The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-01-20
Tor the Democrat.l
COMPULSORY BIBLE READING.
MARTIN LUTHER.

The most cursOry reader will have
noticed une remarkable feature in the
contributions of the Repository to-
wards the discussion on the ,ducation
question, and that is the talent evin-
ced by the writers for wandering from
the point. The intention, no doubt,
Is 10 lay the foundation for a very
extended inquiry into the entire SUBJ
Ject, and to make universal expert
ence contribute to the momentum of
the blow to be dealt at the author of
the new rule. The length of time
That must elapse before the election of
school directors confirms this opiaion:
and doubtless when we shall have
been leetured on every thing in the
heavens above.& in the earth beneath.
and IN the waters under the earth.
we may expect an answer to Mr..
address, and perhaps also
10 this question: How is it consistent
with the freedom of our institutions.
and with hat liberty of conscience
which our Constitution secures to all.
10 compel a child to be present at re-
hglous exercises which neither itself
nor Its parents approve, and which
are at variance with its religious
belief?
The author of an unusually well
written communication addressed to
Messrs Hartzell s Saxton, in last
weeks Repository knows that he has
lefs the real question untouched. The
gist of every article we have vet seen
ON this subject has been a eulogy upon
Martin Luther. Now even if the ex-
ample of the great refurmer were
against the spirit of the seventeenth
rule, we would not therefore be war
ranted in a conclusion adverse to the
rule. Luther was not infaIlible. He
was not a God, nor an angel, but onIv
a man. And we must not be asked
to adopt a course just because he adop-
ted it. or would be likely to adopt it.
But how does his example bear upon
the question? How does it Justify, or
even countenance, compuIsion in re-
Iigious things? His history is the
record of a long protest and war
against dictation in matters of con-
science, He lived and struggIedto
wresG from an unwilling hierarchy.
that very liberty of conscience which
the RepositOry would have US destroy.
For the liberty to worship God in his
own way. and to refrain from wor-
Shipping Him as Others may dictate
a privilege no less dear to the Catholic
than to others is what we may not
deny to any man without JrampIing
under foot the freedom of thought for
which Luther battled. The Reiormer
never proposed to compel Catholics to
read the Bible; and to attempt to
warp and sway public opinion by the
magic of his name, is not the
right way to meet this question.
The charge is made against some
members of the board that they vo-
ted for the rule without understand
ing it-and a grave charge it is, We
do not see how any one who knows
the meaning of language can fail to
understand the seventeenth rule. But
if the charge be true in reference to
any member of the board, he has
furnished to his constituents the best
possible reason for dispensing with
his services with all practicable brew
ity. TimId members, if such there
be, must e that their only wise
course is to stand by the rule.
''Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrei just.,'
They are on the side with the right;
and that must eventually prevail, all
clamor and precedent TO the contrary
Notwithstanding.
We have the highest respect for
those who differ with Us in this mat
ter, and for that desire to disseminate
scripture truth which prompts their
action. But neither scripture, nor
experience, nor right reason will war
Fan the means by which they propose
to accomplish that object. u.