The New York herald., 1878-03-05
THE BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.

MEETING OF TIE ORDER OF THE AMERICAN
uNIoN-INTERFERENcE WITH THE SCHOOL
SYSTEM DENOUNCED.
A public meeting was held last evening at the
Cooper Institute under the auspices Of ofthe
American Union, In opposition, the OF admis-
SION stated, 'to politico- influence and in
favor OF mai naining our public school systsm The
chairman, Rev. Mr.. Teal, said that as he had been
unexpectedly called upon to preside, he had only 10
say that he for ns countryall tho time, right or
wrong but he hoped she would be right Tor all time.
lie was Methodist minister and ready, and he hoped
his audience also was, meet the foo OF tree public
education ON American soil anywhere and everywhere
aud IN whatever guise he presented himsolL
After some vocal and instrumental music Rev. w.
c. steele, OF Brooklyn, introduced, and said they
were there tonight to represent an organization that
had the protection OF the dearest interests Of the
American nation at neart Some were Of opinion
that everything connected with the institutions
%ny ssy this The
OF the American Union permeated the whole Union
and numbered US many members as the populations
OF Now York and Brooklyn. "Thc foremost ques-
ton" he said, "0t all Is, Shall we have common
school system with the Bible In or Bible out And
leving 1t TO be more important than any
question row before either OF the contending
40 ,n. r Of ss Ss
the foundation OF American freedom, then we shall
have little freedom loIt u.s." He thought the
reason why tho Commonwealth has not been
u iaure is because of the presence Of the
Word Of God In our schools Father Hecker
OF the Bible from the schools would prove tho grave
of Pr0testantism, but Rome makes her greatest IN s
take when she seeks, as sue mas done, sd from the
government The more abe does Of that the moro the
eyes OF the American people arc opened 10 her pur.
10 crush her attempts IN the direction she Is aim
ing AL
Tho speaker here read the following confidential
communication addressed to citizens whom It ID
sought TO onroll In the Order:-
CONFIDENTIAL
DEAR SR-In view of the noierant persistent, aggres
efforts OF Romaniss, their avowed determination
roy our civil and rsiso liberty 70 submit to
l. Are you Protestant principle from choice
and maintaining the government OF the United States
s. DO you regard Romanism as the enemy Of civil aud
religious liberty Answer
point civil political military office In this country
9ws % to the Pope OF h0mo and who
o. Are in favor Of maintaining the principles OF
Are opposed to all attempts tue public fund,
for any sectarsn purpose whnteyeri Ans|er-
patriots who best qusGed 10 fill the positions regard
Are you wiing to be governed by these PRINCIPLES In
your iuturo political pis actions Answsr- ,
prneples aud henceorth devote Yourself your fortune
sacred honor To the
Of civil and religious liberty and this great American
Union Answer
To- Can yu upon your sacred honor without equivoca
ton mental reservations xnswer all these questions In
the Affirmative 7 Answer--
H. you furnish the names, ape residences
cupatious OF who are Wiling to become organized and
II desirous of obtaining urther information
tho subject referred to in and please
cuar.
Please consider this circular its contents and its
strictly private and confidential.
tSignod) -
Mr.. Dexter A. Hawkins spoke next and dwelt upon
the importance Of compulsory education and ded
dcnuunce the attempts made to suppabt the Bible
IN the pubic schools Alter some further remarks
and some music the meeting adjourned