Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-16

ded us for publication although addressed
the editor of the Republican
EDIroR or THE REPUBLICAN Dear SIR I, also
will thank you allow me" to Re ply TO the ''ob
servations' and Inquiries of X. o 'Branisan. il
your issue of Nov-m Der 26th, relative to the In
stituie al Curwensviilen
l feel this due the Rev. Gentleman. since h.
a'ks TO be enlightened on certain points; anc
then. too he should be made more familiar witt
the Constitution of the country in which be lives
asnot again in so public way. to beiTay his ig
norance of that document. 1t is due the people
also, represented by said Institute, that wrong
Impressions are not made respecting the conduc
Of the Institute
The burden of the Rev Gentlenans 'observs
tions and inquiries is based upon the fact tha
the Institute was opened with "devotiona al exer
cises 1t prayer Strange In at he should OBJ
ject to such exercise. since the masses in thit
country either in theory or pracrice, acknowledge
The appropriateness and power of prayer. will
not. however, more than is necessary discuss the
"rr1tS Of the cnse-may do so again if needs be
but simply notice the uncharitable tbrusts ri
what those, in tho liberty of conscience" felt to
he right
| Hear him Il cannot understand how educa-
rion is Ia he promoted by an infringement on the
right to differ
We ask The right to differ on what? Ans. On
| prayer But no one know. asked the right
to differ. or gave any sign of difference Hence
! the Institute kns,o difference as a body, or
| through any of its officials Had the Rev Gen
! tleman been present thus ma nifesting inter|st
| in the cause Of education and, by sound reason
ins. showed that iRyoK ing Gods benediction upon
our proceedings was Illegal ard detrimental
to the interests of education. devotional exerci-
ses" would have Leen dispensed with.
But let US look at his consistency SaPPsse he.
or others would have objected to prayer others
again would have objected to him or them here
would he the right to differ" Who shall
deeide2 K, OBJ. has decided thus making hmm
sf guilty OF ih- very thing with which be
charges The Institute; viz: infringement
the right to differ"
Hear him again He asks Is this liberty of
Conscience Is ,0hat liberty of conscience
AnS "bevo:ionai exercises Yes either
science or precedence, Mis country, taught
these men it wa. rigtt to pray to God IN pmOic
assemblies as well as in private Conscience. what
is it2 The testimony of the soul which approves
Of good and cepd inning evil. Every man has n
conscience: and it is in accordance to the rHii gkf
"nmS"t of that conscience that be passes judgment
No Que msn. 81 society of men dare the
prerogative to dictate TO, or control that con-
science. Liberty of conscience then. is the
full. free and untranmeled exerclse of the souls
Judgment in AL matters of its faith-a liberty
which. as shall pres, ntly show. the Constitution
of the United States. of Pennsylvania. and the
school lave grant TO every citizen Of America, and
which laws greater than these-the laws of God
give 10 men Now then. the in question.
feeling it to be The highest sBjoyrsut of that
liberty of con ,eienre " and by the sanction of
the sainted Paul. (goo1 authority in the church
of the Few Gen leman.) who sayswe are 10 "wor-
ship God according to the dictates of eur own
conscienees. and also legalized by the Constitu
tons of the United States Pennsylvania and the
school laws. which Consti utions profess TO be
based upon the Bible as given to the world by
King james the Isf, id invoke Gods blessing
npon the Institute, not for moment supposing
tha, G. I'd $ blessing would be detrimental to the
cause Of etucntion
But the Gentlerls an dea5,s the consiItutionaIity
of the proceeding lie asks Can education be
benefited by disobsyrDg the Constitutions of the
United StatesP Pennsylvania and the school Iaws?"
We N ight, indeed show most consiusivoly that
in some countries especially. it would be greatly
to the advantage of the people morally and civ
iiiywere their laws disobeyed in reference TO the
education of the masses 1t does not necessarily
follow lin all cxses) that because thing sla,oful
therefore il is jaSt-or for the highest good of
th osc for whom enacted But does the Gentleman
state the fact hen he asserts that opening the
Institure with devotional exercises was disc.
bedienrs to The constitutions namei2 Happily
thank iod Il hole the worthy K. C p. win not
object 10 this eJacuatory prayer) it was no DISC
bedicuce. What saws the L. ) Constitution In
the Amendments. article st T ad as follows
Congress shall mike no La resp ecting an es,ab-
lishment OF religion prohibit the free
else thereof" &c. This is tho on'y reference
made to religion. except in Article 9th. declaring
that religious test shall not be required as a
qualification to public office -
Now. the Rev Buckley &c, together with the
members ot the Institute did assem- bic at given
time and place, and did, at suniry times. in the
free excro Sc of their faith. open their !essions
with devotional exercises" which, X OBJ as
serts, is disoted'ence' the Constitution of the
United States but which document declares |
Congress sh all pass no law. prohibit the free
exercise of religion" The Constitution makes |
declaration OBJ declares just the opposite. I!
there was no law di>obeyed. consequently, no |
dis"bedience. Ergo-Education must have been |
be"cftfsd by prayer.
And now what does the Constitution of Penn'a |
say , Article 9.Sections and 4: 'All men have !
a natural and irdefeasibIe right to worship Al !
mighty God according to tn dictates Of their own |
consci ences tn no of right be com PEELED |
to attend erect or support any place of worship. |
"A I'M, iysth
human authority can. in any case whatever. con- !
tro' or Il terfere with the rights of conscience; |
and no preference sh all ever be given by law % |
any religious esrHbishI II odes of worship "
Section has reference to holding of public Office
Now thea il all charity We are forced to cay.
" hat culpahie ignorance, or uiifui misr, pres-n
atton IS the assertion that. the laws of P.nn'a !
are disoheyed in opening public assembly with |
prayer; an stteml to hoed wink the unsuspect-
ing, and hold in ignorance the ignorant This
however is the legitimate growth of his ays
em of christianity
How explicit the Constitution: mo hH.san
'"fh0Ttty cHH. any rz,> icf1t-U-r- control in
er',r" rrAh hs rights Of coRs0-n's; and pref-
'rfHrs N1H sUer be gyveai By lar TO any ,si,gioms
Establishments or modss Of arorahip" And yet
his HenI lemsn says that. because Rev. Buckley
'rd "thers chose TO worship according to the mode