New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-17
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
MORAL INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
ATTITUDE OF THE BAPTIST PASTORS OF NEW
YORK.

ATTITUDE OF THE BAPTIST PASTORS OF NEW
YORK.
TO the Editor ofThc Tribune.
Sir: In yonr issue Of November 10 IS an article en-
titled Moral Instruction in Public schools That
article puts In false attitude the Baptist pastors OK
the entire State Of NewYork. l beg brief space 10
make correction.
part OF the first sentence of that article is, "The
New-iork Synod Of the Presbyterian Church has In
vted representatives Of all the Protestant de1nna-
tons In this state to conference upon the subject OF
moral instruction in public schools etc. IL Is then
stated that twenty three ecclesiastical bodies have ap
pointed delegates TO such conference This sentence
follows: The Baptist Pastors State Conference unan
imously adopted the resolution of an able committee,
declining the invitation of the Presby synod with
warm expressions of regard for the Prcsby crian but
decided opposition to the views advocated by both the
New-fork Synod and the General Assembly
The Conference Of the Baptist Pastors Of the
State OF New-York- has not been invited. and there
fore 1t has not declined to appoint representatives to
conference upon the subject OF moral instruction In
public schools At its late session in LOckport, on
october %, it did receive 1t unanimously declined
al invitation to appoint representatives TO confer
ence upon the subject OF religious instruction I'm the
public schools.
Together with written invitation to such confer
ence, presented by delegation from the synod. there
laid before the Baptist Pastors Conference, bv
titlc-page: Religion and Public Education-Reports
of the Committee Religion and Public Education,
presented to thc Synod of New-York Of the Prcsby
terrain Church in the United States Of America at its
meeting in Auburn. 1887 and In Poughkeepsic 1882
The matter here presented. Religion and Public
Education that which laid before the Zap
list pastors, and which alone they called to con-
slider. The question not concerning morals, but
religion On the first page Of the official document
above-named set forth those fundamental re-
ligous truths which the committee land, by the adop
ton of their report the synod and the General Assem-
bly, desire to have taught in the public schools The
question submitted to the Baptist pastors was whether
they would join in conference to consider, and. by
implication, to encourage and promote, the teaching
of religion in the public schools The Baptists be-
lieve, and always have believed in the teaching OF
morals everywhere. But the Baptfsts DO not believe
and did believe that religion should be taught
by requirement OF law anywhere either In church or
school, Their answer to invitation to appoint rep
resentatives to conference on "Religon and Public
Education is given in the following resolutions:
Resolved. That as American citizens unanimously
and heartily ndorse uphold the free public school sys
TEN as Christian religion the greatest bull
wark OF our liberties.
Resolved That tender thanks to the Synod OF
New.York of the Presbyterian Church for their courtesy
in presenting with their report Religion ana Public
Education asking cooperation In the securing OF
the object recommended therein and tnt we take this
for them.
Resolved That cannot. however, unite with them
in their attempt religious instruction in the pub.
lie schools, and this for the following reasons;
l. We believe that It Is manifest injustice to tax
those who do not believe religion for the maintenance
Of schools I'm which taught religious principles wch
they their children TO learn anu iurther ehn'
the inauguration OF such system OF religious ~achhs
I'm our public forms valid argument Tor the o'
vision OF the school funds with those who might not reish
such teaching thus resulting eventually In State support
NJ schools In which creed Of Agnosticisn Buddhsm
Confuc,anism Judaism Romanism might be taught
o We believe that the State ought not to teach re-
Iipon because this would In our age religious m
sructon persons, who do not Know what
,rue religion is and whose instruction would In large de-
cree be marked hypocrisy Journalism. rreverence ana
error We d. not such persons to instruct our chill
d,,n reciously The should teach only that OIL
which all are agreed md should not invade matters oil con-
science or religious opinion II the state may tach re-
con in schools the teach religion In churches OF
her own establishment is only this broad ground
that oppose who would subty in-til Aomahsu
ar the creed Of Agnocism into public instruction
q We thus reanrm the grand old Baptist doctrines OF
liberty all men, well a. ourselves ana OF INC
Of the with the Church In her Pc
culiar function OF teaching religion.
a. c. OSBORN. Albion
f. l.. ANDERSON, Rochester.
A. T.. BRIGHAM, Utica.
W. X. BALDWIN, Friendship.
II. q. SEYMOUR, Auburn.
Committee.
The above resolutions were adopted UNANIMOUSLY
Inv rising vote in a very large and truly representa-
Now York ONE OF THE PASTORS
Albion. n Y. Nov. IL, 1890.