p. 16 | IMPORTANT QUESTIONS by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 7, 1900

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

By Editor

One of the great broken fields in which the seed of the future’s harvest is falling, is the great multitude of boys and girls in attendance upon the public schools. The ardent reformer in State and Church is using the schools, as far as lies in his power, to propagate his peculiar notions. Men are not as patriotic as they should be; the flag is to be kept before the school, and acknowledged daily or weekly by solemn vow and pledge. This is a part of some school systems. The church and home are not doing their duty; their lack must be supplemented by religious teaching. Realizing the growing importance of some of these matters, and the opposition they have aroused in certain quarters, and especially in view of the principles involved, the “Signs of the Times” has asked of leading educators in various parts of our country expressions of opinion on the following questions:—

1. What, in your judgment, is the value of the “flag salute” as an inculcator of patriotism?

2. Should the flag salute be made compulsory in the public schools?

3. Has the present system of education in our public schools been a success as a character builder?

4. If not, wherein lie its defects?

5. There is a growing demand for religious instruction in our public schools? Do you believe that such teaching is practicable or “truly American”?

From nearly a score of leading educators have been received replies to these questions. Questions and answers will appear in our Educational issue of March 14, with much additional matter.

We shall have more to tell next week.