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INTRODUCTION.

INCE last convention I have held the office with which you have honored me for the sixteenth time. I will say I have occupied but a small part of it. The duties imposed upon me, and the demands upon my time, by the position of acting president of Graceland College, have been such as greatly to limit my opportunities to push the interest of the Religio. In fact, I am free to confess upon the outstart, that such interests have pushed me, and that only such things have been, in large part, attended to that could not be deferred or put upon some one else.

However, some things have been done, and of these this report will endeavor to speak.

FIELD WORKERS.

Agreeable to an action of the executive committees of the Religio and Sunday school, the superintendent of the Sunday school and the president of the Religio appointed a number of field workers for various districts and localities, it being thought by the executive committees that more field work would thus be accomplished, and the work be built up to a greater degree than by the method of the executives of the two organizations appointing field workers for special occasions. These district appointees were to labor in their respective districts, promoting the interests of the work at all times, encouraging institutes and conventions, always working by consent of, and in cooperation with the authorities of the district.

Some excellent reports have come from some of these field workers, and there is no doubt that the plan, if carefully followed up, will accomplish good.

Vice-president R. T. Cooper, was requested to have charge of the work in the West, and has evidently been active all the time. His report will particularize.

Bro. William Aylor, field worker for Texas, reports one local for that big State, and a number of home classes. This local is in San Antonio. There is a little gain all the time. Here is a vast field scarcely entered, which should be an inspiration to our young people desiring work.

H. A. Doty, for Western Michigan District, reports having occupied as he had had opportunity. He is a busy man, and can be counted on to do what he can.

Sr. D. H. Blair, for Independence Stake, reports having occupied as invited to do so, by the officers of the stake in institute work in the various locals in the stake; also worked in their conventions. Sister Blair was also appointed for Clinton District; but acceding to desires expressed by those in charge, Sr. Flo. McNichols conducted the auxiliary work in their reunion.

Sr. Eliza Chase and daughter Alice were appointed field workers for the Rocky Mountain Mission, but report labors only for Utah. These sisters have done a good work in reviving and reorganizing the locals. Their appointments were recognized by the Clergy Bureau according them clergy privileges in traveling.

Bro. Myron A. McConley reports as field worker for Hawaii, as having accomplished quite a commendable result in introducing and establishing the normal work. He makes some pertinent suggestions that we would do well to heed. The conditions he reports confirm us in the idea that there is no limit to the extent of the field before us as an auxiliary in the proclamation of the gospel in all the world. [We are compelled to condense Brother McConley's letter. -EDITORS.]

Elder McConley suggests that the Sunday School and Religio cooperate in establishing a mission among the Chinese and Japanese in Honolulu, having a building fitted up for that purpose, with some one in charge, open as a reading room at least part of the day, and where gospel services might be held every night. As it would be, in this place, nearly all young people that would attend, it would naturally be a Sunday school and Religio work.

In Doctrine and Covenants 125: 11 the church was commanded to print tracts in Chinese and Japanese which was done. But aside from this, he thinks but little missionary effort has been directed toward these people and there is still quite a number of tracts on hand. Have had a Chinese Sunday school of thirty-five or forty for several years; but they would have no place they could call home if they were baptized, as members are mostly Hawaiians and "the two peoples do not mix well." As there are as many as four hundred and fifty millions across the water to reach, we will do well to make an effort here, where our flag is in power, and among those who are citizens of our country, but nevertheless they are genuine orientals. "In fact, the people here are the key to the orient. Shall we use the key?"

He wishes to work in accord with those in charge of mission work. "And if we wish to offset the work of other churches we can not do it by making a half-hearted effort for they are spending

much time and money right in this city, and are reaching the young people."

Sr. Flo McNichols, field worker for Kansas, has been active and reports fairly good success attending her efforts. She thinks her field a hard one, needing much attention.

Bro. Anthony R. Hewitt, appointed for Chatham District, has been active. He says the people have not understood the duties of a field worker, and hence have not appreciated the efforts made. He thinks that with the experience of this year he could do much better than he has done, which suggests that the experiment of appointing field workers for missions and districts has shown sufficient reason for continuing the practice.

Elder J. B. Wildermuth, of Eastern Iowa District, reports three organizations of locals in his field and prospects for more; two of these the result of field workers' effort. This is an excellent showing. Brother Wildermuth is in favor of normal work, and we hope soon to number him among the graduates.

Elder Holmes J. Davison makes an encouraging report, but also calls attention to the fact that Northwest Canada is a big country, and one little field worker can not do justice to so large a territory. He did some work in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Two districts in his field send petitions for field workers for their respective districts next year. This brother makes some suggestions with reference to reporting in connection with field work that might be of advantage. We are glad to note this brother's activity and to receive his suggestions, and would say in this connection that the suggestions are welcome, and it would be agreeable to the executive officers at all times, if the brethren and sisters in their various fields of activity would note conditions and make suggestions as to means of improvement. No one has learned it all yet.

