The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-11
BIBLE IN SCHOOLS
IS NOT NEW MOVE
HAS BEEN USED FOR FORTY YEARS
AND BOARDS RESOLUTION
NO ORDER.
NO CHANGE
BOARD MERELY PLACED ITSELF ON
RECoRD--BAPTIsTS MAY M
AGAINST ENFORCED
READING.

While various organizations and
individuals have been adopting reso-
buttons and expressing opinions about
the introduction OF the Bible into the
public schools and opinions have been
divided over the ACCESSIBILITY Of the
new order Of the school board in
reference to the question. the school
authorities are wondering what IL is
all about for il develops that the
Bible has not been introduced" into
the schools, having been in the
schools for forty years and the new
order" is neither new nor an order.
The action of the school board in
adopting the mooted resolution was
taken merely to place the hoard on
record as favoring the continuance
Of the existing custom. and was by
no means an order 10 the teachers.
Already In Use.
While the Bible has been in use
for forty years, the readings from the
continued. and the board acted on
the request OF hundreds OF people
so as to inform the teachers that IL
they wished 10 read fror. the New
Testament they could do so. The
teachers can heed the request or not
as they choose and, as a matter of
fact, II In not thought that there has
been any increase in the observance
of the custom. In the high school
selections from the Psalms are read.
and in the lower grades from ether
parts of the Bible. also. If the teach
ers wish TO do more they can do so.
but the school board. representative
of the government has not ordered
that 1t be done.
Action by the Baptist ministers of
the city has been delayed on account
or lack Of understanding on this
point They wish TO be sure of the
intent Of the resolution of the board
before going on record for or against
It. If it develops. as they have been
assured. that the board has no inten-
ton OF exercising its authority to en-
force scriptural readings Ii Is proba-
BILE that no action will be taken. If.
on the other hand. according to one
OF the. min!stArsy~there Is. a ;disposi-
ton to use the power of government
to force religious instruction upon the
pupils. II is probable that the minis
ters Will refuse to give their en-
dorsement A committee, which has
been named to consider the question,
is expected to make n report next
Monday.
No Direct Action.
The Presbyterian ministers met
yesterday morning, but took no d.
rect action In the matter. The Ques-
ton came up indirectly on the ques-
ton of the work of the civic condi-
tons committee. Before the resolu-
ton OF the school board was passed
this committee has upon its slate the
consideration of the ACCESSIBILITY OF
requesting the board to take action
in the matter. 1t was voted. at the
meeting yesterday. that the question
should remain upon the slate for
further consideration. even though
the board has already acted. Preshy-
terrain ministers said yesterday tina,
the vote was not indicative of The
sentiment of the ministers toward
the resolution of the board. That
the civic conditions, committee APP
proves the action of the school board
seems certain, but the ministers did
not deem it necessary for the meet
ing to go on record now that the mat
ter is settled.
The Methodist ministers have al
ready met and endorsed the school
board, while Rev. II. d. Maclachlan
of Seventh-Stree Christian church
and Dr. Asbury Christian. of ths
Union Station church. have taken
similar action individually AS indi.
cative of the position OF the Baptists