AT this period the subject of education is receiving earnest attention, not only from educators as a class, but also from many who are interested directly or indirectly in the general amelioration of human conditions. Men and women of breadth of character and culture are in some instances giving their lives to the problem of practical, progressive education for the young, as well as for those of maturer years who desire to enter upon broader fields of the world's work; wholesome effort is being directed toward the development of methods which shall arouse latent native ability and unfold individual capacity; vocational education is already a recognized necessity, while wide opportunities are given for the culture of the true and beautiful in art, architecture, music, literature, and the drama.
It is strange, however, that the words Christian and education are seldom if ever associated, except in reference to some distinctively theological line of training. The greatest Teacher of mankind spake as never man spake; in early childhood he confounded the learned men of his day by his questions and answers; he uncovered and denounced the sophistries of Jewish erudition; he met the lawyers on their own ground and turned their questions against themselves; he drove home to the convicted conscience in a few forceful words the truth and power of the law which hypocrisy and Pharisaism had obscured; he preached a sermon which has spoken through centuries, which embodies a code of ethics and morals transcendently beyond those of the best ancient or modern philosophies, and contains a spiritual teaching so exalted that it has been called impractical and impossible for exemplification in human lives; moreover, he proved the value of his words by demonstrating them.
It might be asked, then, why the phrase "Christian education" is not more current. Is Christ to be left out of the schools? Today there is in the world an understanding of these Christly teachings which is proving conclusively their present practicality and value; those who have been willing to test and try the new-old method have found it to contain indeed the key to all true wisdom, serving to unfold also whatever in human knowledge may be necessary to this period of the world's development, or essential to the furtherance of good in human conditions and righteousness in human affairs.
