General Superintendency Y. M. M. I. A. Reorganization

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Anthony W. Ivins

Our new superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. is not a stranger to the young people of Zion. For some time he has occupied the position of national committeeman of the M. I. A. Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America. He was chosen and ordained a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles on October 6, 1907, and a member of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. January 13, 1909, and since that time has visited practically every stake of Zion. He was born September 16, 1852, at Toms River, Ocean county, New Jersey, and is the son of Israel Ivins and Anna Lowrie. With his parents he came to Utah, in 1853, being practically, therefore, a native of the West and certainly one of the pioneers of Utah and the Great Southwest, a scout, a frontiersman, beloved and widely known in every part of the country, both among the early pioneers and the Indian tribes. In 1861, his parents settled in southern Utah, and he, therefore, became one of the first settlers of St. George. He was married in 1878, to Elizabeth Ashby Snow, daughter of Apostle Erastus and Elizabeth R. Snow. In company with a number of well known pioneers, including Dan W. Jones, Helaman Pratt, Ammon M. Tenney and others, he performed a mission to Mexico, in 1875, going as far south as the city of Chihuahua, west to the Sierra Madre Mountains, thence north through the section of country in which the colonies of the Latter-day Saints were later founded. They also explored the Salt River Valley and the Little Colorado River country, in Arizona, where Latter-day Saint colonies were later established. In 1878, Elder Ivins performed a mission among the Navajo and Pueblo Indians in Arizona and New Mexico, winning their abiding confidence and respect. On this mission he was accompanied by Erastus B. Snow. Returning to St. George, he was chosen president of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the Fourth ward, and later of all the wards consolidated, and then stake superintendent. He served as a member of the High Council at St. George, being chosen to that position in 1881. Later, in 1888, he was made the counselor to President Daniel D. McArthur in that stake, which position he occupied until 1895. On December 9, of that year, he was chosen president of the Juarez stake, in Mexico, removing to that country and being a leading spirit in the establishment of the colonies of the Latter-day Saints in that land. Ever since that time, under all the difficulties through which the Mexican Saints have passed, he

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has been their close friend and adviser, taking a live interest in their welfare under every condition. In that country he established, and for a number of years was general manager of, the Mexican Colonization and Agricultural Company. He is one of the people, and has been an indefatigable worker for the Church, and particularly for the members of the Church, wherever he has resided. Perhaps no other man in the — Council of Twelve Apostles has been so near the people young — and old as Elder Ivins. He loves animals, and is especially an admirer of horses. He delights in clean, square sport, takes unbounded pleasure in hunting, fishing, and games, and the thousand glories of God's great out-of-doors. He has occupied civil and political offices from precinct constable to city and county prosecuting attorney in St. George, as well as assessor and collector of the county. He acted also as sheriff of Washington county, and, in 1894, was a member of the Territorial legislature, and the following year, a member of the Utah State Constitutional Convention, in which his experience among the people and his practical intelligence were great aids in the formation of our present state constitution. His experience with the Red men is extensive. He has their complete confidence. He secured the first appropriation for the benefit of the Shebit Indians, and was later appointed Government Indian Agent for them, acting for two years. His experience as a rancher and pioneer extended over a period of many years in southern Utah and northern Arizona, and the readers of the Era are not unfamiliar with his very interesting stories that have appeared from time time under the — head, "Traveling Over Forgotten Trails" articles that are brimming full of human interest, and illustrate with deep feeling the difficulties, incidents and trials of the pioneers who opened southern Utah and northern Arizona to civilization. As a public speaker, Elder Ivins is among the best in the Church. His sermons are always full of careful thought, and overflowing with the spirit of love, testimony of the gospel, and consideration, sympathy and help for the people. He is safe and sound in doctrine, and full of love for God's great Latterday work. His life has been one of hardship, toil, and pioneer struggle, which has made him appear stern on the surface, but underneath the crust of seeming austerity there beats in the bosom of Anthony W. Ivins one of the biggest, best, most sympathetic and noble hearts that has ever throbbed in the breast of man. When the boys become acquainted with him, they cannot help but love and respect him. His life of rich experiences comes as a great and welcome

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contribution to the Y. M. M. I. A. Under his leadership, aided by his able assistants, our organization will move forward with increased impetus to its goals of achievement. A.

