Editors’ Table: Win the War but Save the Youth

EDITORS' TABLE 917

Recognition of Noble Work

The House of Representatives of the United States, June 7, paused for a moment in its regular business to express its appreciation in applause to the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for its contributions of wheat to the Government for the use of the starving women and children of the allies, and for the use of our soldiers and sailors in the army and navy of the United States. Representative Milton H. Welling was recognized for five minutes to present this matter to the House, he having received a communication from Mr. Herbert Hoover, of the United States Food Administration, accepting the gift and expressing Mr. Hoover's appreciation of this service by the women of the Relief Society who had thus tendered over two hundred thousand bushels of first-class milling wheat to the United States for the cause of human liberty, and for the saving of the lives of thousands who might suffer for the lack of bread to eat. Mr. Welling paid an eloquent tribute to the women donors and closed his remarks on the occasion by saying: "These women, with solemn pride, have given their sons to fight for the freedom of mankind. They now turn over to the uses of humanity these precious savings of more than a generation to bind up the broken-hearted and bring back life to the helpless victims of this pitiless strife." Mr. Hoover had notified Representative M. H. Welling, that it had given him pleasure to write a note of thanks and appre-

ciation to Presidents Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose. When the news of the gift was flashed to Washington, even the most prejudiced observer was moved to admiration and applause. Over forty-two years ago, President Brigham Young gave a mission to the women of the Relief Society to save grain against a time of famine. He appointed President Emmeline B. Wells to head the movement. The women from early days have gleaned wheat, have gathered it in aprons, have solicited it from husbands and friends, until special granaries, and finally elevators, were built to store the millions of pounds thus collected. Representative Welling's eloquent tribute and the applause of the House to the women for their half century's labor, and now their patriotic gift, were well deserved. That Emmeline B. Wells, her associates and the splendid mothers of the Church have been faithful to their trust in this matter is evidenced by these unprecedented results. It is not often that one woman lives to inaugurate, and to carry forward a specific work for forty toilsome years, and then living to see

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its prophetic fulfilment. Such a mission, however, has been accomplished with the aid of her associate workers, by President Emmeline B. Wells. We are justly proud of the achievement.

Unjust Profits

Economy should now be the gospel of the people. England has learned that no great nation can go through this war without paying its share in sacrifice and money. Profit and patriotism do not mix. When England entered the war, London merchants expected to see their ordinary trade disappear, and they were ready to shoulder any burden the war might impose, but trade has not been wiped out. The reason for this is that the workers are getting very high wages, and they are raising their standard of living. This is even so with us. Ordinary coal miners in Utah are making $20 a day in some mines. The formerly more prosperous middle class in England have had greatly to curtail their scale of living. They are giving up what the munition and industrial workers are gaining. Their incomes and profits have been reduced; their taxes have been increased, and they are feeling heavily the costs of the war. There has been a great levelling of classes, and this surely is a distinct social gain. We may look for like conditions in America. Luxury must cease; profiteering in business must cease, and the big manufacturers as in Britain must give to the cause of the war. In Great Britain they are giving as high as 80% of their net income. In Utah we are subscribing among many other things, for $9,000,000 for War Savings Stamps. To meet these obligations and others it is absolutely necessary that the people of this state, (and like conditions apply to the whole West), must increase their production and reduce their consumption, both of manufactures and of food. Every manufacturing industry must be shifted to necessities, while luxuries and things unnecessary must be abandoned. We must be thrifty and economical. Our manufacturers, and dealers, must learn that it is unpatriotic, yea even treasonable, to profiteer. The producer and the workman alike must learn to sacrifice, to give, to economize. But down with the business man or workman who would take advantage of the times to profit unjustly

New Books Two Thousand Gospel Quotations, is the title of the latest addition to home literature. The hook contains classified quotations from the Bible,

EDITORS' TABLE 919

the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, the authentic and accepted Church works. Judge Henry H. Rolapp, well known in the state and the West as a leading jurist, a successful business man, and a lover of literature, is the author. The book is unpaged, but every paragraph is numbered from one to two thousand. The book has a table of contents, a complete enumeration of names of all persons and places mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants, with a short summary of statements affecting each of them, as set out in the Revelations, with citations indicating where such statements may be found; also an extensive word index, enabling the reader readily and quickly to find any desired passage. The volume is subdivided into thirty general heads with two hundred and four sub-heads, which in turn, are divided into two thousand paragraphs. The thirty general headings are on such subjects as: "The Holy Trinity," "God the Eternal Father," "Jesus Christ the Son of God," "The Holy Ghost," "Man's Pre-existing relationship with God," "Satan and his work," "The fall of man," "Death and the Resurrection," "Atonement and Redemption," "Apostasy from the teachings and Church of Christ," "The Restoration, Fulness of the Gospel," "Restoration of the Boob of Mormon," "The Bible and other Holy Scriptures," "Continuous revelation," "Joseph Smith, the Prophet," "The Priesthood of God," etc. Remarkable dexterity in plan, painstaking research, and a marvelous aptitude for classification and arrangement are evident in the work. Every verse in the Doctrine and Covenants is either quoted or cited under some appropriate heading. As a whole the unique little volume will be a welcome acquisition to the desk of every student of the gospel, of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the earth, and of the principles and doctrine of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. It is neatley bound and printed, published by the Deseret News.

