The Closing of Church Schools

The Closing of Church Schools At a meeting of the General Church Board of Education, held February 20, a resolution was passed sustaining the decision of the First Presidency to con- tinue the policy of withdrawing from the field of secular education. Specifi- cally it was determined to withdraw at least two of our schools in Utah on or before the close of the next school year, June, 1930. The reason for these decisions is primarily the in- ability of the Church to continue the development of seminaries and the ade- quate support of the Church schools. The First Presidency explained that during several years past the Church had been spending more money than it received. This was possible only by drawing upon the reserves built up during President Smith's administra- tion; but these reserves were now prac- tically exhausted and the policy of spending more than was received could no longer be continued. If the entire membership of the Church paid an honest tithing, the action taken by the Board would not have been unneces- sary. At the meeting above mentioned no consideration was given to the subject as to 'which schools would be closed at the end of next year, this matter be- ing left over for future consideration. Before determining this question it was deemed wise to await the adjournment of the Utah legislature, which had under consideration a bill for the es- tablishment of junior colleges under public auspices. The policy that will be continued was begun a number of years ago when Church academies were turned over to the public school systems, and semi- naries were established at the high schools, affording opportunity for the young people of the Church to receive the training in the religious courses that had been given in the academies. The school last closed was the Brigham Young College, in June, 1926. The Board has now given public announce- ment of its policy of continuing to withdraw from the junior colleges. At present eighty-two public schools are being served by seminaries. This in- cludes the University af Idaho and the Utah Agricultural College. *• * « Elder Uriah T. Jones, formerly president of the Parowan stake, died on Feb. 13. Bro. Jones was born in Cedar City, Feb 11, 1861, and dur- ing his entire life was a devoted mem- ber of the Church. He served in vari- ous minor local capacities, and later in the bishopric of Cedar City, then as a member of the stake high council. On March 21, 1 892, he was set apart as president of the stake, which posi- tion he held until Sept. 19, 1909, when he was honorably released. * * » Pres. J. Nephi Henrie, second coun- selor to Pres. William J. Hendersen of the Panguitch stake, died March 2 after an operation for appendicitis. He was ill but a few days. Pres. Hen- rie was the son of James and Christian Schow Henrie, and was born in Pan- guitch, Feb. 24, 1881. After going through the grades, he attended the Branch Normal at Cedar City from which institution he graduated, and later attended the University of Utah. Bro. Henrie was a faithful Latter- day Saint, a useful and exemplary member of the community in which he lived. He leaves a wife and ten chil- dren.

532 IMPROVEMENT ERA April, 1929 Elder Charles B. Felt, one of the most useful Sunday School workers in the Church, died March 1, 1929, after a very brief illness. Brother Felt served for years as superintendent of Sunday Schools in the Salt Lake stake, and on June 30, 1908, was made a member of the general board of Sun- day Schools. In this capacity and in company with other board members he attended a convention in Payson on Feb. 24 and was taken ill during the drive home. Brother Felt was unusually rich in constructive ideas. To him as much as to any other man, and perhaps more, is due the credit of introducing sys- tematic courses of lessons into the Sun- day Schools. Brother Felt was born Jan 13, 1860. * + * Extensive preparations are under way for a suitable program for the Lesser Priesthood from the 1 2th to the 1 5th of May. This is to commemor- ate the one hundredth anniversary of the visit of the angel who restored this Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. A Suggested outline of proceedings is found in Priesthood Quorums department in this issue. The new $100,000 chapel, or tab- ernacle as some designate it, at Port- land, Oregon, was opened February 15. Presidents Anthony W. Ivins and Charles W. Nibley went from Salt Lake City to attend the conference and there met Pres. Rudger Clawson, who was traveling in the Northwestern States mission. Mr. Marshall N. Dana, associate editor of the Portland Journal, has this to say of the build- ing: "It is my thought that the spirit- ual materializes itself in the great house of God. This foundation is faith; these walls are prayer; this sheltering roof is hope, — protecting hope; its girders and cross beams are strength and unity; its floors are sacrifice and service. Its architectural beauty is love and joy of living." A more detailed account of the con- ference will appear under "Messages from the Missions" next month. Logan, Utah April Wind and Thunder and Light'ning and Rain Are met atop the world once again. With restless feet, they whirl and they shy, Eager to slide down clouds through the sky. Wind puffs his cheeks: Thunder rumbles and roars: Light'ning flashes: Rain laughs till he pours. A splitting crash that rends the sky wide, Announces the start of their hectic ride. Ripping the blue with sanguine gashes, Light'ning zig-zags, flames, as he lashes, The others follow in direful glee, Turning the sky into a booming sea. Wind and Thunder and Light'ning and Rain Are playing atop the world again. And down below is old Mother Earth, Wisely waiting the end of their mirth. Elsie Peterson