--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Harris, F. S. - Butt, N. I. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 28 number: 2 published: 1924-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "F. S. Harris and N. I. Butt, “Heroes of Science,” *Improvement Era 28, no. 2 (December 1924)*: 135–143." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2802unse 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: improvementera2802unse start_page: 135 end_page: 143 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1924-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2802unse publication_year: 1924 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 1924, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Heroes of Science HEROES OF SCIENCE By President F. S. Harris and N. I. Butt of the Brigham Young University 6. Helmholtz "Know the truth and the truth shall make you free," seems to have been the motto of Hermann L. F. Helmholtz, one of the fore- most intellectual men of the last century. There is hardly a branch of science that this, master investigator did not leave his impress upon in his active career of half a century. When the physician examines your eyes for defects, he probably applies some of the facts discovered by Helmholtz. The work of this scientist helped give us the facts concerning the way sound is received and interpreted by the ear; why some sounds "grate on the nerves" while others give plea- sure, and why there is such a difference in musical instruments. Be- sides his discoveries in these lines he also made important contributions to our knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, electricity, magnetism, mechanics, meteorology, and astronomy. On his mother's side, Helmholtz was a descendant of the historical Quaker, William Penn. Born in 1821, he was early taught by his father, who was a teacher of philosophy in Germany, to learn about the unknown by close observation of the details connected with it. Throughout his life, Helmholtz showed that his early teachings had sunk deeply. Other than being born of good paremtage, Helmholtz had very few advantages. Like most teachers in our own country, his parents were poor. Being of a delicate constitution so that he could not work hard, the future scientist spent much of his time reading books. H« would like to have devoted his entire time to science but when, at the age of 22, he had finished his schooling, there was no opening for him in the experimental lines. His training had prepared him for other work, and he took a position as surgeon in the Prussian army. In the field of surgery Helmholtz found the information far from complete. During 1842 he made the first of a long series of discoveries which followed during his lifetime. While examining some of the tissues he was cutting he became interested in the little nerves of the body. He pointed out the nature of the nerves in certain nerve-centers not well studied. Later he studied the rate at which the nerves transfer a message from one part of the body to another. When he became curious to know exactly how muscles contract and could not learn because no one knew, he took it upon himself to find out. Devising an apparatus by which the muscles were made to record their movements by scratches on smoked glass, he soon became 138 IMPROVEMENT ERA the world's greatest authority on this subjct. Many of the facts he learned of the effect of electricity on muscle contraction have been of great value. So many were Helmholtz's contributions to knowledge that in a few years his services were being sought by the universities. From the time he left the army to the day of his death in 1894 he was actively connected with teaching institutions where he had the opportunities he wished to experiment and to impart his knowledge to the world through scholars. Physicians were handicapped in attempting to correct eye troubles before the time of Helmholtz because they knew very little about the interior of the eye and the way it acts. In 1851 while this investigator was devising means for demonstrating to his students the cause of the reflection of light by a cat's eye in the dark, he invented the ophthalmoscope, an instrument by which the interior of the eye can be watched. During about 15 years Helmholtz spent all the time he could spare doing nothing but studying the eye. He discovered how the muscles of the eye act when they are focusing on objects at different distances. An examination of persons with certain eye troubles indicated that the difficulty was due to wrong adjustments of the muscles and that a surgical operation would correct the evil. He helped to explain how the nerves of the eye act in sending to the brain the impression of colors. So many were his discoveries about the eye that when he finally compiled them he had a large sized book. Had Helmholtz made no other contributions to knowledge than those concerning the eye, he would have gone down in history as a great man. But his studies concerning sound and the ear are equally important. Not much was known concerning quality in music before the inventions of Helmholtz. Music was considered as a gift of the gods and therefore unexplainable. After performing a few experiments in his laboratory, Helmholtz was able to separate the different sounds coming from music, and by means of electrically vibrated tuning forks to create music. He showed that there is no mystery about any sound; that a physicist can analyze it as readily as a chemist analyzes his -chemicals. His method of analyzing and compounding sound did much to start Bell, the in- ventor of the telephone, on the road to this invention. The explana- tion