Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-04-27
Educational.
Morality IN Schools.

MOrallty N SCHOOLS.
The American people, with few exceptions,
believe that education is n necessity in a gov.
eminent like ours. But the nature and use OF
the education which is supposed TO conduce TO
The prosperity Of individual and state are not
well defined in the public mind.
Every thoughtful person must recognize the
value Of intelligence as an element, in the CON
stitution Of the body polite; the pas, the pres
ent give evidence that ignorance is a source Of
social. political weakness.
Education Il to develope the human being. 50
that he may become of the greatest value TO
himself and 10 the community. What Is the
nature Of the education which will do this and
what is the training Of our public schooss
Intelligence alone will not secure honest
justice in society and government. As is evident
from the nature Of il, and as is abuntlantly
proved by experience.
our schools aim to train the intellect, and to
some extent the bodily powers. From the e1-
cessye study OF dead languages. for mental dis
cpline, we have advanced 10 a recognition Of
the culture and practical advantages to be de-
rived from the study OF natural science and the
mechanical arts.
This innovation j. proving Of great value to
the nation, in the line Of material prosperity
and in the intellectual growth Of the people Al
large. But the true prosperity Of state j. not
determined by the amount Of material or intel
lsctual advancement manifested. The moral
condition Of the people is the reliable index Of
the Nations standing. Of the strength and per-
manence Of its institutions.
xfutr f.rrifory and IN afsrial he .na-.
gy OF our people and the freedom of our gov
eminent. give promise Of unparalleled growth
in wealth and population.
II is TODAY painfully evident that in our haste
TO be rich we have fallen into many snares.
The gigantic fraud. in business and corruption.
in political life, show that the moral element is
sadly wanting in the nation.
The good sense and recuperaiiye power OF
our people are 50 great, that we have no rea-
son 10 anticipate immediate loss Of National
life from the 'prcsent prevalence Of sickness
but IL we do not take warning from the baneful
tendency Of the present. the future decline Of
the Nation is certain.
Reform !. impcratiyely demanded and the
time to begin has come. We canno; expect 10
reclaim, to any great extent, those who have
been ripcning in crime for wears. we mus; turn
our attention TO the children and youth who
are still under the restraint and influence Of
home and school life. Parents must feel the
| responsibility resting upon them for the future.
Of the men and women who are now children.
Sound principles OF morality must be- incul-
| Gated BY precepts and example. honesty and
truth must be demanded and their private and
l nuhfi- sra1u.
! must b. taken 10 build true character. while
the powers OF body and mind are expanding.
Teach the boy. that riches and reputation
are Of no value, unless founded upon integrity
| OF character. Teach them self respect land re
speci for the rights Of other, in private and
public life. Following such training at home
must come better influences. and broader teach
| ing in our schools.
| Parents must exert their influence 10 have
the school supplement, moral instruction given
a. home. over the influences Of the street the
associations OF school life, parents must erer-
else watchfal care, as they value the mora
| life Of their children
Education now means but little more than
! book knowledge and intellectual training. 4
culture which will produce ne ither indiyidu.
nor National integrity.
Teachers examined with reference &c
their knowledge only, little is known Of thci,
moral character, and less Of their personal in,
| fuence. II our schools have not made the pu.
pills better, parental indifference TO results /.
| largely responsible for the fAiure.l
Teachers, in their desire 10 have their pupil.
make rapid progress in their studies. have on
en- overlooked the true end Of education. A few
moments should be taken each day, in school
| or class education, TO impress some mora
| tru,iI, -.a eases Of immoral conduct, should
be kindly but firmly rebuked. Teachers should
strive TO have the practice Of falsehood, profan-
| iiy and vulgarity, entirely abolished among his
| pupils.
A teacher who has not 4 christian character
| upon which sound moral principles rest, will
| not, ordinarily, have the strong desire to see
| his pupils become good, which will impel him
TO give the moral instructions which neither
| parents nor committees demand.
The unjust cry OF ''sectarianism in sch.oP'
| raised against teachers who have sought 70
| give moral instruction based upon the 'funda-
mental principles Of Christianity recognized by
statute" has had tendency Ito diminish the
| moral influence u teacher.
Ex-President Hill of Harvard College SAYS,
1T Is difficult 10 separate morality from relig-
ion, the child should be taught TO regard God
Is ever present, ever a witness Of his thoughts
The existence Of sectarian disputes in religion
and Of partisan contests in politics, no more for
bids the introduction Of religion and political
| economy into schools, than the scientific differ
ences OF opinion, forbids the Introduction o.
science into schools unless law, ethic. and
etheology, crown the education Of the Young
man, his culture is worthless 10 the state
TEACHER