The Washington herald., 1912-03-24
Advances in Religious Education.

Nearly a thousand delegates attended
the convention of the Religious Education
Association in st. Louis last week, and
the reports which come from President
Thirkield ana Commissioner Claxton,
who attended as representatives from
Washington, indicate the seriousness and
effectiveness with which this body is ad-
dressing itself TO the purpose. Some ad-
verse criticism by st. Louis clergy not
in sympathy with the movement helped
to stir public interest: but no serious
break was reported. The temper OF the
association may be judged by its election
Of President Judson, Of Chicago Uni
versity, IS president Of the r. E. A. for
the current year. Chicago, birthplace OF
the association, has stronger representa-
ton than ever in its present manage
ment. Miss Jane Adams was made one
Of the directors-at-large.
The convention adopted the following
declaration of principles:
The Religious Education Association.
assembled at its ninth general conven-
tion, recognizing the social question as
the burning issue Of the day, affirms that
the preservation and moralization OF the
family les at the heart OF our problem.
Through public and private education we
must emphasize the peculiar opportunity
and responsibility of parenthood under
modern conditions, and the necessity of
such a social organization that the home
may perform its moral functions.
I'VE hold that the supreme aim of pub
lic education is TO inspire and train for
righteous citizenship. We share the gen.
eral sentiment OF public school leaders
concerning the moral inadequacy OF ab-
stract ethical instruction but We hold
that the central aim OF education, the
Development of character, requires def
nitely planned system in which moral in
-haI bo free nly- rt,fff
moral training.
I'VE affirm that In American life, with
its separation of organized religion from
the taxing power, the Sunday school is
Of prime Importance. In order that II
may execute its great trust, the church
must provide adequate equipment, trained
teachers, and curriculum that provides
not only for the study of the Bible,
church history and doctrine, but also for
the religious Interpretation of nature, of
history ard of everyday life.
I'VE are gratified to note a rapid ad-
vance in the standards and methods of
the Sunday school in the type of leader
ship insisted upon. and particularly in
the rapidly increasing demand on the
part of churches and denominations for
trained leaders of religious education in
both the local and the denominational
field.
These advances, however, represent
only the beginnings of the reform for the
sake of which the Religious Education
Association came into being. We believe
that the time has fully come to press
these further needs upon the conscience
Of the churches:
81 That all candidates for the minis
try be required to show that they are
competent to supervise a Sunday school
and to train its teachers.
- That missionary societies, theo-
logical seminaries. and training schools
for missionaries unite to provide expert
leaders in religious education for mis-
sion service.
's That schools for the training Of
lay workers In religious education be