Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-20

cause of their beiief IN the lneHicieneS VI
the textbook method in such cases.
1t is on the ground of patriotism that the
proposition is chiefly opposed by the Sew
enth Day Adventists who are always OPP
posed to anything that savors In the Ieast
degree of governmental control OF relgion.
No expressions of poinion on the resolutions
We're offered by the Roman Catholic clergy
men present although Rev. Father Currier
of st. Mary's Church spoke in favor OF
postponement of the vote In order tnat
more time for consideration might he had.
The first business of the meeting, after
the purpose of calling it had been stated,
was the election of a presiding officer and
secretary. AS stated, Hilary Herbert was
selected chairman. DR.. Teunis 8. Hamlin,
pastor of the Church of the Covenant.
PreSbyt terrain, was chosen secretary. Toward
the close DIR. Hamlin was forced to leave,
and Rev DR.. Wilson, pastor of the Assem-
blys Presbyterian Church, was elected to
take his place.
The elections over, DR.. McKim arose and
explained in detail the object of the reso-
buttons, his remarks being covered in sub
stance by the resolutions given. He en-
phasized the points that it was not the pur-
pose of the promoters of the proposition to
force sectarianism on the public schools.
nor to force anything upon anybody. 1t
would merely be a teaching of theistic doc
trine, he said, to which Jew and Protestant
and Catholic ought to be able to subscribe.
Applauded by Majority.
The resolutions were then read by DR.. Nc
Kim. They were received with applause
from the majority of the members of the
audience.
Commissioner mcfarland seconded DR..
McKim's motion for adoption, saying that
while he opposed to the departure from
the doctrine of the separation of church
and state, and while he believed the Dis
trict already has as good schools as any
state in the country, nevertheless he would
advocate a distinctive moral education
based on religion.
Mr. Simon Wolf then spoke on the resolu-
tiOns.
UNLESS a person subscribes to every
statement made in the resolutions" he
said, 1T will be impossible to adequately
discuss them in a few moments
Everybody, he continued, knew his posi-
ton when it came to question of morals.
but he must, as member or the ancient
race of Jews and as an American, positive
ly dissent from the proposition MADE Dy
Dr. McKim on the ground that it would
cause endless friction and dissension In the
schools and out of them. He spoke of the
institution Of the home as the best place for
this kind of teaching, and held up the Jew
ish home as the model one.
Rev. DR.. Edward Everett Hale, chaplain
of the United States Senate, and a Uni
versalist, made the next speech. urging the
adoption of the resolutions. He told of
his study of the French system of moral
instruction, which had led to a ''magnlfi-
cent separation Of church and state.' He
said the idea was not foreign 10 the pTiIl-
ciples upon which this republic was found
ed.
Rev. Dr. J. E, Gilbert, secretary of the
American Society of Religious Education,
cited the examples of other cities where
this scheme is being successfully operated.
He favored the proposition, but cautioned
against haste.
Rabbi Simon's Plea.
After General Boynton, president of the
board of education, speaking not for the
board, he said, but for himself, had given
as his opinion that every member of the
board would indorse any plan of action
agreed upon by this body, Rabbi Simon of
the Hebrew Temple made an earnest plea
for more careful consideration and took
exception to certain statements made by
other gentlemen to the effect that this was
a Christian country and therefore that the
Christian religion should be taught in the
schools.
He said the Supreme Court In 1902 had
declared this a religious, but not a Chris
tan country. He spoke very courteouSly
and kindly of his "brethren' on the other
side of the question, and said he hoped that
the best of good feeling would always pre-
vail between them and the Hebrews. He
said he was In hearty sympathy with any
movement for the prevention Of crime and
the raising Of the socially degraded. but
that he thought this was the wrong way
to go about it.
1t would be a shameful admission, he
said, that the church and the public
schools had each failed in their duty, If 1t
were admitted that the arguments on the
other side were correct He did not believe
at all in the textbook method of teaching
morals.
The resolutions were heartily favored by
Zed H. Copp, probation officer of the board
Of guardians
DR.. Robert Reyburn complimented the
Jews for their purity of home life, but con-
cluded with favorable remarks on the reso-
lutions.
Others who favored the proposition We're
Rev. DIR. Hamlin, secretary of the meeting
and Rev. DIR. Merrill E. Gates, ex-president
of Amherst College.
Arguments for Delay.
Rev. Louis Stern made a strong appeal
for delay in the consideration of the reso-
lutions.
Il would not be afraid to give moral in
struction trial, though I think it would
not be the best thing said DR.. Stern, but
l am opposed to religious education in the
public schools
w. w. Prescott, editor of the Review and
Herald, the Seventh Day Adventist paper
published in this city, asked whether the fact
that there were SO many intelligentiy ex-
pressed arguments on opposite sides of this
question did not signify that delay should
be resorted to. This fact, he thought, ought
also to suggest the question whether or not
the proposed course was the wisest one. He
that they were not American in spirit.
In concluding Mr.. Prescott said there
could be no question of minority or major
ity in matters of conscience. Individual
opinion must always be respected. he said,
no matter how many are on the other side.
A concluding word was spoken by DR..
Mckim- Among other things he said that
there was mot one jot or title or sectar-
ianism in the resolutions"
The motion for the appointment of COM
mlttee of fifteen to be composed of repre-
sentatives Of all the denominations so far
as possible, who shall consider the question
in more detail, was made by DR.. Gates.
When this motion was passed DR.. Nc
Kim moved the reference of the resolutions
to the committee in Difference to the opin-
Ions Of the opposition, saying, however,
that he would have preferred an immediate
vote. This motion was carried unani-
mouSly.
The assemblage then adjourned to meet
at the call of the chairman.
Suit Against Electric Railway.