Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-03-08
URGES a PROTEST.
Reading of Bible in Richmond Public
Schools Opposed.

Schools Opposed.
Richmond, March S.-Figorous pro-
test against the action OF the City
School Board in requesting the daily
reading Of the Bible in the public
schools was laid before the board
Thursday night by delegations repre-
senting the Baptist Ministers Con-
ference O. Richmond the First Bap-
Itist Church, the Grove Avenue Bap-
tist Church and thc Beth Ahabah
Synagogue. Contending Tor the anso-
lutte separation Of church and state
and for the nonintcrferencc of the
civil authorities in religious n1@tters
| as basic principles Of government, any
infringement: Of which should be re-
sisted to the utmost, the proteStantS
saw IN the School Boards action tho
entering wedge TO q religious lest Il:
he selection Of teachers, and the IN
lection Of the question Of religious be
(. iiers into the selection Of members o.
the School Board itself.
CITY Attorney Henry p. Pollard, al
officer Of Grove Avenue Baptist Church
and a teacher Of a mems Bible Glass
ror the past thirty years, headed the
delegation, presenting as speakers for
The protestants Rev. George v. Me
pa.;el. D. D., pastor of the Frs Bap--
tbs. Church; Rev. r. II. Pitt, D. D.
cd; or of the Religious Herald; DR.. T.
n. <alisch, of Beth Ahab&h Synagogue
anG Rev. AR. Weathesby, Of the Uni
ra,an Church.
The board adjourned without taking
am action, after brief debate. When
! the delegation, which had requested
an opportunity to file "a remonstrance'
retired. the clerk presented fifteen
communications from organizations
/ ravoring the daily reading OF the
Bible in the schools, including several
pa34isI- mems Bible classes, the Meth
oiist and Presbyterian Minister'S as
so,.ations and other organizations.
Jembers differed as to the wisdom
Of reconsidering the former action IL
order to reopen the whole question
with g view to public hearing, whe'.
al parties might be heard. Those OF
The affirmative desired hearing on!,
IN he event that the question IS re-
onoaca. in which case Mr.. Pollard
! stated that he would dasIrc to reply.
In he absence Of The author OF l. ne
resolution, AIR. Kimbrough, the bo2rd
: adjourned without taking any action
.!la resolution standing as at first
adoptsA. with the resolutions OF re.
moastrance on the table. At sup22-
qr,nt meeting motion 70 reconsider
wi! be taken as test 70 see whether
any member have changed theli
viows, and in thc event that IL IS lost.
I th.rc will be no necessity for fur,
thor hearing.
Showing that the founders CT this
nation had fought for religious free
DOR, nov for mere liberation, M. POI
a. Quoted at length from the writ
;rc of Washington, Madison and 9th,
ays holding that the order was IN.
sound in that it directs State employee
paid from State funds, to conduct Z
:; Ia : act OF religious worship.
~ Pitt presented carefully pre-
! pa ed paper expressing the views OF
::he bodies which have taken fcrma:
acton against the daily reading Of thu
Bile. lie held tina tthe hoard's re.
quca. to the teachers was, under The
circumstances, command. Since no
comment or explanation Of the daily
Scripture reading WIS to he allowed,
The exercise. he held, was not a mat
te! Of teaching. but q religious ser
=. vice II was the deep conviction OF
iyhe petitioners that the state had no
right, through tire School Beard OF it
suhnrdinatcs. 10 assume control OF tho
religious life or any part Of tie com.
muaity.