e improvement
U. S. POSTAGE
2c PAID
Salt Lake City, Utah Permit No. 325
Here Are The
NEW LOW
RATE
which will make it possible for every family to enjoy the advantages of this clean, modern fuel for all needs of the household for heating, cooking, refrigeration, hot water supply,
laundering and incineration.
Freely and voluntarily your Natural Gas Company has again reduced Domestic, Commercial and Industrial rates. Two years ago, With the introduction of Natural Gas in the Salt Lake Valley the cost of gas service was reduced by more than half. That gave you the most economical cooking, water heating and refrigeration service available. Now with the new low rates, these same Natural Gas services, together with Natural Gas house heating, will bring an actual dollars and cents SAVING in your monthly and annual cost of home maintenance. The same service, using varied fuels would be much more costly. Following are the new low (Domestic and Commercial Natural Gas rates for Salt Lake City, Ogden, Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, Layton, Kaysville, Clearfield, Murray, Sandy, Midvale, Garfield, Magna, Morgan and Tooele.
First 400 cubic feet .90
Next 600 cubic feet. .15 per 100 cubic feet
Next 1,000 cubic feet- .112 pert ioo cubic feet
Next 1,000 cubic feet - 075 per 100 cubic feet
Next 2,000 cubic feet - .00 per 100 cubic feet
Next 15,000 cubic feet. 0425 per IOO cubic feet
Next 30,000 cubic feet 035 per 100 cubic feet
All Over 50,000 cubic feet - .03 per 100 cubic feet
Minimum Bill..... .90
Rent a fully automatic Natural Gas Home Heating Unit. $5 installs
the unit in your present furnace. Then for a rental of only $2.10 per month
you may enjoy the full advantages of clean, automatic heat. This attractive
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of comfort and saving to you if you investigate. We welcome the opportunity to submit an
estimate of what savings the new low rates will bring to your home. No obligation on your part.
UTAH GAS &COKC CO.-OGDEN GAS CO.
WASATCH GAS CO.
serving twenty-one Utah towns with prompt and courteous public service
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ffhe improvement
Vol. 35 No. 1
FORECAST
(^HRISTMAS is the greatest season of the whole year — a time when people of all nations and ages join in gladness and fes- tivity. The Era will enter into the spirit of the occasion with story, poem and picture; "Moved — Left No Address," by Bryce W. Anderson, will delight Era readers with the simplicity of its human appeal; "The Christmas Tree" likewise will touch a cor- ner of all hearts, and make them glad. These stories are full of the crisp interest of the Yule-tide, and carry tender messages in their lines.
pDDIES OF LIFE," an article by former President Wm. A. Hyde, of Pocatello Stake, bears a Christmas thought, if loving our neighbors as ourselves is Christ- masy. And surely it is, for it was He whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas who bade us love one another. In this day of grim un- employment, this article is of un- usual interest, told, as it is, with quiet beauty and in a convincing manner.
TXTITH increasing interest are readers of the Era watching for the articles in the series "Great- ness in Men," appearing regularly under the signature of Bryant S. Hinckley. The third one, pre- senting President Charles W. Nib- ley, will contain much of the humor and the philosophy which has made President Nibley the be- loved leader he is today.
"pOR those who wish to put into the Christmas program of their wards a new touch, the Era is happy to publish a pageant of the season "Joy to the World." Sim- ple it is. in setting and costuming; complete in directions for staging and production, and lovely in characterization and dialogue which will make it of valued and treasured memory in wards where it is used.
ERA:
NOVEMBER, 1931
Melvin J. Ballard Business Manager
O. B.
Clarissa A. Beesley Associate Business Manager
.Peterson, Ass't. Business Manager
George Q. Morris Rachel Grant Taylor Chairmen Era and Publicity-
Organ of the Priesthood Quorums, the Mutual Improvement
Associations and the Department of Education
Copyright, 1930, by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2 3 5 9 11 13
CONTENTS
Editorials:
Hugh J. Cannon. _ Bryant S. Hinckley
His Last Editorial Hugh J. Cannon
Greatness in Men President Anthony W. Ivins, Bryant S. Hinckley
Dr. Joseph F. Merrill Dr. Richard R. Lyman
The General Conference in Review John D Giles
Adolf Hitler — The Man and His Ideas Wendell C. Irvine
A Habit Worth Acquiring G. Ott Romney 15
Facing Life — X Dr. Adam S. Bennion 16
Boy Scouts in Camp Weston N. Nordgren 19
Man or Machine-Made paul J. Weaver 22
Supporting Cast (A Story) ____„ Alberta Huish Christensen 24
A Daughter of Martha (Serial Story) Ivy Williams Stone 26
Glancing Through (Brief Summaries of Magazine Articles)
Elsie Talmage Brandley 3 2
Laying the Foundation for Good Manners Adah R. Naylor 34
Beauty in the Home — Proportion . Lutie H. Fryer 3 6
Poetry 39
Spinsterhood _Bee Forsyth
Autumn Bertha Woodland
Two Questions N Alberta H. Christensen
Glad Days of Fall Linnie Fisher Robinson
November Gladys Hendricksen
I Have Seen God Christie Lund
Indian Summer Helen Kimball Orgill
Phases Linda S. Fletcher
Candles Grace Ingles Frost
Church Music Committee 40
Priesthood Quorums 4 1
Mutual Messages _ „ 4 3
Executive Department 43
Community Activity Department 45
Adult Department 1- 46
Gleaner Girls' Department 47
Junior Girls' Department . 48
Beehive Girls' Department : ■ 49
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1 103, Act of October, 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.
Manuscripts submitted without the statement, "At usual rates," are con- sidered free contributions. Photographs, unless their return is especially requested, will be destroyed.
Published monthly at Salt Lake City by the M. I. A. General Boards; $2 per annum. Address: Room 406 Church Office Building.
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Hugh J. Cannon
A T the zenith of his splendid life the managing /~w editor of this magazine passed away at an early hour on the morning of October 6th as the result of a serious operation for a malady from which he had suffered at intervals for several years. Thus was ended a brilliant career crowned with enduring achievements.
The shock is so fresh in our minds that we can hardly reconcile ourselves to his going; but the cour- ageous and hopeful view which he always took in
passing through experiences which wring the heart strings, his sublime faith and his calm outlook upon eternity has a sustaining quality that is both solacing and comforting to us now.
He was born sixty-one years ago January 19th of this year in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of George Q. and Sarah Jenne Cannon. He received his early education in a private school on the old Cannon farm near the Jordan River. From there he went to the University of Utah.
The Improvement Era for November?, 1931
At the age of twenty he was called on his first mission to Germany and had labored there a year and a half when his brother David, also a missionary, contracted a cold and, through exposure, died from it and Hugh J. brought his remains home.
On his return he engaged for a short time in the mining business in Nevada. He subsequently became interested in the publishing business in Salt Lake City in connection with the interests of his father and for some time was manager of the George Q. Cannon &> Sons Company, one of the pioneer pub- lishing houses of Utah.
He served as a member of the Deseret Sunday School Union Board from December 29, 1896, until April 3, 1923.
In 1901 he again went on a mission to Germany and was presiding over that mission at the time he was made President of the Liberty stake February 26, 1904. This mission covered a period of three and one-half years.
In 1920, while he was presiding over the Liberty stake, he was called by the First Presidency to ac- company [Elder David O. McKay on a tour of the world, visiting all the missions of the Church except those in the United States. This historic journey required more than a year's time.
In 1925 he was again called to preside over the Swiss and German mission and was holding that position at the time of his appointment as managing editor of this magazine. (Soon thereafter he was made a member of the General Board of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations and was serving in that position at the time of his death.
Thus 'he has been on three missions to Germany covering a period of seven and one-half years and one year touring the world, making eight and one- half years in missionary work abroad, twenty years as President of the Liberty stake of Zion, twenty- seven years a member of Deseret Sunday School Union Board, three and one-half years as managing editor of the Era and a member of the General Board of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Asso- ciations.
From his boyhood to the time of his death, whether at home or abroad, he has been active in the service of the Church and has brought to it an allegiance and a devotion which has been both an encouragement and an inspiration to those who have known him. In all his administrations he has dis- played a leadership marked by wisdom, tolerance and a sympathetic understanding of the people and of their problems, a leadership which has secured a cheerful and spontaneous following, one that has inspired faith and fine endeavor.
In his passing the Church has lost a stalwart defender, a talented and effective exponent. To those who know him best and who enjoyed his genial friendship the world will seem lonesome.
The writer has stood by his side when the portals of the tomb closed over the mortal remains of those he loved; his head bowed, his heart crushed but not a murmur fell from his lips — a test of the sublime and sustaining faith which he inherited from his illustrious sire and which he cultivated with diligent care.
In a most delightful and intimate conversation held a week ago, in fact the last time the writer saw him alive, he paid a tribute of love and esteem to
Sarah Richards Cannon, his sorrowing widow upon whom this blow falls hardest, which will shine forever in our memory. He spoke of the encourage- ment she had brought to him, the support she had given him, of the strength and sweetness and nobility of her character. She is indeed a high-minded, generous, devoted wife and mother who will bear the heavy burden which has come to ,hcr with the same quiet resignation and courage which her de- parted husband has always displayed.
Peace to his memory. His works will live after him. His children, his family, his friends can always repair with pride to the record of his unselfish and noble life.
In a most intimate friendship covering a period of thirty years the writer never heard him say an ungenerous word or ,speak a syllable that would not endure the scrutiny of time.
He was a noble man of generous and lofty im- pulses, with a chivalrous heart, a romantic imagina- tion, a fixed and settled faith in God and in the immortality of the soul, the personification of that cherished and fundamental virtue, loyalty. True to his friends, loyal to his leaders, devoted to his God, peace loving and gentle but without fear, kind but superbly courageous, he has left a sweet and shining memory. He made the world better, made men and women feel a little more secure, a little stronger, a little nobler. He died as he lived — without com- plaint and unafraid. — Bryant S. Hinckley, President of Liberty Stake.
His Last Editorial
IN preparation for the ^November issue of the -* Improvement Era, Hugh J. Cannon had written several editorials. Some were incomplete, but one was finished and in print at the time of his Heath. We feel that readers of the Era should have the benefit of this last message:
Do Something
A S one means of relieving the tense unemployment
-*1 situation, President Hoover suggests that stu- dents who have contemplated giving up school, be- cause of graduation or for any other reason, continue their educational work for the time being. By doing so they will not add to the number for whom jobs should be provided.
Utah and neighboring states offer excellent oppor- tunities for education through extension and corre- spondence courses, as well as through resident work. It is not easy for a man without income, especially if others are dependent upon him, to settle down to a regular course of study; but to those who can thus utilize a period of enforced idleness, thereby making themselves more efficient, this distressing time would prove a real blessing.
Thousands of Latter-day Saints live within easy reach of the temples. Inside the sacred walls of these buildings, doing for others that which they cannot do for themselves, unemployed people will find it much easier to subdue the feelings of bitterness or despair which are a natural result of their condition; and by doing this vicarious work for others, they will have earned assistance for themselves.- — H. J. C.
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}r resident Jieber ^/. Cjrant
who attains the seventy- ft anniversary of his birth on (j\ovember 22, iQ^i-
<lte became Irreswent of the C/kurcn of ^fesus Unrist of batter-oaif Saints UXovember 23, igio.
Greatness in Men
resident
Anthony W. Ivins
"No sounder piece of * * * manhood
was put together in this century of time."
— Thomas Carlyle.*
ANTHONY W. IVINS is
one of the last of that noble company of men who will go down in history as the great pioneers of the "Mormon" people. The line is growing thin and gray — but few remain. He was young when most of those men were in their prime, but he was old enough to understand and share the dangers and vi- cissitudes through which they passed, and he knows better than any other living man their story and has described some of their experiences with the beauty and grace of an artist. Refer- ring to the pioneer trails he says:
"The romance and tragedy of those old trails, now so well known to us, will never be written or told. It cannot be because the men and women who made unrecorded history along those devious ways have long since gone to tread the paths of another and a better world leaving little of written his- tory behind them."f
*Essay Sir Walter Scott. fSeptember Era.
He appears statuesque on a fine horse.
Those men of the plains and the mountains were indeed a pic- turesque company; men of fine ex- traction and heroic mold, lovers of nature and of nature's God, rugged but never crude. Their hard sur-
By
BRYANT S. HJNCKLEY
President of Liberty Stake
roundings never made them harsh or cruel. Among them all few indeed fit so admirably into the varied situations incident to pio- neering as does Anthony W. Ivins.
I-JE is a man of peace and of quiet ways, nevertheless many of his experiences are as thrilling and romantic as any found in the tales of the novelist and some of them are pathetic and tragic. He loves all nature, bleak places and har- dy companions. He is happy with the frontiersman and the frontiersman is hap- py with him. When- ever he goes he has shown a marvelous power of adaptation. In Old Mexico he was equally at home with the humble peon and the proud President of the Re- public. He appears to advantage among ti- tled nobility and among men of liberal learning. He unites the finest sensibilities with the greatest physical courage and the strongest will. He combines the instincts and accomplishments of good breeding with the broad- est sympathies and affiliations. In him are found the qualities of the man of action and those of the
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
thinker and the writer. He is in- deed a many-sided, versatile man with remarkably wide and varied interests. His interests are as keen in economics as in natural history, in baseball as in statecraft, in po- etry as in finance. He knows cattle and loves horses. He has a fascina- tion for mining and a patriotic rev- erence for the flag and the Constitu- tion for which it stands. He is in- deed a true Ameri- can. If destiny had led him into the conflict of war he would no doubt have played that game with a gal- lantry and skill which would have made him forever renowned. There is something chivalrous and statuesque in his very appearance on a fine horse.
His loyalty to his neighbors and to his friends, his fine sense of justice, his downright honesty, his love for the truth, coupled with his great ability, has secured to him the ev- erlasting al- legiance of those who know him.
(^) n the
W 16th of September last he pass- ed the sev- enty - ninth mile stone of his life with the years resting lightly up- on his sea- soned shoul- ders. His athletic body has re- sisted won- derfully the assault of time. His hair is white and his head slightly bowed when he walks. Time has mellowed his fine features but his sinewy limbs are still his willing servants.
With his warm sympathies de- veloped, his tenacious memory un- impaired, his poetic imagination
alert, his flawless judgment ma- tured, he stands on the threshold of his eightieth year a shining ex- ample of a many-sided, self-made, successful man, one of the most
President and Mrs. Ivins
highly esteemed and universally beloved citizens of the common- wealth.
From the summit of his years he can look over a most colorful and uncommon career, a career in no
In any activity, President Ivins played a prominent part, and played it successfully.
way devoid of irksome toil or perilous experiences, one in which there is much of monotony and commonplace, but in its larger as- pects a most romantic and inspir- ing career.
'"PHE simple story of his life from his birth place on Toms River, New Jersey, to his home on the hill in Salt Lake City would be an interesting one. He came to Utah as a child, remained in Salt Lake City until his ninth year, moved with his parents to St. George where for thirty-four years he made his home. They were among its original settlers. As a young man he did missionary work among the Indians and in Old Mexico, where he moved in 1895 and for twelve years was Presi- dent of the Juarez stake of Zion. In 1907 he was or- dained an apostle and moved to Salt Lake City and has since re- sided there.
St. George, the home of his youth and earlier manhood, is a small town far removed from the centers of population and com- merce but a good place for a young
man to grow up. H i s sur- roundings were hard but whole-
s o m e. Things did not come easy, great fortunes were not made by speculative methods. To succeed re- quired the develop- ment of those basic virtues which un- derlie a 1 1 sound living. The people in a large measure were forced to rely upon their own resourcefulness and ingenuity, not only for their com- mon sustenance but for their edu- cation and recreation. Whether it was baseball, dramatics, debating, hunting, farming, stock raising or any other activity common in that
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
country, President Ivins played a prominent part — played it well and successfully.
W. IVINS had
A NTHONY ^ little
schooling in the com- mon accep- tation o f that term and still he is one of the best educat- ed men of his time. I His superior I station I among men is due, in a 1 large meas- ure, to his intellectual endow- ments. "There is a sanity, a fineness, a
penetration, a reach about his mind" which at once places him in the class of the intellectually superior. One commentator says: "He is able, out of any par- ticular problem or situation, to get a solution which best meets the minds of the masses." That means not only a comprehension of the problems but a deep and sympa- thetic understanding of the people. This combination is the essence of real leadership.
It is needless to say that the training symbolized by the three R's is but a ismall part of educa- tion. Education in its best in- terpretation means something higher and finer than comes from any knowledge of conjugations or calculus. The ultimate purpose of education, of individual endeavor, of all social service, is man's growth in character. The supreme work of the world manifests itself in character development.
QHARACTER is not the pro- duct of logic, of research, or ex- perimentation— but faith in great ideals and a steadfast and sacri- ficial devotion to those ideals. This is only possible to men of resolute convictions. The heart and the will must cooperate in the creation of character.
To keep sweet in the face of dis- appointment, no matter how bit- ter, to maintain courage in the face
of defeat, to be true to one's ideals, to stand for the right, to make the most of one's endowments, to live on the highest levels, to meet the varied situations of life square-
He is a man of wide and varied interests.
President Ivins and his grandsons.
ly and wisely is the ultimate sought in education, and it does not come from schools nor school houses altogether.
He has been an industrious and careful reader — he has a tenacious memory. He has been forced to do his own thinking, to arrive at his own conclusions. He has a
mind that can deal with large problems, a mind luminous, ab- sorbent and strong by nature, trained and cultivated with long and laborious care. His schooling
was limited but it was enough. ;His powers were
developed and perfect- ed. '"Great men come from the wilderness and not from col- leges." He is an educated man.
f-JIS dis- courses and writ- ings will form a part of the per- manent lit- erature of the Church. For depth and clearness of thought, for soundness of doctrine, for beauty and simplicity of diction, for mag- nanimity and tolerance, for the sublime and inspiring faith which permeates them, his sermons are scarcely matched in the Church.
In his twenty-sixth year he mar- ried Elizabeth Snow, a daughter of the late Erastus Snow — a states- man and colonizer second only to Brigham Young, among the first of the "Mormon" pioneers to en- ter this valley and among the last to be forgotten for the service which he gave to this people. That great apostle was his companion and teacher. If Mark Hopkins on one end of a log and James A. Garfield on the other made a uni- versity, Erastus Snow on one side of a camp fire 'and a young man his equal on the other side made a noble institution. That is where Anthony W. Ivins went to col- lege.
