BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 97, 22 April 1909, Page 3

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

(By Frank Morton.)

We are suffering the periodical outbreak of the misguided zealots who clamour for the introduction of the Bible into our secular schools. Mr S. Pearson has issued a circular to householders —a beautiful document that begins thus:—"ln the majority of the day-schools of the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland, and South Africa the Bible is read daily, but New Zealand banished the Bible from the State schools somo thirty-five years ago, with the result that there are a great percentage of younn- men, native born, in our gaols, besides the effects are seen in other directions.'' Now, if any man slandered an individual citizen so vilely as this Mr Pearson sees fit to slander the whole nation of New Zealanders. that man would probably have to pay for his game. It is preposterous that this sort of thing should go on year after year in a country that takes its intelligence seriously. It is useless going into the "general question at any length. It is impossible to convince the° zealots, and the public is fully convinced already. The Bible is not needed in State schools, simply because State schools have nothing whatever to do with religion. If they had, the muddle would be endless. There is infinite difference of opinion as to Jbiblical interpretation, and it would be sheer folly to worry State school-children .-with that sort of thing. Leaving higher considerations of principle altogether out of the reckoning.