Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1916-04-22
SCHOOL NUCLEUS Of
SELF-GOVERNMENT
In the South AS the Church Was In
New England Two Centuries
AuO.


WASHINGTON, April 17.-As MI.
James Bryce says N "The American
commonwealth the school IS BIZ
coming the nucleus of local self-gov-
ernment in the South now, as the
church was in New England two cen
turies ago." and both ought to be ac-
lively Identified with the good roads
movement without success of which
neither can attain that degree Of pros
per1ty essential to the welfare of the
whole community. The direct and
immediate effect of improved high
ways upon the educational institu-
tlons in the country districts has
been freely discussed in these chron-
lcles. The building of modern school
houses, the extension of the courses
OF study, the employment Of commu-
nifty wagons for the transportation Of
the school centres to their respective
homes, the advantage Of conv crtirs
the school buildings between terms
or on the days when "school is out
into community forms for the discus
sion Of public questions Of large mo
ment or for such variety of public Ell
tertainment as the peu,,le might d.
sire, are all subjects that have been
treated by many wise and thoughtfu'
leaders. In the consideration of thC
good roads problem strange to say
however, one Of the most influential
bodies Of workers has been passed
over with little attention. The coun-
try doctors, whose labors are abun-
dant and poorly rewarded, have been
Invited to take an active part in the
good roads movement for their own
benefit and the benatit of the patients
who depend upon their ministrations
for relief in their times of distress
and equally with these Samaritans
are the country preachers whose mis-
sion 1t Is to administer to the soul
while the physicians are doing their
best for the body.
In 1914 there were 1888 ministers
including the clergy Of all the church
es or denominations or sects in the
United States who were ministering
to 225,4S6 churches representing
membership of 2S,S05,559 The larger
number Of these ministers were en-.
gagged in the work Of country parishes
or congregations. They are all deep
1y concerned not only for the spiritual
welfare Of their focks but for their
material comfort as well. In the pur-
suit Of their abundant labors they
have found how difficult, now at times
almost impossible, it is for them to
do their work because Of the i'm
passable condition Of the roads over
which they must journey on their
missions Of mercy. The most Of them
are i'll paid, many Of them actually
live from hand to mouth: the average
salary Of the country minister prob
ably does not amount to over $4OO the
year, and how they live only the
Lord knows. Take the Episcopal
church, for example, which is said to
contain "the richest church member.
ship in the United States" and there
are 4,420 men employed in it's active
service. The average salary Of it,
ministers is $1,000 the year, all OF
which, however, is not paid in cash
More than $500 OF its clergy receive
less than $500, and only 237, includ
Ing bishops, receive $4,000. Over 700
are paid less than $1,000 The
Southern Churchman' says they
"are expected to have a good educa-
ton, to dress well, to live and move
among people where rents are high
keep open house, always appear cheer
full and preserve their physical vigor'
In the main they do all this and as