The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-06-04
THE CHURCHSCHOOLS
The Second Annual Convention
Held Yesterday.
THE ADVANCEMENT MADE so FAR.
Speeches by President Woodruff Prof. Mae
ser and Apostle Anton Lund
Other Exercises.

the Social hall yesterday, President Wood
ruff presided
After the usual opening preliminaries,
President Woodruff stated the object of the
meeting, which was the advancement of
the church school system. He spoke of
the many many difficulties in the way of
This advancement, and the assistance which
will accompany the laborers in this branch
of the work of Zion. He blessed the labors
being performed, and expressed his gratifi-
cation at what had been accomplished in
the past.
General Superintendent K. G. Maser
followed. expressing his realization of the
Importance of this gathering The speaker
proceeded with the relation of his observe
tons in the schools of Zion, and the sense
he felt of the responsibility and blessings
of those who have taken an interest in this
movement. What has been done in the
past is the work of God, who, by His
Spirit has enabled the labor to be per-
formed acceptably.
The circulars issued to the various boards
by the general board, and especially Circu-
lar No. 5, point out the path that is to be
pursued, and the requirements of that cir
cular will not be complied with for some
years to come. But God has accepted our
simple means and efforts and has multi
piled them in the minds of our students to
an astonishing degree. This is the result
OF the influence OF Gods spirit, and to Him
must thanks and glory be given. This is
said for our mutual understanding, and
this expresses the whole sense of the
church school work.
The speaker laid several points before
the convention. 1t has been decided that
Tow No. Nf Lob
under an annual license, and after that
time he may pass an examination and OBJ
tain regular certificate. This matter was
explained at some length, the necessity
being referred to of becoming better ac-
quainted with one another.
In regard to the spirit of the gospel, 1T
is not fully sufficient that the teacher
should have the certificate of standing in
the church and a knowledge of theology,
but he must have living spirit and testi
mony which he can impart to others. Princi-
pals, in some instances, have not been
fully appreciated and understood as to the
extent of their labors Their work should ex-
tend beyond the classroom, and their mis-
sion is to that stake in which they are
called to labor, their work being to impress
upon the minds of the inhabitants thereof
the necessity of fostering our church
school education. Their influence should
be felt in the Sunday schools, Y. M. M. l.
ETC., so as to extend the power of this edu-
cation, that others may be induced to be
identified with it. All teachers should be
exemplary in the performance of all duties
and labors in the church, carrying an in
huence in the community in which they
live, and should be above all gossip.
Another important point is in connection
with text books, discipline, ETC., which
have in some cases been established some
what arbitrarily. The general board, al
the last convention, appointed committees
on these various subjects, and their labors
will be resumed to day. Text books should
not be changed without the consent of the
general board, but suggestions as to the ad
visibility of such changes will be in order
Special examinations for church schoo
teachers will be held at Logan, Salt Lake
city, Provo, Gunnison and Cedar City
either of which places can be chosen by
any Of the teachers.
If teachers are wanted for any institu
ton, requests should be sent to the genera
superintendent by July Is, and the suit
ability of teachers to the various school!
will be considered.
Some Of the committees were requested
to remain after the meeting, and those VIII,
intended building should furnish plans o
the building to be erected.
Primary schools have been though
necessary to some places, where AGA
u6IlSS. SlC.. CdullOG very wei
be organized.
Principals of church schools are requeste,
to furnish notes concerning the institu
lions to the editors Of local papers, wher
the latter exist.
In some instances teachers are not yer,
careful in keeping records of work, as re
quired in circular No. 4, and care should b
exercised in this regard. Twenty min
schools are now in existence, and ten NOR
will open very soon.
Those who have not completed thei
course in certain branches may be pei
mitted to attend school at some institution
and this will cause scarcity of teachers.
DR.. Maeser closed by asking the bless
ings Of God on the work.
President Woodruff asked that those VIII
are called upon to teach the youth woul
make the effort to keep up in the variou
branches, and at the same time bear test
mony before the congregations to the werl
being accomplished in these schools. II
stated that in only one Stake the presiden
did not desire the principal of his school {
speak in public and use his influence in tn
interest Of his school. This position is en-
tirely wrong.
Our young teachers should use an influ
ence to bless the youth in all things. Thi
is broad field of labor, and those VIII
work in it should have full encouragement,
Apostle A. H. Lund, of the genera
board, looked upon this movement as c
great Importance. 1t is a mission tiel
which has been somewhat neglected. an
the duty rests upon the workers in thi
cause to see that the children are taught i
these schools, as well as in Sunday school
and elsewhere. Our children need a RI
ligious education, and the movement t
ward establishing primary schools is CON
mendable. We are only debarred from
general establishment of such schools by
lack of means.
The future before cur young people
glorious, and it depends upon their prope
education for its success.
Roll call followed, attendance bein
shown from large majority of the stake
Secretary Reynolds read the names of til
members of the various committees ar
pointed at the last convention. He ais
spoke of the census of the church schools
required by the census commissioner. an
the blank sent for the purpose of collectin
this information was read, so far as Ii r
lates to our church school institution
which is there classed as a parochial sy
TEN. The blanks were then distribute
TO the authorities Of those schools whie
were represented, and they were requisite
to I'LL and return them to Secretary Re
noldS.
The committees were reconstructed [
the appointment of members to take Il
places of these appointed last year wi
were not in attendance in this conventio
Instructor Richard Haag read an origin
poem, composed for the occasion, and Or
sented to the general board of education.
The committee were requested to rema
after the close of the convention and q
point a time for meeting.