Vidal v. Girard's Executors

Vidal v. Girard's Executors (1844) was a landmark case which held that the city of Philadelphia had power to administer a charitable trust, or if such trusts were valid.

Background

Stephen Girard left a portion of his will toward the creation of a secular college for young orphans, and banned preachers from holding any post within the college.

The court rejected this, asking:

Why may not laymen instruct in the general principles of Christianity as well as ecclesiastics. There is no restriction as to the religious opinions of the instructors and officers. They may be, and doubtless, under the auspices of the city government there will always be men not only distinguished for learning and talent, but for piety and elevated virtue, and holy lives and characters. And we cannot overlook the blessings, which such men by their conduct, as well as their instructions, may -- nay must -- impart to their youthful pupils. Why may not the Bible, and especially the New Testament, without note or comment, be read and taught as a divine revelation in the college -- its general precepts expounded, its evidences explained, and its glorious principles of morality inculcated? What is there to prevent a work, not sectarian, upon the general evidences of Christianity, from being read and taught in the college by lay teachers? Certainly there is nothing in the will that proscribes such studies.

It further reasoned:

Where can the purest principles of morality be learned so clearly or so perfectly as from the New Testament? Where are benevolence, the love of truth, sobriety, and industry, so powerfully and irresistibly inculcated as in the sacred volume? The testator has not said how these great principles are to be taught or by whom, except it be by laymen, nor what books are to be used to explain or enforce them.

External links

• Vidal v. Girard's Executors, 43 U.S. 127 (1844)