President Wilford Woodruff.
Dear Brother,
in compliance with a suggestion of President Joseph F.
Smith, that I should apply to the respective Stake Presi-
dents to send me the traveling expenses, if they desired ^me^ to
fill my appointments within their Stakes, as there was
no money in the treasury of the General Board of Edu-
cation, I have done so and have recieved from all
of them [al]ready answer in some instances with the ac-
companying cash, all the way from Idaho into Ari-
zona. In conformity, therefore, with my appro[v]ed pro-
gram I started on my circuit around the churchschools
of southern Utah, Saturday, October 21st to Nephi.
President Paxman, having to attend court at Provo that
same day, had left all necessary instructions with the
Stake Academy Principal, Justin Call, with whom I
spent the afternoon in examining the records of the
Academy and getting posted in regard to the educa-
tional conditions of that Stake. By special invitation
of Pres. Paxman I had the privilege of attending and
addressing the beautiful Prayercircle, at Nephi, on
Sunday morning, followed by a visit to the Sunday school
This is by far the best organized and conducted Sundayschool
which it has been my privilege ever to visit. At the mee-
ting of all the Instructors after the close of the school,
I explained, by request of Pres. Paxman, the harmony of
aim and methods existing between ^the^ Sundayschool
Work and the Religion Class Movement, on the
basis of the Circularletter on the subject, dated Sept. 12.
A discourse in the afternoon meeting, and a lecture
to the conjoined M. I. Association in the evening
concluded my labors for that day.
According to the suggestion of Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon, to
have our churchschools conducted on the pro rata plan
during the present academic year, Bro. Justin D. Call,
and his assistant, Miss Mattie Nelson, have assumed
all the financial responsibilities of the school, except
the fuel, and have met also in this regard with
unforeseen success. The Academy is paying its
way very satisfactorily, the attendance being large
and constantly increasing. In the Primary Depart-
ment, comprising pupils from the First to the
Fourth Grade, inclusive, all seats were taken. This
Academy is rapidly passing to the front among our
churchschools, and the prospect is, that the Stake
Board will be under the neccessity of enlarging
the premises, with the disappearance of the
financial stringency just now prevailing everywhere.
At the meeting of the Stake Board after schoolhours, the
establishment of Religion-Classes on the basis of the Cir-
cularletter, was decided upon, and Bro. J. D. Call appoin-
ted as Stake Superintendent. The Recordbook of this Stake
Board of Education shows are very punctual attendance
of all the members, regular meetings, and comprehension
of the importance of their mission. By previous ap-
pointment I attended and addressed with Pres. Paxman
a meeting at Mona, and the following evening at
Leban, in the interest of the rising generation and star-
ted for Milford, Wednesday, Oct. 25th arriving at Beaver
on the day following, where I had the privilege of ad-
dressing a large meeting in the Second Ward meeting-
house the same evening on the usual topics of my
mission.
Parowan Stake.
Friday, Oct. 27, I left for Paragoonah being met at Buckhorn
Springs by a conveyance from the former place, as I had
to address the people there in the evening by appointment
from Pres. Uriah T. Jones. The want of reverence,of oldfor age,
divine and sacred places, things, principles, and times,
and for the Priesthood, which has developed among
our youth almost into a general characteristic, impressed itself
upon my mind very forcibly by many observations in this
regard that evening, and taking as my text "The Fear of
the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom", [Proverbs 9:10] gave them some
object lessons on Reverence. This subject I have followed
up on many other occasions since then. Passing through
Parowan the following day, I arrived at Cedar
in the evening, attended Sunday School in the
morning of the Sunday, afternoon and eveningmee-
tings. The necessity of a Normaltraining for Sunday
School workers was very apparent in Cedar City.
An extenuating circumstances in regard to the back-
ward condition of their Sunday schools is the pe-
culiar occupation of the majority of the people in
that region of country viz: The dairy business is ta-
king young and old during a great portion of
the year into the mountains, thus braking up
day-, church-, and Sundayschools; the young
people returning late in the fall educationally
demoralised, and requiring much time to get
them back again into the spirit for studying any-
thing.
