The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-03-02

our highest duty to see to it that children
are Systematically given that information
which will enable them to recognize the
right. Having done this, we Should do
all in our power to train them to select
the right because it is right. 1t would
appear, then, that to reach the desired
end we must work through the inteili-
gence to the feelings. and through the
feelings influence the will The problem
of moral training is how best to do this.
THE teacher should not fail to appre-
ciate the absolute necessity Of teaching
through the feelings The children must
see that wrongdoing pains the teacher.
If there is the proper bond of sympathy
between the teacher and the child the
child will share the teachers sorrows and
strive TO avoid the wrongdoing.
again, the child viii be greatly infu-
enced by the force of school opinion and
other social influences which surround
him. We must not forget that class
singing trains the will and tends to bring
ont the moral virtues and the nobler feel
ings 1t will soothe, animate, encourage
and control.
'For years we have been relying en-
tirely on the unsupported unconscious in
huence of the teacher for the moral train
ing of the child. 1t seems certain that
something is wanting, and most are
forced to the belief that the teacher needs
some help. She is expected to be every
thing to everybody. She must be the
specialist Of the specialists. 1t would
seem unfair, then, to expect her to meas
ure up to the great demands of her POI
sition and at the same time be able to in
yolye from her inward conscience COM
plete system of moral instruction. Since
she cannot possibly do this, it is but fair
that the matters Of importance be out
lined for her in this as in other subjects.
Hence arises the absolute necessity for
some suggestive book as an aid to the
teacher.
IF these statements are not correct,
then let them be challenged. If they are
true. then it is time that the mothers
and fathers, interested in the happiness
and success of their dear children, de-
mand of the school authorities more at
tention to this subject. which. more than
any other, vitally affects the present and
future welfare of every parent and every
child Of our land.
Most people win object to sectarian
instruction in the other than church
schools. Less will find fault with relig-
ious instruction, in the broad sense of the
word religious. Certainly, not even the
atheist or the fnfidel would object to
thorough training in morals. Then, why
should we not demand it? Give to this
subject one-tenth of the time wasted on
far less important branches, and we will
have a body of citizens who viii make
this republic invincible and everlasting.
Neglect it and history will repeat itself
once more.
''That this matter is important to the
welfare of the State we must all agree;
for, as President Roosevelt says, Study,
self-respecting morality, readiness to
do the rough work of the world without
flinching and at the same time an in
stant response to every call in the spirit
of brotherly love and neighborly kind
ness, these qualities must rest at the
foundation of good citizenship here in
this republic if it is to achieve the great
ness we hope for it among the nations of
mankind
st is encouraging to note that bill
=
introduced into the New York Legisla-
ture by Senator Bracket demands that
instruction in morals must be given as
thoroughly as in other branches by at
least forty lessons year; that a text
book must be used; that teachers must
know the best methods of teaching the
subject. Maine. Florida. North Dakota,
Oregan and other States have adopted
similar laws. Is it not time that more
States awake TO the Importance of this
movement?
Truly, the raising of the moral stand
ard is the greatest task which the schools
of the twentieth century must achieve