The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1890-12-13
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
THE BIBLE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

NEW OXFORD, Pa, December Sth, $780,
MeSSTS. Edtt0TS during my visit to many
points through the country the past few months
found great controversy that has grown out
of the plan of discarding the reading of the Bible
in considering this subject to try and determine
what harm or good can grow out OF reading the
scriptures at the opening of public school.
First it would be proper to try and acquaint
ourselves as to its tendencies or its effect upon
the morals of the school. If found bad and cal
cuated to mislead and corrupt the morals of the
school, its use should be by all means discon-
tinued. If on the other hand it is found that its
precepts are good and beneficial then am of the
opinion itshould be continued. AS understand
the subject its reading is not in the interest of
any church or creed, but simply the recognition
of divine Creator Now if have the subject
fully in mind it becomes a question whether we
shall recognize God or shall we leave the great
problem for our children to solve, and that out
OF this book that our forefathers have Venerated
and held in respect and have held up as an i'm
portant duty to read and obey its teachings. In
my opinion no home in our land has been proper
home for the healthy growth of family without
its aid and instruction and its precepts, and
cannot understand why book that has for its
teaching Gods word should not be read in school
if it should be read in the home of those who at
tend the school: In fact what is the plan of the
Bible? Is it only for an uncertain purpose and
propriate its use to suit their own convenience?
1 am fully of the opinion if this book cannot be
read in schools it cannot be read in our homes;
and more, / do not think it can be used for pub
lie worship if it cannot be read in public teach
ing. Would it not be we'll to consider this ques-
be done in the matter of reading the scriptures
in both church and school, or has the person who
should feel disposed to enter the protest not
overrated his individuality and Importance in
the creation of God. or glory in his talent and
success or acquisition in personal accomplish
ments, or does disappointment ever weigh heavy
upon your heart, making you sometimes even
doubt whether the government of the universe
is sufficiently wise and strong?
Again, have you considered whether the hand
that has held millions of worlds in their place
without WEAKNESS for thousands of centuries
A I,Air1r
who can make million of worlds from every
particle of dust that the whirlwind strewS on the
sunbeam and not diminish his power, how can
you fear or murmur or be disappointed when the
calm and holy sons of the morning are ever sing
ing into your heart the great lesson of peace,
humility and trust in Him who holds the stars in
His hand, feeds the sparrows, clothes the lily and
feels an especial and paternal interest in every
soul that He has created And what can the
greatest and wisest of men have to be proud of
or the poorest to complain of when the safety,
the glory, the blessedness of all must consist
equally in possessing the favor of that infinite
one of which the scriptures teach. What art
thou, poor worm of the dust, that thou Shouldst
in working discord in the government of the God
that made you Thou art but a mite upon the
surface of the great globe. With all the united
fair face of the earth so deeply as one surge of
the pent-up fire that burns beneath thy feet.
There is no madness so extreme, there is no blind
ness so dark and debasing as that of men who
will not see the witness of a God and His Won
derous works. Shall we set up our will against
is the source of all power, and shall we not all
worship Him who is the sole law which suns and
systems obey as they move in their order of
march upon the field of immensely from age to
age. Would it not be folly or madness in the ex-
IRENE, when upon the trackless ocean with its
unfathomable depths, to say we can now dispose
of or destroy the chart or compass which thous-
ands of years of study have been given to per-
feet its use, while you shall be swept on with the
blaze of suns upon your path and the rush of
planets around where infinite abysses of starry
worlds are swallowed up in the unfathomable
ocean upon which you have embarked! Would
it not be best to trust with the assurance of faith
upon the mmutable law of Him who holds the
stars and the chart for your guide and the COM
pass to point its course Cannot you feel the
protection with the assurance that we can never
go beyond the reach of a God!
Now one word in defence of religion l cannot
understand what any creed or denomination can
base their religious opinions upon if they disre-
gard the Bible, for as l understand the essence
of all religion is simply to own and regard our
relationship to God and His word Therefore it
man not to think of a God when his life is in His
hands and the future is so important to a human
soul. And again, cannot understand when we
sing or praise our Creator what shall be the plan
if we cannot read this word, for its teachings are
for all, and book that has the eternal word
should not be put under bushel but its light
should shine for all the world and the song of
Gods glory be sung morning and evening until
some better and more instructive book can be
given us. Thus we should continue the sacred
custom of our ancestry, for without its blessing
life would be hard lot, pounded out in the
sitting, sooty forge of unbelief. But with UNI
tailoring hope let us look forward to that glori-
Gus day when we shall be clothed with the robes
of Immortality. j. 5. q.