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Show Mutual Improvement. The following article, as the signature at the close indicates, was written by "One of the Boys." The writer knows whereof he speaks. We publish it just as received by us: The name "Mutual Improvement" in itself embodies a vast field of labor, without considering the many good principles in connection with it. We generally have very interesting and instructive meetings in this capacity; and on the moment, we feel very favorably impressed to forsake our evil practices, and, instead of spending so much time in idleness and folly, to give our attention to pursuits of usefulness. In many cases, with us young fellows, we look upon the instructions which we receive as being very good in theory, but we don't always seem disposed to put them into practice. We all know if we would spend our leisure time in searching after knowledge, by reading the productions of eminent men which relate to religion, science and finance that we would be benefited much more than by spending it in idleness as many of us do. Improvement, as I said in the beginning, embodies a vast field of labor. It is the means by which we progress from infancy to childhood; from child-to manhood; from manhood to death and the resurrection; from the resurrection throughout the boundless ages of eternity." There is no resting place for this all-important principle; its office is in its definition-progression from good to better, without any intermission, without any end. When there is so much to be learned and we have only a few years allotted to us in this life, why spend our ??? close moments in the pursuit of foolish pleasure and the vanities attending it. We, as young men, of the Y.M.M.I.A. do not reflect upon the vital importance of acquiring information in the days of our youth. The most of us feel highly honored if we have acquired the knack of swinging a whip, measuring 20 feet in length and weighing 100 pounds, over a string of dumb brutes, ten or twenty in number. When we have gotten our title and diploma as a bull whacker, we imagine that we have attained the highest degree of excellence. There are many other occupations that are more pleasant, more motivating and elevating and more of a nature calculated to refine and improve. I think, if a number of us would try to become mechanics and tradesmen, that we would then have a better chance to improve than we do by whacking bulls, riding wild horses, or loafing on the street corners. There are not many of us young men in this vicinity that have an inclination to become mechanics, merchants or tradesmen, to say nothing about becoming ministers of the Gospel, legislators, philosophers or scholars. Nearly all the tradesmen we have are foreigners, and the time is drawing nigh when they will pass away, and there will be none to take there [their] places. Besides, instead of importing our clothing, machinery and farming implements from abroad we could, by means of our mechanical powers be enabled to supply our own wants. There is no use for us to stand idly by and see the salvation of God, to His people, because it is an old adage and a true one that "God will help them that help themselves." We should look around us and ascertain to what particular business we are best adapted: then select the one which suits us best, and stick in it, bearing in mind that improvement is our motto; and our labor will surely be crowned with success. If we select for our business through life the habit of loitering at the street corner, the Mutual Improvement Association will never be a benefit to us, but if, on the other hand, we have a mark in life, and are industrious, energetic and honorable we will improve according to the good instruction which we receive. Let us have higher aspirations than whacking bulls, riding wild horses, or spending our time in listless leisure; because when we are able to do these things there is no more room for improvement. It is right that such things should be attended to, but we should not give our whole attention to them and give no thought to the higher and nobler attributes inherent in our organizations. Let us improve mutually and seek after wisdom, truth, honor, honesty, virtue, modesty and every good principle which has a tendency to improve and elevate the mind. "ONE OF THE BOYS." |