A QUESTION FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
By Vera
The late afternoon sun was casting its last lingering rays upon the western windows of the great school buildings in N. Within all was deserted and silent, save in the office of the superintendent, where the graduating class had assembled for the last rehearsal of orations before the grand consummation. The rehearsal had been satisfactorily completed; now they sat waiting for the signal of dismissal. Mr. Hart, the superintendent, glanced over the flushed and excited faces before him; six bore traces of deep anxiety. Silence fell upon the group, as he arose and said:— “It has been the custom of this institution for some time in the past, to graduate its classes upon Friday evening; but the circumstances are such as to necessitate a change from this custom. I hold in my hand a petition, in which it is stated that the undersigned have been members of this school for a number of years, obeying its rules, and passing all required examinations, entitling them to graduation; but should the class follow the usual custom of graduating upon Friday evening, they will be obliged to forego that pleasure and withdraw from the class, as their religious convictions will not permit them to engage in such things on the Sabbath of the Lord; therefore they respectfully request that the time be so changed that all may receive alike the reward for the years of faithful labor. This is signed by six worthy members of this class.
“Now, as the public school is purely a ‘creation of the civil government,’ and ‘rests upon the foundation of political necessity,’ and is not ‘maintained in the interest of, nor in opposition to, religion,’ but is ‘of the people and for the people,’ whether Protestant, Catholic,10or infidel, and as it holds out the same inducements to all, regardless of color, caste, or creed, it is but just and right that this request be granted, and they permitted to enjoy the honor of finishing their school course in the usual way. For this reason the graduating exercises will be held upon Thursday evening, instead of Friday, as previously announced.” A loud hiss resounded through the room, followed by a death-like silence. Then the question was asked, “What right have you to thus decide in favor of one religion to the exclusion of all others?” “I have no right, nor have I so done,” clearly replied the superintendent. “Had I appointed this exercise for Sunday evening, thus excluding the majority of the class from the privilege of graduation, I would be ‘deciding in favor of one religion to the exclusion of all others’; as it is, I am only carrying out the principle upon which the public-school system is founded, namely, equal rights for all. This is a question of personal right, not of religion.” The signal for dismissal was given; the class passed out with flushed and angry faces. Many unkind and scornful remarks were directed to the unhappy six. The following morning a protest from the parents of the other members of the class was received by Mr. Hart, in which it was stated that if he stubbornly adhered to his purpose, showing such marked partiality for the religious opinions of the Adventist members of the class, they should consider it their duty to forbid their sons and daughters taking any part whatever in the exercises. They sincerely hoped he would reconsider his decision, and not depart from the fixed customs of the school. Mr. Hart was a man who stood firmly for principle when convinced that that principle was right. So this protest only served to strengthen his determination to stand firm for the principle, and not give way to prejudice and bigotry. The morning paper contained a notice of the change made, also the names of the twenty-six graduates. Mr. Hart now called upon the pastor of the M. E. Church, and invited him to offer the invocation, and was much surprised at his flat refusal. The minister stated that under the existing circumstances his conscience would not permit him to officiate. The same reply was given by every Protestant divine(?) in the place. Mr. Hart was not a Christian. He hardly knew what to do, but he was determined to have a prayer offered for that class. It finally occurred to him that the Catholic priest might help him. He sought the reverend father, and laid the whole case before him, then invited him to officiate. He kindly accepted. Thursday evening came, and with it every member of the class, all graduating with honor; but liberty-loving, noble-spirited, kind-hearted Mr. Hart was requested to resign, which he did. Now, my dear young readers, this is not fiction, but a fact. Many of our public schools throughout the United States follow this custom. No doubt many who read this article will soon be called upon to decide this very question—some all alone. Shall we compromise our faith, sever our allegiance to God, for the few moments of pleasure and honor a worldly custom offers us, at such an exorbitant price? or shall we stand firmly for principle and right, choosing rather to suffer scorn “than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season”? Christ is our pattern. Did he not know the meaning of self-denial, ignominy, and scorn?—Ah, yes! “The servant is not greater than his Lord.” Remember, “one with God is a majority.”