Impressions of the National Summer School

IMPRESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL By Elmer G. Petersen, President of the Utah Agricultural College The first session of the National Summer School of the Utah Agricultural College came to a close on June 18, 1924. Assembled at Logan during the six weeks of the session was the most eminent group of distinguished educators and scientists ever brought together in a summer school in America. The list included such great Left to right: Prof. W. C. Allee, Unversity of Chicago, (Zoology) ; Prof, Eliot Blackwelder, Stanford, (Geology) ; and Prof. Henry C. Cowles, University of Chicago, (Botany). These three great teachers of the natural sciences who headed the departments at the U. A. C. National Summer School are pronounced the leading authorities in their fields in America. leaders as are shown in accompanying photographs, besides Steiner of Iowa, John Adams of London, Shailer Matthews of Chicago, William H. Carruth of Stanford, E. A. Winship of Boston, and others almost equally eminent. President Emeritus Charles W. Eliot of Harvard contributed a special article on education which was read on the occasion of the dedicatory services at the new Amphitheatre on College Hill, June 23, 1924. The National Summer School has demonstrated three things: first, that the scenic, climatic geographical features of Logan and Cache Valley are almost ideal for the location of such a national enterprise; second, that there can be assembled a large number of students, sufficient to justify the expenditures involved; and third,

1068 IMPROVEMENT ERA Part of the National Summer School Faculty. Standing: C. B. Gentry (Rhode Island) ; W. C. Allee (Chicago) ; Frederick J. Turner (Harvard) ; Thomas D. Wood (Columbia); E. G. Peterson (President U. A. C.) ; E. V. McCollum (Johns Hopkins): O. C. Reed (Ohio). Sitting: H. C. Cowles (Chicago); E. C. Branson (North Carolina) ; Elga Shearer (California) ; E. L. Thorndike, (Columbia^ that in quality the students compare favorably with the students of the greater universities and colleges. The scenic and recreational values in Utah are greatly under- estimated by our own people. The visitors were unanimous in pro- nouncing the College campus and the easily accessible areas about, such as Bear River Bay, Bird Island, Ogden Canyon, and Bear Lake, unsurpassed in beauty, in wealth of material for scientific study, and in recreational facility. Bear River Bay and Bird Island are probably the most prolific accessible breeding grounds for water fowl in America if not in the world. Bear Lake in coloring, and in scenic value otherwise, is a positively sensational feature of inter- mountain scenery. Ogden and Logan canyons rival the beautiful Swiss Alps in the beauty and variety of their topography. Add to these areas summer nights with invariably cool if not cold soft winds, sunsets of dazzling brilliancy, morning twilight of transcendent silvery beauty, and a perfect wealth of wild song birds, and myriad manifestations of other wild life, a profusion of native plants, and probably as informing a geology as is anywhere exposed, and you have an environment of unexcelled charm and interest to attract the

THE NATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL 1069 David Starr Jordan, President Emeritus of Stanford University. This remarkable photograph of Dr. Jordan was taken on the campus of the Utah Agricultural College. scholar and student. Looking from the brow of College Hill Dr. McCollum pronounced the view equalled by only one other he had seen on earth, Berne, Switzerland. Within easy auto »r rail- road travel are Yellowstone, Bryce's, Zion's Canyon and the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. There were enough students enrolled to pay fully all the expense of employing the special faculty and of advertising the National Summer School throughout America. Of course, such an enter- prise need not be made self-supporting. Probably in few other ways could money be more wisely spent. Competent observers say that in its stimulating effect upon Utah nothing of recent years has sur- passed in influence the National Summer School. A considerable expenditure could therefore wisely be put into it. Education is not supposed to be self-supporting. It is a good investment of the people's funds in their interest. That this first session is self-sup- porting merely indicates the great interest the people have in it and the great future it has.

