Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-11-18
THE BIBLE IN TUE SCHOOLS.
A School>Teacher Pu I'll Out
a Catholic Priest.M Arthur
Days Experience as a
Teacher in the Public
School of Newton. Conu.

oiic population, aud though the potestant'
are slightly in The mliority, they ar,
chiefly old settlers, and of the forty>sever
children attending school thirty are Cath
olics. About two years ago the Rev
Father MeCartin went from New Haven
to Newton, aud there found a Catholic
teacher taking charge Of the school. Tha,
was satisfactory to Father McCartin
Monday, October IL, was tho FIRST day
OF the current term, and Mr.. Arthur
Day. Jr., son Of a New Haven Minister,
took charge of the school,. On Wedne
day, October Is, the schOolbeil rang a,
the usual hour and after the children had
assembled, Father McCartin entered and
saluted Mr.. Day. The teacher invited
him to take his seat, but the clergyman
declined, and sat down among the
children. Mr.. Day read = portion Of tn,
Scriptures and was about to begin the
repetition Of the Lords prayer, but
Father McCaItin interrupted him to ask
by what authority he read the Bible
in a public school.
Mr.. Day replied that be was author,
lied by the Board of education to open
the school as he had done, and the priest
said there was no law to support him in
such a course. Hot words followed, and
MIR. Day says that Father McCartin
called him a liar twice, Finally the
clergyman addressed himself to the
Roman Catholic children. aud desired
them to pay no attention to the Scrip.
lures if the teachers sh ,uld read them in
future, but to 60 on with their Studies,
adding that if Mr.. Day should punish
them he would expect them to complain
to him. He then went out, and Mr. Day
followed him to the door and told him
he was master Of the school, aud intend
ed to cary it out as he had been author,
led to do, and would not permit any 10,
terfereuce. If Father McCartiu inter.
rupted the opening services again, he said
he would put him out by force If naces.
sary.
The clergyman replied contemrtuously,
aud MIR. Day, going back to his desk,
repeated the Lords Prayer, as usual.
Later in the day be spoke to members
OF the Board Of Education and several
other influential men of the district, and
was encouraged to read the Scriptures
and repeat the Lords Prayer on opening
school. In the evening he called upon
Father AlcCartin aud told him what had
been said in relation to the reading OF
the Bible. The father, Mr.. Day says,
seemed to acquiescc. and said he would
not interfere again. There was no
futher trouble that week, and on Saturday
October l6, the Board Of Education
passed the FLOWING.
Resolved, That it is perfectly proper
for any teacher of o public ,Iu this
town to open schoO! by reading the Bible
without note or comment. aud to preserve
order while exercising such right. Any
,nterfsrOpce Herewith would be an in.
t~rusion.
On Friday, October %, when Mr.. Day
was about to open school, he NOTICED that
the shutters had been opened In the
night by cutting away the fastenings, and
that his Bible had been stolen from his
desk. lie sent to his house. procured an
other book, and read a portion of Scrip.
ture as usual. That evening the leaves Ct
the stolen Bible Were found scattered
along the road near bis house.
On Monday last a climax was reached
When Mr.. Day arrived at the school
house he noticed that the children in the
play ground were not playing together as
usual. The Catholics had separated from
the Protestants and we're playing alone.
When they en- tered the school. house the
former at once began to study, paying
no attention to the Scripture which Mr..
Day was reading. The teacher desired
them to lay ssids their book, and they
asked leave to withdraw. Mr.. Day told
them they could 60 il they wished. but
that all who remained must attend 10 the
opening services. All the Catholic
children then went out. and the school
was opened in the ordinary way.
Soon afterwards Father McCartin en-.
tered with the Catholic children. Alter
they had taken their seats be told them.
as before. that when the Bible was read in
their hearing. they must pay no attention
to 1t. but 60 on with their studies. Mr..
Day said be would not ALLOW any nan to
interfere with bis conduct Of tbs school.
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