BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 8

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

KELSON V. NEW SOUTH WALES SYSTEM. -33ISGUSSION BY GESSFERAI.' ASSEMBLY. The question 'of Bible-reading in schools was discussed at the General Aseemibly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand at St. Andrew's Hall this ■morning. The Moderator (Mr. J. H. McKenzie) presided, and there was a full attendance of delegates. The Auckland Presbytery presented an overture urging a pronouncement in favour of the New South Wales system of religious instruction, providing": (1) That the school teacher shall, during school hours, give selected Bible lessons from a prepared text book; (2) any minieber of religion, or his accredited representative, may give special religious instruction 'to the children of this own Church, apart from Che others, for an hour daily, on such days as may be arranged wabh the school committee; (3) any parent who objects arLay wi-t>h<lTa.w his child from all religious teaching. In order to secure the introduction of this system the Presbytery suggested: (1) That a special comaettee be set up to take charge of this matter; (2) that presbyteries be enjoined to use their influence to bring about the introduction of the New South. Wales system; (3) that the Assembly petition Parliament to follow the example of Queensland in this matter, and take a referendum on fhe question in connection with the general ejection next year.

In moving the overture, the Rev. A. Millar declared that the Nelson system was only a fragment of a system, whereas the New South Wales system was comprehensive, it was attended with successful results and worked without any difficulty. It was something worDh striving for. The General Anglican Synod had approved the system, as also had individual diocesan synods and several presbyteries, Auckland Pres-bytery 'being almost unanimous. A number of Parliamentary representatives had pledged themselves to support a referendum •being taken at an eariy date. Of the systems within the sphere of practical .politics, the New South Wales system ■was the best for New Zealand.

Rev. 1. Jolly seconded the overture, for the reason that the New South Wales system wae more likely to unite the forces of the religious people of the Dominion 'than any other proposal. The eystem would gain the support- of practically the whole of the Anglicans, ■Methodists, and Presbyterians. Personally, he favoured a system similar to that adopted by the London School Board, ■but he was prepared to accept any reasonable system .that would tend to overcome the evils of the absence of Bible instruction in State schools.

The Bible-reading in Schools Committee reported it was gratifying to iind that in those schools in which the Nel-1 eon system of Bible instruction was in operation, the work had gone on regularly, steadily, and wi'tfi every sign of good Tesulte. In many places practically the whole school was in attendance, while those engaged in the work enjoyed the hearty sympathy and help of the ■ teaching staff, who remained in. the classroom while the lesson was being given- At the annual meeting of 'householders, held in. April, many kindly references ■were made to the "work; and the Bible class* was-now,■■■regarded., by parents and children as. an established institution. In small places where the 'Nelson system ihad not been, adopted, ministers conducted claeses before or after ordinary school hours. It wae also a pleasure to report ■ that a few months ago, in response to It'he Tequest of the Timani Ministers' Association, the South Canterbury Board of Education: adopted the following TesoluUon: —"That this Board willingly gives permissioni to any school committee 'that wishes' to have Bible-reading once a week, and can make Buita'ble arrangements for the same, provided always that teachers and pupils (having conscientious scruples about attending shall be exempted, , % and !thafc on that day the ordinary school ihours be reduced to ifour and a-half hours." A copy of this resolution was forwarded to every school committee in the South Canterbury Education District, and in a short time it was hoped that committees and ministers of religion would take full advantage of the permission thus afforded to establish classes. The Timaru ministers had already received permission from the committees to begin the work in their three large town schools, ana this with the hearty approval of the headmasters. The Anglican and Presbyterian ministers of Naseby had also established classes with fhe fuD. consent and hearty approval of all parties concerned. ■ The committee regretted to learn that mrree prominent Boards—Auckland, Wellington, and North Canterbury—had not yet" seen tiheir way to make [provision ■for establishing Scripture classes within xeawnable houTS. In at least two of rfchese districts the matter was .brought . prominently before the, people prior to the school committee elections, and m a number of suburban and country, meetings resolutions favouring the introduction of toe Nelson system were carried, ' and committees elected in support of the earned In several cases;copies of Itfhe resolutiona passed were forwarded to the Board, tout these ■bodies absolutely declined to grant facilities for the introduction of the system, chiefly on the ground Ifchat they had no legal right to do so. It was astonishing !fchat after the system had 'been in operation in Nelson for more than a dozen years, and elsewhere for shorter periods, there should be so much misconception regarding rt on the part of prominent educationalists. In 1898 Sir "Robert Stout, Chief Justice, gave it as 'his opinion that the Nelson system was no infringement o! the ' 4ct, and in , Mr. Justice Coopers decision in the Wanganui case no fault was found with Ihis method of Bvblereading. The only change it made was that those who wished to set up claeses in the State schools roust ask the Board to fix the hours, not th« Committee, in no instance of which the committee was aware was there any violation of the Jaw The hours for the subjects prescribed by statute were observed, and the Scripture teaching was done outside State time, and Ifche children were', not obliged to attend the classes. TtaeAnclican Synod and at least two Presbyteries 'had passed resolutions in favour of the New South Wales system of Bible-Teading. The committee had not considered this matter very carefully, but was of the opinion that however good and desirable this system may he, it was not likely to be secured for many a day "While agitating for an amendment of Ifehe Act, let us not neglect .the work that lies at our hands and that misfit be carried on in hundreds of schools where no attempt has yet been made to introduce it," continues the report. "Let us show our earnestness toy deeds as well as by resolutions and peti- j

