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The Church of Jesus Christ
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A GIFT OF

MR. & MRS. L. BOYD HATCH

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OGDEN, UTAH, NOV. 7, 1877.

Vol.

THE AMATEUR.

Etlitel niid Published Bi monthly, under the
auspices of the Younj^ Mcu's MntMiil Iiuprove-
nieiit Association, of O^den City. U.T.

OETRY.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

IIKR is a race, where some succeed,
J While others are lesinniu!;:
"fis luck at limes, at others speed,

That gives an early winning;.
But if you chance to fall hehind,

NVer sla<ken your endeavor.
But keep tiiis wholesome truth in mind,
'his better hite than never.

If you can keep ahead, 'tis well,

But never tr p your ne'sjhhor;
'Tis nolile when .von can excel,

B.v honest, jintlent labor;
But if. you're outstripped at last,

Press on a< bold as ever;
Remember, hon<;h you are surpassed,

'Tis Letter late than never.

Ne'er labor for an idle boast

f'f victory o'er another;
But while you strive your uttermost,

Teil fairly withalirother.
M'haie'er your station, do y..ur best.

Anil liold your purpose ever;
And if you fail to beat tlie lest,

'Tis belter late than never.

Choose well the path in which you run —

.*ucceed by noble dar ns;
Then, through tlie last, when fuce 'tis won,

■\our crown is worth the wearing;
Then never fret if le.'t behind.

Nor slacken your endeavor.
But e«cr keej) this truth in mind,

'Tis better late than never.

NOVEL READING.

HAVING often thought how fool-
ishly some of the young peo-
ple are spending their spare time
in reading the seiisational litera-
ture with which our country is
flooded, I thought a few remarks
on that subject might be beneficial.
There are a great many who read
the New York Ledger, Saturday
Night and other papers of that
class, when, if they would lay these
aside and read historical and scien-
tific works of different kinds, they
would reap a benefit that they can
never gain by continually reading
these sensational papers. Let
every one of us seek to gain a
knowledge of all useful branches
of education and let novel reading
entirely alone; and if we do this
we will find ourselves more useful
if we are ever called to fill respon-
sible positions. S. E. A.

A cheerful spirit gets on quick;
a grumbler in the mud will stick.

, ■^f='

THE AMATEUR.

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT.

IT is an undeniable fact that great
interest is now being minifest-
ed in the establishing of Mutual
Improvement Societies throughout
the Territory, and the feeling that
all seem to have, to encourage and
forward the object, should be, and
undoubtedly is, gratifying and
pleasing to those who are leading
and trying to bring us up in the
piths of righteousness. The in
troduction of a journal in our So-
ciety is calculated to do more
good than anything thit has as yet
been undertaken. How nnnv of
us realize the favors and obligi-
tions we .Tre under to our Presi
dent ""nd those who rire seekina; ^o
do all in their power for our p-nod?
How many of us are now reidv to
show our willinfrness to enrourasre
them and take hold and ass'st. to
show our grititude and thank*"ul-
ness bv contributing: to so Hudib^e
an object. We all realize thnt it is
for our own good that our lead-
ers, are endeavoring to r)'-»='nar'^ us
for future usefulness, and in wh^t
better wiy cin this be nc^om-
p1ished,than thronqrh the medi"m
of a journal published in our ^^-
cietv? T-et us commence now with
all our mi?ht and show a dp^ire to
learn of those things pert"'inins: to
the Kingdom of God. We -^re nil
well aware of the fact that the re-
sponsibility of this work will, at no
distant day, come upon our shoul-
ders; we should, therefore, be
prepared to meet it. J.

ELDER D. M. STUART'S
LECTURE.

niHE Lecture delivered by Elder
-I- Divid M. Stuart on Wednesday
evening last, before our Associa-
tion, was truly of a most enter-
taining and instructive character,
the subject being "Early experience
as a Mormon Missionary." The
speaker begin by stating that he
had prepared no set speech, but
would endeavor to talk upon the
subject appointed as the spirit of
God should direct. He then pro-
ceeded to carefully consider and
explain the first principles of the
Gospel, thereby endeavoring to
show the causes which induced
him to enter the missionary field,
and the foundation that he had
for that faith in (xod which after-
wards sustained and preserved him
under many perilous and trying
circumstances.

He had been called to the min-
istry in California when quite a
youth where he labored for sever d
years and subsequently went to
Oregon, ret'irning from this latter
place in tRc;;.

It would be impossible for us in
our limited space to enumerate
the many peculiar, instructive and
trying scenes through which the
speaker passed during these mis-
sions; suffice it to say that he un-
derwent trials of the most perilous

g^gss

THE AMATEUR.

character; his lite being often
threatened by wicked men and
mobs, and traveled year after year
without purse or scrip, relying en-
tirely upon the Lord. He illustrated
the power of faith as exhibited in
many marvelous circumstances of
his life and sought to impressupon
those present the importance of
the exercise of this first great and
grand principle by all who expect
to achieve any success either in
living or preaching the Gospel of
Christ.

The speaker occupied about two
hours, during which time the ut-
most order prevailed, and the
strictest attention was paid.

As the lecture forms but an in-
troduction to the vast and valuable
experience of Elder Stuart, he has
kindly consented to continue the
subject at some future time.

SOCIAL PARTY.

The Young Men's Mutual Im-
provement ^Association will give a
social party on Friday evening
next, at the City Hall, commenc
ing at 7 o'clock sharp, the pro-
ceeds of which are to be devoted
to defraying expenses incurred in
the publication of our paper ond
for other purposes connected with
the Association.

It is hoped that there will be a
good attendance of members, and
that all will be punctual, as we 'de-
sire to commence precisely at the
time and close as near as may be
at the hour of twelve. Admission
75 cents per couple.

A UTUMN.

AUTUMN is here with its ''sere
and yellow leaf." The hot
summer days are past, and the
chilly winds of November remind
us that ere long the fierce blasts of
winter will be upon us. As we look
abroad, we no longer behold the
face of nature covered with ver-
dure, and smiling in the sunlight,
while the sweet odor of flowers is
wafted to us on the balmy air.
The trees have lost their beautiful
foliage, and the leaves, which
seemed to whisper in accents of
gentleness their .tales of love be- j
neath the summer moon, are now
no more. The winds that now |
whistle through the leafless trees
seem rather to be singing some sad
refrain, and mourning over the
dying year.

Autumn is a season peculiarly
adapted to meditation, and from
it we can draw a lesson. We are
now in the spring time of life, sur-
rounded with the joys and pleasures
of youth; the summer will soon
follow, and* with it will come the
heat of toil and the weariness of
care. Ere long the Autumn of
existence will be upon us, and we
shall reap the harvest of our lives.
But we shall reap what we have
sown, whether it be the fruit or the
flower, the tare or the thistle.
Then let our lives be made up of
noble deeds, of generous acts and
pure thoughts, that our satisfaction
may be great when the Autumn
shall come. R. E. S.

77777-

THE AMATEUR.

Editol and Published Bi-montldy, under the
auspices of tlie YiiuuK Men's Mutual Improve-
ment Assoc-ation, of Gulden City, U.T.

Joseph A. West,

Editor.

vVEUNESUAY, NOT. 7th, 1877.

INTR OD UC TOR Y

IN presenting to the Association
the first number of the A m ateur
it may not be improper for us to
explain some of the motives that
have induced us to undertake its
publication, to briefly state our
plans regarding its future manage-
ment, and to refer to the purposes
that we desire to accomplish
through its agency.

Mutual Improvement Associa-
tions as organized among our peo-
ple have for their object the moral
and intellectual advancement of
the sons and daughters of Zion.
In the accomplishment of this, no
definite or fixed rules are made
prescribing the exact nature of the
exercises that should tend to the
attainment of these ot)jects, but
each Society is at liberty to pursue
such a course as its circumstances
and the wisdom of its members
may direct, keeping constantly in
view the general design and seek-
ing continually for the Spirit of
God to direct them in their pro-
ceedings.

Now, inasmuch as we, as a peo-
ple, are often called upon to ex-

pound and defend the principles
of our faith through the press, and
since the exercise of writing upon
these and kindred subjects is high-
ly conducive to our moral and
intellectual advancement and
therefore in keeping with the gen-
eral objects of our organization, we
have deemed it proper and believe
it will prove of great benefit to
us, as a Society, to undertake the
publication of a small bi-monthly
piper whose columns shall be
made up exclusively of the contri-
butions of members and devoted
to the consideration of religious,
literary, scientific and any and all
subjects bearing a strictly mor.d
character.

It is our intention to pub-
lish the paper on Wednesday
of each alternate week, dating
from this issue, and it is expected-
that we will hereafter choose from
the Society, once a month, some
1 idy or gentleman to act as editor
of two consecutive issues, who
shall be held responsible for the
character and general make-up of
their respective papers. I

We have considered it advisd:)le,
for the present at least, to distri-
bute the p iper free of charge
among the members of the Society
and to a few of their immediate
friends.

We sincerely hope that thp
Ammeur will be the means of
bringing into active exercise some
of the latent t dent of the young, ■
and lead to the development of
tho^e abilities which, under God's
guidance, are so essential to the
advancement and progress of the
Kingdom of God upon the earth. \

^iiSJp

ty^^its

THE AMATEUR.

"/ CAN'T:'

WHAT is the reason we can't?
Haven't we all abilities ard
good sense? Of course we have.
Then why not make some effort
md try to accomplish what is re-
quired of us, or what we set out to
do? Don't sit down and say "I
can't write," or, "I can't do any-
thing so difficult as that," for it is
all nonsense. The very reason
why we "can't write" or do any-
thing, is just because we won't;
that is, we do not try. We im-
agine that it is an utter impossi-
bility for us to write a piece for a
paper because we have never done
such a thing in our lives. But did
we ever try? No, we just think it
is too hard and that we can't, in-
stead of making an effort and
doing our best, be it ever so little.
Did you ever hear or know of
anybody doing anything that did
not try? I never did, nor do 1
ever expect to. If we wish to '"e-
main always dull and stupid, just
take it slow and easy, be contented
and say, "I can't write," and "I
can't do anything else," and wt
will surely succeed. But if we
wish to become noble men and

women, and have a name worthy , , . ,

send us their names as early as pos-
of notice and one to be proud of, | ^-^^j^^ ^^^^ ^^^ publication, but that
let us come out and struggle against '
every difficulty, and not be afraid

to try to make something of
ourselves.

Look at such illustrous men as
Shakespeare, Byron, Sir Walter
Scott, etc.; how did they become
so famed? Simply by struggling
against and conquering every diffi-
culty. Look at the Prophet Joseph
Smith -a man who was unlearned,
yet, where in history will we find
his equal with the pen? How did
he acquire such use and power of
language? Because of his own iron
will, aided by the power and spirit
of (rod; and if we would rise like
him, and be somebody, like him
we must be self reliant; like him
battle against ignorance and our
own weak natures, and seek for the
Spirit of God to guide and dictate
whatever we may undertake. If
we desire to become famed, or to
be of any worth, we must feel that
we have a mission and position in
tlie world, no matter how humble
that position may be, that we must j
honor it; try, do our best, and |
never say "I can't.'' Dot.

A Co'PLE of communications
to the A.MATtUR have been handed i
in, unaccompanied by the names
of the contributors, and are, in con- j
sequence, held over until our ne.xt. !
The writers of the same will please

we may know from whom the
articles come.

THE AMATEUR.

HISTORY

HISTORY unfolds to us the
great drama of life, enacted
by past generations, with its mul-
titudinous and multifarious phases
embracing with more or less re-
pleteness and perspicuity the es-
tablishment, progress, power, im-
portance and ultimate downfall of
nations, together with their various
achievements in political, literary
and scientific knowledge.

It reveals to us the virtues and
vices of different peoples and
periods and illustrates with great
distinctness and force the conse-
quences flowing from the practice
of each. How virtue has led to
power, prosperity, and in many
instances, to great achievement
and far extending dominion, while
vice and wickedness have brought
decay and ruin to the greatest
kingdoms, republics and emiiires
that have ever existed upon the
earth.

In short history affords a view
of past examples and precepts,
causes and effects, and in its broad-
est sense, becomes an epitome of
the accumulated knowledge and
wisdom of past generations giving
to one age the civilization of the
former as a foundation upon which
to build its own.

It is to a great extent through
the agency of history that the

civilizations of to-day, among the
more enlightened nations of the
earth, is so far in advance of
that of former periods, and that
man, though living but about one-
eighth as long as in the antedilu-
vian age, learns more, becomes
wiser, and advances further in the
field of scientific knowledge in a
life time than did they in those
early times.

It is very difficult indeed to es-
timate the true value to us of the
history of former ages and civili-
zations, embracing as it does the
achievements in literature, civil
polity, and the arts and sciences
in general, which to-day_ are so
extensively enjoyed by the hu-
man family. Certainly a knowl-
edge of this branch of learning
should be sought for and obtained
by all who expect to attain to any
prominence as benefactors among
mankind.

Just one week ago to-morrow
the subject of publishing a paper
was first presented to the Asso-
ciation, and if, in the hurry with
which everything has necessarily
been done, some errors have
occur red, we trust they will be over-
looked. Our compositors are
busily engaged six days out of
seven, and have had to work after
hours and at noon times, in order
to accomplish the task in hand.

■y^^^

>^=afc.

THE AMATEUR.

S UN DA Y Sl ho OL .

WE, as a portion of the young
people of Ogden, should en-
deavor to attend Sunday school
as often as possible; a place where
we are taught to be honest and
good to those with whom we as-
sociate; to be chaste and tidy in
our person; not to swear, steal, nor
take the name of the Lord in vain;
to be humble and prayerful and to
cultivate a kind and loving feeling
towards all; that we may grow up
to be men and women of God
having the Spirit of the Lord to
be a "lamp to our feet and a light
to our path,'' We are there t uight
to read and study good books:
histories, biographies and especial-
ly the publications of the Church
to which we belong, thereby get-
ting acquainted with men of his-
tory, how nations were governed,
and are governed in this our own
day; and to get acquainted with
the principles of the Gospel, &c.
By being taught these principles
our manners and feelings become
more refined^ in a measure, than
if we were not to attend our Sab-
bath schools and have respect for
the Sabbath day on which God
has commanded us to rest, and
offer up our sacraments to the Hov. MfSEs THAXCHERsendsus
Most High. For we find that those word that he will be able to favor
who do not care for Sunday school \ us with his lecture within a couple
nor have respect for the Sabbath ' or three weeks.

which God hath blessed, are those
that are loafing around the streets,
those that are frequenters of sa-
loons, and who take delight in
swearing, in stealing, in drunken-
ness and all kinds of wickedness.
But in regard to those that have
respect for Sunday and attend I
Sunday schools, what do we find? i
We find that they are trying to do i
right, and endeavoring to live;
their religion; they will become;
ornaments to society and will be i
great and good in the Kingdom I
of God, upon whose shoulders this ;
work will roll forth, d herefore, !
we. as members of the Y. M. M. L !
.■\., should be diligent in attend- 1
ing Sunday school, where we are;
taught the ways of life, that we-
may, in a future day. be counted i
worthy to fill positions of honor L
in the Kingdom of God. |

B. i

GRA TIFYING.

It is a gratifying fact, and one
worthy of mention, that the entire
mechanical work of our paper is
performed by members of the
Association.

\^§f^

THE AMATEUR.

BAD BOYS.

A great deal has been said and
written upon the subject of
"sowing wild oats'' among the
young men of all communities,
and various opinions on the ques-
tion freely expressed, but there is
another fully as important, namely,
the morals of some of the youth of
more tender years. While it may
be conceded that it is an impossi-
bility to place "old heads upon
young shoulders," it must be borne
in mind that the disposition and
tendencies to mischief, on the part
of many little boys, in our city, if
not soon checked, may eventually
lead them to lives of evil. To see
boys of from 8 to 12 years, learn-
ing the vices of the age, and fol-
lowing in the footsteps of those
older in wickedness, is really de-
plorable. It should be the busi-
ness of those who have the right to
do so, to restrain their children in
these matters; keep the children
in the house at night, and try and
make home interesting, that in-
stead of seeking vicious com-
panions, they may cultivate a de-
sire for those things which ennoble
and elevate.

The young men can do much by
setting an example to their more
youthful brothers, and should they
discover any inclination to "hood-
lumism" — if the term may be

used — on the part of the smaller
ones, use their utmost influence to
abate this growing evil.

RexG.

OUR NEXT LECTURE.

We are plea.sed to announce that
Elder Wm. W. Burton has kindly
consented to lecture to the Asso-
ciation on Wednesday evening
next, on the following subject:
"The early habits the index to the
future man."

The well known ability of this
gentleman will undoubtedly secure
a large audience and we would ad-
vise all who desire good seats to
come early. The hall will be open
at 6:30 o'clock — lecture to com-
mence punctually at 7.

OEFICERS

OF THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN
CnV, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Foulter, Second Counselor.
E. T. Myers, Recording Secretary.
R. P. Harris, Correafjonding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

The regular meetings of the As-
sociation will be held on Wednes-
day of each week, at the City Hall,
Ogden, commencing at 7 o'clock
p.m. The public are invited to
attend.

j£<g»^

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-{i KNOWLEDGE IS POWES. |j-

ItllllllllllSlliinMtlilllliltllllllMI

lltlllllllllllElllilllllllllllllllllllll

^0: TOWN IS STSBNGTH. §&
iiiiiiiiisiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

No". 2.

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogden City

OGDENj tJTAH, NOV. 21, 1877.

Vol.

THE AMATEUR.

EiSitecl flAil Publiihei Bi-Weckly iirider the
luisijices of tl'.e Yoiiug Men's Mutual Improve-
nieitt Association of Ogdcii City, t'tab.

dONTEXTMENT.

CONTENTMENT is a state of
the mind which is extremely de-
sirable, and is the grand object of
all our desires, our aspirations, our
hopes and our actions, yet is it
conetantiy 'enjoyed by few if any of
the human family? We may be
hopeful, cheerful, even joyful, and
yet not be perfectly contented.
To be contented is to be fully
satished. There is, however, a
certain sluggish, slothful content-
ment which is observed in those
of indolent habits, who have no
ambition, no high aspiration or
ardent desire for anything further
than a supply of those physical
wantSj a contentment v^diich is
negative iii its nature, and cor-
responds to that observed in the

lower animals, when their wants
are supplied. But the content-
ment of an active individual is
when all the faculties and organs
of the mind and body are in
healthful exercise, acting in such
harmony that the hopes and de-
sires are consistent, and the
judgment, ability and energy suffi-
cient to the attainment and
accomplishment of all the legiti-
mate ends of life. In proportion
as these results are realized and
obtained, will be the contentment
and entire satisfaction of the mind.
Such a condition for any con-
siderable length of time is seldom
realized.

Most persons are liable to ex-
tremes cf character, have their
extravagant hopes and expecta-
tions, their impulsive passions and
desires their errors in judgment
and their various excesses and de-
ficiences in their habits and prac-
tices, and consequently are liable

THE AMATEUR

'"M

to their lips and downs and the
extremes which are so constantly
manifested in their feelings and
character. For example, a man
indulges in the most exalti.ve aiad
extravagant hopes and expecta-
tions in a certain enterprise, dur-
ing which time he is not conten-ted,
but constantly elated, excited arrd
anxious as to the result; he fails
in his enterprise and is disap-
pointed, dissatisfied. Hetriesag^ain
and fails, a77d thus' keeps himself in
a whirlpool of excitement until he
wears his health and life awa}'.
Even if successful, he is not con-
tented without still further attain-
ments. Thus while some are
seeking for wealth, others are in
search of pleasure and amusement,
and others of fame and renown,
while all classes are more or less
discontented with their present
condition. Others are constantly
troubled with fear, apprehending
some evil, or brooding over some
misfortunes by Avhich they are not
satisfied with their lot. It is not
only our privilege but it is our
duty to be ever active in the affairs
of life, and to be daily striving to
obtain all the legitimate ends of
our existence; but it doesj not fol-
low that we should, in conse-
quence, be discontented and dis-
satisfied; on the contrary, we
should do the best we can in all

cases, and feel satisfied with the
results, but strive to improve and
gain, not only by every success,
but by every failure in life. Amid
all the difficulties., troubles, ills,
disappointments, failures, etc., of
life, instead of feeling annoyed,
iryitated and discontented, we
should keep our feelings and pas-
sions calm, our judgment clear,
and be contented with our best
efforts, improving ourselves from
every experience, and thus amid
contentment be growing wiser and
better every day. W.

OUR LAST LECTURE.

ELDER Wm. W. Burton's lec-
ture delivered on Wednesday
evening last before the Association
was, in every respect, a very grati-
fying success.

The speaker began by relating a
few incidents of personal experi-
ence when he, like those present,
was earnestly striving to gain an
education and to prepare for the
active scenes of life which were
soon to follow. It was his early
custom to study at nights after the
day's work was over, but sub-
sequently in pursuance of the
advice of a friend he discontinued
this and occupied the early hou'-s
of the morning instead. He found
that the latter course was much the

'O-

THE AMATEUR.

■%-

better, .his efforts being attended \
■with more gratifying results, and
advised all present whose avoca-
tion prevented them from studying
during the day to employ the
morning in preference to the even-
ing hours, as the powers of mind
and body are then rested, yigffif-
ous aud acti»"c.

He spote at same leT/gth npoR
the life and achievements of Mr.
George Stephenson, tracing his
career from youth when he first
started out as herd boy at two pence
per day, Kntil he attained ^reat
eminence as a Locojnotivve "/'imh
Civil Eugiaeer.

He nexi referred to Aristides
and Themistocles, compared their
■different traits of character, and
related many interesting incidents
connected with their lives. He
also made brief allusion to Abra
ham Lincoln, Andrew Johnston
and others, endeavoring to show
in each instance, that the early
habits and customs of these men
were in t\ery respect indicative of
the greatness and renown to which
they afterwards attained.

The speaker occupied about an
hour and a half, during which time
the profoundest attention was paid
by all present.

A vote of thanks was heartily
and unanimously tendered him at
the close, after which the Society
adjourned for one week.

•OUR PAJiTF.

€

Large and select company,
composed principally of young
people, assembled at the City Hall
on Friday evening, the 9th inst.,
to participate in the party an-
iaa'HK:ed in our last issue.

The assembly was called to or-
der a little before eight and danc-
ing soon after commenced con-
tinuing with unabatijig interest
a-nd acti-vity until 12 o'clock — the
last dance being in progress when
ihk, hour arrived.

At the close President F. D.
E-ichards made a few remarks
cornmemding the course of the
management in discouraging
"round dances" and thanking
those present for their observance
of this item of consel which but a
short time ago was deliveied'to
them by our late respected Presi-
dent, Brigham Young. He spoke
at some length upon the evils
liable to result from these dances
if indulged in, and exhorted all
present to refrain from them and
to use their influence to induce
others to do likewise.

Although the party was a little
crowded everything passed o^
very well, and we believe those
present will agree with us in pro-
nouncing it a social as well as a
financial success.

THE AMATEUR.

■S\

THE AMATEUR.

EdittHl aiul Publislietl By-Wi>ckly, iii\(lor the
auspices of tbo Young Mkii's JliUval Iiupvove-
ment Association, of Ogden City, Utah.

Joseph A. West,

Epjtor.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21st, 1877.

TO PRESIDENTS OF MUTUAL IMPROVE-
MENT ASSOCIATIONS.

^*E will Tie pleased to send the Amateur to all
Presidents of Mutual Improv,ement Associations
who will for\Yard us their names and addresses and
tweuty-five cents postage. AVe also invito them,
one and all, to favor U3 witl,i i^ft ocQ^siouol cor-
respondonce.

TO THE

young fe'ople of
ogden:

THE day is not far distant when
every faithful young man and
woman now in Zion will be called
to occupy positions of greater or
less responsibility, prominence and
honor.

Our parents who have born off
the Kingdom of God so triumph-
antly through many long years of
persecution and hardships — hard-
ships almost unequalled in the an-
nals of history— are, many of them,
fast approaching the evening of
life, and are one by one, being
gathered home to meet the reward
of the just at the hands of a gra-
cious, lovingand omnipotent God.

The responsibilities of the work
M'hich they have so nobly begun are
certain to come upon us, and each
passing month and year brings
them nearer and nearer unto
us, while at tl\e same time oi,ir

leisure to educate and prepare our-
selves therefor is daily becom-
ing less.

Then, my young friends, why
not arouse from our lethargy and
endeavor to realize our true posi-
tions. Why not educate while
the day lasts and let the follies
and vanities of the world cease to
engross so much of our precious
fi-We?

We are young now and our pow-
ers of mind aixl body are vigorous
and active, and if we turn them to
good account great will be the
harvest of oyr lives, but if we spend
our youth ir^ frivolity and non-
sense our after years will, in all
probability, be n^arked with any-
thing but pleasant and profitable
results.

Our early habits and acquire-
nients form the foundation upon
which our characters, are built and
to a great extent shape the ulti-
mate destiny of our- lives. If we
obtain a good education we shall
be very likely to secure good pur-
suits,and to occupy the more hon-
orable positions in the communi-
ties Avhere we reside, while oxx the
other hand, if uneducated, we
may have to stand aside for others
who have improved the leisure of
youth in obtaining knowledge and
in training their minds to useful
pccj-ipations. Besides, to educate

THE AMATEUR.

refines and ennobles the individual,
makes him in every respect abet-
ter member of society, and enlarges
his sphere of usefulness and his
opportuKities ito do good. But
we wi-sh it understood that by
the terjri "to educate'" we meap
that class of schooling which tends
to moral as well as intellectual im-
proyemenit and not by any means
that which leads to so much infi-
delity and scepticism.

