Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-11-22
THEGAZETTE FORT WORTH TEXAS THURSDAY NOVEMBER %

Z tor and n publlcist. He is president
4 Emory college, at Oxford, Ga, AM
last year declined the position Il
+ which he was elected) of bishop II
the Methodist Episcopal Church
I, South. His address (which we hav
just finished reading) Mt Mcl<inne,
dealt very largely with the relations
and attitude of the Church the uset
the term "Churchn in the brondes
sense toward the common school sys
tenn of the country. This is uAeubjec
that has, unfortunately, been too often
discussed Unexpectedly and will,
acrimony. In Texas, where the con
stitution specifically inhibits state aid
to any sectarian school, and where IL is
even forbidden in many localities to
read the Bible in public schools, there
has been great deal Of feeling aroused,
on the part of parents or guardians
who are Christians, on account of these
stringent regulations. 1t has been
ured that the state, in taking charge
of the children, is training them up as
| iniidels, or at least estranging them
from religious influences. 1t is to be
questioned If there is, in all the land,
a more loyal and devout Christian
than DIR. Haygood. But this eminent
man views the question of the com
mon schools in spirit of conservatism
and fnr-seeing intelligence that is mt
once instructive and refreshing. Said
he, at Mckinney:
The Church should not oppose common
schools supported by the state. For first,
the Church has m substitute for the state
system; second, the state system is the
American system, and II has come to stay.
We wll not change facts by theories: the
common school is here and the Church should
make the most of 1t. = In Germany In
fidelity did moi arise in the common schools,
but in the gymnasium and university.
And so, through lengthy and Iro-
foundly thoughtful discourse, the
speaker brought all his powers of argu- |
ment to demonstrate that the cause of /
religion has nothing to fear from the
common school system. There can be
no conflict, he contends, between re- |
ligion and rudimentary education. As
to higher education, he holds that
Christian influences may appropriate
ly come into play. Religious training
Is to be impaired mt home firstly
the fireside; Mt the Sabbath school
and atterward in colleges and univer-
stiles operated under religious auspices
and controlled Ivy religious influences.
But rs to the common schools, leave
hem as they are-entirely without
he domain of religion. DR.. HAY
goods views on this subject are not
new. They are The aggregation of hui
non experience in the general educa-
ion Of the masses. But coming from
man so eminent rs religionist they
AIRY with them Il significance and
orcc that cannot fail to attract atten-
ion and WELD a highly beneficial in
luencc. They are conservative, in
he highest degree. The public
chool system in Texas was removed
rom sectarian influences at the outset.
BY common consent it is now
nearly out of politics. When it is en-
irely emancipated from Ill political
considerations and influences it will be
lirly equipped for its mission ofusciu!-
less and enlightenment. Religionists, i
$ well as those who give little thought {
religion, will gradually come to re-
ognize the broad wisdom of the policy
nat does not assume to shape the !
hlld's religious education, but leaves l
to the parent. DIR. Haygood has ,
one the Church and the common 8
'hools equal service in thus endeay- =
ring TO allay whatever feeling still
lists on this subject.