Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-03-22

Institutions of higher learning are already
doing Il great deal to uouiish an enlightened
civic spirit but they might do much more
Courses of instruction in CiviCs abound III all
the best college currcula, and they are VcrT
popular. There are no other communities
in the land where correct thought and feel
| ing regarding civil and social obligations
are So general rs within colleges and uni
versties. students arc. a, a rule, brave,
| openmndcd. and enthusiastic They like
progress ami new ideas. They continually
argue. NarroWnes,, provincialsln. fogy
ism they frown down y right spirit of
young America is ever abroad among them,
and the matters upon which il most loves to
! feed are those relating to mans life with
man in political and social relations. But
the general. silent and uuobtru,ivc tonden-
| cies of our higher schooling, and the social
! studies already in use, good as these are.
! need Sunplementing Much teaching is
either too abstract o. too concrete. Econo-
mic. social and ethical theories should be
| hrOughi in the teaching directly into reln-
tion with the facts in order that student,
may know, SO far as possible, what meas
ureS they shall favor and, aS opportunity
! serves help execute. l'pon all the great so
cial issues as the ballot. intemperance
trusts. the tariff luxury. silver, civil ser
|
be trained to draft and defend reform laws
based upon reasoned principles
THE DUTY OF THE CHURCH.
The various religious establishments of
the country. were they so minded. might be
incidentally influential in the political edu-
cation of the young When we consider the
immense numbers of religious people now,
their tremendous resources in wealth and
learning. their standing in society, and their
perfect access to all men through the press
if not by direct religious address. il is obvi-
Gus that their influence in favor of right po-
litical thinking and practices ought to be
far mightier than it is Moral teaching is
confessedly main part Of the church's
business, and political conduct certainly
forms a most important portion of morality.
Every pulpit in the land ought inces sanity tc
inculcate the duty of public spirit. The
church should make provision for new, more
careful study and teaching upon social ant
political questions. As to many Of these
satisfactory information is not obtainabl,
anywhere now. Not few of the evils
whereof all complain are the pure product:
! of ignorance. Such people as have the bas
opportunities to learn know all too littl,
about the details of proper social procedure
( on their own part, on concerning poliCic
: and methods for assuaglnE the woes which
t atiiict society. To do good being thu
D church's admitted mission, | see not how
;. She can escape the duty Of making deep an,
n triumphant study of these grave problem
now SO angrily discussed, that she MAJ
: teach the results from the pulpit and ii
p every other possible way \ new sort o
: theological education. more practical thai
n the old, is imperatively needed. Sunday
5 schools might be utilized for making know
: the results of this, form of activity thal
r which none could be more useful
v f, BENZ. ANDREWS.
e. Brown University Feb NJ 1891.