'"PHERE is no single influence which has contributed more to Anthony W. Ivins' success than the companionship and inspiration of this modest little woman who has walked by his side all these years. She has known his worth and kept up his faith in himself and his destiny. She is a woman of quiet wisdom and unusual ex- ecutive capacity, and has managed,
8
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
with ability, his household during his repeated absences from home. They met when he was nine years old and on his first trip to St. George. They were camped at Chicken Creek Lake when this romantic love affair, which has lasted for seventy years, began. Here is a dainty and graphic ac- count of it from his own gifted pen:
"As I stood by the wagon tongue con- versing with the man, a little girl walked up on the opposite of the tongue and from under a blue sun-bonnet looked at me, and I looked at her. I was thrilled with her beautiful brown eyes and could not forget them. * * * I continued to see her until we had grown to man and womanhood when she became my wife. She is with me still, the same sweet girl that she was at Chicken Creek. She has shared with me the dangers, trials and privations of pioneer life. No other has, or even can take her place."*
They have eight living children, one deceased, all of whom are of the same modest, intelligent, self- reliant type as their distinguished parents.
gPEAKING of the master influ- ences of his life — the deep and dominant influence of his life, the influence which has given direction to all his splendid powers and in- spired him to fine endeavor, is his reverent and passionate love for the Redeemer of the world, his pro- found understanding of His life and mission. This has developed in his soul a universal love for mankind, a tender compassion for the poor and the unfortunate and made him a champion of the op- pressed.
Anthony W. Ivins has always stood as a fearless tribune of the common people — he understands them and loves them. This is one of the sources of his great influ- ence. He is a practical man, a man of affairs, a man of the rarest com- mon sense and there is running down through the center of his life this deep, silent current of right- eousness. He never speaks upon any great Gospel theme without impressing those who listen with the fact that he has the vision and seership of a major prophet.
While his feet are firmly planted upon the solid earth he is an ideal- ist. Never offensive in expressing his opinions, still all men know where he stands and admire him for his stand. He is a deeply re- ligious man. He is first counselor,
* September Era.
and a little more than first cousin, to the President of the Church, and no one could be prouder of a coun- selor and a cousin than is his file leader. We doubt if any President ever had a wiser counselor. The contrast between these cousins in some respects is sharp and pro- nounced, but their lives comple- ment each other with remarkable completeness.
\\/"E come now to some funda- mental questions: What has given Anthony W. Ivins such a commanding place among men? What is the explanation of his great influence? Put these pertinent questions to his most ardent ad- mirers or to his most intimate friends and they hesitate — they cannot answer you because it is not any specific characteristic, it is not the result of any single gift.
Still seeking an answer to these questions you ask: Is it the sim- plicity of his life? Is it his intel- lectual superiority? Is it the soundness o f his judgment? H i s steadfast J loyalty? The 1 strength and ™ purity of his character? His reverence for his
God and for his country? You reply without hesitation and with decision, yes — all of these in a most happy and harmonious union.
It is not any extraordinary and easily discoverable characteristic that has distinguished him; but rather the fine poise and balance of all his faculties. His mental, moral and physical equation is ad- mirable. He never explodes, he never leaps before he looks; still he is a man of action. There is noth- ing rough nor dictatorial about him. He has always led but he never stepped in front of any other man. He is quiet, modest and un- assuming but no one ever dom- inated him or did his thinking for him. Back of his humility, be- neath his modesty is a lofty self- respect. The fibre of his soul is tender, the timber of his will is strong. The sources of his power lie in the depths of his shining soul.
"pOR the better part of fifty years he lived on the borders of civ- (Continued on page 3 9)
Anthony W. Ivins — one of a com- pany of noble men known as "The Pioneers"
sr/»
Or. J 05^ r* • NYerrill
of the Council of the Twelve
By DR. RICHARD R. LYMAN
CLASSMATES at the Uni- versity of Michigan forty years ago this very fall, and later having our offices side by side in the University of Utah for twenty-six years, few men have been more intimately asso- ciated during what is now rather a long lifetime than have Joseph Francis Merrill and the writer of this sketch.
As Superintendent of the Mu- tual Improvement Associations in the former Salt Lake Stake, I sug- gested Joseph F. Merrill as my first assistant.
"Who is the man? Where is he?" asked President Angus M. Cannon.
"He is a son of Marriner W. Merrill of the Council of the Twelve and a teacher in the Uni- versity of Utah; at present he is at Johns Hopkins University."
"How long has he been away from home?" asked President Can- non.
"Two years."
"Are you sure that he is thor- oughly imbued with the spirit of the Gospel?"
'Yes, President Cannon, I know
the man. A testimony of the Gos- pel is in his heart and soul. I may say that I speak his language, and he speaks mine; that is, we understand each other. We are kindred spirits."
TN youth, while at Ann Arbor, Joseph F. Merrill was associated with great investigators who were building upon the discoveries of Pasteur, the man who in 1880 made to human welfare perhaps the greatest of scientific contribu- tions. Because of the accuracy and thoroughness of his work,
10
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
Joseph F. Merrill was one of the students from the department of chemistry to aid in this experimen- tal research.
Outstanding in his character is persistence. When he attacks a problem, for him no road is too long, no combination of circum- stances too difficult.
Unusual good fortune came for Joseph F. Merrill and for the Church when he went into the Presidency of the Granite Stake, for it was then that he had the opportunity and the vision to be- gin the work of the present sem- inary system, now comprising, un- der his leadership, ninety institu- tions. The present definite details of the unique and remarkable pro- gram of the General Board of Ed- ucation in its courses of religious education have come largely as a result of the clear vision and effi- cient leadership of Dr. Merrill as Commissioner of Education.
RATIONALLY Dr. Merrill has risen to membership in the- scientific societies of his profession. At home he has been honored by his associates in all local organiza- tions of which he is a member, having served as president of the Utah Society of Engineers, of the Utah Educational Association, of the Utah Section of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and of the Engineering Council of Utah. He is a born executive. Under his leadership the State School of Mines and Engineering at the University achieved phe- nomenal growth and prestige.
Unceasingly working for the public good, he is by nature a legislator. I have never known him to take a narrow view on any subject. The State is indebted to him for suggesting legislation re- quiring the interest on State money to go to the State rather than to the Treasurer. Joseph F. Merrill is the soul of honor. In him a chemical analysis could not find a trace of deceit.
He holds the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from that famed graduate institution, Johns Hop- kins University, and by it was in addition awarded membership in the honorary society Phi Beta Kap- pa. The technical work done for his doctorate was published in the Physical Review for February, 1899, and later was translated in- to foreign languages. Though a scientist of high order, he has de-
veloped his religious thought side by side with his attainments in scholarship, and he finds, therefore, no real conflict between true Re- ligion and true Science.
T
HIS man comes from that chosen few who have been
leave them material things to quarrel over after he was gone. And so my going to college in 188 9 created a desire among all the younger ^members of my father's family to go to college also, which all of them younger than I subsequently did. There were twelve sons younger than my- self; of this number ten have been gradu- ated from college."
gathered "one of a city and two A WORTHY son of a worthy of a family" from nearly every -C* father, he had also a devoted, country of the world. Of pioneer intellectual and faithful mother, parents and a native of Utah, he From the beginning his life has was born in Richmond in 1868. been a prayerful one. To his He was a pupil of that devoted callings in the Church he has de- teacher, Ida Cook. He was grad- voted himself with the same ear-
uated from the Normal school of the University of Utah in 1889, and from the University of Michi- gan with the degree of B. S. in 1893. The summers of 1893 and
nestness that he gave to his profes- sional duties. He has been a most industrious worker, and still has found time for recreation.
By his faith, by his years of
1902 he spent in special study at honest and unremitting .study, by
Cornell, and the summers of 1894, profound scholarship, by continu
1896 and It he University ™o ,r»,fc ^f m^Mefni i^AoreUi,
of Chicago
le University ous years 0f successful leadership 11S in religious, educational, and pub-
training, and the honors from Johns Hopkins, in 1920 he was awarded the honorary degree, Doc- tor of Science by the University of Utah.
Ponder these lines; they are his own:
"In December, 18 88, when I asked my father if I could go east to college begin- ning in the fall of 1889, without a mo- ment's hesitation1 he said, yes, and that he would help me to remain in college as long as I would care to stay. In explan- ation he said that all his life( jhe had been handicapped because of a lack of educa- tion and that years ago he had concluded that the best thing he could do for his children was to give them all the oppor- tunities of an education rather than to
lie affairs, this man, Joseph F. Merrill, has had a preparation which seems well-nigh perfect for work [in the Council of the Twelve. There is no group of scholars, no association of scien- tists or philosophers, whose respect and attention Joseph F. Merrill can not command. He speaks the language of thinkers, scientists, philosophers. Theirs is a language familiar to Dr. Merrill. It is my conviction that during the whole of his life he has, by the power of \God, been in course of prepara- tion for the place to which he is now called.
-«KN»<§jg>j*D(»-
-<*
Our American Intelligence
^LBERT EDWARD WIG- so many of them. It is true that
GAM lifts dolorous voice to education better fits one for life
tell us that American intelligence and for the enjoyment thereof, but
is steadily on the decline, owing to there is nothing to indicate that it
a subnormal birth rate among edu- increases the intellectual capacity
cated folk and an abnormal one among the uneducated. As we are drifting now, he prophesies, one thousand Yale and Harvard gradu- ates will have only fifty descend- ants left within six generations, while a similar number of today's unskilled laborers will have 100,- 000. Are we downhearted? Not a [bit of it.
What, we would inquire of the
either of the educated or of their offspring. The capacity is pre- determined. It existed before the alphabet was learned. A Harvard graduate may have a fool for a son — a rebuke to the family traditions and our American citizenship. A pick and shovel worker may father such a boy as will go far in science, statecraft or learning.
A declining birth rate is no jest- ing matter, but so long as it is not
eminent Mr. Wiggarn, has educa- national in scope no peril presents
tion to do with intelligence? We itseif. Wealth, station and cul-
recruit our great men largely from ture, we are happy to say, have no
the ranks of the sons of labor. To patent on intelligence. It is; a
name such instances, known to our birthright not conferred by the
times, would be tiresome, there are universities. — Portland Oregonian,
The General Conference
In Review
By JOHN D. GILES
Of the T. M. M. I. A. General Board
WITH ten thousand people crowding the historic Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, the one hundred second semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was opened Friday morning, October 4, by President Heber J. Grant, with an appeal to all members of the Church to live up to the teach- ings of the Gospel.
In reviewing conditions within the Church President Grant stated that, in his opinion, there was less suffer- ing in the Church as a result of the depression than among any other peo- ple. He said there need be no worry that members of the Church would suffer for food or shelter the coming winter, and added that if all Latter- day Saints will be honest in the pay- ment of tithes and fast offerings, the Lord will provide for His people. Reference was made by him to state- ments made in the past that with the splendid organization the Church has developed, it might take its place among the leading religious organiza- tions of the world if it would only discard the story of Joseph Smith. President Grant stated that the whole foundation of the Church rests upon the testimony of Joseph Smith. He related several prophecies and their fulfillment as evidence that he was in reality a prophet of God. Tributes to Elders Orson F. Whitney of the Council of the Twelve and Rey L. Pratt of the First Council of Sev enti.es, both of whom have passed away since the last conference, were paid by the President.
pLDER DAVID O. McKAY in his remarks stated that it is wonder- ful to be anchored to the truth. He warned against accepting slander and calumny, especially when directed to- ward the Church and its officers.
pLDER JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH, referring to conditions existing in the world today, said that there are many spirits abroad in the land, some of Which are good and some of which are evil. He stated that there is no need of proving them — that the Lord has sent light from Heaven and all who will may see it.
pLDER RICHARD R. LYMAN took as his text regard for law and order. In his appeal to members of the Church, he said that lawlessness and disregard for law are the greatest prob- lems today in this land of Washington and Lincoln. He urged members to stand squarely behind the law and refuse to be parties to its violation.
DISHOP DAVID A. SMITH stated that one of the big problems of the Presiding Bishopric during the past has been unemployment. He recited some experiences to indicate that some un- fortunate ones have brought difficul- ties upon themselves through unwise action. He urged all to be thrifty and to avoid extravagance. "We are liv- ing, he said, "in a period when God has found it necessary to call His chil- dren back to thoughts of Him."
PRESIDENT CHARLES H. HART directed his remarks prin- cipally to a book recently published under the title, "A Lawyer and the Bible." He said it marshalled the facts that supported belief in the Bible and had caused many lawyers who were even greater than the author of the book to conclude that the Bible is divine.
DISHOP JOHN WELLS drew a parallel between conditions exist- ing today and those of the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith when the Saints were called upon to come to Church and bring food for the needy. He said there is need of a revival of the cus- tom of giving relief for the poor.
pLDER JOSEPH F. MERRILL, who was sustained at the confer- ence as a member of the Council of the
The Hill Cumorah
Twelve stated that he realized in all humility the wonderful honor which had come to him in being nominated to the high office. He paid tribute to the men at the head of the Church, saying that he knows them to be men of God with the welfare of God's peo- ple at heart. He felt keenly the need of working with the young people of the Church because of the perilous times through which we are passing.
pLDER STEPHEN L. RICH- ARDS expressed gratitude for his ability to recognize spiritual realities. He said he realizes there are many whose hearts do not respond to im- pressions from divine sources. He expressed regret that this is so, but stated that he does not abuse those who have not this blessing. He plead- ed for tolerance for those whose hearts have not yet been touched. In his opinion, the youth of today face temptations and problems that no gen- eration before has ever had to face.
"If the Saints will count their many blessings, they jsurely !will he Sur- prised," said Elder James E. Talmage in his address. "Among those bless- ings," he said, "is the privilege of assembling to be instructed and guid- ed." In urging the Saints to keep the commandments of jGod, Elder Talmage especially stressed the com- mandment, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain." While profanity is a common sin, not one word can be said in its defense. Passages of scripture were quoted to emphasize the sacredness of the name of Deity. He stated that the com- mandment against taking |in vain the name of God in principle is an eter- nal one. He closed his remarks with the admonition, "Let Latter-day Saints remember the word of the Lord in all respects and not take His name in vain."
"The things of the world are being better advertised than the things of God," was the opinion expressed by Elder Jonathan G. Kimball. He re- ferred to methods being used to adver- tise tobacco by radio and other means, and said that he prays that the youth may be protected from evil and temptation.
12
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
pLDER LEVI EDGAR YOUNG dwelt upon reverence, particularly for places of worship. He said that if Latter-day Saints can make reverence a daily practice when they enter a house of worship they will be able to respond more obediently to the true meaning of the Gospel.
DRESIDENT ANTOINE R. IVINS made his first conference address as a member of the first Council of Sev- enties. (The Era for June, 1931, re- ports the appointment of President Ivins. ) He brought greetings from the Church members in the Hawaiian Is- lands, from the Mexican people, and from the forty-one missionaries in the Mexican Mission, over which he now presides. He paid tribute to President Rey L. Pratt, his predecessor both in the Council of Seventy and in the Presidency of the Mexican Mission.
DRESIDENT RUDGER CLAW- SON prefaced his remarks with the statement that he had never yet heard false doctrine advanced from the tab- ernacle pulpit in any gathering of the Church, and said that he takes satisfac- tion in bearing that testimony. "Any speaker who stands before the Saints," he said, "is expected to tell the truth. If he were to advance false doctrine, it would be detected by those who pre- side, and no doubt by the congrega- tion also." "The Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached from the begin- ning," said President Clawson, "and is being preached at the present time wjich profound .influence upon the world." He urged the Saints to in- terest themselves in Temple work and cited prophecies and their fulfillment to show the importance of this labor.
pRESIDENT ANTHONY W. IVINS based his remarks upon a quotation from Isaiah which refers to the day when there shall "be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt." President Ivins then spoke regarding the great pyramid of Gizeh, believed to have been built 342 years B. C. and the relation of that pyramid to mod- ern astronomy and mathematical cal- culations. He said that calculations made by scholars and scientists seem to indicate that the pyramid contains a history of the human race, forcasting future events and predicting the time of the coming of the Lord. He said he had not given any particular study to the calculations of scientists regard- ing the mystery of Egypt for the rea- son that the Church does not depend upon pyramids nor the conclusions of scientists for its guidance. It was pointed out by President Ivins that the Latter-day Saints, through revela-
tion, had received ample warnings and knew what signs would be given and their meanings.
PRESIDENT CHARLES W. NIB- LEY,, in opening his address, said, "We have fallen upon strange times and J fear the end is not yet." He said that the distress of nations and other signs all about were of ominous nature. President Nibley said the Lord had shown his people a way out of these difficulties and referred to the United Order, In his opinion the widespread distress existing today clearly shows that something is wrong. He stated it would be a fine thing if people were ready for the United Order and if it could be put into effect.
pLDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS read from the Book of Moroni, Moroni being the one who delivered the plates to Joseph Smith and re- ceived them back after the translation. He pointed out that the scripture con- tains a promise that all who wish to know the truth would receive testi- mony from God; that we can under- stand as well as did the prophets of old, if we are true and faithful.
PRESIDING BISHOP SYLVES- r TER Q. CANNON, closing the Sunday morning session, said it should be clear that we did not establish the Gospel; that it was established by God. He declared that faith in God is need- ed in these times more than ever be- fore. He said the Gospel compre- hends the things which are good for all mankind, temporal as well as spirit-
ual: that the Saints had been blessed with the leadership of men who were inspired of God.
pLDER REED SMOOT urged the Saints to be more prayerful. He expressed the opinion that if prayer and other principles of the Church were universally observed the world would not be in the condition it is in today. The times the people are pass- ing through will, in the opinion of Senator Smoot, turn their hearts to God. He said it was his opinion that the teaching of atheism in the univer- sities of the country and in social and civil organizations is one reason for the great .crime wave which is sweep- ing the country.
tp LDER GEORGE ALBERT ^ SMITH declared, "From the depths of my soul, I am thankful to have as my associates what I consider the best men and women in the world." Elder Smith said that this is a marvelous age and it is difficult to understand why it is so hard to make the world at large believe this Church is the work of God and not of man. "When I see how utterly helpless the world is in meeting the problems of today," said Elder Smith, "I can not help but think how different it would be if the leaders of the nations would turn their faces to God for assistance."
A greater and more strict pay- ment of tithes in order that proper care may be taken of the poor and unfortunate was urged by Elder Mel- vin J. Ballard. He expressed the opinion that it would be a simple step for the unemployed in suffering the pangs of hunger to reach the stage where they would take property un- lawfully. He said he hoped this would not be done and urged the Latter-day Saints to take every step possible to preclude such action. He expressed the opinion that the experiences through which the country is passing will have their benefits. "The Cre- ator is not interested in markets or money," said Elder Ballard, "but in more enduring and God-fearing men."
pRESIDENT GRANT closed the conference with an inspiring and encouraging address after presenting the General Authorities and members of boards of the auxiliary organiza tions.
