Spiritual Pauperism

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 198, 7 September 1937, Page 3

Spiritual Pauperism

F :r r?.

A'fTLNE.

Sir, — In a sub-leader in your issue of Saturday last you call attention to a statement attributed to Dr. van dor Leeuw that "Materially our modern j world 'is Ticher than any preceding age. 1 but spiritually we are paupors." This is acknowledged in another way by a | recent statement reported as having been made by the Pope, that tho present is "an epoch of the ncgation , of God." While the causes of this widelyrecognised but deplorable condition may be debatable fortunately for the race there is a remedy. Mr. W. A. G. Penlington, Priucipal of the Hastings District High School, recently gave an address on "Education; Its Aims and Problems," and at the conclusion, in answer to a question, paid a tribute to the Bible as an influence in moulding charactcr, and affirmed his bclief that it should ba read in the schools, Now, it is written that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God' and is profitnble for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in jrighteousness ; that the man of Goa may be perfcet, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. 3, 16-17, and in verse 15 that it is ablo to "make thee wise unto salvation." As an antidote to the prevailing "pauperism" why not ineulqate the assimulation of that which can thoroughly furnish and enrich the mind until all spirituality and truth, stimulating those higher faculties wnieh are calculated to distinguish mankind from the brute creation? And what better thing than commence with the young and improssionable? xiie bible is to-diay still the world 's "best seller," yet we have deplorable ignoraneo of its truths and evidence of the neglect of its inlluence on ov'ery hand. Yet the time is surely past when it should be necessary to argue as to its authenticity, for, whilo tho best evidence of its claims are found within its covers, stimulating a respect and confidence, this may be assisted by rnany recent books ' which have ei'fectively demolished many of the claims of the higher critics and exponents of that psuedo-science called evolution.

The finai cure of the spiritual pauperism referred to will be effected by Christ returned to earth, but in tho meantime we have the opportunity to ai.quire an ennobling education which may have its finai fruit in the reward of immortiality. As a practical aid to an understanding of the Bible may I offer your readers, free, gratis and for nothing, a table by whieh it may be rcad completely and systematically. — Yours, etc.,

Pukahu, 6/9/37.