It soroetiiTies happens that per-
sons who receive a little scholastic
training become so conceited that
they consider them,selves capa-
ble of judging all questions and of
testing by the operations of their
own minds alone the correctness
of all religious as well as other
principles, and hence are led into
doubt and scepticism and some
into infidelity and wickedness.
Now this is the result of a false
education or false conception. ]>te
man or woman clothed upon with
the weaknesses of the flesh and
the errors of humanity, no matter
how well taught in the learning of
the world, is capable, v,'ithout the
aid of the Lord, of comprehend-
ing the Gospel of Christ, fov it is
written "No man knoweth the
things of God except by the spirit
of God." Hence, while it is ne-
cessary for us tQ rely upon the
operations of reason for the obtain-

ment of knowledge, it is egotisti-
cal and foolish for us to suppose
that we are capable by this means
aloae, unaided by the holy spirit,
of learning the ways of the Lord.

Tljen, to educate properly, it
is necessary for us to be humble,
to cultivate faith, and to seek true
enlightenment and aid from our
Father in Heaven that we may be
protected from error and pros-
pered in the obtainment of correct
principles.

Now, my young friends and
companions, the young people of
Ogden, we appeal to you by every
vahjabl*^ consideration, by the
toils and sacrifices ol youi^fwrents,
by those personal considerations of
advantage and profit which a life
of rectitude and morality affords, to
arouse to the importance of your
stations in life, to improve the
golden hours of youth in preparing
yourselves for future usefulness,
and to meet those responsibilities
which will inevitably come, if
you are counted worthy to be
classed among the honorable of
the earth.

Put from you every appearance
of evil and seek diligently to ob-
tain a testimony of the truth of
the latter-day work, that wjien
the judgments of the Lord, so
long predicted, are poured out and
the Saints are tried as "gold in a

r^'

THE AMATEUR.

refiner's fire," that you may con-
tinue true and faithful to the
cause of your fathers and the cause
of God; that you must stand a
Gibraltar against the sea of wick-
edness and sin that is flooding the
land, and working dissolution
and death to the most potent na-
tions and kingdoms of mankind.
We invite you, one and all, to
come to our meetings, to identify
yourselves with our cause, and to
humbly seek with us to improve
those abilities which God has so
bounteously bestowed, that come
what may, we shall be able to act
well and nobly our part in the
great drama of life.

OUR A OVER riSEMEXTS

IT will be observed that the last
page of the present issue is de
voted to advertisements.

We did not contemplate using
any of our space — before so limit-
ed— in this way, but a few of our
friends being desirous of aiding us
to meet the expenses of our publi-
cation, have kindly offered to
advertise; and upon a more mature
consideration of the matter, we
concluded that if a sufficient
number of small business cards
could be obtained, we would use
one page of our paper for this

purpose. How far we have been
successful will appear upon ex-
amination.

We feel to thank our friends,
one and all, for their patronage,
and trust that the A.aiateur may
merit their many good wishes, so
often expressed, for its future
success.

L EOT If RE AXXO UNCEMEXT.

It affords us pleasure to an-
nounce that the next lecture of
the course will be delivered by
Hon. Moses Thatcher. The sub-
ject has not yet been communi
cated, but as the gentleman is aa
orator of considerable merit, a
rare i,itellectual treat may be ex-
pected.

OFFICERS:

OF THE V. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN
LIIV, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor.
E. T. Myers, Recording Secretary.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

Ther« is bo eKeeilence without
labor.

Truth crushed to earth will rise
again.

•^

THE AM-ATEUR.

WHAT TUEY SAY OF US.

The Young Men's Mutual Im-
provement Association of Ogden
City has commenced the publica-
tion of a neat little semi-monthly
periodical, called The Amateur.
It will be edited alternately by a
number of the young men of
Ogden, the present editor being
Joseph A. West. It is a credita-
ble little paper, and the whole
work, literary and typographical,
is performed by members of the
Association. We M'ish the Ama-
teur abundant success, and hope
it will become a permanent insti-
tution.— Dt'scret News.

"The Amateur." — This is the
title of a semi-monthly periodi-
cal issued by the Young Men's
Mutual Improvement Association
of Ogden, the first number of
Avhich is at hand. It is very
neatly gotten up in every respect;
its typographical execution being
especially excellent, the design
being that of Mr. John P. Smith,
of the Junction Office, also a mem-
ber of the Society. Mr. Joseph
A. West is Editor, and his articles
have the true journalistic ring.
Success to the Amateur. — Ogden
Junction.

Satan can always find work for idle
hands to do.

-Pastia

ASTIMEg,

Mv t

CHARADE.

I ;iin a sontpnro cmiijHiseil of JS letters:
...y I)..'), It), 'iti, is till' iiiiiiicof a Huiii;iri Emperor.
My 4. Ill, It. 2(1, 20. i.s it musical iiistnimcut.
My s, 2. I'J. 2S, isa tisU.

.My 20, S, 9, 19, 0, -I, v.), S, 12, 10, -s a TurkUli Onicer
My 9, 3, 1, IS, 26, 2.S, 7, S, l.S, is a reliiriuris sect.
My 2+, 2.j 20, 27, 2S, can liut kill the Ijody.
My 11, 10, ir>, 1'.), 17,i.ssyui>ii()ini>u-< with miijlity,
Mv 4, ;!. 6, can piirsiie bcviiml the grave.
My l!l, 14, 16, is cssciitial'to lile.
My 22, 2o, 19, 21, is one of the elements.

My whole is a (] notation from one of PirTlnlwer
Lytton's liuest plays. G. G. T.

ICyiiJ.MA.
Y first three letters fomi a name
V\ hick all good folks tlespist ,
I'lato's realms this fiend he roves,
llis doings are not wise.

My ne.xt four letters spell a word

Nut easily detine.!,
Thou^'h Wehster says "to wander "round"'—

Interpret to your niiud.

My next throe letters form apart

And portion of mankind;
They'ie oftimes much lieloved hy girls.

Though many may be ijliud.

Mv eleventh, (last) of many kinds — ■

Imperi.il. Jl. M., green;
So much "tis used hy mort.Ms here,

A Ijoou much craved, I wean.

These disconnertions, when combined,
Will form tl-e object of cur miuds.

J. r. S.

The following lines were recently sent by a
"gushing" youth to his lady-love. They apjiear to
be absolutely devoid of sense, but if read the proper
way, the amount of atlection our young Komeo
enteitairied for his sweetheart can readily be per-
ceived, frobably some of our readers lan make
them appear less absurd. Here they are:

1 thee real see that ine

l.ove is up will 111 have

But that and you have you 11

(jne and down and you if

Two men have eight gallons of wine between
them, and wish to divide it eipially — four gallons
to each: but in the absence of any kind of meas-
ures, with the exception of kegs, they are in a
quandaiy as to how to proceed One man has a 3
and 5 gallon keg, the other an S, which contains
the wine; The task is finally accomplished by
racHns. of the 3, 5 and S gallon kegs, leaving four
gallons in the eight gallon keg ami four in the live
Are any of our readers as smart as the two men?
If so, (iivide the wine for us by means of the kegs
only, and send in your answer.

«3- Aiixu'vrs III Ihi' ahnrr arr ,-cqiirxti'>K whi'h if
recrlri'A in fun:', will iijipno- in our iirj-t issue.

cf^

THE AMATEUR.

■^;

>\ S. RICHARDS,

Attorney and Gonnselor,

OFFICE, COURT iroUSB, OGDES.

N. TANNER, Jr..

Att'y& Oounselor-at-Law.

Ojl'icc, GittJirk^s BlucJr,
FOUKTII ST., - - OGDEN.

L. 31. RICHARDS,

General Insurance Agent.

Capital Assets, Eepressntsd over $190,000,000.

DWKLLIXG INSURAycE A .SPKCIALTY.

Office Cor. Cth ;vud Young Sts.

J. G. CIIAMRERS,
Bookseller and News Agent.

All kinds of Educational Works constantly
on hand.

FIFTH ST., BETWEEX MA IX ANI) YOVXG.

SHARP & BRO.,

Sixi-ftical &> Mleclianical
I>entists«,

FIFTH STP.EET, OGDEX.
Offire above Blaucetfs Produce Store.

THOS. W. JONES,
Mercliartt T^ailoT,

J-filin St., three tViors t>in-th of otii, Ogden. %

JOSEPH TYRREDL,

BOOT and SHOE MAKEK.

Good Fit Guaranteed.
OPPOSITE TITIIIXG OFFICE, OGDEX.

GEO. THOMPSON,

TONSOEIAL ARTIST,

Hair Bought and Sold, and all kinds of Ilair AVork
neatly done to order.

JOHN STI.N'GEB,

LONDON BAKERY.

The only First-class Bakory in the City.
FIFTH ST., Between MAIN and YOUNG, OG DEN.

Y/m. driver & SON,
Wholesale & Retail Druggists,

MAIN ST., OGDEN.

Z. C. M. I., OGDEN BRANCH,

Wholesale and Retail Dealers in

GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

CO R. MA IX A XD FO UR Ttt STREETS.

JNO. BOYLE & Co.,
Wholesale & Retail Furniture.

Live Geese Feathers a Specialty.

MAIN STREET, OGDEN. i MAIN ST., OGDEN, UTAH.

z-M'.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiniiriiijiiiiiiniitmiiii

tH KKf WLED3E IS P0WS3. ^
iiriiiiiiiiiiKiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

liiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiii

■<if: UOTCN IS STBENOTE. Wr

PuStlSHED BY THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OgdEN CiTY.

No. 3.

OGDEN, UTAH, DEC. 5, 1877.

Vol. I.

THE AMATEUR.

Etlitp.1 nni Published Bi-VTeekly under the
imsjiic«s (if the Young Men's Mutual luiprove-
nivnt Association of Ogden City, Ltuh.

ADVICE TO THE YOUXG.

IAjM and always ha^e been deep-
ly interested in the welfare of
the rising generation among this
people, hence I am impelled to
offer a few thoughts for their re-
flection.

When we were children we
thought and acted as children do,
but now as we are nearing man and
womanhood, we should put away
childish thi- gs and learn to direct
our thoughts and spend our time
in that right and proper way that
will secure to us the most intel-'
ligence and prepare us for the
great struggle of life which is im-
mediately before us.

We are engaged in a great and
glorious work, which will require
all the talents and energy, knowl-

edge and faith that we can muster,
under the most tavorable circum-
stances.

Our parents have passed from
youth to manhood and woman-
hood, and many of them to the de-
cline of life, and are now burdened
with care; so, in the course of na-
ture will we tread the same path,
be called to bear the same, or
greater responsibilities, in carry-
ing on the work of God upon the
earth. Now while we have peace,
and plenty of the comforts of life
around us, is the very best time
we will ever see*, to store up knowl-
edge,develope the talents that God
has given us, and be prepared to
act well our part in the great
drama of life.

Our words, acts and thoughts
are the materials of which our
characters are built. Let us, then,
build well; for our present and
eternal welfare depends entirely
upon the use we make of our time

i>-x

THE AMATEUR

and abilities, the habits we form
and the heed and diligence we
give to the cominandraents of our
Heavenly Father.

Let us seek after truth, and
strive to educate our minds in
every good and true principle.
Love and cherish virtue and puri-
ty, patience and sobriety, kindness
and charity; learn, and practice
the Golden Rule, in the true spirit
and meaning thereof, and the
Spirit of God will be with us,
which will bring more joy and
comfort to the heart tkan all the
pleasure which the fadrrrg' things
of earth can afford. X. Q. Z.

EATIIAVAGANCE IX DRESS.

THE ED irons HI P.

THE question of appointing an
editor to succeed the present
one, was presented to the Associ-
ation two weeks ago to-night, when
despite our remonstrances, it was
unanimously resolved that we con-
tinue in charge of the paper for
another term.

It was urged that as the paper was
yet in its incipiency, and several
changes in its general make-up and
character were contemplated, it
would not be abvisable to appoint
a new editor until all necessary ar-
rangements and plans were fully
consummated. Hence, no change
occurs with the present issue, as
was expected.

V%^ '^^'^*^

IT is a matter of congratulafion
that a great. many of the yoiJfig
ladies and gentlcmefl of this and
other portions of the TerfiCory,
have inaugurated many measures
of reformation aT!d improvement,
and among others, that of re-
trenchment; this being the case,
a few words on the subject of ex-
travagance in dress may noC, it" is
hoped, be unacceptable:

Extravagance in dress appears
to be tbe prevailing weakness with
many people. It is not tobesiip-
posed, however, that because an
individual displays taste and neat-
ness in these matters that he or she
should be termed "foppish" or
pro'dig'd. But when we see around
us so much "style," as it is termed,
it affords food for reflection. Do
the votaries oi fashion know that
the very "novelties" and "styles"
which they are so anxious to imi-
tate, are gotten up, in many in-
stances, by persons whose charac-
ters are such, that were they
compelled to walk side by side
with them through the streets,
they would be o'ermantled
with the blush of shame?
Then, again, what benefit do or
can we derive from being extrava-
gant in these ni-itters? Every new
fashion, no matter what, is expen-

THE AMATEUR.

sive, costing, in many instances,
more than the material of which
it is composed. Young ladies who
take pride in being plain in their
raiment, yet neat withal, appear to
every sensible person, far more
comely and beautiful, than when
powdered, painted, or bedecked
with several dollars' worth of
gaudy apparal, panniers, etc.

"Ah!" perhaps some young
gentleman will exclaim, "that is
right I I perfectly agree with you!
The manner in which some of the
girls drees is really ridiculous!"

But stop a moment, my friend :
Are you sure that your boots are
not a trifle too small, and inconse-
quence, you have several "pet
corns?" Are you certain that your
clothes are not so economically
cut that, when you get them on,
there is no chance to get them off
unless your tailor rips the seams
thereof, and releases you? Can you
truthfully say that you do not re-
(piire a civil engineer to part your
hair exactly in the middle, lest one
hair more on one side of your head
than the other, should disturb "the
balance of power?" These, and
other points, we should look at as
young men, and, upon due consid-
eration, will find that our sex, as
well as the opposite, can well af-
ford to "mutually improve" in
these as in other things; hence, the
benefits already, and in the future
to be derived from Mutual Im-
provement Associations.

RexG.

KIXDNESS.

miTERE is nobody that knows
-L how much good just one kind
word can do nor how much joy
and comfort it brings but those
who have experienced it. A kind
word is never lost, for our Heaven-
ly Father takes notes of all our acts
and we will be rewarded for all
that we do that is of a kind nature.
Besides, when we bestow a kind
act upon anyone it always makes
us feel more joyous than we would
if we had not done it. We arenot
any of us too old to learn to be
kind. We should be kind to the
poor; if they have not as fine
clothes and comfortable surround-
ings as others, remember that
it is our Heavenly Father that
blesses us with all that we have,
and if Fie sees that we are proud
and haughty He may some day
take them away. Be kind and
charitable to the sick, and where-
ever we go be kind. Cad.

V.9

Our readers will, no doubt, note
with pleasure the slight enlarge-
ment and improved appearance of
the present number of the
Amateur?
While "Mutual Improvement" is

our name,
Ne'r ceasing improvement shall be

our aim.

?^l 20

THE AMATEUR.

rditei and Pulilislie.l By-Weekly, under the-
RiiFpiccs f.'f tlie Yi.iuiic Men's Mut'ial Iiupiove-
iiieiit Associatiou, ol'Ogdeu City, Utah.

Joseph A. West,

Editor.

WEDNESDAY, DEC.Stb, 1S77.

TO rSESIDEXTS OF 3IUTUAL IMPROVE-

MKyi Assocwrioys.

■We Tri?I he pleased to send the Amateuti to all
Presidents of Mutual Improveiuent Associations
who will forward us their names and addresses and
ten cents postage. Vi'e al.so invite {Item, one
»nd all, to favor UJ wfth au occasional corres-
pondence.

DANCING.

OUR respected President, Apc?s-
tle John Taylor, publishes in
the Deseret Evening News of Nov.
2ist, a somewhat lengthy commu-
nication, entitled "Dancing Par-
ties and Kindred Amusements,"
all of which, being of special in-
terest to the young, we would be
glad to publish, did our space per-
mit. As it is, we will have to be
content with presenting only such
portions as specially refer to danc-
ing,and these in as brief a manner
as possible.

In regard to the time for closing
parties, the writer says: "It is also
the unanimous sense of the coun-
cil (of the Twelve Apostles) that
our parties never be continued
after midnight; but that the Priest-
hood encourage the closing of. pub-
lic parties and other social gather-

ings at an earlier hour, say at ten
or eleven o'clock p. m."

He then goes on to state, that
as parties given for the purpose of
making money are not generally
as s.elect as those for which social
enjoyment is the principal object,
that all such dances should be dis-
countenanced and prohibited.
Also that before any party is given
a list of those to be invited
should be submitted to the Bishop
or presiding authority of the
Ward, and that such list, when so
submitted, should never be devi-
ated from without the Bishop's
consent.

The following in regard to round
dances we clip from the closing
paragraph:

"There has been, among all cor-
rect feeling people, a strong pre-
judice against them, as they tend,
though not always intentionally so,
to demoralize our youth, and op-
erate prejudicially to those inno-
cent enjoyments which oug'it to
characterize the recreations of the
Latter-day Saints. We do not
wish to be too restrictive in those
matters, but would recommend
that there be not more than one or
two permitted in an evening.

*****
We invite the co-operation
of the young mens' and young
ladies' Mutual Improvement Asso-

=0^^

.0,

THE AMATEUR.

ciations, and of all good Saints to
discountenance anything wrong,
and to assist their Bishops in the
furtherance of these desirable
objects."

These most excellent and salu-,
tary counsels are delivered to us by
the highest acknowledged authori-
ty of God upon the earth, and it
becomes the duty of every Lat-
ter-day Saint, both old and young^
to render strict obedience to
them.

The round dance, here spoken
of, has been the subject of much
comment, of late, not only with
our own people, who have striven
for some time past to eliminate it
from the recreations of the ball-
room, but also with the press and
pulpit throughout the land. The
leading religious denominations
of the world, especially the Catho-
lics, set their faces like a flint
against its practice, and the day
seems not far distant when the
modern waltz, with its close
embrace and giddy seductive
whirl, will be driven entirely from
the recreations of all respectable
people, and its votaries be classed
among the disreputable and vul-
gar element of society.

What! the gill that I love liT another emliraced!
Another iiiau'sarm rouml iii.vchosen one's wiiintl
What! touched in the wkirl by another niiin'i

knee;
And panting recline on another than nie!
bir, slie's yours; you have brushed from the grape

its soft blue,
From the rose you have shaken the delicate dew;
What you've touched you may take — pretty

wultzer adieu!

ELDER M TIIATOIIER'S LECTURE.

rpHE lecture of Elder Moses
-L Thatcher delivered on Wednes-
day evening last before the Asso-
ciation was truly the event of the
season, and we regret that our
limited space prevents us giving it
a more full and extended notice.
The subject from Shakespeare's
play, Othello, is as follows: "Who
steals my purse steals trash," &:c.

The speaker referred to the vir-
tue and integrity of our fathers and
mothers, and said that while they
were possessed of such sterling
qualities it would be unreasonable
to suppose that we, their children,
were lacking in these respects.
Spoke of the exalted worth of vir-
tue, and endeavored to show that
the power, prominence, durability
and dominion of a nation in any
age of the world was only measured
by the purity and freedom from
social corruption of her sons and
daughters; that while chastity and
social excellence were a notice-
able characteristic of the early
founders of all great nations and
empires, that the absence of these
virtues inevitably presaged ulti-
mate political decay and ruin.

He referred for examples to
Rome, France and our own coun-
try, and closed with a most elo-
quent pero'-ation, the substance of

THE AMATEUR.

which was that within the crum-
bling ruins of the political and so-
cial decay of nations, God, in his
infinite wisdom, always preserved
an element of virtue, which subse-
quently arose, asserted the right to
dominion, and built kingdoms and
empires which lasted while virtue
endured, and perished when virtue
lied.

The speaker's. review of the his-
tory of America contained a scath-
ing denunciation of the vice and
corruption which have crept into
high places and cannot seemingly
be dislodged.

The lecture throughout was a
remarkably fine display of forensic
ability and historic lore, chaining
the attention of the audience from
first to last.

uoxEsry

HONESTY is one of the noblest
virtues, and one that should
be cultivated above all others.
Honesty leads to success, it mat-
ters not in what position we are
l)laced or in what business we are
engaged. If we cultivate this
principle and live by it we will
get through this world loved and
respected by all by whom we are
known, or with whom we have
anything to do. Think for a
moment of the great Rothschilds,
the richest men in the world.

How have they obtained so much
wealth? Was it by being dishon-
est? No; it was by being honest
with those with whom they have
had business transactions. Again,
think of A. T. Stewart and Van-
derbilt, who died but a short time
ago, two of the richest men Ameri-
ca had produced. How did they
become so immensely rich? It was
by being honest and upright with
those with whom they had to deal.
Some will say: "Well, there are
those who have gained fortunes by
being dishonest." That is so,
Wm. M. Tweed for instance, who
stole money trom the New York
treasury, we all know what be-
come of him; he landed in the
penitentiary, and is to-day a bank-
rupt and a wreck. We will find
in all the various transactions
in which we engage that it is
best to be honest. S. E. A.

OUR NEXT LECTURE.

Our next lecture will occur on
Wednesday evening, the 12th
inst., and will be delivered by
Elder David M Stuart, who has
kindly consented to continue the
subject with which he so much in-
terested us four weeks ago to-
night, entitled "Missionary Ex-
perience Abroad." The bare
announcement will undoubtedly
secure a crowded house.

THE AMATEUR.

'^-\

TO THOSE DES/RfiVG OUI^PAPER.

WE haVe lately feCeiVed niaiiy
inquiries in regard to the
price of oUr little papef both from
fesideiits of Ogddil and othei'
placee^.

In reply we would say that it has
not been our design to publish a
paper for general distribution, ouf
pufpose being simply \o meet otif
own necessities and promote the
general interest of our own Asso-
ciation. However, inthis,'.ve do not
wish to be selfish, arid if other So-
cietie;^ .iti this arid the adjacent
counties desire our' paper" We will
be glad to supply fheili at five Ceiits
per copy, or fifty cents for the re-
maining numbers of this volume
including the ])resent issue, ten
numbers in all, postage paid.

Please address all communica-
tions upon this subject to the
Amateur, Lock Box One, Ogden
City, Utah.

AIMS IN LIFU.

THE first object in life of every
individual, should be the mu-
tual improvement and happiness of
all with whom they are associated.
To this end each one should en-
deavor to store his mind with use-
ful knowledge and true wisdom,
learn and do those things which

are pleasing to our Father in
Heaven, Whd is the source of all
that is great alld Wisg, as Well as
good. When we take Up a book
or paper to read, it should hc Of
that clasij that w'ill iilstfuct aftd
benefit, leading us to high and
noble thoughts alld action.'^, a*id
not of that light arid trivolous
character which weakens the
powers of the mind alld render the
a'^fairs of real life irtsipid and
valueless, filling us with nonsense'
and frivolity. When the fir:^t step
is taken in the right direction, thg
s^ecortd is Easier, aikl tile next stil{
niofe so; alld so oflwai'd until ire
we arrive to the greatest dggfee Oi
perfection that k possible for us<
to attain to. 0. T.

On Wednesday evening last the
Association decided to institute 1
measures for the purchase of an
organ also for the organization
and systematic instruction of a
choir to be under the able leader-
ship of Prof. John Fowler.

A series of parlor entertainments
are to be given in connection with
the ladies of the Relief Society of
this city, the first of which will oc-
cur on Friday evening next, the
yth inst.,as per programme en-
closed. The patronage of the
public is I'cspcotfully solicited.
Admission 25 cts.

THE AMATEUR.

MEETING OF THE CENTRA L COM-
MITTEE OF THE V. M. M I A'S.

AT a meeting of the Central
Committee of the Young
Men's Mutuil Improvement Asso-
ciations, held at Salt Lake City on
Saturday, the iSth of last month,
the following officers were elected :
Junius F. Wells, President.
Milton C. Hardy, ] ^
Rodney C. Badger, \ Counselors.
B. V. Cummings, jr., Secretary.
R. W. Young, Assis't Secretary.
Geo. F. Gibbs, Cor. Secretary.
Mathoni W. Pratt, Treasurer.

It is expected that there will be
appointed in each Stake of Zion
a President of Mutual Improve-
ment Associations who will have
the general supervision of all
societies within the Stake, and will
direct and supervise a system of
missionary labors among the soci-
eties.

It will also be the duty of this
President to receive the quarterly
reports and condense them into
one — to be forwarded to the Cen-
tral organization.

We have received the first num-
ber of The Amateur, edited by
Joseph A. West, under the auspices
of the Y, M. M. I. A. of Ogden
City. Its motto "Knowledge is
power, Union is strength." Of
course this is experimental, but we
feel sure The Amateur will be
successful in its mission. We
heartily rejoice in every new
avenue of this sort, which opens for
improvement among the young
people. We trust it will be wide-
ly circulated, and so well sup-

ported, that it may increase in size
and become as popular as any of
the publications of the Latter-day
Saints. We give the Amateur
a cordial greeting and feel that it
has a wide field of labor before it,
in which to sow good seed of
which the reward may be a rich
harvest for Israel.— Woman's Ex
ponent.

OFFICERS

OF THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN
Cnv, UTAH:

Joseph A. Wes^, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor.
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

JlNSITERSTO PASTIHES.

The answer to tlie cli.inido publisheii in niir!a^t
issur is as fi)llow-i: "The Pen is iiiipli- ier than t'e
Pwor 1." Coritict answers have been received
from Alma D Chambers, Martha lIor.ipool,St»phen
A. Browning and Ileber J. Purdy. -•"

Answer to enienia. "I'pprovemont." Correct
answers receive 1 t'nim Elizv Purdy, Martha Ilors-
jiool and Eliza A. StratiDrd

The solntion of he kep; problem i« as follows:
First fill 'he 3 (gallon kej; and empty this into the
5, then fill the 3 callon again from thcS and pour
into the 5 until full, wh»n these will remain one
palion in thn 3 pill n\ ke^. Now empty the 5
jrallim into the S gallon and pour the one gallon
f^om the 3 pillon ke^ to the 5 jrallon keg. Then
fill the 3 Rallon kes from the S, an I again empty
this into the T) calhrn keg. There willtbenbe four
gallons in the 5 gallon keg and four gallons in the
S gallon keg. Correct answers to the above have
been received from C. C. Richards, W. 11. West, .1.
X. Ballantyne, Hobcr J. Purdy and Jes»e G.
Stratford.

