Evening journal., 1919-11-17
MINISTER'S FAVOR
STATE School CODE
Methodists Apprecyiate Un-
selfish Effort of p. S.
DUPONT for Education
ASK FAIR CHANCE
FOR THE NEW LAW

The new school Code was formally
endorsed today by The Methodist Min
isiers Association at meeting held in
The Grace Methodist Episcopal Church
House.
This action followed the presentation
OF report favorlng the code 10y a spe-
cial committee named TO look into the
question, and also an address by Or
Joseph II. Odell, director OF the Service
Citizens, In which he outlined the ad-
vantages Of the code
Today's action by the ministers as
sociatlon is In the nature OF a rebuke
TO the Board of Education Of the city,
which recently rejected the code. al
though the younger faction" OF the
board stood vigorously for the meas
urc. BY The boards rejection the city
schools this year lost some $4,000 cash
aid from the state
There were 30 ministers present at
todays meeting. which was presided
over by Dr. j. W. SumWalt pastor Of
Grace Church. The Rev. g.. W. Clark
was secretary.
The committee TO look into the school
code was named at The meeting OF the
association last Monday and consisted
of The Rev Dr. Robert Watt and the
Revs. g.. l.. Hubbard and C. L. Williams. !
lis report today follows:
Consistent with the history Of /
Meihodism from the day that ils foun-
der, John Wesley. established the IA
nous kingsw0od School for the highcr
education OF our Methodist youth. and
Remembering that in order 10 en-
tighten the people on an matters that /
made for increased Intelligence among /
the common people. Mr. Wesley insiI- !
iuied a tract propaganda not for sec /
tartan ends but 90 minister 20 the in /
ielieclual Development OF The people. !
concerning which wise and farsecing I
action OF the founder Of Meth0dism. Mr. 4
Buckle England's noted historian. said |
this was The beginning Of movement I
that led TO a craving after knowledge on
the part OF The common people from
whom knowledge had heretofore been
shut out. and
Remembering also that one Of the
first things that the American Branch OF
the Methodist church. commonly known
as The Methodist Episcopal church. Of
North America. did was 10 establish
Cokesbury College. and
Desiring That an charity and good 4,
feeling, moi implying FOR a moment
that other denominations have not i
stood for and do not now stand for the
best education obiainablc for their
youth. but simply as a declaration of
our historic altitude Toward and our \
present interest in good education FOR \
our youth. resolved:
"i. That we regard our common /
school system os one of our national |
bulwarks factor essential 10 the
maintenance Of a right and Just stand
ard Of Intelligence among our children,
and
- VIC hail with approval any and
an efforts 20 better our public school
system. making 70 more and more a
medium OF improved facilities for The
intellectual training OF our children. and
3. Since a public spreled citizen
has made large slfis toward the end
named. giving both of his means and
his service. practically devoting his en-
tire time 90 an effort 10 further the !
interests Of our educational institutions,
,ya, the Methods; Episcopal Preachers !
Association OF Wilmington and vicinity. ! {
thirty-nve churches and a Z
OF fully $1,000, put the
following on record:
#. That while we don not claim per-
ection for the New school Code, we
10 regard 10 as a stop I'm the direction
81 better equipment and instruction. in1
DE way OF more adequate material "a
-ilties and more efficient teaching, and \
- In This belief we make bold 10 I,
indulge the hope that our people win. +,
IS Is their custom, wait with patient =
oyaliy, and with a. loyal support. un- /,
% This effort 10 lift Delaware from 39lh
llace 10 the roster Of our public school
ysiem has had a fair trial. 70 Is but
air 10 add That already beneficial re-
ults are seen In a decided increase in e
he average attendance at our public c
chools in the past two months. and
y. We desire 10 express our sincere %
nd enthusiastic appreciation OF the d
pirit and motives that prompted our al
elbow lownsman. Mr.. Pierre =. dupont b.
D his generous and unseillsh efforts 10
mt the public schools Of The Diamond
tate at the top, where they Of right
elong.
Finally, we have heard with pleas it
re and interest the Illuminating adj 3
ress OF Dr. Joseph II. Odell. director ="
( the Service Citizens Association. aud 81
is address has done much 20 clear ol
way the misis that have gathered
round this question. We recognize
he work that Dr. Odell is trying 10 do
nd will welcome him at any time ltt
Ither as visitor or guest" m
Dr. Odcll in his address. reviewed e.,
lc defects in the old school system in "
ne State, described the unsanilary and of
l-equippcd school buildings, the poor 81
ysiem or rather lack OF ii in man al
cement, and the benefits accruing from :
De- consolidation Of schools under the :
ode. the slmplined Management and tl
pplicatiOn OF modern principals Of w
ublic education. ID
Reports were made by several OF the
asiors present today on the results Of dt
'ceni revival services. They agreed W
anerally that while the services have IN
cen productive Of much good never w
leless they had not brought into the 10
lurch as many new members as was N
oped W