Bible in Schools.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8074, 26 August 1905, Page 6

Bible in Schools.

(To the Editor)

Sir, Allow me to tell the Eev. Jolly that I do. not wish to "skulk" behind a nom-doplume. lam known as plain

" Thomas Sinclair," but I signed myself " Agnostic " because I think the meaning of the word—one who says "I don't

know"—suits a large number of your readers who hold the same views as myself on this attempt to teach the Bible in our schools. If the Bey. Jolly thinks my views of the Commandments are wrong, why did he not come out and fight openly, not " skulk " behind one or two miserable excuses.

I gave Scripture, and not my own opinions, and I could have said much. The teaching of the Second Commandment is so plain that all the Reverends in the colony cannot get away from it. The likeness of anything animate or inanimate was not to be made, lest the people should bow down and worship them. And this .is added to the.Corninandinent, "For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,*.visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation." Do you mean to tell. me that the- Ruler of the Universe is of a jealous disposition, Mr Jolly—jealous of a poor, uneducated mortal bowing down in worship to a golden calf, for instance ? Is it just to punish the offspring of any man unto the third and fourth generation for'worshipping an idol ? Away with such teaching. It may have suited the Israelites, who believed that their God wns a being like themselves. We are told that Moses wanted to see him, and that He hid Moses in the cleft of a rock and told him to watch when He (God) passed by. Moses says he only saw two " hinder parts." This is about all the clergy see in these days. What about the Fourth Commandment ? " Betnember the Sab* bath day to keep it holy." God was not tired that he should want a rest. This is the old Jewish idea. The day was given to this people to commemorate their deliverance out of Egypt. Look up Deut. v, 15. Here are the words: " Remember that thou was a servant in the land of Egypt and that the Lord thy God brought thee out through a-inighty hand and a stretchedout arm. ■ Therefore, the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day." This is plain Scripture, but the Church will not bow to it. Their "consciences" will not let them teach it. Now, Mr Jolly, let us use the foils like gentlemen, and'let the public judge who is holding to the teachings of the Old Testanient'in this matter.—lam, etc.,

Agnostic.