These field workers report having been well received and cordially treated, by the Saints, and encouraged by the church officials. Besides these field workers there are others whose work I do not mention, not that I would slight any, but because not reported to me, or if reported have been overlooked. The general officers of both societies have done what they could. Each of these officers will report his own labors, so that I will only mention my own in detail.

PRESIDENT'S FIELD WORK.

First, I will say that while I have realized that the extent of my work decreased this year, to my regret, I have been pleased to see that the work of others has increased, notably that of our general secretary.

In June I made a trip to Saint Joseph, Stewartsville, Cameron, and Far West, Missouri, addressing the Saints in all these places, meeting each of the three branches in Saint Joseph. On this trip I combined college interests with Sunday school and Religio. In July I attended the Saints' reunion at Chetek, Wisconsin, where we had a splendid time. I conducted institute work, normal work,

and assisted in all matters where I found opportunity. At the close of this reunion, I visited Porcupine Branch, Wisconsin, and spoke in interest of Religio work.

My next point was Montrose, Iowa, reunion, where I did what I could; holding special sessions of auxiliary work, and reorganizing the Montrose Sunday school.

In August, I with my family attended Lamoni stake reunion, and did what I had opportunity to do.

My duties in connection with Graceland made it necessary to cut my time in the field short, but I am glad to say that the pleasure and joy that comes to me in this kind of work was never greater, and I only regret that it has necessarily been so limited this year. The people as a rule welcome help, and show their appreciation in such a way as to encourage one in helping: One can not engage in teaching the young of the church without being impressed with the thought that there is great hope for the future of the church.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

On September 30, I went to Independence to meet with the executive committee and the lessons committee. At this meeting of the executive committee it was decided to make no effort in the line of asking for donations to the translation fund, inasmuch as there exists misunderstanding between the church and Religio touching the matter, and that we will seek to bring about an understanding at next conference. In this matter the executive comImittee have a recommendation to offer to the convention.

LESSONS COMMITTEE.

The lessons committee agreed upon a quarter's lessons upon the teachings of the Book of Mormon upon important topics, and after the completion of such course the committees were quite inclined to taking up the revelations of the church, and church history. The choosing of a future course was deferred and a recommendation from the committee will likely be presented to the convention.

SOCIAL PURITY COMMITTEES.

Pursuant to the action of last convention authorizing the president to appoint two committees in the interest of personal purity, after no little delay and correspondence, the following were appointed: Sr. B. C. Smith, of Independence, Missouri; Anna Reynolds, of California, and Jennie Studley, of Massachusetts, for the girls; and Brn. C. B. Woodstock, of Lamoni; C. E. Crumley, of California, and R. W. Farrell, of Massachusetts, for the boys. We expect to hear from these committees, and trust we shall be able to enter upon this important work in real earnest. One can not read the papers and magazines without being confirmed in the idea of the great necessity of attention being given to this matter.

OUR PUBLICATIONS.

Our publications have gone on practically as before, under the same editorship and being published at the same places. The Quarterly printed by the Ensign Publishing House, edited by Sr. Louise Palfrey Sheldon, and revised by F. M. Smith, Mrs. M. A. Etzenhouser, and A. H. Parsons; the Religio's Arena, a department in AUTUMN LEAVES, edited by E. A. Smith, with Estella Wight associate; this latter being our official organ. In connection with the Arena, I have undertaken to publish questions and answers, but time, or the want of it, compelled me to give it up. The Quarterly has continued to increase in circulation until now we have indeed a respectable list of 7,200 subscribers.

JUVENILE CHURCH HISTORY.

It will be remembered that at our last convention the matter of a history for the young was agitated, and that we offered to help in its production. The matter was subsequently taken up by the General Conference, and the church through the Board of Publication has the work under way. Sr. Vida E. Smith was appointed to write the history up to 1844, and she notified me the other day by telephone that she had completed her part. We are glad to note this and trust the work may be speedily pushed to completion.

NORMAL DEPARTMENT.

The continued growth of the normal department is a source of pleasure, and of profit to those engaged therein. Many new names appear among the students of the department and the number of graduates this year is a source of congratulation to our superintendent, Sr. Eunice Winn Smith. There are about eighty graduates and thirty post-graduates. But her successes have not been achieved without some hindrances and annoyances. The Book of Mormon Normal Book was all sold, and it was found that before a second edition could be issued, some corrections and revisions were necessary. This has delayed the reprinting of the book and hindered class work in this course in a great many instances. But we are hopeful that ere long it may be available. One of the annoyances has been the unfavorable attitude of some toward Hurlbut, one having gone so far as to assert in his protest that there are ninety-six errors on the first few pages, and urging that we should prepare and publish our own book to take the place of this book so full of errors. It has been a matter of wonderment that these errors have not been specifically pointed out and corrections indicated so that a list of errors and corrections could be published, and that such a good work of benevolence might not then be followed up by placing manuscripts for a new and correct book in the hands of the proper authorities for publication, and thus spare future students the experience of spending much valuable time in acquiring a volume of errors that must subsequently be rooted out and give place for truth. For those who are capable of finding so many errors are, doubtless, qualified to write such a book.