--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Daniel Harrington collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 33 number: 11 published: 1930-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Daniel Harrington, “A Chapter in the History of Utah Schools,” *Improvement Era* 33, no. 11 (September 1930): 763–765." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3311unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera3311unse start_page: 763 end_page: 765 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1930-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3311unse publication_year: 1930 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1930, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Chapter in the History of Utah Schools A Chapter in the History of Utah Schools By JUDGE DANIEL HARRINGTON ABOUT seventeen years ago, or during the last year of the administration of the late A. C. Nelson, as state super- intendent of schools, there gath- ered in the old "Science Hall," at American Fork, a group of edu- cators, prominent church men, as well as a number of other earnest citizens, both male and female, to take part in dedicating, or naming, the new $20,000 Central School building, in honor of a worthy citizen and legislator, who had sponsored the law of 1867, giving each school district of the terri- tory the right to support its schools, either by taxation, or by tuition. Prominent in this gathering, were Dr. J. T. Kingsbury, presi- dent of the University of Utah, A. C. Nelson, state superintendent of schools, Dr. J. M. Tanner, L. D. S. commissioner of education, the school board of American Fork, local educators, J. B. Forbes and E. A. Henroid, Presidents S. L. Chipman and J. H. Clark, of the Alpine stake presidency, mem- bers of the family of the late L. E. Harrington and others. A T this meeting the people of American Fork were warmly praised and congratulated on the historical fact that they had voted and established, under the said law •of 1867, the first public free school in Utah, if not in the Rocky Mountain country. Chairman George Cunningham, of the local school board, in re- ferring to the object of the meet- ing, stated that the board had de- cided to call the new building the Harrington School, in honor of the late Honorable Leonard E, Harrington, who, as chairman of the judiciary committee of the leg- islative council of the session of 1867, had promoted the law, and on his . return to American Fork and in the fall of that year ad- vised and fostered the election which launched and established the free schools of that town. Within about a year of this election, the city built two new school houses, one in the eastern, the other in the western part of the city, and a third, "Science Hall," was main- tained in the center. In those days, it is recalled, the friends of the new system praised it as a success, as out of a then popula- tion of about 1600 inhabitants, 400, one-fourth of the popula- tion, were "enrolled in the schools." DEFERRING to the merits of free schools at this gathering, the writer of this article after thanking, in behalf of the family, the board and citizens for the honor shown them in naming the school after their father, expressed the thought that he doubted whether or not our free institu- tions could endure without the leveling and co-ordinating effects of free schools, as they tended to equalize the opportunities of every boy and girl. Even with free schools, it was plain there was much disparity on account of the intrusions of wealth, pseudo-aris- tocracy, etc., hence it behooves all to stand as adamant for this com- mon boon. While from the above back- ground, coupled with the fact that I taught for over four years in the public schools and acted as county superintendent for two terms, and while the sacredness of free schools has always been and still is almost a passion with me, I do not share the apprehension expressed by some, that the estab- lishing of Biblical and Christian seminaries in this, and some other states, near the high schools, thus giving students of all persuasions Christian cultural training, tends to lessen or undermine the useful- ness of the schools. On the con- trary, they are almost, if not quite, corollaries to the schools, as they tend to inculcate moral rectitude, strength of character and Christian ideals. Besides, as our United States supreme court has held that this is a Christian nation, is it not well, even incumbent, that we foster this principle as being in keeping with good public policy? A GAIN, Orville Dewey, in one of the finest apostrophes to Liberty ever written, answers this in the affirmative, where he says: "And when a people leaves the leading-strings of prescriptive au- thority and enters upon the ground of freedom, that ground must be fenced with law; it must be tilled with wisdom; it must be hallowed with prayer. The tribunal of jus- tice, the free school, the Holy Church must be built there, to entrench, to defend and to keep the sacred heritage." Is not that an ennobling trinity — the tribunal of justice, the free school, the Holy Church. Daniel Webster, too, adds this fine warning: "But, if we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us, that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity. Should that catastrophe hap- pen, let it have no history! Let the horrible narrative never be written!" In view of these sentiments, and in the light of the experience of all, is it not manifest that the teaching of moral and Christian virtues add to the perpetuity and strength of our institutions, rather than to their weakness? 