New-York tribune., 1901-02-26
CONFERENCE on EDUCATTON
DR. ADLER AND OTHER SPEAKERS TAIN
BEFORE THE SOCIETY FOR
ETHICAL CULTURE.

- the conference on education held yesterday
afternoon by the Women's Conference Of the So
ciety for Ethical Culture, at Tuxedo Hall, the
speakers were DR. Felix Adler. Percival Chubb and
Mrs E r. Hewitt
Dr. Ader's subject was The New Education
He began by saying that he had just returned from
visit TO Boston. where he had been taken 10 visit
the rev East Boston High School. which is con-
sidered one Of the finest school buildings in the
country.
IT is as beautiful as Boston taste viii permit.
he said but still has the barracks or hotel aspect
OF the ordinary school No individuality is possible
IN such q school. With its many pupils, II cannot
escape the atmosphere Of the crowd"
Dr.. Adler believes that the new education will
Danish the hotel appearance, build many small
schools instead Of few large ones put growing
plants and cosey seats in the corridors, have pict
ures everywhere. aid a general air as nearly ap-
preaching the home possible.
There viii be a fine room for the ethics class-a
room whose aspect shall be artistic and gracious.
There can be no inspiration in a classroom hlled
with desks in ordered rows" said DR. Adler. The
new education implies a new kind of environment
lending itself 10 medtativeness and graciousness.
The necessity for introducing ethics into school
training was illustrated by Or. Adler by quoting
Harvard professor 10 the effect that cheating IN
examinations is common among the students.
The elite Of the nation go 10 Harvard" the
speaker commented, yet her students have not
developed in the earlier training enough moral
sense TO resist the common vulgar vice Of fraud"
ne en-. .haSlLel the necessity Tor teaching chill
dren that the object Of living is have a good
time, but 10 DO good work, and cautioned parents
against allowing the home atmosphere 10 impress
their children that the ex1ernals Of luxury and
pleasure We're the important things
Mt Ohubb spoke Of the possibilities Of religious
training IN schools. and said tnat the present sys
TEN ot education is failure-as shown by the
idct that crime does not decr-ase-beCause the
ethical element is left out.
The usual idea of religion ne said sis that il
IS doctrine and for this reason must be omitted
account OF Sectarian quarres. But religion IS not
= ccctr4na4 belief, but impulse a guarding
i've IN hte ana can be so taught Every study
can De made 10 lead the Child's thought naturally
anc without any h.nt Of sermons 70 the simple
truths OF life Nature srudy-is incomplete unless
!. eadS one 10 the laws that work through nature.
history Is a revelation Il the laws that govern
hufnanity and teaches the Nemesis that oVertakes
Ine nation or race that tranSgresses them. Iitera-
lure and art show the products OF mind. revealing
Ideals and the mysteries Of creative art Teaching
IN ms sense, you cannot keep religion out Of the
schools
Mrs. Hewitt gave a history OF the oriPin and
aims of the Public Education Association. and
MIS- NJ SutrO Price reported on the work cf the
society Tor Visiting Public Schools After the pro-
eIeLlIne refreshments were served 70 the large
gathering.