Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-11
Moral Teaching in the Schools.

The refusal of the board of education to
adopt the suggestion of committee OF
citizens for the introduction OF course
OF religious and moral instruction In the
public schools closes a controversy when
has been in many aspects unfortunate Inc
Star refrained from participating In the
discussion on its own account, believing that
II was the better part of good citizenship
TO do nothing to add to the rancor of the
debate which ragged for several weeks be-
tween the advocates and opponents of the
proposition. 1t felt confident that the wise
course would be pursued by the board OF
education which has just been announced.
and the event proves that Its confidence
was not misplaced.
In The Stars opinion morality and those
sound principles of good conduct which
crystalize alike from nearly all of today's
religious beliefs should be impressed upon
the pupils In the public schools by the
words, acts, example and personal influence
of every teacher. Whether In public Or
private school. in primary department or
in the university, the teachers direct IN
fiuence upon the pupil. irrespective of the
formal instruction impaired, Is the most
potent factor In religious or moral training.
Who. In reviewing ones own educational
course, UOeS not TcIIelifDcI Will 6loCOteA
and undying affection the teacher in geog-
raphy, perhaps. or in geology or Greek.
who was by example and tactful word m
season the most effective teacher OF prac-
teal Christianity and the most inspiring
and helpful guide along the path of moral
betterment?
The existing rule concerning religious and
moral instruction in the Washington schools
has always seemed to be well considered
and unobjectionable, and to yield as good
results as any formal rule can in such
case in which distinctly the strength of
the rule itself consists in the manner of its
application.
Yet there was some reason in the conten-
ton of the committee of fifteen that they
merely sought to extend and strengthen the
existing rule, and that their propositions,
being based on precisely the same prin-
ciples, should be as understandable as that
rule itself.
But the committees view of the nature
and effect of their propositions was not uni
versally accepted by the community, and
over them a bitter theological controversy
was waged in which the validity and appli-
cability to modern conditions of the Ten
Commandments especially the Fourth Com
mandment. the divinity of Christ and even
the existence of God were freely discussed
in the public prints.
The very fact that the committees prop
ositions did not essentially alter existing
conditions was in view of the contro-
versy. of which the effect could not be
otherwise than Injurious, an argument
against the attempt to put them into
operation. If, without exciting public
theological dispute and arousing secta-
rian rancor, the existing rule can con-
tinue to be enforced, while such contro-
versy was certain to accompany any at
tempt to strengthen and extend that rule,
II was clearly better to refrain from the
effort to strengthen and extend.
1t remains TO be seen how far the ram
corous discussion that has proceeded for
many weeks has affected the efficiency OF
the rule and weakened the public confidence
in the existing methods Of moral instruction
in the schools. 1t is to be hoped, and in
fact believed. that the sound judgment of
the community has not been disturbed and
that the schools will continue to teach
practical morality and true religion through
the example of the teacher and the pursuit
of such exercises as have been in vogue in
the past 1t is clear that more can not be
attempted without mourning a greater loss,
and it is gratifying to read in the terms of
the boards firm refusal to entertain the
proposition determination to proceed az
In the past with a system of moral guild
ance which will stand as a guarantee to
the people of the District that the spiritual
welfare OF the children is not being i'm
paired while their brains are being culti-
waited.