The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-06-09

FNNCts SA40 IlN>t ~ 'aS-C A~NAA ~ FNNNA
IN the world Ii 5 imperative that this
power should Be used with sense o.
responsibility 10 God. from Whom all
power proceeds. and therefore with imule-
date reference 10 the Incubation Of those
distinctive religions opinions which God
has revealed. Is Of paramount importance.
lt Follows, u eoarSe. that all the Official
representatives Of Government should sub
scribe creed. sud stand the test Of a
prescribed form Of religion, whether II be
that Of Treat. o. bort, or Westminster.
This Is the san Of the argnmsat for es-
tshliShed religions. by some Of the ahlest
writers on that side Of the question, IL
/ is interesting 10 know that this was the
reasoning of the present Prime Minister
OF England. Mr.. Gladstone. in his book on
this saojeet. when i young man; reaS0n>
Ing which, through better convictions, and
recent circumstances, be has been COM
PEELED to diSavow in his chapter Of auto
biography during the ate canvass. All
the premises Of this familiar and plausible
Argument admitted. you can not avoid its
conclusion. That there Is tallacy some
where in this reasoning, is very certain 10
al who iisbehsye in established forms Of
religion and yet il IS not easy for all 70
detect and expose IT, The real iallaey is
IN having one premise too large, including
too much, l, win appear on the very
surface if you apply it TO any other subject
On this very block, diagonal from the
site Of this church. is building belonging
TO the National Academy Of Design. II
represents an ASSOCIATION Of gentlemen
whose object is to promote the arts Of
painting and sculpture Now for the APP
plication Of our syllogism- Every eorpo-
ration represents certain amount Of
influence and power. Wherever there is
power there Is responsibility. for that
power should be used with a religious
reference 70 that which is Of paramount
Importance. and consequently condition
Of membership should be the recognition
Of Divine authority. ard . subscription 10
the definite articles Of revealed truth. OF
course. the Academy Of Design must have
creed and 4 form Of worship. Conscience
will not allow admittanee 70 its number Of
Fellows. or picture TO be hung on its
walls. except IS representing one who
holds 10 the Athanasian or some other
creed" The absurdity Of this reasoning
would appear instantly 10 all. II would be
the very worst way to encourage Art, or
promote Religion. II would be sure 70
make very poor pictures and very poor
petty. The abs1rdity would appear yet
more palpable should We apply the same
reasoning 70 any other corporation. Ssch
IS ! banking company, the Chamber Of
Commerce., railroad company, or any
other organization.
But wherein lies the fallaey of the rea-
soniog. In including too much in your
main premise An Academy Of Design is
organized for = special purpose, and that
one purpose defines the limitations Of its
action, as represented by men of all ereeds
and no cresds. The design Of civil gov
eminent Is special and restricted and
within its own proper province are the
limitations Of its responsibility. Its power
indeed IS great. and well nigh irresistible.
But that power was designed to De used
for specific purpose. for the benefit Of all
classes, without the least regard to creed,
or race. or circumstances to protect lte,
person. property. so that social order may
be established, and prosperity may be pro-
noted. Ii has been the great mistake Of
time, so far IS governments are concerned.
that they have undertaken to govern too
much TO include in their jurisdiction too
many objects which were better left to
individual preference We do not dis
parage religion when We assert that it is
not the province Of government to teach
religion, or enforce religion. Government
has acted wisely and well. when attending
70 its own legitimate business, il provides
for the freedom Of religion in all its forms,
and f0rbids the establishment of any one.
Common schools. We hold, were estab-
Ished for specific purpose, and not for
every good purpose After the illustra-
tons We have introduced, It Is an obvious
fallaey to hold that because religion IS Of
paramount importance, therefore it is the
province of the common school system to
employ its power for the incubation Of
definite creeds and prescribed forms of
worship. The province OF the common
school is limited, and its responsibility,
consequently. is limited by its distinctive
design. Once admit that every organiza-
ton i bound to take action with reference
to religion, because Of its transeendent i'm
portance, and by logical necessity you have
State religion, and religions tests for
every railroad and joint stock corporation
in the country
Assuming the grounds l am com
peeled 10 do, with all eOnfdenee-tha the
public school, supported By general law
and taxation. Is not TO undertake distinct
i've and discriminating instruction as to the |
doctrines and rites of religion, am asked !
whether this great and powerful system Is
to be understood IS maintaining goddess
neutrality. or as giving its weight to posi-
tive in61elity. By no means
There are certain facts and principles of |
religion which, without doubt or objection |
from any quarter, ought to be recognized |
by all. young and old as fundamental to |
every social and political organization.
can nos better explain my meaning than I
by referring to the government under
which We are now living. and the several
organic instruments By which its true life /
and intent are expressed. The Declare
ton Of American Independence ackrowI-
edges the Being and Supremacy Of God
appeals TO Him as the Supreme Judge of
the world and expresses firm reliance
upon Divine Providence as essential 10
success The Articles of Confederation,
which. next in order, followed the Declare
ton Of Independence. again acknowledge
God az the Patron and Protector Of the
nation, thanking Him il these memorable
words: Whereas it has pleased the Great
Governor Ct the world 20 incline the hearts
1f the Legislatures TO ratify this iustru-