BIBLE IN SCHOOLS;

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 276, 14 August 1908, Page 9

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS;

c*. ■■ .-r.'.11!! * .'i'tl -jroaHji'Jf ' The "organising secretary'of 'the Bible in State Schools League of Queensland writes It will be of interest in New Zealand, where the question, of Bible iii State Schools League .is . concerned,, to ..know what is happening in the State of Queensland in regard, to the same 'subject. .The. Bible in 'Estate Schools League in -that Staite was founded by representatives of the Anglican, Congregational, .'Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, and was subsequently increased by representatives of the Salvation Army and other smaller religious bodies. For some years -it passed through, the usual vicissitudes; which accompany, any public movement; but this year attained tne success of an' Act of Parliament, which was passed by overwhelming majorities, enabling the question 'to' be put to' the electors of the State. The question is'as follows:— . ' . .Are you in favour of introducing the following .system into Stato ■ schools, namely:—The 'State schoolmaster, in schod "hours, teaches selected Bible lessons from a reading book, provided for the purpose, but is not allowed to give sectarian teaching. Any minister of religion is entitled, in school hours, to give the liis own-deriomina--tiori an hour's religious instruction -on such day or days :as the school committee can arrange for. Any parent is entitled to' withdraw his child from all religious ■ teaching/-if he chooses to do ■ so: referendum is to bo taken at the next Federal General Election. It will be seen that tho Queensland League has asked for and obtained a larger question than tho New .Zealand League is 'seeking, the plat-form-of the.: .Queensland League-being, in fact', ; the system, .which has existed in New South. Wales since 1866, in Tasmania sinco 1868, in .Western: Australia sinco 1893, and Norfolk Island sincq 1906, so that if Queensland answers this question in the affirmative the method of.religious instruction will be the same in'four of the States, leavings only two of- tho States without any such settlement. There has been a remarkable movement in connection • with the Queensland League by-..which the churches concerned have exhibited. n unity of purpose such ashas never been know-in any other movement in the State; and which undoubtedly has had a considerable influence in commending the work of the Leaguo to the electors. This unity. has been shown at if th« churches concerned in which all ecclesiastical differences 1 have been put > aside; and on several occasions there has been tho hitherto unwonted spectacic of the-Anglican Archbishop presiding ■ over great demonstrations in the principal Methodist 1 Church of tho State, surrounded by Methodist presidents, Presbyterian moderators, and other ecclesiastical personages of other churches.