The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-05

The second day of the Twentieth
Century Forward Movement conven-
ton was somewhat interfered with by
the weather, but the programme was
carried out and enjoyed by mary
clergymen and church workers. Some
excellent papers were presented and
discussed. and the hospitality of the
Simpson church people was doubly en-
ioyed.
At the morning session the DEVOTION
al exercises were under the direction
of Rev. w. j. HILL of Wilkes Barr.
In the absence of Secretary Henry, the
regular secretary of the association
was appointed to act during the re-
mainder of the sessions. On invite
ton OF Rev. Dresser, the next meet
ing will be held in Ashley.
Revs. Hitler. Dresser and DR.. Grit-
fin were appointed n committee on pro-
gramme. Rev. Herbert Ellsworth was
elected speaker of the next regular
session of the association. and Rev.
James Bennnger, alternate. Rev.
Jrdson Bailey was elected preacher
and Rev. Henry, alternate.
DIR. sPRAGUE'S PAPER.
DR.. Sprague read his paper on "Our
Schools in the Twentieth Century
Movement" 1t proved 10 be a bril-
liant effort, and among other thoughts
contained the following:
Our schools in the twentieth century movement
and the relation OF education to religion His.
tory teaches lis that the priests and children of
priests received the highest forms of instruction
in the schools This instruction related to hicr-
oglyphies and other forms of language. to astron-
omv and to mathematics
We may infer that if the education OF Egypt
not absolutely dominated by the religion of
the nation. the priests at least were leaders in
educational work. In all the nations find
that education inspired in whole or in part
by their religions. All the schools and univcrsi-
ties driftcd from their original religious character
more or less into civil service establishments,
their aim being to prepare for citizenship and
services for the state rather than for character
and immortal destiny
No one of these nations had come to the true
conception of education. No one of these csti-
mated man in his true WORTH But the world
needed to have introduced into its intellectual
training another factor The intellect well
as the heart of man needed a Savior. There re-
maned to supply this factor, the advent OF that
incompatible life among men, that loving mag.
niticcnt Goldman. that majestic, suprclncst figure
that stands in our time reckoning between the
centuries, Jesus or Nazareth, the carpenter $ son.
The Savior gave the world new doctrine of
educational thought lie enurciatCd the great
law of love, the brotherhood of man, and the
fathcrhood OF God. He demonstrated the fact
of life after death by the resurrection OF His
own body. lie taught the equality OF men, that
God is no rcspcctor OF persons.
The schools of the pagan world did not readily
yield to the influences of the Savior's advent
At this point Christianity, true to its instincts
took up the cause OF education and has never
rclinquishcd its grasp. In our own Christian
land higher education has been placed largely
under the control of the church.
In looking at the origin OF all the early col
leges that have had any considerable influence in
moulding our national life we find that religious
influence, and almost invariably the clergy, were
the controlling factors in their establishment.
Education is the hand maiden OF the church.
We must remember that God has given to man
an intellect as well as n conscience. He has
placed before him a sylogism as well as duty,
and the two in the great purpose OF God are in
original and absolute harmony.
The intellect cannot be safely developed with.
out regard to the moral sense. Methodism has
been wise in linking to her gospel train the
palace car of education.