Faith.
Dr. Lonnie W. Stine, Pastor
This Spring brings us two crucial elections that, among other things, will determine the future of education in Wisconsin. The first is the primary election on February 18, which will determine which two of the three candidates will be on the ballot for the April 1 election, along with the Supreme Court election. 
In a previous article, we addressed the proper role of each of the three institutions that God ordained: the home, the government and the church. Which of these is responsible for the education of our children? There are two aspects that we want to address: historical (this month) and Biblical (next month).
Our earliest schools, outside the home, were often in the church building, and frequently the pastor was also the teacher. The first legal steps toward compulsory education came about in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts School Law of 1642 required all parents and masters (of apprentices) to educate the children under their responsibility. The requirement, according to this law, was to teach the children “to read & understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of this country.” (underlining added). This was expanded by The Massachusetts General School Act of 1647. This law moved the responsibility of education from the parents to the town (mandating community schooling) the community leaders feeling that the parents were not fulfilling their responsibility. This act is best known as “Ye Old Deluder Satan Act”. This title comes from the first line of the act “It being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures”. This law was passed to require the schools to teach reading so the students could read the Bible so they would know “the true sense and meaning” of the Bible. This is thought of today as the first compulsory education law in the country.
Beginning in 1668, the primary textbook, alongside the Bible, was the New England Primer. “Many of its selections were drawn from the King James Bible and others were original.” it was used for over 150 years, with many editions, some influenced by The Great Awakening. All of the editions were based on moral and Biblical principles. “Graduated literacy instruction began with the alphabet, simple letter combinations, and syllables, increasing to complex sentences intended for rote memorization. Themes of sin, death, punishment, salvation, and respect for authority were displayed through alphabetic rhymed couplets, poems, prayers, and scriptures.” Examples: A-“In Adam’s fall/We sinned all” C- Christ crucify’d/For sinners dy’d.”
Closer to home, Wisconsin was organized under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787- a plan from the federal government for the development and settlement of the area. The “northwest” at this time is what is now Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. “The 1787 ordinance encouraged education, stipulating that ‘Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.’”
In summation, the clear point of these government laws/ordinances was to require schools that would teach reading, so that the students could read the Bible and be taught religion and Biblical morality. Not exactly a description of our public schools today.
In the primary election in February, three candidates are running-two of which will advance to the April election. One candidate is endorsed by the Democratic party, another is endorsed by WEAC-the public-school teachers union-whose purpose, like any good union, is to promote the interests of its constituents-the teachers. Not the students nor parents. Both of them, Underly and Wright, have been ranked “liberal” by the American Family Association and ivoterguide. Brittany Kinser is rated “moderate” and is the only candidate who has not spoken out against the Wisconsin School (parental) Choice program. As we will develop the next edition, Wisconsin has been a national leader in providing parents with their rightful role in determining the education of their children. We need a Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, who will not attempt to take away this parental God given right.
Dr. Lonnie W. Stine, Pastor
Badger Community Church
11198 Badger Drive, Waupaca, WI
An independent, Bible teaching, local church
Sunday: 9:00 am Bible Study, 10:00 am Morning Worship
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