“THE ENGLISH BIBLE"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23505, 20 May 1938, Page 11

“THE ENGLISH BIBLE"

TO THE EDITOH Sir,—lt was with feelings of misgiving and, apprehension that I read a short article in last Thursday’s Daily Times under the above title. It included this statement: “Some years ago, recalls the Rt. Hon. Mr Isaac Foot, writing in the Listener, an inquiry was made into the teaching of English in secondary schools, and this is a passage from the report: ‘At the present time the Bible is probably less widely read and less directly influential in English life and literature than it has been at any time since the Reformation.’” After quoting something that Dean Inge has said to the same effect Mr Isaac Foot continues; “ Now if these things are true, or only partly true, are we not face to face with a grave danger The people of this nation are at present taking upon themselves colossal burdens, and doing it with resolution, because they feel the perilous conditions of the world constitute a menace which must be met. But have we not here another menace, against which w'e should safeguard ourselves? Without the English Bible we should no longer be the same people. It must not be forgotten that the Bible has contributed more than any other single factor to our common education. . . . Even to-day the loss of the Bible would strike the heaviest blow at the foundations of real education. Britain, without the Bible, would in a single generation lose heavily in intellectual stature, and the whole standard of culture would suffer beyond all calculation.”

What is the remedy? A return to the Bible, the Book which our forefathers loved. "Appetite comes with eating.” “ Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. . . When the tempter told Christ to turn stones into bread the Saviour replied by saying, “ It is written. man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of‘the mouth of God.” Many people are substituting the dry bones of “ isms ” and “ ologies ” for the living Word of God. That is why they are starved spiritually. “ What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.” Scores of passages might be cited which show that when we “ read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest ” the Word of God great benefits are bestowed upon us. How peaceful the cow looks as she sits on the grass quietly and calmly chewing the cud. If she were to spend all her time walking over the fields the grass could not do her any good, and we would not have any milk! The word “ ruminate ” means to chew the cud; to muse; to meditate; to ponder. The Psalmist could say: “ O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation.”—l am. etc.. Maran-atha. Other Letter* to the Editor appear on page 6.