Education and Character
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these principles. But how widely different is much of the education
now given! From the child’s earliest years it is an appeal to emulation
and rivalry; it fosters selfishness, the root of all evil.
Thus is created strife for supremacy; and there is encouraged the
system of “cramming,” which in so many cases destroys health and
unfits for usefulness. In many others, emulation leads to dishonesty;
and by fostering ambition and discontent, it embitters the life and helps
to fill the world with those restless, turbulent spirits that are a continual
menace to society.
Nor does danger pertain to methods only. It is found also in the
subject matter of the studies.
What are the works on which, throughout the most susceptible
years of life, the minds of the youth are led to dwell? In the study
of language and literature, from what fountains are the youth taught
to drink?—From the wells of paganism; from springs fed by the
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corruptions of ancient heathendom. They are bidden to study authors,
of whom, without dispute, it is declared that they have no regard for
the principles of morality.
And of how many modern authors also might the same be said!
With how many are grace and beauty of language but a disguise for
principles that in their real deformity would repel the reader!
Besides these there is a multitude of fiction writers, luring to
pleasant dreams in palaces of ease. These writers may not be open to
the charge of immorality, yet their work is no less really fraught with
evil. It is robbing thousands upon thousands of the time and energy
and self-discipline demanded by the stern problems of life.
In the study of science, as generally pursued, there are dangers
equally great. Evolution and its kindred errors are taught in schools of
every grade, from the kindergarten to the college. Thus the study of
science, which should impart a knowledge of God, is so mingled with
the speculations and theories of men that it tends to infidelity.
Even Bible study, as too often conducted in the schools, is robbing
the world of the priceless treasure of the word of God. The work
of “higher criticism,” in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is
destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation; it is robbing God’s
word of power to control, uplift, and inspire human lives.
As the youth go out into the world to encounter its allurements to
sin,—the passion for money getting, for amusement and indulgence,