# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S132
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

1382 (Ct : Elementary Education

tion of. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). These can be
demanded of the State by all citizens and therefore also by the
Church:

Adventitious Services of the State

Other ‘services rendered by the State are adventitious: the
State could refrain from providing them without neglecting its
fundamental duties or ceasing to exist. Chief of these is educa-
tion, which in the nature of things and in divine ordinance is a
parental function, although | the State has an interest’in the edu-
cation of its citizens.

— Twofold Aspect of the State’s School Program
' ‘The modern ‘school program of the State has two aspects: ,

1. The social service program (library service, lunches, health
service, transportation, etc.).

2. The teaching program (curriculum, teaching, philosophy of |
education).

A vital difference exists between these two programs. They
are associated merely as a matter of convenience. The social service

program is administered through the schools because schools offer
the easiest access to the children.

1. Social Service Program .
In the social service program character-forming principles
are not consciously formulated, discussed, evaluated, and ‘imple-
‘ mented. Neither do these services contribute consciously and
directly to the building up, the (dyes ane d Pe nn of |
a philosophy of life... ante, bevel, fe.)
The social service progr Brey in equity be. available to prion ft
children of school age irrespective of their school association, just
Wes G) - as in the case of public library service. The State can grant to
children in church schools this program, since rendering this serv-
ice does not promote the religious tenets of the Church. The
social service program can be. granted by the State to church
schools and all conditions germane to the program can ‘be observed
without sacrifice of sovereignty on the part of the State or sacrifice
of principle on the part of the Church. Hence, the Church can
accept this program as it is offered’ and may even be within its
\rahts in demanding it.

t

2, Teaching Program

In the teaching program character-forming precepts, motives
_ of action, and. principles of life are necessarily in the foreground,
are formulated, analyzed, evaluated, and emotionalized. to give