The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1895.

Evening Star, Issue 9833, 23 October 1895, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1895.

Ox October 9 the Scripture Text Books iu Public Schools Bill was

Bible introduced, but is hardly in School!, likely to be proceeded with further. Considerable opposition was offered, and tho first reading was only carried on a division, members generally objecting to a departure from the usual practice of allowing any Bill to pass the preliminary stage. Mr G. J. Smith, one of the members for Christchurch, is the promoter, his object being to authorise the use in the public schools of the Irish National School books of Scripture lessons. The Bill provides that at the annual meeting of householders in each school district there shall be submitted to the vote of those present the proposal that the lessons iu these Scripture text books shall form cue of the sul> jects of instruction in all public schools. If the majority of the votes recorded throughout the Colony should be in favor of the proposal, it is to be given effect to, but no child is to be compelled to be present at the giving of the lessons, and any teacher who objects on grounds of conscience to use the books is to be relieved from the duty. It is not our intention in referring to Mr Smith’s Bill to reopen the Bible-iu-schools controversy, which for all practical purposes in New Zealand is as dead as C.ksak, but only to remove certain misapprehensions which arc entertained as to the views on thequestion of those denominationalists, who are really earnest in their opinion. It has been asserted, ibr instance, that the Roman Catholics would accept the use of these books as a compromise, and, were the Bill to become law, would withdraw from their position of antagonism to the State system of education. It is quite true that half a century ago Archbishop Muuhay and, we believe, one other prelate indicated a disposition to recognise national schools in which the books were used ; but the voice of tho Irish hierarchy was very promptly and determinately raised against any such recognition, and was supported by tho supreme authority of the church, which absolutely condemned the Irish National School Books of Scripture lessons. The introduction of religious teaching into the public schools, under any pretext, would imperil the very existence of the national system, based as it is on the secular principle. An apple of discord would be thrown down in every school district throughout the Colony, and the worst evils of denorainationalism would prevail. It is contended that Scripture lessons can be taught without dogmatic interpretation or sectarian influence upon tho minds of the pupils, but this is contrary to reason and experience. However conscientious a teacher may he, if he has strong religious convictions these must necessarily find expression in his interpretation of the Bible. If, on the other hand, he has no such convictions, he may do incalculable harm by irreverent treatment of sacred subjects. No mean between pure secularism and denominar tionalism is possible in an educational system. The Church of Rome and the secularists, whilst they entirely disagree, both occupy a logical position.