Helmholtz gave of why sounds please the ear gave instrument makers a much more definite basis for making good instruments, and made the teaching of music and its composition more of a science than heretofore. Not only did this inventor study sound in the abstract, but he followed its path through the ear to the brain. Many of the mys- teries such as why quality as well as quantity of sound is received by the brain were explained by him. Some of his contributions were of great practical value to ear specialists. HEROES OF SCIENCE 139 But physiology was not the only field entered by Helmholtz. He is one of the noted men who first demonstrated to the world that matter and energy continue forever and are not destroyed. Some people are still trying to make perpetual motion machines which will disprove this theory, but they all finally have to accept its truth. As a conclusion to this sketch we may state that Helmholtz was a master in many fields of endeavor. He went to the bottom of any subject he became interested in, and if the bottom had not been found by investigators before his time he sought facts which would help to give a fuller knowledge of those things which would assist in uplifting mankind. He was a master teacher as well as an investigator because he tried to learn all facts; students from all over the world came to study under his direction. The Time to Pray By Joseph Quinney, Jr., President Canadian Mission The time to pray is now: Not yesterday, nor at tomorrow's dawn; but now, while I have life, when I can speak with God, and unfold to him in depth of soul my hidden thoughts, and by his grace be made strong. The time to pray is now: I need light, God's holy light to mark the way; and then with unflinching courage be a fragrance in that sacred path and in splendor unfold, as I move, the endowment of God's pure love. The time to pray is now: Confidently I look up to a power above; and with that power bless my friends, my home, my country; and with armor of righteousness push out and build lives with golden deeds. The time to pray is now: I need faith, a vital faith in God. Then fellowmen, my mind adjusted, my soul opens to let in the great gift of light, let me be kind, charitable, obedient, honest, loyal, courageous, strong; yea, a man, a strong man, reflecting always the highest, the best. The time to pray is now: Always lying in wait to deceive lurks the evil one. I need strength, the mighty arm of strength to cast aside this author of lies and build a life of truth. The time to pray is now: Wait not until distressed, oppressed, or the hour of pain has come; pray now, in God's name pray, and have the fortifying power of him who loves and gives. The time to pray is now: I need the Christ in time of peace as well as trial. The hour of prayer is here. It is my hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer; most reverently I bow, in humility I say, "God, give me strength to do thy will; not mine, I pray, be done." Toronto, Canada. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS "Thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth. Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech." — Motto of the Australian Mission, Doc. and Cov. 112:4-5. Novel Advertising of a Conference Victor R. Taylor, conference president of Breslau, Germany, reports that one of the features of a recent conference at which large crowds attended, was the unique way it was advertised. "Through the friendliness of the president of the Schlesische Funkstunde Aktien Gesellschaft, a short lecture concerning our identity and why we were called 'Mormons,' and what our purpose was in Germany, was given. The time of our conference meetings was given and announcement made that President Tadje would be present. Following the conference a short report was given concerning it through the radio. We enjoy the Era very much and are especially thankful for the lessons given by Dr. George H. Brimhall and H. V. Hoyt of the Brigham Young Uni- versity." Missionaries, left to right: Leroy Winter, Homer B. Duncan, Adolf f Hoffmann, Curtis J. Bushman, Jacob Wagner, James Sharp of the Chemnitzer conference: Elias Cannon, W. E. Stosich, Richard Behling, Perry McArthur. Sitting: Roland Smith, Leipzig conference; Victor R. Taylor, conference president; E. Virgil Norton, president Dresden conference; Vernon M. Rhodes, president Leipzig conference; Sister Tadje, Mission President Fred Tadje; LeRoy Bunnell, outgoing conference president; W. E. Writer, president Chemnitz conference; L. S. Walker. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 141 Enthusiastic Interest in New Zealand The elders laboring in the Wellington, New Zealand conference, believe that its general condition was never better. There is a splendid spirit of industry and cooperation manifest among them. For the first time in several years converts have been added to our ranks. The spirit of investigation is possessing many of our friends, and we feel confident that the ordinances of baptism will ere long be administered to others. For the first time in its history, Wellington, the metropolis of the Dominion, has reverberated to the cry of repentance as proclaimed by God's chosen servants. Our open air meetings are flourishing and Zion's cause waxes strong. In May we held a conference characterized by great spiritual influence, the only one that has convened in our district in a year and a half. This created enthusiasm and stimulated great interest, and another is to be held shortly. It is with joy and gratitude that we acknowledge the hand of God in the myriad blessings that we enjoy. The Era comes monthly as an ambassador of inspiration. We have induced many of our friends