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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 1

Safety Depends on Morality

Safety Depends on Morality,

Morality depends upon religion, and the safety of the the Government depends on the moral condition of the people. Their moral condition may be seen reflected in the enactments and ordinances of the Government Thus the commandments of God in the Bible are reflected in our common laws, e.g., with reference to the violation of the Sabbath, blasphemy, perjury, theft, and murder. The state has to do with religion, and this does not mean that there must be a State Church, or that some form of religious belief shall be enforced throughout the country, but it implies that religious worship is protected; that church property is exempted from the payment of taxes, while the State has nothing to do with the mode of worship. Religion has a political value as a means of securing civilisation, liberty, and good government. Our country's laws have largely to do with man's dealings with his fellow-men. In the Bible the rules for man's conduct are to be found most clearly laid down. In those lands where the Bible is most revered the majesty of the law is best upheld. It will thus be seen that this objection brought by some against the Bible in schools, is, when rightly considered, a strong argument in its favor.

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4. Of other objections, I only notice those adduced from alleged evil effects of Bible reading. I have heard it said that in the hands of