Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-12-26

gated 10y Superln, endcnt Weaver O.
New York. Let these opinion.
stand or fall BY their merits, and no,
be decided by names merely.
We have no right to set the Bible
asi lie when fair number OF the pat
rons, numerically majority or mi.
notify, d, sire its retention. Bu,
those parents or guardians who oh
,jrct should have their children ex.
cused from Biblical exercises and
they should not, on this account, be
subject to perteculion or discrmina-
ton. Il course varying widely from
,hia will be apt to violate the rights
Of individual conscience on one side
or the other.
Much in this case will depend on
the te achers. A Christian teacher
" it'll tho practical wisdom which
comes from the true bencr olepce OF
the gospel, will find no difficulty in
the great majority Of cases. 1t one
mode OF using the Bible is objection.
able, another may wisely be adopted.
In country school where there arc
many Catholics. l have seen the
school opened by recitation of Bible
verses, in most cases from the Doway
version In other places or at times
Bible Lessons may fix Scriplural
truth and guide in duty better thar
the formal reading OF the Bible can.
Sometimes the reading o! selected
passages in concert, or the recitation
Of important parts of Scripture may
give variety and awaken interest
Some Bible Manuals present inter
esting portions IN an attractive form.
! have found excellent arrangements
OF Scripture in some school read.
ers.
But many will say, This is a small
matter. !. makes little difference
whether the Bible is voted in or
out \ writer, before referred to,
tells MS that he has no objections to
the Bible in the scfool.room, but ii
others wish he is willing 20 give it
Zip. Very fair ard appropriated this
seems. So seemed the father Of
"Sqnatter Sovereignty" when he said
II care not whether slavery is voted
up or down." But thia indifference
to great principles and lack OF moral
convictions stamped the man who
uttered these words as trainer more
than q statesman. The seemingly
tair proposition of Solomon to divide
tho living child pleased the mother
of the dead ono. See had no preia
1ices. But the true mothers affcc-
tion preferred to give all rather than
submit to this wicked impartia!,ty.
Many Christian educators SEQ no
way out OF the impending conflict
with sectarianism and skrp,icism but
to give up the Bible rather than give
up our school system. We need not
impugn their motives, though lie.
lieving that they are in error. We
can 2tord to give ur minor points if
thereby gu, n'ai.: p -,'Inn is strength
ened But no prudent general will
give up except or compulsion point
that commands tho tcrtrcss. Soldiers
consider 1t the greatest disgrace to
lose their banner. To yield tt the
clamor that would Danish the Bible
from our schools looks like giving mp
key-point or abandoning banner.
It is wisdom 10 learn from the enemy.
With wise insight they demand the
removal OF :hc Bible and feel when
this is gained that they have CONCUR.
ed commanding position. No ar
gnment will persuade them that tho
presence or absence Of the Bible is
thing OF MINOR consideration. No
argument will persuade thoughtful
men generally that it is that book,
ma'chlcss in literary sts'e, III intel
lec,ual light, in moral and spiritual
power, is no. thing to be lightly re-
jec,el. 1t may seem little thing
tor tho sake OF peace to rcrttovc it
from our schools; but this granted, a
thoroughly goddess edncatio,', and a
goddess civil life logically follows;
Let us not be s,icklers for 4 form,
merely for torin's sake. It is because
the form embodles an important
principle that We stand tor it. But
We need to make it manifest that
this is the fact. Having the Bible in
our schools, let it not only be lead,
but let it's power be felt in the prac
tical guidance Of school life. Let
the practical virtues OF Christianity
be taught in daily lite. The duties
Of kindness, unse.fish generosity:
forgiveness, may be inculcatcd most
fifty as occasion is presented in tho
daily incidents OF school life. Let
these be taught not as prudential,
but as Christian virtues. Sincerity
of heart before u heart scaching God
is lesson implied in the civil onh.
It may properly be taught in the
schoolroom The elements Of Christ
ian morality may be impaired here,