Guess What I Found in the Massachusetts General Laws? Bible Reading in Public Schools Is Mandated!

General Laws Of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

PART I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

TITLE XII EDUCATION

CHAPTER 71 PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Section 31 Bible reading

Section 31. A portion of the Bible shall be read daily in the public schools, without written note or oral comment; but a pupil whose parent or guardian informs the teacher in writing that he has conscientious scruples against it, shall not be required to read from any particular version, or to take any personal part in the reading. The school committee shall not purchase or use in the public schools school books favoring the tenets of any particular religious sect.

Definition of “shall”:  A directive or requirements; must.

[The American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd College Ed., Houghton, Boston, 1976]

I remember that in the 6th grade, Mr. Crowley's class, each morning he asked us, "Who would like to read the Bible?"  We could read whatever passage we wanted.  It was the only time I read the Bible, because a priest came to our house on a visit and told my mother - "Oh!  You shouldn't read the (Catholic) Bible.  You won't understand it."

But I could read the King James Bible in Mr. Crowley's class.  I always chose Psalms, Ch. 23:1-6, A Psalme of David.  "The Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth mee beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soule:  he leadeth me in the pathes of righteousness, for his names sake.  Yea though I walke through the valley of the shadowe of death, I will fear no evill:  for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.  Thou prepares a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oyle, my cuppe runneth over.  Surely goodnes and mercie shall followe me all the daies of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

It was truly a peaceful way to start the class.