Mutual Work: Changes in Y. M. M. I. A. Membership Age

Mutual Work

Changes in Y. M. M. I. A. Membership Age

To the Officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. :

Dear Brethren: Inasmuch as boys between 12 and 14 years of age have been declared eligible by the General Board to enroll as M. I. A. Scouts, it is announced by the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A., on suggestion of the First Presidency of the Church, that the boys of that age are also eligible to enroll as members of the Young Men's Improvement Associations, as they naturally become weaned away from the Primary Associations after being ordained to the Priesthood or enrolled as Scouts.

The officers will, therefore, take notice of this action, and see that the boys between 12 and 14 years of age shall hereafter be enrolled in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations. Instructions re- lating to the studies of this special class of new members will be issued by the General Board.

Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, B. H. Roberts, Nov. 8, 1913. General Superintendency Y. M. M. I. A.

M. I. A, Contests

The Committee on Contests suggest the following subjects for re- told stories and orations in wards and stake associations. It is dis- tinctly understood that these titles are merely suggestive, as showing the class of matter that should be selected for the M. I. A. contests. Other titles may be chosen by the contestants themselves to be. ap- proved by the officers of the M. I. A. in the various stakes of Zion. It should be remembered that one of the points for judgment in re-told stories is "selection," and in orations "the idea." The class of stories selected, and the idea in orations, will count largely with the judges. All interested are requested to consider carefully the points for judg- ment for stories and orations, contained in the convention program for 1913, in the Senior Manual, and also in the Improvement Era for September, 1913:

suggestive list for re-told stories

"The Courage of the Commonplace," Andrews, (small book).

"The Boy from Missouri Valley," Elbert Hubbard, (small book).

"The Fourth Physician," Pickett, (small book).

"The Perfect Tribute," Andrews, (small book).

"Where Love is, There God is Also," Tolstoy, (small book).

"Vision of Sir Launfal," Lowell.

"David Swan," from Twice Told Tales, Hawthorne.

"In the Desert of Waiting," Annie Fellows Johnston, (small book).

"The Great Stone Face," Hawthorne.

"The Gift of the Wise man," O. Henry.

"Why the Chimes Rang," Raymond M. Alden.

"Revolt of Mother," Wilkins.

"The Land of the Blue Flower," (small book).

"The Other Wise Man," Van Dyke, (small book).

"Michael," Wadsworth.

"King Robert of Sicily," Longfellow.

"The Man Without a Country," Hale, (small book).

"Courage," Ivins, (Nov., 1913, Era.)

Stories of Joseph, Esther, Ruth, and David and Jonathan, from

the Bible. N

"T»he Man with the Pitcher," (small book).

182 IMPROVEMENT ERA

"End of the Song." "Enoch Arden," Tennyson.

"The Birds' Christmas Carol," Kate Douglas Wiggins. "A Message to Garcia," Elbert Hubbard.

"How the Lord was Good to Aunt Johanna," Nephi Anderson, (Era, Vol. 13, page 107).

"The Diamond Necklace," Guy de Maupassant.

"A Pioneer Patriot," (Young Woman's Journal, Nov., 1905).

SUGGESTIVE LIST OF TOPICS FOR ORATIONS

Strength Lies in Struggle. Loyalty to Truth.

Opportunity Makes and Unmakes. Back to Nature.

The Love of Money, the Root of The Bible.

Evil. The Sun.

Perfect Religion Based on Reve- The Rainbow.

lation from God. Purity of Thought.

True to the Faith. Our Government.

Success Lies in Playing the Game The Fourth Commandment.

Fairly. Man's True Greatness.

"There is a Divinity that Shapes Idleness.

Our Ends, Rough Hew Them Evils of Extravagance.

How We May." Missionary Enterprise.

Faith in God the Greatest An- The Lord's Prayer.

chorage. "Let There be Light."*

The Joy of Right Living. The Peace Maker.

Prove Thy P'aith by Thy Works. Civic Pride.

The Glory of God is Intelligence. Friends.

Am I My Brother's Keeper? A True Son of Zion.

"Be Prepared." A True Daughter of Zion.

