The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-12

of the school building during that time
at the disposal OF the duly authorized MIN
listers OF religion in the city, TO be used py
these latter In the conduct OF such rei'g-
ious worship and in the teaching Of such
religious doctrine as the parents or guard
ians OF the children may desire.
Thus the Catholic priest, the Presbyte-
rian pastor, the Methodist preacher, the
Jewish rabbi the Free Thinking lecturer
and so on might each in their separate
rooms and as they and their people may
desire. occupy the time from q. N. &c $50
a. m with the children OF their respective
parishes in such way and maner as may
seem to them right and fitting.
or course the privilege would have 10 lie
duly guarded from abuse, so that the con-
science Of every citizen would be respected
and no religious scruples violated. But
do not anticipate any serious difficulty In
the working OF such scheme In COM
munity where the true principles OF civil
and religious liberty are understood and be-
lieYed in.
The bell might ring at $3.50 n. m. as a
signal for the closing OF the religious ex
ereises. and at 9.45 a. m. all the scholars
should be required to report themselves
for secular instruction in their respective
class rooms.
In this way thing the problem known
as the religious difficulty would be solved
and an adequate provision made for the re-
igious education Of our children, which
without going so far. perhaps. as TO call
our present system Goddess AID atheisticaD
all must feel is done az present
II the board should think II right TO try
the experiment, and would In the exercise
OF the authority vested in them by the ciu-
2ons, give me the use OF room In the
high school building. ! will undertake.
without expense to the board to conduct
roll 10 lafi a IN
m. and give religious instruction. on the
basis Of the Book OF Common Prayet."
with any Of the teachers and children who
may wish to place themselves under my
pastoral care. binding myself ever and al
ways 10 submit loyalty TO any conditions
the board may see 1T to impose In the in.
terest Of the good order and conduct Of the
school.
In this way-and in this way alone-do
feel that as a minister OF Christ, shall be
enabled 10 discharge my duties TO the
lambs of my flock. for the Book of Com
mon Prayer is certainly better adapted for
elementary instruction In religion than tho
Bible Is.
In any case IT is the only appliance
placed at our disposal for that purpose by
the authority of he Holy Catholic church
IN IT'S American USE which IS the mother
church of the English speaking peoples To
me and those who think with me- il is a
grievance to be debarred from the use Of
that divine book In the daily instruction of
tho church's children.
Gentlemen, | hope and believe your hon
orahle body viii give this proposal your
most serious attention Just VOW there arc
abundant signs of a relapse into the an
cient Roman paganlsm on the part nf the
busy, quick-witted and worldly minded
mon Of this generation. and to some of us
'h'S Is a serious symptom. ! felt that as
an unworthy priest Of the church. could
40 none other than approach YOU on sub
lect near 10 my heart and having thus
DISCHARGED 2my duty according to the meas
u'e oI ilsht given to me- | now leave the
matter In your hands
WIN every assurance OF respect and loval
regard bcheve me TO remain, gentlemen.
your most obedient servant.
Robert Hammond Cotton.
NJ. a, h. Sc LondonO.
Rector OF Trinity Church, Fort worth
| Texas.