Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-13

I do not consider this decision as bearing
upon or having any effect in placing a
proper construction upon our own constl-
tuition. In that case, however. in order to
avoid the requirements of the constitution
upon the subject 1t was held to be q mat
ter Of individual option with the teacher as
to whether or not they would use use the he x,o. HE
be required to read it contrary to the wishes
Of his parents or guardian.
DO Not Apply to Missouri.
Admitting that the conclusions reached
in the opinions above referred to are logic
al and proper under the circumstances of
the respective cases, we are not warranted
n admitting their value or correctness
when supplied to our own constitution. or
that Of other states similar to ours.
1.-THE constitution of Wisconsin upon the
question here involved is similar to that Of
our state, although clothed in somewhat
different language, the Wisconsin constitu-
iucidly S ' enunciated. nun % YETI yet the evident purpose
and scope of each are the same. In that
case state ex rel VS.. district school board.
the Bible in the public schools. by read
ing or otherwise. is prohibited by the con-
"It is needless to say that the people Of
our state are confronted with the same con-
dition of affairs as the people of Wisconsin
now are. and were at the time Of the adop-
and sectarian. consisting of Catholics, Jews
many Protestant sects and other religious
is mnst haye been formed anS adopted do dim in
such manner as would meet the approval
and mutual concessions OF all; and at the the
exercise Of his religious opinion and wor-
ship. 1t is clear in point. firm in expression.
and impartial in its application. though on
policies it may be the victim of tangential
application. or unwarranted construction.
=" That all men have a natural and In;
defeaSible right to worship Almighty God
according to the dictates of their own con-
Sciences and that no human authority
can control or interfere with the rights Of
conscience This language is virtually the
same as embodied in the Wisconsin con-
stitution and the Pennsylvania constitution
Upon the latter Mr.. Justice Story, in the
Girard will controversy. had occasion to
say: Language more comprehensive for
the complete protection Of every variety of
religious opinion could scarcely be used;
and it must have been intended to extend
equally to all sects. whether they believed
in Christianity or not. and whether they
PEELED to admit that although Christianity
be a part of the common law in this state,
yet 1t is arn $50 IN and 1ds r that Its
therefore 1t is not to be maliciously and
Openly revied and blasphemed against. to
| the annoyance OF its leaders or the injury
| of the public
such was the doctrine of the supreme
court of Pennsylvania in autograph VS..
commonwealth, H. Seis. 0 H., y. Ss4.
What Is Religious Worship:
your communication virtually admits
the Lords prayer is religious worship
| and there Is no doubt but that it Is the cor
rect view. necessarily assumed by all its
| believers.
"webster's International defines the term
| worship to be. among other things, the
| act of paying divine honors to the Supreme
| Being; alteration or acts Of reverence paid
| to God, or being viewed as God
1T is defined in the Century dictionary as
show reverence to. with supreme respect
and veneration: perform service to-
thus: The feeling or the act Of religious
| homage towards a deity, especially the su-
preme God; an act, or the acts collectively,