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THE SABBATH AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 17, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 7

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THE SABBATH AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

By George I. Butler

WE call especial attention to the article of Eld. Lamson in this issue relative to the practice of beginning school each week on Tuesday instead of Monday. This practice, it seems, is increasing in many places, so that it has become a matter of real difficulty to many of our people, as it deprives their children of one-fifth part of the time allotted to instruction. Should this practice continue to increase, it will become a very serious question with all who have children to send to the public schools in the State. The conscience of our people will never permit them to send their children to the public schools on the Sabbath. Hence we have no escape from the dilemma unless we can secure legislation which will protect us, so that our children shall have as fair a chance as those of others. All can see that while our people pay money for the support of the public schools, common justice requires that we should not be crowded out of one day of every week, leaving but four days in which our children can attend, while the children of our neighbors, who pay no more in proportion, have five. Granting our request, that Monday be the day for the school week to begin instead of Tuesday, violates no conscientious conviction of our neighbors, no vested rights. It only gives us a fair chance.
The same argument applies to the use of the seventh day of the week for the public examination of teachers. It is a hardship to the young people among us who follow that avocation, that some other day of the week is not appointed by law. Many are deprived of a fair chance to secure a good certificate, and are made additional expense. Our days would be just as favorable to all other classes of teachers, and it would be but fair to our people. We are glad there are public spirited men in the State who sympathize with us in this matter, and are willing to help us to secure a fair chance. We ask for nothing else,—only a fair chance with our neighbors.
We shall send out blank petitions at once to our churches. Let them be filled with names and returned at once as directed.
GEO. I. BUTLER