tions cited will never after be in error as to what is meant by "religious liberty."

SEC. 17. MISSISSIPPI.-The constitutional provisions in relation to the liberty of conscience, of speech, and of the press, are in legal effect the same in this State as in Alabama, and the language is very nearly the same. (Const. of Miss. art. 1, secs. 3-7.)

SEC. 18. LOUISIANA.-The Constitution of this State is singularly silent on the subject of religion. The freedom of the press is secured, and every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for an abuse of this liberty. (Const. of La. tit. 6, art. 106.) This is one of the few Southern States that have a system of public schools. These schools suffered greatly from the war, but it is to be hoped that they will not be permitted to languish long, now that peace is restored. So many considerations of vast import to the highest interests of the State, and so many influences affecting alike the moral and intellectual welfare of her citizens, are involved in this, that the encouragement of popular education would seem to be the simplest expression of public duty at this crisis. The war has, indeed, deprived most of those citizens, who formerly supported public schools, of the power of contributing to them for a period which it is not now easy to determine. But while this is true, it can not be overlooked that, now more than ever, are the people in need of a liberal system of public education which will supply their children with those advantages which their private

means will no longer enable them to afford. Upon the State, therefore, falls the responsibility of a wise and provident legislation-a legislation that shall hold the present in wardship for the future-to guard this beneficent system from complete extinction. (Rep. of Supt. Jan. 22, 1866.)

SEC. 19. TEXAS.-The law on the subject under consideration is the same in Texas as in Alabama, though not expressed in the same words. It is also made the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as shall be necessary to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of their own mode of public wor ship. (Const. of Texas, art. 1, secs. 3 and 4.)

SEC. 20. ARKANSAS.-The civil rights, privileges, or capacities of any citizen shall in no wise be diminished or enlarged on account of his religion. (Const. of Ark. art. 2, sec. 4.) But no person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil department of this State, nor be allowed his oath in any court. (Id. art. 8, sec. 3.)

SEC. 21. TENNESSEE. The law as to religion in this State is the same in legal effect, and almost the same in language, as in Maryland. 3 and 4; Id. art. 9, sec. 2.)

(Const. of Tenn. art. 1, secs.

SEC. 22. KENTUCKY.-The people of this State have reserved to themselves full religious liberty. (Const. of Ky. art. 13, secs. 5 and 6.) We find nothing in the school laws inconsistent therewith.

SEC. 23. WEST-VIRGINIA.-The constitutional provis

ions are the same in legal effect as in Kentucky. (Const. of West-Va. art. 2, sec. 9.) But all teachers employed in the public schools of this State shall read or cause to be read at least one chapter from the Bible, in a language understood by the scholars, every day at the opening of the school, and inculcate the duties of piety, morality, and respect for the laws and government of this country. (School Laws of West-Va. 1866, sec. 29.)

SEC. 24. OHIO, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, Oregon, MINNESOTA, and DELAWARE.—What has been stated of Kentucky will apply equally to all of these States. (Const. of Ohio, art. 1, sec. 7; Const. of Mich. art. 4, secs. 39-41; Const. of Ill. art. 13, secs. 3 and 4; Const. of Mo. art. 13, secs. 4 and 5; Const. of Oregon, art. 1, secs. 2— 7; Const. of Minn. art. 1, secs. 17 and 19; Const. of Dei. art. 1, secs. 1 and 2.)

SEC. 25. INDIANA.-The constitutional provisions are the same in substance as in the foregoing States. (Const. of Ind. art. 1, secs. 2-7.) But the Bible shall not be excluded from the public schools of the State. (Com. School Laws of Ind. 1865, sec. 167.)

SEC. 26. IOWA.-The constitutional provisions are much like those in Alabama, and the same in legal effect. (Const. of Iowa, art. 1, secs. 3 and 4.) But the Bible shall not be excluded from any school or institution in this State, under the control of the Board, nor shall any pupil be required to read it contrary to the wishes of his parent or guardian. (School Laws of Iowa, 1864, ch. 8, sec. 1.) The spirit of this law, it seems to us, is more

consistent with the Constitution of the State than is the West-Virginia or Indiana law on the same subject.

SEC. 27. WISCONSIN. The constitutional provisions are the same in legal effect here as in Alabama. (Const. of Wis. art. 1, secs. 18, 19.) But the Constitution of this State also, in reference to district schools, provides that "no sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein." (Id. art. 10, sec. 3.) We think, however, that this provision is unnecessary, as what it provides for would naturally follow from the other provisions.

SEC. 28. CALIFORNIA.-The provision in the Constitution of California on this subject is similar to that in the Constitution of New-York, and the same in legal effect. (Const. of Cal. art. 1, sec. 4.) No. books, tracts, papers, catechisms, or other publications of a sectarian or denominational character shall be used or distributed in any school, or shall be made a part of any school library; neither shall any sectarian or denominational doctrine be taught therein. (Revised School Law of Cal. 1866, sec. 60.) We think our friends in California have the true idea of religious liberty.

SEC. 29. KANSAS.-No religious sect or sects shall ever control any part of the common school or university fund of the State. (Const. of Kansas, art. 6, sec. 8.) SEC. 30. PRAYER IN SCHOOL. The law is pretty much the same in all the States on this subject. We find it every where written in blank. Nothing is more

certain, however, than that prayer is allowable when no

one objects to it; but it should always be perfectly free from sectarianism. Prayer, if made in the schools established by the State, should be made in the spirit of the laws of the State. But here is the difficulty. It is next to impossible for an individual who is sectarian to speak and act in every instance in the spirit of laws that are not sectarian. The law, generally speaking, regards all sects and persuasions with perfect impartiality; any teacher who can do the same thing and in the same spirit, we think, may reasonably expect to be permitted to open or close his school with prayer without serious objection. But, in the language of the Constitution of Virginia, "it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other." The teacher should practice forbearance, love, and charity toward the scholars and toward their parents, and he should respect their opinions and wishes, precisely as he would have his own respected by them. If he can do this sincerely, he will probably be permitted to open or close his school with or without reading and prayer, just as he may deem most agreeable. We hope that no teacher who knows the law will cease praying through fear. The other and better way will be to make the spirit and the prayer harmonize with the law, and then "walk in the light."