BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 190, 6 May 1908, Page 4

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE.

■ Sir, —Tl'o hon. secretary of the Counci of the Evangelical Cliurches is correct in hi: statement that that body is not in any waj connected with tlio Citizens' Biblo in State Schools League, The League has, all along endeavoured to make it clear that it is e Citizens' League, and there should bo ne room for confusion, excopt to those who art wilfully blind. With regard to the innuendo contained ir tho latter part of the secretary's letter, wc consider it is unwarranted, in view of the fact that Mr. Dowdncy made no attempt tc find out from the League whether their actions wero "surreptitious" or otherwise. The League, after due consideration, felt that it was desirablo to elect men to school committees who were favourable to its platform, i.e., tho simple reading of tho Bible without theological teaching, and proceeded to do so along tho recoguisod constitutional lines. Tho facts that a circular letter of a semi-public naturo was sent to committeemen weeks before tho election, and tho name's of tho League's candidates wore published, must convince Mr. Dewdney that the League's actions wcro perfectly straightforward, open, and above board. Wc do not know whethei tho innuendo is Mr. Dewdney's own, but wo do not think that it,, has the endorsement of .tho Council. . J; , ... There is one point that; while writing, should bo made clear, namely: that the League knows porfectly that any committee which might bo appointed must administer tho law as it stands, and there could bo 110 possible objection to anyone holding tho Leaguo's views, being a candidate for the honour, unless .it is considered that ,such men would deliberately break tho laws, in wliicli case wo can safely challenge comparison botweon thoso olocted and those; who favour Bible reading in schools.—l am, etc., ; . J. R. BURLEY, ' . ' Chairman Citizens' 'Bible in State Schools League. Wellington, May 2, 1908.