Editors’ Table

MIC IMPROVEMENT ERA Joseph F. Smith on "Moderation in Amusements" are being carefully considered. The officers of our organizations are being instructed to co-operate with the presidencies of stakes, the bishops, an the officers and the membership of the Church generally who 1 are interested in the moral welfare of the youth of Zion, to work for higher standards in amusements, and especially in dancing. Some of the stakes have taken the matter up in earnest, and all the wards are joining to make a uniformity in requirements tending to better and more decent conduct in the dance. To this end, the requirements in the letter of instructions, with others added, have been considered and agreed upon, in a number of meetings of those who are interested in several stakes. The idea is a good one for all the stakes. Here are some points to begin on : Dances, as far as possible, should not be held for money-making a primary requirement is intelligent supervision ; and management music of the highest and most proper kind ; should be secured; the attendance of parents, patrons, and chaperones, and their mingling with the young, lends an atmosphere of conservatism, and "tone," and is an element of real safety, much to be desired. Copies of the circular of instructions by the Boards may be obtained free by request to the Era. Temperance Campaign in South Africa President Nicholas G. Smith, Magdala, Annersley Road, Koseband, South Africa, has been invited to take part in the temperance campaign that is being carried on in that country for the forthcoming licensing year. This* movement is recognized as absolutely unsectarian, and workers from all Christian denominations and churches have been cordially invited. The campaign is known as the Wynberg and District Temperance Alliance. Several meetings were held during the past summer at which noted speakers discussed the liquor question. At a meeting on Tuesday, May 2, His Grace Archbishop Carter presided, and Dr. Hertzlett, of Johannesburg, and others addressed the meeting. We are pleased to know that President Smith has been requested to join this organization, by which he becomes acquainted with some of the leading men and spirits of South Africa. We are sure that he will be a credit and a great help to the temperance organization, and that his connection therewith, will be of advantage and benefit to him and to the Church in that district. The Worst of War Under this caption the New York Independent, in a recent number, declares that the most horrible thing to the onlooker is

EDITORS' TABLE 1111 not the killing and wounding, "for even in peace all must die and many must suffer," but it is the engendering- of 'a spirit of delight at the infliction of pain and death. The Independent proceeds : "Who could have imagined three years ago that a million men, women and children would cheer and sing at the sight of a score of men burning to death in midair and struggle to get hold of falling fragments of the charred remains! This is the way one eyewitness describes the scene when a Zeppelin was brought down near London: " 'As soon as it was realized that it was a Zeppelin in flames there was pandemonium. Every one was shouting, hands were being clapped, steamers were using their sirens incessantly, and a few railway engines that were about were cock-a-doodling with steam whistles until the uproar resembled nothing so much as the advent of a new year in the shipping area. " 'Gradually the glowing mass was lost behind the outlines of houses, but the sky for some time was lit up brilliantly. Then we talked excitedly, we wrung each other's hands and acted like children, till suddenly, in sweet contralto tones, were heard the opening bars of the national anthem, and there we stood, men, women and children, singing "God Save the King" while the gathering light was heralding the approach of another Sabbath day.' "It would not be becoming in us who live four thousand miles away from the heat of conflict to blame the British for thus rejoicing at the fall of their most dreaded enemy, or the Germans for rejoicing at the return of a Zeppelin after its murderous raid. It is human all too human. But it is possible even in war time to maintain a more Christian spirit, such as was shown by Captain Philip of the Texas, who, when Cervera's ships had been driven ashore at Santiago, and the Oquendo was burning upon the beach, said to his crew: 'Don't cheer, boys. The poor devils are dying.' " The Use of the Tongue Some time ago the Improvement Era published an article by John Henry Evans under the title, "The Use of the Tongue," the first chapter in his new book, The Spoken Word. The book has just been issued from the press. It was written to meet the demands of the M. I. A. in its storytelling, public speaking, and debating contests, and has a discussion of each of these intellectual activities. The volume has nearly — two hundred pages enough to give a reasonably full treatment of its subject, and yet not too much to encumber the mind of the student. It sells for 75c, and is uniform with "How to Teach Religion," by Evans and Jensen. We commend the volume to all who wish a compact, clear, and readable treatise on story-telling, public speaking, and debating. Messages from the Missions Return of the Founder of the Mission Clarence Smedley, conference secretary of the Pago Pago, Tutuilla conference, Samoa, writes concerning the visit which some of

