Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-11-18
Columbia, Mo, will bring full informa-
ton about the instruction given in
butchering and about other courses
given the short course students.
The Post office or the Church?

Il
Wichita is blessed with religious
postmaster and the city is to be con-
graduated on the fact. AS st. Paul re i
marked, religion is good for every
thing, but there are times and places
when even religion must be consider
ed intrusive. The Advance has per-
sistently maintained, for example,
that ministers have no business con-
Quoting services or preaching religion
as part of the public schoolcurriculum.
The following letters which passed be-
tween the local postmaster and the
editor of the Advance, show another
development of this same question:
THE INVITATION.
"October %, 1915.
"Rev. John w. Maher, Editor Catholic
Advance, Wichita, Kansas:
"Reverend Sir-In view of the cir
cumstance that there are several adj
herents to the faith of the Roman
Catholic church in the employment of
the government in the postal service
here who were present by my invita-
Ition at the brief religious service held
in the office on the afternoon of Octo-
ber 18th, conducted by Professor Stout,
the singing evangelist, who is associ-
ated with DIR. Guy l.. Brown, the pas
tor in the First Baptist church, in a
series of revival services there, it oc-
ours to me that it would be agreeable
to the employees referred to not only,
but to others in the service, to have
similar services conducted by other
representatives of other leading
Christian organizations in the city
from time to time as circumstances
may permit. Prompted by the one
desire to aid in advancing the Re-
deemer's kingdom in this community
under the broad Catholic spirit of
Christianity, | write you this note to
invite you to come and hold similar
services in the hope for the benefit Of
all the employees at the close of the
days work, 5 O'Clock, next Tuesday
afternoon, October 26th. If you find
it inconvenient to be present and lead
in such exercises yourself, you may
feel free to request someone else of
your communion to come in your
stead.
"Trusting that this invitation will
meet with your appreciation and that
you will comply Herewith, am
sincerely an humble follower of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
~. H SHIELD,
POSTMASTER.
"P. S.-Please advise me of your
purpose as soon as convenient, so
that may make proper announce
ment in time for the services at the
time Indicated"
THE REPLY.
"October 25, 1915.
"Mr. John H. Shield, Postmaster,
"Witchlta, Kansas:
"Dear Mr.. Shields--I thank you
most sincerely for your invitation to
hold services at the postoffice to-mor-
row afternoon, October 26. 1t is,
however, the policy of the Catholic
church in America to keep govern
ment and religion absolutely apart.
On account of this feel that it would
be doing violence to our convictions
II were to accept your invitation.
"To hold services in a government
building where the. employees would
be morally obliged to assist is, ac-
cording to my opinion, violation of
of personal liberty. You know the
power of q postmaster and you UNDER
stand how difficult it would be for any
of the employees to resist an invita-
ton which would be tantamount to a
command, whatever verrepugnance they
might feel.
"As an alternative, propose to
hold q special service in my church on
North Water street for the benefit of
the post office employees any time
that you suggest. I have services on
Sunday morning at and on Sunday
evening at 1880. / shall give wide
publicity to this special service il your
employees feel that they would like to
be present. / am quite sure that
special service might be held at the
cathedral II you prefer, and | shall be
pleased to make the necessary ar
rangements for you.
''In this way the sacred principles
OF the American constitution would be
safeguarded. The government build
ing would be reserved for govern
ment occupations and the church for
religious services. This Is the gist
OF the suggestion OF the Advance.
~ trust that you will not object to
my making this correspondence pub
lie, SO that the people Of Wichita may
understand the position OF yourself
and the Catholic church in the matter
OF advancing the Redeemer's king
dom 10 this community to quote your
expression.
with kindest regards, am,
"Yours very sincerely,
~. w. MAHER,n Z
After consulting several Of those