--- 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: 19 number: 3 published: 1916-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Mutual Work,\" *Improvement Era* 19, no. 3 (January 1916): 276–281." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1903unse 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: improvementera1903unse start_page: 276 end_page: 281 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1903unse publication_year: 1916 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 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Mutual Work Mutual Work Social Committee Dancing and Bail-Room Management For one week, from November 15 to 20, a convention of repre-sentatives from some of the Church schools, and from several statehigh schools was held in the Deseret Gymnasium to consider the sub-ject of dancing. There were also present a number of Mutual Im-provement workers from different parts of the Church. The conven-tion was a great success, in that those who have charge of dancingcame to an understanding as to what they thought should be insistedupon in the matter of government and conduct of dances; and alsoreceived from specially competent teachers instructions in the art ofdancing. A summary, compiled by Arthur Welling, was given to theGeneral Boards of M. I. A. who considered it, and recommended thefollowing revised extracts: Organization; Preparation; Education; Supervision To have social committes, backed by the Priesthood and Auxiliaryworkers of the stake and wards, is organization. To know just what to do and how to do it, is preparation. To quietly but effectively convince the orchestra, and the dancingpublic that we know what we are about, and that the dance must beconducted according to the rules, is education. To see that the dance is so conducted, resulting in wholesome en-joyment, is supervision. The Hall—It should be clean and cozy, simply and appropriatelydecorated, and well lighted. There should be dressing rooms for theladies and for the gentlemen. The Floor—It should be smooth but not too slippery. Floor Manager or Director of the Dance—He is the executiveofficer or representative of the committee. As such he has supervisionof hall, orchestra, and program, and is the duly constituted judge as towhat is proper and what is improper in dancing and deportment. Among the duties of the director are these: (a) To follow the program, preserving the identity of the dancecalled for. (b) To insist upon correct position and to encourage the use ofstandard figures or steps. (c) To tactfully but courageously exclude undesirable persons,and to see that tobacco, liquor, and bad language are not permittedin or about the building. (d) To pass upon the fitness of the music, and if necessary givedirections to the orchestra as to what to and what not to play. Manifestly, the director and his assistants must be prepared. Music—The music of the dance should be quiet and refined. Onlythose tunes which are suited to the dance in question should be toler-ated and the proper tempo should be insisted upon, that the spirit aswell as the identity of the dance may be preserved. Programs—Printed programs give "tone" to a party, and make forrefinement. Young men should be instructed in the use of the pro-gram, and in the attention each owes to the filling of his partner'sprogram. MUTUAL WORK 277 Punctuality—Punctuality has its virtues in the dance as else-where. Director, orchestra, and reception committee should be onhand at eight o'clock. They should make it worth the while of thosewho come early. While dancers are gathering, orchestra may play appropriate pre-ludes. At the appointed time the dance should be opened with prayer.Dispense with "Home, Sweet Home" medley. Close with prayer. Position—Position should be easy and graceful. There should beno contact other than the necessary contact of hands and arms. Keepthe movement down in the feet, not un in the hips, shoulders, andarms. Chaperones—Patrons and chaperones lend "tone" and atmosphereof conservatism much to be desired, as well as adding an element ofreal safety. Young ladies who have no invitations from young men may comeif properly chaperoned, but should not accept company home otherthan that with which they came. Young men should bring partners and their coming without shouldbe strongly discouraged if not forbidden. Cultivate the "wall-flower" out of existence. Cultivate the "home-flower-girl" into existence socially. Approach this social work with cheery optimism, not as a gloomyreformer. All things worth while take time. The task is not too big.Whether they admit it or not, our young people desire direction intoways of culture and refinement. Our task is to make sure that we donot "turn them off the right track by pointing it out to them in thewrong way." Have the courage to be conservative. Thomas Hull,Chairman Committee on Social Work M. I. A. Athletics and Scout Work Scout Organizations in Country Settlements Several questions have come to the office relating to the possi-bility of having a sucessful scout organization in a country ward.With a view to getting first-hand information as to whether or notthis could actually be done, Scout Commissioner Dr. Tohn H. Tayloraddressed some questions to a number of settlements where scoutshave been organized from one to two years, and from the many re-plies that have been received we are enabled emphatically to say thatit is just as advisable, possible, practicable, and beneficial, to have ascout organization in a country settlement, or ward, as it is in a cityward; not only that, but the success of the organization is quite as cer-tain in the country as it is in the city. River Heights, Cache county, with a population of 23U people,mostly engaged in the farming industry, has a boy scout organizationof 19 boys, and has had it for two years. Abraham Loser is the scoutmaster. They meet once a week in the meetinghouse, and have pre-pared for their work by the study of the scout books. The workamong the boys is very satisfactory. The scout master has beenstudying the duties of a scout master about three years All thetraining he has had is from the "Hand Book for Boys, Hand Bookfor Scout Masters," "Boys' Life" and "Scouting," and instructions in"The Y M. M. I. A. Hand Book" and Era, and he says that he getsall the information he needs, to meet all the questions of the troop, byreading these books and magazines. 