The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-09-19
EDUCATIONAL NOTES.

NEBRASKA has two and quarter million acres
OF school lshd worth slOOOO,OoO.
PENNSYLVANIA has 1856 public schools, New
York, 1S,6i5 Zone leSs Ohio. I6 AIS. and Illinois,
1898,
THE opinion is declared By President Bsscom, of
the University of Wisconsin, that after an exper-
fence of ten years in large college classes he con-
WINGED OF the wisdom OF education of the sexes
FROM the latest accounts of the English public
schools Il appears that Latin and Greek still retain
their pre- eninence over all other subjects. Next
in importance IS English history. then mathemst-
ics Natural science seems only to have jus! per-
meated into the schools.
WITH the beginning Of new year President
Seelye, of Amherst College, is to introduce new
feature in discipline. Hereafter sill ofenses
sgainst the College rules are to be tried by sort
OF Court Martial, composed of ten members-four
seniors, three juniors, two sophmoreS, sndone
freshmsn-to be elected by the representative
classes, and hold Office for one year. The Presi-
dent of the College is to preside over their delber
stions and the Board Will decide all questions re-
lating to discipline that have heretofore been
brought before the faculty. The objee. Of this in
noTatlon. which Is II government, and to put
upon the students themselves the responsibility
OF the moral conduct and welfare Of the College at
large, Is one that ought to be commended and the
result Of the experiment viii be carefully
watched.
THERE is need Of sa educational symposium OF
representative men OF sl shades Of religious belief
and speculation-Cato Ollie ana Protestant, orsho-
dox and liberal, Jew and agnostic-to consider this
project Sitting down together, and looking into
eech others faces with sentiments of mutual es-
TEEN setting aside ioI the moment all speculative
questions, and fixing their thoughts upon the one
subject OF moral teaching in the schools, they
would no doubt be astonished 70 find themselves
in perfect agreement. Upon the abstract question
whether the ultimate basis of morality is to be
sought In a supernatural revelation, or in the ma
ture Of man and the testimony OF experience and
observation. they would, of course. difsr widely;
but as to morality Itself In its practical relations
TO the education OF tho young, they
could speak with voice Travelling
By different roads, they would fud that they had
arrived at one aud The came place, and were all
seeking a common end. And the morality which
they would all command a. essential 10 the purity
of society and the safety of the Republic, and
therefore indispensable 10 good citizenship. would
be, in substance. that Of the New Testament,
which has its grandcst illustration iu the teaching
and example of Jesus-His example in death IS
hold this mortality 10 be binding upon men upon
supernatural and others upon purely natural,
grounds, since they heartily agree that it is sbso
lutely binding upon ell men, and that thsre is q
crying need that it should be taught the schools?
Does any one dOub! tie reality of the agreement?
Let him remember the sgnosticsIm of this day,
whatever may be said of that OF earlier times is
not seeking to absolye men from moral restraints,
but puts a strong emphasis upon ethics. II
forms societies foT ethical culture" and on
moral grounds has no occasion 20 shrink from
criticism. Even Robert Ingersou, while denying
suIernaturalism in every form, IS careful to say
that he accepts the morality OF the Gospels as 70
him the law OF life. Mr.. John Fiske speaks 10: sll
tho scientific sceptics OF the time when he says.
The principles Of right living are really connect
ed with the constitution of the universe" Is there
not here platform broad enough aud strong
enough for all the friends OF the public schools?
Why viii they not plant their feet upon 1t, and
stand shoulder to shoulder as one brotherhood in
common effort to educate the conscience as well
as the intellect of the children and youth OF the
Republic, and sid them in laying the foundations
Of that moral character which is the primary con-
ditou Of good citizenship-0iYesJ johnson in At
lantiC.