Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-01-06
a Communication.
Th> CHrIcsatsviiie Teachers I9st.tRt,-Rep. Mr..
Williams hepiy-~GTeat rs Diana 0f the
EgheSianJ

| Th> CHrIcsatsviike Teachers Iast.tRt>-Rep. Mr..
| Williams hepiy--Great rs Diana ot hs
! EphsstanJ.
If we are malig gned ~ self-conceited brethren,
nothing but what is framed by themselves and
hammered on their anvil. we may rest secure
supported by truth and conscience. king James
/ Bdbie, DR. Hussey Ed Ep DedIcatory.
The tumult of the siversmith ; l)still
continues. 1t is as unjust in the nineteenth
as 1t was In the first century. GU men,
you know that our gain is by this trade. II "
The Pagan is more candid than the Chris
tian, and more consistent, teo; for st. Luke
does not tell US that Demetrius disobeyed his
Goddess. The race of great and rGrious-
ly gifted men Is not yet extinct. history
says that Alcibides, Origen and others could
dictate In several languages, to as many
amanuenses, at the same time. Rev. Mr..
Williams is modern illustration-a drama
tist, .juriSt and diirine. He knows he rs
reddy and rapid writer, as his elaborate re-
| ply asserts. Noamountof learning, no pIety,
no powers of praying (however loudl can sus-
tain a wrong; hence his ignobie failures to
disprove my assertions. What were they?
The question at issue Is this: Is 1t accord
ing to u. 5. law TO pray or read Bible IN
common schools or institutes? l asserted,
the Goth of last November, that this prac-
tica was unconstitutional, and a violation OF
plain command of their own version OF the
Bible. His learned aud poiite reply appear
ed only December 18th. | will now prove
the correctness OF my position, and then re-
view bis sta'ements
Free will is God S Magma Chartn Great
Charter to man. If abused, He will pun
ish. The Constitutions (U. S. and Pa }
give every man right to worship God as he
pleases; hence, if he violates no law OF the
I Ian he IL taIl fn alone Ed
ucation, if possible, should be based on re-
ligion-on the true religion. There Is no
probability that men will soon agree on what
Is true faith; hence the wise foresight of the
illuStrious men who framed the Constltu-
tionS-master- pieces of human legislation.
All legislation, to be law, must be in accor-
dance with these excellent sources ofequaIlty.
The laws regarding common schools and IN
stituteS are 30 framed. The County Super
intendcnt must see that orthography, read
ing. writing English grammar, geography and
arit metc be taught in the common Schools
''as well as such other branches as the Board OF
Directors, or Controllers, may require. ~
Directors, or Superintendents, are 'cOntiaed
(pretty harsh, that. in their examinations
OF candidates for teachers, to their fitness as
| TO moral character learning and ability. A.
Nor can any person teach ''other branches
than those set forth IN such certificate of
said teachers (5) The County Superin
tendent is authorized and required to call
and invite the teachers of the common
schools &c., 'and organize themselves into
Teachers Institute, devoted to the an
pFOUeHeHt of teachers in the science aud art
of teaching, &c A teacher who 'absents
himself from the institute of his county,
without a good reason may have his want OF
professional spirit and zeal indicated by Il
lower mark on his certificate in the practice
of teaching, than he otherwise would have
received (6) | can find nothing SAID about
any kind of worship, prayer, or Bible read
ing in the schools or institutes. 1t should
! be well remembered, III this connection, that
the County Superintendent makes oath Ito
perform all his official duties honestly, impair
tidliy, diligently, and according to law. (7)
TO the law and to the testimony l have
summoned you - they decide in my favor,
that the public school, or institute, is NEU
TRIAL GROUND, where neither Catholic nor
Prote> tant has any right, from God OF man,
to worship. pray, or read any version of the
Bible, As military colonel has well said
.'our public schools should be free as air to
the rich and poor, Christian and Mehome
dan Isl No pretentions to piety or learn
ing can set aside this just and peaceable
neutrGltty "Predilections of parents" to
be carried out legally and justly, must be
and pastors are the real and entire owners.
they can worship as they think proper; but
notrhere else Allparties have an>eQudt share
the common school or institute; of course,
| then. no man-nO matter how jealous or pi-
Gus hiS conscience is--can usurp what be-
longs equally TO others.
The Constitutions and School laws do not
say the majority may dictate to or dogmatize
over the minority. All the clustering, loud
praying. " must be done illegally on your Oton
| ground nIone-in your dwellings and meeting
houses. If this is not ths plain and obvious
meaning Of U. S. law, freedom of worship
would be impossible Many persons discard
Catholicism, aud ''the thousand and one"
phases Of Professionalism no law, divine or
human, can coerce them, as long as they re-
spect the rights of others
TIE versions of the Bible are as conflict
ing as the creeds. A few examples will IL
| lustrate my meaning:
! |. In the number of books: what one
says Is scripture, another says is doubtful. "
3 Discord even about the Lords Prayer
The Protestant says the Catholic subtracts J;
the latter says the former adds to the text /;
and both versions pronounce dreadful curse
on the talSitier of the divine record.
3. But If they caanot contain" &c,
Prot. version, Cor, C. Wis., the Cath
elic version S Us, ii they do not contain
themselves Cannot contain -cannOt
be chdste-a fasehood.
t. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this
bread and drink &c. the Catholic says,
''or drink, - Il Cor, ii-27,l a contradiction.
There is also a dispute about the Deca
logue. SO 1e Protestant denominations say
Christ is not God To great theological
chemist. like Rev. Mr.. w. it is a mere trae
all Is Profestaatism-alri right, then. Cath
ohcs must discriminate Uetween divine and
Il human creed. They cannot, like the per
sons censured by Gibbon, sign their sanction
with a sigh or a smile, nor can they be
like Puley's Christian, who couldn't say
no 10 nobody" 1871
This, then, is my proof Rev. sir, my
charge IS sustained. Your own version of
the Bible commands you to ''obey the
higher fowers. &c, Rom. xii II; the
Constitutions ~. S and Pa and the
school laws on the present question, are
the higher powers to all hence, since the
Institute claims the right to listen to their
prayers. they set aside not only American
law, but even assume greater power than
the God man, for He forced no one to listen
to Tim pray or worship.
lwIl now examine you: statements Rev.