The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1891-05-22
What is the Moral Influence of
our Public Schools?

Some time ago | read an article on this
subject from the pen Of Professor Streator
ami though | sanctioned every woid he
said, did not think the people Of Marion
county needed the argument, but last sun
day the Met, o,:isl mini ter a disc 'urse
advocating the clain 8 Of their college at
Leeburg. prepare ~ to taking W. a
col ecti for the support Of that instltu-
ton, gave ute ance TO the sen iment that
the excuse for sustaining sectarian schools
lie in the faci that the public schools are
deficient in moral and 'eligious instruc-
ton, and n moral and religious inference.
Now t. Ike the poslti n, will under
take to defend il, that he lmputatlon Is
utterly without foundation. The worthy
divine eli Ter wilfully misrep esented the
matte or else he himself is deficient IN
correct understai di' z our public school
system, which is 70 nded on truth, sane
toned by law, and fos cred and sustal ed
by an intelligent, emil hte ed, h1siian
people. What would the gentleman have!
The law admonishes, and The teacher IS re
quired, to embrace every opportunity 10
inculcate. by precept and example, the
principles of truth, honesty, pa rlotlsm.
and the practice OF everN hrlstlan virtue
How much stronger could he make II! Has
he any assure ce that these pr clp IS Will
be better taught in the stctarlan schoolst
Such preaching put into practlc'' wou,d
throw US back hundred yeas TO the Old
puritan days when none but church M m
bers could vote; condition for which some
of the fanatic, of today are devou ly wish,
ing The teach, is TO teach by precept and
example and Of course should be person
Of exemplary habits. He should be a
truthful. honest, upright citizen; tut the
demand that he be q church member, and
especially member Of any particular
an encroachment on the fundamental
principles Of cur free government.
Only few months ago in the Methods
conference which met III the town OF
Anthony resolution was adopted requir
ing all Methudists to vote and work for
the temperance cause. Only one man in
that odv had the courage to ia SO his
vo ce again this initiate y step toward
writing he church and he state. and that
man was H. w Long VINO, by the way
4 very good ma although he IS eiho
dist. If the chur hes want to sustain
s4ctarian schools for he educatIon / their
misistry all right but let not ministers IN
their enthusiasm and fanaticism attack the
public &C 0ols es ungodly mstltu lous
where virtue, morality, and hrlsliam Y
are wholly neglected. No sir, the de.
mand for sectarmn schools does moi lead in
the dir, elion Indicated. but rather in The
whims ami csprices of few religious
fanatics who for the sake of furt erinG
their own artisan interests would pull
down tn, most sacred institution OF our
zee government Away with such senti-
ments Out with such preaching Let
ministers preach the gospel and let them
wan sinners to ',lee from the wra b
10 com. ut let th. m OF from the
pllpit promueate their political dogm 5,
.r undertake 10 trample down the sacr, d
rights Of the people.
In another article ! propose o Iii cuss
the propnety Of using the kible in the
public schools. PETER GRAY.