VOLUME 40

Improvement

ERA

FEBRUARY, 1937

"THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH"

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS, DEPART- MENT OF EDUCATION, MUSIC COMMITTEE, WARD TEACHERS, AND OTHER AGENCIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

'The Glory of God is Intelligence'

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(church QJeatures

A Page From the Life of a Busy Man Willard Smith 67

Changes in Priesthood'Sunday School Organization

Rudger Clawson 68

The Willing Worker and the Needy Worker

Mark Austin 70

Reed Smoot at Seventy-five 69

Alonzo A, Hinckley James H. Wallis 76

How Lorenzo Snow Found God LeRoi C, Snow 82

The Missionary for Me Don B. Colton 89

Broadcasting with the Millennial Chorus

Robert S» Stevens 92

The Story of Our Hymns George D. Pyper 100

From Tropical North Australia Thomas D. Rees 110

Los Angeles Stake Challenge, George A. Baker, 75; Church Moves On, 98; Journal of Archer Walters, 112; Priesthood: Melchizedek, 68; Aaronic, 113; Ward Teaching, 115; Mu- tual Messages: Executive, 116; Adult, 116; Senior, 117; M Men, 117; Gleaner, 117; M Men-Gleaners, 118; Juniors, 119; Bee Hive, 119.

Spectal cfe

special Q/eatures

Is the United States a Christian Nation

Robert Murray Stewart

Abraham Lincoln Daniel Harrington

Susan B. Anthony — Her Personality and Friendships

Annie Wells Cannon

Nations that Need the Gospel Arthur Gaeth 102

Reindeer Trek C. Frank Steele 106

Susan B. Anthony Honored Mary F. Kelly Pye 110

Exploring the Universe, Franklin S. Harris, Jr., 95; On the Book Rack, 108; Homing, 109; Ten Best Moving Pictures of 1936, 120; Your Page and Ours, 128; Index to Advertis- ers, 122.

72 80

ibdttortais

Alonzo A. Hinckley John A. Widtsoe

February's Lesson John A. Widtsoe

A Christian Nation Richard L. Evans

"We Build for a Business That Knows No Completion".. Marba C, Josephson

Qjtctton, croetry, Lsfosswom Lruzzle

I Think I Am — A True Short Short Story

Harrison R. Merrill

The Outlaw of Navajo Mountain Albert R. Lyman

Six Diamonds and An Opal Nancy Cattell Hartford

Frontispiece, Statue of Liberty, 66; Poetry Page, 99; Scrip- tural Crossword Puzzle, 111.

96 96 96

71 79

cJne Ci

over

This striking February subject photographed in Washington, D. C. by Lionel Green, shows the Washington Monument and the dome of the nation's capitol as seen through the columns of the Lincoln Memorial — symbols of freedom, high purpose, and uncompromising principle reproduced together in the birth month of two of America's greatest patriots.

Heber J. Grant, John A. Widtsoe,

Editors Richard L. Evans,

Managing Editor Marba C. Josephson,

Associate Editor George Q. Morris, General Mgr. Clarissa A. Beesley, Associate Mgr. J. K. Orton, Business Mgr.

DO YOU KNOW?-

Who are the two women who have been honored by having their photographs reproduced o n United States postage stamps? Page 110

What is the new approved plan for the Sunday morning meetings of the Priesthood Quorums and Sunday Schools? Page 68

What Mormon missionary group is being paid to present radio pro- grams on some of Europe's largest and most influential sta- tions? Page 92

What is the legal standing of Chris- tianity in the United States? Page 72

What the Book of Mormon says concerning the freedom of America? Page 66

What the Associated Press says concerning Reed Smoot's life's philosophy and service to Church and nation on his Seventy-fifth birthday anniversary? Page 69

What the President of the Eastern States Mission has to say con- cerning missionaries whose prime motive is self-development rather than service? Page 89

Who is the new President of the Northwestern States Mission? Page 98

What unusual incident led William Cowper to write "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"? Page 100

What major European nations have no Mormon missionaries?_.Page 102

Which are adjudged to be the ten best motion pictures of 1936? Page 120

What Church women were active in the woman suffrage movement? Page 86

EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL

OFFICES: SO North Main Street, Salt Lake

City, Utah

Copyright 1937, by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Cdrporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All rights reserved. Subscription price, $s.oo a year, in advance; 20c Single Copy.

Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage pro- vided for in section 1103, Act of October, 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.

The Improvement Era is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, but welcomes contributions.

A MAGAZINE FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

jJJUJjnlfUfjiB is a'rijoir? lanb, an& uiljatBomr nation stjall possess if sfjall br fm from bond- age, ani> from rapttuttij, and from all o%r nations nnfor flatten, if %g mill bnt s? rtu> tfj? (Soft of ttj? lanfc, tuljo ts Spans (Eljriat ..."

— lE%r 2:1 2, Sank nf IWormmt

Photo by Mario Scacheri.

A PAGE

FROM THE LIFE OF A

BUSY MAN

killing pace for a young man but the president of the

Church thrives on it at eighty.

Past eighty years of age, Pres- ident Heber J. Grant, notably out-works, out-travels, and out-serves younger associates, not excepting even those of early man- hood. Frequent letters dictated by the President carry with them such comment as "it is now 4 a. m. and I have been dictating two hours," or other similar indicators of vigorous toil, early and late. And mission presidents, and even young mis- sionaries have often been heard to express their need for rest when the President concludes his visits, be- cause of their inability to "travel his pace."

A few weeks ago, Willard R. Smith, Cashier of Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company, and a member of Ensign Stake High Council, accompanied President Grant on a trip, the activities of which he recorded in a letter to the President. This letter was brought to our attention by its writer, and because of the unusual and intensive activity it records on the part of a man in his eightieth year, we asked for permission to publish it, which permission being granted, we here do so in part:

Dear President:

I had the keen pleasure this last week- end of accompanying you to some of our southern cities, and with the thought only of prolonging your life, I hope you will not be offended by my reviewing your activities.

On Saturday, as you know, I met you in front of the News Building on Rich- ards Street in the Lincoln Zephyr, imme- diately after you pressed the button set- ting the Deseret News press in motion, at a little after 3:30 p.m., September 12. Your night bag was in the car, and without re- turning home, we commenced the journey. We arrived in Nephi . about 5:30 p.m., and drove to the home of George O. Ostler. We spent about a half hour talk- ing to Mrs. Ostler regarding the ranch and other matters, and left there about 6 o'clock p. m. for Richfield, and arrived at the home of Eugene W. Poulson, Pres-

ident of the Sevier Stake at about 7:35 p. m. We immediately sat down to a splendid dinner prepared by Sister Poul- son, and thereafter engaged in conversa- tion until a little after 10 o'clock, when we retired to bed.

You had very little sleep during the night, were up three or four times, and finally arose about 7 o'clock and had breakfast around 8 o'clock. We there- after immediately left with Brother Poul- son for Sevier. We arrived at Sevier about a quarter to ten and were shown through the new chapel by Bishop James Levie and President Ware of the South Sevier Stake. The meeting convened at 10 o'clock, and after listening to the pro- gram you spoke for about an hour and ten minutes, and thereafter dedicated the meet" inghouse.

During your talk you suggested that I remind you when you returned home, to send to the bishop for distribution in the ward, copies of your saying: "That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased." The bishop's name and address are: James Levie, Sevier Ward, South Sevier Stake, Sevier, Sevier County, Utah.

We left the meetinghouse at about twenty minutes to twelve, and immediately drove back to Richfield, where luncheon already awaited us. We scarcely had time to finish eating, and left for the Se- vier Tabernacle at five minutes to one. The program was then conducted, and you spoke again for approximately an hour and then dedicated the tabernacle. We left the tabernacle immediately for the seminary where a program was again con- ducted, and you spoke for about a half hour, and then dedicated the seminary. We immediately left for Brother Poulson's, and without eating you were provided with a bag of grapes, peaches, and pears, and with Brother and Sister Young accom- panying us, we left for Manti where we arrived at about fifteen minutes to six. We then went to the stake house where after some little conversation with the bishop and others, you set apart a new bishop and counselors (I do not have their names ) . We left Manti about ten min- utes after six, and arrived at the meeting- house in Nephi at about fifteen minutes after seven, where, without anything fur- ther to eat, we listened to the M. I. A. Conference program, and you spoke for approximately half an hour.

We then went to the home of Brother Belliston and remained up until about ten o'clock, when you retired, and the next morning advised me you had slept for about six and one-half hours.

PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT

You arose about twenty minutes to five the next morning, Monday, September 14, and after you had read for some time, Broth- er and Sister Belliston arose and breakfast was prepared and eaten. We were through about 8 o'clock. We left around 8:30 with Brother George Ostler and Brother Grace for the ranch. After driving over the ranch and partly around it, we returned to the home of Brother Grace, arriving there about fifteen minutes to eleven. We there discussed the value of the ranch, etc.

We then left for home, accompanied by Brother Grace and his two daughters, and arrived in Salt Lake City about 1:30 p. m., and immediately went to the Lion House for dinner. You went back to work and stayed at the office until about 7:30, and I went home to bed.

I am writing this letter so that you may be made aware of your activities during this journey, and in the hopes that it may warn you against similar strains, which I presume are common with you on most of your trips.

When I consider my youth, compared with your age, and that I was worn out afterwards, it is very apparent that you must receive special Providential strength. It is written that we shall not tempt the Lord, thy God, and to me you are really tempting Providence with such strains on your vitality.

I sincerely hope you will be a little more careful of your strength, and not put such strains upon yourself.

(Signed)

WILLARD.

Elapsed time — approximately forty-six hours from Salt Lake City, back to Salt Lake City again! — a killing pace for a young man, but the President of the Church thrives on it at eighty.

NEW PRIESTHOOD-SUNDAY

SCHOOL PLAN ANNOUNCED

To the Presidents of Stakes Dear Brethren:

Difficulties and some confu- sion have been reported from several stakes arising out of the administration of the present plan of holding Priesthood activity meetings following Sunday School classes during the Sunday School hour. To obviate these difficulties and to stimulate the work of the Priesthood quorums it has been de- cided by the Council of the Twelve, with the approval of the First Presi- dency and the concurrence of the First Council of the Seventy, and after consultation with the General Sunday School Superintendency, to submit to the stakes the following proposed changes in the procedure of Sunday morning:

Monthly Quorum Meetings

Monthly quorum meetings of the Melchizedek Priesthood may be held during the Sunday School hour, following the opening exer- cises of singing, prayer, singing, and the administration of the Sacrament, — on the last Sunday of each month. These meetings may be continued until the adjournment of the Sun- day School, thus providing a period of approximately \1/^ hours within which to transact quorum business and carry forward a program of study and other quorum activities as may be provided, — the course of study to be pursued will be the Gos- pel Doctrine lesson for the day on which the quorum meeting is held, it being understood, however, that regular quorum business shall take precedence over all other matters. Quorum officers will preside and quorums may adjourn without re- turning to the general assembly of the Sunday School. It will be well, however, to arrange for adjourn- ment of quorum meetings at the same time as the adjournment of Sunday School, preferably at the sound of the bell, in order that con- fusion may be avoided.

In wards where complete quo- rums of Elders and Seventies are maintained no problem of transpor- tation of quorum members to central places will be involved but in the <68

ftflELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD DEPARTMENT, CON- DUCTED by the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee of the Council of the Twelve — Edited by Joseph Fielding Smith, Chairman.

case of High Priests and where members of a Seventies' or an El- ders' quorum reside in several wards, it will become necessary for such members to choose one of the several wards in which they reside as the place for their monthly quo- rum meeting. In such cases it is recommended that the monthly quo- rum meetings be distributed among the wards of the stake, that is, a High Priests' quorum meeting in one ward, a Seventies' quorum meeting in another ward, and an Elders' quorum meeting in another ward in such manner as to provide, if practicable, that there shall be a quorum of Melchizedek Priesthood meeting in each ward of the stake on each last Sunday. This will not leave any ward without some of the Higher Priesthood in attendance.

Where the High Priests or other quorums of Melchizedek Priesthood desire to continue monthly quorum meetings already established at a time other than during the Sunday School hour, groups of these quo- rums residing in the several wards will hold group meetings during the same period that is allotted to the quorums of Seventies and Elders.

Priesthood Class Work

Members of the Melchizedek Priesthood on each Sunday of the month, excepting only the last Sun- day, will participate in the Sunday School Gospel Doctrine classes for which a period of about one hour and five minutes will be hereafter provided. It is believed that with the extension of the class period and the provision made for at least a limited consideration of the Gospel Doctrine lessons during the monthly quorum meeting, the class work of the Priesthood will receive substan- tially more time and attention than it has received heretofore.

Weekly Assignment and Checking

For the purpose of enabling the Priesthood quorum officers to make their assignments and check the ac- tivities of members and committees,

it is allowable for quorum presi- dencies and committee chairmen to use a few minutes if necessary at the beginning of each Gospel Doc- trine class.

Women and Girls

The General Sunday School Board will provide on the last Sun- day of each month, during the time that quorum meetings are held, a suitable program for the women.

Aaronic Priesthood

Arrangements have been made with the Presiding Bishopric to hold the Priesthood activity meeting of the Lesser Priesthood for a full 25- minute period preceding the class work of the Sunday School instead of following the class work as at present provided.

The brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood will also convene in a monthly meeting on the last Sunday of each month at the same hour when the brethren of the Melchize- dek Priesthood are meeting, at which they may transact quorum business, attend to such matters as will properly come before them, it being understood that the courses of study to be pursued in the time remaining should be the Sunday School courses for the Aaronic Priesthood quorums.

Detailed Program of Exercises

The General Sunday School Su- perintendency will send a letter to all Stake Superintendencies advis- ing of the changes herein mentioned and giving specific directions with reference to the adjustment of the Sunday School program. It is hoped that you will confer with the stake Sunday School superintendent and see that the arrangements are per- fected. It is expected that the new plan will become operative as soon as possible.

Advantages

It is hoped that the adoption of the foregoing plan will solve a num- ber of problems that are now

New Priesthood-Sunday School Plan Announced

found to exist in various parts of the Church and be helpful in the following respects:

First — It will provide a more convenient hour for the monthly quorum meetings of the Melchize- dek Priesthood which has always been a real need among the quo- rums.

Second — Monthly stake Priest- hood union meetings, relieved of the necessity of making provision in their programs for monthly quorum meetings, will be better able to provide that which is probably their chief objective, namely, training for the officers of the quorums that quorum offi- cers may have at least equal op- portunities to learn their duties that the officers of our auxiliary organizations have long enjoyed. We feel that in every stake there must be provided adequate facili- ties for the training of quorum presidencies,

T h i r d — The arrangement should obviate all of the confu- sion which has been reported from some quarters attending the adjournment of the Sunday School. There will be no classes of the boys of the Lesser Priest- hood to adjourn at a time so nearly approaching the closing of Sunday School as to induce them to leave the school without parti- cipating in its closing exercises. The women will also be provided for until the end of the school period and the quorums of the Higher Priesthood must cooper- ate in helping to maintain orderly closing exercises.

Fourth — It is believed that if bishops will call on quorums as units through their presiding offi- cers to perform service in the ward such as block teaching, spe- cial projects, etc., these assign- ments would tend to conserve the integrity of the quorum and make the members more fully appreci- ate quorum opportunities for ser- vice. Emphasis on the quorum integrity and unity will do much to accomplish this end. If a bishop sends a message to the quorum through the quorum pres- idency, he helps to establish re- spect for the presidency and en- hances their influence.

We feel confident that with the

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

REED SMOOT AT SEVENTY-FIVE

The Nation's Press pays tribute to his service and his life's philosophy.

HPhe Nation's press paid tribute to Reed Smoot, his record of service and his life's philosophy on the occa- sion of his seventy-fifth birthday an- niversary, January 10, 1937. Con- cerning this distinguished statesman and churchman, the Associated Press commented as appears in col- umn 3 in the reproduction from the Los Angeles Times of January 13, 1937. This story was carried by leading newspapers throughout the nation.

REED SMOOT

full cooperation of the stake presi- dents, the bishops, the quorum pres- idencies, and the Sunday School officers, the foregoing suggestions may be incorporated in the program of Church activities of the Sunday forenoon with great profit to all concerned.

Sincerely yours,

The Council of the Twelve By Rudger Clawson, President

Note: — These suggestions have been approved by the Presiding Bishopric for the Aaronic Priest- hood.

Smoot Deplores Time Waste

Former Utah Senator at 75 Says People Sleep Far Too Much

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 12. (IP) Reed Smoot, thirty years a Sen- ator and now exclusive churcti worker,' at the start of his sev- enty-fifth year today bemoaned a people who "sleep too much."

"There are many who work

but forty hours a week and sleep eight or nine hours a day," the former Senate dean charged. "That is deplorable waste of a most precious resource — time.

SIX HOURS ENOUGH

"A person in perfect health can work ten, twelve or even fourteen hours a day and thrive on not more than six hours of sleep."

Smoot, who observed his sev- enty-fifth birthday Sunday, for most of his life has exercised the principles of "plenty of work and not too much sleep." Dur- ing a long period as chairman of the Senate Finance Commit- tee he often worked as many as twenty out of the twenty-four hours, he said.

"But I'm getting old and I'm tapering off a little now," he smiled. Tall, white-haired and energetic, he could pass for a man of 60 years.

ADVICE TO YOUNG

For the nation's young men, Smoot suggested these prin- ciples:

"Keep busy Keep bodily clean. Have high ideals. Re- jnember that idleness is the devil's workshop. Eat plain foods. Avoid hot drinks. Never touch intoxicating liquors of any kind."

The WILLING Worker and the NEEDY Worker

The Church Security Plan has undoubtedly been very helpful in many ways in providing some work for those who need it, as well as food and clothing. It has brought about a stronger cooper- ative spirit among those who have taken part and has developed a stronger brotherhood among the members of the Church. It has en- couraged people to go forward col- lectively in providing for themselves, in part at least.

One of the outstanding features, however, is that it has given an op- portunity for quorums of the Priest- hood to become active in helping each other in engaging in quorum projects of a temporal nature, thus bringing the members closer to- gether so as to develop in the quorum a greater respect and love and ap- preciation for the protection and help that they may render to each other in time of need. It has en- abled quorums more nearly to as- sume the proper responsibility that belongs to the quorums, as recom- mended by President David O. Mc- Kay at the October conference.