'T'AMPER not with conscience ; it is the soul's compass. Re- fleet that the little sins that seem today like the soft balls of fur, named lion's cubs, fit for playthings, will tomorrow be wild beasts crouching at thy door." —Hillis. PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS All Melchizedeh Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Council of the Twelve; and all Aaronic Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. The Priesthood Begins to Function in Washington, D.C. THE first year of priesthood ac- tivity in the Washington Branch of the Eastern States Mis- sion illustrates how useful organ- ized quorums may be in the mission field. Washington was chosen for or- ganization of the second Priesthood quorum in a mission branch. First hon- ors in this respect went to Chicago. If the Priesthood is as successful everywhere as it was during the first winter in the National Capital, or- ganized quorums will no doubt spring up in many mission fields. Elder Frank Po- cqck, of the Eastern States Mission, visited Washington in October, 1929, for the purpose of initiating Priesthood work. At a meeting on October 6 an Elders' Quorum was organized with Reed Walker, president; Merlo J. Pusey, first counselor; J. Herbert May, second counselor, and Arlo B. Seegmiller, secretary. Selection of these brethren for the work was confirmed by those present, and they were set apart fol- lowing the meeting. The new quorum began to func- tion without the aid of any precedent for organized Priesthood work in the mission field. Even the duties to be undertaken by the quorum were some- what vague, and those called upon to lead in the work were relatively in- experienced. But there was a hu- mility of spirit and a determination to do whatever was called for. It was decided that the quorum would take full responsibility for conducting the sacramental services at every meet- ing; that it would take charge of ad- ministering to the sick whenever need arose; that it would undertake a program of block teaching, and do special missionary work. The evening meeting on the first Sunday of each month was set aside Presidency and Secretary of Elders' Quorum, Washington Branch Eastern States Mission Top, Reed Walker, president; left, Merlo J. Pusey, first counselor; right, J. Herbert May, second counselor; bot- tom, A. B Seegmiller, secretary. for Priesthood work. Such meetings assembled under the auspices of the M. I. A., and the Priesthood took charge after the opening exercises. Sep- arate classes in genealogy were pro- vided for the women in attendance. The feasibility of block teaching in a city the size of Washington was much discussed. Washington has a flourishing branch of the Church that is constatntly replenished by a stream of young men and women from Utah who come here to go to school, but the members of the Church are so scattered as to make block teaching very difficult. One other difficulty was the fact that nearly every mem- ber of the branch is working and going to school or doing double duty in some other manner, and few have much time to devote to Church- work. Elder Howard S. Bennion, who is in. charge of Priesthood work for the mis- sion, persuaded the quorum that regular monthly teaching could be done, how- ever, and an earnest attempt was made.. Elder May was given direct responsibility for this work. The city was divided into> districts with a "cap- tain" in charge of each. The captains were requested to choose teachers from their own; districts, so far as possible, and to seek out every Latter-day Saint family. The first visits were made in De- cember. A branch census was takem and the foundation laid for the win- ter's work. As a result of these first visits the quorum was able to give the branch clerk the names of cweniv persons who desired their recommends; sent to Washington. Religious progress during the last 100 years was chosen as the theme of the winter's work, in keeping with the Church centennial. Messages to guide the teachers in their visits were prepared each month. To further assist the growing army of teachers, the monthly meetings were devoted to topics of special interest to them. Each month a new subject was treated by some outstanding member of the- branch, and then the teachers went out to extend the message in the homes of the Saints. In this way a series of developments in religion and spiritual life was brought to the attention of members of the branch during the winter, and they were asked to con- template the progress which the: The Improvement Era for September, 1930 765 Church has made since it was founded. This teaching experiment succeeded better than was expected. Elders Reed Vetterli, Riley A. Gwynn, Wilford A. Payne, W. N. Johannessen, Vernon. N. Norr, Ernest A. Wyss and Wallace McBride were chosen to captain the districts. Later there was added to this group Elders Samuel Carpenter, Owen Reichmann and M. S. Bennion, During the month of January the brethren made 76 visits and 16 calls where families were not at home. In February the total number of visits rose to 151. The following months fell somewhat short of that mark, but an average of well over 100 visits was made. One of the first projects completed by the new quorum was the collec- tion of a fund for two missionaries in the field from this branch. A com- mittee appointed to supervise this work turned over $250.25 to the officers of the quorum, to be sent to the elders as a Christmas present. Elder Wallace McBride was chairman of the com- mittee. A standing committee was chosen to visit the sick and perform administra- tions wherever necessary or desirable. The committee was selected from