The Movement for Religious Instruction by William Warren Prescott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1905

The Movement for Religious Instruction

By William Warren Prescott

The Report Ready to Be Submitted

THE following article, taken from the Washington Post of March 9, will give the present status of the effort to secure the introduction of religious instruction into the public schools of the District of Columbia:—

“The committee of fifteen appointed by the recent conference of ministers and others, held for the purpose of considering a set of resolutions prepared by Rev. Dr. Randolph H. McKim, proposing the establishment of a system of religious moral training in the public schools, held its final meeting yesterday afternoon at the Shoreham. An agreement was reached by the majority of the committee, which has been transmitted to Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, chairman of the conference, who will call the conference together at an early date to receive and pass upon the report of the committee of fifteen.”

“The greatest secrecy has been preserved by the committee as to the terms of the agreement which has finally been reached by the majority of its members. However, it is said there is little doubt that the committee will report to the general conference in favor of some such innovation as the proposed introduction into the schools of a system of religious moral training.”

“One of the most prominent members of the committee and a member also of the subcommittee which drew up the report that was passed upon yesterday by the full committee, stated after the adjournment that there were not more than two dissenting votes to the adoption of the report of the subcommittee by the committee of fifteen. He declined to state who the dissenting members were, but it is understood they were Rabbi Louis Stern and William W. Prescott, the respective representatives of the Jews and the Seventh-day Adventists on the committee.”

“While neither of these two gentlemen will say whether or not it is their intention to unite in a minority report to the next conference, to be called by Chairman Herbert, one of them stated yesterday that he will express his views on the subject to the conference. This same member also intimated that he, and perhaps others, were being overridden by the majority rule that enabled other denominations, combined together, and believing to a great extent in the same things, to make their views upon the subject prevail.”

It is expected that the conference will be called to meet this week, and in our next issue we hope to give the full text of the recommendations submitted, and a report of the meeting. W. W. P.