Editor's Table

Why Use Tobacco? Attention is called to the article in this number of the Era, on "The Cigarette." All should read it. The tobacco habit is bad, injurious to the body, mind, and morals. The supposed pleasure which users think they get out of it, is a complete de- lusion, and costs a world more than it is worth. The influence of tobacco is opposed to the best interests of morality and re- ligion. It is never beneficial, but always injurious. "Tobacco is not good for man." Those who use it violate the laws of nature. Economically, the billion and a half dol- lars that this country uses for tobacco each year, is an utter waste; so are the million and a half acres of the best land in the United States now devoted to the production of the deadly drug. This expensively cultivated land, increased in area by a quarter of a million acres, during the past four years, owing to the war, is devoted to producing a deadly and unnecessary drug, furnishing neither clothing nor shelter, neither food nor neces- sities of life. This, with the three million dollars a day said to be spent in this nation for the deadly products of the millions of acres of land, is an economic waste which no country can afford. Add to this each person's loss of time and money through the use of tobacco, and the waste is appalling. Physiologically, particularly now that smoking by women is fastcoming into vogue, as well as by juveniles, it is a problem of the race. We need better parents, to have better babies; and with parents smoking, there is poor hope for the growing children, thousands of whom are undersized and pos- sess defective physical strength, because of tobacco. Morally, we have thousands of cigarette-smoking boys turned into liars, cheats, and loafers whom nobody can depend upon, because of tobacco; and, because of its use, adult men, otherwise gentlemen, become socially selfish and disre- gardful of others' rights. As has recently been well said, "Any candid person will have to admit that the user of tobacco in- dulges to satisfy his sensual and degraded nature." That alone ought to cause any one who uses it, or sells it, or in anyway en- courages it, to blush, with shame. Tobacco tends downward economically, physically, morally, and socially. Why acquire the habit? Why not encourage those who have acquired it to quit?

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Readthe Social Advisory Committee's admonition once again, and join the fight against tobacco. Is your storekeeper selling the poison? Why? As Latter-day Saints, we must not sellthe very things we are enjoined to prohibit. "And again, tobacco is not for the body, * * * and is not good for man." A.

An Error of Place

Elder Frederick A. Mitchell of Logan, Utah, calls the at- tention of the Improvement Era to an error in the naming of a place in which the drowning of President Lorenzo Snow was said to have taken place on his arrival at the Hawaiian Is- lands. The error, which was simply one of place, was printed in the August number of the Improvement Era, and also in the An- nual Conference report, under the caption, "The Courage of President Joseph F. Smith." Elder Mitchell says:

"The error Icall attention to is in an account of an accident which occurred to the late President Lorenzo Snow on his and companions' arrival at the Hawaiian Islands, at the time they were there to call Cap- tain Gibson to account for his irregular conduct pertaining to the prop- erty purchased on the island of Lanai by the Hawaiian Saints. The error is in stating that: 'Lorenzo Snow was drowned In the harbor of Honolulu' Honolulu is the capital of the Hawaiian Islands and is on the island of Oahu, about one hundred and twenty miles northwest of La- haina, the island of Maui, at which latter place they wtre trying to land, instead of going to Honolulu and having to re-embark on the local vessel to get to Lahaina, from which latter place only they could get to the island of Lanai, (no sea going vessel stopping at the latter place,) where they met Captain Gibson on the property in question, with a num- ber of native Saints located there. "There is no doubt that the journals of the late President Joseph F. Smith or Elder William W. Cluff may be obtained to corroborate the question of fact, if you consider it necessary. I was not an eye witness to the circumstance, but am fully conversant with it from accounts given me by Elders fm. W. Cluff and Alma L. Smith, who accompanied Presi- dent Snow and party. I am also fully acquainted with the localities of the landings at Honolulu and Lahaina in those early days. The harbor at Honolulu was such that sea-going vessels had no difficulty in sailing into the harbor and making a regular wharf docking, but at Lahaina there were no such facilities at that time. The shore was bound by a coral reef so that no sea-going vessels could possibly make a landing. Even the smaller local inter-island schooners discharged and received communication with the shore by means of smaller row boats which latter only were success- fully carried over the reef breakers by well experienced boatmen. On an occasion of a visit to this same place by your humble servant, I was intending to land and make call at Lahaina; but such a heavy sea was on, I was impressed to forego the landing, on account of the imminent

1086 IMPROVEMENT ERA danger of being capsized in the attempt. I have crossed this reef to and from Lahaina eleven times, so that I have had ample opportunity to ap- preciate the risk of a misfortune."

