--- 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: 32 number: 4 published: 1929-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Mutual Work,” *Improvement Era* 32, no. 4 (February 1929): 338–352." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3204unse 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: improvementera3204unse start_page: 338 end_page: 352 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1929-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3204unse publication_year: 1929 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 1929, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Mutual Work MUTOAL W0R EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Cooperation Between M. I. A. and Primary Under the reassignment of the su- pervision of leisure-time activities for the Church, as approved by the gen- eral authorities, (M. I. A. Hand Book, p. 14) the Mutual Improvement As- sociation and Primary Association are brought into close relationship and must cooperate constantly that the program may go forward successfully. The Primary organization has pre- pared a schedule of four special recreational events for the year, to be conducted on afternoons — one in Feb- ruary, one in May, one in September, one in December — each to be the out- growth of the three-months' activities preceding. These events are excellent- ly planned and will meet the needs of the children of the Church. It is hoped that all M. I. A. officers will lend hearty support towards their accom- plishment. All ward events, supervised by the M. I. A., in which the entire member- ship participates — as, for example, ward reunions, picnics and excursions — should receive the full cooperation of the Primary Association, insofar as these events include the participation of children. Conjoint Meeting Sunday, March 3, 1929 Read introduction to slogan: "If the force of gravitation should be suspended for one moment, the earth would be annihilated. If iron, heated, should today expand, tomorrow contract, there could not be a machine shop in the world. If like did not unfailing beget like, every hope of orderly life would be vain. If excellence were today the product of thoughtful labor, tomorrow the fruit- age of indolence; if one might dissipate his energies and yet succeed, while another must forge his strength through exacting concentration — there would be no justice in life and there could be no formula of success and achievement. If wilful slander did not undermine confidence; if shameless immodesty did not imperil virtue; if guilt did not torment conscience — who could be taught the way of honor and uprightness? The law, the principle, is the instrument by which man progresses and through which justice is assured." — Leo J. Muir. Repeat slogan: Topic: Springtime: Plowing and Planting. Texts: "Thus saith the Lord, to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, break up your fallow ground and sow not among thorns." Jere- miah 4:3. "Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord till he comes and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12. Address — Plowing — Member of Y. M. M. I. A. What it means to the agriculturist. Activity demonstrates faith. Feb., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 339 Result of faithful devotion to duty. Apply to responsibilities of youth. Self-examination commended. See I Corinthians 13:5. David's yearning, "Create in me a clean heart." Psalms 51:10. Implies: a. Honest confession to self. b. Honest confession to God. A Prophet's confession of weak- ness. Pearl of Great Price, "Writings of Joseph Smith." Professor Karl G. Maeser: "No man shall be more exacting of me than I am of myself." Memorize Article of Faith, 13. Reference: Job 4:8; Matt. 15:13; Luke 9:62. Lesson: Expunge weeds pr thorns and eliminate unholy passions. Musical selection. Address — Planting — Member of Y. L. M. I. A. Sow not among thorns. Parable of the sower: Matt. 13:3-8. Application: Cultivate good thoughts. Read good books. "Search the Scriptures." John 5:39; Doctrine and Covenants: Sec. 130: 18-19. Seek knowledge: a. In conversation. b. In Improvement Era and in Young Woman's Journal. c. Attend services and lectures. d. Keep good companionship. Read hymn: "Though in the out- ward church below." (Hymn Book, page 277.) ADULT DEPARTMENT Findings of Questionnaire Courses of Study and Enrollment: Out of 547 wards and 50 mission branches reporting, 487 wards and 48 branches have one or more adult classes. 54 wards and 4 branches are study- ing Genealogy exclusively. 96 wards and 1 5 branches are study- ing "Captains of Industry" exclusively. 98 wards and 9 branches are study- ing Moral Teachings of the New Testament exclusively. 10 wards and 2 branches are study- ing "Current Literature" exclusively. 252 wards and 8 branches are com- bining the courses. 4568 women in wards and 492 in missions are enrolled in separate ses- sion (7:45-8:30). 4277 women in wards and 524 in missions are enrolled in joint session. 