MORAL TEACHING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 10, 11 July 1912, Page 8

MORAL TEACHING

NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT THE BIBLE. MISS N. M'LEAN'S VIEWS. • A plea for the introduction of the Bible into ouf schools was advanced today by Miss N. M'Lean, principal of the Wellington Girls' High School, iv her evidence before the Royal Commission on Education. Teachers were asked, she said^to undertake a. hopelessly dim-, cult t»6k, if they were asked to produce a,. s oicero, honourable, truth-loving, and urj/elfish tyjbe of character without. the possibility of presenting to the children's minds and imaginations the highest ideal of all, and of presenting the requirements of the Highest definitely on His requirements. In this matter New Zealand was lagging behind Australia, where for the most part the New South Wales system of Bible-reading had been adopted. The results 'of the omission in Now Zealand were already evident in the unhealthy love of excitement 1 - and pleasure (as evinced, for' instance, by the 'crowds of children at the picture shows), in the want of respect for authority, and generally the want of reverence and looseness of moral ideas. Not to be aware of these things was to stamp one as 'living in a fool's paradise. BETTER FOR THE BIBLE. Mr. Kirk: .Do you think the proportion, of crime is less in countries which have Scriptural teaching in schools? ' Mies M'Lean: I _ think in England, where Bible teaching is given, there is a. higher standard of morality and conduct than. in other countries where it is not given. Mr. .Kirk then read out the long paragraph in the syllabus dealing with moral instruction, and asked the witness if that was not , sufficient. ' Miss M'Lean : I should add to that the study of the Bible. If- that is included the deficiency in moral instruction would nof be so great as. it appears now. ■ . 1 Mr. Kirk : Do you think there is any real need for the introduction of the Bible into schools? Miss M'Lean: I do think there is a I need. I think any kind of moral teaching which dissociates religion from ,the daily life of the people is pernicious. Is that teaching given at home? — I I think it should' be supplemented by daily practice , in the schools. At the same time, I do not wish to imply that the present body of teachers does not giyo moral .instruction ; but Ido not think \it is sufficient for the highest needs. ■ .