BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 8, 4 October 1927, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

ENGLISH EDUCATIONISTS’ OPINIONS.

Sir,—A questionnaire asking opinion* on Bible reading in sc’tools was sent by the Citizen Bible in Schools Propaganda Committee of Wellington, on March 2, 1927, to those representative educationists in England who were called to give evidence at the British Government's Departmental Committee set up by the Right Hon.- A. L. Fisher, British Minister of Education, which sat in London to inquire into the teaching of English in the educational system of England. Of the replies received almost all favoured Bible reading in schools. The following are some of the comments received with replies:— Professor H. Bonipas Smith, Professor of Education, the University,- -Manchester, stated on May 16, - 1927: "The Bible has had so great an influence that boys and girls cannot understand the deeper movements of our history and our present life unless they know something of the Bible and its meaning. Thev have normally an interest in religion broadly understood which deserves to be developed equally with their other fundamental interests. Bible lessons are often the most convenient and effective means of helping them to satisfy these interests. For these and other reasons schools wliieli exclude the Bible from their teaching are likely to give an education which is seriously defective.” „ T .., WMr. B. B. Ballard. M.A.. D.Litt., District Inspector of Schools of London Count v Council, stated:— j “It 'would be difficult to overestimate tho influence of the Bible upon the British race. Much that is fine and noble in our language we owe to the English translation of the Bible; much that is fine and noble in our national character we owe to its teachings. To exclude tlie Bible from the schools js to deprive them of the best instrument of culture we possess.” Dr C. W. Kimnnns, late Chief Insnect’or of the London Schools, wrote: *“I wish vou every possible success in your great work,” and continues: “As a former Chief Inspector of Schools for the Loudon County Council I have had much experience- of Bible teaching in London and elsewhere- and I have no doubt whatever as to its great value to the schools. It would be a national disaster to discontinue- the use of the Bible in our schools.” Mr. G. Sanson. M.8.E., N.F.U., tlie Moberly School, Harrow Road, London, wrote:— . “There is no teaching that can take the place of Bible teaching for children of our race. France tried to do without religious teaching after the Revohit ion with dreadful results. The Bible is a book of unparalleled beauty from nil and every point of view.” He believes in memorised portions., . Rev. V. W. Pearson. M.R.. Principal. City Training College, Sheffield, 1905-1921. commenting on questXoh three ("Would Bible reading increasa a boy’s vocabulary and give him a better command of tho English language in its nurityf’D, says:— ... "Yes. Percentage of English words (currency estimate): Bible, 96: Sliakrj spoare, 90: Tennyson, 88; Macaulay, 75.