Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1896-06-17
LETTER FROM PASTOR sxALE.
He Discusses the school Question and Expresses Some Very Pronounced
 Views on the Subject.

Views on the Subject
 VNcENSES, Ind, June 10 Edi- tor JoURNAL- MINER. l-I have read with interest report of the meet ing held at the court house on Fri daG, June 5th, to d.s-Iss what was regarded as an unjust and arbitrary action on the part of our school trustees. Having assumed from the first of my experience of Prescott the most sympathetic attitude toward its welfare, 1 watch with pain anything that strikes at the root of its well being, and with con siderable pleasure anything that promotes its prosperity and causes 1t to present a creditable and at tractive front to all beholders, es- peeially to those who contemplate settling in the west.
 Lest 1 should be misunderstood in any sentiments to which l would give utterance, let me say tat l hold in esteem the two, to whom the board has taken serious eXcep- tions, and 1 have nothing to say, ex- cept by way of praise, touching their competency as teachers. But now that this school question IS under discussion, its very vital aspect ought to be presented to the public. There is one such aspect which sp- pears not to have been hinted at, not even by Mir. Meany, who, in his speech, ought to have represented the claims of religion and have showed its bearing upon the educa- tioual question. The grand Ameri- can republic is built upon, and owes its greatness to, Christian prlncl- ples. This is essentially a Chris tian country. A voice here and there may deny 1t, but when this country speaks as nation, 1t gives the world to understand that 1t IS distinctively Christian.
 Prescott to-day is looking to rem edy the abuses of power vested in its school trustees, and 1t wants to see its principal and teachers em- bodying the finest educational and moral accomplishments. To secure this desirable condition, Prescott must have trustees who live in the fear of God, NOT sECTARIAN AND PAR rIsAN, but men whose actions prove them the worthieSt citizens, and that reveal their motives to be be yond reprosch. The sectarian and partisan spirit that has prevailed in the board meetings for years, has been most baneful in its effects, and not the least among the things prej- judicial to Prescott's best interests. But when our city's public men are dominated by the purely religious motive, than which there is none higher, there will be no outcry against any of its representatives.
 Further, that Professor Brouse's and Miss Bakers attitude to Pres colt has been altogether above crit icism cannot be honestly affirmed. The school law may not require its school teachers to concern them elves with {: Q veal oi Prescott be yond the work tat they do in the class room, but i2asmuch as the question of the framing of the young is among the greatest prob lens, If not the greatest, a city has got the right to expect tha. its rep Tssentativss identify themselves with the religious side of its children's life, since 1t owes to religion its best civilization. For either principal or teacher 10 live the life of a recluse as Professor BrOuse and Miss Baker have done, in the main, considered apart from their school duties, Is, to say the least, not by a long way, helpful 10 the future moral life of the children entrusted to their care nor does it argue well for the future chag1 1cter of the city. 4 day school teacher exercises the chief inf 4ence n moulding young life. A day school teacher, more han d .-- mister or ever a pareu, determines the future yAaTacteristics Of he chil- dren that come within the scope of their influence, and from the simple and obvious reason that he or she has more do do with them. It has been proven over and over again, 1 aat education alone, while it may work a society morality, will not voEk 8 religious morality, to wit, some of the biggest rascals on the 1 face of the earth are educated peo- pie, education has enabled them to l make rascality a fine art.
 It takes pure religion to make | charac CT, and all who identify | themselves with our educational es- | tSblishmsnts ought to show the l children, by their example, the i'm portanse and necessity of religion I to ideal life and character. TIE | TIME HAS SURELY COME WHEN THE PEO- | PTc WHO ENTER UPON PUBLIC SERVICE | C.GaT TO LIVE A LARGER AND MORE | BENEFICENT LIFE THAN THAT DEFINED BY l HEEE DUTY. As the school question | is public question, l will thank 1 you, Mir. Editor, 10 give publicity l 10 this letter.
 Yours Respectfully,
 JOSEPH SNArE