The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1888-12-18
CORRESPONDENCE.

Mn EDIIok-ClTs aul SlAu 10 uli'
| that the Board OF Education in tn,
course of study for the public Englisl
schools in Hawaii, " recently put into tn,
hands of the teachers, recognize tlit
need Of something in the shape OF mora
training as q component part of the Schoo
course, inasmuch as the teachers are in
structed that
throughout the course. il should be i'm
pressed upon pupils to be neat, punctual
kind and courteous 10 one another, and L
their teachers. Upon proper occasions
brief talks should be given upon.uSefulneS'
and honest conduct pertaining TO all ID,
relations in life.
Gratifying as this is, imagine thai
many persons will consider that the
Board have not gone far enough in
the matter, and that the instructions
they have given as regards what is after
all the most important part of the train
ing OF the young are totally inadequate
TO produce the desired result, namely,
the bringing up OF the rising generation
of Hawaiians in habits Of truth. honesty,
purity, sohriety and industry.
have before me the report of ROYAL
Commission on education, signed in Eng
land last July. This commission was
composed of men Of all shades of belief,
and was intended to be thoroughly rep
reSentative in character. After sitting
two years and collecting mass of evil
dence from all quarters, including the
leading countries of Europe, the United
States, and the principal British Colo
MES, they have set down their concur
sions in an exhaustive report, which
touches upon every conceivable bearing
OF the State to the education of the
young.
With your permission, will give 3
few extracts from that portion OF their
report which bears upon religious and
moral training:
l. Whilst differing widely in our views
religious truth, We are peIsu-
AIDED that the only safe foundation on
which 10 construct theory OF morals, or
10 secure high moral conduct, IS the rel;-
gion which our Lord Jesus Christ has
laugh, the world. As we look 10 the Bible
for instruction concerning morals, and
take Its words for the declaration OF what
IS morality, 50 We look 70 the same in
Spired source for the sanctions by which
men may be led 10 practise what Is there
taught. and for instruction concerning the
help by which they may be enabled 10 do
what they have learned 70 be right.
,. On the whole, we are of the opinion
that. greatly y the estimate OF the value
Of the religious instruction given IN board
schools varies from the standpoint from
which il Is regarded by various witnesses,
there Is good ground Tor concluding that
where care Is bestowed on its organization,
and sufficient time : allowed for impart-
ing il, II Is OF nature to AFFECT The consci-
ance and influence the conduc, oi the chill
iren OF whose daily training il forms
part In many OF the board schools the
teachers accompany systematic Bible read
NJ with appropriate comments and ex-
2lanationS; in Others the >cFiptural in
.irUCriOn i restricted by limitations
uCh as that lhe Bible be read without note
IT comment which We think must greatly
essen It's value We must add that though
sc highly value The influence OF Sunday
ChOolS. il Is admitted that Imaay scholars |
Il elementary schools. 80 not either attend /
hem or any place Of worship. and that |
heir parents are often either toe ignorant /.
= TOO Indifferent - give their children any
eligiouS instruction. such children are I
utITely dependent upon instruction N the I
lay schools for any knowledge OF the scrip Z
ural truths which ought 10 be the common /
.eritage OF all the people in Christian 4
Ountry.
8. We are strongly OF opinion that much 1
rs2ter support should be given by the !
tate 70 the moral element OF training in 1
" schools. We recommend there
Dre that general fundamental and fixed I
Instructions should De laid down IS 10 /
loral training, making II an essential con-
itiCn OF the efficiency OF public elemen-
sry school that II should be held 10 COM
riSe such matters Is instruction in duty
nd reverence 10 parents, honor and truth
illness in wOpd and act. honesty. pnrity,
consideration and respect for
-herS. obedience, cleanliness, good man
erS, duty 70 country, the Encouragement
bad language, and the like
/ Alter hearing the arguments Tor
holly secular education, We have come TO
le following conclusions:
l. That il Is OF the highest importance
l2t all children should receive religious
nd moral training.
, Tina: the evidence does no. warrant
Il conclusion that such religious and
.oral training can be amply provided
,herwlse than through the medium OF
smentsEy schools.
3 That IN schools Of 3 denOminatiOnal
70 which parents are compelled
send their children the parents have
ght 70 require an operative conscience
zuSe 50 that care be taken that the chill
ren shall not suffer IN any way in couse-
lenCe o. Their taking advantage OF the
,lscience clause
l. That. lneSmueh Is parents are COM
He'd 10 send their children TO school. II Is
50 and desirable that. g far As possible.
icy should be enabled 70 send them TO .
boOl suitable 10 their religious convictions
preferences
:. We are also Of opinion that i i OF the
ghest importance that the teachers who
2 charged with the moral training OF the .
holars should continue 10 take part IN
e religious Instruction We should re-
I'D any separation OF the teacher from (
2 religions teaching OF the school Is In
nous 10 the morals and secular training
the scholars.
Sir, conceive that the moral training
the young Is Al least as essential in
avail nei as in Great Britain
The latter country finds that 70 divorce
crafty from religion Is unsafe. and that
religion alone are 70 be found the
cesssry sanctions and instructions for :
z practice Of virtue. She also finds .
AZ daily instruction IN the truths Of the /.
be, carried On II the public schools,
alone 70 Be looked 70 a. 4 reliable
sthOi Of intoxicating principles OF virtae
the Young
This i no less the fact here Il NAV
fey be said that By lar the greater ma
-I.y Ct the present generation q Ha-
.iian children. in the o01ntTT AZ least, !
not II Honolulu also, receive no r. !
701s CT moral instruction, likely % Re
any se-Tioe 70 than, esher than that
zen IN the Government schools Their
ne surroundings, IN hzT too many in
mes, are rather conducive 70 the de-
l0pmenf q vicious pEUDsnsities than
: formation Of habits u virtue
SRI IT, cEs-1ra- INN tie oc---.r--