New Britain herald., 1925-02-20

to prevent them from doing harm. primarily to themselves but also 10 others. and to teach thom to do things which will be beneficial. Of course, they can learn these things by experience. but experience Is a very slow teacher. The records of the juvenile courts show that juven- ile delinquency is on the increase and that something must be done if we arc 10 hand down to posterlty the habits of clean living which we re- ceived as heritage from our fathers. .t".es.E#.
 "Home training is imperative" Father Traynor continued. "but 1t consists more in example than in positive instruction, and few par ents have the time, the inclination, or the ability to carry on this work. The separation of church and state. the basis of religious freedom, for bids that such work be carried on in the schools under the supervision of one denomination. The intellect is trained in the schools, but the heart and the conscience are left un- touched, and these are far more im- portant than the intellect"
 Father Traynor then went on 10 tell of his experiences in Bridgeport, where he was directly responsible for the adoption of plan similar to that now proposed here. He said that the Catholic and Episcopal churches were better equipped at the start but that the other denom- nations got together and hired trained teachers to carry on the work. budget being aportioned among the different churches.
 Rev. Mir. Ford Praises Plan
 Rev. J. Emerson Ford, acting pas tor of Trinity NJ. E. church, said that the details as worked out by the school committee were splendid and that the school authorities had shown themselves willing to go more than half way, in fact, had gone all the way. He then asked if the school board would have commit tee representing the churches meet with them to settle matters which might arise in the future. He also asked why Grades l and were not included in the plan and why We'd neesday and Thursday were the particular days selected, as some others might be more suitable 10 the churches. President King replied that the board had no idea that its plan was perfect, but 1t was designed to minimize interference in school matters. AS for committee from the churches, he said that he had hoped for one.
 No Interference By Board
 Frederic l.. Fay, assistant pastor and director of religious education at the South Congregational church, | inquired if the school department would have any supervision over the material taught or the teachers in | the religious schools. Mir. King re- piled that it would have none, be- sides satisfying themselves that the children, were really getting compe- tent instruction.
 Rev. MT. Schaefer Suggests Change
 That all children be dismissed on 1 the same day was suggested by Rev. Frederick w. schaefer, pastor of | the Reformation Lutheran church. who said that this might help his church and other small ones in the city which might not be able to carry on the work for two days. He also suggested that, as many teach CTS might be left without pupils during the hour of religious instruc- tion, that they to be dismissed and allowed to teach in the religious schools.
 Chairman King said that he was desirous of having a small central committee from the ecclesiastical bodies meet with the special com- mittee of the school board Father Traynor proposed, that it be com posed of one representative from each clerical group. Where the children live and go to school far from their own churches, he sug- gcstcd that it might be desirable 10 have them all attend one church. He told of the Zoning system worked out in Bridgeport. by which the children of one section were dismissed each day, the same set of teachers moving around to take care of the whole city. The most feasible plan, he said. was 10 have children attend the nearest church, irrespective of denomination.
 "You have no idea of the consc- i quences of this movement" he saiG. 1 "In Bridgeport we found that the | children who attend the Week-day [ religious schools attended Sunday 1, school more often, aul that in creased interest in religion was lt- flected in the parents. Strike while | the iron is hot" Father Traynor concluded and urged that acton be taken immediately.
 Mir. Schaefer moved that the re- i ligious bodies heartily endorse the l movement. Rev. A. C. Theodore ! Steege, pastor of St. Matthew's Ger man Lutheran church, remarked that the ideal way was the paro- chial school, whereby each church looked after its own children. ReN. MT. Ford said that the meeting was making history and suggested that the motion be carefully considered and made in writing, but this was thought unnecessary and NIT. Schacfcr's motion was adopted with out dissenting voice.
 Organization Effected
 Rev. Samuel Sutcliffe, rector of St. Marks Episcopal church, urged that a start be made while all the church representatives were to- gether and moved that committee consisting of Father Trsynor, Rev. Dr. Hill, and Rev. MT. Gaudian be The addition of MT.