ex- perienced and spiritual men, and in- cluded the following: President E. B. Brossard, Theodore Bohn, Samuel R. Carpenter, George D. Casto, Melvin Freebairn, Riley A. Gwynn, Wallace M. Hales, G. A. Iverson, Harold A. Lafount, Wallace McBride, D. Law- rence McKay and Owen Reichmann. These brethren made many visits dur- ing the winter, and through the help of the Lord, brought comfort and relief to Saints in distress. The special missionary work is not yet definitely under way. But some missionaries have been sent to Wash- ington from mission headquarters, and the elders quorum is endeavoring to assist them in a program of cottage meetings. Regular monthly meetings were held all winter with a special meeting to conclude the year's work on June 8. The first meeting, entirely under the auspices of the new quorum, was held Sunday evening, April 6, in com- memoration of the founding of the Church. An excellent program was carried out, with music by members of the quorum, a reading by Brothur Frank Murdock, of the branch pres- idency, and an inspiring address by Congressman Don B. Colton. Throughout the year an effort was made to interest young men of the Church in Priesthood work, and to advance worthy members to more re- sponsible positions. At the meeting in May five promotions in the Priest- hood were effected, most of the breth- ren being ordained to the office of elder. Attendance at the quorum meetings showed an average for the season of 49 members of the Priest- hood, and final figures showed that the block teachers made 553 visits for the five months that the quorum was active. The branch presidency reports a considerable increase in the attend- ance at sacrament and other meetings since the quorum was organized. ♦>~ —)l<' Follow-up Work, the Secret of Success By ALFONS FINCH Aaronic Priesthood Supervis or, 26th Ward, Pioneer Stake Motto: A place for every person, no person without a place, and no person out of his place is the perfection of organization. THE basis for the training of the Aaronic Priesthood is formed by the weekly assignment of duties, such as assisting in the Sacrament, visiting quorum members, ward teaching and many others. It requires knowledge, skill and experience to deal out such assignments properly. There is a great field for the watchfulness of the in- structor to see that assignments are not given to the first man that meets the eye of the quorum officer in charge but to all members alike and to the greatest possible number of them. That must include members who for any reason are not present at quorum meeting, and these should be notified of their assignment by special mes- senger. The assignment of duties constitutes a major part of the quorum meeting and is to be completed by checking up in the following meeting. Between the assignment and the final check-up, however, lies the real task of supervisor and quorum officers. The check-up merely gives the facts of assignments filled or not filled. It is easy to go the way of least resistance, to accept an assignment readily without any real intention of fulfilling the obligation. Even the willing and faithful boy at times finds himself in a position where something very attractive crowds out the memory of an accepted assignment, and at the next meting he has to report "not filled." To condemn the boy for that would be wrong and unfair to him. His failure to "fill" does not neces- sarily constitute bad intention, but might be the result of a combination of unfortunate circumstances. The very fact that we sometimes call the Aaronic Priesthood the Divine Train- ing Course for the duties coming with the Higher Priesthood indicates that we cannot expect the boys to be per- fect. Some have tried to brand failure to live up to an assignment as down- right dishonesty. It is not so. The training of the Lesser Priesthood should include a living emphasis of loyalty to any accepted cause, super- visors to lead out with the officers to follow and the membership to fall in line. The filling of an assignment sometimes calls for the sacrifice of a show or party or at any rate some- thing more pleasant to the boy than the duty involved, and for some it is a long, painful way to the point where one is loyal at any cost. He who is without fault may cast the first stone! The thing which really counts and makes for better records, for work well done and for worthwhile training is the follow-up work of supervisors and officers. It is in that part of the work that the supervisor really shows that he has his calling at heart. This work requires all his tact, skill, pa- tience and a lot of extra time and efforts behind the scene, for which he might never get any credit and praise. It is that part of the work also, which makes the supervisor's job big and interesting, in which .he gains lasting friendship, saves souls and en- sures the future of the work of the Lord. The follow-up work can be divided into three different phases. One is to help the boy in his preparation for the fulfillment of an assignment. For example: The boy has been as- signed to give a short talk; the super- visor can help him to secure the nec- essary material, invite him to, his own home or go to the boy's home to formulate his talk. That assignment will be successful in many ways: it teaches the boy how to go about such things, it gives him confidence in him- self, it creates love for his friend, the supervisor, both become pals; the boy will thereafter more readily follow where the supervisor leads. These are only some of the possibilities resulting from the execution of that particular assignment. Another phase of the follow-up (Continued on page 778)