Tlie verse was correctly rea^ by Kate Penrose,
Martha Ilorspool and Stephen A. Browning.

Conttibntionsofcharadoi. puzzles, enigmai,etc.,
are solicited from our readers, which, if received in
time, will appear in the Pastime Column of uur
next issue.

iiiaiiiaiiitiiiiiiEiriiniiiniiiiiiiiii

•^ KNOWLEDGE IS P0WE3. f^
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

"•^(

iiiiiiiiiiiirTgiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiii

•^ UNION IS STRENGTH. ^

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogden City.

No. 4.

OGDEN, UTAH, DEC. 19, 1877.

Vol. I.

THE AMATEUR.

Edited and PubliKhed Bi-Weekly hy the Young
Men's Mutual Improvemeut Asuociiitiou of
Ogileu City, LUUi.

O^TRT,

THE FROST'S FROLIC.

JIT? frost stepped out one eveninq bright,
•lust as the sniis la^it rny of lifrht
Wsr: ca«tn"ermnuata,iQ top rooM,
To burnish each with tinge of gold.

He \Tiindered up and down the slreet
Palutinc .',11 he ch.mced to meet.
At lasit, in spangles pure and white
He settled 'gainst a window light.

Not idle he. one might supposed
He'd stop awliile to warm his nose;
I!ut with a will and magic touch.
That night lie did accomplish much.

His paints were pure and strictly white,
Conipo?ed of damp and dew of night:
His subject.^ gleamed from far and wide,
i'rom brook and hill and mountain side.

A tlionsianil neat, fantastic forms
He wrought, iis fine as 'ere adorns
A mansion; and as fair withal.
As e'er bedecked a palace hall.

I fain would detail each and all,
liut, as my space is raliier snuill,
One more; have patience ore I close,
Then j'ouand I will to repose.

The sun ascends! bis zenith near.'-.!
)!e(iui('t child, anil ruli vonr cars!
.«.Min w II liesDund lYost's fnn.Tnl luudl.
Thou off, sir, to your narrow cell.

z. r,.

FREE AGENCY.

FREE AGENCY is a blessing
'which is bestowed upon every
man that cometh into the world,
and if we yi reflection, cerUre our
thcjughts upon it, we cannot but
admit that it is one of the greatest
boons that mankind enjoys, given,
as it is, by God, the giver of all
good gifts. I will quote a few lines
of the poet, who, when writing
upon this subject, says:

Know this, that every soul is free
To choos* his life, and what he'll be,
For this eternal word is given,
Tliat God will forct no man to Heaven.

So it is, then, that every child is
free to act according to its desire,
or according to the promptings of
the spirit which dwells within it.
If a young man has a desire to be
reckless, or careless about what he
shall do, or if he desires to steal,
cheat, lie or swear, he has his own
free will to do so, but thfiv is a
sting to all this, which at times lie

^^^

rs^

THE AMATEUR

'■"W.

liy.

must feel. His conscience smites
him, and he feels within himself
that he has not feared Ood who
created him, neither regarding
man with whom he dwells, but has
been serving and laboring for the
F2vil One. Consequently, he entails
the wages of sin for his reward:
And the wages of sin are death!

So it is also with a young man
who, on the other hand, has a de-
sire or a will to do good; who
determines to listen to the instruc-
tions of God's servants, to work
the works of righteousness, and
to keep the commandments of God,
But with him his conscience ap-
proves of his work, he feels joyous
and happy, everything is pleas-
ant and agreeable, because he has
feared God, and regarded and re-
spected his fellow man. He receives
the reward of the just, viz: a
crown of glory in the Kingdom of
God.

'J'ruc, it may bo said, that Satan
tempts mankind and uses his in-
fiuence to lead them astray, and to
I)ro'.npt them to walk into crime and
every manner of wickedness. But
notwithstanding this there is a jjor-
tion of the Spirit of the Lord within
every man that is born into tlie
workl to light, guide, direct and
prompt him to do right, to help
, him fight against Satan, and to
work the wtjrks of righteousness,

so that after he has filled
the measure of his creation, or fin-
ished his probation on this earth,
he may then return, to God and
receive his reward for the works
do»e in the flesh. By this we learn
that God is not so unmerciful as to
leave His children by themselves.
Neither is He so compulsory as to
force His children to serve Him,
but has sent them here to try, and
prove them, or to see what they
will do; He has given them a free
agency or will, tO' act for them-
selves, and do as seemeth them
good, and then abide the conse-
quences. He has also given them
His words that if they will to
serve the Devil they must abide the
penalty, which is death and con-
demnation, but if they will to
serve God eternal life in Jlis
Kingdom is their reward.

N. G.

OVIi SOCIETY, .jc

I FEEL that our Association has
been organized for a good and
wise purpose. It is calculated to
protect us from the many tempta-
tions and snares of the adversary
with v/hich we are surrounded.
Do we realize that we are sur-
rounded by the enemies of God,
whose object is to overthrow this
kingdom, and who expect to ac-

>rro

^
^

THE AMATEUR.

complish it in some degree, at
least, by the influence they exert
over the children of the Saints?
They are not our friends, neither
are they the friends of God, for
they seek to destroy the priest-
hood. There is no person who
has the Holy Ghost that can be-
lieve iheir doctrines.

My Brethren and Sisters, if we
suffer ourselves to be led from the
counsels of our parents and lose
the light of the Holy Spirit we will
become infidels to God, but if we
are obedient we have a right to
the Holy Ghost, which will teach
us our duty, and by it w'e shall
know truth from error and light
from darkness. My parents have
taught na-e the truth arid so have
yours, amd no tongue can express
the gratitude we owe to them for
their faithfulness. It is our duty
to honor and defend the princi-
ples which they have taught us,
and to promote by every means in
our power the advancement of the
Kingdom of God. H.

LECTURE A NNO UNCEilEXT.

Elder Wm. W. Burton has kind-
ly consented to favor us with an-
other of his interesting lectures on
Wednesday evening, the 26th
inst. ; subject, "Incidents of travels
in the north of England." The
public are invited.

FLL TRY.

OW easy it is to say "I can't."
Many young people say
it, and not only say it, but act it
out when some difficulty arises in
their path which they are required
to overcome. When Ave fail in
anything that we have been
trying to accomplish our energies
are weakened and we are less able
to battle with the next difficulty
that presents itself. We can form
the habit of saying "I can't" and
of giving up faint hearted when
difficulty presents itself until we
are unfit to contend with the
stern realities of life. On the
other hand we can form the habit
of saying "I'll try," and learn to
battle with difficulty with a strong
will until to succeed will be v/hat
we may reasonably expect in every
contest. Every victory that Alex-
ander the Great, and the armies
under his command gained over
their enemies, seemed to make
them more invincible and give
them additional assurance of
victory in tl;ie next approaching
battle. Let us all leave off
saying "I can't" and learn to
say "I'll try," and so become in-
vincible in overcoming the many
little difficulties that may arise in
the pathway of life. H.

■"^.^

^■^I

THE AMATEUR.

by the Youns
.^pociatiou, of

Editofl and Published Bi-Weekly
Men's Mul'Jiil Improvemeut
Ogdeu City, Utah.

Joseph A. West,

Editor.

NVEDNESDAY, DEC. 19th, 1877.

TO I'Ml'SIDfJNTS OF MUTITAL IMPROVE-
MENT ASSOCIATIONS.

TVe will lie plensed to send the Amateur to all
Presidents of Miitual Iiuprovement Associations
who will -forward us their uamos and addreKseaivnd
ten couta postage. We also inrite them, one
and all, to favor ua Mith an occaaioual corres-
pondence.

OUR TERM EXriRED.

ri1W0 months have elapsed since
J- the first number of the Ama"
TKUR was issued under the auspices
of the Young Men's Mutual Im-
provement Association of this city,
and according to our plan then
announced, a change in the editor-
ship must now occur.

While we have nothing to say in
regard to the literary -character of
the past four issues, unless it be to
apologize for their imperfections,
it affords us pleasure to be able to
state that we have never, from the
first, lacked for contributions with
which to fill our columns, but on
the contrary, our file has been
continually crowded, so much so
that pieces designed for one issue
have often been laid by for the
next because of our lack of space.

Financially, too, our most san-
K- —

guine expectations have been more
than realized. At first it was
thought that the expenses of our
little periodical Avould have to be
met entirely by the Association,
and that it would probably retpiire
for this purpose all the means that
we could possibly obtain during
the period of its publication, but
through the kindness of our friends
in favoring us with advertisements,
we have thus far met all current
expenses without the least embar-
rassment, and have been able to
turn our attention to other mea-
sures of improvement involving
pecuniary outlay, such as the pro-
fessional discipline of a choir, the
purchase of an organ, etc. We
have also been able to increase our
issue from 200 to 300 copies, and
to add four pages to the original
size of our paper, thereby accom-
modating our advertisements with-
out encroaching upon tur limited
space.

Before retiring from the posi-
tion to which the Association has
seen fit to appoint us, we desire to
return our thanks to all those who
have favored us with contributions
during the period that we have
been in charge of the paper. Also
to our patrons we would say:
Your kind appreciation of our
humble efforts, and the valuable
aid which you have afforded us

'iX

THE AMATEUR.

will ever receive our kindliest
remembrance, and while v/e
make no pretentions to literary
learning or journalistic ability it
shall be our constant aim to give
you as good a paper as our circum-
stances, our abilities and the time
at our disposal will permit.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Ogdem, Dec. 9th, 1S77.
Dear i\rr. Editor:

Although I am not a member
of the Young Men's Mutual Im-
provement Association, your un-
tiring efforts for improvement in
the different departments of the
Society, over which you have
been appointed to preside, have
by no means passed with-
out my notice. More es-
pecially since the advent of
your enterprising little paper,
the Amateur, have I noticed your
unceasing labors in behalf of the
youth of Zion, and it is with
pleasure that I assure you of my
most devout wishes for your con-
tinued success in the great and
glorious work which has been
placed upon you through your
appointment to the presidency.
Trusting that your earnest en-
deavors to do good may be
crowned with brilliant success,
I am, dear sir,

very respectfully yours*,
Frmz.

''BOHEMIAN' ETIQUETTE.

INASMUCH as there are many
curious notions in the world
as to the manner in which persons,
should conduct themselves in order
to gain the respect of all right-
minded people, the writer of this
article considers it his duty to ex-
patiate upon this subject, and en-
deavor to show up the fallacy (?)
of such old-fashioned ideas.

Now, young men, do not be led
away with the notion that to be
gentlemen is the great object in
life. It is not according to the
modern ideas of civilization and
improvement. Whenever you see
an opportunity, deviate as much as
possible from the rules laid down
by those insane individuals who
have such straight-laced ideas of
decorum. We are advised to take
advantage of the opportunities we
have in youth, and learn of those
things which will make us useful
members of society. Pshaw ! Let
us "enjoy life while we are young. "
In accordance withthisprogramme
it will be in order to make nightly
visits to the nearest beer saloon,
and by all means to stay there up
to the last minute permitted by
law, and an hour or so later, if
possible. However, be that as it
may, when you do start for your
abode, be sure that those_in the

±:^^

THE AMATEUR.

neighborhood are not left in
ignorance of the important fact. A
few healthy yells will enliven those
"old fogies" who think that ten or
eleven o'clock p. m. is the right
time to retire. Be sure to speak
of your parents as "the old man"
or "old woman." It is a well
known fact that you owe your
fathei and mother nothing! They
have only taken good care of you
from your babyhood up, and
tended you through sickness; fur-
nished you with clothing, food,
etc., but what of that? It's no more
than their parents did for them!
No better opportunities are
afforded for a display of your abili-
ties as "nonconformists" to the
foolish ideas of etiquette than at
public assemblages. At a party be
sure to emit such copious discharges
of tobacco juice from your mouth as
you may feel necessary for the dis-
comfort of those around you.
The instant the floor manager puts
in an appearance, to "call on,"
make a desperate rush across the
hall, clutch a lady by the wrist,
and drag her upon the floor.
Tread upon everybody's toes, and
should any individual presume to
complain, strike him to your feet,
— if you can — this is a free coun-
try, and the man who seeks to re-
strain you is an usurper.

In short, do everything if your

power to break down these foolish
notions of laAV, order and politeness,
and the probabilities are that one
fine day you will have the satisfac-
tion of boarding at the expense
of the law-abiding community —
in a "government hotel."

Rex O.

OUR i:ntertji^'3ient.

rjlHE Parlor Entertainment at
-L the City Hall on Friday even-
ing, the 7th inst., was tolerably
well attended, though not as
largely by members of the Asso-
ciation as could be desired. The
pieces, with but few exceptions,
were very creditably rendered,
eliciting from the audience loud
and continued applause.

On Friday evening next the
Association will give another en-
tertainment at the sam* place,
when an entirely new programme
will be presented, the musical part
of which will be performed by the
members of the North Ogden
Choir. Mr. Cox, of Hooper City,
will also favor Us with a few
comicalities. For particulars see
programme enclosed.

Where lives the man that hath not

tried
How mirth can into folly glide,
And folly into sin!

— Scott.

)7^~

THE AMATEUR.

THOUGHT.

HOW many of us appreciate the
importance of learning to
think? What I says some, is not
thought spontaneous? Can the
art of thinking be cultivated and
acquired? We answer yes. It is
just as essential that we learn to
think correctly, as that we learn
the art of reading properly, for
while the latter is one of the medi-
ums through which we receive in-
formation and intelligence, no
amount of reading will make us
wise unless we reflect upon what
we read, and, by thought and re-
flection, make it a source of profit
and benefit to us.

By pursuing this course we will
find new ideas presenting them ■
selves to our minds from time to
time, which, if 'promptly received
and considered, will help to dc-
ve-lope our mental faculties and
give them strength and pov/er.
And, although we may not pos-
sess the genius of a Shakespeare
or a Newton, we may all attain
that healthy condition of mental
development which will enable us
to impart to others some ideas and
thoughts which will benefit them,
and thus we can give as well as
receive intelligence. Then let us
try to learn this art by reflecting
upon and digesting whatever we
read or hear, being careful al-
ways to read only good books,
such as will teach us truth instead
of error, and closing our ears to all
improper or unprofitable commu-
nications.

We should also learn to write
our thoughts and thus give others
the benefit of our ideas and reflec-
tions. To aid us in this the
Amateur has been established in
our Association. May it accom-
plish the object of its existence. S.

SWEARING.

THE liabit of swearing is such
a vile and complicated crime
that I am surprised that men who
wish to- be considered wise and
polite, should ever be found guilty
of it. It is low, coarse and
wicked; a vice to which there is
no temptation, and one of those
sius which may be called presump-
tuous.

Swearing is not only reprobated
by the laws of good taste and good
manners, but forbidden by th»
commandment of God. He who
makes use of oaths would seem to
give us to understand that his bare
word is not to be taken.

It is our duty as members of an
Association for mutual improve-
ment, to do our utmost to improve
our conduct, and to set a good ex-
ample to all, both old and young:
for a bad example tends to corrupt
in some degree, every one that lives
within its baneful influence; and
since swearing is an example that
is an insult to refined society, a
breach of good manners and an
offense in the sight of God, none
who wish to maintain a good
character or to obtain the favor
! of the Lord, should ever be guilty
i of its practice. W. J.

THE AMATEUR.

OUR LAST LECTURE.

ELDER David M. Stuart was
greeted with an overflowing
house on Wednesday evening last,
it being the occasion on which he
was announced to continue his
very interesting lecture entitled
' ' Missionary Experience Abroad . ' '
The speaker began by stating
that he would endeavor to con-
vince the skeptic of the necessity
of faith in God and a reliance on
his never failing promises. He
gave a careful account of his
experience and travels in Ore-
gon and Washington Territories,
in all of which the overrul-
ing providences of the Lord were
illustrated in the most positive and
striking manner. He made many
converts; had many marvelous
dreams and visions; passed through
trials and hardships oi the must
perilous character; and at length
when on his return to Utah, his
party, composed of seven men three
women and two children, was at-
tacked by Indians. Their animals
stolen; one of their number shot
full of arrows and they were left in
an Indian country, not knowing
where they were, without animals
and almost without food. But
they were marvelously delivered
from all of this by the hand of
God, and in time all arrived in
the valley of the C^reat Salt Lake
in safety. The lecture throughout
was full of interesting narratives
and historical facts, maintaining
the strictest and intensest interest
from begmning to end.

i^STX^lEJS,

CHARADES.

I am a sentence compoeerl of 16 letters:
Mv 1 , 0. 7, R, 9. is a kiniJ of cloth.
My 10, 14, 4, S, is a pliice to w«Ik.
My 11, 7, 13,12, '1, is tile name of a stream.
My 14, 16, VI, is a kind of drink.
My t>, 14, 4, 12, 2, wo conld not live without.
My 11, 3, 4, 5, is the n«me of a girl.
My (), ,"1,7, 4, 12, is a clean color.
My (i, 15, 4, 6, is a preposition.
My 13, \S>, U, 4, 3, 12, wo should ever keep.

My whole is a well known quotation.

I am composed of 17 lottors.
My 14. 2, 10, 17, is used fiT roofing houses.
My 4, 5,15, is what fanners need in «bundance.
My K, 9, 10, n, is a favorite aninscnient.
My 3, 1, Si, 7, J 1,17, is'whal mothers need.
My 14, 17, 12, is much used »s a beverage.
My S, 2, 8, 11, 17, is a sacred volnnie
My 14, 5, 13, 16, 17, 6, is a lawyer of Ogden.
My 7, 17, 12, 14, 4, all muat meet

My whole is the name of a gentleman well
known in Ogden. G.

Two little boys are peddling apples, each having
."U ai)iecc; one meets a customer and sells at the
rate of 2 for a cent, and receives in return 15 cents-
Tho other meets tlie same party, to whom the
former had sold, and in order to dispose of his ap-
j)le8, is compelled to sell 3 for a cent, and Feoeivss
i)Ut 10 cents. Amount received from both sales,
26 cents. Now 2 apples for a cent and 3 apples for
a centis equal to 6 apples for 2 oeuts;l]Ut 1^0 apples
at the same ratio would cost but 24 cents. Now
how did the boys obtain the extra cent, they have
ing rec«ivcd 26 cenls, as before stated .

t^' Answers to the above, are requested, viliich if
received in time, will appear in our next issue.

OFFICERS

OF THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN
CITY, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor.
Wasliington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Wiilard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

'•^(

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IDSICiEIIIIIIIIIII mill III IDIIIIIIISII

S AMAl

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogden City.

No. 5.

OGDEN, UTAH, JAN. 9, 1878.

Vol. I.

THE AMATEUR.

Editort and Published Bi-Weekly by the Young
Jleii'.s Mutual Improvement Assueiatiou of
Ogdeu City, Utah.

LIFE AND DEATH.

[THAT a world of conflicting
thoughts and emotions throng
the mind of one who attempts the
contemplation of the true and full
import of the words, Life and
Death! In the English language,
with all its beauty of simile,
its wealth of synonym, there are
to be found no other words so
laden with the joys and sorrows of
existence, so fraught with mean-
ing to mankind.

Life, in its broad, unlimited
sense, is the representation of hap-
piness, of glory, of pleasure, of
honor, of truth and even of eter-
nity. Death, equally broad in
contrast, presents the sombre pic-
ture of misery, of darkness, of
degradation, of annihilation.

Considered thus, mere existence is
not life; and, even as life includes
all that is bright and joyous, so to
live means to fill up the measure
of our creation with persistent,
heaven-directed efforts, with
noble, god-like deeds, and by leav-
ing behind a pure, untarnished re-
cord for the emulation of those
who follow us. To fall short of
this is to fail in the fulfillment
of the purposes for which the Al-
mighty placed us here on earth.
Nor is death merely the cessation
of respiration — no, to the saint of
God this is but the gateway to
life. To sin deeply and beyond
forgiveness is to drink of death in
all its bitterness. But for those
whose lives are blameless this as-
pect possesses no terror. Happy
are they who can welcome the
sleep called death as being the
path which they will joyfully tread
to reach the Throne of God and
there receive the crown of Life
Eternal. Kennon.

THE AMATEUR.

11'

CORRESPONDENCE.

TooKi,E City, Dec. 14, '77.
Editor A.matelr:

Dear Sir — Having had the
privilege of perusing a copy of
your little paper, and noticing
your invitation for correspondence
I avail myself of the first oppor-
tunity of writing.

Our Association hailed with
great pleasure the announcement
that Prest. J. F. Wells and Elder
B. F, Cummings, Jr., were com-
ing out here to look after the in-
terest of the young people of this
stake of Zion, and before they had
completed their tour, we learned
to aj^preciate more fully the labors
in which they are engaged.

They arrived here on Monday,
the loth inst., and held meetings
in the afternoon and evening,,
Prest. Jv F. Wells pointed out in
a clear and forcible manner the
benefits to be derived by being
connected with such associations.
It is almost impossible to realize
the advantages we have, until we
are called to fill a mission or
other important duties in life.
Elder B. F. Cummings gave a
very interesting account of his
labors in the ministry, also of his
connection with improvement as-
sociations, where he had gained
much that was valuable to him
when called to other and greater
duties.

Bro. Moroni Picket -was chosen
Supt. of the Y. M. M. I. A. of
Tooele, and was unanimously sus-
tained.

On Tuesday our party, which
was composed of Prest. J. F.

V/ells, Elder B F. Cummings, Jr.,
Prest. F. M. Lyman, of the Tooele
Stake, Supt. Maroni Picket, Prest.
O. H. Barrus, Assistant Sec,, T.
Hale and your correspondent,
proceeded to Grantsville and held
meetings in the afternoon and
evening. From Grantsville Ave
went to St. John's in Rush valley,
held two meetings there and on
Thursday returned to the ter-
minus.

The spirit of the Gospel pre-
vailed; and much good and time-
ly instruction was given.

We desire to see the Amateur
prosper, and your efforts toward
mutual improvement crowned with
success.

I remain yours in the Gospel,
Thos. W. Lee.

Salt Lake City, Jan. 2, '78.
Editor Amateur:

I wish you and all the readers of
the Amateur a "Happy New
Year." I thought, perhaps, a few
items concerning the manner in
which the new year was spent in
this city wouki be of interest to
the readers of our paper. The
day was observed as a general holi-
day, the principal stores and places
of business in the city were closed
and the employees free to partici-
pate in the enjoyments of the day.
As the old year began to draw
near its close, people might be
seen both from town and country,
making purchases of the good
things of earth to enjoy themselves
on the beginning of the new year,
causing the hearts of both mer-
chant and purchaser to be made
glad. The new year dawned with

s-^=^=@

±JrX

THE AMATEUR.

35 i^'

a clear sky above, aiid earth,
adorned in her fairest robes, af-
fording excellent sleighing, which
was largely participated in by
both old and young, causing the
tintinabulation of a hundred
merry bells to be heard until
a late hour at night. Among
other amusements were those of
skating and dancing, the latter of
which was enjoyed in the various
ward school houses and public
buildings throughout the city.
The one, perhaps, most worthy of
note was that held in the Eleventh
Ward Assembly Rooms on New
Year's eve, which reflected great
credit on the committee of ar-
rangements, for the taste and skill
they displayed in decorating the
hall so beautifully for the occasion.
The music was excellent and every-
thing passed off to the perfect
satisfaction of all who attended.
The party closed at a few minutes
past twelve o'clock, each attendant
wishing the other a glad and pros-
l^erous new year. Wishing the
Amateur every success,
I am yours,

Parker.

PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT.

THE entertainment of Friday
evening, Dec. 21st, was better
in every respect than any former
one of which we have any recol-
lection.

The North Ogden choir per-
formed their portion of the pro-
gramme in a very masterly and
creditable manner, receiving voci-

ferous applause at the conclusion
of each piece. Messrs. Robt. Cox,
Washington Jenkins and W. H.
West also did themselves much
credit in the various pieces as-
signed to them, each receiving in
turn a liberal meed of applause,
the two former gentlemen being
separately encored.

We feel to return thanks to all
who have kindly aided us in our
past few entertainments, and par-
ticularly to the North Ogden choir,
who came from a distance through
inclement weather, we would say:
your kind and able assistance is
much appreciated by us and will
be gladly reciprocated whenever
opportunity permits.

OUR HOLIDAY PARTIES.

"IHE two social parties given by
the Association at the County
Court House, one on Christmas
and the other on New Year's eve,
were well attended, and both
passed off in a very orderly, pleas-
ant and highly enjoyable manner.
The music under the leadership
of Prof.Fov>^ler was most excellent.
The floor managers and attendant
committees were very gentlemanly
and courteous. The company that
assembled was strictly select, and
the utmost vivacity and spirit pre-
vailed during the entire evening.
Both parties closed at 12 o'clock
sharp.

rse

THE AMATEUR.

?6\

Ix'

THE AMATEUR.

Edited and Published })i-Weekly, by the Younp;
Men's Mutual Improvement AssociatioD,, of
Ogden City, "Utah.

Austin C. Brown,

Editor.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9th, 1878.

OUR ENTllEE.

S we have been chosen to the
editorship of the Amateur
for one term, we enter upon the
necessary labors timidly, hoping
that the public eye will not scan
too closely our feeble efforts, but
remember that we and many others
are amateurs, who are striving
to advance in the scale of intelli-
gence and usefulness, so that when
the fathers pass away their places
may be filled by honest, active and
efficient, young men. Improve-
ment is our watch-word and by
the blessing of the Lord, and the
strength of union we intend to
press onward until the most san-
guinary hopes of our leaders are
fully realized.