A New Year for the "Era" This number closes volume 22. Owing to the health con- ditions, at the time of canvassing for the volume last year, and the consequent closing of our Y. M. M. I. A. meetings, little soliciting for subscriptions was done for the present volume. However, we are grateful to all who aided us, and particularly to the many thousands who sent their subscriptions by mail direct, thus enabling us to obtain a fair, though somewhat re- duced, number of subscribers. Volume 23 begins in November, and it is earnestly desired that the solicitation for subscriptions be taken up as early as possible. A thorough canvass of every family in the ward should be made early in October. All names should be for- warded early in the month and entered on our subscription lists, in order that subscribers may receive the first number. Present subscribers are asked to use the blank found in this number; also to read the prospectus, and aid in obtaining a new subscriber. We are sure all will be pleased with the stories, special papers, and other matter promised for the new year. Notices of expiration are sent to each subscriber by mail. Please send your own renewal immediately. Subscription blanks have been sent to presidents of associations, for the agents who are urged to make the canvass promptly and thor- oughly. The ward might be districted for the purpose, and energetic men, who have at heart the interest of our cause and the magazine, appointed to do the work during a given week. The price, notwithstanding the continual rise in paper and printing, remains as last year, $2.00, without the manual.

Messages from the Missions

Successful School Entertainment

Conference President H. Theron Jacobs, writing from Neiafa, Vavan, Tonga, June 16, says: "We recently held a very successful conference which has created more of an awakening among the people than anything we have before attempted. Our work, owing to small numbers of elders, has been very restricted in the past year. Our effort to keep up our schools has kept us from pushing into new districts. Our conference began Friday, June 6, and lasted until Monday 9th. There was a good attendance and a com-

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forting spirit. President Willard L. and Sister Jennie L. Smith, of the Tonga mission, were present and gave us much good instruction. The Saints and the general public, including government officials and European residents, were entertained by the Church school students, in the Government Hall, Monday night, June 9. The school was established here a little less than a year ago for the benefit of the larger boys and girls who had attended Church schools formerly maintained in each branch of the conference, this being their first attempt at such an entertainment. The public were fa- vorably surprised at the rapid progress of the boys and girls. The new band, maintained in connection with the school, added greatly to the success of the program. Another striking feature was the needle and crochet work of the native girls, which covered the entire front of the hall. Sister Smith and four ladies from the audience judged the work, and about $25 were distributed in prizes among the school girls. We feel greatly the need of new elders, to replace those who have been releasd in the past year. A number of vacancies, however, have been filled by native brethren, who are doing good work. We are pleased to read the Era from cover to cover each month, and we appreciate indeed the assistance received from such a welcome companion."

Local Missionary Work in England "I believe the Era and its readers would be pleased to know how the work of the Lord is progressing in England. At present there are less than fifteen traveling elders from America here, whereas, before the war there were over 300. Most all the branches are fully organized with a presidency composed of local elders who take care of the branch, and the Saints look to them with every respect and confidence. The Mutual and Relief Societies

are also organized from the local brethren and sisters. Elders are called from different conferences to go on a six to twelve months' mission, bearing their own expenses. Here in the Leeds conference we have over fifty lady missionaries who assist greatly in spreading the gospel and carrying on the work. The work of the Lord is steadily progressing with marked success, and the branches are firmly planted, independently carrying on the work by their own faith and strength. In the photo are some of the travel- ing elders who were here at the Leeds conference district meeting, held

1088 IMPROVEMENT ERA June 29, 1919. Top row, from left to right: Elders R. H. Sanders, laboring in the Leeds conference on a twelve months' mission; J. E. Rennie, President oi the Scottish conference, who has already spent fifteen months on a mis- sion; L. A. Higgins, on a twelve months' mission in Scotland; Calvin S. Smith, chaplain to the U. S. Army, visiting; N. Elliott, Pres. of the New- castle conference, on a six months' mission; C. L. Atterton, on a six months' mission in the Leeds conference; bottom row: A. G. Holland, ex.president of the Leeds conference, released to return home to Idaho; Elder George F Richards, who is released from the Presidency of the European mission; and his wife, Mrs. Richards, who is visiting him and will return home with her husband; Geo. A. Smith, the new President of the European mis- sion; L. H. Whipple, President of the Leeds conference, from Salt Lake county."—L. H. Whipple.

