The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-28
THE BIBLE IN PUBLrC SCHOOLS.

THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A new phase of the question OF Bible
reading in the public schools has come up
in New York There was a time when the
question was a cause of bitter controversy
between Catholics and Protestants. but
that controversy was practically settled by
the Establishment OF Catholic parochial
schools in which religious instruction is i'm
parted by methods approved by the
church. The law in Indiana says 1.-THE
Bible shall not be excluded from the pub
lie schools of the State This simply
provides against the exclusion of the Bible
by school authorities or teachers. Any
teacher of a public school in this State may
introduce Bible reading as an exercise il
he or she desires to do so. and doubtless
1t is done in some schools. The law simply
says the Bible shall not be excluded, but
as it does not prescribe it's use, the question
of using it seems to be optional with school
authorities.
The question has come up in New York
on complaint made by Jews of sectarian
influence in the public schools. At con-
vention of the Unions of Orthodox Jews
held few days ago resolutions were
adopted voicing this complaint on the four
counts following:
First-That the bylaws by which the
school sessions to be opened by the
reading of q few verses from the Bible
verses from the New Testament.
Second-That the children are taught to
sing moral selections that include specific
ally Christian hymns of a distinctively
doctrinal. sectarian character and which
are applied to the founder Of those doc
tr.nes and symbols
Third-That in preparation for the winter
vacation, plays, hymns and other exercises
of a distinctly Christian character and ex-
pressive of the specifically Christian senti-
ment Of reverence for Christmas are, taught
and recited.
Fourth-That the impression is conveyed
to the children that their attendance at one
session at all events is desirable on days
which are Jewish holidays.
The complaint was brought before the
superintendent of schools and he assured
the committee that the Board of Education
would instruct the teachers that the prac-
tees referred to must be discontinued
is that of reading the Bible in the schools
which Is probably done as a brief morning
exercise. The objection made by the Jew
ish patrons Of the schools is to reading
from the New Testament. Reading from
the Old Testament would be equally a
compliance with the rule. and there are
some excellent books in that to read from
the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and
parts of other books. 1t seems a pity how
ever, that If the Bible is to be read in the
barred from reading any of the beautiful
passages. instructive lessons or noble dis
courses found in the New Testament. I'm.
questionably the highest ethics, the best
moral lessons and the most practical re.
ligion found in the Bible are in the New
Testament. They are as good for Jewish
children as for those of gentiles and any
child that grows up without having learned
them is immeasufably poorer in his mora
assets.
That the complaint of the Jewish patron.
of the schools is founded on narrow idea.
Is shown by the fact that they also OBJ
| ject to the singing Of distinctly Christian
hymns and to the use Of plays and hymn:
| ''of a distinctly Christian character anC
| expressive of the Christian sentiment O.
would rule out most of the standard hymn.
in the English language and would prac
| tically eliminate Christmas exercises in tn,
| schools Surely it could not hurt Jewisl
children to join in the singing of hymns
which have stood the test OF generations
or to participate in Christmas exercises IL
commemoration Of Him who came to brin,
on earth peace and good will toward men
1t can hardly be possible that the orthodox,
of Jewish child would be undermined b,
such exercises. and certainly his moral
could not be hurt. The complaint seem
1 far-fetched and almost frivolous.
| Such a complaint would hardly be mad
by the Jews in New York II they did no
feel they were numerous enough to Civ
them political Importance, nor would thei
| demand be conceded by the school author
tiles IL they did not recognize the sam
fact. 1t is only one of many instances il
| which. In one way or another, under on
pretext or another, politics has made itsel
felt in the management of public schools
If the school authorities of New York cit
had been brave enough to stand squared
for principle they would have taken tn
| ground that as this is a Christian countr
and as the reading of the Bible is require
in the public schools they would not re
strict such reading to a part of the Bible
By agreeing to exclude the New Testamen
they have practically dechristianized tn
schools. thus yielding to what they feare
might take the form of political influence
A FALSE PHILOSOPHY"
An eminent lecturer recently declared