In the rural or farming districts, members have a splendid opportun- ity to engage in farm projects, and to produce food products, which may be stored for use when needed by quorum members or others. In the operation of these farm units the very best of farm practice can be adopted. In all quorums, some members are better farmers than others, and they can give to their members information relative to the better farming methods, which some of them may not have followed be- fore. This will increase the crop yield and make farming more prof- itable.

Last fall when the writer was traveling through one of the stakes of Zion the president of the stake was quite ill and the season was getting late and his late-maturing crops had not been harvested. Quorum members went, without so- licitation from the president, and 70

By MARK AUSTIN

A Member o/ the General Com- mittee of the Church Security Program

it is to be hoped that much of the work of the Security Plan will be done by those who need assist- ance, to relieve somewhat those willing workers who do so much and need so little.

harvested his crop for him so that it would not be lost. Undoubtedly this kind act was very much appre- ciated by the president who had given so much of his time freely to help the members of his stake and their families by giving them coun- sel and advice for their guidance, both temporally and spiritually, and who had given manual labor, when it was needed, the same as those over whom he presided were doing.

Much work was performed by the quorums throughout the Church in agricultural projects in 1936, and much preparation has been made in the selection of soil and in fertiliz- ing and fall plowing for next year's planting. Without question much more will be done in the coming season than was done last season, notwithstanding that a very good showing was made by some stakes, wards, and quorums last year.

It is to be hoped that much more of the work in the production of these crops will be done by those who need the products than was done last year. This will relieve,

MARK AUSTIN

to some extent, those who did so much work, while those who needed assistance did so little.

The main purpose of the inaugu- ration of this program, as an- nounced by the First Presidency and their associates, was to find em- ployment where needed for the un- employed or the partly unemployed, that they might be able better to provide for themselves and their families.

It is the further object and pur- pose of the Church to develop among its members the spirit of love and friendship and brotherly kindness and ideal standards of liv- ing for the spiritual and temporal blessing of all the people, that these important influences may spread throughout all the world, because the Church recognizes that all our Father's children should live in peace, prosperity, and contentment, and have a high regard for each other.

The world is woefully lacking in these important things, and many of our statesmen and thinkers of the nations have announced that many of the nations of the earth are threatened with disaster and de- struction because of the lack of love and good will and spirituality, and recognition of God's high purposes toward his children in the journey of life, which is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,"

THINK

By HARRISON R.MERRILL

A TRUE SHORT SHORT STORY

udge Jethro sat down in one of the luxurious chairs in the mayor's office and looked steadily across the table at his friend the mayor.

"You're not going to let them rope you into that job, are you?" he asked sternly.

"I think I am," he replied, smiling just a little.

"Well, of all the fools ..." the judge began.

"Don't be too severe," Mayor John H. Rasmusson cut in. "Darn it all, Judge, there are some things a fellow just has to do for his Church."

"You're doing enough, aren't you?" the Judge asked. "Dentist, Mayor, Gospel Doctrine class teacher — what more ought you to do?"

"Well," the Mayor answered, "just about anything the Church asks of me."

The two men were friends of long standing, though the Judge was not a member of the Church and the Mayor was.

"Why?" the Judge spoke sharply.

"Well, there's why." The Mayor took a book from his desk and, open- ing its pages, handed it to the judge. "There's the story. Read it while I make this phone call and you'll know why."

Oven Rasmussen was an emigrant from Sweden, one of the common people. When he heard the Gospel message he was converted and baptized. Saving his meager wages, he and his wife had their hearts set upon Zion.

At last the great day arrived. Their savings were sufficient for their fare. Reaching Florence, Ne- braska, after a long voyage and a hard journey overland, they pur- chased a cart and prepared to walk to Zion.

Sven was a violinist and carried with him his precious instrument.

One night they reached a camp on the North Platte River in which there were men on their way East

from Great Salt Lake Valley. Af- ter they had made their camp and eaten their frugal meal of bacon and bread, they sought out the strangers hoping to have word from the City of the Saints. To their surprise, they discovered that one of the members of the party was the Elder who had taught them the Gospel.

Sven Rasmusson lost no time in finding the Elder. He came upon him as he sat upon the tongue of his wagon watching his horses finish their feed of oats. Sven was greeted warmly but noticed a re- serve in the manner of the Elder.

After the first greetings were over and each had asked the other many questions, the Elder said:

"Brother Rasmusson, turn back. I found I was mistaken. While the doctrine of the Church is fine, the authorities are unfair. I have left the Church and am returning to the old family home in New Jersey and expect never to return. Turn back before it is too late."

Sven was shocked beyond meas- ure.

"Are you trying to tell me that you have apostatized?" he asked.

"Not exactly — yet," the Elder answered, "but I am tired of it all. Utah is a rough, uncouth land with- out the semblance of culture. I have decided that I was mistaken. There is no one true Church; many are true. You'll starve there for things of culture."

"But I don't understand."

"I know you don't now, but think it over and if in the morning you will turn back, you may go with me. I'll haul you and your belongings in my wagon."

Oven Rasmusson went back to his camp and his frail young wife, broken-hearted. Long into the night they talked of their testimony and of the young Elder who had taken them the Gospel. When at last they prepared to retire, they knelt beside their tiny camp and of- fered up a prayer to God for guid- ance.

The following morning Sven Ras-

musson sought out Elder Beck- strand.

"Well, what is the verdict?" the Elder asked. "Will you go back with me?"

The Swede shook his head sadly.

"No," said he, "we're going on. My wife and I talked it over — talked most of the night. We found, El- der Beckstrand, that we were not converted to you, but to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We're going on."

"But Brother Rasmusson, there's no culture there; there's . . .

Mr. Rasmusson raised his hand to stop the speaker.

"I'll take some culture," he said solemnly — "I and my violin. We are sorry that you have left the Church, that you are leaving Zion. We learned to love you, Elder Beck- strand, and, I hope, we shall always love you, but we'll not follow you."

"You're making a mistake, Broth- er Rasmusson," the Elder remon- strated.

"No," said Rasmusson, "it is you who are making the mistake. I bear you my testimony that God lives, that He made known His will to the Prophet Joseph Smith; he answers our prayers. And now good-bye. You may turn back, but my wife and I will go on. We may die on the journey; we may never reach Zion, but we'll know that we have espoused a grand cause."

In the old country they were of the peasant class. No way was open to their sons and daughters. They reached Utah. One son be- came a superintendent of schools, another a mayor of his city, a den- tist, and a respected citizen.

The Judge laid down the book.

"So what?" he asked.

"Sven Rasmusson was my father," the Mayor answered. "Do you see the light in the office across the cor- ner. That's my office. You've seen my home — a perfect little heaven among the flowers. Had it not been for the Gospel — the Church — I probably would be a peasant in Sweden today. Yes, Judge, I think I'll take the job."

"I don't blame you, John," he said holding out his hand. "I'd take that job, too, if I were you."

S THE UNITED

STATES a CHRISTIAN NATION?

By ROBERT MURRAY STEWART

Attorney at Law and Past President, Utah Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution

HTHE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID THAT IT IS; THE x HISTORY, TRADITIONS, AND INSTITUTIONS OF THIS LAND ELOQUENTLY SPEAK THAT AS SUCH IT WAS ESTABLISHED. THIS AND FUTURE GENER- ATIONS MUST KEEP IT SO.

s the United States a Christian Nation? The Supreme Court of the United States has said that it was.

It seems that during the last cen- tury it had become the practice of large capitalists in this country to contract with their agents abroad for the shipment of great numbers of an ignorant and servile class of foreign laborers, under contracts by which the employer agreed, on the one hand, to prepay their passage, while, on the other hand, the labor- ers agreed to work after their arrival for a certain time at a low rate of wages. The effect of this was to break down the labor market, and to reduce other laborers engaged in like occupations to the level of the assisted immigrant. The evil finally became so flagrant that an appeal was made to Congress for relief, which Congress granted by the passage of an act which provided that it should be unlawful for any person, etc., to prepay the transpor- tation, or in any way assist or en- courage the importation or migration of any alien into the United States, under contract made previous to the importation or migration of such alien, to perform labor or services of any kind in the United States. 72

The Reverend E. Walpole War- ren was an alien residing in Eng- land, and it appears that the Holy Trinity Church of New York City entered into a contract with him whereby the Reverend Warren was to move to the city of New York and enter into the services of the Holy Trinity Church as Rector and Pastor; and in pursuance of the con- tract Warren did come to New York and serve the Church as rector and pastor, the Holy Trinity Church having advanced his passage. The United States brought an action against the Reverend Warren under the above law and the lower court held that his presence in the United States was illegal. Reverend War- ren appealed his case from the lower court to the United States Supreme Court, and in February, 1892, the United States Supreme Court ren- dered its decision reversing the de- cision of the lower court. The pre- cise question that was raised was whether a non-resident non-citizen of the United States might be ad- mitted to the United States having prior thereto entered into a contract to preach the Gospel of Christ in New York City, and to have his transportation to the United States prepaid, or be denied the right of

entry to the United States on the theory that he was coming to labor or perform service in the United States under contract and others were prepaying his transportation expense, all of which was unlawful and forbidden by Chapter 164, 23 St., p. 332.

In the course of the opinion, which was written by Mr, Justice Brewer the United States Supreme Court has the following to say:

. . . But, ... no purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this i» a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation. The commission to Chris- topher Columbus, prior to his sail westward, is from "Ferdinand and Isabella, by the grace of God, King and Queen of Castile," etc., and recites that "it is hoped that by God's assistance some of the continents and islands in the ocean will be discovered," etc. The first colonial grant, that made to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584, was from "Elizabeth, by the grace of God, of Eng- land, Fraunce and Ireland, queene, de- fender of the faith," etc.; and the grant au- thorizing him to enact statutes of the gov- ernment of the proposed colony provided that "they be not against the true Christian faith nowe professed in the Church of England." The first charter of Virginia, granted by King James I, in 1606, after reciting the application of certain parties for a charter, commenced the grant in these words: "We, greatly commending, and graciously accepting of, their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Re-

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

ROBERT MURRAY STEWART

ligion to such People, as yet live in Dark- ness and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Worship of God, and may in time bring the Infidels and Savages, liv- ing in those parts, to human Civility, and to a settled and quiet Government; DO, by these our Letters-Patents, graciously accept of, and agree to, their humble and well-intended Desires."

Language of similar import may be found in the subsequent charter of that colony, from the same king, in 1609 and 1611; and the same is true of the various charters granted to the other colonies. In language more or less emphatic is the establishment of the Christian religion declared to be one of the purposes of the grant. The cele- brated compact made by the pilgrims in the Mayflower, 1620, recites: "Having un- dertaken for the Glory of God, and Ad- vancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voy- age to plant the first Colony in the northern parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and com- bine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Pres- ervation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid."

The fundamental orders of Connecticut, under which a provisional government was instituted in 1638-39, commence with this declaration: "Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Allmighty God by the wise disposition of his diuyne pruidence so to Order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwell- ing in and vppon the River of Conectecotte and the Lands thereunto adioyneing; And well knowing where a people are gathered togather the word of God required that to mayntayne the peace and vnion of such people there should be an orderly and decent Gouerment established according to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people at all seasons as occation shall require; doe therefore assotiate and conioyne ourselues to be as one Publike State or Comonwelth; and doe, for our selues and our Successors and such as shall be adioyned to vs att any tyme hereafter, enter Confirmation and Confederation

together, to mayntayne and presearue the liberty and purity of the gospell of our Lord Jesus wch we now prfesse, as also the disciplyne of the Churches, wch according to the truth of the said gospell is now practised amongst vs."

In the charter of privileges granted by William Penn to the province of Pennsyl- vania, in 1701, it is recited: "Because no People can be truly happy, though under the greatest Enjoyment of Civil Liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Con- sciences, as to their Religious Profession and Worship; and Almighty God being the Only Lord of Conscience, Father of Lights and Spirits; and the Author as well as Object of all divine Knowledge, Faith, and Worship, who only doth enlighten the Minds, and persuade and convince the Understandings of People, I do hereby grant and declare," etc.

Coming nearer to the present time, the declaration of independence recognizes the presence of the Divine in human affairs in these words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Cre- ator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pur- suit of Happiness." "We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare," etc.; "And for the

THE NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDING WASHINGTON, D. C.

support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Provi- dence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

If we examine the constitutions of the various states, we find in them a constant recognition of religious obligations. Every constitution of every one of the 44 states contains language which, either directly or by clear implication, recognizes a profound reverence for religion, and an assumption that its influence in all human affairs is essential to the well-being of the com- munity. This recognition may be in the preamble, such as is found in the consti- tution of Illinois, 1870: "We, the people of the state of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations," etc.

It may be only the familiar requisition that all officers shall take an oath closing with the declaration, "so help me God." It may be in clauses like that of the con- stitution of Indiana, 1816, art. 11, page 4: "The manner of administering an oath or affirmation shall be such as is most con- sistent with the conscience of the deponent, and shall be esteemed the most solemn appeal to God." Or in provisions such as are found in articles 36 and 37 of the declaration of rights of the constitution of Maryland, (1867): "That, as it is the

Wmimim-

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to pro- tection in their religious liberty: wherefore, no person ought, by any law, to be molest- ed in his person or estate on account of his religious persuasion or profession, or for his peace, or safety of the state, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil, or religious rights; nor ought any person to be com- pelled to frequent or maintain or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain any place of worship or any ministry nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness or juror on ac- count of his religious belief: provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that, under his dispensation, such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor, either in this world or the world to come. That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office or profit or trust in this state, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this constitution." Or like that in articles 2 and 3 of part 1 of the Constitution of Massa- chusetts, (1708): "It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society publicly, and, and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Pre- server of the universe. . . . As the happi- ness of a people and the good order and preservation of civil government essentially depend upon piety, religion, and morality, and as these cannot be generally diffused through a community but by the institution of the public worship of God and of public instruction in piety, religion, and morality: Therefore, to promote their happiness, and to secure the good order and preservation of their government, the people of this commonwealth have a right to invest their legislature with power to authorize and require, and the legislature shall, from time to time, authorize and require, the several towns, parishes, precincts, and other bodies politic or religious societies to make suitable provision, at their own expense, for the in- stitution of the public worship of God and for the support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion, and morality, in all cases where such provision shall not be made voluntarily." Or, as in section 5 and 14 of article 7 of the consti- tution of Mississippi, (1832): "No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state. . . . Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good gov- i ernment, the preservation of liberty, and the happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of education, shall forever be en- couraged in this state." Or by article 22 of the constitution of Delaware, (1776): which required all officers, besides an oath of allegiance, to make and subscribe the following declaration: "I, A. B., do pro-

fess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."

Even the constitution of the United States, which is supposed to have little touch upon the private life of the indi- vidual, contains in the first amendment a declaration common to the constitution of all the states, as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," etc., and also provides in article 1, page 7, (a provision common to many constitutions ) , that the executive shall have 10 days (Sundays excepted) within which to determine whether he will approve or veto a bill.

There is no dissonance in these declara- tions. There is a universal language per- vading them all, having one meaning. They affirm and reaffirm that this is a religious nation. These are not individual sayings, declarations of private persons. They are organic utterances. They speak the voice of the entire people. While because of a general recognition of this truth the ques- tion has seldom been presented to the courts, yet we find that in Updegraph v. Com., 11 Serg. & R. 394, 400, it was de- cided that, "Christianity, general Chris- tianity, is, and always has been a part of the common law of Pennsylvania; . . . not Christianity with an established church and tithes and spiritual courts, but Christianity with liberty of conscience to all men." And in People V. Ruggles, 8 Johns. 290, 294, 295, Chancellor KENT, the great commen- tator on American Law, speaking as chief justice of the supreme court of New York, said: "The people of this state, in common with the people of this country, profess the general doctrines of Christianity as the rule of their faith and practice; and to scandalize the author of these doctrines is not only, in a religious point of view, ex- tremely impious, but, even in respect to the obligations due to society, is a gross violation of decency and good order. * * * The free, equal, and undisturbed enjoyment of religious opinion, whatever it may be, and free and decent discussions on any religious subject, is granted and secured; but to revile, with malicious and blasphem- ous contempt, the religion professed by al- most the whole community is an abuse of that right. Nor are we bound by any expressions in the constitution, as some have strangely supposed, either not to pun- ish at all, or to punish indiscriminately the like attacks upon the religions of Mahomet or of the Grand Lama; and for this plain reason, that the case assumes that we are a Christian people, and the morality of the country is deeply ingrafted upon Chris- tianity, and not upon the doctrines or wor- ship of those impostors." And in the fa- mous case of Vidal V. Girard's Ex'rs, 2 How. 127, 198, this court, while sustain- ing the will of Mr. Girard, with its provi- sion for the creation of a college into which no minister should be permitted to enter, observed: "It is also said, and truly, that the Christian religion is a part of the common law of Pennsylvania."

If we pass beyond these matters^fo a view of American life, as expressed by its laws, its business, its customs, and its so- ciety, we find everywhere a clear recogni- tion of the same truth. Among other mat- ters note the following: The form of an oath universally prevailing, concluding with an appeal to the Almighty; the cus- tom of opening sessions of all deliberative

bodies and most conventions with prayer; the prefatory words of all wills, "In the name of God, amen;" the laws respecting the observance of the Sabbath, with the general cessation of all secular business, and the closing of courts, legislatures, and other similar public assemblies on that day; the churches and church organizations which abound in every city, town, and hamlet; the multitude of charitable organ- izations existing everywhere under Chris- tian auspices; the gigantic missionary as- sociations, with general support, and aim- ing to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe. These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation. In the face of all these, shall it be believed that a congress of the United States intended to make it a mis- demeanor for a church of this country to contract for the services of a Christian minister residing in another nation? >

Suppose, in the congress that passed this act, some member had offered a bill which in terms declared that, if any Roman Cath- olic church in this country should contract with Cardinal Manning to come to this country, and enter into its service as pas- tor and priest, or any Episcopal church should enter into a like contract with Can- on Farrar, or any Baptist church should make similar arrangements with Rev. Mr. Spurgeon, or any Jewish synagogue with some eminent rabbi, such contract would be adjudged unlawful and void, and the church making it be subject to prosecu- tion and punishment. Can it be believed that it would have received a minute of approving thought or a single vote? Yet it is contended that such was, in effect, the meaning of this statute. The construc- tion invoked cannot be accepted as cor- rect. It is a case where there was pre- sented a definite evil, in view of which the legislature used general terms with the pur-

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THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

pose of reaching all phases of that evil; and thereafter, unexpectedly it is developed that the general language thus employed is broad enough to reach cases and acts which the whole history and life of the country affirm could not have been inten- tionally legislated against. It is the duty of the courts, under those circumstances, to say that, however broad the language of the statute may be, the act, although within the letter, is not within the intention of the legislature, and therefore cannot be within the statute.

