--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 4 published: 1926-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “New Books,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 4 (February 1926): 352–354." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse 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: improvementera2904unse start_page: 352 end_page: 354 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # New Books New Books The Macmillan Company, New York, has just issued a very enlighten- ing book, entitled The Fruits of Mormonism* by Franklin Stewart Harris, Ph. D., and Newbern Isaac Butt, B. S., both of the Brigham Young University and authors well known to the readers of the Improvement Era. A fitting text, expressing the spirit of the book, is quoted on the fly- leaf, from Matthew 7:16-20, beginning, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." As told in the introduction, the book deals with actual facts; exact figures have been sought, in order to make the study conform to the best scientific methods. The facts have been gathered from the United States Government Bureaus and official publications of states, counties and cities; and they deal with leading topics concerning the "Mormons": Education; leadership development; the "Mormons" as colonizers; at- titude toward the government; patriotism; charity work and health work; "Mormon" women as mothers; marriage and divorce; chastity; a study of insanity, and the relation of "Mormons" to crime. The book shows clearly the effect of the philosophy of "Mormonism" on the lives of its members; the fruits are the result of the philosophy of "Mormonism" as it affects the lives of believers. The authors declare: "No special con- sideration has been given to the theological teachings of the Church; we have been concerned with the pragmatic tests showing its results and ac- complishments." No attempt is made in the book to determine the truth or falsity of "Mormonism" as a religion; however, it is very clear that the fruits of "Mormonism" are the results of its religious teachings. The text shows that the social condition of the "Mormons" appears very favorable, when compared with other communities; and we must infer that this con- dition is a result of their philosophy. Dr. James E. Talmage, in the Millennial Star, says of the book, The Fruits of Mormonism: "It is the product of able scientists, working in accordance with recognized scientific methods, to which bias and prejudice are at once foreign and hostile. The title of the book is challenging; the contents are decisive. It is a book from which true estimates of 'Mormonism' may be obtained, based on the facts that exist in regard to their social welfare, and as compared with other peoples of the country." At all book stores; 146 pages; price $1.75. Will H. Brown, well known to readers of the Improvement Era, owing to his frequent articles on the subject of Tobacco, has recently issued a new book, Tobacco Under the Searchlight, which is a tactful treatment of a very timely topic, and which contains a forceful presentation of facts relating to the weed, and to the evils resulting from its use. There are 450 articles by one hundred physicians, writers and lecturers. The author has presented these facts without such ridicule as is generally turned upon the users of tobacco. The contents are a combination of the best that has been produced on the subject. The subject matter is classified under sixty- four set topics. Every person who wishes to be informed on one of the most important and timely topics of the day, will find it a very interesting and attractive book. It is published by the Standard Publishing Company, Eighth, Ninth, and Custer Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio; 235 pages; price $1.75. Bart of Kane County, and Other Stories, by Harrison R. Merrill, Post Publishing Company, Provo, Utah; 147 pages; on sale at Deseret Book Company, $1.50. This book contains ten interesting stories, some of them published from various local publications, a number from the Improvement Era. The stories are good, clean and interesting, and lose none of their charm by being repeated. It has always seemed to us that many of the BOOKS 353 stories in our home publications could well be used in book form and cir- culated among the people, in preference to many not so valuable that come from other sources. Mr. Merrill has a pleasing style and great skill in story telling. His stories always have a purpose. In this book, as he himself announces, it is to help some "boys, who are not sure which way to go, into a bigger, better life." At last, those who have so persistently asked for the story "The Pig and the Man," may now find it in this book. The Story "Bart of Kane County" is now first published. The reader should be cautioned that the beautiful, attractive, vivacious, clpan, winsome and elusive young lady, with whom Bart took his unconventional outing, was perhaps not one of flesh and blood. The writer likes to think she was the spirit of the great Bryce, Kanab, Kaibab, Rimrock, Grand — the spirit queen of the breaks and canyons of the south. The cover design is by Tel Bushman, and the frontispiece by George K. Lewis. Discourses of Brigham Young, selected and arranged by Dr. John A. Widtsoe; published by the Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah; 750 pages; price $2.50. Our only criticism of this book is that it has been too long delayed in coming to light. Almost forty-nine years have elapsed since President Brigham Young closed his earthly career, in Salt Lake City. Since that time new generations have grown up, practically unac- quainted with this great man, his personality, his counsel and advice, and his marvelous