Editors' Table: Boy Scouts; History of Lehi

Editors9 Table Boy Scouts The Boy Scout movement has come to stay, and its coming, we believe, will prove, and in many places has already proved, a great blessing to the boys. In a recent issue of the New St. Louis Star, quoted in Scouting, Judge Edward Porterfield, of the Kansas City juvenile court, is reported as saying: "If every boy in the city would join the Boy Scouts, the 'gang' would disappear, the juvenile court would soon be a stranger to the youth, and we would rear a generation of men that would not require much police protection. I have never had a boy scout in my court, and there are twelve hundred of them in Kansas City." Coming from such a man, this is a splendid tribute to tne organization. Boys are small bundles of corked-up enthusiasm that must have a vent, and the "gang" is generally the result. In the boy scout organization, the exuberant spirit of the boys is provided with an outlet in the proper direction. They learn to love nature in the open, care for themselves and their comrades, to render first aid to the injured, find their way in the mountains and forests ; and, above all, the youngsters are taught wholesome discipline, and a tenderness for the weak, a respect for the rights of others, reverence for good men and women, good things and places. The success of the movement, in the M. I. A. throughout the Church, is dependent largely upon the education of men who may become leaders in the movement, and intimate associates of the bovs, — men whose habits are clean and whose aims are noble, and who are willing to work hard to bring into the life of the boys big thoughts and self-discipline. Through the M. I. A. Scouts, the boy obtains much helpful information and valuable experience, moral and religious counsel, which he could not as readily get in any other organization. The instruction is given at the right moment, when thought and interest are centered upon the act. Notice, also, that the trend to discipline is excellent. It is not a military organization, far from it, but there is just enough of order in it to lead to much needed discipline, and good conduct. In order to lend impetus to this great work, the General

386 IMPROVEMENT ERA Board are sending into the field two competent and enthusiastic "boy-men" to hold sessions in schools throughout the Church for the purpose of training leaders in this splendid work, and in M. I. A. activities in general. Their itinerary and program are printed in another part of this issue of the Era. Officers of our associations, scout leaders, authorities of the Church, and parents, are asked to encourage the movement. The great need now is men, men who may become leaders, men who can command the love and respect of the boys, men who are willing to devote service to the cause. See to it that your ward shall have proper representation at the sessions. History of Lehi In the course of the growth of their city, the citizens of Lehi, Utah, in 1905, saw the last vestige of the old fort wall torn down, with regret at the passing of the old landmark, and there was a general feeling that a suitable memorial should be erected in its commemoration. In 1908, action was taken in the matter, when W. S. Evans and Andrew Fjeld called a mass-meeting of the citizens which resulted in the selection of the Lehi Pioneer Committee. It was then decided to erect a granite monument as a memorial to the Pioneers, which was completed and dedicated November 26, that same year. All the residents, at home and away, were invited to participate in the celebration. The occasion was made a grand holiday, a reunion of old friends, and the monument was unveiled, a fitting tribute to the founders of the city. In securing the necessary facts for the monument, much valuable historical information was brought to light. To this, the committee selected by the citizens (W. S. Evans, Andrew Fjeld, Martin B. Bushman, George N. Child, Hamilton Gardner, and A. B. Anderson) determined to give permanent form in a book. The result has been a better and perhaps more lasting monument than that erected in 1908, with Utah and Vermont granite. It is a History of Lehi, just out from the presses of the Descrct News, consisting of some 320 pages of historical matter with 180 illustrations of persons and places. It has besides an accompanying biographical section of about 143 pages, with 137 biographies of the early settlers, and over 80 portraits. As a frontispiece, there is a beautiful colored reproduction of J. T. Harwood's painting of the old fort wall. The book is published by the Lehi Pioneer Committee, and written by Hamilton Gardner, who has frequently contributed to the Era.

EDITORS' TABLE 387 The writer has been especially happy in the simplicity and plainness of his text, as well as in the careful selection of the historical facts presented. In its twenty chapters there are many important subjects treated, such as early explorations, the permanent foundations of the city, the beginning of community life, the birth of politics, the initial hardships, struggles and problems of the early pioneers, their troubles with the Indians, their early cultural and religious activities, Church emigrations, the early growth of the community, the Black Hawk Indian war, the Echo Canyon war, the beginnings of business life, and a complete civil and Church history of Lehi, together with the city's industries and the later prosperity of its people. In publishing this local history, Lehi has set an example to all other settlements of Utah and our intermountain country worthy of emulation. It is a storehouse of information, not only creditable to those who have gathered the material and built it, but that will be a joy to future generations. Messages from the Missions Elder F. *Viggins, Charleston, West Virginia, December 13: "The first conference since President W. P. Monson came to preside o.cr the Eastern States mission was held in Charleston, West Virginia, November 9 to 11, 1913. The hall was crowded with people and Presi-