The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-06
DIR. Mcfarland Defends Use of
Bible in Schools.
Answers the Circulars of Chica-
go Secular Union.
THEY CALL BAD NAMES
Says 1t is an Evidence of a Weak
Case.
He Makes Interesting and HUI
mOrOus Observations.

Rev. J. T. Mcfarland. pastor of the
First Methodist church who has been
prominent in his connection with the
movement to have Scriptural passages
a portion of the daily exercises in the
schools of Topeka, took occasion to re-
ply Sunday evening to some of the
blame to which he has been subjected.
He has been made the especial object
OF much cenSure by Inherent persons
over the country and it was in answer
to these that he devoted the Sunday
evening service.
BY way of explanation Rev Mr.. Nc
F'arland said he assumed no special re-
Sponsibility in this movement, but that
the subject had first been presented by
Canon ByWater in paper read before
the ministerial union. 1t had, however,
devolved upon him to present the petit
ton of that body to the board OF educa-
of it. I have cause for taking neither
special blame nor special credit, said
Ne. The proposition as originally pre-
scented to the educational board was
read, it being noted that that body
finally decided that only a request be
made upon the school principals for
reading certain parts of the Bible in
stead of declaring the matter oDllga-
tory. 1--WE had a desire as I said at
the tine that the most delicate feelings
of everyone in this matter be respect
of this petition I am told that in a great
majority of the rooms, some say nine
tenths, there had been some Simple re
1igious observance. The sanction of the
board, if not its command, seemed best
if we expected that the practice be con-
tinued. If in some case a teacher on
his own authority did this and someone
objected it was an issue between the
teacher and the patron. If on the other
had some teacher refused to hold these
exercises it also produced a very en-
barrassing situation. We thought best
that the teacher be placed in a more
unembarrassed position than before.
THE action excited much discussion,
and the first was the inquiry by one
citizen whether his boy should be re-
quired to take part in the religious ex-
erciSeS- AS I understand it that partic-
ular case has been adjusted. 1t was
never contem plated that a child be,
compelled to Join in these exercises.
But the case has been taken up by out
side parties and it is by the meddling
Of outside parties that domestic affairs
are made unpleasant People at a dis
lance have begun taking a paternal
interest in our local affairs. 1 am re-
ceiving good deal of personal attention
in this; but l am concerned more that
we understand the animus of these out
side parties. 1 wish to enter no critic
ism upon the gentleman who objected
to his boy taking part in the religious
exercises; he was entitled to enter pro-
test and that should be given atten-
tion-''
In declaring his desire to study the
spirit of the parties from the outside
who were participating in the contro-
versy, Rev Mr.. Mcfarland first read
a letter from a man in Kansas City,
whose name he refused to divulge. The
writer opened by saying that he had
noticed with much satisfaction that the
action of the ministers was to be re-
sisted by one brave man. THE preach
ers," he went on, have their hands full
without propagating superstition. 1t
is a pity the public cannot see the mo-
tive of you to thrust religion into the
schools" He declared that the church
destined n n il or Ia for md
that it was upheld by some of the mean
est people in the world. According to
the writer he has a scrap-book three
years old, in which he has a lot of news
paper clippings telling of the crimes
which clergymen have committed. He
said he never had known the joy of
life until he had had his eyes opened
to see the gang of parasites that is
trying to live without work. Parts of
the letter were commented upon by Rev.
Mcfarland as he read it. At times the
audience was moved to laughter. Rev.
Mcfarland said he had replied to the
gentleman, saying that while he dis
agreed from the writer's views, he rec
ognized the right to think as he pleased.
He suggested that another scrap book
be started filled with the records of
noble acts done by Christian mission
aries
1T seems to me-" he continued that
If We're to turn infidel l wouldn't go
about calling the advocates of this old
Book bad names. When a man begins
10 calI announcer Dad names you can be
pretty sure he is the wrong side''
The next reading was from a publica-
t1on IN Denver edited by a man named
Evans and called THE Vampire" In it
the editor referred to Kansas as a land
of freaks, and declared that the latest
Fictitious freak halls from the hamlet
of Topeka, and is Rev. J. T. McFar-
land" But little more than passing at
tention was paid to this
The third reference was to the litera-
ture sent out by the school of free
thought at Chicago. In reply Rev Nc