Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-19

education in the development of a
child. The most finely educated
intellect in the world. coupled with
the most perfectly developed ply
sique, is a menace to itself and to
society unless it is controlled by a
mind devoted to the things of the
spirit and governed by the morality
taught by the great religions of this
world l challenge the proposition
that morality can perpetuate itself
without a God to make it worth
while. That is what Ex-Governor
Guild of Massachusetts meant when
he said, mo nation of atheists has
ever endured upon this earth"
In many cities and towns in Amer
lea today-in one town in our own
State-recognizing the Importance
of this matter, the school commit
tees are permitting children to be
excused from the public schools for
definite period every week to at
tend such religious schools as their
parents may designate. where they
receive such instruction as is pro-
vided by the church authorities
With such schools. the public school
authorities have no connection what
ever. either as to the courses of
study, or methods of instruction.
The Attorney-G General of Maine has
ruled that such action IS entirely
legal and proper and rests within
the discretion of local school COM
mittCcS in our State.
Such church school is in full
consonance with our American con-
ception of the public school system
and the complete separation of the
church and the state. This involves
no modification of this fundamental
principle in any way, and offers, in
my judgment, the one proper solu-
ton for the most serious problem
confronting this generation of Amer
leans.
Many thoughtful people have shud-
dered at the consideration of such
a thing as eHcusing children from
the public schools for the purpose
of attending religious schools. feel
ing that this is only n step toward
the parochial school system, and that
it will mean the introduction of
religious considerations into our pub
lie schools.
believe that these conscientious
friends of ours, whose appreciation
of the meaning of America is be-
yond question, will find. as they
examine the matter carefully. the
conclusion warranted that instead
of being n step in the direction of
the parochial school system or the
incursiCn of religious instruction into
our public schools. that we shall. by
this course. be taking the one step
calculated to save us from the dis
rupting effect of the parochial
school.
I am entirely satisfied in my own
mind and I have some evidence to
support this conclusion, that very
many Catholic parents in this State
would prefer to send their children
to the public schools. but that they
accept with more or less reluctance
the primary emphasis upon the need
of religious education. If that
religious education could he secured
in full harmony with the public
school system by permitting their
children to attend the public schools
and still so at regular periods each
week to their religious homes for
spiritual instruction. we should in
my judgment. see a very great in
crease in attendance of their chill
dren at the public schools, as they
will then feel that they have done
their duty both to their country and
to their God.
1t goes without saying that the
public school authorities cannot
concern themselves in any way
whatsoever with the content of the
religious instruction given in the
church schools. nor could they give
any credits whatsoever for work
done there.
The fear that granting time for
religious instruction is the opening
wedge for the confusion OF church
and state in our schools is unwar-
rantcd. since our Constitution today
absolutely prevents any religious