Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-06-07
Why NOT real THE RIBI.E,

The Ladies' Aid society Of the FIRST Baptist church
mas just adopted resolutions appealing to mothers to do
everything IN their power, by precept and example, to
promote modesty Of dress and demsanor on the part Of
their daughters. Among those who particdnated IN the
adoption OF these resolution are women as cultured and
progressive as are to be found anywhere. They have spo.
ken. kindly and temperafely, but impre.ively. because
they realized that there existed need tor expression. The
existence of that need cannot be denied by anyone who
walks about with open eyes.
But 1t is on another Of these resolution. th.t connmen+
Is offered ct this time. The society expresses the desire
that there may be a resumption Of the daily reading 81 the
Bible. without comment. in the public schools. why moi?
The Herald is just as strongly opposed As anyone can
be to the 3mineline Of the affairs Of church and state. It
does not believe in the teaching Of religion in the public
schools or in connection with the public schools. 1t ques-
tons the wisdom of the plan which is proposed for the
local schools under which grade pupils would be excused
at stated and frequent periods during regular, school hours
Tor the purpose Of attending schools Of religious instruc-
be read in the schools. not as a relisious exercise. but as
a logical and necessary step in the work of a SOUND sec
ular education and as a means of promoting good morals
and good citizenship. &&$,r. \
Many persons have been 30 insiAent on standing up
straight on this matter Of religious education that they
lean over backward. Quite properly opposing the use Of
the agencies of the state for the promotion of any particu-
lar religious faith, they would withdraw from the schools
all Of the instrumentalities of religion, no matter, how
great their value for other purposes. Because some chill
dren eat too fast, or too much. they would deny all chill
dren bread.
No objection is made to the presentation in the schools
Of the stories Of creation current among Mexcans, Peru
VANS and -ohammedans Why should be exclude the
poetry and dignity Of the account current among the He
brews? II the story of Cleopatra Is suitable for a state
school. why not the story of Ruth. The. sayings Of Poor
Richard are considered suitable for school use; why not
the Proverbs Of Solomon. which are fully as good? The
Bible contains rhetoric and logic, poetry and philosophy.
Some of the finest passages in the English language are
to be found in its pages. It presents a moral code which
Is accepted the world over as containing the ESSENTIALS Of
useful and correct living. The fact that religious systems
have been evolved from it, and are based upon it, does
not detract at all from its value as a book Of secular in
struction. No person can be considered even moderately
we'll educated who is not familiar with it. There is no
reason why it may not be read in school, just Aesop's Fa-
bles are read. or Emerson's, essays. or Iincon's speeches,
without any reference to its religious authority. II OBJ
lection is made to the exclusive use of the King James
version, there are others, use them all. and use them alike.
But to exclude the book entirely because people are not
agreed on its Interpretation il to deprive children Of some
thing that belongs to them, and which they need for the
development Of their intellect. and the growth Of their
character. 81 Gt .&&s st