Editors’ Table

Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New After thirty-two years of vigorous life, the Improvement Era, in its pres- ent form, comes to an end with this number. In browsing through the back volumes, one is impressed with the thought that the Era, unlike most lives, has never had any infancy or childhood, but leaped from its birth into virile aggressive manhood. Before the magazine was actually born it was consecrated to a special mission, and a most careful examination of the thirty thousand and more pages of reading matter which it has presented to the public will confirm the statement, that it has never lost sight of its great pur- pose, which has been to bring about an improvement in the lives of all whom it could touch; to build char- acter; to develop faith, and encourage righteousness. During its entire life, it has never given expression to a single thought which would turn the reader's mind in an improper direction. It may be truthfully said that the end of each volume has found its at- tentive readers possessing more Christ- like characteristics, more faith, intelli- gence, and courage than the beginning. Their vision of life, with its true mean- ing, and their conception of the future has been broadened. A deeper sense of duty to God and to their fellow- men has been awakened. We believe the magazine has created a thirst for knowledge, by teaching that this is one of the elements of godliness, and at the same time has helped to assuage that thirst by presenting well written ar- ticles on theology, history, science, philosophy, literature. It has contained solemn warnings against evil; has ever held aloft worthy standards of living, and has been per- suasive and encouraging in its efforts to impress the world with the im- portance of creating higher ideals and preserving courage and determination in living up to them. Calmly, and never with a spirit of hysteria or delirium, it has preached the restored Gospel, that God has again revealed himself from heaven, and it has spoken fearlessly, and with dynamic power, in defending the truth against the assaults of enemies and unbelievers. When the contemplated amalgama- tion of the Era and Journal was pre- sented to the public, a wedding cere- mony was used as a symbol of the union. This was a felicitous thought, for an important mission of these two magazines has been to prepare the world for a glorious wedding when the celestial Bridegroom shall come to claim his bride, the Church. In the story-book wedding typifying this union, a herald announced to the world that a great event in Church literature was about to occur. The symbolism of that announcement reaches much farther than is generally supposed, for the constant mission of this magazine has been to declare, with words of soberness, that ere long an angelic herald will broadcast to a startled world, "Behold, the Bride- groom cometh." Nothing of great importance has ever been accomplished without many agencies having played a part therein. This, naturally, has b,een the case with the Improvement Era. It is a fitting time to extend thanks to those who have helped to make the maga- zine a success. On the preceding page will be found a letter of ap- preciation, signed by the General Sup- erintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A., and addressed to the thousands of

1034 IMPROVEMENT ERA Oct., 1919 the Era's subscribers, without whom nothing could have been accomplished. Then, too, men and women from many walks of life have devoted time and thought to the preparation of ar- ticles, and practically all of these con- tributions have been written with no thought of pecuniary reward. Writers have been impelled by the desire to do good, and they are entitled to the thanks, not only of the Era, but also of all its readers. We extend to them our cordial thanks. A few names, chief among those who have made the Era a success, should be mentioned. This list might be many times multiplied if space per- mitted. Certainly in the early days of the magazine, no man did more than President Heber J. Grant; and even at the present time it receives all the thought which he can possibly spare from other pressing duties. Our readers would be astonished if they knew the number of letters he person- ally signed in the beginning in an effort to win subscribers. Not only did he give of his time, but with equal liber- ality contributed of his means. Closely associated with him have been Elders B. H. Roberts and Edward H. Ander- son, who have done most of the edi- torial work; Thomas Hull, Moroni Snow and, more recently, Melvin J. Ballard, who have at different times, looked after the business interests of the magazine. These men and the Im- provement Era have achieved some- thing which can never be forgotten, and for which the Almighty will richly reward them. Our hope is that the work to be done by the new Improvement Era in its en- larged sphere of action will approach in quality that done by the old Era and the Journal in their more circum- scribed fields. — C. Horace J. Knowlton The new Improvement Era is very fortunate in having secured the services of Horace J. Knowlton, who is to be associated with its business depart- ment. He is a wide-awake, energetic young man, a graduate of the Uni- versity of Utah and the University of Chicago, and is thoroughly familiar with this class of work, having been engaged with Eastern publications since his graduation, and for the past year has been editor of the Chicago Purchaser. Brother Knowlton was born in Salt Lake, is a Latter-day Saint through and through, has been successful in business in competition with the world, and will be a real acquisition to our force. He left a lucrative posi- tion in the East for the simple reason that he and his wife preferred to be with the body of the Church rather than so far removed from head- quarters. What the Era Does Elder Weston N. Nordgren, associate editor of the Millennial Star, sends to the Era the following encouraging words: Many times, upon receiving a copy of the Improvement Era, I have felt to express my appreciation to those re- sponsible for this wonderful "Mor- mon" magazine. Yet each time, I have let that feeling "wear off," and have said or done nothing. Today, after reading the July is- sue, just received, I feel doubly in- debted to this magazine. It is filled with hope and peace, with love and faith. It is very inspiring — especially to a missionary away from the body of the Church. It carries with it the true

Oct.. 1929 EDITOR'S TABLE 1035 message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Hope for the sorrowing heart, peace for the troubled mind, love for the lonely soul, and implants within one a firm faith in our God and in our fel- low-men. There is the true missionary spirit about it that makes it seem to breathe help and assurance to one in doubt; that seems to explain the mysteries of life in a simple, tangible way, that one may more firmly grasp the problems of daily life. Ever since I can remember reading anything, I have read the Era. I have enjoyed it, enthused over it, loaned it to others, and tried to get them to see the beauties it explained. Like the scriptures, it carries a spirit of wisdom, helpful service and understanding that makes one refer to it time and time again, there to find repeatedly a wealth of instruction and joy in its pages. My first attempt at story writing was in- spired by a story in its pages; my first written story appeared therein. In a large measure it has given me the true Latter-day Saint viewpoint, as far as I have it. The Era has given me travel, science, adventure, romance, thrills and serious thought. Moreover, it has helped to heighten my ideals of life and has given me a desire to live wor- thy of our "Mormon" heritage. I have not read any other magazine, year in and year out, which has so en- couraged me to go onward and up- ward; and at times when my spirits have been at low ebb, it has been posi- tively uplifting. Both at home and in the mission field, I have felt its clean influence and have thanked the Lord for it. Combined with the Young Wom- an's Journal, it should reach still greater heights as the universal "Mor- mon" magazine for old and young. I ask the blessings of the Lord upon those who are engaged in providing and arranging the material it contains, as well as for the Era itself. I wish the editors and the new Era "hearty good luck, and lots of it." It Can Be Done The work of the Y. M. M. I. A. in the Maricopa stake, under the direction of Delbert L. Stapley, has always gone forward with dispatch. It is a one hundred per cent stake in the matter of life memberships. Now, as we learn from a telegram from Brother Stapley to Superintendent George Albert Smith, it has more than its quota of Era subscribers. He conveys the cheering information that the Chandler ward, presided over by Bishop Guy V. Lamereaux, is sending in 77 subscriptions, although the ward has but 71 families. This shows what can be done where the matter is taken up seriously It is perhaps needless to say that the Y. M. M. I. A. and the Era have been loyally supported by the stake presidency, Presidents J. Robert Price, John Cummard and Daniel Hibbert.