Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-10-19
LAW AND RELIGION CLASSES

LAW AMI hIIlblON AhAooIo'
The subject Of religion classes was
very clearly presented by President An.
thOn u, Lund at the recent conference.
nc Is one Of great Importance TO the
Latter-day Saints No religious In
structlon Is or may be Impaired In the
district schools That IL a settled ques.
ton and is generally understood. The
necessity FOR such teaching TO young
children Is recognized boy most religious
Bocleties Sunday schools have been
Instituted Tor this purpose, They do
most excellent work, particularly In the
mormon Church. which Is not OK
celled anywhere In It's Sunday school
system, But the idea that I'VE or sx
days may be employed IN secular cdu-
cation for the young, and only part OF
one day for religious training, Us viewed
as discrimination IN the wrong dIrec-
tlon. For this among many reasons,
religion classes for children have been
organized IN Zion,
The necessity OF keeping those classes
entirely separate and distinct from the
district schools has been held IN view
from the beginning Of the movement
The plan is 10 have competent persons,
ladies' or gentlemen. to take charge Of
and teach the little folks principles Of
faith and rules Of morality. how to pray
and sing and participate I'm devotional
exercises. and to conduct themselves
properly toward each other and their
parents. This Is TO be done IN a way TO
suit the Juvenile capacity and lead the
young mind In the way Of godiness and
right action.
The classes are 10 be held on given
days In the week, according to the con-
venience and facilities Of each ward
Of the Church. They are not to be con-
Quoted during school hours nor as part
OF any school curriculum The superln-
tendents and teachers are TO be selected
because OF their adaptation to the work,
md they serve gratultously The place
OF meeting Is TO be as near to the ais
trlet schoolhouses AZ will make them
convenient for the children 10 attend
after school has been dismissed In
some instances trustees have permitted
the use Of district schoolhouse for
,hese classes, when they would not IN
terfere with the school or lniure school
nroperty. and on payment for light Oh
fuel or any other expense thereby en-
tailed. That IN such exceptional in-
stances they have not violated the law
"a clear from the following Oh the pow
ers Of the school board
"1t may permit schoolhouse, when
not occupied for school purposes, 10 De
used for any purpose which VIII NOT
Interfere with the seating or otner lui-
niture or property, and shall make euch
charges for the use Of the same as they
NAV decide TO be Just; but for any such
use or privilege the district snail nov
Ne M any expense for fuel or othel-
wise. Revised Statutes Sec 1879
This privilege, provided for by law
NJ the use OF "a district schoolhouse on
permssion OF the board Of trustees for
other than school purposes Is wise ana
beneficial In case Of the delivery OF a
lecture. or am entertainment, or any
public gathering, especially IN country
districts not favored with assembly
nails. The meeting Of a class for chill
dren therein when It ls not occupied by
the regular school, can do no one any
harm and will not Doe objected 10 except
by some weaRmnded cranky or malici-
Gus person However II is only 10 eN-
ceptlonal Instances that the district
echoolhouse Is used TO hold those classes
I'm. and the usual practice aud advice
IS to hold them elsewhere II practlc-
able.
We recur TO this subject which was
10 clearly and ably presented by Presl'
dent Lund on the occasion referred to
that the inumaton that holding a re-
lIglon class In a district schoolhous'
under the restrictions described Is con
trary to law. may be exploded. LEI
It be understood that the policy OF the
organization is 10 keep the classes sep
arate and distinct not only from thl
secular schools but from the schoo
buildings as much as possible Bu
that the law permits the use OF lhos
buildings for such purposes under IN
direction Of the trustees subject to th
provisions quoted, ought to be clear 4
every sane mind, We hope the move
ment for the classes viii receive th
support OF parents and Of the publ
in every part Of the Church, and II /
certain that great good viii be accom-
plIshed by them under wise superyi
sion and Strict compliance with the las
and the rules adopted for their govern
ment
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