Be Brief

CONGRESSMAN JOSEPH HOWELL 301

of Wellsville, and always took a keen interest and an active part in the Church to which he was always devoted. He was recognized as one of Utah's most able and successful business men, as evidenced by positions he held at the time of his death on the directorate of two of the leading banks of Salt Lake City, and as president and director of a number of the largest enterprises in the state. While he possessed exceptional business abilities, he was withal a student. His mind was always active and his judgment was unfaltering. To few men is given such a splendid intellect as he possessed. In 1878 he married Mary Maughan, daughter of Bishop William H. Maughan, of Wellsville, who was the helpful companion of his life, and to whom, equally with himself, is due the credit for his unusually successful life. They have ten children, all of whom are living. Joseph Howell was a loving father, a devoted husband, a wise counselor, a thorough student, a true friend, a great statesman, a successful man.

Be Brief

By Joseph S. Peery

Most speakers talk too much. A thorough preparation, with words shot out from the heart, will move people to action. Mere words will cause weariness and complaint. Southey says, "Be brief, for it is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are condensed the deeper they burn." A presiding officer who allows speakers to go past the usual dismissing time, does a real injury to the meeting, and to the speakers themselves. A speaker should study his watch, and not go over the allotted time. If he does trespass on others' time, he not only weakens his own remarks, but weaknes the effect of the whole meeting. For a convention to be a success, the speaker should be limited in time, a timekeeper should be appointed to tap one minute before the time expires, and then the speaker should observe the rules by promptly quitting. It is just as important

to stop on time as it is to start on time. "For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words." Doctrine and Covenants 53:58.