The Parowan Stake Academy
at Cedar City, is conducted by Bro. Holstein Warner,
a Graduate of the Brigham Young Academy, and
his assistant Miss Sarah Ann Higbee, volunteer teachers on
the pro rata plan. I am happy to report the Academy
in excellent condition both in regard to the required
records and the spiritual, intellectual, and dis-
ciplinary condition. The Board hopes, that Bro. Warner
may make his permanent home in Cedar. The atten-
dance in the Intermediate Department was quite low
as yet but a large increase was expected at the begin-
ning of the next term. Pres. U. T. Jones has thus far
carried a great part of the financial responsibilities
of the Board on his own shoulders, a circumstance
which I have not failed to remind the people of in
my public addresses there. At the meeting of the Stake
Board after schoolhours. I learned that a Bro. Williams
of Kannab, had been appointed Stake Superintendent
of Religion-Classes. I have since communicated with
the new appointee in regard to his duties. A social
meeting of the members of the Board, parents, and
students, in the evening gave me an opportunity of
explaining the necessity of domestic cooperation in
an educational system.
St. George Stake.
A Bro. John E. Miller, of Parowan, did volunteer for the
third time to take me all the way round between
Parowan and St. George. I deem it a duty of grateful
appreciation to make mention here of that brother's
manner in working out in part his salvation. We
left Cedar for Leeds, Tuesday, Oct. 31, and arrived at the
latter place toward evening. A meeting had been
appointed for me here, and was listened to by a
very attentive audience, although it appears from
several observations that neither Sunday school nor
M. I. Associations are in an exemplary condition,
and the spiritual energy of the people in that
place is in a low condition. There were three lamps
illuminating the poor apology for a schoolhouse
during that meeting. These lamps were brough't by
some people from their homes when they came to
meeting. Wednesday, November 1st in the afternoon
we arrived at St. George. After having attended
and addressed the Fastmeeting the next morning,
I paid my respects to President David Cannon
and to the rest of his colaborers in the Temple,
and attended by special invitation a meeting
of the district- school- teachers of St. George in
the evening. All of them are interested in the
Sundayschools and M. I. Associations, and
promised me to take an active part also
in the Religion - Classes. In meeting with the
St. George Stake Board of Education the following
day, the fact was made apparent, that it was not
advantageous to hold the Religion-Classes after
schoolhours, as the children are then too tired to take
much interest, and especially many boys have to go
home to do chores; neither could all the good be ac-
complished on Saturdays for the same reasons as re-
gards to the boys and many of the larger girls. It
was therefore, decided to apply to the School Trustee s
to close the district schools one hour at least sooner—
one day or two in the afternoon, for the purpose of
letting our children have the privilege of going to
their Religion-Classes. This plan has met with
much favor everywhere, that it has been adopted thus
far since, in St. George, Parowan, Beaver, Sevier, and
Sanpete Stakes. The Stake Academy at St. George has
had to suspend operation for this academic year,
and Bro. Nephi Savage, the former Principal, has ad-
opted a position as teacher in the Districtschools, but
has been appointed as Stake Superintendent of Religion-
Classes. The same evening I filled an appointment
in a meeting at Santa Clara. Saturday, Nov. 4, ad-
dressed a conjoined meeting of the M. I. Association of
St. George, visited the next morning the Sundayschools,
and addressed the meeting of the Sunday Schools.
at noon; and a public meeting in the Tabernacle
in the afternoon, after which we took our de-
parture from St. George, having been appointed
for on evening meeting at Washington. That mee-
ting there was crowded, and Karl Gottfried Maeser|I]] noticed with much
satisfaction the presence and close attention of the
younger portion of that community. Monday, Nov. 6
addressed a large meeting in the evening at Toquer-
ville. As there are several young people from this
and other places in St. George Stake attending the
Normal Course for Sunday School, and M. I. Asso-
ciation Work at the Brigham Young Academy, at
Provo, a vast improvement in these institutions
throughout the Stake is looked forward to after
the return of these Normals. I am sorry to state
however, that one of them, Bro. Jedediah Larson
of St. George, died at Provo last week, of pneumonia.
Tuesday, Nov. 7, we arrived in the afternoon at
Kannarah, and I addressed as per appointment
a large meeting there in the evening. It would
be ridiculous, if it were not too sad, to notice the
restraint ^under^ which the young men felt themselves
obliged to ^be^ in that place, to behave themselves at
least sufficiently during the meeting, in order not
to become absolutely offensive. "You see, Bro. [Maeser],"
so said the Bishop to me, "Stockraising is [capacitated to]
never to be seen in decent society."
Wednesday, Nov. 8, we returned to Parowan, where the same
evening a meeting of the Seminary Board was held, at which
the devotion of the members under the wise leadership
of Bp. Charles Adams, manifested itself very markedly.
The Seminary had opened five weeks before under the
Principalship of Bro. Frank Cutler, who has accepted the
position under the conditions of the usual pro rata
plan, and has gained already within that short time
the confidence of the community and of his pupils,
so that the attendance at his Seminary is daily increas-
ing. His records are in first class order, and his plans,
programs, methods, and general progress of his work
very satisfactory, so that he expects to have an assistant
before long. His Sstudents comprise the 6, 7, & 8th grades.