278 IMPROVEMENT ERA South Jordan, in Salt Lake county, population 500, reports 20 boyswho have been organized for two years. James E. Wardle is the scoutmaster. He has had no special training, except what he has pickedup from the scout publications. The endorsement and aid of the wholecommunity have been given to him, and good results are shown. Thereis better discipline and order in meetings, and the good accomplishedby doing the "daily good turn" is evident everywhere. Under the co-operation of the parents the boys have taken two "hikes." The olderboys -are imitating the younger ones in some of the good things theyare doing. Scores of similar statements, from small country settlements, inUtah and Idaho, are at hand and could be added. Yes; it is possibleto have a sucessful scout organization in a country ward. Are Boy Scout Organizations Military? In reference to a telegram of Dec. 6, announcing the resignationof Ernest Thompson Seton, naturalist and writer of books on nature,also Chief Scout of the Boys Scouts of America, on the grounds that,"militarism now comes first, and not woodcraft, the original purposeof the movement," this from a November, 1915, issue of "Scouting,"is significant. "Scouting" is a paper published semi-monthly by thenational headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America, for scout of-ficials and others interested in work for boys: "The following report was adopted at the seventeenth annual con-vention of the Georgia Federation of Labor, held in Columbus,Georgia, April 21-24. This is the report submitted by a special com-mittee appointed to investigate the Boy Scout movement: " 'The ideals and activities of the Boy Scouts of America are forpeace, and the building up of body, mind and character. The rifle isnot a part of their equipment. " 'The committee believes from their findings that the Boy Scoutsof America is an organization that, under its present policy, is a de-veloper of the best qualities in a boy, and we think that any move-ment that has for its ultimate object the molding of better citizensshould be encouraged.'" "The Boy Scouts of America 'Hand Book for Boys,' 1915 edition,says: 'As an organization the scout movement is not military inthought, form, or spirit, although it does instil in the boy the militaryvirtues such as honor, loyalty, obedience and patriotism.' "As to uniforms: 'It should be clearly understood by all interestedin the scout movement that it is not necessary for a boy to have auniform or any special equipment to carry out the scout program.' "As to drill formation: 'Drill and marching are valuable becauseof the qualities they develop in the individual boy, such as obedienceto command, mental and physical alertness, and a good carriage." "The aim of the Boy Scouts is to supplement the various exist-ing educational agencies, and to promote the ability in boys to dothings for themselves and others. The method is summed up in theterm 'Scoutcraft' and is a combination of observation, deduction, andhandiness or the ability to do things. Scoutcraft includes instruc-tion in first-aid, life-saving, tracking, signaling, cycling, nature study,seamanship, campcraft, woodcraft, chivalry, patriotism and other sub-jects." Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton is a writer of international reputationon woodcraft and kindred subjects. It is to be regretted that hisresignation as Chief Scout has been tendered to the National Organ-ization. He has announced the formation of the Woodcrafts League, MUTUAL WORK 279 and has invited members of the Boy Scouts to join it. Commentingon his action, Mr. Seton is reported to have said: "When Baden-Powell and I organized the Boy Scouts of Eng-land in 1908, and the Boy Scouts of America in 1910, our purpose wasto make all young people of the two countries outdoor children byteaching them the joys of outdoor life. As originally formed, theScouts of America were to bear a message of conservation and broth-erhood. "The study of trees, flowers and nature is giving way to wig-wagging drills, and other activities of a military nature, thus destroy-ing the original aims of the organization. As it stands now, militar-ism comes first and woodcraft second." In this connection the following from "Scouting" of December 15,meets with our approval, and we believe will be approved by all M. I.A. scouts and officers: "I am unalterably opposed to a military training for boys of thescout age; after they have passed that age, they are out of my line, Iam only interested in the formation period. As General Fred Grantstated to me, 'your work is constructive, my work as a soldier is de-structive.' And that is just the difference between the boy educatedas a scout and the boy trained as a soldier. "It is manifestly wrong to train a boy of tender years to destruc-tive work. In all that I have said here, I am not to be understood asstating that soldiers in the present state of civilization are not neces-sary, what I claim is that it is not necessary and it is wrong to trainyoung boys to destructive work. "Very cordially yours,"Signed, Daniel C. Beard, "National Scout Commissioner and Member of Executive Board." Stake Work M. I. A. Covers a Large Area Elder W. G. Sears, writing from Bountiful, Utah, December 6,says: "Here is one from California. The influence of M. I. A. cer-tainly covers a large area." Then he copies this letter addressedto him: "I thank you very much for the manual. I have already attendedtwo sessions of the M. I. A. in Oakland, and find the classes very in-reresting. The class leader is Brother Thomas B. Brighton who ishere on a Thompson scholarship, doing graduate work in chemistry.I appreciate your interest in my religious welfare.—Sincerely.