The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-28
Americas Peril. F"

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| Editor The Washington Herald
In your issue of 18th instant an article
fro mthe pen Of Mrs. Storer, who quotes
from Victor Hugo for religious instrue-
ton in the public schools" breathes a
spirit OF devotion 10 ideals which, from
her standpoint, could never succeed to
the extent intended In the public schools
OF America.
ITO swerve from religion is to endanger
the life Of our nation is truly spoken;
and while there may be good bit of so
called ''humanitarianism" talk which
would reason away. on the plea Of bet
terment IN this life. hope as to any
future one." yet we should not forget
that God has His own plans. which no
effort OF man can thwart, and that He
will in due time manifest them with
power which no man can resist. and that
He still occupies His throne.
Under the present administration Of az
fairs, there can be no better system Of
education than is now found in our public
schools
The public school is not, nor ever should
be, parochial. 1t is not religious insti-
tuition, and cannot be under existing cir
cumstances. Yet a recognition Of God
and the Book which speaks Of Him is
part of our American Constitution. and
in keeping with this We acknowledge
Him. and rightly. on the face OF our
| medium Of exchange Our money.
This enhances our responsibility toward
God as a nation. but would we refuse
this? What, IL some did not believe,
shall their misbelief make the faith Of
God OF none effectY' asked the apostle Of
the primitive Roman Christian. (Romans,
iii)
TO read the Bible in the public schools
and to offer prayer is a recognition OF
our own weakness and need OF divine
help, as well as acknowledging Him. So
In our halls Of legislation. at least
prayer asking for divine help and wis
dom. and praising Him for His mercies. is
quite in place
But back Of all these pious breathings
for religion In our public schools turks
subtle plea for the subiugation OF these
same schools and the American system
Of education 10 a religious hierarchy and
system OF education which history for
long ages has proven to be at least not
helpful to civilization. nor to the general
welfare OF mankind
We need not go into the far past for
proofs Of this. Mexico OF to-day can
show US something's at least. 10
make US cry. Preacher, attend TO thy
spiritual ministrations and leave state
craft 70 the men Of state
Let preachers exhort. advise. comfort.
and feed the spiritual needs OF men, but
beware OF the subtle ambition to guide In
the affairs OF state. God has blown upon
1t in the past. and He Will yet blow upon
Il whenever and wherever IL blossoms
and buds. In other words, let the church
attend to its own business as work given
10 II OF God TO perform and let the men
or the state enact laws and guide its
affairs as His servants where Re has nut
them, for their Office is from Him. and
TO Him must they render an account.
They need our prayers and moral support
and spiritual ministrations but as a mat
ter Of conscience they can say to the
spiritual. we do not wish you 10 de-
stroy your power for good by informed
ding in the affairs of state Besides. in
doing SO, your action suggests that we
are incompetent. under God, 10 serve
Him In the great business. OF statecraft,
and. while meaning no offense. we ask.
please keep your hands Off"
S A WHITE