SUBJECTS OF PRESENT DAY INTEREST.
In the latter half of the course for the present year, subjects of present day interest are introduced to give variety to, and increase the interest in the lessons. It is suggested that these subjects be treated by having extemporaneous speaking upon the various topics in them. That is to say, let the subject be announced a week in advance for general consideration by all the members of the quorum. Then when assembled, the teacher conducting the exercise should call upon the members without previous notice or warning to speak on some subdivision or special topic associated with the subject matter of the lesson. The notes in these lessons comprise suggestions as to the construction of speeches or lectures, and these should be considered and enlarged upon, as the notes are only hints in the direction of helpfulness to the young and inexperienced members of the class. The purpose of introducing these subjects of present day interest is that the members of the quorums may be trained a little in applying the revealed principles of the Gospel to our present day problems, which to know how to do, and to do it well, is a matter of first rate importance.
Neither in these extemporaneous exercises nor in any other of the lessons should excuses or hesitancy be tolerated. No member should be allowed to refuse to make the effort to speak. Strict class discipline should be maintained all along the line. We are dealing with men, not children; and, moreover, with men who of their own volition and desire have accepted the office of Seventy, and are under the deepest moral obligation to bend every energy to qualify themselves for the high duties pertaining to their office, and therefore should be thoroughly in earnest in these class exercises, and in home study and preparation. No foolish pride that shrinks from revealing one's ignorance or lack of training or ability should stand in the way of taking an active part in class work. He who would make progress in knowledge and the training of mind faculties and polite and graceful deportment, must know that a humble attitude of mind that submits to correction and suggestion, are conditions precedent to that progress. We assemble in quorum capacity for this training. Our quorums are to become our workshops for the education of men, and each should manifest the willingness to try, and no matter how complete the failure or how often it is repeated there should be promptness and thoroughness and earnestness of effort and willingness to try again whenever a member is called upon to take part in class work.