New-York tribune., 1903-04-16
BIBLE REPORT SHELVED
TO x4CT ON DIVORCE EVIL.
Words attributed to President Cr7tl-
cised bu Gen. r. E.. Prime.

Words attributed to President Roosevelt by
the Rev DR.. w. S. P. Bryan. of Chicago, were
called one of his foolish utterances by General
r. z. Prime, of Yonkers. yesterday, in dls-
cussion over Bible reading in the public schools
al the meeting in the Marble Collegiate Church.
Fifth-ave and Twenty-ninth- of the execu-
tive commission of the Western or American
Section Of the Alliance of the Reformed
Churches Throughout the World Holding the
Presbyterian System. The Rev. DR.. r. ?. Kerr.
of Richmond Va. presided and those who took
part in the proceedings were members of the
Presbyterian Church in Canada. Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America. the
Presbyterian Church in the United States, Cum
berIand Presbyterian Church, Reformed Church
in America, Reformed Church in the United
States the United Presbyterian Church and the
General Synod Reformed Presbyterian Church
The Rev Dr.. F. r. Beattie. of Louisville KY.
made a report on the of the Bible In the
public schools. advocating steps to obtain
uniform Interpretation Of the law.
1T seems anomaly that the different States
have laws which are almost in similar terms
and that they should be interpreted so differ
entity he said: that in case the Bible is
excluded as a sectarian hook and in another it
is given place in the public schools. The min
istry of the churches of this alliance can do
good service in giving their people proper in
struction and guidance upon this matter and
thereby create healthy public sentiment to re-
tain the Bible in the public schools In the place
of honor and usefulness. This subject might
also be very properly brought from time to time
before the Supreme Court by the different
branches of this alliance"
Opposition TO the acceptance of DR.. Beatties
report was started by the Rev. DR.. w. s. P.
Bryan, of Chicago, who said there was undue
alarm among the churches at the decline of
CHI Ia caiH
also that the alliance could not insist Bible
reading in the schools and if it did it
likely to receive governmental discouragement.
He said also:
agree with President Roosevelt that the en-
forced rule as to the reading of the Bible in
the schools is a relic of priestcraft.
General Prime spoke strongly in support of
Bible reading in the schools. and in doing so
from a statistical standpoint questioned the
cl1racy of many of the statistical statements
contained in DR. Beattie's report. He main
taned that to-day there is Bible reading al
lowed in thirty-six of the States, saying that
this information was derived from the forty
ninth annual report of State superintendent Of
Public Instruction Charles r. Skinner
General Prime in answering Mr.. Bryan said
that undoubtedly President Roosevelt mac made
the statement attributed to him, but ne had
made it out West and it was only one of his
foolish utterances
DR. BeattIe's report was recommitted and or
dered reprinted for discussion at the next regu-
lar meeting.
The Rev DR.. William Henry Roberts,
American secretary of the alliance. read a
communication from the General Conference OF
the Protestant Episcopal. Methodist Episcopal
and Presbyterian churches concerning marriage
and divorce The comrnunica tion which was
signed by Bishop Doane, was as follows
The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States the Methodist Episcopal Church North ard
the Presbyterian Church IN the United States of
America. have united in the appointment Of mem
marriage and divorce It is 81 hoped that repre-
the country be secured upon this conference.
1t is earnestly to ne desired that some action
the loose divorce laws prevalent in the many
States and also to secure in an adequate manner
marriage. both in Church and State Both the vel
are involved in this matter No argument is need
ed to bring home the great Importance of the sub
ject the great value. If it can be secured. of
united action in reference to II the part of the
conference held in New-York City, on March 10,
cate with the Western Section of the Alliance of
the Reformed churches holding the the Presbyterian
in this movement. and in addition, If the way be
A special committee of five, to represent the
Western Section at the conference. was appoint
w X, o
Marshall Mo. chairman: ". H Roberts of
Philadelphia, secretary. John McNaugher, Of
Allegheny. Penn: ]. Addison Henry. of Pha-
delphia. and General r. F. Prime. of Yonkers.
1t was decided to inform the Eastern Eu-
ropean Section that June 2S would be more
suitable to the members OF the Western or
American Section for the opening of the Eighth
General Council of the alliance at Liverpool
than June 81
The committee cvangelistic work of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
in the United States of America stated that ii
had appointed it's representative at the meet
ing of the executive commission John H. Con-
verse OF Philadelphia. Mr.. Converse, who is
at the head OF the Baldwin Locomotive Works |
will address the commission to-day.
The Presbyterian ministers and churches OF
Boston petitoned the commission TO hold the
next meeting OF the section in October. III that |
city.
The address of Judge Lanning, of Trenton |
n. j.. The Relation of the United States
Government to Religious Work in the Philip |
pine Islands and in Porto Rico" was read by |
General Prime.
DR.. Burre pastor OF the church, welcomed |
the executive commission and the members Of