3596 men in wards and 444 in mis- sions are enrolled in Priesthood ses- sion. 3157 men in wards and 45 1 in mis- sions are enrolled in joint session (8:30-9:30). Project : 1 74 wards are devoting one night a month to a consideration of the pro- ject. Many stakes report success in putting it over. Some consider it at union meetings, some by special lec- tures and many are reported as "giving it attention." Book: 234 wards report successful activity on the Reading Course Book, From Emmigrant to Inventor. Difficulties were along such lines as the following: Housing, lack of understanding of 340 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb.. 1929 new plan, plan too complex, lack of efficient teachers, irregular attendance, length of meetings, lack of coopera- tion on part of Genealogical divisions, diversity of subjects, Relief Society being held Tuesday night, Union meetings unsuccessful because of many subjects. Many wards report satisfactory pro- gress, and many are pleased with Adult plans and methods of working them out. The Soul of China By Richard Wilhelm. Translated by J. Holroyd Reece. Harcourt, Brace, and Company, New York, 1928, 373 pages. Review Written by Dr. Elbert D. Thomas For centuries it has been held in China that every Chinese has three souls and, in addition, seven animal spirits. The animal spirits live only as long as the body. At death the souls are scattered. One goes to the future world to be punished or re- warded; one remains in the grave; and one goes into the ancestral tablet. In life one soul is permanently attached to the body. One has the power of leaving it. This makes it possible for a person to be in two places at the same time. Thus in the case of a man condemned to die, one soul may leave the body and witness in an ob- jective way, not only the preparations for the execution, but also the sad anticipations of the condemned. Or to take a less gruesome example, the soul which may wander may leave the body and sit on a picture frame or an electric light fixture and watch that body at prayers! Notice it the next time you at- tempt to concentrate. Note how true the Chinese idea seems to be. One part of you will always flit to some place where it ought not to ,be- Mr. Wilhelm thinks he has seen "the soul of China in the course of evolution." He has, and it is a multipartite soul, like the Chinese, which he has wit- nessed. But he has seen more, for the real soul which has been evolving has been Richard Wilhelm's. The book, except in its descriptions, is as much about Europe as it is about China. The European part is quite unconscious, but it is there neverthe- less. That is why it is a good book. Because ,the evolution of the soul of China is not a thing separate and in- dependent, but is, in the big, merely a part of the rather jerky evolution of the soul of the whole world. In the evolution of Richard Wil- helm's soul, we have a glimpse of the most healthful soul growth Europe is now witnessing. Richard Wilhelm went to Shantung in the early days of the glorious German imperialistic ex- pansion. He must have surely arrived, as all other Germans who went to the Orient in those days did, full of the spirit of world conquest. It was the German Kaiser who coined the phrase "the Yellow Peril" and caused Russia and France to accept the theory. It was the German Kaiser who told his troops on their leaving to help relieve the Allies in Peking during the Boxer uprising, to show the Chinese what the word "Hun" meant! It was in keeping with the German Chinese policy that the hate-inviting inscrip- tion was placed on the Von Ketteler monument in Peking. To Kaiser shortsightedness may be charged much of the wrong that was done China in the early part of the century. It is a German who has seen German policies fail who now writes, "It is not the doctrine which makes men great, but it is man who makes the doctrines htb.. 19Z9 MUTUAL WORK 341 great." "Precisely for this reason it seemed to me to be better to confine myself to a simple life in accordance with Christian principles, to influence them through work in school and hospital, to live together with people and become intimate with them." "There are even today a number of people who think themselves par- ticularly clever when they prophesy a new Boxer rising." . "The nightmare of the Yellow Peril belongs to the same realm." "The process of arriv- ing at an understanding may bring many surprises with it, but an out- burst of the 'Fist for the Protection of Public Peace' (Boxers) will not occur again." There, indeed, is the evolution of a soul! The book, therefore, is important to the student of Far Eastern Affairs. It gives us the present-day German angle of this generation's scattering of the /white man over the globe. Mr. Wilhelm is hardly exact when he im- plies that Germany and Russia have led in ridding China of her unequal treaties. True, German and Russia were the first of the great treaty pow- ers to be without special treaty privi- lege in China, but in neither case did China's new status come as a gift from those two powers. China de- clared war on Germany which, of course, meant a renunciation of the German-Chinese treaties. And as Bol- shevist Russia refused to assume the obligations of the Czarist Government, she, of course, could not demand the privileges, therefore her softened policy toward China. These facts, though, do not detract from the contribution to the new China which Germany's and Russia's new status gives. It has often been pointed out that Russian and German merchants, freed from the restraint of their extra-territorial treaty rights and privileges, would be better off under Chinese law and jurisdiction than under their own, and that the American. British, and French mer- chants would soon discover that fact and force their countries to a modifica- tion in time. But the success of the Nationalists has brought the issue sooner to the front. The unequal treaties are about to become matters of history. Mr. Wilhelm went to Tsingtao, the German port in Shantung, in 1903 The book recounts his experiences in China during the last twenty-five years, — years of mighty