BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

A LEAGUE THAT IS BROKEN. fcPIpMM ACTING-PRIMATE'S ADVICE TO SYNOD. The following reference was made to the. question of tho Bible in schools in the opening address ol Bishop Julius at too meeting of the Anglican General baited at Auckland yesterday [ now come to a question of groat perplexity on which the opinions which 1 shall venture to express may very likely bo unacceptable, and must bo 'taken for what they are worth. Tho Bible in State Schools League was formed, as you know, for the purpose of providing tho dements ot religious instruction for the children of the dominion on tho lines of what is known as tho New South Wales Act, A groat and unsuccessful effort was made, to obtain a referendum. Soon after the outbreak of the war a considerable sum of tho funds in hand was handed over tor the relief of tho wounded, the offices were dosed, and nothing more was done. After tho war tlio league appeared to consist of a president, secretary and treasurer, an executive, and a sum of about £6OO. A inceting of tho executive was called, and it was derided to icl'er the question of the future policy of the league to the authorities of tho Churches included in it. Answoiv have been received from many of them, somo of which I must read. Our own awaits and has long-awaited tho session of General .Synod. Tho answer of the Presbyterian General Assembly is as follows:

1. That the executive of the Bible iu Schools League be informed that the. Assembly no longer adheres to tho platform (if tho league. 2. That the Assembly affirms the policy of securing tho use of a Scripture textbook, approved or prepared by the Education Department, to be used in all schools for imparting knowledge of the text of Scripture without comment, a conscience clause being allowed for both teachers and parents. 3. That ministers bo urged to take advantage of the Nelson system. 4. That other parties’ interested be approached with a view to securing the presenting of a petition to Parliament in accordance with resolution 2. The resolutions of tho Methodist Conferellco aro somewhat lengthy, but amount to this:

1. An affirmation, of the necessity of including religious instruction in the national system of education. 2. A recommendation to the Bible in Schools League to eliminate tho demand for right of entry from its platform. 3. A suggestion that tho Education Department, collaborating with representatives of tho Churches, provide a .Scripture lesson book in which tho essentials of the Christian faith aro given place. 4. Only simple comment, on tho lessons to bo given, and a conscience clause for teachers and parents is to bo provided.

You will see from Ibis that the league is broken up. If revived, it will bo on other Hues, with a. very different scheme of instruction. What answer will yon make? In three successive. Synods we affirmed the principles of the league, and held fast to tho definite opinion that the provisions of the New South Wales Act would enable the Christian Churches to bring the Gospel of our Lord within the reach of the children trained in our State schools. If wo had thought that text-book was sufficient, with little or no comment, why did we demand right of entry? Have wc changed our minds, and do wo think that a textbook drawn up by the Education Department is sulfcicnt for tho religions instruction of our children. If not, are we, as l!:e General Synod of this province, to ask for what wo believe to be necessary, or to ask Fur what we think wo can get? The religious instruction given by tho London School Board is much more ample than this. It is often said that what can be ihmo by the London School Board can bo do no here. I do not think so. Tho circumstances a-ro entirely different.. Teachers in England, trained in her schools, colleges, anud universities, have not been brought up from infancy under a system of education wholly secular. My answer to tho inquiry of the executive would be this; Wo maintain the principles in support of which wo leagued together, and wo are not prepared to abandon our claim for right of entry. It is a real pain to mo that I cannot agree with my brethren of other Churches, nor with those of my own communion who will support them, I am prepared to grant that tho use of a Scripture text-book, with tho recital of tho Lord’s Prayer, will bo an advance upon the present system, sufficient perhaps to salvo the national conscience, and block the way to any genuine means of religious instruction, if that is all tho Churches want they are certainly content with very little. But the temper of the people is changing, Religious instruction will be given, and given effectively. Tho people themselves will demand it. Meanwhile, we must do the best wo can. We must build and maintain onr schools, train our teachers and scholars, make our Sunday schools effective, our Bible classic s vigorous and strong, and use to tho utmost every facility afforded to us of teaching in tho State schools. I am delighted to hear, of tho formation of p, Bible Class Union, and wish it God-speed.