MARRIA GE.

f\P all questions that have agi-
^ ' tated the human mind, that of
marriage claims its place as one of
the greatest. It originated with the
Gods in eternity, has been given
to their children for a blessing and
exaltation, and is the one great

"0^ ®"

source through which every bless-
ing ever promised to man is re-
ceived. The greatest promises
ever made to man were to Abra-
ham, for he was told that to the
increase of his posterity there
should be no end; and in his seed
all the nations of the earth should
be blessed. This promise, made
to some of our pious Christian
friends of the nineteenth century,
would be considered a great re-
proach, and no doubt they would
be much offended, considering it
low and vulga^-, and fit only for
v/orldly-minded people. But the
great Patriarch viewed the matter
very differently. He considered
himself greatly favored by being
the father of a multitude of na-
tions— the father of the fiiithful.
It is evident that this promise never
could have been fulfilled only
through the marriage covenant,
which was held by them to be most
sacredybecause they understood the
magnitude of such promises and
the penalty of an unvirtuous life.
The same promises were made to
Jacob, and directly from him
sprang the Twelve Tribes of Israel,
who were scattered in all the world,
and are now receiving the Gospel
and beginning to return from their
long dispersion.

The history of nations furnishes
much food for reflection on this

TfiE AMATEUR.

subject, and as they are so similar
in this respect, it is needless to
make distinctions.

While the marriage voav was
held sacred and offspring consid-
ered honorable, while celibacy was
looked upon with disfavor and
sometimes even punished, the
people were generally virtuous
and the nation prospered; a race
of honest, active and intelli-
gent men and women sprang
up, spread abroad their do-
minions, and at times ruled the
world. But mark their decline:
By honest industry they become
wealthy and gradually the extrava-
gant fashions of older and declin-
ing nations are introduced among
them, and then begin those lavish
expenditures which render it im-
possible for a young man of
moderate income to maintain a
family. At first they cannot afford
to marry, then have no desire to,
and what is the result? It becomes
unpopular to marry and still more
unpopular to become a parent. In
a few generations the place of their
sturdy, self-dependent ancestors is
filled by a pampered and sickly
race, pride and extravagance take
the place of the simple and frugal
ways of their sires, virtue soon
ceases to exist except in name, and
the marriage vow is disregarded
and often entirely unknown.
Libertines and courtesans swarm
the streets and public places, and

the land is full of the fruits of ille-
gitimacy. Honesty exists only in
name, public faith is violated,
every department of government
is manipulated by fraud, and at
length the judgments of an offend-
ed God fall upon them, and their
greatness and glory are known only
as things of the past.

Our own proud nation is no ex-
ception to the rule. Their is no
need, however, to recoimt her
crimes and corruption; they are
but a picture of the past, and the
same results will foUov/ the hame
causes in all ages of the world.

The Lord in His infinite mercy
has, at length, revealed the holy
order ot celestial marriage, and a
work of regeneration has begun in
the earth. While marriage is un-
popular with the world, among
t'lose who have embraced the
Everlasting Gospel it is regarded
as honorable, and a father of many
children assumes that patriarchal
standing in the community with
which Abraham and the patriarchs
of his time were honored. A gen-
eration, the legitimate fruits of
virtue, has sprung up, with the
principles of honesty and integrity
firmly rooted in their natures, and
as surely as will truth triumph over
error, and virtue over corruption,
so will the march of regeneration
ultimately give 'them the ascend-
ency, until "the little stone, cut
out of the mountain without
hands, will roll forth and fill the
whole earth." Mankind as a
race, by obedience to this law, will
eventually attain to their primi-
tive longevity, and the age of a
man will become as the age of a tree.

)^a

THE AMATEUR.

j-i-

OUR LAST LECTURE.

ELDER W. W. BURTON de-
livered a very interesting and
amusing lecture on Wednesday
evening last, his subject being
"Travels in the North of Eng-
land."

He was called to the ministry
when only eighteen years of age,
and sent to preach the unpopular
doctrine of Jesus Christ without
purse or scrip. Being young and
inexperienced he found it a great
task to preach; but knowing it to
be his duty he continued, and
whenever an opportunity offered,
lifted up his voice in defense of
the Gospel, that al! who desired
might have a knowledge of the
truth which he liad received.

Sometimes he found friends, who
ministered to his wants. Upon
one occasion he visited thirteen
houses to obtain lodging for the
night, but the people, having been
warned by their pious. Christian (?)
minister, not to entertain a -'JMor-
mon" on pain of losing their em-
ployment, refused him lodging,
and he was obliged to stay out of
doors.

At another time he was chal-
lenged to debate upon the prin-
ciples of the Gospel wi,th a learned
minister. The proud man, in a
very arrogant manner, related, in

a short speech, how he had met
and vanquished the greatest men
that could be brought against him,
and now he was about to engage
in debate with a boy, whom he
looked upon with disdain, and
would ''soon teach his place."
The discussion lasted five nights,
before large audiences. At the end
of which time the boy, with truth
and consequently good logic on
his side, had gained such a decided
advantage that the modern Goliath
was obliged to slink from the
crowd without "whipping the
boy," as he had declared he would.
Elder Burton continued to preach
in that part of the country with
much success.

As the subject is by no means
exhausted, the lecturer will per-
haps continue it at some future
time.

THE FORTHCOMING LECTURE.

ELDER Joseph Stanford will
lecture to the Association on
Wednesday evening next, the i6th
inst. Subject: "Language."

Bro. Stanford is a speaker of
considerable merit, and no doubt
will present for our consideration
many valuable and interesting
truths in regard to the all-impor-
tant subject upon which he has
kindly consented to treat. Let us
give him a full house and an ap-
preciative hearing.

-^^

i^A

THE AMATEUR.

SELF CULTURE.

rilHE cultivation of the mind is
J- one of the highest pursuits in
which we can engage, and one in
which we should all be deeply in-
terested. There is a broad field
spread out before us in which to
labor, and a rich reward awaits
the diligent.

If we have not fully realized the
necessity of self culture we should
try to do so now. Let us imagine
for one moment, gold, silver and
precious gems scattered on every
side in rich profusion, and, like
the glad sunshine, free to all.
Have you any idea that we would
set calmly by and see others en-
riching themselves, while we are
quite as needy as they? Without
doubt every one of us would exert
ourselves to the utmost to obtain
a portion of that which we consid-
ered so valuable.

Now there is in reality before
us, an extensive field of inexhaus-
tible gems of far greater value
than those referred to, for they
will enrich the mind, and if wise-
ly used will greatly increase our
capabilities for doing good. As
mutual improvement is our watch-
word, let us go to work in earnest,
resolved to do the best for our-
selves and others that we possibly
ean. Let us improve every oppro-

% .. ^^.:^

tunity for adding to our store of
knowledge. Watch carefully the
precious moments, for when once
gone, they are gone forever. Read
the best books, and reflect upon
what we read, that we may be bene-
fitted thereby.

iSLiny have risen to eminence
in literature, who have labored
under greater difficulties than
those with which we have to con-
tend, and this fact should furnish
us a motive to improve the time
and talents conferred upon us in
such a manner as to become a
blessing to ourselves and to so-
ciety. We need not be discour-
aged because we see many in
advance of us, for if we only exer-
cise patience, and are sufficiently
energetic, we shall see ere long
that Ave are making rapid progress
and shall feel amply compensated
for all our trouble.

But while we are seeking intel-
lectual attainments, let us not neg-
lect the culture of our moral
faculties. For without morality,
however highly educated we may
be, our lives will prove to be a
curse, rather than a blessing.

Glyn.

A local company will present a
splendid comedy bill at the Ogden
Theatre on Saturday evening next

THE AMATEUR.

'^(

Zi^

Idleness is the dead sea' tliat
swallows up all virtues, and the
self-made sepulchre of a living
man.

A cru^^ada asiaiost dancing has
been inauj/uratcd in Bahimore upper
circles. Many of the young lady
church members have ceased to trip
the "light t'autastic," and asseit that
the ball-room will kuow them no
more forever.

Eill Shute was a member of the
Twenty sisth While the boys
crowded around the old fl^g at the
recent reunion, Bill, with an irre-
pressible humor, called out:

"Boys, I am no speaker, but
there's a blamed sight more of you
here than I erer saw in a fight."

This brought down the house. —
Franklin (Ky) Review.

OFFICERS

OF THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OODfiN
CITY, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor.
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

TO rRESIDENTS OF MUTUAL IMPROVE-
MENT ASSOCIATIONS.

We will be pleaded to semi the Amateur to all
Tresidcnts of Mutual Iniprovemeut Associations
who will forward us their names and addresses and
len cents postage. Wc also invite them, one
and all, to favor us with an occasional corres-
pondence.

>^(^L.

-PiTiSTIM

^S,

VIIAEADES.

(No. 1.)

1 am composed of 24 letters:
My 14, 3. 10, 17, 13, is what we all should love.
My 1, 2,2(1, 17, 21, is a color.
My 4, 2, 10, 11,6, is a u-eiul article.
My 12, 111, 2."., is a pronoun.
My 7, 0, lo, 4, 24, is worn by ladies .
My 19, 22, 15, 21, is wliat we should try to be.
Mv 5, 10, 9, 20, 12, is a hidv's name.
Jly 14, 0, 8, 23, i s a kiml olVruit.
My 17, R, 21, 3, is good to oat.

My whole is a. quotation from tho Bible.

M. ir.

(No 2.)

I am composed of 12 letters:
My 0, 4, 2, is a plai'e of confinement.
My 1 1, 12, 10, 3, forms i);(rt of a f Ttune.
My f), 'J, 2, is nnicli admired by women.
My 1, 3, is a pronoun.

My S, y, 11, .1, sometimes causes speculation.
My 0, 12, 10, is used extensively.
My b, ".), 11, 7, is the soi-ond roverins of nutmess.

My whole is one of the greatest evils of the a-;

!>.

(No. 3.)

Place the numbers, from 1 to 16 inclusiv®, in the
above diagram, in siiih a manner that they may
be reckoned IS different ways, amounting to 34
each tmie. Z.

The answers to Charades in our last number
were KicmRD B\u,a>ty.m>^ (a prominent man of
Oi;deiri and Tp.n'ii w'lLi. prevml (a w»ll known
quotation.) Correct answers liavo been received
from Charles W. Hill, Bon. E. llich, Emily J.
Newman, and Wni. Van Dyke.

>6S?" Anxwers tn theahorc arcrequMtcA, which if
received in time, will appear in our next issue.

r-:.

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogden City.

No. 6.

OGDEN, UTAH, JAN. 23, 1878.

Vol. I.

THE AMATEUR.

Edited and Published Bi-Weekly by the Young
Men's Mutual Improvemeut Association of
Ogdeu City, Utah.

POLITICS.

rilHERE seems to be, among th^
J- more respectable classes of the
American people, a growing dis-
trust for all things political, and
a consequent desire to avoid po-
litical parties s,nd political posi-
tions. That this should be the
case may seem strange to some
but to those v>'hb have noted the
gradual degeneracy of American
politics during the past few years
of republican administration, it
seems but a natural and legitimate
consequence.

It is Certainly very deplorable
that those who should be the most
interested in maintaining a good
government, and who might exer-
cise the greatest influence for good
in political circles should feel

thus inclined, for no system
of republicanism can long escape
degeneracy when the moral influ-
ences of the more respectable
classes of society are withdrawn.

A nation to be truly republican,
must not only be intelligent, but
truly moral as well — willing to ac-
knowledge and respect the rights
of others and to sacrifice private
interests for the public weal when-
ever and wherever circumstances
may seem to require it.

As the average of virtue, intelli-
gence and self-restraint declines
among a people, more strict and
arbitrary laws have to be enacted
to prevent crime; more stringent
police and other regulations for
public safety enforced, and finally
as moral degeneracy proceeds, the
government gradually assumes a
despotic character. One by one
the liberties of the people are
taken away and at length republi-
canism ceases to exist.

■-^^

^
©■

^ 42

THE AMATEUR.

w...

Our nation deems to betrodding
this downward road to-day. Crime
is increasing; political leaders are
becoming more and more corrupt;
gradually the liberties' of the peo-
ple are being encroached upon,
and some of the very tyrannies
which led our fathers to sever their
connection with the mother coun-
try are being practiced upon cer-
tain secti(^'ns of this great republic.

No wonder, then, that the better
classes of society feel to shrink
from political responsibilities.

But to shrink from public duty
simply because it is dishonored by
others is nevertheless wrong, for it
encourages the evil complained of
by removing restraint. Every
citizen should feel it a duty owing
to his country in return for the
liberties guaranteed to him by her
laws, that he take an active inter-
est in all matters relating to the
good government of the nation.
That he not only exercise his right
of franchise, but that he uses his
best judgment and most potent in-
fluence to secure good men in
office and always stand ready to
chastize by rejecting and ostracis-
ing from political circles, all those
who can be controlled by any
other motive than a love of coun-
try and a devotion to her laws.
All young men and young ladies
too, who expect or desire to exer-

cise the rights of American citizens
should elrly acquire a knowledge
of the fundamental principles of
our civil polity and the local laws
by which they are governed. They
should firmly resolve not only to
never seek for public office, but
also to never shrink from a public
duty or trust when properly ten-
dered or committed to them.
They should fully and forcibly it-
alize that our gor'ernment is a
"government of the people, for
the people and by the ])eople '''
that to this end public officei's are
pitblic s'^ervantff' and ri6f ^iTbri'i
rulers, and that the influence of
their votes when cast in connec-
tion with those of their fellow
citizens will inevitably shape the
character of the administration o^
the government.

Without a knowledge of our
laws and a proper appreciation of
republican principles generally, no
6'il'e 6a'n intelligi'bl}^ live within or
above the law, can properly exer-
cise the functions of citizenslii]) or
become a safe custodian of those
inestimable principles of American
freedom, which have been bought
at the cost of blood and transmit-
ted to this generation by the
truest and sincerest patriotism.

Error. — In consequence of thft
hurry with which the last issue had
ilrecessarily to be prepared, an error
inadvertentlycrept into ' Oar Entree."

THE AMATEUR.

now TO TALK.

THE \vriter of this article, being
one of those unfortunate indi-
viduals not in possession of this
gift, has lately given much thought
to the all important subject, and
has arrived at the following con-
clusions, which if not being the
means of making orators of some,
will undoubtedly render aid in the
accomplishment of our object:

How to talk well ip a taieiit not
possessed by all, and few of us
imagine how easily it may be ac-
quired. In the first place it is
our duty to familiarize ourselves
with the use and meaning of words.
We should be careful in our daily
conversation to avoid false, vicious
or low forms of expression. A
little care in the choice of words
at home and in our ordinary talk
might amply be repaid, and if we
were half as earrsest in the forma-
tion of our habits of conversation
as w.e are in trying to gain other
accomplishments, there undoubt-
edly would be an additional charm
given to our conversation. In-
stead of rummaging Webster's
Unabridged from one end to th^
other in search of the "biggest
words," and mixing them up in
our speeches and essays regardless
of sense' or meaning, the word
which most directly conveys the

idea should be used. It would not
injure us to read, occasionally,
some good, terse author, whose
style will insensibly forrii and color
ours, and if wishing to giye scope
and vigor to our imagination,
read, after the Bible, Shakespeare
and Milton. We .should never be
without some volume which will
feed us intellectually.

In public speaking, if we fail a
hundred times we should not give
up. "Can't" accomplishes noth-
ing, "try" everything.

Above all we should cultivate
the spirit of truth, and endeavor
to be guided by it in all our efforts
at public speaking, particularly
when we desire to be instructive.

To be able to express our
thoughts in a clear, forcible and
effective manner, is a gift worth
seeking and one that can be
attained by all, even those of
moderate intelligence, if we will
but persevere. J. P. S.

OFFICERS

OF THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN

CITY, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poultei-, Second Counselor.
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec,
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

THE AMATEUR.

Edited apd Publishad Bi-Weekly, by the Young
Men's Mutual Iniprpvemeut Association, of
Ogden City, Utah.

Austin C. Brown, ■ Editor.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23d, 1878.

TO PRESIDENTS OF MUTUAL IMPROVE-
MENT ASSOCIATIONS.

We jvill be pleased to send the Amateur to all
Presidents of Mutual Improvement Associations
who will forward us their names and addresses and
ten cents postage. We also ipyito them, one
and all, to favpr us with an occasional corres-
pondence.

SLANDER.

IT IS a fact much to he regyettgd
that there is a growing disposi-
tion with many to vilify their
neighbors or associates by s|>read-
ing reports to their detriment,
which either have no foundation
in truth, or, if understood accord-
ing to the intent of the heart,
would be wholly justifiable: but
when changed considerably and
colored more, appear very bad.
Slander is like a two-edged sword,
which cuts right and left regard-
less of whom it strikes, and many
times leaves wounds deeper than
the glittering steel — wounds that
can never be healed. Like any
other habit, it gains strength by
each repetition, until those gui'ty
of its practice become as incapa-
ble of telling the truth as others
are of believing him.

When in company, for want of
more entertaining subjects, con-
versation turns upon the supposed
misconduct of some acquaintance,
repeating what has been heard,
always being sure to add a little to
make it interesting. ''What harm
can there be in it?" says one. Look
at it for a moment. Who author-
ized you to render judgment
against your brother and expose
what you think to be faults, to the
inspection of the public, with only
surmisings as to what could have
been his real intentions?

Remember that the difference
between outward appearance and
inward meaning may be very great.
Besides you are contracting the low
and vile habit of telling for truth
that which you know or believe to
be false, laying a snare which will
bring shajiie and confusion upon
yourself, besides tending to ruin
the character of others, leaving a
suspicion against thepi which will
perhaps require the |ap§^e of years
to efface.

If a man take his neighbpr's
cow, horse or other property, he
is called a thief, and is punished
according to law; but he may rob
him of his reputation, which he
has labored for years to establish,
he may sweep away his good name
and blight his fairest hopes, but
still he i§ left to go on with his

THE AMATEUR.

45 15

work of destruction, rejoicing in
the ruin he has made.

If those who are in the habit of
slandering others would turn their
thoughts inwardly, search their
own hearts and give an honest and
impartial account of all they find
there, it might teach them a use-
ful lesson and convince them that
there are many who are far more
worthy than they.

It is the duty of the sons
and daughters of the Latter-
day Saints to so live that every
word and action may bear the
strictest scrutiny, and when laid
open to the public gaze will re-
flect credit upon themselves.

They should shun the very ap-
pearance of evil, and try by every
legitimate means in their power to
lead the erring to a better life,
but should not trample a man in
the dust because he nia.y have a
fault. Be charitable to the weak
and wayward, while there is a
chance to save them from utter
ruin. Assist the needy and down-
trodden, and seek to disseminate
light and truth, peace and good
will throughout the earth, until
perfect love will fill every bosoro,
the tongue of the slanderer be
silenced forever, confidence be
fully restored and every man be
able to meet a brother and a
friend.

COURTSHIP.

rpHIS is a very complicated ques-
-L tion, one which admits of a
great many variations, so many in
fact that no rule can be made ap-
plicable to all cases, or set forth
any definite mode of procedure.

Courtship is a matter full of in-
terest, both to the observer and
to the observed; and is often quite
laughable to the tormer when wit-
nessing the operation through the
keyhole of the door which separ-
ates the inspector from the parties
officiating.

The place usually selected for
making the debut is a Sunday
evening meeting, though a sociable
or other entertainment is often
chosen for the purpose. As the
end of the proceedings of the
evening draw near, an experienced
eye may detect an unusual activity
or restlessness, accompanied by a
change of color in the face of the
one, increasing constantly until
the moment for making the appli-
cation arrives. Here he falters,
shrinks almost from his self-im-
posed task. However, he finally
obtains permission to "s^e her
home." But few words are spoken,
the time being occupied chiefly in
meditation. This is a good idea,
though conversational powers
should be qgltivated also. Arrjv-

THE AMATEUR.

ing at the gate he is invited in,
but declines and they separate for
the evening, both chuckling over
the adventure. The task becomes
easier -vvith each succeeding at-
tempt, until finally the invitatipn
to "come in" is accepted." Being
seated, conversation is opened by
the "old folks," upon health and
other topics. Th^e interview being
agreeable, the .siay is prolonged
until, if the family be a dev.out
one, the hour for prayer is an-
nounced, and the head of the
family, being desirous of ascertain-
ing the true character of the visi-
tor, requests him to pray. This
is a moment of great embarrass-
ment, and if the cajididate has not
the precaution to catch a bad
cold or some oth.er malady, he is
in a strange predicament. To
avoid a repetition, the next even-
ing is spent alone in an adjoining
room, as are also the succeeding
ones. At first considerable room
is necessary, but this is gradually
overcome, and soon the space be-
tween the two is very materially
lessened. As time passes and the
visits become more frequent, they
become careless as regards sur-
rounding objects: the fire is neg-
lected and other means for keep-
ing w?>rm are resorted to.

Finally, after careful delibera-
tion, a proposition is drawn up,

and being du'y considered and re-
modeled, is offered. Faintingen-
sues, (though it is se'dom genuine)
followed by a restoration to con-
sciousness wheij the matter is
briefly considered. Her consent
generally follows, and unless the
old g^entleman runs him off with a
shot gun on the first intimation of
what he has done, the wedding day
is set, the cererponies are soon
after solemnized, and the happy
pair enter upon life's copartner-
ship together, ladened with the
best wishes of numerous friends.
B. M.

"B 0 HE MIA N'' ' ETIQ UETTE.

[COXCLUDED.]

AVING, in my last chapte?' on
this subject, thrown out a few
hints for the benefit (?) of the
masculine gender, it rnay be as
well, in order not to excite jeal-
ousy on the part of the fair sex, to
address myself to the latter on
this important subject.

Fair readers, probably you are
aware that, in this mundane
sphere, there is a class of people
who hold the singular idea that
a person may be dressed in rags
and yet be honest and good!
What is going to become of the
rules and laws governing society
and upper-ten- dom if such ideas

THE AMATEUR.

,?r

are permitted to predominate? It
wiH be necessary, therefore, in
ordCi' to break through this and
other old fashioned notions, for
you to deport yourselves as fol-
lows:

In your circle oY acquaintances
there must be some who, through
poverty o'r otherwise, are com'-
pelled to wear "frights of bonnets"'
or "jDerfectly horrible dresses."
Here is your chance. Nature ha5
beeti lavish enough to give you a
nose; elevate the aforesaid as high
as possible; gather the folds of
your own "lovely silk or satin"
garment and sweep past with an
air of awful grandeur. That will
most probably be a settler. If the
poor girl is of a sensitive dis-
position, she will probably, up-
on reaching home, shed a' few
tears. Ah! What a triumph! It is
true she may be a good, kind,
hard AVorking girl, but she is poor,
and hence must be despised.

Whatever you do, be sure to
cause as much bad feeling as pos-
sible with your tongue. Be sure
to say spiteful things about those
A^^ith whom you are surrounded.
This is one of the finest diversions
in the world; it keeps nervous'
people in a delightful state of in-
dignation. Should a friend, by
some mishap commit a little indis-
ifetion, be iure to magnify his o r

her fault to the utmost. If it be
one of your own sex, be particu-
larly fersh; \tomen always deserve
more blame than "perfectly splen-
did" or "awful sweet" men,
because the latter are probably
"sowing wild oats," but for faults
in your own sex (except they be in
yourself) have not one iota of
mercy.

In short, make this life as spicy
for yourself and uncomfortable for
others as possible; learn all the
current items of gossip, and make
it a point to repeat them with dis-
patch and additions; never give a
civil answef to any but those whom
you wish to "captivate," and if
you are compelled to do so, Tva?h
out your mouth with an extra
dose of disresp'ectful remarks or
answers, at the earliest opportuni-
ty; make all manner of ridicule of
the aged and infirm; and, above
all, no matter what befalls, "run
the h-ouse!" I call special atten-
tion to this last rule, as it brings
many a gray hair and heavy sigh,
whereas a different course would
lead to happiness and love on the
part of your parents.

Do all this, and I will assure
yo\i that the ill-will of your ac-
quaintances, the shame of your
friends and sorrowful indignation
of those who love you longest and
dearest shall be your lot! This,
it is true, is called the evil way.
You should know which is best.

Rex G.

1 '>^

THE AMATEUR.

THE LAPSE OF TIME.

ONWARD, and ever onward
flows the stream of time, never
vafrying from its even course, and
never pausing for any tardy ad-
venturer that may be floating idly
upon its surface, We may stand
by its banks, and gaze upon its
moving waves, and we think hoAv
slowly they roll along; but ere we
are aware, the little ripple which
but a moment before started at
our feet, has imperceptibly glided
away, and is now lost in the dis-
tance; and although A^e see it no
more, it is still slo\Vly, but surely
proceeding on to the great sea of
eternity. Thus it is with the mo-
ments of our time; they come and
are gone before we have scarcely
noticed their existence, and when
once gone they can never be re-
called. The miser may offer the
hoarded wealth of years for only
a few hours of the time which he
has spent so foolishly, but his
offer will be vain. And vaiti 'Mso
would be the prayers of the poor
sinner just entering the portals of
death, for a few of those precious
moments he has wasted, in which
to make atonement for the past
wickedness of his life.

The necessity of making the
best use of our time has been the
theme of poets; it has been sound-
ed from the pulpit by men of ex-
perience, and whispered in the ears
of the young by those who were
just passing away; but still the
great mass of the people rush on
heedless of the Warning so kindly
given them, and perhaps realize
only when too late, the great good

they might have accomplished had
they pursued a different course.
Let us be determined that we will
not be numbered with this class,
but ever seek earnestly for wisdom
to guide us, that oitr lives may be
replete with good deeds, that
when our little bark shall have
completed the voyage of life, it
may be safely moored in the har-
bor of Heaven, and we receive the
Avelcome plaudit: "Well done
thou good and faithful servant,
enter thou into the jovs of thy
Lord," ' G.

yvii

(No. \^

William has olevcn oraQ;.,'cs wiiich he wishes to
divide betwteeii James and Jolin, piviiiR .James
three-sevenths more than Johu; hu* many auuuld
eacli have.

■2

11
7

No answer having been received tfl the above wd
piii)lish it. Add np and down, right iind left; from
corner to corner cro.sswise: tlie lour corners; the
four ends of the two middle lines each way; four
i-enti'e squares; the four sqiiafes otl each corner.
It may berdad three ways still.

