Original Y. M. M. I. A. Worker Called Home

Original Y. M. M. I. A. Worker Called Home JUNIUS F. WELLS, notable figure in the Church and espe- cially in the work of the Mu- tual Improvement Associations has passed on. He fell asleep suddenly and as peacefully as a tired child in Salt Lake City on the morning of April 15, and one can conceive of no mortal ending more in har- m o n y with this worthy man's nat- ural desires. Nothing could have been more distasteful to his ac- tive, alert spirit than to be bedfast either for a long or short period. Of no modern man can it be said with better grace that "he went about doing good" than of Junius F. Wells. Few men in the entire community were better acquainted with Church history and doctrine than was he; few men in the nation were better posted on the trend of world af- fairs; and one can hardly conceive of a more polished, charming man- ner than he possessed. He took de- light in accosting a friend on the street, or visiting him in his home or place of business, and he never failed to leave an uplifting and stimulating thought. 'T'HE following was read at his ■*■ funeral services which were held in the Assembly Hall, Sun- day, April 20: To Junius F. Wells the young people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owe gratitude and love, for he was the founder under the Prophet Brig- ham Young, of their glorious or- ganization, one of the greatest As- sociations of young men for the service of God in all the world. On June 10, 1875, there was organized in the 13th Ward, Salt Lake City, the first Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, with Henry A. Woolley as presi- dent and B. Morris Young and Heber J. Grant, now president of Junius F. Wells the Church, as his counselors. This epochal organization was effected by Elder Junius F. Wells, acting under appointment, and was the genesis of the Y. M. M. I. A. movement. From that day until his death, April 15, 1930, Elder Wells has been an active member of the General Organization of the Associations. For four years he stood at the head as general presi- dent, until in 1880 Apostle Wil- ford Woodruff was sustained as general superintendent. The organization of the Mutual Improvement work, however, was not the only important undertak- ing performed by Elder Wells. He was active in many Church labors. He filled two missions to Great Britain, one from 1872 to 1875, another in 1919-21, and during parts of 1875 and 1876 in the Eastern States. In 1905 he de- signed and supervised the erection of the superb granite monument to Joseph Smith and the erection of the memorial cottage on the Joseph Smith farm at South Royalton, Vermont, which monument and cottage were dedicated Dec. 23, 1905, the one-hundredth anni- versary of the birth of the Prophet. In 1918 he design- ed and supervised the erection of the monu- ment in the Salt Lake City cemetery, which was dedicated o n June 27 of that year to the memory of Hyrum Smith, broth- er of the Prophet, and the Patriarch of the Church. This magnificent shaft is an exact replica, except as to size, of the Joseph Smith monument at South Royalton. These memorial works so splendidly performed and, in the case of the first, accom- plished under great difficulties, stamp him as a man of outstand- ing faith, devotion and ability. For nine years he has been an assistant Church historian and has gathered historical data of dis- tinctive value. During all these years while en- gaged in his many and varied la- bors he has been deeply interested and active in the work most dear to his heart, the Mutual Improve- ment cause. One of his outstanding achieve- ments was assisting in the plan- ning and execution of the great M. I. A. Jubilee parade in June, 1925. Up to the last day of his life he was a source of inspiration and an active participant in the production of the great pageant — -"The Mes- sage of the Ages." The members of the General Boards of the Mutual Improve- ment Associations recognize in Junius F. Wells a man of charm- ing personality, outstanding char- acter and sterling worth. These qualities have endeared

