Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-10-15
The Bible Question in Chicago.
Cn1cAe,. Friday. Oct. l, 1915.

The Board of Education of Chicago took
up at its meeting, last night, the question
of excluding the Bible from the public
schools The question has been periodical
ly agitated for two or three years, without
resulting in any definite action, but it had
become matter of public comment and
bitter criticism, and had, indeed, become
an important issue in the selection of off,
Gals. The Bible question here was much
like the Bible question elsewhere Catho-
lies, Jews, and non-sectarians advocated It's
adjustment, both on the ground of its be.
ing non-essential TO the spiritual welfare Of
the people, and that it taught doctrines not
in keeping with the belief of the several
classes. The Jews Scriptures did not please
the orthodox or the Catholic the Catholic
Scriptures pleased nobody under the sun
but the Catholics; the atheist didn't want
his children taught from the inspired writ
ings the Methodist, Baptist, and PresbY-
terrain wanted the whole and no emenda-
ton; and in support of their protests these
citizens all came up and maintained their
right to lind fault because they are tax
payers. With the several relig ious denom-
nations represented upon the board, all of
whom were wrangling over this important
question, the Jews had, up TO a few weeks
past, no voice whatever. A vacancy &C.
Cured, and Mayor Colvin, with a look
ahead, appointed TO the place leading Is
raelite. With his accession the Bible ques-
ton was once more brought up, and the
matter more fully discussed by the board
4. t..E~ n.,.a - H.. ~, - Al.
schools made 1t imperative to begin the
morning service with appropriate singing,
reading of the Scriptures, and the Lords
Prayer. Tho new rule provides for the
appropriate singing" only, and leaves the
Bible and The Lords Prayer out entirely.
When the subject was approached, Prof
Welch, member of the board, and gen
tleman who, although bred under Puritan
ical influences, has grown broad in his
views and radically liberal in his religion,
moved the adoption of the amendment.
The surprise of the board may be under
stood when, the motion having been sec
onded, the vote was taken and but one vot-
ed against it. Not a word was said for or
against il. Robert Collyer believes the ac-
ton OF the board to he Just. He thinks
the reading of the Bible in the public
schools is not wholesome, but hurtful TO
the children, because it is done in such n
way, as a rule, as to rob their natures of
be gathering in the home or the church.
He believes 1t the best plan for the safety
of the common school system TO make these
concessions TO the Catholics on the one hand,
and to the free thinkers on the other, that
1--WE may occupy the strongest possible
ground if there is to be a fight"
Prof. David Swing believes that the read
ing of the Bible in public schools is con-
trary TO the spirit of the Constitution,
which assumes that no religious Test shall
be submitted to the parents, and therefore
not TO the children. 1t deals with men, he
says, as men, and not as Christians or Jews.
The government has no more right to teach
the Bible than it has TO teach the Koran.
Even if the genius of the country permit
ted the teaching of the Bible in the schools,
he would doubt the propriety of continu-
ing the custom, because no valuable moral
results ever come from reading few vers-
es hurriedly in the school-house. The re-
moval of the Bible from the public schools,
he thinks, may make the churches assume
the moral education of the children, aud
may stimulate them 10 greater activity in
field which they have too much neglected.
The Methodist Presiding Elder of this
conference regards this action as political
concession and a dangerous one. He be-
lieves it TO have been done upon the "de-
mand' of the Catholic and what he calls
the German infidel interest. DIR. w. w.
Evarts, Baptist, feels the greatest appre-
nenSlOn Oh the consequences OF Inc ACTION
of the board. He regards 1t as a direct
move toward irreligious education. DIR.
Kohler, a leading Jewish rabbi, thinks this
action will generally strengthen the cos
mopolitan views Of the people, and tend
to greater liberality and Christian feeling.
Rev. o. H. Tiffany, formerly of Washing
ton, but now of Chicago, is another who
does not believe in religious indoctrination
in the public schools, but he regrets the ac-
ton of the board. have hastily sketched
an outline of the sentiments of some of the
leading clergy of Chicago on the subject,
which show them to be pretty evenly di-
vided upon the important matter.
The Chicago Presbytery at their semi
annual meeting, Monday, adopted resolu-
lions deprecating the action of the board Of
education there in removing the Bible from
the public schools, and praying all friends
of good government to unite in measures
for its restoration. The resolutions dis
claim any intention of interfering with re-
ligious liberty, but ask for the Bible IS
proven friend and essential to the well-be
ing of the State.-Cor. N. Y. Tunes.