The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-01-13
PROFESSOR URGES
RELIGION CLASSES
IN SCHOOL HOURS
State Conference on Church
Education Is Under
Way.

An amendment to the school law.
making possible establishment of re-
ligious classes. in churches during
public school hours, where local con-
ditions are favorable, was proposed
by the Rev. Edward r. Bartlett, pro-
fessor of religious education at De
Pauw University, at the State week
day religious education conference
of more than 200 persons today at
the Lincoln.
DR.. H. N. Sherwood, State super
intendent of public instruction, who
called the meeting, presided. Prin-
ciple Of separation Of church and
State; right to worship according to
ones own conscience, and response
bflity of home and church for moral
training, were upheld.
we believe such an amendment,
If enacted, viii make possible genu-
inc and substantial progress In this
important phase of education, and
closer cooperation between churches
and schools in moral education" !"
said Bartlett.
Parents Would Petition
Credit would be allowed for 120
minutes a week in instruction under
some church or association O..
churches. not maintained by public
funds. under the Bartlett proposal.
Students would be received on re-
quest of parents and guardians.
The State is in no sense the spon-
sor Of the instruction, nor is it man
datory in any locality Bartlett said.
If we are to stay the Hood Of
lawlessness, the home, the church
and school must unite in a cam
paign Of religious education that will
restore the restraints of authority
and beget wholesome fear for the
laws Of home. country and God, =
Sid DR.. w. P. Dearing, president
Oakland City College and president
Indiana State Teachers Association.
Educational Ideas Change
1.-THE emphasis once placed upon
the three Rs is now swinging over
to character building, the most i'm
portant problems facing teachers to-
day." said e. U. Graft, superintend-
ent Of Indianapolis schools.
The Bible is universally recog-
nized as a source of high ideals, and
we present Bible reading in Indian
apoHs grade schools every morning
because it is essential to education, Z
he said
Rev. Cavanaugh Speaks
Church going is declining, Sunday
schools are not as efficient as form
erly, church periodicals not so nauch
read, night and morning prayers not
SO much inculcated or practiced, as
in an earlier generation" said the
Rev. John Cavanaugh. ex-president
of Notre Dame University.
.sNot to teach religion at school
in some definite form. manner and
degree. is virtually to teach ire
Hgion. Men need religion In the
character forming period and not
after they have grown old"
EarIham President Speaks
DR.. David NJ. Edwards, president
of Eariham College, and Louis How
land. newspaper man. spucke at the
luncheon.
Other speakers: the Mgr. f. H.
Gavisk. pastor st. Johns Catholic
Church; Rabbi M. M. Feuerlicht, He
brew Congregation; the Rev. John C.
Baur, secretary American Lutheran
League; the Rev. Frank M. McKib-
ben. South Bend; the Rev. N. f.
Forsythe. Hammond, and r. f. FItz-
gibbon. president Bible study com
n1ittee.
Conferences close with a session
tonight, when President william L.
Bryan OF Indiana University and
DR.. Hugh McGin Of International
Council OF Religious Education. will
speak.