FOR THE SABBATH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 629, 20 December 1913, Page 2

FOR THE SABBATH.

Sermon preached by the il?.v. I:'. S. Wayne, on the subject of the Bib'e-in-Schoola on Sunday last. Deut. 8, part o. —"That He migiit make thee know that in an doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeaeth out of the inuuth of God doth man live," From the opening verse ov thw Did Testament to its close (bore is no greater statesman than Pilose*. For forty years after tho captivity in Egypt be led the Israelites in the wilderness till from a nation of slaves they were able to enter upon a war of conquest that did not end till they had possession of the whole land they had determined to win. Again, as a lawgiver he has no rival in ancient history. Far seeing, ° just, treating all classes alike, the law he gave, is still the groundwork of the I3W of civilsed nations, and added to these great gifts he was also a prophet, seeing the inevitable consequences of justice and injustice, good and evil, on the character of people in all times. And because of this Moses' words are of special interest tu us, written, as they were, to direct a young nation in the early years of its self-government. Like us in New Zealand, they were to possess a land where the conditions of life were much easier, than in former years. Where men would struggle to grow rich, and for comfort and enjoyment. And it was this growing prosperity that he feared, not the hardships of conquest, which would draw them together in a common purpose for the common good. And because he felt that with prosperity would come self - satisfaction, he warned them to consider the past, to remember that "man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God." He longed to enter into the good land yet he would have them fesl that national greatness, lasting prosperity, their usefulness in the world, would not come though comfort of life, but by building the character of the individual, and so the nation on the word of God. He does not say "be good and you will be happy," but form your character on the word of God. Feed on it just as your body is strengthened by bread. And we the people of New Zealand have to decide in our national education whether the word of God, or some other standard, is that on which the character of the children is to be formed. We should look at it with one object, the good of national life. Education means not only imparting knowledge, that is a small part, but forming the mind of the young so that knowledge will be a power to help in life. In the mission field this is far more evident, though, no more true, than among us. All knowledge is an increased power, a power that may be either for good or evil Therefore the church strives by every possible means to form character, not only in school, but from childhood to age in the true knowledge that is of God. Now we tee on the one side the Roman Catholic church making great sacrifices to build its own schools, and teach religion, and on the other hand the secularists who think that moral training is needed" and can be given in school apart from the word of God. And standing between tnese two parties is the Bible-in-State Schools League. It agrees with the Roman Catholic Church, and with the secular party that education, apart from religious or moral teaching is not a true, full education. It claims that in the people's schools the people have a right to have their children taught the Faith of their fathers. It asks for no experiment, but for a system to be tried here, that has the approval of Parliaments and educational authorities, in Australia. It has had nearly half a century's trial in NewSouth Wales, and is there only opposed by one church. The church that is definitely against State education. And that it gives satisfaction to a very large majority is not questioned The League is supported by the governing bodies 0? Anglicans, Presbyterian?, Methodists, and ihe Salvation Army in New Zealand, and what they ask for themselves, they wish all others to have, that the parent may say if hi? own child shall be taught or not taught about God in trie schools. V. ; i iild wo bad a statesman I'.kc [vir?"s to ronvince the people that "man cloth art live by bread alone, but by every we;ri that proeeedeth cut of the month of God." We want an education that will fit the children Cor the struggle of life. Tn take their proper place among thinking men. and that will enable them to secure success in the competition of life, and at the same time make them strong to choose the good and refuse the evil. That is true education. We have the highest authority for this when Jesus Christ repeated the words of our text to His tempter, "'man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Then let us begin with God early at home, at school, at church. Let the children learn that He is in all, that His Word is a lightto the feet, and a lamp to the path. For it is as false to separate education from God in the minds of the children, as it is to separate creation from the Creator, We want the best education we can procure for the children, but let U3 pray God it may be one that will teach them to feel "In God we live and move and have our beinc." To say with the Psalmist. "This God is our God for ever and ever, He will be our guide unto death." Then knowledge will be power directed by God.