changes. The incidents and travels recorded deal with North China, Shantung, and Chihli principally, although Mr. Wilhelm does mention trips to Shcusi and the Yangtse. Thoroughly trained in the Chinese spirit, he is conscious of the force of the southern Chinese and the power of the reforms which started in the South. Mr. Wilhelm shows us that China will not become Bolshevik despite the fact that Bolshevist influence has been great in shaping modern events. No one who has known China's economic history has feared Bolshevism's influ- ence in China. China has had two thousand more years than has the United States with a theory of private property exactly the same as our own. It would be easier to make America Bolshevik than China. The nation- alist program is summed up for us in two sentences taken from the Chinese: 1. "All those who are not Chinese have no right to interfere in Chinese affairs." 2. "All those who are Chinese have a right to a voice in Chinese Affairs." Number one means the end of the unilateral treaties and foreign special privilege. Number two means the re- assertion of the principles of Chinese Democracy. A restoration of the Con- fucian and Mencian theories that Gov- ernments properly exist only for the sake of the people. For four hundred years the white man has been spreading himself over the face of the world. At the present time the Chinese are expanding as they 342 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb.. 1929 have never expanded before. Twenty- five million of them are moving south, west, and north. Mr. Wilhelm has this to say of the Chinese as colonists: "The colonizing power of the Chinese is incredible. The stream of peasants and merchants pushes its way irresist- ibly towards the desert. If no serious set-back occurs, the Chinese advance is destined to open up wide stretches of the desert for cultivation. In such manifestations the great power can be seen which is innate in the Chinese people, for they do not come like para- sites who fatten upon the wealth of others, but as colonists who turn the desert into tilled soil and make the territory of robber chieftains into well- ordered and well-directed districts for human habitation." This is the ultimate answer to the present critical contest between China and Japan in Manchuria, for every Japanese who goes into Manchuria with a rifle or a machine gun, ten Chinese go with a plow. Manchuria will remain Chinese! In the last paragraph of the book, Mr. Wilhelm sums up his thesis. "In the process of severing itself from the ties of time and space, humanity needs two things: the profound penetration into its own subconsciousness until from depths upwards, the road to all that is vital, which is experienced in- tuitively in a mystic and unified vision has become liberated. This is the pos- session of the East. On the other hand, it needs the ultimate intensifica- tion of the autonomous individual un- til it has acquired the power to match the whole pressure of the external world. This is the possession of the West. Upon this ground, East and West meet as mutually indispensable brothers." In other words, the East needs the West's concept of the individual. And the West needs the East's ability to grasp the individual as a fraction of society instead of as an independent entity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Latter-day Saints does that very thing. For in it, while in- dividual responsibility is stressed, it is the individual in his social and eternal relationships that counts. The "Mor- mon" religion binds the present to the future and the past as does Chinese ancestor worship. Add to Jesus' con- cept of the freed responsible individual (as understood by Latter-day Saints) the Confucian family state, and you will have the Kingdom of God as the "Mormons" see , it. Through "Mormon" social and religious (not theological) philosophy, the "East and West meet as mutually indispensable brothers." Through the "Mormon" spirit the East and the West meet in another way. There are old Taoist prophecies — Mr. Wilhelm calls our at- tention to them — which say, "Before long, a new Kingdom upon the earth will begin. It will be different from everything that has existed heretofore. It will encircle the whole world for the first time and -not confine itself to one half. The salvation which is to come is to come for all. It is to manifest itself in the love towards men, also towards the lowly. He who is to bring it will be surrounded with divine authority so that the people will believe him without a struggle." Can a "Mormon" read that without wishing to know more about the Soul of China? Mr. Wilhelm appreciates Chinese civilization and admires it. He is confident that it will outlive the present change. His grasp of Chinese history and literature shows itself on every page. The book, therefore, will be liked more by those who through the study of the Chinese immortals already know the Soul of China. The student who is unfamiliar with things Chinese will read The Soul of China with greater profit after he has read some of the following books: Ball, The Chinese at Home. Smith, Village Life in China. Feb., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 343 Gowen, Outline History of China. Thomas, Chinese Political Thought. Treat, The Far East. Williams, China Yesterday and To- day. The articles on Buddah and Con- fucius in the M. I. A. Manual, "The Champions of Liberty." (1927-28). Ten Outstanding Magazine Articles Selected by a Council of Librarians, December, 1928 "Lincoln, Lover," Wilma Frances Miner, in Atlantic