WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
President Wilford Woodruff.
Dear Brother,
Herewith I submit respectfully the report of my labors in the
Second Circuit, the program of which had been previously ap-
proved of by you.
The Brigham Young Academy, Provo.
After having officially notified the Board of Trustees of this institution
of my intended visit to the Academy, I spent two days, Jan. 10 & 11,
in attending the various exercises of the institution, and met with
the faculty at the regular meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 7 P.M.
This Academy surpasses all other church schools not only in the
number of its students (over 900 registered up to date) and of
its regular teachers (23), but also in the complexity of its organiza-
tion and in the amount of labor performed there, in consequence
of all of which the influence of that Academy is recognized
throughout all the Stakes of Zion. Besides the regular de-
partments graded according to Gen. Circ. No. 7, pp. 19 to 21, there
are following special organizations: 1. A kindergarten Class
with about 30 little ones under 6 years of age, with a Normal
training Class for young ladies to prepare themselves for that
particular feature of education. 2. A polytechnic Class
for training in practical workmanship. There are over 40
students waiting to take part, as only about a dozen only are
at work just now, on account of lack of facilities. 3. A class
for military and physical drill, constituting a complete
military organization, fully uniformed and furnished from
Camp Douglas with complete stand of arms. 4.
A class in Physical Culture for young ladies with Normal
training in that branch of study. 5. A Classes in Ladies'
Work, pPlain Sewing, Fancy, and in all other branches
in that line, fully graded. 6. A class in the Fine Arts,
with Painting and Modeling. 7. A Music Department,
consisting of three grades, in Instrumental Music,
and in a "Choral Society" for Vocal Music. 8. The
Commercial College, with three teachers, and over 50
students. 9. The Normal Department with a four
years' course, counting nearly 250 Normal Students.
10. The M. I. Association Normal Course. 11. The
Sunday School Teachers Normal Course. In the face
of the immense amount of work which this Insti-
tution is performing for the benefit of the Youth
of Zion, it is greatly to be lamented that the Board
of Trustees of the Brigham Young Academy finds
itself drifting irresistibly towards Financial break-
ers, that threaten a catastrophe too serious in its results
as that such a possibility could be contemplated with
equanimity by any lover of our Youth.
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
2. 189_
Upon the representation of the undersigned, the Stake
Presidency of Utah Stake with the consent of the High Coun-
cil have organized and appointed a "Stake Board of Educa-
tion," to whom henceforth the "Board of Trustees of the B. Y. A."
will be held accountable. This new Board sustained the ac-
tion of the last Stake Conference, to suspend for the pres-
ent academic year the operation of the "Religion Classes" in
this Stake, in order to give the Sunday School Normal
Class a fair show to demonstrate its thorough going influence
for good. By appointment of Pres. Smoot I filled an appoint-
ment in connection with Bp. Booth of Springville, while
the Principal and teachers of the Academy filled similar
appointments in the other Wards of this Stake, in order
to educate the people ^up^ to an appreciation of our educational
aims.
Sanpete Stake.
In compliance with appointments made for me by Pres.
Caunte Petersen for the time I had placed myself at his
disposal, I started for Mt. Pleasant, Tuesday, January 17th,
to address a public meeting in the educational interest that
same evening, and to visit the Seminary the next day, and
meet with the Local Board. Bro. Geo. Christensen, the
Principal, is one of the ^our^ most conscientious and efficient
Intermediate teachers, and as such I recommend him to
the consideration of the General Board. This Seminary
is held in one of the former Ward School Houses, but con-
tains only one room, in consequence these students are
very much crowded, and even the engagement of an
Assistant Teacher, although much needed, becomes
inexpedient. The wise and energetic course of Bp. Lund,
the chairman of the Local Board, has made the
revival of this Seminary a possibility. It is questionable,
however, if the Seminary will be able to run the
full 40 weeks this year; but the Local Board
are determined to make all possible efforts for a
full academic year the next time. They could have
nearly 200 students willing to attend, if they could ac-
commodate them.
