--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Grant, Heber J. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 22 number: 7 published: 1919-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Grant, Heber J., "Editors’ Table: The Power of Song," *Improvement Era* 22, no. 7 (May 1919): 634–641.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2207unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2207unse start_page: 634 end_page: 641 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1919-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2207unse publication_year: 1919 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1919, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors’ Table: The Power of Song 636 IMPROVEMENT ERA of the heart had filled them with the spirit of reconciliation. Let us not forget our hymn books when we go to the house of worship. Ltfi the congregation «ing; and by all means let the choir member? become familiar with the beautiful senti- ments that ar* contained in the hvmn books, and so shall the soul of our Father in heaven delight in the songs of our hearts, which shall become prayers unto him, and which he will graciously answer with blessings upon our heads. Heber J. Grant. General Conference Notice The postponed eighty-ninth annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will convene in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on Sunday, June 1, 1919, at 10 o'clock a. m., with sessions also on Monday and Tuesday, June 2 and 3. The general Church Priesthood meeting will be held in ths Tabernacle Monday evening, June 2, at 7 o'clock; reunions should be arranged so as not to conflict with this meeting. Heber J. Grant, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, First Presidency. Official Announcement A book of 360 pages, entitled The Vitality of 'Mormonism, written by Elder James E. Talmage of the Council cf the Twelve has just been published by The Gorham Press of Boston, Mas? This work includes a reries of articles relating to the teach ings of the Church, hitherto published or now in course of pub lication, in manv of the great newspapers of the country; and as ret forth on the title page, it consists of "Brief Essays on Dis tinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The Gorham Press has published the book on its own initiativeand volition, by permission of the author. Already numerous requests have been received from thoughtful readers, comprising both members of the Church and non-members, that these excellent articles be put out in book form; and the new publication meets this commendable demand. We recommend The Vitality of "Mormonism** to the Latterday Saints and others, both as a suitable text-book for classes, EDITORS' TABLE 637 and for home study and general reading. It may be obtained at any of the Church book stores. Heber J. Grant, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W Penrose, . First Presidency. Salt Lake City, April 9, 1919. ANNUAL M. I. A. AND PRIMARY CONFERENCE The twenty-fourth General Annual Conference of the Young Men's and Young Ladie's Mutual Improvement Associations, and the Seventeenth Annual Conference of the Primary Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be held in Salt Lake City, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 6, 7 and 8, 1919. All members are invited, and all officers are particularly requested to be preeent at all of the meetings of the conference; and a cordial in vitation is extended to the Saints generally to attend the me tings, to be held in the Tabernacle at 2 and 7 p. m., on Sunday, June 8. A. W. Ivins, Martha H. Tingey, B. H. Roberts, Ruth MJox, Richard R. Lyman, Mae T. Nystrom, General Superintendency Y. M. M. I. A. Presidency Y. L. M. I. A. Louie B. Felt, May Anderson, Clara W. Beebe, Presidency Primary Association. The 10 a. m. M. I. A. officars meeting Friday, will be joint; 2 p. m. separate officers meeting. Reception to officers, Friday evening. Saturday, 10 a. m., joint officers 2 p. m. separate. Final try-outs, public speaking Saturday evening. Sundav, 8:39 a. m., special joint officers meeting; 10 a. m., joint meeting of officers and members. Books The Gorham Press, Boston, Mass., has just put out a work entitled The Vita J ity of "Mormon ism," by Dr. James E. Talmage of the Council of the Twelve. The sub-title summarizes the contents as "Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines cf ihe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." It is interesting and significant to find a publishing house of the high standing of The Gorham Press undertaking on its own initiative and volition to bring out a work on "Mormon" teachings. The book contains 104 essays, or brief chapters, these comprising the two series of articles published in the great newspapers of the country during the years of 1917 and 1918. The brief style of treatment and the terse diction, which have made the articles so attractive as separate writings, have been maintained in the compilation, though the separate articles have been classified, and several of them extended by the