The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-24
SCHOOL HYMNAL STANDS
The Board of Education Determines
TO Retain the Exercises.
The Decision Reached After COnsid-
ering Letters Protecting Against
the System-Charies J. Bell Tenders
His Resignation 10 the BoHrd-Com-
missioner Nacfnrlnnd's Tribute.

The Hymnal and the singing of hymns
are to remain a part of the opening exer-
cises in the public schools. This decision
was reached last night at the meeting OF
the School Board after numerous pro-
tests against the custom had been con-
sidered. The rule was qualified. however,
by the adoption of a resolution which
exempts from participation in such serv-
ice those pupils whose parents object to
the practice for secular reasons.
The matter, which has been quite
widely discussed of late, occupied the at
tention of the board for a considerable
time last night. Among the commuIica-
tions received upon this subject was one
from Rabbi Stern, of the Hebrew Con-
gregation. in which he protests against
the character Of opening exercises in the
schools. Among other things his letter
says: LAS matter of fact. each indi-
vidual teacher now is free to read Bible
passages or select hymns antagonistic In
letter and spirit to the belief not only OF
the people whom ] represent, but OF liberal
Protestants and Catholics as we'll" He
declares that the hymnals used in the
High School are of a decided sectarian
character, and requests the discontinuance
of their use.
Another was from Simon Wolf, in which
he says that the church or the syna-
gogue is the place for the Bible and the
Hymnal and not the schools. This is not
war against the churches said Mr..
Wolf, mot an attack on religion; on the
contrary. 1t is the only way to protect
and uphold the sacred rights OF the citi-
Zens." A lengthy communication upon
the same subject was also read from Rev.
DR.. Alexander Kent, J. L. McCreery, B.
Pickman Mann, Morris Peachin, W. e.
Abbott, DIR. William Geddis, and F. L.
Siddons. These writers declare that the
use of the Bible and the Hymnal in the
school is an association of church and
state which is in violation of the plain
intent of the constitutional provision
that Congress shall make no law re-
speeding the establishment OF any reli-
eion.' The point is made in the letter
that this provision was evidently intend
ed 20 prevent dissenters from having the
views of the dominant religious body i'm
posed upon the State. One letter declares
that if Congress has no power to estab-
lish such law, certainly no other body
should have that privilege. 1t is also
stated that the Supreme Courts OF Ohio
reading of the Bible is sectarian and
have ordered its discontinuanee II the
practice is to continue, the writer says.
committee representing all religious
bei:efs should make an effort to choose
reading from the Bible and hymns which
would be offensive to none. The letter
also declares that IL majority is to de-
ternIine the character of religious
exercise in the schools in some communi-
ties 1t might not be unreasonable to ex-
pect that there would be prescribed a
prayer for the dead" and hymns TO
the Virgin"
Another communication protesting
against religious exercises in the schools
upon similar lines was also read from w
A. Root. Mr.. Root also makes the point
that the religious exercises as conducted
in the schools tend to sacriIege.
After some discussion OF these COM
munications the following resolution was
adopted:
Resolved, That the prescribed hyInnal in the
High School be retained. but pupils whose par
ents shall, for secular reasons object TO the use
Of the hymnal, may be exempted from the pro-
vision of Rule 40, which prescrbes singing.
No action was taken by the board in
regard to the reading of the Scriptures,
although that matter was referred to in
all of the protests against religious exer-
cises. The principal discussion. however,
has been upon the matter OF hymnals.
Charles J. Bell. the chairman of the
board. announced to his colleagues that
he was abot 10 tender his resignation as
a member of the board to the Commits
sionerE. Mr.. Bell has been considering
the matter of resigning for some time,
and while his retirement was entirely I'M
expected. his final decision was learned
with deep regret by the other members OF
the board. He has been urged to retain
the position, but the pressure of his pri-
waite business and the close attention to
school matters, which the position on the
board. requires, has compelled him to re-
sign. The Commissioners have under
consideration the name of a prominent
citizen deeply interested in public affairs,
who will doubtless be named as his sue
cessor within afew days. His name, how
ever, is withheld for the present.
Commissioner Macfarland who is in
Immediate charge of public schools for
the Board of Commissioners, when asked
concerning the resignation of Mr.. Bell
from the School Board said:
Il was very sorry to learn this evening
that Mr.. Bell had transmitte ed his resigna-
ton, for he has rendered important serv-
ice as President of the Board of Educa-
ton. and / hoped that he might be able
to continue longer in that position How
ever, ] appreciate, as l am sure the whole
community does, the good work he has
done and the personal sacrifice he made
in doing IL, and | believe that, If his pri-
waite affairs would permit him to stay he
would not leave the board now He
thought, when he was asked to serve that
he could not do so because of the ex-
actions of his private business, and only
consented because of his sense of public
duty, and with the understanding that
after the work of reorganization was com
pleted he should be released il the pres