BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19195, 8 December 1925, Page 11

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

SUPPORT IN PARLIAMENT. PROMISES FROM 48 MEMBERS. LEAGUE'S HOPES OF SUCCESS. . Ihe progress of the Bible in schools movement was referred to by Archbishop Averill last evening at the meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations. The archbishop quoted from a report of tho organising secretary of the Bible in Schools League, which was presented to a recent meeting of the executive, held in Wellington. The report stated that many Parliamentary candidates 'who had approved of the bill for the teaching of the Bible in schools had been elected to Parliament. In the new House, it was estimated that 48 members, including three Maori members, might be relied on to support the bill. One member was in favour of the Nelson system, 11 were classed as doubtful, and 20 were opposed to the bill. It was accidental that the majority of members supporting the bill were Reform members. The report considered that further steps should be taken in the campaign. These included the appointment of a permanent organising secretary, letters to the members of tho House of Representatives and the Legislative Council, the selection of a member to "father" the bill in Parliament, and also for the calling of the people of the churches to prayer for success of the bill. Archbishop Averill said the question of appointing a member to "father" the bill had been referred to a committee. They should be very thankful to be in the present position, and if the bill was ever going to be passed, it would be passed by tho present House. They should do their best to create a feeling in.the country in support of the bill, which they believed to be for tho rights of the children and for the glory of God.