BULLETIN | OF THE ‘COUNCIL OF SCHOOLS OF RELIGION The Ongin, Organization and Aims of the Council OFFICE NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUTBULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF SCHOOLS OF RELIGION I The Onin, Organization and Aims of the Council OFFICE NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT aa ou) £ 4 \ fs - \ x be mS \ \ .i tree f é t a ‘ t . 1 i f : ® 6 '¢. 64 eo © & > ¢ * © > e € © z ® eeThe Origin, Organization and Aims of the Council of Schools of Religion The Awakening of the State Universities and Colleges There are ninety tax-supported state and municipal uni- versities and colleges in the United States, with over a quarter of a million students and more than twenty thousand instruc- tors. With their vast resources, their distinguished public services and ever-increasing prestige, they are in many ways the most potent and impressive forces in modern education; but they are not in the full sense universities, for they have no departments of religion. Recently a new and significant movement has appeared in these institutions that were once regarded as ‘‘godless.”’ - University presidents and faculties are becoming deeply in- terested in providing religious instruction for their students. Certain denominations, especially the Disciples, have awakened to the great possibilities in these fields, hitherto neglected by them, and have established chairs for the teaching of the Bible and religious education in several of these universities. The Council of Church Boards of Education is also doing a most valuable pioneer work through its secretaries and student pas- tors. The motive underlying this new movement is well voiced by President Kinley of the University of Illinois: ‘There is no complete education without religion”; and by President Burton of the University of Michigan: ‘The ultimate test of the state university is the moral and religious character of its graduates.” The Germinal Schools of Religion The first result of this new awakening has been to intro- duce into the university curriculum courses dealing with the history, literature and application of religion. Already at cer- tain universities, like the University of Michigan, more than thirty courses of this character are offered. At the same time the laws of certain states, forbidding the teaching of religion in publicly supported institutions—due in part to the old con- fusion between sectarianism and religion—make it impractic-able at present to create fully developed departments of religion in any state institution. The attempt is therefore being made to meet the need for instruction in the literature, the underlying principles, and the application of religion through schools established by cooperative private effort in im- mediate proximity to the state universities. Each of these germinal schools represents a correlation of the religious re- sources of a state university and community in the interests of higher education. The instructors include local and student pastors—Protestant and Roman Catholic—and professors, who give all or part of their time to this work. Ten such cooper- ative schools are already being developed in close relation to the state universities of Texas, Oregon, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Seven of the state universities allow their students to present as a basis for credit toward graduation, between six and twenty semester hours of work taken in the schools of religion. In granting these credits the state universities place these schools on the same basis as the accredited colleges and other privately en- dowed institutions. The Need for a Cooperating Agency In most cases the work and organization of these schools of religion are still embryonic, the number of students reached is comparatively few and the standard of instructors is not in every case well established; but their spontaneous growth and virility are prophetic of the wide service they may yet perform. Among those interested in religious work at other state uni- versities and colleges the school of religion idea is germinating. It is important that each school should develop its own indi- viduality in accord with its local needs and possibilities, but if the movement is to gain momentum the highest standards of work must be maintained. There are many problems that can be solved, perils avoided, and information and resources made available through a central cooperating agency. Such an agency should bring to the problem the combined wisdom and experience of the leading educators of the country, and should command the confidence of university faculties and adminis- trative officers. It should not dictate policies for the local schools, but should simply assist in working out