The judgment will be reversed, and the case remained for further proceeding in accordance with this opinion."

'"The matter having been pre- sented to our Supreme Court and the opinion handed down as referred to, the decision becomes the funda- mental law of the land and will so remain until Congress will have adopted new laws abrogating and setting aside the principles an- nounced in the decision, which new laws shall have been approved by the President of the United States, or if by him vetoed, be repassed by a two-thirds majority vote of both houses of Congress.

It is of deep significance to Latter- day Saints to see how nearly the foregoing decision conforms to the words of the Lord concerning this choice land of our possession, as found in the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon, 2:6 to 12 in- clusive, which follows:

"And it came to pass that they did trav- el in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord.

"And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should

come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people;

"And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fullness of his wrath should come upon them.

"And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise, and whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity;

"For behold this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God, or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting de- cree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.

"And this cometh unto you, O ye Gen- tiles, that ye may know the decrees of God, that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you, as the inhab- itants of the land hath hitherto done.

"Behold, this is a choice land, and what- soever nation shall possess it, shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."

It will be noted that the land, ac- cording to the Jaredite prophet, will be a land of promise only to those who serve the God of the land who is Jesus Christ. The decision of the United States Supreme Court de- claring the nation and its govern- ment to be Christian was delivered more than forty years ago. Could

it now be truly said that after forty years of progress and the ushering in of new generations that we still are a Christian nation? The answer doubtless is that we are still a Chris- tian nation, although the trend seems to be away from a true wor- ship of the God of the land, Jesus Christ.

In view of the dire predictions contained in the foregoing prophecy, viz., that we shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if we will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, it be- hooves us as a nation and as a peo- ple, to take heed to the word of the Lord and see to it that we keep the commandments of God, and that we teach our posterity to do likewise, for otherwise we may expect that the prophecy of the ancient Amer- ican prophet will be fulfilled and our promise of freedom will be with- drawn and we, together with our posterity, through disobedience and unrighteousness may become sub-r ject to the rule of foreigners.

May it always and ever be that our land and our nation, which has been officially decreed by the highest court of the land — the United States Supreme Court — to be a Christian nation, always be preponderantly Christian and righteous, so that the agency and freedom of conscience to worship God without dictation which we have inherited, may be the heritage of our children and of our children's children to the last gen- eration.

GEORGE A. BAKER

LOS ANGELES STAKE CHALLENGES AGAIN

December 28, 1936. "The Improvement Era," 50 No. Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dear Brethren:

AS a result of the indirect dare implied in the three paragraphs on Page 4 of the latest "Improvement Era Digest," dated December 9, 1936, we of the Los Angeles Stake have resolved to sell at least 1,000 "Eras" before the coming campaign concludes next April.

We are now in process of effecting elaborate plans to attain

this end and our big drive will commence some time in February.

Instead of being unlikely it is likely that the total of 1,051 will

be reached again, notwithstanding the fact that our stake has been

divided since last year.

Kindest regards and with every good wish for the coming New Year.

Yours very truly,

GEORGE A. BAKER, Superintendent.

Alonzo a. hinckley

\*7HOSE MONUMENT NOW, EVEN AS IT VV WAS IN LIFE, IS A NOBLE FAMILY, THE ESTEEM OF HIS FELLOW MEN, AND UN- SELFISH SERVICE IN THE CAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

By JAMES H. WALLIS

IT is a glorious thing to live a life full of service to one's fellowmen; replete with deeds of unselfish devotion to a righteous cause; brim- ming with activities, crowned with successful achievements; at all times illustrating a nobility of character that can be set before the youth as an example to emulate; rich in acts of kindness; marked by the cardinal virtues of truth, honesty, and cour- age, coupled with rare mental attain- ments. Alonzo A. Hinckley lived such a life. He passed away like a beautiful ray of sunset, with an abid- ing assurance of a glorious and bril- liant sunrise upon the morrow.

Though he had been ill for a little more than a year, the death of Apos- tle Hinckley, Tuesday morning, De- cember 22, 1936, came as a shock to his vast circle of friends and associ- ates and to the Church membership. After having spent a year in Cali- fornia recuperating from a serious

A. A. HINCKLEY AND HIS WIFE ABOUT THE TIME HE FILLED A MISSION TO HOLLAND.

illness Elder Hinckley returned to Salt Lake in October. Though weak from his long confinement, he at- tended part of a Sunday session of the October, 1936, semi-annual Conference. It was his first public appearance for many months and also his last.

'"The First Presidency, as soon as the death of Elder Hinckley was announced, paid the following high tribute to his life of activity and service:

"We are deeply grieved this morning over the passing of our beloved associate and fellow worker, President Alonzo A. Hinckley. However, having known how serious was his ailment, we realize that it is only through the power of faith and Pres- ident Hinckley's indomitable will that he had been with us during the last twelve months or more. We are grateful that his time with his loved ones has been thus pro- longed.

"Readiness to answer the final summons is everything; and President Hinckley was ready. As a husband and father he was

> P

ALONZO A. HINCKLEY

ideal; as a community builder, outstanding; as a man, noble and gracious, pure in soul; as a leader, able and exemplary; as a friend, loyal and true; as an Apostle of the Lord, unwavering in his testimony of the living Christ. Truly, 'a prince and a great man has fallen this day.'

"Our love and sympathy go out to his devoted wife and upright family. May the realization of their husband and father's nobility and of his many worthy achieve- ments bring to them solace and peace in this hour of bereavement."

His fellow associates of the Gen- eral Authorities also joined in a pub- lic expression of their feelings, tes- tifying to the good life and loyal service of their departed fellow-la- borer.

President Grant presided at the funeral services, which were held in the Tabernacle, Thursday, De- cember 24. Speakers who paid glowing tribute to Elder Hinckley's remarkable accomplishments and de- votion to his Church, community, and family were: President Grant, President McKay, Elders George Albert Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, and former Governor Charles R. Mabey.

At the conclusion of the impres- sive services, President Grant said:

"I have no hesitancy in saying that those who knew this man best loved him most, and that God loved him. The many kind things that have been said here regarding him have not been overdrawn. There are occasions when death comes that people speak only good of the deceased, and of course it is right that they should do this, but many times the praise is almost more than the person is entitled to. There has not been a word said here today in praise of this man's integrity, honesty, and devo- tion to God and his religion, his family, his

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

friends, and his state that is not absolutely true, because he is entitled to all the praise thai has been spoken here."

President David O. McKay's con- soling address revealed the fact, un- known generally to the people, that as far back as November, 1935, doctors had told Elder Hinckley that his illness would be fatal. Thereupon he wrote to the First Presidency of the Church, express- ing a feeling of resignation and re- iterating his testimony to the res- toration of the Gospel:

President McKay read from the letter written by Apostle Hinckley:

"This would be to a soul without faith doleful indeed. . . .

"I assure you I am not deeply disturbed over the final results. I am reconciled and I reach my hands to take what my Father has for me, be it life or death. With a spirit of thanksgiving, and I trust free from vanity or boastfulness, I look over the past with satisfaction. I would not turn the leaf down on any chapter of my life. So far as I know, I have honored my Heav- enly Father with my time, my humble tal- ents, and all the means that He has blessed me with and I have dealt justly with all men. I have fought, but I have fought fairly.

"As to the future, I have no misgivings. It is inviting and glorious and I sense rather clearly what it means to be saved by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and to be exalted by his power and be with Him forevermore.

"My only concern is for the present. Life is and ever has been sweet indeed to me. My wife, my eternal companion, has been and is all in all to me. What a mother! What a wife! For her I grieve. The children are all right. Twelve of them

ELDER HINCKLEY AND HIS THREE LIVING SONS

are living; all are grown; all are pure, clean, wholesome, faithful, fixed in their purpose, and devoted to the Church.

"I come to one expression of regret — the possibly shortened period of intimate contact with you and the members of the Council of the Twelve. How I have longed to stand with you and thrust in my sickle with my might and reap a harvest for the Lord and then pass on when you could say, 'He wrought valiantly to the end.' If it is cut short now it will be hard for me to avoid thinking 'What an unprofitable servant.'

"I discover my letter has reached undue proportions. It also seems to be gloomy. Quite to the contrary, I am not blue or despondent; I am prepared."

This letter manifested the rich and abiding faith Elder Hinckley had in his Heavenly Father and his will- ingness to yield to His divine will. His faith in the divine calling of his fellow associates was just as implicit and unshaken. This he manifested

MRS. HINCKLEY DAUGHTERS.

AND HER NINE LIVING

at the April, 1 934, General Confer- ence, when he bore a strong testi- mony to the value of following the counsels of those whom God has called and appointed to lead and direct the affairs of this Church. Said he:

"It is fifty years ago today since I first took upon me the responsibility of the pres- idency of the deacons — fifty years of joy, fifty years of walking safely in the foot- steps of the leaders of this Church. For fifty years I have been acquainted in a way with every president of the Church from Brigham Young to Heber J. Grant, and now with my hair white and my experience ripe, I testify that the path of safety is in following those whom God has called and appointed to lead the way and to carry responsibility in the Church. I testify they are called of Him and that they lead by divine authority."

The following choice gem among the many truths in his discourses, has been left by President Hinckley:

"Our greatest sermon in every case, I think, is our manner of life. Do we testify with our lives that we have found the truth,, that we love the truth, that we live the truth, and that the truth and the living of the truth bring into our lives soul satis- factions that cannot be found elsewhere or in any other way?"

In a discourse, delivered at the April Conference, 1935, he related the following:

"A few weeks ago I was permitted to attend a stake conference. They held a priesthood meeting; and as I looked into the faces of those 778 men, I was thrilled. Seven hundred seventy-eight men on a week-day evening, men who are busy mak- ing their honest living, there assembled to better qualify themselves to offer a conse- crated service to the Lord! I thought as I looked at them, this is a sort of a vision of the strength and power and virility of this Church, — one stake out of the hundred and eleven! I thought: What is the army of the Lord? I looked at a segment of it. If I multiply it by one hundred and eleven I will get some glimpse of this mighty army — 90,000 men bearing the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, and 90,000 young men bearing the Aaronic priesthood. What a .power! And in this great group of 180,000 men, every man knows his file leader; and that file leader looks to another file leader; and so it passes on until you reach the President

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the one and the only man who holds the sealing power and the keys of the priesthood."

A postle Hinckley was born April ^ 23, 1870, at Cove Fort, Utah, a son of Ira Nathaniel Hinckley and Angeline Noble, New Englanders, who helped to pioneer Utah. His ancestry is traced back to the early settlers of the American Continent, who came in 1635. His father was a prominent pioneer, and his mother was one of the first school teachers in Salt Lake City, having taught in the old First ward. Among her pupils was the mother of Maud Adams, world-famed actress.

In 1867, Brigham Young called the father to Cove Creek to super- vise the building of the fort there.

Elder Hinckley's early life was spent in Cove Fort, his father mov- ing to Fillmore when appointed president of Millard stake in 1877.

A graduate of Fillmore grammar school and Brigham Young Univer- sity, Elder Hinckley taught school for a number of years in Deseret, Millard county. As a dairyman, he aided his father and carried on his stock-raising interests after his fa- ther's death.

In 1892 he married Rose May Robison and lived in Deseret one year before moving to Hinckley, where he made his home. He left home on July 24, 1897, to spend three years in Holland on a mis- sion. He was then the father of three children with the near advent of another.

Elder Hinckley served two terms in the legislature, representing Mil- lard county. When Charles R. Ma- bey was elected governor, he ap- pointed him state commissioner of agriculture.

Elder Hinckley was chosen in 1902, at the age of 32 years, to succeed his father as president of the Millard Stake and presided over that stake until it was divided into the Millard and Deseret Stakes and he became president of the latter. In 1929 he was honorably released. Through his long leadership there Elder Hinckley became as a father to the people in that section. He won their respect and admiration through his sympathy and under- standing. During his serious illness several months ago, these people held a county-wide day of fasting and prayer in his behalf.

From his early youth Elder Hinckley had assumed positions of 78

responsibility that made of him a wise general in the battle of life. As a stake president, later as a mis- sion president, and, during the past several years, as one of the Council of Twelve Apostles, Elder Hinck- ley has given counsel and comfort to many who have had occasion to appreciate this advice for its true value.

For him life held its share of sorrow and joy, hardships and hap- piness, yet he arose from them all unscathed to become one of God's true noblemen. Behind the scenes of his worthy accomplishments in life are found a loving wife and a large devoted family. They remain as a worthy monument to a life well lived and an example of his abiding faith.

Of a quiet and unassuming dis- position, he had at his command an infinite store of wisdom gleaned from years of wide experience. He never sought honors yet they came as rewards for conscientious service. He exhibited a sympathetic under- standing of the problems of life and was sought constantly as an advisor.

pOLLOWiNG his release from the Millard stake presidency, Elder Hinckley made his home for a short time in Salt Lake City, laboring as a special worker in the Salt Lake Temple, until his appointment as president of the California Mission.

On October 3, 1934, he was called to fill a vacancy in the Council of Twelve Apostles caused by the death of President A, W. Ivins to whom he bore a very striking re- semblance. Both were more or less self-made; both were ardent spread- ers of the Gospel as missionaries and mission presidents; both were in the stake presidency, one as the first citizen of St. George stake, the other as the first citizen of Millard stake; both led well-balanced lives with a hand in an amazing number of bus- iness, economic, and industrial ven- tures; both were outdoor men. It is a parallel that is at once striking and significant.

While a member of the Council of Twelve he visited many of the stakes of the Church. However, his continuing ill health in 1935 caused him to relinquish his active duties and he spent most of the win- ter and summer of 1935-1936 on the Pacific Coast recuperating from a serious ailment.

When Apostle Hinckley was 33 years of age, — the year following his being called to preside over the

Millard Stake, — Patriarch John Ashman, at Fillmore, Millard Coun- ty, gave him an unsolicited patri- archal blessing, in which he was told he would "be numbered with the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The promise was so startling that Elder Hinckley kept the blessing to himself and for many years no one knew of its contents except the Patriarch himself, and George A. Seamen who was his first counselor in the Stake Presidency and scribe at the home that this blessing was given. When he was called to the apostleship he read the blessing to his family.

Apostle Hinckley stands at the head of a noble posterity. His good wife is the mother of fourteen chil- dren, twelve of whom are living, two having died in childhood. In the order of their ages they are as fol- lows: Lois, deceased; Dr. Harold Alonzo, Hunford, Calif.; Afton, Mrs. Frank Badger, Holden, Utah; Rulon T., Hinckley, Utah; Mabel, Mrs. Ivan Burgoyne, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Susannah Palmer, Salt Lake City; Angeline, Salt Lake City; Ethel, Mrs. Stanley Irvine, Salt Lake City; Mary, Mrs. Frank Craven, Salt Lake City; Arza A., Salt Lake City; Nellie, Mrs. Byron Jones, Los Angeles; Beulah, Zina, both of Salt Lake; Benjamin, deceased. Harold filled a four year mission to New Zealand; Rulon, three years in the French Mission, and Arza, two years in the Northwestern States.

Alonzo A. Hinckley was loved and honored, not only by reason of his great heart and his distinctive personality, but because of his rare qualities of sincerity, courage, and candor. There was no element of deception or of equivocation in his character. Frank, open, outspoken, with reason and conscience for his guides, there was never any question about where he stood on any issue of right and wrong. He was found always firm and unyielding for the right, warm in his friendships, deep- rooted in his attachments, true to the interests of his Church and state; he commanded the love and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and the respect and admiration of all who knew of his life. His gains were never at the expense of his soul. Truly could it be said of him:

"His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man',"

PADDY, AND A WINTER WICKIUP NEAR BLANDING.

The OUTLAW of NAVAJO MOUNTAIN

cJhe Story of [Posey, JLast LPah - Lite d^/uMaw

By ALBERT R. LYMAN

THE STORY THUS FAR: More than half a century ago. when Kit Carson rounded up the Navajos and drove them into Santa Fe, New Mexico, to keep them there in the "bullpen" for three years, a disaffected handful of Pah' Utes broke away from their tribe north of the San Juan River and took possession of Navajo Mountain in Navajo territory. When the Navajos came back these Pah-Ute renegades refused to vacate the Navajo country and bad blood resulted. Sowagerie (Posey), the central character of this story, was a child of one of the Pah-Ute renegades. He grew up in a cradle of anarchy\. Bitseel, a son of the ousted Navajos, was Posey's most bitter enemy. Frequent raiding parties between the two tribes and the killing and plundering of un- suspecting travelers, cattlemen, and ranchers, resulted in complications that forced the Pah-Ute deserters to rejoin their tribe. In the midst of this tense situation in 1879 a colony of Mormons was sent down to settle the San Juan country, largely for the purpose of improving relationships with the Indians. Thales Haskel was their chief interpreter — a man skilled in Indian dialect and psychology. But the Navajos and Pah-Utes continued to prey upon each other and upon the Mormon settlement. The feud between Posey and Bitseel continued, in gambling games and in subtle and secret warfare. The Pah-Utes engaged in two particularly bloody skirmishes in which ranchers, cowboys, and soldiers were killed, plun- dered, and burned. Drunk with blood and plunder, they moved their goods and progeny to a mountain retreat, anticipating the approach of white avengers for their last deed of violence, but the avengers indiscreetly allowed themselves to be out-maneuvered, and further Pah-Ute victories resulted. During this emergency the renegade son, Sowagerie, was momentarily separated from the tribe with Toorah, little sister of Poke, the Pah-Ute leader. This brief interlude marked the beginning of a smoldering romance that caused Sowagerie bravely to change his name to Posey and vainly dress himself in fine clothes, braid his hair, and put on war paint. This interest in his little sister, however, was relentlessly disapproved by Poke, who looked upon the "apostate" Posey as "skunk," and so referred to him. The Pah-Ute tribe, loosely organized at best, broke up into factions when a common enemy was not threatening. During one such period of disorganization, Toorah, Posey's beloved, disappeared with her brothers and all Posey's searchings for her were vain. Finally, Posey consulted Thales Haskel and was told his luck would improve if he quit lying, stealing and marauding. Doubtfully, and as a last resort, Posey did try the suggested remedy half-heartedly. Mysteriously one night in an isolated place he heard Toorah's voice and saw her footprints, but was rewarded with no sight of her.

