Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-29
For the Natchman and Journal
The Bible In the School Room.

MEssRs. EDlroRs Il noticed some time since
in your columns communication signed c, 90
relating to the use Of the Bible in the school
room, which seemed 10 me calculated to iniure
the cause which it was intended to advocate
Such question should be discussed if discussed
at all, in the proper spirit and with sound argu-
ments. 1t will not do to dismiss a large and in
luential class in the community, who demand the
right to be heard, with simply a condescending
permission that out Of courtesy" they will be
tolerated while they make their statements
1t is not my purpose to urge ie abolition Of the
Bible from the school room desire only to
show that the demand deserves to be treated
fairly. When the question comes up for decision
it must be decided upon considerations of Justice
and expediency, and he who thinks to dismiss it
with sneer, be he foreigner or native, clergyman
or syman has failed to learn the first principles
upon which all America Institutions now rest and
must continue to rest.
five can trust tho Catholic World, it is held
by Catholics that no education is valuable for the
State except ChristiGn education that it is the
duty Of the State to educate its children in order
to make them good citizens and that those who
are not christians are only rendered more danger
Gus by education, Still, it is impossible to teach
Christianity in our schools without, at the same
time, teaching denominatonal views. Conse-
quenuy both Catholics and Protestants for the
majority of the latter substantially agree with
these yiews) have established, for the higher in
stitutions of learning, denominational schools.
In regard TO the public schools however, there has
always been wide difference of opinion. The
Catholic says All denominations have equal
rights-diyide the school fund between them and
relinquish the education Of your children to the
various religious sects " But the State has
thought best to retain the control of its public
schools in its own hands, and to compromise the
matter, has uniformly decided that only such re-
ligious culture shall be allowed as shall prove ac-
ceptable to all religious denominations. While
this has been the general rule, it has been slow to
make the changes which the changing circum-
stances have seemed to require. Once the Cath
olies and Radicals were in such small minority
that it was not thought necessary to consult
them Now they together comprise probably at
least third of the inhabitants Of the United
States, If not many more than third.
Protestant sects have generally agreed that the
Bible ought to be read in the school room without
comment. But the Catholics are unwilling to
have it read, except by those who can properly
explain any obscurities The Radicals are un-
willing it should be read, if at the same time
children are taught that it is infallible. Many
Protestants object to the reading of the Bible in
the school room because it is usually read in sueb
cold, formal way that it produces anything but
real religious impressions. Now the State is not
protestant or catholic, evangelical or radical, but
It has guaranteed religious freedom to all.
1t has been generally supposed that it ought to
pass no regulations which will interfere with any
mans conscience, except such as relate to the or
binary rules of morality. The real question at
issue is then, whether we can retain the Bible in
our schools and still allow religious or what some
are pleased to term "Ureigious y liberty to all.
Have the advocates for the use of the Bible any
arguments which cannot be urged for other re-
ligous culture Let the question be discussed
with eandor and charity, not with sectarian bit.
terness