author. As to mechanical execution, the book is in every particular up-to-date as a sample of the latest and most popular style of bookmaking. The publishers sought permission of the author to bring out these arti- 638 IMPROVEMENT ERA cles in book form in order to meet the steadily growing demand, which has been created through the publication of the separate writings; and, as their most prominent advertisement of the woik, they employ the following extract of the author's Preface: « I "The message of 'Mormonism' is of summoning interest in the world today. People of serious mind are not satisfied with the unsupported gen- 1 eralization that it is naught but the outgrowth of delusion and error. "Fungi of fallacy, particularly in the field of modern religious systems, are of no such sturdy growth and wholesome fruitage as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has progressively manifested. " 'Mormonism,' mis-named though it be, stands for the principles of eternal truth as enunciated by our Lord Jesus Christ and by his duly commissioned Apostles and Prophets." The book may be obtained from the publishers direct, or from any of the Church book stores. Plans of Devices for Measuring Irrigation Water. The Utah Experiment Station has just published a circular giving plans and directions for the construction of various water-measuring devices on the farm. The devices recommended are the rectangular, trapezoidal, and triangular weirs, and submerged orifices. Prof. Israelsen, Irrigation Engineer for the Station, author of the publication, has explained the conditions under which each of these will work most satisfactorily. An important feature of the circular is the tables for computing the amount of water under various conditions. All the devices discussed in the circular have proven themselves thoroughly practical, are easily constructed and operated, and are relatively inexpensive, and me?n much to the economical and scientific use of irrigation water. Free to farmers. Insect Adventures is the title of the delightfully v, ritten book about insects, which is a translation from the writings of J. Henry Fabre, retold for voung people by Louise Seymour Hasbrouck, and published by the World Book Company, Yonkers-on-Hudson, New York, 283 pages. The book is beautifully and appropriately illustrated, and is gotten out in a form which well befits the high quality of the text itself, the two forming a charming volume upon that subject. In one of the chapters is given a very interesting account of the early years of the author, who was a French school-teacher and scientist, whose peculiar gift for the observation and description of insect life, won for him the title of "The Insects Homer." The publishers say, that "nothing else in the world's literature can compare with the writings of this man, who combines the qualities of the most expert scientist with the literary ability that may be reckoned almost genius." Messages from the Missions New Chapel, Temperance, Church Publications Cleeo D. Wright encloses a photograph of elders laboring in the Mahia conference. They are, standing, from left to right: Raymond W. Hunsaker; Cleeo D. Wright, clerk; Glen B. Cannon, Leon C. Higginbotham. Sitting: Ben E. Young; George R. Schofield, conference president; and Eugene C. Ridges. He writes from Hawkes Bay, N. Z., Feb. 1, 1919: "Elders Young EDITORS' TABLE 639 and Higginbotham are laboring among the Europeans of Gisborne where, on February 8, street meetings were begun. The people are friendly, and our progressive membership there are now bending their efforts to build a chapel. For the past thirty-four years 'Mormonism' has been proclaimed to Europeans and Maoris, especially the latter. It is believed that every Maori has had an opportunity of hearing the gospel. The majority of them admit the truthfulness of it, but lack stamina to follow its precepts. Horse-racing, gambling and 'drink' are all curses blasting the present generation's possibility of success. In April, a vote is to be taken upon the question of prohibition. Through the energetic and united efforts of all sects and creeds, let it be hoped, New Zealand will, like other nations, see the economic value derived from the 'temperance' of its individual units. "The 'yearly conference' is to be held at Nuhoka of this district, where the 'little band of Maori saints' who returned from Zion have made their • H^ *-% fe*" TdL 1" m m El Wt& vl k** \ W^ x m ^K^'*''^« a§i &M home, and we are sure the Saints throughout the island will enjoy listening to their experiences among friends and Saints of Utah. Through the untir- — — ing labors of our mission president Jas. N. Lambert many problems with the government have been solved; conference records, reports, etc., have been greatly improved; chapels erected, and many decided improvements at the Maori College have been effected. Elder Louis G. Hoagland, for the last few months, has been unceasingly at work collecting genealogy so that when the Hawaiian Temple is opened all who are interested can take part in the Saints' greatest work, that for their dead. Last year the Book of Mormon was re-translated and published. Since last conference the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price have also been translated into the native language, and will be published in a short time. They, too, will be a wealth of knowledge to our native Saints, and ere long, through the efforts of elders as well as those of the local native missionaries, all will learn more of the divinity of Joseph Smith's mission. The Improvement Era is read with pleasure by many who do not and will not interest themselves in other Church works. It is also being read in libraries where people are seeing that the doctrines and ethics of 'Mormonism' are worth investigating." 