The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-05-27
the BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.
Rev. 2. A. Bragdon at the Min
isters' Meeting.

Yesterday morning at full meeting of the
Methodist ministers, held in the vestry of
Chestnut street church, Rev. d. b. Randall
presiding, Rev. f. A. Brageon read the fol-
lowing paper:
When the Pilgrim Fathers in
their flight from the odious tyrannies of
Europe came to settle In the unknown wilds
of America, they brought with them love
for the Bible and a love for intelligence.
These principles led them TO establish
schools for the promotion Of intelligence and
piety. The earliest common or public
schools in America were established In Bos-
ton. Dorchester, Salem. Hartford and other
Of the older settlements.
Previous to this. however, schools had
been sustained by voluntary organizations
formed for that purpose. The public school
system Of this republic has been so extended
that 1t is now operative in every state Of the
Union.
Little did the citizens of 1912 and 1647, who
were first to organize and sustain public
schools, and by law provide for their con-
tinuance think that in the years to come, in
the very cities Of their origin, common
schools would be most violently assailed, ,and
that the ground, upon which they would be
assaied, would be because the Bible Is read
IN them and the Lords prayer is repeated in
them.
We. the citizens of 1890, are face to face in
conflict with the enemies OF our free insti-
tuti0ns.
From across the water, the Roman hierar-
chy with its old world mOnarchical theories
and with its inability to tolerate the free in
stitutions OF this republic has presumed to
issue Its edict against the common schools.
1t is well that an organization has recently
been formed in the city of New York to Sc
cure constitutional and legislative safe
guards for the protection of our common
school system, and other American institu-
tions, and to promote public instruction aud
to prevent sectarian or UNCONVENTIONAL ap-
preparation of public funds. This organiZa-
ti0n is called "The National League for the
Protection Of American Institutions"
The Roman hierarchy claims that the state
has nothing to do with education, and there
fore that there ought to be no public schools
under the care Of the state.
1t says that the church (meaning Of course
the Roman church only Is charged with the
duty Of education, and that schools other
than those under her care are Of the devil
and ought to be destroyed.
But what Is the record Of the Roman Cath
ole church in regard to education? Has
she faithfully performed her duty in this
matter?
Let Italy answer with her Ignorant popu-
lation, or Spain, or France, or Mexico. If
there are any countries more cursed with ig-
norant masses OF people than these we have
| failed to learn OF them.
No. The Roman hierarchy does not be-
lieve in the education Of the masses. 1t edu-
| Gates only when 1t Is necessary to do so to
keep its children in the Roman church. Its
| onlyoblect in educating is to make Roman
lists. Where there Is no danger of loss
because of another kind Of education
| 1t gives education but little space unless we
may call the learning Of its catechism and
| the performance Of its religious rites educa-
| tion. Why does the Roman hierarchy oppose
| putting the Bible In the hands Uf the people
Why Is It 80 bitterly opposed to the reading
| OF the Bible in our public schools?
Because that book is the greatest enemy Of
Romanism. No one can habitually read 1t
and not learn It's antagonism to & R9we lee 1.-The The
and who mingle with the children OF Protes
tants in class recitations, on playground an(
in the friendship of social life will not bt
very likely to become Roman Catholics.
That is why the Roman hierarchy is op.
posed to the common schools and why In
| this country they force their church men,
bers to send their children to the parOchial
schools and to expend vast sums Of money
| In establishing their church schools.
Without the Bible In the common schools,
they (the. schoolsl would be just as objec-
tionable to the Romish priesthood as they
now are with the Bible. What shall we do
| in reference to their demand that the Bible
be excluded from the schools? 1t is Of the
greatest importance that our public school
/ system shall be kept free from all sectaran
interpretations Of the Bible; but the Bible
itself Is not sectarian book. 1t is the
source Of all our doctrines, and all sects
alike profess to draw their doctrines from
the Bible. Is not this proof that the Bible
| Is not sectarian work? 1t Is the grandest
book, Of ethics the world has ever seen. 1t
should be taught in our schools as the text
book of morals. This. can be done,
Bible that is peculiar to a sect
be so much as mentioned in the school. Is
1t crime to pray in a school for the bless
ing OF God upon teachers and pupils?" Is il
| sectarian to repeat the Lords Prayer? Let
us. while maintaining the freedom of our
| schools from all sectarian teaching demand
that the Bible be retained in all the public
| schools Of this land. The state has a right
to educate its children; and it has right
| to Interfere II In any school Of any organiza-
tion the education is not of that nature
| which will cause its pupils to become loyal
| and intelligent citizens of the state. The
state has right to preserve its own ex-
istence.. If any one does not like our free
institutions let them withdraw from our
free land. They are not needed here. But
| let them, IL they remain beware how they
strike at our liberties.
The paper was discussed by Rev. Messrs.
| Clymer, Jones, Collins. Corey and Randall.
Mr.. Clymer thought that the Bible in the
schools was attacked by the Catholics be-
cause 1t was a question of self defence.
They found the young lrish-Americans get
ting out from ithelr hold, and II the church
would live it must kill gthe public school
That was what was aimed at. Drop the Bi-
BILE in the schools and something else would
take its place. Mr.. Jones agreed with Mr..
| Clymer. and Mr.. Collins quoted largely from
DR.. Dorchester In support of that opinion.
Mr.. Corey thought it was the Catholic HE
rarchy, not the rank and file of the Catholics
that were opposed to the Bible in the schools