Chapter VIII — A New Trail.

bitter quarrel flared up between Paddy and his cousin, Neepooch Grasshopper. When Neepooch had robbed the Mormons till he found them guarding every- thing he turned to prey on some of his people, and since Paddy, Sol- diercoat's son, was a fatherless boy, Neepooch took him for easy game,

Paddy forgave the first offense and the second. When Grasshop-

per stole his horses the third time, spurned all offers of peace and struck his cousin with a thick club, leaving him for dead, Paddy took his gun and declared war to the death.

Old Pee-age, well-known and much loved as Moocho-tire, by the people of Bluff, was grand-mother to both the boys. From the time of Paddy's birth she had lived with Sol- diercoat's squaw, her daughter, and Paddy was as her very own child, while Neepooch, son of another daughter, was quite a stranger.

The two boys hunted each other

up and down with rising wrath, The mother and grandmother paced back and forth in terrible anxiety all day and sat by the dim fire or lay awake at night, dreading what might hap- pen or had happened to their boy. Sometimes he rode in suddenly on the lope, snatched a bite of some- thing to eat, got a fresh horse and went, they knew not where. In his fury he swore he would never stop till he killed Neepooch, and Nee- pooch swore he would go till he kill- ed Paddy.

Sometimes the two desperate women saw nothing of their young brave for days and weeks at a time. They grew wild with anguish and feared he would never come back. (Continued on page 122)

TYPICAL GROVE NEAR El K MOUNTAIN, SAN UTAH.

KIGALY SPRING, JUAN COUNTY,

Abraham

LINCOLN

<*i

f jyhf PARAMOUNT OBJECT IN THIS STRUGGLE IS TO SAVE THE UNION."

ON THE 12th day of February, 1809, 128 years ago, in a log cabin in Harden County, Kentucky, a baby boy was born to awaken the hopes of his parents, Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, even in those primitive surroundings. That child was Abraham Lincoln. True he was not literally born in a stable and cradled in a manger, but his surroundings were almost as humble as those surrounding the Babe of Bethlehem. Yet in spite of this humble birth, what a work for good Providence had marked out for him.

I need not pause here to recount the early struggles and vicissitudes of the future President: the migra- tion of the family to Indiana; the death and burial of the noble mother when the boy was but nine years old; the removal of the boy with his father and family to Illinois; the experience of the youth as a flat- boatman down the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers to New Orleans; his experience as storekeeper and post- master at New Salem and his studies of surveying, grammar, history un- der adverse conditions; his first elec- tion to the State Legislature. These as well as the many instances of self- abnegation may all be readily re- called.

In taking what might be called a perspective view of the career of Lincoln and deducting therefrom the philosophy of his life, as it appears both in his private and public ex- perience it is manifest that Justice was his guiding star. The adage: "For Justice all places a temple and all seasons summer," seemed al- ways to guide his course.

In his first inaugural in a plea characterized by both logic and pathos he used the memorable words, "In your hands my dissatis- fied fellow citizens and not in mine rests the issue of Civil war. You can have no conflict unless you your- selves are the aggressors. Can ene- mies make treaties better than friends can make laws? You have no oath registered in heaven to de- 80

By JUDGE DANIEL HARRINGTON

Judge Daniel Harrington, ^ churchman, jurist and stu- dent, presents herewith a brief [or the great American, Abra- ham Lincoln, who held patriot- ism before politics, and prin- ciple before convenience.

stroy the Union while I shall have a most solemn one to maintain, pro- tect, and defend it."

Despite these pleas for concilia- tion the majority of the Southern chieftains determined to secede, thus war was inevitable.

As the war progressed, questions of great importance both domestic and foreign arose on all sides. To meet these required almost super- human wisdom and patience. His common sense, good humor, and pa- tience served him well at all times. Two instances illustrate this. At the time Mason and Slidell, two con- federate envoys, were taken off the English sailing vessel, Trent, an in- cident which threatened to bring Great Britain in war against the North, Secretary Seward wrote an

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BY GUTZON BORGLUM, COURTHOUSE PLAZA, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

apology saying among other things, "that the President views with alarm this incident." Before the paper was sent to Her Majesty's govern- ment it was handed to the President for approval. He struck out the statement "views with alarm" and substituted the words, "the Presi- dent regrets." This diplomatic reply together with the consent of the President to release the imprisoned envoys, averted probable war with England.

Tn the month of August, 1862, Lincoln's wisdom and sagacity were put to one of the severest tests as the welfare of the Union required him to answer an open letter by Horace Greeley, published in The Neiv York Tribune. The answer follows and it well shows that it met the needs of the hour and completely undermined the impatience of Hor- ace Greeley:

Executive Mansion Washington, Aug. 22, 1862. "Hon. Horace Greeley: "Dear Sir: "I have just read yours of the 19th,

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

addressed to myself through The New York Tribune. If there be in it any statements or assumptions of fact which I may know to be erro- neous, I do not, now and here, con- trovert them. If there be in it any inferences which I believe to be falsely drawn, I do not, now and here, argue against them. If there be perceptible in it an impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in defer- ence to an old friend whose heart I have always supposed to be right.

"As to the policy I 'seem to be pursuing', as you say, I have not meant to leave any one in doubt.

"I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the na- tional authority can be restored, the nearer the Union will be 'the Union as it was.' If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I for- bear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall be- lieve doing more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall ap- pear to be true views.

"I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free. "Yours, "A. LINCOLN."

The letter disarmed growing un- rest. It did more, it reassured the people that they had a clear-headed leader at the helm. It showed, more- over, that as a rhetorician and as a user of effective English he was equal, if not superior, to the fore- most editor of the day.

It may well be said that nothing Lincoln ever wrote or said, not even

the Gettysburg classic, equals this letter.

The importance of this letter is further shown when it is recalled that about this time Lincoln himself had said, that the influence of the Tribune was worth 75,000 men in the field.

Any review of Lincoln's life, how- ever brief, would not be complete without mentioning the fine gift of wit and humor that was always at his side. It has been well said that where there is no humor there is dearth of vision. However, without recalling a number of the well- known anecdotes of the President, I think the two best showing his gift at repartee and wit are the ones aimed at his political opponent, Stephen A. Douglas. It seems that at one of the joint-debate meetings held between the two statesmen, Douglas had twitted Lincoln about a letter alleged to have been written to the President of the United States, in which the pronoun "I" had been written with a small "i". Lin- coln in his rejoinder to this said, "I admit that I wrote some such letter, but I was writing to the President of the United States. I wanted to be as humble as possible, but if I had been writing such a letter to Stephen A. Douglas I would have made the I so large that it would have reached clear to the top of the page."

Thus it will be seen how com- pletely he turned the tables on his

astute adversary, the little giant of Illinois.

Another instance of Lincoln's ap- plied wit was a statement at one of the debates when he said: "These plausible statements of Judge Doug- las by which he attempts, in effect, to make a horse-chestnut look like a chestnut horse, cannot mislead us from our course."

Again, in his terse way, Lincoln undermined Douglas on an impor- tant issue of the day. The little giant, it seems, was wont to advo- cate his doctrine of Squatter's Sov- ereignty at the same time defending the Dred Scott decision. Lincoln very aptly showed this inconsistency by saying, "Thus, Judge Douglas is asserting that a thing may be law- fully driven out from a place where it has a lawful right to be."

Lincoln's name has come to be synonymous with patience, moral- ity, and abstemiousness. His scorn for the user of subterfuge and his devotion to the good of the greatest number have made him worthy of the emulation of countless people who throughout the world have taken him as an ideal.

It was a truly significant state- ment which has been borne out by succeeding generations that Secre- tary Stanton made when he stood by the marytr's bedside on the morning of his death and exclaimed: "Now he belongs to the ages."

LINCOLN MEMORIAL, WASHINGTON, D. C.

How Lorenzo Snow

found GOD

By LeROI C. SNOW

Of the Church Historian's Office

fow do men find god, that they might know him? Lorenzo Snow has left us this infor- mation ABOUT HIS OWN EXPERIENCE AND IN HIS OWN WORDS.

LORENZO SNOW

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent,"

How do men find God, that they might know Him? Thou- sands of young men and women testify that they found God and learned to know Him while serving in the mission field. The result of this knowledge is a testi- mony of the truth of the Gospel.

Here are some of their enthusi- astic expressions:

"I have enjoyed my labors very much and have gained a wonderful testimony of the Gospel. It has been the happiest two years of my life."

"Words cannot express my ap- preciation for the privilege I have had the past twenty-six months. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work, gained a testimony, and my sincere desire is to live worthy of the Priest- hood I hold."

Many of these young people could not have made such statements be- fore they went into the mission field. Something has come into their lives which they had not felt or known before.

"My mission was one of the great- est blessings of my life and I hope I may ever retain the spirit of it and some time go again."

"I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for this splendid oppor- tunity. I wish that every young man in the Church could have the same opportunity that has enriched my life."

What is this great change that has come into the lives of these young people? What is the "testi- 82

mony" to which they refer? Some- thing miraculous has come into their hearts and minds. Here are more:

"I have received a testimony of the truth of the Gospel. I will glory in it the rest of my life."

"My mission was a glorious priv- ilege. I found God. I hope to be faithful and devoted the rest of my life."

What enthusiasm! Supreme joy! Glorious spirituality! Divine knowl- edge!

While these young people tell of "finding God," and of receiving this "testimony," they do not tell just how it came about, the process of its development, or just how it was received.

Lorenzo Snow does give this in- formation about his own experience and in his own words. At twenty- two years of age, just a hundred years ago now, he "found the Lord" and received his testimony. He has given a clear and complete descrip-

tion of his experiences which culmi- nated in this "perfect knowledge."

Lorenzo Snow Sees the Prophet for the First Time

*""Phe first time I saw Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Lord, I was seventeen years of age. It was in 1831, in the fall of the year. It was rumored that he was going to hold a meeting in Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, about four miles from my fa- ther's home, where I was born and brought up. Having heard many sto- ries about him, my curiosity was con- siderably aroused and I thought I would take advantage of this oppor- tunity to see and hear him. Accord- ingly, in company with some of the members of my father's family, I rode over to Hiram in our carriage.

"When we reached there the people were already assembled in a small bowery; there were about two hundred and fifty or two hundred people pres-

EAST BRANCH, CHAGRIN RIVER, KIRTLAND, WHERE LORENZO SNOW WAS BAPTIZED. THE KIRTLAND TEMPLE IS SEEN IN THE DISTANCE.

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

PROPHET JOSEPH LAND, OHIO.

SMITH'S HOME IN KIRT-

ent. I had heard something about the "Mormon" Prophet and felt some anxiety to see him and judge for my- self, as he was generally believed to be a false prophet. The meeting had already commenced and Joseph Smith was standing in the door of Father Johnson's house, looking into the bow- ery and addressing the people.

"I made a critical examination as to his appearance, his dress, and his manner as I heard him speak. He was only twenty-five years of age and was not, at that time, what would be called a fluent speaker. His remarks were confined principally to his own experi- ences, especially the visitation of the angel, giving a strong and powerful testimony in regard to these marvelous manifestations. He simply bore his testimony to what the Lord had mani- fested to him, to the dispensation of the Gospel which had been commit- ted to him, and to the authority that he possessed. At first he seemed a little diffident and spoke in rather a low voice, but as he proceeded he be- came very strong and powerful, and seemed to affect the whole audience with the feeling that he was honest and sincere. It certainly influenced me in this way and made impressions upon me that remain until the present day.

"As I looked upon him and listened, I thought to myself that a man bearing such a wonderful testimony as he did, and having such a countenance as he possessed, could hardly be a false prophet. He certainly could not have been deceived, it seemed to me, and if he was a deceiver he was deceiving the people knowingly; for when he tes- tified that he had had a conversation with Jesus, the Son of God, and had talked with Him personally, as Moses talked with God upon Mount Sinai, and that he had also heard the voice of the Father, he was telling some- thing that he either knew to be false or to be positively true.*

*There for the first time I heard his voice. When I heard his testimony in re- gard to what the Lord had revealed to him, it seemed to me that he must be an honest man. He talked and looked like an honest man. He was an honest man.

"I was not at that time what might be called a religious boy, but I was interested in what I saw and heard there. However, being busy in other directions, it passed measurably out of my mind until some three or four years later. After completing my classical studies at Oberlin College I went to Kirtland to continue my study of Hebrew with Dr. Joshua Seixas.

LE ROI C. SNOW

"Soon after arriving in Kirtland I was on the street with my sister, Eliza. Joseph Smith came along. He was in a great hurry and stopped just long enough to be introduced and shake hands. He turned to my sister and said: 'Eliza, bring your brother over to the house to dinner.' She was then boarding at his home and teaching his private school. As he left us I watched him just as far as I could see him and

then I turned to my sister and said: 'Joseph Smith is a most remarkable man; I want to get better acquainted with him. Perhaps, after all, there is something more to Joseph Smith and to Mormonism than I have ever dream- ed.;

"Accordingly, the next time I saw the Prophet was at his own house in Kirtland following his invitation to me to take dinner with him. I remember this meeting and conversation as if it were but yesterday. He sat down at one end of the table and I sat next to him. Eliza sat on the other side. He seemed to have changed consider- ably in his appearance since I first saw him at Hiram, four and a half years before. He was very ready in conversation, and had apparently lost that reserve and diffident feeling that he seemed to have before. He was free and easy in his conversation with me, making me feel perfectly at home in his presence. In fact, I felt as free with him as if we had been special friends for years. He was very familiar.

"I became perfectly acquainted with Joseph Smith, the Prophet, sat at his table frequently, and had many con- versations with him. I had joined Professor Seixas' Hebrew class, which was my principal reason for coming to Kirtland. I was also attending high school in the temple and preparing myself for some eastern college or uni- versity. A professor by the name of Haws was teaching us. Wilford Woodruff and other brethren attended this school.

"I listened to the teaching of the Gospel and received these truths with an open heart. I was determined not to rest there. I was exceedingly anxious to know without doubt that Joseph Smith was a true prophet."

First Experience With the Patriarch

"It was Sunday, June 5, (1836), about a week after I arrived in Kirt- land, that I first saw Father Smith. He was holding a patriarchal blessing meeting, in the Kirtland Temple, at which there were twelve or fifteen per- sons present. I was then searching to know whether there was any truth in Mormonism. I had never experienced

CINCINNATI HALL (SLAB HALL) TEMPORARY QUARTERS OF OBERLIN COLLEGE, ATTENDED BY LORENZO SNOW.

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

anything supernatural, with one slight exception, and I did not know that anything supernatural had ever oc- curred among the children of men. I had heard Methodists, Presbyterians, and others relate their experiences, but I thought I could attribute all they said to natural causes. It was hard for me to be convinced that there could be such extraordinary manifestations as I saw exhibited in visiting the temple and listening to the testimonies of per- sons and hearing the extraordinary ac- counts of what the Lord had mani- fested to them.

"It was at my sister's invitation that I attended this meeting conducted by Father Smith. I listened with astonish- ment to him telling the brethren and sisters their parentage, their lineage, and other things which I could not help but believe he knew nothing about, save as the Spirit manifested them unto him. After listening to several patri- archal blessings pronounced upon the heads of different individuals with whose history I was acquainted, and of whom I knew the Patriarch was entirely ignorant, I was struck with astonishment to hear the peculiarities of those persons positively and plainly referred to in their blessings. I was convinced that an influence, superior to human prescience, dictated his words. . . .

"After this meeting, my sister intro- duced me to him, and in the course of the conversation he remarked: 'Why, Brother Snow (he called me Brother Snow, although I had not been bap- tized, and did not know that I ever would be), do not worry,' he said, 'I discover that you are trying to under- stand the principles of Mormonism,' 'Yes,' I replied, 'that was the object I had in view,' 'Well,' said he, 'do not worry, but pray to the Lord and satisfy yourself; study the matter over, com- pare the scriptures with what we are teaching; talk with the brethren that you are acquainted with, and after a time you will be convinced that "Mor- monism" is of God, and you will be baptized.' . . .

"Anyone seeing Father Smith as he then appeared and having read of old Father Abraham in the scriptures, would be apt to think that Father Smith looked a good deal like Abraham must have looked; at least, that is what I thought. I do not know that any man among the Saints was more loved than Father Smith; and when any one was

seriously sick Father Smith would be called for, whether it was night or day. He was as noble and generous a man as I have ever known. . . .

"At the first sight, his presence im- pressed me with a feeling of love and reverence for him. I had never before seen age so prepossessing. Father Joseph Smith, the Patriarch, was in- deed a noble specimen of aged man- hood.

"He surprised me when he said, 'Don't worry, take it calmly and the Lord will show you the truth of this great latter-day work, and you will want to be baptized.' ... I studied the principles. . . I heard the Prophet discourse upon the grandest of sub- jects. At times he was filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking as with the voice of an archangel and filled with the power of God, his whole person shone

THE JOHNSON HOME IN HIRAM, OHIO, WHERE JOSEPH SMITH LIVED, 1831-32.

and his face was lightened until it appeared as the whiteness of the driven snow. . . . Finally my prayers were answered and I was convinced of the truth sufficiently to want to be bap- tized to get a knowledge for myself of the testimony that Joseph Smith had seen God. . . .

