Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-06

tai qualifications, so necessary for their
profession. Generally high school
pupil spends In the school room from
3 o'clock to 3, 4, or even o. A largo
part of the time is spent in classes
under the direct influence of some per
son whom he looks UP to. 1t can east
ly be seen how great will be the power
for good which all this will exert upon
the average boy or girl. The uplift-
ing character OF this power is insured,
except in very rare cases, by the very
selective principle in vogue among
Church schools.
STUDENT BODY SELECTIYE.
There is. however, second reason
for the statement that the Church
school system of education is the SAT
est during the high school period. From
the very nature of the case, the body
Of students. like the faculty, is select
i've. Without considering the fact that
practically all of the students in
Church schools are children of Latter
day Saints, the regulations adopted by
these institutions are of such a nature
as to bring about wholesome environ
ment In the school Smoking. profani-
ty, obscene language, deviation from
the moral laval are forbidden, not
only on the grounds but also at any
time or place whatsoever; and where
they occur and become known an eff
fort is made to bring about a reforma
ton. Hence such students as are add
dicted. for instance, TO the use OF to-
bacco. either leave off this practise, or
discontinue their attendance at school.
This is true SO far as all other evil
habits are concerned. Students who
remain at school, naturally comply
with the regulations in spirit as well
as in letter. To be sure there may be
exceptions. Hence the whole influence
of the school is thrown positively oil
the side Of purity and uprightness OF
character by reason of It's seiective
body of students
ATMOSPHERIC is RELIGIOUS.
third cause for the beneficial effects
of Church school education lies in the
fact that theology is taught here The
teaching of this subject has a direct
and an Indirect value. The faculty real
ICES that to teach the mere facts or
theology without the spirit of 1t Is al
most valueless. They, therefore. make
special effort to arouse in the students
an interest for the subject and for tho
spirit of religion. The very effort in
itself is favorable to the growth of a
warm confidence between students and
the teachers, which again puts both in
better frame of mind toward each
other and their subjects. Their results
too, clearer understanding of religious
truth, and this puts the young people in
better attitude toward their religion.
The direct study of sacred events and
of the principles Of the gospel on the
part OF the students gives them, in
general. a better feeling toward one
another. toward their teachers and to-
ward their studies.
But greater even than this Is the in
direct influence of theology on the lives
OF the students. The religious influence
which is TO great extent the result of
the theology classes permeates the
whole school. Not subject but Is
touched by its hallowing influence. The
effort of both teachers and students TO
put themselves In proper spirit In
these classes gives them also q better
attitude toward every other subject A
recitation In Book of Mormon or Life
OF Christ. FOR example, sends its effects
through every recitation In other
! classes
The result of this seectlve body OF
teachers and students, together with
| the direct and indirect influence OF
MISUNDERSTANDING, Is the creation OF a
school atmosphere which Is none other
than the spirit OF tho gospel Here *
love, confidence and brotherhood. The
| teacher aud the pupil are companions.
| not tutor and taught The great ma
| Joflty OF the students feel lust as free
In advising with and conhdng In their
teachers as they do in talking with
their parents. There results brotherly
feeling, feeling that the teachers arc
one with the students and that they arc
all working for the selfsame cause,
CONCLUSIONS.
] have endeavored to show that our
| Church schools are imbued with tho
| right Ideals in educatlon--tho forma ton
| OF character; that from the very ma
ture OF their organization they produce
a selectiYe corps OF teachers and Sc
lective student body; and that the al
mosphore in them is such as to make
for right living in state and In church.
| Does not all this point to the answer
that the large expenditure of money
ny the church for education Is, after
all, worth while?
Long live our Church schools is the
earnest hope OF the class OF 1908.
| ~