1070 IMPROVEMENT ERA One of the pleasant results of the School was the demonstration of the high scholarship and quality of our students. Speaking of his classes, probably the most eminent specialist present said that, all in all, his students at Logan were better prepared and more cap- able than his students of the previous summer at the second largest university in America. Professor Turner remarked about the great zeal and devotion manifested in his classes. Professor Branson in a similar way expressed high regard for his Utah students. Dr. Raymond Franzen, of the University of California who taught courses in psychology at Logan, wrote me as follows: "When 1 gave my final examination in Educational Psychology I used the same questions following an identical course that 1 used for juniors and seniors in California University. This is a two hour examination con- structed objectively so that its correction is mechanical and thus uninflu- enced by the personal elements in scoring. The average of the Utah stu- dents was a little above the average of those in California and there were fewer failures. There were only three of the three hundred and twenty-two Utah students who fell as low as the point denoting failure (based on a much larger distribution) while seven out of the one hundred and five in California were failures, on the same basis. We are assured by this that the students in this class are well prepared to cope with work similar to the upper division courses of a standard university." Such comment was practically universal among the teachers. The students, of course, were probably not entirely representative of our own state of the west. The National Summer School drew the better grade of students not only from Utah and the intermountain west but from twenty-three other states represented. Clearly we can assemble here a very superior group of students, not only sincere in their scholarship but innately capable and worthy of the best in- struction. One of the remarkable manifestations of the Summer School was the tribute it brought from our distinguished visitors to the people of Utah and what they are doing. Great questions are being asked of our civilization these days. And the questions are most searching ones about private personal morals, about family life, about the devotion of people to ideals, about children and how they are being reared and what they are being taught. These questions are searching out the size of families, and how the inferior and the superior breed, at what age girls and young men marry, how chil- dren are nursed, what food parents and children eat, what recreation they have, and what of their teeth and the quality of their bones, because these are dependent upon their mode of living. These questions relate to the ability of people to unite strongly in the tasks that are common to all men. Have people become grossly selfish as a result of the intense commercialism of the day? Is there left any great abundance of courtesy, sincere friendliness, and what might be called brotherliness which foregoes pleasure that others may be happy?

THE NATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL 1071 Here in the heart of the Rocky Mountains people have been trying for seventy-five and more years to so live that they will be entitled to the commendation of God. It cannot be expected that in that time the people have entirely stripped themselves of the habili- ments of vice, selfishness, greed and all that goes with these qualities. To have done so would have rendered further habitation on earth by such people unnecessary. Their probation would have been ended. But have they measurably subdued the vicious animal tendencies in them? Have they by virtue of their great organization been able to accomplish social and economic results impossible of attainment with- out such organization? Have they become strong spiritually? Keen observers on the National Summer School faculty say they have gone far along the great highway which leads to the ex- altation of mankind. Professor Turner of Harvard in private con- versation after careful and quiet observation remarked that: "My best wish for all America is that the country were peopled throughout by such citizens as these." Later he said, "To the eastern student a summer in Utah would be an education in itself, a revelation of what the word America means." Coming from one of the two or three greatest living American historians, many think the greatest, such statements are almost the verdict of history. Dr. E. C. Branson, than whom there is no wiser student of rural affairs, paid high tribute to the organization operating here in the interest of great social accomplishments. Professor Merk, of the Department of History of Harvard, like- wise pronounced the Church organization in Utah "The finest in existence for the solution of social and economic problems." E. A. Steiner, great international student and authority, remarked in opening one of his remarkable evening lectures at the new Amphi- theatre on College Hill, "Nowhere on earth have I felt as here the spirit of God so strongly." There were sharp lessons in life habits which the Summer School brought out. Dr. McCollum, world authority on nutrition, em- phasized among other things the necessity of simpler diet, including, fruits and vegetables in the season thereof. These, our natural foods, are charged during their season with substances called vitamines, which Dr. McCollum himself was among the first to discover. These elusive substances are absolutely necessary for health. Their absence causes rickets, scurvy, skeletal defects and defects of the teeth, as well as many other disturbances of the body. Dr. McCollum expressed in one of his lectures the fact, as he stated it, that his audiences and students here had better teeth than anywhere else he had taught. Good teeth and proper diet go hand in hand. It was suggested to him vhat observance of the "Word of Wisdom" and the large number, com- paratively, of children in Utah families who are breast fed, a necessary