The presidents of missions in their addresses reported encouraging prog- ress considering the missionaries avail- able, and several made urgent appeals for more missionaries to be sent to the field.
Special meetings of the auxiliary associations were held as usual with attendance far exceeding the average.
PICTURE a crowd of some four thousand people assem- bled in a huge auditorium in Oldenburg, Germany, on a Sat- urday afternoon of October, 1930. Women, and many of them wear- ing costly apparel, are in the ma- jority, but well-built young men in their early twenties are also strongly represented. Most of the latter are dressed in the inevitable brown shirts, sand-brown belts and corduroy breeches of the Ger- man Fascisti. Four thousand peo- ple sitting eager and tense with expectation, four thousand pairs of eyes trained on the speakers' platform, and four thousand fig- ures rising to their feet with one accord as the next speaker is in- troduced and making the large hall reverberate with the thunderous salutation, "Hoch! — Hoch! — Hocht" A man not much over forty years, of slender build and pleasing countenance stands before the vast assemblage, raises his right hand in the Fascist salute, and with a penetrating voice speaks: "Germans! I give you greeting!" It is the voice of the "magician," of the German "hypnotist," and its every tone and shade of quality seem to say — "Introducing Adolf Hitler, spell-binder, par excellence, orator unexcelled, and Napoleon of oral conflict!"
It was on this occasion that I saw Hitler for the first time, and during the half hour that he spoke I formed my first impressions of him and the organization over which he presides. I believe I was the only American in the audience, and I had come there prompted
Adolf Hitler
The Man and
His Ideas
By
Wendell C. Irvine
more by idle curiosity than per- sonal interest, but inhaling the highly intensified atmosphere of hero worship radjiated by those around me, and, — my knowledge of German permitting — listening to the man himself, I, too, suc- cumbed to his magic, fell under the spell of his wand, and felt al- most forced to agree with my neighbor in saying that a new and brighter star had appeared in the political constellation of the world. A few hours later in my hotel room, where I was able to think reasonably once more, I gave my- self up to analytical thought, and concluded that Adolf Hitler wasn't as great as Bismarck after all, that the content of his speech that after- noon was inclined to border on radicalism, and that his speech was greatly enhanced by the ideal con- ditions under which he spoke. However, even in the face of my sudden return to saneness, I was forced to admit that he was the greatest orator I had ever heard, and that while his personality was not akin to greatness, it was a dominating, compelling force that would play a salient role in the unfolding of the new German his- tory. Whether for good or evil, it was a power that would be felt.
/"^OING down to dinner that evening I was somewhat sur- prised to see an unusually large crowd in the lobby, and on mak- ing inquiry as to the cause of the congestion I was informed that Hitler and his contingent were staying at this hotel. I jokingly remarked to the hotel attendant with whom I was talking that I
would like to meet this Herr Hitler. Without a moment's hesitation he told me that he thought it might be arranged, and not leaving me time to protest, made his way over to a group of Fascist leaders, brought one of them over to where I was standing, and told him I was an American student who was desirous of meeting Hitler if it could be arranged conveniently. The Fascist lieutenant greeted me with the precise military bow so often seen in Germany, and seemed to think it his duty to entertain me for the moment. He gave me a short outline of the political sit- uation, and although his ideas were decidedly a la Hitler, I gleaned information that was of great in- terest to me inasmuch as I had now resolved to at least gain an understanding of Fascism and what it meant to the German na- tion. We had not been talking more than a very few minutes when Hitler himself, accompanied by his various aides and body guards, left the elevator and strode across the lobby. My newly made friend interrupted him in his march, saluted, and with marked deference and respect asked if he could be permitted to introduce "a young American scholar." (I take my bow.) And before I was aware of just what was happening, I was shaking the hand of Adolf Hitler, the would-be Dictator of Germany, and answering the casu- al questions which he politely asked. This whole incident did not take more than three minutes, but in that short time I availed (Continued on page 54)
l\
labit Worth
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Dr. P. A. Christensen
AN approach to happiness is assured if the seeker can be so busy with his required labors as to find them painless and, preferably, so much in love with his work because of his training, dedication, ability and tastes, that his work is a constant joy, and, therefore, fun. This is only part
of the formula, however. It is equally necessary and perhaps more vital that the happiness-hunter know how to utilize his leisure time pleasantly and profitably. The problem suggested by the latter re- quisite is increasingly weighty in this changing world of ours which, because of its miraculous inventions and magic labor-saving machinery, threatens to increase constantly and consistently the amount of leisure time which the average individual has at his disposal.
CURELY it may be hoped, then, that every individual, young and old, is either making or has al- ready acquired a hobby which may be ridden endlessly with satisfac- tion to the rider. Perhaps it is just general reading or perhaps the satisfaction of a particular taste for mystery stories, or books of travel, or autobiographies or the so-called modern novel, or works in the field of psychology, science or philoso- phy. Perhaps it expresses itself in the enjoyment of playing a violin, or even a saxophone, or in sing- ing. It might find its activity in painting pictures or sketching or in amateur theatricals or in indul- gence of the urge to write articles or stories which may never seek publication. It might find ex- pression in the collection of rare bugs, or coins, or stamps. Or it might find its activity vicariously in the enjoyment which the partici- pant discovers in listening to music or studying works of art.
But as yet we have not men- tioned among these various forms of recreation a kind which always should accompany whatever other hobby the individual may enjoy. We are referring to physical acti- vity which should enable the seeker after the fuller life to employ some of his leisure time very happily in health-promoting, trouble-bury- ing, zestful play. It might be golf or hiking. It might be tennis or horsemanship. It might be archery or boating or horseshoe pitching or volley ball or cycling.
COCIETY, we are told, takes out a splendid insurance policy to
Dr. F. S. Harris
protect itself against the evils of restlessness, of anti-social activi- ties, of the adoption of dangerous- 'isms' and-'ologies' and of pervert- ed tastes and costly abuse of activi- ty, when it makes adequate provi- sion for the use of the individual's leisure time.
The problem of recreation, therefore, becomes a definite per- sonal and social concern. The chief aims of any physical activity pro- gram should be to cultivate the deepest respect and the highest re- gard for the human body as a ma- chine which must be functioning perfectly to assure happiness and efficiency and to guarantee alertness of mind, cheerfulness and vigor of spirit and length of days; and, sec- ondly, to establish as part of the assets of each individual proper recreational habits which carry- over throughout life.
It is a good idea for those of us who are given to preaching a little to turn the X-Ray on our own structure to determine whether all is in good order and perhaps to provide a case in point.
TT is with a great deal of satisfac- tion that we discover at Brig- ham Young University that the objectives of the recreational pro- gram have apparently struck a re- sponsive chord so generally that we may find striking examples of in- dividuals who have acquired the
A
cquirin
'By
habit of making pleasurable and profitable use of leisure time, — from the President of the Church which sponsors the Institution down to the humblest freshmen. Any recreational or physical edu- cational system which must point to the activities of its competing athletes to make the case for the general system is admitting a grave weakness. It is not what benefits might be administered to the rela- tively few (although the percent- age is increasing each year by leaps and bounds) who compete on teams representing institutions, that counts, but it is more import- ant that the dividends of a well- conceived physical education pro- gram be extended to all of the in- dividuals enrolled in the Institu- tion, including the faculty mem- bers and administrative officers.
It is perhaps significant that President Heber J. Grant, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, who established an en- viable reputation as a baseball player in the pre-glove days, enjoys a rather steady diet of golf and plays a skillful game which ex- presses itself in low scores. It adds color when the headlines of the sports sheet announce that Adam S. Bennion, former Commissioner of Education of the L. D. S. Church, and his son are crowned champions in tennis doubles in the Salt Lake City recreational system
President T. IS. Taylor
tournament. It is with satisfac- tion that the writer recalls the fact that Dr. Joseph F. Merrill, the Commissioner of Education and the newly-appointed Apostle of the L. D. S. Church, was for many years chairman of the athletic council at the University of Utah and has always been a hearty ad- vocate of healthful sports and wholesome recreation.
A LESSON is pointed out when T. N. Taylor, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University, and President of Utah stake, sallies out in the fresh morning atmosphere almost daily to complete nine or eighteen holes of golf before presiding over his daily business meeting which opens the day of Taylor Brothers Company, over which concern he still maintains active leadership. It is a tribute to him personally, to the jealous care he has accorded his physical being and to the cultiva- tion of the proper habits of recrea- tion that at the age of 63 he is able to enjoy with boyish enthusiasm his regular program of competitive golf and to shoot consistently un- der fifty for nine holes and occa- sionally a forty-four.
I^EW men follow a more rigorous program of varied activities than President F. S. Harris, the dy- namic administrator of Brigham Young University. His leadership is recognized in many fields of learning, and human endeavor. He travels widely, lectures frequently, writes prolifically and takes most efficient care of the numerous affairs of a large and growing institution. Only a vigorous body, protected by clean and sound personal habits, and nurtured by vigorous Roose- veltian activities would enable him to carry on so busily and so suc- cessfully. With youthful zest and endurance he indulges at frequent intervals in golf, and he still finds considerable enjoyment in an oc- casional horeback ride. No better example of the benefit of proper recreational habits might be found than in the case of the well-pre-
G. Ott Romney
B. Y. U,
/. W. Knight
served and well-loved J. Will Knight of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University who, because of the care he has given his physical being and the great joy and health he has derived from outdoor sports as a partici- pant and sympathetic spectator, is (Continued on page 31)
acing
By
Dr. Adam S. Bennion
X. What is Your Best Preparation?
JUST called to get off my train at 3:40 A. M., I am convinced that about the best preparation for any job is a good night's sleep. And yet such a call has its compensations. It is fascinating to watch one day crowd another into history. Even a half-awake traveler must be im- pressed that the night makes ample preparations to usher in the dawn. She has to take in her lanterns and paint a path for the sun to follow. One can almost fancy the new day's rubbing his eyes in an effort to determine whether it's really worth while to carry on. Once fully aroused, he seems to have no question.
All jlife bears witness to the fact that ample preparation is the key to success. If you've had a wonderfully fine trip notice how much of its pleasure attached to the care given to its arrangement, either by you or some one else. Writing an article is relatively easy once you have really thought it out. Only a couple of days ago I watched a football game to ob- serve once more the significance of careful preparation. The men had trained themselves to hold up under stress and strain. They had practiced holding the ball and get- ting off fast. They knew their signals perfectly. They teamed to- gether well — one player taking his man in — another blocking his out. Every movement gave evidence of painstaking preparation. The game was good to watch. It was a success measured from any point of view.
A FEW weeks ago I watched a
surgeon perform an operation.
His skill was remarkable. At a
cost of infinite pains involving
time, money and tireless effort he had fitted himself to save life and to promote its functions. A won- derfully effective though silent tribute to adequate preparation.
Recently a garage mechanic gave evidence of that same truth. Thor- oughly trained, he had but to let his ear check the performance of the engine to discover the probable cause of the difficulty. That di- agnosed, he proceeded immediately to its correction. It's a genuine pleasure to observe any man do a really good piece of work — and his performance rests almost invari- ably upon just one foundation — ample preparation. Not mere routine repetition, but intelligent, scientific, analytical, reasoned pro- cedure— each step an ordered se- quence in the light of circum- stances.
HPHESE thoughts are stressed here at the beginning of this the concluding article of this series be- cause so few of us relatively are willing to pay the price of infinite pains. And experience recommends no substitute. Mediocrity is the reward of lack of preparation.
This is the tenth and final ar- ticle on Facing Life. To date we have considered the following chal- lenges:
1 . Facing Life.
2. The Will to Achieve.
3. Limitations — Heredity, Op- portunity, Training, Habits.
4. Foresight — Building for Tomorrow.
5. What Can You Do?
6. What Would You Choose To Do?
7. What Is a Good Job?
8. What Is Success?
9. What Fields are Open?
Of course, all of these nine must be woven together to constitute the basis for real preparation. All life to date enters into all life ahead. Tomorrow inevitably has its foun- dations in today. That's why it is so important to do eminently well whatever lies in the way of doing right now. Every present performance fits or unfits us to succeed at the next job to cross our paths. Experience is a graded se- quence of performance — excellence is the certificate of promotion.
"How long the violets 'neath the snow Toiled ere they breathed the Spring!
How long the poet dreamed his song Before his heart could sing!
- — C. H. Towne.
"When the fight begins within himself, A man's worth something."
- — Browning.
So many of the letters which have come in raise the question of
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
17
preparation. After listing events in their lives to date and indicat- ing their hopes for the future, writ- ers have rather regularly inquired: "Now what should I set about to do?" Of course, every job calls for its own program of prep- aration— there is no one recipe of procedure — and yet there are cer- tain fundamental considerations against which any man may check his developments. Let us attempt to think them through.
I.
A T the foundation of all prepa- ration, as it is at the base of all performance, is Health. Correct habits of life are fundamental to any permanent achievement. A brief article like this cannot of course lay out a brief hygiene — it can but suggest that each reader do just that thing for himself. The human body is a wonderful mech- anism. Given proper attention it will respond. Every man should build his own program of habits which provides for the giving of adequate consideration to:
1 . Food
2. Rest
3. Exercise
4. Elimination
5. Avoidance of Excesses
6. Safeguarding Exposure.
TT is normal to be well. When- ever we are sick it is usually be- cause we have neglected or violated one of these six suggestions. Space forbids a discussion of them, but if you really respond to their sig- nificance you can easily find ample material for your guidance regard- ing them. Our great difficulty lies in the fact that we are unmindful of their tremendous importance — or we are lazy — or we like to indulge our appetites- — or we risk a strain now promising ourselves that we shall let up after while — all too frequently after too long a while. Pain and discomfiture or fatigue are nature's danger sig- nals. Try being your own phy- sician right now!
Does the food you eat agree with you and does it really nourish you? Do you eat variety enough to satisfy your needs? Have you •checked your regular menus for fats, carbohydrates, and proteins? Do you eat regularly enough vege- tables and roughage? Are you eating too much of anything?
Sooner or later you will have to answer all of these questions. Run them over now while you are blessed with good health. Make some little study of diet. It really is the foundation of your well- being.
Have you determined the amount of rest you need in order to feel fit? Do you regularly get it or are you tolerating an over- draft on your natural reserves?
Do you take out time regularly for play? Do you completely change your routine at regular in- tervals? Do you add newness of life through exercise that calls for the going to the bottom of your lungs? Do you cultivate the nat- ural tiredness that welcomes sleep? Do you get out in the open and give the sun a real chance at you?
Try analyzing your regular practices against all six of these suggestions. After all you are your own best physician. If you take pains to be such you may seldom need another. Thoughtful care is nature's first medicine. And it can be paid for in attention.
II.
YXITUDE. This may strike '**■ you as a peculiar suggestion by way of preparation for your life's work, but I am more and more concerned about its signifi- cance. Indifference has cost many an otherwise capable man his chance of recognition and promo- tion. A certain zest is the key to any outstanding performance. The ability cheerfully to put one's heart into work is a real asset. The man who "everlastingly goes after" a job is hard to deny. The world this year is paying tribute to Fara- day for his outstanding contribu- tion to the progress of the electrical industry, and yet at the age of ten he was hired out as a lackey to a news stand proprietor. But the news stand proved a benediction. It offered satisfaction to a soul hun- gry for learning. It might have been only one more place to sweep up. It is a wonderful thing really to hunger and thirst after knowl- edge. Therein lies the spark which must kindle the fire of achieve- ment.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." — Ecclesiastes 8:10.
If indifference costs many a man his opportunity, smug self-satis-
faction is a dangerous ally. So many men seem to spoil under success. A "turned head" makes one so liable to stumble into the pitfalls of conceit. A sweet hu- mility should teach us all that out beyond any apparent success there lie far greater fields of conquest. What awaits us yet to be done so far outweighs the little we may have done that pride ought never to be able to win us to disdain.
Then, too, life is so complex that we regularly need the help of others. The one real guarantee that we deserve it is that we have given it. A bank account of grati- tude is one's best insurance against a day of helplessness.
These three — zest, humility, helpfulness constitute a homely but wonderfully workable recipe for building a successful attitude.
III.
O TUDY. You don't have to go ^ to college to be a student. But you have to be a student if you care to make a place for yourself. And it is so easy these days to carry forward a program of study — at least it is easy to find ample ma- terial upon which to work. Ex- perience, of course, offers the foun- dation upon which to build. "Rip- ened in experience" is the one best guarantee of wisdom. There is no substitute for it. But it requires "an experiencing nature" really to be of most worth.
The ability to take out of each day's experience the richness which really attaches to it is a rare gift. Cultivate the knack of seeing life to the full. Try yourself out. Talk over with yourself just what in today's experience will likely lead you some place. How much asserts itself out of the routine? You are the one person in the world who can make your experi- ence meaningful. Go out of your way to make it helpful to someone else — that is the one best way to make it rich for yourself.
pHE second great field for study is books. Every worthy book represents the best thinking and feeling of an outstanding man or woman. Through such a book you may live vicariously another's wonderful experiences. He only speaks the sentiments of your own soul — gives expression to the best latent thoughts which you have cherished.
18
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
When you have chosen a given field in which you would make exploration, find the half dozen names which the world recognizes as the greatest in that field. Go to school of them through their books. If you find a real book for you, you Hkely will never be the same again. It will kindle a flame in your soul.
Some one has said that the heart of a university is a collection of great books. The key to a sub- stantial learning is the reading of them. How many worth while books have you read in the last three months? What ones are you now reading? What ones have you on your waiting list? If you an- swer none, turn to now before life robs you of one of your richest privileges — the opportunity to commune with a great soul through the pages of his book. This article is short and your in- terests are varied, so that it is im- possible to set down names of books here. But there are a half dozen books for you. If you haven't found them write in for hints concerning them.
What has been said of books can be said substantially of magazines. Many of the best minds in Amer- ica are contributing regularly to our best current publications. They deserve thoughtful consideration. If you want to make one month particularly rich, try the experi- ment of (giving its evenings to mak- ing the acquaintance of any ten of our best magazines. Your local librarian can tell you which they are. If you want to check on your reading habits name the magazines you have read in the past month. How much out across ten years would such reading contribute to your general culture?
It is presumed that you keep in touch with a good newspaper.
A ND finally you may study men. They will give you many of your most valuable sug- gestions. Do you regularly get from them what they have to of- fer. If you could talk to the three most outstanding men in your state tonight, what would you ask them? How many of the men to whom you have spoken during the past week have you really al- lowed to help you in your search for wisdom? The fine art of ask- ing questions, coupled with the fine art of listening — these two are wonderful aids to learning.
