The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-03-04

are neglecting this work and educa-
tional leaders reply with more or less
politeness that the church is doing lit.
tie more. Both are telling the truth.
Churches at Fault.
Second, the fundamental responsible
ity Of this lies with the churches and
is not chargeable to infidelity or legis-
lative prejudice.
Third, the church has been absorbed
in evaneglizing, but not educating. The
educational arm of the church has
we'll nigh atrophied from disuse.
Fourth, the church has certain edu-
cational agencies, but they do not
have powerful prestige nor have they
been organized into a system of edu-
cation. The Gary plan has come as a
challenge to an unprepared church.
Church Responsible.
Fifth, the church is largely respon-
sible for the tendency Of the school
toward complete secularization, be-
cause 1t has largely abandoned the
field of education itself and has inter-
fered with the efforts of the schools
to teach religion. The church has fail
ed adequately to teach religion to the
children: the churches have frequent
schools.
Sixth, because of sectarianism, GER
tain legislatures and courts pronounce
the Bible a sectarian book and elimin-
ate it from the schools. The Bible is
made a sectarian book not by its enc
mics. much less by it's authors, but by
it's misguided friends.
Seventh, the leaders today in relig-
od1 ir
terms, are educational men not church
men.
Eighth, but the church must assume
it's rightful place of leadership, it must
lay plans to prevent moral sag in
the civilization Of the future.
How to Cooperate.
The method of cooperation:
First, reading the Bible in the
schools under proper conditions. This
is now being done in three-fourths of
the states and may be done in all of
them.
Second, various methods of Bible
study being carried out in North Da-
kota, Colorado, Indiana and elsewhere
in which public school credit is given.
Third, setting aside a part of the
school day for religious instruction by
religious teachers as is done at Gary,
Indiana. and as is advocated in the
we'll known Wenner plan.
Fourth, the appointment Of religious
experts by the churches who shall ad-
minister the educational agencies of
the church and expand the religious
operations. 1t is estimated that there
are now some two hundred such ex-
perts at work in local churches in this
country. The fallacy OF relying on the
traditional Sunday school as the only
means of religious education is shown
in the fact that there are 100000
children not in the Sunday school.
Select Proper Officials.
Fifth, the selection of proper school
officers and teachers whose life and
influence will make for religious up
building.
Sixth, the positive teaching of relig-
ion-not the forms of religion in the
schools, this being necessary func-
ton of education, If the state is to
have worthy citizens.
Seventh. the cooperation of all the
national agencies-the R. E. A., the
Council of Church Boards Of Educa-
ton, the Federated Churches, the In
ternational Sunday School Committee,
the Y. NJ C. A. and Y. W. c. A., the
church workers in state universities,
the Association of American Colleges
in promoting an interest in religious
education and the means of attaining
it.
Eighth, the active interest and ag-
gressive work of individuals every
where in this cause.