Editors’ Table

Editors ^Table Thanksgiving Calls for Help Recognizing, with thankful hearts the bounteous blessings that our people enjoy, in their mountain homes, the First Presidency of the Church, call attention to the hunger cry of children and the suffering Saints in Europe, in the following appeals which we have no doubt will find ready and quick response: Notice To the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards in all the Stakes of Zion: Our people have been bounteously blessed during the present year and surely the cry of the poor shall not appeal to us in vain. Thousands of our poor Saints in Europe are in a desperate situation. Many of them will no doubt suffer for want of food. There are many thousands of suffering children that are being cared for by the Near East charities who also have claim upon our sympathies. Sunday, December 2nd, is our regular fast day, when contribu- tions for the poor are paid to the bishops of the wards. We request the presidencies of stakes and bishoprics of wards and the Relief Society organizations also, to take upon themselves the labor of visiting the Saints under their jurisdiction, and of inviting everyone to attend the fast day services on the first Sunday of December, prepared to make generous contributions for the relief of those whose poverty and suf- fering are appalling. Detailed instructions will be sent from the Presiding Bishop's office. Heber J. Grant, Charles W. Penrose, Anthony W. Ivins. First Presidency. Notice To Presidents of Stakes, Bishops of Wards and Relief Societies: Information just received from our mission headquarters in Germany states that the poverty of the Saints in that land is most distressing. Used clothing and shoes of all kinds for men, women and children will be a great blessing to those poor Latter-day Saints. We desire that the Relief Societies of all the wards and stakes in the Church shall collect and put in order and repair used clothing and shoes, and forward same at the earliest possible date to the head-

164 IMPROVEMENT ERA quarters of the Relief Society, 28 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City. Prompt action is requested. "He gives twice who gives quickly." Heber J. Grant, Charles W. Penrose, Anthony W. Ivins, First Presidency. How to Promote the Tobacco Slogan Frequently we obtain inquiries as to what our organizations can do to promote our slogan, "We stand for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco." Some days ago the Improvement Era received an illustration of how this may well be done, particularly, since many tobacco advertisements appear in magazines printed outside of the state of Utah and circulate here. That active effort is required to promote the slogan is evident from the fact that Charles T. Prisk, superintendent of the Cigarette Revenue Department of State Treasurer W. D. Sutton's office, re- ported recently that the stamp sales from May 8, when the law went into effect, up to November 8, 1923, covering six months, amounted to $63,235.82, which was the gross revenue to the state. He calls attention further to the fact, "that, using 10% as a basis for the tax on cigarettes, the result is approximately $632,000 worth of cigarettes were consumed lawfully throughout the state in the past six months." This does not include other forms of tobacco sold. From this it appears that Utah is consuming over $105,000 a month in cigarette smoke, which is absolutely a dead loss. Besides, it deteriorates mental and spiritual power, lowers physical ability, makes men and women smaller, meaner, more selfish and arrogant, shortens life, to say nothing of the fact that the user has to pay great financial penalties to bring all this trouble upon himself. Then think what that vast sum of money would do in building useful industries, in education, and in promoting the states in developed resources. The illustration comes to hand from Mr. J. Cecil Alter, meteor- ologist, United States Weather Bureau, Salt Lake City. He recently called the attention of Kuppenheimer $ Company, clothing merchants, Chicago and New York, to an advertisement which they carried in the Saturday Evening Post for October 20, 1923. He sincerely com- mended and approved this advertisement and said in a letter to them: "I have not noticed before this advertisement, such a fine picture dis- play, in which one or more of the subjects was not smoking. The needless aim to dignify the smoking habit has nullified hundreds of advertisements for a goodly number of persons whom I know. There are five men in this office, a government office, and none of them smoke. I have three sons who wear tailor-made clothing of the Kuppenheimer variety, off the

