The Wilmington morning star., 1945-11-14

accomplishing all they might ac-
cornplish, considering the fine ma.
terial with which each had to
work."
It was with no crusading spirit
however, tn at Maude Weber.
schoolteacher, finally decided to
turn to religious work and studies
as or.a individuals possible solu-
ton to the problem, as she viewed
it. Her mind made up, Miss Weber
resigned an established career in
the Novinger schools and with her
life's savings went back to college
this time a secular school - in
search of Masters degree in Re-
lig;ous Education.
IT still had no idea OF carrying
my religious work into public
Schools" she explains. 'The fu
ture, as I saw it from graduate
students view at Women's Mis-
sionary Union Training school
louisville, KY was in church or
missionary work, with special at
tention to the children"
It was while vacationing in the
mountains Of western North Caro-
lima in the summer of 1889, shortly
alter receiving her Masters de-
gree, that Miss Weber received
the offer of position that altered
her career in an abrupt manner.
It came in form of telegram
from T. T. Hamilton, Jr., princi-
pal of New Hanover High school,
offering her the position as Bible
teacher - on condition that she
could submit satisfactory one
year study course within three
weeks!
Subsequently, Miss Weber
learned that New Hanover's High
school had offered her the position
on the recommendation of the
Women's Missionary Union Train
ing school whose dean knew of his
students ambition to interpret the
Bible into everyday terms for
school children.
Studying Hamilton's, offer over
night, Miss Weber wired her ac-
ceptance and said she'd do her
best to arrive in. Wilmington with
in three weeks with study course
for the consideration of the High
schools Bible committees group
of preachers and laymen repre-
senting most Of the city's church.
es.
Hurrying to her home in Mis-
souri,, Miss Weber spent the next
two weeks whipping together a
non-denominational course of
study designed for high Sabotage
students.
Frankly, I had my fingers
crossed when presented 1t to the
committee and Mr.. Hamilton
Miss Weber says.
Gains Committee Support
There was not immediate whole
hearted acceptance of the course
she outlined, but enough OF the
committee had faith in this friend
ly, earnest little woman, and in
her ideals and ambitions, to 60
back to their churches and raise
the money to give the project a
years try. No public funds are
used in school Bible study, includ-
ing teacher salaries.
A year later every major
Protestant denomination repre-
scented in the community endorsed
the program and, indirectly, Miss
Weber.
ct felt as though a great load
had been lifted from my shoulders
when word came to me that the
work was thought Of well enough
to carry 1t into a second year."
she confesses.
It wasn't easy, that first year.
To begin with, the outline she had
presented to the committee was
meager in detail. Frequently Miss
Weber found herself just a day
or two of classroom study in the
preparation of lessons. There were
no books for high school students
other than those approaching the
Bible and religion in denomi-
national objective.
1T was touch and 60, writing
lessons, preparing lectures and
preparing myself to answer the
million and one questions my
pupils were sure to ask on any
given Biblical topic" she declares.
Bible study was no new thing
to New Hanover High school when
Maude Weber 1ook over the class
es. For many years past the Bible
had been taught and interpreted
to students by leading Protestant
clergymen Of the city, alternating
on a more or less fixed schedule.
For many reasons, it is generally
agreed now, that type of instruc-
ton was not wholly satisfying, for
despite the sincere efforts of the
to avoid denominational
and interpretations
there was always someone ready
to point a questioning finger.
Presbyterian youngsters absented
themselves from class when a |
minister was instruct |
ing; and Methodist children were
just as wont to be absent when |
the Presbyterian minister had the
class. The same went for Baptists
and Episcopalians and others.
The ministers recognized this |
and found themselves powerless to
combat the notion prevalent in too
many minds: That their particular