THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1623, 14 December 1912, Page 3

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir,—The burning question of the hour is whether the Bible should or should not be permitted in our: State schools. . The question is ono of very great importance, and should be , discussed dispassionately, free from prejudice. Many people have a vague idea that it is the duty of Governments to. provide religious, 'instruction. That this is not so was clearly and emphatically stated by that eminent statesman, Lord Macaulay,.in hie brilliant and logicaV essay in reply to Mr.'Gladstone's ingenious, but erroneous, pamphlet on "The Church and State." It is interesting to' note in this connection -that Mr. Glad-stone-himself afterwards actually disendowed the Anglican Church in Ireland, thus practically admitting that his previous attitude relating to ecclesiastical affairs had to be abandoned.

We have no quarrel either with . the Bible or religion, in. fact both command our deepest respect and veneration, but we contend that the opportunities offered to the clergy for instructing both children and adults is'amply provided for in our Sunday schools and churches It seems to.us a'reflection on the clergy : themselves, in .fact an admission of weakness 011 their pait, to seek ■ to enter ■ our public schools, where their . presence is .neither necessary nor- desirable. Should this knotty problem be referred to l the people for settlement? As they are equally entitled to vote on education as oa drink, the question should be. that if Bible instruction be given in the schools, it. shall be given wholly and solely by the. teachers. Surely if the teachers std not I competent to speak on. the historical and literary contents of the Bible, then we say that they arc riot competent to teach other elementary subjects.' 1 On the contrary, there is no. body of men half so well equipped for this task,; since . they are specially trained to instruct, r the young,; and to.entertain thsi'dca of inviting othergentlemen to undertake work which properly and oiiriglik bjaloflfrs, tp.>-ftem, and; them alone, 'is, in our opinion" "to" cast a? stigma on the whole "professioa. ' Tho teacher in the school should be supreme, and the profession, as a whole should', 6tand unitedly as one man to assert their

Tights, without fear or favour, and they may rest assured if they adopt this attitude that the public -will support them.— I am, etc., . -~ ■■" A. E. COUZENS, . '■ Cboirmaji of the Brooklyn School Committee, i ■ ' ■