"In my investigations," Lorenzo Snow writes in his journal, "of the principles taught by the Latter-day Saints, which I proved, by comparison, to be the same as those mentioned in the New Testament taught by Christ and His Apostles, I was thoroughly convinced that obedience to those prin- ciples would impart miraculous powers, manifestations and revelations.

"On Sunday, June 19, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph arose in the

COLONIAL HALL, OBERLIN COLLEGE, ATTENDED BY LORENZO SNOW.

THE BIG TENT, WHICH WAS "PUT UP" SUN- DAYS ONLY FOR OBERLIN COLLEGE SACRED SERVICES.

pulpit just before the meeting closed and said: 'A young man by the name of Lorenzo Snow wishes to be bap- tized, and Brother John Boynton (who was then one of the Twelve Apostles ) will baptize him.' After the meeting I was baptized in the stream that ran through Kirtland, and I was confirmed by Hyrum Smith who, with some others, laid hands upon me.

"I received no special manifestation at that time, but I was perfectly satis- fied that I had done what was wisdom for me to do under the circumstances. I had studied the scriptures and was convinced that the Gospel as preached by the Latter-day Saints was in ac- cordance with that taught by the Son of God and by His Apostles in former days.

"A peaceful, good spirit came upon me that I had never experienced be- fore, and I felt satisfied at the sacrifice I had made. Since then I have been ashamed to call it a sacrifice, but at that time it was a sacrifice to me, be- cause I could see that it would change my whole future and perhaps destroy all my worldly prospects and aspira- tions, besides being a great disappoint- ment to my relatives and friends.

"Although the promise of the re- ception of the Holy Ghost did not im- mediately follow my baptism, when I did receive it, its realization was more perfect, tangible and miraculous than even my strongest hopes had led me to anticipate.

"I went before the Lord and made this 'covenant' with Him, that 'if the Lord gives me a testimony of the truth of Mormonism, direct from Himself, I will devote my entire life to the promulgation of its glorious truths.' . .

"Some two weeks after my baptism, I retired as usual, at the close of day, for secret prayer, in a grove a short distance from my lodgings. . . .

"I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, than I heard a sound just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes, and immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me in power, completely enveloping my whole person, filling me, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O, the joy and happiness I felt! That will never be erased from my memory as long as memory en- dures. It came upon me and enveloped my whole system. . . .

"I then received a perfect knowl- edge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, that Joseph the (Concluded on page 105)

DIAMONDS

J Iewis Avery brought

his smart roadster to a sliding stop in front of Denver's finest jewelry store.

The girl at his side raised sur- prised blue eyes to his.

"I thought you were taking me home!''

His hand closed over hers.

"I am. But first I'm going to put that diamond ring on your finger, Janet Ferril."

"How do you know I'll like the one you've picked out?" she smiled up at him teasingly.

"I don't," he smiled back. "That's why I'm bringing you here to see it. If you don't like the one I've chosen, there are lots of others. Only I do hope you'll take one that fits, so you can walk out with it on. I want everyone at the dance tonight to know!"

"Silly!" she laughed, but it was a gratified, happy little laugh.

"Sure, I'm silly. And proud of it!"

Ihe tall, broad-shoul- dered, blond, young man, who looked more like a football player than a clerk, came forward casually, smiling perfunctorily, as the two en- tered the jewelry store.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Avery. You've brought the lady to see the — " He stopped dead still for an instant as he recognized Janet. With a bound he was at her side.

"Janet! Janet Ferril! How — when?"

He drew her authoritatively aside, while Lewis stood awkwardly by. After an embarrassing delay Janet beckoned to her fiance.

"Lewis, I want you to know my very good friend, Tom Malone. I knew him at school at the Y. Mr. Malone, Mr. Avery."

"Pleased to meet you," growled Lewis in anything but a pleased tone.

"It was the surprise of my life to have Janet walk into this store," said Tom. "I had no idea she was in town. I thought she was still away!" He started to converse with her again, but Lewis said stiffly:

By NANCY CATTELL HARTFORD

AND

OPAL

YOUR MOTHER TOLD ME WHERE SHE THOUGHT YOU WERE. I'VE JUST GOT TO TALK TO YOU. MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?

"Will you please show Miss Fer- ril the solitaire I was looking at yes- terday? We're in a bit of a rush."

Tom stared at Janet. "Are you the girl he's been looking at that ring for? Are you and he — ?"

She smiled and nodded.

Then he stared at Lewis. "Con- gratulation's!" He gave Lewis a friendly slap on the back, and turned to Janet.

"Your ring is in the case at the far end of the store." He tucked his arm through hers and led the way, Lewis trailing them.

"Your hand, please." Tom slip- ped on her finger the ring he had taken from the case. "It is a gor- geous stone! But" he studied the small hand critically as she exam- ined from many angles the perfect diamond, "I think the stone is a little large for your hand. How do you feel about it, Avery?"

"Looks all right to me," barked Lewis.

Tom scowled disapprovingly at the ring. Then his face lighted up.

"Excuse me a minute. I've a thought!" He dashed to the front of the store, leaving the two alone,

"It surely is a beautiful stone," Janet said, posing her hand. "But it does seem a little large — "

"I don't think it's a bit too large!" Lewis was glowering. "I want it large! The larger the better, so everybody can see a block away how much I think of you."

[N WHICH AN OLD SU- PERSTITION IS COM- PLETELY DISPOSED OF BY TWO YOUNG PEOPLE IN LOVE.

"Here, Janet, look here!" Tom had come up and was holding out to her on the palm of his hand a ring set with six small diamonds and an opal. "Here's the ring you should have."

She gave him a quick look of un- derstanding.

"You're right, Tom. How per- fect!"

She put the circlet on her finger. It fitted perfectly. The opal ap- peared to become alive as she held it out for Lewis to see.

"Don't you love it, Lewis? It's the one I want."

"But," Lewis frowned, and his eyes were troubled, "I . . . I . . . It doesn't look like an engagement ring!

"That's one of the reasons I adore it! It's different. Oh, please may I have it?"

"Of course, you know you can have anything you want that I can give you. Only I ... I ... I wish it were a solitaire."

;;why?"

"Oh ... no particular reason . . . only — ."

"Then I may have it?"

"Sure thing."

The bewitching and shy "thank you" she flashed as her eyes met his, more than repaid him for con- quering the impulse to insist on the solitaire.

Seated again in the roadster on (Continued on page 121)

SUSAN B. ANTHONY

Her personality and friendships

By ANNIE WELLS CANNON

TN THE ENJOYMENT OF OUR MANY PRIV- ILEGE'S, IT IS WELL TO REMEMBER WITH REVERENCE OUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE WOMEN OF THE PAST."

\\l

irriHAT is our great happiness

of life — to add to our high

acquaintances," wrote Em- erson, the philosopher. Fifty-eight years of service to the women of America was recognized last year by the government of the United States in the issuance of the Susan B. Anthony memorial stamp. The fifteenth of February marks the an- niversary of the birth of this patri- otic woman, and it seems most fit- ting to recall some instances of her colorful career and magnificent achievements.

Among the galaxy of great wom- en, who became not only acquaint- ances, but friends to the Latter-day Saint women, Susan B. Anthony stands supreme.

The women of the present gener- ation, with all avenues of education and occupation open to them, can scarcely comprehend how difficult was the task of the pioneers, who broke through the barriers and opened up a new day and a clear way for women. The changes the years have wrought have not been without sacrifice and struggle; in the enjoyment of our many privi- leges, it is well to remember with reverence our obligations to the women of the past.

Through her own active exer- tions, coupled with her love for hu- manity, Miss Anthony created for herself a national and international reputation as a wise and valiant leader. The women of America ac- claim her as a great emancipator; her service comparable only to mar- tyrs, who forgetting self, consider no sacrifice too great to attain a righteous end.

Early in her career in the cause of equal rights for all mankind, with- 86

out discrimination because of color, creed, or sex, she suffered ridicule and persecution; had stones and noxious smelling things hurled at her; was heckled at her meetings and ridiculed in word and picture by the public and the press. In all these distressing years she never lost her dignity or self-control; she never wavered in her purpose; she made no compromises, but courag- eously and fearlessly carried on. Anent this fact, Mrs. Lippincott (Grace Greenwood) said at the great Congress of Women held in Washington in 1888, "I honor all the pioneer leaders but I make my Salaam to Susan B. Anthony. She has dared no more than the others, but she has been compelled to en- dure more. Lucretia Mott disarm- ed rude opposition by her sweet Quaker serenity, Mrs. Stanton by her comfortable look of mother- hood; while Miss Anthony has ask- ed no quarter and received none; from first to last she has been the target for the slings and arrows of outrageous journalism." Grace Greenwood was one time editor of Godey's Ladies' Book and Wash- ington correspondent of the New York Tribune.

Miss Anthony's aim from the first was to have an amendment to the Constitution of the United States enfranchising the women. She never lost that thought in all her arduous duties. "Failure is impossible," was one of her frequent phrases, re- peating these words even in her last talk at a convention in Baltimore just a few weeks before her death.

Miss Anthony knew no class dis- tinction but gave sympathetic sup- port whenever and wherever she found women making effort for rec-

THE LAST PICTURE OF SUSAN B. ANTHONY TAKEN FEBRUARY 10, 1906. IN HER HAND SHE HOLDS THE PURSE IN WHICH WAS $86, THE GIFT OF ROCHESTER WOMEN, WHICH SHE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE OF SUFFRAGE IN OREGON.

ognition and advancement. Her great heart went out to all women in the trades and professions. She believed in equal wage for equal work. The factory girl was as. much her concern as her more for- tunate sister. Miss Anthony was especially interested in creating better conditions and raising stand- ards for the working classes.

The great women leaders in spe- cial lines of activity rallied around her and sought her counsel and her help. With Elizabeth Cady Stan- ton and Lucretia Mott, who called the first suffrage convention at Sen- eca Falls, she joined forces and pledged her fealty in 1851; among them there was always a sisterly affection. From that time it was Miss Anthony's leadership, organ- izing ability, and creative powers, which animated the forces of the suffrage cause throughout the long years. Then there were Clara Bar- ton of the Red Cross, Frances Wil- lard, temperance advocate; Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, May Wright Sewell, all working for higher education; Kate Waller Barrett of the Florence Crittendon Home movement, and so on down a long list of women each one interested in some special cause seeking her aid. She called them her girls and would say "Wait, girls, and all join forces for the suf- frage amendment and with the pow- er of the ballot we can accomplish, all these worthy things."

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

Miss Anthony's first acquaint- ance with the Utah women was in 1870, when in company with Mrs. Stanton and Dr. Mary Walk- er she came to Utah to learn at first hand the "success or failure" as the case might be, of the exer- cise of the elective franchise by women. She was perfectly delight- ed with her reception here, and not- ed with surprise and satisfaction the advancement and progress of the Mormon women. Like many others who came from the far east she had heard strange and untrue stories about the Latter-day Saints, but she had an open mind and was herself without prejudice. Her ad- miration and pleasure were quite

preside at a department meeting, she turned to one of her assistants and said, "Go get one of the Mormon women, they all know how to pre- side," (a compliment, indirectly, to those who know, to the training in the auxiliary organizations.)

This visit was the beginning of a voluminous correspondence with the Utah women and a lasting friendship between Miss Anthony and Mrs. Kimball, Emmeline B. Wells, Emily S. Richards, Susa Young Gates and others.

In 1879 Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells, accompanied by Mrs. Zina Young Williams, was sent to Washington to memorialize Con- gress in behalf of their people. This

fore congressional committees and introduced them to many influential people.

A National Suffrage Convention was being held at that time in the capital to which the Utah women were delegates. They were invited to seats on the platform and given place on the program. When Mrs. Wells made her report of the work in Utah, Miss Anthony embraced her before that large audience of notable women, as she said, "We are all happy to meet women who can vote. We have worn threadbare the axiom 'Taxation without repre- sentation is tyranny,' now here are two women from a territory where such tyranny does not exist." There

-genuine and sincere and from then on she was a friend and defender of the people who had been so ma- ligned.

During Miss Anthony's visit two large meetings were held and dele- gates came from surrounding cities to take part and hear these great leaders. Utah's pioneer suffrage leader, Mrs. Sarah M. Kimball, presided and the visiting ladies were introduced by President Daniel H. Wells at that time mayor of Salt Lake City. Miss Anthony praised the men of the legislature for their sense of justice and expressed her- self as greatly pleased with the progress of the Utah women along lines of government and parliamen- tary procedure. Some years later at a convention in Washington, when they were looking for a woman to

FIRST ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ZINA D. H. YOUNG; REV. ANNA HOWARD SHAW; SUSAN B. ANTHONY; SARAH M. KIMBALL, THEN PRESIDENT OF UTAH WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION; LYLE MEREDITH STANSBURY OF DENVER, COLORADO. SEC- OND ROW: MARY C. C. BRADFORD OF DENVER, COLORADO; MARGARET A. CAINE; ELECTA BULLOCK; DR. MARTHA HUGHES CANNON; PHOEBE Y. BEATTIE; EMILY S. RICHARDS; EMMELINE B. WELLS; REBECCA M. LITTLE; AUGUSTA W. GRANT. OF ALL THE WOMEN IN THIS PICTURE, MRS. GRANT, WIFE OF PRES. HEBER J. GRANT, IS THE ONLY ONE NOW LIVING.

was the dawn of a dark period of time in Utah, which lasted more than ten years. The first step threaten- ed was a strict enforcement of the Cullom Bill of 1862, with an added clause disfranchising the women of Utah.

The suffrage women immediately espoused the cause of the Utah women and appeared with them be-

was much applause and enthusiasm.

During the trying years after the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker law of 1 886 which disfranchised the women of Utah, the friendship of Miss Anthony and her associates was manifested in many helpful ways.

In 1888 a World Congress of Women was held in Washington, D. C, in commemoration of the fortieth anniversary of the first suf- frage meeting held at Seneca Falls, New York. Fifty women's organ- izations were represented by noted women from all parts of the world — women from Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Scan- dinavian countries, India, Finland, Iceland, Australia, and Russia. Utah sent as large a delegation as any of the states and had as warm a

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

welcome. The three women's or- ganizations: the National Wom- an's Relief Society, the Young Woman's Mutual Improvement As- sociation, and the Primary were ex- plained in a comprehensive paper given by Mrs. Emily S. Richards at the conference on Philanthropy, and again Miss Anthony took oc- casion to manifest publicly her ad- miration for the Utah women.

Miss Anthony noted every step for the "cause," educational or po- litical. She held watch on the pub- lic pulse as a physician counts the heart beats of his patients. Even so was her joy likewise manifest when victory was in the ascendent.

During the meeting of the Utah Constitutional Convention in 1895, prior to statehood, the women of the National Suffrage Association were in daily communication with the women of Utah and as soon as assured that there would be grafted into the Constitution a provision granting equal suffrage to women, Miss Anthony and the Rev. Anna Shaw were on their way to Utah to express in person their pleasure and their congratulations. (The con- vention adjourned May 8, and Miss Anthony and party arrived May 12, 1895.) It was a beautiful Sun- day morning. More than a hundred women welcomed them at the sta- tion and drove with them around the city. Salt Lake City seemed as smiling in her flowery loveliness as the group of splendid women who entertained these distinguished guests. The service in the Taber- nacle in the afternoon was largely in their honor, and both Miss An- thony and Dr. Shaw were invited to speak. A two day suffrage con- vention followed at which Mrs. Em- meline B. Wells presided. Gover- nor Caleb W. West, Utah's last territorial governor, introduced Miss Anthony in complimentary terms, referring to her first visit when she was introduced by Mayor Wells. Governor West, with the officers of the National Guard, the officers from Fort Douglas, state and church officials, attended the recep- tion at the home of Hon. and Mrs. F. S. Richards given in honor of the visitors from Washington. Be- fore leaving, Miss Anthony express- ed to her Utah friends in choicest words her deep appreciation for all these honors, drawing their atten- tion to the great change in senti- ment towards her and the suffrage cause in their later years. To one so accustomed to opposition these courteous attentions were deeply af- 88

ANNIE WELLS CANNON

"TVistinguished by the federated *S women's clubs of Salt Lake City as one of the seven outstanding wom- en of that city for her civic services, Mrs. Cannon was crowned for a life of devoted effort in accomplishing good.

With her mother, Emmeline B. Wells, she was associated with the woman movement in Utah almost from its inception. Mrs. Wells as editor of "The Woman's Exponent," of which paper Mrs. Cannon was for fifteen years associate editor, was foremost in championing the cause of women, not only in the state of Utah, but throughout the world. In her travels at home and abroad, Mrs. Wells became intimate with many of the leading women of the equal suf- frage movement. Mrs. Cannon also knew many of them personally.

Mrs. Cannon has been known as a champion for woman's welfare over a period of many years. As a mem- ber of the 1913 legislature she helped secure a large part of the social legis- lation of that session; the minimum wage law for women, the widowed mother's pension law, the equal guardianship law, and others of value to women. In this article, Mrs. Can- non draws from her rich experience and wide background to give us a close-up view of the leading spirit of the suffrage cause, Susan B. Anthony.

fecting. If she ever lost her poise or self possession it was when some one showed her kindness and affec- tion. Never did she forget a kind- ness shown.

To every state in the Union, al- most to every city and town, Miss Anthony carried her message, gave encouragement, and organized suf- frage societies. She crossed the borders into Canada and Mexico, and many times crossed the Atlan- tic to assist the women in foreign lands. She set an example of giv-

ing. How many thousands of dol- lars she earned and gave to the cause of woman suffrage, will never be known. She realized that the first requisite was money and so every year she gave all she had of her own and tried by every possible means to persuade others to give.

A beautiful instance of her liber- ality occurred at the conference in Baltimore. The conference was to be devoted to helping the women of Oregon in their suffrage campaign.

Miss Anthony was so ill it was not supposed she could leave the house, but she astonished everybody by appearing on the platform. When contributions were called for, she came forward and holding out a little pocketbook she said, "I want to begin by giving you my purse. Just before I left Rochester they gave me a birthday party and made me a present of eighty-six dollars. I suppose they wanted me to do as I like with the money and I wish to send it to Oregon."

