The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-11-18

Inc morals existing among tne
of Nlarion's public schools
is lamentable, according to Rev.
Byron c. Piatt, pastor of the Cen
trail Christian church. In most
unusual sermon given Sunday ev-
ening on ..The Problem of Morals
and Religion in the Public Schoolsn
Rev Mr.. Piatt made some startling
statements to prove his; assertion
that the moral training given our
children is very lax. He blames not
so much the teachers and those in
charge of the schools, however. as
he does the parents of the child
rem, who allow such conditions to
exist In the congregation which
heard the sermon were II. l.. Frank
superintendent of schools, Mr.. wy
mans. principal of the High
school. and probably a dozen teach
ers of the High school and gram
mar grades.
There should be no line of de-
markation between the bible school
and the public school Rev Mr..
Piatt declared Despite teachings
of the higher critics he says that
he is cold fogy enough" to believe
that In Jesus Christ is the one
hope of the public schools. The
savior must be recognized in the
teachings of our children.
Rev. Piatt said that in this busy
busting age, when the object of
every man is to grasp the mighty
dollar, people have become so busy
that they have neglected the spir-
'tual welfare of their children. As
4 rule. the bible has been aban-
doned I'm the home, and in this
one glaring ommission, the lack of
bible teaching in the home. Is
nrobably the chief cause of the
waywardness of our children.
"The moral condition of the
children in Marion is far from what
1t ought to be- declared Rev.
Nr. Piatt. In saying this. however
he said that he had no intention OF
casting reflections on the teachers
tie believed the school system to be
faulty. He spoke OF how the child
rom the very first is thrown into
what he calls ''hodge podge. of
childish humanity. comprising
children of all temperaments. II Is
dlfiicult matter to handle tbo
youngster who must be influenced
TO a certain extent by all of these
| associates.
Rev. Mr. Piatt said that IL would
be revelation to any person IN
step INTO crowd of Youngsters
coming out of the Central School
builuing.
| 10 hear the language and ia
see the conduct OF those children
would make a man of the street
lblush,' declared the Central Chris
tan pastor. 'I have heard girls
scarcely in their teens swearing
like troopers.
Rev, Mr. Piatt said that on one
occasion he met High school class
going on some sort OF trip and
he declared that the actions on the
pirt of some of the young people
was shameful
IL Is Mt the time young people
are III the High school that they
demand the closest attention. Rev
! Mr. Piatt said. 1t Is then that the
physical nature predominates and
the will and moral nature is not
strong enough to check any i'm.
proper tendency.
81 believe the girls and bows
should be separated after the,
have gone through the primar,
grades, said Rev. Mr.. Piatt. He
said that the trouble With most
parents Is that they overestimate
the moral rectitude of their own
children. They think the young
people can do nothing wrong be-
! cause they are "their children.',
J '.l am interested in this question
because ! am interested in the
kingdom of Cod said Rev. Mr.
Piatt, "and we can't have any
kingdom of God If the very foun-
tain-head of national life is con-
taminated.'
1.-THE girls and boys should be
made to understand that they 20
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