Solution to Bible in Schools Question?

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 100, 1 May 1935, Page 8

Solution to Bible in Schools Question?

NELSON SCHEME ADVOCATED. “I firmly believe that the solution to the Bible in schools question lies in what is known as the Nelson system,” stated tho vicar (Canon G. Y. Woodward) in presenting liis annual report to the parishioners of All Saints’ Church, Palmerston North, last evening. “This system,” he added, “has been in vogue from the earliest days of New Zealand and wherever adopted the results havo been most successful.

“I think it is time to say, but oi course I am open to contradiction, that Parliament, by allowing this system, has opened the door into tho schools for religious instruction and looks to the churches to supply the machinery to bring it into operation. “I like t,o think this is so for it takes away- the stigma often placed on Now Zealand that it is a country where the Bible is banned from tho schools. “There is plenty of evidence,” he continued, “that the school committees favour tho Nelson system and I have heard that many- of tho teachers believo it to bo the only solution to the teaching of the Bible in tho schools. “But what to me is of the greatest importance; there is entirely no opposition to it from the people of the Dr.minion. “Here is the door of opportunity,” said the vicar, pointing out that throughout all the years it had been opened to all. “I am afraid the church, however, has shown a lamentable weakness in not entering with all her strength. I know tho excuse has been that all the schools cannot be reached; only those in the large centres. But surely, if church people are in earnest sufficient funds could bo raised for the appointment of accredited teachers to attend tho . schools whero tho clergy could not and so give to the children the highest and best of all teaching—tho Bible.”

He was glad to say that the churches in Palmerston North had awakened to the fact that the privilege to enter the schools was theirs if they had the zeal to take it. “Wo have the zeal and, at present, not only- the city schools but two country- schools aro at present receiving religious instructions,” he said, pointing out that he and the Rev. Ball went into live schools weekly. “I commend this movement to your prayers for as church people we do desire that those who are to bo the parents of the future and who arc to carry on the affairs of our nation should havo some knowledge of the Holy- Scriptures.”