—PhilS. Grant." The influence of M. I. A. work certainly does cover a large area,and while it sometimes looks discouraging to those who are in thebattle front, we believe that the Lord is blessing the efforts of theworkers in the cause, and that much good is being done in our organ-izations. We are hopeful that fathers and mothers and the priesthoodof the Church will support and sustain the efforts that are being madeby the associations looking to the advancement and development ofour young people. Reserved for M. I. A. The Liberty stake M. I. A. officers have printed a neat card to beplaced in a conspicuous place in the homes of the people throughoutthe stake. It reads: 280 IMPROVEMENT ERA Reserved The Tuesday evening of each week for Mutual Improvement.With health and strength to bless us, we shall endeavor to re-member our reservation; because,We like association;We enjoy proper diversion;We appreciate intellectual uplift;We cherish a longing for the better life. Both Progressive and Effective Ludvig S. Dale, Field Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America,who visited Salt Lake City at the annual conference of the YoungMen's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations in June,wrote, under date of July 10, 1915, saying to Pres. Heber J. Grant: "One of the most pleasant memories I have of the tour was theopportunity afforded me to study at first hand the 'Mormon' Church.Surely no one could have been more courteously received than I was;nor indeed does it happen every day that I meet men who are sowhole-heartedly interested in the welfare of the coming generation.All in all, it seems to me, that your organizations for young peopleare both progressive and effective, and this being the case, there can beno doubt as to the results so far as the future is concerned." Class Study A Suggestive Preliminary Program Hymns: "I Have Work Enough to Do," S. S. Song Book, p. 60;"Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel," S. S. Song Book, p. 178. Talk, (10 min.) "The Blessing of Work." Solo, "Song of the Armorer," by Nevin; or, "The Village Black-smith," by Weis. Story, (5 min.) "Be Up and Doing," p. 73, Y. M. M. I. A. JuniorManual, 1914-15; or, "Honest Work Wins," p. 9 Y. M. M. I. A. JuniorManual, 1915-16. Reading Course The Purpose of the Reading Course in the Pennant Contest It has come to the notice of the General Board that a number ofthe wards are diligently pushing the reading of the books of thereading course with a view to having everybody report points for theassociation in the pennant contest. This is all excellent, as far asit goes, and the proper thing to do, but it should be held in mindthat the purpose of having people read the books provided, is not en-tirely to get scores. Officers who urge the reading of these booksshould be instructed to point out the benefits that will accrue to thosewho read them deliberately, and with a view to getting good out ofthem. It is true that the contest is one of the methods that has beenadopted to encourage reading of the course and to increase the pointsfor the different wards and stakes, but this is not the sole nor the mainend in view. The great purpose is to benefit the readers, and thiscannot be done unless the books are read with care, and in a way thatwill impress their contents upon the reader. MUTUAL WORK 281 Committee on Era and Fund M. I. A. Fund Officers will remember that a special appeal for Fund, as per "HandBook, page 111, was made at the fall conventions. The General Fundwas to be collected on the night of October 15, throughout the ChurchA number of wards responded and have sent in their 100 per cent ofthe Fund promptly, to this office, but the number of wards was notsufficient for the General Board to feel safe in planning for futurehelp, which they are so anxious to give. A further appeal, therefore,has been made by special letter to the officers to have the wards raisethe funds no later than January 10. Statements have been sent outin connection with the letters, so that each ward may know exactlyhow it stands. In case any ward has the Fund on hand, but has notturned it in, the officers are asked to remit at once to the GeneralSecretary. Brethren, the amount Requested is very small, for the in-dividual; but on the whole, if all do their part, great results are pos-sible from it in our work. The Board appeals to you to act promptly. The Improvement Era Lists of the number of subscribers for the Era, that have comein from each ward up to Dec. 10, have been forwarded to the stakesuperintendents, who are requested to notify immediately each wardof its standing, and to ascertain if the canvass has been thoroughlymade, with a view to giving each family an opportunity to subscribefor volume 19. If this has not been done, the work should be takenup immediately, in the true missionary, gospel spirit. All that theGeneral Board ask is that the canvass be thoroughly made and thework of the Era properly set before the people. It will speak foritself. The officers are requested to look into this matter now, so thatnew subscribers may receive the magazine without undue delay. A New Book of Poems The Deseret News presses have issued a second edition of Em-meline B. Wells' poems, the first having been printed nineteen yearsago and long since exhausted. Besides the verses appearing in theold edition, the present will contain thirty-five additional poems writ-ten recently, though there are some older ones that could not be foundfor the first edition- A portrait of the author, taken twenty yearsago, forms the frontispiece. Preceding the added poems is a beautifulpicture of the author as she appears today. The beloved personalityas well as the literary ability of the author, who is now in her 88thyear, will add to the popularity of the book, and it is quite certainthat the new edition will be exhausted immediately upon publica-tion. Sister Wells has been identified with Utah since the secondyear of its settlement, and is one of the most prominent and repre-sentative women of the West. For forty years she was editor ofthe "Woman's Exponent," and she is now the honored president ofthe Woman's Relief Society, with which she has been connected nearlyall her days. She is a lovable and interesting character in theChurch, and is still full of good works. Her tender verses, whosesentiments are founded in deep trial and rich experience, will be readwith pleasure by all.