tione, and our legislators may ultimately learn to respect our demands and believe in our sincerity."

The Committee submitted the following deliverance:—Adopt the report; express gratitude that the Nelson system of Bible-reading is being adopted by- increasing numbers of ministers-and Christian -workers of all Protestant'denominations, thank .all those BoaTds of Education, committees, and headmasters who have granted facilities for carrying on the work; express regret that the Boards of Auckland, and North Canterbury have .not seen their way to grant our very reasonable Tequest; urge ministers and elders to co-operate with all who wish to see the Education Act so amended as to include the reading of a simple portion of the Word of God at the opening of the school, and again commend to them the great desirability of endeavouring to establish classes where none at present exist.

Rev. R. J. Porter (convener of the Cammittee) reviewed the essential features of the report in moving its adoption, and stated that the fault of. the absence of Bible instruction classes.was largely due to the ministers of religion. (General dissent.) He emphasised the contention, and declared that many ministers had not made a serious effort to find the entrance to public schools under the Nelson system. Ministers offered excuses for nejrle-ct by saying they were too busy, but while lie admitted ministers were kept fully occupied, they were often engaged on work not half as important as Bible reading in schools. - The church had not pushed the movement with sufficient determination and earnestness. The Committee had not seriously considered the New South Wales system, for the reason that it was felt such a system could not be introduced for many years to come. That system, however, would tend to accentuate the differences existing between the churches. In the meantime he advised the assembly to take up the Nelson system, and push it foT all it was' worth, While they were agitating for various systems they -were not making sufficient use of £he system at hand.

Rev. I. Jolly protested that the strictures passed by the Rev. Porter, as minister, were a good deal too strong and to wide.

Rev. W. Scorgie said he believed in the Nelson system but it did not give ministers a legal and assured standing, and they did not get a fair "backing or the official support they were entitled to Teoeive. Rev. P. B. Fraser suggested that unless people showed more earnestness, and in some way influenced education boards, they would not get much. further ahead. The Nelson system would accomplish ali that was necessary if they had the golden key—the goodwill of the boards, committees and teachers.

Mr. G. J. Garland (a member of the Auckland Education Board) explained the attitude adopted by the Board when appealed to by a deputation, and gave it as his opinion that nothing would be achieved until a referendum of the people had been taken. He believed that the Nelson system was not in a direction in which the people of New Zealand desired to go. The question had to be decided in a constitutional way. The Nelson system was not constitutional. In seeking re-election to the Education Board, he stated he was in favour of the question being settled by the vote of the people, and because of that the Rev. Mr. Millar and others opposed Ms election.

The Committee's report and deliverance was adopted, and the discussion on the Auckland Presbytery's overture was reBurned.

Rev. R: E. Davies (Dunedin) supported the New South Wales system on the ground that it gave more efficient results, equal in some cases to well-conducted Bible classes. In addition, it afforded a legal entry to schools, not a back-door admission, giving the children the impression that religion should not form a legitimate part of education. The system was the only statemanlike solution of the problem.

Mr. Davies moved the adoption of the overture and. the suggestions attached.

Dr. Gibb, in seconding, declared that the Nelson system was entirely inadequate, while the New South Wale 9 system was more likely to receive support. He urged the need for enthusiasm and unanimity, for unless they were united it was hopeless to expect a referendum being submitted to the country.

Rev. A. Cameron (Dunedin) held that the New South Wales system, led to separation and denominationalism, a result avoided by the Nelson system, and also created a danger by the work of the Minister being handed over to the school teacher. "Are the children of New South Wales more religious and more attached to the Church than in New Zealand?" asked the speaker. He would like to hear the opinion of those from New South Wales on that poimt. Mr. J. Htzgeral™ (ex-chief inspector of schools of Otago) stated that the New South Wales system had been attended with successful results, but pointed out that the conditions in New Zealand were different. He moved an amendment to the effect that the New South Wales system be considered by a committee; ■to report to the Assembly the modifications necessary to adapt the system to the con-:' ditions of the New Zealand public schools. Mr. Davies agreed to withdraw his motion in favour of the amendment, which was carried, with the alteration that the committee report to presbyteries and sessions in six months, and be considered at next Assembly.