“Lest We Forget”

Lest we Forget" The boy or ycung man zvho smokes closes the gates of education against himself, bars the door to vigorous physical manhood, and destroys his prospects for spiritual and moral growth. These facts are being recognised by educators and other men of intelligence the world over. There are few tobacco users in the State Agricultural College, and the administration are determined that these few shall be reduced in number. A whole week, not long ago, was devoted to anti-cigarette and nicotine talks by President John A. Widtsoe and members of the faculty. called on me. I procured for him a newspaper containing a report of a trader concerning the Munchie or White Indians" (Hist. B. Y., Bk. 2, p. 478.) I think President Young or his amanuensis mistook "Smet" for Smith; but the "Smith" of the Journal is doubtless "De Smet" of our Catholic authors. — B. H. R.

EDITOR'S TABLE 741 The administration's views were expressed by Dr. Widtsoe in these words: "The Agricultural College is not for users of tobacco. It is against the rules to use tobacco in any form on College property." Dr. Titus illustrated the evil effects of the tobacco habit on habitformation and influence on mentality. Dr. E. G. Petersen, speaking on the psychological influence of nicotine on the human body, said: "Its use frequently results in digestive and lung troubles, nervous disorders, and frequently in sightdefects of a most alarming nature." John Sharp of the Board of Trustees said: "The influence of tobacco is thoroughly bad." Here are sentiments from two leading educators of our nation : Andrew D. White, first president of Cornell, and ambassador to Germany: "Any young man's future is seriously, probably fatally, effected by the use of tobacco." Former President Charles W. Eliot, Harvard: "During my whole career I have never subjected my body to stimulants or narcotics." 0 At the cursed tobacco store there is one contemptible hangeron. He is the tobacco go-between. Through him, the young boy finds no difficulty in obtaining cigarettes. He saves the clerk and the tobacco agent from the law. "He is the man whose nose I should like to pummel," said a father to his son, who had bought cigarettes through him. Young man, in case of a conflict which would you help, the go-between or your father? Think of your position. The Methodist conference held in Minneapolis, on May 8, 1912, adopted a resolution prohibiting election to any office of the general conference of any man who uses tobacco in any form. Elder Heber J. Grant is an example of the physical blessing which comes to one who observes the Word of Wisdom. Some years ago, he underwent an operation for appendicitis. Blood-poisoning had set in. The doctor said he could not live through an operation, but he himself had faith that he could get well. There was one physician, however, who expressed the opinion that he would live. When later Mr. Grant asked him why. he replied, "Because of the wonderful condition of your heart. I held your pulse for two and a half hours, and it never missed a beat, but pounded as regularly as machinery." Elder Grant

742 IMPROVEMENT ERA was told when he underwent the operation that he would not be able to leave the hospital, even if it were successful, within five or six weeks, but he left cured in fifteen days. Being asked later to what he attributed it, Elder Grant answered, "I attribute my healing to the blessings of the Lord and to my strict observance of the Word of Wisdom."