The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-07-27
EDUCATIONAL.
ny MISS OLIVE BUCKINGHAM.
Relxisus Instruction.

BALTIMoRE, July 11.--A specis
from, Warrington says: Public Opin
ion, the eclectic journal Of Washington
will, tomorrow (Friday), publish
papers from the pens OF Cardinal Glib
bons, Rev. DR.. Thomas Hili, ex-presi-
dent OF Harvard Universtty; DIR. M.
Savage, Of Boston, and Pref. w. Il.
Harris, editor Of the Journal of Specu-
lative Philosophy, on this question :
'sIs religious instruction In the public
schools expedtent; II so, what should
be Its character and ltmitations?''
Below are given extracts from these
papers. Cardinal Gibbons says that
an education that improves the mind
aud momory to the neglect of moral
and religious training Is at best hut an
imperfect aud detective System. It is
most desirable that our youth should
be acquainted with the history of our
county, Its origin and principles Of
its government, aud with the eminent
men who have served II with their
statesmanship and valor. But It Is
not enough for children to have Sec
ular education; they must receive re-
ljgious training. Religious knowledge
10 ~ far above human science as the
soul 10 above tho body, as heaven Is
above the earth, as eternity IL above
time. By secular education we inns
prove the mind; by religious training
We direct the heart. The religious
aud secular education Of our children
caunot be divorced from each other
without inflictipg fatal wound upon
the soul; they must go hand in hand,
M "a lhosr oHs,no la al ho llnxx,
and fragmectary--a curse instead OF q
blessing.
Piety, says the Cardinal, is not to
be put on for state occasions, but Is to
be exhibited In our conduct nj all
times. Our youth must put In prac-
tice every day the commandments of
God as we'll AS the rules OF arithmetic.
Then, he asks, how can they familiar
ize Themselves with these sacred du-
ties II they are not daily inculcated?
Tue catechetical instructions given
once q week, In every Sunday-schoo
are not sufficient to supply the reli.
gious wants OF our children. 1t Is i'm.
portant that they should breathe every
day healthy religious atmosphere In
Schools In which not only tho mind is
enlightened, but the christian faith
and sound morality are Dourlshed and
invigorated. The combination of re.
lisl0us and secular education Is easily
accom- plished In denomlnationai
schools. To what extent religion may
be brought 10 the public schools with.
out infringing the rights aud wound
ing the conscience of some of the pu-
pile Is grave problem beset With diff
fculties and very hard TO be solved,
iuasmuch as these schools are usually
attended by children belonging to the
various Christian denominations, by
Jews also, and even by those who pro-
fess no religion whatever"
The Rev. DR.. Thomas Hill says that
public schools with compulsory at
tendance are an essential adjunct Of q
republican government, and that the
republic ts bound to superintend with
care the education of the children; aud
whatever may be the theoretical reia-
tion aud morals, 1t Is practically true
that children can be kept pure, truth
full aud honorable in no way 80 eHectu-
ally as by cultivatlDg their natural
reverent sense Of religious sanctions.
He concludes, therefore, that Iell-
gious instruction is more than expe-
dient; II Is demanded as a political
necessity. But 1t must not be given
by tho textbooks, lectures or reciiita-
tions. 1t must be given incidentally
hrst by the selection Of teachers OF
good character and good sense, then by
careful selection Of wholesomereadIHg,
aud finally by daily brief religious ox-
ercise, at which passage from the
"a
and perhaps hymn sung. But great
care should be taken that tEcre be
nothing In the service TO which any
reasonable parent could object.
The State, he says, does not uuder-