THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19445, 3 November 1925, Page 11

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

(To the Editor). Sir, —When I wrote in reference to Air. Coull’s views on Bible reading in schools, 1 only desired to express appreciation of what is undoubtedly a proper thing for a man aspiring to political honours to stand for. Bible reading in schools does not mean creed reading, or any other theological quackery thuit is interpreted as Bible read ing. “Secularist” is evidently one of the twentieth century wiseacres who do not believe in the Bible and the great moral teachings and lessons it contains. He is one of those who stand for the Agnosticism of the twentieth century, the fruits of which wo see manifest in the low moral standard of the rising generation to-day. “Secularist” also confounds “religious teaching” with Bible reading, which only goes to show how un*able ho is to form' a proper opinion of what Bible reading moans. When I wont to school at Home we had Bible reading each afternoon, but never any colouring of such reading with mqch of the false notions hold not only, by 4 4 Secularist ” but by religious poo Bible reading I never did any harm Z> those with whom | I was associated; rtither had it a high result, viz., the cultivation of the faculty of reverence and adoration, as well as tho love of our fellows. The great civilisation of modern times owes its birth to tho Bible, and our fathers’ belief in God and the Bible as this realisation. 4 4 Secularist” would rob us of all this, and in its place give us the 4 ‘skull and cross-bones,” and no moral code.

44 Secularist” in his headlong rush to get rid of the Bible has missed the point of tho argument in reference to Britain and unemployment. Britain is the subject of prophesy in the Bible, but “Secularist” does not believe in prophecy, and like tho “dog in the manger” does not want anyone else to have tho good things lie himself cannot eat. Britain’s unemployment is principally due to the “Red” influence, and the lack of desire to work on the part of her industrial population. That is why her goods are not in as keen demand as they should be, due to the policy of “go slow” and 44 indifference,” which has been inculcated into the minds of her workers by her enemies, through the trade unions. That is the reason why she loses. Tho foreigner is working more intelligently and harder and longer, consequently he produces more cheaply, land undersells us. That is why he gets tho business and England misses it. “Secularist” says her belief in God cannot save her. 44 Secularist” is quite wrong here; it is not her belief in God that is at fault, but her belief in Rationalism, Agnosticism, hnd the “Red” propaganda. Let her shun these like the plague. settle down to work and cldar thinking, and she will win out.

Poor 4 4 Secularist ” right, through his reply mixed up “Bible reading” with Christianity or religious teaching. When Air. Coull says he will support Bible reading in schools, he does not say he believes in a conglomeration of erroneous religious teaching which has no Bible sanction, only the sanction nf diverse man-made creeds. Let our children read the Bible as anv other book, land you will find its high moral teaching, and ideals reflected in thfrir lives. “Secularist ” lias no high idealsor moral teaching to offer. His bible is the bible of twentieth century free Wrought, which is a bungle of guesses, :fnd “may bes” and “probabilities.” and uncertainties, which are changed every few years for new “may bps” or “ probabilities. ” The great Conserva tive Government that has been elected

in England to-day is a Bible reading Government, and “Secularist” will find that in a few years, by wise administration and insistence, unemployment in England will die out, and a healthy work a-dtiy tone take its place. Reform in New Zealand has done m,ore for sane Labour than any previous Government has done. What a working man treasures most of all is good work, and good wages, and a good home of his own *as the result of his industry and intelligence. Reform offers these, Reform also sanctifies the sacredness of wages and all it meaps to the worker, by providing the means to work and the right of every man to a job. A God-fearing nation has a bright prospect ahead, and I believe to. strong Reform and progressive Government will make this fair land of ours the envy of the world and the paradise of all willing and industrious workers. Mr. Coull’s support to Bible reading in schools has won him many friends, and I feel sure ho will find himself further advanced in the hearts of lhe people in th*at he stands for clean thinking, clean living, and clean work. These have their rewards, and lot us trust they will find it fully expressed in Iho work of our legislators, and the building of our nation. —I am., etc., S. .T. SULLIVAN.