Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-04-21

to, and stamps Its author as one OF the
profoundest thinkers of our State upon
the great question that SO nightly stirs
society, and is destined to ripen into dis
cussion around every fireside, and enlist
the patriotism and religion of every lover
of his country land his God. The text
was from Deut., 18th chapter and Is. 10,
90 and 21st verses. Prof Weber said:
When these words were uttered. nations
were not SO large as at present. Bot men
were no less men, and God was God, the
same yesterday, to-day and forever. His
administration was the same as now. The
principles of the Hebrew government
were pure, emanating from the Divine
mind. The teachings of religion then, as
now, a political necessity. He said, /
defend the use of the Bible in our COM
mon schools on purely conventional, re-
| ligious and political grounds.
No State can exist, except upon the
basis of some condition of religion. All
true authority and power is grounded in
right Conscience is the summit from
which the soul sees God, and hence it
must be kept alive by the application of
| the truth of Gods word, that 1t may cor
rectly measure its obligation and response
bility. The divine right of kings has
been exploded. The divine right of re-
publican liberty lives and will never die.
Atheism drove in its rawlings the worship
of God from the temples of worship in
| France, while Napoleon restored it, and
taught the nation that God was to be wor-
shipped as the King of Kings and Lord
of Lords. History shows that decay of
religious feeling is followed by overthrow.
i The State, as means of preservation,
must recognize its religion upon which it
rests. 1t must in some way teach Its
principles. 1t should not seek to impose
religion on any. but give full liberty TO
worship God to all.
do not believe in a union of Church
and State. Each must occupy its appro-
pirate sphere. 1t is the duty of the State
to protect all in the enjoyment of religion.
The religion of the Bible is the FONDA
ton of our government. Every State
must have some religion. Oar national
religion is that of the New Testament
Said Daniel Webster, d" Christianity is the
law of the land" Chief-Justice Story re-
| iterates the same sentiment The sU-
preme law is the Bible. Protestant
christianity, that takes the Bible for its
political creed, is recognized by the Con-
stitution as the basis of the government.
This government is Protestant in it's char
acter, while il gives true religious liberty
to all. This government has recognized
religion and recognizes it still. Read the
proclamation for Fast-D4y, and in it you
find under the sanction of executive au-
thority, and in obedience TO custom and
law, a recognition of religion, the religion
of the Bible.
i Our children must have some knowl-
edge of the Bible to make them good loyal
citizens. IL must enter into their INTEL
lectual as well as moral being. Its sacred
teachings must be made the basis of
thought and action, in head, heart and
life. But say some, away with the Bible
from the public schools But il is from
the Romanists that this demand comes,
and who also cry out no prayer, no songs
of praise, in our public schools. They sc-
!, knowledge they hate the whole system
of csmmon schools, for its tendency IL TO
enlighten the common mind, and fix
therein the controlling idea Of liberty of
thought, and the right 10 worship God
free from priestly dictator or domination.
: At this point Prof Webber quoted largely
, from Catholic authorities, showing their
? deep seated hostility to common schools
loval to the Pope and the Roman Catholic
Church. State schools, say the Catholics,
are Goddess Bnt what would they be if
the Bible is banisbed from them aud all
regard for its sublime truths overthrown.
But while the Roman Catholic Church
desire the destruction of our common
school system aud are moving every ele-
ment to accomplish its object, say the
nation is going TO maintain In all Its pu-
Fit, and glory our common public school
system. But some say the State has moth
ing to do with religion or religions teach
ings. But how wonderfully false and
} wrong is this position, and how thankful
that rs State we are not In so deplors-
l@ble a condition. Again, some say that
compelling the reading of the Bible in
our common schools is destructive to lib
erty. What an ideal ! ask what con-
serves and maintains our political liberty
but an acknowledgements of the Bible by
all classes. The Bible is read in our
schools that we may know what true gov
eminent is based upon. l. it violating
the conscience of the Catholics TO live IN
der this Protestant government? If so,
why do they flock to our shoresr
i Romsn Catholics tell US, thst when
they get the power in this land, liberty OF
conscience is at an end Ii may be so,
but we take the Bible or the palladium
of our liberties, upon it we stand and
upon it our nation will ever stand. But
say others, remove every pretext for any
to oppose our common schools. Hence
take away the Bible, all acknowledgment
of God from the school But this will
not satisfy the Catholics. They say down
with all common schools. Bat / ask what
II.
nation Broad cast they have sown tho
seed of an intelligent comprehensive I'M
Outstanding of true Republican liberty,
and we are not going to give them up
Let US stand TO the Bible and our coiors
If we give up, and our nation becomes in
fidel, the future historian will write rs our
epitsph " scared TO death"
The plan of making our common schools
places where God is not recognized, is
downright political suicide. / say give
us more Bibles in our schools, not less.
Let thorough understanding of the
sacred teachings permeste all rank Of
society, enter into the intelligent growth
of every child, that as it proves 10 man
kind, it may fully know, that its divine
principles are the indestructible founda-
ton of every republic, and that guided by
them, the storm of bigotry and supersti-
tion may beat, but beat in vain, upon the
nation, for il will stand, boSored by God,
the model republic of the earth.
| have given but a faint sketch of this
admirable sermon, which was listened TO
with profound attention by large and
appreciative audience. / understand it
is to be published and if so, it will secure
wide circulation.
Rev. L. S. Walker preached last Sab
bath a sermon on the resurrection of
Christ. 1t was peculiarly appropriate, ii
being Easter Sunday. 1t was one of the
best sermons upon the topic L ever beard.
Mr.. Walker has been for the past three
years pastor of the NJ E. Church in our
place. and this wear will be Transferred 70