EDITORS' TABLE 165 shelf .and on their backs; and I am grateful to say none of them has yet learned to smoke; nor do any one of their most intimate chums. "Just why the biggest buyers of magazine space, like clothing merchants, should spend so much money advertising the smoking habit, another fellow't business, I never could see nor understand. Please note that I do not object to smoking, nor would I turn a finger to take this privilege from any one, except my own children; but I have yet to see a smoker who is not at least half sorry he began it. Only yesterday a very wealthy man told me that with the box of cigars he had just purchased, his cigar bill had risen to $55 for this month, which, he regretfully admitted voluntarily, was 'too much.' I presume he had given a great many of them to friends. "I am carrying this advertisement of yours to my boys, with the request to look out for the Kuppenheimer brand hereafter. You have proved that a man can look respectable without a pipe, cigar or cigarette in his mouth or his hand." In answering Mr. Alter's timely and commendable communica- tion, the Kuppenheimer clothing company under date of October 30, wrote him, among other items, stating: "We are gratified indeed to receive your kind letter of October 19. * * * We have had quite a few eulogisms about the illustration you commented on, and a similar point to the one you took reached us from Atlantic City where a gentleman was also moved to express his approval on a drawing featuring a group of men not smoking." Z. C. M. I., which firm represents the Kuppenheimer house in Salt Lake City, received a copy of the letter written by the latter to Mr. Alter and in turn wrote Mr. Alter that they were very much in- terested in its contents, because they are perfectly in accord with the sentiments expressed therein. In all their clothing advertisements and cuts, the cigarette and the cigar are eliminated, although many of the cuts that come to them have these prominently displayed. When they cannot obliterate the tobacco display they do not use the cuts or the circulars at all. There are undoubtedly many people whose favorite magazines from the east are full of advertisements in which cigarettes and tobacco are pictured. If these subscribers will take action similar to Mr Alter's, both the publishers and the advertisers will likely omit, or be inclined to do so, all cigarette and cigar displays. In this way the subscribers will aid the cause, doing a good turn to the readers and also promote the non-use and non-sale of tobacco among the youth of the land. Like action could be taken in calling the attention of publishers of novels and stories to the fact that they are only advertising the to- bacco business, when cigar and cigarette smoking is so frequently mentioned in the texts and otherwise, in places where such mention has absolutely no significance except to advertise smoking and the use of tobacco. So likewise with the movies. Both the manufacturers of films and the local play houses have become the inveterate free advertisers of the tobacco interests. They needlessly dignify the smok- ing habit, "the other fellow's business." — A.

166 IMPROVEMENT ERA Cheering Word from President David O. McKay Elder David O. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve and Pres- ident of the British mission, forwards these refreshing words to the Improvement Era under date of October 26: "Some of our deacons' quorums are now prepared to follow a prescribed course of study. * * * Our prospects are bright- ening. We feel happy in the work, are enjoying excellent health, find plenty to do, and rejoice in the association of the choicest group of young men that can be found anywhere. The only thing we lack and greatly miss is the association of our true friends in far-off Utah. A grasp of your hand this morning would do me a world of good."' We heartily reciprocate this comforting message from one of the great leaders of the youth of the Church, and assure him that the work is growing by leaps and bounds in Zion. The Priesthood quorums, the Relief societies, the Sunday schools, the Mutuals, the Primaries, and the Religion classes throughout the land are growing in numbers, interest and efficiency, with a membership of young people^clean in thought and action, strong in innocence, purity determination and genuine character. The leadership of these great organizations is improving, and through more efficient service, and by the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the efforts of the brethren and sisters at the head of these organizations are resulting in wonderful progress, and in the best good to the greatest number. There are many thousands of young people in the Church who are the most worthy of men and women in all the earth — clear-eyed, honest, up- right, anxious in the service of righteousness — and with whom it is a privilege and delight to labor. We wish our young friends and their beloved leader in England joy, health, peace, and temporal and spiritual prosperity and welfare, in the coming year; and are glad to note that the deacons' quorums in that country are now prepared to study and to follow in the counsels and admonitions of the Priesthood. — A. On Mixing in European Affairs One of the questions that has been before the American public for some time is whether our country ought, or ought not, to mix m European affairs. Failure to analyze this question properly is the cause of a great deal of misunderstanding concerning it. In more than one sense of the word, the United States must mix in the affairs of the rest of the world. We are in a world which, by reason of modern inventions has become quite small as to distances. It is our world, because we live in it and are affected by what tran- spires in almost any part of it. Business is world business. It is

