Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-01-27

mainly of extracts from the Bible. arrang-
ed in daily readings" In copying or In
printing. the word mainly was omitted and
the omission not noticed until too late for
correction. In my statement. had in
mind the portions of the Manual used in
our school exercises. nearly all Of which
are Bible extracts" this part only having
a bearing upon what Mr.. Abbot termed
''sectarian instruction in the school room. "
| had no thought of 'mi>represening the
book or eyading charges" But a brief re-
ply was called for. rs Mr.. Abbot said 'thi,
IS not what | mainly referred to-" No,r
the discussion is sali 10 turn upon the
Manual. which i a book of scripture ex-
tracts. hymns and prayers. arranged in
daily readings by teacher. for school use
II contains many most excellent features
aud has been found to be very convenient
for teachers and pupils. because of 1t, ar
rangement of daily Bible readings ~
prayers and hymns were not desired they
were not particularly examined. but find
ing that. while some OF them contained
Objectionable matter. most of them were
excellent. for the sake of variety in the
devotional exercises. appropriate extracts
were made from them. tor occasional use
l quote few specimens -
INSPIRE our hearts with gratitude for the
opportunities which we enjoy OF acquiring an
education; snd grant that while We are gain
81. H.. D.. 4.
fulne>s in the world. we may obtain tina, high
or and better knowledge which makcth wise
unto salvation. ana shall iii Us Tor eternity.-
Bless the Young in their studies: NAV the
truths Of science and literature elevate their
minds TO the great source Of all power and
coodness-from the contemplation OF the crca-
ted may they rise 10 the Creator. and come TO
know Thee the only and true God and Jesus
Christ whom thou hast sent.
Thy goodness preserved Us during the past
night. watch over u tins day and by thy pow
er defend Us. In firm reliance on thy proyi-
dence may we ever be able 10 eNclaim, Ale
lula. for the Lord God Omuipoient reignejh.
And at last, may we b. saved with the power
OF an endless life. Amen. our Father who
art in Hesyen. &C."
The familiar hymn commencing Prayer j.
the souls SINGER. desire" also The Lord my
shepherd i, ! shall be well supplied lis
by the faith Of joys 10 come aud others Of
like character.
1t is charged that this Manual contains
more or less sectarian matter" in proof of
which Mr.. Abbot quotss from the Apos-
ties creed - two hymns sud several
prayers, matter which freely admit to be
very pronounced in it, evangelical senti-
ment, and not appropriate for use in a
school Of this kind. but Mt oHe ,rgri II ths
articles quoted has erp LseH used in the
school exercises, to my knowledge; the
same is true of other ,doctrinal material
IN some OF the prayers aud hymns. | think
that Christians generally. would make no
objections to the few hymns and prayers
used from the Manual. Tie book was in
troduced and has been used tor no sectari-
an purpose whatever. The school has been
in operation nearly nine years. and the
book has been in use less than two years,
aud during but a small portion OF this
time. has any use been made Of the pray
ers. Could book entirely free from OBJ
jjectionable language have been obtained,
We would have preferred it. A. this book
was so good in most respects. il was decid-
ed to use it, rejecting portions; but as II
. has not proved fully satisfactory, discon-
tinued its use entirely last term.
No book. not even the Bible, is accepta-
bic to all persons. and our standard hymns
have theological sentiments which all OF
US cannot adopt. Would it be liberal to
reject all such hymns: No church does it,
and should a school reject them: Prayers,
both oral and printed. will occasionally
have coloring from the authors theolog-
ical views, when there is no intention to
aud the prayers a. "sectarian:' | deny
that improperly Introduce any theolog-
zeal views into my prayers but for prop
er expression of my religious feelings.
hold myself responsible to no man. | deny
''that / have used any undue sectarian in
fluence in my management OF the school, =
trust this does not lack "directness To
this assertion the two teachers in the Nor
NAL School, educated in the Castine High
School. whom Mr.. Abbott is pleased to ex-
empt from his criticisms, give their most
emphatic Endorsement. One of these teach
ers, a member of the Methodist church.
has been connected with the school nearly
every year since its organization. as pupil
or instructor, and kmoios what she states.
The other teacher says the Normal School
is as free from sectarian influences as any
school that l ever attended in Castne.
This authority and this comparison. includ-
ing the Castlne High School in its ''best
days" should satisfy your correspondent
that the management of the Normal school
is satisfactory.
Mr.. Abbot believed the Manual 10 con-
tain more or less sectarian matter" when
he said, this is not mainly what referred
to. Sow be centers all his opposition
upon il. Why? because his other charges
utterly failed. as the force of this has failed.
While the school challenges honest in
vestigation. any unwarantable attack
upon its integrity, will only react upon its
author.
we WIN WIN, JUN hCoiS anu 'oiCc WIN
all who wish the school a more vigorous
growth. As 10 its couture and indepen-
dence OF thought" we have the testimony
of such eminent educators as Presidents
Harris and Chamberlain of Bowdoin Col
lege. that they are broader and more
marked, in proportion to the length of the
Course than the ''liberal education" of the
College, The thoroughness of the prepa-
rariOn of Normal graduates for theis great
work, must be tested by the success of the
majority of them. The teachers desire the
friendly criticism, ADVICE and cooperation
of every true educator of Maine. that the
school may fulfil its noble mission. | be-
lieve that l have very fully replied to all
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