THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 April 1910, Page 4

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln reply to Mr Nation's question: "Are mot they, i.e., the Scriptures, too sacred .to be taught to the children of our schools by secularist teachers?" 1 should bo content for "qualified religious teachers"—as I termed thorn in ii former letter—to be entrusted with that task, i.e., the leaders of the various religious bodies who hold the fundamentals of Christian Faith. Tn regard to the Lord's Prayer and Us use, how threadbare are the arguments advanced! Because it bias various versions, arc the public to be gulled into believing that therefore the form as used by Christian people all over the world is a corrupt one? Because, there are various forms and reproductions in our coinage from year to year, does that alter their intrinsic value? Tf I give a hoy a penny, does he hand it back with a "No thanks, it can't he genuine, because there are so many kinds of pennies?" The many manuscripts from which our translations are made' are all the stronger evidence of the Divine original. It was first spoken Dy our Lord, and although the doxology may havo been added in later years by Christian worshippers, yob none of the variations materially alter the sense or the intrinsic value of the Prayer. "Tampered with," indeed, when the revisers, with all reverence, have endeavoured to throw more light upon the original! In regard to the "Ten Commandments," how ridiculous to ask: "Why is ._ . . this new Commandment—i.e., that yo love one another— .... ignored, etc?" Was it not out Lord who, in summing up the Ten Commandments, said: (Matt, xxii., 37-39) "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . and, thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself?" It was only a new Commandment in that it was "announced as the great leading central command of the now Covenant" (Bishop.Walsliam How.) 1 know our people can trust us to teach their children such leading truths in the Scriptures as are "necessary to salvation," without enlarging upon the corrupt state of the Israelites so faithfully pourtrayed in the Book of Judges. As to the story_ of Jonah, our Lord refers to him as a type of Himself, and in such a sense the story is not without value. And if we believe in the Divine Teacher, why not teach our children the story of His first miracle in Cana of Galilee? - Yours, etc., S. G. COMPTON.