Monthly. It is an announcement of greatest significance to lovers of Lincoln that the letters which he wrote to Ann Rutledge and she to him have at last come to light and are in the possession of Miss Miner, who reveals this ob- scure episode of Lincoln's Life. "Twenty-Five Years of Flight," A. M. Jacobs, in St. Nicholas. A history of the airplane, illustrated by photographs and maps of the air- mail routes in the United States today, with an introductory note by Harry F. Guggenheim, president of the Gug- genheim Fund for Promotion of Aeronautics. "The Cost of Prosperity," James Truslow Adams, in Harper's Magazine. We boast loud and long of our "prosperity" and "high standard of living;" but Mr. Adams shows why he sees in this "high" standard little but hardship for the middle, and especially the professional, classes. "The Man of Science," Edward M. Best, in Scribner's. An eminent scientist discusses charges that he and his colleagues are high priests of a new cult, robbing men of spiritual and moral values. He goes behind the scenes to show what the scientist is driving at and what holds the researcher to his task. "Prohibition and Public Health," Haven Emerson, M. D., in Sur- vey Graphic. Can the results of prohibition be measured and set down in cold statis- tical terms? A scientific statement of what has happened (aside from politics) since 1920, by the Professor of Public Health Administration at Columbia University. "Justice by Formula," Julius Hal- heimer, in Century. An appeal by an expert lawyer for a new concept of punishment, based upon some sound recognition of the criminal propensities involved in the various classes of felonies. "The Psychology of Prohibition." Raymond Pearl, in American Mercury. Why Prohibition? We desire ap- parent morality, explains Dr. Pearl, but have no desire really to ban liquor. He produces figures proving that pro- hibition is only to impress our neigh- bors, while we do as we please behind closed blinds. "The Meaning of the Kellogg Treaty," Henry Cabot Lodge, in Harper's Magazine. The grandson of the first American opponent of the Versailles Treaty analyzes the correspondence which pre- ceded the Kellogg treaty and sees in it good reasons for the Senate to hesitate to ratify. "Some Successful Parents," Dorothy Dunbar Bromley, in Good Housekeeping. With brief consideration of the theories of behaviorists, Freudians, and others, the author reviews in detail the 344 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb.. 1"19 actual methods and results of parents who have been conspicuously success- ful in the difficult business of parent- hood. "The Gutter, and Then What?" Granville Hicks, in Forum. O'Neil, Joyce, Dreiser, and their fol- lowers have been dredging the gutters for some time, says the author, and asks: Are they looking for something? He offers a provocative answer to his own question. Copyright 192 ft. hy Harper B brothers. A Reunion in Every Family Sociologists and philosophers are practically unanimous in regarding the home as the fundamental institution of civilization, and the family as its basic unit. Upon the strength and solidarity of family relationships de- pend the strength and solidarity of larger social institutions, and conse- quently great emphasis must be placed upon jits importance. The conception held by Latter-day Saints regarding the family is perhaps one step beyond that of scholars and educators who are not of our faith, for we hold the family relationship to be of eternal duration, hence of tre- mendous significance. In arousing people to a realization of the importance of this matter, and the joy to be found in family co-opera- tion and unity, it is quite certain that nothing would be more effective than a reunion in every family in the Church, and to this end the Com- munity Activity Committee has adopted this as the project which they will sponsor and promote this year. The project of a family reunion is based upon more than the mere desire for social relaxation. Underlying it is the need for deeper understanding, unity of purpose and finer appreciation for all members of the family and their ambitions and achievements. It is easy to lose sight of the paths our more distant loved ones are treading but most desirable to keep in sight of them if possible. Through the heart-warming con- tacts of a reunion, misunderstanding and disapproval sometimes vanish mi- raculously, and ties are firmly bound. The program will vary in different families, as talent does not manifest itself uniformly. Music, dramatics, pantomime and tableaux, prognostica- tions, glimpses into future and past, and many other suggestions might be used in preparing a program which will be of equal interest to adults and children. The following is suggestive: Part I Part I should include the more formal features, such as: (a) (b) (c) (d) ie) Feb.. 1929 MUTUAL WORK 145 (h) "My proudest moments as a — ■ (Brown) ." "Why I married a — (Brown)." Given by In-laws. What I loved most in Grandfather." "What I loved most in Grand- mother." "Looking backward and forward." (Courtship and social customs of the past, present and future.) "What I hope to contribute to the — (Brown) name." Dramatizations or tableaux repre- senting pictures from the past: "Grandfather's conversion." "Entering the valley." "Their first home." "Bones from the family skeleton," etc. (i) Music should be interspersed through- out the program. Part II Part II should be informal in its nature and include such things as: (a) Refreshments. (b) Anecdotes. (c) Games (for adults and children). (d) Dancing. It is hoped that the Community Activity Committee in every ward will put forth every possible effort to carry this project forward, and jn doing so realize the joy which comes as a result of endeavoring to increase the joy of others. M Men-Gleaner Notes Joint Project: We Shall Promote the Cultural and Aesthetic Value of the Dance. Questionnaire On February 19, the date on which the Gleaner girls are answering a questionnaire on the work during the year, it is desired that the M Men and Gleaners both answer by individual ballot the following questions on their joint work: 1 . Have you enjoyed the joint meet- ings of M Men-Gleaners this year? 2. Have your lessons on Etiquette .and Fellowship been theoretical only or have they also been practical? 