On the Road to Lost Liberty
By M. M.
“NATIONAL Religion in Our Public Schools,” “Christian Education,” “Religion and the Public School,”—these were the subjects of some of the many sermons preached in response to a request by leaders of the National Reform Movement to devote a day to prayer for the public schools. At the convention of the National Education Association held in July, 1916, some thirty thousand interested educators gathered; and among the important decisions of the convention, they placed themselves on record as being in favor of having the Bible not only read but studied in the public schools. This shows the widespread sentiment on the subject of the teaching of religion in our public schools. In nine of the leading church conferences and synods of California that held their sessions this year, resolutions were passed indorsing the work of the National Reform Association, and recommending that that association be invited to take charge of the work in this state, with a view of introducing, as soon as possible, the reading and teaching of the Bible in the public schools of California. All Christian people of America must admit that we are facing a national problem in the proper education of our youth. As it stands to-day, the religious education of our growing boys and girls is sadly neglected. The morals of our youth are contaminated; and this republic is grappling with one of the greatest problems, if not the greatest, of her national life,—the moral education of the rising generation. But we seriously question the plan by which our well meaning friends are seeking to effect this much needed reform. To teach the Bible in our public schools is a step toward the adopting of a national religion, and this fact is admitted by the champions of the cause. Let us not be quick to forget the sad story that history tells of those nations which adopted this method of giving religious education to their children and youth. The state cannot rightfully teach religion. To place the eraser in the hand of the president would be as unnatural as to place the scepter of civil power in the hand of some church leader. The first condition made a Nero, and the latter made a pope. And it might well be prophesied that if the leaders of the National Reform Association succeed in gaining their object, America will suffer the fate of our elder sister republic, will go the way of Rome,—the road of lost liberty. M. M.