Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-07-25
Religious Instruction,
Is 1t Expected ia Our Public Schools ?
Papers from tbs Pens OF Cardinal Glib
bOns, Thomas Hill, DrvSayage and
Prof. W. 7. Harris.

of Harvard University; Dr. NJ. Savage,
Of Boston, and Prof. W. I. Harris, editor
OF the Journal of Speculative Philosophy,
on this question.
SIS religious instruction in the public
schools expedient; if so, what should be
It's character and limitationsy"
Cardinal Gibbons says that an educa-
ton that improves the mind and memory
to the neglect Of moral and religious
training Is az best but an imperfect and
defective system. 1t is most desirable
that our youth should be made acq uainted
with the history of our country, its
origin and principles of its govern
ment, and with the eminent men who
have served it by their craftsmanship
and valor. But it is not enough for
children 20 have a secular education; they
must receive a religious training. Re
ligious knowledge is far above human
scieLoe as the soul is above the body, as
heaven Is above earth, a. eternity is above
time.
b. secular education We improve the
mind; by religious trrining we direct the
heart. The religious and secular educa-
ton of our children can not be divorced
from each other without inhicting fatal
wound upon the soul; they must 20 hand.
finland, otherwise their education is stal-
low and fragmentsry-a curse instead of
a blessing.
"Piety," says tbs Cardinal "is not to
/ be put on for state occasions, bat it Is to
| be exhibited in our conduct at all times
Our youth must put in practice every day
the commandments of God as we'll as the
rules of arithmetic.
| Then he asks, chow can they famu-
iarize themselves with these sacred duties
/ If they are not daily inculoated? The
oateohetioal Instructions given once Il
week in every Sunday-schOol are not suf-
fcient 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 the mind is enlightened, but The
Christian faith and sound morality are
mourished and iuyigorated.
| "The combination OF religious and
secular education is easily accom- pllshed
in denominationsl schools. To what ex-
tent reli gion may be brought into the pub
lilo schools without infringing the rights
and wouuding the conscience of some of
the pupils is grave problem, beset with
/ difficulties ana very hard to be solved,
/ tended by children belonging to the vari-
Gus denominations, by Jews also, and
even by those who profess no religion
whatever"
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Hill says that
/ public schools with compulsory attend
ance are essential adjuncts OF a repub-
| licau government, and that the republic
is bound 10 sGperiutend with care the
Z gsA.g -
may be the theoretical relation and NOR
/ ais it is practically true that children can
/ be kept pure, truthful and honorable in
no way so efectualIy "a by the cultiya-
tion or their natural rsverent sence of
religious sanctions.
He concludes, therefore,, that religious
! instruction is more shan expedient; 1t is
demanded rs a political necessity. But
\ it must not be given by text books, lee
| lures or recitauons. 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 pas
/ sage from the Bible shall be read, pray
1 er recited, and perhaps a hymn sung. But
great care should be taken that there be
nothing in the service TO which any
reasonabls parent could object
"The state" he says docs not under
/ take TO define Christianity, or to decide
/ upon the true Interpretation OF the scrip
/ lures; but assume Christianity as part of
/ the common law of the land.
"The Government exists for tbs 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
sake. make good morals and good man
ers the first and highest aim in public
education"
with regards to private schools. DE-
Hal believes it the duty of she state to
inspect them and require that the educa-
ton given therein shall be such as 70 pre-
pare the pupils for the duties of citizen
ship. The state should not admit that
education in the parochial schools OF a
denomination Is q political equivalent
for a public education. Least OF sill Is q
Catholic parochiel school capable of full
filing the public ends OF good eduoa
ton, since in them Is not only that par
tial and distorted view of history, bus 3
limitation of the right of private iudg-
ment which partly unfit the pupil
kOr CNnSlAEAAAk QhVetANAA9 VI E"1+A~ fSAA
cy with unbiased mind.
Catholic education is favorable 10 the
development of diplomatists and political
managers, but tends 70 unfit man for
frank and honest public discussion. 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, 70 private
schools as 70 draw all the children into
them.
DR.. Savage argues as follows;
an the case of those Who believe that
the salvation Of their children souls Is AZ
| stake, there cannot be more odious
/ tyranny than to compel them 20 submit
1 70 teaua ing that to their minds entails
such horrible consequences, And in the
case OF those who do not believe ths- the
Endless welfare OF their children IS 81
stake. compelling them 20 submit TO the
teaching OF q religion they don't believe,
is & waste Of time, aud subjects 1hem 70