The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-13
CHURCH AND STATE.


DIR. JACOB S. sH1PMAN CONDEMNS THE GRANT
ING OF SPECIAL IMMUNITIEs TO RELIGIOUS
CORPORATIONS.
The Rev. Dr. Jacob s. Shipman the rector of Christ
Church, delivered last evening before his congrega-
ton lecture "Church and State He began by
quoting the saying of Christ-"My kingdom is not
of this world" 1t is strange but true said DR.. Ship
man, that more than seventeen centuries to
pass away before any of the nations of the earth
should give to this principle its full and practical
recognition.
The legislation of this country from the beginning
of national existence has been directed by it, and
find it embodied in the constitution OF the United
States. One national church cannot have, but
there is nothing in the federal constitution to prevent
our having established church in each of
States As matter of fact. however, the constitutions
of the States agree with remarkable unanmty in for
bidding any legislation looking to the establishment
compulsory support of any religion whatever The
constitution of each State guarantees absolute toer
ation but absolute liberation is not all that
we want We want absolute equality. In the
great majority of States have this, but
in New Hampshire, North Carolina. South Carolina
Mississippi, Tennessee. Delaware and Maryland the
constitutions contain provisions which discriminate
either in favor Of religion or against it. These
ceptona instances point to possible danger which
may be met, and believe and hope will be, by
some amendment to the federal constitution ex-
Guiding the subject of religion from the legislation
not only of Congress but also of the States Let the
principle be but once admitted that the State may
under some circumstances lend its support to a re-
lgion, and there is no telling what in time the result
may be.
THE QUESTION NEW YORK
This principle is now stealthy seeking recognition
and-notably in New York-has been recognized
by those who control political affairs. aude to the
well known efforts which are being made to propa
gate religion by means of State funds raised for the
support Of the common schools The Romansts
the Bible out Of the schools. Whether they
right kns version tho the prdas
tants certainly wrong and only wrong in
claiming legal right to have the Bible read as re-
gious book at all In emitting to teach religion the
that branch of education where it probably belongs
in the family and the church.
With this, however, the Romanist is not satisfied
He cannot conscientiously send his children to
schools where the Protestant religion is taught
to those where religion is taught. He feels bound
to send them to schools controlled by the priesthood
of his own Church, and this he has undoubted
be supported in whole or in part from the common
school fund of the State, he demands more than
Justly be yielded II he ask simply that the
the school fund in taxes even
that cannot justly be yielded. The State provides
public schools, not simply favor to the people,
but for her own protection. We are not taxed simply
for the education OF our own chi]dren are taxed
for the education of the children of State. Every
shares in the common benefits which accrue
from the general intelligence OF its people, and every
one ought to pay for it..
CONSTITUTION.
The Romanist is not alone in using the word "god-
less" to stigmatize things not in themselves I'M
godly With the Professionals the whole world is god
less, because the name of God is not mentioned in
the federal constitution. The speaker went the
familiar arguments which demonstrate the absurlity
and of the remedy for this deficiency
which is proposed by the Purtans. He proved upon
legal authorities and by logical statement that the
State could not be viewed in the light of moral
person. Therefore confession of faith by the State
could not rebound to the honor of Goa.
In reference to the exemption of church property
from taxation DIR. Shipman said the value of such
property i'll this country is now about O0.O00,00O
and will in few years amount to S3,OD0O00OO0. lie
eschewed all discussion of the policy of taxing this
property The only question that he considered
rs such exemption rght?" The general theory of
taxation is that that which is protected by govern
ment may justly be compelled to help maintain it,
Government protects the property of corporations as
well as that of individuals Where no union exists
between Church and State the whole duty of the
State in the matter of religion is confined to
mere protection. When it goes beyond this and I'M
dertakes the work of promotion II passes out of its
natural and proper sphere. 1t might, with Just
much justice. make direct appropriation tor the
support of religion to exempt religious bodies from
taxation The effect of the exemption is to increase
the of taxation all other property. The State
loses nothing. but the people have to- pay for it,
would like to all church property throughout
this land taxed to the last dollars WORTH not merely
matter of justice, but in the interest of religion
itself. The effect of anything like compusion
in the matter of religion is to engender prejudice
against it. The Church cannot surrender her proud
position of being kingdom not OF this world with
suffering for it in the blight of her spiritual liie
The churches may tight this question. but
later the battle will go against them, and their
treat fear, Will be not only with denied armor. but
with banners soiled. Dr. Shipman refued at length
the arguments that Church and State were not
tirely separate the States and closed by defining
the reciprocal positions which they should hold
toward each other.