NOTES.

ENGLAND'S ASIATIC DOMINIONS and dependencies cover more than 2,500,000 square miles. She has 270,000,000 of souls under her rule, speaking some twenty languages. European military strength in Asia is 75,000, with 150,000 native auxiliaries, while her naval force is stronger than that of any other single power, [in Asia be it remembered], excepting Japan. She has 21,000 miles of railway and 47,000 miles of telegraph on land in Asia, and some 20,000 miles of submarine cable. She has invested in her territories, either in state loans or railways under the state, over £250,000,000, besides scores of millions sterling invested in private enterprise-agricultural, commercial, industrial-which cannot be exactly estimated. The foreign trade with these territories is more than £160,000,000 annually, of which one half is with England. The trade of other Asiatic countries with Europe is over £60,000,000 of which four-fifths is English, while an enormous coasting trade growing yearly with giant strides, is mainly in England's hands. The trade between Eastern Asia and the Australian Colonies, still in its infancy, is increasing, and has a great future before it.

*

EVERYONE CAN do something excellently well, and to find out what it is and to apply the energies to it is to attain the very highest possibilities.

THE FOLLOWING maxims from the Talmud may be a little antiquated, but it is well to think of them some times. "It is well to add a trade to your studies if you would remain free from sin. * The tradesman at his work is the equal of the most learned doctor."

*

*

*

We never

FLOWERS ARE a token of kindly remembrance. send flowers to those to whom we are indifferent, for they speak only the language of love and admiration.

IN THE United Kingdom and the United States the annual consumption of alcohol averages one gallon per head yearly.

IN LIGHTER MOOD.

A STORY is told of a certain politician, whose education was somewhat defective, and who was not a "born speller." He became prominent, and his correspondence therefore had a certain importance. One day a particular friend came to him and said, "Look here, William, you must have a secretary write your letters, and never undertake to write any yourself." "Why?" asked the public man. "Because people are laughing at your letters, and they will do you harm." "Why do they laugh at them?"-in astonishment. cause you make so many mistakes in spelling." "Mistakes in spelling?" exclaimed the great man. "Nonsense! I read my letters all over after I write them, and I never find a misspelled word!"

"Be

*

A LADY had in her employ an excellent girl who had one fault-her face was always dirty. Mrs. Blank tried to get her to wash her face without offending her, and at last re"Do you know, Bridget," she remarked, "it is said if you wash your face every day in hot, soapy water, it will make you beautiful?"

sorted to strategy.

"Will it now?" answered the wily Bridget; "sure it's a wonder ye never tried it yourself, ma'am!"

THE POET Burns was standing one day upon the quay at Greenock, when a wealthy merchant belonging to the town had the misfortune to fall into the harbor.

He was no swimmer, and his death would have been inevitable, had not a sailor, who was passing at the time, plunged in, and at the risk of his own life, rescued him from his dangerous situation. The Greenock man, upon recovering from his fright, put his hand into his pocket, and generously presented the sailor with a shilling. The crowd, which had by this time collected, loudly protested against the contemptible insignificance of the reward; but Burns, with a smile of ineffable scorn, entreated them to restrain their clamor; "for," said he, "the gentleman has surely the best idea of the value of his

own life."

OUR WORK.

THE GENERAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF YOUNG MEN'S AND YOUNG LADIES' MUTUAL IM

PROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS.

The Conference of Y. M. M I. A., which closed on May 31st, 1898, surpassed in many respects any conference of the Associations held in many years.

There was a greater number of stakes represented, twenty-seven of the thirty-seven answering to the roll call. The conjoint meetings in the Tabernacle on Sunday were deeply interesting and a spirit of peace and good feeling prevailed. Energy and enthusiasm characterized the business meetings on Monday and Tuesday. At the social gathering on Tuesday evening the most delightful spirit of freedom and enjoyment prevailed and all were delighted with the happy termination of the three days' meetings.

President Woodruff was present at the meetings on Sunday morning and afternoon and at the closing officers' meeting on Sunday afternoon. He was also present at the social on Tuesday evening, and remained until the close and pronounced the benediction.

Following is a summary of the most important business transacted at the business meetings:

The M. I. Fund was reduced from fifty cents to twenty-five cents; the whole amount to be forwarded to the General Treasurer. Two weeks were

set apart for the collection of the fund; the first week in December and the first week in February.

The fund was, by official act of the conference, designated the General Improvement Fund.

A new course of study was adopted for the season of 1898-9, viz: "The Apostolic Age. '

"

The ERA was reported as in a prosperous condition, and all the officers present pledged themselves to continue to support it and work for its success and increased circulation.

The report of the missionary committee was highly satisfactory and it was decided to continue the work next season.

Following is a synopsis of the minutes of the conference.

There were present President Wilford Woodruff and his assistants in the General Superintendency, ten of the aids, the secretary and treasurer and the music director; also President Lorenzo Snow, of the quorum of the twelve apostles, and Patriarch John Smith.

The tabernacle choir and congregation sang the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation, ye Saints of the Lord."

Prayer was offered by Elder B. H. Roberts.

