Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-23
THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE.

One Of the principles declared by the
educators gathered recently IN Min
neapolls, was In favor Of the adoption
OF the Bible as book Of study in the
schools, not as a religious work but
as a literary work Of the very greatest
merit The resolution adopted was'
1T Is apparent that familiarity with
the English Bible as a masterpiece Of
literature ~ rapidly decreasing among
the pupils IN our schools This Is the
direct result OF conception which re-
cards the Bible as theological book
merely ana thereby leads TO its exclu-
sion from the schools OF some states as
a subject OF reading and study. We
hope and ask for such change Of pub
nc sentiment In this regard as will per-
init and encourage the English Bible,
pow honored by name IN many school
laws and state constitutions 10 be
read and studied as literary work
Of the highest and purest type"
by actual tests It has been proved
that Biblical knowledge IS extremely
small among the students IN American
school, Of both sexes. And that this is
a deplorabe fact, few viii deny. But
how can II be remedied? The mere
reading OF the Bible IN the schools
without any explanatory comments,
would In many cases prove unsatlsfac-
tory, And an intelligent child would
necessarily ask numerous questions on
many passages The desire to know
would not be satisfied with the mere
reading And there is whore the mis-
chief would be done. Teachers COM
mittcd to creeds and confessions would
naturally instill into the minds Of the
pupils their own peculiar beliefs, no
matter what the beliefs Of the parents
of the children might be. The children
would hear one Interpretation at school !
and another at home. 1t is, we pre-
sumo, the almost imperative necessity |
of commenting upon the Bible when
reading II, and the impracticablllty OF |
doing SO impartlally, that has created !
The American sentiment In favor Of its
exclusion from the schools, not because
Of inhdel sympathles, but because of a
desire for fairness to all parties inter-
ested IN schools.
There is no doubt that the English
translation Of the Bible Is a literary
gem of the highest merit, The English
speaking world cannot afford to lose
il In the literary rubbish that becomes
more and more abundant. The Bible
could probably be read more in the
pulpit, and especially in the family
circle. Portions OF 1t could probably
be memorized in the Sunday schools,
The literary merits of the volume, the
grand paintings Of the authors,
heir poetry, their history, their laws,
heir vlslons-all make it the most pro-
ltable reading eXtant But II remains
% be said that only when It is read
Is a divine work, an inspired record,
viii It be read as II should |
je. Only he who sees on It's
)ages the mystery Of myster-
es," and consequently reads TO
Ind the solution can derive true bene-
II from It, The reader who opens the
,ook TO criticize to doubt and to scorn,
viii find few beauties in It, and but lit
lie truth, because he is incapable OF
such things by reason
# his disposition, And the same can
'e said Of all inspired records given to
nan.
The discussion Of this topic has for
IDLY brought to mind the fact that
he Bible no longer holds the position
/ used to occupy in public esteem. win
ever be restored to that position? 1t
) evident that we are living in a time
'hen, but for the communication Of the
.lmlghty to man through other chan
els, the human family would be in
anger Of losing what knowledge Of
iod It once eagerly drew from the
ages Of the ancient records, for the
nipple reason that the reading Of these
ecords has become more and more
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