Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-05-02
EDUCATIONAL.
Something of Interest to Every
body.
The Church and the sSchoOI-The Pop
uIariIy OF Rock Islands High school
Notes.

The Illinois School journal has the fol
lowing upon the subject which has al
ways been more or less discussed-tha,
of giving more specific religious instruc-
ton in our public schools:
The relation of the school TO the
church is a very important one. 1t is
not relation of opposition, but of coop
Grafton. BY the church is meant the ag-
gregate of those churches, societies and
different assemblies, orthodox and other
wise, that organize TO seek religious and
ethical Improvement. These constitute
the church in that sense in which it is
spoken of as having relation to the
common school. The common school rs
an institution bears relation to the
church as an institution. The relation is
that of preparation. This is the relation
that the school bears to every institution
of man into which the child must enter
The school as an institution must give,
| therefore. that instruction and training as
preparation for the church that is cons
mon TO all these different sects, socities,
etc, that constitute the church. 1t
seems as if this proposition is self-evi~
dent. 1t seems quite clear TO the writer
that this common element in all religions
is for what is believed by the one who
reveres to be true and good reverence
for the highest truth and the lowest, for
the greatest good and for the least. This
feeling of reverence for what is good and
true is "a religious sentiment common to
all good people Of every nation and
tongue. This sentiment the schools |
must earnestly and persistently seek to
cultivate. 1t is n virtue that American |
youth most lack, and which this civiliza |
ton most needs. How shall it be done |
in any particular SCHOOL, That depends |
upon who constitute the school. If it is |
made up of the parishioners of one synod |
exclusively, then the methed of that |
synod may be the best. But if there are rep
resentatives from different churches and
societies IN the school, then a method that |
will be in harmony with the methods of
all must be chosen. This. also, seems to
he self-evident proposition. To select
the proper method requires an intelligent
and devoted teacher. Again we come to
that central point from which every line
of successful school work must emerg,-
the intelligence and devotion of. the
teacher. Without these there is abso,
lutely no hope that the schools will realize
their purpose. When we look at the
subject from this higher point of view.
how unworthy appear those demands
made by different synods and assemblies.
that the peculiar method of that pecu~
liar sect shall constitute the general
method for the school. But it is not
necessary to multiply words in the
of any such proposition.
The more our new high school is WIS.,
ted by people from other cities and rep. I
'esentatlves of other schools, the more
he praise for and admiration of it 1
preads. 1t has become reputed as 1
model for all other cities in this part of a
be country contemplating the erection OF a
building for the higher branches of 4
tudy taught in our common schools. a
If all Rock Islands institutions of worth 8
nd merit, which one can it better afford s
o be proud? IL
Mr.. Bernard Bigsby, former pupil in "
he noted English school Rugby, gave 81
n inspiring talk to the high school this e
lorning He has been engaged to Ices 81
lre before the school on the subject, Il
Rugby, Arnold and Tom Brown, in the d
Ugh school hall at o'clock Friday after n
Don. Patrons and friends are cordially 8,
lvited to be present, e
Supt Young,of the Davenport schools, Il
nd Prof. Kellogg and Misses Ceaves Ii
nd Pratt, of the Davenport High school, o
re visiting the Rock Island schools to- C,
ay. C,
There is a better attendance at the D
ock Island schools this year than the 81
nrollment has ever shown before Il