McKim’s Move Killed by William W. Prescott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1905

McKim’s Move Killed

By William W. Prescott

School Board Was Unanimous Against Its Adoption

Religion in Schools Tabooed

Statement Setting Forth the Reasons for Rejecting the Petition of the Committee of Fifteen—Views of General Boynton, President of the Board, Presented in Separate Statement.

UNDER these headings in its issue of May 11 the Washington Post announced the decision of the Board of Education of this city concerning the matter of religious instruction in the public schools of the District of Columbia.

“The Board of Education last night unanimously declined to adopt the suggestion of the committee of fifteen for the introduction of a course of religious and moral instruction in the public schools. J. Holdsworth Gordon, vice-president of the Board, presided at the meeting.”

“Gen. Henry V. Boynton, president of the Board, who is confined to his home, sent a statement, which was read at the meeting, in which he advocated an investigation to determine whether or not a non-sectarian text-book on morality could not be added to the supplementary list.”

“The statement made public by the Board is as follows:—

Statement by the Board

“The Board of Education has carefully considered the petitions asking for the introduction of a course of religious and moral instruction as a part of the curriculum of our District schools. This matter has been considered solely from the standpoint of the welfare and best interests of our school system as a whole. In view of the earnest protests that have been presented to us, many of them from large representative religious bodies, and undoubtedly inspired by conscientious motives, and in view of the unfortunate rancor that the matter has already aroused, as is evidenced by the public and private expressions that have been brought to the notice of the Board, we feel constrained to decline the adoption of the course suggested.”

“In so doing we appreciate the motives that have impelled the movers to take the action they have, but believe the conditions existing, if fully understood, would impress them with the propriety, and indeed the necessity, of our decision. We do not deem it desirable to enter into any argument as to the many reasons, other than as above, which induced this action, for we trust that our people will believe that the Board have at heart the welfare of the youth committed to our care, and that the elevation of our wards, morally as well as intellectually, is our first aim.”

Present Rules Sufficient

“The discussion in the public press and from our pulpits has given rise to the impression that there is nothing done in our schools in the line of moral teaching, and that our exercises are without religious tone. This, of course, results from the fact that but few of our people have the opportunity of visiting these schools and of familiarizing themselves with their methods. We believe we go as far, in the direction suggested, as any school system in this country, and we have studiously pursued this course in the face of repeated and earnest objections from representative bodies and individual Protestants.”

“General Boynton’s communication, which was addressed to the Board, is, in part, as follows:—

“I was surprised to notice a protest against the present use of the collection of hymns approved by the Board and in use in the opening exercises of the high schools. I believe the manner of making this collection has not been brought to the attention of the public, and in view of this protest, it is right that it should be. As the members of the Board know, this collection consists of practically an equal number of hymns taken from among those most highly thought of in each denomination in the city. So far as the protesting delegations which appeared before the Board have any form of religious service, hymns were chosen from their publications. The collection, when completed and approved, contained hymns from the books of the Catholics, Jews, People’s Church, Unitarians, Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Congregationalists. How the Board could be more impartial passes comprehension.”

Movement in Other Cities

“General Boynton refers to the movement in Chicago for religious instruction in the schools. He adds:—

“I respectfully suggest to my associates that the committee on rules be requested to prepare an additional clause to rule 46, making it more specific, by providing that on some given day of each week the teachers shall, in their opening exercises, include the ten commandments and the summary of the law, with the provision that any scholar may be exempted from attendance upon these particular opening exercises at the written request of the parent; and, further, that the committee on text-books be requested to inquire and report whether a suitable, thoroughly non-sectarian text-book on morality can be found for addition to our supplementary list.”

From the report which appeared in the Washington Times of the same date we take the following paragraphs:—

“We have done our duty in presenting the matter to the Board of Education, and if they have seen fit to refuse to consider moral and religious instruction as a necessary adjunct to the public school curriculum, then it will have to rest there.”

“In these words the Rev. Dr. Randolph McKim, one of the committee of fifteen who originated and endeavored to forward the plan, this morning declared that no further effort would be made toward securing the adoption by the Board of Education of moral training in the public schools on a religious basis.”

“Dr. McKim declared himself in ignorance of last night’s action of the Board of Education, but expressed no surprise when informed by a Times reporter of the outcome. He said he would have no suggestions or counter-proposals to make, and plainly indicated his belief that the committee of fifteen, or any other similarly constituted body, would not soon again exert itself on a lost cause.”

In the Evening Star of the same date there was a full report of the action of the Board of Education, and in addition to this there was an editorial dealing at some length with the controversy, and approving of the decision of the Board of Education. The Star said that “it felt confident that the right course would be pursued by the Board of Education which has just been announced, and the events prove that this confidence was not misplaced. . . . It remains to be seen how far the rancorous discussion which has proceeded for many weeks has affected the efficiency of the rule [providing for daily religious exercises], and weakened the public confidence in existing methods of moral instruction in the schools. It is clear that more [than is now provided for] can not be attempted without incurring a greater loss, and it is gratifying to read in the terms of the Board’s firm refusal to entertain the proposition a determination to proceed, as in the past, with a system of moral guidance which will stand as a guaranty to the people of the District that the spiritual welfare of the children of the District is not being impaired while their brains are being cultivated.”

This brings to a close a remarkable campaign which has been carried forward for nearly three months, and which has aroused an interest at times almost intense. At the first the Seventh-day Adventists stood almost alone in their opposition to the action of the majority of the interdenominational conference favoring the teaching of religion in the public schools, but later the Baptists, the Jews, the Southern Methodists, and various secular organizations have joined in the protest. When the plan of teaching what was declared to be unsectarian religious principles in the public schools was first suggested, there seemed to be quite a strong sentiment in favor of the movement, and it is quite likely that the petition might have been granted if no effort had been made to educate the public mind upon the principles involved, but “the temperate and unanswerable arguments” which were adduced against such a movement, the public meetings held, and the literature which has been circulated, together with the telling editorials in the Washington Post, have plainly had a marked effect upon the public and upon the Board of Education, and a decided victory has been gained for right principles. This experience is another testimony

to the soundness of those principles of religious liberty which are an essential part of this third angel’s message, and the result ought to encourage all believers to put forth most earnest efforts in disseminating these truths while we are permitted to do so freely. These movements in various parts of the country to unite church and state under one guise or another will be renewed with increasing determination, and the lovers of religious liberty must be on the alert to meet every such effort by presenting the truth. In this way much can be accomplished in preparing the way for the final conflict between truth and error. To this work let us address ourselves with courageous faith and earnest purpose. W. W. P.