River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1925-04-09
THE CHURCH SCHOOL AND
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
BY Hugh 5. Magill

SLA4Au anu III determining Tile CHdEdCl-
er of the future citizenship Of the ma
ton are the home, the public school
and the Church school Of these
three, the home is undoubtedly the
most important. Our civilization is
builded around the home. If the
home breaks down there is little
hope that either the church or the
state can survive.
The public school and the Church
school both exist to supplement the
home in the education and training
of the child. Neither can nor should
take the place of the home, but each
has a special function to perform in
cooperation with the home. The
Church school should provide as ade-
quate system of religious education
for all children as the public school
provides for all in general education.
When the first free schools were
established in America the distinction
between the functions of the church
and the state in education was not
lcearly recognized. The religious
motive was dominant in the promo
ton of education and many of the
early public schools taught religion.
However, the principle of religious
freedom emphasized the separate
functions of Church and state. 1t
soon became apparent that the public
school, representing the state and
serving all creeds could not teach
subjects upon which the different re-
ligions sects held divergent views.
Only in countries having an estab-
lished church can schools supported
by the state formally teach re-
ligion.
1t is important that we keep in
mind that from the time of the first
settlements in America it has been a
recognized fact that national moral
ity cannot be maintained without re-
ligion, and, therefore, that religion
is essential to free government. This
principle has been enunciated over
and over from the landing Of the
Pilgrims down to the present day.
The separation of church and state
and constitutional guarantees of re-
ligious liberty do not minimize the
supreme Importance of religion, but
merely emphasize distinctions with
respect to functions.
1t seems unfortunate that with the
secularization of the public schools
and the development of general edu-
cation, religious education was not
as adequately provided for through
an equally efficient system of church
schools. While recognizing that the
contribution of the Sunday school has
been of inestimable value, it must be
conceded that, with respect to meet
ing the needs of all children, the
state has done more to supplement
the home in general education than
the church has done to assist the
home in religious education.
There is an awakening on the part
of thoughtful people everywhere re-
garding the supreme Importance of
religious education. No education
can develop the right kind of individ-
ual nor build righteous citizenship
that does not lead to a consciousness
of God and reverence for divine law.
People are also coming e. recognize
that what humanity needs most is
Christ; that to know Him and to
learn to fashion life in accordance
with His TEACHINGS is the one cure
for the ills of the individual and of
society, and for the healing of the
nations.
A Reorganization Of these facts EN-
phasizes the necessity for the expan-
sion and DEVELOPMENT of the church
school as a primary agency for
teaching the principles of the Chris
tian religion. In addition to the
brief Sunday session, the church
school must be extended to include
Church schools, and week
day schools of religion. The differ
ent phases of young peoples work
and expressional activities must be
recognized as essential elements of
a complete program Of religious
training. More attention must be
given to housing and equipment, the
careful preparation of courses Of
study, the training of teachers and to
efficient administration and super
vision. Without sacrificing in the
least the primary emphasis on things
spiritual, the Church school must he
established on as sound educational
principles as is the public school
The close relationship between the
home and the public school is gener-
ally recognized. An even more in
innate relationship between the home