The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-10-20

Education without religion will
make America a pagan nation in a
generation or two. Even worldly
minded educators are concerned
about the neglect of and opposition
to Christianity in many branches of
our country's educational system.
Christians will want to be in
formed and to act as they have OPP
portunity to bring Christian in
fiuence to bear on the education Of
children. They will want to give
their hearty support to real Chris
tan educ alton.
I. Seek wisdom from God (Matt.
7:7-11).
We have made great progress in
the improvement of educational
equipment, in the construction of
fine school buildings, and in the pro-
vision Of trained teachers. There
have been earnest efforts to de-
velop the most effective courses Of
study adapted to the needs of our
day.
ALI this is commendable-except
for one thing, and that is really a
foundational' error. We have given
little, If any, attention to the de-
velopment Of character, without
which the skills Of hand and of head
may be actually dangerous. The
odore Roosevelt is said to have OBJ
served that "to educate mans
mind without educating his con-
science is to make him not social
asset, but a social liability" Doug
lass).
The teaching in our schools of the
evolutionary theory as though it
were fact when it has never been
proved has provided foundation
for all manner of denial of Ged and
Of the truth of His Word.
What shall we do? Surrender? Not
at all. Let us look to God for His
wisdom and grace. The promise is
that the one who asks, receives,
when he asks in faith and for Gods
glory (cf. James 1:5-8 and 4:3).
Prayer is vital in real education.
III. Use wisdom with Men (Matt.
7:12).
Education has as one of its inn
portant goals the ability to get along
with our fellow men. As the Lord
enables us to grow in wisdom and
knowledge, it should show in our
treatment of those who look to us
for guidance and help.
This so-called Golden Rule is a
high standard of conduct which many
profess, but which only the grace of
God can accomplish in mans life.
To always be positively doing for
and to others what we would have
them do for us is far more than the
negative thing which most people
assume it to be. They reverse it and
are trying to avoid doing things to
others that they would not have done
to themselves.
Note again that this is on the posi-
tive and the active side. We are to
60 about doing good, such as we
would desire for ourselves.
iii. Follow Wisdom in Humility
duke 6:39-42).
If the teacher is spiritually blind
he will lead his equally blind pupil
into the ditch. That is exactly what
Is happening in many schools and
colleges. No pupil will rise higher
than his teacher ". 40).
Real education makes a man
humble. He is not ready to destroy
his brothers eye because ii has a
speck in it, for he recognizes his
own weakness and sin. He needs the
grace of God in his own life first;
then he is ready to give help to
others.
There is something fine about the
genuine sweet humility of a man
who is really educated. He is not
pompous and proud, parading his
learning so that the populace may
be impressed. He is humble and
teachable. Real scholarship calls for
genuine faith in God.
Nv. Find wisdom in Goodness
duke 6:43-45).
Every tree brings forth its own
kind of fruit. Christian character is
q fruit which grows only on the tree
Of Christian doctrine. The fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wis
dom prov. 9:i0). That means that
to be truly educated man must
be Christian.
That which is good and noble and
upright can be brought forth only
from a mind and heart of which
the same things are true ". 45). An
evil man will teach others evil, a
| good man will teach them that which
is good. Hence, the folly Of thinking
that if teacher only has brilliant
mind, and is versed in the technical
learning of his profession, IL makes
no difference what his morals are
nor how he lives.
That theory has brought ruin to
thousands of young lives, and it is
high time that all who have to do
with educational work demanded
godly character as the first requi-
n ~ =