BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 119, 15 November 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

DISCUSSION AT THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. At 8 o'clock last night the order of the day's business at the Presbyterian Assembly was to consider the reports submitted by the two committees set up at last Assembly to consider this important question. Just prior to the Moderator calling it on, the Right Rev. Bishop Wallis entered the church and was very • warmly received by the Moderator and delegates assembled. Owing to the inclement state of the weather there was only a limited attendance of the public. The R«v. J. Gibb (ex-Moderator), convener of the New Platform Committee, reported that in accordance with its instructions, the committee consulted with the leaders of other churches, with the result that, after detailed consideration, the following basis of Bible-teaching in schools was adopted : — • 1. Repetition of the Lord's Prayer. 2. Reading of selected portions of the Bible in school hours, the teachers giving explanations as set forth in a text-book to be "prepared by a committee of the churches combining to secure this reform. 3. A conscience clause, to permit of objectors withdrawing during Scripture lessons. This platform has been adopted by the numerous Bible-in-schools Associations, which have come into existence in the North Island and in Canterbury, and which comprise in their membership ministers and laymen of all the churches, save the Roman Catholic. It is the AngliI can platform from one end of the land to the other, with the exception of the Anglicans of Dunedin, and they are not all in opposition. It has been adopted by the Wesleyan Church. It accords perfectly with the platform adopted two years ago by the Congregational Union. The Baptist Union has not as such advanced beyond the bare reading of the Bible in schools, but a great many Baptist ministers have thrown in their lot with those who have been actively endeavouring to commend the platform to the sympathies of the people of tho colony. As soon as the committee had decided on this basis of operations it put -itself in communication, by means of circular, with the entire membership of the church. Various recommendations were made in the circular, and, happily, in many instances, these have borne fruit. An active crusade was entered on, and by means of meetings and exchange of pulpits, and so forth, the interest of the .people has been stimulated, so that it may be affirmed that never before has this question been so truly alive as it now is. The respectful bearing that Parliamentary candidates are giving to our claims is itself an evidence that politicians are at last persuaded that we are unanimous, and in dead earnest about this matter. In the face of the plebiscites that fyave been taken in various parts of the colony, it is manifest beyond dispute that the great majority of the people desire some form of Bible-teaching in the public schools, and will vote for that without hesitation, if only the question is submitted to them uncomplicated by other and purely political issues. The first plebiscite was taken by the Presbytery of Oamaru within the bounds of the electoral district covered by that Presbytery. Ine result was most gratifying. . . . But the battle is by no means at an end, and there may be a stiff fight yet before victory is secured. Candidates who, before the polls, show great alacrity in making promises, not infrequently are marvellously reluctant to fulfil their pledges after election. But there is reason to believe that the first session of the new Parliament will see the necessary steps taken to submit the issue to the electors." It will be the business of the committee to leave no stone unturned to secure this result. If the Government falls in with our wishes, it is probable that they will request the united churches to formulate a sch§me of lessons, with the comments that are deemed suitable and necessary. It would not be difficult to produce such a scheme of lessons; a few weeks' time would probably see the work completed. But the' book, as the committee thinks,- is already in existence. The lessons and comments suggested -by the Victorian Roya' Commission, in the judgment of all who have seen them, will suit our purpose admirably. Prominent representatives of other churches have also spoken in terms of the highest commendation of these lessons. It is necessary, however, that the committee should be empowered, in co-operation with other churches, to prepare a lesson-book, with accompanying explanations. Before this is required of us, the other churches agitating for this reform will have held their annual meetings, and the committee will suggest to .them to give their 'Bible-in-direction. Finally, the committee conschools Committees full powers in this gratulates the Assembly on the distinct advance that has been made in the business with whose superintendence it has been charged. The Rev. W. Wright (Oamaru), convener of the Assembly's ordinary committee on the subject;, also presented a report on somewhat, similar lines. The ' Rev. J t Gibb then moved a deliverance as^follows : — "The Assembly ex-pi-esses its- gratification at the great advance which the cause of Bible-in-schools has recently made, and rejoices that the question is now so manifestly a living question throughout the colony ; encouraged by the Remarkable success which has attended the plebiscite canvass wherever it has been feried, the Assembly advises Presbyteries that. have not yet moved in this direction to take the necessary steps at the earliest possible moment to test the feeling of the people within their bounds ; calls upon the Government without delay to submit the question of Bible-in-schools to the people for their decision by Vay of a referendum; empowers the committee in conjunction with similar committees 6f the, co-operating churches io frame a suitable scheme of Biblo lesions with r accompanying comments of a simple and elementary character,- and commends to their favourable consideration the lessons adopted by the Victorian Royal Commission, and finally instructs, the . committee to leave nothing undone wliich may help in securing si speedy and successful issue to the long battle for the restoration of flic Word of God to the public schools of the colony." He need not dwell on what had been done in the movement up to the present. It was sufficient to say that no matter, what any outside critic might say, all the Protestant churches in the colony now stood together, shoulder to shoulder, pledged to insist upon the Bible being introduced into the public schools. Their visitor of that evening. Bishop Wallis, being present with them, was sufficient indication of the compact force that they had behind them. Not only that, but they had the people behind them, as had been shown in all those districts where plebiscites had been taken, and where the. people had spoken with no uncertain sound. Then they had the political candidates pledged to secure a referendum on the i subject. They had specially prepared questions presented to them at every point, and in consequence of the expression of the people, their answers had pledged them to support the referendum being taken. Then they had another duty before them, and that was after the holidaya to send a delegation to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon and ask him to pledge the Government that the question shall be submitted to the people. . The Rev. I. Jolly (Palmerston North) seconded the deliverance, pointing out that they were not yet quite out of their trouble, and they must not relax their efforts in the least until they attained { their object. While they were surround-

ed with politicians of sceptical opinions they had to keep up the agitation and educate their people sum persist in their demands. It was a matter for congratulation that the womeD of New Zealand had a. vote, as they -would exercise a strong influence on this question, because they were interested in the proper education of their children. They knew better than the men what then? children wanted, and knew well the value of a Bible training. More thorough organisation must be insisted upon, and more activity shown in every Presbytery, in every parish, and in the most remote districts from Stewart Island to the North Cape. The Bishop of Wellington expressed his thanks to the Assembly for its cordial reception that evening, and was pleased at the fact that the Protestant churches in the colony were standing together on this question. But he saw something farther in this amalgamation hi the future. If they could stand together on one subject, they would be able to stand together on others, and there were many things which they might stand together on. to the glory of God, and so prepare for a union of the Christian, churches as would lead to a union of all those who desired to follpw their Redeemer and to live in love and peace. The deliverance was then put, and unanimously agreed to, and a cordial vote of thanks accorded to Bishop Wallis for his attendance.