Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-10
RELIGION CLASSES,

Reports have been published In this
city OF alleged occurrences at Richheld.
SEWER county, which the Deseret News
has not until now commented upon. 1t
was desirable 10 make sure OF the facts
in the case before expressing an opin-
ION concerning them. our correspond
ent at that place furnishes particulars
which are here inserted:
Richfield, Jan S, 1900.
To the Editor:
There is considerable agitation In our
city just at present over the establish
ment Of a religion class here, which Is
held In the public school house, after
the close OF school on Thursday even
ings.
The petition was drawn up and clrcu-
lated By those who oppose the class,
That was so misleading in It's state
lnent OF the matter that quite num-
Der OF people signed Il, believing It's
allegations TO be true upon the de-
ciaration OF those who circulated the
said petition, when In truth and In
fact, q misstatement OF the matter
could have hardly been greater than
that contained In the petition, which
begins as follows
ITO the Honorable Board Of Trustees,
Richfeid School District:
"Thc undersigned citizens OF Rich
field, being credbly informed that you
have inaugurated religious class In
the public schools OF this city for the
purpose OF teaching to school children
the principles OF the Church Of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints do solemn
ly protest and object and herein sub
nit their reasons therefor" Following
this the fourth subdivision Of section 3
OF the Enabling Act, article 10 OF Sec
ton OF the Constitution and section
1SiS OF the Revised Statutes OF Utah are
quoted, all OF which are to the effect
that our public schools shall be free
from sectarian control and that mo
atheistic infidel, sectarian, religious
or unconditional doctrine shall be
taught therein" and the petition con-
cludes by asking the trustees TO forth
with abandon the religion class.
The Riohfeld correspondent to the
Salt Lake Herald goes even further
and states that the class was estab-
lished by the public school teachers
and trustees
Now. the facts in the case are as fol-
lows:
The ecclesiastical authorities OF the
Mormon" Church OF this ward
applied to the trustees 10 rent
the school house one evening
In each week after the close Of school
for the purpose Of holding a religion
class therein. After due consideration
the school board acting In accordance
with section 1892, Of the Revised stat
utes, agreed TO and did rent the school
building for the purpose named as
stated above. The section Of law last
referred TO reads as follows. In speaking
OF the powers and Duties Of the
school board.
~. may permit school house, when
rot occupied for school purposes, to he
used foI any purpose whl,l VIII no,
interfere with the seating or other
furniture or property; and shall make
such charges for the use of the same az
they may decide 10 be just; but for
any such use or privilege the district
shall not be at any expense 70. fuel on
otherwise"
II Is the contention OF the advocates
Of the class that the house is not 'oc-
cnpied for school purposes after the
close OF school; and that the trustees
Rave as lawful right 10 rent the same
sor religious purposes at that time as
for any other purpose, and that a re-
lgious class held after school. even II
Il begin five minutes after. Is no more
Teaching religion in the school" than
II II were held In the evening, on a
Saturday or during the summer yaca-
ton, In the school house The opposl-
fo ba att thou ~
going to test in the courts the legality
OF the action of the trustees in permit
ting n religion class % be taught In
the school house. Nothing will suit the
friends Of the class better II the courts
decide that the letter or even the spirit
OF the law is being violated by con-
Quoting such a class under the condi-
lions named, those who inagurated it.
the ward ecclesiastical authorities-and
not the public school teachers and trus-
tees. will willingly discontinue the
same, for II it Is Illegal to furnish ia
cillties in public school building out
side OF school hours for those to study
religion who wish TO do so. with no re-
quest or even desire for those who do
not wish 10 do so to take part as pupils
or teachers. the sooner We find Il out
the better and more pleasant will II be
for us all.
There is a disposition. on the part Of
some people in this state, 10 stir up
contention in reference to the Nor
mon" Church. Anything to breed discord
and place the Church in a false light
before the world, seems to be their
motto. An Idea prevails abroad that
"Mormonlsm" is taught in the public
schools OF Utah. II has been occa.
stoned by the untruths circulated by
sectarian ministers 1t has been done
In the game spirit and by the same
methods which have caused the notion
TO prevail. that In Utah the Church
and the state are united and that the
Church dominates the state.
The public schools OF Utah are kept
entirely separate and distinct from
Church authority 30 Mormon"
tenets are taught or permitted to be
taught therein. There is no desire or
intention on the part Of the Church au-
thorities, TO interfere IN any way with
the public school system Every state
ment TO the contrary Is entirely I'M
true.
In view Of the fact that no religious
training OF any kind is allowed IN the
district schools or In the State Uni
yersiiy, the authorities Of the Church
OF Jesus Christ Of Latler-day Saints
Instituted what are called Religion
Glasses, for the instruction Of the child
ren OF the Saints in the principles Of
the Gospel Of Jesus Christ. They took
the view that an hour or two In one
day out Of seven in the Sunday schools
WAS Insufficient for RELIGIOUS trainlns