New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-18
RELIGION NECESSARY IN SCHOOLS.

THR SLIGHT RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN FAMILIES
AND IN SUNDAY SCHOOLS UNCONVENTIONAL
SCHOOLS.
TO fke Edstor Of the Tribune.
SIR If the schools he made wholly "unsec-
arian" will they to violate religious convictions
The conscientious believers the necessity of practical
religious instruction answer No."
"Our objections" they will say. to Sc Ools where
religious principles taught greater than 10
those in which a seetaran Bible ia read They educate
our children 10 be unDelievers, and leave them
and no time 10 make up the deficiency
at home. The poor seldom have either the
ability or the opportunities for that II you compel
then, to send children 10 such schools you compel
TO violate conscences, which teach a different
duty You admit Justice OF this position. CHAD
to see, in many OF the public prisons and other instu
tons, by permitting the inmates the right OF instruction
and minstration according TO their creeds. In doing
This you following only the dictates Of natural
justice but the example OF almost every country OF
Europe. Even the foreign provinces this continent
liberal this respect than the United States
the full report Of the Rev. T. {. Wines, ID. D. LID
TO the United States Government, Feb. Il, 1881 In
these penal and reoratOrY institutions religious nfu
considered indispensable. II they could be
used IN the schools might not these same influences do
much more toward elevating the standard Of public
morality. and ultimately decreasing the criminal bur
dens OF the Statel Our prop0stion therefore, may
souaby be considered ~ be intended for the greater good
necessarily aug3nisc - education, OF Intended
for the destruction OF the schools"
But the vital question VIII ne Tie praebcabllty or the
plan where Sucn dversites OF belief exist There are
European syst.Ins, however which meet il well and
fairly Their plans either 10 set apart portion Of
each day for ciOus instruction, placing the children ia
different during those hours they divide them
also FOR other lessons 70 aid denomnat0nal schools by
allowances in proportion g. the numbers oUcatesucu
school being Of course under Government supervision as
rds tEcir standard OF instruction. and such OAer
questions and school being aided unless ~ fecAcS
number OR poor taken care or anon thls
= so
have learned its wisdom Cltanie and dennminat0nal
institutions carry the work under STATE sui erNlSon
and receive proportional Stale compensation. Ihl-
City of Ncw-YOrk Is doing IL great work OF chafliA
i'm this way, and far more cuedpi( ana Wen lAal
II il had extended It's buildings and hired
an army of OicchOdeIs for the purpose
hanshng also tn sweet mmlsirations Or religion
The question then arises, cannot the same system ht
appe, 10 tie great WORK OF educaOnt Ii Tie stale %
the best educator 10 fails at least In one essential t-
rneu of education, the rel cus Ihis dchnoWl-
edges he without is domain. IL can satisfactorily
educate, therefore, only those Who consent 10 DISPENSE
with that element.
Ia results are also more costly. By ENGRAVING upon
the present ~ sieI such plan Is That WhCh ls en-
pOYcd Ia other countries and when we nave i"UI4u to
work well IN our charities money VIII ne saved t1c
convictions OF al citizens VIII Ice regal ded ana greater
aud hrffeT result. VIII e accomplished. There are ildc-
ca difficulties tho way. doubt. but fEcy can De
sur-nouufed when iEe public " u ilcllnes tlat way
Our public school system 20 dr u inc hearts OF lLe
people. Iut IS Wholly Qcii'tli OF 40 we oul9 ga!
hands or because 10 Is something OF our own cun-tiN
ol Let consider tie question disilslotcy. Al j.
worth most serious attention II we mo aAA lhcI-
iccOns and nustces let H. remedy them Lei s make
this great and promising work OF ours 80 cqultale dd
so ferfect that there shall Roc no spot or Sin upon IT,
So that 10 shall do harm but an men Justice
though the heavens themselves should iaA. W
Ne0- York, Dec. II, 1870.