Much credit is due to the Seminary Board for fitting
up and furnishing the Seminaryrooms in such a
handsome and suitable manner. A reception to address
me by the Authorities and People of Parowan in the
evening, I completed only in my capacity as a representative
of the General Board of Education in whose names I thanked
and congratulated them for their appreciation of the aims
of that honorable body, and expressing the hope, that
At the meeting of the Stake Board after schoolhours, the
establishment of Religion-Classes on the basis of the Cir-
cularletter, was decided upon, and Bro. J. D. Call appoin-
ted as Stake Superindendent. The Recordbook of this Stake
Board of Education shows are very punctual attendance
of all the members, regular meetings, and comprehensian
of the importance of their mission. By previous ap-
pointment I attended and addressed with Pres. Paxman
a meeting at Mona, and the following evening at
Leban, in the interest of the rising generation and star-
ted for Milford, Wednesday, Oct. 25th arriving at Beaver
on the day following, where I had the privilege of ad-
dressing a large meeting in the Second Ward meeting-
house the same evening on the usual topics of my
mission.
Parowan Stake
Friday, Oct. 27, I left for Paragoonah being met at Buckhorn
Springs by a conveyance from the former place, as I had
to address the people there in the evening by appointment
from Pres. Uriah T. Jones. The want of reverences & old age,
divine and sacred places, things, principles, and times,
and for the Priesthood, which has developed among
our youth almost into a general characteristic, impressed itself
upon my mind very forcibly by many observations in this
regard that evening, and taking as my text "The Fear of
the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom", [Proverbs 9:10] gave them some
objectlessons on Reverence. This subject I have followed
up on many other occasions since then. Passing through
Parowan the following day, I arrived at Cedar
in the evening, attended Sunday School the
morning of the Sunday, afternoon and evening mee-
tings. The necessity of a Normaltraining for Sunday
School workers was very apparent in Cedar City.
An extenuating circumstances in regard to the back-
ward conditions of their Sunday Schools is the pe-
culiar occupation of the majority of the people in
that region of country viz: The dairy business is ta-
king young and old during a great partion of
the year into the mountains, this braking up
day [schools], church [schools], and Sunday schools; the young
people returning late in the fall educationally
demoralised and requiring much time to get
them back again into the spirit for studying any
thing.
The Parowan Stake Academy.
at Cedar City, is conducted by Bro. Holstein Warner
a Graduate of the Brigham Young Academy, and
his assistant Miss Sarah Ann Higbee, volunteer teachers on
the pro rata plan. I am happy to report the Academy
in excellent condition both in regard to the required
records and the spiritual, intellectual, and dis-
ciplinary condition. The Board hopes that Bro. Warner
may make his permanent home in Cedar. The atten-
dance in the Intermediate Department was quite low
as yet but a large increase was expected at the begin-
ning of the most term. Pres. U. T. Jones has thus far
carried a great part of the financial responsibilities
of the Board on his own shoulders, a circumstance
which I have not failed to remind the people of in
my public addresses there. At the meeting of the Stake
Board after school hours I learned that a Bro. Williams
of Kannab, had been appointed Stake Superintendent
of Religion-Classes. I have since communicated with
the now appointee in regard to his duties. A social
meeting of the members of the Board, parents, and
students, in the evening gave me an opportunity of
explaining the necessity of domestic cooperation in
our educational system.
St. George Stake.
