--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Franklin, Benjamin 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: 'Franklin, Benjamin, "The Way to Wealth," *Improvement Era* 22, no. 7 (May 1919): 563–569.' 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: 563 end_page: 569 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. --- # The Way to Wealth THE WAY OF WEALTH 565 trade hath an estate, and he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor, as Poor Richard says; but then the trade must be worked at and the calling followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious we shall never starve, for At the ivorking man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff nor the constable enter, for Industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them. What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy, Diligence is the mother oj good luck, and God gives all things to industry. Then plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep. Work while it is called today, for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow. One today is worth two tomorrows, as Poor Richard says; and further, Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. If you were a servant would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master? Be ashamed to catch yourself idle when there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, your country, and your king. Handle your tools without mittens; remember that The cat in gloves catches no mice, as Poor Richard says. It is true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak-handed, but stick to it steadily and you will see great effects; for Constant dropping wears away stones: and By diligence and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and Little strokes fell great oaks. "Methinks I hear some of you say, 'Must a man afford himself no leisure?' I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says: Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; for A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. Many, without labor, would live by their wits only, but they break for want of stock; whereas industry gives comfort and plenty and respect. Fly pleasures and they will follow you. The diligent spinner has a large shift; and now I have a sheep and a cow, everybody bids me good morrow. "II. But with our industry we must likewise be steady, settled, and careful and oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too much to others; for, as Poor Richard says: "I never saw an oft-removed tree, Nor yet an oft-removed family, That throve so well as those that settled be. "And again, Three removes are as bad as a fire; and again, Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee; and again: // you would have your business done, go; if not, send. "And again: 566 IMPROVEMENT ERA "He that by the plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive. "And again, The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands; and again, Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge; and again, Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open. Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many; for, In the affairs of this world men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it; but a man's own care is profitable; for, // you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like, serve yourself. A little neglect may breed great mischief; for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy, all for want of a little care about a horse-shoe nail. "III. So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality, if we would make our industry more certainly successful. man A may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone and die not worth a groat at last. A fat kitchen makes a lean will; and "Many estates are spent in the getting, Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting, And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting. "// you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting. The Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than her incomes. "Away then with your expensive follies, and you will not then have so much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; for "Women and wine, game and deceit, Make the wealth small and the want great. "And further, What maintains one vice would bring up two children. You may think, perhaps, that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember, Many a little makes a mickle. Beware of little expenses; A small leak will sink a great ship, as Poor Richard says; and again, Who dainties love, shall beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them. "Here you are all got together at this sale of fineries and knick-knacks. You call them goods; but if you do not take care they will prove evils to some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but if you have no occasion for them they must be dear to you. Remember what Poor Richard says: Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries. And again, At THE WAY OF WEALTH 567 a great pennyworth pause awhile. He means, that perhaps the cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain, by straitening thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. For in another place he says, Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths. Again, It is foolish to lay out money in a purchase of repentance; and yet this folly is practiced every day at auctions for want of minding the Almanac. Many a one, for the sake of finery on the back, have gone with a hungry belly and half-starved their families. Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets, put out the kitchen fire, as Poor Richard says. "These are not the necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniences; and yet, only because they look pretty, how many* want to have them! By these and other extravagances the genteel are reduced to poverty and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly despised, but who, through industry and frugality have maintained their standing; in which case it appears plainly that A ploughman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees, as Poor Richard says. Perhaps they have had a small estate left them, which they knew not the getting of; they think, It is day, and will never be night; that a little to be spent out of so much is not worth minding; but Always taking out of the meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom, as Poor Richard says, and then, When the well is dry, they know the worth of water. But this they might have known before, if they had taken his advice. // you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing, as Poor Richard says; and indeed so does he that lends to such people, when he goes to get it again. "Poor Dick further advises and says, "Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse; Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse. "And again, Pride is as loud a beggar as Want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine thing you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece; but Poor Dick says, It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it. And it is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the frog to swell in order to equal the ox. "Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore. "It is, however, a folly soon punished ; for, as Poor Richard says, Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt. Pride that breakfasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy. And after all, of what use is this pride of appearance, for which so much is risked, so much is suffered? It cannot — 568 IMPROVEMENT ERA promote health, nor ease pain; it makes no increase of merit in the person; it creates envy; it hastens misfortune. "But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities? We are offered by the terms of the sale six months' credit; and that, perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But ah! think what you do when you run in debt; you give to another power over your liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him you will make poor, ; pitiful, sneaking excuses, and by degress come to lose your