BLBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12851, 9 July 1907, Page 9

BLBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

A LOCAL COMMITTEE'S ACTION.

The Kaiapoi School Committee met Inst nitfht. Present —.Messrs G. A. F.'ie-i (iiairman), A. T. Clark. A. G. Asiiby. F. Thorn©. T. Knox, H. Packhoml", 11. Parnnain, ami the Rev. W. Hi ovon. A referendum circular from the Citizens' Biblc-in-State-Schoo]s Committee, Wellington, "was read, particulars of which - have already been pub-li-hrd. To the circular, which has been sent to *.ll tie schec'j of the' colony, is attached a voting paper, askin*; tiie Committees to vote "l'es'" or ••No." Mr Ash by moved, and Air Thome seconded. "That tho Kaiapoi Committee leturn a reply in the affirmative." Air Clnrk wished it understood thnt he fully approved of Bible reading and Bible teaching, but, as at present, leavo was grnnted to the ministers of all denominations to give religious in.it met ion to scholars whoso parents wished them to be so taught, there was no need to moke any new departure. Ao th© ministers were more intimately i-i touch with the teaching of the Biblo, they ought to perform the work better than the school teacher, and he took it that, the purpose of religious teaching was wcil met.

Th© Chairman, after observing that this wns no new question, in reply to those who showed hostility to Hible rending in schools, said he might point out thero was in no school a recognition of a Supreme Being. Parliament recognised a God, and opened its proceedings with prayer, and this was a good precedent to follow. Th© need ot a book which sot up a high moral code and gave somo information cis to the beginning of all thing*, the mystery of lif." and dp-itb. and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, could only add to the education of the children. Th© advent of Jesus CHYist was no mere myth; it was a great historical fact, well vouched for. The proposals mode in th© circular were all that could be wished. I'll ere would be no comment beyond that stated. The Ministers might be the most sympathetic teachers, but h© thought the school teacher could make admirable use of the beautiful lessons in framing tho moral character of hi* school. In the hands of ministers the idea was that the lTible was a book to be kept apart from daily life whilst it was really a book that should be in common use by those who had no conscientious objection thereto. The vast majority of scholars would be Bible readers, and the majority of teachers would sympathise with Bible reading One good plan might be to introduce th© modem English version. Its in traduction would not add to the syl tubus, «Ts it would take the place of » lesson book. Tlie bogie hitherto raiseu that it would lead to sectarian teach ing must soon disappear. The Roy. W. Heaven said he considered that not all parts of tho Biblt should bo reed, Cut that selections should be made, and perhaps a kind of text book adopted. It was also rather a large book for a lesson book, and on that account selected chaptors teaching historical and moral lessons would be selected for the use of the schools. The motion was then put and carried with one dissentient. Mr Parnham moved, and the Rev. W. Heaven seconded, "That the Committco in forwarding its vote, recommoncled the use of the revised Bible." This wns carried.