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    November 7, 1905

    “Religion in the Public Schools. (Concluded.)” The Watchman 14, 45 , p. 727.

    ATJ

    (Concluded).

    3. THERE is a piece of national history that is strictly pertinent to this issue. From 1778 to 1789 this very issue was fought to the finish in this country; and that finish was the provision of the National Constitution prohibiting any religious test or any recognition of religion by the state. The contest had its origin in an attempt in the State of Virginia to secure the enactment of “A Bill Establishing a Provision for Teachers of the Christian Religion.”SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.1

    The issue there, in principle and intent, was identical with this now raised by this committee. That, however, was the more ingenuous; for whereas, there, allied churches proposed openly to lay a tax upon all, specifically for the teaching of religion; here they propose to use in the teaching of religion the taxes raised from all, for other purposes.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.2

    However, this unworthy movement was at that time opposed by James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Madison was in the lead, and bore the larger burden of the contest made by the opposition. These men then declared that “to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyrannical.” That is true now, nor is the character of the actions in any degree modified by taking the money for this purpose, after it has been levied and paid as taxes for something else, instead of levying and collecting it directly for this purpose.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.3

    They declared the bill to be “itself the signal of persecution;” and, “distant as it may be in its present form from the Inquisition, it differs from it only in degree. The one is the first step, the other is the last, in the career of intolerance.” That is true of this thing now. We say to the gentlemen of that committee and of the School Board, Do not take that first step. And we say to the people of Washington City Do not you take that first step by letting the School Board take that first step. As certainly as you take that first step, others will take the other steps, even to the last.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.4

    But they quote the “unanimous decision” of the Supreme Court of the United States that “this is a Christian nation.” Yes, upon the language of documents issued by Ferdinand and Isabella, Queen Elizabeth, the Puritan and other colonies; and by the total exclusion of all documents, records, and words in any way connected with the vital contest that accompanied the making of the nation, the Supreme Court did reach and announce that enormous conclusion.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.5

    Madison said, “There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermeddle with religion. Its least interference with it would be a most flagrant usurpation.” Washington, in a treaty, and thus this nation itself, said, “The government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion.” And with all due respect and deference to the Supreme Court, I respectfully submit to the American people that what Madison, Jefferson, and Washington said, and wrote, and did, in the making of the nation, is of far more legitimate use in estimating the standing of the nation, than can possibly be anything that was ever issued by Ferdinand and Isabella, Queen Elizabeth, and the Puritan colonies.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.6

    4. This brings me to the fourth and final thought for this occasion: Of what value shall be to us to-day these lessons of history—not only the history of this, the latest and grandest nation, but the history of all times and of all nations? The history of all the government sin the world from that of Nimrod onward is one unbroken story of the union of religion and the state and consequently of oppression and persecution. And from beginning to end, the attitude of God, the Author of religion and morals, as recorded in the Bible, and consequently the attitude of his true people has been, and is, an equally unbroken protest against it all, and the assertion of the absolute and everlasting freedom of the individual in all matters of religion.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.7

    In the account of the three worthies in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar and the fiery furnace, and of Daniel amidst the Persian persecutors and in the lions’ den, God has made plain to all people for all times that in matters of religion, the state has no place at all under any pretense whatever. And in the account and cases of the church against Christ and his apostles, it is made equally plain to all people, and to all church people especially, that with the enforcing of their religion by the power or authority of the state, or even by their own collective power or authority, religious people have nothing at all to do under any pretense whatever.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.8

    Religion forever lies between God and the individual alone. The securing of religion or the observance of religious rites or institutions, pertains solely to the family and the church, within the jurisdiction of God alone; and under the dominion of the Holy Spirit alone. And within this jurisdiction alone and under this dominion alone, the means to be employed is loving persuasion alone, submitted ever to the free choice of the individual alone. This is the principle upon which our fathers founded this nation. The plainly said that they were proceeding “upon the principles upon which the gospel was first propagated and the Reformation carried on.”SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.9

    Shall the principles of religious freedom upon which these noble men founded the nation prevail in the capital and in the nation? or shall this latest and grandest nation be swung away from these principles, and be turned back into the hateful paths of religious despotism? A. T. JONES.SOWA November 7, 1905, page 727.10

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