Mixed Double Quartet for M. I. A. Contest

A — "It is the Lot of Friends to Part." Music by Dudley Buck; pub- lished by Oliver Ditson, Boston; price, 10c a copy. (To be sung without accompaniment.) B— "Tell Me, Thou Pretty Bee." Music by D. Protheroe; published by Joseph Flanner, Milwaukee, Wis.; price, 15c a copy. (To be sung with accompaniment.)

The above named musical numbers are selected for the M. I. A. contest, the finals of which will be held next June in Salt Lake City. These selections have been made after going over several hundred musical numbers and consulting with some of the best musicians of the state. The selections are excellent, both from a' practical and artistic point of view. The numbers are not so difficult but that all ward associations may enter, and still all find plenty to do, if the music is sung as the composers intended that it should be sung.

The songs may be purchased at the Daynes-Beebe Music Co., at the Consolidated Music Co., and at other music houses in Salt Lake City, or through your local music house, by sending full particulars and price as announced above.

Both numbers must be sung in the contest in the order given. In the "A" number, the prelude only will be played. In the "B" number, the accompaniment will be played throughout.

We trust that M. I. A. officers already have the mixed double quar- tets organized in their wards, under the direction of the M. I. A. chor- isters, and that they are singing in the different association meetings. The quartets should be to the association what the ward choir is to

MUTUAL WORK 183

the sacrament meeting — the "backbone" of good singing. The Junior choruses should be organized at once, and encouraged to sing before the association and other public meetings, from time to time. This work should be under the direction of your M. I. A. chorister. The contest piece for the Junior boys' chorus is published in this number of the Era.

Suggestive Outlines for Y. M. M. I. A. Freshmen Class (12-14 Years) for December

First Week. Five Minutes — Setting up Exercises. See pages 219-220, Boy Scouts Hand Book, Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4. These should be memorized.

Five minutes — Scout cheer (Yell) See page 101-102, Hand Book for Scout Masters, and this number of the Era. Discuss the yell. It creates the "get toegther spirit," and is a "safety valve." Where the associations meet on Sunday night, this work should be done silently or eliminated, and the singing of old familiar melodies be substi- tuted^

Fifteen minutes— "Telegrams Without Wires" — See Stories of In- ventors, chap. 1. This book is one of the Y. M. M. I. A. reading course. See page 210-215, Boy Scouts Hand Book. The leader should read up on this subject and give the boys his findings. Do not read from books in the class, but show pictures and talk about them. Con- struct an imaginary wireless station in the room.

Twenty minutes — Scout Work. See Lesson 1, last pages of Junior Manual.

Second Week. Five minutes — Setting up Exercises. See page 219, 220, 221 Boy Scouts Hand Book. Review last lesson and add ex- ercises 5 and 6.

Five minutes — Scout Cheer (Yell). Review last lesson. "Churn" the yell. Have the boys bring an original yell for next week, one that will fit their ward organizations.

Fifteen minutes — "The Air Ship." See Stories of Inventors, chap. II. See suggestions on first lesson.

Twenty minutes — "Scout Work." See lesson 2, Junior Manual.

Third Week. Five minutes — Setting up Exercises. Review and add exercises 7, 8, 9. These exercises should be memorized by the leader.

Five minutes — Scout cheer (Yell). Review, and try one or two new ones.

Fifteen minutes — "How a Fast Train is Run." See Stories of In- ventors, chap. III. Show pictures to class.

Twenty minutes — Scout Work. See lesson 3, Junior Manual. _

Fourth Week. Five minutes — Setting up Exercises. Review, and add 10, 11, 12.

Five minutes— Scout Cheer (Yell). Review.

Fifteen minutes — "How Automobiles Work." See Stories of In- ventors, chap. IV. .

Twenty minutes— Scout work. See Lesson 4, Junior Manual.

Since the decision of the General Board that the 12-14 year old boys should be enrolled in the Y. M. M. I. A., time has not permitted the Committee on Class Study to work out any definite lesson work, but in order that the regular Junior Manual work, shall not be used by the freshman class (12-14) which would interfere with our three- year Junior course, Field Secretary Oscar A. Kirkham has prepared the above lessons which we trust will be of assistance, until further outlines of work for these boys are suggested.