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THE NATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL 1073 practice in large families, and not bottle fed, might account for the good teeth he observed. Here is a startling truth later emphasized by Dr. McCollum in private conversation with the writer. The tendency of the American people as of all civilized people is to limit child bearing among the more intelligent, leaving the large families to the so-called lower strata of society. Girls accustomed to good homes are reluctant to marry young men early, young men of comparatively poor circum- stances. They prefer, if necessary, typewriting, teaching, or similar work, which quite easily provides them the luxuries they crave. Later in life when their circumstances are improved or the circumstances of their prospective husbands are imporved they may marry. Child- bearing by the girl of from sixteen to the early twenties is much easier than when in the late twenties or thirties. Usually, therefore, after the first child of a late marriage, the child bearing being so distressing, only one other child is born or perhaps no other chil- dren are born into the family. It remains for the cruder and less informed and those less inured to luxurious living to bear large families. Ultimately these, as a result, replace the more advanced peoples. Such is the history of every civilization to date. Such is the trend of our own American life. There was a practically universal comment on the part of our distinguished visitors that the people here were kindly, courteous, sincere, and that there was naturalness in the lives which they led. Such, are a few only of the deductions made from the visit of these great scholars. Let it be said that they were found to be men of great personal probity, of high ideals, and of genuineness that was pure gold. Scholarship in its higher form as they represented it was not apart from outstanding integrity and devotion to humanity, which it was a privilege to witness. These things, commendatory of our people, are mentioned not by way of flattery or even congratulation. They point the way, if we appraise them rightly, to greater achievement. Is it not becoming as clear as the white light of day that here is truth, clean, undefiled, wait- ing to exalt those who live it? There are mistakes, human mistakes, made in the name of our religion. There are small men among us occasionally who prate it and defile it. And there are many right- eous men all over the earth; God is working with all his children. Yet here alone on the earth is the deep current which carries on to eternity. Here is the deep faith the like of which does not exist elsewhere on earth. Here is the method of living vouchsafed to us for our purification and strengthening. And here is the authority of God which keeps clean the great stream of truth that has come from ages past, and here the authority which replenishes this stream with new truth and with interpretation of the old. It is the plan of life and salvation. Logan, Utah