The choir and congregation sang, "Redeemer of Israel. "

A roll of the stakes being called showed twenty-six stakes represented. President Joseph F. Smith addressed the conference. He said it was usual to hold the M. I. A. Conference on or near June 1st, the birthday of President Brigham Young. But this year the 1st of June fell upon Wednesday and could not be included in the conference without unduly prolonging it, and it had been decided to begin the conference today, because it was the nearest available Sunday to the usual date. The speaker called attention to the fact that this was a joint conference of Young Men's and Young Ladies' Associations and said we know that the cause of Mutual Improvement is as important on the female side of the house as on the male side. It is as important for the women of Zion to be conversant with the principles of the gospel and the government of the church as for the men; spoke upon the necessity of mothers understanding the gospel and enjoying the spirit thereof in order to properly train their children.

President Elmina S. Taylor, of the Young Ladies' Associations, addressed the conference. She spoke of the mighty work accomplished by the young people's associations since their organization. By the work of the associations very many had been preserved from the evils of the day and from apostacy through the influence of the gospel. Sister Taylor asked the parents to encourage their sons and daughters to attend their association meetings and assist them in their work.

A beautiful quartette was then sung by Brothers Jas. T. Dunbar, John James, Thos. Butler and Heber Sharp.

Elder Dennison E. Harris, superintendent of Y. M. M. I. A., in Juarez stake (Mexico) addressed the conference. He said he was greatly interested in the youth of Zion educationally. The gospel teaches us to love all men and do good to all men. He counselled the young people to qualify themselves for the great responsibilities resting upon them.

Sister Mary Morris, of St. George stake, reported the condition of the Young Ladies' Associations there as prosperous and asked the blessing of

God

upon

the work and the workers.

Elder Jos. E. Robinson, of the stake superintendency of Kanab stake, reported the associations there as in a very greatly improved condition.

young

Nearly all the young men in the stake were enrolled in the associations, the result largely of the labors of Apostles Francis M. Lyman and Abraham 0. Woodruff and President Jonathan G. Kimball. Many of the men this season have been converted and have obtained a testimony of the truth of the gospel. In visiting the sheep camps Brother Robinson said he had found many young men studying the Manual, and many by this study and by thus obtaining an understanding of the gospel had had their hearts turned unto righteousness.

Sister Meda Nelson, of Oneida stake, reported the associations there as

making good progress. The stake covered a great area, extending as far as and asked the blessing of God upon all engaged in it.

The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Now let us Rejoice in the Day of Salvation," and the conference adjourned until 2 p m.

Benediction by Sister Maria Y. Dougall.

AFTERNOON, 2 O'CLOCK.

The Tabernacle choir sang the hymn, "O God! Thou great, thou good,

thou wise,'

Prayer by Apostle Francis M. Lyman.

The choir and congregation sang "America,'' "My Country 'tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty."

General Secretary Thomas Hull, of the Young Men's Associations, read the statistical reports of the Y. L. and Y. M. M. I. A.

The following were unanimously sustained as the general officers of the Young Men's Associations: Wilford Woodruff, General Supt.; Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, B. H. Roberts, Assistants; Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Matthias F Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, J. G. Kimball, Junius F. Wells, Milton H. Hardy, Rodney C. Badger, Geo. H. Brimhall, Wm. S. Burton, Edw. H. Anderson, Douglas M. Todd, John E. Heppler, Edw. H. Snow, Nephi L. Morris, Richard W. Young, Horace G. Whitney, Willard Done, Aids; Thomas Hull, Secretary and Treasurer; Evan Stephens, Music Director.

Sister Lizzie Thomas Edward and Brother Thomas Ashworth sang the duet, "Love Divine."'

Elder Heber J. Grant addressed the conference. He was glad to be present. He was particularly pleased with the reports read and especially to note the increase in membership and average attendance. We desire that every young man and woman shall have burning within them the spirit of inspiration that shall lead them into all righteousness. We want them to become possessed of the spirit of patriotism for the Mutual Improvement work.

Out of about 1,600 missionaries now in the field 1,090 are members of Mutual Improvement Associations. In the 28,358 testimonies borne in the Young Ladies' Associations, according to the report just read to the conference, we see that the mothers of the coming generations are filled with the testimony of Jesus, and the children of these women will be born under the influence of that testimony. We desire that the fathers and mothers shall encourage their children to attend the associations and that at least occasionally they shall come themselves.

In accomplishing good for the associations we are accomplishing good for the church of Christ. That is the all-important thing Just as we are patriotic for the associations so shall we be patriotic for the church. As we love and revere our officers in the associations, just so should we revere and honor the officers of the church. He returned thanks to the officers and members of the associations for their good work for the ERA and to all for their support of it. We started the ERA with nothing and now have between 5000 and 6000 paid-up subscribers, and have paid all the expenses of issuing the first eight numbers and have sufficient cash on hand to fully pay for the entire volume. In addition we have made a donation of $1,600 to the missionaries by reducing the subscription price to them to $1 00; then President Joseph F. Smith and the speaker had sent a letter to brethren who had means, asking them to contribute towards a fund that would supply the missionaries with the ERA free. Liberal contributions had enabled us to send it to every missionary free, and some who had sent large contributions said they would send twice as much if it was needed. He expressed thanks to God for his blessings upon our labors, to the brethren who had labored as missionaries last season, and to those who had subscribed for the ERA and to the ERA missionary fund.

President Wilford Woodruff then addressed the conference.

He said he not only felt happy but very thankful to meet with so many in the conference of the mutual improvement associations. If the visions of heaven and the future were opened none would marvel why the call was made upon the young people to labor with their parents in this work The events over the heads of this people are important enough to inspire any people who have faith in God. Neither the world nor even the saints undertand the great things that lie before the children of men. A great responibility rests upon us to prepare the inhabitants of Zion for the great events