Love and the Light, an Idyl of the Westland, a new poem by Orson F. Whitney, has appeard in print, and is being widely circulated through the Reading Course of the Mutual Improvement Associations. Competent critics have pronounced the work one of the most delightful poems ever written by that well-known author. The poem is a love story with a purpose. The story delightful, the purpose noble. Like all Idyls, the story is simple, calm, and more concerned with situation than with movement, though containing enough action to insure the undivided attention of the reader from the beginning to the end. The influence of higher criticism, the notions of present atheism, and the effect of super-education, which have recently crept into the hearts and minds of the young people to the detriment of their religious welfare, are interwoven with a love story of the lives of the hero and heroine. At the same time the doctrine and the philosophy which the author aims to implant in the heart, ard counteracting those influences, are presented in clear and unanswerable argument which the reader naturally absorbs as the story proceeds. The word pictures of western scenery, particularly the indescribable Grand Canyon of the Colorado, and the spirit of the south-west, are impressive and fascinating. The little songs and poems incorporated in the general text are beautiful and attractive gems. "The Educator" particularly, is a poem within the poem, for thoughtful consideration and contemplative reading. Many a young lover will adopt the little poem, "The Portrait," for his own sweet love (page 24). If he is a true man, in later life, he will delight in the song of "Hope to Memory" (page 34). The unsuccessful wooer will find comfort, perhaps, in "Misanthrophy" (page 54). In it, at least, he will find a vent for his distrust of human nature. When found in a vein which seeks to quench the spirit of a love which spurns oblivion, the young man will find comfort in the poem "Good-bye" (page 91). Thousands who are waiting for "Sammy" to come

920 IMPROVEMENT ERA

marching home from ihe present conflict, will find comfort, joy, and re- freshing satisfaction in the poem "Mustered Out" (page 110). In the Idyl, marriage and home life are advocated in most beautiful sentiments. The conversion to the truth, first of the hero and at length of the heroine, is brought about naturally in a way brimming with human interest; their meeting, their separation, their return through force of condition, their religious experiences and conversion to the gospel, and their final union in love as man and wife, are beautifully set forth. In our estimation the poem stands first among the numerous productions of the noted poet and historian.

Messages from the Missions

Elders and Lady Missionaries of Dayton, Ohio, Southern States Mission Elder Golden Taylor incloses a photograph of elders and lady missionaries laboring in Dayton, Ohio, Southern States Mission: "Daily we see the hand of the Lord manifest as we press forward in our endeavors to bring the people to a realization of the restored gospel. During the winter months the anti-'Mormon' lecturers have been busy in the various large cities of this state, trying to arouse public sentiment against the work, but never in one instance have they been successful. Good weather is returning, and we are taking advantage of it on the street corners where we find eager and attentive audiences to listen to our message.'

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"Bottom, left to right: Ethel Varley, Provo; Conference President Theo Blechert, Salt Lake City; Terrence C. Heaton, Orderville, Utah; Nettie Pearce, Montpelier, Idaho; top row, Geo. J. Davis, Shelley, Idaho; Golden Taylor, Provo, Utah."

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922 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The Work in Los Angeles Conference President Thomas M. Irvine of Los Angeles writes of the work in that district: A goodly number of people in Los Angeles have expressed a desire to have the principles of the gospel explained to them. Opposition is not so prevalent as heretofore, and many invitations are extended to the missionaries to return and explain the plan of life and salvation. On account of the scarcity of elders we have not been able to do as much country work as we had planned on doing, but reports from the elders in Arizona show that they are enjoying the spirit of their work. The people are anxious and ready to learn the gospel truths of "Mormonism." The elders are trading as much of the country as possible before the weather becomes too hot. In some cities of this mission we are having good success in our street meetings, but in other places the city officials have assigned us such poor locations to hold our meetings that we do not have the success desired. We hope, however, that in the future these conditions will be greatly improved. —Thomas M. limine. Turned to the Great War Elder Leo G. Robertson, writes from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, April 19: "The elders laboring in the Newcastle branch of the New South Wales conference of the Australian Mission, have realized many blessings from the Lord in the past, and are receiving daily new testimonies of his goodness. This branch has just recently been opened. We have a goodly number of Saints and friends, but generally we find a spirit of indifference prevailing among the people in religious matters. Their minds

are turned towards the great world war. Most families here have been called upon to furnish men for the fighting forces. Elders, left to right: Wm. H. Dittmore, Pleasant Grove; Leo G. Robertson, Springville; Leonard Fuller, Eden, Utah. We receive the Era and obtain much joy and pleasure in reading its contents, as do also the Saints and friends."