EDITORS' TABLE : 16? not confined to any country or district any more. Social relations are international. Scientific activities concern all the world. Calamities strike all the world. We can no more dissociate ourselves from the rest of the world in the vital activities of human existence than we can sever a limb from the body without intefering with our normal condition. American capital is pulsating all through the veins and arteries of the financial and commercial, and even charitable institutions of the human family. Stop its flow and the entire business world becomes affected. To some extent, therefore, even the politics of the rest of the world is of interest to us. Other nations are our near neighbors, and it concerns us whether they live in peace with one another, or whether they quarrel and keep a rough house all the time. It concerns us whether they are down with contagious disease, or enjoying good health. It concerns us whether they keep sanitary or not. A great many other things in their affairs are of vital importance to us, a policy of isolation seems to us absolutely impossible now, and we have a right to demand that they abandon any line of action that may bring calamity and ruin to us. But we believe that is about as far as our interest in their polity should go. President Adams, in 1797, said: "Although it is very true that we ought not to involve ourselves in the political system of Europe, but to keep ourselves always distinct and separate from it if we can * * * However we may consider ourselves, the maritime and commercial powers of the world will consider the United States of America as forming a weight in that balance of power in Europe which never can be forgotten or neglected." This statement of what our conduct ought to be as regards European affairs cannot be improved upon. We should not enter into any "permanent alliance" — as George Washington expresses it — with one nation against another. At the same time we should never forget that our country, because of its advantages, is a large factor in the balance of power, whether with or without our consent, and this position, this power, we should always use for the benefit, the peace and prosperity of ourselves and all men. Only so do we fill our divinely appointed mission in the world. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS Eight Baptisms Near Palmyra, New York President Rulon Nuttall, of the Rochester Conference, Eastern States mission, reports: "Seven branches of the Church are organized in this con- ference under the faithful efforts of the branch presidents and local mem- bers. These branches have continued their work in the absence of the elders while out on their summer campaign. The drive for new converts ended at the Joseph Smith farm in Palmyra, New York, September 23, in the vicinity of which memorable spot, the members of this conference have been

168 IMPROVEMENT ERA working. Much opposition has been met in the country districts because of old stories afloat concerning the Prophet Joseph and his work. But the elders have succeeded, in this campaign, in breaking the prejudice to a large extent. Recently a baptismal service was held at the Joseph Smith farm by President Nuttall and Elder Driggs. Two members were added to the Church. Eight baptisms have been performed during the summer campaign. Th. spirit of unity prevails and God is blessing our efforts." Missionaries top row, left to right: H. Wayne Driggs, Salt Lake City; Ada McArthur, Mt. Pleasant; Houston Hatch, Panguitch, Utah. Middle row: Loa Christensen, Brigham; Rulon Nuttall, conference president, Provo; Alice Kuhre, Sandy. Bottom row: Max I. McClay, Ogden; Emma H. Brown, Ogden; Jesse W. Hooper, Jr., Brigham. Below: Jesse L, Thornley, Layton, Utah.

EDITORS' TABLE 169 Ruins of Catholic Church in Hillegersberg, Holland Elder Leon C. Walton, Rotterdam, Holland, under date of August 20, reports that he with other elders recently visited an old Protestant church. "Nine hundred years ago a Dutch lady, Hillegond, built a castle and fort upon a little hill nearby the village of Hillegersberg. Two centuries later the family residence was reduced to ruins; and early in the fifteenth century the Roman Catholics built a Church there, using the castle's tower for the spire of a new structure. For one hundred fifty years this was the center of Catholic activities in this locality. But, when, during the Reformation, the Papal authority collapsed, the Protestants used this ancient structure as a place of worship and have done so for the last three hundred fifty years." The accompanying photo was taken inside the ruins of the old fort built in the eleventh century and shows, left to right, Elder L. C. Walton, President J. J. DeBrij, and Elder Frank J. Murdock, all of Salt Lake City. "The large iron rings in the foreground are used to raise the concrete slabs, giving access to burial places beneath. We tracted the nearby district and spent many hours in disseminating the gospel light and bearing testimony to the divinity of the great Latter-day work." A Whiff of South Sea Air and Mission News Recently the elders of Western Samoa met for the specific purpose of holding some elders' meetings. The object was fully attained in the rich inspiration that came to us in each of the meetings held, and in the associa- tion together after a separation of several months. Among all the experi- ences and joys of any elder, nothing holds the genuine joy and satisfaction derived from elders' meetings. The meetings were no exception to this rule. We say in all sincerity that it is nothing for us to go into sessions as early as seven in the evening, and remain so until midnight, without a single missionary noting the passing of the hours, and each with a heart melted to

