THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Evening Star, Issue 7250, 29 June 1887, Page 2

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR. •- Sib, —At the present time, example coming to us from Italy should shame os to effort in this very, important matter. Professor Catalan!, Royal Inspector of Schools ia Catania, is reported as giving the following instructions to the schoolmasters of the district of Nicosia. 1 have taken the extract from the 'Uombay Guardian “It will be your duty to unfold and fix firmly in the mind of the child the belief in God—that He is the Supreme Being and infinitely good—and so to order your own conduct that the child shall perceive that the chief end of man is to have formed within him the likeness of his Maker, the great type or example of moral perfection. In this wav many and many of those grand educational ana social problems may be resolved, A system of education cannot be complete unless it includes religion. It is well to educate the rising generation in those ideas and principles <3 action which will produce a strong and loyal patriotism. Much more noble, however, is U (would that it were universal!) to instil into their hearts that all-embracing love, that sympathy for all mankind, which includes, as it were, ail the rest of the virtues put together. To this end, I propose that the Gospels shall bo read. I am aware that this suggestion will meet with opposition; but it will be opposed only by those who da not know how much philosophy, science, knowledge of the human heart aud of the doctrines of men is shut up in that book, which is so emluently suited, from its structure and inherent power, to educate tba man." . . . “ There has been of late a very considerable seizure of Bibles by the priests in various parts of Italy. It is a curious thing that the law does not interpose. The Italians should surely stand upon their religious rights to have and to hold that which is certainly their own--Biblea or any other book included," The Bible has nothing to do with sects j it embraces individuals and nations; as a history it is unique; and is the great elevator of mankind.—l am, etc, RIGHT, Dunedin, June 16.