Answers to Charades in our last issue are as fol-
lows: No. 1, "Blessed are the Peacenvakt^rs. ' No.
2, "Intdnipbrance." Correct answers have been
icceived from Miss Belld I'arr, Chas. W. Ilill and
Heber Piirdy.

Contribhtors to this column should he certain
that their puzzles contain points of merit, and
above all be certain that they are correct. They
should also be accompanied with the answers.

^^i§=C)

IIIIIII!!!!lll!Iilllllli:lEIIIIIIIIIIIII

■^ KNOWLEDGE IS POWEK. ';if
iiriffiiKiircrHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiEiiiiiiiiiiiii

4* UNIck.lbsTKENGTE. If-
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiii

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogdeit City.

No. 7.

OGDEN, UTAlt, Feb. 6, 1878.

Vol. I.

THE AMATEUR.

Kditrd and Puhlislied Bi-Wookly by tlip Younp;
Mull's Mutual Iinprovciiiuut ASBiiciiition of
Ogciou City, Ltiili.

igEtRY,

A MOTTO FOIi BOYS.

THE boy wlioddcs a stroke aud sti>iw,
Will ne'ur a great man lie;
Tistlic aggi-cgaie of single di'ojis
Tbat makes flte.-^ca the pca.

The mountain was not at its birth

A niouatain, so tospeak;
Tlie little atoms of sand and earth

Iluvte made itf {*eak a peak.

Not all at once the morning streams

The gold above the ^ray; ,-
'TisthousauiJ little ycHo'v gleams

Thi>,t makes the day a day.

Not from the snowdrift May awakes
In pui-ples, i-eds.and greens;

SjH'iug's whole brij;ht retinue it takes
To nuike her qiioiju of queens

Upon the orchard rain must fall.
And soak from branch to root, ,

And blossom blooms and fades withal,
Kefore the fruit is fruit.

The f.irmer must needs sow ^ijd iill,
And wait the whcaten bread,

Then cradle, thresh, and go to mill
Before the bread is bread.

THE PRESENT. P A ST AND
FUTURE.

WE aie living in an age when
all erection seems to totter;
when nothing in the shape of hu-
man wordmanship, either mental
or physical, seems to have any
foundation to it. One nation of
people are being swept away by
another, and others likely to be
dha\*Hi into tlie conflict. King-
doms fear and tremble because of
the great disasters which appers so
imminent in the sign of the times.
Man has lost all confidence in
maii. Wickedness and crime of
all descriptions have taken a firm
foot-hold in all nations aiid are
footing deeper and deeper. But we
niust not dwell too long on i\\^
present state of afiairs, for it will
only sicken the hearts of those
v/hd couten4)laLe the awfiil sight.
As for the workings of the past,
especially the last forty-eight
years, most glorious have been the

t/,

?4 50

THE AMATEUR,

results. A new dispensation has
been opened, and one which is
different in its character from any
yet given to mankind. The king-
dom of God has been established
never to be thrown down again.

This dispensation has brought
forth more hidden treasure
and genuine knowledge for hu-
man enlightenment than any
one since theMeath of our Lord
and Savior. It has opened the
channel of inspiration and com-
munication between man and his
maker, and restored to earth those
sacred keys by which her inhabi-
tants can grasp the tree of life and
feel their way back from where
they came, to that paradise of love
where sin and cruelty never enters,
where sorrow never seeks the ach-
ing breast and death, with all its
pangs, has noc a claim. It is
here we stop to contemplate
eternity, the bitter and the sweet.
But where comes the knowledge
of all this bliss and happiness. It
is from God the giver of all good
gifts. The gates of heaven hat^e
been opened and the spirits of jus-t
men been permitted to enter there--
in. Angels have visited the earth
and conversed with men in the
flesh; delivered to them the keys
of the Priesthood of the Son of
God in their purity. Unbound
the captive hearts of many of the

.T O

honest and' innocent people of the
earth, and the cry has gone forth,
"Gather ye together oh my peo-
ple and flee to the mountains for
safety, for great are the scourges
and calamities that are coming
upon the children of men be-
cause of their wickedness and
abominations, which are great."
The Lord has said that this land
of America is a choice land above
all others, and that whatsoever
people dwell upon it shall serve
Him, the Lord their God, or be
swept away when the cup of their
abomination is full. Now, the
signs of the times plainly indicate
that great disasters are nigh at
hand, when many of the prophe-
cies uttered by men of God in
olden times are about to be ful-
fdled. Kingdoms and Empires,
which to human view have been
the strongest in existence, will
crumble to decay and pass
away like the dew when the
first bright rays of the sun
sheds its resplendent light. upon
the earth. But what great and
mighty changes must take place be-
fore that awful day, that the
tares may be separated from the
wheat and the pure in heart come
out clean and unspotted. "Then
awake ye defenders of Zion," put
on the mantles and robes of righ-
teousness and make yourselves as a

THE AMATEUR.

51 i:^'

solid mountain of rock against
wickedness and crime, that when
God shall call you can say ''here
am I, Lord," and be prepared to
meet Him in His glory. Then let
us early and most carefully set to
work and purify ourselves and
honor God and His command-
ments, that we may not. in the
final day of reckoning, be found
among the tares and be burned,
"for behold the day cometh, saith
the Lord of hosts, that shall burn
as an oven, and all the proud, yea,
and all that do wickedly, shall be
as stubble, but unto you that fear
my name shall the Son of Righ-
teousness arise with healing in his
wings and ye shall go forth and

grow up as calves of the stall."

CORRESPOKDEXCE.

Morgan City, Morgan Co.,
January 15th, 1S78
Editor Amateur:

Dear Sir: — Having had the
pleasure of reading two copies of
your valuable little paper and no-
ticing your invitation for corres-
pondence, I improve the oppor-
tunity of writing.

We have a M. L Association
here, and a portion of our commu-
nity realize much good from it.
Some of our young men do not
as yet, appear to fully realize the

necessity of availing themselves of
every opportunity for adding to
their store of knowledge, but I am
in hopes they will do so soon.
Those of us that are con-
tributors to the M. L Association
fully realize the necessity of self-
culture, and that mutual improve-
ment is our aim.

The subjects we treat are prin-
cipally theological, and when any
thing is advanced by the young
members it is generally substanti-
ated by scripture.

Our Bishop and other experi-
enced Elders are members of our
Association, all of whom are
pleased to explain to us subjects
that we do not comprehend. We
are desirous of seeing all Mu-
tual Improvement Associations
throughout the Territory prosper,
and the objects of your little paper
crowned with success.

I remain yours in the Gospel of

Christ,

Jno. S. Barrett.

OF THE Y

OFFICERS

M. M. I. A.J
CITY, UTAH:

West, President

OF OGDEN

Joseph A.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor.
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

-0

THE AMATEUR.

'"1

THE AMATEUR.

Edited nnil rnblisli.>a ]ii-Wcs'l;l.v, by the Ycmii-
Men's Mnt'uil liiiiniivenieut. Assoc. atiuii, of
Ogden Cily, Vtali.

Austin C. Brown,

Editor.

"iVEDKKSUAY, VEH bt\., 1S78.

TO PJiESiDE-XrS OF MUTUAL IMl'ROVE-
' MENT ASfiOCIATlOXS.

AVE will be pleafeil to semi the Amateur to iitl
Presidents of Mutual Inii)i-ovenieut Association.^
wlio will forward us their names and addresses and
ten cents jiostage. AVe also \v,\\tc tlioni, one
and all, to favor us A^ifti an oetJisioual corres-
pondence.

Our term as editor expired v/ith
the last issue, but because of the
discontinuance of meetings in pur-
suance of resolutions by the City
Council, no opportunity has of-
fered for appointing a successor,
hence, we are .compelled to con-
tinue for another term.

TO THE YOUNG MFX OF OGDEX.

MUCH has been said and much
might yet be said which
would be of great beiVefit to the
young men of this community if
they would' carefully consider and
l^rofit by such instructions.

It has often been remarked that
the young are the hope and pride
of Zion. It is expected that they
will take up the work where their
fa .hers leaye ofj. and carry it on

with increased power and ability.
They should prepare themselves to
step 'to the frCnt hnd take an actiye
part in bearing off that kingdom
which their fiithers have labored,
suffered, and many of them died, to
establish.

Realizing the responsibilities
that will soon devolve upon us, it
is surprising to see the indifference
of many v\'ith regard to the ■ac(iui'-
sition of knowledge, })rcferring to
spend their time iu idle conversa-
tion in which there i.-^ no ])rofit,
\.\rile such a world of useful infor-
mation lies before them, and a\l
that is required is to reach outancl
grasp the rich' treasures. But to
excel requires the unceasing labor
of years, and this is the reason
why so few ever reach the top of
the ladder of fame.

The Gospel is to be preached to
all nations and Israel gathered
from every land, from the islands
of the'sea,' from the wilds of North
and South America, Zion is to be
redeemed, temples and cities are
to be built to the name of our
God, and many other great and
• mighty works are to be accom-
plished. Then will be needed
judges, legislators,' governors and
men of^ intelligence in every
branch of public and private inter-
est, men df high moral standing
and intellectual culture, Ayho are

Tmmi^.

THE AMATEUR.

willing to devote their lives to the
building up of the great latter-day
work.

Such is the high destiny q|^ every
faithful young man in this com-
munity. Let us then improve the
fleeting moments while they are
ours a.id make n a rule to learn a
little every day so that when the
duties ot life are laid upon us we
may be able to bear them off with
honor to ourselves and satisfaction
to all with whom we may be asso-
ciated.

L'o^ i-:sTr.

POLITICS.

Acelebr

ated writer has said that

F we wish to be honored and re-
spected through life, we
must be honest in all our action-;
and ever strive to be honest in
whatever position we may be
i;)laced. By being honest and
truthful wj >yill gam a name that
will never be lost, and will be re-
spected by our friends and by all
with whom we are associated. If
we see any of our associates going
astray let us be honest with them
a.Kl talk to them kindly and never
say anything to rob them or their
name. We should be honest with
ourselves, with our friends and with
cur God; in this way we will be
honored and resi:)ected wherever
v/e gc/ ' ?!•

sary evils— their ^^teqessity arisintj
trom the selfishness and stupidity
of mankind."

This may seem a strange saying,
but is nevertheless a true one.
Were all mankind willing and
able to acknowledge and respect
the rights of others and to commit
no crinie it is evident th.-.t there
would be no necessity for a code
of laws defining the rights of the
peopj-e or providing against ag-
gression and wrong. But as we
are a fallen race prone to do e\il
and slow to do good governments
have to be instituted to protect us
against one another, which as-
sumes a liberal character among
the more inteligent and moral sub-
divisions of mankind, and atyrani-
cal and despotic form among the
more selfish and ignorant. Thus
it will be seen by reference to his-
tory that in all ages of the world
the character of govei.nments have
been conformable to the character
of the people composing them and
that as the people became corrupt
their governments necessarily be
camedespotic and in time crum-
bled to decay.

The American government was
estabished under the broad ceges of

^1 54

THE AMATEUR.

moral and intellectual supremacy.
Our fathers fled from the oppression
of the old world to seek an asylum
in the promised land, where no
law existed but the law of nature,
and where freedom reigned su-
preme. At iirst they knew no
man-made laws and bowed in sub-
mission to no man-made govern-
ments, but as their numbers in-
creased and a proneness to evil
was manifested on the part of
some, regulations for mutual pro-
tection had to be instituted, the
enforcement of which, in the
course of time, necessitated the as-
sessment of a tax, and thus the
elements of a government gradu-
ally became instituted upon this
continent.

For lack of space the above ar-
ticle had to be continued. A.

[to be CONTISUKD.J

INDUSTRY.

THE habit of industry is one
which should by no means be
neglected by the young man or wo-
man whose oljject in life is to ac-
cpiire knowledge, both as relates
to the physical and a mental char-
acter. We should realize that we
are required by our Heavenly
Father to be industrious and that
it is essential to our health and
happiness, as well as being the
means of providing those things

that are necessary for our daily
sustenance. ''There is no excel -
once without labor," is a truism
which is well understood by all,
and why try to evade the carrying
into effect of the same by wasting
our time in idleness, frequenting
saloons, billiard halls, and other
places of a like character? Better
by far study the arts and sciences
which are so necessary to make us
useful and honorable members of
society. We have the privilege of
attending meetings of a literary
and religious nature, both of which
tend to draw our minds from the
many temptations that are con-
tinually presented before us, which
would, if indulged in, render us
unfit for the associations of those
who have been industrious, and
have sought to perfect themselves
in every good and n-oble undertak-
ing. Hence, young friends, let us
cultivate those traits of character
that will, in after years, redound to
our honor and be a continual
source of joy and happiness to the
soul, that it may be said of us
when we have finished our course
his life was characterized with in-
dustry. P.

HOME.

,-v-T

THERE q;-e very few, if any, ot
the Latter-day Saints, who
are without good and comfortable
homes; yet, how many there are.

THE AMATEUR.

especially among the young, that
do not realize or appreciate this
great blessing, and are careless and
indifferent in regard to making
them what they should be, a
heaven on earth.

At home we lay the foundation
of our whole lives; hence, how
important that it should be a hap-
py and orderly one; if it is not
such, i"; is because we do not en-
deavor to make it so; and as we
form habits whde young that will
follow us through life, let us
commence at home with father
and mother, brothers and sisters,
by forming habits that v/ill be
worthy of imitation, and that will
bring to us honor and respect from
those with whom we may associate.

We can make ourselves, and all

around us. hajjpy, if we constant-
ly seek for the spirit of God to di-
rect Us, and strive to fill our homes,
and the hearts of those who are
near and dear to us, with sunshine
and love. Valentine.

INFIDELITY.

WE are all awtire, or should be,
that there is a growing dispo-
sition among all classes of people to
disbelieve the precious truths that
are contained within the lids of
the Bible, truths that have been i

accepted by all Christian denomi-
nations that have sprang up since
the Christian era. Our country is
teeming with learned men that
are using their utmost energies
through the press to produce a
reign of infidelity in the land and
lead the most devout believers in
the Bible to deny the existence of
a God that rules over the universe
and answers our pravers. How
ridiculous it seems for men to
travel about the country teaching
the people that there is no God
when we have plenty of evidences
to substantiate our belief that there
is such a being. When we look
around us and see the sun shine
and see the firmament in all its
glory, the mountains, oceans, seas,
lakes and rivers and all the beau-
ties of nature that we gaze upon,
does it not seem absurd to believe
that there is no God that has
brought into existence all these
things?

If we wish to escape the snares
that are laid to catch us and lead
U5 from the truth, we have got to
be less skeptical, read sacred
books more than we do, and be-
come thoroughly acquainted with
all kinds of historical and scientific
knowledge; if we do this we will
never drift into infidelity and say
that we believe there is no God.
S. E. A.

^^:

THE AMATEUR.

'^^

MEMORY.

IIT EMORY is tii'e Svrecl nliislc of
the past; it brings happy
thoughts to our remembrance.
What a blessing it is that our
Heavenly Father has, through his
goodness, permitted us to live and
enjdy blessings thaf bring glad-
nes to ou'- he.irts. There is riot a

person who cannot remember s'orii^

. "v . . . ■

happy and enjoyable time in life

that . is a source df con-
solation fo them when they arc
oppressed and borne down with
trouble and grief. Even the child
can call to memory pleasant and
happy hours' thatlave been spent
in climbing the hillside or roani-
ing through fields and meadows'
culling the choicest flowers that
could be found, or indulging in
such other pastime that is common
to children. We all, no doubt,
can remember i:i'duble, but if we
look on the bright side of it it
amounts to nothing compared with
those happy thoughts that dawri
upon the mind and cause us to re'-
niember the pleasures that are past
and gone never to return. It is
thus that the sweet reminiscences
of the past shed a ray of light upon
our path when apparently every
other avenue is closed against us.

Cad.

A Niagara hackman during a
quarrel the other day was shot
through the heart. Not being hit
in a '7ital part, he has recovered,
while a fellow hackman, who was
kicked in the pocket during the
same (juarrel, died instantly.

"Why do you paint?" asked a
violinist of his daughter. '-Forili^
same reason that you^use rosin,"
papa, ;;What'^^^ tha,t?'' Why it
helps mc to draw my beau.

ASTI

yMLES,

CHARADE.?.

(No..-).;) ,^
I .am cnmpos"tl of-2"2 lottery.
My lit, 3, t), ,i, i.? II rapiiciiiiH bivJ.
^|y 1(5, S, 2, 12, 11, is tliy name eCa river.
JI.v 1, 2, 22, 5, 1:3, i.s the uaiiu? oCa city.
My 15, 21, 2, S, 11, i.s a niu.siual iiistruiiiciit.
My 7, 15, 5, \n a tool.

My 17, 1, 0, 5, 11,14, is what Wl, slionliUry fo be.
My wliiile i.s a (luotatioii from the Uible. ;

I
My
My
My
My
]Mv
Mv

(No r,.)^,

.ain composed (if 19 letter.-^.

0, 15, IS, 16, is a licaveiilv body

4, 1:1. :;, 16, i.s a small liiril.

2,7, S, i.s a n--ftiilf(i\vl.

4.,1), 1;!, 11. i.s sumctliiTi- that crawls.

17, ',), 11, 3, is part ot'a house.

0. in, is a piepositioii.

1, 5, i;!, i), S, 1. 15, is a lar.a-f" city.

whole ia the title ofabook. " C. W. II

, _•:. (Xo. 7.) . .

1 am a snnaijie of woman or inaiS
Now try and .:;iioss nic if you cau.
Bi'Iiead me as a bird I^iug . -

.*(,) sweetly while I'm on the wing;
Behead aj^iliil and ymi'll behold-
A thing that w:\s in diiy-f ol' old;
*e.s it was |na<lc. before <-he llond ,,
liy one wlio lovtd aud worshij ed Gad^

Ci.ulribulors to. this enluMin should be ccrtaiii
that their puzzh s conlain points of nierit, and
aliove .all Ije certain that they are correct. They
Bhould also lie accomi)anicd with the answers.

AKJ^" Ansv>rrs tn the ahove urt> rcqxeslai, which if
received in time, ivill iipperir in ejur ne.rt issue.

^1.^-

}^''

iiiittiniiiiiiriiiinkiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

UNICH IS CTEENGTH. ^

niiniiiiu'uiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiinisiii - , /^^'A rV*

-5> KN0WLE23E 13 PO\rEE. s-j- ^p -"^1fe-'4|>5

iiiiiiiimusmninimjimiiimin 'I j'^k'M^^^'^ iiiinit;iiiiimii.!.tilJJiM^minniiii

Published nv the V. M. M. I. A., of Ogden Citv.

No. 8.

OGDEN, UTAH, Feb. 20, 1878.

Vol.

THE AMATEUR.

Editp.l ar.<\ Piil.lislifil ISi-AVecldy Uy tlio Yontis
Mfii's Mutual Inii)ri)vc;iifciit Association of
Oj^auii City, Liah.

POLITICS.

nihe early colonists of this country
J- lived in what has been termed
the golden age of literature, when
the contest between intelligence
and free thought on the one hand
and ignoring superstition and
thraUdom on the other were work-
ing mighty revolutions throughout
the whole face of Europe. Emerg-
ing frorn the conflict with reli-
gious convictions and political
sentiments purified by the fires of
these reformatory times they were
eminently fitted to bcconic the
worthy founders of a great repub-
lican nation. Inured to hardship
and taught in nature's school their
ideas of government naturally as-
sumetl the most practical shape,
and while they Avere ready to cast

y^.

aside the dogmas of the old world
they were also equally ready to
adopt whatever of good its politi-
cal systems possessed.

Such was the school of our
fathers, and when at length they
were made to feel the hand of for-
eign oppression and taught their
mutual dependence, city upon city
and colony upon colony their
friendship increased, and their
union became so cemented that
the combined power of one of the
greatest nations of the earth
became inadequate to subdue
them. The pent up fires of
freedom belched forth like the
spontaneous forces of a mighty
volcano consuming the last vestige
of despotism upon this fair land,
clearing the moral atmosphere of
every clement inimical to freedom,
and erecting a political structure
whose dome towers far above the
political monuments of time.

Thus our nation early became a

THE AMATEUR.

nation of tried and tnnty patriots
wlio \rere willing to sacrifice their
lives and all they possessed for the
boon of liberty. And since it re-
quired such unselfish devotion to
a common cause to establi^^b this
government, so also will it require
the utmost love of country and re-
gard for republican principles to
perpetuate our nation's greatness.
^Ve want good men in office; but
before we can expect this there
must be a pure republicai\ senti-
ment directing the votes of the
nation. Blind partizan fanaticism
must be driven from the political
field and intelligent, liberal, cos-
mopolitan motives direct the poli-
tical affairs of the country. To
this end every American citizen
should become a political student
and be educated to that standard
of republican excellence which will
secure the utmost freedom and in
tegrity throughout all the depart-
ments of our local and national
governments. A.

0 UR IMPR 0 VEMENT A SSOCIA
TIONS.

Salt Lake City, Feb. 4, '78.
Editor Amateur:
ri"^HE organization of M. I. Asso-
-Lciations throughout the Terri-
tory marks the first outgrowth of
that spirit of genius which must
for a time lie dormant in any com-

■4

<Q-

munity of pioneers. In the first
years of the settlement of a new
country, all talents and time must
be called together to subdue the
evils of climate and soil; and it is
not until the first generation is
v/ell in its j)rime, tlsat any of the
better arts of learning and culture
will penetrate their midst. Even
so has it been with Utah: the past
quarter of a century has sten the
fight of the hardy settlers with
Mother Nature; and i^ow that they
may look abroad over wide fields
and comfortable homes, and feel
that the wants of life are assured,
they may turn their thoughts to
the cultivation of their craving
intellects, and engraft in the minds
of their children those principles
of enlightenment to which they
have so long been comparative
strangers.

My own limited experience does
not permit me to make mention of
Associations outside of this city;
but hereabouts, as far as I have
seen, the young people have deep-
ly appreciated this nev/ movement
for their benefit. The nineteen
different M. I. Societies of this
city are all in a flourishing condi-
tion, and those vituijcrative bodies
who have so much to say about
the ignorance of the "Mor-
mon" youth might find something
to astonish them if they could

THE AMATEUR.

59 ii^

bring themselves to visit our ward
associations. I have the honor to
preside over the M. I. Society of
our ward ; as it is the youngest
and smallest ward of the city, our
attendance is not as numerous as
many others, but, though essen-
tially juvenile, it comprises the
greater portion of the youth of our
ward. "The gir's" are admitted
as well as "the boys,'' and in their
exercises are fully as efficient; each
evening a programme is made out
by a committee, which assigns to
a certain number of members such
duties as readings, declamations,
essays, dialogues, music, &zc., and
-though the society is understood
to be mainly a religious one, it is
not thought best to restrict the ex-
ercises altogether to religious
topics; for the most part, however,
they are of a moral or religious
tone, and the committee on pro-
grammes usually require the read-
ings and declamations to be from
such books as Spencer's Letters
and Key to Theology; essays are
assigned to be written ©n Truth,
Faitii, Happiness, etc., etc., and
nearly every night the meiaabers
hand in a sufficient number of
questions on various topics to be
•distributed equally around, and
which are returnable at the nexi
meeting v/ith an answer. That
your Association is flourishing, is
(jiiite apparent from its little pub-
lication, the Amateur, a copy of
which lies before me; a better
means of bringing out your literary

talent I think could not be devised ;
in ray opinion many of the articles
are as good as any that are found
in like periodicals of the world,
and that it may "wave long and
wide" is the sincere wish of your
friend, IxMPRovement.

FRIENDSHIP.

WITHOUT friendship life has
no charm; uncheered by social
intercourse, life would, indeed, be
barren. The only things which
can render friendship sure and
lasting, ar<e virtue, purity of man
ners, an elevated soul, and perfect
integrity of heart.

Y<3ur friend ! What words can
picture all he is to you — all he in-
spires you to be to yourself — all
the goodness ai^d greatness which,
in his presence, seems possible in
life? The sweetest, and truest,
and best part of our nature is mag-
netized, and thrilled to its very
centre.

Lovers -of victue should have
Eone but men of virtue for their
friciids; and on this point the
proof of worthiness ought princi-
pally to turn; because where there
is no virtue there is no security
tliat our honor, confidence and
friendship will not be betrayed
and abused. The necessary ap-
pendages of friendship are confi-
dence and benevolence. W.

THE AMATEUR.

EiJitwJ Rod Jhililishwl Bi-W»-«>kl>, liy tlit Young
Meu's Mnt'uil luiptu\'eiiieut Assoviiitiuu, nf
Otfaen City, UtaU.

Austin C. Brown,

Editor.

WliDNESDAY FKB COtli, ISVS.

ro riiEsiDEsrs of sivrrAt imi^kove-

J/A\V3* AJ^SOCJA 'JJOXS.

■WEwi)! lie pleased to s»nd tlio Amatkitr to all
Preaiilents of Mutual Improveiu&iit AssooUttiuiis
who will forw-aril us their iitimes ami tttlili-esses and
twi cents j>(>»tagd. Ww «{so^ ijirite them, one
and nil, to luviir us ViitU au occusiuuat cunes-
pondeuco.

ova MFETISGS KESiMED.

ABOUT five weeks ago the city
of Ogden was placed under
quarantine in consequence of
which our Hicetings were suspend-
ed; anxiety and foreboding seemed
to pervade the public mind, busi-
ness was paralyzed and a recur-
rence of the scenes of a year ago
for a time appeared imminent.
But by the blessing of the Lord
and the good management of the
City Fathers, that fearful calamity
is averted, the dread disease is
once more forced from our city,
business is beginning to resume its
former activity and Ave are again
permitted to enjoy the association
of friends in our meetings and lis-
ten to the rich instructions of those

whose practical experience is most
valuable and is calculated to mate-
rially aid us in battling with the
stern realities of life.

For these great blessings our
minds should be drawn out in
thankfulness to our Father in
heaven^and we should endeavor to
manifest our ap[>reciation by re-
newed diligence in attending our
meetings and performing those
duties which may be assigned to us.

It is understood that Elder
Joseph Stanford will deliver the
lecture previously announced, on
the subject of "Language," on
Wednesday evening, the 20th in-
stant.

