Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-19
Friday, October 10, 1923.
Our civilization cannot survive
materially, unless it be redeemed
acknowledgements Wilson.
HOW EDUCATE THE SPIRIT?

HOW EDUCATE THE SPIRIT?
Education in the Things of the
Spirit" was the burden of the ad-
dress of State Senator Brewster be-
fore the Maine State Sunday School
Association last evening. In this he
makes plain his conviction that ths
question of appropriating public
money to sectarian schools was not
finally settled by the last Legisla-
ture. With the discussion of this
topic last winter yet fresh in mind
many will find more of interest.
however. in what he had to say re-
specting "the despirituali2ing of our
public school SYSTEM" and in the
remedy he suggests.
His analysis of this condition, this
attitude of thought respecting the
material and the spiritual, is ad-
mirable: his proposed remedy, brief
ly described, is that while the public
schools should confine their service
to impating the material side of
education, provision should be made
he thinks this might be done by
shortening the school period a few
hours each week-for education in
disciplinary and humanistic stud
les" This part of the chld's edu-
cation would not be under the state
school system. He so would adhere
to the principle of separation of
church and state, retain the associa-
lions which may be found only in the
public school, yet permit a training
in spiritual truths without overtax-
ing the pupil or conflicting with the
view points Of the various schools
Of religious thought.
Such contamination is devoutly
hoped for by many. We are conf
dent such believe the child deprived
OF training in spiritual matters lacks
something very essential to it's well
fare. 1t is become apparent that the
training in the home or in the church
under existing conditions Is not
adequate, rather is not accepted. -as
generally as it should be. They be-
lieve with Bishop Lawrence, who re-
Gently declared: Experience has
shown that wherever a church has
pressed for influence upon an ad-
ministration or government
boomerang has swung back that has
the common schools, that the as
socfation of the children of all faiths
and conditions contributes to clearer
comprehension of our fellows, our
common needs, and this they would
not lose, they would not have pass
pass out from the control of the
state. Yet they are convinced that
it would be inadvisable for the state
TO undertake religious instruction.
They see that home influences are
not dependable to the extent they
should be, that we seem to be losing
some of this which we formerly
enjoyed, that already the school is
assuming too much of the RESPONSE
bility formerly imposed on the home,
that the curriculum of the pupil Is
too often "cluttered" and needs SIM
plilcation rather than amplification.
Earnest people of such mind will
give earnest thought to suggestions
Of relief or solution.
If We inform ourselves respecting
conditions today, especially in this
country, and compare these with
those of past age we are forced to
conclude there has been a very
marked improvement in some ways.
1t does not seem exaggerated to say
that recognition Of good in all re-
is among intelligent Americans. Nor
does 1t appear unreasonable to con-
clude that the contacts, the human
understanding and respect for other
views than our own owe much to the
fellowship enjoyed in the public
schools. Education there or else
where. though it supply the under
standing never yet has been found a
substitute for sympathy, without
which comprehension falls short.
In some degree the common school,
we believe, is a medium by which
fellowship, the quality of sympathy
true fellowship implies. may be cul-
tivated successfully as 1t may not
otherwise. 1t Is too much to expect
that here is a cure-all for intoler-
ance, but insofar as it contributes to
fellowship and better understanding
to that degree does 1t help to lessen
the fever of intolerance. by so
much does 1t lead to recognition of
common work to be done and willing
ness for workmen on the job each to
use tool which he thinks best fitted
to his hand.
II now annaara fhoro ,oonro of