CORRESPONDENCE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 January 1913, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

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BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—One of your correspondents is not quite clear as to my meaning, when I' say that for the State to teach religion, is an unscriptural method. I thought it was put plain enough, but, by your permission, I will put it in qther words. The Scriptural'l method, or rule for teaching religion, is for those who know and love God's Word, to teach it to others. The State officials, whether lawmakers or school teachers, need not necessarily be Christians, in order-to do-the work which has been appointed them, any more than a tradesman should be required to profess Christianity before being accounted able to properly instruct his apprentice. A law-maker or a school teacher might be what we should call a n unbeliever, yet they might be exactly fitted to fill such positions. It would be unscriptural to demand Bible teaching from them ; God does not ask it, neither should we. They may greatly bless humanity by faithfully discharging the duties laid upon them, and for which they may be well qualified. To refuse such good services from our fellow-creatures, because they do not supply that which we should not demand, would be like blaming the cow for not giving us eggs, along witn her milk and butter. Civil laws may be made by the will of the majority, but not so with religion, the way of salvation has been planned by. the unerring, unchangeable God. If majorities might rule in religious matters, we might have one thing to-day, and quite a different thing given us to-morrow, and these laws would be enforced by penalties, imprisonments, and death, just as it has been in the past. Let us show our love for the children by securing to them (as long as we can) the blessings of civil and religious liberty. God's Word (that very Word which the " Bible in Schools League" wishes to teach the children), tells us plainly what the end of this controversy will be. Alas, that so few are heeding God's gracious warning. I am, etc., G.J.