Messages from the Missions

Greetings from England

Elder Orial L. Anderson, conference president, Norwich Conference, England, writes under date of November 13, 1918: "The Era is very much appreciated by the elders, Saints and friends of this conference. Through the honorable secretary it has been placed in the Y. M. C. A., where thousands of soldiers have had free access to it. The people are overjoyed with the recent happenings and are very thankful that the great world conflict has ceased. We are anxiously looking forward to the arrival of elders from Zion to assist in the now necessary reorganization and carrying on of the work in greater force. We feel that the Lord is very merciful in granting us health, while sickness and disease surround us on every hand. Through the pages of the Era we send greetings to our fellow workers in every part of the Master's vineyard."

Era Adds Force and Efficiency to Mission Work C. H. Tingey, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, writes, August 2: "I have recently had the privilege of visiting the most remote branch of the Church in this mission, composed of staunch, active, God-fearing Saints, despite their one thousand miles of separation from the next nearest branch. They are subscribers to the Era, and requested me to notify your office that due to the time required in corresponding at such distance regarding renewals of subscriptions, you automatically place all renewals without further notice and forward statement to them. The Era is a welcome guest in the homes of the Saints and our friends in this land. So also are the publications by the other auxiliary organizations, all of which add force and efficiency to the Church missionary system throughout the world. Hoping and praying for the continued success of the Improvement Era, 'the little shot-gun,' I am your brother, C. H. Tingey."

A Remarkable Convert Elder Arthur D. Taylor, Secretary of the Australian Mission, writes, May 28, in regard to Brother Augustus G. H. Graham, a remarkable old gentleman now in his seventy-seventh year, and who is an ardent lover of freedom, for which and peace he has fought the greater part of his life. Elder Taylor gives the following items from the history of this wonderful life which has finally sought peace in the Rock of Refuge: "This is a snapshot of Augustus G. H. Graham standing by myself. He is a most remarkable old gentleman, now at the ripe age of seventyseven. He has been an ardent lover of freedom, and has fought to establish truth and peace the greater part of his life. The following from his history may prove interesting to you. Born in France, 1841. His recollections as a child was the French Revolution of 1848, when he saw the streets of Paris running with blood. He was taken to England, where he lived with his Uncle George Cottam. He grew restless at the age of eighteen, and joined the British army. At twenty his regiment was sent from Kingstown, Ireland,

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to Canada, where he went over the ground where General Wolf and his troops took their 6tand on the Heights of Abraham. The Civil War had been on for two years, and he and his mate crossed Lake Ontario at great risk. He was in New York only forty-eight hours before he enlisted in the Forty-first New York State Volunteers. Two months later he was on the firing line. He was at most of the historic places of the Civil War and fought in some of the battles. In 1870 he enlisted in the United States navy and cruised under the Stars and Stipes to the South American republics and many African ports. Receiving an honoiable discharge from Uncle Sam, and with a desire to see mother and friends, he set sail for England. To his disappointment, he was told by friends in England that his people had left some time previously for Australia. He followed them, and finally found them in this city, which has been his home ever since. His mother died, reverses came in business, old age and discouragement came upon him, and he was living in an attic of one of the boarding- houses Ln my district when I de- livered him a tract. He arswered the door, and when I looked down upon the gray-bearded old gentle- man, the most peculiar feeling I ever experienced in the mission field came over me and told me to take an interest in him. He was dis- couraged and had nothing to hope or live for, but said that he was praying and trying to prepare himself to meet his Maker. I in- structed him in the gospel for seven months, when he applied for baptism, and from that day to this he has been a happy man. He says he has done the will of the Lord, and he knows that he be- longs to the true Church of Christ, and is not afraid now to take his journey to the Great Beyond. He has a wonderful memory and bears testimony that the American continent is truly the land of Zion, and his eyes fairly twinkle with joy when he talks about Uncle Sam. "He came from good parentage, his great grandfather, Sir Reginald Graham being knighted by Charles I, King of England, for valiant service. The Era is one of his best friends and has been a great aid in teaching him the gospel. "The elders throughout the mission are all well. The record number of baptisms thus far this year is proof of the splendid effort put forth by them. One sister, a member of the Re-organized Church for seventeen years, was baptized on the 6th of ApriL accepting, as she stated, the "true authority." "Elder William C. Heckmann, who for nineteen months has faithfully labored as mission secretary, was released from his office labors on April 25, and has resumed his work in th ; Victorian conference at Melbourne. Elder Arthur D. Taylor was appointed to fill the vacancy. The Lord is blessing thu Australian mission. May he grant strength unto the Latter-day Saints to live good wholesome lives, in these times of peril, that we may literally become an ensign to the world, that by seeing our good works, people may be led to glorify our Father in heaven."