As state after state granted the franchise, it seemed as though that was the way woman suffrage would come to the American women and a less courageous woman than Miss Anthony might have been willing to accept that method. Not so Susan B. Anthony. She never lost faith but that the amendment she had prepared and tried for forty years and more to have passed by Con- gress would some day be passed. In her last conversation with her friend, Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells, she said, "The amendment will be passed about 1920. I shall not be here, but you may." This prophetic state- ment was verified. The amend- ment was passed in 1919 and rati- fied by the required number of states in 1920, a few months be- fore the passing of Mrs. Wells.

Though Miss Anthony did not see the full realization of a lifelong dream, she rejoiced in the progress and advancement of women her ef- forts had helped to promote. Her vision and discernment buoyed her over many streams of disappoint- ment.

There are many women still liv- ing in Utah who proudly claim ac- quaintance and friendship with Miss Anthony and to whom she is a vivid and cherished memory.

Her keen sense of justice, her truth, her perseverance under ad- versity, her faith in achievement mark her for the generations of womankind, to honor as a valiant woman looking ever forward to victory.

Th e

MISSIONARY FOR ME

By DON B. COLTON

President of the Eastern States Mission

'*WE NEED MISSIONARIES WHO ARE PIONEERS, WHO ARE WILLING TO GO OUT INTO NEW FIELDS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES THEIR OWN OPPORTUNITIES. ACTIVITIES MUST BE CREATED; THERE ARE FEW, IF ANY, CONGREGATIONS WAITING FOR MISSIONARIES. . . . We NEED MISSIONARIES WHO IMPROVE THEMSELVES BY FORGETTING SELF AND SERVING OTHERS.

THE ANGEL MORONI MONUMENT ON HILL CUMORAH NEAR PALMYRA, N. Y.— A FOCAL POINT IN THE EASTERN STATES MISSION.

Recently a typical group of mis- sionaries came to the Eastern

States Mission. They were intelligent, clean-living, fine young people. They seemed anxious for work. Before assigning them to their fields of labor I had a personal conversation with each one and without an exception each one re- quested to be sent where he could speak often and find much personal activity. This of itself presents a real challenge to a mission president, because opportunities for missionary activities must be created; there are few, if any, congregations waiting for missionaries. This fact is some- times disappointing to missionaries.

In many parts of our missions we do not have organized branches of the Church. In other places, where there are organized branches, there are often resident members who are experienced in speaking, most of whom are anxious to continue their activity in the Church and enjoy be- ing called to render service. In many instances the branches and auxiliary organizations are presided over by talented and experienced local men. Moreover, in such places the Gospel has usually been preach- ed for many years.

We need missionaries who are pioneers, who are willing to go out into new fields, make new friends, and provide for themselves their own opportunities for speaking and performing other missionary duties. Not long since, two missionaries were sent to a city in Pennsylvania. There were a number of Church members living in this city and branch meetings had been held. These two missionaries, however,

decided to create their own oppor- tunities for more activity. They de- veloped a systematic plan for cottage meetings. I saw them some time later and learned that they were holding five meetings each week. The attendance at the Sunday meetings had increased and these brethren had more than they could do in filling appointments. Several baptisms have occurred in that city during the last few months and sev- eral more are expected.

Nothing is truer than that the Lord extends His blessings to earnest, zealous missionaries who do not wait for opportunities, but who create them. The crying need of the hour is for missionaries who will pioneer under the conditions that exist to- day and who will not blindly follow the paths others have made under vastly different conditions. Prayer, work, and study, and an unstinted desire to render unselfish service and bring others to a knowledge of the Gospel's saving truth are the key-words for success in the mission field.

No doubt every mission president has similar experiences. He finds that some parents, local Church authorities, and friends are holding out as the chief incentive for going upon a mission the improvement that comes to a missionary. In fact, many of our missionaries come into the field and worry about whether or not they will meet the expectations of parents, brothers, and sisters, and ward members in self-improvement. Some missionaries actually feel that unless they can report to their friends at home that they have been appointed district president or called

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

to some other position, their mis- sions have not been successful. This point of view often causes un- happiness on the part of our mission- aries if they are not so recognized.

All cannot be district presidents or work at mission headquarters, but all can be earnest crusaders in the cause of the Master. Are young missionaries being filled with the true spirit of a crusader? In our homes, in our Sunday Schools, in our Priesthood quorums, and in other organizations of the Church, are we giving them the unselfish attitude or are they coming to the field with their very highest incentive to become good speakers and other- wise improve themselves?

It is against what may be termed "the selfish attitude" that I am writ- ing. We are all looking for mis- sionaries whose personal ambition is submerged in the larger service of winning souls to the cause of righteousness. With this unselfish attitude self-improvement will fol- low and it will be greater.

N example of the unselfish type of missionary was presented re- cently when there came to the mis- sion a humble man of more mature years who could remain for only a few months. I asked this good man if he had any choice as to where he should be sent. His reply thrilled me as he said: "I just want to go where I can find honest souls who will listen to the wonderful message I have for them." Then he added (in substance): "It will not make any difference where you send me because our Father's children every- where must be given an opportunity to receive the message."

When this brother was released his district president wrote a special letter calling attention to the won- derful work he had done. In twenty days in February he had spent 133 hours in tracting, had visited 142 homes; had been invited into 63 of them, had 123 gospel conversations, had sold seven copies of the Book of Mormon in a community where the people are comparatively poor, had spoken at eight cottage meet- ings. I quote from the district pres- ident's letter:

"Notice that in visiting 142 homes, where his call was answered, he spent 133 hours, or an average of almost one hour in a home. The 133 hours were apparently consumed (or the major part of them) in the 123 gospel conversations. Notice that he had 63 invitations into homes, or, in other words, one out of each 2*4 homes which answered his calls invited him in. His Book of Mormon record is more than ten times

beautifully in the following lan- guage:

"Constant consideration for the welfare and happiness of others is every day im- posed upon us by the divine injunction: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' The test, then, of our soul's greatness is rather to be sought in our ability to comfort and console, our ability to help others, rather than in our ability to help ourselves and crowd others down in the struggle of life.

DON. B. COLTON

the average of the mission. The copies he distributed were not sold with a view to making a record; they were placed in the hands of people who are reading them, whose interests were aroused through his efforts. Now I realize that better records have been made. I don't think missionaries should work for a record; but this is just an example of the record which will natur- ally result from the efforts of a conscientious missionary who is not afraid to tract when his feet and hands are cold and whose whole thought is to make the best of his short three months in the mission field. It is an example of a missionary who possibly did not possess unusual talents but who bore a very powerful testimony of the Gospel because of his faithfulness and his sacrifice."

The twenty days in which this record was made were the closing days of this Elder's mission. He continued his efforts until the night before he left for his home.

By constantly reminding young people in the Church of the wonder- ful self-improvement this or that missionary has made, and by empha- sizing that a mission will do them more good than two years of college training, or similar statements, I wonder if we are not giving them a selfish viewpoint.

The Savior said: "For whoso- ever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25). It would therefore follow that those who give their time, talent, and effort unselfishly to the service of the Lord, find life. And it is not to be forgotten that those who take this attitude as a rule develop much more rapidly than those who come into the mission field primarily with what may be called (although in most instances without conscious- ness of fault) "the attitude of want- ing to improve self." The late Jos- eph F. Smith expressed this thought

T MUST not be understood that mis- sionaries should not labor dili- gently to improve themselves. A mission is a great school, and every young man and young woman is justified in wanting to go upon a mission for personal reasons, but the self-improvement should be of sec- ondary consideration. Every mis- sionary is admonished to study dili- gently, to seek information and knowledge from every possible source. Classes are conducted daily; study periods are a part of the daily program of every missionary's life. He is constantly urged to do things that will improve himself. That comes as a matter of course. But I am pleading that the motivating impulse of the ideal missionary is to save souls, to give them the glad tidings of great joy. And it is only fair to state that in most instances the missionary soon acquires the de- sire to help others and forgets self- improvement as the primary motive.

There came into the Eastern States Mission a short time ago a humble, sincere young man who had not had a fair opportunity in life. He recognized his weaknesses. He was an orphan and his mission was made possible through the kindness of a brother and sister. His school- ing had been rather limited but he seemed filled with the desire to help others. He seemed even to feel that there was not much chance for his own growth. He was sent to a district where there was only one boy of Scout age in the Church. In his own quiet way he began talk- ing of the Scout work which the Church has so splendidly endorsed. He realized that in this work he himself had been greatly benefited; in fact, it had almost been his salva- tion. He was filled with the desire to use this great organization to save other boys and to bring them to a knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.

I was asked to go to the district for the installation of a troop of Boy Scouts. Going to the basement of the chapel before the exercises, I observed this Elder adjusting the uniforms of the boys; he was calling

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

each by name and making quiet sug- gestions as to what the procedure and requirements of a Scout are. A few minutes later I went to the chapel. It was crowded to over- flowing. The Scout executive of the area and two assistants — not members of the Church — were pres- ent and took part in the exercises. They spoke in the highest terms of the work done by the Latter-day Saints and appealed to those young men present to live up to the stan- dards of the Mormon Church and stated that there were no higher standards in the world.

Only one of that Boy Scout troop of eighteen was a member of our Church. At the close of the exer- cises parents came to me and urged that this Elder be permitted to stay in the district at least until the first court of honor be held. They said: "We like him. In his quiet, humble, and sincere way he has touched the hearts of our boys." One woman told me that she wanted her boy to become a member of the Church and explained that her church had not reached her boy as this missionary had done. Our Elder had been looking only to find young men to whom he could explain the high standards of the Church and win them for the Lord our Savior.

Later the first court of honor was held in the Latter-day Saint chapel in the city where this missionary had been laboring. Again the chapel was crowded. The Scout executive praised the work being done by the troop in the very highest terms and made mention of the fact that for the first time in his experience in Scout work he had attended a troop meeting which was opened and closed with prayer — not by an offi- cial, but by the boys themselves. Two or three people have applied for baptism. They have explained that this humble missionary has led them to a true appreciation of the Gospel.

A little over two years ago a lady missionary came to this mission having the feeling that she had no natural ability with which to do her work. I talked with her. She had health, humility, faith in the Gospel, and a keen desire to do her duty. Before she left the mission she had established what was then the high record for hours spent in tracting. The longer she remained in the mis- sion the more zeal she exhibited for missionary work and though she re- mained over the two-year period,

the last weeks of her mission were her busiest ones.

Many other instances could be cited. Recently a young lady came to the mission. For five years she had been saving for this purpose. She recognized that she must be eco- nomical and wise in the use of her money because she knew the source of each dollar. She is using it wisely. A few months after arrival she spoke to an audience and thrilled all of us with her wonderful testimony and the joy that she has found in forgetting self and laboring for the Master.

Missionaries who come into the field with a background of this kind will succeed. They not only suc- ceed in taking the message to others, but they succeed more than any others in bringing to themselves that self-development for which all are seeking.

Missionaries are frequently called to labor in the mission office. Day after day I see them at work, per- forming the most ordinary tasks. There is nothing from an outward standpoint from which they can re- ceive a thrill, yet they are thrilled because of the consciousness that it is the Lord's work. I have never seen more faithful service than I have seen in the mission office: no selfish acquirement of accomplish- ments for display, but an inward growth that can come only because of duty well done. It is true that "whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Let it not be understood that the blame for the selfish motive lies wholly with the missionary. He is keenly sensitive of all that is ex- pected of him, particularly by his. parents and other relatives. He is constantly reminded of the sacrifice that his parents are making for him. He is frequently told that there will be great disappointment at home unless he comes back a fluent speaker. He is constantly reminded

that a mission will do him more good than two years in college. The ward members and members of the aux- iliary organizations he knows may be out to his welcome-home not to learn how many souls he has brought into the Church but to find out whether or not he has become a good speaker. Is it any wonder then that there is constantly before him his home-coming and the reaction his friends and relatives will have.

Somehow I am hoping that stake and ward authorities, that parents, brothers, and sisters, will see the picture as I have tried to paint it. Our people at home (unconsciously, of course, but nevertheless, actually ) often do give to our missionaries to a greater or less extent the selfish point of view. Public speaking is no criterion by which to judge the effectiveness of a mission- ary's work. Some of our poorest speakers have been most effective in converting people to the truth. There is no attempt here to dispar- age public speaking ability; it is a wonderful gift and one of the great- est helps to missionary work, but it is not the chief end in view and should not be the motivating ambi- tion of young men and young women who come into the mission field.

Personality and personal ambition must be secondary in missionary work. When this is accomplished, missionaries will first want to ac- quaint themselves with the message of the Gospel; they will want to heal the spiritually sick, comfort those who mourn, bless those who mis- understand them, pray for those who despitefully use them.

The missionary for me is the one who yearns for souls, who wants to labor where the Lord would have him work, who forgets self and finds life everlasting in willing service for others.

THE HILL CUMORAH, NEAR PALMYRA, NEW YORK.

ROADCASTING with the

MILLENNIAL CHORUS

A CONTRACT FROM THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION: A PUBLIC WELCOME BY- THE UNITED STATES MINISTER TO THE IRISH FREE STATE; A HEARTY RECEPTION BY THE PRESS AND PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN— THESE ARE AMONG THE CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR MISSIONARIES AND ARE RECOUNTED HERE BY ONE WHO HAS SEEN THEM TRANSPIRE.

Music

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Head Office : Broadcasting House Imr'.on.W I

31 Lmenhall Street, Selfast

TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAMS' BELFAST 25834

30th October, 1936.

Our Reference ..".',

-(Date)

Dear Sir/Madam,

W* offer "mi an engagement to perform for broadcasting as follows : —

Rehearsals, DATE Friday» 6-tn November, 1936.

TI\fF between 9.15 - 3.50 p.m. No.l.

STUDIO

NATURE OF PROGRAMME

Harp Trio & Choir,

TYPE OF MATERIAL REQUIRED ^SILIESSS, ..?.£..

part songs to last 10 minutes.

FEE [Actual Performance) •

Eijht Guineas. FEE {Mechanical Reproduction to Empire) :

Balance Test - Friday, 3th Nov. 7.30 D.m.

Payable only if broadcast to Empire is given. I See Condition 12 overleaf '.)

The above is contingent on your compliance with the following terms, and with the conditions overleaf : —

1. That your signea acceptance, together with all necessary particu ars, is in our hands by return.

2. That full programme particulars, in accordance with the attached Programme Form, are supplied. In this connection we must particularly stress the necessity for the accurate timing of each item and for the supply of composers', arrangers' and publishers' names in every case.

3. That you shall personally attend all rehearsals and performances as provided above.

Yours faithfully, THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION,

/VH'M^

h\ Regional Director.

Namb_ Millenial Choir,

Address BBc/p/345

(Mr. Egbert S. Stevens)

37, The Mount, Belfast.

By ROBERT S. STEVENS

Business and Publicity Manager o[ the Millennial Chorus

The world is full of interesting changes. The British Mission, under President Joseph J. Can- non, has been the scene of one of these changing events, -with a story behind it packed with the interest- ing experiences of a group of young men, pioneers in their own right, who organized a missionary chorus. Had your radio been in touch with Belfast, Ireland, in the early after- noon of November 6, 1936, you would have heard this Millennial Chorus.

The opening scene of our story takes place during the last week of May, 1936, in a little Worcester- shire carpet manufacturing town, Kidderminster, where the first two nation-wide M. I. A. Annual June Conferences, in 1935 and 1936, were held. The genesis of this musical group can be traced to one of the last sessions of the Kidder- minster Conference of '36, at which were gathered the hundred or so missionaries in the field. There, under the very fine musical direc- tion of Elder Bertram T. Willis, (Salt Lake City), sixteen elders were chosen for this special work.

Then followed a series of meet- ings with President Cannon, in which officers were appointed and the problems pertinent to the work discussed. Elder Elvon G. Jackson, (Provo), was chosen as President, with Elder J. Sterling Astin, (Chi- cago), as Secretary, and Elder Willis as Musical Director. Other offices and duties were assigned, until every man had a group re- sponsibility to discharge. The roster of the original group is as follows:

1st tenors, Elders Astin, Norman H. Rob- erts, (Paris, Idaho), O. Clifford Merrill. (Safford, Ariz.), and D. C. Thomas; 2nd tenors, Elders R. W. Hardy, (Salt Lake), John R. Henderson, (Ogden), Leonard L. Moffatt, (Star Valley, Wyo.), and Harold

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

A'VIN MANSFIELD OWSLEY, UNITED STATES MINISTER TO THE IRISH FREE STATE, WHO FETED THE 'MORMON" ELDERS.

P. Mogerley, (Dublin, Ireland); 1st bass, Elders Elvon G. Jackson, Laurel T. Pug- mire, (St. Charles, Idaho), Theron L. La- brum, (Nampa, Idaho), and Richard G. Smith, (Salt Lake); 2nd bass, Elders Rich- ard D. Rees, P. M. Anderson Moyes, and Robert S. Stevens, all of Salt Lake City, and George W. Shupe, (Phoenix, Ariz).

The first location decided upon was the place described in English railroad stations as "the rare old city of Chester," in Cheshire. The group was able to accomplish much in Chester, which had been without missionaries for about five years. The people seemed to be especially friendly and hospitable, and the work rolled speedily ahead. At first this large group of young sing- ers, with their determined but friendly attitude puzzled the pass-

ersby, but before long, the almost nightly meetings began to have their effect, and a substantial amount of Church literature was distributed, and new friends were made.

Mission headquarters chose South- port, Lancashire, as the next loca- tion for the work. It was with mixed emotions of regret and expectancy that the departure from Chester oc- curred on July 3. Soon after the arrival in Southport, the first change in the membership of the group oc- curred. Elder Jackson, who had served so well as president, was honorably released from his mis- sionary labors, and Elder Astin ap- pointed to fill his place. A new arrival to the ranks, as well as to the field, was Elder A. Burt Ked- dington, (Salt Lake), well-known among Utah music circles for his many fine vocal achievements.

The work in Southport was simi- lar in many ways to that in Ches- ter. New songs, both hymnal and secular, were continually added to the repertoire. New friends were made, and more literature given or sold.