Sanpete Stake Academy, Ephraim. Wednesday, Jan. 18,
I left for Ephraim with the Afternoon train, to address a
public meeting in the evening on the usual topic, and
to attend the Stake Academy the whole of the following
day. Bro. Newton Noyes, Principal, with Bro. John Peterson,
Assistant, no lady–teacher. In the Intermediate Dept.
every seat was taken, but the Preparatory Dept. washad a
small number of students. This does not reflect, however,
in a derogatory manner upon the faithful labors of
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
3. 189_
Bro. J. Petersen, but it is only the result of the condition of af-
fairs, in as much as children of that grade prefer to avail
themselves of the free tuition in the District Schools.
The school is in a healthy condition, and the Principal with ^and^
his Assistant are much thought of by the Authorities and
the People on account of the influence which they exercise,
both intellectually and spiritually over their students.
Manti Seminary: Friday, January 20, I attended the L. D. S.
Seminary, at Manti, Bro. Andrew C. Nelson, Principal, and
Miss Flora Bean, Assistant. This Seminary occupies its own
building, tolerably commodious as far the Intermediate Dept.
is concerned, but the Preparatory Dept. is located up stairs, with
an outside entrance and a drafty, riggety, and inconvenient
staircase leading up to it, forcing teachers and students to
go to and fro in all kinds of weather, besides losing a
great deal of time, while with a little change in the
architecture and comparatively small expense, all
these evils could be obviated. The Principal is doing a
fine work. I had designed him for the Principalship
of the Stake Academy, at Ephraim, which should have
been his proper place, but he concluded to remain at
Manti in response to the solicitations and promises
of the Local Board. It appears, however, that this Board
is not able to meet the just expectations, financially, of
Bro. Nelson, who, therefore, in justice to his increasing
family, will have to seek for a better position the
next schoolyear. As his case is not the only one among
our churchschool teachers, but the number of similar
cases is bound to increase with every year, thus placing
us in the deplorable condition, to give young teachers
an opportunity to obtain practical experience in
our churchschools for a few years, or as long as they
are willing or able to look upon their engagement as
a mission, but then have to go into the District School
Service for better pay, and we start again with fresh
beginners, supplying the District Schools with efficient
teachers, and keeping in the rear with inexperienced
forces. I again recommend this matter to the earnest
consideration of the General Board.
Saturday, January 21, I returned to Ephraim, in order to
attend a meeting of the Stake Board of Education, at
10 A. M., A meeting of the Religion Class Instructors of
the Stake, at 2 P. M., and a meeting of the Church
School Teachers Convention of the Stake, at 7 P. M.
It gives me great pleasure to report that meeting of the
Religion Class Instructors, the only one which I have
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
4. 189_
had the privilege of attending thus far. As Sanpete Stake
of Zion has taken the lead in this great movement and is
maintaining its prestige in this respect as well as in
the number of its churchschools, I cannot speak in too
warm terms of the influence for good observable among
the young people of that Stake. The Normal Class in the
Stake Academy is attended by about a dozen students, who
are recognized at the Church Normal Training School, at
Provo as "Junior Normals" or "Normals of the First Year." From
that Normal Class quite a number of teachers have been
prepared for the district schools, and are giving general
satisfaction. Sunday, Jan. 22nd I addressed the Sunday School
in the forenoon, Public Meeting in the afternoon, and a
conjoined meeting of the M. I. Associations in the evening.
Gunnison Seminary: Monday, Jan. 23, I started for Gunnison,
to attend a pmeeting of the Local Board at 5 P. M. and a
public meeting at 7 P. M. In the interest of their Seminary.
The following day was spent in the most part at the Seminary,
which is held in the nicely fitted up upper room of the
Relief Society building. Bro. John T. Miller, Principal,
without any Assistant. Unfortunately, the exercises were
much interfered with by many visitors crowding in notwith-
standing my request of the previous evening, to leave me alone
with the school in the forenoon, so that I could get a
chance to see its every-day working. It is my custom every-
where to address the students during the last half hour
or so in the afternoon, at which occasion the mem-
bers of the Board and patrons of the school are welcome,
but not before. According to all appearance, Bro. Miller,
is a faithful worker and will grow to be a valuable
acquisition to our corps of teachers. They were 45
students of the 5th & 4th Reader grade registered.
Sevier Stake.