1112 I M PR< JVEMENT ER \ the brethren who have spent many years in times past in that mission had favored them with, Elders Joseph II. Dean, who opened the mission twenty-seven years ago, and Edward J. Wood who followed him there a month or two later and who was there for the third time. "Each has a son here who arrived in order a month or two apart. These brethren visited these sons and have greatly enjoyed their association with them and the native Saints. After spending a month on the island of Upolu, Savaii, President Wood and President John A. Nelson our new president, President Ernest Wright and Elders E. G. Wood and J. G. Bastow visited Tutuilla and. held a conference and priesthood meeting spending a week also in visiting various branches and places of interest. The Saints gave the brethren in all places a warm reception and deep interest was shown in the meetings, and particularly in the magic lantern show held immediately after each meeting and explained by President Wood. In certain cases after the dismissal of the gatherings old chiefs sat around hungering to talk longer. The brethren left for a long trip around the east end of the island. At Aunuu, which is the beginning place of our Church here, where Elders Dean, Wood, Lee and Beesley met and worked with Manoa and Belio, an apostle and seventy v ho had been sent out from Hawaii by an assumptive prophet there. The president pointed the ruins of the old church and house of Manoa, the spring, bathing pool, etc., and found a woman who had been their native 'mother' still alive and overjoyed at meeting them. A well-attended meeting was held at night and the native missionary of this church, showed us remarkable hospitality. We attended their services the following morning at which Presidents Wood and Nelson were given opportunity to bear their testimonies. While crossing Aloa, over the channel, President Wood related how Manoa had saved his life from the treachery of the waves on his early mission and how Manoa later lost his own life there, his body not even being recovered. At Aloa we spent a pleasant day with Saints and friends who greatly enjoyed the meetings and the picture show and the band that Elder Andrew L. Archibald has in a splendid condition now. The next day President Wood stopped us in a small village and pointed out by the aid of a native the final resting place of Belio. The cement cairn built to mark the place had been razed years ago and only the oldest villagers could identify the place. At Aoa we met a woman who had cared for the president the first few days of his life in Samoa. It was indeed inspiring to see the gratification that was shown in her meeting him. People whom we supposed bitter toward us melted to tears when they met the old-time elders. We then repeated our meeting and exercises and music and left for another village and friends. At Ana they had a feast all prepared for us to sit down to. We arrived at Pago Pago and here in the evening our entertainment was attended with interest. At the home of the people's governor Mauga, President Ernest Wright bore a powerful testimony and President Wood explained the slides illustrating the life of Christ, the prodigal son, and the life of Joseph Smith and scenes and buildings in Utah, etc. On April 4 we bade adieu to the brethren as they turned homeward and we turned again to our branches with joy for the many wonderful experiences, and our eyes were opened to so many ways of rousing interest. Missionaries Greatly Encouraged William M. Mason. Savaii. Samoa, May 26: "The conference of this mission was held in the village of Palauli on the 5th to the 8th

EDITORS' TABLE 1113 of May. The meetings were well attended, and were the cause of many investigating the gospel. Two hundred people were present at an open air meeting on Sunday and we had six baptisms that day. On Monday the missionaries and Saints separated and journeyed back to their different villages, many having to travel about 120 miles over the roughest trails, so rough that for many miles a horse is unable to cross, but they all felt paid in the spirit of our conference and gave praise to God. The work of the Lord is progressing rapidly and the people seem to have a greater desire to listen to the gospel than ever before. The missionaries are therefore highly encouraged with the success of their labors. Mission President Ernest Wright was in attendance, and gave many good instructions. The elders laboring on the islands are: T. L. Brown, H. B. Brown, C. M. Ferrin, C. J. Sharp, W. T. Mackay, and William M. Mason, conference president." Seven Hundred Books of Mormon Distributed Bennion, secretary of the Central States Mission, IndeMerrill pendence, Mo., July 3: 'We held a joint conference May 28, 1916, at Independence chapel at which the following missionaries attended: j__ h && «! ^^•w ' $ <9 ^ 'fl? ' '' - Km §P i? « f * i "" .^^tr\ #•«''£ 1^s?ki$\5 S^M f ; %| , i% ** \ f ' kft $ S^H i ft 1 V T If y * Jjk ? '& C Independence and East Kansas canferences: back row, left to — right: M. J. Miller, Merrill Bennion, F. R. Swenson, W. R. West, G. C. Lloyd, W. E. Taylor, C. C. Martin. 2nd. row: Pearl T. Larsen, Louise Chidester, W. J. Steiner, W. S. Riggs, F. J. Miller, W. I. Gardner, Sivil Neilson, E. J. Curtis, Calvin Shipley, Irene Reed, Ada Barney, C. W. Millard, Otelia Baker, Nellie Mackey. 3rd. row: D. A. Abbott, Melvin Peters, Kate C. Martin, W. E. Graff, Anna Little, H. H. Cutler, Nora Hansen, W. L. Barker, Hazen Johnson, M. W. Elison, Selena Kippen, W. L. Glade, Irene Corbett, 1.. H. Brimhall. Elsie Gerrard 4th. row: Fern Riches, Lloyd Anderson, Bertha Anderson, G. N. Wray, Marie Olsen, Edward Christenson, Pres. S. O. Bennion, Lottie T. Bennion, Pres. Jos. E. Robinson, Minnie A. Robinson, Ross Hunt, Nora Lamoreaux. 5th. row: Mrs. Marie Eardley (local member), Geo. Gailey, L. C. Campbell, A D. Hirschi, R. A. Peterson, Francis McLaws, Dona