their indivi- dual problems and plans.The Origin of the Council of Schools of Religion The initial steps toward the organization of a Council of Schools of Religion were taken at the suggestion of men al- ready closely associated with local schools of religion. During the first semester of 1921-22, Yale released Professor Charles Foster Kent to lecture on religion at six of the leading state universities of the Middle West. After a conference with the Faculty Club of the State University of Iowa, Acting Dean Stewart of the Graduate School, representing a committee ap- pointed by that faculty, asked Professor Kent to outline plans for a school of religion that would make it possible to utilize and extend the existing religious resources of that university. Professor Kent first discussed the plans in detail with experi- enced secretaries of the Church Boards of Education, and later took counsel with President Burton and the student and local pastors at the University of Michigan. President Burton was the first to suggest that the movement be made cooperative, and that through the united action of those interested, schools of religion be established in a closely related group of state universities. The proposal met with general approval. At Ann Arbor and Columbus, representative committees were ap- pointed which further revised and approved the plans submitted by Professor Kent, and are now taking steps to establish fully developed schools of religion. At the request of the chairman of these local committees, Professor Kent laid their plans before the Council of Church Boards of Education at its annual conference in Chicago in January, 1922. At the recommendation of its Executive Com- mittee, they received the general endorsement of the Council. He also took counsel with many representative educational leaders and practical business men. At the invitation of Mr. Frank A. Vanderlip, a group of men in closest touch with the religious needs of the state universities, including Dr. Robert L. Kelly, General Secretary of the Council of Church Boards of Education, Dr. O. D. Foster, its University Secretary, Dr. Warren F. Sheldon, University Secretary of the Methodist Board of Education, the Reverend Paul Micou of the Protes- tant Episcopal Board and Dr. E. deS. Brunner, Secretary of the Committee on Social and Religious Surveys, met at his home at Scarborough, New York. After a two days’ confer- ence they recommended that a Council of Schools of Religion 5be formed. They were unanimous in the conviction that an organization was needed that could devote itself directly to the many problems in this broad and comparatively new field, and at the same time work in close cooperation with the agencies already dealing with different phases of the work. The Vanderlip conference recommended that Professor Kent ask for another half year’s leave of absence and act as Director of the Council, and that a budget be prepared that would provide for preliminary surveys, conferences, and the necessary secretarial expenses incidental to the work of the Council. The Organization of the Council At the request of the Vanderlip conference, Dr. Anson Phelps Stokes assumed the chairmanship of its General Ad- visory Committee, and rendered valuable assistance in organiz- ing the Council and in developing the two committees recommended. The organization and general plans of the Council have already been heartily approved by the presidents of many of the state universities, the chairman of local committees, and the deans of the existing schools of religion. Many of them are on its Committee on Educational Policy, which has its center in the Middle West and will henceforth largely direct the field work of the Council. Steps are also being taken to build up a general member- ship that will bring into touch with the problems and work of the Council the outstanding leaders in the religious, educa- tional, professional, and commercial activities of each state. The following are already actively enlisted in the work of the Council: EXECUTIVE OFFICES Judge Henry Wade Rogers, President Prof. Charles Foster Kent, Director Mr. Cleveland E. Dodge, Treasurer Mr. H. Sheldon Smith, SecretaryBOARD OF TRUSTEES Judge Henry Wade Rogers, Chairman Prof. Charles F. Kent, Secretary Mr. Cleveland E. Dodge Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick Prof. Jeremiah W. Jenks Judge Alton B. Parker Mr. Edwin F. Gay Mr. George Foster Peabody Mr. Lloyd W. Smith Mr. Samuel Thorne, Jr. Mr. Roger H. Williams Mr. Frank A. Vanderlip GENERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dr. Anson Phelps Stokes, Chairman Mr. Roger W. Babson Mr. Earl D. Babst Prof. William Adams Brown Dr. E. DeS. Brunner Miss Mabel Cratty Mr. R. Fulton Cutting Dr. Stephen M. Duggan