, 1876-03-05

! To tie E:i:or of Tie cAtea1o TRIBUTE:
CHICAGO. March 4.-1lr. Eonues insists that
because the ordinance Of 1857, which was rattie
by the people Of this State on its admission int
tire Union, provides that "sclools and tn
means Of education shall forever be encouraged
with tho view Of promoting religion. mora!ity
and knowledge" aud, consequently, ''goot
Government and the happiness OF mankind" i
necessarily follows that the same textbook:
must for all time be useu aud that, because q
ti,at time, in order to advance religion. the Prot
eataut bible WAS read in the public schools with
out comment religion and morality caa only bt
advanced in TINT identical way. Tnis theory al
ones does away with tho assurance TIL:
ago has felt in the proposition that :
general education and knowledge OF the
scieuces and laws Of God as seen in
His works. promote civilization, morality, and
religion. Admitting, however, that ali these
give the child knowledge, aod the Bible alone
morality and religion, mar it not yet DO 1ues-
tiou whether Or not tho trainers OF that otdi-
nauce In the language "schools and the means
OF education should Ee fore;er encouraged, y did
not intend that tue Church as the other ~ 1ncaus
OF education " Should also be encouraged to
follow tho school With this branch. the religion.
education, based alone upoa the Mble, with OF
without comment. as would ooat please tho
learner. or upon the Bible and every other Word
OF God within tho scope OF the teachcr? Then
nance is carried out. Ihs State may encourage
tho public schools for general education, and
encourage churches for the promotion OF re-
ligion, and may I add families for the promo
tion of both? In the Church Brother Eouney
may have bis morals aud his religion taught b1
authority, and may l suggest whether under
the ordinance Of 1787 or bv authority of Proph-
cts and apostles, will make lttlo difference to
him.
whose untutorod mind
Secs God IN clouds or hears nim in the wind
At the tino Of the adoption OF this ordinance,
tho urchins Of this State learned to parse by
authority Of Kirkham. and Eos their ~ Rule Of
Three - III DabolL Both Of tleae books have
siven way to ,nodern improvements. Possibly
many children at that time. for their religious
training at school, had read to them chapters Of
our Bible. Is it not just possible, admitting the
necessity Of thia religious training in schools,
thas tho student would learn quite as much about
tho religion which Jesus Taught" BY having real
to him from Prof. Swings Truths for To-
day"f It, in changing k1Ekham aad Doban
for moderu Textbooks We do not dis
pense With grammar and mathematics,
need NC, in changing our reading frou ths Bible
to modern book, necessarily adopt . religion
Or a morality different from that taught and
lived by Jesus, "Love to God !; love and service
to man?" Tho Bible it is true, contains this
truth about morals, and words OF Jesus about re-
lieiou. Il contains, also. much other reading
not necessary to BIZ taught il a lesson on morals
or religion. And 80. may not q book contain
inc those lessons, with many more Taught by
tho Developments Of science and in tho cxpa-
rience of men eince the timo Of the writing Of
our Bible, be quite as we'll adapted to tho wants
OF the youths Of to-day unless indeed the lattor
ia exppunded BY divine rather than school
teacher?
7 think it qmte an improvement to date tho
binding authority for compelling the reading of
the hble in public schools only baok to tue year