The State has to do with Religion

3. Another pretext for the exclusion of the Bible is, that the State has nothing to do with religion. If by this is meant that it is not the duty of the State to support the Church with endowments, we are agreed. If it is meant that it is not the duty of the State to give preference to one religious body above another, we can understand that; but if it is meant that the State is to have absolutely nothing to do with religion we strongly demur What is "religion"? Dr Johnson defines it as "Virtue as founded upon reverence of God, and expectation of future rewards and punishments." Dr Webster defines it, "As distinct from theology, religion is godliness, a real piety, in practice consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellowmen, in obedience to divine commands, or from love to God and his law." The custom of a country will define the use of the word; religion in China, for example, would be allowed to mean the page 9 observance of the precepts of Confucius. Now, there can be no question that in Britain and the colonies the prevailing religion is the Christian. This is a Christian country. The precepts and principles of religion enter largely into the formation of the common law as now administered in this land. The laws of Alfred and Edward the Confessor continually cite the Scriptures as their sanction, and the influence of religion is to be seen more or less in the practice of the Courts jury is not empanelled, and a judge does not sit, without taking an oath to Almighty God.

The letters D.G. are imprinted on our coins. The cross of our Lord is the emblem of our National flag.

The Holy Bible is to be found in the two Houses of the General Assembly, and in every Court of Justice in the land.

The State deals with offences against the observance of the Sabbath, and with offences of the nature of blasphemy against the Father, and Son, and the Holy Ghost.

It is not correct, then, to say that the State has nothing to do with religion. As a matter of fact it takes to do with it every day. It does not take to do with it for the spiritual welfare of the citizens, but it takes to do with it for its own preservation and welfare.

Religion is inseparably connected with good government, and that the truths of religion should be known by the children is essential to the safety of the State, and even to the right conduct of its business. The State has to do with religion, not by way of propagating it, but with the view of maintaining itself. For the State depends on certain truths held by all religious sects, Protestants, Catholics, and Jews alike.