170 IMPROVEMENT ERA tears. As a result of the meetings we have already noted an awakening, and within two weeks, twenty-one baptisms have taken place in three villages in the neighborhood of Apia. Tithing also is coming in in increasing volume. In other ways the work of the Lord is taking on impetus here, and prospects are very encouraging just now. In order that the home folks might glimpse the dozen missionaries referred to in this paragraph, we enclose a group photograph, with the explanation that no finer, more faithful, more lovable or purer bunch of boys can be found the world arcund. I have just received our release, August 23, and leave for Zion soon. It has been a wonderful period in the life of both my good wife and myself to have had the expe- rience of this mission. Left to right, back row: D. Ross Hale, Melvin S. Newman, Albert W. rionham, Rulon E. Johnson, Melvin G. Wagstaff, Henry C. Jacobs, Joseph A. Fluit, Frank N. Stephens. Front row: B. J. Nicholls, John Q. Adams, Sister Thurza T. Adams, Richard L. Johnson. — John Q. Adams, Mission President. Good Results From a Visit to Utah Elder Walter D. Francis, of Adelaide, South Australia, reports on Sep- tember 1 , that many friends are being made who defend the truth and give their time and means to entertain the elders. House to house visits are made, street, as well as cottage and hall meetings are held, and much indifference has been broken down. "The fact that we now have our own Church building, bearing our proper name, in which we are privileged to worship, has caused considerable comment and investigation, and has produced good fruits. Much indifference and cold-heartedness toward us has been over- come by the visits of a few of the titled people of this land to the valleys of the mountains, or as they say, to the 'Mormon' stronghold. These have been startled and amazed at finding such an ideal condition among our people. Lady Kidman recently returned from an extended visit to the United States,

EDITORS' TABLE 171 and gave an account of her visit in a leading daily paper. She lays particular stress upon her visit to Salt Lake City, and pays the Latter-day Saints a glowing tribute. She says, 'The 'Mormons' do not practice polygamy, are a good people, do not smoke, drink, or swear, pay one-tenth of their income to the Church, and are very hospitable and progressive.' " Elders left to right: Reuben A. Call, Bountiful; Conference President Walter D. Francis, Morgan; El ward E. Burrows, Huntsville; Carrol L. Olsen, Hvrum, Utah. Forty Baptized in Frankfurt, Germany LeRoi B. Gardner, president Frankfurter conference, Germany, reports August 30, that eighteen missionaries are laboring in the smallest conference in Germany — the Frankfurter, in which much success is achieved. The gos- pel is being preached in city, village and roadside, covering a large area, in- cluding Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Mannheim, Heidelberg, Offenbach, Saar- bruecken, and the picturesque Odenwald, the farming district lying in the valley and on the river banks and the hillsides of the national forest reserve where the rolliag hills are capped with a heavy growth of tall pines. Forty people have been baptized this year and many friends have asked for baptism. Being on the border line and partly included in the section of Germany, occu- pied by the French soldiers, the people are inclined more toward political affairs than religion, and it is difficult to convince the people that the gospel of Christ is bigger and includes more than anything else in the world. Still, hundreds are being led to consider the truths of the Bible. Many of the people are well versed in the Bible, as they have learned it in the schools; but since the War the Bible is no longer taught in the schools and the German children are having no opportunity to learn the simple Bible stories and com- mandments, so we invite children from all classes of people to attend the Latter-day Saint Sunday schools. Thus, through the children, attending Sunday schools and the invitations of missionaries, while tracting, many fam- ilies have been brought to a fuller understanding of the gospel.