Editor’s Table

EDITOR'S TABLE 165 ness and crime, and seek to establish right- eousness; if it is not to stand firmly for the proper administration of the law, and to oppose violation of it that peace and prosperity may abide with the people of our country, which can be had under no other conditions? "I wish that the people of the world could be made familiar with the contents of the Book of Mormon, this American scripture which has been before the world during a century of time. It outlines the destiny of this nation, tells it as plainly as history will tell it after its destiny is accomplished. It makes very plain this fact: That if the government is to be perpetuated, as it may, if it is to endure as God has decreed that it may, it can only be by service to the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master. That is definitely decreed. "I appeal to good people everywhere, not to any political party, not to any particular church, but to all people, to use their influence to bring to pass right- eousness in the administration of the civil affairs of our country, and I make this appeal to both the church and the state, for both need it." Elder David O. McKay said: "There is much being said now about the law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of liquor. Latter-day Saints should uphold that law everywhere, at socials, at banquets. Civil officers, members of clubs, who are contributing to the forma- tion of public opinion ought to be proud to uphold that law. It is a constitutional law. and it is time that the leaders of this country, the politicians, the statesmen, the leaders in civic affairs in the state and in the cities should so speak of this law. so act towards it, that public sentiment would be turned in favor of its enforcement. Latter-day Saints, we are expected to up- hold it and to uphold every other law which contributes to the advancement and peace of mankind. And these laws against the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors are such laws, and our conditions now in society, with millions of auto- mobiles, the drivers of which must be at their very best, active mentally, quick to respond physically in emergency, make it necessary that we eliminate from society anything that will becloud the brain or leave the driver's hand unsteady. We are living in a condition in which we cannot with impunity foster traffic in intoxicat- ing liquors. God said long ago that they were not good for man. Our boys and girls, from the standpoint of integrity and consistency, should take a stand against the use thereof." The coming holidays is a good time to put these admonitions into real practice. —A. Dependable Workers Wanted Apparently little things go to make up character — at least, what some consider little things. Take for example in Y. M. M. I. A. — we have about one thousand young men who act as secretaries — 96 stake and about 900 ward secretaries serv- ing in this capacity. Their business is to record the simple facts and forward them as required in the Y. M. M. I. A. monthly efficiency and statistical reports. Of the 96 stake secretaries. 48 have reported for October; and of the 459 wards in those reported stakes, 340 ward secretaries re- ported, leaving 119 wards not reported in the stakes in question, besides all the wards in the stakes that are unreported. Eleven stakes have reported every ward; (See report) while 560 wards of the 900 -axe not reported. Since this was written four stakes with 44 ards have reported 34 wards. A worried stake secretary writes: "There seems to be a lack of responsi- bility on the part of ward officers in our stake. Although appeals and notices have been sent to the ward presidents and secre- taries, only three wards of the eleven in our stake reported in time to be included in this report. It will probably be the poorest showing in the Church, but I thought it advisable to send it in. and at the same time ask for some advice. Can you suggest means of getting these effi- ciency reports from the ward organiza- tions? Appeals have been made at monthly union meetings, by letter, and by personal

166 IMPROVEMENT ERA visits. We are now at a loss to find some method of bringing them in. * * * Material for officers other than that which we are using, is not available." We were about to suggest that you ob- tain dependable officers, but you close your letter by saying that men other than those you are now using, are not available, in which case there is nothing to do but to call the present officers to repentance. Endeavor to show them the serious- ness of refusal or neglect to do their work. Neglect will lead them to slight other Mutual work, omit to pray, to pay their tithing, to attend their sacrament meetings, their business or other work. A young man who cannot be depended upon to do so small a job as making out the efficiency report of the Mutual of his ward each month, is a very poor candidate for any job in business, on the farm, in the home, or in the Church. Of course, if he is going to choose to be a slacker in these respects, one cannot expect anything better of him in the M. I. A., but if he expects to be a man, a dependable man. one who should count for something, and do something in the world, he ought to show it in this little responsibility of re- porting the Mutual each month in his ward, and which undoubtedly he promised to do when he took upon him the office. There is no other successful way of having a thing done, than to do it, or, to get men to do it whom you can depend upon. If you cannot substitute the men. you must call them to repentance, change their attitude, and impress upon them the need of dependability. Their action in thia duty is the basis of what they will do in other things; it is a point in their career that should not show neglect, if they desire to build a character that is worth while in the world. When men are appointed to office, they should be aked if they are willing to take upon themselves the work of this office, and then the work and what is required should be thoroughly explained to them. Dependability in all one promises to do great or small is fundamental. — A. "His Blood Be Upon Us and Our Children" Since Christ was killed by members of his race, The curse of God descended on their seed. His favored blessings on their home-land to efface, And reap full vengeance for that treacherous deed. After the siege, the Roman sword held sway; In lieu of wise-men from the East, the Moslems sought a home; Where once the debris of a ruined temple lay. The Mosque of Omar lifts its Oriental dome. In foreign lands, the mercenary Jew plied his trade. Where universal hate, engendered by his greed, Has of that tribe a race of exiles made; The curse of God has been upon their seed. The British troop dispersed the foreign guard. The Gentile yoke is lifted from Mount Zion. The Jews, returning to the home-land of the Lord Shall build anew that eastern Zion. Btaver. Utah. E. CECIL MCGAVIN