to become subscribers and this to their joy and delight. We rejoice in this privilege of greeting through its pages those who are keeping the "home fires burning," whilst we are favored to continue in this marvelous work. — Royal L. Garff, Auck- land, New "Zealand. Elders, standing, left to right: D. H. Greenwood, Sandy; H. J. Cassity, released, Provo: Joseph H. Olsen, Jr., Logan, Utah. Front: Wilford Hansen, Monroe, ex-president Wairau conference, released; E. A. Ottley, Elba, Idaho, of the Wairarapa conference; Royal L. Garff, Salt Lake City, president of the Well- ington conference; Angus W. Westover, released, Centerfield. D. O. Dastrup Sandy, Utah, was not present when this photo was taken. News Received from Norway Up to the present time the Improvement Era has heard practically nothing from the Norwegian mission, but we are delighted to report that word has now been received from Elder J. Leland Anderson of the Chris- tiania conference, Norway, that the mission is alive and progressing. The 142 IMPROVEMENT ERA missionaries express pride in their mission and field of labor and each is doing all in his power for the work of the Lord, and they rejoice in their progress. He says: _ . . , "The big problem now confronting us is getting missionaries into the country. It has been and now is almost an impossibility for a missionary of the 'Mormon' Church to get into Norway. Consequently, our list is not large, but our little band is working in perfect unity and love, in which the Spirit of the Lord abounds. Without this blessing we could not accomplish what we have done and are doing. Conference was held here July 19-21. President and Sister David O. McKay were in attendance, and of course, we enjoyed a 'spiritual feast' — a reunion which will always be remembered by those who attended. We wish to send our brotherly love and regards to every reader of the Era." "This picture was taken at conference time. Left to right, top row: Margaret Peterson, A. Richard Peterson, president of the Norwegian mission, Storrs; President David O. McKay; Ole Hansen, Menan, Idaho; Borghild Nylander, Axel A. Nylander, Salt Lake City; Karl Jensen, local, president of the Trond- hjem conference; Olaf K. Karlsen, local; president of the Bergen conference; Willard L. Arvesett, Christiania, Norway; Arthur H. Aamodt, visitor, Murray, Utah. Bottom row: Carrie Peterson (President Peterson's daughter) ; Emma Ray McKay; Ruth Nylander (Axel A. Nylander's daughter) ; Ernest A. Jor- gensen, mission secretary, Salt Lake City; J. Leland Anderson, Rexburg, Idaho; Karin Olsen, Frans Olsen, Salt Lake City. Brother and Sister Nylander have been released and have returned to their home." L. D. S. Chapel in Baltimore, Maryland, Dedicated On Sunday, September 7, 1924, the L. D. S. chapel at Baltimore, Maryland, was dedicated. Special dedicatory services were arranged, and B. H. Roberts, president of the Eastern States mission, officiated at the dedication. The meetings were well attended by Saints and friends from different parts of the Maryland conference, some coming from Delaware and Pennsylvania. The sacredness of the occasion, and the impressive and beau- tiful dedicatory prayer, offered by President B. H. Roberts, will long be remembered by those who attended. Elder Roland C. Lundquist, president of the Maryland conference, conducted the services, and in attendance were; MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 143 Elders J. LaMar, Asa F. Hatch, Therm G. Thurgood, F. W. Farnsworth, W. I. Barton, Merrill V. Hansen, Glenn M. Kempton, Chas. W. Mitchell, George R. Burton; and Sisters Eva Lee and Alda Fugal, all missionaries of the conference. The chapel is a neat stone and brick structure located at the corner of Wolfe and Federal streets, convenient to transportation, and the members of the Maryland conference are justly proud of it. It was pur- chased, within the past year, from the Faith Evang. Lutheran church, at a cost of $12,000. The First Presidency gave generously from the Church funds towards its purchase. It now stands a creditable monument to the Church, and to the efforts of missionaries and Saints who are trying to obtain a foothold in the Eastern states. The Baltimore branch is presided over by President T. A. Clawson, Jr., and his counselors, James J. Bolin and Professor George R. Sanders. — The Maryland Conference, 1529 W. Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland. R. C. Lundquist, President. The Way Opened Elder Horace Y. Whittle, Goole, Hull conference, England, reports the elders enjoying their work in that part of the British mission. "The Lord has opened a way in many respects in getting the message of salvation to numerous friends and investigators. Sister Margaret Smith, recently returned to her home in Salt Lake City, has rendered us great assistance in removing prejudicial feeling and opening many homes to the truth. The work of the Lord is growing here as in many other parts, and we appreciate very much the opportunity of doing our work in presenting the gospel message to the people here. May the cause of truth flourish throughout the earth." "Missionaries left to right: Horace Y. Whittle, Preston, Idaho; Margaret Smith, Salt Lake City; William G. Jackson, Manassa, Colorado; President K. Marsel Widtsoe of the Hull conference, Salt Lake City." New Church Building Purchased in Amsterdam I feel sure a great many readers of the Improvement Era will be pleased to know that a fine building has been purchased for the branch of the Church in the city of Amsterdam. Since the organization of the Ntherlands mission, the Saints in Amsterdam have met in many various halls, most of which have not been altogether suitable