The age-herald., 1897-09-08
ETCHINGS FROM
 ,,s,s,. CURRENT TOPICS

of Atlanta. Is eminently a. correct ore. of genuine Americanism, presents un- l answerable arguments against the intro l duction of tlhe Bible into non-sectarian state schools. His reasons are those of a humanitarian and patriot and not i those of a denominationa1 preacher. When this momentus question Is cIcss1y studied by people of the various religi- | ous scots the concensus of public opin- ion will undoubtedly sustain this dis | tinguished pulpit orator. and devoted Christian minister. pr. Lamdrum op- poses vigorously everything that savors of the union of church and state. In this band of free thought. free speech and free religion, ti1ere must comla ncth- ing which tends towards the forcing of individual or denominaltiona1 views upon the children of the country who are educated at the expense of the en- tina people. Protestant, Catholic, He brew, Agnostic and Atheist, are equally taxed for the support of the public SCIOOlS Ol CIl6 COunlIy, Na1C PVNtA of the majority has not the right to com- pei the study of any especial religious faith upon the helpless minority.
 
 For those children wlDcae parents deem sectaGian training essential in con- nection with the study of literature. the languages and the sciences, there are denominationa1 schools where such op- portunitl5rs are presented with a feryor and bigotry which should satisfy the most devoted churchman. But the taxes derived from a people, regardless of re- ngious faith, or non-faith. should not be applied for the furtaharanoe of doc trinal teaching. Perfect religious and political frisedom have been the immov- able Foundation stones upon which the American republic has been built, and the conservatism of the great thinking masses of the people will keep this foundation sacred and secure.
 
 Dr. Landrum, in discussing this ques- tion, gives these clear-cut views: "Civil government, according to the American theory, has no right to prescribe re1ig- ion; civil government cannot undertake to decide what is the Bible. We Pro tesitants call the Bible, the King James translation of 1901 A. D. When we speak of the Bible we always mean our version of the Bible. Our Roman Catho- lie brethren, however, have their own version of the Bible. Their version in- cludes number of books which ours excludes. Furthermore, their version of the Bible Is so translated as to pro- nrdbe their doctrine, just as ours is so translated in their judgment ito pro- we must have the Bible in the public schools, I ask, what Bible? Shall we have the Old Testament only-thaIt would please our Jewish citizens, but not the Catholics and Protestants. Shall we have the Roman Catholic Bi- b1e? That would be distasteful to both Jews and Protestants. Shall we have the Protestant Bible? That would be distastefu1 to beth Jews and Catholics Public schools are for the children of citizens regardless of sect. They are supported by taxation, and taxation is a method of force, which bears upon men of any religion, or ITO religion. Taxation must not. therefore, use it's tremendous power in the interest of Jew or Catholic, or Protestant On pa- triotic, and on religious grounds, both as an American and as a Protestant, I am opposed to putting my Bible into the public schools, or allowing any oth- CT man to put in his Bible. Religion is to be taught in the home, In the Sun- day school, in the church, and in those institutions which are under Christian control, and are supported by volun- tary offerings of Christians them selves"
 Rev. Dr. W. w. Landrum is one of the celebrated preachers of the south, and is now pastor of the First Baptist church at Atlanta. He is still a con- paratively young man. and is no less an humble, devoted, corsecrated Christian than he is an orator with rh, rare gift of the witchery of speech. He com- pines in an unusual degree the at- tributes of an eloquent, magnetic l preacher. and a loyal, tireless pastor. The opinions of such man signify much on any subject, for they are the utterances of a. Christian ard a patri- ot.
 While Americans admire or abuse sen- saltional journalism. according to their tastes, the modern newspaper, published in the cities of she United States, no matter how exciting and fambuoyant, are mafd, soothing productions compared to the successful Greek newspaper Journalism in Greece is conducted on the theory that the people need diver