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS [The information and pictures sent to the Improvement Era by the faithful band of workers in the mission fields of the world are highly pleasing and entertaining. However, we can always improve and make this department of the Era more useful, faith-promoting and worthwhile. We offer these suggestions to our correspondents; if observed, they will increase interest: Group and other pictures, as a rule, should not be offered that have appeared or will appear in any other publication. The elders or missionaries pictured should have done something worthy, which something should be told and should accompany the portrait sent to illustrate the text. Let the picture show action, if possible. Accounts of unusual experiences, journeys, conferences or gatherings, tersely stated, are wanted. The mere recital of who spoke, when, where and at what hour, does not appeal to the reader. He wants the life of the matter, not the dry minutes of the proceedings. We want impressive and faith-promoting occurrences, thoughts and ideas; new methods; rare travel events; answer to prayer, spiritual direction, interesting conversions, manifestations of the power and goodness of God, and kindred subjects, briefly and pointedly stated. — Editors.] Progress in the Mission Field The records of the Presiding Bishop's Office show that during the first six months of 1924, there were 2,299 baptisms in the missions of the Church. Out of this number 1,010 baptisms occurred in Germany, and 1,289 in all the other missions, except the British, the report of which had not come to hand at this writing. Recent Happenings in Swiss-German Mission From Elder E. Wayne Stratford, president of the Zurich conference of the Swiss-German mission the Improvement Era receives an account under date of July 3, of recent happenings there. Easter was celebrated in a memorable conference and Sunday school convention in Zurich. The occa- sion was honored by the presence of three mission presidents — David O. McKay of the European mission, Russel H. Blood of the newly formed French mission, and Fred Tadje of the Swiss-German mission. The Relief Society were delighted to have present Sisters Emma Ray McKay and Eliza W. Tadje, both Relief Society presidents. Other visitors included all the traveling elders, conference presidents of the Swiss-German mission and the various auxiliary officers. The members of the two Zurich branches proved very hospitable in taking care of the visitors. During the three days the time was spent in the warm greetings, care- fully prepared teachings, and farewells of their beloved visitors. All those present were strengthened in their testimony and faith to greater works by the kindly and inspired teachings of these servants of God, whose influence was sublime. A branch conference was held in St. Gallen on June 8 accompanied by a baptism of six in the Sitter river. Conference President K. Eduard Hof- mann conducted the meeting, and his fearless, faithful and fatherly admo- nitions were greatly appreciated. The Winterthur branch held its conference June 15 in Winterthur, conducted by President Antone L. Skanky. Three very interesting sessions were held in which all organizations were reported in good condition and

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1075 inspiring gospel talks were made by the missionaries. Excellent musical numbers were given by the Winterthur choir and other talented individuals. On Badener Strasse — a few minutes from the Wall Street of Zurich — is the meetinghouse of the Church. On July 2 in this meetinghouse the two Sunday schools of the Zurich branches rendered a program to which 150 people came. Fathers and mothers heard and saw their little children sing, dance, recite and act parts in their own unaffected and genuine man- ner. The ease and sincere charm of the pure little children touched the hearts of all present and warmed them with the power of the Spirit of the gospel. The elders of the Konrad branch in Zurich, four in number, tracted a total of 500 hours during the month. Milford T. Herzog, Sunday school superintendent, set the record of the conference by tracting 140 hours and won the prize offered to the missionary tracting the most number of hours. He received a copy of the new edition of the German Book of Mormon. During the month May to June 20. thirteen elders tracted a total of 933 hours. A total of 3 900 tracts were distributed, and 2364 gospel conver- sations were held, also 3 9 cottage meetings, all in the Zurich conference. SAN BERNARDINO CONFERENCE MISSIONARIES AND MISSION OFFICERS CALIFORNIA MISSION Left to right, front row: Frank Brown, mission secretary; Charlotte Stahr, acting Relief Society president; Joseph W. McMurrin, mission president; Ira M. Bay, out- going conference president; Josie B. Bay, Lila J. D. Brown. Second row: D. V. Farnsworth, Elmer N. Christoffersen, president Fresno conference; Agnes A. West, Lydia A. Ekins, president Primaries and Y. L. M. I. A. of the mission; Violet Jensen, Truman V. Rollins. Standing: Glen P. Vincent. Third row: Florence A. West, Myrtle Harris, Lillian Jensen, Constance A. Peterson, J. Claude Surrage, Lucille Brown, Elsie Hogan, mission corresponding secretary. Top row: Wm. W. Toombs, incoming conference president; Jesse P. Coombs, Jos. G. Jeppson, superintendent Sunday school and Y. M. M. I. A.; Wm. J. Cook, L. Brooks Abbott, F. Millan Peck. Many Friends and Investigators Elder Carrol L. Olsen, writes from Launceston, Northern Tasmania, Australia: "This branch of the Church was closed for a number of years during and after the World War owing to a shortage of elders during that time, but was reopened in 1921 and the work has grown wonderfully. At present there are 25 members of the Church and many friends and investi-

