Show Y M M L A conference pall account ol 01 the proceedings of both days juno and 2nd and ard 3rd M EPISTLE FROM THE FIRST historical DATA government OF tabb associations MUSICAL department TEACHINGS OP HISTORY LIBRARIES AND READING BOOMS BOOK OB MORMON IN THE associations HOME literature STUDY OF CHURCH DOCTRINES COURSE av READING appropriate REMARKS APOSTLES JOHN HENRY SMITH AND HEBER J GRANT AND OTHERS the first general conference of the young mens mutual improvement associations convened in the tabernacle in this city at 10 this morning assistant superintendent janius E wells presiding A fair sized audience was in attendance the services opened by a select male choir under the leadership of thomas singing a glee the opening prayer was offered by elder earl G maeser A part song by the select male choir followed BUEB JUNTOS V WELLS reviewed the work f mutual improvement among the saints dating back to the organization of a society for the cultivation of literary talent acquirement of knowledge pertaining to theology etc under the direction of the prophet joseph smith and pre by apostle heber C kirn ball in nauvoo allusion was also made to the organization of literary and debating societies among the young men and retrenchment societies among the bonne yonne ladies which in time gave way to young mens and young ladies mutual improvement associations organized under the direction of president brigham s xoung and which within a period 01 two years gained a foothold in almost every ward throughout the church and bad steadily increased la numbers and influence for good there were present today representatives trem about twenty five stakes it was a matter of regret that the general were not able to attend the conference as it would be enjoyable to them and comforting to all in attendance for them to be present however it was expected that they would be heard from by epistle before the conference closed prayed that the spirit of god might attend speakers and hearers that all said and dope might redound to the glory ol 01 god and advancement of the cause in which the assembly were engaged ASSISTANT M H expressed pleasure at baving the privilege of presenting a few observations on the government of abe associations contrary to a very popular idea ate antedates organization A thing is organized because it is alive aad does not live simply because organized an organization was some time since effected but the spirit of the work existed the history of that organized might be read with profit it must be that many details have to be encountered and overcome an association mast be composed of certain officers A circular letter issued by president youna before the general organization might serve to furnish the keynote e the object thereof it was that the young might be led to seek a testimony of the truth that acting in harmony with the lopal authorities of the wards organizations should be effected in every ward that a president be selected and elected who would act as president with two counselors chosen by him these with a secretly and treasurer SET ether officers such as corresponding secretary librarian etc be added the very genius et the associations would imply that the president should be A LEADING SPIRIT able to harmonize and organize the young people under his direction exemplary in his life and exercising an influence for good continually he should be able ta assign the work to be performed by members and examine the questions propounded with a view to the gaining of knowledge by the members and should preside in dignity the secretary should be a man who could sense the sacredness of keeping a truthful record understand bow to report minutes etc other officers should also be qualified for their duties la the matter of stake organization the stake superintendent necessarily be a high priest who with his two counselors should superintend the organization of associations as far as possible conduct stake and district conferences business meetings visit personally and hold reviews in different portions of the stake and acting as an educational board keeping ahead of the organizations blocking out the work required conducting examinations sign certificates of efficiency etc the certificates issued should show not only the attendance of the members but the progress made in the studies under taken etc sf RULES be observed the work becomes comparatively ively simple it should be observed that when an once organized it is never disorganized a suspension sas pension of weekly meetings daring a few months ot the year should not require a reorganization of the asso relations though if necessary new officers might be elected on resuming the regular meetings the business of the meeting might be summed up in the holding of council meetings the seeking of the spirit of the lord and faith in the work engaged in the associations ciati ons serving as vehicles for the development of the latent talents of its members not intellectually alone but in obber directions as well priest craft should not be confounded with priesthood reproof should be taken when necessary and errors when pointed out corrected it the meetings be properly pio perly conducted the weekly class meetings regularly held the monthly conjoint meetings might properly consist of reviews of weekly work lectures should also be encouraged cou raged care being taken to secure persons qualified to interest and instruct his bearers subjects al blotted to them in regard to cem it would be necessary for the stake to group the associations and make arrangements lor in ter labor the attending personally the meetings if possible of every association in the staffe and occasionally calling together in cacti district meetings of the associations it comprises in addition to these stake conferences should be held semi tall conference showing the preparation lor the win tere work and the spring conference giving ane results showing what mas been done raring the winter in regard to membership young mens should be characteristically cally composed of young men and the age had been suggested to be 14 to 30 years there would then be a relationship between the young mens associations and the primary associations the officers ot associations should properly be the leaders of the recreations engaged in by the young people of the community tha analyses ot subjects published in past volumes of the contributor would afford an oat for the study of the scriptures and the delivery of an interesting series of progressive lectures the pure basic studies of theology history literature and science to be engaged in by the associations aers outlined in the analyses referred to and upon these the associations build if they hope to progress the select male choir sang a glee MUSIC ul THE associations professor evan stephens who had been selected to lecture upon the subject of music having a severe superintendent E H anderaon cold was called upon to read bis lecture for him which he did as follows of its uses in the associations A few should be A means of worship to the minds of thosa assembled bring the exercises state tor into a proper which follow to bring a ing feeling into the heart by its soothing influence to draw ennobling and the minds ot all into oae purpose by all joining in the same song or either of the same feeling by con the minds on the same sub ceat rating eject to entertain not to amuse to improve each individual member in general and aboe in this respect talented in particular in this refined accomplishment by a hearty encouragement ot every point of excellence to give practice experience and training to aid by its influence in ennobling and refining the tastes and feelings of youth its abuses generally consist of indifferent poor or worse renditions of the musical exercises aad in making inappropriate prop selections both are generally the result of an eroneous idea that it matters but little is sung or how it is sung so long as