Messages from the Missions

548 IMPROVEMENT ERA Winslow Johnson, of the University of Chicago, is such a one. It points out a different way from the ordinary methods of in- struction. It recognizes that that which is of timely inter- est to boys appeals to their natures, and then permits them by choice in class exercises to take sides and stoutly defend their po- sitions. It is a system of teaching by problems which may easily, and we believe with much benefit, be adapted to the Y. M.M.I. A. At any rate it is a book which every teacher of boys will find full of helpful suggestions, in its course of twenty-two lessons, on the teaching of ethics to boys of high school age. It is, besides, full of material according with the spirit of the teachings and life of Jesus, and when used in the spirit of the Great Teacher, as can most easily be done in the Y.M.M.I.A., it will be found very ef- fective. Printed by the University Press, Chicago.

Enrollment in the Auxiliary Organizations

The Presiding Bishop's Office has prepared a schedule of the average per cent of enrollment in the auxiliary organizations of the Church in the sixty-six stakes of Zion. The total average per cent of each organization, according to this schedule, follows Relief Society, 9.2; Sunday School, 44; Y. M. M. I. A., 8.8; Y. L. M. I. A., 8.5 Primary Associations, 17; Religion Class. 12.4. ;

Messages from the Missions

Elder A. Hulme Nebeker, Blackburn, England, January 20, 1915, writes: "We met on New Year's day in monthly priesthood meeting to be strengthened by fellowship with each other. Short, though im- pressive toasts were given: 'Departed Brothers,' 'The Folks at Home,' 'Our Future,' and 'Our Fraternity.' Though of different tempera- ments and capabilities the gospel power absolves these artificial di- visions and causes us to work together in love and harmony for the spreading of the truth. Our number is gradually being diminished by releases, and no more elders are at present being sent into the war zone; but we hope to keep on the armor of Christ, as long as one man remains in the field."

Walter E. Dye, Philadelphia, Pa., February 2: "At our conference on January 24, there were sixteen elders and lady missionaries of the East Pennsylvania conference in attendance. President Walter P. Monson delivered three very interesting discourses, and the elders and lady missionaries bore strong testimonies to the truthfulness of the gospel, as revealed by the Prophet Toseph Smith, all of which was much enjoyed by our visiting friends and investigators, as well as by the many assembled Saints. We held a Priesthood meeting on Mon-

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day, at which the missionaries reported their labors for the past seven months. The reports generally showed that the work in this mission was on a firmer basis than ever before in the past few years."

Elders and Lady Missionaries of the East Pennsylvania Confer- ence, Jan. 25, 1915: Back row, left to right: Paul B. Talmage, Globe, Arizona; Benj. H. Knudsen, Provo, Utah; Grover N. Arrington, Twin Falls, Idaho; J. Lester Ogden, Richfield, Quimby Roundy, Alton, Utah; Woodruff Stucki, Paris, Idaho; Leslie Tidwell, Smithfield, Edmund Sperry, Salt Lake City, Utah. Second row: Leonard Madsen, Provo, Hyrum W. Stevens, Mt. Carmel, Utah; Ruth N. Savage, Woodruff, Arizona; Walter E. Dye (conference president), Firth, Ida; Walter P. Monson (mission president), F. D. Fielding (president Maryland con- ference) Mancos, Colorado; Minnie Poulson. Richfield, Utah. Front row: James W. Nixon, Huntington, Samuel Hadley, Jr., Ogden, Utah; Lorenzo H. Hatch, Franklin, Idaho.

W. M. Wooldridge, secretary and treasurer of the Milk River Im- provement Co., Chinook, Montana, having requested some literature relating to the Y. M.M.I. A. .writes, in acknowledgment d' the same, say- well ing: "I am most agreeably surprised at the extent and scope, as as the character of your Y.M.M.I.A. work. It is simply grand, and it is a pity that something similar has not been followed by other great denominations. There is certainly a most urgent field for it all along the line. * * * Personally, the writer believes that the Latter-day I am Saints are doing a great work in the Lord's vineyard; in fact, compelled to say, after a most close study, and, frankly, at times in- with it in its clined to criticize— that I know of nothing comparable practical application of the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

