# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1920_S11
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1920. 11

This means may achieve success outwardly, but it is poison for Christianity. It kills faith, makes people puffed up, or despondent, or indifferently insolent. Woe to the church if it no longer lets its children be brought up by the "mercies of God" (Rom. 12:1)!

The Word of God is a means of education in yet another sense. What God's Word says about religion and morals is final. The Bible is inspired by God.

In the public school, on the contrary, there prevails the so-called scientific spirit of free inquiry, also in the field of morals and religion. Reason is the supreme judge. Submission to the inspired Scripture is an oppressive yoke, dishonoring bondage.

Who does not recognize here the fundamental difference of the two systems of education! Who does not recognize the danger that threatens the church from the state school! We must cherish our educational system and resolutely repel every attack upon it. If we give the education of our children out of our hands, we are lost.

III.

(Since a large part of the convention did not recognize that the explanations on the third thesis offer only a practical application of the principles set forth in the two preceding theses, the discussions on it are to be continued. Hence here also only a quite condensed statement of the main ideas. Note by the essayist.)

It is no compromise to grant the state the police power that belongs to it: Fire, Health, and Truancy Departments (within their legitimate limits). At most one may also concede to the state the right to demand certain results of instruction.

A dangerous compromise much recommended today is the accreditation of our schools. The parents have the task of educating their children; the state claims the right of education for itself. Thereupon we offer the state the compromise that in future we will conduct the education under its supervision. Thereby the principle that education is the business of the parents (and of the church) is given up.

The acquiring of state certificates by the teachers does not stand on the same level as accreditation, although it too means a recognition on the part of the state. The teacher proves to the state his qualification by a single examination; he is also not obliged to enter the state's service. An accredited school, however, places itself under permanent supervision and regulation and is de facto incorporated into the accrediting school system.

In distinction from the private arrangement made here and there between the head of a parish school and the principal of the public school, accreditation is the official recognition of a private school on the part of the state school.

But is not our school saved by our obtaining accreditation,