BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 11

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir,—ln his reply to my previous letter Rev. W. A. Keay has altogether failed to substantiate bin claim that the Congregation Churches of New Zealand are not opposed to the Bible in Schools League's programme. The official attitude of the denomination is clearly seen in the resolution I ha\e already published. It is one of condemnation of the proposed "right of entry" clause, and is very far from being an endorsement of the "simple Bible reading" proposal of the Bible in Schools League. It is always open to Mr. Keay to deny that the vote of the council of the Congregational Union of New Zealand. reflects the mind of the individual _ Congregational Churches in the Dominion. Unless I have been mistaken the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist- Churches were officially pledged to the league's platform before'the individual churches, com ' prising these Mies, were asked for their opinion. But, of curse, no one with any knowledge of such things will assert that an official council, synod, or assembly is not' representative. If Mr. Keay will read mv last letter romewhat mow carefully he will see that I did not assert that he had been " dragged into the Bible in.Schools League." , I presume he joined the league because he was able conscientiously to sign its platform. What I am protesting about is the position Mr. K«ay. takes up. when

he speaks from the public platform of the league. .Mr. Keay is fully entitled to deliver his own soul -to his heart's content, but he has no warrant for misrepresenting the body to which, he belongs. in , his letter ;■ Mr. Keay informs your readers that the Bible in schools question was sprung upon our union. As I 'had occasion to remark in my previous letter, Mr. Keay was not it member of .our union at the time of th& debate, which took place 15 months ago. Had ho been a member of our union then he would have known that the- subject appeared upon our official programme, and was introduced by the finest plea for Bible in schools that I have yet heard. Our docision therefore waii not arrived at without full thought ami lengthy discussion. I believe Mr. Keay did make an attempt to have the Bible in schools question re-opened at our last conference. No one questions his right to demand that tie subject bo reconsidered provided, the request is in accordance with our- rule, which requires that notices of motion be in the secretary's hands, in writing, two months prior to the date of the conference. This proviso Mr. Keay ignored, henco the rejection of his motion. Why, then, speak of it "squashed?" It may bo that a handful of men are recognised as leaders in the Congregational Church in New Zealand. To a certain type of mind they may even seem to dominate the churches. I wonder if this is peculiar to the Congregational bodv? H. Steele Ceaik.

' Sir,— the Heiiald of May 15 a let-t«" i appeared from the. Rev. A. G. Clarke in I connection with the Bible in State Schools ' League meeting in tho Town Hall, »nd finishes up with a veiled threat to "let sleeping dogs lie-" I think it is time he was told that there are enough lions asleep when wakened up to' give a good account. of all tho dogs they are likely to meet . with. Southern CROSS. i Mount Eden, May 16, 1914. I [ j i !