THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC MEETING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1914, Page 6

THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC MEETING

If the Bible is put into the schools by the clerical "union" movement, even the so-called "godless" folk may hope that the Book will have better treatment there than it has at some of the meetings favourable to' religious instruction in tho State institutions. At an assembly of women yesterday, one speaker gave a ludicrously doleful, recital of the things which a teacher "must not do" at school. Here is part of the sorrowful story as told by a contemporary which supports the opponents of the present national system of education : — "The child might also wish to know something about the future life. She must tell him there is nO proof of any future life— for there is no proof, apart from revelation. She must not tell him, ' As in Adam all died, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.' She must not tell him, ' Henceforth there is laid up for me, a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me in that day, and not only to me, but to all them that love His name.' " There is a cheerful assumption here that unless the State school teacher "tells" the child about the Old or New Testament nobody else will , bother to give any religious lessons whatever to the young folk. Thus the parents are lightly swept aside as nonentities ; indeed, they are regarded merely as literally parents— persons who bring children into the world for a paternal and maternal State to train in all things necessary for time and eternity. Are parents invited to leave the salvation of their children to a scheme in the State schools, controlled by a union of four Churches? One ardent adherent of the Bible League has given words which conjure up a vision of mounted special constables as an aid in smashing the secular character of the State schools. Of course, this zealous person did not suggest the use of force, as in the old times of vigorous "conversion," but there is a peculiar note in the statement, as reported in a contemporary : — "One, speaking i from the country women's standpoint, declared that the country workers had to come to tho cities to take a hand in the industrial trouble before they could get their produce away to the London market, and the samo men believed that if they put their hand to the question ot the religious ihstruction of their children, they could with equal effectiveness secure their desire. '* \ This was an unfortunate profession of faith, and no doubt it will be deeply regretted by the shrewder heads of the League. The speaker meant that men who opened the ports could open the portals of the schools (presumably by peaceful means), but the unhappy phrasing may be used by Red Federals as an excuse for allegations that the Bible is to enter the schools on horseback, with a baton to 1 awe the resisters of denominationalism. Yet in such a case the ' 'specials" would be assisting a "union" to impose its rules on all the State schools; the countrymen would be on the side of those who wish to settle affairs of religion and conscience by counting heads. Some of those wlio- are not averse to religious lessons at the schools may much dislike some of the methods by which the Bible League is giving a very indifferent advertisement of its ideal. For example, one of the stock resolutions at the "union" meetings contains this assertion : — "The league is not asking the Government or Parliament to decide on tlie merits of the league proposals, or to say whether they are right or wrong, but is asking the Government to provide tlie machinery which will allow the people to directly decide that question for themselves at the ballot-box." The v "union" wishes to cover up its scheme with the name of "the people," but the "union" has boasted that its four Churches comprise "74 per cent, of the population." What does this imply if the "union" has the "solidarity" which it purports to possess, or if only a bare majority is required to destroy the national unsectarian system of education? The "union" feels sure that it has the majority in its pocket, and therefore all the brave talk about "trusting the people" may be only humbug. In asking for a bare poll, the "union" manifestly feels that it is gambling on a certainty, and the four partners in the unholy alliance of conspiracy against the peace of the Slate schools are confident that a referendum involves no risk to themselves. And that is democracy in the sphere of religion — government of the schools, by the "unibn" and for tho "union."

The certificates awarded to tho winners of tho events at tho State school children's sports meeting held in connection with tho CiUzona' Carnival will bo distributed, during the preoejjt week.