, 1876-09-03
LETTERS.
THE BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.


10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
CH1cAGo, Aug. 26.-The communication in
!our issue Of yesterday morning from one who
subscribes himself IA Father ~ Was evidently
addressed to the Rev. Mr.. Parkhurst. But as
he adds "and others,' that means me. Heasks
aSreat many foolish questions, and, in copse-
qcencc, Is wholly unworthy Of notice, hut since
| know something about the "Bib1e in the
Schools" desire to make some remarks to this
"Father"
TO dwell itt1s upon preliminaries first: It
Is barrow minded and ignorant man who will
TIT to bring up isolated passages Of Scripture
and palm them off upon an intelligent public Is
evidence which should condemn the Bible.
"hy don't "Father" tell the whole story when
hc talks Of David or those cruel warss Those
histories are impartial narratives, and give the
fullest details OF what they profess to narrate
lhen he points out the objectionable parts,
Which ere simple nanatious, as though they
were sanctioned by the good book. He asks,
Tan We approve Of most Of the morals taught
III The Old Testament" Now, presume this
Father u can't turn to the Bible without find
ing scme Of those obscene passages he talks
hoout Perhaps it NAV be because they are the
only ones that attract luis attention. GAS
man thinketh, YOU know.' q Birds of feather
mock t,gcther." and undoubtedly roost to-
'Iethcr> So this "Fatler,' perhaps, always
otds comfortable perch on what he calls the
OBSCENE passages. 1t is impossible for me to
much as desire to do SO at this time. But I
WI WY make this assertion: For every passage
fafher'' can find in the Holy Bible that he
Ian W any possibility construe into obscenity
.: Lean ind fifty passages which teach the Chris
Ana Ana f5aees. ga So eau ANYBODY 50 inclined: ii
age . percentage OF the Bible, and
particularly tie New Testament, find ap-
psopf1ate passages for -public~school read
~ without turning to Solonon's song, or
ny other part Of the Bible that Father " can
poes1oiy dub as being obscene. have taught
:ot years, and have always opened my exercises
M 70 the morning by having my pupils read por-
LION ot Scripture in concert, and follow it with
rspeanng the Lords Prayer in concert; and
ae'ef saw single "blush of shame" mantle
'ne e Cheeks e Of MY pupils either.
49, fatt:eE asserts that the New Testament
a1lstoly Is legendary and was not written for
se'sfes Of years ~ after the events transprcd.
LUIS Is not true He had better read up little,
.ao nut take SO muc1, from hearsay. He also
'ess tile accounts Of the crncihxion and resur-
.estlon e are SO contradictory that they lose all
talue as evidence, and hence the crcdjbility OF
:ae Gospels is destroyed. This is laughable in
aeeo; These Gospels that have stood the most
ns massdng Investigation and keenest logic OF the
.troytd with perfect ease BY "Father,'' arc
saey: On the contrary, they always will stand
Is 1s, they stand to-day, "foundcd on a rock"
y. Father - would do we'll to read up the CON
:eeiaporaries Of the Gospel writers, aud see what
niney think of the crelibility Of the Gospels.
~ name might be quoted ID support Of what
RI ather" thinks is destroyed by contradictions.
ane 0ospel writers all agree as to the facts con-
eefnlnF the crucidxion aud resurrection, but
ae4te these facts i'll adillercnt way; which makes
y, worth infinitely more rs evidence than if they
~ ~ SAID the same things in the same words; III
.ne latter case any sane mind would put IT down
= an iinposture
he admits that the morals taught in the New
,,s;,1 tssstament are unohjectionae1e; then, while
nu!n1ttlng this to be the ease, wants to know,
little further OIL, if t:proper education and
PUTTY !n q thought" can be Advanced BY red ed
ns such book as the New Testament his
imply proves that he is all muddled up, aud
3on.t know what lie is talking about. Indeed.
t: nave no doubt he could answer nearly all OF
us Owl questions satisfactorily to himself, as
sse meu as complimentary to the Bible, by exam.
u!e New Testament morals are "uuobjection.,
Aa4e." coming as it does from q man opposed