The Russellville Democrat., 1878-03-28
sEducatiOn'-Un Secular
 and Compulsory.

confined to the higher classes, and principally to the monks. After centuries of groping in darkness, the world suddenly awoke. The strong light of education suddenly illumi- hated the world. This light made Luther possible, Melancthon think and Calvin work. The Catholic world was astounded. They heard Luther laundering at the gates of the eternal city of Rome. They saw him leading an army, one which threatened to destroy the old estab- lished faith, that had for years held the world bound in the shackles of ignorance and superstition.
 But that cunning Jesuit, Ignatious Loyola, who was sent by the Catholic church to hold Luther in check, sue ceeded in outwitting him, and by his strategy overcame every obstacle, and placed Rome once more secure in her position as dictator for Flu rope. The torch which in the hands of Martin Luther promised to light Europe, was snatched from his grasp and shut up in Rome and the Inks of light, of wblch it was composed were by that church forg- ed into letters to bind more securely the masses, which It was the policy of the church to keep in subjection. The fifteenth century was the wit ness of a desperate game between the Church and the State. The mas tery of the human race was to be lost or won. The crisis was nomen- tous and the Jesults won the game. The light of intellect once more pal ed and faded and seemed lost under the shadow of superstition.
 A century of this passed over the land, which remained fast bound un- der the letters forged by the church, and which the State did not neglect to fasten on the helpless mind of the masses. The sixteenth century saw the light lost by Luther regained, and beat back the Knight of the Jes- uits. This light sprang not from the church, but from the world. Educa tion began under the fostering care of the German Univeroities, and in a short time such an interest was awakened, thta people focked from all over the globe to attend school in that coun try. In short tune Germany awoke to find her churches empty and her colleges full. The church was alarmed and put forth every exer- tion to regain her lost power, and re- establish her tottering government, and with the co-opperation of the State succeeded to considerable ex- tent in forcing her theology into the schools. This constant interference of the church does more to retard the advancement of education in this world than all other disadvantages oo,ob;nal rTka;r rula caa,po r., ha that, when science is found to be in opposition to theology then science musi be prohibited, and although the protestant church affects to hate the Jcsuits, It still clings to it's meth od of opposing the advancement of science.
 It may safely be said, that in every Church no matter what lis denomination, from Constantinople to San Francisco, there may be found the necessary material for making Jesuit. The arrival of Bismark Tn Germany's political are ma in 1S4S, marked a new era in the method of education, and though still somewhat faulty in system, edu- cation has at last surmounted the obstacles placed in its way by the church, and bids fair, at the present time, to ere long sever entirely it's connection with that organization. It is truly said, that the past is the parent of the present. Admitting that, let us avail oursel es of all the side-light which history affords us in our task of severing education from all the tramelling influences of the church. In this century anoth- CT spirit has come to life, new tone vibrates, and liberty, equality, and fraternity-those terms that for ages the world has tried to utter are fast approaching consummation. Ed ucation, whose struggles have for three years shaken Europe to it's foundation, now constitutes the spec tre that will not down at the bidding of crowned heads or churches, and