Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-07-18
Still Disagreeing.

turned the tables" on the JOURNAL.
Referring to our contention that $50
long as only one beneficiary objects,
nobody has any right, by force or STRAIT
egy, to obtain Bible reading in the
public schools" he observes that
Nothing is said about one man Directing
to its not being read, etc.
That Zone man" is too late. He
should have been on hand at the insti-
tuition of the system and then and there
incorporated into the lao his mandatory
provision for Bible reading in the
schools. That was the time and the
only right time to raise the question
whether one man or many men have the
right to prescribe any religious per-
Torrance for any other than his or
their own children.
Hence, it is too late now to attempt
to take any part Of time bought by
public money for special work and
apply it to the promotion Of any other
purpose, especially to take it outside
of an appeal to law.
The reference to the lone man" OBJ
jecting to the study of grammar, in
volving no religious preference or
prejudice, is in apropos, and that to
''the saloon-keeper," gives rise to the
observation that his rights in the
premises, extending no farther than
interest in his own children, it is Ger
tain that, bad as he may be, he will
never object to a secular study that
discourages drunkenness in his own
family.
1.-THE general consensus of the best
element in a community should de-
termine the character of our Schools"
says Mr.. Haverstlck, but "the character
of our schools" is neither in peril nor
even in controversy. But suppose 1t
is in either-who is to measure that
inexact quantity known as 1.-The gen.
eral consensus" and who is to analyze
that indefnable quality known as
"the best element 2"
If 1t really "seems" that the JOUR-
NAL is advocating secularism in the
public schools, it is only half the
truth. With more than equal force
the JOURNAL will aver that it IS also
an uncompromising advocate of re-
ligion in the church.
AS to the recognition of Christianity
by charters and courts, and Of Sun
day by the Constitution the JOURNAL
really hopes Mr.. Haverstick's re-
searches are correct. But il they are
they cannot be impaired instructively
to the children through Bible readings,
not even of "the Revised Version"
the most modern of all the transla-
tions.
Mr.. Haverstick makes an admission
in his concluding paragraph which
sounds liberal. The kind of version,
whether Douay, King James or the
Revised" he says, sis not important"
Probably Mr.. Haverstick feels safe
just here. He knows that all who
want Bible reading in the public
schools want the King James or the
Revised Version, and that if Bible
reading is ever conceded one of these
two versions will be prescribed.
Hence, the importance" of this
particular matter is disposed of before
Mr.. Haverstick gets to it,
The JOURNAL is more than half in
clined to suspect, too, that while it is
opposed to reading any version in the
public schools, Mr.. Haverstick,
brought to 1.-THE Christian book"
would find himself in favor of alex
cept one.
1.-THE camel of secularism" was in
the public schools from the beginning,
and he did not Ego through the eye of
needle" to get there. He got in
alongside the fact that of the millions
of money raised in the name and be-
half of popular instruction not cent
was extorted by government for the
promotion of any religious purpose or
the exercise of any religious observ-
ance. 1t left the propaganda of prepa-
ration for better life here and a
higher life hereafter to "the churches
and their collateral agencies" exactly
where it belongs, and for which "the
people pay more," the JOURNAL under
stands, ethan for all the expenses Of
government, popular education in
cluded."
The JOURNAL believes that Mr..
Haverstick and other ministers insist
ing upon this innovation do themselves
injustice. AS spokesman of the Cos
pei of the Meek and Lowly One it
would seem to be their Office to re-
member His many contacts with the
secular power and how, in every case,
He allowed to Cesar all that belonged
to Caesar; how that with no politics,
nor even policy He sought the pro-
motion of His kingdom without ever
appropriatlng anything dedicated to a
secular purpose. Even when at home
in the Temple-in His Fathers house,
He paid for the secular right to enter
there.