Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-12

skill.
WASHINGTON, July 11.-PUblic Opi,-
ion, the eclectic journal of Washington,
will tomorrow (Friday) publish papers
from the pens of Cardinal Gibbons, Rev.
DIR. Thomas Hill, ex-President of Harvard
University; Rev. DR.. Minot j. Savage, of
Boston, and Prof. W. T. Harris, editor of
the Journal Of Speculative Philosophy, on
this question: "Is Religious Instruction in
the Public Schools Expedient? If so, What
Should be Its Character and Limitations?"
Cardinal Gibbons says that can educa-
tion that improves the mind and memory to
the neglect of moral and religious training
is at best but an imperfect and defective
system. 1t is most desirable that our youth
should be made acquainted with the history
of our country, its origin and principles of
its government, and with the eminent men
who have served it by their craftsmanship
and valor
THE GREATER NEED.
"But it is not enough for children to have
q secular education they must receive
a religious training Religious knowl-
edge is as far above human science as the
soul is above the body, as heaven is above
earth, as eternity is above time. By secu-
lar education we improve the mind; by re-
ligious training we direct the heart. The
religious and secular education of our chill
dren cannot be divorced from each other
without inficting a fatal wound upon the
soul; they must go hand in hand, otherwise
their education is shallow and fragmentary-
a curse instead of a blessing Piety,"
says the Cardinal, sis not to be
put on for State occasions, but is to be ex-
hibited in our conduct at all times. Our
youth must put in practice every day the
commandment of God as we'll as the rules
of arithmetic. Then, he asks, "how can they
familiarize themselves with these sacred
duties if they are not daily inculcated? The
catechetical instructions given once a week
in our SUNDAY schools are insufficient to
supply the religious wants of our children.
II is important that they should breathe
every day healthy
RELIGIOUS ATMOSPHERE
in schools in which not only is the mind
enlightened, but the seeds of Christian |
faith, piety and sound morality are nour-
ished and invigorated. The combination of |
religious and secular education is easily &C
complished in UNCONVENTIONAL schools. To |
what extent religion NAV be brought in the |
public schools without infringing the rights |
and wounding the conscience of some of the |
pupils is grave problem beset with difficult |
ties, and very hard to be solved, inasmuch |
as those schools are usually attended by |
children belonging to the various Christian |
denominations, by Hebrews also, and even |
by those who profess no religion whatever"
The Rev. DR.. Hill says that public |
schools with compulsory attendance are an |
essential adjunct of republican govern
ment, and that the republic is bound to /
superintend with care the education of the
children. And whatever NAV be the theo-
retical opinion of religion and morals, it is
v frue hat chi ha anti
pure, truthful and honorable in no way SO
efectually as by cultiyating their natural
reverent sense of religious sanctions.
POLITICAL NECESSITY.
He concludes, therefore, that religious
instruction is more than expedient; it is de-
manded as a political necessity. But it
must not be given by text books, lectures or
recitations 1t must be given incidentally,
first by the selection of teachers of good
character and good sense, then by careful
selection of wholesome reading, and finally
by daily brief religious exercise, at which
passage from the Bible shall be read, a
prayer recited and, perhaps, hymn sung.
But great care should be taken that there
be nothing in the service to which any rea-
sonable parent could object. The State, he
says does not undertake to define Chris
tianity or to decide upon the true interpre-
tation of the Scriptures; but assumes Chris
land.
The Government exists for the public
good, he says, land it is the people alone
who have the power to decide what is for
their good. The State must for its own cake
make good morals and good manners the
tlrst and highest aim in public education"
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
With regard to private schools, DR.. Hill
believes it the duty of the State to inspect
Skav, Al,.A@ II, -. |
therein shall be such as to prepare the
pupils for the duties of citizenship. The
State should not admit that education in the
parochial schools of denomination is
political equivalent for public education.
Least of all is a Catholic parochial school
capable of fulfilling the political ends of
good education, since in them is not only
that partial and distorted view of history,
but limitation of the right Of private judg-
ment which must partly unfit the pupil for
considering questions of public policy with
unbiased mind. Catholic education is
favorable to the development Of diplomatists
and political managers, but it tends to unfit
man for frank and honest public discus
sion.
The aim of every lover of our country and
Its liberties should therefore be to render
the public schools so manifestly superior
morally and intellectually, to a private
school, as to draw all the children into
them.
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
DR.. Savage argues as follows: "In the
case of those who believe that the salvation
of their children's souls is at stake, there
can not be a more odious tyranny than to
compel them to submit to teaching that.
to their minds, entails such horrible conse-
quences. And in the case of those who do
not believe that endless welfare of their
children is at stake, compelling them to
submit to the teaching of a religion they
don't believe in, is waste of time,
and subjects them to the influence of what
IS regarded as hurtiul superstitions, which
hinder true learning. impart false theories
OF LIE and duty, and SO interfere seriously
with the happiness and progress of this
world, If not OF the next In either case,
then, it is tyranny"
school, supported by the equa! taxation of
people of all beliefs, exists and has right
10 exist simply and solely for the sake of
such education as fits for citizenship, and so
is for the public good. The Church and the
home give ample scope for all individual
peculiarities of belief or theory The public
school is for the people and for all the peo-
pie. Let 1t be kept true to its own high and
sacred mission"
THINKS IT INEXPEDIENT
Prof. w. T. Harris says: "It seems to me
that religious instruction in the public
schools is inexpedient on the ground that
they are for all citizens, whatever their re- ;
ligious belief or no belief. 1t is the convic-
tion of the average American citizen that
rights of private conscience must be re-
spected, and that Church and State must be ,
entirely separate If the State undertakes ,