The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-12-22
PLAN FOR RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION |N;TnE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CARDINAL FARLEY APPROVES OF
MEASURE.

New York State Superintendent Of
Schools, DR.. Finley, Advocates Moral
and Ethical Teaching in Schools
Approved Excerpts From Bible Pro-
posed for School Purposes-Catho-
lies, Protestants and Jews Cooper
ate in Movement.
Representatives Of substantially all
the religious faiths in New York lately
| attended a mass meeting in Carnegie
Hall, heard addresses by clergymen Of
various denominations and adopted
resolutions pledging support to a plan
| upon which all sects can agree for re.
ligious instruction in the public
schools.
Cardinal Farley's support of the pro.
posal was announced by the Rev.
Ignatius Smith. Cooperation from the
Jews was promised by DR.. Judah l..
Magnes of Temple Emmanuel. DR..
George A. Coo Of the Union Theologi.
cal Seminary also proffercd aid.
DR.. John II. Finley, state superin.
tcndent Of education, suggested these
lines of procedure, along any one of
which there may be action by the
lnterDenominational Committee on
Weekday Religious instruction."
which had called the meeting.
n) The preparation of a book OF
selections from the Bible of an inter.
national commission, appointed by the
legislature or by the board of regents,
for use in the schools
CD The formulation of a plan for
non-prosclyting cooperation between
the school and the various dcnomina-
tions to the end that every child may
have it's democratic and it's religious
instruction.
CD The granting of regents cred
it's for serious work in Bible study
outside of the schools.
Why He Has Changed Course.
''The first of these suggestions" ex-
planned DIR. Finley, "had the approval
Of the regents. The second is my per.
sonaI suggestion. The third is already
under official consideration"
DR.. Finley recalled that he had op-
posed bill before the legislature of
1916, making obligatory the daily
reading of ten verses of the Bible in
the public schools, because no agree.
ment by all sects was proposed as to
the verses to be read, and because, I'm
those circumstances, there would be
danger of engendering hatreds which
might outweigh or defeat all good
sought to be achieved"
"The time has come, however," said
DR.. Finley, "for Protestant, Catholic
and Jew to cooperate to the end that
every child may have an intimation
at least of his moral and religious
Inheritance. We should go as far as
our common creeds will let us in our
moral and ethical teaching in the
schools of our common preparation for
demOcracy's obligation"
Before the $500 men and women at
tho meeting pledged themselves in
resolutions to use our influence to
create strong and enthusiastic pub.
lie sentiment" in behalf of the pro-
posed religious instruction, they warm
ly applauded the utterances of the va
rious speakers, particularly Father
Smith.
Democracy and Religion.
Asserting that any system of educa-
tion that neglects religious instruction
is "lop-sided," Father Smith said sim
pie justice dictated need of religiously
instructing the child whom he de.
scribed as "a combination of desires.
a great bundle of possibilities for
good, with sneaking desire for what
is bad"
Characterizing President Wilson as
"a God-given leader" Father Smith
referred to Americas determination
through the war to make the world
safe for democracy. To make democ-
racy safe for the world after the war.
the imparting of religious instruction
is essential, he argued, because it
teaches the coming generation "re-
sponsibility to authority and obedience
| to law"
Father Smith asserted that Catho-
| lies were amazed and shocked at the
recent rebellions in our public
schools" He said obedience must be
made habit" HE intimated that
there never would have been school
riots if the children had received re-
ligious instruction.
The Clarifying Of Wealth.
Dr. Coe expressed regret that the
schools. by centering on the materia,
side of life and neglecting the re-
ligious phase tend to glorify "the max
ing of great profits and the amassing
Of fortunes" More attention should
be devoted to the Sunday School, he
insisted, adding:
LET me talk to the Protestants a
minute. Do you Protestants know that
the New York Sunday School associ-
alton, embracing practically all the
Protestant churches, exists on budget
that would buy about five of your
pleasure automobiles?