Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-07-14
r lac CleFgy--AIr. Jefferson 70 RIr.
WendOver.
MoSTloELLo, March 10, 1915.


On one question only differ from him, and
it IS that which constitutes the subject of his
first discussing public affairs in the pulpit I
add the last words, because admit the right
in general conversation aud in writing, in
which last form it has been exercised in the
admirable hook you have now favored me
with.
The mass of human concerns, moral and
physical, is so vast, the field Of knowledge re-
quisite for man TO conduct them TO the best
advantage Is so extensive, that no human be-
ing can acquire the whole himself and much
lees the degree necessary for the instruction
ot others. 1t has of necessity then, been dis.
tributed into different departments each Of
which, sinRly, may give occupation enough to
the whole time and attention of a single indi-
vlduAL Thus we have teachers of Languages,
teachers OF Mathematics, of Natural Phloso-
ply, Of Chemistry, Of Medicine, of Law Of
History, Of Government, ke Religion too
IS separate department, and happens to be
the only one deemed requisite for all men,
however high or low Collections of men as
sociaie together, under the name of assoca-
tions, and employ a religions teacher of the
particular sect or opinion OF which they hap
pen to be, and contribute to make up r. stipend
as a con pensation for the trouble of deliver
ing them, at such periods as they agree on,
lessons in the religion they profess. If they
want iRstru ctions in other sciences or arts.
they apply 10 other instructors, and this is
generally the business Of early lie. But
suppose there is not a single instance of a
congregation which has employed their
preacher for a mixed purpose of lecturing
them from the pulpit, in chemistry, in medl-
cince, in the science and principles of Gov.
ernmeni, or in anything but religion exclus-
I lively.
Whenever, therefore, preachers, instead oi
a lesson of religion, put them off with dis
course on the Copernican system, on chemi-
cal afhnites, on the constructions Of Govern
ment or the character of these administering
it, it is a breach OF contract, depriving their
! audience of the kind of service for which
they are saaried; and giving them instead OF
it, what they did not want, or if wanted, would
rather seek from better sources in that par.
ticuIsr art or science. In choosing ou- pas
tor we look TO his religious qualifications
! without inquiring into his physical Or political
doginas with which we mean to have nothing
to DO. / am aware that arguments may be
found, which may twist a thread of politics
into the cord OF religious duties. So they may
for every other branch of human art or science
Thus, for example, it is religious duty tC
/ obey the laws Of our country; the teacher oi
religion, therefore, must instruct US in those
laws that we may know how to obey them. l
ia religious duty to assist our sick neigh
bors the reacher, must therefore, teach u
medicine that we may do it understandngly
it is Il religious duty 10 preserve our health
our teacher, then, must tell us what dishes ar,
wholesome, and give receipts for cookery, tina
we NAV learn how to prepare them. And 81
ingenuity, by generalizing more and more
may amalgamate all the branches of science
into one of them, and the physician who i
paid TO visit the sick, may give sermon in
stead OF medicine and the merchant to whom
money is sent for a hat, may send a banker
chief instead of it. But Notwithstanding thi
possible confusion of all sciences into one
common sense draws lines between then
sufficiently distinct for the general purpose
of life, and no one is at a loss to understan,
that recipe in medicine or cookery, or de
monstration in geometry, is not lesson il
religion. | do not deny that congregation
J may, if they please, agree with their preache
that he shall instruct them in medicine also
: or law or politics. Then, lectures in these
from the pulpit, become not only matter O
right, but OF duty also But this must be wit
the consent of every individual; because th
} association being voluntary, the mere major
" has no right to apply the contributions Q
! the minority to purposes unspecifed in tn
agreement Of the congregation
Very sincerely,
THOMAS JEFFERSON