HPhen came the day when once again the word to move on was given. This time the new location was to be another Lancashire town, Preston. The history of the Church, in Europe as well as in the British Isles, is greatly concerned with this town of Preston. There it was that Heber C. Kimball and five compan- ions, preached the first tidings in European countries of the Restored Gospel. An interesting comparison may be drawn between the entry into Preston of those first mission- aries, coming by horse-drawn car- riages, and the entry ninety-nine years later of this Millennial Chor-

us, first group of its kind, coming by more modern means of travel, but with the same age-old message, and with the same desire to serve the Lord. The former occasion took place in July, 1837, the latter on August 8, 1936.

Robert S. Stevens, Publicity and Business Manager of the Mil- lennial Chorus, has been able to ac- complish many unusual things with the British press and broadcasting interests in connection with the na- tionwide activities of this missionary group. Since this article was writ- ten, Elder Stevens has successfully negotiated for another broadcasting contract over the Manchester sta- tion of the British Broadcasting Company, second largest station in the British Isles, which broadcast was presented between 5:30 and 6:30 Sunday afternoon, January 3rd, 1937 on a dramatic program known as "The Music of the People." On this occasion the chorus sang, 'Gome, Come, Ye Saints," and "Oh My Father," for which they were paid eight guineas.

ROBERT S. STEVENS

MILLENNIAL CHORUS,

BELFAST, IRELAND,

DECEMBER 4, 1936.

Seated left to right: George L. Shupe, Richard G. Smith, Theron L. La- brum, Bertram T. Willis, Leonard L. Moffitt, Har- old P. Mogerley, and Clyde L. Barraclough.

Standing, left to right: Dudley M. Leavitt, An- derson Moyes, Robert S. Stevens, Laurel L. Pug- mire, Burt Keddington, David C. Thomas, Norman H. Roberts, and 0. Clif- ford Merrill.

This picture, with an extensive story, appeared as a three-column spread in the "Birmingham Eve- ning Dispatch," December 19, 1936.

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1937

The street meetings in Preston were especially gratifying to the missionaries. The Market Place, directly in the center of town, was more or less walled in by various public buildings, making an excel- lent outdoor auditorium for the singing.

Soon after the arrival in town, another change in the membership came. Elder Hardy was called to London to help with some special work and Elder Dudley M. Leav- itt, ( Bunkerville, Nevada ) , super- vising Elder of the Irish District, was transferred to the chorus. Fi- nally the time came when it was felt that the first attempts at arrang- ing public concerts should be made. It seemed that the "field was white already to harvest," and concert dates were fixed.

Once this was accomplished the group next turned its attention to the newspaper, which was known to have been quite unfriendly and prejudiced against the Church in times past. An excerpt from the first article to appear in this "Lan- cashire Daily Post," shows strongly the favorable result:

"Asking for no collections, investing all their meetings with a spirit of cheerfulness, seventeen young men — sixteen American and one Irish — are spending a month in Preston engaged in missionary work. These missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were formed in June

PRESTON MARKET SQUARE WHERE IN THE SHADOW OF THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM, LATTER-DAY SAINT STREET MEETINGS ARE HELD NIGHTLY.

of this year into the Millennial Chorus, the first organization of its kind to be establish- ed during their church's century of mission- ary work.

"The church has at present about two thousand missionaries in various parts of the world. Mostly young men, they vol- untarily give two or more years of their lives in service abroad, and then return to take up their former occupations. Mr. Robert S. Stevens and Mr. Richard D. Rees, members of the Chorus, told a Lancashire Daily Post reporter that considerable self- sacrifice was often involved, as the mission- aries receive no salary or expense from the church, and have to live on such money as they or their parents can provide."

The first concert was given the night of August 29, before an au- dience of about forty or more pa- tients and their friends at the Wil- lows Convalescent Home. A few fellowship songs were sung, and one or two of the more serious type. Solos were given by Elders Ked- dington and Astin. Guest accom-

panist for the evening was Mr. William Roskell of Preston, organ- ist at one of the larger churches in that city.

Elder Thomas presented the many interesting relics and collec- tions contained in the Red Indian Program, explaining something of the customs and history of the Hopi tribe, from which the curios had been obtained. The entertain- ment finished with the singing of the National .Anthem, "God Save the King." Tribute was paid to the missionaries by hospital author- ities. Relieved and grateful, the Elders proceeded to preach the Gospel, both by word of mouth and by living the Word of Wisdom, not taking the proffered cups of tea, but drinking milk. This one thing will probably live longest in the memor- ies of that hospital staff. It was an uncommon sight to see seventeen healthy young men ask for milk in a land where tea is considered a necessity.

The many public concerts that followed were patterned largely after this first one, and almost with- out exception, letters of commend- ation were received. The newspa- per continued its friendly attitude, publishing announcements and sto- ries of these engagements.

Tn spite of this busy combination of regular missionary work and

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the added burden of concerts, the Chorus found time to visit the places of interest in connection with the early history of the Church in this land. Besides the River Ribble, scene of first baptisms, a visit was made to old Vauxhall Particular Baptist Chapel, wherein the first sermon was delivered.

The work in Preston drew swift- ly to a close, however. After ful- filling the remaining concert en- gagements, the move to the next town, Burnley, thirty miles distant, was made. In Burnley the chorus was to assist in the preparations for the Liverpool District Autumn Con- ference, to be held in the Burnley chapel.

The Burnley paper also proved to be very friendly to the group, and published fine accounts of the chorus. This was a great step for- ward when it is considered that this same paper refused to accept even a paid advertisement from the Church two years earlier.

Conference was held on Sunday, October 4, and a record-breaking crowd was in attendance at the ses- sions, at which President Cannon was the principal speaker.

This Liverpool Conference brought the greatest change in the member- ship of that chorus that had yet occurred. Elders Astin, Hender- son, and Rees were honorably re- leased from their missionary labors, and Elder Leavitt was appointed to fill the office of president. Elder Clyde L. Barraclough, ( Salt Lake ) , had just arrived in the mission field, and was appointed to sing in the chorus. Thus the number of mem- bers was reduced from seventeen to fifteen.

In the Elders' meetings held the day after Conference, it was de- cided that the Chorus should go to Ireland immediately, in order to help with the preliminary work in con- nection with the Irish District Con- ference scheduled for the next Sun- day. Packing was hurriedly accom- plished, and the trip began.

The journey to Belfast, across the Irish sea, proverbially rough, was made at night, and the arrival in Belfast Lough (harbor) was in the gray hours of early morning, Oc- tober 6.

The brethren already laboring in Belfast had arranged a number of concert engagements in addition to Conference. Conference was held Sunday, October 11, and as had been the case in Burnley, all pre- vious attendance records were bro- ken. Street meetings were held every (Concluded on page 120)

Exploring the Universe

By FRANKLIN S. HARRIS, JR.

An expedition recently found a new ^* kind of sheep in east Tibet. This is the first new large animal discovered in the world since 1902.

/Children who cannot digest their ^ food may in time develop a greed for food and then for money, accord-

piSH CAN be made to clean house in ~" a new type rearing pond. When the water is drawn off to a low point and a stream of water introduced in a low point, the young trout mop up by swimming over the bottom carry- ing the debris with them to a catch basin.

ing to the famous psychologist, Pro- fessor Adler. Many money magnates have experienced life-long digestive troubles.

"VT'oii can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear," has been an oft-repeated proverb. Not impressed by the age of the saying, Arthur D. Little gathered up the ears of sows, made gelatine of them, and by a pro- cess similar to that of producing rayon, the threads were spun and dyed. The green and rust colored silk was then knitted into the form of a purse.

A NOTHER aid of science in combating ^* crime is the magnetic apparatus developed to test tool-resisting prison bars. The bars to be tested are com- pared with a standard steel bar whose magnetic properties are known. Any- thing which will change the strength of a piece of steel will change its mag- netic properties, thus defective bars are found.

/Contrasted with the 500,000 watts ^ power of the world's largest radio station is the portable broadcasting station "Wee." It uses only one-

/~\ld age can be held off and life pro- ^^ longed about seven years by means of diet, according to evidence from rat-feeding tests. The prime of life of rats was lengthened by feeding more milk, which added more vitamins A and G, calcium and protein.

twenty-fifth of a watt, less than an au- tomobile tail light, and is powered by three dry cells. It can send about 200 feet, using any of the wave lengths of the broadcast band.

"plFTEEN per cent of the energy in sunshine is converted into mechan- ical work by an improved Abbot solar heat collector. About a square yard of sunshine ran a half horsepower mo- tor. The sun's rays concentrated by aluminum reflectors heat a liquid com- pound to very high temperature which heats water to steam to run the engine.

HThere is now evidence for the oc- casional smelting of earth iron in the Near East as early as the third millennium before Christ. A piece of iron from the Great Pyramid in Egypt of about 2900 B. C, and one from Abydos of about 2500 B. C, have been found. It is earth iron since all me- teor iron contains nickel.

A wire netting so fine that it has ** 180,000 meshes per square inch is being made in Germany. The finest of all fabrics so far, it is made of wire about one-third as thick as human hair, to have the needed fineness it must have 650 dents per running inch. It is used for the sifting and straining of powders and liquids.

TPelevision is closer to the public as a result of a four months test of broadcasting from the Empire State Building, New York City, at a cost of a million dollars. Images are now in white and black on a screen seven and a half by ten inches, and though satis- factory means of sending and receiving the images have been developed, sets for the general public have not yet been designed.

ibdttonal

Ciionzo Ci. uTinckh

e came out of the measureless ages of the boundless past. There, an eternal spirit, he dwelt in the glorious presence of God, his Father. Joyfully he accepted the summons to the journey on earth. Here, a chosen son, chosen because of his obedience, he toiled and served and loved; here he hoped and prayed and believed; here he con- formed to the vision of the eternal plan and thereby pleased his Heavenly Father. Then, the mission completed, he heard the call to return. Steadily, unfalteringly, courageously, he laid himself down. He returned to God. He has entered eternity which is "without beginning of days or end of years." There he will find a surpassingly great reward, for his works have ever been good. There he will continue, with new powers and undimmed vision, throughout endless ages, his progress to- wards his divine destiny, a God-like stature. From his exalted place he will bless his loved ones whom he has left behind.

His understanding of the purpose of life was clear. His will was tempered for righteousness. He was rich in all that moth and rust can not destroy. Sweet is his memory! — /. A, W.

Sfeb

JLe

ruart[ s oLesson

VS7ASHINGTON and Lincoln, whose birthdays are celebrated in February, benefited greatly their own and succeeding generations. They are types of the great men who have led the American peo- ple into peaceful and prosperous paths. The whole world is grateful for the labors of their lives.

They were great because they possessed and used, intelligently, in all affairs, the simple endur- ing principles of righteousness. Industry, honesty, sincerity, kindness, and faith marked their ac- tions. Men of noble character alone can achieve much for human good.

These men were not perfect. None of earth is perfect. Perhaps they made mistakes. Since they were mortal, they must have had human weak- nesses. However, it was because of their virtues, despite their weaknesses, that they became bene- factors of mankind. By the sum of life man is divinely judged.

The study of great lives becomes truly gainful only when their virtues are considered. Then they become ideals to be imitated. The modern school of biography which ferrets out and emphasizes the weaknesses of the heroes of time, contributes little if anything to the progress of man. Such students prefer shade to light. Gloom and darkness breed dismal lives. Sunlight makes plants to grow, warms the earth, and causes hope to "spring eternal in the human breast."

Our estimate of our daily associates, as of his- torical figures, is truest, and our relationship with out friends happiest, when their weaknesses are forgotten and their virtues held aloft. The habit

of looking for good in people soon reveals that in the vast majority, virtues outnumber weaknesses. We discover, if we are honest, that the flaw in our neighbor's character is not unlike the flaw in our own; and that his virtues are as great as those in which we pride ourselves; that we have no right to find fault with others.

The widespread habit of looking for and dis- cussing the faults of others is evil and degrading. Gossips devote themselves usually to the shame- less pastime of tearing asunder personal reputa- tions. They are human vultures preying upon the absent, therefore the defenseless. They are the blood-sucking vampires of our civilization. They reveal empty minds, undisciplined tongues, and the lack of power to spend time profitably. They be- come bad citizens, bad club or Church members, unworthy of social respect.

"Have you heard?" — the introductory words of the wasted hour of gossip — might well be directed, impersonally, to the great gains and needs of our civilization. Have you heard of the beauty of the latest work of art, in whatever field; of the new conquest of a natural force or condition; of the act of sacrifice or heroism that brought succor and joy to another; of the opportunity for service to others that the day has brought; of the noble service of leaders in state and church? Out of such discus- sion noble characters would be built, characters capable of enjoying the gifts of earth and of help- ing in the forward march of humanity.

Washington and Lincoln! Their memory should inspire every Latter-day Saint to look for the vir- tues and fine qualities of his living fellow men. Should this become our objective there would be felt in this year of 1937, in the hearts of men, a tender warmth of love, akin to the love of God.

— J. A. W.

aeh

rtsttan I tatton

HPhe Supreme Court's notable decision of 1892 reprinted in part elsewhere in this issue is of far-reaching significance to every American, not only because of its establishment of the fact that the United States is a Christian nation, but also because of its review and summary of the back- ground that has established legal and traditional Christianity in this land.

It appears from the letter and the spirit of past times that legal stipulations have been included in the basic declarations of law of the states and the nation, not to embarrass and restrict Christianity, but to protect and abet it. That statutes and fundamental principles designed for the guarantee of Christian freedom have sometimes been used for the curtailment of the thing they were created to protect is an index of short-sighted ignorance or intentional miscarriage of justice on the part of those who have contributed to such abuses. The Supreme Court has clearly defined that laws which were made to curtail selfish commercial practices cannot be generalized or misconstrued so as to

curtail the activity of the Christian Churches.

Before some Twentieth Century skeptics be per- mitted to continue their open and covered attempts to undermine Christianity and divorce it from the things of life and government, let them be re- minded that the America of today in all of its better and more stable aspects, is the product of Christian endeavor and Christian tradition. Many divergent interests attempted to claim and conquer America, but its founders and builders were Chris- tian gentlemen who had the courage of their con- victions and the strength of their principles, from the Pilgrim Fathers of New England to the Mor- mon Pioneers of the Inland West.

The Supreme Court has said: "If we pass beyond these matters to a view of American life, as expressed by its laws, its business, its customs, and its society, we find everywhere a clear recog- nition of the same truth. . . . These and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation."

From this established fact — that the United States is a Christian Nation — several conclusions and guides for future conduct may be drawn; and one line fruitful for thought may well take into consideration the proposition that no nation whose legal and social structure is fundamentally Chris- tian can afford to exclude from its halls of learning or from its halls of government a due consideration of Christian philosophy, ideals, and practices. It appears to be legally as well as rationally tenable that the teaching and observance of Christian truth and practice in any institution within the land, private or public, is not only justifiable but essential — in a Christian nation.

By this it is not forgotten that religious liberty is guaranteed by America's basic legal document, the Constitution. But the granting of religious freedom cannot justifiably mean curtailment of the basic religious structure of the nation — Christianity. This would be carrying tolerance to the point of self-extermination.

The fact that the United States is a Christian nation does not mean that all who reside here must espouse Christianity as a religious persuasion, but it does mean, to quote a further Supreme Court citation, as applied to Pennsylvania, that "Chris- tianity, general Christianity, has always been a part of the common law . . . not Christianity with an established church and tithes and spiritual courts, but Christianity with liberty of conscience to all men."

Further, attention is invited by the Supreme Court to the fact that "the people of this country, profess the general doctrines of Christianity as the rule of their faith and practice; and to scandalize the author of these doctrines is not only, in a re- ligious point of view, extremely impious, but, even in respect to the obligations due to society, is a gross violation of decency and good order."

To believers and unbelievers alike, to Chris- tians and non-Christians — and especially to the unprincipled advocates of a faith-destroying skepticism both within and without the halls of learning — let it be remembered that the United States is a Christian nation — the Supreme Court has said that it is- — tradition and history have so

established it, and this generation must see that as such it is preserved, for "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, ..."

—R. L, E.

vi/e [Build for a {/justness cJhat Jxnows no (completion

"Decently, while sightseeing in a California city, several members of a group noticed one build- ing which loomed on the horizon — a building oddly, almost fantastically, shaped. It focused the eyes until the group reached directly in front of the structure. Carved in the arch over the door were the words: "We Build for a Business Which Knows No Completion."

The sentence startled the group; and indeed it is one to remain firmly fastened in the minds of most who read — not for its literal meaning but for its deeper spiritual significance. Whoever coined the statement had a keen sense of values, even when he was thinking for a commercial concern. He knew that even in a business world of intense material values the minds of his clerks must reach farther than the end of each week, month, or year, into the limitless time of the future. Only when they had that concept of the enduringness of the business would they enter into the work whole- heartedly.

The application of this statement to Latter-day Saints challenges by its significance. We build for a life that knows no completion, for a Church which knows no completion. The eternity of our philosophy attracts many people to a further in- vestigation of our beliefs. The belief in the preser- vation of the family, not until death, but beyond it, stimulates the desire for a better understanding be- tween members of the family. This same belief makes for a more careful consideration of the choice of a mate.

The belief in the eternity of personality increases our desire to add to our mental equipment, since that and our spiritual acquisitions are all that we can actually take with us into that eternity. If we build for a personality that knows no completion, we shall be especially careful of the kind of struc- ture we build. We shall be more alert to select only those materials which will endure throughout eternity. Spiritually, we shall, in following this motto, "garnish our thoughts unceasingly so that our confidence may wax strong in the presence of God." No unclean thing could exist in His holy light. Since we are trying to build for a future that knows no completion, we must be sure that the clean things become incorporated into our lives that we in the eternity to come may be worthy of resuming our place in God's kingdom as His sons and daughters, who were wise enough to know that the earth-life is only a small part of the eternal plan of life, which in its entirety includes: a life before mortality, mortality, and a life after death.

— M. C. /.

Northwestern States Mission

T)reston Nibley, son of the former presiding bishop, Charles W. Nib- ley, was appointed president of the Northwestern States Mission January

PRESTON NIBLEY

12, 1937, to succeed Joseph Quinney, Jr., who was named president of the Logan Temple, November 13, 1936.

President Nibley has been engaged in business in Salt Lake City for the past twenty- six years. He has recently published a notable book, Brigham Young — The Man and His Work. El- der Nibley filled a three year mission to Germany from 1904 to 1907.

