BIBLE IN SCHOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 11

BIBLE IN SCHOLS

REV. JOHN PATERSON AND MR. / IL ATMORE. M.P. c. The following is an extract from a let- . ter addressed by the Rev. John Paterson,.’ of St. Raul’s Manse. Wanganui, under date July 27, to Mr. H. Atmore, M.l’.. "Some weeks ago you publicly challenged the Hon. L. M. Isitt or myself to a liebate on the question of Bible teach- ? in our primary schools. After discussion between Mr. Isitt and myself, it was decided that I accept your challenge. > Accordingly, I wrote you on July 4 definitely agreeing to debate with you oh July 30 in the Town Hall. Wellington, with the Mayor of Wellington as chair- J man. After eight days you telegraphed..that you were-delighted, but objected to •• the Mayor as chairman. You also said • “Expect letter shortly.” I expected, and;-, kept on expecting, but no letter came, so I telegraphed reminding you that. time, was passing, and asking for definite news.— On July 21 you telegraphed that a Monday was not suitable. I then wrote oftev-. ing to meet vou on Thursday, July 26, Friday, July 27, Tuesday, July 31, and still left Monday, July 30, available. A letter from you crossed mine intimating how eager you were to meet me, aiid telling me how you meant to deal with’ ■’ me at that meeting, but you refrained from fixing a date. I also gave you. full freedom to pick your own chairman,. ’ and said if the Town Hall was not avail-" able, we could find another place. “This morning I had another long letter charging me witli various faults, but still weirdly silent on the one matter between -. us —the coming up to scratcli by you ■ regarding a date. These are the facts. lAniyone, considering them, can still be- ■ lieve you want to meet me, lie is welcome to do so. As far as lam concerned,' I cannot waste any- more time or money , communicating with you on the subject. You issued the challenge, and by every principle of decency were bound to meet me when I was willing, unless some most unavaidable engagement rendered it impossible. To claim general pressure ot Parliamentary business is absurd. I see from your last letter that you belong to that section of mankind who believe R clergyman has lots of spare time on his hand’s. I can assure you that in my case it is an illusion. I. too, am a busy man, and for some days I have been makall my engagements tentative, on the expectation of my going to Wellington to meet you. . .