1076 IMPROVEMENT ERA gators. On the 11th of May President Don C. Rushton attended a con- ference here and all present enjoyed the meeting immensely. There were 41 in attendance at the evening session. We find much joy in our labors here and sense the responsibility resting upon us in teaching the gospel among the people." The photo shows the elders as follows irom left to right: President Don C. Rushton of the Australian mission; Lewis L. Pelkington of the Hobart conference, Smithfield; Carol L. Olsen, Hyrum; and Russell B. Tingey, branch president, Brigham City, Utah. These are all laboring in the Launceston branch. ^ "We appreciate the Era greatly. It is a wonderful help to us in our missionary work, and we wish you success in its future publication." From the Mexican Mission Elder Myron F. West, mission secretary, reports July 12, that "The elders laboring in the Mexican Central conference of the Mexican Mission have had marked success throughout the various localities comprising this part of the mission. The opportunities for missionary work are espe- cially good in the Federal District, in and around the capital of the Mexican Republic. The population of this field is well over one million inhabitants and as yet, only a comparatively small part have accepted 'Mormonism.' For the past six months nine elders have been laboring in the Federal District, five in Mexico City, and four in Tlalpam, D. F., and from there have been taking care of the fields of Cuernavaca and Chalco and part of Mexico City. According to their reports they are making good headway and the outlook for the future is very bright. The elders in the Federal District have had slight cases of sickness but all are well at present. Leland M. Mortensen,

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1077 who has been laboring in Ozumba, has been suffering from an attack of typhoid fever, but is slowly recovering and is soon expected to take up his work again in that field." /'^l^k [-•/ag . -. t \ ■ ri h ■/^^m ^ ^ci > Mk tefc.rf' * «b ■'■ W ,M ^r^W Hlh BL m ■ * r- ■ y Elders laboring in Mexico City and vicinity, left to right, seated: John A. Peart, Salt Lake City; Edwin L. McClellan, conference president, Colonia Juarez, Chi- huahua, Mexico; Clarence I. Foy, Panguitch; Joseph L. Nielson, Blanding. Standing: Chester O. Garlick, Ogden, Utah; Lawrence Lee, Rigby, Idaho; Her- bert J. Hawkes, Logan, Utah; H. Floyd Davis, Mesa, Arizona; Dewey S. Farnsworth, Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico. Enjoyable Conference in San Francisco "Sunday evening, May 18, brought to a close one of the most suc- cessful and instructive conferences ever held in the San Francisco confer- ence," reports Kenneth A. Nielson, conference secretary. It opened on Thursday morning with a missionary Priesthood and report meeting, which lasted into the afternoon, after which the Oakland Relief Society ban- queted the missionaries and visitors, while a program prepared by the Oak- land missionaries was highly enjoyed. On the same evening at San Jose the illustrated lecture on "The external evidences of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon" was delivered by Joseph G. Jeppson assisted by Lydia A. Ekins. Sixty-five people were present at this meeting. Friday was devoted to the Relief Society and Primary conferences. On Saturday evening the M. I. A. session was held, presided over by Presidents Joseph G. Jeppson and Lydia Ekins. Short talks were given on the social, moral and spiritual advantages to be gained in the Mutuals. The Sunday morning session was turned over to W. Aird McDonald, of the Oakland branch, in commemoration of the anniversary of the dedication of the Oak- land chapel. Seven hundred people found seats in the building. Presi-

