BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 1 May 1926, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

(To The Editor.) Sir; —As the, Bible in Schools question Will be discussed soon at many householders’ meetings;- called together to eject, school committees, Hie following may he of interest to parents: A questionnaire asking opinions on the Bible in Schools question was sent lo Lord Burnham, owner of the London Daily Telegraph, who is well known for Jiis activities in the cause, of education and who was welcomed by the N.Z.E.1., our. State teachers’ organization. The following is,the reply, .sentbv his instructions:—“The Daily Telegraph, Fleet Street, London, 31st December, 1925. Dear Sir, —I have placed vour letter of September 25th before .Lord Burnham on his return from his lour in Australia, and in reply to your questions lie desires me to say that he considers there is no better guidance than that contained in the scriptural instruction given in English board schools in the formation of sound character. Yours faithfully, etc.” In London Board Schools each teacher has a, syllabus of Bible lessons, parts of the Bible are memorised, such as the Ten Commandments, Psalms, Proverbs, etc. A - syllabus is provided for Jewish' children. The deputy education of ticer of the London County Council states: “The arrangements with regard to Bible reading in elementary setoc-ls -are working satisfactorily.” In a New York journal Henry Ford has been advocating Bible leading in American schools, lie says: “I am interested in getting the Bible back into the public schools because of what my hearing the Bible read in public schools did for me.” In The New York Literary Digest, March 6th, 1926, an artieie appeared, headed: ’’’’Science supporting Religion,’ which records that Professor Osbni.i, the well known scientist, President, of the American Museum of Natural flistorVj New York City, proclaims ids 1-im belief in Bible instruction in the public schools.* The following are brief extracts frbrn his speech: he desires all the religious men in New York io get together arid agree upon a plan for schools. He says:—“The Hebrews have a rich gift to offer in the Ten Commandments which no man can refuse. . Why not brand on the minds and hearts of our hoys and girls such elemental imperatives as ‘Thou shalt not kill’ ; ‘Tliou shalt not steal’; ‘Thou shalt nut commit adultery’; ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness’; imperatives of all human experience? . .. Let- the Christian contribqte the Lord’s Prayer in which in a few words all religion is summed up. Let the Old Testament contribute great adages on the training of .youth, and purity of living.” Professor Osborn adds': “Religion and science will unite to control the future 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 local householders’ meeting to elect a school committee and that they will insist that a resolution is passed favouring Mr Isitt’s Bible in -Schools Bill, and that same is forwarded to the Member for the electorate, directing him to support the Bill in Parliament. l am, etc., tt . , KNOX H. SMITH, lion. SSc. Citizens’ Bible in Schools Propaganda Committee. 11 Mills Rd., -Mornington; Wellington, ’April 29tli, 1926.