The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-03-21
Correspondents Of tay Doto.at1.

MIR. EDITOR:-A writer under the
signature Of "Acer" advocate Jan.
3dj complains Of the management of
public schools, because Gin many of
them ut least, there is an attempt to
give moral aud religious instruction"
This he regards as entirely out Of place,
obiecting even to the reading Of the Ri.
bic aud the offering Of prayer Not
but that these things are well enough in
their place; but he is opposed to hav~
ing them iu the public schools. lie
says " if we must have moral instruction
in our schools, let it be entirely free
from the suspicion Of sectarianisnl."
Even moral instruction he would pre-
fer to exclude, apparently for the rea-
son that something he would call Sectd>
ran may creep in.
Now, Mr.. Editor, it is time that the
public school is a secular institution
and 1t is proper that any moral or relig-
ious instruction given therein should be
free from sectarianism. But is there
not reason to suspect that the fear Of
sectarianism is only "a pretence, to cover
a real opposition to the Christian reli>
gion? The Bible is received by all
christians as the word Of God, and the
morality there taught cannot be obnoxs
ious to the charge of sectarianism, un
less the charge comes from those who
either deny or dislike the Christian re-.
lisiou. We hope there are none in Elk
county who deny the christian religion,
though we have too much evidence that
there ere many who disLihe it. But if
it is trne it ought to be believed, and
taught to our children, and no man
need fear it, influence.
l do not propose to discuss the ques-
tion of religious instruction in the pub
lie schools; but would suggest the i'll
quiry whether any better text book OF
morality can be found than the Bible
and whether the religious instruction re.
ported by our County Superintendent
is any more than Moses required of the
Israelites "These words which l com.
mand thee this day, shall be in thine
heart, and thou shalt teach them dill
gently to thy children, and shalt talk Of
them when thou sittest in thy house
and when thou walkest by the way, and
when thou liest down, aud when thou
risest up" Deut. 6, 6, 7.
1t does no. seem to have occurred tC
your correspondent Acer" that there
is q difference between sectarianism anG
Catholic Christianity; and that while
the former has no right to enter our pub
lie schools, the latter-to certain ex
tent.-belongs there, and is essential tc
the highest welfare Of our youth, fo
time and for eternity. And it will b.
my endeavor in series Of brief arti
cles, (if you can afford the space, and d
not fear the charge of L" sectarianism," ,"
to set forth the leading doctrines of tn
christian church catholic, that those ig
norant Of them may be enlightened
that teaches these doctrines ought to b.
shut out from our schools-at least OIL
the ground of sectariauism. And i
shall be my endeavor to manifest tha
degree of candor which becomes cath
: olic christian, who has no sectarian end
, to promote, no sectarian prejudice t
, overcome. any Of your readers shal
at any time fai! to understand my state
mentS or to he convinced of their truth
| wish them TO use perfect freedom il
, asking explanations of offering objection
! will try to observe the golden rule.
@. G.