Mutual Work

MUTUAL, WORK Starting the M. I. A. Work Again

The canvass for the Improvement Era, the campaign for the General Fund, the class work, and Mutual Improvement activities generally, have been greatly demoralized, and in many districts the work has been brought prac- tically to a standstill, because of the ravages of Spanish influenza which caused state boards of health to close all public gatherings. We fully appreciate these conditions but hope, however, now that the influenza is showing marked decrease in many of our districts, that Super- intendents of the Y. M. M. I. A. will urge upon officers the necessity of re- newing work as soon as the health conditions will permit. We especially ask that the canvass for the Era be taken up at the earliest moment, and prosecuted with vigor until the work is completed. The first two numbers of the new volume are now out and new subscribers may obtain these very interesting back numbers, if subscriptions are sent in soon. Much soliciting can be done without endangering the health of the community, and we ask that officers make a special effort to have the subscription lists for- warded promptly, so that all may secure the first numbers of the volume. Whatever is possible in the matter of the collection of the General Fund, should also be attended to. All manuals needed to carry on the class work should be ordered at once, so as to have them ready for use when the regular work of the asso- ciations begins and when the boards of health permit meetings to be held. All classes should begin with the first lessons. We have great reason to rejoice in the prospects for permanent peace, and hope that there will be no necessity for any further depletion in the membership of our associations.

Stake Efficiency Reports From the Box Elder, Jordan, Kanab, Pocatello, and a number of other Stake superintendents we have received efficiency reports for October, who in- variably explain that owing to the order of the state board of health closing all public gatherings, no reports have been received from the wards for Octo- ber. Most of the stakes held the opening session on the 8th of October. Two days later, the order closing public assemblies was given, followed by instruc- tions from the Church authorities closing all our gatherings. It is hoped that by the first of December, at least, all organizations will be permitted to re- sume their work. We trust that the reports for December will then be forth- coming promptly from every stake in Zion, by the first of January, 1919. If any stakes have any reports for November, they should be in hand by the 10th of December. We shall be pleased to hear monthly from every superin- tendent in the Church, whether he has a report of work done or not.

Activity Guide Salt Lake Stake

The Salt Lake Stake M. I. A. Activity Guide, for 1918-19, has been placed upon the editor's table of the Era. It is a neat 14-page vest-pocket edition, containing the M. I. A. slogans; the names of the Church officers of the stake; the superintendencies and the boards of the M. I. A.; the ward

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presidents and their addresses; the social and the activity committees; the names of the high council representatives; the General Board representative; the time of the stake officers' monthly meeting and of the monthly stake and ward officers' meeting; time of meeting in the wards; the reading course; M. I. A. activities; the dates for debates in three different groups, with the resolution for debate and reference ; the competitive drama in three different groups, with dates; stake social; date of the try-outs for public speaking in the wards, the districts and the stake; declamations and Junior choruses; social work; scout notes; preliminary programs for each week of the season, as well as the monthly Sunday evening joint meeting programs. To thus prepare a guide for the officers and members of the associations is certainly an excellent practice, tending to efficiency, and we trust that many stakes will follow a like example.

How to Promote an Association Secretary L. M. Hurd, of the Curlew Stake Y. M. M. I. A., Snowville, Utah, contributes the following ten constructive ways to build up a Mutual Improvement Association: 1. Attend all meetings on time. 2. No matter what kind of weather it is on the night of your meeting, attend anyway. 3. Find no fault with the officers or other members; let any criticism be before them, and constructive. 4. Always accept an office when asked, and do all in your power to better conditions. 5. When asked by the president or class leader to give your opinion regarding any important matter, give your opinion; but if it is not accepted, do not go around saying ihat things ought to have been done this or that way, finding fault with those who are your leaders. 6. Do your full duty. Roll up your sleeves, and be one of the number to push the work along. 7. Pay your dues to the association promptly. 8. Help to get all the new members you can. 9. If you are asked for a report of any kind, be prompt in giving or sending it. 10. Seek to be an assistant to your presiding officer in every way possi- ble, thus doing your utmost to make the association a success.

A Faithful Mutual Worker In June, 1918, Superintendent Joseph W. Smith, Snowflake stake, Ari- zona, was honorably released from acting as superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of that stake, after eighteen years of faithful service. Elder John H. Miller was sustained as superintendent to succeed him. Elder Smith has been faithful all these years in the performance of his duty in the or- ganization, and the General Board have nothing but words of commenda- tion and praise for his service in the past, with best wishes for his future success in whatever he may undertake. He is still with us in spirit and in- terest, and believes heartily in the efficacy of Mutual Improvement work. We wish the new superintendent a prosperous administration, full of good work and the satisfaction that comes from the Spirit of the Lord in the performance of it.

Value of First Aid In the Logan Journal of September 2, 1918, is an account of how a child's life was saved by Scoutmaster William C. England An infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tarbet, twenty months of age, fell into a big canal. Scoutmaster William C. England's attention was attracted by an outcry

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made by the little one's sister, a child of about eleven years, standing by the canal crying. Learning of the accident he jumped in and lifted out the little one who was floating face down in the canal. The child was breath- less, pulseless, cold and apparently dead. Recalling the scout instructions for the resuscitation of the drowned, he applied the scout method; finally, signs of life became apparent, the child recovered, and was taken to the home of Mr. England's mother, where the work of resuscitation continued. When the doctor reached the spot, the little one was out of danger, except from after results, for which the doctor gave directions for restoring circu- lation and protecting the lungs.

Suggestive Preliminary Program

For December —The Mother Declamation, "The Mother of a Soldier Never Cries. (See Era and Journal, November, 1918). Address, "The Mothers of Defenders of Democracy." "The Farmer Boy," Improvement Era, January, 1918.

British Official Photo. © Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. THE PATH OF RETREAT OF THE "PEACEMAKER" President Wilson's reply to Berlin's proposals for an armistice has re- ceived world-wide commendation. His refusal signified that he did not care to negotiate an armistice with that country whose armies continue to dishonor themselves by their acts of devastation, desolation and sav- agery. He turned the matter over to General Pershing and the Allies who will doubtless give Germany her just dues. The photo gives a glimpse of a street of Sadi Carnot, Bethune, showing the mere skeletons of beautiful buildings that were once the pride of that prosperous and growing city.

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