Progress in Burnley Branch

"The enclosed photo is of the elders who are laboring in the Liverpool conference, of the British mission. Left to right, Samuel Beggs, of Airdrie, Scotland; William J. Starkey, conference president, Evanston, Wyoming; and Ira William Mount, conference secretary. The two on either side are local boys who have answered the call to go on missions, and they are doing

the same as do the elders from Zion. The Burnley branch was recently reorganized, and they are making fine progress; the elders have also or- dained a number to the priesthood in the various branches, and they, in conjunction with the lady missionaries and the elders of the conference, are accomplishing a good work. We have thirty-six lady missionaries in this conference, and they are doing a splendid work among the people. We always look forward to the arrival of the Era. Its pages we diligently scan for its useful words of cheer and instruction. It is also a great help in our missionary work, and finds its way into many homes, and is read with great interest by all." William J. Starkey, President of the Liverpool conference.

Church Progress in Samoa Elders A. D. Madsen, and V. G. Woolley (conf. pres.) of the Tutuila conference, of the Samoan mission, write that they are the only two white elders left, of a force of ten of pre-war days. Elder Madsen is in charge of Mapusaga, the church village. Conf. Pres. Woolley, who is manager of the big Church cocoanut plantation, reports it to be in better shape than it has been since the beginning of the war. The work on the island is pro- gressing nicely, but the elders are patiently and anxiously awaiting the ar-

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rival of new missionaries to help them in their many and arduous duties. Tutuila is one of the prettiest little islands in the South Pacific. It was on ihe eastern end of this island that the elders landed, some thirty odd years ago, when the gospel was first taken to the people of Samoa. Since that time the work has made steady progress. The picture of the two native men and the women shows a native elder [Siatuvae] and his wife LGaosusuga] standing. He, as a boy, entered the Church school years ago, was baptized, and is now a missionary engaged in the work of carrying the message of salvation to his people." A. D. Madsen.

The Latter-day Saints in Japan The knowledge that the Saints in Zion are always interested in the progress of the work of the Lord throughout the world, encourages me to write a few lines to the Era concerning conditions here in Sapporo, the capital city of the northern island of the Japanese empire. The work of the past few months has been extremely interesting, and I think I may safely say that this interval has been one of the most flourish- ing periods experienced by the conference for a number of years; not from ihe standpoint of baptisms, but from that of missionary activities and the consequent broadening of the circle of those who have been able to hear the gospel. The great number of new investigators and the improvement over the past in most lines gives promise of a bright future. Work in Japan is necessarily slow and sometimes discouraging, since the whole past training of the people has been contrary to Christianity. We have as yet few Saints who have shown themselves able to carry re- sponsibility in the gospel, but since the work is comparatively new we are not discouraged, but feel that some day we shall have the aid of the native Saints and shall then be able to accomplish more. As one knows who has studied this language, it is no light task to master it sufficiently well to be able to speak fluently, and this adds to our dif-

ficulties. Nevertheless, since honest effort in our Father's work is never lost, although few results are apparent to us, we desire to labor diligently and perform our part to the best of our ability. Lately our Sunday school has been quite a success, especially the theo- logical department in which we are studying the Book of Mormon. From ten to twenty young men and women have attended and followed the les- sons with interest. This spring and summer Elders LaFayette C. Lee and Myrl L. Bodily, who are laboring in the Sapporo conference, have held a series of fourteen open air meetings in one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city, the district of the night shops and pleasure houses. They have been blessed with success, having had an attendance of from fifteen attentive listeners to two hundred at a time. The crowd has been very respectful, sometimes almost reverently so, and at times particularly stable for such meetings, many standing quietly through the whole service. This has provided a means of distributing a number of Church works. It is a peculiar experience to preach to an alien company in an alien tongue, on the streets of a foreign city. Lately we have had the added experience each time of a Buddhist priest holding forth on the opposite corner, with beating of drums and wild exhortations and screeches against Christ and his teachings and the foreigners who bear them. You may be sure the brethren trembled at first meeting this unlooked for opposition; however, through the blessings of the Lord, they were able to hold their crowd and carry on their work, possibly even better because of the oppo- sition. Since these meetings have been held, we find ourselves known every- where, and have had numerous questions asked concerning the gospel. More-

