The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-09-04
EDUCATIONAL.
Opening of the Schools Again at Hand
Every Child of School Age Should
Attend if Possible-A Matter of Vital
Importance to Parents and Guard

Importance to Parents and Guard.
ians.
To the Friends and Patrons OF the Hen
dcrson Graded Schools:
As the opening Of the schools is at
hand, it is an opportune time to make
some recapitulation Of the work Of
last year, and prepare to make for
ward movement for the incoming
year.
The census of last year for the
Graded School district showed that
there are 1892 white children between
the ages of 6 and II. OF this numbe
5G7, or 80 per cent, were enrolled in
the schools. The average attendance
was $50, Ga per cent. Of the enroll
ment, or 80 per cent. of the white
children in the township. Some of
the remaining As per cent. were away
in college and other schools, some
have completed work in school,
others have at some time attended
school sufficient to secure an cle-
mentary preparation, and so will not
come under the head of illiterate.
/
large mum Der of children who do not
attend school at all. A very serious
question is how to get them into the
schools. This is purely business
matter and must be treated in bust
ness way, The people Of North Caro-
lima have dallied with education in a
sentimental way while other States
have made a rigid business matter OF
educating the people and have become
great and strong in intellectual and
| financial resources. Some of our
people claim that they are too poor to
educate their children. Rather we
are too poor not to educate. Besides
when shall we grow stronger if we
| neglect the only source of superior
ity and strength? | appeal to the
people Of Henderson Township to
rally 10 this good cause and help me
gather the children into the schools.
Pre- iudiccs must be overcome, the in
different must be stimulated, the
| children must be saved from the
thraldom which awaits the ignorant.
| The life Of the Great Teacher was
spent in carrying light and life tC
| those who sat in intellectual and
moral darkness. As Christians we
| have mission to perform and we
shall be called into account for oul
stewards hip.
For three years we have beer
striving to reach the people and muct
good has been accomplished; but oul
| work is not done. Children with i'm
mortal souls are growing up in ignor
ance and will be the unhappy victim
of vice and crime. Why sit in th'
church pews anil look pious and stn'
missionaries to far away China to en-
tighten those benighted people, while
with passive Indifference we fail il
our duties to those little ones aroun,
us beclouded by ignorance ant
neglect?
The schools are managed by strict
" business men who have 20 pur
poses to serve save the welfare of TIL
children and the good OF the com
Eunitv. Without compensation the
have devoted time and thought to tn
management and efficiency of tn
schools. Our people have not beef
wanting in expressions Of apprecia
tian and Difference to their services
This is right. but we al need tn
help Of all the people in bringin!
every child, not otherwise provided
for, into the schools. Let us Great,
a sentiment for popular education
Let people make sacrifices in orde
that their children may be prepare
for the great duties of manhood.
j. Il. ALDERMAN
superintendent.