Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-12-12

TO Him, MI mention OF Christian
duty, everything in short religious
rs distinct from that which is purely
secular F?
Our first reply is, The state is the
cr.ature OF the Pc ople and represents
thcir character and purposes. Such
a state education would not truly re.
present our people. Do we not re
ccEnizc that our legislators, though
often they deem themselves our mas.
'rrs, are really our creatures, having
only delegated power to do our
work for us? The theory Of our
government Is that the people rule
through their servants. Now let as
recognize the plain fact that we are
Christian people, and an education
entirely divorced from all religious
influences IS turthest possible from
our desire. We wish the sweet
spirit of the gospel Of Christ to
reign more, not less, in our schools.
In Christian homes the true basis OF
our national prosperity, the idea OF
goddess education would be most an.
welcome.
II it be said that the state does not
thereby represent tho peoples will,
be that will right or wrong, We grant
II; but this plea will not help the sec.
ular theory. Fer ii we speak Of. tue
rest, it must be in the words Of Holy
Writ. The powers that be are or
daincd OF God. Here indeed We
find one OF the we,ghtlest arguments
for religion in education. Law and
government do not exist by mere
civil compact. They trace thei- orr.
gin to the Supreme Ruler of nations
and men, and derive their authority
from Him. Not without Significance
is the tact that the great law givers
OF antiquity claimed divine authori.
~ for their edicts. The very idea Of
duty as dis,,nc: from mere expedi.
ency, is religious idea. Our obliga.
,ions to the state are founded ih our
oblirations 10 God. Whosoeyer
resisteth the power, resiste,h the or.
dinance Of God" Our governments
cannot afford to let this religious
idea Of obligation die on, among men.
Society will not DO safe when men,
educated or uneducatcd, cease 10
hear tho sacred voice of duty.
The wisest statesmen, whether
protessedly obcJient to religion or
not, have confessed that religion is
the safeguard Of the state. Hear but
one. Daniel Webster, when he says,
ut we and our postcri,y shall be
true to tho Christian rcligion-if We
and they shall live in the fear of God
and shall respect his commandments,
it we and they shall maintain just
moral sentiments, and such conscien.
tious convictions OF duty as shall
control the heart and life, we may
have the highest hopes OF the future
fortunes Of our country. But II we
and our posterity neglect religious
institutions and authority, violate the
rules Of eternal justice, tritle with
injunctions Of morality, no man can
tell how sudden a catastrophe may
ovcrwhelm us that shall bury all our
glory in profound obscurity."
The peculiar history Of our nation
adds special cmplasls to This dec,a ara
ton. 1t owes it's planting, its growth
its present prosperity to prayers and
a prayer-hea,ing God. When, few
years ago, our national existence was
imperiled, men instuitively felt that
the foundations Of a stable govern.
ment are fixed in God 1t Is not too
much TO say that faith in God kept
the vessel Of state from utter ship
wreck. Shall we dare in view Of
their experiences to give our citizens
Goddess education
God is recognized in our national
assemblies Prayerto Him open. each
days session IN our national and
state Legislatures. Our President
and Governors annually invite Us to
set apart one day for Thanksgiving TO
God as the Supreme Ruler OF pations
and men. Why should our cchools
alone fail TO recognize God? Unless
history and the, opinions Of our
wisest statesmen are greatly at fault,
tho recognition of God and Christ
are erninent!y proper in our national
affairs. Should NOT our children be-
trained to practice 50 beneficial p
Let it not be urged that the childish
mind cannot receive religious ideas.
Religious truth has peculiar adapta-
tions to tie spirit Of childhood. II
children are SO taught what they will
nced to know and practice when
they grow up, what more practical
than these religious duties that lie at
the foundation of good citizenship
Why should the state forbid that
the names Of God and Christ be
spoken to her children, when her
life depends SO much on faith in