BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 12

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

THE NELSON SYSTEM. 1.. SUCCESS AT REMUERA. A REMIT ADOPTED. The agenda paper of the Auckland Primary School Committees' Association last evening contained a diplomatic remit dealing with the Bible in schools question as follows:— "That, after experiencing the advantages of the Nelson System of Bible - Instruction and its smooth working in y the Remuera school, the Remuera School * Committee recommend all other committees to take into consideration the ■ advisability of investigating the Nelson 1 System with a view to introducing it ■ into their schools." In* sponsoring this recommendation Mr. W. E. Hay said it was found that the Nelson System was working so satisfactorily at Remuera school that other 3 schools might wish to investigate it. This ) Bible reading and instruction was held 3 the first-twenty minutes of school . time daily. The system, authorised by . a vote of parents and carried by 206 , votes to 19, was operating in three . classes of boys and girls numbering 270 pupils. Six ministers of several [ denominations, carried out the work and the 12 non-attendants pupils did ordinary i school work. r Mr. G. Brownlee said it was found , that this study did no harm and ho was one of many who believed that any man i or woman who did not know something about the Bible was not, educated. It , was felt that -the success obtained was , worth bringing to the notice of other . schools. , The Rev. F. Greenwood referred to the . struggle for 20 years to introduce the . Bible in schools in Queensland, and a i bill was passed by Parliament 15 years . ago. The Bible reading there had since [ been carried out with no friction, i ' In reply to a question Mr. Hay said i that at first only Bible reading was , given, but now instruction was added. The chairman, Mr. S. E. Chappell, said that as the remit was on the agenda, it would require to be dealt with, but only as a suggestion to allow other schools to make investigations. Another member said that the Bible was in the schools 35 years ago in Liver--1 pool and it was the best book ever 1 published. The president, before submitting the remit, which was adopted, with four • dissentients, said that other schools could also, investigate the system as established at the Mount Eden and Matragawhau schools.