Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-03-26
STOKESFAVORS
BIBLE STUDY IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Tells Methodist Conference
Laymen He Would Make 1t
Part of Curriculum.

Former Governor Edward c. Stokes
in an address today at the annual
laymen's meeting in connection with
the Newark Methodist Episcopal con-
ference advocated teaching the Bible
in public schools Just as history and
literature are taught. The meet
ing was held in the Clinton Avenue
Baptist Church and was largely at
tended.
The former governor said: Net
only would I like to have the Bible
read in the public schools, but
would have it taught and made as
much Of as history and literature
are now.
Its teachings would serve as a woof
and warp for profit thinking and
right living by the children, who would
study 1t, and 1 have not the slight
est doubt Of the wisdom of incorpo-
rating the Bible as a prescribed course
of study in the schools. Objection
might arise from some quarters, but
1t might be met by permitting Jewish
children to study the Jewish Bible
and Catholic children to study the
Catholic Bible.
There is less difference between
church and the State than some
persons seem to think. Many of our
colleges and universities have been
founded by clergymen. and they havs
much practical work in common"
Learned Politics from CIergymen.
That he had learned most of his
politics from clergymen of the Meth
odist denomination, that If they were
with him in a campaign he always
felt sure of winning, and that the
church and state were not nearly so
far removed as some people supposed,
were other statements made by him
which won the applause of his hear
ers. He also declared that the posi-
tion of bishop in the Methodist
Church was q more ealted one than
that of United states senator.
The former governor also declared
that the legislatures of the various
States today were dealing with sub
ects that were rightly within the
! province of the Christian ministers
to handle He declared that he hoped
that the time would soon come when
ministers would take their rightful
place as leaders in great moral move
ments.
According TO the announcement OF
the program, the former governor
was down for an address on THE
Centenary or Veterans Fund.- de-
signed for the support of superannu-
ated ministers, but he took occasion
to intermingle considerable politics
in his talk
There is not so very much ditfer-
ence between a politician and a min
ister," said Mr.. Stokes, especially
between a politician and a Methodist
minister. I learned my politics In
the Methodist Church, and / feel
when l have the Methodist ministers
with me in campaign that ] will
win.
Neither is there such great diff
ference between church and state,
and / believe that every church in
this country is a police power for the
preservation of order in the State.
The church aids the State in teaching
obedience and respect for the law.
The State recognizes the church as a
part of itself, and il is for that rea-
son that it exempts it from taxation.
Christ put the church upon in.
quiry and we have been seeking fol
knowledge for ages, When Charla.
magne the Great wanted a commits
sioner of education he sent 20 Eng
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