Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-09
A Word to Parents and Bible
Readers.
HUGH McNKELY
Oct. 9Th, 1856.

To The Editor of the Belmont Chronicle:
noticed in the las; number of the Chron.
icls, communication signed B, containing
an extract from the proceedings of the Bel.
mont County Teachers Institute,-as fol
| lows:
"S. w. CASTOR, offered the following:
Resolved, That the Bible is not d proper
book to be used in schools, with the fo,.
lowing comment. "This same s. w
CASTOR is now urging his claims upon the
voters of Belmont County as candidate for
Clerk, the highest county Office in their
gift" This extract is correct enough, and
it is probable that it is all the minutes oi
said Institute show on the subject-but if ii
is all, they are incorrect. / was present a,
the meeting referred 10 IN BIS communica-
ton and know all about its proceedings
S. w. CASTOR did not introduce the subject,
but it was introduced by a Teacher from
Guernsey C,unty, and in this form,-Rs-
solved, That the "Bible is not proper read.
ins book for schools" And upon the sug-
ges;ion of some one. who doubted the po-
icy of indiscriminate reading OF the Bible. in
schools, it was amende as recorded, SO as
to open the whole questic n to discussion.-
The question was introduced by general
consent, and merely fer the purpose of en-
ploying the evening in debate.
happen to know all about the religious
opinions of Mr.. Gaston, and know him to
be firm believer in the truth s. authenticity
Of the Holy ScrptureS;--although not a
church member, and on the evening referred
to, he cid not express single idea or make
single remark that was inconsistent with
the strictest, morality: but more than
that, he did advocate the reading oi
the Bible as an opening and closing ex-
ercise for schuols. The truth of the
above statements can be substantiated by
the testimony of Prof. John L. Thompson,
of Barnesvllle. Prest. Lorin Andrews OF
Kenyon College, Prof. Markham, and many
other Teachers VIII Sc names do not now
recollect, who were present on that even
ing. Neither NJ. CASTOR nor his friends
have the least objection to having every
Parent, b ole Reader" aad Voter of Bel
mont county thoroughly informed of this
fact, proviued 1t is accompanied with its
just and proper explanations; but they do
object to any one hunting up scraps OF his
tory, who is unacquanted with the circum-
stances that called it forth, and publishing
it with the inference that Mr.. CASTOR is an
ln6del. Such charges, or interences are
wholly untrue and without the slightest
foundation. Further than this, it is well
known to the friends of Education through
out the county, and throughout this part oil
the State, that it is entirely owing to the
personal efforts of Mr. Gasten that this same
Belmont County Teachers Institute was or
ganized; and the consequent reforms in our
schools must be credited to the same author
Mr. CASTOR drew up and published the first
call for an Institute in Eastern Ohio, and
has delivered more addresses on the subject
of Education and Union Schools, than any
other man Of his years.
Thanking you for tbs use of your columns
l stop, cougratulating you for the justice
you are ready to do all parties.