Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-11-19
.D|ETY / RECOGNIZED.
In The New Michigan Constitution
Adopted at Recent Election.
STATEMENT BYA. BR09MF|ELD
MANY PettlOned Convention TO Keep God Out
of New instrument.

Archibald Broomfield OF Big Rap
ids, who was a member OF the const-
tutional convention recently addressed
a class in Applied Christianity in his
home city. In reporting the address
the Big Rapids Pioneer said:
Archibald Broomfield, in speaking
before the class in Applied Christiani-
ty at the Presbyterian church, on the
Deity in the Constitution" said that
the deity was recognized in the new
constitution despite tie protests OF
thousands of agnostics, deists, athe-
lists and unbelieveIs, who petitioned
the constitutional convention in large
numbers to leave the word out OF the
new instrument Not only this but
the delegates in framing the funda-
mental law of the state, went further
than the old constitution which recog
nized the deity in an incidental or
negative manner only. The new con-
stitution in its preamble, not only
places the deity in the forefront, bu
recognizes his beneficence in posi-
tive way, In the following words
1--WE the people of the state of Mich
igan, grateful to Almighty God for the
blessings of freedom and earnestly de-
string to secure those blessings undi-
minished to ourselves and our posteri-
ty, do ordain and establish this con-
stitution."
Forty-two other states have a SINH
lar positive recognition OF God in the
const tutions, said Mr., Broomsield.
Mr. Broomfield treated his subject
historically and explained why We in
this country enjoyed religious liberty.
The Magma Charta IN the thirteenth
century granted the Engl sh people
political and civic freedom but not
religious freedom or liberty The
people of England enjoyed religious
liberation, lie said, but not reig Gus
freedom. That is they could worship
according TO the dictate of THEW owl
conscience, but the state reserved the
right TO tax or levy tithes upon whom
soever it pleased. SO when the May
flower landed at Plymouth Rock the
first covenant made was for the es-
tabl shment OF religious freedom in
this land where the people would not
be compelled to support a worship
not their own, as they were in England
and in other countries.
"The United States constitution, in
its first amendment, prescribes that
congress shall establish no religion OF
prohibit the free exercise thei eof, as a
result of the Diet rmination of tie
early fathers.
The new constitution provides in
article ,, known as the Declaration OF
Rights. that every person will have
the liberty 20 worship God according
to the dictates OF his own consc ence,
and no person sail be compelled to at
I tend or against his consent to con-
tribute to the erection or support OF
any place of religious worship, or to
pay any tithes, taxes or other rates 10
the support of any minister of the
gospel or teacher OF religion"
There was an effort made by a
considerable number, led by Mr.. Ad-
ans of Grand Rapids, to strike out tn
words, teacher of religion" from this
section, said Mr.. Broomfield.
This was due to the primary school
fund. At present this fund is gener-
ally large, running up to more than
$40 or $12 per each child of school
age, and the money goes to the town
ship or city. according to the number
OF school children therein. In count
| ing school children, the whole number
of school age is included, whereas q
number of them in most cities, as in
Big Rapids, do not attend the public
school, but attend parish schools. If
the words teacher of religion were
stricken out of the constitution ii
might be possible to divide this mon
ely between the public and parochial
schools But this proposition was
voted down. said Mr.. Bloomfield. and
the most effective argument made
against was made by one of the most
ardent Catholics in the convention,
Richard Flanagan OF Norway