Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-29
SWINTON'S HISTORY
FINALLY REJECTED BY THB BOSTON
SCHOOL BOARD.
The Decision Of q Question Which Provoked q Con-
tovssy Between the Oitzans Of Wheeling
The Ground Of the School
Committees Action.

Those of the REGISTERS readers who
are acquainted with the controversy, late
ly waged in its columns, in regard to the
action of the Boston school board in
striking Swinton's History from the list of
text books on account of alleged misrepre-
senation Of the Roman Catholic doctrine of
indulgcnces, will be interested in the fol-
lowing. 1t is an abstract of the proceed
ipgs Of the last meeting of the school
board, published in the Boston Herald Of
the 26th inst, and finally settles the ques;
ton at issue, go far as the history is con-
cerned:
Or. Blake, for the committee on text
books, reported that Addison's New Gem
ersl History be authorized for use as
textbook in the high scools, provided that
satisfactory terms can be made by the
committee on supplies. The order was
laid on the table.
DR.. Duryea, for the committee on text
books offered the following report and
order:
In making their report on the petition Of
the Evangelical Alliance of the city of
Boston, asking that Swinton's Outlines of
the Worlds History be restored to the list
of textbooks to be used in the schools, the
committee deem 1t proper to make the fol-
lowing statement
On May 8, 1888, Rev. Theodore A. Met
calf, rector of Gate Of Heaven Church,
South Boe ton, made complaint to this
board that Charles B. Travis, of the Eog-
lish High School, in the course Of his in
structions in history, had made incorrect
statements concerning the doctrine and
practice of indulgences as maintained by
the Catholic Church, and asked for rem.
edy.
The request was referred to the Commit
tee on High Schools. This committee
found, on investigation, that the complaint
was well grounded, inasmuch as the state
ments made by Mr.. Travis were such as
had been described, and resolved to apply
remedy.
Meanwhile, members of the high school
committee called the attention Of this COM
mittee to the statements of the author Of
textbook upon the subject of indulgencee.
These are contained in paragraph of the
taxt, and a note at the bottom of the page.
This note is indefinite. 1t should have
been omitted, or made explicit. 1t is mis-
leading. In q text book, which is an out
line, guide to the teacher and pupil,
every statement should be clear, definite
and accurate, for the teacher is entitled to
take il as it is, if he be disposed, as con-
tanning warrant of his exposition, ex.
panding and illustrating from his memory
according to his impressions or opinions,
inasmuch as the book in his hands ia by
the authority of the board. In the present
instance the teacher appears to have done
this, and to have taught that an indulg-
ence ''is a permission to commit sin."
This is not and never was true. Il is true
that it has been 80 represented, as the note
affirms but it should add, when, where
and by wtom. and definitely. 1t certain
ly never was by any duly recognized au-
thority in the Catholic Church.
The attention Of the agent of the pub
fishers was called 20 the defective charac-
ter of the note. The committee is credi-
bly, informed that the publishers them.
selves were advised by Protestant
scholar, than whom, perhaps, no other in
this country has more weight Of authority
that the note could not be approved as
sufficiently explicit. More than year
ago the school board of neighboripg city
asked that it might be amended. Ample
opportunity was given for promise or &C.
ion insuring a correction. This failing,
the committee recommended that the book
be dropped from the list. The board 80
ordered.
Itsbould be unnecessary f0i the commit.
tee to add that they acted in this matter
carefully, in view Of the facts presented
and the interests involved, deliberately
according to their own Judgment, and in
the exercise Of their free will, without
solicitation, persuasion, dictation or intim-
idation from any person. SO far as they
are able, it i, their purpose to provide
that whatever is taught in the schools shall
be true, and that the spirit of the teaching
shall be fair and Just 10 all classes Of the
people whose children are entrusted to
their care.
The board has been asked, by petition
from members of the Evangelical Alliance,
to reverse its decision and restore the book
to the list. By reference this request has
been considered by the committee, and q
hearing has been given ID the representa-
tives of the Evangelical Alliance. In the
Judgment OF the committee, no reasons
have been presented, which should deter
mine the hoard 10 change it's action.
The reasons assigned are as follows:
/. "The book has in its favor
10 years of public indorsement and use. 1t
has had long and honorable tenure OF our
public schools'
To retain books in the schools on this
ground would be to resist all improvement
in the quality of textbooks and deprive
the pupils OF the bsnefit Of progress in the
provision of new matter and better forms
Of instruction.
2. 1.-The paragraph and foot note, on &C.
count of which the book has beeM rejected,
contain true statement of history"
They do not contain an ample and
definite statement Of the topic concerning
which complaint has been Justly made, to
the effect that it was incorrectly taught.
3. "The book elected is upon the ex-
purgatory list of books Of certain relig-
ions sect"
The committee were not aware Of this
fact; it did not enter into the grounds or
affect the motives Of their action.
Quoted from Instructions to Catho-
lies, +" by Rev. Xavier Donald Macleod,
Boeton; Murphy Mccarthy.
"By an indulgence is meant the remis-
sion Of the temporal punishment due to
sins already forgiven. Every sin, how
ever grievous, isremitted in the sacrament OF
psnance, or by an act Of perfect contrition,
as regards its guilt and the eternal punish.
ment due it. But the debt Of temporal
punishment is not always remitted st the
same time. The latter is done away with
deep penitence, or by works Of satisfsction,
q. e., prayers, aims, fastings, etc, or BY
l. IL k~nrh1no ov.A a.