Prussia and the German System of Education. 33 



condition, character, and progress of every school, so that 

 parents may know where to send their children with safety ; 

 that good teachers may be encouraged, rewarded, and pro- 

 moted ; and that unworthy teachers may not be suffered to 

 continue long in their situations. 



In each of these countries, the laws prohibit any person 

 being a teacher of any school, until he has proved his effi- 

 ciency to the committee of professors, appointed by the 

 state to examine candidates, and until he has laid before 

 such committee testimonials of character from his religious 

 minister, his neighbors, and the professors of the college 

 at which he was educated. 



2. Burger or Middle Schools. 



Religious Instruction. 



Class VI. Four hours per week. Narration by the 

 teacher of stories from the Old Testament, in the words 

 of the Bible, repeated by the pupils. Easy verses learned 

 by heart. 



Class V. Four hours. Stories from the gospels, except 

 the latter portion of the life of Christ. Church songs 

 and Bible verses learned. 



Class IV. Three hours. The Old Testament in a more 

 connected form. The moral of the history is impressed 

 upon the children. The Ten Commandments and church 

 songs committed to memory. 



Class III. Two hours. The life and doctrines of Christ, 

 to the period of his imprisonment. Church history. 

 Four weeks are set apart for learning the geography of 

 Palestine. 



Class II. Two hours. The Protestant catechism com- 

 mitted to memory and explained. Church songs and 

 verses committed. 



[Trans. vi.~\ 5 