640 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Priesthood the Great Power Elder Ephraim K. Hanks, Indianapolis, Indiana, encloses this picture of the Indianapolis missionary force, Southern Indiana conference, Northern States mission, as follows: Standing, left to right, Gertrude Teeples, Carrie Hansen, Shelley, Idaho; sitting, Elder Ammon M. Newbold, Preston, Idaho; Elder Ephraim K. Hanks, Grover, Utah; President Vivian J. Frei, Santa Clara, Utah; He adds, "The work of the Lord is progressing rapidly in this part of the mission, and many are investigating and wish to know wherein the great power of the Latter-day Saints lies. We testify that it is the power of God, through the priesthood. In the Indianapolis branch we have had wonderful results in proclaiming the gospel and also in getting our Saints in the line of their duties. The branch is in good conditon, autd we feel to praise the Lord for crowning our efforts with success. On the 23rd of March we had a conference, which was attended by President Ellsworth, who gave us some excellent instructions. Many gathered to hear the word of the Lord, and special attention was given to the instructive words of President Ellsworth, who proclaimed the gospel bv and through the power of the Lord. We take great delight in reading the Era." A Thriving M. I. A. in Holland Alvin Teuscher, writing from Rotterdam, Holland, January 7, 1919, says: "Our M. I. A. in this part of the world is thriving. The members are doing much in distributing the truths of the gospel. On the Prophet Joseph's birthday, last, a special meeting was held, at which a number of the members, in well chosen words, gave an outline of the work and life of the EDITORS' TABLE 641 Prophet. Many friends were present. At the close of the meeting, an opportunity was given for debate, and there were some lively discussions, bringing out valuable truths. We have an enrollment of sixty members. All are putting forth their best efforts to make our association a success. In our class work, important religious subjects are being studied. The young ladies, besides, are extensively aiding the poor in sewing and giving them articles of clothing. The Era is a great help to us. It is always a welcome visitor. May it long nourish and be a welcome guest to the elders and the M. I. A. workers in the mission field, as well as at home. The officers in the picture are: Left to right: Geraldina ten Hoover, second counselor; Jan J. Roothoff, first counselor; Cornelia L. Welter, president; Alvin J. Teuscher, president, Raymond, Idaho; Jan H. N. Van Santen, second counselor; Peternella A. van Campenhout, first counselor. Died in the Field Elder Alvin N. Smith, of El Paso, Texas, died at Scranton, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1918, of pneumonia. He was born October 29, 1896, and arrived in the mission field, January 18, 1918, laboring at the time of his death in the East Pennsylvania conference, where he had been a great influence for good among his associates and friends. He was a hard worker, of a kind and loving disposition, and won many friends. Elder E. Ray Lyman, president of the East Pennsylvania conference, in a note in Liahona, the Elders' Journal, says of him: "Whatever task was requested at his hand was performed with a zeal and energy that distinguished him among his associates. The entire mission extends heartfelt sympathy to his widowed mother and other loved ones at home, who are called to mourn his early death." — ptUAlW Suggestions to Y. M. M. I. A. Choristers With the series of twenty-three songs for M. I. A. Junior and Senior boys, which have appeared in the Era, and are now printed under the title, Y. M. M. I. A. Choruses, it has been thought that the following suggestions by the composer would be helpful, and would serve to enable the choristers and musical members generally to make a wider use of these attractive and specially arranged pieces for boys and men's voices: 1. If desired, the songs for "Junior Boys" may be sung by boys whose voices are unchanged, without adding the bass for men or boys with changed voices, the organ or piano furnishing bass by playing all parts written. 2. They may be sung as "duets" with only two boys (with accompaniment) and even as solos, the singer singing the upper part. 3. Girls may sing them also as written, in place of boys. 4. If the bass is added, one man or youth, with changed voice for every two boys or girls, may render them effectively with or without accompaniment. But be sure that no changed voice, singing an octave lower, be permitted to sing in the upper parts. 