A Bro. John E. Miller, of Parowan, did volunteer for the
third time to take me all the way round between
Parowan and St. George. I deem it a duty of grateful
appreciation to make mention here of that brother's
manner in working out in part his salvation. We
left Cedar for Leeds Tuesday, Oct. 31, and arrived at the
latter place toward evening. A meeting had been
appointed for me here, and was listened to by a
very attentive audience, although it appears from
several observations that neither Sunday school nor
M. I. Associations are in an examplary condition,
and the spiritual energy of the people in that
place is in a low condition. There were three lamps
illuminating the poor apology for a schoolhouse
during that meeting. These lamps were brought by
some people from their homes when they came to
meeting. Wednesday, November 1st in the afternoon
we arrived at St. George. After having attended
and addressed the Fastmeeting the next morning,
I paid my respects to President David Cannon
and to the rest of his colaborers in the Temple,
and attended by special invitation a meeting
of the district-school-teachers of St. George in
the evening. All of them are interested in the
Sunday schools and M. I. Associations, and
promised me to take an active part also
in the Religion-Classes. In meeting with the
St. George Stake Board of Education the following
day, the fact was made apparent, that it was not
advantageous to hold the Religion-Classes after
schoolhours, as the children are then too tired to take
much interest, and especially many boys have to go
home to do chores; neither could all the good be ac-
complished on Saturdays for the same reasons as re-
gards to the boys and many of the larger girls. It
was, therefore, decided to apply to the School Trustee's
to close the district schools one hour at least sooner—
one day or two in the afternoon, for the purpose of
letting our children have the privilege of going to
their Religion-Classes. This plan has madeet with
much favor everywhere, that it has been adopted thus
far since, in St. George, Parowan, Beaver, Sevier, and
Sanpete Stakes. The Stake Academy at St. George has
had to suspend operation for this academic year,
and Bro. Nephi Savage, the former Principal, has ac-
cepted a position as teacher in the District schools, but
has been appointed as Stake Superintendent of Religion-
Classes. The same evening I filled an appointment
in a meeting a Santa Clara. Saturday, Nov. 4, ad-
dressed a conjoined meeting of the M. I. Association of
St. George, visited the next morning the Sundayschools,
and addressed the meeting of the Sundayschool teachers
at noon; and a public meeting in the Tabernacle
in the afternoon, after which we took our de-
parture from St. George, having been appointed
for an evening meeting at Washington that mee-
ting there was crowded and I noticed with much
satisfaction the presence and close attention of the
younger portion of that community. Monday, Nov. 6,
addressed a large meeting in the evening at Toquer-
ville As there are several young people from this
and other places in St. George Stake attending. The
Normal Course for Sunday School and M. I. Asso-
ciation Work at the Brigham Young Academy, at
Provo, A vast improvement in these institutions
thoughout the Stake is looked forward to after
the return of these Normals. I am sorry to state
however, that one of them, Bro. Jedediah Larson
of St. George, died at Provo last week, of pneumonia.
Tuesday, Nov. 7 we arrived in the afternoon at
Kannarah, and I addressed as per appointment,
a large meeting there in the evening. It would
be ridiculous if it were not too sad, to notice the
restraint ^under^ which the young men felt themselves
obliged to ^be^ in that place, to behave themselves at
least sufficiently during the meeting, in order not
to become absolutely offensive. "You see, Bro. Maeser,"
so said the Bishop to me," Stockraising is capacitated to
never to be seen in decent society."
Wednesday, Nov. 8, we returned to Parowan, where the same
evening a meeting of the Seminary Board was held, at which
the devotion of the members under the wise leadership
of Bp. Charles Adams, manifested itself very markedly.
The Seminary had opened five weeks before under the
Principalship of Bro. Frank Cutler, who has accepted the
position under the conditions of the usual pro rata
plan, and has gained already within that short time
the confidence of the community and of his pupils,
so that the attendance at his Seminary is daily increas-
ing. His records are in first class order, and his plans,
programs, methods, and general progress of his work
very satisfactory, so that he expects to have an assistant
before long His students comprise the 6, 7, & 8th grades.
Much credit is due to the Seminary Board for fitting
up and furnishing the Seminary rooms in such a
handsome and suitable manner. A reception to endorse
me by the Authorities and People of Parowan in the
evening, I accepted only in my capacity as a representative
of the General Board of Education in whose name I thanked
and congratulated them for their appreciation of the aims
of that honorable body, and expressing the hope that
a turn in the financial affairs of our people would
enable the General Authorities of the Church to ren-
der such assistance to our struggling churchschools, as
they so much desired to be able to. Being met at
Bughorn Springs by Bro. Shepherd, of Beaver, I ar-
rived at the latter place, Friday, Nov. 10.
Beaver Stake
The Stake Academy building at Beaver is now under
roof and is presenting an imposing appearance from
the outside. It consists of two stories, containing an
entrance with room for a flight of stairs and a
small office, two classrooms down stairs, and a
large assemblyroom upstairs with a landing outside.
Bro. Shepherd has charge of the building work and
expects to get it all finished before spring.
Saturday, Nov. 11, I attended a meeting of the Primaries
conjoined, and a meeting of the Religion-Classes.
Reinhard Maeser, being Stake Superintendent of the
latter. There was a meeting of the Stake and of
the Local Board of Education held at the
Tithingoffice that evening, at which the earnestness
of the members in their endeavor to make their
church school system a success was demonstrated
beyond a doubt. Sunday, Nov. 12. visited in com-
pany with Pres. White and my son Reinhard, the
Sundayschool Superintendent, the three Sunday-
schools of Beaver, and addressed a Sunday School
Teachers meeting at noon on the subject of the "Guide"
and the Sunday School Normal Course, at Provo, as this
Stake has as yet no representative at the Normal Course.
