The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-01-06
MORAL CULTURE.
BY THOMAS 4. PEDES.

The human mind contains the germs OF every
possible variety and character; the great object
Of education is to cultivate those that tend TO
happiness and usefulness, and repress and II
possible eradicate those that developed, bring
crime and disgrace.
A true education unfolds and strengthens the
moral, physical and intellectual man; thereby
preparing him for any station or employment
in life to which he msy be called. The neglect
Of any one ofthese, mars the perfection OF the
mind and wealxens the powers OF the others.
The moral, however, is the most i'm portant, be-
cause II relates both to time and eternity. A
man diseased morally viii be, sooner or later,
from this cause, mentally and physically.
The increase Of educated criminals proves
that moral culture has, Of late years, been too
much neglected-that our schools fail fearfully
In implanting those principles In the mind OF
the youth that will make them men OF honor,
virtue and integrity. In fact, In many Of our
common schools morality is not taught at all
and in some immortality Is a part OF the course
Of instruction. 1 am acquainted in a sub-dis-
trict, In which the parents are wondering why
their sons are intemperate, after employing
drunken teacher for years.
Morality is a science, and no science can be
properly taught without a textbook, In the
time n teacher in our common schools has TO
ueNOlt 70 H. We nave AuoIoukut
complete and exhaustive textbook on the sub
Ject, and that work Is the Bible. In Iecommen-
ding IL as the best source of information on this
subject, VIC are presenting nothing novel, II Is
part OF our American system of education, has
been used In all our best schools and colleges
from the landing OF the pilgrims down to the
present hour. II long continued custom makes
law, then IL Is that the Bible Is the textbook
on Moral Culture In our common schools. Let
us take few examples for proof OF the value
of training. In our land Il has given US
such men as Wayland, Leland, Lincoln, Noah
Webster and many others equally great and
good. a galaxy that challenges the admiration
OF the world-men whose lives were as pure as
their achievements were glorious. Great Brit
ain, that derives its moral culture from the
same source, boasts such names as Wesley,
Knox, Cromwell, and Spurgeon. Prussia
Joices in her Blsmarcxs and Won Moltkes.
These nations have enjoyed the greatest
financial, commercial, intellectual and military
prosperity of any on earth, and handspring Of
all has been the culture and qulekening OF the
intellect that comes from the book of God. ON
the other hand take Spain, Mexico, the South
American States, where the Bible is not the
fountain of culture, and we find decay, anar-
chy, bloodshed and the deepest ignorance-we
look in vain for great and pure names, or ma
tional prosperity.
Ifany object 10 the use Of the living oracles In
our schools, let them first produce a better
code OF morals than we find in the the ten COM
man dments, the beatitudes, the Lords Prayer,
and other portions OF the Scripture, and then
we will listen with some patience to their OBJ
Jections.
Added to this, ours is a Christian nation, all
systems are tolerated from paganism down tn
lager beer infidelity, but they are only tolerat-
ed, and form no part OF our republican sys-
TEN. The Christian Chaplain from the very
first has been considered necessary In our ar
mics, Congress, and State Legislatures.
While we insist on the use of the Bible as the
foundation Of moral instruction. we as strongly
oppose sectarian teaching In school.
1t is the morality OF Christianity that we in
sist upon, and not the theoretical dogmas aud
opinions of any sect or denomineion. Neither
would we violate the conscience OF the Infidel,
Jew, Heather, or any system Of religious be-
lief or unbelief, but at the request Of the par
ents would excuse their children from the
school room when giving moral instruction OPP
posed to their notions.
Finally, few words upon the best method Of
Imparting just ideas upon this subject.
The example OF the teacher,in his daily walk,
conversation and actions, showing high de-
gree of moral culture, Is the most successful.
Open school by reading a short passage of
Scripture, singing and prayer, take every fayO-
rable opportunity, In recitatiOns, play hours,
and In visiting at their homes 20 impress upon
their minds the necessity OF acting from a sense
OF right, Of taking a certain course because IL Is
correct, of avoiding another because IL il
wrong, Of being truthful, honest, kind, gener-
Gus, fOrgiving and manly. A man passes by
drunk, call their attention TO the evils OF in
Temperance and the moral obligation Of total
abstinence.
Some one Is imprisoned for theft, make Il
text for a short lecture ia favor Of honesty etc.
The teacher needs wisdom, especially that