1078 IMPROVEMENT ERA dent Hcber J. Grant's dedicatory prayer offered at the dedication was read by Conference President Frank M. Edman. President Joseph W. McMurrin bore a powerful testimony of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Reports of the six branches were given which showed a gain in membership over last year. The healthy condition of the conference is a source of joy and satisfaction to those devoting their time to the work of the Lord. The conference slogan, "Let us live the gospel" was again commended to the Saints. Thirty-eight baptisms have been performed this year, 24 of them being adults. The music of the conference, with excellent individual num- bers, was furnished by the San Francisco and Oakland choirs, and could hardly be excelled in any ward or branch of the Church. At the Saturday and Sunday sessions, 2,000 people were in attendance and a rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord was manifest in all the services. ^JM ^B V 1 H JiaM Missionaries, top row, left to right: Hcnrich Victors, president San Jose branch; Ona V. Walker; Kenneth A. Nielson; Frank M. Edman, conference president; Joseph W. McMurrin, mission president; Niel L. Sagers. Middle row: Merlin G. Christensen; Joseph Hansen; W. Royal Hall; Valko L. Hickman; James D. Petersen. Bottom row: Belva Jones; LaPrele Owen; Elodie Sorenson; Phoebe McConnell; Lucille Nelson. Working Country Districts Without Purse or Scrip E. G. Berntson, writing from Boston, Massachusetts, July 7, reports progress in the Massachusetts conference. "On May 23 the elders gave up their rooms in the cities and departed into the country districts, depending upon the Spirit of the Lord to guide them to the honest in heart to give them entertainment, and welcome the gospel message. At New Bedford,

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1079 Massachusetts, on June 29 and 30, the missionaries, Saints, and their friends met at conference, the elders reporting many interesting experiences, ranging all the way from sleeping under the stars to being entertained by priests and ministers. One minister permitted the elders to use his Church in order that his membership might hear of the restored gospel. The New Bedford conference was a decided success. President B. H. Roberts of Brooklyn, New York, was present. His inspired talks were enjoyed by all. The Saints and missionaries all left with the fire of rekindled faith in their hearts and with a determination to live and teach the gospel." Missionaries of Massachusetts conferences, left to right, front row: j. ju. vjarrett, Nephi, Utah; Meta Anderson, Palo Alto, California; LaVerne Black, Twin Falls, Idaho; Ed J. Ellison, conference president, Layton; Julia Paxman, Nephi; Loa Christensen, Tremonton; J. C. Nelson, Provo. Second row: F. A. Biesinger, Salt Lake City; L. W. Fuller, Silver City; C. D. Petersen, Hyrum; R. W. Newman, Ogden; E. G. Berntson, Logan. Back row: J. B. W. Tiemersma, Salt Lake City; O. L. Eliason, Logan, Utah; Charles H. Andrus, Elba, Idaho. Close of the Japan Mission "The accompanying picture is of missionaries laboring in the Japan mission, while assembled in a recent conference, at Tokyo, May 14 to 19 inclusive. "The missionaries named below are those who were laboring in the field at the time the First Presidency saw fit to withdraw all missionaries from Japan. The last of this number are to leave for their homes August 7, 1924, almost twenty-three years to the day from the opening of the mission on August 12, 1901, when President Heber J. Grant and Brothers Louis A. Kelsch, Horace S. Ensign and Alma O. Taylor, arrived in this land to open this country to missionary work. Since the opening of this mission there have been a total of eighty-eight missionaries called into the field, each of whom has spent from one to twelve years in the spreading of the gospel among this people. Some few of this number have completed two missions in this land." — Milton B. Taylor, Mission Secretary.

Missionaries of the Japan mission, left to right, top row: Hilton A. Robertson, mis- sion president, and Hazel M. Robertson, Springville, Utah. Second row: Ernest B. Woodward, Wellsville, Utah; Milton B. Taylor, mission secretary, Harrisville, Utah; William E. Davies, Plain City, Utah. Third row: Louise M. Browning and F. Wallace Browning, Sendai conference president, Ogden Utah; W. Lamont Glover, Sapporo conference president, and Sylvia P. Glover, Brigham City, Utah. Fourth row: Vinal G. Mauss, Tokyo conference president, Murray, Utah; Lewis H. Moore, Vernal, Utah; Rulon Esplin, Orderville, Utah. Bottom row: Arva B. Christensen, baby Lowell Haruo and Elwood L. Christensen, Osaka confer- ence president, Brigham City, Utah.