1090 IMPROVEMENT ERA over, we are busy each day instructing new investigators while regular meet- ings are becoming more flourishing each week. Tracts, which are re- ceived reluctantly and sometimes with suspicion when we take them from house to house, are asked for at the street meetings. Wehave no trouble

ELDERS OF KOFU, JAPAN Rryant L. Wright, J. Ray Stoddard, Joseph S. Pyne

whatsoever in distributing a great many, simply holding them ready for distribution is the signal for many requests for them. We feel happy in this success, and desire to do our utmost to continue and work unceasingly in the work of the kingdom. We realize that the measure of success we have achieved is all through the bounteous blessings of the Lord. Before closing, I wish to thank you for your excellent magazine. We aie reading the Era each morning, and find much profit as well as pleasure in doing so. May success attend the labors of all our co-workers throughout the world, who are laboring for the upbuilding of Zion. Pearl M. Lee. Sappore, Japan

New Addition to "Cumorah" These pictures show our new mission hall in Cape Town: Top is "Cumorah" with the new addition on the extreme left. Center shows the front and side, with sleeping porch above. No. 3 is the Sunday school. With Elder Charles Elmer Sessions, Syracuse, Davis county, as head car- penter, Elders Wilford D. LeCheminant, Richard E. Folland, Aaron U. Mer- ril, Wm. Howard Heaton, and Nicholas G. Smith, with some hired masons, started work on the new addition, March 5, 1919, and the hall was finished and dedicated June 1, 1919. Many words of commendation have been spoken by the citizens of Mowbray on the general appearance of the hall, and the fact that missionaries would undertake such a hard job. The only man able to do the work made a bid of £950. By doing it ourselves, the

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THE NEW HALL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL, CAPE TOWN, AFRICA

1092 IMPROVEMENT ERA job cost, completed, £677; which shows a saving of ahout thirteen hundred dollars. The hardwood seats cost three hundred dollars. Nicholas G. Smith.

The Beautiful Kegon Falls Elder Varsall L. Cowley, writing from Tokyo, Japan, August 4, sends the accompanying picture, a snapshot taken with his own kodak, of the famous Kegon falls of Japan, which he visited on the 8th of July, in company with Elder V. W. Palmer. He proceeds: "This beautiful waterfall is located about nine miles from the far-famed palace of Nikko, noted for its beautiful moun- tain scenery, and ancient temples or shrines. The building of these shrines and temples required the labor of about 15,000 of the most skilled workmen in Japan for about twelve years, and cost the enormous sum of 20,000,000 yens, or $10,000,- 000. The fall is located about a mile from the beau- tiful mountain lake, Chu- zenji which we also visited while escaping the intense heat of Tokyo, to enjoy the cool, refreshing mountain air and beautiful scenery in and about Nikko, for a couple of days. While at the point where the accompanying pic- ture was taken, a jenrikisha man, who had followed us, told us that ever since a young man who had failed in his school examinations, being unable to endure the disgrace, as he thought, chose to end his life by throwing himself into the torrent which carried him to his death, about fifty per- sons each year have died in this romantic way, as the people of the Orient view it, but as we of the West consider a cowardly and disgraceful way. A short time before we visited the scene, four persons had chosen this method of sui- The Kegon Falls, Japan cide. According to an of- ficial guide book, the fall is 223 feet high, 18 feet wide, and the base measures 600 feet in circumference, the water being 36 feet deep. The fall is sometimes called 'lover's leap' from the fact that many lovers have taken their lives by plunging into the depths fiom the overhanging rock, seen at the top left of the picture. "The missionaries of Japan look eagerly for the Era, and read it from cover to cover each month."

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