Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-18

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| ton have been elaborated in various
sections more or less local. but only
Gently has there been concerted effort
| to unity them. The Incorporation last
| March of the National Institution for
Moral instruction and the action of the
Peace Society in having the subject COP
sidered today as part of the public
school Peace day exercises will no doubt
| create much greater interest in the ad
vancement of moral education in Ameri
ca during the next year.
| One of the most concise and practical
schedules of moral instruction issued by
any country
Concise Schedule is that form
Adopted in Panama. rssr hv r,ussl
bio Morales, secretary of public educa
ton for the republic of Panama. The
unsettled condition of Panama rendered
this matter more difficult there than in
other countries. The cosmopolitan popu-
lation. representing, as 1t does, almost
every creed, had been. before the estab-
lishment of the republic. largely depend
ent for education upon desultory instruc
ton by priests and sisters. The children
whose parents did not accept Catholicism
received little education of any kind. One
of the earliest circulars regarding the
courses of study issued by DR.. Morales
directed systematic instruction in truth
fulnesS. honesty, reverence to parents,
patriotism, courage and charity. Each
day some one of these subjects come up
as regularly the other branches of
study in the Panaman schools Thus
the same ideas of moral ethics are en-
braced by Gentle and Jew. Pagan and
Christian. Catholic and Protestant.
In the United States courtesy and
thrift are being included as part of
the moral instruction in the public
schools. Children are urged to prepare
for the future by practical advice as to
choosing a trade, profession or business.
In the grammar and higher grades the
principles of national as well as personal
thrift are being dwelt upon even to the
inclusion of certain amount Of conser-
walton instruction. AS the children of the
present will be the citizens of the future,
the development and protection of the
national resources of the country are
taught as civic duties. In the higher
schools essays on subjects bearing upon
these questions well as those regard
ing peace and national welfare are en-
couraged by Offering prizes.
At the National Conference of Moral
Instruction. held at Yale in January. the
need of united
Dwell on Need action was
of United lctic-1 length Prepa-
rations are now in progress for another
international congress to be held next
year. At this congress the establishment
of worldwide system of moral instruc-
ton. to be used in all countries alike, will
be considered. The best methods of
teaching moral ethics will also be under
discussion. In this respect America Will
doubtless show the greatest diversity and
progress. although other countries will
have reports of their work which will
be helpful and suggestive.
The teaching Of morals and thrift by
means of stereopticon views is one of
the latest devices being put into effect
in the United States. For number OF
years, chiefly in the larger cities, geogra-
ply and history have been taught more
graphically by magic lantern pictures
than by books. Now the incidents of real
life which go to develop moral charac-
ter are ALSO being pictured to serve as
illustrations for lectures on morality
Some of the pictures used in these lee
lures are of unusual value, having been
made from photographs of real Incidents.
The lectures they will illustrate are be-
ing planned to meet the needs of the
various grades. from the primary to the
high school.
A pictured street fight. showing a big
boy cowardly beating a smaller one,
will do more to discourage bullying
among school boys than any amount Of
unillustrated talk. Many tricks and
pranks played by mischieyous boys, re-
sultng in injury or discomfort to other
people, taken an entirely different aspect
if presented before a school by pictures
and properly described by judicious
lecturer.
In connection with thrift. or what 1
am going to do when l grow up" the
children are encouraged to consider their
own talents as a part of their equipment
for future career. The boy who, while
waiting for a doctor. is clever enough to
tie up a bad cut sustained by a comrade
in camp, and thus prevent serious loss of
blood. may become an efficient surgeon
| IL he follows the direction of his talent
| The boy who leads the debating society
| may become great lawyer, while the
/ clayar ippapfouS yOunpSfer uyho I,co,,r.