The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-11
EDUCATION AND BIBLE READING

10 tlelr names. Inc EepuDicAn party
| does not endorse this kind Of business
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EDUCATION AND BIBLE READING.
In some parts of the country the old
question of enforcing the reading of the
Bible in the public schools is being revived
and made subject Of animated discussion.
| Pro and con two expressions on the subject
have been uttered. each equally entitled
| 10 consideration because Of the respecta-
bility Of its source, but both open 10 criti-
cism at some points.
Before recent conference Of Protestant
ministers, convened with special reference
to discussion Of this question. an address
was delivered by Mr.. William Allen But
Ter, in which he said:
Thls there Ia in this state New York. an
absolute divorce OF church and state and con-
trolling mandate against interference by the
state with the freedom Of religions opinion and
worship, there Is not, and never has been. any
divorce between Christianity and the state, or
between the state government. IN its sdninistra-
ton aud the Christian religion SIS revealed in
the Scriptures. On the contrary, IL was settled
long ago. and cannot now be disputed, that
Christianity il part OF the common Law OF this
state, as IL was part OF the common law Of
England at the time when New York ceased to
be colony OF Great Britain and became q soyer-
eign state
CUSTOM which is largely the source Of law
and the interpreter OF ito intent, makes the
Christian religion q part Of the orderly conduct
OF affairs in the administration OF the govern
ment The daily sessions of our state iegisla-
ture are opened with prayer offered by Christian
ministers. recognition by the legislative de-
represents the people, OF Christianity the re-
iigion Of the people. .
But the question is no. what this department
OF the government lthe department Of public in
structioni, in a wisely conservative adminisfra-
ton OF its powers. may hold On this important
subject. but what do the constitution and the
Law authorize and permit: and If this question
shall come before the courts for discrimination,
think the ultimate decision must be IN favor
o. the use OF the Bible ia the schools and OF the
incubation of the morals which IL teaches.
That one more than any other form
OF religious belief can be recognized as
part OF the common Law of state in
which church and state-politicaI rights
and obligations and opinions on religious
subjects-are absolutely divorced GER
tainly seems anomalous, if not irreconcila-
bic. Nor is it true, as a rule, either in
New York or any other part of the United
States. that custom makes any religion "a
part of the orderly conduct of affairs in
the administration OF the government"
Taxes are collected, justice administered
and most of the functions of government
are performed without the slightest refer
erenee, expressed or implied, TO the ques-
ton of religious beliefs, and the exception
is narrowly limited 10 the opening of legis-
lative sessions with prayer and TO the ad-
miDisfration of oaths.
But even these latter are not exceptions
that viii sustain Mr.. Buffers position, for
in most of the states Jewish rahhis are in
vited, indifferently with Christian minis
tiers, TO open sessions with prayer, and an
affirmation is accepted from those who
have scruples against taking an oath as
equally valid and binding.
But an extreme on the other side was
recently reached by the Supreme Court of
Wisconsin, which pronounced unconstitu-
tional the reading of the Bible in the pub
lie schools of that state. This, on the
ground that such reading is instruction"
in the meaning Of the law: that the OBJ
| ject, purpose and effect is 10 give ''sectar-
ian instruction. which is daily inhibited
by the constitutions; and that "a place
where the Bible is read Is place of wor-
ship, !" into which the public schools can
not be converted without multiplying the
| constitutional guarantee of religious free
| dom to ali citizens.
The latter conclusion is based upon a
rairably strained and pedantie definition.
Ii goes 10 show that between these who
| would absolutely exclude even the gems of
biblical literature from our schools, and
those who would enforce indiscriminate
and consecutive reading OF the sacred vol
une, there IS 8 deep gulf liked. which
neither those represented by Mr. Butler or
| by the Wisconsin court seem inclined or
| qualified 10 bridge. 1t is as absurd to
claim that the reading of passages from
the Bible makes the place where they are
read a place of worship in the ordinary or
legal acceptation of that term, as it is 10
claim that in state where church and
state are formally and absolutely divorced,
the common law takes any cognizance al
matters of religious belief.
1t IS only unreasoning zealots. who. in
this enlightened age, would insist upon the
reading Of the Bible in public schools from
beginning 10 end. chapter by chapter and
verse by verse There Is no more reason
or tolerance in wishing 10 prescribe intel
ligent ana jaiieious selections from its
| pages. Among level-headed and right
minded people there would very properly
be an earnest revolt against the former
course, and there would be no less ground
fer revolt equally pronounced against a
| decree Of absolute exclusion.
The better opinion of the American PEG
| ple--and t is always the better opinion
that tinslly prevails in this eountry-is
that strictly secsarian teaching shall De ex-
eluded from our public schools. and that
there shall be discriminate selection of al
reading matter, hnt this does not, nor viii
it ever so to the extent OF prescribing so
rich repository Of literary gems and
grand moral precepts as are 10 be found in
| the Bible. The text books of our public
schools should he open TO Illustrations oi
the best thought and the hnest expressions
of the best thought of all peoples in all
ages of the world. and this can never be
accomplished If the psalms Of David. the
| book Of Job and the Sermon on the Mount