The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-08-30
DAY OF PRAYER FOR SCHOOLS
TO HAVE OBSERVANCE HERE
Local Clergy Cooperate In Movement Suggested by National Keor" ASSOC
ciaion-.A All Denominations Urged TO Active Interest 10 NHnon
Wide Observa nce In Churches and Homes Sept. y

TINE second Sabbath In September has for years bee observed as
Day of Prayer for public and private schools Among people
OF all evangelical denominations the observance as com qmte
extensive, If not general There are more than usual reasohs ms
yea whv the dy should be eve mor widely observed, IA pca
ministers who have Endorsed the idea and who VIII deHVer appoprIate
sermons o n that day urge the cooperation IF all people In MS uhsensn
Christian and patriotic effort to intensity and extend ne pSerFace
Prayers will be offered In thousands OF churches and homes tr tn
children and youth of America who re being fitted for usefulness
citizenship in the schools. for the teachers and for ne YORK o le
schools generally. Many ministers OF all shades OF belief, located IN all
corners OF the country, will speak o n some Phase o ne pot'
relation between morality and education.
America is justly proud Of her school system IL mas Deer caHeu
1.-The most American thing In America" This year the n Is IN
danger as never before. 1t Is especially urgent that the Americans OF
tomorrow shall have the pray ers and thoughts OF patriots. ne duca-
tional systemis being shaken by war. Teachers of higher and lower
grades have responded to the call Of the flag Boys are at work on
farms and In factories who should normally be in school
Demands are being made for a laxty in the enforcement II a OF
compulsory education and a change In child labor avs during the
war. Several states have already amended their laws to allow children
to work during the progress OF the England made this mistake
Thousands Of English children were allowed to leave school who were
only eleven and twelve years of age. England has awakened. we
must not initiate IT. Democracy cannot succeed without a educated
electorate. IHteracy is the enemy Of republican government The
founders Of America knew this and sought to offer every child a
equal chance.
But mere education is not enough. P. p. Caxton, United states
Commissioner Of Education, at the recent meeting of the National Eu-
catonal association said: 1.-The greatest deficiency in American educa'
ton today Is In the moral and religious elements. The great war has
destroyed our faith in German secular education. Let US repent Of
Kuture and teach sound spiritual life"
The recognition of the present danger to u children from war
conditions and Of the need Of moral training is leading to a wider OBJ
servance and a broader understanding OF the Day OF Prayer for schools
than at any time since 1T W a first suggested, fifteen years ago, by Dr.
James S. Martin, superintendent Of the National Reform Association,
Pittsburgh, Pa. 1t is realized that the years work cannot be better be-
gun than by praying for the children and youth and considering their
moral as well Is their intellectual needs.
Methods Of adequately meeting these needs will be further con-
sdered by the leading educators OF the world at the Third Worlds
Christian Citizenship Conference which is to meet in Pittsburgh in
July, 1918.