The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-22
LIKE irish SNAKES.
A Professors View Of Religion in
Berkeley.
Religious Education in Schools Discussed
in Speeches at the Unitarian
Club Dinner.
LIKE

"This is very much like that essay on the
subject of snakes in Ireland. There arc
no snakes in Ireland. There is no religious
education in the University of California. >
Professor Thomas R. Bacon of the State
University made this statement last even
ing at the Unitarian Club dinner where
several university professors, ministers
and gentlemen conspicuous as leaders Of
thought in this community were gath.
cred together. 1t was the usual monthly
dinner at the California Hotel, and
everybody laughed, although it was
argued that it was a serious subject. The
theme of the discuss on and addresses was
religious education.
G. A. Murdoch presided. He introduced
as the first speaker Professor L. Barnes Of
Stanford University, who spoke on Gre
ligious Education in the Public Schools"
Professor Barnes declared that secular
ization of schools, making them absolutely
goddess, was the only possible way of solu.
ton of the question at present, because
people insist that no sectarian teaching
shall be held. And yet he did not believe
that the great majority of people desire tc
drive the Christian religion out of schools
The goddess school is kind of compro
mise.
'Among California children" said he
"a most remarkable ignorance exists upor
matters of religion. | suppose SO per cent
of California homes have no religious in
structions. l say 80, though 80 perhaps
would be nearer the truth. The tendency
of secularization is to emphasize the value
of pure intellect. The best thing in the
world is not intellectually; it is charac.
ter"
His solution would be to teach children
OF a great dominant power and gradually
to lead them to spiritual ideals while Civ
ing them religious instruction.
Then Professor Bacon delivered an adj
dress on Religious Education in the Uni
versity of California"
He said while there was none there,
strictly speaking, yet instruction could not
be given in any department of human
knowledge without imparting religious in
struction; it is absolutely impossible to
teach history without teaching religion.
The history of man is the history OF
religion. He favored the establishment of
church schools, colleges and seminaries on
all sides of the university.
DIR. Horatio Stebbins spoke on eTheology
Among the Liberal Arts" stating that
theology is liberal art, the first point in
which all human thoughts focus.
Professor Kellogg of the University oil
California addressed the club on s'The
Ideal Location of a Divinity School," II
was his conviction that the cloister OIL
country town is no longer the ideal, but di.
vinity students should learn in great centers
of population where they would be brought
into contact with men and be taught to
think as they think, and see things as they
see them and get nearer the hearts of the
people. The best location is near uni
yersity, and he stated his firm belief that
divinity schools would be welcomed al
Berkeley.
Rev. DR.. Voorsanger was asked to speak,
and gave his views on education in the
schools. The burden of his argument was
for broad plan on which all creeds could
meet.