Correspondence

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 21 May 1926, Page 3

Correspondence

School Committee Elections and BiliU f in Schools. Opinions of Lord Bnrnfcam er.d Henry y Ford. A Scientist's Suggestion. Sir. —As the Bible in Schools question will be discussed soon at many House holders' meetings, railed together to elect Schoof Committees, the following may be of interest to parents. A questionnaire asking opinions on * the Bible in Schools question was seni - to Lord Burnham, owner of the London " | "Daily Telegraph," who is well known J for his activities in tbe cause of educa tion and who was welcomed'by the N.Z.E.l.—our State Teachers' organ 1 ization. The following is tbe reply, I sent by hia instructions: — j "The Daily Telvgraph, Fleet St., I London, 3lEt Dec, 1925. ] De«r Sir, j I have placed your letter of Sept. ; 25th before Lord Burnbamon his return from Kin tour in Australia, an:i in reply to your q'.jt-itions hs desires me to say iftar, be consults there is no bettur ' j guidsnef: than that contained in the ■ j Scriptural instruction given in English Board Schools in the formation of sound j character, j- . ■ Yonrs fa'ti.l'ujly. etc." In London Board School? each teach er has a Byllabus of Bible lessons, parts of-the Bible are memorised, such as the Ten Commandments, Psalms, Proverbs, etc. A syllabus is provided for Jewish children. Ths Deputy Education officer of-the London County. Council states: "Tbe arrangements with regard to Bible reading in elementary schools are working satisfactorily." In a New York journal Henry For.i has , bsen advocatir.j.; Bible reading in American schools; he says:— "I am interested in getting the Bible back into tbe public schools because of what try bearing tie Bible read in public schools did for me." In "The New York Literary Digest" March 6th, 1926, an article appears beaded: "Science supporting Religion" wbich records that Professor Osborn, the well known scientist, President of the American Museum of Natural Hi? Tory," New York City, proclaims his firm belief in Bible instruction in the Public Schools. Tbe following are brief extracts from his speech: he desires all the religious men in New York to get together and agree upon a plan for schools, be says:—"The Hebrews have a rich gift to offer in the Ten Command ments which no man can refuse . . V\ bj not brand on the minds and hearts of ourbciys and girls such elemental . icn peratives as 'Thou shalt not kill'; Taou sbalt not steal'; 'Tbou shalt" hot commit' .adultery'; 'Thou sbalt not bear false witness'; imperatives of all human ex, periencs? . . . Let the Christian con ! tribute the Lord's Prayerin which in a few words all religion is summed -ap. Let the Old Testament contribute great .adogeß on the training of youth, and purity of living." Professor Osborn adds: "Religion and Science will unite to control tbe fu ture of mankind." In California steps are being taken to take a State-wide Referendum on Bible reading in Schools. Trusting all parents desiring Bible reading in Schools will attend their lo teal Householders' meeting to elect a School Committee and that they wiil in sist that b resolution is pas Bed favour ing Mr Isitt's Bibla in Scboob Bill, and tbat same is forwarded to tbe Member for the electorate, directing him to sup port the Bill in Parliament, Yours truly, Knox H Smith, Hon. Sec. Citizens' Bible in, Schools Propaganda Committee. Wellington. ' (The Kbove did not arrive in time for publication before the annual meetings of householders to elect School Com mittees.—rEd.)