The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-25
SEES END OF PUBLIC
SCHOOL BIBLE FIGHT
DR.. Wilbur F. Crafts Says Way
Is Clearing for Chill
dren's Study.
CHURCH COMMITTEES BUSY
Presbyterians Here to Ask CO.
operation Of Catholics.
Jews and Others.

The Rev. DR.. Wilbur r.. Crafts, super n
tendent of the international Reform
Bureau. which he founded In 1895. said
yesterday In a sermon at the st Nicholas
Avenue Presbyterian Church on The Way
Clearing for Bible Reading and Bible
Study In Public Schools" that devotion
ments In the recent movement for tho
restoration of Bible reading in public
schools Of the United States look like the
beginning of the end OF the battle between
parochial and public schools"
DR.. Crafts has been comforting by cor
respondence and otherwise on this sub
Ject with Catholics. Jews and Protestants
In all parts of the world. He IL one Of
committee appointed by the educational
boards OF tho great evangelical churches,
representing 10000, 900 members. which
has had conferences with committees ap-
pointed by the Federal Council ~
Churches and the Young Mems Christian
Association and has kept in touch with
tho National Reform Association. the
pioneer in the movement.
AT the Presbyterian preachers meet.
ing last Monday morning" Or Crafts
said. "a resolution was adopted very
quietly that may have large place In
history II provided for the appointment
in behalf of the Presbyterian Church OF .
committee to cooperate with the commit
tees OF other Protestant denominations
and with committees which Jews and
Catholics will he requested to appoint for
the purpose OF adopting some plan for
religious training in connection with pub
lie schools
ut IL proposed that this shall be done
either in the school buildings themselves
or in neighborng churches. or in both, by
which during a part of the school time or
at some other hour pastors and teachers
OF the various denominations will teach
religion to the children OF their own faith
as an essential part of their education In
recognition OF the fact that thirty minutes
OF Bible teaching In the Sunday schools
| Is not sufficient. but must be supplemented
| not only In the home and church service
! but also In the public schools.
Whatever might have been tho case
| In the past" he went on, at would seem
| that these fears are groundless at present.
| for the Board OF Education In New York
! city the largest Jewish city In the world
| and the largest Catholic city In this coun-
| try, requires Bible reading In all public
schools from the primary grades to the
| college. This requirement has been put
| into the new charter, apparently without
| opposition; ut least there was so little
| OF II that most OF the people OF New York
| do not seem to know that this rule of the
| Board of Education exists.
| The special contribution which m,
aiming to bring into this forward move
ment IL to have the reading OF the Bible
| in the public schools follow a single topic
for a whole week. so that the one truth
Will be strengthened In the minds
OF the pupils by the continuity OF
| the impression. For instance, whole
week is devoted to the right use OF wealth
with readings from Proverbs or TO
| the magnnimity of forgiveness, with read v
| ings from the story of Joseph, or begin
ming with the story OF Adam ana Nv.
working in the garden when Adam delved
| and Eve span"