Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-12-22
The Exclusion of the Bible,

The Exclusion of the Bible.
The action of the Board of Education of
the city of Cincinnati in excluding the read
ing of the Bible and the singing of religious
songs from the exercises of the public
schools is matter which has attracted
much attention and is viewed with no little
alarm among Christian people throughout
the country The Philadelphia Bulletin re-
CARDS it as backward step and hopes it will |
not be followed by other cities. Arart from
the purely religious aspect of the question, |
there is consideration of nearly equal val |
Ue 10 the relation which exists between the |
Bible and civilization. The doctrines of
the new testament form the foundation up
on which modern civilization rests and on
| iy those notions that have built upon that
basis are to day ruling the earth. All the
achievements of fscience and art which elevate
and ennoble mankind and minister to their
demands, are the products Of condition of
society that is the direct result of the infiu-
ence Of Christian doctrines. And more
than this; precisely as free Bible has been
given to people, so have they asrired to a
purer liberty. The most advanced and en-
/ lightCned nations,-the freest nations in
existence, are those in which the people
have unrestrained access TO tie Scriptures
Political liberty and an open Bible go land
in hand: and the primary act of nGtion
which attaiuS the first is to demand the sec.
ond. The quick action of the Spaniarls af-
! ter lsabella's detbronement illustrates this
truth. The reasons for this are evident
The Bible proclaims the universal equality
OF men before their Creator, and it teaches
| principles of morality which tend 70 purify
and refine, and consistent practice Of which,
| by every body, would bring human society
to absolute perfection. 1t is of the highest
Importance. then, that this guide book should
be read by all, but especially that its pre-
cepts should he taught to the children who
are one day to compose society. The oppo
nents Of Bible instruction in public schoUls
! ground their objections upon the theory
that simple truth, without ecclesiastical in
! depreciation is dangerous In other words,
| that their construction Of the Scripture the
oIies is the correct one, and without this
| they Will lead to perniciohs errors. This
doctrine is held by ore denomination only;
all the others are anxious TO have the Bible
read in the schools, and are willing to leave
| doctrnal instructions to the churches and
| Sunday schools where it properly belongs
We think that untrammeled truth need new
er fear to run the risk of misconstruction,
and Church which sincerely believes its
| doctrines to be in exact accordance with the
Scripture ought not to apprehend any dan
ger from the closest familiarity of its men,
bers with the source of its existence. If the
Bible teaches its principles why not permit
the people to drink sometimes from the
| fountain head? The public school system
itself is an offspring of free Bible. Only
the people who have enjoyed the benefits
of the largest enlightenment could devise
and execute method by which the avenues
to intelligence are freely opened to all man
kind. Where the principles Of the oppo-
nents of an open Scripture are in general
practice, there are no free school systems,
but the people accept religious teaching
without understanding Here, we give to
every denomination perfect freedom 20 car
ry on its work of evangelization asit pleases,
without interference but we want to give our
children such education as will fit them not
only for the intelligent reception Of religious
truth, but will make them valuable men,
bers of society, and enable them to compre-
hend exactly fhe basis upon which the fabric
Of society rests. The day for blind, unrea-
sonIng belief in anything has passed away
forever, in this country. If religion will
not bear the scrutiny of keenest intelligence,
it is worthless. But We know it will; and
we hope the day is far distant when
Christian men will unite with atheists and
} infdels in keeping the children of the land
in ignorance of the doctrines of the Bible.
} We apprehend that the struggle which has
, just ended in Cincinnati is to be begun in
: other cities. IF it is inaugurated here we
: hope to have every citizen who recognizes
the Scriptures as the Inspiration of all hu-
man law, and as the guide to that moral ex.
, cellence without which society would crum-
5 BILE to pieces, ranged upon the side OF a free
] Bible, no matter whether one denomination
or another claims his allegiance, or whether
e it is claimed by none.
Fnl ~