Excerpt from The Open Court, Vol. 32: A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Science of Religion, the Religion of Science, and the Extension of the Religious Parliament Idea; February, 1918

The foregoing, however, is but the first step in moral training. To be effective this must be followed by the other two steps. This end may be attained by Cooperation of the schools with the various religious bodies represented in the community and yet the schools kept free from engaging in sectarian teaching. In each community arrangements may be made with the pastors or some one selected by each organization to take up for a definite period of time, prefer ably a part of the school hours, the instruction of the children from the families that prefer that particular organization. The place and time for such instruction can be arranged to suit the conditions of each community. Those parents or guardians who insist on with drawing their children from religious instruction could have them pursue the regular school work during this period.

A correlation Of the work of the school and the religious bodies could doubtless be secured by cooperation in the preparation of syllabi Of study and a system of examinations. Full credit for all work done should be given by the school and regular examinations upon lists of questions prepared by a capable committee and ap proved by the accredited representatives Oi all religious bodies would tend to unify the work.

The details of such a plan as this would necessarily be worked out to meet the conditions prevailing in each community. The school authorities by conferring with parents and the religious organiza tions could easily make arrangements for the work.

This plan promises to solve the problem of the three steps in moral training without violating the principles Of religious liberty or using the schools for sectarian teaching. It provides for religious teaching in the public schools and yet keeps Church and State absolutely separate. The school performs its duty by inculcating the ethical principles Of morality but leaves it to each individual religious body to employ its own particular method in securing assent to the binding authority Of these principles and influencing the will to put them into practice in actual life. Religious liberty is jealously guarded yet none are deprived of the privilege of the religious teaching and moral training SO necessary for the develop ment Of manhood and womanhood. All parents and guardians have the privilege of choosing the religious organization that shall exert its influence upon their children.

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