Experience, books, magazines and newspapers, and men — here certainly in rich abundance are your sources for study.
Listen in for a moment to three notable Americans who speak out of a day when education was re- garded as a sacred privilege.
"The good education of youth has been esteemed by wise men in all ages as the surest foundation of the happiness both of private families and of commonwealths. So may it be of the youth of Pennsyl- vania."— Benjamin Franklin.
"Let the youth acquire by industry and application such knowledge as his situation enables him to obtain. In doing this two other important objects will be gained besides the acquisition of knowledge — namely, a habit of industry and a disrelish of that profusion of money and dissipation of time which are ever dependent upon Idleness." — Washington.
"Above all things, I hope the education of the common people will be attended to; convinced that on this good sense we may rely with the most security for the preser- vation of a due degree of liberty. If a na- tion expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization it expects what never was and never will be." — Thomas Jeffer- son.
If you have really caught the meaning of study, you find your- self in any situation trying to do three things:
1. Get all available facts;
2. Correlate and evaluate those facts;
3. Form sound judgments in the light of those facts.
The ability to do those three things is after all the real test in- tellectually of an education.
As you think through the mat- ter of your preparation for bigger things, I can offer only two other suggestions:
IV
(CULTIVATE a Sense of Ad- ^ venture. You may have locked within you the secret to the proper working out of many of the problems now troubling society. Only you can reveal the secret. Reach out and "spress yourself." Even if you don't startle the world with an oustanding contribution, your effort will bring you a cre- ative satisfaction which is one of the keys to happiness.
V
p\EVELOP the Happy Faculty •*-J of Enjoying What You Have. Too many of us in our ambitions to achieve some end, let either worry or regret crowd real happi-
ness out of our lives. And the sad thought is that we do so all along the way. If these articles seem to have carried an urge to you to strive to become other than you now are, accept that challenge — they have been written to do just that thing. But you oughtn't to be unhappy in the process. Learn to find happiness where you are and in what you are now doing and take it along with you. If you can't find it now it may be that you never can. A recent is- sue of one of the outstanding pa- pers in America carried this note of good sense for all of us:
"Mrs. Richard M. Cadwalader of Phil- adelphia now owns the largest and most luxurious yacht in the world, the Savarona, built at Hamburg, Germany, especially for her. Its cost was around $5,000,000. It has every desirable feat- ure a yacht can have, and is 407 feet long — nearly sixty-five feet longer than the famous J. P. Morgan's 'Corsair.'
"What is a flock of fine motor cars compared with such a magnificent play- thing? or a fine city and country resi- dence? when one can finance parties on trips around the world. So we say, a lucky lady. But we say it without preju- dice against other lucky ladies; for in- stance, a young wife and mother in a little cottage of her own in a pleasant neigh- borhood, with a husband devoted to pro- viding for her and her children. She may be just as happy as Mrs. Cadwalader and have many less cares and anxieties, and not be important in society or in the news of travel.
"That is because in this wonderful world happiness is not a matter of wealth, but may come to families of small means, and frequently does — enduring happiness all through life."
To me that just means:
Be The Best of Whatever You Are
If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley — but be The best little scrub at the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush, be a bit of the grass, Some highway to happier make,
If you can't be a muskie, then just be a bass — But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can't all be captains, we've got to be
crew,
There's something for all of us here;
There's big work to do and there's lesser
to do,
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail, If you can't be the sun, be a star; It isn't by size that you win or you fail- — ■ Be the best of whatever you are.
■ — Cheer.
And you'll be facing life.
couts
CAMP
MORE than ten thousand Boy Scouts are registered in the state of Utah this year, according to Associate Re- gional Executive Oscar A. Kirk- ham, whose field of labor covers Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and California. And more than fifty per cent of Utah's Scouts have attended camp this year, many councils having doubled their camp enrollment.
These two outstanding features — the highest enrollment in the state during Scouting's existence in Utah, and the largest number at camp — -contribute much to the making of Utah Scouts into the fine citizens and willing workers they are, first in ■ excellence as American Boy Scouts, and first in accomplishments at home and abroad with regard to civic and religious activities.
"pOUR major camps have been
held for Scouts of the state this
summer: The Timpanogos camp,
Day is done!
Salt Lake Council Boy Scout Camp at Lake Ruth
during July; the Ogden Gateway (or Camp Kiesel) in Ogden Can- yon, also in July; the Logan Water Front camp, held at the first of Augmst; and the Grand- daddy Lakes camp at Lake Ruth, in August.
Each of these camps had an en- rollment of between 700 and 1000 boys and boy leaders, and each ran for a period of one to four weeks. Other council camps of a week's duration were in operation during the summer, and in addi- tion, about half the Scouts who received camp experience obtained it through individual effort, or as a troop activity.
Thus more than 25 per cent of the 10,153 boys registered at the beginning of September, for Utah, had attended supervised council camps; and another 25 per cent had hiked and camped "on their own."
20
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
"Nationally, last year, 400,000 Scouts were in camp, and one of the features of the camping pro- gram was the initiation of more than 23,000 new Scouts into the mysteries of swimming, handicraft, nature lore and woodcraft," ac- cording to Executive Kirkham. "This year the enlarged camping program has brought thousands more into active, healthful out- door life under the Scouting system.
"The value of the camp program lies in the fact that the Scoutmaster is able to get near to his boys. He is able to put over the points of the Oath and Law, and stress the character formation values of Scouting." He learns to find God in the Great Out Doors.
Troop
HTHAT the real val- ues of Scouting carry over into the lives of its adherents, is illus- trated by the following incident related by Executive Kirkham:
"Recently a mining company sent a check for $250 to the Scout council, stating that up until the organization of a Scout troop in the town, the company had to employ a watchman to keep boys from breaking windows, light globes and otherwise injuring property; but since the establishment of a troop there, depre- dations had ceased ; and therefore, the $25 0 a month formerly used to keep the boys out of mischief could now be used to aid them in their Scout program."
Prior to the Grandaddy Lakes camp, officials of the Salt Lake Boy Scout council held a Scouters' training course at Jordan Park, June 26, 27, 29 and 30.
A T this camp-preparation course, 15 sixteen-foot Indian tepees were officially presented to the Salt Lake council in recognition of its drive to beautify Salt Lake's vacant lots during the Junior Chamber of Commerce clean-up, paint-up drive held a short while before. Many of the boys have carried this project further, and have raised gardens of flowers and vegetables in the for- mer vacant lots, thus making them useful as well as beautiful.
The teepee tent presentation was made by Commissioner Harry L. Pinch, and the equipment was ac- cepted by the chief executive of the council, D. E. Hammond. Poles for the tents, made of bird's
eve maple by forest rangers at Woodland, Utah, also were pre- sented. The tepees formed the offi- cial tent equipment at Lake Ruth during the August encampment.
jDOATS also were given to the Scout council for community activity, and a boating course was introduced at the Jordan Park training course by Blair Richard-
58 of Salt Lake enjoying a meal at Lake Ruth
Scouts join in a game of baseball
son, who showed the Scouters how to manipulate them on the Surplus Canal. These boats later formed the major part of the Scout flotilla at the Granddaddy Lakes head- quarters. Rafts made by the boys and their leaders filled out the "fleet."
One of the visitors to the Lake Ruth camp, which began Aug. 1, was William B. Hawkins, Scout executive of the San Joaquin Boy Scout council at Stockton, Cal. Executive Hawkins formerly was an executive of the Bryce Canyon council, and field executive for the Salt Lake council before his re- moval to the coast. It was under his direction in the summer of
1929, that the first official Salt Lake council camp was opened in the Granddaddy region.
Scenes at camp were filmed for use in the council during the com- ing winter, in teaching camp lore to Scouts in the Mutuals and other class rooms.
PAMP life in general through Utah is illustrated by the fol- lowing letter from D. C. ,Watkins, Scout Executive of the Eastern Idaho Area council:
"Our council is com- posed of all Southeastern Idaho, part of Western Wyoming, and a few small villages in northern Utah. Our Scout popu- lation is 1650 Scouts, 5 85 registered Scout lead- ers, a Scout executive end office secretary.
"The Scout council re- cently completed a five weeks' camping program at Camp Tendoy. The enclosed photos are typical of the Scout life at this camp. The first picture is one of the Ranstrom cousins, both Scouts, who imitate the Arizona Wranglers in all of their radio selections. These boys made a hit at camp, and their feature number is "The Strawberry Roan."
"The other picture is a genuine Scout picture, showing a party of Scouts under the leadership of Dr. Ray J. Davis, of the University of Idaho, Southern Branch, which was just leaving for an overnighr hike out of camp. The picture shows each boy with his four blankets and rolled inside of the blankets are his rations for two meals; his evening meal and his breakfast.
"You will note the absence of cooking utensils. These boys cooked meat, po- tatoes, eggs, and baked bread. In fact they prepared both meals mentioned, with- out the aid of any utensils, not even a tin can for drinking water. They made their beds of pine boughs and demon- strated Scout life in the open.
"Dr. Davis, in his report, stated that he had never experienced such genuine pleasure as when directing these boys on this encampment.
"The meat was wrapped in oil paper and then a thick coating of mud was put around the outside. The potatoes were fixed the same way. and with the meat, were put into the open coals. The bread was mixed from flour, etc.. held in one hand and stirred with the other, and wrapped on a stick and cooked over the coals.
"For breakfast the eggs were also wrapped in oil paper, rolled in mud and baked in the fire. All of the boys who took these trips remembered this as the outstanding feature of the week.
"To complete a week's encampment the boy, thrilled with God's handiwork, demonstrated his own by indulging in leathercraft, sheet metal work, archery, Indian bead work, or advancing in the Scout program by the passing of tests.
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
21
Games, swimming, 'magic camp fires,' a Patrol Night with his own patrol, etc., made_him real- ize that the Scout Oath — 'On my honor I will do my duty to God' — was real; is real, instead of being just a statement.
"As the tears rolled down the Scout's cheeks Saturday after- noon when Old Glory was slow- ly lowered for the last time during his encampment, he also felt that his duty to his country was real rather than just a coc e of ethics. Camp Tendoy re- members these boys and will welcome them back another year."
A N excerpt from a letter written by Riley G. Clark, Scout executive of the L. D. S. Swiss-German mission, shows the con- trasting conditions under which German speaking boys met in camp recently in the Harz mountains:
"In attendance were 42 Scouts, representing more than 500 persons in all parts of Ger- many. Many came on bicycles
Scout training course in building airplanes
from Bremen, Hanover, Berlin, Dresden and Breslau. The entire group was from poor families, but they love Scouting enough to scrimp and save for months, to attend camp. Once there they literally gleaned ideas to carry back to those not fortunate enough to come.
"These Scouts enjoyed sleeping in the open under the great blue heavens, just as we do in Utah. They relished the American campfire food we prepared for them. Scout yells thrilled them. At the camp some of the boys saw their first campfire, and for the first time partook of the spirit that radiates from a group of Scouts in • such a sacred place at such a sacred time. They went from our camp with such an intense spirit of en- thusiasm for the work that I know it has been a milestone in the history of Scouting in Germany.
"Political conditions have become so bad at times in certain localities that Scouts could not wear their uniforms to meetings or on the streets, for fear of mobs mis- taking them for members of some rival
political party, and shooting them or beating them to death.
"It is seldom that we are allowed to build fires to cook on. In some regions it is not allowed. The Scouts have to carry a gas cooker or take cold food.
"But we have boys who are in every sense of the word Scouts. They do everything in their power to put the program over, in spite of all difficulties. We are making progress in Scouting. We wish to send greetings to our fellow Scouts in Utah and surrounding places, and also an invitation to correspond. Write the Scout Department, Swiss-Ger- man Mission, Basel, Switzerland, Leimen- strasse 49."
QAMP KIESEL, Boy Scout camp of the Ogden Gateway district, was operated under a new plan this season, according to Scout Executive S. Dinsworth Young. In the past the camp has been in charge of a camp director with
These boys of Troop 22, Salt Lake council, turned last spring's clean-up drive into a beau- tification plan. Not only did they clean this vacant lot, but planted it to all kinds of vege- tables. Four of them (from left to right): Allen Lundgren, George Vigos, James Vigos and Von Young are shown holding on to the ears of the corn. Part of the crops were sold to pay for seeding the empty plot.
Scouts from various troops attend- ing as a single unit.
Under the new plan, although several troops were at the camp at the same time, each troop re- mained a separate and distinct unit under its own troop leader. Each troop prepared its own food and had its own equipment.
A new flag was presented to the camp by the Ogden State bank, at colorful exercises July 19. Scouts, their parents, jbank and Scout officials attended the cere- mony. A. P. Bigelow, president of the bank, made the presentation, and W. W. Rawson, president of the Ogden council, responded.
Forty students of the State In-
(Continued on page 30)
Many of the Scouts took indi- vidual hikes
M,
IVlachi
MADE?
an or
ii.
A FEW years ago most of the smaller hotels employed a dinner orchestra of several players. Today the "Little Brown Boxes" and chain programs flood thousands of smaller hotel dining rooms, lobbies and private rooms with music produced by ilarger, better playing groups of musicians. And the end is not yet, since the local broadcasting stations, em- ploying local musicians, must com- pete with the big chains in New York. The broadcasting chain is simply another expression of mass distribution, comparable with the dry goods, grocery, drug store, cigar store and other chains. May this mean, at last, that supermen will once more control humanity by means of newer, if more suit- able, "chains?" It is a grave and vital question.
'The Survival of the Fittest" is a universal law and there is no rea- son to believe that producers or performers of music shall be im- mune from its consequences. It- seems possible to say with certain- ty that the world will no longer tolerate mediocre performance, either in sports or in the arts. At least it will not pay to see or hear second raters, local amateurs ex- cepted.
By
Paul J. Weaver
Editors' Note:
Used by special permission of Paul J. Weaver, editor Journal of Proceedings of the Music Supervisors National Con- ference.
Does this mean that, henceforth, music as a profession or a vocation will be limited to a handful of geniuses because they can bring their art to millions upon millions at one time? There is no longer any room for poor professionals. These will have to be satisfied to remain amateurs.
pHE handwriting is upon the wall: "Thou hast been weighed and found wanting!" The me- diocre artist no longer has a public. Concert Bureaus, Lyceums, Chau- tauquas are vanishing. Only gen- uine virtuoso-artists of internation- al renown will draw paying au- diences today. It would appear that these, like the movie stars, will re- ceive huge salaries, while the small- town actor will disappear from the scene. Indeed, John MacCormack and Lawrence Tibbet, Dennis King and Marylin Miller, today are the forerunners of this new era in mu- sic.
PHIS applies also to untalented, untrained music teachers. They will have to yield, in turn, to the modern, highly trained and gifted specialists — teachers of music who know how to teach music to groups as all other instruction is now administered. Mass instruc- tion is the inevitable answer in this modern age! Most people will no longer pay large fees for private music lessons for children when the radio gives them the world's best music immediately and with no effort, and at a minimum of ex- pense.
Indeed, why should private in- struction in music prevail when all other school subjects, some two hundred and fifty, are taught in classes? In my own boyhood, young men were still bound as ap- prentices to the village blacksmith, carpenter, shoemaker, tailor, or baker. Today, all trades are taught in trade, technical and vocational schools. Then, one studied medi- cine, privately, in the local doctor's office, law in the lawyer's office, and the barber "practiced" den- tistry! Today, professional schools only are permitted to give training in law, medicine, and dentistry and even the barber can practice his
profession only after securing a proper license. Surely, when the mastery of life and death, momen- tous matters of property rights and justice can be taught in classes, mu- sic can not longer hope to remain the exception. All the other arts have long been so taught.
The economic law applies here also. The public is rapidly settling this subject for itself. Now that the universal hunger for music is satisfied by the talking-singing-act- ing-screen, the phonograph and the radio at less cost in time, money and effort, the public buys movie and radio entertainment instead of pianos and private music lessons. In my own youth we could have mu- sic at home only if we made it ourselves, just as we produced most of the other things we consumed. That was home-made music — home-made by necessity. No one would contend that a similar ne- cessity exists today, although I shall try to show that possibly another and perhaps greater, more vital reason should make us en- courage home-made music now as never before.
DUT first, let us see if there are still other factors in this mu- sical dilemma. I think we shall find them in our limited family budgets and in our- unlimited desires, cre- ated by the modern sciences of in- vention, high-power salesmanship and advertising. It is safe to say that the average American family has less than twenty-four hundred a year to spend. Four out of five families have less than eighteen hundred, since the average annual per capita income in the United States is only six-hundred and twenty-three dollars. Food, cloth- ing and shelter consume the bulk of this income. Nearly every family today has a car — many have two cars. The average an- nual overhead and maintenance of an auto is over five hundred dollars. The hallmark of social distinction is no longer "the piano in the par-
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
23
lor" — it is the "sedan at the side- walk!"
Now, every house-wife wants an electric refrigerator, washer ana mangle; fathers tire of stoking furnaces and yearn for automatic oil burners. The average Amer- ican family spends several times more each week for movies than they ever paid the music teacher. Modern advertising whets the de- sire for dozens of new devices and luxuries that give immediate satis- faction to comfort and pride.
pARENTS do still take pride in the accomplishments of their offspring; but silent pianos in neighbors' homes testify all too eloquently to the uncertainty of getting enjoyable musical entertain- ment by the good, old, home-made methods. And so, in four out of five homes, the new car, the re- frigerator, the oil iburner and the radio get first consideration. The purchase of a piano and investment in music lessons is postponed. Limited incomes necessitate choices and subsequent sacrifices. Con- sequently, those products and services that guarantee imme- diate satisfaction of pride, comfort, convenience or entertainment are chosen. Will home-made music soon be going into the gallery of "lost arts?"
If further proof is needed, let me remind you that the consumption of electric power doubled from
1922 to 1927. The registration of motor cars doubled from 1922 to 1927. Motion picture reports for these years are not available, but the business doubled from
1923 to 1925, and that was be- fore the "Talkies." The sale of the piano — the "basic," universal home instrument — declined seven- ty-five per cent from 1924 to 1929. These are Government re- ports. What more can be said?
\\7"E come now to the possible solution of the question of the new era of leisure — -made possible, yes, inevitable, by the machine. It is obvious, is it not, that, when machines replace man-power, men must seek other vocations or work fewer hours? "Over-production" is the by-word, the key-note, to- day, of every economist, sociologist and politician. We hear of over- production on the farm, in the mine, in the factory. Three million workers, one in ten, are out of work today. Already the six-day
week, ten-hour day, universal when I was a lad, has diminished to the five-day week and the six- hour day. Economists predict a five-hour day in the near future. It is here now in the building trades.
