Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-16
WOULD FORGET
CHURCH LINES
DR.. LOCKE PLEADS AGAIN FOR
BIBLE IN SCHOOLS
WANTS COMMISSION TO MAKE
EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK
Says He Believes That All Gould Be
Satisfied and Great Good Be
Done to Youth With
out Harm

I'VE are not satisfied with the public
schools as they are. The Roman Cath
oHcs are not satisfied. The radicals
are not satisfied. The Protestants are
not satisfied. Can we not get togeth-
er? Is there not some common
ground?"
These were expressions of DR..
Charles Edward Locke, who by urgent
invitation addressed the Federation
club at noon yesterday on the subject
of 1.-THE Bible in the Public Schools" !"
In his address he gave his argument
that the chief purpose of the common
schools is the formation of character,
and that there can be no permanent
principles of character inculcated un-
less some standard Of morals is ac-
cepted. He said it was recognized
fact. so stated by Blackstone and Kent,
that the Bible is the foundation Of the
common law. DR.. Locke argued that
a foundation of ethics and jurispru-
dence that was accepted by the nation
ought to be recognized in the popular
education of our nation. Therefore, for
its refining moral influence, the Bible
should be returned to our public
schools.
Holds Bible of Literary Value
DR.. Locke then quoted leading edu-
Gators who are urging the use of the
Bible because of it's incompatible lit
erary quality. He again explained
his proposition that a commission be
appointed that shall take under advise
nIent the introduction into the schools
Of such excerpts from the Bible as
shall be without any denominationaI
or sectarian bias.
"Can we not get together as patri-
ots?" said DR.. Locke. "This is not q
generation of sectarian and denomina-
tional animosities. We should decline
to inherit the bitter antagonistic feel
ings of other years, and strive as be-
levers in the noblest and best to adopt
some methods of work, and to meet on
some common ground where for the
sake Of our youth, our homes, our
country and our common veal, we may
lift up our standards of honor, integ-
rity, purity, sobriety, industry and
economy, obedience to parents and the
laws of our country, and accountable
ity to Almighty God. This is not an
atheistic nation. This nation believes
In a Supreme Being, we are not under
the slightest obligation to pay any re-
gard to the wishes of atheists. Only
the fool hath said in his heart there is
no Cod
"There is a book which is the foun-
dation of the common law of the ma
tions and which reaches the highest
water mark in all ethical and moral
teachings-that book is the Bible. All
the progress OF, civilization has not
been able to add one principle to the
immortal precepts of this Incompatible
book. Now, would it not be possible
and is it not expedient for a group of
sane and sensible men representing
the leading sects and nominations to
make such a compilation from this i'm
mortal book of such principles and
precepts, as that without any sectarian
or denoninational bias, our youth shall
come in contact in the schoolroom with
the wisdom of Solomon, the inspira-
tion of David, the thrilling episodes in
Hebrew history, the awful Thou
shalts' and Thou shalt nots' of trem-
bling Sinai. and such excerpts from
the New Testament as would complete