The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-28
THE SCHOOLS AND RELIGION.
The Question OF Religious Teaching In
the Schools Discussed Further.

The Question or Religious Teaching In
the Schools Discussed Further.
To TIE EDITOR or TIVE SuN--SH: As TO
the question OF religion in the schools. on
which you put forth an editorial to-day, let
me add few words
In times still recent, the three RS were sup
posed 10 he the beginnin and tho end of school
life: but now IL IL argued that of late years
they have been neglected. for more SNOWY
branches. like cooking. sewing. dress cutting.
introduced into girls schools; shop work Of
various kinds into boys schools This nddl-
ton. say the DIRECTORS. Ia mere theory Hut
II we are TO educate our youth, flt them to tho
circumstances in which they are to live. we
| must teach them. not only tho three RS, but
how TO Use their hands nj the various handi-
crafts. since their hands are purt OF their
equipment for this journey called life
The president of Columbia. "A high oracle
Of late years IN the educational world argues
con vincinRy thnt shop work in schools ia the
only possible salvation. In some respects, for
boys and girls They can't always be- at
books. either from WEAKNESS or from natural
Discrimination to them: they have to do none
| of the many little things called chores in times
past since the houses are steam-heated and
about every errand " done by person paid
| to do II What. then. shall the unfortunate
city boy do in lieu OF the chores Of the farmers
Here is yet another case Of theorizing The
Superintendent of schools OF this city notices
children looking poor aud pale. and he plans
he soo "a sSo for sd
| II it is for the advantage of the community
The State-t TO have vigorous and robust
robust adults and who can an deny Y' 1.-THE
! State. which has set up great machine called
| aschOol system and expenfs on II In this city
| duire this service to no undertaken by the
, schools This is theorizing. indeed. and 1t
very Ga OF tee yet the
tris, to suggest a remedy.
The present bend Of the schools has found
4. ' ND Pct anr s n" to
and and not less sound boiiss ii t the growing
or Is supposed TO be- Money Is found without
| much trouble to conduct summer schools.
open-air playerounds--actual gardens. not
surface OF mother earth-and all for the p,Ir-
pose Of developing all the chil liz faculties,
There Is even bureau Of the Board OF Etu-
| fllly. for the use OF these garden plots. any
! piece Of ground In crowd ed sections. he II
but three or four hack yards thrown together.
Surely. when the new light which has Of
recent wears shone 80 strongly on our CITY
educators e .n bles them TO see their way clear
indeed NAM bssdes ,se .
| eating the children. they will have the nerve
| TO grasp and use the Anal remaining means
Your correspondents to-day approach the
can't see which ISM" shall be taught say,
t Tss One
has heard from "a Catholic young man TINT
! children, from certain schools are apt 10 he
are ON. wouldn't dispense with the strings
for. that reason-I'd teach the holtsrs Of the
strings 10 be discreet in their holding The
probability ~ that have seen "a many paro-
! chial school children as has the young man
| referred 10. and have not noticed the ten
dency
close hy repeating that pupils have right
10 be fully taught that from the States point
, OF view. and without any reference 70 any
a few OF the old-iashioned apron strings"
through the Use OF which. and not by the neg
lee. Of which, this country became great
INV YORK. July rs RoRERrP GRREN
To THE EDITOR or THE SuN--!Sr. The me-
! cessity Of incucatinS the principles Of re-
lgon In conjunction with the three RS"
| does not appear II the people Of each faith
must provide schools for the children Of their
| own sect, a burden may be imposed on them.
but for the Government to support schools Of
/ the various denominations would create end
less jealousy. chickering's and eSorbtant claims
i from the various sects
! IL would seem, however. that where numer-
GUS churches OF all faiths abound. with sun
| day schools to train our children after the
! manner Of their religions the necessity OF in
! PRODUCING religion in the public schools is
| not so urgent as suggested.
| The public school should be kept free from
| all sectarian influence. The grandest Of its
| admirable features IL its nOn-sectarlan char
meter and the fact that within its walls the
! child OF the humbest becomes the peer of the
J highest In our land
/ WALTER d, CRoNKRlGuT
| JERSEY CITY, July "a,
| To THE EDITOR OF The SUS-Sir! Your
question In to-day's Sun regarding religion
in schools is certainly hard to answer, II re-
/ llgion must be taught in DIR public schools
| let It be the teaching OF the foundation OF all
religions. not denied by any one and that is.
the Ten Commandments Live up to these
commandments and you have the laws OF
| God the world over. They are not sec
| tartan and cannot be objected to by any e1-
! Cspt those who object to all laws,
| Let those who want special RELIGIOUS teach-
Ing send their children to sunday school,
and not ask that 1t be mixed up with our
common school education.
| Tho number OF hours given 10 our children
| in school is not any too much Tor the course Of
secular instruction now pursued. The trouble
with many parents 10 hat they do not give
| enough personal attention after school hours
| They think that the children should learn II
| all at school.
| Let our public schools be for a common
| schooling and our Sunday schools for re-
! Nrious teaching. and We shall all be treated
alike and nobody will have any. reason to be
| Jealous OF one being benefited more than
another. for this reilly GUS question smarts n
| tender spot in many when brought TO debate.
WILLIAM GOLDsMIrR
BRoONIyS July "a