Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1885 — Why Harvard Made Prayers Optional. [ARTICLE]

Why Harvard Made Prayers Optional.

Thirty years ago prayers had dropped first to 6 o’clock and then to 7, and finally lodged at 8. The boys breakfasted before praying, and were at this time fully wide awake. It was not wholly a solemn affair. I remember one President whose prayer was so well known that it was common for the boys to mumble it over ahead of him, keeping just a sentence ahead, while poor Prex came trotting on just after. This was the hour for the great unexpected. Whatever pranks the boys could devise at night were ventilated at prayers. The writer’s father had killed a sheep, this was hanging over the Prex’s head the next morning, on the lamp wire. A loud crowing rooster was shut in the reading desk with the Bible. A cider barrel, considerately emptied, was in the place of the sacred chair. All this sobered down to prayers at 8: 3®, and a rush. The boys were not out of bed till just time for breakfast, and then prayers, which was followed by recitation. The half hour in chapel was filled with sharp study. Any one familiar with the condition of affairs has recognized the utter worthlessness of such an exercise as conducted. At no time is there less of reverence for holy things manifested ojr inculcated. By no conceivable means can 500 boys be brought to a worshipful mood; certainly not with the usual drill of Protestant colleges. Therefore, the fiat has gone forth that Harvard students may henceforth attend prayers, or not, at option. —St. Louis Glofye-Democrat.