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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 40

Custom in America, France, and Germany

Custom in America, France, and Germany.

What is Thought About "Bible Reading in Schools" in America, U.S.

In a statement, issued by General Eaton, a United States Com-missioner of Education, which he calls "a clear statement of such fundamental principles as all American educators can agree upon," the following passage occurs :—

"24. Sectarian instruction is not given in the public schools. Religious, particularly sectarian training is accomplished mainly in families and by the several denominations in their Sunday-schools or in special classes that recite their catechisms at stated intervals during the week. It is quite a common practice to open or close the public schools with Bible reading and prayer. Singing of religious hymns by the entire school is still more common."

The statement in which this clause appears is signed by Presidents, Principals, State Superintendents, &c., of leading Universities, Colleges, and Schools, in some of the chief towns of about twenty different States of America, and may therefore be accepted as an authoritative declaration on the part of some of the leading educators of the actual practice in America with reference to Bible reading in the Public Schools.

The statement will be found in Appendix I. of a Report by Mr. Edward Combes, C.M.G., M.P., lately presented to Parliament in New South Wales.

page 70

The Custom with Regard to Primary Education in Some of the Continental Nations, Existing at the Present Time.

France.*

France has made considerable progress during the last ten years in developing primary education in its many different forms—infant elementary primary schools, superior primary schools, apprentices schools, and elementary schools for adults. In order to keep her place in the first ranks of civilized nations, she has made and is still making great efforts to improve her machinery for superior and secondary education, while primary education has become almost universal.

In France the law recognizes two kinds of primary schools :—

1st. Schools founded or maintained by the Communes, or the Department of State. These are called Public Schools (Ecoles publiques).

2nd. Schools founded or kept by private individuals, companies, or associations. These take the name of Free Schools (Ecoles libres).

According to law each Commune must organize and maintain one or more primary schools, and furnish the master with a convenient building for his dwelling, as well as a school house for the purposes of teaching.

Each Communal district of 500 souls, or about that number, if not dispensed with by the Council of the Department, must have at least one school for girls.

Primary instruction comprises: Religious and moral instruction, reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, and the subjects of weights and measures. Besides these it may also comprise other subjects, which are defined.

Germany.

For many years Germany has held a leading position among all the nations of the world, with respect to her educational institutions and system of instruction. Frederic the Great, at the close of the Seven Years War, published his celebrated regulations of 1763, making education compulsory and free for the poor. Popular instruction in Prussia has always been in the most intimate relation with the Reformed religion. It was considered necessary that every person should be able to read the Four Gospels, within which he should be able to search for himself the principles and rules of his faith. Luther himself occupied himself greatly in educational matters.

* Report by Edward Combos, C.M.G., M.P.