Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-09

HYMNAL IN SCHOOLS
Objections to Its Use on Grounds That
It is Sectarian.
OPINIONS OF THOSE INTERESTED
Belief That Board Of Education
Will Not Discard It.
COU RTS NJ AY D E G D E
OPINIONS OF THOSE INTERESTED
COUR TS NAY DECI D E

ing Wednesday evening, referred to the
committee on high and normal schools all
the correspondence In regard to the use of
the Students Hymnar in the Washington
public schools, 1t expressed determine
ton to take cognizance of the several pro-
tests that have been made against the book
of sacred songs, and to deal with the ques-
ton effectively and finally as far as its pow
ers permit. 7H
The board has received during the past
six weeks a number of communications in
regard to the hymnal, the first being at
tacks upon it, but later many letters in Its
defense. The committee which it has been
determined shall deal with the matter is
under the craftsmanship of Mr.. George II.
Harries, and, 1t is said, will be ready to
report early next week. 1t is stated on
excellent authority that the report Of the
committee will favor the continuance of the
hymnai, with accompanying remarks to the
effect that the use Of hymn book con-
tanning religious songs Is eminently desir-
able, and that the book now in use suf-
fees as well as any that can be found.
The students Hymnar was adopted
about three years ago by the old board or
trustees of the public schools, and has been
in constant use since that time. When the
form of the governing body of school Off
Gals was changed last summer by act Of
Congress, and the present board Of educa-
ton, appointed by the District Commission
ers, succeeded the board Of school trustees,
the question of hymnal for use in the
high schools came up in its regular turn.
The board voted in favor of the continu-
ance Of the book in use, as no objection
had been raised to it at that time, and
there seemed no sufficient reason, it is
stated, for a change. The new board of
education formulated it's own rules, among
them being paragraph relative to the re-
lgious exercises with which the sessions
In the high school rooms should be opened
each day. These prescribed reading from
the Bible. without notice or comment on
the part Of the teacher, repeating the
Lords prayer, and singing appropriate
hymns.
The Hymnal Attacked.
Early in January there came a bitter at
tack on the use of the hymnal. Rev. Alex
ander Kent of the Peoples Church, con-
gregation meeting each Sunday in the Typo
graphical Temple; Rabbi L. Stern of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation, Mr..
Simon Wolf and number of others led in
the assault, and still determined in their
efforts to expunge the hymnal from use in
the public schools.
The main objections seem to have been on
the ground that the contents Of the hymnal
were sectarian, and that such We're antago-
nistic to American doctrines and laws.
which forbid, 1t is claimed, the union of
church and state, as well as the introduce
ton of religious exercises in the public
schools.
Opposed to these the adherents Of the
continued use of the hymnal have declared
that its contents are entirely free from any
thing that may be termed sectariansm. and
claim that the hymns included are those
which sung generally by all conditions
Of people in public assemblages, regardless
of their particular religious tendencies.
They say that the reasoning of those who
oppose the hymnal applies with still great
er force to the reading Of the Christian
Scriptures since no such impression Is
made upon the mind by words used in
singing as by words read and attentively
heard. The real question involved, they
contend. is therefore as to the propriety
and legality of any religious opening ex-
ercises in the public schools.
The original book it Is said, contained the
nounced doctrinal creations, but these were
expunged.
While the board Of education is dealing
with the matter the opponents Of the hym-
nal are proceeding in another direction. Mr..
Simon Wolf has been one Of the most indie
fatigable workers in the movement to abol-
ish the book. At his Office several days ago
a committee was formed for the purpose
Of drafting a memorial which will be pre-
scented to the District Commissioners, and
aimed at the Students Hymnal." The
committee consists Of Mr.. Wolf chair
man. and Rev. L. Stern, also of the Wash
ington Hebrew Congregation; Rev. Alex
ander Kent and Mr.. Alexander Weir. both
Of the Peoples Church, and DR.. w. A.
Croffut Of the Secular League. 1t is stated
that at the first conference there were pres
ent representatives Of the theosophists and
the liberal Christians Of several denomina-
tions. For working committee, however,
it was decided that only five should be in
cluded.
Mr.. VOLTS Objections.
Chairman Wolf, in speaking of the mat
ter to a reporter for The Star, declared
yesterday:
1.-The Students Hymnar is Objectionable
In character to a great number of citizens
o. the District and w helieNa ha In To