3. Have you had the privilege of taking active part in the demonstra- tions, debating or discussions? 4. What improvement would you suggest in the program of these meet- ings for next year? 5. Would you prefer to have more than one conjoint night a month? Stake authorities, please send an- swers from one representative ward. They may be included with the secre- tary's February efficiency report! Slogan Cooperation What have you done to promote the slogan in your class? Are the traffic violations in our communities due to ignorance of law or to defiance? Do all the M Men and Gleaners who drive automobiles understand thoroughly the rules and laws gov- erning the road and traffic? To make the slogan more effective in the lives of the M Men and Glean- ers it is suggested that an evening be spent in studying traffic laws, pro- hibition laws, and others which are commonly disregarded. 346 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb., 1929 Quality of Tone LESSON II By Prof. Edward P. Kimball While correct tone placement, prin- ciples of resonance, proper breathing, etc., cannot be taught by mere descrip- tion, still a consideration of some of these fundamentals will be helpful, and may serve to spur others on to- ward the study of the subject. All authorities agree that good sing- ing rests upon proper breathing. The revered Pachiarotti said, "He who knows how to breathe knows how to sing." The eminent William Shakes- peare of London observes that "the two factors in perfect voice production are (1) freedom of the instrument, and (2) control of the breath pres- sure." Details of breathing and breath-control are so much matters of controversy that it would require great space to set forth all contentions. Authorities agree, however, on a num- ber of things which are here enumer- ated. The full lungs should be used in breathing, instead of merely the upper portion. The body should be erect, with chest up. the shoulders held still, and Tetrazinni reminds us that all acts of breathing should be as natural as possible. This does not imply that the breathing capacity can- not and should not be developed by practice, but, to the contrary, develop- ment here is possible, just as in any other organ. The chest is like a cone-shaped box, with the small end upwards; the back being the spinal column; the top, the base of the neck; the front, the breast- bone; the sides, the ribs, most of them connected to the breast-bone; the base is the diaphragm, a large muscular membrane. This is the air-tight com- partment which holds the breath, all of which must make its exit through the windpipe. The diaphragm is sup- ported by a mass of fibers extending downward and forward; attached to the body in front near the soft place on the breast-bone, are the sixth and lower ribs, finally connected by two large masses of muscle to the backbone. When the lungs contain but little air, the diaphragm resembles an inverted basin, higher in the front than in the back. When a breath is drawn it contracts, and, becoming flatter, descends upon the organs un- derneath, so that considerable abdo- minal expansion is felt. The air-tight compartment is enlarged, and air is drawn from without to fill the in- creased space. As the lungs are filled, they descend with the diaphragm, and we experience a "deep breath." The singer must increase the supply of breath beyond what is required even in deep breathing, which he does by expanding the ribs. In all breathing, both in singing and in breathing ex- ercises as such, the shoulders should be kept in their normal position. Not only must the singers provide as large a supply of air as is possible, but all of it should be used in the tone, and this for two reasons: first, that the breath may not be wasted, and second, that the purity of the tone may not be marred by escaping breath not vocalized, "breathiness." "The secret of expressive singing is absolute- ly steady tone combined with a perfect legato, and neither of these desirable things can be achieved without perfect breath control; this matter applies to choral singing as forcefully as it does to solo work." The quality and carrying power of- the voice depend more upon the use made of the resonance cavities of the head than upon the violence with which the vocal chords vibrate. Mu- sical instruments define their tone upon at least three things: the vibrat- ing body, the force which sets the body in vibration, and the reinforcing medium of the tone thus produced (the Feb.. 1929 MUTUAL WORK 347 sound-board of the piano, the body of the string instrument, the tube of a brass instrument, etc.) In the voice, as with other instruments, the quality of tone depends upon the disposition of the parts of the "resonator," through which the breath must pass after it has set the vocal chords in vibration — throat, palate, tongue, jaw, cavities