What is humanity to do with this new-found leisure? What will be the leisure-time reactions of the mechanised automaton who is no longer required to think? All he does is press levers and push but- tons! Do you wonder that this world is pleasure-mad, thrill-chas- ing, excitement-crazed as the nor- mal reaction to the monotony of the machine? How can it tolerate also the monotony of a loafing leisure?
"Satan finds mischief still for idle hands to do" runs the saying. Is it possible that, in the Machine, man has created a Franckenstein monster that will slay his offspring in the end? Is it likely that "The Robot's '11 get you, ef you don't watch out?"
/^RIME, today, is said to exact a toll exceeding one-eighth of our total annual income! In Il- linois, the prison population has increased eight times faster in the past three years than the outside population! Some statistician might figure out how long, at that rate, it will be before we're all in jail!
Thorndike, of Columbia Uni- versity, in his latest researches has uncovered a new world of possi- bilities in the field of adult educa- tion. He finds that adults, with but slightly increased effort, can learn many of the skills and sub-
jects once considered attainable only in early youth. Colleges, high school and. continuation schools are experimenting along this line. Surely, there is no more crying need, because this new era of leisure presents new responsibili- ties, new opportunities in education for a fuller, richer life. In this new era, our education need never end! We shall have the time to explore new fields of knowledge, to culti- vate our aesthetic instincts, to de- velop new skills, new apprecia- tions! All we need is the inclina- tion— the divine, cosmic urge — the will to let the spirit soar!
EDUCATIONAL psychologists are exploring new depths in human behavior. They are prob- ing into the secrets of the emotions. They find that it is our emotions, rather than our intellects, that de- termine our acts. We act according to the way we feel, not, frequently, as reason dictates. Curriculum ex- perts and administrative officials see the vital need, therefore, of train- ing the emotions and the aesthetic instincts.
If music be the language of feel- ing, the vehicle of the emotions, why not give more thought, more time, more equipment, greater aca- demic recognition and prestige to this, the greatest of arts? Already traditions are crumbling in college circles, due to the exposed fallacy of the faculty — psychology, the- ory, the triumph of functional- psychology and the new concepts of behaviorism. Pragmatic phil- osophy is displacing speculative philosophy. Our own William James and John Dewey lead the world in this newer conception. The words of President Eliot that "Music is the greatest mind train- er on the list" have rung through our academic corridors. The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceeding fine!
HPHE 1928 Report of the Na- tional Bureau of Education shows that high school students enrolled in Latin decreased from 50% in 1905 to 22% in 1928; students enrolled in algebra de- creased from 57% in 1910 to 35% in 1928; in science from 82% in 1910 to 61% in 1928. This denotes a diminishing em- phasis upon traditional subjects. In art, the enrollment increased from 14% in 1922 to 18% in 1928. In vocal music a slight de- {Contined on page 51)
upporting
. By
Alberta
Huish
Christensen
At nine o'clock Gloria ivas impatiently thumbing a magazine.
Illustrated by
PAUL S. CLOWES
T
HE role of mar- ried 'grad'," Nell had often said, lifting her blond brows dramatic- ally, "is one — if ever there was one — which needs bolstering."
If Gloria Brent was of the same opinion, she had never said so. The two girls living amiably in adjoining apartments had never discussed the matter. Both were wives of graduate students and living on — oh, what does it mat- ter— so little that it takes one's breath away just to think of it. And common interests had bound them together with a warm tie of understanding.
Perhaps such an idea did lie dormant somewhere in Gloria's brain, perfectly conscious of its own existence, though undis- turbed, unformulated until that night in late May.
Gi
rLORIA glanced hur- riedly at the alarm clock on the oilcloth covered shelf above the sink.
[Editor's Note: In our short story contest, the prize offered for the best story by an author whose stories have never appeared in print was awarded to Alberta Huish Christensen.]
"Orange juice time, young man," and "Num-num," she ad- ded with a grimmace as she dump- ed the brimming spoon of cod- liver oil into the nursery mug.
Jim Junior showed little in- terest in the performance, but con- tinued to run his chubby fore- finger across the tray of his un- painted high chair.
"Num-num," Gloria repeated, bringing the cup nearer to his lips. "Junior Brent, you simply must take it at once. With Saturday and washing I've no time to dal-
Junior gulped the vitamined draught and Gloria dabbed at his oily chin with a corner of his bib. She pecked a hurried kiss upon
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
25
his round hairless head, and, ad- justing the covers of his crib, pushed it near the bedroom win- dow. "Sleep time, you dear," and the door was closed behind her.
W I T H systematic movements, result of much experi- ence, she continued the laundry processes until the last clean, wrung clothes were piled high in the basket. Wiping the beads of perspiration from temples and chin she balanced the basket upon the high railing and stood for a mo- ment on the diminutive porch, large enough to accommodate little more than the garbage can.
What a day it was! Beautifully clear, with no mist diffusing the ragged sky line across the water. She could even see up Market Street quite plainly on such a day. Funny she had never noticed before that Goat Island loomed so darkly against a silver-blue sky.
"Oh Nell," she called descend- ing the long narrow steps.
Nell, blond and colorfully smocked, appeared on the porch at the other end of the apartment house.
"Washing today?"
"Goodness :no," from Nell em- phatically. "Didn't you see the lines I filled yesterday?"
"Well then I'll use your front one. I've more things than usual."
"Some early bird you are," Nell said as she descended the steps and surveyed the lines of dripping gar- ments.
Gloria's face brightened. "Had to. I had some little extras to do today. In fact it's rather a special day." Then walking nearer, that the occupant of apartment 2 could by no chance overhear, she asked, "can you smell it?"
"Grand. It's acacia blooms, and have you seen the campus late- ly?"
"Bother, it's not spring air I'm talking about." Gloria's lips wid- ened whimsically, "its chicken, really."
"Extravagant!"
NOW Gloria Brent had never known even the small- est measure of extravagance. Her own home had of necessity been managed upon lines of moderate economy. After her college gradu- ation came marriage, and then the school-game had begun. She won-
dered just when it really was that she began budgeting or re- modeling clothes of indefinite age. On matters of such longevity her memory was not too clear. It was rather nice to be called a spend- thrift.
"Listen," she admitted present- ly, as if a frugal conscience could not longer stand such accusation, "Saturday night I added up the groceries and what do you know? We were six dollars ahead of schedule."
"Really!"
"Really." Gloria went on. "I guess it's the canned goods sale. Anyway I decided to celebrate — surprise Jim tonight. Guess how long we've been married."
"Why, it's your wedding day! You look young enough, Gloria, to be only a Soph."
"Applesauce!" It wasn't true. Gloria knew she looked every day of her twenty-six years. But she also knew that her pink cheeks were still smooth and her figure was girlishly slender.
"Three years today. It doesn't seem possible and yet, Nell, it sometimes seems that Jim's been going to college for ages. It seems so long since that night. The moon was awfully big and oh it spark-
Jim's face was radi- ant, "Can't imagine how he limbered up to such a salary. Things must be boom- ing back there."
led." She unconsciously rubbed the glistening diamond upon her sleeve.
"Yes, three years," Gloria re- peated almost langourously. There had been that first year of teaching in a small western town right after graduation, and then two years more of college — two years of graduate work at the university.
"That's right," Nell said, "one more year and you folks can frame the sheepskin, wear it on your backs if you want to. Doesn't that sound grand!"
Gloria nodded.
"And when we get to that point Nell, with all the molecules, atoms and electrons chucked safely be- hind us, with only the last flour- ishes to do, I'll be so thrilled I'll serve chicken every day for weeks. Not chopped meat, or teensy wee pot roasts, but big, juicy, chickens, — honest I will."
"You little spendthrift!" "Really I will," Gloria an- swered without the slightest thought as to what she was actual- ly saying. "With scrimping and scheming all behind and thoughts of a real salary ahead, who wouldn't, Nell, who wouldn't?"
'You and Jim are so young, you can soon make up for the lean years," Nell said encourag- ingly. "And with your teach-
ft
rag—
"Course that does help a lot, even with paying Ella."
iL/LhA was the very round and tied-in-the middle girl who lumped up the front steps each morning at nine and lumped down the front steps each after- noon at five. It was she, who, fol- lowing detailed instructions, help- ed the well cooked cereal to dis- appear, saw that no pins or but- tons found their way to Junior Brent's avid lips, and took him for his daily sunning in the back yard.
"I'll send you in a leg just to nibble on," Gloria said, tiptoeing to hang the last shirt upon the line.
"Don't you do anything of the sort," Nell protested, "there won't be enough, honey."
"Sure there will, it's a big one. Positively a beauty."
Gloria scarcely knew where the day went. The hours of her one (Continued on page 56)
A Daughter of
Mart/ia
Gloria distinct- ly heard the heavy, reverberat- ing thunder of a snow slide in Cripple Creek Canyon.
By Ivy Williams Stone
E
Chapter Four
Illustrated by Paul S. Clowes
(VER since Gloria's marriage, Anna had been a puzzle to her. Some strange malady had retarded her growth. Certain foods disturbed her; Jonas thought it was because she had drunk a can of lye when she was beginning to crawl. Still, even his memory was vague. When a man runs a sawmill and a store and a farm and writes poetry and studies law, there is no leisure to study the whims of a baby. Left to herself, Anna was self-entertaining and mild. But when her plans were disturbed, her frail body shook with unrestrained rage. Everyone had learned that it was better to leave her rabbits and pet chickens alone.
The whole family were accustomed to her wanderings. She would disappear in the morning and seldom return before dark. She ignored their calls; resented their interference. She built little castles along the creek bank, dug small caves in the hill-side. Here she carried and stored her treasures. She knew the call of all the birds; she had cared for a crippled magpie and taught it to speak a few words. She would not learn house- hold tasks; Gloria could not even trust her with the care of the baby. Though the creek was often swollen, Anna could always cross ,it. She could bridle a fractious colt when the hired man failed. She possessed a direct unswerving gaze which worried many people. She would sit at Aunt Catherine's feet, while Victoria combed her hair, and stare and stare, until that worthy lady lost her complacency.
"I declare, Gloria," Aunt Catherine fidgeted uneasily in her chair, "there's something uncanny about that child. You know, all great people dislike to be stared at. Caesar was that way about Cassius. When King George came to visit my father he said, 'Have no silent men about me. Make them laugh'. Anna never laughs."
Anna remained complacent. She came and went at her own bidding. Francis had been kind to her and she missed him. Now she sought other diversion and wandered farther into the hills. She had often carried food and water to her creek castles, or to a wounded pet. Now day
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
27
after day she disappeared immedi- ately after breakfast, with a bucket so heavily weighted with bran mash that her frail body bent to the load. She made a circuitous route, lest someone follow her. She answered their repeated questions with a blank stare, from which there was no appeal. She returned at dark, ate a slight meal, smiled at Gloria who never scolded her, and slept peacefully until morning. The next day she would start off as before. If Peter followed, she sent
him home.
* * *
L<
/OTT GAS COM
had no ambitions about a beauti- ful home or education for Lulu. She was sixteen and should soon marry. He felt certain that even her slattern beauty would soon at- tract a husband. So long as he could fence in public lands for free pasture he had been content. But he had a fine herd of cattle which he prized highly. A pedigreed Jersey which he had named Gen- eral Grant was his special pride. Shortly after Francis Conrad went home, General Grant disappeared. Lott immediately felt that the Whitmans had retaliated, and that Grant would return. The
days passed however, and there was no trace of the lost animal. Lott rode the range for miles around; he visited the Whitman corrals at night, stealthily, hoping to find his treasure. Growing bold with worry, he finally came to the ranch with his troubles.
"Meester Wheetman," he began, fawningly, knowing well that he deserved much rebuke, "you have had your leetle joke. It is plenty. I am that cured. I kill my dogs, but still my General Grant is gone. I want heem."
"We haven't seen your Jersey, Lott," Jonas Whitman still felt that the desired land had squared his score with Lott. "I hope you find him, but we have not seen him."
"I love heem like a babee. I look everywhere, but he is not. I love heem like Lulu. Lulu and Grant are my loves."
Here Rodney interrupted. "I tell you we haven't seen your old Jersey. Can't help it if he did cost five hundred. Guess he's strayed off and died."
Lott turned white. "I will give to anybody that finds heem ten dollars. Six hundred I pay for heem."
Rodney looked interested. Ten
dollars would buy several things which he coveted. If he just had to ride, if he did not have to work, like hoeing or milking, it wouldn't be so bad.
T
HE lost General Grant had been a perfectly colored Jersey. He had no distinguishing marks. The pale tan would be difficult to see against oak brush or hill-side. Still, it was worth trying. When Anna came home, carrying an empty mash bucket, Rodney had a sudden inspiration. He waited until she slept, then he carefully examined her bucket. A little tuft of pale tan hair was clinging to the hinge of the pail. With a knowing smile he felt that the ten dollars would be easily earned.
The next day he asked Anna no questions. He ignored her prep- arations, kept seemingly busy with work on his homestead machinery. But as soon as she was out of sight he followed her on foot, carefully keeping out of the beaten trail, hiding behind pak brush iand sage when she stopped to rest.
By a circuitous route Anna ar- rived at the top of Cripple Creek Canyon. At the point where Jonas diverted the waters for his ranch,
Bruce's brave front gave away at this point and one of the hired men took up the story.
28
The Improvement Era for November f 1931
a spring flood had once washed a considerable hole in a clay hill- side. Here Anna stopped, sat and rested. Soon she cupped her hands and emitted a long drawn, "MOO!"
father had written that a diamond, weighing 280 carats had been dug from the blue soil — down in a mine, not in a river bed. They called it "Tiffany Yellow." Surely the world was full of wonders.
Mi
.UCH to the surprise of her brother a sound, similar in accent but mournful and long drawn, answered her. Anna smiled, picked up her bucket and entered the washout. Rodney fol- lowed her and stood spellbound as he watched his sister. At the bottom of the wash lay the pros- trate General Grant. Anna raised his head and fed him from the bucket of mash. This formidable animal that had inspired a fear- some respect all last summer, that had required a heavy barbed en- closure, was gratefully accepting the ministrations of the little girl. And to render this service, Anna carried a heavy bucket for three miles. Bruce saw that General Grant had broken his leg in the fall. While Lott had scoured the countryside for miles, the weak- ened animal had lain less than a quarter mile from his own door.
Lott Gascom's eyes filled with rage when he learned of the where- abouts of his valuable Jersey.
"He like to be dead!" cried Lott, "For what can I use him now! I have to shoot heem — there where he be. The hole is his grave."
J,
T
HAT night Gloria soaked the laundry in the tubs. Jonas had purchased a washing machine. You pushed a half wheel far over one way and pulled it back. It revolved a wooden dolly in the tub. It was marvelous. With store soap, washing was now a simple task, if you soaked the clothes overnight. Jonas was al- ways kind, when he remembered. While she hurried with the dishes, watching the lamp where the oil was low, Jonas read aloud of a marvelous new invention. Some man back east, named Edison, had tinkered ;with electricity until he had invented a lamp that needed no coal oil, or matches, or gas. You turned a switch and light came into a little glass vacuum. It was called carbon incandescent, Gloria said the two words over and over to herself, as she mixed the bread and sliced the bacon and set the mush to soak. And her
ONAS went to bed, leaving her to follow when her tasks were finished. iShe worked more slowly now, felt too heavy for rapid movements. Little Nancy was two. As she poured the last water over the tubs, there came upon the silence the unmistakable sound of horses' hoofs. A queer, scraping sound accompanied them. Not the creak of a wagon, but a dragging sound. Their private road led to the main road, and sometimes people used it in the daytime. But never before at night. Hastily Gloria put out the light and cupped her hands against the window. A flat sled was being dragged by four straining horses. A large round mass lay on the sled. Gloria recognized the man who walked along jby the horses. Lott was easily recognizable by his wild, unhatted hair. Why was he using this private road? Why didn't he take the other road — this one led to the railroad tracks. He had better be careful. The Overland Limited passed in the early morning. That crossing was dangerous.
The next morning Anna set out with her bucket of mash. Rodney, starting out to his farm, soon re- turned with news.
"Lott's General Grant was killed on the railroad track last night!" he cried. "Cut to pieces! Like to nearly upset the train, too. Nobody knows how he got through the fence. No wire was cut, and no gate was open!"
Jonas looked grave. 'That
will cost a pretty penny," he vol- unteered. "That really was a valuable animal." Further discus- sion was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Anna, wild with anger. Her frail body trembled, tears blended with dirt and mud. Bran mash was smeared upon her cloth- ing.
"He's gone — " she wailed. "My pretty's gone!"
Her father and Gloria looked at her in amazement, while slow understanding crept over Rodney's face. "Don't you worry, Sis," he began, but Anna again interrupt- ed:
"My pretty was so sick. I fed him every day. He took it from my hand. His foot was hurted. He was Lott's big cow. He's gone. I loved him."
Lott enjoyed a nine day popu- larity when he showed the check the railroad sent in settlement. There had been no questions. Lott had papers showing the value and pedigree of the Jersey; he was killed on the tracks, just inside the crossing. And Rodney said nothing, but bided his time. He had plans forming in his mind, in which Lott's money played a part.
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.ODNEY'S reading had not been confined to novels. He had gotten some serious books, among them a copy of the state laws. Also, he read a book on pre-emption and homesteading. He began to watch the calendar. Jonas, worried over what proved to be the failure of his store and Gloria's weakening health, did not pay as much attention to the lapse of the fourteen months of residence as Rodney did. He was secure. He had paid the fees required for short term residence. The land was cultivated, and Rodney faith- fully made it his place of residence. The final proof for patent could be attended to at any convenient time.
During his father's absence Rod- ney took two of the hired men and rode to the land office. He was an American citizen. He was well past twenty-one. He had witnesses to prove he had com- plied with all requirements. He said nothing of his action to his father. Within a short time Mr. Rodney Whitman received patent from the United States to the quarter section which fulfilled a
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
29
long cherished dream of his fa- ther's. But to Rodney it was merely land. Land that you had to plow and furrow and rake and sow and irrigate. And Lott Gas- con! coveted that land, and Lott had money.
Choosing an auspi- cious day when Jonas was again away from home Rodney and Lott traveled to the county seat. It only required one simple signature to make Lott the legal possessor of one hundred sixty acres of land, and from Lott's greasy pockets the General Grant money was trans- ferred to Rodney Whitman. To him it was money; money to carry him far away from detested farms and cows, from woodcutting and
plowing.
* * *
Gloria had worked at high ten- sion all day long. Rodney was so elated over something, he did nothing but whisper to Victoria. Aunt Catherine was buried deep in her eleventh reading of Under Two Flags.
