Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-29

power, never abused 1t. except upon
&C Could Ingersali have forgotten that
Abraham Lincoln, and the name Abra-
ham Is itself significant. more than
any man of whom he had ever read
or heard was the direct product Of
biblical study and q consistent fol-
lower OF its lofty precepts?
Great men are the products OF
great principles. Is there any men,
ace in such characters as ] have
mentioned? Rather, there is no hope
for the world without them.
Finally. what can be said OF the
Sermon on the Mount? 49,.
No characterization Of mine can
even approximate its purpose or IN
tensity. l believe no man can read
it impartially without the fixed i'm
preston that he is face to face with
a new order Of existence. "a. r.,
That II il the perfection OF prop
hecy prayer and precept-that it IL
the closest human approach to the
expression Of divine ideas-that Its
application is clearer than natural
vision. stronger than earthly ills.
wider than universal laws, deeper
than eternal pain. longer than the
thought of life, surer than the call
OF death. and fuller than the needs
Of men.
The Sermon on the Mount stands
preeminent in all literatureS, in all
lands and in all ages and forces, the
direct conclusion that it must be the
actual utterance of God himself.
The Bible defines all those great
and inspiring anxious. which should
pass into. through and beyond every
day life. to the ultimate end that the
do Of
proceed in an orderly manner within
lines prescribed by the Creator, who
when he cut a segment from the
great circle of eternity. could per-
ceive distinctly both ends Of time.
There is no guaranty Of permanent
| civilization and there is, SO far as
| ] am aware. only one real stablizing
| influence in the universe.
That influence is the Book Of
| Books. 1t has stood the test of ages
| of criticism, has survived the shocks
| of persecution, revolution and war.
! has united society and nations with
| its friendly Offices. has allayed pov-
| erty, prevented crime and lessened
| disgrace, has sanctificd domestic rela-
J tons and cheercd the declining years
| of age. b..
And. beyond all this. the life of our
| great republic is in danger. and that
although we boast it's maguatude and
permonency.
| 1t should be the earnest ambition
Of every true American that his
| country should occupy position of
| preeminente in international councils.
To accomplish this we must sow for
posterity. We must afford in our
schools an appropriate foundation for
| character and service.
| The lara elitas 9ppeSforS
could not make bricks without straw.
The child cannot build character
without forms. Every child demands
a knowledge OF the Bible. IF he
asks for bread will ye give him a
stone?"
The rise and fall Of empires has
been the particular province of his
tory.
Chaldean. Assyrian. Babylonian.
Jewish. Grecian. Roman. Aztec and
Indian. stages of culture have termin-
ated almost without a trace
May it not be decreed for America
as was long ago proclaimed on the
walls of Chaldea: Meme. Meme. Tekel,
Cpharsln," Of which an adaptable
portion when. interpreted meant:
Tekcl: "Thout are weighed in the
balance and found wanting"
| Meme: God hath numbered thy
kingdom and finished it,"
Mr.. President, l hope the motion
will prevail,
Mr.. HINCKLEY of Cumberland:
alr President l feel that l should
not vote on this matter without de-
claring my position. and ] shall aP-
proach this matter in just few
words of statement to you, not from
the view point of the Bible as a lit
erary gem. not from the view point
of masterpiece of philosophy, but
as religious manual that has been
followed by more than IS per cent
of the people of this country from
the date of the signing of the Dec
laratiOn of Independence to this time,
No President of the United States
and no officer from the President
down from the earliest beginning
of the present time ever held Office
in this country without first recog-
nzinG the living God as the supreme
ruler and director of the destinies
of our country. = Every member OF
this Legislature has subscribed to the
living God as the supreme director
OF this State Of ours. and no officer
, under this State government can as
sumo that Office without first sub
serioirG to this same thing. This
| CoLntlr of ours is Christian coun-
try. and l cannot follow or under
stand the argument that the Bible
should not be used in public schools
because it is contrary to the religious
freedom established. l cannot fol-
low that argument. This country is
a CnrIstiar. nation, and the various
Versions OF this Bible are recognized
and followed by. as l said. more than
% per cent of all of our people. l
said few days ago that the danger
| in this country is not too much re-
| ligion. it is too littles religion.
| i believe that the Bible should be
restored to the public schools and
should there be read and taught for
the benefit of all of our boys and
| girls who in future years will be the
officials who must subscribe to that
same obligation that we have sub
scribed to.
The PRESIDENT: The Chair feels
| that it may be well TO read this bill.
1t is not the bill that was before the
Legislature two years ago. 1t is a
| bill of one section which reads as
| follows:
And the motion before the Sem
ate is the motion of the senator from
| York. Mr. Spencer. that the bill be
substituted for the report.
! Mr.. EUZZELl. of Waldo: Mr.
President. heretofore in this Senate
it has been my custom and pleasure
| to"accept the Judgment. and | believe
| the sound judgment OF committees.
| and [ might even go so far as to
say TO accept the sound Judgment of
| majority Of committees. But after
| sitting here and listening to the ar
| guments in favor of the motion be-
| fore this Senate. l want to say at
\ hi t,%x~ l-A