550 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Elders of the Virginia Conference. Top row left to right: E. L. Hatch, Randolph, G. T. Furner, Mammoth, B. A. Montague, Salem, Elmer Stoddard, Richmond, Henry Child, Salt Lake City, Alma Pace, Park City, Utah. Second row: E. L. Hunter, Lewisville, Idaho; Jos. C. Norton, Fairview, Ariz.; Geo. S. Weekes, Archer, Idaho; R. W. Miles, St. George, Dell Shumway, Clarkston, Utah. Third row: F. J. Bowcutt, Collinston, S. H. Butterfield, Riverton, Utah; J. H. Slade, Egar, Arizona; A. F. Wiggill, Kimball, Alta, Canada. Bot- tom row: Ira J. Taylor, Rigby, M. W. Cranney, Island, Idaho; W. T. Owens, Jr., Conference President, Panguitch, Utah; L. C. Owens, Snowflake, Arizona.

President Theodore Tobiason of the Swedish mission, writes: "When the war first broke out, we expected it would only last a month or two, but it now appears that it has not much more than begun, after being in full blast for nearly four months, and when it will end only our Father in heaven knows. It appears to me that the nations are only reaping what thney have sown for many hundreds of years. Our fall conferences have been held, and were a success, and we now — have only from two to three elders in each conference, only fifteen elders in all from Zion being in this mission. Wehave besides three local missionaries and two local lady missionaries. We are trying to do what we can to keep the work going, but cannot accomplish much among strangers, as it requires most of our time to attend to the Saints and our friends. This requires me to travel much more than heretofore, as I have to be out in the various districts to hold meet- ings with the Saints to encourage and comfort them. Weregret that it was deemed advisable to call our missionaries home. We were meeting many good people who received us very kindly, after our recent victory over Pastor Aslev, in the Swedish Parliament. We have been successful in distributing hundreds of Books of Mormon and baptizing quite a number of people. Little did we think that the war storm which blew up so suddenly would cause such great changes throughout the nations, or that it would cause such a change in our work. The withdrawal of the elders caused sorrow, not only among the Saints but also among the elders. Eight days after re- ceiving the telegram of release, thirty-seven of our elders sailed from

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Copenhagen bound for Liverpool on their way to America, leaving us as I have said, with only fifteen ciders in the whole mission."

• I E1 f C1 if„ls 'f G Clark left Oakley, Idaho; Wilford B. Murray, TI ; S ' '

llle tah report from Amsterdam, Holland, January inTc iyii>: ' \S! X V'

We have been the only two 'Mormon' elders working ' 21 in the Amsterdam conference of the Netherlands Mission, since the majority of our elders leftHolland to continue their labors in other parts of the world, owing to conditions ex- isting in Europe. are thank- We ful to- the Lord for the great privilege of remaining at our posts during these critical times, when God's judgments are be- ing poured out upon his chil- dren. We have learned to love the Dutch people and to appre- ciate the privilege of laboring among them as representatives of the true Church of Christ. Our one desire is to be a joy and a blesisng unto them. Local brethren have been called to preside over most of the branches, and they have all proved energetic. They are doing a splendid work. Not- withstanding the conditions here, which are not very encouraging, ow- ing to the absence of most of the elders, which causes a great decrease in the work being done among strangers, the work of the Lord is pros- pering in Holland. We pray that the year 1915 may be a banner year for the work of the Lord."

J. V. Nelson, Apai, Samoa, December 25: "We certainly enjoy reading the Era, and wish you continued success. The Lord's work is growing on Samoa, though we are very few in numbers upon this island (Savaii). We are all happy and rejoice in our labors. The Era is a factor for good among the white population here, and we all ap- preciate it very much, and thank you very much in behalf of the Savaii Conference." Elder Geo. G. Howarth, Edinburgh, Scotland, February 16: "The work in the Edinburgh branch of the Scottish mission, especially as regards the con- versing with and having the privilege of explaining the truths to the people is improving. The war which has en- thralled the majority of European na- tions has caused many people to think of their future state, and we are given many opportunities to present the gospel where it would seem otherwise difficult if not practically impossible. We hope that many will take cogni- zance of the warning, and seek to serve the Lord more fullv. Elders, left to right, standing: J. W. Savage, Hyrum; George G. Howarth, Nephi; sitting. J. K. Cannon Logan. Utah; A. J. Barker, Knight, Wyoming."