THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Southland Times, Issue 1596, 25 June 1872, Page 3

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sib, — A correspondent in your issue of the 21st June complains that at my late meeting I have " unintentionally, no doubt, publicly degraded the Word of God by pl&oiag it on a level with the human histories oi Greece and Borne." I should deeply regret if anything ever fell from me which could fairly bear such a construction. The reply I made to an elector is not before me, but from memory I think your correspondent hai unintentionally strained its meaning. It should not be overlooked that the sacred volume has its deeply touching human aspect as well as its diTine, and it was towards this former my reply tended, as addressed not to the questioner, but to those who, placing the Bible on the level of ordinary human history, yet iliogically demand its exclusion from the public schools. The G-eneral Government Education Bill contains an enacting clause regarding tho reading of the Bible,

which in itself I heartily agree with, but if it is implied thereby that the power which thu3 prescribes has also the right to proscribe, my feeling at once becomes changed. I hold that no power ? on earth has a right to prohibit the inculcation of . | Scripture truth in the public schools, or other- . wise. It is a matter for the people themselves, whose welfare it concerns, and should be left i entirely in their hands. I therefore deprecate ' that " zeal, but not according to knowledge," i which cries continually for Parliamentary enactment to secure the priceless privilege we already i possess, and that from a higher than any earthly ! source. I make this statement now as it may i explain the position I may have to take when " the question is a«ain before the General Assem- : bly.— l am, &c, W. H. Caldeb.