the usual amount of singing is indulged in As well think that it matters not what kind of water we bathe in filthy or clean so long as we bath all the alms of our associations tend to one great end the improvement of the members morally and religiously and I 1 take it that every exercise on their programmed grammes pro or article in their bylaws by laws or resolutions which does not directly or indirectly lead to this end must be out of place formal exercises without any special aim should nave no place at our meetings let us consider what part music holds ft is safe to say that one third of the time of meetings is devoted to it how important then that this one third should be made an effective means to the de sired end nothing can 80 bugnit tae usefulness ol 01 anything as inferiority of alie article even bread the staff of life when poorly made becomes the bane of the housewives table so badly rendered music becomes harrowing to the soul degrading instead of elevating the mind making the speaker nervous and irritable instead ox inspiring him on to his theme many a one offering prayer after the first hymn would were he to express the feelings of his heart begin with lord have mercy upon these poor singers such must be the result of the want of proper preparation and attention the cause may be tar reaching extending probably through the entire organization and even beyond still the disease it properly attacked is not incurable we are prone to be too aimless and formal in this work we should aim to have suitable selections suan as would have a tendency to at once bring the minds of all present to toe work they had met to accomplish while on this subject let us consider the musical contents of the pro gramme we generally have a song by so and so an instrumental sola etc these are as generally unsuitable lovie darling do me we never speak as we pass by and such aimless meaningless ditties too often form a sad contrast to essays on religious and moral topics while songs with beautiful sentiments such as the noble boy of truth have courage my boy to say no the village blacksmith etc seldom find a place an influence for good could be exercised by encouraging instrumentalists on instruments that tend to elevate and bring the young into desirable society and surroundings the piano and organ are preeminent pre eminent lor these qualities and should be most encouraged they are the home instruments they are the instruments above all others that cavite the son and daughter to stay at home and enjoy the society of father and mother brother and sister they are the instruments that best of all unlock the mysteries of the divine art to the student either of these with the voice makes a complete whole and they offer no inducements to street parading either night or day how many of our young men today waste much nearly all of their spare time in little bands out on the streets playing mouth harmonicas harmo nicas banjos and guitars the good they derive from the sweet but superficial is more than counteracted by the habits formed and the time wasted boys are the parents home treasures and home influence is necessary to noble useful men of them sake we would guard them against using tobacco drinking liquors ha bidual street rambling ai huper ocial enjoyment and wasting all the precious time of youth on trifles and encourage enc them only in that that has within itself no danger but orthe other hand endless progress in that which is beautiful refining and happy tying it will be well to encourage singing organ and piano playing above all else in music as they tend more than all else to good results morally religiously and artistically that which will be of the most lasting service and at the same time the greatest present benefit should be used the peculiar aim of our associations calls for a particular style of music and boags a style not yet supplied by our composers a happy mixture of the religious and secular without being trifling we want that music thai has in it the vigor and sprightliness of youth to DC as as possible it should generally be so ari ranged that it could be advantageously sung by either male or female voices alone or together 1 and supplied with a melody sufficiently attractive to be useful it alone A collection of such music would be equally useful to the young mens and young ladies associations and the young missionary possessing a voice would be supplied with a good stock of the missionaries great friend and helper suitable songs and hymns with which to open services and to entertain the kind hearts who may take him in on this point let me quote from a letter I 1 have from a friend on a mission the boags I 1 learned at your class are invaluable to me I 1 never sang a song in a house yet but a welcome was assured me all night ana generally ever afterward if we sing well the prejudice ot the people seems to suddenly vanish and they will listen to what we have to say this mode of charming any evil influence is by no means new it was in vogue in sauls and davids days and it is yet as as ever in order to make it what it should be in our associations then we need first a collection of music published specially composed to fill these peculiar requirements etien u suan a man is not already in the association spare no effort to enlist the interest of a capable musician to take charge of the singing and make it even excel that of the ward choirs it wall abot hart the young people to remunerate such a man though doubtless the greatest incentive to set him to work would be a belief that there was a determination to excel in the hearts of the young people the last fifteen or twenty minutes of every meeting could well be spared for practice it would be a far better use of time than that now gene rally spent in the singing exercises ef these meetings and we must admit that one of toe most difficult things to find is time for practice association choirs should be formed not to do the entire singing but to lead I 1 the rest and occasionally to render a selection to stimulate such a reform in music as soon as a certain degree of proficiency is attai some associations it would be well for two or more to meet together to sing with and for each other this could go on until we could have grand musical festivals of improvement association singers in connection with our conferences here the material tor a fresh grand vigorous choir of voices is today ready lor use among me associations within miles oi salt lake city we haye musical works by home authors lying in their desks ready for them to come forward and render in unequaled grandeur then why do we slumber and go begging for singers when we could make the world look on with wonder admiration and surprise when will we come up to the inspired genius of the man who planned this building and placed this mighty king of instruments here to put to shame the little few who try to make them selves heard at its feet when can we say the organ is too weak for the voices Is it not the place of the mutual improvement to attain to this who should it the youth the strength of the people as represented in them do not must children with their sweet but voices do it or should the aged whose harps have with longy but noble usage at alst become unstrung perform the task let the future answer let not this hint of mine cause any one to indulge in grand dreams of musical festivals and neglect the work that will make them possible fatal though common error the grand structure can only appear when stone after stone has been laid begin and continue right and the grand final result is assured and in deed the little results to each individual member of each individual association are the greatest of all let us SQ to at once and let music fulfill fulfil her noble mission of good in the ireat work we are engaged in J BRANT said it was gratifying to him such instructions aad were heard this morning realized that but little benefit would be derived |