The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-04-25
WEEKDAY RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION PLANS
Vermont Sunday School Association As
sumes Field Management - EX-
ecutive Secretary, Offers Aid.

A committee representing several relg-
iOus denominations i'll the state recently
asked the Vermont Sunday School asSO-
citation to assume the field management
of the plan to secure weekday religious
instruction in the state, which cOntem-
plates taking a small part of public school
time for that purpose, and the aSsOcIa-
ton commissioned its executive secretary,
q. Ernest Robbins OF burlington, to visit
certain schools in other states where the
work is being carried on. Mr.. Robbins
has Just returned and has sent the fol-
lowing notice to various Sunday school Off
Gals and others:
The state board of education has ex-
pressed itself as sympathetic toward shar-
ing public school time with the churches
for religious education. The attorney gen
eral of the state has declared the present
laws of Vermont to be pcrmisSive for
such cooperation between the schools and
churches. The local school board has the
right to arrange. at the request of par
ents, with the superintendent Of schools
to excuse pupils to go to the churches
for religious instruction.
That there be no MISUNDERSTANDING.
these several points must be distinctly
noted:
l. This scheme involves no violation of
the principle of separation of the church
and state, and calls for no outlay of pub
lie money. Teachers and equipment must
be voluntarily provided by the religious
bodies avalling themselves Of the OppOr-
tunity. Public school buildings might he
used in cases OF necessity in scattered
country neighborhoods. In such cases
| there would be perfect equality of oppor-
tunity for such use by the several com
munions in the locality, and any expense
would be borne by those using them.
=. The plan is permISSIve only. No re
| ligioUs teaching would be forced on any
child. Arrangements for religious instruc-
! tiOn are made only at the written request
( or consent of the parents.
| ;. Clearly such opportunities must be
equally open To all who desire to avail
/ themselves of them. Hebrews Roman
/ EpiscopaIianS, Methodists, Unitarlans
and others.
/. The qualifications of the teachers
| in the classes in religion must compare
very favorably with those of teachers OF
the public schools from which pupils are
taken.
>. The curriculum for the classes in
religious education must be carefully
worked out in advance.
Is. This plan demands real effort on
the part of those who desire to have a
share in it, 1t must not be hastily en-
tered upon without due preparation OF
| teachers and provision of resources
/ \ committee in weekday religious in
/ HtructIOn representing several religion,
/ communlOnS in the state has been working
over this matter for some months and i,
lnOw ready to aid any community that
desires setting up such a school.
This committee has asked the Vermont
| Sunday School association to assume field
| management of this work, and this aSsO
! cIatlon has Just commissioned its eXecu
tive secretary to visit the schools i'm Roch
ester. Toledo. Gary. Van Vert, Oak Park
and Evanston. lie has just returned anC
is at the call of those communities that
are ready to consider such a program ion
next fall.