The Bible in
classrooms.... Prayer in the schools.... from the textbooks of
yesteryear |
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© 1991 by Diane S. Dew |
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Click on photo for full-size
image Above: Textbooks and technology have changed, but this 1938 student could very well be mistaken for one in 2000. Southeast Missouri Farms. Photo by Russell Lee (Click on photo for full-size image) (Click on photo for full-size image)
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In days gone by, religion was an integral part of education. Whatever the subject -- History, English, Science, Music, Spelling, Civics -- religion and morals, with many a reference to Scripture, pervaded the discussion and text. This can be seen in the schoolbooks of yesteryear. When students diagrammed sentences, they were learning Scripture at the same time, for many were Bible verses. The songs they sang in Music class were often hymns. When they studied poetry or read short stories in English class, the selections often were from the Book of Psalms or biblical narratives. Even spelling words related to religion, and Civics classes taught individual responsibility to God and man. Students were taught the difference between right and wrong -- and there were absolutes! Classrooms were orderly, and teachers were treated with respect. The most serious offenses involved gum-chewing and passing notes. Today, violence and fear rule. National surveys show students are afraid to go to school. Many carry guns or knives for protection. (See The Troubles Teens Face) While many have sought to oust Christianity from the classroom, ample allowance is made for the promotion of pagan holidays like Halloween. For years, I have been collecting old school textbooks, some dating back into the1800s. Following are actual quotes from these texts -- indicating not only the prominence of Scripture and prayer in our nation's history, but showing how the schools of yesteryear actually encouraged personal participation in prayer daily -- and even providing model prayers. ~~~ Creation ~~~ A public school Science textbook from 1930, for example, states unequivocally that the only sensible explanation for the origin of the universe is creation by design. It also quotes Scripture on more than one occasion. Consider the following excerpt: How different are the experiences of the observant and instructed person! To him ...... the subject brings a religious idealism and a religious exaltation which find expression in the words of the Scripture: "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." ... it is easy to understand the exclamation of the psalmist: "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou are mindful of him!" Of the "Great Jeweller" (p. 1) and Creator, this Science text states: "So great is the law and order of the Universe ... Do you think this could go on without some great guiding hand? Further, of the creation-evolution controversy, it states:
Several theories as to the origin of the solar system have been advanced
by scientists. However, none of them can go back in thought in a material
way any farther than one great sun or one huge mass of glowing gas called
nebula. How shall we account for this original matter? (Our Earth and Its Neighbors, © 1930, by Irma Roemer, C.C. Nelson Publ. Co., pp. v, vi, 115-116) In the National Music Course: New Third Music Reader, by Luther Whiting Mason, public school children of the late 1800's were provided with dozens of spiritual hymns and patriotic songs with lyrics of praise to God the Creator. An advertisement in the back pages of the book testifies to the approval of teachers and superintendents: "...the National should head the list of music courses.... The books stand the severest tests of time and use." On God and Creation, in the song "God Omnipotent," students sang the following: God omnipotent!
Thou omnipresent Lord! (National Music Course: New Third Music Reader, by Luther Whiting Mason, Ginn & Company, Publishers, pp. 14, 15) Again, on God and Creation, in "Ever-Flowing, Mighty Ocean," we read the following chorus: Such art thou,
stupendous ocean! / But if overwhelmed by thee, (National Music Course: New Third Music Reader, by Luther Whiting Mason, Ginn & Company, Publishers, p. 15) And, in "Awake, My Heart": Awake, my heart, and land /
In song creation's God! (National Music Course: New Third Music Reader, by Luther Whiting Mason, Ginn & Company, Publishers, p. 22) Poetry and song, in English and Music classes, also carried the concept of creation. The following excerpt is from a Second Year Reader: All things
bright and beautiful ... / The Lord God made them all.... (Brooks's Readers, Second Year, © 1906 by Stratton D. Brooks, American Book Company, p. 159, 160) ~~~ Prayer ~~~ Prayer was not only allowed in the public schools of yesteryear. It was encouraged. In a poem entitled "Patriotism," by Bishop J. L. Spalding, the following prayer is offered: And Thou, O God,
of whom we hold (Studies in Reading, Seventh Grade, © 1900, 1914, by J.W. Searson & George E. Martin, University Publishing Co., p. 139) On prayer and Columbus' faith in God: When all was ready, Columbus and his men... pray[ed] for the blessing of God on their journey .... Columbus and his men ... gave thanks to God for their safe voyage ... (Brooks's Readers, Second Year, © 1906 by Stratton D. Brooks, American Book Company, pp. 75, 77) ~~~ The Bible ~~~ Scripture is quoted and exhortation is given to serve God, in a seventh-grade reading book: ... a beautiful angel presence ... told him his name was not recorded in the "book of gold" with "the names of those who love the Lord." "I pray thee, then," said he cheerily and low, "write my name as one who loves his fellow men." And lo! God, through the angel presence... gave the peaceful old patriarch first place among all those whose lives were blessed by love of God. The poet here catches the lofty vision that loving and serving one's fellow man is the primary way one can love and serve his God. "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you did it unto me." ...Additional Readings: ...Matthew XXV,34-46; Luke X, 25-37: Story of the Good Samaritan... (Studies in Reading, Seventh Grade, © 1900, 1914, by J.W. Searson & George E. Martin, University Publishing Co., p. 1-3) ~~~ History & Religion ~~~ In a poem entitled "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers," by Felicia Dorothea Hemans, we read the purpose of their coming (a controversy for some who attempt to discredit our nation's religious roots): ...Why had they come to wither there, (Good English, Book Three, © 1918 by William H. Elson and George L. Marsh, Scott Foresman & Co., p. 218) Regarding our nation's religious roots, the following is told: ... nobility of purpose ... characterized the soldiers on both sides of the tremendous struggle ... this had its origin in faith in Omnipotence on the part of the parents at home.... (Studies in Reading, Seventh Grade, © 1900, 1914, by J.W. Searson & George E. Martin, University Publishing Co., pp. 36, 37) In Patrick Henry's "A Call to Arms," we read of this nation's religious influence in politics: "I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! ... There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone..." (Studies in Reading, Seventh Grade, © 1900, 1914, by J.W. Searson & George E. Martin, University Publishing Co., p. 97) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This page is under construction. © 1991 by Diane S. Dew * The same could be said for secular humanism, which is also a belief system. |
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"A Congress that allows God to be banned from our schools while our schools can teach about cults, Hitler and even devil worship is wrong, out of touch, and needs some common sense." Rep
James Traficant (D-Oh.)
Landmark
Decisions:
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(Click photo for full-size
image) Above: Classroom in rural school in Cidra, PR. Photo by Edwin Rosskam |
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Additional
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~~~~~~~~~~~ "Public schools can neither foster religion nor preclude it. Our public schools must treat religion with fairness and respect and vigorously protect religious expression as well as the freedom of conscience of all other students. In so doing our public schools reaffirm the First Amendment and enrich the lives of their students." Secretary
of Education ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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LINKS Above photos are from the American Memory
Collection at the Library of Congress
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Email: To Diane's MAIN PAGE |