The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-21
PLEAD FOR BIBLE
AND THE SABBATH
Put Scriptures in Schools and Keep
Sunday Sacred, Say Christian
Citizenship Speakers. p

Following up the avowed determin-
alton OF the promoters OF the Michi-
gan State Christian Citizenship con-
vention, being held under the auspices
OF the National Reform association,
TO have the question of the use OF the
Bible In the public schools made
strong part of the deliberations OF
the gathering, the first Of its kind
held In Michigan, the Rev. Charles
Nease. OF Grand Rapids, read paper
on the subject, Wednesday morning.
before the delegates gathered in the
Y. M. c. A. Mr.. Nease discussed the
need OF placing the Bible In the pub
lie school curriculum, attacked the
arguments OF the opposition. and Of
fered suggestions how TO meet and
combat this opposition.
Mr.. Nease said In part:
1T Is objected by some that the
Bible Is religious book and should,
therefore. have no place in the cur
riculum OF the public schools. To
which we reply, that man is religi-
Gus being and wherever he has been
found and In whatever state OF civil
ization, he Is a worshiper. The Bible
Is not book of art, OF science, or OF
philosophy, but II does stimulate
thought; II does produce healthy &C.
ton. II does set before us the high
est ideals. and where It's teachings are
accepted and studied IL produces the
highest type Of manhood.
VI Not a sectarlan Book.
THE Bible is not a sectarian book,
and it's use In the schools should be
free from all sectarian bias. The use
OF the Bible In the public schools Is
opposed by two classes OF persons:
Christian zealots are opposed to any
use OF the Bible in the schools which
Is not either connected with or under
control of the church. These hold
that the Bible Is so sacred that only
holy hands should handle II. Others
tell US that to have the Bible taught
universally In the schools Is to put
a premium on a misuse OF the book.
And they also assert that this COM
mon use Of the Bible would give the
pupils false estimate OF the holy
scriptures.
They point to the fact that many
of our public school teachers are not
religious, and they say to us that every
person who handles the word OF truth
ought to be a devout man or woman.
The word deals largely with the wor-
ship OF God and with the religious side
OF mans nature and life, and, there
fore. they say, IL can not be properly
taught by men who are not religious
and who do not worship.
They tell us further that there are
many public school teachers whose
ideas OF Bible truths are so very crude
and erroneous that their instruction
would be almost certain to create I'M
rest and disturbance, that such teach
ers would awaken prejudice against
the scriptures In some minds and
would be injurious to the religious
development of those whom they In
struct.
False Estimate Of Bible.
.In reply TO these statements, IL
may be said that many people have
a false estimate of the scriptures be-
cause of the fact that they are I'M
acquainted with them. There are
also those who are prejudiced be-
cause OF what they have heard about
the Bible; and In some other In
stances there are prejudiced minds
because OF the narrow, selfish sectar-
ianism with which they have come In
contact. These last look upon the
Bible as a sectarian book, and their
dislike for 1t grows out OF the dislike
for certain teachings of some certain
sect.
1.-THE character OF the book Is such
that we need have no fear for the
result of the general reading and
study of the Bible, for 1t Is its own
Interpreter. He who has preserved
and brought down to us, through all
the efforts OF its enemies to destroy
IL, this holy book in such complete.
ness, He will see that all who read
Il with open mind shall not go far
wrong in their Interpretation OF It's
meaning.
1T Is high time that our sectarian
differences were brushed aside and
we came together on this matter and
that we give the Bible It's rightful
place In the public schools, and that
its history be taught. that Its rich
literature be utilized, and that through
its use. true ethical standards be
given TO our children and youth, and
thus the highest type Of character be
produced.
THE other class OF directors to
the use Of the Bible In the public