St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-25
MORAL TRAINING.
Editor of the Globe.

Editor of the Globe.
have been greatly interested in read
ing your editorial in last Sundays issue
of the GLOBE, entitled 1.-THE Live Cues
tion," and references to the convention
IN Baltimore. and the belief of promi-
nent and very learned gentlemen in
said convention, and some of their de-
clared opinions that called forth your
expressed sentiments. The question to
which you refer is one of great moment,
the question that has been most ably
discussed by the brightest and most
logical minds of the nineteenth century.
Can we reasonably hope that this intris
cate problem will be solved in that way
by which the greatest good to the greats
est number will be the sum total of the
workings of the same? Is it really ex-
pedient to combine religious with secu
lar teaching in our public schools?
We would answer as our candid belief
that moral teaching ought to be taught
in all of our public schools as one of the
most necessary and potent factors, as
guarantee of nation al prosperity, the
real safety of which is the discipline
and moral training of the rising genera
ton, who are really the minor factors of
prosperous states and nations, ''for
just as the twig is bent, the tree is in
clined." We don't wish to be under
stood that the moral training that we
favor, is of that type which in its teach
ing would build up any particular sect,
but, that moral training based on the
broad platform of obedience to God and
a recognition of those moral principles
couched in Christ'S sermon on the mount.
The moral teaching and the recognition
Of mn N a
Declaration of Independence, and our
prayer for our success in the vindica-
ton of our national rights, was truly
blending of moral and state rights that
ought not to be divorced, and never can
be if we pa that attention to moral as
well as political and educational science
in all the public schools of this republic.
Is it not true that the common law is
really based on moral laws, and in
fact all state laws, if not based upon
justice and morality, will fall short of
the intent and significance for
which they were supposed to be
enacted? 4 In most all of the
states of the Union there are laws
recognizing the observance Of the Sab
bath and penalty attached for disobe-
dience of the same. 1t is likewise true
as it respects blasphemy and many
other questions that are moral and
highly important to be observed
throughout the length and breadth Of
our land, and would be conducive to
the happiness, influence and prosperity
of what we sometimes call our ''model
republic" We do not think that it
would endanger our liberties If these
moral lessons were taught in our public
schools. If we, as nation, have
stamped upon our coin, the circulating
medium of the realm, Sin God We
Trust" why should our educators, our
doctors of divinity, our bishops and
arch bishops be so puzzled as not
to give an intelligent solution of this
great and momentous question? We
believe most sincerely and emphatically
that the brilliant Protestant writer of
France, Guic0tt, was correct when he
wrote, "That to make popular educa-
ton truly good and socially useful, it
must be Fundamentally religious" In
the church schools. let the Catholics,
Methodists, Baptists, PreSbyterians,
Episcopalians, Congregationalists and
all other sectS and issues teach their
peculiar church doctrines and polity if
they desire, but. in our public schools.
don't let us be so wonderfully afraid OF
blending state and church as to forbid
that Christ gave us in his memorable
sermon. 1t is the opinion of the writer
that if this policy had been adopted
years ago, we would not have
to-day so many in this God
protected nation, who believe that he
has nothing to do with the govern
ments of this world. This is an evil
that ought to be corrected, if possible.
Ex-President Hill, of Harvard, hit the
nail on the head when he said: ''That
as measure of public safety, the gov
eminent has the right and the power to
enforce religious instruction" We be-
lieve that the fruitage of the discussion
of this momentous question will be the
adoption of moral training in all OF our
public schools in the near future.
'sTruly righteousness eXalteth nation,
but sin is reproach to any people"
III. ID. CRANDALL,