"Ah, Gloria," she called, when- ever the busy Gloria came within earshot, "if Cigaretta had been a princess, she couldn't have acted more regally. And speaking of princesses, did you know that Queen Victoria has had nine chil- dren? What a marvelous queen! She buried her husband. Princess Alice died because she kissed her diphtheria-stricken son, and the future king, Prince Arthur, died. Still Queen Victoria carries on, alone. I would love to return to England for her jubilee. It will be grand. Ah, me, my eyes ache. I think I shall play a little on the piano before supper. Do you know how to make a Yorkshire pudding, Gloria?"
vjrLORIA went down to feed the chickens. Little Peter and Nancy trudged along. Peter was getting to be a fine sturdy boy now, able to keep Nancy from the irrigation ditches, and to carry small armfuls of wood to the house. Perhaps there would be more eggs tonight. The grass was green. Old Spotty had stolen her nest away. If she could find it, there would be more eggs to sell, and a little more money to drop in the crock on the cellar floor. Gloria climbed to the loft over
the mangers. The cackle of a startled hen led her on — surely Spotty had chosen a secluded spot. Gloria stepped on a loose board, tripped and fell, not through to the mangers, but only half way. The narrow aperture would not let her through, gave her no chance to draw herself upward. There she hung, calling piteously to little Peter to run for help. Peter could hardly understand. But he knew her voice was queer and muffled, and he ran back to the house. Aunt Catherine's voice guided him to the parlor. She was lustily singing and rebuked him for in- terrupting.
"If you had been properly reared," she admonished, "you would not speak until spoken to. These modern children have no re- spect for their elders."
"Send her victorious Happy and glorious Long to reign over us God save the Queen!"
She took up her solo again, feel- ing that Peter should be impressed into silence. But he merely screamed, louder than before:
"Mama! Mama!"
"May she defend our laws — "
1 ETER became des- perate. He could see his mother dangling above the mangers, could hear her voice growing fainter. He looked around for something to rouse this lady who did not like to move. His glance fell on the twelve gourds which he had been taught to revere. They were not heavy. He grabbed one and threw it with all his puny strength di- rectly in the face of Aunt Cather- ine, who had opened her mouth wide for another line of the song. The effect was all that Peter had desired. The gourd rolled harm- lessly to the carpeted floor, but Aunt Catherine sprang up to pun- ish the boy who dared affront her
in that manner. Peter ran from the house toward the barn, with Aunt Catherine following with all the speed she could muster. It was really a pity that there were none to watch her marathon. Down the dusty path to the barn she followed the nimble Peter, in- to the barn where he pointed to his mother. A look of horrified understanding came over the fea- tures of Aunt Catherine. The butter and cream and hot biscuits had produced a broad, plump shoulder. With one supreme ef- fort she extricated the unconscious Gloria.
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rLORIA never really knew what happend in the suc- ceeding few hours. The world moved around her in a sickening whirl, with pain laughing mock- ingly, with the voice of little Nancy calling, as if from deep water. She must stay for Nancy. And Peter. And poor little Anna — and the gourds must be cared for. Jonas' voice sound- ed far away, muffled like hers. Had he fallen too? Eggs — a carload of eggs, rolling over the road to the station, falling off into the hands of eager children. In the early morning hours, two little babies lay wrapped in blankets on the farther side of the bed.
Aunt Catherine bent over her with more tenderness than she had ever used and whispered, "Girls, my dear. Two of 'em. This is only four. Queen Victoria had nine."
Aunt Catherine lay down to rest on the children's bed. Vic- toria had taken the children to bed with her. Rodney was sup- posedly back in his homestead cab- in. A great stillness hung over the house. Victoria should be getting up. There were many tasks for all this day. The sun rose bright- ly. Birds began to twitter, still Victoria did not come. Aunt Catherine rose, sleepily.
'That boy Peter is bright, like all the Whitmans. He took me by the hand and led me to you, Gloria, I'm glad your babies have no hint of your red hair, Gloria. They really look beautiful."
k^HE went out, com- plaining faintly that she needed her breakfast. Victoria should be here
(Continued on page 60)
30
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
4^Boy Scouts In Camp
dustrial school at Ogden, who are members of Troop 7 at the state institution, participated in an out- ing at Camp Kiesel during the latter part of July. Scouts from Brigham City also attended the camp after Ogden Scouts had en- joyed its privileges.
r)NE of the features of the Salt Lake council camp was the visit of Troop 2, of Ogden, ac- cording to L. D. Simmons, scout- master of Troop 18, Salt Lake, and one of the council publicity committee; he said:
"From August 9 to J 6, this troop 2 from Ogden enjoyed a marvelous trip into that paradise, the Uintah wilderness, the great Granddaddy lakes country. The hike took the 21 members from Mirror lake over Rocky Sea pass, down Rock creek to the East fork, then up to Brown Duck lakes and through Squaw basin. Going up Fish Creek to Granddaddy lakes, then over the mountain to the Hadies' canyon country.
"From there the boys went to Fish lakes, Four Lakes basin and north to Lake Ruth, where the Salt Lake council camp, directed by Lew Roberts, wel- comed them heartily; then back to Mirror lake and home. They camped where night overtook them, without fear, and in safety.
"The packs carried weighed from 27 to 40 pounds. This included bedding, personal equipment and food for a week — nine pounds of condensed, dried, ready- to-eat foods, consisting of raisins, prunes, apricots, peaches, figs, rye crisp, whole wheat, parched corn, chocolate, peanuts, malted milk tablets, peanut butter, jam, sugar, salt, limes and carrots.
"It is caluculated that each Scout lifted 6000 tons and the troop took 4,200,000 steps during the hike. Scoutmaster Paul S. Bieler and his assistant. John Bragonje, were in charge of the trip."
"DROILING juicy beefsteaks over hot coals; rolling eggs in mud and cooking them; making flap- jacks in one hand, stirring with the other hand, to eliminate cook- ing utensils. Sleeping under the stars, sometimes with a tent, some- times without. Smelling the odor of pine boughs, the camp fire, roasting meat. Communing with Heaven in nature's forests. These things the Scouts of the Salt Lake council, and others, did at their summer outings.
Hundreds of boys took part in the Timpanogos camp under the supervision of Scout Executive A. A. Anderson. Camps were held at Pine Creek, Huntington Can- yon, Big Springs, and Camp Tim- panogos in Provo Canyon.
Continued from page 21
In addition, at the Uintah Basin Industrial Convention, held Aug. 5, 6 and 7, at Fort Duchesne, Utah, the boys participated in con- tests which were watched by a thousand interested spectators. Two outstanding winners were Russell Robinson, who made his cooking fire by the flint and steel method, and mixed and baked a pancake, taking only three min- utes and twenty seconds for the whole process; and John Whit- more, of Troop 251, Roosevelt, Utah, winner of the first aid contest.
About 300 Scouts aided at the Convention.
Brigham City's peach day and rodeo celebration was not complete without the Scouts. They dis- tributed more than ten tons of watermelons and 300 bushels of peaches to hungry visitors on Fri- day, Sept. 1 1 , and more than that amount Saturday to vast throngs.
'"PHE Cache Water Front camp, held for Vanguards, at Ideal Beach on the south end of Bear Lake, Aug. 9 to 16, brought forth many letters of ( commendation from the Vanguards, 45 of whom attended.
Scouts of the district also at- tended camp and enjoyed it to the fullest.
A group of Cache Vanguards, under the direction of Executive Preston Pond visited White Pine Lake, via horseback, marking one of the most progressive seasons for Vanguards in Utah. Scouts under the leadership of Executive Pond visited Yellowstone Park and par- took of the spirit of romance, ad- venture and felt the urge of "bear hunting" with camera and pen.
From the Timpanogos area also came to Yellowstone the annual "Eagles' Flight." Eagle Scouts, 20 in number, prepared for the trip, and enjoyed a 1400 mile trek un- der the direction of A. A. Ander- son, council head. The itinerary included Evanston, Fossil, Coke- ville and Star Valley, Wyo., and from there through Swan Valley, the Teton Basin, Jackson Hole, and home. The total cost to each Scout was estimated at $15, in- cluding food and transportation.
Many other troops made "in- dividual" trips to the national shrine and "shot" wild animals.
tourists and Scouts with equanimi- ty, using kodaks as rifles.
ONE of the biggest events of the year for Scouts was the "Cov- ered Wagon Days" fete in Salt Lake, July 24, 25 and 26, at which more than 500 Scouts and Scouters assisted with the parade July 24, and the stadium pageant, July 25.
To commemorate this event, boys constructed covered wagons and ox teams for display all through Salt Lake City. One of the best and most unique models built was shown to the Scouts of the Salt Lake stake who attended the training course in merit badge work. The classes are held each Wednesday evening at 7:30 p. m. in the West High School Seminary building, and are attended by all Scouts who are Second Class or higher in Scouting, and who have the desire to work for merit badges. ' This special model "Covered Wagon," accompanied by a model of "The Pony Express," was made entirely of plumbing fixtures by L. E. Arnold of the Waterworks Equipment company, 149 West Second South, Salt Lake. The wagon body was made of redwood pipe, the wheels were regular flanges, the oxen were Trident water meters, and oakum was used for their tails. The pony express model was made entirely of stock plumbing fixtures.
A/TUCH good has been done at this training course, and the boys are eager to put into practice at camp the things learned there in the classroom. One-stringed vio- lins— that really can be made to produce music — large knot boards with original as well as regular knots, first aid, civics, conservation and many other merit badge and handicraft studies have been taken up this season. It is expected the work will be continued through the year.
Activities for Utah Boy Scouts for the past summer included: Provo — The building of a trail to the rock ruins of an old Indian guard fort in Provo Canyon; He- bet — The awarding of more than $100 worth of badges to Scouts of the council since the beginning of the year, with some boys win- ning three or four awards at each
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
31
court of honor; SmithHeld — The purchase of a radio by Troop 54 for Miss Vena Sorenson, who has not walked for more than 20 years; Richfield — The thinning of Oliver Barlow's beets by Third Ward Scouts before they left for a camping trip, when Mr. Barlow was confined to his bed with a severe illness; Salt Lake — A treas- ure hunt for old mounds and In- dian relics by Troop 33, under Scoutmaster "Bill" Davis; the opening in The Deseret News of a weekly Boy Scout page for Utah council news; a successful camping season, closing Sept. 1, and the giving of Scout leaders' winter training courses during the month of September; Spanish Fork — The saving of two boys' lives by Scout William Keele, 13, on a fishing trip. Several Scoutmaster's keys
also were presented to those finish- ing the five-year Scout leaders' course outlined by the National Headquarters.
Good news to Utah Scouts is the message that the next World Jamboree is to be held in Hungary in 1933. Scouts of this vicinity already have "pricked up their ears" and are "sharpening their wits" in preparation for the jour- ney to Europe, and the mastery of enough words in the German or in the Hungarian language to enable them to eat in case they wander from camp near mealtime.
(^AMP under the stars, with per- haps a huge bonfire and a pro- gram before time for retiring; early rising; eating, hiking, studying na- ture and Scouting; boating, swim-
ming. Coming back to camp at the close of day — the "end of the trail" for the time being.
These things more than five thousand Boy Scouts and boy lead- ers have experienced this summer. And as they look back on their hikes, camps and studies, they feel indeed the nearness of the Al- mighty; that he is represented in the grass and trees, in the water, smiling from the beautiful clouds, and from the tall mountain peaks; that he is ever present, ever loving —a true Father, and as the man and the boy stops to ponder the meaning of life he lifts a reverent- ly bared head to an understanding Deity, whose very name is carved in nature — God — interpreted by Scouts as the Author of all, in the Great Out Doors.
«)z<?q%&s>i*-
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^A Habit JVorth Acquiring
able to fare forth with his racquet on days when the local paper reports record-breaking 105 to 108 temperatures, to play tennis for two or three hours with men his juniors by decades, and come away with his share of the spoils of victory. In fact in a locality in which the great court sport finds many of its most brilliant players in the entire section J. Will Knight at the age of 5 6 is able to play with the best and is forced to acknowl- edge only a half dozen peers. He frequently may be seen with an- other capable athlete who is known to most of the people only as a doctor of letters, or a member of the English Department of Brig- ham Young University — Dr. P. A. Christensen who was known fifteen to twenty years ago as an outstanding college and semi-pro- fessional baseball pitcher preserves his vigor and freshness of view- point by playing volley ball in the winter time and tennis in the sum- mer time. It is most refreshing to know that this master of Chaucer, sympathetic interpreter of the class- ics, skillful teacher and gifted ma- nipulator of the English language can discover such a splendid outlet for energy and tonic for health on the tennis courts and in the gym- nasium.
And so it goes! Professor C. Lavoir Jensen leads a group of facultonians who have become ad-
dicted to barnyard golf. Just re- cently Mr. Jensen finished second in the Provo City championships losing a brilliant battle of ringers to a man who pitched a perfect horseshoe game to achieve the championship.
J^EAN HUGH M. WOOD- WARD finds his diversion and exercise in hiking and is typ- ical of a large group who like the mountains and canyons. Profes- sor Elmer Miller and Professor Milton Marshall are typical of the Isaac Waltons who abound in great numbers on the Brigham Young University faculty. Be- tween twenty and thirty faculty members find diversion three times each week in a lively volley ball session, which, it must be frankly admitted, occasionally challenges the best debating talents of the participants as well as the physical agility. Even though the horse seems to be passing rapidly from the picture, the bicycle still sur- vives in Provo, and some of the faculty members, it is alleged, push a mean pedal.
The extensive intramural system which provides competitive play in fifteen varieties of sport, for ninety percent of the enrolled men and women, should I am sure, not only give them healthful, recreational activity but should inculcate in them as part of their very beings
Continued from page 1 5
the habits of proper physical recre- ation.
Of course, the process should commence further down the scale — and so it does. The public play ground systems, the elementary and high schools, the Church recre- ational organizations — all these and other agencies are cooperating in an effort to promote better cit- izenship and to insure social wel- fare by utilizing pleasurably and profitably the leisure time of the entire mass in activities which may fix upon the individual's useful habits and desirable appetites.
ANY citizen who has not been converted to the gospel of the hearty handshake, the clear eye and the cheery voice, who has not be- come addicted to the tingling re- freshment of an invigorating shower bath after a wholesome sweat, and who has not surrend- ered to the love of good champion- ship and wholesome physical ex- ercise, hand in hand, has not come into his full rights of citizenship. Furthermore, society has the right to expect that every individual will do everything in his power to make his life as long and as happy and as serviceable as possible.
Therefore the pertinent ques- tion: Are you doing everything in your power to create, to cultivate and to preserve proper recreational habits?
/
Spinsterhood
By Bee Forsyth LOVE three things:
A silver tureen, A pink tea-rose And little Eileen.
Little Eileen lives Across the way. She comes to visit Me every day.
She runs up my stair On the tips of her toes ; She dresses up in my Debutante clothes.
She unravels knitting; She helps me bake pies. She tosses her curls And laughs with her eyes.
Oh, I have a tea-rose And a silver tureen. But shall I have never A Little Eileen?
•* «c>*gj!g*'3# *■
Autumn
By Bertha Woodland
rHE earth is filled with peace; The chimes ring not, But the good will of man Is manifest by clattering wheels, Exchange of greetings in adjacent fields; At each new day's beginning, Or when the noonday meal is shortly done.
My gaze goes out, across the valley ; To the low, rambling western hills And fields of ripened grain.
My earthly heritage is great,
Of which these are but a meagre portion.
Although metallic wheels of industry
Reward me not with lifeless coin,
I pause beneath the friendly poplar tree,
And the breeze that plays about the green
Is cooler; refreshing my body, moist from
toil. The early autumn sun, nomadic, fiery ball, Sinks in a hazy mist, behind the purple
hills. I love the soil, the breeze, the grain, The seed, the plant, the train, the cloud- less sky; The sacred peace that permeates an early
autumn day An heir of nature and of work, sufficient To fill my soul with peace, as I rest; Praising Him from whom all blessings flow.
Two Questions
By Alberta H. Christensen
T 1 7 ERE it better to close tight W The tarnished lute
For want of missing string;
Or to fling
Less perfect melody
Upon the night?
May not some finer ear
At twilight hear
The fragment song;
And, catching overtones,
Find sweet
The soul-born cadences
Though incomplete?
Glad Days of Fall
By Linnie Fisher Robinson
rHESE are the glad, glad days of fall, The days when promise stands ful- filled ; When garnered fruits are everywhere, And beauty reigns as God has willed.
These are the glad, glad days of fall; The leaves go gaily sailing by On golden wings with russet tips To cuddle 'mong the grasses nigh.
These are the glad, glad days of fall; A purple haze is floating high, The sun has a new, a wine- red shade And the winds have a new low sigh.
These are the glad, glad days of fall, Earth gives her wealth to man to keep; Then shuts her eyes in dreamy peace, Contentedly she waits for sleep.
November
By Gladys Hendrickson
rHE world is wrapped in fragrant folds Of shadowy chiffon, And on this golden harvest veil The duskiness of slender trees, Encrowned in leafy filigrees, November nights have drawn.
The leaves are heaped in golden mounds — In sculptured loveliness they lie; While from their depths the cobalt smoke Curls incense to a silver sky.
I Have Seen God
By Christie Lund
/HAVE seen God! I have seen him on the breast of hills, At twilight when the sunlight steals away Slowly as a mother from a sleeping child At the close of day.
I have seen him in the grace of lacy trees, Patiently swaying 'gainst a silver sky; And in the first bright gleam of evening
star Which speaks of peace and lifts our hopes up high.
I have seen him in a child's dream-washed
and gleaming eyes; And I have found him in a cool, dark
wood. But mostly I have seen him in the face of
those sweet souls Who have trod his ways and found them
good.
Indian Summer
By Helen Kimball Orgill T?ARTH'S at her loveliest, i—j Fold upon fold Distances gleaming Purple and gold.
Asters are paling, Fields rapture know ; Smoke wraiths are drifting, Maples aglow.
Ah, would I linger By purpling vine. There in the meadow Blue berries shine.
Hillsides are changing. Weaving bright dreams; Vision ethereal Shimmering gleams.
Dear is the knowing All things though wild. Join one glad chorus By you beguiled.
Joyous fulfilment Crowns all the days Indian Summer Parting of ways!
Phases
By Linda S. Fletcher
/SHOULD like to spend the moon, If I might! It's a coin of silver rare Through the mist of morning air — Price of joys beyond compare:
Fancy's flight! From the moon I'd like to quaff —
Golden bowl! Life's elixir it must hold! Ecstasy and joys untold Would before my eyes unfold- — -
Feed my soul.