Bro. Stanford is a speaker of un-
questioned ability, and no doubt
will present for our consideration
many ideas which will be of great
value to those who profit by them.
In this connection we Avould re-
spectfully suggest to our lecture
committee the propriety of secur-
ing the services of some able lec-
turer, who will favor us with a dis-
course upon the resources, business
prospects and natural peculiarities
of Utah, that our young men who
will be sent with the message of
the gospel to the nations may be
able to answer the numerous (jues-
tions that wiE! undoubtedly be
asked on these subjects, and no
doubt much good will come of it.

i-f^rr:-

THE AMATEUR.

61 i^^

COR R ESrONDEXCE.

We received a communication
from North Ogden, from which
we condense the following:

Elder Thos. Wallace delivered a
lecture before the Y. M. M. I. A.
of this place on Sunday evening,
Jan. 27, his subject being "The
Remarkable Features of the Nine-
teenth Century "

He referred with great force and
plainness to the restoration of the
gospel through the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and the rapid development
of the arts and sciences since that
time, which would exercise a pow-
erful influence toward the accom-
plishment of the greatest work
ever given to man. Referred to
the martyrdom of Jose])h and
Hyruni while under the pledged
faith of the State of Illinois for
their protection, and the subse-
quent drivings and the final
exodus of over 20,000 people from
the borders of civilization^ who
were forced to seek a home in
these interior wilds.

The lecturer next referred to
President Brigham Young; to his
remarkable ability as an organizer,
statesman and philanthropist, and
the success which characterized all
his efforts in whatever capacity
his energies were directed.

The lecture was interesting
throughout and was listened to
with marked attention.

Bro. Wallace has kindly con-
sented to repeat the above lecture
before the Y. M. M. I. A. of Og-
den City, on Wednesday evening
next. We trust that he will be
greeted with a good attendence.

THE LESSON OF SUBMISSION.

'IT/'HILE domiciled with my
' ' earliest friend, Uncle Laron,
I learned a lesson, the remem-
brance of which shall never leave
me. I was nursing with impatience
my wound, which improved so
very slowly that under the con-
tinued confinement and pain I
grew restive, and complained bit-
terly of my condition.

"Don't speak so, my boy," said
Uncle Laron one day, when I had
been unusually demonstrative in
speech, "to do so evinces a spirit
of rebellion against Providence."

"But why?" I asked, although
awed somewhat by his grave man-
ner, "surely there is no sin in be-
wailing one's misfortune?"

He answered, "There is a dif-
ference between chiding circum-
stances and speaking doubtfully
of the wisdom of 'Him, who doeth
all things well.' I have lived in
this world many more years than
you, my boy; and I tell you, if
you wish to be happy in life, you
should endeavor, instead of con-
tinually repining at your afflictions
and the hardness of your lot, to
say — in all humility, 'Not as I
will,OhFather,butasThou wilt." "

"Uncle Laron," I ventured to
remark, "did you ever find it easy

THE AMATEUR.

in the hour of trial to say those
words?"

"Often, my boy, and from the
spirit which prompted me, I have
derived comfort far beyond that
which any earthly power could
give. Not that I have always so
firmly relied on the wisdom of Di-
vine Providence, however : once,
ere I had fully learned that God's
ways are infinitely superior to our
ways — I mean when Adina, the
wife of my youth, was taken irom
the earth, during the first stage of
my grief I felt to upbraid Provi-
dence with gross injustice, and re-
fused to be comforted.''

A long silence ensued. I sat mo-
tionless regarding him while a few
tear drops stole silently down the
kind old face, as memory vividly
recalled the loving form- of the
young wife whose body was laid in
the cold, damp earth a quarter of
a century since. After a time I
softly spoke: '^Uncle Laron, tell
me of her death: it occurred after
you came to the valley, did it not?"

"Yes, after we came io the val-
ley of the Great Salt Lake, my
boy. But I will tell you all."

Then in his deep, thrilling voice
he spoke on. And I — forgetting
all else in the interest of his story,
seemed carried back to the time
when the cities and towns of this
valley were in their infancy, and

the site of the now luxuriant
orchards and fields was but a bar-
ren waste.

"My boy, from the first time I
heard the glad sound of the gospel
in old Connecticut,! felt impressed
with its truth ; so much so that
when I was obliged to choose be-
tween remaining among my kin-
dred and friends i:! ease and com-
fort, and taking my departure to
join the Saints in the far west,
with no reluctance I chose the
-latter. The trials of the Saints —
of VN'hich I was a partaker — in per-
secution, in hunger and distress,
in traversing hundreds of miles of
trackless and unbroken country to
reach this valley, the haven of
their rest, have become subjects of
history: no need to recount them
now. Enough to say that after
five years of toil and hardship,
willingly undergone, I found my-
self here with youth, health, and
a fair proportion of the comforts
of existence as my lot. We, Adina
and I, had been married but a year
when we moved into our oicn
modest little house. Very proud
and happy we were in it; for
though it was built of unhewn Ipgs
and si-tuated mearly two jsniles from
any other human habitation, still
it was all our own, and as such,
better than a palace belonging to
anyone else. Then we settled

V'1

THE AMATEUR.

down to the enjoyment of life,
fondly anticipating the joys of the
future and believing ourselves the
happiest people in the world.

"But alas for our rose colored
dreams of futurity! Ere six short
months — so very fleeting that they
seem to have vanished as a breath
of summer wind, had glided by,
an event occurred which shattered
all my castles, and plunged me for
a time from the heights of bliss
into an abyss of pain. Just as the
first chill blasts of November gave
token of approaching winter, Adina
sank into a wasting fever. Day
after day as I came in from toil,
to my unspeakable sorrow I found
her sinking lower and Ijwer, until
finally, out of sheer anxiety, I was
obliged to give up my usual labor
and remain constantly in the house.

"As the days sped on, she grew
worse; and at length the life I
loved s I well — that I would gladly
have died to save — lay trembling
in the balance. Oh, the ag-jny of
those weary hours of watching!
How I hoped and prayed and
begged in trembling tones that she
might be spared !

"Just at the close of one of those
dreary, mournful days, with her
sweet, musical voice reduced to
the faintest breath, she called me
to her bedside and asked to be
raised from the pillow. I lifted

her in my strong arms and held
her against my beating heart,
while a look of ineffable peace
stole over her dear wasted face.
For half an hour I held her thus —
no word being spoken; but her
licpiid, loving eyes, far more be-
seeching and eloquent than words,
fixed intently upon rne; then,
without a single quiver of the
white lips, without a single tremor
of the frail body, the pure, un-
stained soul took its departure,
and I held in my almost nerveless
arms the material substance, with-
out the quickening spirit, of Adina,
my beloved wife.

"With bursting heart, with pas-
sionate, rebellious feelings, I laid
the lifeless form on the bed, de-
cently composed the limbs, cov-
ered with a sheet the white, marble
face, and then with grief-bowed
head passed through the desolate
house into the gloomy world be-
yond.

"Oh, fitting type of my sorrow!
Black, heavy clouds had settled
down upon the earth like a pall;
the universe seemed to mourn with
me; so far as I could see, not a
living thing stirred on the face of
the earth; the sky was still shroud-
ed in funeral gloom. Suddenly a
few gentle rain-drops fell in token
of sympathy; and then, as if re-
lieved by the slight flow of tears,

.^m

THE AMATEUR.

}-.

the vault of heaven brightened; far
in the west the clouds rose from
the bosom of the lake, disclosing a
scene of marvelous beauty. The
sun had set; but — beyond the dark
curtain which had slowly lifted
like a proud artist gently slid ng
the veil and jealously revealing the
loveliness of his picture — his rays
had 4yed the heavens with crimson
light and transformed the patches
of fleecy clouds into masses of
molten gold Yet, even as I
looked, ♦he glory died away; the
brilliant colors faded into amber
and violet hues; and at last came
darkness.

"I sawand realized all this — how
a flash of brightness could pierce
the blackest cloud; yet in my
blindness I would not allow a ray
of light to illumine my spirit even
for an instant; and, as the dark-
ness of night now hid from my
carnal gaze the things of earth, so
the darkness of my soul obscured
from my spiritual vision the light
of God's truth. In my sin and
folly I cried, 'Let midnight reign
forever on the earth, since the sun
of my lite is extinguished!'

"Then with a shudder at my own
blasphemy, I tried to pray; the
effort had a powerful effect upon
me; I began to struggle with the
adversary. All night long I paced
up and down before that humble

house, determined not to enter
until I could recognizeGod's hand
in my bereavement. Thus strug-
gling the grey dawn of morning
found me; and thus determined
the glory of morning sun burst
upon me, bringing instant convic-
tion and flooding my soul with
calm and holy joy.

"For, did not the sun that de-
clined in darkness, rise o'er the
eastern mountains in peerless
effulgence? Did not the Lord
Jesus say, T am the resurrection
and the life: he that believeth in
me, tliough he were dead, yet
shall he live?'

"Then, with broken and contrite
spirit, I entered the room where
the mother and sister of Adina had
laid out the earthly tabernacle in
pure, white robes. Standing there,
gazing without a sigh upon the
impassive form, involuntarily I
spoke: Tt is sown in corruption;
it is reaped in incorruption!' "

Verily, "He doeth all things
well." Kennon.

OFFICERS
OF THE V. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN

criY, UTAH;
Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor.
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

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■^ KNOWLEDGE IS POWEE. |j-
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III till ItfiimiiiiiiiTiTimifliiriiiii

-^ UNION IS STEENQTH. !*•

Mltlllllllllllliillllllilllllllllllllll

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogden City

No. g.

OGDEN, UTAH, March 6, 1878.

Vol. I.

THE AMATEUR.

EditeJ and Published Bi-Weekly by tbe Young
Men's Mutual laiprovemeut Association of
Ogdeu City, Utah.

HAVE AN Am IN LtFE.

NEVER go a drone throngli lifef
But always have an aim;
Though tliis world be full of strife,

Yet strive to win a name.
Time is valued more than gold"

By those who strive to win:
They who get the firmest hold,

Are they who fii'st liegiu.
Though the path seems rough to you,

And rugged all the way.
Yet with courage tirm and true,

Tou sure will win the day;
Others they may scofl' and jeer,

But do not step aside;
Stniggle on and do not foar,

The path will open wide.
Highest prizes are not won

By those who do not work;
Steady on 'til daj- is done.

No duty you mtist shirk;
Choo-eyour lesson, learn it well.

And muster all you can:
Perseverance sure will tell,

And make of yon a man.
Sweetest roses always bloom

The highest on the bush;
In the world for you there's room,

If you will only push;
First be sure ycni're in the i-igbt,

And then just look ahead;
Sure the goal will come in sight

Before the day is sped.
Do not then, discouraged be.

Nor give up in despair;
TVork, and in the cud you'll seer

The prize will be your share.
Enter bravely into the strife,

You sure will rise to fame;
Sweet success is yours in life

If you but have an aim.

THE LECTURE.

ON Wednesday evening, the zoth
ult., Elder Joseph Stantord de-
livered his lecture on "Language"
which was announced to have
taken place previous to the quar-
antine regulations being placed
upon the city. The building was
crowded to its utmost capacity,
and many people were unable to
gain admission. The lecturer re-
ferred to and repeated a number
of English provincialisms; spoke
of the necessity of acquiring a cor-
rect knowledge of our mother
tongue, of cultivating a habit of
correct speaking, and expressing
our thoughts clearly and intelli-
gibly. Hoped ere long to see
colleges and other institutions of
learning established in this place,
where our young men can be
taught other languages besides the
English; also every other branch
of literature that will embellish

'.'s,..

:i^

©^,

^ 66

THE AMATEUR.

and adorn their minds, and be to
them a source of lasting pleasure
and utility.

The lecturer spoke a little over
an hour, and handled the subject
in an interesting manner, during
which the utmost attention pre-
vailed. We regret that our limited
space prevents us giving a more
extended notice of the lecture,
which it richly deserves.

THE DOOM OF NATIONS.

HOW frequently the doom of
nations has been determined
by the issue of a single combat be-
tween a few thousand men. A.us-
terlitz, Marengo, the plains of
Waterloo, the battle of Sadowa
and the capitulation of Sedan,
amply testify to this. What were
the numbers employed, the time
occupied and the number of lives
lost on any one of these occasions
compared with the momentous
consequences produced upon the
states and kingdoms whose fate
was involved in the issue? A de-
cisive battle is lost, and the will of
the conqueror is imposed upon a
whole kingdom. Military men
tell us that to maintain an army of
a given strength in the field at
least three times that number of
trained men must be reckoned
upon. One-third of this force

faces the enemy, a second is held
ready to supply the casualties in the
first and the third to fill up the va-
cancies in the second. When
Germany,in i87o,invaded France,
what did we expect to stop the
progress of the German forces but
the army opposed to them? But
when the first line of the French
defence was defeated, she had no
reserve, and her militia and the
levy en masse which took place
proved useless. From the wars of
1866 to 1870 some most important
lessons may be obtained as to the
short, sharp and decisive character
of modern warfare, and we may be
excused for briefly recalling two or
three leading facts as to dates as-
sociated with each of these remark-
able campaigns.

On the iSth of June, 1866,
Prussia declared war against Aus-
tria. Five days afterward — on the
23d — the Prussian forces were in
Pohemia; on the 3d of July, or
fifteen days after the declaration
of war, Benedek was utterly de-
feated at Sadowa, and the war was
practically ended. On the 4th of
July Austria ceded Venetia to
Italy, and a fortnight afterwards
was witnessed the formation of the
new German confederation, which
was superceded in 1871 by the es-
tablishment of the Germ.in Em-
pire.

I'he events of the Franco-
Prussian war of 1870 were almost

THE AMATEUR.

67 ^

as abrupt, sudden and overwhelm-
ing ^\^ar was declared in Berlin
on the 19th of July; on the 23d,
four days afterwards, the bridge of
Kiell was blown up by the Ger-
mans, and on the 6th of August,
eighteen days after the declaration
of war, McMahon was totally de-
feated at the battle of Woerth.
On the first of September the bat-
tle of Sedan took place, and, on
the following d-iy, or forty-five
days from the opening of the war,
the Emperor Napoleon was a
prisoner.

The facts thus briefly summarized
show the hopelessness of trusting
to "making soldiers" after a war
has been declared, and the abso-
lute necessity, above all things, of
forming a powerful force of train-
ed men in time of peace, for a re-
serve, but living in their own
homes. M.

TR UE RELIGIOX.

ALTHOUGH the Nineteenth
Century has produced the
most enlightened race of people
that has ever inhabited the earth,
so far as art, science and scholastic
refinement are concerned, it has
also produced Christian denomi-
nations that are far from practising
the precepts taught by the worth'es
of olden times. Each of the sec-
tariaij^ denominations of to-day
profess to believe in the same God
aad the same Savior; each sect
contends that // is right and all the
rest wrong. Now there is only one

right, consequently all others must
be wrong. The question arises,
which z> the right religion? This
question has perplexed the great
minds of the religious world for a
number of years without a satisfac-
tory solution. Each thinks his
religion contains the most merit,
and produces a better chance for
him to fill his pockets with that
which is worshipped by a majority
of the world — money. The reli-
gion that teaches the most elevat-
ing principles and practices the
commands laid down by our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ, when he
was upon the earth, is the religion
that will in some future day be
looked to as the only plan of sal-
vation and exaltation. How many
of the eminent preachers of Christ-
endom are there that sincerely be-
lieve the doctrine they preach, and
live up to the principles they ex-
pound, in their daily walk of life?
Are there not many that put on a
very solemn countenance for Sun-
day and preach a most excellent
sermon — enough to make their
audito's look upon them as para-
gons of purity and sincerity? But
when Sunday is over, that is the
last of their religion until Sunday
returns, and during the time in-
tervening,these very preachers may
be seen dabbling in all kinds of
sin and wickedness, thereby trans-
gressing the laws of Him whom
they profess to worship.

S. E. A.

.iL.

m..-

^ 68

THE AMATEUR.

Edited and Pulilished Bi-Wcckly, by the Young
M«n's Mut'iiil Inipiovenieiit Association, of
Ojden City, Utah.

John P. Smith,

Editor.

TVEDNESDAY, MARCH 6th, 1878.

TO PRESIDE^'TS OF MUTUAL IMrROVE-

AlEiXT A SSOCIA TIONS.

We will be pleased to send the Amateur to all
Presidents of Mutual Improvement Associations
Trho will forward us their names and addresses and
ten cents postage. We also] invite them, one
and all, to favor us with an occasional corres-
pondence.

THE FIRST.

FOR the first time in the course
of our existence, and despite
our protestations of lack of expe-
rience and ability, the duties of an
editor have devolved upon us. We
very much regret, and can truth-
fully say that we do not in any way
feel exultant or joyous over the
brilliant prospects offered us
through this channel. We make
no pretentions to literary learning
or journalistic ability, and other
obligations place us under the ne-
cessity of conducting our editorial
duties by lamplight, which, to-
gether with the limited time at our
disposal may be the cause of
errors, grammatical and other-
wise, creeping in here and there.

despite our most careful scrutiny
and attention. We are amateurs,
just commencing the struggle of
life, contending and battling
against ignorance, striving with all
diligence and exertion to climb the
ladder of fame, and seeking con-
tinually for the Spirit of God to
direct us in our proceedings. We
firmly believe that the Amateur
will be the means of bringing into
active exercise some of the latent
talent of the younger portion of
our community, and lead to the
development of those abilities
which are so essential to the ad-
vancement and progress of the
Kingdom of God upon the earth.
We therefore ask that the eye of
the critic scan not too closely our
feeble efforts, but that he will take
into consideration the above im-
portant facts, and kindly "pass
our imperfections by. "

GOOD AND BAD.

ONE hundred and forty-six years
ago, on the 2 2d of February
last, on the homestead at Bridge's
Creek, in the State of Vermont.
George Washington, "The Father
of our Country," was born.
George had only the commonest
advantages of the day — no lan-
guage but his own, and simple in-
struction in the ordinary branches

^^^=4^

'r^-

,yii

THE AMATEUR.

69 l^

of an English education were the
extent of his privileges. On the
i2th of April, 1743, while yet in
his prime, George was afflicted by
the death of his father, Augustine
Washington. By this sudden and
great loss, Mary, the mother of
George, became his guide and in-
structor, and moulded his charac-
ter for the future eminence which
he attained. From a child he was
fond of the mimic sport of a sol-
dier's life. This love of adventure
grew upon him. As an illustration
of his obedience, it is said that at
the age of fourteen years a mid-
shipman's warrant was obtained
for him, and his luggage was on
board a man-of-war when, his mo-
ther's heart failing her, George,
the ever obedient son, gave up the
plan of seeking fame in the navy.
Returning to school, George de-
voted his attention to improvement
in all those branches calculated to
fit him for civil or military service.
Perseverance and completeness
marked his whole course, and the
habits of method and order which
were then established, adhered to
him through life. He found time
to do everything and to do it well.
In short, his was a character which,
even in boyhood, marked him out
to be a leader and guide of others.
His schoolfellows came to him to
decide their little differences, and

his sincerity and fairness gave him
the ascendancy at all times.

The life of Washington, his
obedience and truthfulness to his
parents is well known to every
school boy. We have only given
a short sketch of his early history
in order to show the differences ex-
isting between him and some of
the boys of our day. True, we
have in our community many good
and honest boys and girls, who
will evidently, at some future day,
fill honorable positions. On the
other hand there are many of a
different character, boys who, un-
like Washington, have a growing
disposition to do evil. "Satan
always finds work for idle hands to
do," and consequently, mischief,
quarrels, fights and disturbances
of every nature and description
are general with them. We might
enumerate a great many vices prac-
ticed by this class of the youth, if
neceesary, but they are too well
known to need particularizing.
Such conduct in boys is sometimes
thought to be the fault of parents
in not giving proper heed to their
religious and moral guidance, and
preparing them for the duties and
responsibilities of life; but as a
general thing it is not. Parents
have a great deal more of the
outside element to contend with to-
day than they had several years

-J

THE AMATEUR.

ago. All classes of people, good,
bad 'and indifferent, are flocking
into our community yearly, and
some of the worst and most de-
graded specimens of humanity are
frequently dropped here; Ogden,
being the terminii of so many
railroads, is particularly noted for
this one feature. Our boys are
caught in the snare, and are soon
victims to the most foul and
vicious habits and vices.

The question naturally arises,
what is to be done with such boys?
We are unable to say, but at the
same time feel certain that some
means could be devised by which
they can be brought to a knowl-
edge of their situation. Something
ought to be done, as they are fast
becoming a nuisance and disgrace
to the respectable portion of our
community, and are only a draw-
back to those of their schoolmates
who are endeavoring to do the
will of their parents and teachers.
If allowed to pursue the course
they are taking they will inevitably
bring remorse upon themselves and
sorrow and affliction to the hearts
of their parents, many of whom
are entirely ignorant of the vicious
ways of their offspring, and whom,
if informed of the fact, would un-
doubtedly 'exclaim in the words of
the father of Washington: "I
would rather have seen him nailed
in his coffin," etc.

&)lv^

Let us use our influence for the
reformation of these boys. Let
children be kept out of the streets,
away from bad company, and let
us have a class of boys, intelligent,
honest, moral and religious in char-
acter. Give us plenty of boys like
George Washington, ''Active, en-
ergetic, prompt, ready; knowing
how to obey quite as well as how
to command." These qualities
might well have raised him above
his fellows, and indicated the
greatness and nobleness of the ca-
reer before him.

rOSTPONEMEXT OF OXE ISSUE.

IN consequence of a ''rush" of
very urgent work at the Ogden
Junction office, wherby the type,
etc., used in the publication of our
little periodical will be needed for
a week or two, the next number of
the Amateur will, as a necessity,
have to be posponed until Wed-
nesday, March 27th — three weeks
from the date of the present issue.
We trust this explanation will be
satisactory to our readers and
patrons.

. — ♦ • ♦ ■

OFFICERS

OF THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN
CITY, UTAH:

17/

THE AMATEUR-

-•N

^%^

A WORD ON CHARITY.

CHARITY is one of the noblest
virtues that God has given to
man. Yet how few of us cultivate
it? How few of us realize the many
obligations we are under to our
Heavenly Father for the blessings
and com/orts of life — for our very
existence upon the earth.

The Lord has commanded us to
love our neighbors as ourselves.
Let us, therefore, be kind and
charitable to all with whom we
come in contact; let us scatter
seeds of kindness, love and chari-
ty, wherever we go, that we may
be the means of brightening the
life of some weary soul. We know
not how much good just one kind
word may do to those who are on
the path to ruin; or how much
comfort it may give to those who
are cast down, or bereCL of friends.

Let us search for the good qual-
ities in each other, instead of
finding fault. If we are tempted
to speak unkindly of any one, we
should examine our own hearts
and see if we are free from error.
I think we will find that none of
us are perfect. We should, there-
fore, cultivate the spirit of charity
and love. Bring peace and hap-
piness to all around us, not only
to the rich and to those who treat
us well, but it is the poor and

friendless, the weak and wayward
to whom we should bring our offer-
ings of love and charity.

Let us do all the good we can in
this life, that when our Heavenly
Father shall call us to lay our
bodies in the grave, we may meet
Him with a clear conscience, well
satisfied with our career upon the
earth, and that we may long be
remembered for our deeds of love
and charity. Lu.

YOUTH.

WHAT is youth? It is the
springtime of life; the morn-
ing of our existence in this world
of joys and sorrows; the time when
are imbibed the principles which,
to a greater or less extent will gov-
ern in more mature years. Then
of what infinite importance to the
future man are the teachings he re-
ceives at his mother's knee; for,
"as the twig is bent, so is the tree
inclined," or, as the clay is
shaped so in the heat of the fur-
nace will the vessel appear.

Every one must have an educa-
tion. If he does not receive good
education he will inevitably obtain
one of a different character, and if
left, with so many adverse in-
fluences to bear upon him, to pur-
sue his own course, he will, in a

T7,

THE AMATEUR.

-"^(

iS"

majority of instances, prove a dis-
grace to himself, to his parents
and to society. Of such, come
the victims for the gallows; and
how often we hear of the re-
mark: "Had I been properly in-
structed by my parents, such
would not have been my condi-
tion." thereby throwing a stigma
upon the character of those whose
lot might have been widely differ-
ent had the proper course been
pursued. But there are exceptions
to all rules; and occasionally we
hear of those whose early training
has been good, and who have had
every opportunity to become hon-
ored members of society, falling
into vicious habits and becoming
degraded. Such cases, however,
are rare. If a child is properly
governed at home, and taught
while yet there may be an impres-
sion made, the principles of truth
and honesty, and to shun the path
of the evil-doer, few are the in-
stances wherein he will deviate
from the principles taught him.

A Niagara hackman, during a
quarrel, the other day, was shot
through the heart. Not being hit
in a vital part, he has recovered,
while a fellow hackman, who was
kicked in the pocket during the
same quarrel, died instantly.

jpASTIjVSBS.

CHARADES.

(No. 8.)

I am compoped of 16 letters.
Mv 1, S, S, 11 is a fuel,
Mv 7, S, 16, 1, 10, 3 is a bird.
My 1,15, S, 16, U. 5 is a city.
My 8,7, 8, 4, .% 14, 6, is a popular joiimal,
Mv 9, '2, 13, is a part of the linman bo<ly,
My T2, 4, 14, S, 6, 11 is a mount. »

My whole is a ci.y in one of the temperate zones.

J. G.S.

ENIGMA.

(No 9.)
My first appears in all that's good,

And gracious, grand and great,
It never does appear in sin

Nor wickedness, nor hate.
My second shows itself in love,

And lends its useful aid
To glory, and — 't may seem strange —

By it is sorrow ma<le.

In wickedness my third shines forth;

It deals in deeds most dread;
It has no place in happiness —

Of death it is the head.
Together these three letters plac»,

And net them right, and true;
Tlie subject, then, you're sure to find,

Should be beloved by you.

•

BE-UEADINGS.

(No. 10.)

Behead a kind of fruit and leave a portion of the
human frame.

