The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-05
TINE GOLDEN AGE NEAR ITS END.


To THE EplTor OF THE SUN-Sir; | do
not hesitate 10 affirm that the Golden Age OF
modern times. which will be held sNnchron0us
with the nineteenth century, has about
reached its end, and that IL In 10 be succeeded
by period Of rpnction against progressive
scientific and political ideas. imperilling the
foundations OF liberty.
Indeed, the evidences widely abound that
the age OF retrogression has already set in.
For instance: The imperialistic spirit which
dominates the great Powers. including our
own republic; the growing authority OF the
Roman Catholic Church in hitherto nom
Catholic countries. particularly in the United
States the increasing antagonism OF evan
gelical Professionalism to the spirit Of free
scientific inquiry and its general movement
to organize the young men and women INTO
unthinking conforming auxiliary societies;
the persistent agitation to secure the recOg-
milton of the Christian religion in the Federal
Constitution: the epidemcs OF delusion, such
as Spiritualism. Christian Science and DoWie-
ism, which claim 40 many apparently intelli-
gent persons every little while: the develop
ment of classes ana the rise OF powerful
oiigarchicn element which controls legsla'-
ures and dictates political policies; the reign
of cOmmercaism which has erected the al
mighty dollar into a golden calf. inoculating
the moral system of our manhood with the
virus Of basest selflsbness. and many other
tendencies easily enumerated the reacrlohary
nature Of which In but too plain To the Dhllo-
sophie observer OF passing events.
The public schools, therefore. loom ZIP as
the main point Of either attack or defence.
according 10 the opinions OF the conflicting
parties The theory is sound that whoever
controls tho education OF the children fixes
their moral and religious convictions for the
remainder OF their lives In its parOchial
school system, the Catholic Church shows
its superior eene;ralship over the other Chris H.
latter churches now see the efficacy Of that
policy. hence their repeated efforts to have
q, definite course Of instruction IN !he prlnci-
ready overblrdened curriculum:
II is true that the Bible il read TO thu. schol-
airs. ostehsibly on the ground OF Its literary
merit. but really because it is the entering
wedge to securing greater recognition or
Christianity in our public school instruction.
The outcome OF such n movement does not
religious freedom, as they can easily be over
come when "A so-called public sentiment.
backed BY, the necessary voting power. has
Clauses e s stricken oni Of tRe OK" cons ss
Impossible. some exclaini. No. not I'M
possible In state where every man IL theo-
agitate md organize for the acceptance or
his views and where their ultimate adoption
depends upon the number who not only pro-
fess them hut demand and secure their en-
actment into law, The power TO amend or
repeal any section oil the Constitution is. IN its
last analysis, lodged in the people; and, re-
meinbering the facts OF history, no great
flight OF the imagination Is required 10 con-
celve OF q religious movement sweeping over
the land with the irresistible force born OF
fanatoism which shall have for lis purpose
the ChristaniznS, through the Constitution
Of the great republic OF the United States
Perhaps, il such a movement gathered mo-
mentum enoukh,even the formality OF amend
Ing the Constt Tuition might be dispensed With
on the ground that the necessities OF the True
Faith are above all human law.
The movement. it should always be borne
in mind. TO enforce religious training in the
public schools II successful can have but
one issue, which is the establishment OF Chris
tianity as the State religion. The signih-
canoe of that stupendous chan ge in tho Struct
words OF those W ho are Increasingly striving
10 subvert the principles Of religious liberty
II would mean acknowledging Almighty
God IA the source OF all power and authority
in civil government, the Lord Jesus Christ
as the ruler OF nations and His revealed will
The public schools must remain free Out
OF them must come the men and women Of
the future whose knowledge of right prin-
ciples will do much 70 stem the tide OF re-
PROGRESSION bringing with it's food moral and
intellectual death The proper education
of the State. Cherlshing its liberties as con-
shutting its most precious possessions, TO
lose which would mean more 10 II than the
loss OF lie means TO the individual, il should
of most solemn function. thus also Conserv-
ing the health Of the body polite, The pub
lie schools are the citadels of liberty.
BROOKLYN. Aug. 2. SEcULARGsr,