Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-02-26
rndTrsrANT EPIsooPAL TEsaI-


PKOTEsTAKT EPISCOPAL TEsRf-
a few days ago, we gave short extract
rom one Of The best edited and conducted
Methodist papers in this country, in favor OF
the introduction of religious instruction IN
the public schools. We now give from an
other source Protestant Episcopal yet
other and equally cogent reasons why
religious instruction should form part OF
the public education of the rising genera
ton. The foolish and pernicious idea oil
ignoring God and the Bible from the minds
Of the children of the country, in the public
schools, because men choose to differ and
divide upon what they are pleased TO call
the mon essentials of religion, is at last
beginning to receive the attention II deserves
from christians and men of Intelligence.
The following communication has been
handed us for publication by gentleman Of
standing and character in this city. we
commend il to the judgment of our readers
| Icnmmunlestedl isaiah.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION as CONNECT
| ED WITH THE COMMON sCHOoLs.
The movement of portions of the Roman
Catholic Church in this section to obtain a
share of the School Tax for their special use,
has called up in our community the consider
alton of the propriety or necessity OF the IN
PRODUCTION of a larger portion OF religious
instruction into our Common Schools 1t is
an important subject, and, though perhaps
almost neglected and little discussed in on!
community, yet it has for some time engaged
the thoughts of some of the best and mos
intelligent men OF our nation. The TACT ina
reliqtous teaching, il not formally and by
regulation, yet practically, is excluded IRON
our common schools, presents condition
things not very creditable and comforting
, and the results, given by talented an'
thoughtful moralists and statesmen, strongl.
suggest that an immediate change should b
made in this particular. The truth OF tn
statement given in the memorial from Kevs
. Patrick 0'Brien, ?. Reilly and John 5. walsh
r priests of the Roman Churches in this VI
cinity, that secular learning alone IS nc
sufficient to make good citizens OF the fish
IS generation" cannot be denied; and il is il
VI cumbent upon all friends of pcty and goo
n order 10 take steps to meet this deficiency
- and so associate with school instruction NOR
and religious teaching, that the pupils hea
may be as deeply impressed with his duty
re his neighber and his God, as his intellect
If stored with purely secular learning.
From circular recently issued by I'll
Commission of the General Convention
sir the Protestant Episcopal Church Of q
1t, United States" upon the subject of Chr
tian Education, we give the following
We tract:
~ "The fact that in most communities, a
at il is feared in most families, the Sund
School has become almost the sole instrumt
ON of Christian Education, is very sad IA
- since experience shows that the Sund
School, with its too briet opportunities,
ina majority ofteachers so imperieclly quallh
mad and its failure to keep itself subservient 10
up Church, and to train its SCHOLARSHIP the la
bod of attending on the Church services, is
A'N TO be trusted so exclusively with such aw
responsibility as the care of the lambs OF
an, flock. BY what means the Sunday sch
nd. may be made more satisfactorily the
aon training school of the Church-or whet
something better than the Sunday Sch
ntu- may not take its place-are questions wor
acy Of the consideration of the best minds,
pre- the most earnest hearts in the Church.
,,n, "The free public instruction, which IS
Just pride of our country, even supplmer
mus by Sunday Schools, is not the educatio
that which a Christian child is entitled
cite. have no right to deprive our children OF
/. or privilege of growth, the formation of hal
J" - early familiarity and consequently liie-l
association with holy things, self-discipl
ash Christian principles applied to the CON
hila- of childhood and youth, no right 10 pre-
and their learning in childhood the lesson
ano repentance, faith and obedience, which
nlng must practice all their lives TO save
souls. And we do tins, more or less, so
,lace as we permit religion TO be shut out
,ho their lives in school, from constant ass
, .no lion with their studies, their school
u TIE plinc, the work and recreation of their
of life. Par0chial day schools are nece'
wherever they are possible; and where
cannot be had, the active interest o
u,o,a Clergy in the conduct OF the public sch
Wees and In the education of the children in
at communities generally, is at once the d
Of sound policy and OF plain Christian
ukee, Without giving needless offence, the C
,ioh, of the Church can do thousand-fold
iis"', for the good cause, if they will excl
three the general attitude Of indifference to
mon schools for that Of hearty interest
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