Provo, .
President Wilford Woodruff.
Dear Brother,
Since my last letter of the 3rd inst. to you the work in our church-
school-organization has been going on at an increasing ratio, and
consider it my duty to make a short summary report to you as
far as I have been able to obtain information. As until the times
of the issuing of Circular No. 2, my intercourse with the various
Academies was confined to [the] occasions when I was either instruc-
ted by you to write to certain parties, or my assistance was so-
licited by Stake Authorities or Teachers themselves, a systemat-
ic operation of all our existing schools, tending to a harmo-
nious blending of all our labors to a common end, could
not very well be attempted, without the appearance of of-
ficiousness on my part, which very suspicion would do
more harm than any possible good could have been
gained by premature overanxiety. But your Circular,
putting affairs at once into proper shape, enjoins simply
upon me the duty to inform myself to some extent in
regard to the spirit, condition, and results of every church-
school, and to labor with the end in view, that every school
of our organization feels itself as a constituent part of a
continued.
harmonious whole, is conducted in accordance with the
spirit of the Gospel, and by methods corresponding with those
that thus far have enjoyed the sanction of the General
Authorities of the Church, and the support of the Saints through-
out Zion. I submit, herewith a few points, intended to be
communicated to the various Principals for report, so that
I can make a summary report to you previous to next
April Conference.
Suggestive Points to the Academy Principals.
1. Give full name, Priesthood, Graduating, and Curriculum,
Age, and Salary of every teacher, whether regular or Specialist.
2. When was your Academy organized?
3. Give names of successive Principals, and ^names of^ teachers under
each.
4. Which department does your Academy consist of?
5. Make a general report about the condition of your
promises, furniture, and utensils.
6. What is the condition or prospect of your Laberatory,
Cabinet, Library, and Scientific apparatus?
7. Do you hold regular faculty meetings with
Minutes on record?
continued.
8. Do you keep your Register of Studies, Term Record,
and Annual Record?
9. Please to furnish me a copy of your Plan and
your Daily Programme.
10. What dates are your Public Examinations?
Please to instruct me in regard to these or other points
of a similar nature you should desire to have attended
to.
As the B.Y. Academy has now reached the number of
326 registered students and still more coming, and in
addition to this, Bro. N. L. Nelsen, one of my principal
teachers has been prevented from being at his post on ac-
count of dyphtheria in his family with no prospect of
speedy recovery, my labors have multiplied greatly upon
me, and prevent me, therefore, from visiting occasional-
ly one or the other of those Academies just now, al-
though quite a number of them are constantly asking
me to come.
Bro. Nephi Savage, at St. George seems to be getting on
nicely and reports enthusiastically about his labors.
Reinhard Maeser, in Beaver, at my advice has
continued
withdrawn, for the time being, his resignation. Although the
people feel to sustain him, he is much discouraged for
want of financial support, having to run the "Southern
Utonian" as proprieter and editor to make a living, as he
cannot get more than about 50% of his pay from the
Academy.
Bro. Josiah Hickman, found the Millard Stake Academy,
at Fillmore, almost dried up, so that he had to commence
with only 10 students the first day; but he is a very ener-
getic man, and expects to work up the institution soon
to a living status.
Bro. Isaac Hages at Richfield, is a general favorite
with the Authorities, people, and students, and his in-
fluence for good among the youth in that region is very
gratifying.
Bro. Alma Greenwood, at Ephraim, has opened
with an attendance of over 70, and reports himself
much pleased with the encouragement which he
receives from the Authorities and the people of
Sanpete Stake.
Bro. Simon Eggertsen, of Springville, has suc-
continued.
ceeded in stopping altogether the attendance of Mormon
children at ther Gentile-schools, and is doing a good
work in that place.
Bro. James E. Talmage, of Salt Lake, sent me at
last a short report this week about the S. L. Academy.
They are in an overcrowded condition, had to dismiss
the Preparatory Department in order to make room for
the larger students, and almost a hundred applicants
had to be refused admission. This case demands serious
consideration, and I should suggest, that the Bishops
of Salt Lake City take this matter in hand, and
organize at least four Preparatory Churchschools
in appropriate parts of the city, under our super-
vision.
A letter of the 22nd inst. from Bro. Ch. A. Walch, Morgan City
informs me, that they have organized there also a Stake Board
of Education, himself Secretary, and want a teacher to
commence school on the first Monday in December. Al-
though our Normal Dept. is now larger than it hever has
been, 63 registered, 53 in attendance, I could select none
of these students any more for such position, and
continued.
would have been obliged to make any selection, if not at
the last moment Bro. A. Nephi Tollestrup, a former Normal-
student, and just returned from a two-years' mission to
Europe; had not reported himself to me for a voluntary
finishing course in our Normal Sept. I laid the Mor-
gan case before him and he consented to serve there
this winter. I have written to Bro. Walch accordingly.
Bro. Jos. J. Anderson, at Brigham City, has just finished
a very successful term, as I see from the papers, but expect
to hear from him before long.
Bro. J. M. Tanner writes very encouraging from Lo-
gan and reports a larger attendance than the College
has ever had before.
Although Bishop McKinnon of Randolph, re-
quired of me to furnish them a teacher, and give them
some points for organisation, all of which I have done,
all of which I have reported already in my letter to
our Secretary Bro. Geo. Reynolds, under the 10 inst. and
also Bro. Olaf Larsen, the chosen teacher has written to them,
no answer has been received as yet, although it is time for
him to start from here
continued.
From Paris, Bear Lake Stake, OI have received no word
anymore in regard to what they are doing or intend
doing educationally. If they should feel sour toward
me for not sending them a more scientific teacher, they
must blame themselves for not being more explicit in
the beginnng, as I could have told them then, that I
had none to send.
Bro. Axel Nielson, assistant teacher, of Bro. Spori
Principal of Bannack Stake Academy, at Rexburg, writes
that they have had a very encouraging opening with fine
prospects before them.
I also received a communication from Bro.
Berthelsen, La Jara, Colorado, desiring information in regard
to a building for a churchschool, which I have answered
as well as I knew how at the 15th inst
Bro. Jos. G. Nelson, of Coalville, reports the inau-
guraton of the Summit Stake Academy, and speaks
in glowing terms of the energy and foresight of the Authori-
ties of that Stake in providing for the new Academy.
Thus I have endeavored to lay before you a
short summary report of our Academies, as for as
continued
I have been able to gather information. The idea that
more Academies might be attempted to be started
this winter, worries me, as I should have no more teachers
for them. The Preparatory Schools in Salt Lake, I spoke
of above, do not trouble me so much, for, if they ever be
organized, I think I can find teachers for that kind of work.
I am troubled in my mind abut this lengthy
communication to you, especially in these days of
tribulation, when all hell seems to have her forces
out to attack the Cause of God, but I hope, that
after the perusal of the letter, you will find few
moments time, to dictate a few instructions to me, in
side of which I may go ahead in the great work
of education of the youth of Zion.
May the God of Israel ever sustain you
and the Bretheren of the Twelve in your great respon-
sibilities is the constant prayer of
Your brother in the Gospel
Karl G. Maeser