The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-08-28


For Q number of months series Of ar
ticles have appeared in the New York In
dependent, written by the Rev. DR.. Spear,
"a Coegregationalist, we believe-on the
position held by Protestants ON the subject
of the Bible in the public schools. These
| articles have been very generally read and
admired, and have had no small influence
| in correcting misconceptions, and uprootlng
prejudice. In the Independent of the 18th,
we read an article by another writer whose
candor, clear sightedness and honesty is
| worthy of all commentator. We give an
extract from this paper, from which it will
be seen, that it is admitted that Catholics
have taken the right side on the question,
that they alone are the champions of
freedom-so far as this subject at least is
concerned-and that it is beyond the pro-
vince of the civil government to impdrt reti-
giovs instruction to her citizens. But to the
extract:
No candid reader of the discussion which
has been carried forward in the public
prints, for the last nine months, on the sub
ject of the Bible in the pbblic schools, can,
think, fail to have perceived that all the
arguments Oh CuOSc WHO OcClu ~ thO uuoy
of the state to enforce the reading OF the
Bible in the public schools, are based on
principles which no Protestant would ad-
nit to be- of universal application, and
which those who now 50 zealously build
upon them would be the first to repudlate
under different circumstances. Truth never
changes. 1t is always the same. Expe-.
diency is not always the foundation OF
right. Between right and wrong there is
an eternal and indelible distinction. In
gratitude is always wrong, every where,
under all circumstances. So it is with
right they are always right. This, be-
lieve, is the philosophy at the foundation
of all orthodox Christian doctrine. The
principle underlying every argument That
can be made.in favor of maintaining the
Bible in the public schools by authority OF
fere in matters of faith; or, if you please,
| to Mould the religious beliefs of her citizens.
Is this principle correctP Professionals in
| all ages, in Roman Catholic countries, have
aLayays said No! If the Romanists were the
dominant power in America to-day, Pro-
uhahinity and an emphasis that would
| shake the continent. Shall we, then, as
| PrOtestants and citizens of free republic,
stultfy ourselves by accepting principle
which we know in our hearts is wrong, and
| which we would reject under other circum
thought its acceptance would result.in ad-
| vanclng our own views of what would con-
tribute most to the public welfare 2 Surely,
this is not the part of Christian men, the
descendants of those who fled from oppres-
sion in the Old World to establish here
home for civil and religious liberty. What,
! then, is the duty of Protestants in respect
to this Bible question: 1 maintain it is
their duty, and believe it to be the most
urgent duty now resting upon them, to
solve it by establishing, without delay,
while they have tue power, upon a
foundation that can never be shaken,
the safe and universal principle that it is
beyond the province Of ciril government to
import religious instruction to her citizens.
Protestants especially should do this work.
And why L. Because, having always been
the champions of religious liberty while in
the minority, they are expected to show
their devotion to principle by their adhe-
renee to it no,c, while in the majority.
2. If they refuse to do this work, others
| will do it for them, or in spite of them; for
it is impossible that discussion should con-
tinue and the right not finally triumph.
| The powerful and exhaustive articles of
DIR. Spear in the Independent on this sub
| ject have not been in vain for already
many Protestants, at first bitterly opposed
| to him, have been won over to his views.
g. The result of such q Struggle, if Pro-
testants should be 80 short sighted as to go
| into it, would be most disastrous to Pro-
testantism and evangelical religion, while
it would be most inspiriting to Catholicism
and skepticism for in such a struggle the
latter would be the oppressed and injured
party, struggling for liberty. Let US then,
as Protestants, lay aside all prejudice, and
consider this question calmly and dispas-
sionately, and decide it just as we would if
the Romanists were to-day the controlling
| power in the State. 1t is childish to say,
"'This is a Protestant Government, and we
don't intend that it shall ever become any
thing else, and it must therefore teach the
Protestant religion with the public money;
and, if any persons are not satisfied, they
may stay away from our Shores" etc. Away
with such nonsense! No settlement of this
| question is worthy of a Protestant, or of an
American, which does not place it upon the
rock of principle, upon which he would
wish it to remain, whatever might in the
providence of God be the possible future of
America.
PAPER HANGINGs, etc.-To those who are
in need of paper han gngs and window shades would
lend helping hand by pointing to the store of j. j.
Evers importer of English, French and American pa.
hangings, 62 Charities The hand is
varied and excellent and persons purchasing
awarded one of the highest premiums for the
best display of decorative wall and visitors who
witnessed the exhibition 0nmed the ustness of the
ward. The best wnrk men employed to execute
skill can accomplish. See advertisement in another
lumn.