to promote, by all the means within its compass, their highest interests here and hereafter. We furnish the following pages with a view to dispel some of the doubts which hang over the subject, and with a hope of inviting others into a field of politico-religious literature which cannot be adequately explored but by many minds in many years. We have endeavored to make it plain that the religious system of the United States is virtually Protestant: that the Christianity woven into the texture of our laws and political institutions cannot be other than Protestant. The Papal system, which holds that there can be no Christianity, no Christian worship, and no salvation, out of the Romish Church, regards our State constitutions as so many warrants for heresy, because they secure to every man the religious right to worship God as he pleases. The system of the United States recognizes one Christianity emanating from the Bible, but admits a diversity of worship and opinion if need be, to every individual man. Which of these irreconcilable systems shall constitute our permanent policy? The present system of Christianity for all, with liberty for all-unity of aim, with diversity of action-can only be maintained by a wise use of our present power and advantages. This Christian system, with its grand principle of toleration, must be maintained when needful at the polls, and vigilantly inculcated in the public schools PHILADELPHIA, March 25th, 1854. CONTENTS. SECTION I. Reference to the position of Christianity before and during our Revolutionary period - Formation of our Political institutions. Religious liberty, toleration offered to all Christian toleration — not merely toleration to Christians and others........... SECTION II. 9 Constitution of the United States-Its relations with Christianity. Oaths of Office - Religious tests and establishments.... 17 SECTION III. Citations from Story's Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States. Chaplains for Army and Navy-De Tocqueville, Alex. Hamilton... SECTION IV. The early Constitutions of the American States on the subject of Christianity and Religious liberty SECTION V. The existing Constitutions of the several States..... SECTION VI. Remarks on the Constitutional Provisions cited in the preceding 24 32 37 SECTION VIII. The Social Bearings of Christianity, and the Civil Duties incum The kind of Education necessary, &c.-The Objections of the SECTION XIII. The Policy of Public Schools adopted in the United States.- SECTION XIV. Professor Stowe's Report on Public Schools, made to the Governor of the State of Ohio. "Thoughts on Popular Education." 97 114 121 SECTION XV. The Responsibility of devising and carrying out the Policy of Religious Education in American Schools lies upon Christians. 125 SECTION XVI. Facilities enjoyed by Christians. The Doctrine of Christian be found..... Appendix A... Appendix B..... 130 . 137 ... 170 THE POSITION OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE UNITED STATES. SECTION I Reference to the position of Christianity before and during our Revolutionary period — Formation of our Political institutions. Religious liberty, toleration offered to all-Christian toleration—not merely toleration to Christians and others. WHATEVER of religious intolerance survived our Colonial history was nearly worn out during the period of our struggle for independence. That was the united effort of men of various Christian denominations, all of whom appealed to God for the justice of their common cause and for that assistance which only Divine wisdom could give, and all of whom were grateful for that Divine favor which was so manifestly accorded. Their gratitude to the Great Giver of every good gift for the success of the effort was shown in very many unequivocal acts of thankfulness and praise. They felt that their success had imposed upon them not only cause of gratitude for the past, but heavy responsibilities for the future. They could not but realize that God in giving them the victory had made no distinction of persons nor of denominations. The blessing was common to all; it was becoming in (9) |