Dr. R. H. Edwards Ex-Pres. Charles W. Eliot Dr. John. H. Finley Commissioner Frank P, Graves Dr. Robert L. Kelly Pres. W. Douglas Mackenzie Mrs. Edward H. Magill Mr. Edward S. Martin Dr. William P. Merrill Bishop Francis J. McConnell Rev. Paul Micou Mr. David R. Porter Dr. Warren F. Sheldon COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL POLICY Mr. Marquis Eaton, Chairman Chancellor Samuel Avery Dean William F. Badé Mr. Wyllys W. Baird Rev. James C. Baker Dr. W. C. Bitting Dr. E. W. Blakeman Dean Arthur L. Braden Pres. W. L. Bryan Pres. L. D. Coffman Pres. Ozora S. Davis Dean G. D. Edwards Mr. Thomas E. Donnelley Mr. R. H. Fitzgerald Dr. John Andrew Holmes Pres. Walter A. Jessup Pres. J. C. Jones Mr. Robert P. Lamont Dr. M. Willard Lampe Chancellor E. H. Lindley Dean Shailer Mathews Dr ¢. ©. Morreon Bishop Thomas Nicholson Dr. Vernon S. Phillips Dr. George Craig Stewart Pres. Henry Suzzallo De J. Go todd Dr. David E. Thomas Mr. J. N. Van Der Vries Dean Alfred Vivian Mr. Harry A. Wheeler Prof. Horace L. Wilgus Dean Herbert L. WillettLeading Objectives The Trustees have approved the following objectives for the work of the first two years: (1) To make a careful study of the religious resources of certain state universities and, on the basis of this survey, to aid in formulating plans and in developing a _ thoroughly equipped undergraduate school of religion at one or more of the state university centers. 7 (2) To investigate and to aid in coordinating the re- sources of these centers for the training of leaders for social and religious service in fields for which at present there is no adequate provision. | (3) To develop plans for lectureships on religion and its practical application, and to cooperate in securing lecturers for the schools of religion. (4) To prepare, with the cooperation of the leading au- thorities in each field, two selected bibliographies, one of five hundred and a second of fifteen hundred of the most impor- tant books in the field of religion. (5) Through the work of a representative commission to define courses of undergraduate study preparatory to lay and professional religious leadership. (6) To secure funds to establish national fellowships in religion that will enable mature students of marked personal and scholarly ability to do advanced work at the best educa- tional centers in preparation for teaching in the field of religion. (7) To issue bulletins presenting the religious problems of the state universities and colleges and practical contributions toward their solution. The following commissions have already been organized: On Selected Religious Biblographies for Universities, Colleges, and Schools of Religion In response to the requests which have come from many college and university libraries this Commission aims to pre- pare two lists: one of five hundred of the most important books in the field of religion for the use of smaller university, col- lege and Christian Association libraries, and another list of fifteen hundred books for schools of religion and larger colleges and universities. 8These comprehensive bibliographies will incorporate par- tial lists already prepared in the fields of biblical literature, history of religious education, missions, and social service. The aim is to make them available for the use of all higher institutions of learning, as well as for instructors and private readers. Committees: On History, Philosophy and Psychology of Religion (Approximately 50 and 150 volumes) Prof. Robert E. Hume, Union Theological Seminary, Chairman Prof. George A. Barton, University of Pennsylvania Prof. Edmund D. Soper, Garrett Biblical Institute Prof. James B. Pratt, Williams College Prof. Theodore G. Soares, University of Chicago On Biblical History, Literature, Archaeology and Religion (150 and 450 volumes) Prof. Raymond C. Knox, Columbia University, Chairman Prof. Fred Merrifield, University of Chicago Prof. Laura H. Wild, Mt. Holyoke College Prof. Ismar J. Peritz, Syracuse University Dean William F. Badé, Pacific School of Religion On Religious Education (150 and 450 volumes) Prof. Luther A. Weigle, Yale University, Chairman Rev. J. W. F. Davies, Winnetka Community House Prof. Walter S. Athearn, Boston University Prof. Norman E. Richardson, Northwestern University Prof. W. C. Bower, Lexington Bible School On Devotional and Inspirational Literature (50 and 150 volumes) Mr. David R. Porter, Young Men’s Christian Association, Chairman Dr. William P. Merrill, Brick Church, New York Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, Union Theological Seminary Miss Bertha Condé, Young Woman's Christian Association Prof. Henry B. Wright, Yale University On Missions and Social Services (100 and 300 volumes) Prof. Henry P. Fairchild, New York University, Chairman Prof. Daniel J. Fleming, Union Theological Seminary Dr. E. de S. Brunner, Committee on Social and Religious Surveys. Prof. Kenneth Scott Latourette, Yale University Dr. W. C. Bitting, Second Baptist Church, St. Louis 9COMMISSION ON COURSES OF STUDY PREPARATORY TO RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP Aims: 1. To indicate the religious courses that undergraduates preparing for different professions or occupations, such as law, engineering or agriculture, should elect in order to be intelli- gent and effective citizens in the church and community. 