BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS BILL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18671, 21 April 1926, Page 11

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS BILL.

■ TO THE.rJUTOB 01- "THE PKISS." Sir,—Canon Watford and Mr A. C. Maxwell, headmaster of the Phillipstown School, point out some real difficulties in connexion with the enforced teaching of the in Schools" question; these arise partly owing to the multiplicity of creeds held by the different sects, of the Christian Church, though this ought not to bar its being read in the schools, seeing that they all practically teach the same fundamental doctrines. But .we must admit a greater difficulty occurs in connexion with those-»who do. not accept its teaching, and who are apt, in one way or to discredit it before the scholars.'. The position as regards those- who object to the proposal to admit the Bible is rather a difficult one, inasmuch as their standing and eligibility as public teachers must in no way bo jeopardised; but could not this difficulty be overcome, by tho-different denominations nominating one of their ministers who would voluntarily take the class for Scripturo reading? Seeing, as I think, that tho teachers who would object for different.reasons, would be- but few, no groat hardship would ;bo cast upon the clergy in doing this, particularly as several of the clergy could take turn about to fill tho gap caused by the teacher's objection; thus the object aimed at might bo attained without injury or injustice to any one teacher or parson. If the Bible is so superior, and its teaching so helpful in building up a noblo and Christian character, why withhold it from the children, whose only chance, in many cases, would be to read or hear it read in the, public school. To show the bene? ficial effect pf. only hearing the Bible read, allow me to quote one, among many, of such beneficial influences and results, from the experiences of a Moravian Missionary somewhere in Africa, which I read years ago. "A native student- convert who' wished to visit his friends at a considerable distance, decided to take his Bible with him. On the way, ho-had l to paßs through a heathen village, where he rested for some time.' To these villagers he read portions of his Bible, which told them of the great God, and their-duty to Him, also to help in His worship. The student told them they ought to build a house or Church, in which they might together worship Him. The student left on his journey, but after two or three years the missionary visited these people to find that they had built tho church; and were- eagerly waiting for a,teacher to further help them to worship the one' great God." May • not such benefits result from the reading of the Bible in our public schools if voluntary clergy will relieve objectors!— Yours, etc., < ■ CHAS. OVEETON. Christchurch, April 20th.