Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-26

children and youth. now under our care.
may be so thoroughly taught that In after
years they will be strong in the Lord, able
to do valiant service for Christ 1t Is for
US to say whether we will raise up men
and women able to teach. and therefore pre-
pare that church that is now in process of
forming.
This suggestion does not rest upon a
theory. 1t is supported by all history. The
patriotic church. to which We turn with
pride because of its piety and growth, had
a magnificent body of teachers, the might
lest men of the times, who made the cate
chumen classes of those days the drill place
of the church. Out of those classes came
in regular procession the confessors, mar
tyrs and apoloSists, whose fidelity aston
ished the heather world.
Besides, the whole tenor of scripture goes
to show that this is Gods way Of making
men-not by reforma ton, but by forma-
ton. All thy children shall be taught of
the Lord, and great shall be the peace of
thy children These words shall be In
thine heart and thou shalt teach them dill
gently unto thy children How dare We neg
lect the preparation of those who have the
future church in their keeping?
Moreover, the outside world Is now turn
ing to the church and urging this prepara-
ton 1t is conceded by all that character
IA formed by educational processes. that
our valuable system of public schools must
be used only for secular learning. that tho
average home of our day because of Dusl-
ness and social engagements does not tram
the young In morals Wise men, filled win
love for our institutions, behold the vice
md crime that abound and ask for me
remedy All eyes are turned toward the
church to meet the emergency. Here we
find but one institution. holding an hour
session once in the week, devoted 10 bip'e
study and teach.
"If we would meet the demands of this
generation IL we would raise up body OF
men and women 10 take their places as
citizens and act their parts we must train
those who shall be emnently qualified 10
teach Not to do this is to be recreant to
the highest obligation ever laid upon the
church.
Comparisons Instituted.
I'VE may reach the same conclusion by
some comparisons. Every state In the
Union, and nearly every city of any con-
siderable size maintains a normal school
for the training of secular teachers. This
is now deemed to be essential to the sue
cess Of our public school system. II Is not
easy to secure a position In one Of our city
schools without diploma from one o!
these city or state normal schools. All
this Is done to insure proper instruction IN
the rudiments of an English education, and
the standard Is raised from year to year
and Is never felt to be too high.
Every one approves such training as
preparatory for teaching in the public
schools. But Is the teaching OF arithmetic
geography, history, spelling. reading more
important and difficult than the teaching OF
the Bible? II training is required In one
case is Ii not in the other? Can We afrord
to nut our boys and girls one day IN the
week under the care OF unskilled persons
after they have been for five days undar
the case of skilled persons? VIII not TINS
course bring religion into contempt!
DR.. Gilbert closed his address by relating
incidents to show the efficiency and success
attained by some of the graduates.