MUTUAL WORK Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. Annual Conventions, 1918 Dates of Conventions — August 3 and 4 Alberta. — August 10 and 11 Taylor. — August 17 and 18 Big Horn, San Juan. — August 24 and 25 Young. — August 31 and September 1 Panguitch, San Luis. — September 1 Bingham, Cassia, Fremont, Hyrum, Nebo, Sevior. — September 3 (Tuesday) Wayne. — September 7 (Saturday) Bear Lake. September 7 and 8— Kanab, Morgan, Oneida. September 8—Jordan, Malad, Montpelier, North .Sanpete, Pioneer, South Sanpete, Tooele. — September 13 (Friday) Teton. September 14 and 15— St. George, Star Valley, Union. September 15— Benson, Cache, Cottonwood, Ogden, Rigby, Summit, Yellow- stone. September 21 and 22— Carbon, Deseret, Parowan. September 22— Bannock, Box Elder, Liberty, North Weber, Salt Lake, Utah. September 26 (Thursday)—Uintah. September 28 ^nd 29— Duchesne, September 29— Alpine, Blackfoot, Ensign, Granite, Idaho, North Davis, Port- neuf, Tintic. October 13— Bear River, Juab, Pocatello, Shelley, South Davis, Wasatch, Weber, Woodruff.

The following stakes will hold conventions in connection with quarterly conferences in October and Novemb r: Beaver, Boise, Curlew, Emery, Mil-

lard, Moapa, Maricopa, Raft River, St. Johns, St. Joseph, Snowflake.

PROGRAM For Conventions held in Connection with Stake Conferences

Saturday, 4:15 p. m. (Sunday, 9 a. m., where held separate from stake conference)

Joint Meeting of Stake Boards

and for the 1 Checking on Plan and Preparation for this Convention Work General Board Member Season's 2. What Has Been Accomplished? a. In summer meetings and rallies. b. In war savings. , , ,, (1) How many war savings societies organized ! (2) How many $5.00 certificates purchased?

924 IMPROVEMENT ERA

c. In social work Stake Board Member 3. Name three of your greatest difficulties as Stake Boards. What three things have contributed most to the success of the work of your Stake Boards Stake Board Member 4. Helpful Hints General Board Member

Saturday, 7:30 p. m. (Sunday, 10 a. m.)

Joint Meeting of Stake and Local Officers

1. Making the M. I. A. meeting an attractive, social, entertaining and educational center for the community (15 min.) General Board Member
2. Special Activities, 1918-19 (20 min.) General Board Member
3. Community singing: a. What to sing. b. When to sing. c. Getting everybody interested. d. The leader and the organist. e. Demonstration (15 min.) Local Officers recommended that five to ten minutes be spent each evening It is in community singing; this period may follow prayer and precede the correlated program. It is not a song practice but spirited infor- mal singing of songs of home and country.
4. The Advanced Senior Class (15 min.) a. The subject. b. The teacher. c. Obtaining membership General Board Member
5. General discussion.

Sunday, 9 a. m. (Sunday, 2:45 p. m.) Separate Stake and Local Officers' Meeting, Y. M. M. I. A.

1. What scouts, under good leadership, have done and could do for this stake Member of the Stake Presidency or High Council
2. The Classes Local Class Leader
3. Efficiency standards for 1918-19 General Board Member
4. Missionary work in the home field General Board Member Get the Spirit of the Lord and work hard under its influence.

Separate Stake and Local Officers' Meeting, Y. L. M. I. A.

1. The Y: L. M. I. A. Missionary a. Her work as an enlistment officer. b. Her influence (15 min.) Stake Board Member
2. Class Work, 1918-19 (20 min.) General Board Member
3. Why Reports are Called for (10 min.) General Board Member
4. My Idea of an Efficient Y. L. M. I. A. (15 min.) Stake Board Member
5. Discussion

Sunday, 10:30 a. m. (Sunday, 2:00 p. m.)

Stake Conference Members of the General Boards of Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. and Religion Class are allowed 20 minutes each to present the following subjects-

1. Applying Religion Class work to Ds/ly Life General Board of Religion Class Service to God

3- bervice to Country General Loard Member Y. L. I A M ......General Board Member Y. M. M. I. A.'