New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-13
Observation-Disclosures.
KEEP THE BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.


IT IS NEEDED THERE MORE THAN AT hoAE'
To the Editor Of The TRIBUNE.
SIR: The subject Of the Bible in our common
schools has been made question that has been banded
about AS though IL wero football for every pNy Sect
and creed think tie time has now come II ~ has not
already passed when the TRUTH the fact and the la"
should b. put before the people az they are When see
the Rev. Henry Ward Beecer strike AZ the Bible In the
schools as he did In his Thanksgiving sormon In
Plymouth Church. think II Is time for people to pause
and consider whittier they drifting
First the question OF the right and the p'opre,y OF
reading the Bible in the common schools was settled 40
far as could be by law May 49, 1889. and from that
day the present time the decision OF the question ma
then made has been modified. OverrJed or re-
versed Tho Law then settled and as II exists Is:
Tbats teacher may open and close the school with
reading Scriptures and but thus exercise may
not performed within hours designated for or apIro
psted to school exercscs II this duty or privilege II
exercised Ivy the teacher It must be performed before
and after the proper hours for schoo exercises Neither
may teacher compel scholar to attend either 70
come In remain during the exercises. Nor may any
abo ar interrupt these exercises scholar chooses to
60 schOOroom during these exercises. he must
obserye proper order and III he chooses to re-
main OF the schooroom during religious exerciscs
ho may not by any means interrupt or disturb those
exercises.
This hos been the law OF the State OF New-fork over 30
years, and have neither expectation Dor fear that
shalt the law changed as to abridge or 70
strict the privileges OF the teachers the eOmmon
schools.
The expcieuoe OF all mankind has demonstrated the
necessity of high moral ard religious culture in higher
Institutions Of learning This experience In n OLD as i1e
institutions themselves. Now nil will concede tho neces
sity proper aud solid foundation IN order II SECURE
the safety and pcrpetuity OF the supeFstrcture And
the that education orns the common mind IA
los hon II nrsfvy nj
Of the world is proof fact that the highest moral
culture that las been attained is that which has
derived from the knowledge and teachings of the
Holy Scriptures And the highest moral culture IN the
higher institutions o. learning has only been attained by
the knowledge and TEACHINGS of tie Bible. IL must be
conceded by all that Ii is In the con u0n scho, the
real foundation of character is laid and il mrs. also
hc conceded that in the common school presented the
most favorable opportunity ing the proper ana
most solid foundation for future character And when
these concessions are made the conviction OF tine im
pOrtance OF the highest moral culture atalnhDe IN Our
common schools must force itself upon every mind
IL viii doubtless be said by besides Mr. Beecher
that we must depend upon home and other influences
outsde OF and away from the common school for the
moral culture OF the pupils therein In reply 10 this,
speak from experience and observation, and say en-
phacay. Here III the pubic school is the first real
conflict with the outside world into which the child IL
brought; end ex eIicnce establishes the fact that right
here the child needs the strongest moral influences
around H. II common does not experience does
teach e that in the public schools the child needs
stronger moral influences around il Than al home for the
Reason that at home children are free from many de-
InpraZirg and communicating influences to which they
are rNpoScd At achoo Experience will demonstrate TIE
tact at tic reading Of tine Holy scriptures aud appro
c pilIcrs are essential 10 the cultivation and proper
Development OF correct moral sentiment In the public
schools and without That sentiment aud culture have
no h-sitaiiOn ia saying tnat II cannot lie obtained.
Washn.tOn, f. his farewell address 10 TIE American
people said: III IL only by the universal diffusion oi
knuwll g among the That We can hope IL p'i-
urtnste th0sa glorious institutions compelled to
admit the Importance of disseminating the true EowI-
edge Of God with knowledge Of science and literature
aud at and the accomplishment 81 this desirable end.
regard sable che Bbie IN te Puolie schools
Syrdcuss. Doe ., 1870. j, D.