The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-11

in the schools. ] speak these things to-
day, not complaining of our schools, for
we boast justly of as good schools in
our city, as young as it is, as can be
found in the East or elsewhere but our
schools open tomorrow and we should
give thought to the day and impress
upon our children its Importance.
But 7 speak of these things to-day
from another standpoint. What has
the pulpit to do with this fountain of
knowledge springing up into the minds
of the rising generation? We answer,
much not to interfere with the school,
but to guard the children in the on
ward march they are making and to
see that their knowledge is sanctified
by the gospel of Jesus Christ The more
secular knowledge we may have the
more we need the gospel. Mere secular
knowledge does not change the heart
If one is dishonest when he is ignor-
ant. he is dishonest when educated. If
selfish, he is selfish still. If generous,
he is the same. II spiritual he is not
changed by much knowledge.
Greece had philosophy. What OF her
morals? Read Paul to the Corinthians,
or Plato's Republic, or his Ideal state,
and you will see Rome had knowledge,
but what of her morals? Take India
to-day. Many of her people are highly
educated, they are learned, but what of
their morals?
Look at the illustrious chiefs of
English literature. Take Bacon, Dry
den, Churchill, Byron, Pope and Burns.
They were learned. but did their learn
ing lift them in morals? Is 1t necessary
for me to dwell in the past to prove
this proposition? France is an answer
Indeed, the answer can be brought
much nearer home. Mere learning does
not keep man pure. The more knowl-
edge the greater power have we to do
wrong. knowledge is power, and a
few men of superior knowledge can
sway the multitudes as they will. The
more knowledge we have the greater
the responsibility resting upon us Let
us consider for moment:
/. IF secular knowledge is to in
crease, do you doubt this?
2. "If it has not power to change the
heart, and you know this.
g. IF it increases mans power to do
evil, and you believe this to be true.
T. IF it lays upon man greater re-
sponsibility, and you feel this.
What ought the church, with her
light and power to do?
What is the duty of the pulpit, with
its open bible, with It's vast influence
of the preached gospel?
I'VE answer: To seek to sanctify our
secular knowledge by the power OF the
gospel, which is Gods power TO the
salvation or mankind. we shouiu MY
our public school up to the throne OF
grace We should have no one to teach
there but those of undoubted moral
qualifications. We should have the
bible. without note or comment read
in our schools. (This is my personal
opinion) :,
LET the knowledge of the world in
crease more and more. If the gospel Is
faithfully preached to the people, it VIII
hold infldelity in check and correct the
morals. AS the sunny vault above us
wdens to the advanced step OF the
traveller scaling the hills, so the gospei
EXPANDS to the intellectual progress OF
the ages
Secular knowledge has never gone
so high or advanced so far but the
gospel has also gone. and leaving
worldly knowledge when 1t had gone as
far as mans wisdom could go, it has
taken man beyond even to the throne
of Cod and to everlasting rest