I should like to wear the moon — -
Cap of lace! For its mist upon my hair Would bring dreams beyond compare; You would come to meet me there- — •
Face to face!
In the moon I'd like to sail —
Shallop bright ! Silken drapes to veil my dreams, While around soft splendor gleams. To you drifting, so it seems,
Through the night.
Still I'm glad you stay so high,
Sphere of light! There, you upward draw my eyes, Bid my thoughts from dust arise, Lure me on through endless skies
To delight!
Candles
By Grace Ingles Frost
TJ7HAT is more alluring in the dusk VV of night Than a waxen taper palpitant with light? Like the pulsing semaphores God has set
above, Candles are for dreaming — dreaming and
for love; That is why a candle's glow a heart throb- holds for me, When through a cottage window its wel- coming I see.
Glancing Through
Brief Summary of Magazine Articles5
| By
. ELSIE TALMAGE BRANDLEY
Catholic or Protestant/"^
Which will win the New Social Order?
By JAY FRANKLIN
(The Forum for Sept., 1931)
EVER since the end of the war, it has been obvious that both Catholic and Protestant church- es stand in need of rejuvenation. if tbey are to avoid the fate of all hu- man wall-flowers. In philosophical mood, quite different from its former political and theological hysterics, the church has set about to have its "face lifted," according to the prevailing fashion for aged ladies who feel that they can be made to appear younger and more modern, renewed and re- vitalized by means of deft surgery. While the modern spirit has not as yet got into the actual spiritual mission of these churches, it is easy to detect a sort of flapperish attitude on the part of both, in the hope that ecclesiastical cosmetics will popularize them.
The war all but wrecked organized Christianity, for four years of hatred and malice, greed, and violence prac- tically knocked the props out from un- der the church. Every sect was in the fray, eliminating each other and oth- ers of themselves with high explosives, for the best Christians proved to be the best patriots and the best fighters. Pulpits rang with denunciations of the foe, and the clergy did a land office business. When the war ended, there was an inevitable slump.
The Church of Rome was especial- ly hard hit, for the Pope had preserved the neutrality of the Vatican and had issued a strong appeal for peace in 1917, all to little avail; and the Cath- olic Church was plunged into a poli- tical struggle for survival. At the same time, the Protestant churches were making themselves conspicuous over dogmatic interpretations — fundamen- talists vs. modernists; people who be- lieved miracles to be unnecessary pitted against those who would believe that Jonah swallowed the whale if they were asked to. And shortly after the fray over science and religion, Com- munism struck a body blow at the church when Russia, solving many of the social problems which the church had felt should belong to her, ridi- culed religion into obscurity and dis-
repute, and insisted that it be quite unrelated to the program of daily liv- ing.1
Left to find other issues on which to base their claims, the churches have hit upon two phases of modern life which are always arresting — family re- lationships and money. The Catholics, denouncing divorce and birth control with all former vehemence and some new besides, have caused the Protest- ants to yield to the modern current and approve both, with full and sufficient reasons explained, the chief one being, according to the Presbyterians, that economic standards have changed and make it wrong to rear a family un- less proper conditions of living and education can be maintained.
The Pope's Encyclicals dealt with all the traditional social orders, and reaffirmed the position of the Church of Rome, and, in addition, dwelt in no uncertain terms upon such matters as the public school system, coeduca- tion, sex education and gymnastics for girls, all of which were roundly dis- approved. The Encyclical on mar- riage— the greatest dogmatic treatise of its kind ever compiled by a bachelor — enjoined the ready subjection of a wife and her willing obedience to her hus- band and it condemned romantic fic- tion, novels, movies and radio broad- casts as being productive of frivolous thoughts and feelings. He added that the emancipation of woman is the de- basing of womanly character, and fin-
:Used by permission of publishers.
ished with the decree that eugenics must be entirely disapproved. After this positive statement in regard to so- cial and religious matters, the Pope turned his attention to economics, al- luding to "universal financial and eco- nomic uneasiness" in his Christmas greetings to cardinals in 1930, and following in February, 1931, with his notable radio broadcast in which finan- cial matters held a prominent place. In May of the same year he issued his attack on the capitalistic economic sys- tem, vilifying alike the system and those responsible for it.
Catholicism uses every avenue for reaching the public eye and imagina- tion— -news reels, radio greetings to the whole world, and even the inaugura- tion of a series of monthly motor ser- vices, in which blessings were pro- nounced upon parked cars, holy water sprinkled on them, and the passengers in them sealed up against accident. The fact that the coach of the Notre Dame football team was a Catholic was never forgotten, and the death of Rockne was a distinct loss to the Catholic propaganda being used in America.
Post-war religion may jazz itself up to meet all needs and counteract all ills, but there will still be those who believe that the sole purpose of organized religion is to teach men how to live decently and to die gracefully. It requires something far more vital and fundamental than external beauty measures to restore eternal youth.
They're All Related
l High Intelligence, Long Life, Phys- ical Fitness) By CALVIN T. RYAN (Hygeia Magazine for Sept., 1931)
JOHN WESLEY, one of the earliest advocates of cleanliness for health wrote "Studious people should fre- quently bathe and frequently wash their feet," and for insuring long life he offered these suggestions: Take tar and water night and morning, or. de- coction of nettles; or be electrified daily or chew cinnamon.
Queer as his rules appear to us now, it must be remembered that they were strictly in harmony with the best medi- cal advice of his time; and it must be noticed that there is a definite sug- gestion of relationship between mind and body; good health and studious- ness. Failure to understand physical handi-
34
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
caps and the attendant Hstlessness and indifference toward study have caused many a teacher to misjudge a student. The advertisers are calling attention constantly to the fact that body odor and unpleasant breath bar one from social contacts, as one who possesses these cannot possibly possess also charm or social effectiveness. But they say nothing about the danger of the physical conditions which cause these troubles. The close relationship of the physical, mental and emotional is just beginning to be realized by par- ents and teachers, although there are many of both who have not yet grasp- ed the idea: and who as a natural con- sequence are failing to reach the child effectively. Dr. Ira S. Wile of the Mount Sinai Hospital told a group of teachers that due thought must be given the physical, intellectual, emo- tional and social life of children, in order to appreciate unity in health and regard it as the fusion of several phases of child nature.
In other words a child is composed of many parts, but each part acts up- on the rest, and no one power or ac- tivity should be stressed at the ex- pense of another. "We have not to build up a body nor a soul, but a hu- man being, and we cannot divide him," Montaigne said, but it has taken a long time for us, generally, to appre- ciate this. Now, however, one of the chief topics of interest among men and women in fields of medicine, hygiene and physical education is "oneness" of mind and body. When the Greeks strove for a sound mind and a strong body, they sought for more than they understood.
During the World War the adjutant general of the U. S. Army set forth some of the reasons why young men failed to pass at the officers' training camps. Slouchiness, or carelessness in processes of acting and thinking, he considered the most glaring cause of failure, and he laid the blame largely to faulty school training. The bear- ing of an officer and a gentleman, in the opinion of the adjutant general, apparently was the bearing of one who gets things done, quickly and well; who knows where he is going and how to get there.
Biologists and eugenists agree in their conclusions that intelligent peo- ple live longer and contribute more to civilization than do stupid, ignorant people, and their findings are borne out by the insurance companies who claim that college graduates have a lower mortality rate than that of the average male in the U. S., and that the mortality rate among honor men is even lower than that of the ordinary graduate. Athletes among the gradu- ates live longer than the average man of the country, proving to a certain degree that health goes with intellect- ual power; physical fitness with lead- ership. By educators, a number of studies have been made among students to show the relationship between good
health, physical fitness and intellectual ability, and between mental fitness and morality. Among 61 senior officers, their medical health record was as fol- lows:
A 40
B ... 13
C 3
Others 5
In other words, the well, strong student is the one likely to hold office.
Another thing which is being done in schools now is to discourage one having poor health from discussing it, "for superintendents do not like to employ teachers with poor health, and more and more they ask to see an ap- plicant's personality sheet rather than her grades." If a girl is incurably handicapped physically, she is advised to give up teaching as a profession, as she will always work under a double disadvantage.
It is impossible to gauge accurately the relationship between health and academic success, but records of some schools show that the leading students enjoy the best health.
"Every man is a rascal when he is sick," Dr. Samuel Johnson said, and he might have added, truthfully, "and every sick man is handicapped intel- lectually, morally, and socially," for a morbid body easily gives rise to a mor- bid mind, and the relationship works both ways. Interdependence of all parts of the human organism is well established, for the same blood stream sweeps through body and brain. A person is a unit — an integration of brain, body and emotional responses. Teaching must be given to a child as a whole, not to one part at a time. A child cannot be made a mere cog in the machinery of a machine age. In addition to teaching him to make a living, he must be taught to live while he is making it!
ThejEnglishman Himself^
By MARY BORDEN (Harper's Magazine for Sept., 1931)
"LJE makes a bad impression on strangers because he doesn't care what impression he makes; he is diffi- cult to know because he doesn't want to be known. His wants are few — and one of them is to be left alone; and yet he has learned to live com- fortably in a densely crowded space. With 35,000,000 people he lives on a bit of the map scarcely larger than
New York, and while this seems scarcely breathing room, he has man- aged to achieve a greater measure of individual liberty than any other man in Europe. He has studied the art of human relationship, and his genius lies in the conduct of human affairs, rather than in philosophy, art or science. He respects that queer animal — man — and belongs to the most politically and so- cially advanced people in the world. In other words, the Englishman is a highly civilized man. He has learned, among other things, the value of quiet and courtesy, and how to give way to others, which are the insignia of a civ- ilized man, as are tact, and a readiness to listen to another man's opinions. And so, in England, there seems to be room for everybody to live his own life and indulge his fancies and voice his opinions; and the country, while crowded, does not seem so, because of the parks, open spaces and play grounds.
Whatever you do in England, the courtesy of the crowd is extended to you — soldiers, nursemaids, coster- mongers, bank clerks, tradesmen, po- lice constables and society people all tolerate each other politely, and extend to one another and to strangers the courtesy of London. From a state of rude unfriendliness which I attributed to him when first visiting England, the Englishman has proven the exact op- posite, for I have come to know him better. I know the friendliness of his relations with others, particularly when others are women. He is the man who treats women as friends. He likes them better than does a French- man who is a love-maker, or than an American, who slaves for women and avoids their company as much as pos- sible.
He is lazy, and a master in the art of elimination, as he has to be, with so many things and people crowded in together. Together with tact, pa- tience, tolerance and good humor, the Englishman must develop a talent for ignoring what he does not want to notice.
He does not like surprises of any kind, quite contrary to the man of France to whom new people, new dishes, new forms of entertain- ment are very attractive. After a disastrous attempt to bring new peo- ple together in England, I gave it up, and asked them to meet only their old friends at my house. They are diffi- cult men, and hard to please, but I like my house to be full of them, even if they do object to the introduction of anything new. The truth is that they have so much of everything that they find it impossible to make room for anything new. There is no man on earth so surfeited with good things as the Englishman of the leisure class; there is no social system so elaborate in all the world. And why should a man who has so many good things (Continued on page 64)
Laying the r oundation
^ Good M
aimers
ii.
Who Owns the Earth?
EVERYONE will agree that the earth belongs to all the people that live upon it, — but no one seems to know just how this earth with its possessions is to be prop- erly distributed among the inhabitants thereof. At the moment our present civilization appears to have become de- moded and everywhere there are la- mentations and bewildering suggestions along lines of "economic balance."
But let us turn our attention to that smaller world — the home — which in a
By
Adah R. Naylor
way mirrors in miniature many of the problems of the big world outside. In recent years our complicated manner of living has brought about many chang- es within the home, — many of them have not been changes for the better. When scientific dis- coveries and inventions put the whole world on a neighborly footing, everything about us grew so suddenly interesting and get-at-able that we all at- tained a look of wide-eyed ex- pectancy, and an air of "what shall we do next." Pafher, mother, brother, sister have been so busy going places that many homes have been reduced to a few small rooms in an apartment house where the family eats oc- casionally and sleeps at night.
Isn't it possible that out of this so-called depression will come a saner outlook and that people in general will go back to a quiet mode of living^ The home then will once again be- come a place where we shall work and rest and play and find comfort and companionship and joy.
Who Owns the Home?
A/TOST of us will agree that the home belongs equally to all the people who live in it, but this isn't as simple as it may sound. When you stop to consider that life within the home must be arranged to permit the living together of individuals of all ages, the old and the young, the mature and the adolescent, and that each must have his share according to his needs, you realize that your home problem in a small way mirrors the problem of the world.
The Child in the Home
VI7HEN a child is born into a home,
that home belongs to him, in a
community sense. Because we love and
cherish that which belongs to us, the
child who is trained in the thought of ownership is less likely to injure or damage the home and its furnishings and as he grows older he will give more freely of himself and his belongings to beautify and improve it. Since he is to spend at least one-third of the life span — and the most important period of his whole existence, in his child- hood home, it is most necessary that he has the feeling of "belonging" — of conjoint ownership. The parent who takes the attitude of "you are under my roof" is storing up a lot of grief for himself and the growing child.
How We Build Our Homes
A/TOST homes are managed and con- ducted for adults. All houses are built for adults — rooms, windows, doors, furniture — of course we do con- cede a high chair and a small bed, but all else is huge beside the child, and at the age of 12 or 13 months when his appetite for knowledge sends him exploring he is forced to reach, pull and climb in order to see, touch and smell or taste. Too often his training is convenient for the grown- ups rather than for the good of the child.
Children are naturally destructive, but it must be remembered that de- structive and constructive impulses are close kin. A child's eagerness to see, to feel, to examine and take a part is an impulse which should be trained and not thwarted. The little boy who insisted that his name was "No, no Johnny" reflected a dumb mother.
Training the Child
npHE modern child is born into an intensively social world. He is immediately surrounded by family, friends and neighbors and if he is to be happy he must be trained to adapt himself to his surroundings. Some children have the faculty of adapting themselves readily to their environ ment, they early show a natural con sideration for others and acquire Ji
36
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
good manner easily. Others are less fortunate, often because of illness, or wrong feeding they become irritable and are unfriendly toward people, and training them in the graces of living is a difficult task.
There never can be a universal formula given for training children, since no two children come into the world under exactly the same con- ditions, and each child is born different from every other child, but training both in morals and manners must begin at birth as the emotional life is then simple and spontaneous and the trend of expression is easily directed.
Obedience
/^vNE of the first needs of the chiid *-^ is to be trained in regularity — later he must learn to obey. The question of obedience is a very serious one and too far-reaching to be dis- cussed here. It must suffice to say that in a young child absolute obedience must be required. Since he is not able to assume the responsibility of his own acts, his health and well- being depend upon his following the instructions of the parent. As the child grows older he must be allowed to develop his own judgment and act on it, and less and less obedience should be required.
Children and Play
HPHE adult world and the child world have little in common. The whole routine of home life holds little that is of interest to the child, and he is forced to create a world of his own; this he does through play. To be interesting, play must have continu- ity and an interruption in play is to the child a serious thing. I have a small niece who, when compelled to stop playing always pauses before she begins again and says, "Let me see, where was I at?"
The hurried mother will often com- mand the child to leave his play and go at once on an errand, and, irritated by her tone of voice and disturbed by the break in his play, he gives an impolite answer and trouble ensues. The mother who is considerate enough to say, "When you have finished what you are doing will you please go for me?" or "Can you go for me at once?" will receive a polite answer. How can we teach "good manners" unless we ourselves have them? Children are imitative little animals and in their behavior is mirrored the behavior of the people around them.
Are Children Persons?
XI 7"E seldom treat them as such. At
" the dinner table if an adult guest
upsets a glass of water, flooding the
surrounding area, confusion and apol- ogies follow. "It doesn't matter," says mother, "the cloth isn't injured, accidents happen to everybody," etc. And everthing is said and done, that can be said and done to put the guest at ease. A few days later when the family are dining alone, small Mary upsets her glass of water, and is round- ly scolded. Says mother: "You're a bad, careless girl to have ruined the lovely fresh cloth and caused mother so much trouble," and yet we know that children are particularly sensitive to praise or blame. Are children per- sons? Let us treat them as such.
Our Table Manners
TT is said that animals feed — un- civilized people eat — persons of re- finement and culture dine. Be that as it may, all of us consume food daily, and the manner in which we do it, adds to, or detracts from the physical pleasure to be derived from eating. Much of our social life centers around the "festive board" and a knowledge of correct table manners gives us an ease and a poise that adds much to our pleasure. Then, too, our table eti- quette is usually regarded by strangers as an index of our breeding, so I should say that knowing how to eat nicely is of great importance.
Training the Child to Eat Correctly
T EARNING to eat is a difficult task, and the mother must give thought, time and patience to the small child who is struggling] to feed himself. Good manners are not things that can be put on with our party clothes — they must be inbred in us — so the time to learn correct table manners is when we first learn to eat.
The first lessons should be given
Note: A more extensive discussion of this subject may be found in "The Right Thing at All Times," published by Gen. Boards of M. I. A.
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away from the family table so that the mother can devote all her time to the task. At first the child is given a short-handled baby spoon which he can clutch tightly. In the beginning the spoon will go into his mouth end first, but later when he is better able to guide his hand he can eat from the side. He must be trained to take a small amount in the spoon, dipping outward, not towards him. No one can convey a brimming spoonful of liquid food to the mouth without spilling it and a heaping spoonful of semi-solids, besides looking greedy, is too much to be taken into the mouth at once.
When he begins eating solid foods he may be given a "pusher" which he holds in his left hand and which aids him in getting his food into the bowl of the spoon.
When he drinks he holds the mug or glass with both hands until the right hand is strong enough to manage it alone. Bread and butter is given him in small bits. He must be trained to chew slowly, keeping the mouth closed, and not to spill or smear. One of the most pernicious habits known is that of giving the small child a large piece of bread spread with jam and allowing him to bite into it, smearing himself from ear to ear.
As the training progresses the baby spoon and pusher are discarded for the fork, spoon and knife. The bib is removed, a napkin is given him and he takes his place at the table where he must sit quietly and eat neatly. He holds the fork in his right hand, much the same way that he holds a pencil, and the food is taken up to the mouth on the upturned prongs. The spoon is held in the right hand, and when not in use is placed on the plate or saucer beside the cup.
The knife is used very little, only for cutting those things that cannot be broken with the edge of the fork. When he has cut the food the best method to follow is that of laying the knife on the plate, and transferring the fork to the right hand to bring the food to the mouth. This Ameri- can manner of eating is frowned on by Europeans and called "zigzag" eat- ing. The foreigner after cutting the food as we do with knife in right hand and fork in left carries the food to his mouth with the fork still held in his left hand. This is easier and more graceful for the grown-up, but two implements are difficult for a child to manage at one time, and he will get on better with the one-handed method.
