Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-12-12
ICOMMUNICATED

BIBLE AND FLAG PRESENTATION TO CEN
TIRE PUBLIC School On Friday afternoon
November goth at l. 30 o'clock, Columbia
Council No. SO, Jr o. U. A. NJ, of Thurmont
presented the Centre Public School near Red
Hill, Miss Annie Geisbert principal, with n
Bible and the American Flag The exercises
began with music by the Graceham band
prayer by MIR, w =. l.. Shatfer of Thurmont
music of patriotic character by the band
the presentation of Bible and Flag by DR., E.
c. Kehuver in the following address:
Trustees, Teacher. Pupils and Patrons of
Centre Public School
We come to you representing an organi'
cation whose principles are in accord with
Divine and Human laws, Its motto is Our
Country, principles, not men, its creed. 1t
is strictly non partisan and non -sectarian
1t affirms lis devotion to the public school
system of this great ard glorious nation
We believe as an organization in compulsory
education, SO that future generations may he
able to take their places in the ranks OF our
country's workers educated in the history
the customs and manner of Americans.
They should be taught whatever is neces
sary to fit them for true American citizen
ship. These school children will at the ballot
box control the dcslinies of this nation. 1t
needs no argument to prove that those, to
whom is soon to be committed the sacred
trust of the life of the nation, should be
properly prepared to discharge the trust
Education has been said to be better safe
guard of liberty than a standing army All
agree that every child in the country ought
to be educated. In what, then, should this
education consist? The answer from pa
triot is eff anything and everything that will
tend to make good American citizens
The children should be taught: First, the
nature ofthc government and her institutions
under which they live, and why we believe
them to be superior to those of other coun.
tries. Secondly, they should be taught what
ever is neces sary to fit them for intercourse
with, and business among their fellow men,
Thirdly, they should be instructed in the
luClplCo uHu uCCCoSltJ va 40 uScSP
ted by the worlds best mcn-heathen and
chrstian-ln all ages and countries: and
finally, they should have religious education
to the extent, at least. of the knowledge of
responsibility of men to God as taught in his
revealed Word. When say religious do
not mean sectarian; the latter would be en-
tirely antagonistic to our principles. But,
however, Americans may differ upon other
points, they are virtually agreed in this, that
the Bible is revelation from God that 1t
has no equal as a book of morals, and there
fore-without note or comment-it ought to
be read in our public schools To exclude
morality and religion-reigion as | have
defined it-would be to render education in
other matters injurious. Wisdom is the right
use of knowledge and morality and religion
guide to that use.
Without their aid knowledge may be
increased until it becomes evil and the result
will only be the production of evil We
therefore bring to you the Holy Bible, that
inestimable gift of God to man, that its holy
influence may be ever with you, inspiring
and encouraging you to greater devotion
to, and the practice OF those beloved primer
plies of christianity, which, when conceived
and practiced never fail to kndle the best
the purest, and the highest emotions OF our
nature, and its influence never ceases to be
felt till the narrow wall of the grave has
finally stied all thought and stilled every
earthly sensation.