2. To tabulate and classify the religious (including social service) vocations now open to trained graduates of colleges and universities. 3. To define the preliminary informational, cultural and disciplinary courses that should be taken by undergraduates preparing for each of these vocations. 4. To outline definite courses of study that will make it possible for able students in well equipped colleges and universities to secure advanced standing, if possible, the equiv- alent of the first year’s work in the leading theological semi- naries or religious or social training schools. 5. In this concrete way to secure close cooperation be- tween colleges, universities and graduate religious schools, and to conserve and promote the interest and efficiency of students who before entering college or during their undergraduate years decide to prepare for a religious vocation. Methods of Work: The commission is intended to bring together recognized leaders in the colleges, universities, theological seminaries, and religious and social training schools of America. Its work will be primarily based on the survey of the privately supported colleges, that has just been completed, and on a survey of the religious resources of certain state colleges and universities that is now being made by the Council of Schools of Religion. It will seek to coordinate the work already done in this field, and when necessary, will direct special investigations. PERSONNEL OF THE COMMISSION Pres. Ozora S. Davis, Chicago Congregational Seminary, Chair- man Prof. Charles Foster Kent, Yale University, Secretary Prof. Henry J. Cadbury, Harvard University 10Prof. H. J. Christman, Central Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church Dr. Henry F. Cope, The Religious Education Association Pres. Donald J. Cowling, Carleton College Prof. F. C. Eiselen, Garrett Biblical Institute Prof. C. A. Elwood, University of Missouri Pres. Milton G. Evans, Crozer Theological Seminary Pres. W. H. P. Faunce, Brown University Dr. O. D. Foster, University Secretary of the Council of Church Boards of Education Dean Jean Hamilton, University of Michigan Dr. N. Ashby Jones, Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga. Prof. Eugene W. Lyman, Union Theological Seminary Pres. James G. K. McClure, McCormick Theological Seminary Dr. Frank K. Sanders, Board of Missionary Preparation Dr. George Craig Stewart, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Evan- ston Dr. Henry H. Sweets, Secretary of the Board of Education of the Southern Presbyterian Church Dean Herbert L. Willett, University of Chicago Prof. W. H. Wood, Dartmouth College Dr. Vernon S. Phillips, The Francis Wayland Foundation at Ohio State University Dean Elbert Russel, The Woolman School Commission on The Study of the Great Living Religions The aim of this commission is to outline in detail broad survey courses in the living religions that will be adapted to the interests and needs of college and university undergradu- ates, and to prepare syllabi for the use of instructors and students. The following is the personnel of this commission: Prof. Charles Foster Kent, Yale University, Chairman Prof. Robert E. Hume, Union Theological Seminary Prof. John Clark Archer, Yale University Prof. Ernest Hocking, Harvard University Prof. Irving F. Wood, Smith College Prof. A. Eustace Haydon, The University of Chicago 1]BULLETINS (Ready or in preparation) I. The Origin, Organization and Aims of the I. 1. IV. VI. VII. Vill. IX. AI. Council of Schools of Religion. Filling the Gap in Modern Education. Religion at a Great State University (Based on the University of Illinois Survey). Building the Michigan School of Religion. The Laws and Legal Decisions Relating to Religious Instruction at State Universities and Colleges. Syllabus for the Study of the Great Living Religions. ) Syllabus for the Study of the Great Liter- ature of the Bible. Syllabus for the Study of the Social and Ethical Principles of the Prophets and Jesus. Report of the Commission on Courses of Study Preparatory to Religious Leader- ship. Report of the Commission on Selected Re- ligious Bibliographies. The Present Status of the School of Religion Movement.