Church Events

Tabernacle concerts to be broad- casted.— "Ten million radio fans will listen to the programs which are to be given each week, commencing Monday, July 15, by the Tabernacle choir and organ." This was the statement made by A. V. Saxton, chief divi- sional engineer of the National Broad- casting Company, who was in Salt Lake City recently to supervise ar- rangements for these concerts. Hundreds of thousands of people have listened to the organ during the daily recitals which have been given, and most of them have left the build- ing and grounds with a better idea of "Mormonism" after listening to the soul-stirring music. It has reached hearts which could not be touched by a sermon. Doubtless these concerts, spread over a 30-station network, will affect similarly those who listen. The one great difference is that the number who hear will be many times multi- plied. These programs will com- mence at 3 o'clock each Monday after- noon. Change at the Bureau of Informa- tion.— On the 4th of August, 1902, the "Bureau" was opened with Elder Benjamin Goddard in charge, and he remained with the Bureau until July 1 5 of this year, when he was honor- ably released and Elder John E. Hep- pier appointed to succeed him. The missionary work on the Temple Block, where hundreds of thousands of strangers from all parts of the world listen to the explanations given by the guides, is rated by Church authorities as a mission, with Levi Edgar Young, of the First Council of Seventy, as president. "I came here an enemy, I go away a friend," is frequently heard from people who visit the Bureau, go through the buildings, listen to the organ and receive explanations from the courteous men and women who show them about. Roscoe W. Eard- ley, former bishop of the Third ward in Salt Lake City, relates that he met a man in Europe who had been in most countries of the world and who said he had found but one place where he could not pay for the courtesies which were extended, that was the Temple Block in Salt Lake City. On June 29, Joseph W. Summer- hays, one of the veterans of the Church, passed on to his reward. Brother Summerhays was born Jan- uary 15, 1849, in Pemlico, Middle- sex, England. He was, therefore, in his 81st year. His life was an intensely interesting one from the time he left the London docks in the sailing vessel, Caroline, which required five weeks to reach New York, until the day of his death. He drove three yoke of oxen from the Missouri river to Salt Lake, arriving here October 1 1 . Through the mountains considerable snow was encountered, the Indians were unfriendly, and 37 members of the party died from exposure and hardships. Many of the cattle died also, and this delayed the company and made their journey more difficult. Brother Summerhays, always an ag- gressive, forceful character, traveled extensively throughout the United States in carrying forward his business of hides, wool and furs, and was ever ready to lift his voice in explanation or defense of the restored Gospel. He had a fervent testimony of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors, and nothing gave him greater joy than to give his reasons for the hope that was within him. Brother Summerhays had the privilege of listening to the testimony of David

