The Daily News TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1905. EDUCATION AND THE FORMATION OF CHARACTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7762, 14 March 1905, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1905. EDUCATION AND THE FORMATION OF CHARACTER.

jOno of the most powerful appeals j that has (been penned in modern times has recently been circulated among the education authorities ir* , Knglan-d ami U'aks. on behalf of the chief end of all true eJucatiou —the formation of moral character. Tit is • remarkable document is sigi.o<T by I'eers, Archbishops, Uishops, 11i.^li ; l>ignitaries of Universities and Training Colleges, the 10-uding clergy of all the churches, the chief of the Salvation Army, memlxTs of Parliament, and a number of well-known ; men of recognised ability and public [spirit. It isi pointed out. in the | lirst instance, that those who hold j the controlling power over the education of the country are guiding ♦the destinies of the people. The neod for litl> graded Bible 'teaching in all schools as the basis' of effective moral training is strongly urged, but great .stress is laid on the insufficiency of such teaching unless supported by influences Inspired by the spirit of that teaching. It is pointed out that " the changed conditions of trade have weakened the sense of resposibility of employers for the young "people in their service —that the chance of earning wages at an early age has tended to give (greater independence to the young, and that in consequence parental authority and home discipline are less- ' ened. Freedom too early acquired, and the feverish love of excitement, dull and insanitary dwellings add zest to the unworthy attraction and turbulent play of the streets. Moral, and to a large extent also, physical deterioration is" the result, and the savage hooliganism of which we have heard so much is riot unlikely to follow." It is in the opportun- * ity afforded by the period of education that a remedy for these evils is hoped for. The eight or ten years when children are under the influence of teachers are the most seceptive aud plastic years of Iheir life, therefore, it is urged, that is the time not only for imparting knowledge, but for inculcating those habits of selfrestraint, true conscientiousness, Jidelity, honour, and kindness, which are needful alike for individual selfrespect and na'tional well-Ueing. From these habits springs character, the best asset, it has been said, of a ju\l ion's wealth, the best guarantee of its industrial energy, iiiul the strongest bulwark of its security. To attain I his supreme object of education it is essential that the teachers themselves should be inspired by the best ideals," and it is earnestly suggested that in the normal training institutions the true aims oi education should {bo constantly brought before those (Tifto whose hands the education of the young will naturally pass. Although the signatories to the appeal represent widely divergent views.' on many matters connected with the subject, they have joined hands in an endeavour to approach the subject in the interests of the nation, and on behalf of the children who will be the miri) and women of the next generation, ojid on whosi, 1 moral libre ami character the welfare of the .Empire will depend. Not the least interesting part of the appeal is the appendix. in which the following p)ai> lieal sugjiyst'ions are made : —" "1. The reading books should be of a kind which hold up high ideals ofConduct ; they should contain stories of heroism, self-denial, aud integrity, and thus give the teacher the opportunity of teaching the value of char- ' acter. 2. Songs which stir the noblest emotions should be encouraged.

songs ii-m! to form tln> character oi lhe young. :», ricuuvs which ill uslrat.* iuToic <i'.'<.*']s nuiglvt Ih> phuvtl «•»! Hi - wails. 1. Scholars should } . ihrir attention drawn to th«» oi' In-aMi and Christian con--I','vnn whirl) the evils oi' inh-m- ---| ihTiuic ami enabling ami oih«-r vio j .-s v hicli <lognul<* national character I run Id 1m. 1 jmiiihd out. 'lVach.-r's j<-ouhl, by siiprrinK-ruling cam< i s in j t)f pjaygn>uml, pnmiut'' manlinoss i oi tharaeuv. sHiVx-'omfol. aiu) a low j of J'air pla.t