New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-07
WRIT PLAN WINS
RELIGIOUS FAVOR
Committee Finds That All
Beliefs Are Given
Equal Chance.
LAUDS ELIMINATION
OF PART TIME
INSTRUMENTATION Meeting Re
views Effect of System-Sees
Many Benefits.

s solution Of the problem OF re-
'rion and the public schools may be
found in the Writ system. which was
discussed yesterday by leaders Of all
most an the denominations represented
n New York City. The interdenomina-
tional committee on weekday religious
instruction. comforting at Columbia
University. was distinctly in favor Of
the system so far as it has been tried
out. and the members made plans to
secure further accurate information.
Bishop Courtney presided over the
first fan meeting Of the committee,
which has been in existence for six
months. and in the audience were rep
resentativcs Of the Roman Catholics.
Jews, Episcopalians, Baptists. Metho-
dists. Congregationalists. Presbyter-
JAMS, Lutherans. Moravians, Reformed
Church in America. Universalists, Uni
tarians and Disciples Of Christ.
Those present were favorably i'm
pressed by the fact that the Writ sys-
tenn hands all children over TO the re-
lriCus instructors designated by their
parents. The school has nothing 20
say as 10 what religion child shall
embrace. If the parents desire, their
children may spend the periods lett for
&c Igous instruction IN the school
playground or library.
"Thc meeting was called to see what
progress had bcoa made in the schools
I'm charge Of Mr.. Writ said John
Whalou last right. He represented the
Roman Catholics 40 the conference,
with Miss Mary L. BRADY and MISS
Catherine Mccain. "The work that
has already been done met with gen
cral favor among those present.
"Tho point is that lir Writ does not
provide for religious instruction IN the
schools. lie desiguatcs certain periods
during school hours in which the emil
drcn either play, swim, receive re-
Igious instruction. study or read IN
the library. whatever their parents de-
eide. incidentally. this does away WIN
the part time sessions
The Rev. " Bertrand Stevens, pastor
Of St. AIMS Episcopal Churcn, declared
that the Writ system was the best pos
sible solution of the problem OF re-
ig.on in the public schools. Ut gives
all denominations an equal chance ne
Said. The former apprehensions con
corning it have proved TO be completely
unfounded. Il allows no chance lor
Pr sclytism.
The matter is left TO the parents
entirely: no teachers should release
rupils for religious instruction WlthoL,
Tie parents consent II our parish
houses are not near enough 70 the
schools TO care for our children we
shall hire a hall as the Roman cam
oics do. And ] hope the instruction
viii be better than that IN the average
Sunday school
The Rev. Maitland Bartlett, Of the
West Farms Presbyterian Church'
fayors the plan as "a means OF obtain
ing cooperation between the denomin-
ations. "While ! have not gwen mt,
plan sufficient study 70 give my maj
opinion YETI he said, ION the Wnole u
commeuds itself. We need more time
to- see it in actual practice. The meet,
inc this afternoon certainly showed
nerfsr+ harmony between the repre-
eentatives." The Rovs. Anthony ii.
Evans and Walter Laidlaw also repre-
scented the Presbyterians.
Other delegates at the conference
were DR.. Maurice II. Harris and Dr.
Israel Friedlander for the Jews; the
Rev Albert G. Lawson, Baptists;
Bishop L. p. Wilson and the Rev. Allan
NacRossie. Methodlsts; the Rev. Lewis
r. Reed Congregationalists the Rev.
q. r.. Wenner Lutherans; the Rt.
Rev Morris ". Leibert, Moravians;
tho Rev. Henry Z. Cobb, Reformed;
+ho Kew. Frank Oliver Hall, Univer-
talists. the Rev. James VI. PhIputt'
Disciples Of Christ, and o. Ellery Ed
wards. Unitarians.
Announcement was made that pup
lie meeting viii be held on OCTOBER
% al synod Hall, Amsterdam avenue
and 10th Street to discuss the puDhc
school and religious education. biShop
Creor will preside and william A. Writ
of Gary. Ind. viii be present to answer
questions regarding his system.