The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-01-29

iuoJ cueCt tulS law, VIC as county
superintendent should take our
stand 10 society upon safe grounds,
avoiding those functions or indul-
gences which would subject US as
examples to open criticism or i'm
parchment. Our relation to teachers
IN this respect, is the same as that OF
the teacher to the school, and IT. is
just as true that example is a thous-
andfold more potent than precept.
II as superintendent our examples
are what they should be, there Il
little likelihood Of unfl: characters
applying for licenses to teach; and we
shall be 10 position to insist that
those who hold ccrtl dcatcs shall 10
compliance with the law, keep
themselves above reproach, and
endeavor to impress upon the minds
Of the pupils the principles Of truth,
justice, morality, patriotism, and
refinement, and to avoid idleness,
profanity, vulgarity, falsehood. and
intemperance. ="
Again let me urge that supcrinten
dents should KNOW their teachers;
not that we should know, or even be
CONCERNED about, what particular
church they may belong to, or what
political party they may affiliate with
but that we SHOULD be concerned
about their moral and intellectual
influence Ia community.
When we realize that the perpetu-
alton OF free government, guaran-
teeing freedom of speech, freedom OF
religion. and freedom OF political
faith, depends directly upon the
general Intelligence and moral stand.
ing Of its people, and that in our OWN
country at least, this general inteili-
gencc and character-bu building are
brought about very largely through
the agency OF the public school, we
are then forced to acknowledge the
responsibilities resting upon us as
teachers and superintendents OF
these public schools, Our lives and
examples are to very great extent,
reflected ia the citizenship of our
country. This thought should spur
US on to greater effort to attain a
more nearly perfect example, and the
| ideal Christian character.
/ wish here to digress moment.
There seems to be a tendency in this
| generation toward oyer-sensitiveness
concerning the question Of sectarian-
+! ism. The fact, however, that there
are opinions and rulings against the
reading of the Bible In the school
room need not be looked upon with
a'arm, as this does not In any sense
indicate that the Bible Is losing
ground in Christian America. To my
mind it simply eyinces the influences
OF that great Christian law, that "As
ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them" II VIC do
not desire strange religions taught ny
preceLt in the school-room, VIC will
not insist that the Christian religion
be taught. But mark you. fellow
teachers and school men Of all classes,
that while we may be restrained from
reading the Bible in the school room,
1t is desired by all classes, (and that
without exceptiop) that we should
carry into the school-room the attri-
butes, and influences OF an ideal
Christian life and character.
Simply because we are restrained
from reading the Bible In the public
free schools, where all classes are
4 admitted regardless of creed, or sec
tarianism, and for the support ol
which all classes alike are taxed,
SHOULD not in any degree lessen 0ui
regard for the Great Book either from
the standpoint Of literature, ethics,
or religion. 1t is to be hoped that
| teachers may ever pattern their lives
after it, remembering that as the
chief factor In early American settle
Ments, II also became the chief
i corner stone in the foundation of oul
grand Republic, and to this da,
remains the solid rock supporting
Christian civilization.
! But must return to my subject,
and hasten to close. The matter Ol
school visitation IS one OF very greal
Importance. and deserves the careful
study and thoughtful consideration o
all progressive superintendents
There should be q purpose to secur,
Information which will be of value IL
the work OF supervision. AS l do moi
wish to impose too much upon you
time, ] shall offer q few suggestion