The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-19


u mas accomplished the whole sacrifice IN every
part OF The earth then Gods kingdom will have been
lnaugurated which Is to Ill the earth from end to
end
The Bible In The Public Schools.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
-.afe Is no question at the present time, perhaps,
that takes deep hold of the conscience and feel.
ings OF the people az the question now being dis
cussed in relation to the Bible and the common
schools. II is, perhaps truly q great question and
one worthy OF thorough ana deep discussion, and
believe that If truth and common sense have fair
chance In the great combat thar much good Will
result.
What the American people want TO know more,
perhaps, tnan any other nation or people, because
being ireer and more advanced In liberty than any
other nation or people, IL Just what their duty Is
and how far that duty extends in relation to sup
porting religious ideas or doctrines, or whether
none as all in that system OF common schools In
which every American citizen is or should be inter-
ested.
There is one phase the question seems TO assume,
however, which in my opinion does not really
belong to 1t, and which, perhaps, has been forced
upon 1t for the purpose OF holdin. with stronger
hand The position taken by those who hold that the
Bible is proper part OF the common school system.
The phase to which refer is that apparent opposi-
ton between those who believe In the BILE as
book OF Inspiration, to be always believed in and
taught everywhere, ana those who also believe the
Bible with equal reverence, but yet willing TO
yieid 10 great principle they justly consider neces
sary ~ Iuli enjoyment OF eivt and religious lib
erty.
There Is OF course no real Inference IN point OF
religious syalpathies betweea the two above named
classes The Bible IS Inc tst book OF pot OF taeni,
and they equally strive, perhaps to propagate the
doctrines OF the Gospel. Is IL possible Lnat tue
writer OF THIS makes an assumption wncn he refers
lT,,A q
It has been charged 81 many OF the d!aerent
writers upon the question that only those W1id are
opposed 70 the BiDe under all circumstances are
now found warning against reading the Biplc IN the
common schools II sucn charge was really tue
fact then there might be some force IN ther asslmp
tioa that to uphold the reading q the Bible IN the
common schools Is 10 uphold Christianity AS against
inddelity ana atheism. OF course II there was
stas ss Of mat character before tn the people
III defending their side Oh Whatever grounds they
might.
they seek TO SO shape It, because those who disbe-
lleve the Bible as book of inspiration are found III
they could consistently hold no other p0sitlon) IL
by no means proves that the contest Is Simply
crusade IN which Christianity must either stand or
fall.
The Catholics are numerous ana increasing peo-
pie; they pay theic proportion of the school taxes
rights IN the premises, they do not however, have
the right to insist that tIier version OF the Bible
shall be read Ia the common schools out they have
AS much right to 30 1nsst have the PrOteStans To
insist that King James,, their particular version,
shall SO be read. How saan the matter be settled.
How shall IT, 80 adjusted that oil parties shall be
satisfied Can 1t be 30 adjusted 10y allowing the
Catholics to have IL all their own way, or eau IL
be,er be adjusted by leaving IL To the PrOtestants to
have IL all tnelr own way We have already seen
IN the history Of the discussion far that 1t cannot
he left To. the supreme control OF either of tue con-
tending parties. Is there another class of men be-
side those already mentioned VINO entitled to any
rl4hts or opinions IN the premises?
There Is IA large ana intellectual class or thinking
men and women who 40 mol regard the BIDe as
book VI revelation. to be read as al hazards regard
less oil the rights and opinions or others. They pe.
lieve in religion, but not religious despotism:
they believe In order, progress and liberty, They
believe as much IN refinement and purity OF char
acter as the most jealous members OF OF the eX
istlng orthodox Churches. They believe IN God ard
what they call II liberal Christianity; and they are
willing that others should nave the privilege OF
believing with that same freedom they have exer-
cised Tor themselves They nave eXactions 10
establish any general belief Ia respect 10 those
things that belong purely 10 the province OF faith.
Ihey recognize The fact that men can never come 10
an agreement IN relation TO those things that are ao-
stract and speculative. Taey are Willing TO leave
religious doctrines ana ethics To the various organi
cations and secfs that nave them charge. ihe
common school system IL Tor anoiner purpose than
TO be the depository OF religious instruction. aud
because there eau be no unanimous agreement To
what that Instruction snail be.
Tue only proper way, then, Is to conduct our pub
lie schools In manner as give oiieuse 70 no
ones religious Sentiments, but TO instruct all
thoroughly 10 the fundamental principles OF educa
uon. Let those who wil believe I'm CHRISTIANITY freely
and fuliy; LEI those VIII believe MonamInedan-
Ism or any other system OF revelation or assumed
revelation. While those who believe IN the posaye
philosophy OF COmte ana other kindred teacher,
nave Their equal rights. What remedy Is be
easier Than this, whereby the diincuty may be
settedY rake the Bible out OF the and leave
WI questions growing out OF II OF It's proper or il-
proper translation To the various churches and
sociees that are established Tor The purpose OF pro-
pagAng reiIlous truth. Christianity VIII not suffer
In the least by SUCH course; indeed. II Will stand
perhaps more mag niilccnt IN us power and
grandeur; more magnificent because less cxacung;
more ATTRACTIVE because Less CONSTANTINE.
Sectar'an views Respecting the Bible in Oar
schools.
prom the New York Obseryer--Prcspyteran.
II the Legislature is going To take care OF
mems consciences let 1t not con1ne Its laoors aud
sympathes to those OF the Romanists alone. Nine
tenths, If not nineteen twentieths OF the money
raised by tax to support the common schools OF tho
State comes out or Protestant pockets aud to divide
this according TO the number OF children schools
is manitestly unjust. 10 conpels men TO support a
religion they would cut their right hand of rather
than voluntarily aid. In short the Legislature
sumes the hgh-handed pierogative OF taxing Pro-
tesants TO support the papacy.
Ii There are TO he UNCONVENTIONAL schools let there
De UNCONVENTIONAL money. Let she school TAX be
aid separately, and the collector put down sepa-
rate columns the amount raised .rou tine KOmaniss
anu frotestlns OF the state, and give the former
their own ana no more.
We say there IL "A very large class that take this
ground. such Il denominaiional taxation every
right funded, thoughtful lnan woald deeply depore.
II would be fraught with eva consequences; but we
say II the money raised 10 bn applied denomina
ionaiy they too, are right In demanding that 1t be
raised IN the same way. ii those VINO make laws
stit on tins perious road their heaus must fest
the responsibility.
Inc people OF this state respect the rights Of
conscience. pnt demand freedom of conscience also.
tbcy are wiling receive ,he oppressed of every
land but sterny say, Hands oil or insiitutiDns.r
lney are willing to be taxed aud are generous sAd
nhbigoied IN the distribution oil the money but va
not tamey Surrender II TO the naughty demand o
foreign priesthood. We say again, let Komanisfs
aud their friends beware--there ~ Gre slumberius
~ Np 1 1u,lts sale