BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 96, 18 January 1924, Page 13

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sir.—May I crave space in your Widely-read.columns to reply to “Luxin Tenebris.” as his letter may. be interpreted bv the reading public as expressing the views of tho teaching profession as a whole, and consequently may do incalculable harm Fortunately, despite your corresnmident’s assor-

tions to the contrary, the large percentage of masters, who are university graduates, with liberal ideas, really form an insignificant portion . of . the actual teaching strength of tho Dominion. With brazen effrontery this follower of Max Muller and adherent of “the advanced school of thought.” with its agnostic theories, revolutionary ideas and soul-destroying doctrine, proceeds to show that dissension and sectarian strife would, arise if the bible were introduced into schools. Mv opinion is that biblical lessons would moot with the approval of all right thinking parents, irrespective of denomination, provided tho instruction was given by Christian teachers, in whose hands the issue would be safe. As superintendent of a country branch .of “The Young Citizens’ League.” which is founded or, a strictlv religious basis, I enrolled several Catholic children as members, with the entire approval of the parents. Granted that we have an overcrowded curriculum, there are subjects that could with advantage bo deleted, and Scripture lessons substituted therefor. Those who advocate the exclusion of the bible from schools apparently fail to realise that an educational system that seeks to mould our boys and girls the men ord women of to-morrow, Into loyal, useful, law-abiding citizens, without taking God into account, must inevitably fail of its purpose, . and bo brought to confusion. . A nation’s .religion is its life; religion, like charity, should begin at home, but should be fostered nnd stimulated in the school, as tho foundation stone of characterbuilding. Local conditions often render impossible the establishment of a Sunday school in country districts, so that the public school is. the fit and proper place for the spiritual as well as the phvsical training of the child. Thank God tire profession numbers in its ranks scores of teachers readv and willing to undertake the teaching cf God's Holy Word to the little children entrusted to their care, regarding it as a labour of love in the service of the Great Teacher, to whom they in turn look for guidance and strength. —I am, etc., “HUMILITY.”