Jón Bjarnason Academy - 01.05.1931, Page 17

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every way, closely related to Anglo-Saxon, the mother of modern
English. The grammatical structure is almost identical, and
the words, in very large numbers, are nearly the same. The
value of Icelandic to the student of English cannot be doubted.
We contend, then, that we have cultural values to offer
that only need to be examined in order to be recognized, and,
further, that our writings are more closely related to British
history and the British type of thought than stories or examples
gathered from the classic writings of Southern Europe.
This is partially recognized in the United States. “Old
Norse” or Icelandic is taught there, for its cultural value, in
some of the largest and most influential of the universities.
This example should be followed by the Canadian Uni-
versities, particularly that of Manitoba. No other university
on the continent is so favorably situated with respect to the
pursuit of Icelandic study as the University of Manitoba, be-
cause Winnipeg, the seat of the university, is the mecca of
Icelanders in America. It is the educational centre for the
largest number of Western Icelanders.
The Christian Attitude to Life
It is our firm conviction that religion not only has a place
in education but that it ought to have the supreme place. Re-
ligion ought to be the very life of education.
The greatest book that ever was written is the Bible. From
that hook the Christian nations of the earth derive their in-
spiration, and guidance in religion and morals. Destruction of
the influence of that book would mean the end of modern
civilization.
We contend then, that, in a scheme of education the
Bible should have a place on account of its moral and religious
value, for all students alike, whether or not they intend to
take up theology as a profession. Our instruction in Christ-
ianity is not formal nor dogmatic in any narrow or special
sense. It is Christological. It centres on the teachings and
actions of the Master. We know from experience that this
subject is the most important of all for true education. Authori-
ties will agree that education means not only the acquisition
of information, but the vivifying of the noblest aspirations
that young minds are capable of. The longing to render true
and lasting service to God and man.
We have made the statement that Jon Bjarnason Academy
has a useful place to fill. We have also pointed out the two
avenues along which that usefulness lies. Icelandic racial
heritage and the Christian religion. Influenced by these two
concepts we do our teaching, our constant aim being to pre-
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