BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14758, 30 August 1913, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

.MR A. R. ATKINSON'S DENIAL, j (press association tulkcram.) ! WELLINGTON, August 29. With rcwpect to t!io telegram from Now Plymouth published on Tuesday stating that two congregations had protested against the reported statement ; of Mr A. R. Atkinson that: —"lt is J singular that the forces working for the Biblo-in-Schools movement art* a mixture of religious bigotry ami political ; cant." ; Mr Atkinson assures ihu l'ross Association that hw never made any such statement, and never attempted to make one on the character or motives of those engaged in tho movement, but on the contrary holds them in tho highest respect. lio points out that tho imputation to him of this offensive statement is highly injurious to his reputation m a private citizen and a public man. The Press Association accepts his denial without hesitation, and desires to give it tho fullest publicity, and to express its regret that the words complained of should have, found tliotr way into an Association message. A NEW ZEALANDER'S EXPERIENCE. TO THK KDITOR OF "TIIK I'RESS." Sir, —That deputation which recently waited upon tit© Prime Minister in protost against thosq who want to improve our national education should do what I did. .While in Sydney last month. I thought it a good opportunity to go to a. State school to see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears how the system of Bible-in-schools works there. * I first went to tho Department of Public Instruction, and saw Mr Board, the Director of Education, who gavo mo a card of introduction to tho headmasters and mistresses of any school in Sydney. 1 choso the Barlinghurst school, as it was tho closest to tho place where I was staying. It is a large school with on attendance of about 600 children, built in tho most up-to-date and modern style; in fact, it is quite a model school, and not long ago was visited by an architect from New Zealand, who wished to study the plan for future uso in., this country. I waa kindly received by the headmaster and mistress, who took a great deal of trouble to make my visit interesting. I was allowed to hoar five different classes instructed in Bible and in moral lessons. A Bible lesson on the journeys of St. Paul was given to the senior boys; it was taught with map and blackboard just like an ordinary history or geography lesson, tho boys first reading vereo about from tho Bible text-book. I had a talk with tho headmistress of tho same school, and she spoke most warmly of the good influence in school the visits of the clergy had, on the children. I asked her if any of tho children over used the conscience clause, and she could only remember ono girl who said her father didn't wish her to attend Biblo lessons.

At my request tho headmistress put her opinions into writing:—"Throughout a service of over 20 years in tho public schools of this State, I have never found any evidence of friction duo to our system of religious instruction and moral teaching."

Before leaving I wrote my narno in tho vieitors' book in the headmaster's private room. I noticed tho visitors' fist during June and July included the names of ministers of Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregational Churches, and Jewish jßnbbi, etc. The headmaster also spoko warmly of tho success of tho system, and seemed surprised that we in Now Zealand had not admitted the Bible into our schools. Ho wrote the following:— "The special religious instruction at Darlinghurst -works very smoothly. Ministers of all Protestant denominations attend regularly, and give an hour's lesson once a week. They work harmoniously. The State Scripture books aro read under the guidance of the teachers, and lessons in civics and morals are also given by them." — Yours, etc., XANCY "WILSON. Lethenty, Bulls, August 28th. TO THB EDITOR OF "TIIE PHESB." Sir. —Renewing my letter of the 25th inst.,' referring to Canon Garland's quotation from Mr Knibb's report, I wish to explain that my statement, "the has scarcely a Rood worn to say for any State religious instruction in the world," applies to the findings or final report to tho Government, in which religious differences aro disapproved of, and wherein tho French secular system is extolled and recommended.—Yours, etc., JOHN CAUGFfLEY. August 29th.