this pleasure craze, and go about the legitimate business of true Latter-day Saints, which is to desire and strive to be of some use in the world? Shall we not instead do something to increase the genuine joy and welfare and virtue of mankind as well as our own by helping to bear the burdens under which the toilers are groaning, by rendering loving, devoted and unselfish service to our fellow men? JOSEPH F. SMITH.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS.

The headquarters of the Japanese mission has been moved to No. 81 Yakuojimae Machi, Ushigome Ku, Tokyo. The move was made on May day, and the weather was delightful. The ERA is promised some good pictures of the new offices, together with a brief statement of the condition of the mission, in the near future.

The officers and teachers of the Nineteenth ward Sunday school recently passed resolutions of esteem for Elder Daniel J. Lang, the faithful superintendent of the school, for whom they held a farewell reunion prior to his departure on a mission. He was given a hearty vote of thanks and presented with a signet ring and a copy of the resolutions of esteem. The best wishes of the officers and school were expressed in his behalf that he may have success while on his second mission to preach the gospel to the republics of Switzerland and France.

Elder William A. Morton, who has held the position of associate editor of the Millennial Star since August 30, 1906, sailed for Utah on the 27th of May, 1909, and arrived in Salt Lake City in due time. Elder Morton has labored efficiently and devotedly as preacher and writer, and has accomplished a great work in the mission field where he has been laboring, especially in the Sabbath schools. President Penrose, of the European Mission, gives him special commendation as a valiant defender of the great cause of the Latter-day Kingdom, and as an exponent and defender of the faith. We welcome him home, and wish him a prosperous and useful career in Zion.

The work of the elders who have been laboring in Vancouver, B. C., as reported to the ERA by Elder James H. Page, may be judged by the words of the most prominent (but prejudiced) newspaper of the city, The Vancouver Province. The words are, "How many missionaries have they [the 'Mormons'] in this city? How many dozen, rather? Is there a house at which their pamphlets have not been left?" 'As president of the conference," says Elder Page, “I am sorry that the number of elders intimated in the paper is incorrect, but the fact is that our pamphlets have been left at every house that would accept them, and

many books, and some of the people are accepting the gospel." A photo of the elders laboring in British Columbia and Bellingham, Wash., is here given:

Back row: James H. Page, E. J. Eliason, Lawrence C. White.
William Brady, Geo. R. Karen. Front: Wilford E. Parry.

Middle row:

One of the important items in the annual reports of General Secretary Alpha J. Higgs of the Y. M. M. I. A., is a statement of twenty-six Mutual Improvement Associations outside of the organized stakes of the Church. These consisted of California 2, Eastern States 5, Independence 4, Leuwarden, Holland 1, Sweden 6, Samoa 2, Southern States 4, Turkey 2. The report from Hawaii did not arrive. In the mission reports received there are 536 permanent members enrolled, 415 active members, with 206 belonging to the Church between 14 and 45 who are not enrolled. The average attendance including visitors is 457. The total number of meetings held was 620, with 299 manual lessons completed; 4,430 home preparations are reported, and two libraries of 150 bound volumes. The South African Mission reports no Mutual Improvement Associations yet organized.

Elder B. F. Cummings, who for two and a half years has edited the splendid U. S. mission magazine, Liahona the Elder's Journal, Independence, Mo., has been released to return home, and his farewell is found in the issue of June 19, which closes the sixth volume.

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE.

Make the Lessons as Practical as Possible.- Quite a number of bishops report that the second part in the Priesthood Quorum lessons, as outlined in the study for this year, has not been of great value to the Priesthood quorums because the first, or theoretical part, has occupied nearly all the recitation time; hence, only little has been done to practice what has been learned. The object in view in having two parts to the lesson was to impress the importance of putting into practice the principles of the gospel and performing the duties that pertain to the Priesthood-as well as learring what these principles and duties are. If any part of the lesson ought to be passed over with little consideration, it would seem to us to be the theoretical part, if the first part can so be called,— not the second, or practical part. There is no mistaking the fact that theory, doctrine and principles are of only small value, unless they are made to direct the life and actions and daily conduct of the person who studies them. If as a people we lack either, it is in the practice, rather than in the knowledge of theory of doctrines and duties of our religion. Religion is of little value to a person, familiar though he is with its principles and duties, if he does not interweave into the daily actions of his life its theories. Religion is doing, not altogether knowing, and it should be remembered that we learn to do by doing, so that if we desire to put our knowledge into practice, the best thing to do is to practice our religion. The second part of the lesson, then, instead of being slighted or eliminated, should receive special and particular attention; and in every quorum some individual practical work should be performed. We repeat that this is even more important than that the members of the quorums should be familiar with the theory, while they do no actual work. It would seen wise, then, not to do away with the practical part, but rather to proceed with greater interest and energy into the ways by which practical work may be performed among the people as well as in the daily life of the individual-ways sought to be made plain by the second part in the lessons of the Course.

