New Britain herald., 1926-09-11
Increase of Knowledge, Religion and Good Man ners" Was Object of SchoOl-Failure of Child to Know Catechism Meant Fine of S3.34.

That the public schools in Con- necticut in the early days of the states history were required by law to teach religion, including instruc- tion in catechism, and to hold daily prayer in the school room, is the statement made by Frederic L. Fay, director of religious education of the South Congrega gational church. Mir. Fay has spent a number of months searching the state records for data on the early religious history and has written the following article as the result of his research:
 The early records of Connecticut show unqusstionably that schools were established in the colony to en- able the children to read the Bible. Reading the Bible, together with learning the catechsm constituted the necessary religious instruction for children in those days, and in fact until a very much later period.
 "The fundamental articles of their creed that the Bible was the only authoritative expression of the Dl- vine will, and that every man was able to judge for himself in its in- depreciation, made schools neces- sary to bring all persons to a knowl- edge of the scriptures and an un- 7derstanding of the main grounds and principles of the Christian re- ligions necessary to salvation.
 (Henry Barnard. superintendent Of common schools, Hartford, annual report 1s5S)
 In 1850 G2 years before the charter was granted by England) Roger Ludlow, the highest legal au- thority in the Connecticut colony completed a publication of all the laws passed by the general court. Tn this code there are the follow ing:
 Tt was ordered that the select men Of every town should gee to It that all masters of families should at least once week catechise their children and servants in the grounds and principles of religion. and If any be unable to do so much that then, at the least, they procure such chil- dren some short orthodox catech- ism that they may be able to an- swer the questions that shall be propounded to them out of such catechisms by their parents or mas ters or any Of the selectmen, when they shall call them 10 a trial or what they have learned in this kind.
 Tt being one chief project Of that old deluder. Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures as in former times, keep ing them in an unknown tongue, is in these latter times by persuading them from the use of tongues, so that at least the true sense and meaning Of the original might be clouded with false glosses of saint seeming deceivers 1t Is there fore ordered by this court and au- thority therefore . that some one or ones be paid either. by the parents and masters Of such chil- dren or by the inhabitants in gen. eral." (Barnard's report, 1S43.)
 These enactments remained on the statute books for 150 years.
 In 1750 an 'act for appointing. encouraging and supporting schools" provides that "the civil authority and selectmen are constituted ln- spectors or visitors and directed to visit and inspect all schools . . and give such directions as they shall judge needful 10 render such schools most serviceable for the In- crease of knowledge, religion and good manners"
 Tn 1796 the statutes say: "The object Of said school shall be to per feet the youth admitted therein in reading and in grammar Of the English tongue and 10 instruct them in geography. arithmetic, compost ton. and speaking, or any of them; also in the whole course Of instruc- ton 10 instruct their minds with a just sense of their duty 10 God, to their parents, and instructors, 10 one another and 10 society, and in gen. eral 10 prepare them 10 act well in the various relations Of social life.
 The directions for reading the Bible and prayer in the common schools shall equally apply to this. "
 In the common schools Of Con necticut In 1900 1t was required that the children be instructed "to read the English tongue well, and to knew the laws against capital Of lenses. and If unable 10 do so much, then at least to learn some short orthodox catechiem without book. The penalty for failure to do this was s3.34.
 Each society was 10 appoint per sons 10 oversee the schools, 10 su- perintend and direct instruction Of the youth fin letters, religion, morals and manners and par ticuuarly to direct the daily read ing or the Bible by such of the youth as arc capable Of it, and the weekly instruction in some Catech- ism by them approved, and 10 rec 'tllIllfllb lIldL lIif lIlhE''I 'DllilAft' the exercises Of each day with prayer" tBarnard's report. lS53.)
 Controversies Crop Up
 shortly after inc opening Of the 18th century, certain issues arose on which the ecclesiastical bodies took varied and decided stands. Politi- i cal elections were the occasions for rivalry and bitter feelings as these church groups endeavored 10 put in office such men as would favor their opinions. Denominations were i at swords points among themselves and within themselves.
 Such feelings would be bound 10 lead 10 a neticulous concern on the i part Of each group lest the relgi- | ous instruction fin the common . schools contain some element incon- sistent with their participular beliefs and practices. l