5. The song, "Mother," may be sung as written by a musical voice quartet or chorus, a soprano, tenor, or boy soprano, singing the solo; or the two upper chorus parts may be sung by young boys, the two lower parts by men. 6. Every association ought to have a chorus of from six to twenty Junior boys working upon this splendid material written for their use. 7. The numbers for Senior boys may also be sung in a number of ways, other than that which the copy calls for. 8. Each may be sung by either a male quartet, or male chorus of any number (either accompanied or unaccompanied). 9. If high tenors are scarce, the older unchanged voices of boys may be used for the first tenor. 10. "Land of the Valleys and Mountains," may be rendered as a duet by two tenors, accompanied by piano or organ playing all parts. 11. "Dear Old Folks," may be sung by a baritone, as a solo, the singer singing the second tenor as the melody (accompanied), while the others could be sung as solos by a tenor or even a soprano voice; it is hardly worth while to treat men so. 12. It may be not amiss to know that all male quartets or choruses can be rendered just as written, only an octave higher, by ladies' voices. The tenors by sopranos, and basses by contraltos, the accompanist playing an octave higher. With these few suggestions, go ahead and do your utmost to make these songs serviceable, wear them out if you can, more are being made. Evan Stephens. These pieces are in no sense restricted to M. I. A. service. They are good in the home, the choir concerts, or other programs, some of them have been rendered publicly by the best choirs in our community already. A Word to the Accompanist. Often the choristers' "better half," in these days when you have had the benefit of much instruction, while the chorister has perhaps only his native ability to draw upon, will, I am sure, be painstaking and patient, aiding the singers to get their parts and especially accidentals correctly. You will also kindly bear in mind that while complete and perhaps more elaborate accompaniments, upon two sep- : — MUTUAL WORK 643 arate staffs, would be vary desirable to you, to get space in a magazine such as the Era for just the voice parts, with a hint note thrown in, here and there, to aid the accompanist to a more complete instrumental part than the voices alone, is, especially in selections the ledst bit extended, taking up all the space it can justly spare for music. To include separate staffs for the accompaniment and introductions, interludes, etc., as the author would bike, and feel was really due the songs, to dress them up properly for public use, would mean that several pages would have to be given over to the songs, so bear in mind that while it is trying to thus have to cut down our material, it is, on the other hand, an educational benefit to have to thus economize. By learning to play from the voice parts, you are making a more superior musician of yourself. All really fine performers have mastered this accomplishment. Nay, more really accomplished musicians can make up readily piano or organ accompaniments out of not only a few voice parts, but entire orchestral parts of sixteen, twenty or more separate staffs, reading the whole at once. Now this, perhaps, to you, trying ordeal of putting four or five voice parts together on one key board, in a shape to agree with and lead the voices (at rehearsals), is the stepping stone to the other still greater accomplishments, while you may here discuss the art of putting much material in little space. Some of these apparently little things would ordinarily be spread out over several pages, and sell at 60c or $1 per copy by the sheet music publishers, you only pay 45c for 23 pieces of music when you get the Y. M. M.I. A. Choruses. TEN— SUMMER WORK Tuesday Evening, June 10 General Subject: Peace Conference Problems. Reparation and Indemnities Topics 1. What has actuated to settlement of past wars —"To the victor belongs the spoils." 2. New note in this settlement —Justice. 3. Findings of peace conference regarding reparation and indemnities. Health Read and reread the health division of the summer program, publ shed in the April Era. ; Scouts Should Prepare Scouts should prepare for the "Father and Son Outing." See Summer program, April Era. Annual Reports Secretaries should mail their annual report now to the Stake Secretaries. Please do not neglect this, and stake secretaries should see that their stake reports are in the hands of General Secretary Moroni Snow, on May 10. Keep Your Organization Complete Do not think it is unnecessary to fill vacancies now that the winter's work is over. It is very important that your association always be well organized and especially so now that we have a first class outline to follow the next few months; and furthermore, since it is planned to have the Y. M. M. I. A. meet the year round, hereafter, divided into two periods the winter and summer sessions.