BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1887, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

We have been requested to publish' for public information the subjoined copies of the letters of apology from the Bishop of Auckland and Mr Beattie for their absence from the public meeting held on Monday last of persons in favour, of the Bible -in - schools movement. "We doubt not both letters will--'be perused with great interest by many of our readers. The letters are each addressed to a member of the committee subscribing to the advertisement of the public 'meeting. The. Bishop .of Auckland; it will be seen, like Bishop Stuart, of Waiapu, is a supporter of the Bible : in-schools movement : — Bishopcourt, Auckland, June 27th, 1887. My clear Sir,—l am sorry that I cannot attend the Bible-in-schools meeting this evening. I shall be very glad if our Education Act can be altered so as to admit of selected portions of Holy Scripture being, read without note or comment in the Board Schools of the colony. I encloso a copy of an address given to our Synod in 1879, in which you will find a full statement of;my opinion on the subject of i ; eligious teaching", in our day-schools.—Yours faithfully, tV\j G. Auckland, Bishop.

'St John's College, ParTtiTSll; 27th' June, 1887.—1 regret most sincerely that an unavoidable engagement will-prevent my being present at your meeting. I trust that a combined and earnest effort will be made to secure the regular reading jof certain portions of the Bib o in the public schools The moral and spiritual trainingof the young is, to my mind, a question which involves not merely the welfare and happiness of individuals, but the honour, prosperity, nay, the very existence of the whole community. To know Gpd, and honour Him, to love and serve putneighbour are, unless the whole verdict' of history be false, the essential and funda mental requisites to national well-being. Any movement .which tends to promote this will command my heartiest sympathy and co-operation. —Yours, etc.,W. Beattie.