of the mouth, nose, and, in fact, the whole head to some extent. Some things which regulate tone are placement, keeping the tongue down, proper use of the nose as a resonator, proper focusing of the tone against the roof of the mouth, opening the mouth at just the right distance, form- ing the lips the correct way, etc. Tone-quality, or "timbre," to use a technical term, has a large part in the interpretation of all music, though less important than either tempo or dynamics. But there are many passages in choral music which demand varying timbre in order to make it most ef- fective. To quote Gehrken: "There are many passages in both choral and orchestral music in which the essential significance depends ab- solutely upon beauty or highness or plaintiveness or boldness of tone; and especially in choral music it is possible for the conductor to induce his chorus to bring out many more effects than is usually done. A positively ugly and raspy vocal tone may convey a certain dramatic effect that no mere variation in dynamics is able to bring about." In support of the assertion that the employment of varying timbres, or "colors," is essential, let us consider some thoughts on the subject as ex- pressed by Garcia: "Expression is the greatest law of all art * * * The human voice, deprived of expression, is the least interesting of all instruments." (The Art of Singing) . "Timbres are one of the chief features of a true senti- ment; the choice of them cannot be neglected without committing ab- surdities." Another writer, H. S. Kirkland, Expression in Singing, con- tinues the statement of Garcia: "Knowing as we do that the very nature of feeling is to change, it is an absurdity to suppose that concepts of widely contrasted emotional states, such as are frequently indicated in song texts, can be communicated through the use of uniform tone-color * * * A stopped clock points the time ac- curately twice a day, but such accuracy is purely accidental. Similarly, an unvarying color, when the idea chances to agree with it, may for the moment be fitting or expressive, but a coin- cidence of this kind is undesigned on the part of the singer, who, therefore, deserves no more credit for expressive- ness than the stopped clock for ac- curacy. From this it is easy to un- derstand Garcia when he says: 'Con tradictory use of timbres explains why sounds that please in certain expres- sions, displease in others, — why a sing- er who never varies his voice gives only certain passages with truthful- ness.' Diction LESSON III The two elements in all pronuncia- tion of words are the proper values which are given to the enunciation of vowels, and the articulation of con- sonants. One authority, Adcock, says: "Quality of tone depends on the vowels; but distinct utterance, upon the consonants; if these are not clearly articulated, the sense of the words will be entirely lost. In the discussion of vowels we can do no better than con- sider the subject as it was elucidated recently by Anthony C. Lund, di- rector of the Tabernacle choir, and a 348 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb.. 1920 member of the Church Music Com- mittee. These are his views: "In a number of languages vowel (vokale) is the word upon which vocalization is built. Then the scheme of learning to sing is described as vowel-making or vocalizing. "It is very true that intonation alone will not give vocal work a good fin- ished effect. I heard some Armenian Saints sing several of our hymns in fairly good time, but the vocalization was absolutely missing. A vowel! Yes, the most intensely human thing in the world. Every means known to physics in the university laboratories of the world have been exhausted to find a variable spacing that would shape as a human mouth primary vowels. Never a bit of success has been met with. A tone given out by the voice is first a vibration of the larynx. The vocal bands have their edges assist the flow of breath just enough to produce the vibration re- quired. "This vibration is augmented and beautified by the cavities and spaces and surface in the bony structure of the face. "These resonances must be co- ordinated, and balanced so that the tubular spaces in the nose are present but not obviously so, the enclosed chest spaces giving its proper share of resonance. The arched roof of the mouth, the pharynx and the cuplike space just above the vocal bands, and the large spaces behind the nose, and the molar and sinus spaces all con- tribute to the augmentation and bal- ance of tone. More than this the well defined primary and secondary vowels are the direct result of the mouth, in various forms or spacings. "I" is an up-tongue vowel; "o" is a low-tongue vowel; "e" is an up-tongue vowel, and "a" is a low-tongue vowel. "The low-tongue is often inclined to draw back and spoil the spacing at the back of the mouth. The up- tongue instead of raising itself with a lowered jaw, often does not work in- dependently of the jaw, which should hang low and limp-like. "The colors of tone, covered and open, arise from the fact that the lips act in two ways. In the covered tone the lips protrude somewhat, elongat- ing the passage way. The result is greater earnestness and sympathy and greater solemnity in the tone. "Lips away, teeth exposed and a lightsome beautiful tone results. Good for descriptive work in lighter vein, but lacking in depth or seriousness. Timbre and sentiment must agree. "Every vocal tone must begin in- stantly true in pitch, instantly pure in the vowel, and the mouth spacing maintained to the end of the tone. Consonants, which