Beheiil a puhstance and leave an article used
for illuminating purposes.

Behead two or more animals and leave a kind of
grain.

Behead an impossibility and leave an insect.

Behead a kind of grain and leave an element.
Behead 8gain ami leave to consume.

Behead a mass of mineral matter and leave a
term in niubic. Behead again and leave a number.

Contributors fo this colnmn should be certain
that their puzzles contain points of merit, and
above all be certain that they are correct. They
should also be accompanied with the answers.

>B®- Answers to theahore are rpqiiestrd, which if
received in time, will appear in our next issue.

(S^^^^§=Si=^'^-^=^-^^=0?0-@

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IIIIIIIIIIIinilMKKIIJIIU'llllllllll

PUBLtSHED BY THE Y. M. M. I. A., OF OgDEN CiTY.

No. lo.

OGDEN, UTAH, March 27, 187S.

Vol.

THE AMATEUR.

Edited an<l Pulilished Bi-WceUly by the Young
Men's Mutuiil Improvement Association of
Ogilou City, Utah.

OETRT

THE MOUMOX COLLIER.

JN 'Walei a Mormon collier
Stood up bis fiiith to preach,
And thoufrh uneducated,

He tried his best to teach.
He knew he had the gotpel.
Received God's Spirit too,
Enjoyed the blessings promised,
And know the work was true.

A learn'd divine was present:

OhS thing he'd like to know;
"Sir, have you sern tlie Spirit?"

The collier answ>,rd ''no.'"
"You've heard him then?" he queried;

"No sir."' "You've tasti'd, then?"
"I hive not." Then yon smelled him?'

The "'no" burst forth again.

•'Well, have you ever /f/; him?''

The collier shoutel "Yes;
1 felt the iloly Spirit

Just burning in my breast."
"Ha, ha!" rejoiced the scholar,

As if his point was won;
"Of all this man's five senses,

He cannot use but one."

The great divine grew warmer

Tlie collier lo oppose,
And said; "His simple /«>>//«g

la all that collier knows."
. 'Twas true; but now the collier.

An argument to find,
just stuck a pin, point upward,

Upon the »cat behind.

The champion, havinjr ended.

With joy flow took his seat;
But. quick as lightning, screaming,

He jumped upon his feet
The pin had pierced him deeply:

The collier' he would blame;
Who, thus accused, made ready,

And to the contest came.

"You saiv the pin?" he questioned.

"No, " qUoth the parsoa, sh)'.
"You heard it tlien most surely?"

The "no" came harsh and dry.
"You tasted it your reverence?"

The "no" came harsher still.
"You itneU-ed the pin, 'tis certaiu?"

This "no" would almost kill.

"You did not feci the pin. sir?"

(The parson knew too well.)
"I did," then cursed the collier

Down to the depths of hell.
Ten honest souls were read.y

To join the Mormon Cliurch;
The collier left, quite happy,

'Ahe parson iu th» lurch.

THE TELEPUONE.

l£UAX.

THE telephone, one of the most
marvelous of modern inven-
tions, has at length found its way
into our Territory, and its capa-
city as a transmitter of oral sound
has been satisfactorily demon-
strated by a number of our citi-
zens on lines between this place
and Salt Lake City.

That we are living in an age of

>p^'

THE AMATEUR.

unparalleled progress in all that
appertains to science and the arts
can scarcely be denied by any who
are at all posted in the inventions,
discoveries, and general scientific
achievements of the past quarter
of a century. A few short years
ago the ordinary telegraph was
regarded with almost superstitious
wonder by the bulk of mankind
not acquainted with the mysteries
of the subtile though all-powerful
element controlled and directed
by the finger of man. To-day be-
cause of the march of progress it
is viewed with ordinary concern,
and is as common among the me-
diums for communicating intelli-
gence as the general postal facili-
ties with which the more enlight-
ened nations of mankind are at
present provided. No sooner had
it descended to this level among
the affairs of life than the ge-
nius of discovery and invention
brought forth from the hidden
resources of nature another and
greater wonder to arouse the mind
of man to speculative inquiry and
(c a partial realization of the great
field of intelligence in which,
through God's benificence, he has
been placed, that his attainment of
Jcnowledge might almost he com-
mensurate with the asperations of
his soul.

To enter into a minute expla-

nation of the philosophy and
mechanism of the telephone
would perhaps occupy more of
your valuable space than the
claims of other and more worthy
correspondents would permit,*
hence, I will be content with giv-
ing a few general ideas under this
head.

For fear that some of the readers
of the Amateur may not under-
stand the philosophy of sound I
would here say that sounds are
transmitted or propagated through
the air by waves, that travel
swiftly from their source and strike
in quick succession upon the tyn-
panum or drum of the ear, produc-
ing to our senses the sounds sent
forth, or shot forth, from the
mouth of the speaker or sound-
producing object. These waves
in the aerial medium are supposed
to resemble the ripples produced
upon the calm surface of a pond
or lake when a stone is suddenly
dropped into it. At first quick,
short waves are sent out in rapid
succession, all radiating from the
point where the stone fell which
become smaller and farther separa-
ted as they recede until they are
lost or subdued by the resistance
of the sleeping waters which the
far-spent force of the waves is
unable longer to overcome. \Vhen
the aerial sound-transmitting waves

t-*?^'-^- '-

THE AMATEUR.

are lost in the distance or unable
longer to reproduce these vibra"
tions with sufficient intensity upon
the adjoining air the sound also is
lost and silence prevails.

Now the sound or words to be
communicated through the tele-
phone are spoken into a tube or
key, as it is called, at the extremity
of which is placed a very thin sheet
of iron called a diaphragm.
Against this the sound-waves beat
as against the tynpanum of the
ear and throw it into vibrations
which are communicated by means
of electricity over wires connected
for the purpose to another dia-
phragm similarly arranged at a
distant station. This latter dia-
phragm simultaneously reproduces
the vibrations of the first, creating
a new but similar set of air
waves which in turn are commu-
nicated to the tynpanum of the ear
and thus the original sound or
voice is heard.

By means of this wonderful in-
strument an oral conversation can
be carried on between two persons
over a distance of many miles, as
from Ogden to Salt Lake, or song
sung, or music played upon a
piano or other instrument at Salt
Lake can be communicated to peo-
ple listening in Ogden. The voice
reproduced through the telephone,
though very clear and distinct, has

a weird, curious sound, as if it
were coming from a long distance
through a vaulted underground
passage.

Many experiments with the tele-
phone have lately been made and
its curious and wonderful opera-
tions have created universal praise
and admiration for the man (Mr.
Bell by name) through whose deep
study and keen ingenuity another
lightning link has been added to
the chain of man's intelligence and
power. "W^

RE-ORGANIZED.

A meeting was held in the First
■^ Ward assembly rooms, on
Tuesday evening, 12th inst., for
the purpose of re-organizing the
Y. M. M. L Association of that
ward. Bishop F. A. Brown
and counselor W.H. Pidcock pre-
sided and a permanent organiza-
tion was effected. Following are
the officers, who were elected for
a term of six months:

G. R. Hill, President; E. T.
Myers, First Counselor; C. C.
Brown, Second Counselor; C. J.
P'lowers, Treasurer; E. T. Myers,
Corresponding Secretary; John
Volker, Librarian.

Some of the young members of
a church in Tunbridge, Vt., got
themselves into trouble by turning
a prayer meeting into a kissing

party.

)V^'

THE AMATEUR.

Edited and Pulilislied Bi-Weekly, liy tlie Young
Men's Mutual Improveiiient AssocjutioD, ot
Ogden City, Utah.

John P. Smith,

Editor.

WEDNESDAY MAKCH 27th, 1878.

TO PRESIDENTS OF IHUTUAL IMFROVE-
MEXT ASSOCIATIONS.

■We will be pleased to send the Amatei-r to all
Presidents of Mutual IniproToment Associations
who will forward us their names and addresses and
ten cen^s postage. We el.-to invite them, one
and all, to faror us with an occasional corres-
pondence.

AN ART TO BE CULTIVATED.

MORE than 500 years before the
advent of our Savior, Confu-
cius, the greatest of the philoso-
phers of China, wrote: "Woulclst
thou know if a people be 1 well
governed, examine the music it
practices." Beranger, the idol-
ized song writer of France, gave
expression to a similar idea when
he exclaimed: "Let me but make
the songs of my people, and I care
not who makes the laws." 'Tis
said that the music of a nation has
a marked effect in shaping its des-
tiny, and is a guide by which the
stranger can judge of its civiliza-
tion. A nation without its char-
acteristic music would be a nation
without patriotism. The people

who depend upon others for their
songs are very apt to depend upon
others for their liberties.

Some few persons may consider
music a useless and frivolous art.
They do not sense or comprehend
it, and they are not to be blamed
for this when nature has not en-
dowed them with a musical ear
any more than a blind man would
be for not admiring the beauties of
a rich sunset, or the great produc-
tion of some grand master of
painting or sculpture. Every one
of the fine arts may be rendered
frivolous by the folly or sin of
man, but when this is so the fault
is in the artist, not in the art. No
doubt all the line arts may be con-
sidered useless things from some
standpoints. Music and its kin-
dred arts will certainly not till the
ground or weave cloth, but at the
very least they can contribute to
the happiness and innocent plea-
sures of this life.

The perilous surroundings of the
first settlers in Utah gave them but
little time to cultivate the beauties
of harmony, yet more was done
and better done than coiild be ex-
pected of any other people placed
in the same position. But these
days have passed forever, and the
time has arrived when we can turn
our attention to the cultivation of
the divine art. That this is being

>^:

THE AMATEUR.

done largely in our midst is,
among minor things, one of the
most encouraging signs of the
times.

While the value of musical ex-
ercises in our Sunday Schools has
been so generally acknowledged,
yet the manner in which it has
been done has not always been the
most effectual. From the want of
experienced teachers and the dif-
ficulty of obtaining text books,
schools have been taught to sing
by ear instead of by note, conse-
quently where children have not
the faculty of imitation they can-
not progress, because the road of
progression has never been opened
to them. That teaching music by
scientific rules is better than any
other plan, we believe will be gen.
erally acknowledged. Therefore
the question is: should science and
method be introduced in teaching
Sunday School scholars to sing
the praises of their Creator and
Savior? Wherever it is practica-
ble we contend it should. The
publication of suitable music is be-
ing increased by every issue of our
home musical press, and the infor-
mation that is being placed in the
hands of the people is creating
many students who are acquiring
knowledge and experience enough
to enable them before long to be-
come instructors of sufficient abili-

ty to guide the children in so muc h
of the art as is necessary to execute
the simple melodies of the Sunday
School. Wherever there is such
an institution there should be cor-
rect musical instruction.

We believe in home-made music
as we believe in home-made cloth,
each to us is a source of strength
and union- therefore home publi-
cations should be subscribed for,
and home industries encouraged
whereby home talent would be
fostered and developed.

OUR LAST MERITING.

PLDER David M. Stuart, who,
-L* it was expected, would address
the Y. M. M. I. A. on Wednesday
evening last, was unavoidably pre-
vented from being present and th€
time was occupied in a very inter-
esting, able and instructive man-
ner by Elder Richard Ballantyne.

The speaker began by relating
his early experience in the Church
and spoke of the natural abhor-
ance which he felt to the princi-
ple of celestial marriage when first
confidentially revealed to him by
Apostle John Taylor. He felt that
he could not possibly accept such
a doctrine as from God, and that
death would be preferable to its
practice by him. However, he
concluded to appeal to the Lord,
in whom he hid implicit Ltith, and

THE AMATEUR.

/i>

through whose divine administra-
tion he had been convinced of the
truth of the gospel, to know if this
peculiar doctrine was right, and if,
as he had been told, its observance
and practice had been commanded.
He retired to a secret place and
prayed, as was his custom when
desiring to be enlightened of the
Lord, ajad at length received such
a testimony of the correctness and
divinity of the principle as has re.
mained indelibly with him from
that day to t^e present.

He next spoke of his mission to
India in 1852, commencing Avith
his departure from Salt Lake City.
He traveled in company with some
38 missionaries via Southern Utah
to San Bernardino, and thence to
San Francisco, where over $8,000
was raised by the branch of the
Church at that place to convey
them to their various fields of la-
bor. One man, Bro. Harner by
name, donating over ;$4,ooo of
this amount from his private
purse. From San Francisco he
proceeded to Calcutta; where
he remained a short time, and
from thence went to Madras.
He remained in Madras about one
year, and here published a paper
entitled "The Millennial Star and
Monthly Visitor.' On the 24th
of July, 1854, he took his depar-
ture for homesailing via Liverpool

6L ^^ .-^^^=^^^^

to New Orleans, and thence trav-
eled up the Mississippi and across
the plains to his home in the
Rocky Mountains.

He thus traveled entire-
ly around the world, and
is, we are informed, the first
"Mormon" missionary who ever
performed such a journey. The
discourse was full of interest
throughout, and was listened to
with marked attention by all
present.

CHARACTER.

A GOOD character is the great-
est treasure that man can pos-
sess. It has an influence that will
be felt every moment of a person's
life, and it exercises a greater
power for good than wealth, for it
is the result of established honor,
rectitude and consistency, and
commands the respect of our
friends probably more than any-
thing else.

A nation that is well governed
has men of moral inteillgenee and
uprightness of character to -make
and administer the laws. If
corrupt men hold office, it is gen-
erally the result of the corruption
or ignorance of the people. When
bad characters aspire to high po-
sitions they generally use fraudu-
lent means to obtain them. But

THE AMATEUR.

if the people have moral intelli-
gence and sufficient torce of char-
acter, they will elect such men to
office as will attend to them, and
maintain their rights and privi-
leges. 1 he strength, the industry
and civilization of a nation de-
pends upon the individual char-
acter of its citizens.

We have a great diversity of
characters in our midst, but the
true one whether it be in secret or
in the presence of men cannot be
mistaken. 'ihe boy was well
trained, who, when asked why he
did not take some pears, as there
was no one to see him, said:
"Yes there was, I was there to
see myself, and I don't intend
ever t© see myself do a dishonest
thing." If every boy would take
this example to heart and cherish
the admirable sentiment through
life, we would soon have a nation
of people that would have but lit-
tle need of police and magistrates
to enforce the laws, for the people
would live up to its requirements.

Every person should aim to be
the possessor of a good character,
and in order to obtain it should
acquire and cultivate good habits
while young. An inspired writer
said : -'Train up a child in the way
he should go, and when he is old
he will not depart from it." If a
person has acquired the habit of

using tobaccc, strong drinks, pro-
fane language or any other of a per-
nicious character, the sooner he re-
nounces' it the more easily it will
be overcome. Habits formed
while young are like a cut in the
bark of a tree the elder it grows
the larger it becomes. Lord Col-
lingwood said to a young man
whom he loved: "Remember, be.
fore you are five and twenty, you'
must establish a character that
will serve you all your life."

We should carefully cultivate a
happy frame of mind and the habit
of taking a hopeful view of any
discouraging circumstance which
we may encounter. Dr. Johnson
wisely remarked, that "the habit
of looking at the bright side of a
thing is worth more to a man than
a thousand pounds a year." We
all have the power of looking at
the bright side if we choose to do
so, but are very apt, if we do not
guard ourselves closely, to look at
the dark side and thereby cause
bad feelings; whereas if we were to
look at the bright it would bring
good feelings to ourselves and our
consciences would not condemn
us. By so doing, happy thoughts
would spring up and we
would grow with a genial nature,
having a good temper, and
always being in a happy frame
of mind, which is worth more to

^^-d

THE AMATEUR-

"•"^i

a man than many other accomplish-
ments.

In all our dealings we should be
honest and trustft'orth)'; always be
in time and endeavor never to dis-
appoint any one. By cultivating
these habits we will form a char-
acter that will be of great value to
us in after life. J. T. B.

ELDER WALLACES LECTUUE.

ELDER Thos. V/allace delivered
his lecture, entitled "The
Reftiarkable'Features of the Nine-
teenth Century*" on Wednesday
evening, March 6th, 1878.

He commenced by reviewing the
condition of Europe at the begin-
ningof the 19th century, recounting
some remarkable events which
have occurred in that quarter of
the globe since that time. He
mentioned, as one of the most re-
markable features of this century,
the restoration of the Gospel
through the Pi'ophet Joseph
Smith.

The speakef alltlded to the com-
mencement of Spiritualism; and
showed the folly of such notions
entertained by believers in that
religion; dwelt briefly on the re-
cent war between Russia and Tur-
key, and England's chagrin in
consequence of its issue.

The lecturer occupied about one

hour,
large

artd Wag listened to by a
attentive and appreciative
audience. At the close Bro.
Wallace Was tendered a unani-
mous vote of thanks for his highly
entertaining and interee*ting lec-
ture.

OEFICERS

OF TUB Y. M. M. }. A., OF' OODfiN

C\1\ , UTAH?

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, Fifst Counselor.
Moroni PoUlter, Second Counselor
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Farr, Treasurer".
AVilliam James, Librarian.

THE NEXT L ECTLtRE.

UR readers will, no doubt, be
pleased to learn that Elder F.
S. Richards has kindly consented
to deliver a lecture before our As-
sociation on Wednesday evening
next, April 3d, commencing at 7
p.m. Subject: "An evening in
Italy. = '

The abilities of Elder Richards
as a speaker are well known to
everybody; his excellent language
and graceful style of delivery being
unexceptionable. The subject is a
good one and Wt may expect a
large attendance.

AnsweCs to Pastimes in our last issUp are as fol-
lows: No. 8, (Charade) "Pietermaritsbprs:;" No. 9,
(Kngma) "Odd;'' No. 10, rDeoapitations) "Pea',
foil, gouts, ^Vheat, stoMe." A correct answer to
Enigma has been received ironi G. A. Ilorspool.

.©;

^^=£S-^ig=0

'^l

^^ ^ ,*// '""""•""""'■'iiiiiimiiiiiiiiirf

^/-VV*^' 'is< *NKN IS STEENGTH. |ft-
'^^•*^ ^ *^^ '■iiiiiiiiiiiiiinLiimiiiijiiiiiiiiiii

PuSLtsHED BY THE Y. M. M. I. A, ,01' OcdEJJ Citv.

No. li.

OGDEN, UTAH, April 24, 1878.

Vol. t.

THE AMATEUR.

E<)it(>il ami Fiiblislie<l Bi-AVookly by tlw Vtmng
Men's Mutual iinproveiiient AssoCiafiufl of
Os'isu City, Ut.lh.

HEP OUT

Of the Yeurtf/ Men s Mutual Iwprovement
Axsocialion of Oydin to Ihe Quarierly
Conference of the Wdier Stake of Zion;
held at Ogden City, April 20fh, and 21sl,
1878.

THE Yoiirig Men's Mutual Inl-
pf o'tement Association of Og-
den City was organized by Apos-
tle Franklin D. Richards and the
Fresidency of the Weber Stake of
Zion, on fhe 6th day of Jiffle,
1877, with the following officers
to wit:

Jo-seph A. Wesf, Presideflt;
David Kay, First Counselor; Mo-
roni Poulter, Second Counselor;
Ephraira Myers, Recording Sec-
retary; R. P.- Harris, Correspond
ing Secretary; AVillard Farr,
Treasurer, and William James,

6^s,_ _Jiiizznii

Librarian. Ephfiafti Myers re-
signed on the 13th of October,
1877, and Washington Jenkins
was appointed in his stead. With
this exception the board of officers
stand as first appointed.

Since the date of ouf organiza--
tion regular mctings have been
held once a week, except during
the prevalence of small pox in our
midst, with an average attendance
of about ofie hundred. During
the first two months of this period
however, our meetings were com-
paratively small, but (t'mi-i the be-
ginning of Xovember last they
have been so largely attended,
both by members and rion-mem-
bers, that our hall, on many occa-
sions, has beert far too small to
accomm-odate those who have as-
sembled. Our exercises princi-
pally consist of extemporaneous
speeches, speeches on appointed
subjects, embracing history, biog-
raphy and religion, testimonies,

THE AMATEUR.

select readings, declamations, etc.
On each alternate Wednes-
day, since the 26th of Octo-
ber, with but few exceptions,
public lectures have been given
under the auspices of our Society,
in which much interest has been
manifested, and through which we
feel that much good has been ac-
complished, especially among the
young people of our city. On the
7th of November last we began
the publication of the AiMatf.ur, a
small eight page bi-weekly peri-
odical, devoted to the moral and
intellectual advancement of our
members and designed to promote
the general interests of mutual im-
provement in our midst.

The editor of this little paper is
usually appointed once a month
from the members of the Associa-
tion. He is held responsible for
the character and general make-up
of his respective issues, and to
him all pieces for publication are
submitted for inspection and criti-
cism. It is distributed to adver-
tisers and members free of charge
and circulates on sitbscription to a
few members of other Mutual Im-
provement Organizations in this
and the adjacent counties. None
but members of the Society are
suj)posed to write for its columns,
and as the typographical and other
mechanical work is i)erformed by

us the paper is both edited and
published by the Association.
Our first three issues numbered
two hundred copies, but the sub-
sequent ones were increased to
three hundred, hence, with nun.-
ber 10, the last paper published,
we have issued 2,700 copies of
this periodical^ at a cost in round
numbers of about $120.

The Association has received
and expended for various purposes
since June last $240, numbers 145
members, and is in all respects in
a very satisfactory and prosperous
condition.

Jos. A. West,

President.
R. P. Harris,

Cor. Sec'y.

COMPAXr.

v-f

DO we realiz-e how important it
it is that w^e should keep good
company? Many do not; and
many are enticed away from their
happy homes by those who are low
and degraded. We should never
allow ourselves to mingle in so-
ciety of this kind; ahVays seek to
rise or step higher instead of going
lower; our parents will be proud
and look with pleasure upon our
advancement if we do right, and
honor them and obey their coun-
[sel, for they will seldom give bad

.J(^

THE AMATEUR.

counsel; but if you are reckless and

careless, and mingle in society that
will tend to lead lower and lower,
they will be grieved and perhaps
be hurried from this world to a
premature grave by our conduct;
we should do all in our power to
make our parents happy, for they
are always striving to make us
happy. If we see them troubled
we should try to comfort them; the
Lord has commanded us to honor
our fathers and mothers, and He
says that our days shall be many
upon the earth; then if we wish
the blessing of God we must do as
He has commanded.

If we wish to be respected by
those who are respectable, or to be
looked upon as anybody in this
world, let us keep good compuny.
How many respectable young
men have been brought to a drunk-
ard's grave! how many have come
to disgrace, and to the gallows by
mingling in bad society I

Nor are the young women ex-
cepted; they too, sometimes, are
caught in the snare; we often see
those who were once respected, led
away, to disgrace, and to ruin;
they lose their good name, and
wnen that is gone it will take some
time to replace it, even if they try
to retrace their steps; the best way
is to avoid this evil, and we will
not have to repent it when it is
too late. M.

DILIGENCE AND PUNCTUALITY.

OW many are there among us
who fully realize the import-
ance of keeping ourselves busy
while we are here upon the earth?
or how many realize that we have
but a short time to live, compared
with the work we should per-
form, and that even that time not
our own,> I sometimes think we
do not; that we spend a great
many moments idly. We are too
careless and let a great many
precious moments go to waste, that
might be employed to good advan-
tage, that when once gone we
cannot recall; they are num-
bered with the past. Then let us
try to improve the time and turn
each moment to some account. If
we wish to succeed in business we
must observe punctuality; when
we have a day's work to perform
let us be up in the morning and at
our work at the appointed time,
that we may accomplish what we
set out to do. If we have prom-
ised to meet a person at any par-
ticular time, we should be there at
the time, and if we owe a man let
us make it a point to fulfil our
promise with him; by taking this
course, we will gain the confidence
of our associates. Let us not,
then, forget that diligence and
punctuality are indispensable to
success.

P. H.

», «««*!•
^'"

THE AMATEUR.

K<lited and Piildished lii-Wrt-kiy, liy tlie YounK
M«n> Mijtvitl liiipiovcnioiit AssocisitioUj of
Ojrden City, I: tah,

Zachariah B-allantyne, Editor.

Fr,D5fBSpAY,,....... ,,APRJL 24t)i, J8T8.

TO rJiES/DEyrS of mutual IMl'ROVfl-
MEXT ASSOCTA TloyS.

'^^■E«ill lie piooBod to send tlio Amatei It to all
Prttsidents of Muti^al Iniprovonient Assgriations
who will forward us their nnnics and addressosaiid
tpn conts postTigo. We also; invite them, one
and nil, to favor us with an o>;p.asional oorres.-
pondence.

AMBITION is that Avithin us
which prompts us to aspire to
something higher and more excel-
lent, and to imitate the example
of those who are wiser and better
than ourselves; or if our inclina-
tions are different, it may lead us
to pattern After those who take a
more vicious or ruinous course.
If properly excrcisecl it is one of
the noblest attributes of our na-
ture: without it a person cannot
attain to excellence; take from
him this diviiie instinct, and he is
left to grovel in. obscurity, to live
unknown, and die unregretted.
Without it God could not have
attained to His present condition
of glory, and it is the desire He
has implanted in us to excel, that
^e may be like Him. By its

proper use we may become of
gf#at benefit to oijr fellowmen; for
by it .'jome raen have immortalized
their names; others, V)y it great in
their sphere, have been ruined.
This Jt was which prompted Abra-
ham and Jacob to seek for the
promises they obtained from God;
n.nd this it was which caijsed Alex-
ander, Cc'vsar,. Napoleon, &<^., to
aspire to that glory which proved
their ruin. And though in hi<5-
tory their actions are eulogized,
and though we, too, may extol
their virtues we cannot but con-
demn the course they pursued,

It is astonishing to mark the
power, this passion has over the
human mind; son^e aspire to the
accum^kition of wealth, others to
fame and the applause of their fel-
lows; and we sometimes see men
who will sacrifice their honor, their
regard for truth and every moral
tie, which should be dear to man, to
gratify their avarice, and this in-
satiate thirst for momentary glory.
Truly has the poet written: ••How
like a mounting devil in the heart
rules the unreined ambition," for
by the undue gratification of the
ambition of those who have held
the reins ot government, nations,
the greatest the world has known
have been thrown from the zenith
of powef into obscurity.

