Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-07-04
A FIGHT FOR PRINCIPLES.

There is prospect Of an early settle
ment Of the controversy In England
on the educational bill. BY large
majority the House Of Commons have
declared 90 favor OF the policy OF The
government AZ expressed In clause
four. and the bill Il Is thought is sure
Of passage in the upper house, being
sustained by so large a majority in
the Commons
The measure provides that when
ever four-fifths Of the parents of the
children attending any former church
school. that has come under public
control desire that special religious
teaching Of a particular denomination
al character be given IN that school
the local education authorities may
afford" such facilities. The effect OF
this. IN certain class Of schools
would be 10 place the teaching OF the
Roman Catholic or Hebrew religion
upon the rates, making the taxpayers
foot the bin for sectarian instruction.
This was Objectionable 10 both Ang-
leans and Nouconformists. An amend
ment was finally offered. which pro-
vldes that the wishes Of the parents
Of the school children shall be ascer-
tanned by 4 vote among them This
is acceptable 10 the House. II insures
that no mistakes are made by the au-
thontles IN learning the sentiment Of
the parents. But It does not remove
the objection 10 assessing members Of
religious bodies for religious instruc-
ton IN which they do not believe.
II would be mistake TO consider
the strenuous controversy on the re-
ligious aspects OF the bin as proof Of
intolerance. 1t is rather a manifesto
ton Of sincerity Those 10 whom
religion is merely q form do not en-
gage seriously in controversies Of this
Kind. II one form Is about as good as
another. there IS nothing TO contend
for But 70 The difference is held TO be
the difference between truth and error
between right and wrong, and II the
consequences Of declaring for one
form. or another are Of vital import
snce. reaching beyond the grave and
into eternity then controversies can
be expected. aud All the more Intense
Il those who engage therein are seri-
Gus
IN the ancient Greek states. and lat
or On Rome. indifference TO all forms
OF worship and an kinds Of gods was
prominent feature OF the era Of de-
cline. It was argued that the strange
gods might be as potent as those with
whom the general public were ac-
oualnted and that the strange modes
Of worship might be- as acceptable as
other ceremonies From this came a
philosophical indifference TO forms and
crecds that finally brought forth gem
eral atheism. our age IL not very far
from having "a similar experience.
Il is not wrong 10 inquire diligently
into matters pertaining 10 crecds and
churches. with a view OF obtaining the
truth The Pilgrims iu Bunyans alle-
CORY were On search FOR truth and
although they were disappointed al
Vanity Fair they found IT, 40 one
will search in vain. &C searching hon
estly. TO reject falsehood and treas
ure up truth is not wrong But to en-
tertsin unchariable sentiments to-
wards others. who may not believe as
We believe is wrong Il would almost
boz better 90 be IN error az regards
creeds and to have brotherly love, than
TO see the truth and not 20 have that
love. Iu this respect the past ages
failed erleyously when they sought
by coercion. 10 make all profess alike.
Indifference and unkrdness are both
enemies ~ truth Truth and love 20
hand On hand.
The controversy 60 ENGLAND over tho
education bill has disclosed intense
sincerity ON tho part of many members
of various denominations Il has with
them been not a question of money
but of principle. And this we consider
. GOOD sign