Editor's Table

Regeneration

It has been stated that some of the young people growing up in the midst of the Latter-day Saints, have not been "touched by the profound spirit of the gospel." It is the duty of the teachers in the priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations to aid in

— bringing about a rebirth in the souls of all young, middle-aged, — and old who are in this condition. Through what means may this be done? Let us consider, for a moment, the answer which Christ gave to Nicodemus, the Pharisee, when he came to Jesus by night declaring him to be a teacher come from God. Nicodemus ap- peared to have a doubt, and wished to know for himself whether Christ was a teacher whom God sustained in the performance of the miracles which he did among the people. It was then that Christ took occasion to teach Nicodemus regeneration, in order that he might see the kingdom of God, and so have the change made in his soul which should make him — a child of God the change which substitutes holy affections and purposes for opposite motives in the heart; in other words, a — radical change in the soul for the better a rebirth. Jesus taught him, saying: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." It appears plainly from this, that before a person can realize what the kingdom of God is, there must be a regeneration in his soul. That regeneration is the beginning of salvation through which man's true destiny is realized. Two spirits contend in man, —two diametrically opposed influences which seem to come to him by his natural birth one is evil, the other is good. The ;

first tends downward, the other upward. The death of the down- ward spirit is the rise of the upward. To save the upward spirit, is to lose the downward spirit, and vice versa. The life of the one means the death of the other. To be "touched by the pro- found spirit of the gospel," means to be regenerated or changed into a condition where the sinful man loses his evil desires and comes into real and abiding communion with God. A man so made alive by the Spirit of God, becomes in very deed a new moral being, fashioned after the likeness of Christ, and in which Divine will so the human will in him may find harmony with the

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that, as expressed by Paul to the Romans (8:16), "The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God." When this condition arises in a man's soul, he is born again, and he can clearly see the kingdom of God. After Jesus had answered his first question, Nicodemus said unto him: "How can a man be born when he is old?" And then it was that Christ told him how he might enter into the kingdom of God. It was after the regeneration spoken of that this entrance was to take place. It never can take place be- fore with any degree of satisfaction. Jesus answered him and said: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God;" this having reference to faith, repentance, baptism by water by one having authority, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. He who has had this experience has entered into the kingdom of God. Christ sought to explain to Nicodemus, likewise, how it was possible to obtain the rebirth or regeneration. He called attention to the wind which bloweth where it listeth. We hear the sound but cannot tell whence it comes, nor whither it goeth; and so it is with the regeneration of the soul. It comes from above. But how? you say. Jesus further said: "We speak that we do know and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness." He meant by these words that the testimony of those who knew should be a beginning for those who did not know, and then he called attention to the necessity of faith in Jesus himself: whosoever believeth in the Son of man, shall not perish, but have eternal life, for God sent his Son into the world not to condemn it, but that the world through him might be saved. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, be- cause their deeds were evil." We would say, therefore, to the young man who has asked us the question as to how he may be regenerated, and receive the "profound touch of the Spirit," that commissioned servants of God are living who have the message of life and salvation; and that faith, the gift of God, that is first necessary is largely created by hearing the word of God. Through hearing and heeding their message, the will of the individual may be con- formed to the will of God, and turned to the light, from evil to good, "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved; but he that doeth truth cometh to the light; that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." As a means of regeneration, therefore, it is necessary that the will and conscience of the individual place themselves in har-

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niony with the word of God, which is thus made vital to the in- ward conviction of the heart. Faith in God is a first condition of the change. All who lack a testimony of the gospel, and of its restoration in the latter days, need this vital change in their lives. These should seek God in prayer, with an earnest desire and will in the soul to know him, and if they so ask they shall receive the infor- mation desired, and will realize the promise and see the kingdom of God. The next step is to be born of the water and of the Spirit, or be baptized by one having authority, and then, by the imposition of hands, receive the Holy Ghost which shall be a constant light on the upward way, and through whose guidance sinful man may come into real and abiding communion with God. This condition is the happiest and most comforting that any person can reach. It is worth every soul's best effort. The word of God made vital to the soul is the means of the attain- ment, and faith is the requisite to the change! A.

The Twentieth Century

Victor Hugo, the greatest among French poets (1802-1885) made the following remarkable utterance in a speech on behalf of the Workmen's Congress, at Marseilles, from which this ex- tract istaken, and which was published in Tit-Bits, London, 1882: For four hundred years the human race has not made a step but what has left its plain vestige behind. We enter now upon great centuries. The sixteenth century will be known as the age of painters, the seventeenth will be termed the age of writers, the eighteenth the age of philosophers, the nineteenth the age of apostles and prophets. To satisfy the nineteenth century it is necessary to be the painter of the sixteenth, the writer of the seventeenth, the philosopher of the eighteenth, and it is also necessary, like Louis Blanc, to have the innate and holy love of humanity which constitutes an apostolate, and opens up a prophetic vista into the future. In the twentieth century war will be dead, royalty will be dead, and dogmas will be dead; but man will live. For all there will be but one country that country the whole earth. All hail, then, to that noble twentieth century which shall own our children, and which our children shall inherit.

