Editors’ Table

The New Improvement Era Beginning with the November issue, there will be a new Improvement Era. The announcement, made at the June conference of the long-considered and now completed plan of combining the Young Woman's Journal and the Im- provement Era, has created much fa- vorable enthusiasm. It is a consum- mation desired for many years by thousands of people throughout the Church, though the parents of the Journal will doubtless experience the same feeling of sadness which comes to all fathers and mothers when a cher- ished daughter is given in marriage and changes her name. To a very great extent the work of the M. I. A. is the same for both men and women. Their objective is iden- tical, and the steps leading thereto are at least parallel. Naturally, publishing two magazines has resulted in dupli- cation of effort and a corresponding loss of energy. This in the future will be conserved. There are before us, while this is being written, original letters bearing on the history of the Young Woman's Journal. One is from Dr. Romania B. Penrose, the other from President Joseph F. Smith, both addressed to Sister Susa Young Gates, who at the time was filling a mission with her husband in Hawaii. President Smith's communication acknowledges receipt of a letter from Sister Gates in which she asks for advice as to the advisability of creating a monthly journal to repre- sent the interests of the Y. L. M. I. A. We quote the following from this letter which is dated August 10, 1888: "I have been a cripple with sciatica for nearly a month and have been off duty away from the brethren, and am not now in a position to consult with them before writing. I think it better anyway for me not to say anything to President Woodruff about it until you write him fully on the whole matter. You are at liberty to say to him thai you had mentioned the matter to me and that I had referred you to him and was favorable to an enterprise such as is suggested by Dr. Penrose. "Another suggestion: Sisters E! mina Taylor, Maria Y. Dougall and Mattie Home Tingey are the pres- idents of the Y. L. M. I. A. through out the Church. I think it would bo wise for you to consult freely with them in relation to this matter and enlist them in the cause and together with them mature all the plans neces- sary for the proper beginning and suc- cessful conducting of the enterprise." The result of this correspondence and subsequent consultation was the Young Woman's Journal, which Sister Gates edited and managed until the burdens became too onerous for one person to bear, when she relinquished the management but remained as editor for a number of years. From the beginning, the magazine has been well edited. An account of its history and activities will appear in a subsequent issue in greater detail than would be possible here. The present editor, Elsie Talmage Brandley, is a brilliant young woman, and it is a pleasure to note that she will be so closely associated with the new Era. She is sure to contribute a great deal to the future success of the magazine. It would not be proper to omit from this brief review the name of Junius F. Wells, who put his heart and means, almost his life's blood, into the Contributor, which was the fore- runner of the Era. We shall have

July, 1929 EDITOR'S TABLE 779 more to say of that vigorous and praiseworthy magazine later. Neither can we forget the outstand ing work done by B. H. Roberts, first editor of the Improvement Era, not President Heber J. Grant, its first busi- ness manager, and Thomas Hull, his associate. Without the courage and faith of these men, the paper would never have been born, or if born at all would never have survived its in- fancy. And in this connection, Era readers will think reverently of the late Ed- ward H. Anderson, that patient, in- dustrious and able worker who, first under direction of President Joseph F. Smith and afterwards under President Heber J. Grant, did the real editorial work. — C. Smile Posts of Satisfaction By Dr. John A. Widtsof Out of the spirit and perspective of the mission field has come a book un- der the above title. It is a series of messages addressed primarily to mis- sionaries, but of universal truth and, therefore, applicable to every human life. It abounds in noble sentiments and wise counsel, helpful along life's journey, couched in simple and often eloquent language, and reinforced by a wealth of quotation from the thinkers of all ages. It instructs and stimulates. It is good reading. Mile posts — road markers — we know well enough, every life has them, but smile posts — places of rejoicing — are not so common, more is the pity. The 28 smile posts, each complete within itself and, therefore, easy read- ing, are: The missionary; let the glory of God be your ideal; idle words; prayer; the Lord's prayer; the light of men; the way, the truth and the life; a new commandment; pro- crastination is the thief of time; serv- ice; feeding the multitude; strive to enter in; wise men; life's morning; thk joy of life; judge not; our enemies; temper; be doers; the corn of wheat; doing things; rafts and steamboats: who shall be the greatest; the Beati- tudes; what manner of men should ye be; soldiers of the cross; tempta- tion; the gardens of Eden and Geth- semanc. The author of this valuable book is John P. Lillywhite, veteran and suc- cessful missionary and mission presi- dent, now presiding over the Nether- lands mission. In full consonance with the spirit of missionary endeavor, the book, which is beautifully printed and bound, is sold at the cost of pro- duction and postage. It is a good book for Latter-day Saints and all others to read. My Belief There is no death, nor can there be, No death, but life eternally; No sudden ending of your love. No bitter loss, just bliss above. Just life beyond in other lands. Just love as we go hand in hand. There is no death, nor can there be, No death, but life eternally. GENEVIEVE SELANDER.