1114 IMPROVEMENT ERA Bennion, Jos. K. Robinson, H. C. Sorenson, R. S. Goddard, J. Benj. Robinson. We were honored with the presence of President Joseph E. Robinson and wife of the California mission, both of- whom gave very enjoyable addresses. Recently a number of applications for baptism have been made, and in June twelve were baptized in these two conferences. Many who were formerly opposed have become convinced of the truth and divinity of our message and have come to recognize the divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the divine mission of Joseph Smith, the prophet, sent of. the Lord to establish his Church in the earth. We are seeking to advance the sales of the Book of Mormon in this mission and during the month of June distributed some seven hundred copies. Our missionaries are making regular calls upon those who have become interested and are reading this volume of scripture. They are explaining the principles contained therein with associated passages in the Bible showing both correlated together with the influence of the gospel." Success in Holland Elder P. L. Nebeker, president of the Amsterdam conference, Holland, writes to the Era under date of March 28, the letter being received May 24, after passing the censor: "I have been a recipient and interested reader of the Era for nearly two and a half years. I thought I would like to write a short letter of thanks for it. Each Era has contained experiences or some gospel subjects and words of purity, cheer and encouragement which have helped me all through my mission, and I have often heard words of appreciation for it from my companions. On Washington's birthday we held our semi-annual conference at Amsterdam, and feel gratified at the success we had. We reach many people through our meetings, and have secured several addresses of interested investigators. Four elders work here in the Amsterdam conference, two in Utrecht, and Elder W. B. Hanks and myself here in Amsterdam. We are kept busy every day in our work. The picture with the elders was taken at the time of our conference while we were out visiting the flooded district one-half mile from Amsterdam. We are standing on a dike, and behind us is the flooded district including many towns. Since then many of the houses, becoming weakened by standing in the water, have been blown down or broken down by the waves. Elders, left to right: R. J. Sperry, Utrecht; William Dalebout, president Groningen conference; J. A. Butterworth, president Arnhem conference; W. B. Hanks, Amsterdam; P. L. Neb-

EDITORS' TABLE 1115 eker, president Amsterdam conference; B. A. Anderson, Utrecht; D. Burg, Arnhem." Harvest Plenteous but Laborers Few Elder Herbert P. Haight, clerk of the Birmingham conference, England, April 25: "Comparing with our former numbers the photograph enclosed, which contains the following elders, left to right, first row: Leroy Dance, Blackfoot, Idaho; President James Judd, La Verkin; H. L. Strong, Kaysville; J. Wesley Chipman, Salt Lake; back row, G. R. Eldredge, Woods Cross; Herbert P. Haight, Cedar City, Utah; James Laird, Idaho Falls, Idaho; James H. Ludlow, Salt Lake City, Utah, you will appreciate the effects of war. There are only six elders trying to do the work formerly done by thirty to thirty-five elders. Six of our eight branches are under the direction of local elders. Our farthest branch is Northampton, fifty miles from Birmingham, and the elders take turns each Sunday in assisting the local elder. The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few, is an expression of the Savior's which may well be applied in our case. We are having good times in spite of the disturbed conditions caused by the war. Each Sunday the elders are circuited, one elder to each branch, to help conduct the services. Due to the untiring zeal oi our local assistants we are able to keep the branches open and in active condition. Persecution has ceased in this conference, and we are enjoying more freedom than we have had for a number of years. At present the minds of the people are so engaged upon this war, its causes and results, that they will not converse for any length of time upon any other subject." The "Era" a Good Friend Elder Hugh M. Larson, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia, June 18: "The Era is one of our best friends and we are always anxious to get it. The clean, moral stories, the editorials, messages from the missions and the good spirit and influence it radiates are all character builders."