Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-07-11

pu0ttc SCHOOLS, then, 1t is true, christian
morals might there be taught. But
what are christian morals Are they
those of the rectors who permit and
even engage in lotteries, or those of
the rector who denounces these prac-
tees in pulpit and press Are they
the morals of the pastor who permits
the selling of lunches to visiting fire.
men, or are they those of the pastor
who denounces such actsg Are they
the morals of the church that permits
Sunday enjoyments; that permits the
use of intoXicants; that permits the
manufacture and sale of beer, wine
and cordials by those in its holy orders,
or are those of the churches that for
bid theatricals on any day, enjoyments
on Sunday and who taboo the use of
intoxicants in quantities however
small?
But if Rev. Mr.. Haverstick means
by "christian morals" simply those
rules of conduct about which all civ
ilized people agree, then he must first
prove that it is necessary for the State,
or even that it is within the province
of the State to teach these morals.
For though it be admitted that it is
necessary for the welfare of the State
and for their own that the children
must receive moral instruction, it does
not therefore follow that the State
either must or may undertake such in
struction. Many things are necessary
for the welfare of individuals and of
the State, yet it is not the duty of
the State to do them, and it may
not even be permitted to it.
Rev. Mr.. Haverstick and millions of
others, myself among them, agree that
it is necessary for the welfare of the
State that there should exist what for
short | will call ''churches.r Yet the
Constitution distinctly forbids the
Congress to establish any.
Let us admit, though, that it is
within the province and that it is
duty of the State to give moral in.
structlon. Is the reading of the Bible
the best way of doing it? To admit
that the Bible is the rule and guide of
our lives is not also to admit that it is
the best text book for the teaching of
morals. Shakespeare's works and
Millions paradise Lost" are the
brightest gems ir the literature of the
English language but they are not the
best books to use as text books of the
several branches embraced in the
school term, "English language" In
deed, according to the highest school
authorities the best way to give moral
instruction is without any book. |
would fain elaborate this point, but |
prefer that some one of the many ex-
perienced preachers of this and sur
rounding countries, all of whom de-
light in reading the MINING JOURNAL,
should speak on this point.
Yet | cannot forbear quoting Car
lyle.
Piety to God, the nobleness that inspires a
human soul to struggle heavenward, cannot
be taught by the most exquisite catechlsms
or the most industrious preachngs or drill
ings. No, alas. no. Only by far other
methods, chiefly by silent, continual ex-
ample, silently waiting for the most favor
able mood and moment, and aided then by
kind of miracle, well enough named 'the
grace of God" can the sacred contagion pass
from soul unto soul.
There is one paragraph in Rev. Mr..
Haverstick's letter about which |
would rather not have written. For
whatever | may write may be regard
ed as said against institutions sacred
to many millions of my fellow-men-
institutions that have my most sincere
respect and admiration, namely
1.-THE churches and collateral agencies"
But what have to say about that
point is not, indeed, against "the
churches" but against the peculiar
view Rev. Mr.. Haverstick publishes
concerning them and the States
duty toward them. For as citizen
it is my right, and as minister of Il
dissenting body, it is my duty to plo-
test against the proposition to make
the State one of "the collateral
agencies Of the churches.
Rev. Mr.. Haverstick complains that
many will not send their children to
receive the spiritual training of the
churches, and that even those who
send them do SO only for one hour a
week if the weather is good and no
pleasures interfere. And he gener-
Allies these statements by saying that
"the churches and collateral agencies
are extremely inadequate to provide
for the spiritual welfare of the young"
l will not quarrel with him about the
correctness of this statement. 1t is
certainly most peculiar statement to
be made by minister of a church-of
The Church. which claims to be the
divinely appointed agency for the pro-
motion of the spiritual welfare, for the
promotion of the spiritual redemption
of mankind. SIS the Lords hand
waxed short? According to Rev. Mr..
Haverstick, yes Shine lilac lachrimae!w
And, therefore, the church, being too
weak, the State is asked to help in the
promotion of the spiritual welfare of
the young.
Never heard of anyone wishing to
introduce dogma ?" Not in this coun-
try just now. But in England, where
Bible reading is obligatory in the
board schools (public schools) the fight
is on at this time. One of the fruits
of that contest is circular letter adj
dressed to all London teachers telling
them to teach in connection with the
Bible readings "belief in God the
Father as our Creator, in God the Son
as our Redeemer and in God the HOLY
Ghost as our Sanctifier." Several
thousand teachers of London have
protested against this and so the mat
ter stands, as detailed on pages 20S to
III OF Vol. |, Report of the Commits,
sioner of Education of the U. S.. year
1928, Washington, ID. c., 1S95-lfree
to all on application)
When the camel asked the Arab for
PERMISSION to put just only his nose
into the tent, the Arab little thought
that shortly the camel would be inside