BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15322, 7 June 1913, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

ATTITUDE OF TEACHERS.

LEAGUE'S PLATFORM OPPOSED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Friday. At the meeting of the Otago Educational Institute to-day Mr. A. Mathews introduced the subject of the Bible in. schools with the motion: "That this meeting, recognising the value of Bible teaching and of religion, considers the Nelson system the most suitable method of Bible teaching in schools." After over an hour's discussion the teachers with unanimity declared their opposition to the league's proposals. In introducing the motion, Mr. Mathews emphasised the fact that the teachers as a whole did not object to Bible teaching in schools. He believed that the Bible should never have been taken out of the schools. He was five years at Mornington, where the Nelson scheme was carried out. Representatives of four Churches took classes on Wednesday, and he had found everything working very harmoniously. i • Mr. W. Davidson opposed the league s programme, mainly for the reason that it represented an attempt to introduce sectarianism and denominationalism into the schools. He believed many people would never have signed the league's card had they not understood that it merely asked for the Bible in schools. What the leaguo wanted was not Bible reading, but to separate the children in schools and to impart sectarian doctrine. He was strongly in favour of Bible reading and instruction .in the public schools, but he was even more strongly opposed to the platform of the league. Mr. Duggan (Windsor) moved, as an amendment.: "That the Otago Educational Institute, while recognising the value of Bible teaching and religion, is opposed to the Bible in Schools League's programme." He said, the league's means of attaining the end of having the Bible in the schools put a hardship upon the teachers. Mr. W. Euay said though he had found the Nelson system work exceedingly well he would support the amendment, to show as far as possible that the teachers in Otago were with the teachers of the Dominion on this issue. Tlie mover of the motion said that having provoked an expression of opinion he was prepared to drop his motion in favour of the amendment. The amendment was carried unanimously.