leadership. In this new volume, he speaks again, and his words will be edifying and inspiring to all who will read them. Elder John A. Widtsoe, who selected these quotations from President Young's sermons of which the book consists, has done his work well. He is an ardent admirer of the character of President Young and he has the sympathetic understanding of his life and teachings. The Era recommends that this book be read in every Latter-day Saint home. It has already been adopted as a text book for study by the Melchizedek Priesthood. For contents and further notice, see Improvement Era, December, 1925. Price to quorum members, single copy $2; in packages of six, $1 :75 each. The Life and Philosophy of W. H. Chamberlain, by R. V. Chamberlain, Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1925. This book will appeal to a large number of people of philosophical interests. W. H. Chamberlain was for many years a teacher in colleges and universities of Utah. His philosophy of life showed depth as well as breadth, as attested by the lasting impression made upon the lives of those who worked with him. Dr. R. V. Chamberlain, having been intimately associated with his brother in his intellectual struggles and having observed the crises through which the philosopher passed, is well qualified to inter- pret his thinking. This book contains not only a clear statement of very interesting and inspiring philosophy but a splendid explanation of the in- fluences brought to bear upon W. H. Chamberlain through the many years of his life as a student, missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, and as a college teacher. The book is so interestingly written as to compel the attention of the reader throughout the entire treatment. Dr. E. E. Ericksen. Elder Franklin Dewey Richards, born at Richmond, Mass., April 2, 1831. His life is interwoven with the early history of the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as with its founding in the great west. He was . baptized by his father in 1836, ordained a seventy in 1839, an apostle in 1849, and became President of the quorum of Twelve Apostles when Elder Lorenzo Snow was chosen President of the Church in 1898. He filled many missions at home and in foreign lands; his name is familiar to the Saints in all the world. He served the people all his days, in both re- 354 IMPROVEMENT ERA ligious and civil capacities. He held the important office of Probate Judge in Weber county from 1869 to 1883; was later Historian of the Church, and did much to preserve valuable data, civil and ecclesiastical; he was also pres- ident of the State Historical Society. He was an ideal Latter-day Saint, kind, fatherly, loving, a man who won the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was among the first to call the young people together in a young people's association in Weber county, and always took an interest in their welfare, and was a leader among the people all his days. It is very fitting that the Life of Franklin D. Richards should be written by Franklin L. West, Ph. D., Dean of the Faculty of the Utah Agricultural College, and a grandson of his. Dr. West is well qualified to write the story of his grandfather's life. His love and admiration for his grandfather, with whom he was so closely associated for fourteen years of early life in Ogden, made the work which he has accomplished a labor of love, and an enjoyable task. He has written a splendid volume of 275 pages, treating his grand- father's ancestry and boyhood, and his labors and mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints both at home and abroad. The text touches important high points in President Richard's life in Nauvoo and upon the plains, and as president of the British mission, and dwells pleasantly upon his home and family life in Utah, especially in Ogden, where Pres- ident Richards served in many important political positions. He was the founder and first editor of the Ogden Junction, and the author, with J. C. Little, of the splendid work The Compendium. He also served Weber county in the Utah Legislature. As Church Historian for many years, he was the means of preserving many records, and aided in supplying historical facts for Bancroft's History of Utah; as President of the Council of the Twelve, and in various capacities, his labors are interwoven with the history of the Church from the beginning of the State to the end of his life. His genealogical and temple work and the last delightful years of his life are pictured. Dr. West's book on his life and character will be read with great interest, and will awaken many pleasant memories in the hearts of the older people of the Church, and be a stimulus to the young people who may read it to follow in the footsteps of a man whose life was so worthy of emulation. Prayer When hope is stirring faintly — Prayer brings our Savior nearer, And trouble holds its sway, Grace comes from God above, 'Tis then the pure and saintly It makes the vision clearer, In humbleness do pray. We know and feel his love. They ask for clearer vision, By prayer the soul's uplifted, And courage to press on, And love within us glows, God's help and approbation The evil thoughts are sifted, That fill the soul with song. The good within us grows. Prayer to God is elevating; We thank God for this medium It strengthens and inspires, By which we learn his will, Dispels, drives out, all hating, For spirit-growth and freedom, And purifies desires. Life's mission to fulfil. Prayer stimulates our thinking, God, grant us thy protection, Ennobles heart and mind, While here on earth we stay, The medium ever linking Point out the right direction God, heaven, and mankind. And teach us how to pray. Burdett, Alta., Canada. ROBERT H. WALKER