veracity, and sink into base, downright lying; for, The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt, as Poor Richard says; and again, to the same purpose, Lying rides upon Debt's back; whereas a free-born Englishman ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to see or speak to any man living. But poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright. "What would you think of that prince or of that government who should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say that you were free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your privileges, and such a government tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under such tyranny when you run in debt for such dress Your creditor has authority, at his pleas- ! ure, to deprive you of your liberty by confining you in gaol till you shall be able to pay him. When you have got your bargain you may, perhaps, think little of payment, but as Poor Richard says, Creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. The day comes round before you are aware, and the demand is made before you are prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt in mind, the term, which at first seemed so long, will, as it lessens, appear extremely short. Time will seem to have added wings to his heels as well as his shoulders. Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter. At present, perhaps, you may think yourself in thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance without injury, but "For age and want save while you may; No morning sun lasts a whole day. "Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever, while you and It is easier to build two live, expense is constant and certain ; chimneys than to keep one in fuel, as Poor Richard says; so, Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt. THE WAY OF WEALTH 569 "Get what you can, and what you get hold; 'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold. "And. when you have got the Philosopher's stone, sure you will no longer complain of bad times or the difficulty of paying taxes. "IV. This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry and frugality and prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be blasted, without the blessing of Heaven; and therefore ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember Job suffered and was afterwards prosperous. "And now, to conclude, Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, as Poor Richard says, and scarce in that, for it is true, We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct. However, remember this, They that will not be counseled cannot be helped; and further, that // you will not hear Reason, she will surely rap your knuckles, as Poor Richard says." Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it and approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary just as if it had been a common sermon; for the auction opened, and they began to buy extravagantly. I found the good man had thoroughly studied my Almanacs, and digested all I had dropped on these topics during the course of twentyfive years. The frequent mention he made of me must have tired any one else, but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I resolved to be the better for the echo of it, and although I had at first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same thy profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve thee. Richard Saunders. Constructive Hints to Ward Choir Conductors By Brigham Cecil Gates, Director School of Music L. D. S. U. Assistant Conductor Tabernacle Choir, Salt Lake City The problem of training a successful ward choir is becoming every day more pressing. The success or failure of the choir depends largely upon the leader's technical efficiency and energy, his initiative and, most of all, his unselfish devotion to duty. Three elements go to make up a successful conductor: first, ability to organize a well balanced body of singers; second, to maintain regularity of attendance; and third, to produce good music effectively, which involves a certain amount of technical efficiency. There are various ways of canvassing for members. An energetic campaign may be conducted by the ward teachers, or the chorister with his choir officers may institute a personal canvass. In all cases the hearty cooperation of the bishop should be secured. Few Church members have any real reason for avoiding choir work, and those gifted with a natural love of music can be induced to participate if the work is made interesting. Do not ignore the very young men and women, even if untrained. The injection of fresh young voices into a choir is a good thing. Frank Damrosch, the eminent American choral conductor, in his book, Folk Songs and Part Songs, says: "In organizing a chorus it is necessary to observe the following points in ad- — — mitting members: 1 quality of voice; 2 ability to read at sight; 3 — — correctness of musical ear; 4 good balance of voice parts." For our purpose, the first three may be to some extent disregarded, because of the limited selective possibilities of a Ward. A balance of parts, however, is highly desirable. With a well balanced choir, even through it be small, much can be accomplished. Eight singers are preferable to a larger organization, if the parts are very much one-sided. Choral effectiveness is not limited necessarily to size. Balance simply means that no one part perdominates, but that all parts are equal in volume. In a choir, say of thirty voices, the following proportions will usually be found satisfactory: nine sopranos, eight and seven basses. altos, six tenors Of the four parts, the tenor voice is the most penetrating, HINTS TO WARD CHOIR CONDUCTORS 571 hence fewer tenors are needed. However, an accurate balance can only be determined by taking into account the weight of voices in the several parts. A wide-awake choir conductor will make a determined effort to secure this balance. To maintain a good choir after once assembled is a matter largely of the ability of the conductor to make the work attractive. An occasional evening social and sociability at choir rehearsals have their value, but, after all, the thing that holds a choir is the pleasure that each member has in the work itself. A choir is like a school. There must be constant growth, activity and advancement. Stagnation, repetitions, slip-shod methods and stale rehearsals daunt even the bravest and most dutiful. A good conductor will have everything pertaining to his rehearsal in faultless order. He will come with his organist and secretary at the place of rehearsal in plenty of time to see that the hall is cheerfully lighted, will lay out all music necessary for the evening, check up on attendance, and talk over any current problems that may arise. When the choir is once assembled and roll called, nothing should interfere with the work in hand. Men and women like to accomplish things, and a conductor who is able to go right after his work will always be respected, even though he may be limited in his musicianship. Interruptions of any kind at a rehearsal are annoying to those who wish to study seriously. Promiscuous talking should never be tolerated. Where an explanation or suggestion is necessary it should be to the point. Often conductors weary their singers by long discussions of one sort or another.Singers primarily come to sing. All business should be handled after the practice, never before nor during one. For practical purposes the choir should be seated in a semicircle, where possible. The usual order is either: Tenor, Soprano, Alto, Bass Soprano, Alto, Conductor or Tenor, Bass Conductor Every member must occupy a position from which he can see the conductor at all times. If the seats are not raised in conductor should have his platform raised tiers sufficiently, the high enough to insure being seen. There is no truer saying than that music is its own reward. One enjoys singing good music as keenly as one relishes a wellcooked dinner or seeing a good play. It is my opinion that the problem of providing good music is the most vital one that our choir conductors have to confront. It is not possible to interest a group of singers for long, even with the best of methods, with