For this Stake I left Monday ^Tuesday,^ Jan. 24, with the afternoon train,
addressed that same evening a public meeting in Salina,
and on the following evening one at Glenwood,
where I was joined by Pres. Seegmiller. On Wednesday ^Thursday^, Jan. 26,
left for Richfield, where I visited the Stake Academy
for several hours, and met with the Academy Board.
At the latter meeting, It was concluded, to have the
labors of the Academy Board separated from the
Stake Board and steps to that effect were taken by
the Stake Presidency. The Stake Academy is presided
over by Bro. John Johnson, assisted by Sister Marinda
Halliday, both teachers of a high order. 150 students
registered, among whom 17 Normals of the Junior Grade.
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
5. 189_
There is a prospect that this Academy may succeed in securing
a permanent Principal with the beginning of next school-
year, "a consummation devoutly to be wished" not only here
but also in the other churchschools. By appointment of
Pres. Seegmiller, I filled appointments in the educational interest
at Monroe, Elsinore, Richfield, and Joseph, during the time
from Friday, Jan. 27 until Monday, Jan. 30, on which day
I left for Beaver, where I had a preliminary meeting with
the Stake Board on B Tuesday, Jan. 31. On Thursday, Febr 2nd,
met with the High Council of Beaver Stake, At which occasion
a "Stake Board of Education" was appointed, as the Academy
Board has incorporated under the laws of the territory, and
its members are under bonds.
Parowan Stake.
Friday, Febr. 3rd I left for Parowan, where I had to stay until
Tuesday, Febr 7 in the morning when I left for Cedar City. During
my stay at Parowan I met with the Local Board of the Sem-
inary, addressed the Sunday School on Sunday morning, an^a^
public meeting in the evening and one in the after-
noon. Monday, Febr. 6, attended the Parowan Seminary,
Bro. Jos. A. Sill, Principal, but no Assistant. Bro. Sill is an
energetic young man, very much desirous of improving
improving himself in his profession but being unfamil-
iar with our educational system, has had a great many
difficulties to content with at first, from which he
has extricated himself very creditably in a great measure.
There seem to be many evil influences bearing upon
the young people all through Parowan Stake, which
is to be accounted for to some extent by the dairy
business which takes the young people into the
mountains a great portion of the year, during
which time they seem to be left without guidance
or restraint. Our teachers have a hard time of it
in such neighborhoods.
Parowan Stake Academy, at Cedar. I left Parowan for
Cedar, Tuesday, Febr. 7, in the morning and addressed
a large congregation at the Tabernacle in the evening.
Next day, Febr. 8. attended the Stake Academy, Bro.
Homer McCarty, Principal, with Miss Mary Middleton,
Assistant. Bro. McCarty is a very efficient teacher, of a
College training, and a splendid disciplinarian. I had
some misgivings as to his spiritual standing as he
is the offspring of an apostate family, but have
been mostly agreeably disappointed. Bro. McCarty has
had the difficult problem to solve, to build up a
school that had been going down to the very verge of
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
6. 189_
dissolution and accomplished it to his credit. Some
minor details in method in order to harmonize his labors
more with those of our other church schools belong to our
mutual correspondence. There are about 120 students re-
gistered. After the close of the Academy exercises, a Board
meeting was held, at which it was concluded to organize
a Stake Board of Education, in order to avoid in future
that deplorable condition of "Local Jealousy" that in so many
instances already has obstructed the best interests of our
educational organization.
St. George Stake.
Thursday, Febr. 9, started for St. George, via Leeds, and arrived at
my destination Friday, the 10th at 4 P. M. After having
attended during Saturday a meeting of the High Council
of the Stake in the forenoon, and a funeral in the
afternoon, I spend the evening in consultation with
Pres. McArthur and Principal Nephi Savage about the
Stake Academy affairs. Sunday, Febr. 12th found me addressing
the Sundayschool in the morning, a public meeting in
the afternoon, a Wardmeeting in the evening, and by
special invitation a meeting of the District School
Teachers after the Wardmeeting. Monday, Febr. 12, was
in the Stake Academy, where Bro. Savage is assisted by
Bro. Charles H. Miles. It is a pity that such excellent
work has to be done under such unfavorable almost
unwholesome conditions. Bro. Savage deserves special
commendation for his devotion to our Church School
Organization and his Stake Academy in particular.
