, his wife, his son Earl, who is on a mission in Ger- many, and three of the elders who accompanied them. Elder Ballantyne says: "As we have al- ways held Brother Maeser in such high reverence and esteem, we felt that on this visit we were treading on sacred ground. I spent six weeks in Lon- don taking daily lessons in several musical subjects under the great masters in London. Since then Sister Ballantyne, myself, and son have been enjoy- ing a trip through France. Switzerland and Ger- many. We have met the we have stopped, and have had the In Nuremburg we hid the BIRTHPLACE OF DR. KARL G. MAESER. elders in nearly every place pleasure of attending several meetings, novelty, and an enjoyab'e one, of speaking to the Saints at a meeting held in the woods, this being the only way public meetings can be held. Sister David Eccles was also with us and spoke. President Thomas E. McKay is doing a splendid work here. He possesses the love and con- fidence of every elder and Saint in the mission, and it is glorious to meet the elders and partake of their beautiful spirit." Elder Ballantyne and his wife sailed from Hamburg, August 12, for Utah. Their son Earl has been appointed president of the Konigsberg conference. Elder Ballantyne sends fervent blessings and kind regards to Presidents Smith and Lund. 1124 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Judge C. M. Nielson, of Salt Lake City, recently visited Norway where he had an interview with the king, and in many ways, by talk and lecture, allayed prejudice. While at Sarpsborg, he spent the 4th of July with Elders George R. Larsen and John R. Nielson, Jr. The breth- ren have written him a letter in memory of that 4th of July which con- tains these sentiments: "We have spent many a glorious Fourth in the land of the brave and the home of the free, but until this occasion in this land by the sea, we scarcely knew what the words meant' Judge Nielson, you came to us as a messenger sent from heaven. Your lecture in this saintl-ss city on that day gave us a splendid exposition of the gospel. We feel it a pity that you could not remain with us in the work. The Prederickstad choir, which came to Sarpsborg for the day and rendered most excellent music, will long be remembered by us and by the citizens of this place. Large numbers of people, as you know, flocked to hear and see the "Mormons." Our little hall was crowded from pulpit to door, while crowds remained outside unable to gain admission. All present heard with pleasure and pride the songs and the lecture which had the effect of counteracting the false stories scattered to belie the Latter-day Saints. Thanks to Judge Nielson, the false rumors have van- ished, and we hope will not again appear. We also desire to tender our thanks to D. Olsen and choir for the beautiful songs of Zion which they sang. We trust that thsy will never tire in the glorious work which we all love. Surely this 4th of July will go on record with us as a day of light which shone in the darkness, and the fruits of it we are sure will show in God's own time. At no other time have we felt so many pleasures as the memory of this day now awakens, though we have spent many happy Fourths in the valleys of the mountains." Arbitration treaties between the United States and France and the United States and Great Britain were signed August 3. The former was signed at Paris and the latter at Washington. They were framed ar. the initiative of President Taft, aiid earnestly urged by him, and provide means for the peaceful solution of all questions or differences which di- plomacy cannot settle. They in-'lude all differences "which are justifi- able in their nature by reason of being susceptible of decision by the application of the principles of hw or equity." The differences are to be submitted either to the Court of Arbitration at the Hague or some other arbitral tribunal to be decided by special agreement in each case; and on the part of this ceumry this special agreement is to be made by the President with the consent of the Senate. Before a controversy is submitted for arbitration a joint high commission of inquiry, in which