Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-15
problems involved in the teaching of morals,
has resolutely faced the issue and sought in
various ways for satisfactory solution.

We nave, ana, while realizing the d1mcul
problems involved in the teaching Of morals
has resolutely faced the issue and sought IL
various ways for satisfactory solution.
Conditions in Europe.
Germany is not satisfied with her iron.
clad system OF dogmatic instruction. Sec
tarianism has caused no little trouble, but
nevertheless she is determined to teach re.
ligion in the public schools and hopes ir
time to arrange a better program.
Austria and Hungary may not like t.
have separate groups of denominations
formed in the grammar grades, but still
insist on the systematic study of the Scrip
lures.
ITALY and Switzerland leave the question
to be settled by the provincial authorities
and SO in one district you will find the 81
BILE taught and in another rights and du.
ties but in all the children receive direct
ethical instruction.
'In France, that hotbed of conflict be-
tween church and state the schools brand
ed by Rome as goddess have had in use
for over twenty years the most complete
system Of moral instruction to be found
anywhere. Under present conditions 1t IL
teaching emphasizes duty toward God and
reverence for Him and religion.
THE attitude of England, Scotland. Ire
land and Wales is too well known to re-
quire mention, only this should be said In
view of the recent struggle in parliament
over the education bill, that, however par
ties may differ concerning the kind of reli-
gious instruction to be given in the schools,
there Is practical unanimity in favor Of re-
tanning Bible teaching.
For years past there has been develop.
ing in the United States a combination OF
social conditions which seriously threatens
the well-being of our country. The evils
attendant upon industrial revolution, the
steady increase of immigration, the wretch
ed congestion of city population the loosen
Ing of family ties, the weakening of relf-
gieus authority, the growth Of the mate
realistic spirit, all these are bearing their
natural fruit in q shocking record of crime
and immortality.
Public School and Enemy Of Crime.
Now, statistics clearly show that the
most powerful weapon possessed by the
state with which to fight this evil Is the
public school. 1t is everywhere. 1t touches
life at the most impressionable period, and
the records prove that crime exists among
the young in inverse ratio to their school
attendance. Take that last fact under
thoughtful consideration and see what II
means for the United States to have an
year, while England has about 220 and Ger
many about $50; and what 1t means to sc
poorly enforce the compulsory education
laws that the average attendance Is only
1901 days of the year for less than five
years. In some cases in Europe. in addition
to the regular day attendance from the age
Of six to fourteen, there is a required night
school work for two or three evenings q
week up to the age of eighteen. The cheap
est method Of dealing with crime is con-
sidered to be that Of prevention through
the agency Of the public school:
Happily for u.s." SAID President Barnes
in conclusion, there Is manifest in oul
country today a new interest in this grea,
subject and an evident desire to make the
formation of Character the chief end of edu
cation. I believe that year by year oul
public schools are going to become an in.
creasing power for the moral development
of the nation, and, as help to that end, the
school year should be heightened, the stu
dent should be forced to attend more regu-
larry. God should be honored in morning
worship, in New York, Boston and Balti
more; systematic instruction in rights and
duties ought to be given. and school games
Fairgrounds, student organizations, alumni
associations, pictures, songs, evening class.
es, adult institutes and popular lectures
should be made to yield all the, moral tone
of which they are capable.
Yes, 1 return to the United States in the
early part of October but 1 have promised
before sailing to meet a number of French
educators They are very much in earnest
over there in regard to moral training"