There are many things to be learned, aside from the mere mechanics of eating.
A child should stand at his place at the table until his mother and the (Continued on page 64)
Beauty In The Wome
cp
II
ROPORTION
A BEAUTIFUL home, whether modestly or elaborately furn- ished, is never created through hit or miss buying of rugs, wall paper, furniture, draperies and accessories, but is the result of careful buying, good taste being the chief requisite. Good taste need not imply a full pocket- book, but rather the application of the fundamental principles of art of which proportion plays a very important role in the selection of everything that goes into the home.
An appreciation of proportion en- ables one to distinguish the excellent from the mediocre, and to select un- hesitatingly from a dozen chairs the one which will possess the attributes of beauty no matter how old it may become.
How shall we define proportion? There are many definitions which are correct. One of the simplest is — <
No matter how battered its surface may become, this chest will have dignity, for it is built with a fine under- standing of proportion.
'Proportion is the Law of Relation- ship."
By
LUTIE H. FRYER
Professor of Home Economics University of Utah
This old colonial chest will always lay claim to beauty.
Every time two or more things are put together, proportions are estab- lished which are either interesting or uninteresting. Some people almost in- stinctively make combinations of things which please the eye, but the majority of people have to acquire this ability. The simplest and safest meth- od of acquiring an appreciation for good proportions is to adopt some standard that we can use as a measur- ing stick when we wish to judge from an aesthetic standpoint.
Ideal Proportions
nPHE ancient Greeks, after years of study, exhibited good spacing in everything they made. The basis for their space division was that of an oblong. It is sometimes called "The
Golden Oblong," and it is recognized even today as a standard for fine space relationship. The measurements of the Greek oblong were approximately two units on the short side and three on the long side. It is more beautiful than a square because the equal meas- urements of a square are too obvious to be interesting.
While it is impossible for us to say that only certain proportions are good, we do recognize that we are better
Uninteresting proportion accounts for the lack of beauty in this piece of furni- ture.
pleased with proportions which ap- proach those which the Greeks loved to use than with those which are too far away from them.
Look at the three rectangles in the diagram. In the first rec- tangle the height is exactly twice the
38
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
width, a proportion which is apparent at a glance and hence not interesting. The second rectangle is so narrow in proportion to its height that we feel that there is no relation between the two dimensions. In the third rectangle, the relation is sufficiently close for us to be able to compare them, and suf- ficiently different so that we do not see at a glance what this relationship is.
T
HE marvelous artist-scientist Leon- ardo Da Vinci, after making a care-
These diagrams show three rec- tangular spaces; the first is uninter- esting; the second has no relation between its dimensions; the third is pleasing because the proportions are not obvious.
ful study of the Greek proportions formulated this ideal relationship thus: "Two areas or lines are more interest- ing and comparable when one of them is between one-half and two-thirds the area or length of the other."
We do not have to look far to find concrete examples of beauty in propor- tion or lack of it in the average home. A bath room or kitchen that has the
«i:
This kitchen chair has unin- teresting, monotonous space divisions. It is commonplace.
lower part of the wall finished in oil- cloth or tile is far more beautiful if good proportions are used. Instead of covering the lower third or half of the wall with oil-cloth or tile, it should extend somewhere between the, lower third and half the height of the wall, or extend up somewhere between the half way line and two-thirds the height of the wall.
Proportion in furniture is an im- portant element. One piece of furni- ture may be uninteresting and ugly because the manufacturer had no knowledge of proportions while an- other piece will lay claim to dignity and beauty for it was built with a fine understanding of proportion.
Scale
TN addition to learning how to cre- ate beautiful space relationship, there is a sub-division of the subject of proportion which we must con- sider as well. This is known as scale, and is very important for every home maker. Scale refers to the relative sizes of objects. It is not hard to find many violations of good taste in scale. Too often a room twelve feet by sixteen or even smaller contains a large three- piece over-stuffed set which should have been used in a room twice that size. If large pieces of furniture must be used in a small room, there should be the fewest possible number of them, upholstered in an inconspicuous color and pattern. Some people have the mistaken idea that furniture, to be comfortable, must be large. This false idea has led people who live in average- sized rooms to crowd them with large bulky pieces. If they knew that com- fort is more a matter of construction of furniture than of its size, and that equal comfort can be obtained with smaller pieces, our small home." and apartment houses would show much better scale, and hence would be far more attractive.
Sometimes we see a lamp used in a living room which would look well in the lobby of a hotel. The design in the wall paper, the rug, the draperies and the upholstery are often far too large for the room. Good scale re- quires that the patterns used in the room, the furniture and accessories should be in good proportion, or suit- able to the size of the room.
Correcting Faulty Proportions
/^\FTEN the problem confronting ^^^ the home maker is not one of buying new articles which represent good proportion but of correcting the poor proportions of what she already has. It may be the room itself. It may be square and box-like, or long
and narrow, either of which, we have- learned, is not very interesting. A good proportion for a room is found in the relation of 3:5. The ceiling may be too low. A knowledge of the
This kitchen chair is made interesting by means of varied space relations.
laws of proportion may help to cor- rect these faults.
A room apparently may be short- ened by placing rugs horizontally across the room and through the plac-
This is a distinctive kitchen chair.
The Improvement Era for November, 1931
39
ing of important groups' of furniture against the wall at the central axis. Spots of bright color at the farther ends of the room will decrease its ap- parent length because bright colors are advancing colors and tend to bring nearer that portion of the room where they are used. Too much pattern tends to decrease the apparent size of a room, for large patterns need space to be ef- fective. Light colors will increase the apparent size while dark colors seem to decrease the size of a room. We must not overlook the trick of using mirrors and the endless vistas they open to us. Their ability to give a sense of spaciousness simply cannot be slighted, and while one mirror at least is a necessity to every small room, many times two may be used with a double effectiveness without over-do- ing it. The use of carpet instead of a rug accentuates the long unbroken lines and spaces of the floor as well as the wall and hence appears to in- crease the size of the room. The carpet, like the wall paper, should be plain or have an almost inconspicuous pattern.
The room which is too low may have panels or a suggestion of stripes in the paper, while a room with a ceiling color brought part way down on the wall will appear lower than the one where the wall paper goes to the ceiling. Windows which are too short should have long, narrow draperies of vertical stripes with no valance; a deep valance reduces the apparent height of a window; the chair which is too low and squatty may have a narrow vertically striped cover as wide stripes have the tendency to carry the eye across rather than up and down. Heavy fabrics with a pile weave such
as velours and heavy velvets when used for upholstering and draperies have a tendency to make a room appear small- er, while plain or brocaded silks with small patterns cause a room to appear larger.
Many additional applications of the principle of proportion could be enu- merated but all that is necessary for the solution of such problems is the knowledge that:
1 . Proportion deals with the rela- tion of the parts of an object to each other, the relation of objects to each other, and to the whole.
2. A good standard which can be used as a measuring stick to judge good proportion is the law of Leonardo Da Vinci: Two areas or lines are inter- esting and comparable when one of them is between one-half and two- thirds the area or length of the other.
3. Scale refers to the relative size of objects; furniture, lamps and other decorations should be in scale with the room.
4. It is possible to correct poor pro- portions of a room by various optical illusions, such as the use of vertical lines in a low room, horizontal lines in the high room, extending the ceil- ing on to the walls, the use of light colors and mirrors, etc.
The simplest as well as the more elaborate home will gain interest through the use of good proportions.
Objective Test
npHIS test is given in the form of true and false statements. If you think the statement is true draw a cir- cle around the T, if you think it is false draw a circle around the F.
1 . T. F. A scarf twenty-four inches wide and forty-eight inches long would present interesting propor- tion.
2. T. F. A bureau with three drawers equally spaced is more at- tractive than one with the drawers in graduated proportions.
3. T. F.' A large over-stuffed sofa is out of scale in a small living room.
4. T. F. A wide valance will in- crease the apparent height of a win- dow.
5. T. F. Light colors make a room appear smaller.
6. T. F. Vertical lines in window draperies and furniture will help to create an impression of height.
7. T. F. If one is unfortunate enough to have too large furniture for the size of the room, it should be up- holstered in a large pattern of bright colors.
8. T. F. A tiny polka dot in wall paper in a large room is an example of poor scale.
9. T. F. Space relationships which are not understood at a glance are apt to be more pleasing than those which are too easily perceived.
10. T. F. A room 15 feet wide and 25 feet long is a well proportioned room.
Answers to October Test:
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. No
8. No
9. Yes
10. Yes
11. Yes
12. Yes
13. Yes
14. No
15. Yes
*>-
«)<K*e!§Voi*
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^President Anthony JV. Ivins
ilization and these were the im- pressionable years of his life. As a rancher and frontiersman he knows the meaning of hard service and plain fare. For long periods he has slept on his blankets under the quiet stars, drunk the brackish water of stagnant pools, ground in his teeth the bitter alkali from the dust of the trail and the desert, and through it all has developed the fine instincts of a gentleman and a scholar.
There are no evidences of his rough surroundings in his appear- ance or personality — he has gath- ered from those experiences the manly and heroic virtues which underlie sound character and which are so admirably built into the structure of his own life.
This many-sided man, educated
on the plains and in the wilder- ness, is at ease presiding over the Board of Trustees of a college, speaking before a great conference in the Tabernacle, deliberating with the most astute financiers and business men in banking and mer- cantile directorates, debating na- tional issues with jurists and statesmen, or sitting in the highest councils of his Church passing up- on deep questions of doctrine and policy and we think he could still shoe a horse without much trouble and make a good job of it. This is the miracle of his life; but when you know the man there is nothing miraculous about it.
HpHE path which has led to the
summit of his achievements is
not only a long and devious one
Continued from page 8
but in many places a rugged one. Few men indeed have pursued a harder one and fewer still have emerged from such surroundings with so much that is really fine and admirable. One explanation of it all is the fact that always and everywhere he has steadfastly maintained the standards and cher- ished the ideals of the great Church to which he belongs, and has pru- dently and industriously cultivated the great powers of his heart and his mind.
To modernize the tense of Mark Antony's words over the mortal remains of Brutus:
"His life is gentle: and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might
stand up And say to all the world, 'This is a man.'
CHURCH MUSIC COMMITTEE
Some Suggestions in Learning Polyphonic Music
ALL music may be classified un- der two general divisions — in fact, everything that has been composed is of one type or the other. Musicians call music either mono- phonic or polyphonic. The terms will be easily understood if they are taken apart and the roots from which they are composed defined. "Phonic" has to do with sound, and in these words means "voice," or relates to a melody that would be sung by one part, or voice. Monophonic (or commonly called homophonic) music is made up of one melody, accompanied by chords, or unaccompanied, as the case may be. Polyphonic music means, as will be seen by the division of the words into its constituent parts, "many- voiced" music, or composition which is made up of more than one melody progress- ing at the same time. This does not mean a song, for instance, that may consist of several parts, each one of which is a new melody. It is rather a composition made up of one princi- pal melody and one or more second- ary melodies, which must all be sung by each voice employed in the composi- tion. They are woven together so skilfully that the whole thing is most pleasing to the ear.
The principal melody is called in technical term "cantus firmus," mean- ing "fixed melody," because it is against this melody for the most part that the secondary melodies are writ- ten. In the evolution of music term- inology we find that our technical terms, coming mostly from Latin and Greek, are self-explanatory. In the early days a note was called a point (original, punctus) , and the practice of writing one melody against an- other, or literally, note against note, came to be termed counterpoint (counter-against: point-note), from the original Latin "punctus contra punctum." Later the secondary melo- dies became known as "counterpoints," "first counterpoint," "second counter- point," etc.
The student must not expect the melodies in polyphony to be as com- plete and lengthy as the melodies in monophony. Because of the complex laws of writing in polyphony the melodies are made quite short and pungent, so that they are easily recog- nized and manipulated in the process of composition. Nevertheless they are to be considered as melodies and it is out of these melodies, both as a whole
and from fragments of them, that poly- phonic compositions are made. A mod- ern theorist has defined counterpoint as the art of combining melodies, and this definition offers the key to the proper appreciation of polyphonic mu- sic. Also, the student must not imag- ine that a counter melody such as an alto part to a soprano melody is poly- phony. In this case the alto can be accounted for by harmony, and is not comparable to the use of another melody sung against the cantus firmus of a polyphonic composition.
Any folk song is a good example of monophony, for instance, "Annie Laurie." Here there is only one melody and it is accompanied not by other melodies, but by chords. This fact will be clear if the student will try singing the other parts — the accom- paniment. Even if it be arranged for four parts it will be seen that all parts except the melody are quite mono- tonous and have none of the individ- ual characteristics that are found in a well-defined melody. It is not the purpose here to attempt any lengthy description of the construction of a polyphonic composition, because it is a complex, comprehensive science — in fact this type of music is the highest kind of intellectual accomplishment, because it would be futile to attempt more than to explain such general things about polyphony as will make the suggestions given later clear and helpful to the chorister. The best ap- proach to a composition in polyphony, without being truly such a composi- tion, is the ordinary "round" which all have sung in community singing. If the student will go over this song in his mind he will have somewhat of an idea of how the whole is produced by all parts contributing melody.
As material through which to make the suggestions about learning poly-
Evening Star
A FAINT glimmer in the western sky; A fainter sound, of fading melody. A sweet voice whispers within Tender memories. A silver-tipped cloud Now hides that little lamp — ■ The Evening Star — And memory fades.
— H. Edwin Bridge.
phonic music we shall take a compo- sition that is known and studied ev- erywhere, the "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah," which the student is asked to turn to as he reads from this point on. The first twenty- one measures offer no difficulty that is not encountered in any piece of sim- ilar music built out of chords. But at measure seventeen on the words "for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth" begins a musical phrase which is used in all parts. It should be learned by every part so that it is recognized whenever it appears. Likewise the short phrases on the word "hallelujah" occur in every part repeatedly, and should be learned in all parts at once. The recurrence of these melodies does not occur in the same key all the time — this should be noted and drawn to the singers' attention. Illustrate what it means to transpose a melody by hav- ing the group sing any well-known tune in several different keys in suc- cession. They will soon see that a melody or phrase can be sung in any key.
Beginning at measure twenty-two and continuing to measure thirty-two the entire music is made up of these two melodies that have been mention- ed. The next eight measures are like a hymn, so they offer no difficulty. Be- ginning now at measure forty-one we have the most powerful melody in the composition. It should be learned right at first by all parts, singing it in various keys so as to accommodate the range of the different voices. It will be noted that every time a voice sings the words "and He shall reign for ever and ever" they are given to this melody. If the singers will remember this it will greatly simplify the learn- ing of this kind of music. This melody in this particular part is solid and sub- stantial, and around this the other voices sing shorter and less important phrases. Let the singers be drilled now on the phrases that say "forever" and "hallelujah" and the singers will soon see that by learning the melodies, great- er and lesser in importance, they have mastered the melodic content of the whole composition and now all that remains is to put the whole together. Certainly this is more simple than to try to read each individual note irre- spective of its relationship to another. It will also be seen how really simple the component elements of a really great piece of music are.
IPIRII ESTHOOD QUORUMS-
Ail Melchizedek Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Council of the Twelve; X""^V _^ and all Aaronic Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. ^<"— v
^\NCE there was a Chinese. His name was Confucius. He lived a long time ago, centuries before' Christ.
He was not a great reader, for there were not many written records in his day. But he thought and medi- tated a great deal, and set down his thoughts in a book, which we may read today.
The result of his thinking was a philosophy of life. Now, a philosophy of life is something everyone has; only he does not always know it. The rules by which you play the game of life, as some people say, — that is your philosophy of life.
Chain Influence
Well, Confucius had a philosophy of life. He did not call it by that name, but that is what it was never- theless. One of the things, for in- stance, in this philosophy was that what you don't want others to do to you, you should not do to them. In essence it is the same as the Golden Rule, as announced by Jesus, but put backwards, so to speak.
Naturally the Chinese sage felt as if he ought to let other people know the things that had made him so happy. That is the way of the human mind, it seems, in every age. But he went about the matter of making his ideas known in a very strange man- ner.
Choosing one of his closest friends, he told him his ideas on life. His friend believed.
"Now," said Confucius, "since you believe my doctrine, let us both go out and convert two more, one each."
And this was agreed to.
When two others believed, there were now four persons who were con- verts to the new faith. These four, like the two, went out and got four more to believe. Then there were eight.
This thing was kept up, we are told, till millions of people accepted the philosophy of life promulgated by the great Chinese.
Are You a Leader or a Follower?
A LL told, there are in the Church about seventy-five thousand dea- cons, teachers, and priests. You are a member of this large army, if you are a member of one of these quorums.
These boys and young men are the leaders of the future. The burden of the work of the Church will rest on their shoulders. At home and abroad they will teach, preach and baptize.
In nine cases out of ten the man who leads was once a boy who led. As men look up to him for leadership today, so boys looked up to him for leadership years ago. No man ever developed leadership all of a sudden. The opportunity may come in a mo-
ment, but leadership was ready to take advantage of the opportunity. All the time the leader was practicing leader- ship.
Now, a leader, whether boy or man, always has the same qualities.
First of all, he must know. No one with any sense ever follows an ignoramus. Then, he must see clearly. Lincoln never did anything of great moment without seeing his way through to the end. Next, he must have courage. Fear never gets any one anywhere — unless it is the "fear" of God. Knowledge, vision, courage — these are the key to leadership. Of course, these imply, in the long run,
the element of moral character. Moral worth is the greatest replenisher of strength.
Suppose, now, a deacon, a teacher, and a priest in every ward or, at least, in every stake should do like Con- fucius— first, make up his mind on something he believes ought to be thought or done among those of his own group, whether or not they be- long to the Priesthood, and then endeavor to convince one of them after another that his idea of service among boys and young men is right.
There would be a power that would move the earth.
The Ordained Teacher
TN the Thirty-third ward, in Salt Lake City, the ordained teacher takes his place in the great organiza- tion of the Church by actually going out block-teaching. No doubt, he does so in other wards, too, but in this particular ward, he is meeting with unusual success.
Once a month he goes out on his block. Sometimes he goes with an older man, often called a "teacher" merely, without the adjective "or- dained" before it. But often he goes out with another ordained teacher as his companion.
But before he goes he prepares on the subject that has been chosen for the month; for the Liberty stake, in which this ward is, selects a theme for each month, to serve as a subject
of conversation — a thing that is rather common nowadays.
Often the teacher is a high school student, and, as such, is able to