for our purposes, but with the acquisition of the present building, we have a place ideally adapted for religious services and the requirements of the auxiliary organizations. The 144 IMPROVEMENT ERA building is a three-story structure with cement foundation and brick con- struction, and pleasing design. On the ground floor is the main hall with balcony, which, when finished according to plans, will have a seating ca- pacity of 400. There is a smaller hall on the second floor used for meetings of the Priesthood and auxiliary organizations, with class rooms and rooms for the elders. A small apartment on the third floor is used as a home for the caretaker, while in the cement basement is the heating plant. On Sep- tember 14, the semi-annual Amsterdam conference was held in the new building, with an attendance in the evening of about 500 people. It was one of the largest and most successful conferences which we have held, and I feel the spirit of permanency has led to new interest in the work of the Lord. Friday evening, October 12, President David O. McKay was here to attend a special service which had been arranged for that evening. The hall was attractively decorated with flowers and palms, and a splendid musical program was rendered by the choir. After a few preliminary remarks, Presi- dent McKay dedicated the building, and then concluded with a sermon on the text, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness." There was 218 people present. We enjoy reading the Era and the elders find it a rich source of information and knowledge. — Charles S. Hyde, Mission President. Overcoming Indifference "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Such was the question of Nathanael to Philip as Philip invited him to "Come and see," so the missionaries of the southeastern part of Colorado, known as the Pueblo conference, are inviting people to come and not only see, but hear the wondrous truths which Jesus of Nazareth taught and practiced, and which by him have been restored to earth again. Opposition, as found in other parts of the world, is lacking here, but is supplanted by something worse, "indif- ference." However, we have cause to rejoice, for the work is growing steadily and is firmly rooted. The reports of the missionaries at our last conference showed marked improvement, and an interest among the members that makes it possible to officer the branches and auxiliary organizations entirely by local members. This condition made it possible for all the elders to do country work during the past summer. Too much cannot be said about the good work of the Era. The inspiring articles and advice contained therein are constant help and great aids to us in our work.— A. B. Larson of the Pueblo Conference. Mission Motto — More Missionaries The work of the Lord is growing perhaps faster at the present time than ever before in the history of the Australian mission. A great deal of indif- ference is manifest by the people here, but despite this, we are finding some who are willing to recognize the truth. Our street meetings, held regularly on Friday evenings, are a great strength, not only in the progress of the work, but to the elders as well. Much literature is distributed at these meet- ings which helps to acquaint the people with the message that we are bearing to the world. We have been handicapped by the restrictions of the Australian government concerning the number of missionaries allowed in this country. The total number we have been allowed is 3 6, but President Hyde has been able to break down this barrier, in part at least. The government officials have recognized our appeal and granted us six more, which now makes the total 42. We have chosen as the motto of the Australian mission the 5th verse of the 112th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants: "Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day, let thy warning voice go MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 145 forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech." We have two organized branches in the New South Wales conference, and are doing work in many of the suburbs of Sydney. The strongest body of Priesthood in the mission is in this conference, and there is an average attendance of about 88% of the number enrolled. All the elders enjoy reading the Era and find much good in its articles. We all join in wishing you every success. — LeGrande Moore, Mission Secretary. Top row, left to right: Morris B. Buckwalter, American Fork; W. Raymond Niel- sen, Idaho Falls; Rulon S. Stromberg, Grantsville; James R. Webb, Kaysville; Jesse Lily white, Garland; LaVon Robison, Boise; Wilford L. Storrs, American Fork. Sitting: Carloine S. Hyde, Salt Lake City, president of Relief Societies; LeGrande Moore, Garland, mission secretary; Charles H. Hyde, Salt Lake, mission president; Rulon Knell, Pinto, president New South Wales conference; "When the Summer Bids Farewell' When the Summer bids farewell For another year; And the Autumn's ushered in, Winter's drawing near. Soon will come the Fall of Life, Spirits pass away; Nature ever teaches this, With her Autumn day. When the morn shows signs of frost, But the rose will bloom again, Cooler grows the breeze; From her winter bed; And the leaves come tumbling down Verdant trees and fields anew, From the dying trees. O'er the earth will spread. Can ye not look back and say, Years are passing by; Nature's fading slowly out, Everything must die? If the Lord, the blade of grass Will give life again, In his justice, life will come To the souls of men. Salt Lake City. Slowly pass the Autumn days; Sing a joyful lay; Everything will have sometime, Resurrection day. N. Owen Catmull.