The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-12
against their own choice?
 Emnhasis on Material Side

Emphasis on Material Side | '5. Still another criticism of public ed ucation Is that too large an emphasis is laid on the material side of things; that the making of living is being put before the making of a career: that buildings are put before equipment: that equipment Is put before the teacher. It is true that many are urging education | on the sole ground that it is commer- | cially profitable, whereas that is mere by-product- Boys are too frequently l taught that success in money making is the ultimate test of mans ability and worth. The public school is from time to time proclaimed as the chief exponent and champion of this crude ideal am not depreciating technical or industrial | training. God knows that we need it in this southern country. I plead for it's growth. But I also plead that the public school shall not allow the material to subordinate the highest end of human life We do need the chemists crucible; but we also need the perfume of the At tic violet We need the man who can perform a definite. specific task; but we also need the man of such enlargement of spirit and such capacity for a wide and catholic view that no task can be- little him or crush him. We need the | man who can enlarge and dignity his task, and who is bigger than any task that God will ever put into his hands, I believe that our public schools are more and more striving to give us such men. Moral and Spiritual Side '6. There is time to mention only one other criticism of popular education. refer to the criticism that too little em- n sis ia n a St,ir side of things. There was a time when | men openly charged that the public | schools were Goddess. That day I be- | lieve, has passed. It is not true that | these school are Goddess. No Christian commonwealth would support such a sys- | tenn of schools It may. however, very we'll be asked whether these schools are not overstressing the idea that a man | should be so trained as to be squared to the exigencies of secular life. and f,- derstressing the idea that a man shall be trained, not merely in that direction,
 but also in such way that he shall be- come more and more of man in the | entire circumference of his possibilities.
 and not simply along lines that will bring larger money value when taken | out into the market of a professional
 and mercantile life. The taxpayers of a moral and Christian commonwealth have | the right to demand that the proper kind
 of ideals and motives shall dominate the | life of our great public school system.
 I believe that such ideals and motives
 do prevail.
 Finally. let me say that, in every point of criticism which have discussed I have the utmost faith that those who are
 charged with the great duty of direct | ing the destiny of public education in | Alabama will pilot the ship safely through
 the shoals I believe that. at bottom. public sentiment Is overwhelmingly | friendly. No one has larger faith than I in the essential rectitude of the cause
 and in its ultimate triumph. I am an op- | timist in all these matters. The public ! school system has weathered each his-
 toric danger that has hitherto marked its progress forward until today. after all It's trials and all it's discipline. 1t stands serene upon it's mount of faith and op- | portunity. It will live, so long as democ- ! racy and civilization shall live. foun- l tain of life to all who thirst for the
 lofty faith. the unquenchable hope, and
 the superabounding energy of the dis ciplined life.''
 TOday's Session
 The meeting will adjourn today al noon, the following programme to be car 1 ried out this morning:
 Uniform Attendance and Scholarship Records" Assistant Superintendent C.. B Glenn, Birmingham; Superintendent J. K Mcclure, Troy.
 "rhe Essentials in Education" Super. intendent R. F.. Sessions, Huntsville; Su perintendent H. NJ. Morrow, Thomasville I ''The Proper Basis of Salary Schedulei
 for Teachers" Superintendent J. B. Lock
 hart. Florence; Principal l.. k. Benson Heflin.
 The Meaning of Medical Inspection oi
 Schools" Dr. J. s. McLester, Birming' ham.
 Il Reports of committees.
 v Election of officers.