876 IMPROVEMENT ERA Aug., 1929 Whitmer and Martin Harris regarding the Book of Mormon. He leaves a large posterity, 39 children, 46 grand- children and 4 great-grandchildren. Nearly all his children are gifted musically, some of them outstandingly so. Brother Summerhays has always been active in the stakes and wards in which he has lived and for many years was a useful member of the Des- eret Sunday School General Board. New president for the German- Austrian Mission. — Edward P. Kim- ball, Tabernacle organist, has been called to preside over the German- Austrian mission, to succeed Pres- Hyrum W. Valentine. These two brethren were in this mission field together twenty-seven years ago. Pres. Valentine first arrived in the field in 1900 and labored nearly three years, during the latter part of this period serving as president of the Dresden district. Subsequently, from the be- ginning of 1 9 1 2 to the close of 1916, he presided over the Swiss-German mission. During a large part of this time Germany was at war, and con- ditions were such as to try men's souls. It would not have been easy to find in the entire Church two people better qualified to carry on the work in face of the difficulties of that period, than were Pres. Valentine and his heroic wife. In the fall of 1926, they again re- sponded to the call and went to the German-Austrian field, and have la- bored there with signal success. For a number of years Pres. Valentine was bishop of the Brigham City 3rd ward. Pres. Kimball has been a prominent figure in musical and religious circles ever since his boyhood. For a num- ber of years he r^as been an active member of the General Board of Sun- day Schools. In addition to his mu- sical and religious activities, he has taken a prominent part in civic organi- zations, having served as president of the local Rotary Club for some time, and last spring was elected 'District Governor Fifth District Rotary Inter- national. His standing in this world- wide and popular organization will aid him materially in reaching men of repute and power and gaining their influence for him and for the cause he represents. An interesting bit of history comes to mind in connection with this change. In the spring of 1902, a large "Mormon" conference was held in the assembly room of a prominent hotel in Dresden. Germany. Presidents Valentine and Kimball were both present, as were also Prof. Levi Edgar Young, ex-Governor Chas. R. Mabey and a large number of other missionaries. About 600 people were crowded into the hall, many pastors among them. An intensely bitter spirit was present, and at times a personal encounter between mission- aries and their opponents seemed un- avoidable. At the close of the meeting a crowd of unfriendly people gathered in the street and threatened to mob the elders. It was not easy to restrain the young men. They had been cruelly abused, and their revered leaders had been villified. On the other hand, they had listened to burning testimonies of the divinity of this work and felt, as one husky young missionary expressed it, that they "could whip the whole German army." Pres. Kimball, upon his re- turn to Germany, will find a vastly different condition. This hotel has been purchased by the Church and the first floor is used as mission head- quarters. All is peace now in the hall where these presidents once saw so riotous a time. Its walls are adorned with pictures of Church and mission authorities, and the spirit which per- vades the chapels at home is found in rich measure there. New President of Netherlands Mis- sion.— Frank L. Kooyman, first coun- selor in the bishopric of the Nineteenth ward in Salt Lake City, has been chosen to preside over the Nether- lands mission. He is to succeed Pres.

Aug., 1929 CHURCH EVENTS 877 John P. Lillywhite, who has been in the field since January, 1926. Pres. Kooyman was a zealous missionary in Holland, his native land, before emi- grating to Utah in 1904. Although he had never been in England or America, he had acquired the English language so thoroughly that he was able to translate for Pres. Heber J. Grant, then president of the European missions, and other speakers. Pres. Lillywhite has now completed his third mission in the Netherlands, dur- ing two of which he has presided. From February, 1905, to October, 1907, he served as traveling elder. In July, 1920, he was set apart to preside over that mission and remained in the field until April, 1923, when he was released. On this mission his wife ac- companied him and endeared herself to missionaries and members. In the early part of 1926, Pres. Lillywhite succeeded Pres. Chas. S. Hyde, who had succeeded him about three years before. His wife and sons accom- panied him on this mission. * * * New Stake Organized. — June 16, 1929, the Moroni stake was organized. This stake was formed by taking five wards, Chester, Fountain Green, Moroni West, Moroni East and Wales, from the North Sanpete stake. James L. Nielson, of Fountain Green, form- erly second counselor in the stake pres- idency of the North Sanpete stake, was made president of Moroni stake, with Ernest J. Johnson and Abram Living- ston as his counselors and with Carl Sophus Augason as stake clerk. Henry C. Jacobs was selected to act as second counselor in the North Sanpete stake to fill the vacancy caused by the pro- motion of President Nielson. President Nephi L. Morris released. — After serving as president of the Salt Lake stake ever since its organization, more than twenty-five years ago, Pres. Nephi L. Morris was honorably re- leased on June 16, 1929. Wilford A. Beesley, formerly second counselor in the presidency of that stake, was selected as president. He chose as his counselors John B. Matheson and Irvin S. Noal. Prayer When first I glimpsed the beauty of prayer I saw it as a means of healing, and the Lord as the great and skillful physician. I see it now in many ways — as a ladder, like the one of which Jacob dreamed, reaching from earth to heaven, where angels go up and down and keep a better world in touch with ours. I see it as a holy place within a temple, where one may go and seek counsel from the living source of truth and wisdom. I see it as an oasis of clear water and cool shade beside the road of life, where one may pause and rest the bruised or troubled soul. I see it as a fortress where one may find shelter for a while from strong and relentless enemies. I see it as the armour that a knight dons each day before sallying forth to do deeds of manly valor, to right wrongs, and to succor the oppressed. I see it as the hand-clasp between a dependent child and the loving Father who guides him. — Floy L, Turner.