The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-03-24
Reasons why the Bible Should
he Read i'm Common
schools.
BY JOHN RANKIN.

have many good reasons why
the Bible should be read in tho COM
mon schools, some of which will
now be noticed:
First. 1t contains the creed of all
christian people, and there is moth
In it that will iniure the children Of
infidels.' 1t is right that the chill
dren should haye a knowledge of
the truths contained in the Bible,
and for that reason it should be read
in the schools. The Bible is not a
sectarian book, Catholics and prot
estants alike believe that it is di-
vinely inspired.
Second. The Bible reveals the ex-
istence of God as q spiritual being.
existing in Father, Son and Spirit,
and as ~ being infinite in nature and
perfection. This important truth
could not be derived from the light
of nature. To the Bible we are in
debted for true knowledge of the
virtues and character nf God. For
this reason the Bible. should be read
in the schools. A true belief in the
exis tence of God is essential to our
well being both in time and in eter-
nifty.
Third. The Bible reveals TO us the
origin of our solar system. 'Tn six
days the Lord made heaven and
earth, the sun, and all that In them
is.2-Exod. 20, IL. Here is one OF
the grandest truths ever presented
to the human mind. The Infinite
Jehovah, instead of laboring during
vast ages, as biologists believe he
did, in creating and fitting up our
solar system, produced and compile
ted the whole of it in six days. Man
was formed to be lord of the earth.
All kinds of beasts and reptiles
moved upon its surface; animals
great and small, pervaded the ocean
and fouls few in the air. The face
of the earth was green with vegeta.
ton; beautiful plants and flowers
abounded. In the garden of Eden
were trees bearing golden fruits
All completed in six days. How
grand was the display of divine wis
dom, power and goodness.
Fourth. The Bible reveals to u
the spiritual world in which there
are two places. Heaven for tbs
righteous and hell for the wicked
In heaven there are perfect holiness
aud endless happiness. In hell there
are endless SHINING and endless SUI.
fering. Thus the Bible presents the
strongest motives to well doing anC
the strongest penalty against evi
doing, and in addition to these, thu
! Bible reveals God as being infinitely
lovely. Consequently, no other booi
in the world Is so well adapted K
prompting children to virtuOus con
, duct, and to guarding them against
vicious practices. Hence there il
good reason for reading the Bible
in schools.
Fifth. The Bible forbids all crimi
nal action, and enioins perfect con,
duct. There is no species of Grim
that is not directly or indirectly for
hidden. All that is injurious {
ourselves and others is sinful an
r prohibited by the Bible, and by
all that is virtuous and noble is en-
Joined. 'SThou shalt love the Lor
: thy God with all thy heart" Gan
i thy neighbor as thy self" "a
things whatsoever you would tia
men shOOld do to you, do ye eve
/. 90 to them, for such il the law snG
the prophats." Perfect obedience I
Q Neutrality-suspicious. would set the worl
r at peace, aud Danish all human deg
relation from the world. These iu
;; functions are enforced by the strong
& est motives TO obedience that can b