The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-06-10

thing of the life of Berea's new
President, in which we are sure oul
readers are interested.
In the town of Oberlin, Ohio, live:
n man who is about to be paid {
dollar and sixty cents a word foi
three thousand words Of advice. II
few days he will receive a $500
check as a prize for code of NOR
ais for children.
His name is William ]. Hutchins
and the code he has written is for
use in the misunderstanding Of
children by teachers and parents
The 5000 prize was offered for the
best "children's morality code" TO
be produced by any one of seventy
persons selected from all sections of
the United states. The American
Magazine is privileged to make the
first announcement TO Mr.. Hutchins,
tc the other contestants. and TO the
public, of the result Of the contest.
Fifty-two codes were submitted.
The full text Of the first half Of the
winning one is here published for
the first time. The second half.
which is designed for older children,
differs only slightly from the first.
A code of morals which is good
for children is just exactly as good
for grown-ups. And this one which
is given here is of vital interest not
only to fathers and mothers and to
$4,000 teachers, but TO everybody
else.
Most of us think that we already
have code of morals. But as
platform on which to do a wrestling
match with life, many of these
codes are rather weak in spots.
Mr.. Hutchins is forty-six years
old. He was born in Brooklyn, New
York. and is the son of a prominent
preacher. will" as they called him
then, went TO Oberlin as a boy when
his father was called there TO be
pastor Of the Second Congregational
Church. He attended Oberlin Col
lcge for two years and was grad
uated at Yale in 1892. Interest in
Icligion developed strongly in his
college days and he decided to be-
come a preacher, He returned to
Cberlin for two years as a student
in the theological seminary, during
which he was instructor in Ober-
lin Academy. After that he had a
year at Union Theological Seminary
in New York City, where he was
graduated.
Mr.. Hutehins obtained his educa-
tiOn, therefore, in three distinct en-
vironments: the Middle West, New
England, and hustling New York. All
this gave him a keen vision of
national character.
He was ordained to the Presbyte
ran ministry in 1896, and immedi-
ately accepted the pastorate of Bed
ford Church in Brooklyn, where he
remained for ten years. In 1907 he
became professor of hOmiletics at
Oberlln Theological Seminary where
he is today.
In writing the children's code of
morals Mr.. Hutchins welded to-
eciher an exceptional insight and
with humanity, a broad
knowledge of world affairs, his prac..
tlcal experience as a teacher and
father, and thorough training as
10 what is right and what is wrong
in conduct. His code is not merely
q catalogue Of virtues; it is an en-
Tightening, appealing, persuasive
statement of the moral ambition for
4 child.
The idea Of a 5000 prize contest
developed several years ago in the
mind of a successful business man
who is sincerely interested in the
are of the nation.
He felt that our national character
Is inadequate to meet the problems
IF the future which, with Americas
growing Importance in world affairs
must increase in their complexity.
Moral education of children" he
aid, lis the fundamental need of the
nation. Coming generations must be
aught TO realize the necessity of
honesty, order, and thrift.
Charity is looking after people
who have not enough character 10
ook after themselves. We suffer
'Ot only the direct loss from bur-
'laries, swindles, and nOnpayment of
iebts, but we also bear the expense
u police protection and of punish
ng the thieves, murderers, gam
Hers, and other criminals.
The cost Of character education !
will be trivial compared with the
rood to be accomplished, and the
lumber Of undesirable citizens will