The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-09
THE LITERARY CLUB.
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND MORALS.
Paper Read Before the Literary So
ciety by Mr.. Wilson at the Home
of Mr.. X. NJ. HaddOn, May, 1897.

BY the word education mean that euuca-
ton which children generally receive In the
public schools and colleges of this country.
Schools, or education, date far back IN the
history OF the world.
II the idea OF educating the masses ala not
originate with the clergy, it is perfectly GER
tain that they were early patrons and promo
terS OF schools.
The clergy then exercised not only great
influence over The morals and religion OF the
people, but they inspired them with the am
bition 10 become educated whereby they
might be their co-workers for good and take
leading positions In society.
When the schools were first taught, morali-
ty and religion may be said TO have been the
foundation stones upon which the superstruc-
ture was based.
Such importance was given to the moral
and religious lessons, that TO learn to read
and TO write was considered as an aid TO the
lessons which the clergy thought 10 be OF
greatest value, namely: Morality and reli-
gion.
Education at that time was means to an
end.
But man is ever restless and his desire for
change Is never satisfied.
The people becoming restive under the
rule OF the clergy, sought TO make the state
factor OF at least co-eQual power and inhu-
ence with that of the priesthood, and fually
the school was entirely separated from the
church.
In this country the church and state were
never united, and In no place perhaps Is the
evidence Of the separation of church and
state more plainly to be seen than in the
schools.
The state having repudiated all forms of
religion and having taken control Of the
schools, 1t now directs the course Of study
TO be pursued, and as a result We will sooner
or later become nation OF irreIigious people.
The clergy as such. have ceased TO exercise
any notable influence In that direction.
The state or tee people have so far diverged
from the old lines OF thought aud instruction,
that now neither religion, nor morality, nor
the science of health, nor physical develop
pnrtr aipon hon q no inc nf,tin ina
THEY sHUN MORALITY AND RELIGION.
The policy OF the government is solidly
against any branch OF study which may teach
sectarian doctrine, and no attempt has yet
been made by the State OF South Carolina TO
teach morality or religion.
SO strong has become the sentiment OF the
people against teaching morality and religion
In our schools th"t preachers from the holy
affairs, In the sacred temples, feel warranted
in inveighing against the moral man-leav-
ing the impression that morality is objection
able, unless accompanied by religion.
ANYBODY CAN JOIN THE CHURCH-BUT AN
HONEST MAN IS THE NoBLEsT WORK OF
GOD.
They seem to forget that anybody can be-
come member OF the church, and that the
most arrant hypocrile in the neighborhood
may pray loudest In the sanctuary. We
are no longer taught that mans character is
squared by the money side. We are no long.
er taught that those who fail TO come up to
the requirements of honesty in money mat
tiers, and those who fall short of the highest
integrity of act and purpose, are a reproach
to the church.
They forget that an honest man is the mob
lest work OF God, and that a religion without
morality Is but transparent sham, which
cheats nobody.
And so 1t has come to pass that the influ-
ence which was once used as powerful aid
10 morality and religion has been dissipated,
and that which was once their handmade
is now negative, which works neither for
nor against morality and religion, but the
tendency OF which teaching, combined, with
the life OF proiessed christians, Is 10 create
agnostics and unbelievers.
The cultivation of high and conscientious
character. which should be based on an intel
ligent conception OF the duties and obliga-
tions OF life, Is now unknown in our schools.
The cultivation OF that religious sentiment
which would prompt US TO a proper discharge
OF all the nobler and grander purposes Of lie
have been abandoned.
That halo which surrounds the moral life
and beauties the Christian character is no
longer felt or seen in our institutions of learn
Ing.
Instead of developing sweetness and purity
in our hearts; instead of implanting In our
bosomS higher aspirations and nobler re.
solves instead Of fostering love for the True
the Beautiful and the Good. the intellect
alone is educated and de-elo9ed.
The natural trend OF the mind, therefore