He has labored now five years in that position in
St. George under sometimes very discouraging cir-
cumstances. In appreciation of his devoted labors,
the members of the Board have secured him now
a desirable home upon their own personal security.
The following day a meeting of the Stake Board was
held, at which it became apparent, that there was no
need for the present for organizing a separate Stake
Board. During that day, I also visited the District
Schools, and paid my respects to Pres. McAllister and
the other bretheren at the Temple, spending several hours
with them with much profit to myself. In the evening
went with Pres. McArthur to Saint Clare and addressed
a large meeting there, returning to St. George the same
night. Wednesday, Febr. 15, went with Pres. McArthur
to Leeds, where we held a large meeting in the evening.
Thursday, Febr. 16, I parted with Pres. McArthur, starting
for Kanarah, where the same evening a large mee-
ting was held. The next day I started for Beaver, via
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
7. 189_
via Cedar and Parowan, and arrived at Beaver, Saturday,
Febr. 18, in the afternoon. Sunday, Febr. 19, as usual I had
to address the Sundayschool, and after that a meeting of the
Sundayschool teachers, in the afternoon a public meeting,
and in the evening a Conjoined meeting of the M. I. A.
Tuesday, Febr. 21. Started with Pres. O. White for Minersville,
where I addressed a public meeting in the evening in
the interest of the rising generation.
Panguitch and Millard Stakes.
As I have not visited either of these Stakes, althoug[h] belonging
to this circuit, it is my duty to state here the reasons for
this omission. After some fruitless endeavors to secure a Prin-
cipal for Panguitch Stake Academy, I succeeded in obtain-
ing a candidate for the position upon the recommenda-
tion of Prof. W. Done, endorsed by Dr. Talmage. The person,
however, did not suit Pres. Crosby and was dismissed
by him after 5 weeks labor. Thus was brought the acad.
year for that Academy to a sudden end. There is a L. D. S.
Seminary, at Escalante, of the same stake, in a flourishing
condition, and a petition from that Local Board, en-
dorsed by Pres. Crosby and behalf of the Stake Board is
herewith enclosed. The Principal of that Seminary, is a
Bro. Lewis J. Bushman, who seems to have obtained the
cordial support of the people at Escalante. In regard
to the Millard Stake Academy I have to report, that my
appointment for that school had been duly forwarded
to Pres. I. N. Hinckley, but receiving no answers, I happened
to inquire at Sevier from a citizen of that ^Millard^ County,
what the matter was with Fillmore. I was informed
that that Academy had broken up at Christmas,
and that Alma Greenwood, the Principal, had
got off the track in bad shape, and that the M. I.
Associations of the whole Stake had likewise gone
down. Thereupon I canceled my appointment for
Millard Stake in a letter to Pres. Hinckley, to which,
however, I have no answer either. As Alma Greenwood
has applied to me for his Certificate as a Church
School Teacher, I respectfully ask for instructions, what
to do in the matter.
I arrived at Nephi, Thursday, Febr. 23rd, with the noon train
from Milford, and attended the Stake Academy the
day following. Principal Justin Call is a rising young
teacher of splendid qualifications, willing to be taught,
and very earnest in his work. Being placed in a
position, entirely new to him, he has done remarkably
well for a beginner, and as he intends to take a
WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT.
KARL G. MAESER, D. L. D., GEN. SUPERINTENDENT.
GEO. REYNOLDS, SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
8. 189_
finishing course in the Normal College of the B. Y. A.
next academic year, we may be justified in counting on
him for valuable services in the future. Miss Mattie
Nelson, his very efficient lady–teacher, is unfortunately at this
time seriously ill, and her department, in charge of a
makeshift – substitute, is suffering accordingly. After
having met with the Stake Board of Education, I inten-
ded to leave for home, Saturday Nov. 25. but Pres. W. Paxman
insisted upon me staying at Nephi over Sunday. During
that day my time was filled up as always by addressing
the Sunday school in the forenoon, and the public
meeting in the afternoon, and a Wardmeeting in the
evening. Monday, Febr. 27, I spent the forenoon at
the Academy, assisting the Principal in introducing
the Monitarial System, myself acting for the time
being as Monitor.
I remain
With kind regards,
Your brother in the Gospel,
Karl G. Maeser Gen. Supt
Karl G. Maeser
March 7 [18]93.