Latter-day Saint Institute "T^r. Frank L. West, Church Com- missioner of Education, has se- cured permission from the Arizona board of education to build a Latter- day Saint Institute in connection with the University of Arizona at Tucson. The institute will cost $50,000 and the site $8,000. This makes the sixth in- stitute where the building is owned and operated by the Church. In addition to these six is the project going forward at the University of Southern Cali- fornia.

Yalecrest Ward, Salt Lake City.

On December 6th, 1936, President David O. McKay dedicated the Yale- crest Ward Chapel and Recreation Hall.

Ogden Sixth Ward

December 13th, 1936, President Heber J. Grant dedicated the Ogden Sixth Ward Recreation Hall.

Thatcher Ward, Arizona

December 20, 1936, the chapel in the Thatcher Ward, St. Joseph Stake, was dedicated by Pres. Heber J, Grant. 98

Teton Ward, Idaho

Alvin LeRoy Stoker was sustained December 13th, 1936, as Bishop of Teton Ward, Rexburg Stake, Idaho, with David R. Wilding as first coun- selor and James Gardner as second counselor.

1mm.On

from their mission to Sweden, Brother Peterson was president of the Swedish Mission.

New York Stake

The New York Stake presidency was reorganized December 6th, 1936, with Harvey Fletcher as president and Wil- liam L. Woolf and Ivor Sharp as coun- selors. Elder Fred G. Taylor and his counselors were honorably released.

Kuna Ward, Boise Stake

'"Phe new Ward Chapel was dedicated ■*■ on Sunday, Sept. 3, 1936, by Elder Rulon S. Wells.

Nebo Stake

^ On December 13th, 1936, the Nebo Stake Presidency was reorganized with Wayland R. Wightman as president and George A. Cheever as first coun- selor and S. Roland Lindsay as second counselor.

Nephi Ward, Utah

Alma Tranter was sustained as Bish- op of Nephi Ward, Juab Stake, De- cember 13th, 1936, with H. C. Crane as first counselor and Paul E. Booth as second counselor.

Elder Peterson Returns

"Dlder Hugo D. E. Peterson and his

■^ wife returned on Sept. 24, 1936,

Rock Island, Illinois, Chapel

"Doyd A. Read, district president of East Iowa, sent in this item: On December 2, President Heber J. Grant, in company with Bryant S. Hinckley, president of the Northern States Mis- sion, attended the dedicatory services of a chapel in Rock Island, Illinois. President Grant offered the dedicatory prayer and delivered the main talk. The significance of this dedication lies in the fact that it is but a short distance up the Mississippi River from where the Mormons, just ninety-one years ago this February, were driven from their homes by relentless persecution. Today as the Church again establishes itself in these parts there is an entirely different feeling among the people. Where they were once bitter against; the Church they are now very friendly;, where the Mormons were once con- sidered unworthy citizens, they are now sought after as an example.

L D. S. MISSIONARIES AT MISSION HOME FROM JANUARY 4 TO JANUARY 21, 1937

First row, left to right: Vera Rose Winthrop, Dorothy Tolman, Emma R,uth Salazar, Leonard R. Hardy,. David E. Astle, Daris Reese Olsen, Elman J. Gill, Thelma Heaton, Iris May Swain.

Second row, left to right: J. Wyley Sessions, Director; James Albert Hunter. Ruby Anderson, Verla Hale, Nora Merritt, Kathrine Elmira Benson, Jacquita Johnson, Vaughn Winward Packer, LaVerl F. Turnbow, Donald G. Lee.

Third row, left to right: Nathan Martin Thomas, R. Ted McBride, Curtis Fillmore, Edwin Marsh Butler, Fred Oliver English, Elburn Wardell Kenison, Earl Miller Fuhriman, Homer C. Curtis, Don B. Greenwood.

Fourth row, left to right: Mrs. J. Wyley Sessions, Bertha Katherine Ebert, Harold Yates Anderson, Ranold H. Hebdon, Harold M. H. Lund, George Easton Brown, Paul C. Palmer, Deane W. Brown.

Fifth row, left to right: R. Norman Pearce, Thomas Harvey Gardner, Clarence Enoch Paystrup, Joseph Hyrum Peterson, Grant B. Hodgson, M. Arthur Malmgren, Presley David Pace, Robert W. Hubbard, Dorse M. Oman, Bartlett C. Mitchell.

Sixth row, left to right: John W. Delange, Thomas Karl Broadbent, Meldon L. Karren, Vernal W. Nalder„ Eugene Leon Nielsen, John A. Soderberg, Frank A. Nicoll, Morris S. Christensen, George W. Irwin.

Seventh row, left to right, Eugene Lowell Morris, Leo J. Nielsen, Jr., Joseph Orville Peterson, Sylvan Burgi, Leland Gam Dastrup, Ross Clark Burgess, Joseph W. Barlow, Leonard LeDel Reynolds, Alvin Leo Ralphs, Joseph Burns Beal.

Eighth row, left to right: Joseph M. Gunderson, Folkman D. Brown, Virgil Miller Hancock, Eldon Wood Felt, Sylvan V. Rindlisbaker, Robert Seth Fitts, Lavar Byam Reed, Newall D. Dickson.

Ninth row, left to right: Hubert V. Burton, Elworth Young Crosley, Floyd Asa Fowler, George Hugh Nelson, Alvin D. Kinsey, Judson Emerson Mabey, Marvin Stewart Perry.

Tenth row, left to right: Doris Esther Black, Farris 0'Neil Sainsbury, William James Telford, Clayton. Lowell Perkins, Lauchie Arthur Orr, Delmont Beecher, Verl Willis Teeples, Orme M. Jergensen.

Harold Lawrence Dean was absent when this picture was taken.

TRUTH

By Allen Stephenson

Tis well that man is blind and deaf and dumb, That in a world of wonder he but knows The buoyant tug of wind — not why it

blows. 'Tis well that in the blossom of the plum He sees the white and fragile beauty

there: No more, no less. (O, God, grant us not

less!) But of the face of Truth make him confess That he knows naught, nor let him greatly

care.

Let still the veil of ignorance conceal The hidden weakness of a fashioned mind, That sees at all because 'tis partly blind And misses wonders that would make it

reel! 'Tis well that man is blind and deaf and

dumb; Truth hides her face, lest he be overcome.

FIRST SNOWFALL By Edith Welch Morgan

T AST night

My mountains laid aside Their crimson skirts And castinets For plain white robes Of pale new snow. And when I rose, I saw them kneeling, Their bent heads Veiled in clouds.

A PRAYER By Magdalene C. Stephens

Dear God, on far horizons The war-clouds gather fast, And ominous fears grip stricken hearts As troops and ships are massed.

Grim war-lords, mad for glory, Stand safely by and plan To wreak a frightful vengeance Upon their fellow-man.

They will not feel the terror Of air-raid, gas, or trench, Or shattering, piercing agony; Nor smell the battle's stench!

They will not hear the widow's moan, The orphan's piteous cry, — - They will not hear the curses Of those they send to die.

Dear Lord, why should those erring men Be given so much power, That they can bring whole nations To such a tragic hour?

Help us as mothers in Thy cause To cleanse the world of war — Purge all men's hearts of lust to kill And conquer, — evermore.

Then shall we know that sons we bear May live life joyously, And ever building for the right May serve Peace gloriously.

LINES IN WINTER By C. Frank Steele

As the snow falls on the earth, ** Its scars vanish one by one; Comes now peace; beauty clothes the

fields; And the gray hills are gone.

As falls the snow, so falls on the heart The solace of a friend; Kind as the snow, healing, comforting, Constant to the end.

FATIGUE By Eva Willes Wangsgard

Come, Winter, cradle me upon your breast, Beneath your shawl of soft Angora wool. I've grown so weary of the year's unrest. With wild ambitions I am overfull.

I have known spring and loved her scat- tered gold.

I have loved summer wrapped in pastel skies.

I have known autumn, loved her gallant hold

On pageantry and color while she dies.

But spring has roused my hopes beyond

their strength, And summer's heat has seared my feeble

will. I danced down autumn's gay Bohemian

length, But now I would my leaping heart were

still.

I've grown so weary of the prismed light That lent ambition's lamb a Golden Fleece. My heart has need of patient gray and

white. O, Winter, bring my weariness your

peace!

STRANGE GRATITUDE By Carlton Culmsee

"[_Jour on hour I lay in the darkness

staring While my mind, like someone lost in a

haze Shaken by heat-waves, struggled with the

fever.

Now and then there flashed on the inner

sight Memories that I did not know I had, Glimpses of things forgotten years ago.

Once I saw my smiling mother lighting A tall red candle at my plate to mark Some little honor that had come to me.

Father, too— I heard the grim old man Clear his throat, ashamed that something

poignant In his book had startled tears from him.

And again a chubby little schoolmate Saw my sorrow as the Valentines Were all distributed, and I got none, Since we'd moved to town two days

before. And he hurried home to cut and color Eight crude hearts to leave on our porch

that night.

So I felt a kind of gratitude

For the fever, even while it burned me.

I SHALL NOT FEAR

By Louise Liebhardt

f shall not fear that last inviolate hour ■* Which neither you nor any man may

stay; Nor shall I challenge its unyielding power To blanket night upon my shining day. I shall not question or deride my faith Because this stranger, Death, usurps your

place; His coming can not change you to a

wraith — His darkness only makes more clear your

face.

I shall not fear. . . . Love brooks no

altering And no forgetting. . . . Death unmasked

is sleep; I shall rest happy so, unfaltering Within that timeless faith we learned to

keep. I shall not fear the change for I shall

know You place my hand in God's, before I go.

a i^ ■

BARTER By Ann Jarvis

A smile for a smile, kind thoughts for kind thoughts, And letters for letters, too. What's wrong with bartering hearts for

hearts — Since I've given mine to you!

The story of our — • Hymns *—

THE LIFE of William Cowper, who wrote the hymn, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," is one of pathos, tenderness, doubt, disappointment and despair. He was a defeatist, dreading the un- known, afraid to live, afraid to die, yet possessing such qualities of mind and heart that endeared him to many noted friends and placed him among the greatest of English poets.

William Cowper was born on November 26, 1731, at Great Berk- hamstead, Hertfordshire, England, the son of a rector of Berkhamstead, chaplain to King George II. His mother, Ann Donne, of honorable lineage, died when William was six years of age. He was a delicate child, sensitive and shy, sheltered and protected by a doting mother. At her death the boy was placed in Doctor Pitman's school near his father's place of residence. Here he was so tormented and bullied by a boy five years his senior that al- though his tormentor was expelled, William's experience left a feeling of terror and helplessness that af- fected his entire life. During one of these persecutions he found a line in the Bible that gave him temporary comfort. It was — "I fear nothing that man can do unto me." This resulted in a spiritual exaltation that saved him from total collapse. At ten he was sent to Westminster where he companioned with such students as Warren Hastings and Churchill, the poet.

At eighteen Cowper left West- minster and attached himself to a Mr. Chapman, a London attorney. In 1754 he was called to the bar, but his "inferiority complex" and his preference for literature kept him from practicing law. During his as- sociation with Mr. Chapman, he fell in love with a cousin, Theodora Jane Cowper, but his uncle, Ashley Cowper forbade a marriage on ac- count of their close relationship, and young Cowper was again thrown in- to despair and near madness. Neither of the lovers ever married.

From necessity Cowper sought employment and his cousin, Major 100

By GEORGE D. PYPER

General Superintendent of the Des~

eret Sunday School Union and First

Assistant Chairman of the Church

Music Committee

XV, i^od if loves in a 1 1 ltj[stenous vi/ay

HYMN BY

WILLIAM COWPER

TUNES BY

Dr. Thomas A. Arne

AND

William B. Bradbury

WILLIAM COWPER

Cowper, who had the right of nomi- nation, presented him as clerk of the House of Lords. All seemed favorable for a happy and lucrative position when the hand of fate again struck him. His enemies insisted upon an examination before the bar of the house to test his fitness for the clerkship. As the time approach- ed for the examination Cowper de- veloped a terrified state of mind. The fear of the test, together with a consciousness of an intimate deform- ity that had all through his life de- pressed him, were too much for his delicate constitution. His mind gave way and he decided to end it all by suicide. Purchasing a bottle of laudanum, he called a coach and asked to be driven to Thames wharf

where he determined to drink the laudanum and jump into the river; but finding a guard there the deed was prevented. Returning to his quarters, he poured the poison into' a small basin and when he reached for it with intent to drink the con- tents, the fingers of both his hands contracted so that he could not hold the vessel. Recovering in wonderr he threw the poison out of the win- dow. The night before the test^ with a tottering brain he again at- tempted to kill himself with a pen knife, but the blade broke. He then tried to hang himself with a garter, but the garter broke, and he fell to- the floor utterly deranged. Of course his chance of obtaining the position in the House of Lords was now gone and under the care of Doctor Cotton he was taken to St. Albans, a mental hospital where he remained for two years. In 1763 he was taken in charge by his friends, the Unwins, father, mother, son, and daughter. He was tenderly cared for by Mrs. Unwin, who was the "Mary" of his letters. Upon Mr. Unwin's death, in 1767, the family, including Cowper, moved to Olney, and there Cowper formed an intimate friendship with John New- ton. This friendship was a strange mixture of personalities. "In his youth, Newton had been a wild, despairing blasphemer; in his, Cow- per an irresolute, despairing, would- be suicide. One was driven to Christ by the violence of his sins, the other by the violence of his suffer- mgs.

The result of this friendship was the publication of Olney Hymns, one of the 18th century's best con- tributions to the development of English Hymnody. It contains 348 hymns, 280 by Newton, 68 by Cow- per. One of the outstanding of Cowper's hymns in this collection was "God Moves in a Mysterious Way, His Wonders to Perform."

"In the making of these hymns, Cowper, as long as he was able, wrought with the feeling and crafts- manship of a true poet, and clothed

*The History and Use of Hymns and Hymns Tunes — Breed.

THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 19 3 7

them with the tender charm of his own spirit. "f

Cowper was a hater of slavery of either body or conscience, as the following lines of his will show. Do they not suggest the doctrine of free agency?

"There is yet a liberty unsung by poets,

and by senators unpraised, Which monarchs cannot grant, nor all the

powers Of earth and hell confederate take away: A liberty which persecution, fraud, Oppression, prisons, have no power to

bind; Which who tastes can be enslaved no

more: 'Tis liberty of heart, derived from Heaven, Bought with His blood who gave it to

mankind, And sealed with the same token. It is

held By charter, and that charter sanctioned

sure By the unimpeachable and awful oath And promise of a God. His other gifts All bear the royal stamp that speaks them

His, And are august, but this transcends them

all."

Space will not permit much further detail of Cowper's life. Failing in health he left Olney and went to London in 1 779. There he met and formed a close friendship with Lady Austin, a baronet's widow who lived near him. She was pious, sympathetic, and encourag- ing, and during this friendship Cow- per rose to great literary fame. In 1 786 he found a new friend in Lady Hesketh, the sister of Theodora Jane Cowper, the love of his youth, but in spite of more pleasant sur- roundings, with the failing health of his faithful friend, Mrs. Unwin, his malady returned and they moved to Dereham, where on the 28th of April, 1800, this strange but gifted poet passed away. On his monu- ment at Dereham appear these lines by Mrs. Browning:

O Men! This man in brotherhood your

weary paths beguiling, Groaned only when he taught you peace

and died while ye were smiling! And now, what time ye all may read

through dimming tears his story, How discord on the music fell and darkness

on the glory, And how when one by one, sweet sounds

and wandering lights departed, He wore no less a loving face because so

broken-hearted.

The Hymn

Tn the histories, biographies, and memoirs of William Cowper, ex- amined by the writer, there is noth- ing to indicate just when "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" was

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders" to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,

And works His sov'reign will.

Ye fearful Saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His works in vain; God is His own interpreter, And he will make it plain.

fThe English Hymn, Its Development and Use in Worship — Benson.

written. One story related that "once upon a time" when he felt his brain storm coming on, he yielded to an impulse to drown himself in the River Thames; that he called a cab and asked the cabman to drive him to the river; that a heavy Lon- don fog suddenly gathered and the cabman lost his way; that after driv- ing aimlessly round and round for some time, the cabman refused to continue and ordered his passenger out; that Cowper stumbled to the walk and found himself in front of his own door; that when he recover- ed his senses, he sat down and wrote "God Moves in a Mysterious Way, His Wonders to Perform." There is some justification for the survival of this story. One writer says: He 'had an intense delusion that it was

the Divine will for him ... to drown himself, but the driver of the vehicle missed his way and Cowper was diverted from his purpose." Then, too, Cowper's own memoirs state that he was driven to the Thames with suicidal intent but was prevented from carrying out his purpose by the appearance of a wharf porter sitting on a pile of goods.

However, there is no doubt that the hymn was written in view of his own dreadful experiences, and the hand of Providence is plainly seen in preventing the consummation of an evil design. The hymn was in- cluded in the Olney Hymns as al- ready stated, which were published in 1787.

The poem extols the power and omnipotence of the Almighty and His infinite skill and wisdom in working out His divine plans. It carries a message of hope to the Saints who are fearful and entreats them to be courageous against the ills that seem to beset them; it con- tains prophetic lines that the pur- poses of God will be gradually un- folded hour by hour and though experiences may be bitter, yet the fruit of righteousness will be sweet; that blind unbelief will lead us to grope in the dark and seek for the truth in vain, while if we trust in God the Great Interpreter, all will be made plain.

It is said that "poets are prophets" and one is almost persuaded that this is true when he ponders on the analogy between this immortal hymn and a revelation given a prophet of God three-quarters of a Century later. Was it a "flash from the Eternal Semaphore"?

"Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside Him there is no Savior.

"Great is His wisdom, marvelous are His Ways, and the extent of His doings, none can find out.

"His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay His hand.

"From eternity to eternity He is the same, and His years never fail.

"For thus saith the Lord — I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

"Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory." — Doctrine and Cove- nants, 76:1-6.

The Tunes

IVTany tunes have been used to

clothe this beautiful hymn. The

earliest I can find is one called

(Concluded on page 107)

101