Salt Lake City, . To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Dear Brethren and Sisters: For several years past, the Presiding Authorities of the Church, acting in conjunction with the General Board of Education, have operated toward the estab- lishment of a Church University, this institution to become the head of our Church School System, and to be equipped for the work of higher instruction. During the past two years, steps were taken toward founding and endowing such an institution as would meet the needs of the people of Utah, and particularly of the Latter-day Saints, as a denominational school of high grade; and on the 8th of September, 1893, a circular was issued announcing the opening of the Church University. The work of the institution was conducted during the academic year 1893–4, with abundant proofs of success; and all connected with the manage- ment of the Church University had reason to anticipate for the school a brilliant future. There was no intention on the part of the promoters of the Church University to arouse any unfair competition or rivalry between that school and the University of Utah; nevertheless, the existance of two institutions in the same city, with many courses in common, rendered the paralleling of work, and the consequent duplication of expenditure, absolutely unavoidable. Time has very plainly demonstrated the fact that Utah, while abundantly able under present conditions to maintain one well equipped institution for higher instruction, cannot adequately support many such, either in material sup- plies of means, or in students prepared for university courses of study. After due consideration of the presents conditions and future pro[s]pects of educational affairs in Utah, the presiding quorums of the Church have deemed it wise to bring the work of the Church University to a close, that greater energy, resulting from concentration of effort, may devoted to the development of our Territorial University. Toward the University of Utah our people may properly indulge a feeling of pride; the institution was established in the early days of Utah's history; it was incorporated, indeed, under the name of the University of Deseret within less than three years after the first settlement of this region. It has grown in spite of the numerous difficulties incident to pioneer existance, to its present fair proportions, and to the attainment of its forty-fifth year, with a steady and healthful progress which inspires strong confidence for its future. Utah has need of such an institution of learning; indeed there appears no reason why our University should not become the great inter-mountain center for the diffusion of knowledge in advanced and special- ized branches. We hope that the day is not far distant when the youth of