are interruptions of the stream of tone or vowel, must be grouped and determinedly used as stroke material at the beginning of the tone. Our Italian friends get from their very language and its vowels a tendency for their mouth to fly open and remain so. Our language and vowels have a tendency for the mouth to fly open and shut. "Artists, like late David Dispham, have shown that our language, proper- ly given, lacks nothing of the supreme color which tints that most emotional of all things human — a vowel." "All consonants form more or less of an obstruction or interruption to the vocal sound; but as the inter- ruption is a natural one, and as dis- tinction of utterance depends on that interruption, the singer should not at- tempt to shirk it, or lessen the value of the consonant on the ground that the vocal sound will be improved thereby. On the contrary, the full value must be given to articulate sound, and the necessary time for its completion must be allowed, or the result will be most unsatisfactory." (Clara Kathleen Rogers.) And Garcia: "Expression depends greatly on the weight and strength given to articula- tion. Consonants express the force of Feb.. 1929 MUTUAL WORK 349 a sentiment, just as vowels express its nature. We are always impressed by words strongly accentuated, because they appear to be dictated by some acute passion." It is customary to think of a con- sonant as merely a letter of the al- phabet, and, in speaking, to give it a name which usually consists of the consonant itself plus a vowel. If we eliminate the vowel sound, the remain- ing consonant proves to be a more or less disagreeable sound, the result of a partial or a complete interruption to voice or to the breath: in this sense the consonant should be understood. It is helpful to locate the principal points at which these obstructions oc- cur. A simple classification might be the following: first, at the lips, as P. B. M. W.; second, at the tip of the tongue and the hard palate or the upper front teeth, as G (soft) , J. T, D, L, S, R, Z, N; third, at the base of the tongue and the soft palate, as in Q. K. X, G. (hard). Being a classi- fication by place, these groups may be distinguished as labials, pinquals, and palatals. According to the way in which they are made, consonants are also divided into two classes: aspirates, made only with the breath: vocals, which have some voice sound. Here much help can be given if a competent vocalist can be secured to give a prac- tical demonstration. In order to point the way around some faults, and show some dangers likely to be met in the use of consonants, the following list from A. M. Bell is presented in con- clusion: "Make clean our hearts" often sounds "Make lean our hearts." "Can the African change his skin?" often sounds "Can the African chain his kin?" "Or the leopard his spots?" often sounds "Or the leopard his pots?" "The cold ground" often sounds "The coal ground." "An ever better way" often sounds "A never better way." "An ice drop" often sounds "A nice drop." "A sad dangler" often sounds "A sad angler." "Chaste stars" often sounds "Chase tars." "Pain nobody" often sounds "Pay nobody." Etc. Maintenance of Pitch LESSON IV There is no greater sin to be com- mitted in vocal performance than wandering from pitch. It is looked upon as inexcusable in any singer and will have much to do with eliminating a contestant who is guilty of it. In- experienced singers may not be aware that they leave the pitch, so the first cure for it is to test the pitch at the end of a certain part with the instru- ment which has been used to give the pitch in the first place. Usually it is not all the voices in the quartette that will wander simultaneously from pitch. The offender will generally be an important or predominating voice possessed of a less perfect ear or com- mitting one or more of the common faults enumerated below. When one voice leaves the pitch the other voices, especially if they belong to persons with keen ears, will at once begin to adapt themselves to the new pitch, and very soon the whole group will bt. singing in a new key. Every quartet ought to watch very carefully for a voice that has a tendency to leave the pitch, and if one be found every pos- sible remedy should be used to correct it: but when it is impossible to keep it on pitch it should be eliminated from the group, because the rendition will always suffer where this fault is left uncorrected in one or more voices. Most commonly singers will sing flat: more rarely, sharp, due in large 350 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb.. 1929 part to nervousness, especially in the tenor. The causes for off-key singing may be defined as follows: a. Improper tone production. b. Too much chest in the tone. c. A faulty ear. d. Improperly developed ear. e. Practicing with an instrument that is out of tune. f. Forcing the tone. g. Dragging and logginess in rendi- tion. The remedy, either in groups or in- dividually, will be to drill and train in the opposite direction from the practice that is causing the deficiency. Boy Scout World Jamboree By Oscar A. Kirkham Thirty thousand Boy Scouts from forty to fifty nations of the world will come together this summer, July 31 to August 13, 1929, at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, near Liverpool, England, to celebrate the 21st Birthday of Scout- ing under the leadership of Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell. A thousand or more Scouts will go from the United States. How many Latter-day Saint boys will attend this great gathering? 