550 The Improvement Era for June, 1930 him to us and bound us together' hi bonds of imperishable love and eternal fellowship. We know him as a faithful and devoted Latter- day Saint, and a valiant defender of the faith, who never wavered in his testimony to the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and the truth of the great work established in response to the command of the Father and of his Son Jesus Christ. Brother Wells' life and example have ever been an inspiration, encouraging us to press forward in the great work of Mu- tual Improvement and in the serv- ice of our Master and his Church and people. We love him and revere his memory as a faithful, loving Junius F. Wells HIS mind was set with precious gems, Which when he met a friend, Flashed forth with such rare bril- liancy Their luster could but tend To fortify the soul. How we shall miss him I His gentle dignity. His genial smile, his pleasant word, The clasp of hands that friendship ■. stirred. His memory, may it long remain, He will not "pass this way again." — Ruth May Fox. friend, a polished gentleman, a fearless servant of God, true to ev- ery trust, loyal to the brethren and to the Saints, always willing to sacrifice himself for the blessing of his fellow-men. May his shining example ever live in the hearts and memories of the youth of Israel whom he loved so dearly, inspiring them to great- er effort and grander accomplish- ments in the great work of God in the coming years. George Albert Smith, General Superintendent, Y. M. M. I. A. Ruth May Fox, General President, Y. L. M. I. A. Out of the Burning, people think Jimmy Harrison had a hundred year lease on that office? Wasn't it time for newer blood, a more youthful slant on life? Did the American Legion think they could run the town and displace a scion of a first family? Shouldn't a man's war sacrifice be rewarded? What a shame to take the office away from Judge Harrison, just when he had finally found his daughter. Thus conflicting gossip ran riot and through it all, Judge Harrison remained calm, dignified and reserved. He held court while ballots were being scratched and the whole court house was agog with excitement. He refused in- terviews, contending his previous record was his sole platform. At the peak of the excitement, when men with lunch boxes and set determined faces, waited in line, Old Silas Hoggan created a diver- sion. He suddenly appeared, de- manding a vote. "I'm fur thet thar jedge what gimme the best home I ever knowed. Don't hev ter worrit over vittels down yonder," his high, cracked old voice expound- ed to all who would listen. "Sure! I'm free ter go, but ets the likeliest place I ever seed. I'm goin' back whin I'se had a chanct ter vote!" /\S on other momen- tous occasions Judge Harrison paced his library on election night. The birth of twin daughters, the (Continued from page 548) recovery of Pamela, the loss of the coal fields, were all subordinated to this struggle. He wondered what be would do if he really lost? How would he occupy his time? The prospect of spending his days at home, with only Echo to bow to his decisions, was not inviting. It was characteristic of Portia that she dashed in with the returns at ten thirty. "You made it, Dad," she an- nounced, planting a moist kiss on each cheek of her protesting par- ent. "My, what a close race! Neck and neck you both ran till the re- turns came in from Crow's Nest. You got every vote in that forgot- ten hole. Seventy-nine of 'em, Dad. Behold the judge who suc- ceeds himself!" Pamela, calm as her father, of- fered more lucid explanations. "Your majority is seventy-five votes, Father." OLOWLY the truth penetrated to the judge's weary brain. "Am I to understand that I owe my re-election to Crow's Nest? That without them, I was defeated? Pamela, this was your work. It is your victory." Pamela smiled her gratitude. Praise from her father was a new sensation. "I now demand that I be per- mitted to attend a college of my own choosing!" Portia felt the need of striking while the iron was hot. "And you?" The judge turned to Pamela a trifle ironically. "Only your benediction as I lead my own life," she answered. "I go in training to-morrow." At jpTER the excite- ment had subsided and the others had retired, the judge still paced the library floor. He had food for thought. To be defeated in his own district. To be really elected by a landslide from an ignored, forlorn, forgotten district. Sure- ly Steve Turner had paid his ob- ligation. The judge saw a warn- ing. That young upstart had nearly put it over. This rising generation must be considered. He would have to unbend. Mix more with people. Be more human. He had been elected through the ef- forts of a child to whom he had once refused shelter. Portia would have her way. She would choose some fashionable finishing school and learn seventeen polite French phrases. She would learn to paint lakes and boats and flowers on use- less china, and concoct indigestible sweets. TAMELA found the life of a nurse no easy task. Long hours of petty routine; trays and baths, temperatures and linens; hot (Continued on page 554)