Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1902-07-17
THE BIBLE AS A STANDARD,

At a meeting of the National Edu-
cational Association, which closed
Friday in Minneapolis, a series of
resolutions were adopted which con-
tain many suggestions of value. One
section is of especial interest. 1t is
as follows:
Eighth-It is apparent that famil-
iarity with the English Bible as a
masterpiece Of literature is rapidly
decreasing. This is a direct result of
a conception which regards the Bible
as a theological book merely, and
thereby leads to its exclusion from
the schools of some States. We hope
and ask for such a change Of senti-
ment as will permit and encourage
the English Bible, now honored by
name in many school laws and State
constitutions, to be read and studied
as a literary work of the highest and
purest type.
We regret to say there seems to be
a growing impression that the Bible
is wholly and solely a theological
work. It is not our purpose here to
discuss the Importance of reading
the Bible from a purely religious
standpoint, but to make a few pass
ing comments upon its inestimable
value as the greatest literary produc-
ton of any age. Aside from the
broad moral influence which a sys-
tematic study of the Bible will nee
nccoTiIxy "ipII NXvnp tho vNTInO an6
old mind alike, passing by with only
a reference to it's inspiration to char
ity, selt-sacrifce, purity of life and
ems of duty, we must admit that
for direct style, pointed diction.
forceful construction, imagery, and
all that goes to make up the art O.
writing, no book "a compare with
the Bible. It's words are well chosen
and properly placed. For classified
ton, coherency of expression anC
rhetorical finish it has no equal. Blu
a word on the subject matter anC
treatment. It must be remembered
that a large part Of the Bible wa
written by educated, cultured men
like st. Paul and St. Luke, who stud
led, thought, observed and travelled
Can anything be stronger from
purely literary standpointthan som
of the Epistles ofSt. Paul?Is there an,
more direct and delightfully."- worke
out narrative in the English languag
or any other language than the Cos
pei by St.Luke?If we would prefer
romantic novel, can there be foun'
anywhere a more interesting produ(
ton than the story of Esther, or tn
story of Joseph? For adventure
where can one look for a story su
perior to that of Eavid and Goliath
For excitement, the picture of tn
Children of Israel in their f1igh
through the sea is ideal in both cor
ception and treatment. The story {
Adam and Eve in the Garden {
Eden; the narrative of the three wis
men en- route to Bethlehem the pic
ture of the Galilean fishermen fright
ened out of their wits at the Lord
appearance upon the troubled water;
the stories of Jonah and the whale
Jacob and his years of service for tn
maid of his choice, Moses in the bull
rushes, the Rich Man and LazarU
and the dozens of others that Nigh
be mentioned-all breathe the spiri
of the highest literary genius. On
need not go outside the Bible to fin
romance, excitement, adventur
and all that goes to make an idea
story. And each possesses its hig
moral, its instructive lesson, its helI
full precept. Aside from its religion
value, the Bible is the great literar
standard which comes home to I
all, which possesses those element
in our language that will ever max
it a model for the art of writing. Th
man who possesses a fairly goo
knowledge of his mother tongue
and who would direct his energit
and thought in the literary field, cal
not go wrong by adopting the Bib
as a standard from which to shaI
and finish his talents.
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