The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-11

ject And in many cases they have no
more knowledge than the children.
To the Christians, the SUNDAY
we must look for the remedy. And not
try to load upon the schools the re-
sponsibilities which properly belong 10
the churches and to the parents
THE lack of knowledge of the Bible
is widespread, both on the part of those
in as we'll as out of the church. And
this ignorance is greatly to be deplored
1t is well known that many of the
young fail to understand certain allu-
sions in general literature because they
refer to Bible passages and stories with
which they are unfa m1l1ar Inc loss TO
the individual is quite as great on the
score of general intelligence as on the
score of morality and religion.
1.-THE ignorance of the history of ones
country is in some respects like the ig-
norance of the Bible. 1t is Impossible
to understand and appreciate certain
elements of our civilization unless
thoroughly conVerSant with both. we
need knowledge of the history of the
country to understand much of the best
of literature of that country, and to get
the inspiration that may be derived
from it, For knowledge of history re-
ferred to increases force of the lesson
the literature would teach. What does
Paul Revere's ride mean to any one
who does not know about the American
revolution?
1--WE need knowledge of the Bible to
appreciate some of the best literature
of the world. Especially do L believe
this is true of English literature. Ignor-
ance of the history of ones country
does not cut one off from all the effects
of the course of its development, It's
liberty. its institutions, its Schools ah 40
its stable government. The effects OF
civilization we feel every day, ana can
not escape if We would
so we cannot escape the effects OF
Bible teachings Our civilization Is sa.-
urated with Christianity and the teach
ings of the Bible. Nor can we escape
these effects if we would. We see ana
feel the effects of the teachings OF the
bible in the lives of those who are per
sonally inspired by these teachings to a
lofty life until happily we catch their
shirt till some of it rules in our lives
More come to Christian lie 1 pelete
through falling in love with the beauty
of Righteousness, the kingliness OF ser
vice, the life-giving power of sel1-re-
nouncement the spirit of the Master as
found in the lives of those they love anu
venerate: / believe more come to Christ
In this way than from the reading OF the
records of His life in the New Iesta-
ment. Through contact with announcer
soul in which there is eternal life, most
find. I think, the Christian life. Here
we get the teachings of the Bible Win
out knowing their source 0ftent1mes. VIZ
do not get the fullest inspiration anu
help until we absorb the spirit at hrst
hand For this we need, not passing
acquaintance; not knowledge of other
peoples knowledge; but an intimate
knowledge, an exceeding Iaitiiiaii'
with the best parts of the Bible. A
widespread lack of this intimate hrst
hand knowledge would be most pernic-
ious. because it would mean mora! de-
generation The spirit of the book Is,
however. woven into our civilization ana
exemplihed in the lives of thousands, so
that its influence cannot be escaped
"Giving credit of the feeling of the ex--
IRENE value of the Bible as a means OF
moral spiritual culture in the minds OF
those who are back of the movement to
have the Bible read by requirement in
the public schools, yet I cannot refrain
from expressing myself as very much
opposed to the project and to say that
hope the plan will not be adopted by
those who are placed in charge of the
schools