1 . The objectives of this trip shall be four- fold: fa) To observe the methods and programs of Scouts of other nations. (b) To display as nearly as possi- ble the normal Troop and Patrol activities of the Boy Scouts of America. (c) To stimulate, both through preparation for and reports of the Jamboree, a wider inter- est in Scouting according to best approved methods, and with the highest type of lead- ership. (d) To foster the spirit of brother- hood and friendliness among the boys of the world. Who May Go Leaders. 1. All leaders of troops or sep- arate patrols shall be registered Scout officials with a satisfactory record in Scouting for one full year or more before date of issuance of Jamboree credentials, including successful expe- rience in camping and hiking. 2. Each leader must give a satis- factory health record on blanks to be furnished, and submit to required medical examination to establish physical fitness, and to such innocula- tions as may be specified in the applica- tion blank. 3. Each adult leader must have had successful experience as a leader in camping and hiking. Scouts. 1. Only registered Scouts, in good standing and who have been active members for at least one year previous to May 1, 1929, and who have all- round camping and Scouting expe- rience as outlined in the Camping Merit Badge Requirements, will be eligible as members of a patrol or troop. 2- An approved medical examine Feb., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 351 tion showing physical fitness will be required, certified on blank to be fur- nished, including successful innocula- tions as specified. 3. Record of Scout-like conduct, good sportsmanship and normal re- sponse to leadership will be required. Equipment. 1 . The regulation Scout uniform as prescribed for the Jamboree will be worn by all Scouts and leaders at all times from home to home. 2. Suitable camping and traveling equipment will be required, according to standards prescribed, to pass rigid inspection by representatives of the Jamboree Committee. 3. Insignia, pennants, and regalia worn or displayed en route must be approved and in keeping with the spirit and purposes of the occasion. Expense. The following items are given only as a guide as to possible expense: Railroad Rate — Salt Lake — New York and Return .._...$ 135.95 (Summer Excursion Rates) Sleeper, Salt Lake, New York and Return (Two in Low- er) 25.00 Meals, Salt Lake, New York and Return 25.00 Boat, New York-England and Return . 225.00 (Tourist U. S. Lines. This may be reduced about $50.) Rations at Jamboree Camp .. 10.50 Reserve and Overhead of Jam- boree Delegation 25.00 $446.45 Incidentals and spending money 53.55 Total approximate cost $500.00 We have received word already that a possible delegation of Boy Scouts affiliated with the Latter-day Saint Church will be at the Jamboree from Germany. There still remains prac- tically seven months before this great event. With careful planning, thrift, and enterprise, a Scout may be able to earn and save almost the amount necessary to make this wonderful trip, and enjoy the fellowship of these thirty thousand Scouts from all parts of the world. Many Boy Scout Councils are pre- paring plans whereby one or more boys may be sent as official delegates of their Council. Many parents who can afford this amount, and who have qualified Scouts in their families, wil! also welcome this opportunity. Y. M. M. I. A. Efficiency Report, December, 1928 STAKE OS bo c 0 N a to 11 01 01 u q rt -a c Ol < DO < 00 c "S q 0) o «1 S9 CO o. a 2J5 u o s s S c 01 E SS q 'o a, C DO o s s eo > < 00 •Sq q.S 3 o »5 rt U a a •a c 3 O h Bear River _ _ 5 8 5 15 6 4 5 n 6 6 71 Beaver 7 12 4 12 6 10 10 12 4 7 84 Box Elder 20 15 11 13 18 10 11 24 10 10 142 Cache .. 15 4 21 17 8 12 17 12 14 18 9 10 8 14 24 28 11 6 6 17 133 Cottonwood 138 Deseret ... 9 13 15 11 11 8 7 22 7 8 111 Ensign _ 18 11 19 13 11 6 13 12 16 12 10 7 10 12 28 16 6 4 3 1 134 Granite 94 352 IMPROVEMENT ERA Feb.. 1920 STAKE DO c Grant .... Gunnison Hyrum Kolob Logan ._, Nebo _. North Davis Ogden - Oquirrh Salt Lake _ Sevier South Davis South Sanpete South Sevier Timpanogos Uintah Weber Blaine .._ Cassia — Franklin - Fremont Idaho Idaho Falls .... __ Lost River Minidoka _. Oneida Portneuf Shelley - . Teton Twin Falls Yellowstone Big Horn Star Valley Moapa Hollywood Los Angeles San Francisco Taylor Woodruff Central States Mission.-. Northwestern States Mis. 10 12 10 15 10 9 8 7 16 16 5 19 6 9 12 4 13 6 16 14 16 8 9 14 8 8 3 9 6 10 7 10 4 7 12 13 16 10 15 8 18 Q O 12 18 9 17 12 11 15 7 17 18 21 20 10 7 17 4 16 4 13 15 18 18 13 11 9 12 10 9 10 9 12 11 7 12 15 15 14 14 18 5 14 2* 15 Ui u .a E 6 11 6 10 10 7 7 5 12 9 13 14 5 8 16 9 8 4 10 13 13 15 9 7 6 8 8 9 5 5 11 14 13 12 10 7 18 15 T3 C 7 12 14 10 9 7 11 5 11 12 15 14 4 6 12 4 14 14 10 13 13 12 15 11 6 18 11 11 2 15 11 6 13 11 . 16 12 15 16 15 a on 10 20 10 10 12 7 13 7 15 17 20 '20 6 8 8 12 3 20 12 17 5 12 7 7 9 9 4 10 8 11 5 5 10 10 13 19 10 10 4 15 DO C E.i W 3 >-CO "9 S c .5 3 O CO —a 10 9 4 1 8 7 7 5 10 9 10 10 4 5 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 4 7 5 6 7 DO J3 S Jh 10 4 3 10 7 11 5 11 9 10 23 3 13 12 8 12 10 4 15 5 8 3 3 3 o c s I o u E 15 40 14 20 12 15 22 17 22 21 32 34 13 9 22 14 21 6 15 20 26 22 14 10 16 14 13 13 6 12 | •7 7 13 | 2 5 4 I 4 2 7 ] 6 5 9 1 9 12 16 | 8 15 26 | 10 18 21 | 7 8 22 | 8 3 11 1 4 5 1 10 10 19 | 2 9 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 6 7 7 1 3 23 5 5 3 8 17 11 10 10 7 4 10 11 4 10 6 21 8 10 22 11 8 2 15 c 3 PU 8 10 6 7 5 7 11 5 8 7 7 20 6 21 3 9 1 8 16 8 10 11 17 6 8 8 6 8 6 10 3 3 23 13 14 14 7 12 8 23