Addresses in the afternoon meeting and ^at^ the conjoined
M. I. Associations in the evening, concluded my labors
in Beaver Stake, and I started the following morning
via Cove Creek to
Sevier Stake.
Arrived at Joseph City in the evening of Monday, Nov. 13,
and addressed there a large meeting on the usual topics,
leaving the next morning for Monroe, where a meeting
was held at 1 P. M. The district schools adjourned for the
session and filed into the meetinghouse under the leader-
ship of their respective teachers, one of whom a gentile
lady, and occupying reserved seats. The Methodminister
came on the stand after the meeting and thanked me
in behalf of himself and the children for my instruc-
tions on "Reverence." That same evening I addressed
a crowded meeting at Elsinore. It is very gratifying
to me to notice in all the places mentioned in
this report, that former students of the Brigham
Young Academy, are honoring their former training
and taking an active part in the spiritual work
of their respective communities. There are a few
exceptions and they'r in every instance, are avoiding
to meet me. During all my labors in Sevier Stake
I had the privilege of enjoying the company of Bro.
Clark, counselor to Pres. Seegmiller in whose absence
the former took me around the Stake. We
arrived at Richfield, Wednesday, Nov. 15. in the
forenoon, the remainder of which I spent in the
Stake Academy. Bro. Allen R. Cutler, Principal,
and Mrs. Merinda Halliday, Assistant. They la[bor]
like all the rest of churchschool teachers as volunteers
under the pro rata plan, and are keeping a most
excellent school. Records, organisation, work, pro-
gress, and spirit, are everything that can be
desired, and are duly appreciated by the Au-
thorities and the people. Here as in all other
schools which I am visiting, I addressed the
pupils, and visitors, during the last hour before
closing in the afternoon on some essential edu-
cational points. By special request I delivered a
public lecture in the evening and turns of as ^after having^ met
with the Stake Board in the Tithing office after
school on the subject of Religion-Classes. Bro. Allen
R. Cutler was appointed Stake Superintendent.
My labors in Sevier Stake concluded with meetings
at Glenwood, Vermillion, Redmond, and Salina,
during Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16 & 17, having also visited
by special invitation of the Trustees the new district school
houses at Richfield and Salina, both of which are
a credit to these communities, with the exception of the
bad financiering of the Richfield Board in this mat-
ter.
Gunnison Seminary
Bp. Madsen, of Gunnison, having met me at Salina in
the evening of Friday, Nov. 17, took me to Gunnison the
next morning. But before arriving at Gunnison proper,
I had to meet unexpectedly the Sundayschool children
with their teacher at the "Gunnison Field" at 11 A. M.
and address them, after which we were received at
2:30 P.M. at Gunnison by the students of the Seminary
with their teachers, which also necessitated an address
to them at the Seminary, which meeting was attended
by many parents. There had also been announced
a lecture for the evening which duty I performed
also to the best of my ability, but I confessed after that
I was somewhat tired for once. Sunday was spent
in visiting and addressing the Sunday school, likewise a
meeting in the afternoon, and a meeting of the Sunday
schoolteachers in the evening on the subject of the "Guide."
Monday, Nov. 20, attended the Seminary at Gunnison.
Bro. Albert Tollestrup, Principal, under the usual regulations.
He has all grades from the 1st to the 8th grade. The school
is well conducted, records in good shape, and spirit ex-
cellent. It was the beginning of a new term, and they
concluded at the Boardmeeting in the afternoon to
engage at once an assistant teacher.
The following day I left for Ephraim. On my arrival, Pres.
Peterson requested me to prolong my stay until Satur-
day, Nov. 25, as that would be the only day at which
all the Religion-Instructors of the Stake could meet
and this I consented to do, and my time until
then was filled out with visiting the Stake Academy,
Principal and Teachers of last year continuing, mee-
ting with the Stake Board, giving a lecture to the
conjoined meeting of the M. I. Associations, re-
ceiving a reception one evening similar to the
one at Parowan, and finally meeting with the
Religion-Class Instructors of the Stake, Sunday school
Instructors, M. I. Associations Officers included. There
was a large meeting that Saturday, at 10 A. M.
The Religion-Classes of Sanpete Stake have thus
far taken the lead in this matter throughout Zion.
This closed my circuit lasting just 5 weeks to a
day.
Respectfully,
Karl G. Maeser