BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21906, 15 September 1934, Page 17

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sir,— Mr. 1?. C. Simmons' letter clears up the puzzle. He is evidently the victim of nn extract (I use his term'), which lias been mutilated. My quotation comes from the original lecture. I am at Taupo and so cannot 3uote the reference for him, but I will o so on my return next week. Meanwhile, I think T can quote from memory the vital words and their connection with Mr. Simmons' version. Following upon the sentences in which the various religious ideals are enumerated and derived from the subjects the school curriculum ("accuracy" from arithmetic, etc.), Dr. Jacks asks: "And do you teach religion directly?" "Not much, but enough to bring the whole thing to a point . . . and so build up the Church of Christ." Then follows the rest of Mr. Simmons' quotation. From this it is clear that the whole curriculum was designed to impart religion through every subject and the whole brought to bear on direct personal religion. That is why I indignantly challenge Mr. Simmons' attempt to use this magnificent argument for religious instruction in school as an argument against it. Tf he has done so unwittingly T am sorry the words I used about , "twisting a quotation" should have reflected upon him and not upon the manipulation of his "extract," but that, of course, is not my fault. The facts remain as T have stated them. W. Lawsox Marsh.