"What," says one, -'Shall we

not be ambitious?" Yes. But in
all our aspirations let us be guided
by truth and a sacred regard for
integrity and honor, and our aim
the eventual exaltation of our-
selvea and the good of our fellow-
men.

niE LECTURE OF ELDER F. S.
UICUARDS.

TflE lecturer began with a recital
of the principal incidents con-
nected with his journey from
Switzerland to Italy; gave an ac-
count of a visit to Genoa, the
birth-place of Columbus, ajul of a
visit to Pisa, and the leaning
tower: touched upon Elba, the
scene of Napoleon's first banish-
ment. The speaker also dwelt
to considerable length upon the
history of ancient Rome: its rise,
beauty and wealth, the extent of
its en)pire,and its ultimate decline,
Made inentiou-of a visit to modern
Rome ai)d its principal places of
interest, the seven hills of Rome,
where are to be found many places
and scenes of renown; Catacombs,
tomb of Cresus, yie^y of the coun--
try in the vicinit)' of Rome, ac-
count of the wars of the Romans,
paintings by the most famous ar-
tists of ancient Rome, &:c. The
lecturg wap delivered before a
large and appreciative audience,
who gave their undivided atten-

tion, and was, from beginning to
end, very interesting and instruc-
tive and we regret that our space
will not permit us to give it en-
tire. At the close of the meeting
it was announced that Mr. T. H.
Hadley would deliver a lecture be-
fore the Association, on some
scientific subjects, three weeks
from date, but we understand it
has been postponed untilWednes-
day evening. May ist, 1S78. The
lecture will, no doubt, be one of
interest and a full attendance is
solicited,

THE OR GA KIZA TIOX.

A S per announcement in the
^ semi-weekly Ogden "Junc-
tion" on Saturday, March 13th,
Bro. B. F. Cummings, Jr., of
the I'erritorial Central Committee
of the Y. M. M, I. A., has
been up from Salt Lake City and
has made a detour of the County,
for the purpose of arranging the
preliminaries for the organization
of a Stake Central Committee,
consisting of six members, a
President, two Counselors, a Re-
cording S^c'y, a Corresponding
Sec'y and a Treasurer, to preside
over, and arrange programmes of
exercises for the various Associa-
tions of the County, as this is be-
lieved the best method fn- secur-
ing a permanent and effectual or-

^0:

t/ii 86

THE AMATEUR.

'"'m

"^^

ganizatiGia and t^iie universal pre-
valence of tlie Y. M. M. I. A.,
(tjjroughouit: tlje County. Bro.
Junius F. Wells, President of the
Central Co,mi»it.tee, intendcsd to
accompany Bro. Cumniings in his
visits, but circumstances prevented
his coming. After completing
his tour, Bro. Cummings started
on Thursda)^ morning last, on a
mission to the Eastern States for
the piirpose of collectijiig genealo-
gies. An expression was also
,tal;£jt from the Associations upon
fhe continuance and enlargement
of the Amateur, to be the organ
of the various A^sociatjoiis of the
County, of which we shall speak
in our next; suffice it to say the
measures well received.

INTEMPERAXCE.

TNTEMPERANCE in nearly
-L everything is manifest to the
critical observer; it may be seen
in ail classes of people, from the
wealthiest and most responsible
men, down to the beggar in the
street. In various ways may a
person be ijUejpperate, some of
which are fhe adornment of the
person, reading, eating, sleeping,
etc., but what I most particularly
wish to make mention of is intem-
perance in the use of spirituous
liquors. Probably there are but

very few cities, towns or villages
where there is iiat strong liquor to
be found in abundance, and where
the drunkard rerels in his low and
degraded sphere, caring for noth-
ing bitt to satisfy his ravenous ap-
petite. Can anything be conceived
that is productive of so much
trouble, discord and disgrace as is
intemperance m the use of spiritu-
ous licjuors? It has been the means
of rendering homes desolate; in
many instances families have been
broken up and brought from the
height of prosperity and honor
down to poverty and woe, and left
to plod their way through this
world of turmoil, grief and pain
as best they can, with no one to
care for them or provide for their
wants. What is there that is more
disgusting in the eyes of a moral
and temperate person than to wit-
ness a drunkard staggering through
the street towards his miserable
home, which place he oftimes does
not reach, but is either doomed to
pass the night in some gutter or is
picked up by the police and taken
to jail, there to await the pen-
alty of the law. The drunkard is
censured by his friends, if any he
may have, for his downward course
to ruin, and besouglit with every
feeling of tenderness to be temper-
{ ate, but all to no purpose, for he
j will, tlespite all inducements, pur-

THE AMATEUR.

sue the evil tenor of his way, and
before many years pass aAvay he is
numbered with the dead.

The intemperate use of tobacco
is common all over the civilized
world, and parts of the uncivilized.
It is on every day occurrence to
see boys of the age of nine and ten
years and upward, strutting about
the streets with cigars or cigarettes
in their mouths, smoking away
their lives and bringing them-
selves to premature graves.
Drink no liquor, use no tobacco,
and your lives wHl be those of
health and happiness. S. E. A.

GOOD ADVICE.

S improvement is our motto
and watchword, Ave have a
large field of labor before us. No
one need grumble for want of
room; no one can .say the world is
vain. The work before us re-
quires our energy, ambition and
perseverance.

We have the light, and the com-
mandment is to let it so shine that
the world may see our good works
and glorify God.

Our duties lie in the direction of
culture and refinement, as main
spokes in the wheel of improve-
ment. Cultivate every noble re-
solution, every good talent and
every holy feeling; extend a char-

{table hand <§f' fellowship to those
in need; resolve to do good when-
ever an opportunity jl)'t>"esents it-
self, and banish every feeling of
discontent, as- an obstacle in the
road to happirjess. If we do this
Ave shall surely accomplish' the de-
sired end, and fill op the measure
of our creation Avitis \m\or and
glory to God. X.

THE OR GA NIZA TIOK

We ^regret that Ave are not able'
to give in this issue, a report of
the organization effected on Sun-
day evening last. But on account
of having most of our matter in
type before that time we Avere com-
pelled to omit it; a full report,
however, Avill be given in our next.

CORRECTION.

Ol'k readers Avill remember see-
ing, in the report of R. Ballan-
tyne's lecture, the name of one
John IIarner,Avho donated a large
amount of money to fotAA'ard the
missionaries to their destination,
whose name should have been
given as John Horner.

//if

THE AMATEUR.

Ql'ESrIOS'S AX J) ANSWERS.

What is a Bishop?

'J'he most abused of niari'tinct.

What is his- instaUment to that?
office?

The signal for the accumulation'
of fat..

What is an editor?

One who is better qtlalified to
recommend than to imitate?

Who is the best orator?

He who can use' the most words,
and say the least.-

What is a judge?

A tool for lawyers.-

Wno are the poor?

Those who have the most money
and the least brains.

What is a medium?

A person who has communio?i
Avith the devil.

Who is the be.^^t lawyer?

The best wool-picker.

What is a man?

The judge of all other mci.

What is a woman?

The person to put that jU(ig-
ment into execution.

^^'hat y a fop?

A person with his hair parted ill
the middle, with a quarter of an
ounce of brains lodged in the
nethermost part of his cranium.

TIIJE CA USE.

f\\JR readers have been disap-
^ ' pointed, no ^-loilbt, at the
iion-appearance of the Amateur,
which should have been issued on
the ioth inst.. but on account of
A press of work at the "Junction"
office^was postponed one issue. It
is expected, fJowevef, that our
next will apipeaf at the proper
time.

There are guns made Which i\'i'll
pierce the sides of the heaviest
ivonclade>, and th? conclusion has
almost bce;i reached, that thsir
force is irresistible; but the eun-
clusion is premature,, they have
not been tried on the cheek of our
em-ment "financiers-."

OFTlC^IiS

Of' tUE V. M. >I. J. A., OF OGfjr.'N
ClTV, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor
Washington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
"R. P. Harris, Corresponding Sec.
Willard Faff, Treasurer.
William James, Librarian.

Jfy first is * tiling from a land fi'i'r a\(n.v.
My snodiir; by some is ol't iis«<I fnf "bay;"'
Mrthiril, yoiT will sue, much rusemlilps niyfir»t.
And niv fourth is a very irm"' thing for a tliirf-t.
Co, eearoh fur my fiftli in 1he(lf^i)th.s of ii '-ivhII';"
In mv sixth von will see "he" iloi« follow "hel."
Jitv seventh i'n S^otrh is a rollini; plrtythins
And my wholo is a vory detivitalilo being.

iriiiiiiirKiiiiiis'iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiDi

"JiT^- E1TCWLED32 IS ?07'Z2. 35-

llllillEIJIIMIIIMlmillltlllillllllil .

iiiiiiiiitniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitii

<" UinCiTIS ETKEN3TII. "£-

HIIIItlllllilllMlillllllllllllllllllll

Published by the Y. M. M. I. A., of Ogden City.

No. 12.

OGDEN, UTAH, MAYS, 1878.

Vol. 1-

THE AMATEUR.

>'«'ii"s Mutual Iniproveiimut Assuciatiou of'
Oftdfu City, LtiiU

SPECIAL MEETING.

Poetry,

FPiOST BOUND.

On, Kiiitli. poor Earth, loekeri fast nnd Ijouud
III chaius of ire aud flriffed suowi —
How sliidl (leliver»!ii;e be- found

For tliCf.? \Mi»t strong hanil shall uaclose
Thy fetters, Icttinj; loose tlie souuil
Of 'au^rliijig watei's; trom the jxrouiul
CaJliug tile violet an I the rose?

How pr-aoefnlly, how fiuietly

Thou waitest, uiidauntfii, midismayed !
Is there Sf)nie secret hid'len from nie^.—

The l-drd's good leisure, u afraid?

Oh, heart, poor hsart, whose frozen springs

>feli not !or ray of star or suu,
but lie in icy fi bled rings

I'iil.seless and voicless evcy one—
Whose hopes fioc for h on nipid w;iip:8
And vanish witli .sweet v.-tnishsf tliiuga

Eie yet the winter vas begun.

Learn thiis great patienf-e, and abids

Coura}:;eously tlie bitt*'r<iay:
Tr.i.«;t the K'ernal Love, nor chiile

Thouih still thy summer sh(ji;ld delay.
?'op» is dercri'ed but not denied;
And in Ibe deepest snowdrifts hide

'i'Jiie b.OiSC'mj of a coming ilay.

— from t't}nday Aftprnoon.

IN pursuance of a previou.s an-
nouncement, a special meeting
of the young j;eople of Ogden and
of Weber county was held in the
Ogden Tabernacle on Sunday
evening. April 21st, for the pur-
pose of organizing a Stake Central
Committee to preside over the
Youpg Men's Mutual Improve-
ment Associations throughout the
county.

After singing and prayer Bro.
Junius F. Wells, president of the
Territorial Central Committee,
arose, and, having stated the obr
ject'of the meeting, viz: the or-
ganization of the above-mentioned
board, he proceeded to show the
good effects produced among the
young men where these Associa-
tions had existed, and said that
he had heard many young men
testify that they had never had
any serious reflections On religious

'■?^

THE AMATEUR.

matters, nor had even read a chap-
tr r in any religious work until
they became members of these so-
cieties; the speaker referred to
Cache county, where a system of
intermissionary labor, such as this
board will institute here, has been
in vogue during the past winter,
and stated that from cwo hundred
to three hundred young men be-
longing to these Associations had
performed actual missionary labor
each month, and denominated it
as a kind of wholesale missionary
manufactory. He also gave an es-
timate of the number of Associa-
tions and members at present in
the Territory, which was as fol-
lows :

•Number of Associations, 170;
average membership, 50: Total
number of members, 8,500.

'J hUs we see that the work of
mutual improvement is one of no
small dimensions. The duties of
the Central Board, he said, would
be to reorganize, and \ ave a gen-
eral supervision over all the asso-
ciations in the county; and the
medium through which any in-
struction the Twelve might wish to
impart could be readdy conveyed
to each Society.

Orson Whitney and J. T.
Hardy each spoke a short time,
giving their early experience as
missionaries abroad.. and showing

the embarrassment attending an
inexperienced Elder in an effort to
preach, and urged the young men
to undergo that experience at
home.

Prest. J. F. Wells then present-
ed the following names as officers
of the Stake Central Board :

Joseph A. West, President; A.
C. Brown, L. A. Herrick, Coun-
selors; Washington Jenkins, Re.
cording Secretary; C. C. Rich-
ards, Corresponding Secretary;
Zcchariah Ballantyne, 1'reasurer;
all of whom were unanimously
accepted.

Mr. Wells then proceeded to
organize Associations in the dif-
ferent Wards of the city, as fol-
lows:

First Ward.— G.R.Hill, Presi-
dent; E. 'I'. Myers and C. C,
Brown, Counselors; C. J. Flowers,
Secretary; Moroni Poulter, Treas-
urer; John Volker, Librarian.

Seco>?d Ward. — John McQuar-
rie, President; James Douglas
and Wm. F. James, Counselors;
John G. Ellis, Secretary; Henry
J. Garner, Treasurer.

Third Ward. — Elijah N. Free-
man, President; L. M. Richards
and Joseph Farr, Counselors; W.
H.A^^est, Secretary; J. H. Wat-
kins, Treasurer.

FouRTFrWARD. — Vrillard Farr,
President; £. A. Stratford and

^^ 91

THE AMATEUR

A. D. Chambers, Counselors;
John P. Smith, Secretary; Asa
Farley, Treasurer.

Jos. A. West then addressed the
meeting a short time, expressing
his willingness to act in the posi-
tion to which he had been ap-
pointed, after which the meeting
was adjourned.

THE RELIABLE MAX.

r\Y all the qualities that combine
^ ' to form a good character
there is not one more important
than reliability. Most emphat-
ically is this true of the char-
acter of a good business man. The
world itself embraces both truth
and honesty, a'lid the reliable man
must necessarily be truthful and
honest. We see so much all
around us that exhibits the absence
of this crowning quality that we
are tempted to deny its very ex-
istence. But there are, neverthe-
less, reliable men, men to be trust-
ed, in whom you may re]:)ose con-
fidence; whose word is as good as
their bond, and whose promise in-
sures performance. If any one of
you know such a man, make him
your friend. You can only do so,
however, by assimilating his char-
acter.

jump at conclusions. Fie is not a
frivolous man. He is thoughtful.
He turns over a subject in his
mind and looks at it from all
points. He is not a partial or
one sided man. He invariably
tells the truth. He sees, through
a thing. He is apt to be a very
reticent r^-an. He does not have
to talk a great deal. He is a
moderate man, not only in habits
of body, but also of mind. He is
not a passionate man, if so by na-
ture he has overcome it by grace.
He is a sincere man, not a plotter
or schemer. What he says may
be relied upon. He is a trust-
worthy man. You feel safe with
your property or the administra-
tion of affairs in his hands. He
is a brave man. He is a good
man, for no one can be thorough-
ly honest and truthful without be-
ing good. Is such a quality at-
tainable.^ Most assuredly so. It
is not born, it is made. Character
may be formed oi course, then its
component parts may be moulded
to that formation. P.

OFFlVEliS

OF THE y. M. M. I. A., OF OGDEN

CITY, UTAH:

Joseph A. West, President.
David Kay, First Counselor.
Moroni Poulter, Second Counselor
'■\ ashington Jenkins, Rec. Sec'y.
R. P. Harris, Corresponding See.
The reliable man is a man of | WiUard Farr, Trer^surer.
good judgment. He does not | William James, Librarian.

fc>.-

''Sr n.?

THE AMATEUR.

^0^

•THE AMATEUR.

Editod and Pnbliflipd Bi-^Vppkly, l.y the Yoinis
Meu's Mut'iiU Improvemeut Associitiuii, ol
OL'den City, Utiib.

Zechariah Ballantvne, Editor.

WEDNESDAY, MAY Stli, 1S78.

TO PRESIDESrS OF MUTUAL lMPE&r£-
MEJT A.'iSOCIA'nOXS.

TTe will" be pleafetl (o send tlio Amatf.uk to all
rresirterts of MutiiiU Imiirovenieiit AsBociatioiis
who will foi-wai-d us their imnies and luldrossesaiia
ten cents postHgc. ^\> also invito them, ou»
nud hU, to favor u3 with au occasional corres-
pondeuce.

OUR LAST.

THE present number completes
the first volume of the Ama-
teur. And when we take into
consideration the circumstances
under which its publication wa:5
undertaken, we think it not too
much to congratulate ourselves
upon its gratifying success. Our
fi^st number was issued on the yth
of November, 1877, and at that
time it was expected that part of the
expenses would have to be paid
by contributions from the mem-
bers of the Association, but by the
aid of paeans obtained from parlor
entertainments, &c., from sub-
scribers and through the patron-
age of some of the business men of
Ogden, in advertising, we have
been able to meet all our obliga-

ons, and circulate the paper free
Dfcw

to members of the Association, to
advertisers and many Presidents
of Mutual Improvement Associa-
tions in this and surrounding
counties without making a single
call for donations from the mem-
bers. 1 his si:)eaks vvell for the
people of this city, and shows that
they take an interest in the ad-
vancement of the young; and they
will please accept our sincere
thanks for the able assistance they
have rendered us, and we hope
they have been amply, repaid
in noting the progress made by
the young people in the writing of
essays, and in observing the
gradual decrease in the do-
main of the word "cant,"
for we are confid'ent that it has
been a great benefit to those who
have contributed to its columns.
The paper has been edited and
published and the mechanical
work performed by members of
the Association.

This volun-^e having expired, the
Central Board are requested to
continue its publication. Accor-
dingly a meeting of the Board
and of the officers of the
four Associations of this city
was held, (those in the coun-
ty being consulted by letter)
and it was decided to make a
thorough canvass of the city, and
invite the Associations in the va-

THE AMATEUR.

9?>

rious settlements of the county to
do the same in their respective lo-
calities, to determine whether the
means would justify the end. We
are pleased to state that the meas-
ure has succeeded favorably,
and the youi.g people of the
county may look for a periodical
of at least double the size of the
present one, of a greatly im-
proved character and appearance
in re;^ular newspiper form,
and devoted to their moral and
intellectual advancement. The
first number will appear in two or
three weeks.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD

TMMEDL\TELY after the or-
i-ganiz-ition of the Central Board,
the members entered upon their
labors in real earnest and took in-
to consideration the measures best
calculated to promote an interest
among the young in these Asso-
ciations. Having decided upon
the proper course to be pursued,
appointments were made in a num-
ber of the surrounding settlements;
and on Sunday, April 2Sth, they
visited and organized the associa-
tions in Slateryille, Marriott's and
Lynne, and in the evening visited
the Mound Fort Association,
which was already organized
At all of these places they were

met with expressions of cor-
dial welcome, and both old and
young manifested a lively interest
in the work of mutual improve-
ment. On the Monday evening
following, a Mutual Improvement
Association was organized in the
Third Ward of this city. On
Tuesday evening an Association
was organized in the SecondWard,
and on Thursday night in the
Fourth Ward, the Association in
the First Ward having been pre-
viously organized. The names of
the officers of these Societies will
be found in the report of the meet-
ing held in the Tabernacle. On
Sunday last the board met with
and re-organized the Associations
in Harrisville and North Ogden;
and in each place the young men
manifested by their presence, their
appreciation of the privileges
placed within their reach.

riiiLosopnrc lecture.

THOS. H. HADLEY delivered
his lecture, entitled, "The
Forces of Nature," before the Y.
M. M. I, A. of Ogden City, May
ist, 1S78.

Upon entering the hall a sight
presented itself which brought
forcibly to mind a scene in an
apothecary shop: tubes of every

f/^

THE AMATEUR.

conceivable shape, and phials con-
taining acid enough to convert the
earth into a sea of glass. .Besides
these there were several galvanic
batteries, a pan of ice and a sort
of one-sided gallows which at first
seemed intended for the execution
of musquitos, but was afterwards
turned to a very different use.

At half-past seven the lecturer
entered. Order was at once re-
stored and services began by sing-
ing the hymn on page 325.
Prayer by Thos. Wallace. Sing-
ing, "Come all ye Son's of Zion."

The speaker then arose and said
that as philosophy is rather a dry
subject when spoken upon in a de-
tailed manner, he would there-
fore have to be brief.

He said the term "matter," in
philosophy, applied to everythirg
material, and that the atoms of
matter were so small that no mi-
croscope had yet been made suffi-
ciently powerful to detect them in
the most minute form. His first
experiment was with a glass tube,
partially filled with a liquid, form-
ing a right angle, one end' being
in a bottle, the other protruding
through a cork into a larger tube
filled with air; by heating the
larger, which causes the liquid to
descend, he illustrated the expan-
sion of air or other matter, which
is termed a "mode of motion."

lie next illustrated the laws of
gravitation, by using a glass tube,
in which the electricity had been
excited by frictions, holding it
near a small piece of chalk sus-
pended by a cord, the lattei in-
stantly approached the tube, and
again rebounded; he also placed
it near one end of a piece of wood
poised on a pivot, causing it to
revolve. This, he said, could be
done by folding a piece of brown
paper. Another experiment was
made which was somewhat jocular;
placing a quantity of albumen in
a phial and applying heat, it was
made to whiten and expand; dur-
ing the operation the utmost si-
lence prevailed, but after finishing
he explained that albumen was
nothing more than the white of an
egg, soliciting a burst of merri-
ment. Said that the sun's rays
contained seven difierent colors,
and made an experiment showing
the use of light in the art of pho-
tography. To produce a proper
light he used wire called metal
magnesium; when ignited this
wireproducesa very brilliant light,
and upon being extinguished left
the audience as in an eclipse of the
sun. Fired the first shot, in the
Anglo-Russian war trom a minia-
ture piece of ordnance set off by
the agency of electricity from the
battery, making such a concussion

^^=^S'=«?^

1^.

THE AMATEUR.

95^

as to extinguish the light at a dis-
tance of severjil feet.

He explained that cheniicaj
force is the property which causes
the different elements to combine,
to form the various substances.
To illustrate it, a chemically pre-
pared substance in the form of a
circular i)ieceof paper, called nap-
tha, Avas placed on the surface of
the ice and thoroughly saturated,
and by placing upon it a piece of
metal called sodium, a fire was
produced without the application
of heat. The same result was
produced on the surface of a glass
of water. The last was with a
pair of glasses called precipitating
glasses. -By placing in one a quan-
tity of muriatic acid, and in the
other water amnivonia, and
placing the mouths of the glasses
together they were instantly filled
with a cloud of smoke.

The speaker closed by quoting
from the Scriptures that, 'Tn all
and through all the God of NaUire
reigneth.'' After the remarks a
vote of thanks was tendered for
the able and explicit manner in
which the lecture had been deliv-
ered. The lecture occupied over
an hour, and, as will be readily
seen, we have only been able to
give a brief sketch.

'* comforters:

" 4 H! poor soul! it is just the

^ way my poor dear James

Augustus went off. I hope, my

dear Mrs. that your boy will

get over it, but I hardly think it
possible." Exactly; and it would
be a sad disappointment to your
•'sympathetic" soul if the poor
boy should "get over it, "wouldn't
it? How fortunate that "dear
James Augustus" so prematurely
shuffled off this mortal coil! How
very accommodating on the part
of ihe aforesaid young man to per-
mit himself to be thus nipped in
the bud! Were it not for his un-
timely "taking off," what chance
would you possibly have for "en-
couraging" tne already half de-
spondent invalid and his weary,
watching parents, by hinting that
the time was near at hand when he
would probably be face to face
with the "dear" defunct J. A.?

There is too much of this in-
fluence brought to bear in the
sick chamber. Individuals who
are suffering from one or more of
the ills flesh is heir to have
enough to bear without being in-
vaded by a class of people who
seem to gloat over the prospect
for an early and "intere?ti;!g"
funeral. If von have not a \vord

=^==^^=^-^

-w-a

H-^'i*^

THE AMATEUR.

of cheer for the invalid, keep
away from his or her abode. There
is enough trouble, anxiety, and
sorrow attendant in cases of ill-
ness without the services of pro-
fessional whiners and "funeral-
brokers.'' Is it not a sin to thus
work upon and depress the feel-
ings of the sick person, harrass and
afflict the mmJs of the watch-
keeping parents, who beheld on
yonder couch the emaciated form
of their beloved, and perhaps,
only child? For shame! Let
what you have to say be words of
cheer and comfort. Show to them
ih at you believe in life — eternal
life! Let them feel by the influ-
ence you carry, that while there is
life there is hope; and even should
the tyrant Death claim your friend
you may rest assured that your
Avords of comfort have not gone
for nothing. Mormonism, as it
is commonly termed, teaches us
cheerfulness; shows us more par-
ticularly how to /ii'e, not to die.
Be confident that he who can live
right, will never be at a loss when
his lease of this mundane existence
expires. 'J herefore it is our duty
to encourage the desire to live; we
iihould properly govern ourselves,
that our existence here may be a
source of joy and usefulness to
ourselves and those by whom we
are surrounded; and the man or

woman who seeks to discourage
an individual who is struggling
against disease and sickness, has
sadly mistaken his or her calling,
and should be excluded from the
presence of the afflicted, to make
room for those of a more cheerful
disposition.

Parents, if you have a son or
daughter sick — and the advice is
applicable to sons and daughters,
should their parents be afflicted —
admit none but ihose who are
cheerful and hopeful; let the in-
valid have all the joy and sun-
shine possible, but for pity sake
exclude the professional, or even
amateur whiner and snifHer.

G. Rex,

Truth and PALSEHOOD.-False-
hood flies swift as the wind, and
truth creeps behind her at a snail's
pace. But falsehood makes so
many twistings, that truth, keep-
ing steadily on, looking neither to
the right nor the left, overtakes
her before long.

Proverb. — If a word spoten in
its time is worth one piece of
money, silence in its time is worth
two. ■

Show. — Show may be easily
purchased ; but happinesp is always
a home-made article.— Home
Circle.

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