The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-22
TILE METHoDIsT MINISTER'S.

THR RELATIONS or CIVIL GOVERNMENT TO RE-
DEMONSTRATIONS EXPOSED.
The Rev. ~ $. Terry read an essay yesterday,
before the Methodist preachers. On the relation or
ciyn governments to religion. Tue essay vas
called forth by certain false principles and no
tions, as Nj. Terry believed, put orth BY speak
era In the discussion on the Bible and school ques-
lions during the past few weeks ne pointed out
she distinction that should re made between reli-
Rton and morality, and exposed the fallacy OF con-
founding Christianity with eccieslastclsm upon
WHICH assumptions the arguments or hts brethren
had been based. lie gathered his remarks around
Elk centf4l ideas as these had been
expressed BY his brethren. l. they in
sisted that religion and morality should be
divorced, AID that wnne morality might be taught
In the SCHOOLS. while IL had an entity Of It's own,
where, ne asked, had we any system OF morals
aside from religion The ultimate source OF ali
morality Is enc Word OF God. Wnere he asked is
there anY morally that has not its root In the
Decalogus 10 this Is the ultimate appeal or ali
true morallsts made. 2. The second fallacy
81 that the state should be neutral in religion.
The religious opinions OF every man, ne admitted.
should he protecsed BY the state. The Bible de-
clares that the powers that be are ordained or
Coo and the civil magistrate bearetn not tho
sword n vain, but Is The minister u Cod 70 exc
cute justice, anu Is ia that administration = ter
Tor 70 eynaoer5 md praise - tAcm tnAt " We'll
God has maue
nUNtN EArUEE AND SOCIETY
20 that some loI "A u government must be had.
No nation or people have been found wh0 canid
live wfthou some sorm III government MIR Terry
oGauos Tue luNNtl0us and powers oil civil govern
ment ovcr matters hat rslale 70 every phase or
human lio 1n4 L. questions ~ life anu death ana
OF properly AFTER death, ahd then showed
now absurd II was 20 compare the State
road corporation anu 90 AK that government
posses ing sacA power snail DC as neutral in
religion as tieY. Al tie state can PUNISH crime,
may IL no also take measures 10 prevent criule
,. The tnifN proposition Is that the civil govern
ment u mighty moral power ana educator May
not, lie asked, the President travelling on Sunday
o. Congress holding session on mat day do more
evi than a thousand sermons that ministers
preach VIII DO gOOdf 4 Inat our government
puts Christianity on the same level with all other
religious. Tnis ialacy Dir. Terry coniuted most
vigorously. he maintained that Christianity u
the basis 0 our government IL Is q part OF the
common law OF tue land as declared by Chancellor
Kent, judge story, Daniel Webster ana others.
All our laws are essentially Christian, ana the
government has again ana again practically dis
crimlnated in Isvor OF ChristiabIIy. s. the
assumption that Tor the state 10 accept aud
enforce Inc CHRISTIAN code OF morals Ia 10 inter.
fere wtn the rights Of conscience AZ ABSURD No
State can be FOUND that has not code OF morals.
our GovEEsSBEr Is CHRISTIAN.
and 10 allows the fullest liberty 10 every form OF
religion 80 long as IL does not innlct injury on
aud interiere with others But it says, IN encct
the ony religion Il deems SAFE for moral order is
ChrlAtlanits. All others are proscupuyc. 0. The
use or the Bible Ia the SCHOOLS, Mr. Terry main
kallCo rs pelectly Consistent Win the principles
laid down. Bible reading Is not enforced and does
not call for any SPECIAL legislation.
Dr. HoldCh made y iew remarks con1rmato-y OF
the position taken BY air. Terry mr. Morenouse
wanted 70 correct an Impression that nad gone
abroad and that he had seen expressed n the
HERALD, that tue Methodist ministers wanted sne
Bible out OF the schools. Dr. ketten defended
himself against his supposed position OF being
favorable " the exclusion OF the Bible. II = aay0-
Gated this measure Oniy Tor c0usstcncy's sake,
and because tt would give CatnoAcR no Iufther
ground OF complaint against toe pubic schools
anu ne iurtLor plea Tor au Tor thelr own seCgartan
schools. But lit. Terry showed MIN that Catholics
would not 10 satisfied wltn mat, ana that II they
had the power they would make toe United states
Ike SPAN, ltaiy. Mexico ana SCUM America.