CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 July 1925, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

l'liK IHr.J.K IN SCHOOLS.

(To Urn Editor). Sir,—The time is drawing near when tho Dominion will once mo-.e re involved in the turmoil of a generic election. The life-work * of tho late Prime Minister will stand for all tunc as an example of how a Christian training moulds character, and shapes destiny. We have it on the amhority of the Minister ol E'Juration that Mr. Massey earnestly desire.l to see the iiiMe in our ss bools and in wbaf more fitting man ler coulu we perpetuate his memory 'ban 1 y ruppoiiing at the polls only those candidates who pledge themselves, as the mouthpieces of Christian people, to «Jo their utmost to bring about this much-needed ieforni in our educational laws. Novi a I evils will continue to exmci is then baneful and potent influence on the community at large so long as we employ materialistic means to combat ami eradicate them. We are prone to treat effects instead ot causes, io iop oil the brandies instead of striking at the roots, and in eonsequen e the esiiits of onr efforts are ne,.drgd.de These perplexing and ever-die; easing problems confronting New Zealand at the present day are the into irable harvest of the seeds of secular ism sown in discord and inharmoiiy for nearly half a century, in IS<7 the banished by legislation from »ur State schools, anil the pernicious .secular system instituted. Predestined to failure from its inception by reason of its materialistic nature, the national system of education is responsible ;n no small degree .for the deplorable traits manifest .in the school children of the day. the innocent victims of a 'si lister* heritage from parents and I grandparents educated in the worldly atmosphere engendered by the manmade law : “and teachiim shall be entirely of a secular character.'’ We cannot retrieve the past; it is irrevocable; but we should make it a steppingstone to better tilings, bet Us begin from the bottom and build wisely and well for the sake of future generations There aie those who would relegate to Church and Sunday school the inculcation of Christian principles, but brief reflection should convince a thinker that the benefits accruing from ait hour’s instruction on the Sabbath, are totally inadequate as a remedial agency for the absence of Biblical teaching during the twenty-five hourscomprising the. ordinary school, week. The State schools of to-day are the training grounds ior the citizens ot to-morrow, and to ensure that our boys ami girls will be efficiently equipped to enable them eventually to carry out the important functions pertaining to good citizenship, the voice of the people should he raised in protest against the retention of an education code that i s sapping the moral life-blood of these young citizens m the making. Education entirely divorced from religion is wrong in principle, and disastrous in its ultimate effects. Spiritual -knowledge i s infinitely more beneficial than mere material wisdom. The essence and soul of all things is spiritual; take away the spirit and there is no vitality, no life. Our existing educational policy aims primarily at the development of the mental and physical faculties, but leaves the child groping in Pagan ignorance of the fundamental Truths that are absolutelv essential to the formation of character. In thousands of eases the primary school presents the only opportunity for hearing the Divine niessage of the Scriptures, but this, is denied the child by a tyrannical law that excludes the Word of God from State schools. So long a s the Bible remains to school children a sealed hook, and reference to its pages is forbidden the teacher, all eito.ics to instil patriotism, honour, and kindred virtues in the juvenile minds are rendered impotent and unavailing, modern methods of instruction notwithstanding. /The temporary suspension. hy the educational authorities, of the secular code on Anzac Day adn other occasions, when religious ceremonies are held in the public, schools, serves to emphasise the fact that when put to the crucial test, our “free. com. pulsory and secular” system of education pales into insignificance beside tho inspiring and impressive grandeur of Christ’s teachings, for “The TrnD is mighty and will prevail.” It is high time that petty sectarian strife and narrow iirojudice, that have been instrumental in keeping the 'Bible out of our schools, should he swept aside and an earnest and united effort made to have the law amended to allot' Bibiica! instruction to he given daily Ijv teachers in accordance with a syllabus to be drawn up by the .Education Department and revised every t"o or three years, as is done in England. This method would preclude denominational teaching, and parental privileges would he safe-guarded by a conscience clause exempting children from attendance when desired. Official re ports from abroad indicate that there is little or no sectarian feelings or friction with religious sects in connection with Bible-reading in schools. When setting up schools in Rhodesia Cecil Rhodes insisted that half-au-hoiir -each day should he devoted to religion s teaching. Matthew Arnold, the most experienced school inspector England had had for many'll day. said that morality could not be taught except on the basis of the Scriptures. Letters from State school teachers in Australia. in which country four States include Bible-reading in the school curriculum. furnish convincing evidence of the benefits accruing to both teachers and scholars. an L | of the harmonious working of tho system. A recent referendum taken indicates that the advent of the Bible in the public school„ of New Zealand would he welcomed by hundreds of teachers as heralding the dawn of a new era. when Christianity would be the predominant note of education. Then, and not till then, mav we pave the way by righteous methods to the attainment of those ideals which make for the highest and best in our home and national life. .•‘Righteousness exaltetli a nation.” —1 am etc., . . A STATE SCHOOL TEACHER. C.'olyton, Wellington.