THE CHILDREN AND BIBLE INSTRUCTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10131, 14 May 1896, Page 3

THE CHILDREN AND BIBLE INSTRUCTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—A considerable amount of talk has lately occurred upon church union, etc., but it will be patent to all who consider the matter that a Christian union, in sympathy and in work, must ever precede any church union; for, if not, the latter would prove bnt a farce, and the talk upon it as emptiness itself. For long past a grand opportunity has presented itself for Christian union and work, namely, a systematic Bible instruction endeavour in behalf of the children in attendance at the public schools. Suppose a large band or union, consisting ol clergymen, laymen, and ladies, were to join hand and heart on the common ground of mutual love for the Word of God, and of imparting a knowledge of the same to the children of the whole of the city a,nd suburban schools at a fixed time, say on the first three days of each week, at the closing school hour. If 100 or mora names could ishus band together, and, setting entirely on one side all churchism, uniting oalyas earnest Christians for a special and essential object, much beneficial result might theu accrue. Selected portions of the Scriptures adapted for the young could be unanimously agreed upon, and short and suitable hymns sung in addition. Should the foregoing prove too difficult to get into practice, then, here is a second suggestion : Let each city Christian Church agree to be rated for a fixed annual sum-perhaps £s—to supply the salary of a suitable Christian man and his wife, to visit daily two schools each day, half-past twelve and four o'clock, the city schools for the object of Bible instruction. Ihe help also of volunteer workers could be solicited to assist. The latter plan named would also afford a splendid opportunity, not of church re union (so-called), but of a practical Christian union, and which is a hundred fold the better of the two, being unmixed with ecclesiastical pride, power, and arrogance.— am, etc, w.a