"What Constitutes Good 'Mormons?" "-This question is answered fully in the Book of Mormon, and the answer emphasizes the importance of practical religion. When Alma the first had converted a number of the people of King Noah, to whom the martyr Prophet Abinadi had taught the gospel, and these people were ready to be baptized into the Church, Alma gave a splendid answer to the question above propounded; and this is the substance of what he considered constituted good "Mormons" in those days:

First, They were to have a desire to be willing to bear one another's burdens that they might be light.

Second, They were to possess a desire to be willing to mourn with those who

mourn.

Third, To comfort those who stand in need of comfort.

Fourth, To stand as witnesses for God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places even until death.

Fifth, They were to observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

Sixth, To thank God every day of their lives; have no contention, possess one faith, one baptism, and have their hearts knit together in unity and love.

Seventh, Labor with their own hands for their support, particularly those holding the priesthood, that they might wax strong in the spirit, and teach with power and authority.

Eight, Meet weekly, and also as often as possible, to teach each other and worship the Lord.

Ninth, Impart of their substance of their own free will, everyone according to that which he has, to the priests in need, and to every needy, naked soul. Tenth, Walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another, both temporally and spiritually, according to their needs and wants.

Observe how practical and helpful and untheoretical every one of these requirements are, and what constant labor is required to observe them. If these requirements were characteristic of the early Saints upon this continent, it is reasonable to suppose that similar qualifications shall be possessed by the Latterday Saints, in order that, like the early Saints, they "may be redeemed of God and be numbered with those of the first resurrection that they may have eternal life." It will be a refreshing exercise for the members of the Priesthood quorums to read once more the story of the organization of the Church of Christ by Alma, as found in Mosiah, chapters 17 and 18, particularly observing how "Mormonism" means practical work, and every-day helpfulness.

It

Occasional Opportunity for Testimony Bearing and Fellowship.While in the main it is desirable that there should be close adherence to the lessons prescribed in the Seventy's class meetings, yet we are of opinion that occasionally there should be given opportunity for testimony bearing, for the expression of fellowship one for another among quorum members, for admonitions to faithful performance of duty, reminding the members of their moral obligations as Church members and men holding the holy priesthood. Whenever, at our regular meetings, the lesson is completed and thirty or forty minutes remain before the time of dismissal, the president could easily direct that the remainder of the time be given for these miscellaneous purposes, and the members should be encouraged to avail themselves of these opportunities. And this can be done without halting the progress of the quorum through the lessons prescribed. should be understood that no text book can supplant the living teacher; and no prescribed course of study should be thought to hinder the opportunity for spiritual exercises in our meetings. We desire that our presidents, while following in the main the lines that are drawn should exercise their ingenuity, and that they impress their individuality upon the work outlined. It only requires a little tact on the part of our presiding officers to manage our course of study in a way to make for the moral and spiritual development, as well as for the intellectual training of our members in the gospel of Christ. Presidents, class leaders, take thought; work out schemes of treatment of the works supplied, and intelligently manage the affairs of the quorum. Make your presidency mean something. Do not become stereotyped in your work. We rely upon you to interpret the spirit of the Seventy's work in your respective quorums. Will you disappoint us in these matters? We hope not, and we believe you will not disappoint us.

MUTUAL WORK.

M. I. A. ANNUAL CONVENTIONS.

At the recent M. I. A. conference in Salt Lake City, the following appointments for the annual conventions throughout the stakes of Zion were read. In case any of the dates are unsatisfactory, our stake superintendents are requested to consult with the officers of the Young Ladies Associations and with the Presidency of the Stake and make other dates which will be acceptable to all concerned, and then notify the General Boards of any change:

29.

Box Elder,-August 22.

Beaver, Emery, Malad, San Luis, Hyrum, Pocatello, Fremont, - August

Bear River, Taylor, Cassia, Teton, Liberty, Jordan, Weber, Parowan, North Davis, San Juan, Sevier, Yellowstone, Rigby, -September 5.

Alberta, Ensign, Star Valley, South Sanpete, Wasatch, Cache, Wayne, Uintah, Granite, South Davis, Tooele, Bannock,-September 12.

St. George,-September 13.

Big Horn, Oneida, Blackfoot, Summit, Millard, Pioneer, Salt Lake, Panguitch, Juab, Ogden, North Weber, Nebo, - September 19.

North Sanpete, Woodruff, Union, Benson, Bingham, Morgan, Utah, Kanab, Alpine, Bear Lake,-September 26.

Dates for holding the conventions of the Arizona and Mexico Stakes will be given hereafter.

Y. M. M. I. A. STATISTICAL REPORT.

The annual statistical report of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations for the year ending May 31, 1909, shows that there are 629 associations, an increase of one over 1908. Four hundred thirty-five associations are graded, an increase of 34. There are 32, 225 permanent members enrolled, which is a decrease of 392, but the active members enrolled number 23,391 as against 22,217 for last year, an increase of 1,174. It appears that there are 12,752 boys and men between the ages of fourteen and forty-five not enrolled, which is a decrease of