The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-03-06
Relation Between PubIic School and
Church

The following address will be read
with interest by the many friends of
Merton r. Goodrich, formerly of Bing-
| ham, now superintendent of schools
at Kennebunk 1t is clipped from
the Kennebunk Star:
THE Relation Between the Public
School and the Church." was the
theme of Supt. Merton T. Goodrich
and he handled his subject in very
interesting manner. Mr.. Goodrich
said
by way of explanation, | will say
that | speak from the point of view
of the school although | believe that
the point of view of the church is not
essentially different. Here are two
institutions, the church and the
SCHOOL, two distinct organizations,
each independent OF the other but
closely related The relation is re-
ciprocal one. The thought is brought
out by two texts. The first empha-
sizes religion and is taken from Ps.
111:10. The fear of God is the be-
ginning of wisdom The second en-
phasizes learning, and is taken from
James 3:17. Wisdom that is from
above is pure.
First, then. we consider the
church. Why do we have the church?
Because we need religion. because we.
need ideals, because we need to learn
and relearn the story of Jesus, the
Saviour of the world. The church is
essential to men in unfolding as an
example of right living the life OF
Christ, the establishing high stand
ard for the individual, the family and
the nation
Second, we consider the school.
Why do we have the school? Because
we need learning. because we need
skilled workers, because we need in
dnstry, health, comforts, and pleas
ures In democracy like ours the
people rule. Unless those who rule
have wisdom they can not rule wise
ly. Democracy without education is
more dangerous than dynamite. For
example look at Russia or at Mexico.
Hence, a nation like ours maintains
the school as matter of self preser-
walton. The school is essential to the
welfare of the nation in producing
intelligent citizens. 1t is essential to
men in making them self-supporting,
happy and comfortable.
"A wise provision of our constitu-
ton separated the church and the
state But that provision should
never have been interpreted to mean
that there was anything Incompatible
between the church and the govern
ment, between the study of God and
the study of life, between religion and
education, and hence between the
church which is the preserVer of our
faith and the school which is the
preserver of our nation.
"These two institutions are in har-
mony but must forever remain indie
pendent. When the state steps into
the vestibule Of the church, freedom
flies out of the windows. Likewise,
when the church or any denomination
of the church attempts to control the
school. freedom is crushed to earth.
The children in the schools are con-
stantly becoming the people of the
nation. II children lose the right
idea of freedom they can with diff
Guilty acquire 1t as men. There is no
freedom in state controlled church.
Likewise there is no freedom in a
church controlled school.
$50 the schools do not presume
to dictate to the churches and the
churches ought not to assume the
power to dictate to the schools.
Teachers should he lenient in their
criticism of the ministers and the
ministers should be charitable in their
criticism of the teachers. In proper
ton to the number of people en-
ployed, venture to say that there is
just as much poor preaching as there
is poor teaching and perhaps there is
as much that is good.
These things being true, let us CO.
operate. Let us emphasize not only
the good within but the good without.