South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-24
BIBLE STUDY AND
DRESS REFORM ARE
CLUB SUBJECTS
PhiIanthropiC Department of
Progress Club Hears Discus
sion OF Timely Topics at Fri
day Afternoon Session.

Matters o. vital importance we're
touched upcn Friday afternoon at the
meeting of the philanthropic depart
ment or the Progress club. the first
the problem Of Bible instruction in
the public school and the matter of
dress reform among women and girls.
Some time was devoted also 20 the
discussion OF recreation for the young,
Miss Neva Harrison OF the Kaley
school giving an interesting talk. The
department has set aside at least one
afternoon a season for the considera-
ton OF the school as a means OF
moral education for the young
Important issues were dwelt upon
BY Mrs. +. Fisher In her talk on the
moral and religious training in the
public schools. She emf hasized par
tcularly the value of cultural training
in teachers and declared that culture
was as necessary as knowledge itself
II the child was 10 grow and expand
through the instruction brought 10
bear upon the embryonic mind. "Cul-
ture," said Mrs Fisher, 'is the very
fountain Of the religious training"
She made It clear, however, that il
is idle 10 expect more Of the child than
IL Is able 70 accomplish, or 10 look for
too rapid development 1t is neces-
sary TO test the limit of it's possibilities
which to equip the young mind.
Home First OF AL
For life Of happiness and good it is
imperative that the young be trained
up TO a right understanding of the
social institutions the home first Of
al, the church, the school, the state
and finally the nation. Unless the
school assist in the moral training Of
the young it is almost impossible FOX
tho homo n emily h.
efforts OF the one are counteracted by
the neglect Of the other
Mrs. Fisher commended the Y. NJ
9. A. in her talk, saying that is hardly
any one other institution which has
so deeply impressed the life Of our
young men and boys, lifting il to
higher state with its moral teachings
and announcements.
1t was shown by the speaker that
educational authorities are giving
greater thought TO the matter of the
Bible in the school Colleges and
universities are introducing systems of
religious training in order TO cope with
the sometimes alarming extent of i'm
morality as well as religious indiffer-
ence among young men and boys of
college age.
To place the Bible in the hands Of
Christian teachers and cause il 10 be
read and studied in the school, would
according TO many of the ladies pres
emit be a means of rounding out and
developing the moral natures of the
young. as well as a protection to them
against the various evil influences they
are certain TO encounter
Hold il Practical.
The old argument against the prac-
tice that it is not practical or even
possible because of sectarian differ
ence was considered. and was deemed
no longer sufficient 10 warrant the
abandonment Of the idea. That
Christian teacher. whether she be of
one sect or another could find enough
good in the Bible TO teach without
infringing on the beliefs of any sect,
was assured.
Systems Of education fostering the
teaching OF the Bible were discussed,
particularly the system now in prac-
tice in Gary. At certain of the schools
the scholars are either provided with
a Bible instructor or permitted to de-
vote az least one hour each week dur
irl, school hours to the study Of the
Jlble with any pastor or instructor
preferred and at the end of a stipu-
lated period there is an examination
by Bible experts who rate the schOl-
airs according to their answers, exact
ly in the manner of the regular school
examinations.
That Bible instruction in the school
is the surest means Of solving the
problem OF moral and spiritual edu-
cation OF the yOulg was unanimously
agreed upon by those present Mrs.
@. L. Warner and Mrs w. NJ. Weld
also gave brief discussions upon the
subject and several others spoke fav-
orably of the system.
Miss Harrison continued the idea Of
moral training In the school with her
talk on proper amusements for the
young. She quoted the statements Of
Sec'y North Of New York city who in
vestigated the situation here that
there are 1900 children in South
Bend between the ages Of and 20
years which is ample proof that the
problem Of recreation for such
number must be no small one. The
matter which has been long neglected
Is that OF the right use OF leisure time
among the youth of South Bend as
well as the children. That they will
rnd unwhOlesome and immoral recre-
etions unless properly guided by the
necessary authorities was proven and
NE ease of directing their misplaced
energies illustrated forcibly by Miss
Harrison.
Could solve Problems.
To open the school buildings even
irgS and turn them into social club
quarters where the young may con
sregate for games such as basket and
vClley ball. for dancing parties prop
erly chaperoned. for classes in litera-
ture and for dramatic clubs would
solve what is now "a serious problem
Of the young and for the young. The
Young men now out of regular en-
plovment who are az loss 10 know
how 10 pass the hours would find an
outlet 20 their energies without fall
ing into the mischief they so frequent
Is do. According to many authorities
there would be fewer eases OF delin-
Cuents were the city 10 provide clean
and wholesome recreation so that they
could occupy their time naturally.
The last matter considered was that
OF dress reform and Mrs W. NJ Weld
gave an extremely interesting and
wholly comprehensive presentation Of
the matter. She quoted Mrs. Felix
McWhirter. former president OF the
state federation In many OF her state
ments. Mrs. McWhirter has done
much % bring about saner attitude
among women regarding dress and
more particularly, among school girls
'sNhf1a fhara hes-a haan many IN,