The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-07-10
THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A Sermon by Rev. w. l.. Bray Re-
viewing the Recent Decision by
the Supreme Court of
Wisconsin.

what We do: for We judge not for
man, but for the Lord, who is with
you in the judgment. Wherefore
now let the fear of the Lord be up
on you; take heed and DO it; for
there is no iniquity with the Lord
our God. nor respect of persons, nor
taking of gifts.
This is said of Jehoshaphat, king
of Judah. He set the judgesi in their
circuits, and then reminded them of
the fact that above them, and look
ing into their decisions, was the
Judge Of all the EARTH" the Almighty
God. Jehovah was interested in
their judgments; for says the king.
you judges are in his place-judging
for him: hence "Take heed what We
do" Let His fear be in you, and
about you. Remember, "there is no
iniquity with the Lord our God, nor
respect of persons, nor taking of
gifts" Remember these things, as
you sit in judgment, and be sure you
Judge righteOusly. [ do not think a
prudent man, a man of experience,
will think this charge of Jehosaphat
untimely, or impertinent. Judges
are men-with mems weaknesses,
preiudices and temptations. 1t
would therefore be good thing for
every Judge, as he sits in his place of
Judgment, to remember that Gods
eye is upon him-that his judgments
are to be reviewed by "the Judge Of
all the EARTH" and then nothing but
truth and righteousness will be sus-
tanned. Such a remembrance would
diminish the power of temptation,
and help the judge to see the truth
and obey it.
No government can long endure
unless it be founded in truth and
administered in righteousness. A
corrupt judiciary would soon under
mine confidence and destroy gov
eminent, which rests, and must rest
upon the confidence Of the people.
An honest, pure, wise judiciary is
source of wonderful support to any
government, a great blessing to any
people.
These are very trite remarks, and
vet Uery true, and therefore need fire.
QueHt rebetitI0n. In what [ shall say
tonight, | do not mean in the least,
to say, that the decision under re-
view is not the honest, candid iudg-
ment of the men who have pro-
nounced it. | respect the Supreme
Judges of this State, but | do not
believe them to be infallI6Le. or above
the Just criticism Of their fellow men.
Their recent decision concerning the
reading of the Bible in the public
schools, is | believe, 7ery faulty, and
one which ought not long to stand.
| should like to see it taken to the
Supreme Court of the Nation, that
we might get the views of that court
upon this national question, concern
ing our common schools-concern
ing public education.
In order that this decision NAV be
intelIigently before us, we must look
into case, upon which the judges
we're called upon to decide.
The case is known as Estate VS..
District Board of School District
No 8 of Edgerton." 1t originated
as follows: Certain citizens of Edger-
ton, members of the Roman Catholic
church, petitioned the School Board
to suppress the reading of the Bible
in their schools. This the Board,
for what seemed to them to be good
and sufficient reasons, refused to do.
Then the same citizens applied to
Judge John R. Bennett of the Cir
cult Court for Rock County, for "a
writ of mandamus,' compelling the
School Board to suppress the read
ing of the Bible in their schools.
The case was tried in the Circuit
Court and the writ denied. Where
upon these same citizens appealed
their case to the Supreme Court of
the State. After reviewing the case,
the Supreme Court overruled the de-
Cision of the lower court. There are
three points in this decision to which
l wish to call your special attention.
1. The reading of the Bible in our
public schools, without note or COM
ment, is SectarIaH instruction, and so
is prohibited by the constitution.
2. This reading of the Bible con-
verts the school houses into places of
worship and SO compels citizens to
aid in the support of places of wor-
ship against their consent, and,
:. Money is thus drawn from the
public treasury for the purpose of
supporting a religious or theological
seminary, and SO the constitution OF
the State is violated.
Let us look into these decisions
1st, Is the reading of the Bible with
out note or comment, sectarTan in
struction? Judge Lyon answers
Yes, and gives his reasons for so an
He roforri1or fO fbc