Change in Stake Superintendency

Superintendent M. H, Knudsen of the Utah stake of Zion, for the Y. M. M. I. A. has been released and John S. Smith, has been appointed superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of that stake. The stake is making splendid progress in all Y. M. M. I. A. activities.

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Activity Guide The Improvement Era has received the Pioneer Stake Mutual Im- provement Activity Guide, for 1919-20, containing the slogans, list of stake, ward, and Mutual officers, the reading course books, home missionary schedules, time of union meetings, instructions on enlistment work, stake social events, M. I. A. activities, preliminary programs, and other interest- ing matter pertaining to the work of the Mutual Improvement Associations in that stake. James A. Giles, superintendent Y. M. M. I. A.; Sasie Heath, superintendent Y. L. M. I. A.

Books

"The Man of Tomorrow" This is a volume of inspirational reading for young men and others who seek scientific information on methods of choosing a vocation in life. Copies of the book may be had by addresssing the Improvement Era, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City. Send for it now before the books are all gone. Price $1.10 postpaid.

"Y. M. M. I. A. Choruses" This is a book of 23 musical selections specially written by Prof. Evan Stephens for the Y. M. M. I. A. Junior and Senior members. Just the thing to brighten up the preliminary programs. Send for copies to the Improvement Era, 20 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City. Twenty-three select pieces of music, only 45c postpaid, bound under one paper cover.

"Venna Hastings" Venna Hastings is the title of a novel, by Julia Farr, dealing with the experiences of a wealthy, talented New York society lady, who becomes converted to the faith of the Church. The plot is well conceived, the various characters are drawn with considerable skill and good judgment, and the style is easy and pleasing. The story inculcates religious toler- ance and shows the excellence of the gospel, as manifested in the fruits of the tree, and it will be read with great interest by the Latter-day Saints. Send orders to the author, 119 F. St., Salt Lake City, price $1.00.

Messages from the Missions

Doings in Hilo, Hawaii, T. H. In September we were visited by President Samuel E. Woolley and family, and also our new President E. Wesley Smith. President Smith was delighted upon his return to the Hilo Conference, where twelve years ago he began his labors as a missionary, serving here in the Hilo confer- ence for over two years. As a token of love and respect for these men of the Lord, a large luau (Hawaiian feast) was given them as a welcome to the Island of Hawaii, August 27, by the Saints of the Hilo, Aleamai, and Honomu branches of the Church. The Aleamai Amusement Hall, beautifully decorated with tropical plants and flowers, accomodated about 250 who had gathered. A special program of local talent, was held. Discourses were delivered by Pres. Samuel E. Woolley and Pres. E. Wesley Smith. The address of wel- come was delivered by David K, Kailimai, president of the Aleamai

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branch. It was a very impressive service, many being moved to tears of joy. Two weeks later President Smith and Elder King returned to the Hilo — conference, arriving in Kihalani the extreme northern branch of the con- ference—on Sept. 10. They were welcomed by Pres. Richard W. Madsen, Jr., and Presiding Elder E. K. Simmons and about 200 of the Kihalani Saints. At noon a bounteous feast was served. Following the feast a general meeting was held, which was attended by over 100 of the Saints and friends, who were addressed by Pres. Smith, Elders Madsen and King. To illustrate that the Hawaiian people are the most hospitable in the world, the elders were invited to so many homes to be entertained that the party had to be separated, so that as many people as possible might be pleased. Meetings were held also in Honomu, and Aleamai. On Saturday evening, Sept. 13, a well attended cottage meeting was held in Hilo. The missionaries then adjourned to the mission home, where a special priesthood meeting of missionaries took place. President Smith addressed the missionaries. On Sunday morning the Hilo chapel was well filled with an interested throng anxiously waiting to hear from their new leader. During the day three well attended meetings were held, and the good will of the people toward their president was made manifest. On Monday, previous to their departure, a luau was given in honor of the missionaries in the home of Sister Elizabeth Watson, about twenty- five being present. A real Hawaiian farewell was rendered them at the wharf where they were bedecked with beautiful leis and received the best Aloha Nui of the Hilo Saints. Richard W. Madsen, Jr., president of the Hilo Conference.

A Cottage Meeting Every Evening of the Week Elder W. A. Silver, of the Columbia branch of the South Carolina conference, writes May 16: "This is a very good field of labor, and the elders and lady missionaries are doing a good work. There are many homes opened for the brethren and sisters to hold cottage meetings, and one meeting is held every evening in the week. We have a good attend- ance at our Sunday school and hall meetings, every week. The Saints here are very eager to read the contents of the Improvement Era, which we re- ceive here every month. The missionaries are: left to right, Mayme Nelson, W. A. Silver, Betty L. Tuck, and M. A. Thorne."

1*; PRIESTHOOD QUOAs^ -RUMS TABLE <j