The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-07-15
LIGHT COMES

~ reasons are given by the
Presbyterian ministers OF the state
for opposing the bill for compul-
rory education. which has stirred
up so much religious antagonism
In Oregon. and brought TO light all
the time-worn fanatical prejudices.
illogical and non-undcrstandable in
the light OF modern intelligence,
but evidently rooted deep in ig-
norsncc and intolerance and hard
to eradicate.
This educational question was
the basis for all the uapleasantness
developed in the primary election.
developing situation that mar
rowly missed being catastrophe
ANA which gained the state much
Uncnvilblo notoriety To discourage
business aud rcpelsc investors.
I, IS pleasant after such storm
70 note the clearing sky, 10 find
that the intelligent leaders Of one
OF ,he advanced, churches OF the
state rcpudiaio any connection With
tho disrppting movement.
II prcsaEes better understanding
uf the duties OF the churchman as
r.t.gcn Of the state, rs well rs
sets fine example OF Christianity
that must rebound to the ever.
lasting credit OF the men whose
minds are bread enough and
hearts bic enough to embrace all
'trccds in tho cavcloplns folds OF
thc,r charity. and hence must build
q larger following ard strengthen
che creed iha, 'acy represent.
They oxempliiy our conception OF
tie work OF the church. bvery
church--to stand upon, the PIN
uecies like the lights along a
trcachcrous coast and shed the
haams og charity and human un-
dcrs,and!ng that keep the Trailer
harks OF humanity from grinding
upon the rocks Of Ignorance and
intolerance.
This. ra,her ttan creeping
through tho sllmy valleys of petty
politics TO gain by questionable
ends some worldly advantage over
differing creeds. and tanning the
ombsrs OF the bigotry OF other
ages into fresh fires OF hate.
TIC child. every child. Is more
than matter 10 be nodded by one
uniform process. Each tiny body /
that comes inio this world con-
tains n soul. and the soul is su-
profne. In the most distorted and
maiformed OF bodnes may live tho
ncblest spirit. and IL must be OF
the spirit rather than the material
form OF man that the Creator
speaks when He says Man was Gre
ated in His own image.
Therefore every soul has the ,
GOd-giyen and inalienable right TO
unhampered development; cultiva- \
ting the Cod-like attributes of its
hoing without interference.
The compulsory educational bill
g. an abridgement OF and inter-
ference with the inherent rights OF
The +ndividual; and as the minis
tcrial resolution SO clearly points
ont Is undoubtedly "sn unjustifi-
able invasion OF the family au-
thority and threatens ultimately
the guarantees OF our American
liberty" :
The child belongs to the parents
into whose hands 1t Is entrusted
by i,s Creator. and they must be
answerable for that trust. II liz
an entirely artificial theory, man
made for the exploitation of mans
selfish interests, that would make
the ehlld the primary property OF
the state. II is The policy of pater-
alism, the tap-root OF soyietism.
aud can never flourish in harmony
with the timo-tosted theory Of Am
cglcan government.
We cannot reconcile tbs existing
governmental idea which such
swceping change of policy. II Is
HE entering wedge for the over
throw az the American govern
mental system and the substitution
nj Ru.giuu slviqtism
coWmon sease dictates the first
conclusion of the ministerial resO-
luton. and its truth Is obvious.
Were all denominational schools
abolished, there is no workable
plan for instituting religious edu-
cation In replacement. For. the
existing jealousy that creates the
movement for the abolition OF pri-