RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOL.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 235, 10 January 1879, Page 5

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOL.

I At the regular meeting of the Dunedm ! Presbytery on Wednesday last, the Rev. | Dr Copland moved the following overture : — Whereas the Kducntion Act now in operation in New Zealand makes no provision for Ihe reading of the Bible within School hours, and is. on ibis account, unsatisfactory to a large body of the inhabitants ; Whereas the attempt has been made in some qu-n-t' rs to represent and to carry out the system as absolutely secular, excluding any reference in the pu'dic schools to Oo ( ], or io a future state of existence, and f=o we-dsenr-g the s-mctions of morality which the .youth ofthe land should be twined to understand, as a necessary part of fcbrir education ; Whereas, in consequence of the godless character thus assigned to the present national system, the feeling in favour of a denominational system Ins been gaining strength, so that the Bill of Mr Curtis, recently before Parliament, was only Wt by the narrow majority of six votes in a full House; Whereas, if such a Bill had passed into law. many who would prefer a national sv«tem in whicli the Bible was permitted to be read, would avail themselves of the provision of such an Ac^ in ordev to secure for their children a sufiioient opportunity of becoming* acquainted with God's Word, and, in consequence, the national system would be iv danger of beins: destroyed . Wlieras a knowledge of the contents of the Bible is necessary for the riylit understanding of a large part of English literature, and of many of the most important passages of history, aa well as for the understanding and confirmation o f true morality ; Whereas in Victoria — where the so-called secular system bas heen .for some time in opernfcion—it has proved unsatisfactory, so that thenis a probability of its being soon abandoned » Whereas there i«. no ground for exoeoting in New Zealard any better result from the present system ; , - ' Whereas provision for the reading of the Bible in- the public schools inny be made without interfering with the just rights of any by a slause being introduced enaetine* that the Bible shall be read at a fixed hour (the right being reserved to parents or guardians to withdraw their children. , during 3uch lesson, on giving notice in writing of their desire to do so) in all public schools, excepting those where the .? Committee having charge shall have passed ' a resolution (binding' only during their term of office) dispensihg/fritsuch reading ; , yyT' And wharees such an arrai^emehfc„wo^d con- - ■ -•■'••- '- ■-■■ '■-- "-' - ' -.A] ZiAMMtf^JM^ti&Sz

tribute, in the highest degree, to the intelligence ami morality of the rising generation, would satisfy the desire of the great body of tho inhabitants, would remove the strongest grouh 1 on which denominational system is demanded by many, and wonld (has tend to the nansolidabioii and permanency of the national system ; It is humbly overtured by the Pi esbytery of Dunedin to the Synod of Otago, indicted to meet in January. lS7t), to take the premises into consideration, with a view of adopting such measures for securing the daily reading of the Bible in the public schools as in its wisdom it may deem expedient. The Rev. Dr Copland spoke at length in support of the overture which was seconded by Rev. W. Will. Revs. Stuart and Watt also spoke. A very strong opinion was expressed by the Presbytery that unless the national system of education was amended so as to allow of religious instruction being iriiparted under certain conditions to those children whose parents so desired , a denominational system would be adopted at next session of Assembly. It was then resolved that the overture be transmitted to the Synod, in charge of Mr Will. ■■MiMUnaMimnHniM