Evening journal., 1921-10-01

SUPREME Court
Presbyterians Ask If. Book
Can be Excluded Law
fully From Schools
WASHINGTON STATE
SURPRISES STUDY

blDle can ltbdli1 bt ouDPlto0tA Al 'AAA
the public schools. Joint action by
various church denominations is be-
ing organized to this end by mem
bers of the Presbyterian Church in |
J. the u. S. A.
The action had its inception in the |
Synod OF Washington, by official vote |
. OF that body. and at the head OF the |
movement is r. L. Edmiston a Pres /
byterian layman OF Spokane, Wash /
. ington. Affiliated with him is w. /
A. Funk. of Sunnysile. Washington, |
Rev. Eugene A. Walker of Spokane !
= and Rev. T. ID. Acheson of Chehalis, |
Washington.
The State OF Washington is made
= the center OF the movement because
that State is a notable example Of
the official exclusion Of the Bible
from the public schools.
I The line OF attack for the restora-
ton of the Bible TO the public
schools throughout the United States
will be based on the Declaration of
Independence. The Synod OF Wash
ington claims that the Declaration
of independence is a covenant be-
tween the American nation and God,
and that the study OF the Bible by
american Cnll1ItH 10 trothAldl ~ al
understanding OF that covenant and
to full knowledge OF God.
The Synod quotes from the Dec
laration as appealing to the su-
preme Judge OF the World" and
that this appeal TO God was an ad-
mission OF the overall sovereignty
OF God and implied that a perpetual
covenant existed between the Ameri-
d.
OF the World" The Synod further
contends that the terms and evil
dence OF this covenant were set forth
in the Bible and in the laws Of
nature and OF natures God" The
Synod further points out that 80
help me God" is an oath required
by the federal laws of all officers.
Judges and servants except the
President and required also Of every
Juror, witness and attorney In every
United States court
To exclude the Bible from the
public schools. the Synod contends.
is to violate one Of the essential
clauses OF the opening paragraph Of
the Declaration Of Independence.
For example, in the state OF Wash
ington the Attorney CCneral and
later INt CNdIt supreme 1UlAA nave
rendered an opinion in which the
Bible in effect Is adjudged to be a
b. "sectarian" book and in which II is
decreed 10 be unconstitutional to
read or teach the Bible in the State
, schools.
The Synod declares that this rul-
ing. opinion and construction is err
roneous, and that the State consti-
81
are void as being in conflict with and
repugnant TO the principles Of the
Declaration OF independence"
This ruling" continues the Synod
in it's presentment preparatory 10 an
appeal to the Supreme Court, lis
repugnant to and in conflict with
the principles in the clause of the
Declaration OF independence. to as
sumo. among the powers Of the earth
the separate and equal station to
T, which the Laws OF Nature and also
OF Natures God entities them. in that
all citizens are equally entitled 70
/. instruction in the Laws of Nature
and also of Natures God which
latter are spiritual and obtainable
|, from the Bible. This ruling makes
it impossible to obtain such know.
edge in the school system of the
|, State. although elaborate provisions
\ are made for teaching the Laws o
Nature"
The Synod further contends
This ruling is also repugnant tS
the clause. That they (all mem arr
endowed by their Creator with Ger
tain unalienable rights that amonl
these are life. liberty and the pur
suit of hapiness.' in that every MAJ
IL entitled TO knowledge OF hi
Creator and the manner and purpos
OF these His endowments. knowledg
which is obtainable only from tn
Bible and which is thus excluded
from being part OF the education o
the youth provided TO ft them 70
civil duties Of our Christian nation.
Furthermore. according to ii
Presbyterian presentment. "Unde
,the Declaration OF independence
every child has a paramount civI
and political right to be given a
education in the truth and scienc
of the religion set forth in the Bible
exclusive Of any personal and wor
shipful element therein, in orde
- that he may intelligently direct hi
soul or eternal life. and understan
the foundations and functioning q
our government"
Extensive arguments are presente
TO show that no State has a right I
. exclude from its system OF educa
ton instruction in the science {
religion as set forth in the Bible, tn
only book which sets forth the es
istence. laws and other attributes {
the Divine Providence to which III
Declaration of Independence is con
mitted. without this exclusion bein
repugnant TO the Declaration an
therefore void"
The Synod continues; let IL new,
be forgotten or. failed to be taught I
the youth that our colonial father
when proclaimed rebels from, ar
outlaws OF. their mother countr
England. and no other nation coul
give aid. having no navy, no w
munitions nor victorious army. al
pesled to and made a solemn Gov
nant with the Supreme Judge Of n
World and that IL is the highe
duty Of the people Of this state an
nation to keep this covenant ar
continue this right of appeal by ed
eating all tho youth in the laws, wi
dom and providence OF this Supren
Judge OF the Declaration OF Indepei