Evening star., 1901-02-13
THE SCHOOL HYMNAL
Belief That School Board Committee
Will Recommend Retention.
4 PROBABLE new COMPILATION
Matter to Be Considered at Meet
ing to Be Held This Evening.
REVIEW OF SITUATION

REVIEW OF STU ALTON
The board of education will. this evening,
take up the vexed question of the use of the
book of sacred songs known as the STU
dents Hymnal'' in the High Schools of the
District of Columbia. The board will also
probably review the entire subject of re-
ligious exercises and place itself squarely
on record in regard to the matter
Last Wednesday evening the board re-
fcrred the hymnal matter to the committee
on high and normal schools, of which Mr..
George II. Harries is chairman. This COM
mittee. it is stated. will be ready to report
this evening. Chairman Harries has called
a meeting for tonight at go o'clock, when
the last details of the report to be submit
ted will be decided upon and the paper
finally prepared for presentation. The com
mittee. it Is said, has gone into the matter
quite thoroughly, perusing all the commune
cations that have been sent in to the board
by persons objecting and upholding the
hymnal, and making investigation of the
practices pursued in the representative
school systems of the country.
There is little doubt that the committee
will recommend the continuance of the
opening religious exercise in its present
form which includes reading from the
Bible without note or comment, the recitng
of the Lords Prayer and the singing of
hymns. The committee will, 1t is learned,
uphold the religious feature in the schools
on the broad ground that America is a
Christian country, placing its faith in the
Divine Providence and founding practically
all of it's institutions upon Christian prin-
ciples The committee will hold that the
religious service at the opening hour is
both appropriate and legal in its principal
aspects.
The committees report, it is said, will
reflect the opinion of those who hold that
the anna lgamaton of church and state is a
bad principle, but who avow that the obliter-
alton of all religion from the daily training
of children is q dangerous thing. Inc per-
centage of those children who do not ad-
here to the evangelical faiths is so small,
it is stated. that their wishes should not
prevail to the extent of wiping out entirely
all evidence of Christian faith in the rulng
providence of God.
Proposed New Compilation.
The committee in charge of the hymnal
matter has under consideration the PROPOSE
ton of compiling a hymn book under the
immediate direction and supervision of the
board CT education to contain such songs
as will be absolutely beyond all question as
to sectarianisnl. but which will be religious
in every sense of the word. A recommenda-
ton in favor of this pian it is said, may be
incorporate in the committee report.
This feature of the question has been dls-
cussed. but was left over for final action
this evening. The committee on high
schools expects to complete its labors in
time to have the report before the board as
the first item of business when the general
body corvenes at the Franklin School build
ing al o clock.
The special compilation of hymns will be
strongly urged before the committee. In
case it is determined to undertake the work
the board of education will have the books
published. This has been done by the edu-
cational governing bodies in other cities
and states, and the plan has been favoraDly
received in almost every instance it is
stated. The question that next arises will
be as to who shall stand the expense of the
publica tion-whether the high school chill
dren shall be compelled to discard their re-
Gently purchased Students Hymnals'' and
purchase the special collection of sacred
songs prepared and published by the board
or whether the books shall be distributed
free. Many poor parents and others would
object strenuously. it is believed, to being
put to the expense of buying second
hymn book.
Whatever the outcome of the proposition
to publish a special edition of hymns for
the use of high school pupils may be- 1t is
safe to say that the students Hymnal'
Will remain in for some time to come
In the event that new book is issued, the
one now in use will continue in service
until the other has been compiled and
printed The compilation would be a mat
ing the matter in charge would undouot-
edIy be deluged with suggestions.
The Defense Outlined.
In general defense of the religious OPEN
ing exercises in the schools, the committee
will say in its report this evening that
the Supreme Court of the United States has
recognized the American faith in the Divine
Providence in number of decisions which
will be quoted. One notable case that has
been cited in the committee is that of Trini-
ty Episcopal Church. New York. This
church imported a rector from England
and was proceeded against under the con-
tract labor law. The whole question of re-
ligion and state was opened up before the
Supreme Court and that body expressed
itself clearly upon the subject.
1t will be stated that in Congress, in all
large public gatherings, on occasions Of
state. the laying of corner stones of i'm
pOrtant structures, the opening of political
and other conventions, etc, the rule is in
variably that the exercises shall be begun
with prayer. In Congress, it is stated,
there is no attempt to show that the pray
offered by the chaplaius of the respec-
tive bodies. the Senate and the House Of
Representatives, conform to the religious
beliefs and disbeliefs of all the senators
representatives the case may be-
1t is further suggested that the directing
in the coined moneys of the United States,
the motto, "In God we Trust" being in
cluded in the design.
The Declaration of Independence and in
the constitution of practically every state
of the Union. 1t will be submitted, a recog-
milton OF Providence is Incorporated. In
the courts of the land themselves the Bible
is used in administering oaths.
One result of the present agitation of the
subject Of religion in the schools may re-
suit, some residents believe, in the stu
dents being allowed a greater latitude in
carrying out their own desires and those
Of their parents in regard to participating
in the religious exercise.
Views of Citizens.
The question continues to attract wide
spread attention among the clergy and all