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Show NEW Iq Educations THREE FAMOUS CHURCH SCHOOLS. INSTITUTIONS. YEARS, gpfyere. THE TWO STATE acorn may not compare favorably with the fully developed cornstalk, but it bears within itself the elements of a greatness PECULIARITY of the things of that will stand out when generations of God is that they have a small cornstalks have passed away. On April 4, 1876, President Brigham Thus were the bebeginning. ginnings of the Jaredite and Nephite dis Young instructed the undersigned to go pensations upon this continent; the dis- to Provo and organize an academy, pensation of the fullness of times was ush- according to a plan set forth in a to a board ered in in the same way in the backwoods deed of conveyance Our Church Schools. Dr. Karl of the State of New York; even the great plan of human redemption had its beginning in a manger at Bethlehem. What wonder, then, when the educational sysWork derives the tem of the Latter-da- y consideration of its importance not from the magnitude of its beginnings, but from the characteristics that foreshadow with prophetic assurance its future destiny! The little sprout of the G. M vlsER trustees. The principles, doctrines and standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daSaints were to constitute the foundation of the curriculum. The Brigham Young Academy, thus established, has grown since then in spite of many obstacles to a potent factor m the educational affairs of the Latter-daSaints, and, like a banyan tree, has stretched its ramifications into many of 41 1893. communities and among all classes of our people. On April 10, 1888, the undersigned received a letter from President Wilford Woodruff, the main purport of which is expressed in the following extracts: At a meeting of the Council of the Apostles it was decided to appoint a board of education for the Church of Saints. The Jesus Christ of Latter-dapurpose in organizing this board is to take into consideration the subject of the education of our children in all our settlements throughout Utah and neighboring territories and states, where we have regularly organized stakes and wards, and as fast as practicable organize schools, academies and colleges in which the principles of our religion shall be taught as a part of the curriculum. We feel now that the time has come when active steps should be taken to accomplish this object, and to place within the reach of every child of Latter day Saint parentage the means of education in schools where religion is taught as a part of the studies. In accordance with this letter of President Woodruff, the Council of the Apostles appointed a general board of educaThis tion consisting of nine members. general board inaugurated its labors by issuing a circular to the presidents of Stakes, under date of June 8, 18SS, the latter to., organize a Stake board of education in their respective Stakes, under whose auspices academies and other church schools might be organized. This circular was followed by others in regard to details of the work, and the newly inaugurated educationa system developed soon into proportions which could not have been anticipated in so short a time. A board of examiners to ascertain the qualifications of teachers was added to the mechanism of the organization, so that the efficiency of our schools and their teachers could be placed upon a solid basis ot gradual development. It became apparent that our Church schools were in entire harmony with the Mutual Improvement Associations, Sunday Schools and Primaries, laboring with them toward the attainment of a common end, viz: the raising of the youth of Zion to an intellectual, practical, moral and spiritual standard that will enable them to meet the emergencies of a glorious future The general board of education enjoined upon the general superintendent and all other Church school authorities, the greatest care in the selection of teachers, so that none liable to exercise an influence antagonistic to the divine latter-dawork should ever labor there. Various circumstances have made it impossible thus far to establish the system of free tuition in our Church schools, y y |